rudymovie Reviews

Pledge This! (2006)

Unbelievable.

[30 May 2009]

1. I am not young. I am Old (50+) 2. I know my "cinema history" , what you USA residents may see at TNT, etc. Art house too. 3. I also like " kids movies", as they are shown a lot here on comm. TV too (that s not " red", it is Kommersjal !!). (we have PUBLIC TV here as well!!) I mean, "Scream" (1), Scary Movie, etc they aren't THAT bad....Some Lohan flicks neither (Like where she changes with her mother). Last night one of our Comm Nets did this film . IT IS THE WORST PIECE OF FILMED STORY I HAVE EVER HAD TO SEE. (Apart from the Dutch 1970s film with P. Faber a.o. , called In Je Blote Reet or so) Of course, I changed channel after 20-30 minutes..... why the .... do these Dutch TV comp's buy this nonsense anyway, or was it a Package Deal ?? (With the ever present Basic Instinct, the Missioon |IMp.'s 1,2,3, the Rambo's etc. ??) Let Paris keep on partying and choke in it too.

The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008)

Action movie, leaves open many questions

[30 November 2008]

Being aged, knowing most about the R.A.F story from the news when it happened (1970s) including the events in 1968 (Berlin, Prague , Mexico , U.S.A.) I am much more disappointed in this " big production' on a major theme in post war German (European) history, than most other critics up till now. If you know little or nothing about the subject, like many younger people, this may seem a " cool movie". Just as an action pic, you're right. However, what I miss, is the ideological context in which all this was happening. There is some mention of sectarian leftist groups, we see major mass protests of university students, etc. And the starting scenes in Berlin (visit of Sjah) are the main " background" to the " movement". (by the way, how many under 30 people knew about the Sjah of Persia, anyway? I even remember first spouse Soraya from the early 60's...). What I miss, is , an explanation of what and how on the mass student meetings, they are just shown. Also missing are the deeper context of postwar BRD (Germany) not having come to terms with the Nazi past, especially in the situation of many former NSDAP - symp's having high places in society, government, industry, etc. As I remember, that was one of the main frustrations in leftist circles ( and not only there...). Etcetera. In this respect, seeing the first gen. members of R.A.F. speeding to an unexplained action in BMW's on the " autobahn" as if they were fun-cruising L.A. in a Tarantino muscle-car flic while having My Generation by the Who on the stereo this all is quite unbelievable for people informed about that era. I don't believe these guys were jet-set-emulators. Jet-set was capitalist and thus their opposite social stratum. Which they fought , with all fatal results. And, why the story ending with the death of the first four, how shocking it may be? This whole episode is too much for one movie. As a Dutch proverb says: " they took too much hay on their fork". (meaning the makers of B.M. Komplex). genomen".

Dirty Dancing (I) (1987)

dumb teen movie, predictable sound track

[25 May 2008]

I don't understand the fuzz about this one, to me it is no more than just another teen movie, about relationships, Love, etc. OK, the dancing is nicely done, the period re-making is excellent, in style, props, comments, etc., but that's all. Compared to the great masterpieces of my life, like the Fellinis, the Viscontis, the Fassbinder's, even the Scorseses (now talk about good sound tracks, this guy really knows them....Like Gimme Shelter...and his superb time piece Mean streets opened with the Ronettes too!!) this is NOTHING. Just teen amusement for the drive-in, to get long times of kissing and hugging, as there is nothing to see anyway. Conclusion: mediocre, and only "great" when you're just 15, the market it was made for. (At that age I went to see A Hard Days Night at least, quite another teen movie). O by the way, that sound track, so what? I miss Louie Louie, Beach Boys, It s My Party, She Loves You, etcetera. Those were my hits in 63, besides the Ronettes and Crystals.

La bande du drugstore (2002)

No story, and very unrealistic and historically untrue.

[16 March 2007]

A crazy film, about, what ? The events in the lives of some "swinging people" in the supposed 1960's. My comment: I find it quite an unrealistic movie, as the actors, who play "people in the 1960's", absolutely are unlike people in that era. They 'd rather be seen as contemporary people, who have been dressed up with " sixties " like (and in that respect not even true!) hair-do's, and costumes. I was an adolescent myself in the years 1964-1972 (the real 60s), and I have very well "lived' that age in all its newness. (I didn't enjoy that much sex as well, I am sorry to admit) But, as may be seen from old youth programs from television, that can be re-seen on websites, (like in Holland ,they exist, reviving vintage 60s discussions, forums, pop-shows, etc.) the attitude of young people, then was much more timid, hesitant, shy, etc. much more than the self esteemed style of modern actors. And, do you, modern viewer think that in those days Sex was talked about like in this film? I doubt it. This film is just as untrue, as Grease (what a comparison) to the real rock & roll- life style of the 1950s. Dreamt up by some people of this age . And on the soundtrack, it has mostly very boring too-well-known hits, and a lot of soul as well, which was quite fringe in those years. So?

