I watched this movie with my wife and two boys of 7 and 9 years old. Good movie for them. At times a bit scary for the youngest one. Pretty good storyline actually. Better Than I expected. Nice role for Jim Carrey.
Reviews
9 Reviews
Birthday Girl
(2001)
Modern romantic story.
19 November 2005
Modern, original, romantic story.
Very good acting of both Nicole Kidman and Ben Chaplin.
Miss Kidman does a nice job in imitating a Russian accent. Ben Chaplin is also good as the shy, dull clerk. For the men (and some women) : miss Kidman looks fantastic and is very sympathetic. I forgot what a gorgeous woman she is. It's not hard to imagine that John falls in love with her. Some unexpected turns in the story are good for the suspense. Although I hoped for a happy ending, the last part of the movie was quite a surprise for me.
Conclusion : good movie.
Les Pays-Bas : huit points.
Very good acting of both Nicole Kidman and Ben Chaplin.
Miss Kidman does a nice job in imitating a Russian accent. Ben Chaplin is also good as the shy, dull clerk. For the men (and some women) : miss Kidman looks fantastic and is very sympathetic. I forgot what a gorgeous woman she is. It's not hard to imagine that John falls in love with her. Some unexpected turns in the story are good for the suspense. Although I hoped for a happy ending, the last part of the movie was quite a surprise for me.
Conclusion : good movie.
Les Pays-Bas : huit points.
Charlotte Gray
(2001)
Very good romantic drama in WW2 setting
8 August 2005
Very moving, romantic drama in realistic Second World War setting (France). Nice camera work too : e.g. a few beautiful scenes probably shot from a helicopter flying around a steamtrain and a view over the landscape with lavender fields. Excellent acting by everyone, especially Cate Blanchett (Charlotte) and the actors playing Julien and his father Jacob. Very good dialogues too; Julien's father Jacob says something like "Nobody fights for his country. You fight for your family, or someone you love". I like these kind of social psychological enunciations. It doesn't necessarily have to be true, but it makes you think. This movie also addresses the stupidity of antisemitism (e.g. when they come for Jacob). But to me, it was above all a very touching love story in a very cruel environment. Anybody who doesn't feel any emotions when watching this movie simply doesn't have a heart. "Which of these words is most important?" the psychologist says to Charlotte. "Love, faith or hope?" - "Hope" she replies.
Entertaining, but highly overrated
5 January 2005
I just have to write a few words to neutralize the overrated position that this movie holds in the top 250.
The movie is quite entertaining and fairly original, but it certainly does NOT belong amongst the 250 BEST MOVIES OF ALL TIME.
I have to admit that this movie was one of the best films of 2004, but hey, that was easy since 2004 was a disgrace. Many people thought that "Lost in Translation" was the best movie of 2004 and I think that says enough. Don't get me wrong, I agree that these two movies were the best in 2004, but (again) they cannot compete with the majority in the top 250.
I saw this movie two months ago in the cinema and I can't even remember what it was about. I remember liking it, though. 7 points out of 10.
The movie is quite entertaining and fairly original, but it certainly does NOT belong amongst the 250 BEST MOVIES OF ALL TIME.
I have to admit that this movie was one of the best films of 2004, but hey, that was easy since 2004 was a disgrace. Many people thought that "Lost in Translation" was the best movie of 2004 and I think that says enough. Don't get me wrong, I agree that these two movies were the best in 2004, but (again) they cannot compete with the majority in the top 250.
I saw this movie two months ago in the cinema and I can't even remember what it was about. I remember liking it, though. 7 points out of 10.
The Passion of the Christ
(2004)
Pointless piece of crap
5 November 2004
This is one of the worst movies that I've ever seen. It doesn't appeal emotionally and it is not informative either. I don't have a single clue why Mel Gibson made this movie.
In the movie, I don't get to know Jesus and I don't see how he became such an important man with so many supporters. The lack of this background results in an absence of sympathy towards Jesus when he's being tortured and an absence of a strong feeling of hate towards his agressors. Moreover, the reasons why the people hate him are not clear at all.
This movie is only showing us how Jesus was tortured and put to death. It is a bit violent now and then, but numerous other movies are more violent, so that is not the real problem here. The bloodspilling in this movie, however, is totally dysfunctional. When the movie was over, I said to my friend "Huh? This is it?!"
It is a disgrace that Mel Gibson found investors for this movie, because any director would have done a better job. I rate this movie two out of ten points (instead of 1 out of 10), since the actor who played Pontius Pilate was okay. The fact that the movie was in ancient languages is original, but totally ineffective. Constantly watching the subtitles is even a bit distracting.
