Travis_Bickle01 Reviews

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Hilarious comedy with Cusack as a hit man

[7/10 · 14 December 2005]

"Grosse Pointe Blank" is an amusing comedy with John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Joan Cusack and Dan Aykroyd in the leading roles. Cusack is perfect for this kind of roles. He gives a very funny performance as the desperate but lethal Martin Blank. There are many funny scenes in this movie, just too much to mention! This movie is definitely a must see.

Although I'm not a big fan of her, Minnie Driver is quit good as well. Joan Cusack was hilarious as his secretary and Dan Aykroyd is also perfect as fellow professional killer of Blank.

The story is well done, not cliché at all. John Cusack is one of my favourite actors and I like him a lot in this kind of comedies. He was outstanding in "High Fidelity" and wonderful in "Say Anything", he was truly amazing in "City Hall" and unique in "Being John Malkovich". I think he is one of the most underrated actors of his generation.

Thirteen (2003)

No longer mammies little girl

[8/10 · 30 October 2005]

"Thirteen" shows the consequences when your 13 year old daughter starts hanging out when the wrong people. This movie is based on the true story of Nikki Reed who also is the co-star in this feature. OK, I'll be honest, the story is provoking and chocking for most people, but not for me. I'm 20 and I know and have known many girls of that age. These things certainly happen, although it's not always that worse as in Tracy's case. But this is certainly a difficult age. People, boys as well as girls, are very insecure about their self and their looks and what other people think of them. Because in the end, everybody wants to be popular and have a lot of friends. Everyone would like to take risk and live on the edge. That's what "Thirteen" is about.

The acting in "Thirteen" was certainly amazing. Evan Rachel Wood was outstanding! One hell of a performance she gave, as well as Holly Hunter. Excellent first feature by Catherine Hardwicke. I'm really looking forward to see her second feature "Lords of Dogtown". This movie is certainly worth watching if you would like to know something more about young girls, growing up in an insecure and instable environment. I don't say every teenage girl is like this or goes through this, but it certainly does exist. This isn't fiction.

8/10

City of God (2002)

Excellent, but overrated by the IMDb-users

[8/10 · 30 October 2005]

"Cidade de Deus" is the breakthrough of Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles ("The Constant Gardener"). It tells the unbelievable but true story of the gang life in a poor neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro. The neighbourhood is mostly ruled by kids and young adults, who doesn't play cowboy and Indian like most kids of their age do. No, most of the time they are busy dealing drugs, robbing local stores or killing other young adults in order to extend their territory.

The story is told by Rocket, a young guy who tries to live an honest life and not to be involved in the gang life. Fernando Meirelles made an amazing movie of an exceptional story. The story is disturbing and chocking. If it wasn't based on true events, this movie wouldn't have been such a big hit either. It's the combination of an objective style, fast filming, a great soundtrack and the chocking story that made "Cidade de Deus" a revolutionary movie.

Although the events are tragic, don't expect a melodramatic story. I don't think the purpose of the director was to move us. I think he wants as to be chocked after seeing this movie. Although we are confronted with violence on TV every day when we watch the news, the fact that kids are involved in this kind of gang life is really chocking.

Although I really liked this movie, I think it's highly overrated. Personnaly, I don't think it deserves such a high ranking in the Top 250. Nevertheless an excellent movie. 8/10

The Celebration (1998)

Realistic, Danish movie

[10/10 · 30 October 2005]

Excellent movie about a guy who gives his father at the beginning of his 60th birthday party the choice between 2 speeches. The speech he chooses is "the speech of the truth" and is called "When my father takes a bath..". Of course everybody starts laughing except for the father. He doesn't know what he has to expect. In his speech the son reveals something that has been a secret for years. He tells everybody about how he and his sisters were sexually abused by their father for years.

What follows is an excellent and also very realistic view on how people would react when they are confronted with such a situation at a party. The movie, as well as the cast are from Denmark. Although there are no big names related to this movie, the acting is outstanding. Sometimes it really looks like the movie is shot with a regular family cam recorder, what makes it even more realistic. The story and the characters are brilliantly written. This movie certainly deserved an Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

I'm not going to tell you how the movie ends because it would definitely ruin the surprise, but I couldn't imagine a better end for this movie. I can only advise everyone to see this movie, he's definitely worth it! 9/10

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Now that's what I call acting!