Bobby (I) (2006)

1968: You were there or you were not....

[8 December 2006]

This movie only came to my knowledge as I saw some of the cast, director, etc. at the Larry King Live Talk show, last week. It has not reached Europe yet. Judging by Larry K Live, we will be treated to something.. (especially mrs. Sharon Stone, who I only remember for looking under her skirts in a Dutchman's movie, Basic Instinct, she was hilarious). True or false ? Hype or no hype? Judging by the previous " comments", many as they are, I suspect the reception of the film is very dependent on the age of the viewer. Quoting GWB, I would say, " You were there in 68, or you were not there". I was there in 1968, though in Holland , Europe, but fully aware of the goings on in the US, we had our own riots here in Europe, like " Paris May 68", or the Amsterdam Provo scene even in 66. Consciousness was already widespread in the post-flower power years. Actually RFK was shot on the day I graduated from high school. And the remembrance day of the Invasion of Europe by the Allies as well (1944, Normandy). Those are my references to that killing. Of course it was shocking, after his brother, AND one month after Martin L. King. BUT, was RFK that revolutionary, and a promise for a " better world" etc. as all this commenting AND the talking on that Larry King show seem to suggest? I have never had that impression in 68. The Kennedys were an American " dynasty', he was JFK's younger brother, and a Secr. of Justice dept. That's all. I might be wrong, being not-American. But I think, suspect, younger (american) generations exaggerate the meaning of Robert Kennedy for social/ political progress/ change. No wonder in these bleak years of republican US government....where even Jimmy Carter's legacy is something to cherish. I do understand fully the testimony by the man, above, who was at the shooting in 1968 (first page). As with every cultural/political/ social phenomenon, and this was a media event !, its understanding and perception change with the generations. The present young generations are in need of role-models for change, and a victim like RFK fits that well. Still I am curious, and will certainly see the film !.

Mean Girls (2004)

granddad loved it too !!!

[8 December 2006]

I am probably the oldest person to testify in these pages on Mean Girls. (57 years, remembering Ann Margret from my teen mags). (death of Marilyn as well, I was 12 then,but I loved Jayne Mansfield s breasts more). I saw MG on our local TV last night, where the station usually drabs us with worthless US "action", " romantic comedy" or Scream-4 like sequels. But the news paper comment on tonight's TV , said something about qualities, and rightly so. THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE, even more as it is a Teen Movie. Because mostly those are badly made, formula-wise, etc. MG being the exception. Great subtle jokes, good casting, good acting. Normally (American Pie, yawn) I would have switched off after 20 minutes, but this one kept me awake. AND LL is a promise, for decades to come. PS when I was at high school, over here, things were completely different....over here we laugh our .... off at the scenes on US schools. (This reminds me of that first movie with Sean Penn, on a High school, that one s great too, but what do you expect, with Penn...). OK kids, back to home-working!! Switch off hat screen !!

Clara et moi (2004)

life lessons

[9/10 · 6 December 2006]

Enough has been said on the usual topics, above. (Acting, script, filming, dialogs). I could repeat, but basta!! Instead, let me add another perspective. Which is not often dwelt on here in these IMDb columns, as probably most of the users are " young". This is the view of the " aging film lover" (me). "Clara et Moi" is the unique film, in its kind, by which I mean, a love story on a couple of , say, around 25-30, that not only gave me tears in my eye, but also made me long returning to the age when it was still possible to meet a person and fall in love with her (him) , in a way suitable with that age. Being well over 50, this is virtually impossible, if it were only for all you have experienced already. This gives credit to the incredible " chemistry" between the 2 actors. In its emotional impact on me I compare this one to Lost In TRanslation (Coppola, with Bill and Scarlett) . LIT showed me the potential of bridging the age gap between understanding people. Clara et Moi makes one regret not being young anymore...enough said !! See another action flick !!

Gabrielle (2005)

not bad, not good either

[7 June 2006]

What can one add, after the foregoing comments, ranging from " zero" (Belgium) to " 8 " from some other country. All aspects have already been touched upon, so I will give some other, personal observations. 1. this is a (great) psycho-thriller in the tradition of that Master of theatrical cinema, my hero of the 1970s, Luchino Visconti (like, Innocente, Gattoparde). even the setting was very Viscontesque. But the scenario has weird twists, and an absurd ending. Which made it " a drag" for me in the end. 2. Towards the end of the story, as the woman offers herself to re-find her husband at last (?) and we viewers get to see a glimpse of Isabelle Hupperts pubic hair, not seen since her nude photos in the french playboy Lui, 1981, it is then that we realize that Sexual Frustration is the main theme of the film. So typical in that era. 3. The setting and context are excellent. Far from a " costume drama", the in-house day-to-day scenes are tremendous. Nothing to ridicule about, that 's the way it was . 4.People lacking historical knowledge, as some of the comments indicate, should remember that the upper classes in the western world had this lot of servants in the late 1800s...indeed. 5. I liked the film, but went to it only as a fan of Huppert. Any other actress, I would have " skipped". The payment was great. My appetite for close-ups of her psycho-tormented , and aging !!, face, was satisfied. What great acting talent, compared to a modern woman -of - low- morale, I saw her act last week in My Mother. 6. Actually , she looks like (the late) my mother.....that s why I adore her in the end. OR??

