tha_fonz Reviews

Bernhard, Schavuit van Oranje (2010)

Benno on my mind

[26 January 2010]

Ever since I've seen the first episode of this amazing series, Benno's on my mind. This wonderful series tells us the story through the eyes of Prince Bernhard. We go back to pre WW1, when Nazi Germany was uprising. We see our Prince as a young playboy, always charming and a looker for the ladies. Bernhard, or Benno for close friends, is a very likable character and a real interesting one too. This is especially due to the wonderful performances of Daan Schuurmans (young Prince Bernhard) and Eric Schneider (old Prince Bernhard) They really look like the Prince, which in a way enhances the effect and makes it a real joy to watch.

There is also plenty of room for laughter in this series, and when you realise that this is based on a true story it's even more spectacular(!) All I can say is that this man has seen some action in his life. Some things the Prince has done in his life may not be all that glamorous...but they sure make a great exciting story to watch!

I think they did a truly amazing job to make this such a wonderful series. I don't think the people of the Netherlands will think less of Bernhard and the family after seeing this. I have a feeling that this actually might have a positive effect on the way we think of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...

Shade (2003)

Shade is great !

[19 January 2005]

Shade is a great movie if you like the genre. I can imagine that if you are not acquainted with poker games(or playing cards) you'll not like this movie and think it's bad acting.

This movie is about a mechanic: Vernon.

Other movies like, The Sting, The Cincinnati Kid, Rounders, also have mechanics in it, but not playing the leading role.

The director of this movie is also a magician. So some elements of that will play a part in the movie. Think about The Magic Castle.

The story reads that a young mechanic (Vernon) starts working together(again) with 2 other con men. That goes well in the beginning but later on a little "obstacle" get's in their way.

For me, this is one of the best(maybe the best) movies about hustling. I like the characters, and I like the names.

I like Stallone also in this movie. First I though it would be a bit of a let down. But he acts great in this picture. Stallone plays the part of "Dad(dy) Stevens"(Old Stevens). A real legend, who was maybe the best hustler of all time. You could shuffle a deck, give it to Stevens, and he could shuffle you the three desired cards to the top of the deck in three riffle shuffle actions. I can guess what you're thinking: If he could shuffle three desired cards to the top of the deck, why not four ? "Are you nuts! They kill you by four" Stevens would reply.

To me , a great movie, get's better and better every time I watch it over and over again.

Also the intro is really cool. An old scene of people playing cards with the young Stevens, who get's busted by palming a card while some mugger tells him to put his hands in the air. A gun fight begins, ...and then the demonstration of bottom dealing, push-through shuffling, revelations begins. With a very nice shade sound at the back ground.

Also I read a bit of the other posts.

About the names: The names are just for fun. The characters do no represent the real named magicians. However, I don't think most people will recognize a magician named Andrews. Andrews was also a magician/gambler but he is better know as the author S.W. Erdnase of the book "Expert at the Card Table".

Funny easter eggs are in the movie. Like indeed the names, the room 808 (were the poker games is played with the Dean) 808 is the number of Bicycle playing cards. The poker scene with Dean and Vernon (form the Cincinnati kid)

About the juiced deck. A juiced deck is a marked deck. This is a real deck. But, not like in the movie. Most of the times when you play with a juiced deck, you will not mark the cards like you actually see their indices. (For example, the 8 in the movie). Also that the other 2 could read it that fast is not believable. It's takes hours of practice to accomplish this with your eyes. Juiced is by far, the best marked deck out there. The fluid (the juice ;-) is for purchase. But still, one needs to know how to mark his deck ;-)

Stallone also says at the end that he could buy Vernon out. That is also impossible, regarding the fact that one cannot raise himself.

Tom.