[9/10 · 30 October 2005]

I think this might probably be the best movie of the late '90's. The screenplay is wonderfully written by Damon and Affleck. It is really touching and the acting performances are high class. Robin Williams plays one of his best roles in years, although I always love his movies. They couldn't have found any actor more suitable for this role. It's actually a shame he had to wait such a long time until he won his first Academy Award.

Matt Damon is also surprisingly good as the rebellious but very clever Will Hunting. "The Rainmaker", "The Talented Mr Ripley", the Jason Bourne-movies... are all excellent movies where Damon gives very nice performances as well, but in these movies he never reaches the same level of acting as in "Good Will Hunting". Truly amazing! The movie is also filled with many beautiful and touching moments, but I will only mention the ones I loved the most. The scene where Damon and Williams meet for the first time and where Damon starts analyzing Williams and his life is breathtaking. It's unbelievable how such a young man with such a strong personally can totally break a man in a few minutes. My favourite scene is without any doubt the scene with Williams and Damon on the bench, where Williams tells about his life, his wife and her disease and death, where he tells Damon that he's just a kid, not knowing where he's talking about because he's afraid of loving someone more them himself. Where he also says that Damon cannot understand who he is and what he has been through, just because he saw his painting; that he cannot understand where Damon has been through either, just because he might have read Oliver Twist...This scene is certainly in my personal Top10 of Best Scenes ever.

This movie is a real classic. Some people might find it too sentimental and my too optimistic as well, but for me he is certainly one of my Top10 movies of all time. This was the second time I saw "Good Will Hunting" and I'm sure I will see him many other times after this.

Top class! **** out of ****

Pleure pas Germaine (2000)

"I'm not the man I thought I was"

[8/10 · 23 October 2005]

"Pleure pas Germaine" tells the story of Gilles, Germaine and their kids. A while ago, they lost their oldest daughter Rolande. Suicide or murder? The police doesn't know, but Gilles believes she was murdered. Of course, that theory was never been proved. Although they don't speak very often about the loss, it's always there.

The movie certainly isn't a classic drama of a dysfunctional family who has to deal with the death of a child. It's not a movie in the same style as "La Stanza Del Figlio" or "In The Bedroom". "Pleure pas Germaine" isn't melodramatic. There are next to several moving scenes also funny and hilarious scenes as well. Those two little kids are great, although their part is rather small. The other members of the cast are terrific as well, especially Dirk Roofthooft. He is very talented and he gives an amazing performance as Gilles, the father.

I don't know why this movie only has a 6.1 rating. It deserves much better. I really loved this movie. A laugh, a cry... "Pleure pas Germaine" has it all. Certainly worth watching!

8/10

Dot the I (2003)

It had a great start but...

[6/10 · 2 October 2005]

...I hated the twist. I truly loved the beginning of the movie. Although it was more than just the beginning, it was the first 60 minutes of "Dot The I". Both leading actors were great, the chemistry between them was there. Just awesome! But then there was that stupid twist. I don't know why it was there, but it spoiled the whole movie. Why couldn't they just kept it as a love story? There were plenty of options to continue the movie in the same line as it was been going on for an hour.

I give the movie for the first part an 8. The love story was brilliant. It really worked! But like I already mentioned has the twist spoiled the whole movie. That's why I give it a 4 for the second part of the movie. I hated the twist and I think many people will agree with me. Everyone was expecting a love story and that's exactly what we got in the first part, so why spoil it afterwards?

Great acting, but I hated the twist. That's why I give the movie an overall rating of 6.