The Consequences of Love (2004)

disappointed

[11 October 2005]

Judging by the comments above , this film is almost unknown in America. This is the kind of " new' European movie that " scores' on the old continent. At least in the Netherlands (Amsterdam, not representative !) it had quite a moderate to good box office success. As a film-goer who grew up on the seventies diet of Visconti, Fellini, Antonioni, etc. (in the cinema that is, not on video...) (TV hardly ever shows this art) I do not see what is so important on this movie, or on another recent Italian top-hit in Holland, La Meglio Giuventu. Italian cinema may be on a comeback trail, but in my opinion the quality here is missing. I find this film highly confusing, and , main objection against it: as we say in Dutch, "putting the viewer on the wrong leg...". Who could think of a worse ending than the main character drowning in a classic Mafia concrete bath....., if I had seen this one in the cinema (I rented a DVD instead) I would have walked out sick....And then, what is the role of the bar maid (grand daughter of Magnani) ? We expect, by the title, a role for her in saving his life from the trap he is in right now. No, not to be. Conclusion: a bad script, a plot that takes crazy turns, but, as my colleagues here agree, great camera work, and a good main role . I rate it a 5,9 out of 10.

Van geluk gesproken (1987)

amusing, but unsteady plots.

[7/10 · 2 April 2005]

This typical "eighties" Dutch semi-intellectual low-budget production is quite amusing, for the in-crowd who like " Jiskefet" or "Amsterdam ways of living". However, problems with script and plots make it an uneven film. In the end I had the impression, well known in semi-failed productions , to have been watching two different story lines in 1 film, that could not integrate. Still there is enough to enjoy. Then upcoming young actors, now famous TV comedians of "Jiskefet" fame, Michel Romeyn and Kees Prins do early examples of their unsurpassed "Amsterdam bad-guy" (proleet) and " funny radio" type personalities. The late Gerard Thoolen, always great in this kind of stories, like "In Voor en tegenspoed " on TV, does a great job as an uncanny middlemen in illegal ("BLACK") work projects...and there are more...Peter Tuynman as the soft, naive intellectual who ends up doing it with the daughter of his colleague, the fabulous Olga Zuyderhoek again, in short, the acting prestations make this movie somewhat worthwhile after all. Bad script or not. There is however one problem: availability. I guess it is not on DVD, nor on rental video, and the Dutch TV networks have forgotten about it too, until the first showing of it in a long time, recently (march 2005). Whereas bummers like " sachets" "Flodder" get aired too often....It is a bad world after all.

Elective Affinities (1996)

Worth watching for history buffs

[4 July 2004]

Much criticism is possible for this one, see the other reviews. I agree with them , partially, but am no expert on scripts, etc. I will summarize the positive aspects. This is a "period piece"as so many have been made, especially in Europe. (Italy , France). As such, not much wrong with it. Being based on an 18th century novel by the famous J.W. Goethe, of course in mentality it is far away from our present times. Young people, only familiar with modern consumer cinema (Hollywood et al.) will be apalled by this kind of movie. But me, very used to, and grown up with the cinema of the likes of Luchino Visconti, were not surprised with child drowning, hysterical women, "strange relationships". It partly reminded me of L'Innocente by Visconti. Those were different times! No, I loved it, good story, great acting, especially my favorite Isabelle Huppert, good locations, a nice film.

I don't care about state subsidies or whatever, as long as it results in some movie. Culture has to be subsidized anyway, the (mass) market mechanism, under capitalist relations, cannot supply it.

Twentynine Palms (2003)

Worth viewing

[10/10 · 10 June 2004]

Cette flic me plaisait beaucoup! Quel prestation du realisateur Dumont, mais le grand public ne comprendra, je pense...I mean, I liked it.

Although of course shocked by the brutal murder in the end, even if it was more suggested than real (Like Psycho "shower scene" original) I left in a good mood. At last a really good movie again, one that made you think... Very comparable to that recent masterpiece , also of 2 protagonists, and much written about, Lost In Translation. But much less reassuring about, what is called, "La Condition Humaine". Explanating and philosophising would seem useless. Others have done it enough. The long shots of empty landscapes where very useful to me, I have seen them myself, but also as a context for the "relation" between him and her. The same goes for the "great" village, they stay in. It is as empty as what is between them. What we see happening during the trip, between the two, is what happens in a lot of relationships, and marriages. But in a less extreme form.