2 out of 10
In the movie, I don't get to know Jesus and I don't see how he became such an important man with so many supporters. The lack of this background results in an absence of sympathy towards Jesus when he's being tortured and an absence of a strong feeling of hate towards his agressors. Moreover, the reasons why the people hate him are not clear at all.
This movie is only showing us how Jesus was tortured and put to death. It is a bit violent now and then, but numerous other movies are more violent, so that is not the real problem here. The bloodspilling in this movie, however, is totally dysfunctional. When the movie was over, I said to my friend "Huh? This is it?!"
It is a disgrace that Mel Gibson found investors for this movie, because any director would have done a better job. I rate this movie two out of ten points (instead of 1 out of 10), since the actor who played Pontius Pilate was okay. The fact that the movie was in ancient languages is original, but totally ineffective. Constantly watching the subtitles is even a bit distracting.
2 out of 10
The Godfather Part III
(1990)
A few good scenes, but overall quite poor.
15 May 2004
Disappointing last part in the Godfather-trilogy. I don't know why this third part is so weak, but it may be because of a number of factors. The story may not be interesting and/or it is not worked out properly and/or the actors are not convincing and/or God knows what.
The only interesting story-line is that of Vincent's. He reminds me of the way that Michael and Vito used to be. There are some good scenes with Andy Garcia (e.g. when he's lying in bed with Bridget Fonda, and later when he takes care of the Joey Zasa-situation). Sadly enough, Vincenzo is the only one who holds my attention and he can't save the whole movie on his own.
6/10
The only interesting story-line is that of Vincent's. He reminds me of the way that Michael and Vito used to be. There are some good scenes with Andy Garcia (e.g. when he's lying in bed with Bridget Fonda, and later when he takes care of the Joey Zasa-situation). Sadly enough, Vincenzo is the only one who holds my attention and he can't save the whole movie on his own.
6/10
Mystic River
(2003)
Quasi-psychological whodunit
2 February 2004
I won't say much about this movie, because otherwise I would reveal the whole plot. Yes, it is that weak. The actors are doing a fine job, that is not where the problem lies. This movie is kind of an extended Agatha Christie story. The different characters show no development at all and the motive of the murderer is unsatisfactory. Clint Eastwood should stick to what he knows. He tries to give some insight in the behaviour of the characters, but lets a deus ex machina solve the problem. Easy!!! I suggest that he try another spaghetti-western. Quasi-psychological whodunits are clearly not his domain.
Insufficient : 5 out of 10
Insufficient : 5 out of 10
The French Connection
(1971)
highly overrated
17 April 2003
I have absolutely no idea why The French Connection is in the top 250. Nothing really wrong with the acting or the cinematography; the story is just too simple and it never gets to you. It doesn't even come close.
I happen to like movies that have some emotional effect on me: unfairness, pity, revenge and (unreachable) love are themes that I usually appreciate.
The French Connection didn't have these elements and neither does it have other interesting themes. It's not Hackman's fault or any of the other actors, the story is just too average. If you want to see an excellent movie with Gene Hackman, I suggest "Mississippi Burning".
I happen to like movies that have some emotional effect on me: unfairness, pity, revenge and (unreachable) love are themes that I usually appreciate.
The French Connection didn't have these elements and neither does it have other interesting themes. It's not Hackman's fault or any of the other actors, the story is just too average. If you want to see an excellent movie with Gene Hackman, I suggest "Mississippi Burning".
Out of Africa
(1985)
Touching the right key
28 January 2002
I was very surprised that Out of Africa is not in the top 250. Sure, this movie is about a Danish woman trying to build and keep a farm in Africa, it's also about a woman who tries to be fair to her black employees and stands up against conventions when she feels she has to. But that is not what this movie is really about, I think. I was struck by this movie because it really touched me. I would call this movie a masterpiece, because it really does something to me, unlike other movies who may try to achieve this but are not subtle enough and turn out to be sentimental. I suppose it's very hard for an actress to get it just right. Meryl Streep plays wonderfully and so do Robert Redford and Klaus Maria Brandauer. It really does't matter that Redford is an American and not an Englishman in real life. Some reviewers had this against this film. If this bothers you, you're missing the point. I had great sympathy for Karen Blixen and truely granted her the love and happiness that she deserves to have. Therefore the ending is so intensely sad. The music is absolutely beautiful and probably one of the reasons why this movie has such a powerful impact. There are few movies like this one, but perhaps Leaving Las Vegas had a similar effect on me.
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