About Schmidt (2002)

Jack Nicholson still has it

[9/10 · 1 October 2005]

This was the second time I saw "About Schmidt" and I loved it as much as I did after watching it for the first time. Jack Nicholson is magnificent, truly amazing. I couldn't have chosen an actor more suitable for the role of Warren Schmidt than Nicholson. I loved Kathy Bates as well. She was quite funny from time to time. I've seen other Payne-movies as well. I loved "Sideways" the most. Alexander Payne has his own honest, but tragic way to tell a story. That's why I'm such a huge fan of his work.

I'm 20 and I've no idea how my life would look like within 40 years, but I think this movie gives an amazingly honest insight in what some 60-years old people's life looks like. When your wife or husband has passed away and your kids have their lives of their own, it might be very lonely from time to time. "About Schmidt" has it all. It's honest and realistic, it's funny and tragic at the same time. It's a movie that makes you think about life, about making a difference. It's about the meaning of life, the meaning of your life in particular.

I loved this movie. Jack Nicholson still has it. After several decades in the acting business, he's still standing and delivering. I really look forward seeing more of Payne's work as well. It's these kind of movies I love the most. Movie's like "About Schmidt" and "Sideways" who aren't afraid to tell a story about life, the way it is and not the way it should be. See this movie. I can't think of any reason not to see it. Like I already said, it's truly memorable.

8,5/10

Out of Time (I) (2003)

Excellent thriller with a great story

[8/10 · 30 September 2005]

I was very surprised by this movie. I always enjoy Denzel Washington-movies and 'Out Of Time' wasn't an exception on this. It started a bit slow in the beginning, but when the story really gets started, you'll loose completely the track of time. The story was very well written. 'Out Of Time' had a great plot. The cast delivered as well. Like I already mentioned did Denzel Washington a great job. Furthermore I can tell you that Eva Mendes won't disappoint either. They were already casted together in 'Training Day', but in this movie they share a lot more screen time.

I don't see why this movie only has a 6.5 rating. I personally give it an 8. This movie has all the ingredients of a great thriller. I can't think of any reason not to recommend this movie to others. I think everyone will enjoy it. I really look forward to see 'Man On Fire'. That looks like one hell of a movie too. I also saw an other Carl Franklin-movie a while ago. It was 'High Crimes' with Morgan Freeman. I thought that movie had a pretty lame story, so if you didn't like that movie, don't let it be a reason not to see 'Out Of Time'. It's much better and Eva Mendes is amazingly beautiful!

8/10

Just Married (2003)

Hilarious comedy with Kutcher and Murphy

[7/10 · 25 September 2005]

After seeing the trailer I couldn't wait to see the movie. The only thing that bothered me was the low rating. Now that I've seen the movie, I don't understand why it only has a 5.0. It deserves a much higher rating, because "Just Married" is extremely funny. Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy are excellent as the just-married couple facing just-married problems.

The result is an highly enjoyable romantic comedy with nice performances and more than just a few good laughs. "Just Married" has many hilarious moments and a fluently written dialog.

Don't look at the low rating because this movie certainly deserves a lot more appreciation. There were two lines a loved a lot. The first is a touching quote by the guy who plays Kutcher's father. He says: "You never see the bad days in photo albums but those are the days that get you from one happy snap shot to another." The other one that I loved a lot was: "Say hi to Pussy for me." See this movie! 8/10

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Great prison drama

[9/10 · 22 September 2005]

I have seen this movie twice and I enjoyed it as much the second time as I did the first time. Of course the surprise-effect is gone the second time because you know how the story goes, but that isn't a problem. The story is brilliant: it's amazing how clever Andy is! The acting is outstanding. Morgan Freeman proves again he is a top-talent and also Tim Robbins is wonderful.

The story has everything: it's very sensitive and it shows some aspects of prison that aren't shown in other prison movies. It think (but I'm not sure because I have never been in prison) it gives a unique, but realistic view on the prison life and the many feelings prisoners are confronted with doing their time. The example of very tragic but so true I think. The guy has been his whole life in prison, that's the only life he knows and when he is released, he doesn't know how to built up a life in the real world because the world he know before prison doesn't exist anymore.

Frank Darabont proves he is a remarkable director and that he is made for directing prison-movies. "The Green Mile" is also an excellent and touching prison drama. It almost unbelievable that "The Shawshank Redemption" didn't won any Academy Award. But of course you can't deny that fact that the competition was fierce that year with also "Forrest Gump" in the running.