Drifting apart, healing , coming together again, occasional quarrel, a fight, making love to make good, nothing new. The only new , is the breaking with conventional Hollywood film language. Fortunately the viewer is kept away from cliché's. Even the brute attack-and-rape scene by the 3 trash men, is not really new in movie history. It reminded me much of the ending of the famous "sixties "film Easy Rider (dir.Dennis Hopper) . Where the two heroes are literally blown off their motorcycles by shotgun fire from "local" Okies. Who represent the traditional American values, the "longhairs" tried to fight. In search for a new, and better world....like we all did then... That event was shocking in 1969 when I saw Easy Rider, as a young man, in the swinging city of Amsterdam. Now, in 2004 we are not shocked by this anymore. Also in my lovely Holland people are beaten in the streets by passers by for just one too long look.("You Lookin At Me??" Robert de Niro Taxi driver quote). "Useless violence" it is called here. Violence is neither useless nor useful. The idiot who raped the man looked just as worn down and un-triumphant as the man himself , after doing it to his old lady. They were all victims. Of what, is to the reader to decide.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Not worth 1000 comments?

[8 February 2004]

Just saw this film for the first time this weekend, only because I ran into a 1 dollar copy in a big flee-market here, where someone sold a gigantic VHS-collection. I remembered the title from newspaper mentioning. Being not that frequent a moviegoer, It was a surprise for me. Positive aspects were the unfamiliarity of the director's and most of the actor's names....finally the great unknown U.S. movie?? NO I must say. I will not repeat what already 1000 other IMDb-fans have said...,anything is possible. My conclusion: a few more viewings will make some things clear, at this moment I do not understand anything of it, and at first viewing it was too much of one of those (to me) irritating school kids story lines, with all the sex jokes, vulgarities, etc. However, I loved some great scenes at the parental/family dinner table, like ridiculous fourletter words, and , you know what I mean....Finally, I prefer to give my words to La Femme Defendue, a french film with only 3 reviews....see you there!!

La vie promise (2002)

Gripping performances, weak script, nice shots.

[20 November 2003]

This movie is held upright by the acting work of the main characters. Especially Isabelle Huppert exceeds herself once again, in portraying a weird persona , not the first time she achieved this. She is unsurpassable in acting out emotional developments within a story. Her meeting with her small son, she did not see for years, towards the end of the story, is gripping. It is not often cinema brings tears to me... Pascal Gregory is better than many middle of the road Hollywood actors, we see every night on TV (commercial TV in Holland at least). Our minds having been spoiled by too many cheap US products, thanks to TV, this French film is refreshing in its camera shooting. After so many road movies in the US Far West, who would believe similar shots may be made in the French "corn deserts" north of Paris? (Just get off, anywhere, from the A-1 auto route, between Paris and Lille, and see what I mean). Once again good use is made of the French richness in "patrimoine', meaning old village locations, and, as a peak, the old country farm house, the main character grew up in. What a great ruin, an ideal Parisians holiday home!! The weak points, I think at least, are mainly in the script, and casting. Sylvia's daughter, is partly miscasted, as she is the opposite to Sylvia, in looks and character. The storyline resembles a cheap love-novel sometimes, in its sentimentality. Nevertheless, a fine example of French "authors'" film making, in a natural style only the French can make.

Friday Night (2002)

a beautiful piece of cinema

[11 November 2003]

This is more a comment on what I have read above, here, then on the film itself. However, to start with the film: I enjoyed it deeply, mostly as a kind of cinematographic painting, rather than as a story.

The shooting is sometimes breathtaking, the camera very close upon the actors. Even the love scenes,in general often boring, are lifted to a higher level of "beauty" by this method. Associations, minds wandering, it is all there.... and the locations are more French, than most French people will realize. That hotel room, as a tourist I have seen so many run down hotel rooms, these views looked very familiar. Now my comments on the negative criticisms above: of course dozing away in a little "nap" is understandable . I dozed away for 5 minutes too, during the opening scenes in the traffic jam. But the lack of understanding of different kind of film making, of which this is a fine example, disturbs me. Poor movie-goers, not knowing any better, maybe too much influenced by the monopoly of Hollywood blockbuster and video production? What a pity. Or is it my age, having developed my taste in cinema in the 1970s , when it was normal to go and see a Fellini, Chabrol, or a Fassbinder around the corner here....And the Jaws and Rambo(s)were not so overexposed as a hype as they would now be.(see the Matrix-III drama). Be glad this is still made. Anywhere.