Highly recommendable prison-drama with great acting performances by Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.

9/10

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

It's time for some disco dancing

[6/10 · 22 September 2005]

"Saturday Night Fever" is a movie about the glorious disco-years during the seventies. The movie is seen as a classic but I don't think it's worth it. The story is very average and it isn't very deep or original either. The male lead is for John Travolta who is the star of the local disco, named Tony Manero.

I love John Travolta. He was brilliant in "Grease" and many other movies, like "Pulp Fiction", but I don't understand why he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Tony Manero. His performance wasn't bad, but it wasn't an amazing performance either. Furthermore it wasn't a difficult part.

The dancing was good but not breathtaking. If you want to see a good dance-movie, I advice you to see "Grease" or "Dirty Dancing". These are two timeless classics, but unfortunately "Saturday Night Fever" isn't. Of course, the two other movies aren't disco-movies, so if you want a movie about disco-dancing, you should see "Saturday Night Fever". It's good and enjoyable but not great. Not an Oscar-worthy performance either. For me, it was somewhat disappointing and cheap. It had high expectations who weren't fulfilled at all.

6,5/10

The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)

Deserves some more appreciation

[9/10 · 22 September 2005]

This movie is one of my favourites, probably because I'm a true Jeff Bridges-fan. I think most people are familiar with the story. It's about 2 brothers playing piano in hotel lounges and bars etc. Beside the Bridges-brothers, Michelle Pfeiffer is also in this movie. She is the star of the show and gives one hell of a performance too. The story isn't unique. There are probably more movies made like this, trying to tell the same thing, but for me it really worked. I love every scene of this movie. I love piano's, beautiful women, Jeff Bridges' acting and great performances in general. "The Fabulous Baker Boys" has it all.

It think it truly deserves a better rating. 6.6 is way too low. I should at least reach the level of 7/10. I personally would give this movie an 8 or 8,5, but to compensate the underrating a little I will give it a 9. I can't think of any reason not the see this movie. It isn't a psychological drama. It's a drama with a fine story, great performances and a wonderful cast. Michelle Pfeiffer deserved the awards she won for her performance. To me, it became kind of a classic. See this movie! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

9/10

The End of the Affair (1999)

Julianne Moore and Stephen Rea are amazing!

[9/10 · 11 September 2005]

When I first started seeing this movie, I enjoyed it but I didn't love it. You know what I mean? This was because the story was a bit confusing and not very clear in the beginning. But when I continued watching, it all became clear and I ended up really loving this movie. The story was an excellent mix of all the ingredients of a real love affair. Julianne Moore was great as always. She can play any role and it's a shame she hasn't won any Academy Award yet. I think she should have one for her performance in "The Hours", which was without any doubt her best up to now. But I'm not worried, because I know she will certainly win an Oscar some day.

Ralph Fiennes was fine as well, but next to Julianne Moore I loved Stephen Rea the most. There is only one word to describe his performance and that is 'intense'. I loved him in every scene! Brilliant actor. The story was amazing as well. I think it showed the different stages of falling in love and loving very well. How the love is very physical in the beginning and afterwards develops to wanting to be with her all the time and holding her and being there for her.

Although the story of "The Wings Of The Dove" was something completely different, it reminded me a bit of this movie from time to time. Neil Jordan managed to make another great movie with an excellent cast and a classic story.

Worth watching! 8/10

Monster's Ball (2001)

Unconventional and sober drama

[9/10 · 11 September 2005]

Breakthrough of director Marc Forster, who directed "Finding Neverland" three years after he did this "Monster's Ball". I'm not going to tell much about the story here, because the people who saw the movie, know the story and the others will find out when they see this movie. Because "Monster's Ball" is certainly worth your time. Don't expect to get a typical Hollywood-drama about racism, family values and romance, because you might be disappointed afterwards. Expect something to think about, to feel with the characters. Prepare to be moved, because you will. The story is compelling and heartbreaking, it's moving and chocking.

Something more about the performance. I'll be honest. I'm not Billy Bob Thornton's biggest fan. I like him, but I don't see him as an impressive actor. That's why I think he didn't deserve his Academy Award Nomination for "Sling Blade" either. But in "Monster's Ball" he was amazing! An intense and sober, but yet very powerful performance. Personally, I think he was the star of the movie. Halle Berry was great as well, but it's hard to believe that this was the best female performance of 2001. Anyway, it doesn't matter. They were both great, although Thornton's performance was highly underrated.

I really look forward to see more of Forster's movies, especially "Finding Neverland". It think his new movie will be great too. I think "Finding Neverland" will be a more conventional Hollywood-drama, but that doens't matter. It will be great anyway. "Monster's Ball" is a compelling and intense drama, which combines several difficult subjects. 8,5/10

Educating Rita (1983)

Amazing performance by Julie Walters!

[8/10 · 10 September 2005]

I expected this movie to be good, but it turned out to be great. I loved every minute of it! The main reason I saw this, is because I really love Michael Caine. He's a brilliant actor and I wasn't disappointed by his performance after seeing "Educating Rita". Mostly I was surprised by Julie Walters. She was amazing, just brilliant. I don't know how to describe her performance, but I think she certainly would have deserved the Academy Award.

The story was wonderful as well. Caine was perfectly casted as the drunk, British literature professor. It kind of reminded me of certain roles Anthony Hopkins sometimes plays. Such typical distinguished, British professors who can explain anything except their feelings. It reminded me a little bit of the character Hopkins played in "Shadowlands". Anyway, Caine was great!

Like I already said, I think Julie Walters gave an Oscar-worthy performance as the emancipated and frank, but very likable Rita. Almost unbelievable that she is the same person as the ballet-teacher in "Billy Elliot". I really loved her. Normally I would have given "Educating Rita" an 8,5/10 but because this movie only has an 7.0 on this site, I will give it a 9. It's highly underrated and I can't understand why I didn't get some more appreciation by the IMDb-users.

This movie is a classic! See it! 8,5/10

Go (1999)

Spoken of a rough weekend

[8/10 · 10 September 2005]

Excellent movie from "The Bourne Identity"-director Doug Liman starring a great young cast among who Katie Holmes, Sarah Polley, Jay Mohr, Taye Diggs, Breckin Meyer... The story is amazingly crazy and the way it is told as well. The film focuses on four or five characters and their adventures during this certain weekend. So what we get is a summary of the events of these kids' weekend, but each time shown from a different perspective.

"Go" is an enjoyable movie, mainly made for young people I suppose. It combines different genres, because it isn't all comedy or drama or crime. This movie has it all. It doesn't go very deep. It's meant to be entertaining and this is exactly what it does. You will have a fine time watching it, at least I did.

I'll give it something between a 7,5 and an 8

Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000)

Entertaining crime comedy

[7/10 · 10 September 2005]

Very amusing crime comedy with Kevin Spacey as the star of the show. We already knew that Spacey is capable of playing any role and also in this movie he truly delivers. Kevin Spacey is Michael Lynch, an ordinary decent criminal who loves playing some games with the cops. I think you can compare him to Thomas Crown (performed by Steve McQueen in 1968 and by Pierce Brosnan in the remake 31 years later). A criminal, a gentleman and womaniser in one person.

Kevin Spacey was excellently casted as the male lead. Furthermore we see Linda Fiorentino as Lynch's wife, Peter Mullan ("My Name Is Joe") as Spacey's right hand and a very small part for Colin Farrell. The story is very well written and it contains a lot of twist. A must see for a Saturday night. Not a deep or difficult story, just fine Saturday night entertainment.

Recommendable! 7,5/10

Stuck on You (2003)

Not as funny as I hoped it would be

[6/10 · 9 September 2005]

Comedy directed by the Farrelly-brothers ("There is Something About Marry") starring Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear ("As Good As It Gets") and Cher. The trailer was hilarious and I really looked forward to see this movie. Matt Damon is a great actor and I loved Greg Kinnear in "As Good As It Gets". The idea of two brothers stucked together with different dreams seemed to have a lot of potential. But unfortunately it wasn't that funny. There are several comic scenes, but there never were any hilarious moments, if you know what I mean. The humor didn't exactly work for me.

One of the funny moments in the movie, are the scenes with Meryl Streep. Her scenes at the end where really funny. I have seen many Meryl Streep-movies, but I never saw her giving such a hilarious performance. She was great. Not that Damon or Kinnear or Cher were bad, not at all. I think the story just didn't have enough funny moments. I think they could have made a much better comedy with the idea of two brothers stucked together. "Stuck On You" is worth watching once, but I'm certainly not planning on seeing it a second time.

Funny, but not hilarious. Eva Mendes was gorgeous as always. I give this movie a 6,5/10

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)

Excellent debut for Clooney as a director

[7/10 · 9 September 2005]

"Confessions of a dangerous mind" tells the life of Chuck Barris, the creator of the blind dating-show which became famous all over the world. I'm not going to tell much more about the story because that might ruin the movie. All I can say about Barris' life is that it wasn't exactly an ordinary life he lived, but it certainly was worth turning into a movie. This movie is also the proof that George Clooney is more than a pretty face and a fine actor, he's a talented director as well.

Sam Rockwell gives a funny, tragic and intense performance as Chuck Barris. Although I'm not exactly Drew Barrymore's biggest fan, I really loved her in this movie. She was great, as well as Clooney himself and Julia Roberts. Fine cameo's by Clooney's friends Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and "Spin City"-star Richard Klein.

Another great movie from which the screenplay was written by one of the most talented screenplay writers of the last 5 years: Charlie Kaufman. Although their lives were completely different, I think you can compare this movie to Andy Kaufman's biopic "Man On The Moon" starring Jim Carrey. This similarity might be caused by the tragic undertone in the lives of these both men. This movie is a strong debut for Clooney as a director and is certainly worth watching. I loved the last lines of this movie a lot. Pay attention to them! 7,5/10

Beautiful Girls (1996)

A solid seven and a half!

[7/10 · 8 September 2005]

I like movies like this a lot. "Beautiful Girls" reminded me of an Ed Burns-movie I saw a couple of weeks ago. It was "No Looking Back". Although that movie was fine as well, I liked "Beautiful Girls" more. But this movie definitely had the same style. I love Ted Demme's movies a lot, it's a shame this guy had to die that young. "Blow" is without any doubt my favourite Demme-movie, but this was a charming movie as well. Timothy Hutton and Nathalie Portman were definitely the stars of the show. Portman was brilliant! I loved her in every scene she was in. She was touching and amazing as always.

I read that several people thought "Garden State" could be a remake of this movie, but I can't see why. The story is completely different and the environment also. Like I already said, it definitely reminded me of "No Looking Back". Ed Burns could have made this movie as well.

Mira Sorvino and Uma Thurman delivered as well. Not only are they both very beautiful and attractive women, the can act as well. "Beautiful Girls" is absolutely worth watching. Fine story and great acting. That's why I give this movie a solid seven and a half ;).

7,5/10

Gerry (2002)

Despite the excellent cast and brilliant director I was disappointed

[7/10 · 8 September 2005]

I thought this movie would be pretty good, but the fact is that nothing happens. Not even emotionally. What we see is two guys, walking in the desert and sometimes they say something to each other. After seeing "Lost In Translation", I read in several comments that people didn't like it because nothing really happens in that movie. What happens in "Lost In Translation" might not be spectacular, but there certainly is an emotional connection between the two leading actors. We know what they think and feel and that's what made "Lost In Translation" a brilliant movie.

In "Gerry" we hardly know who those two men are or what they think or feel. I was expecting a lot more of this movie. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a huge disappointment. Since "Elephant" Gus Van Sant discovered a new style of movie making, I guess. I loved "Elephant", I liked "Last Days", but I can't help the fact that I was disappointed after seeing Gerry. I hope he will still make movies in the same style as "Good Will Hunting" because that was one hell of a piece of cinema!

If this was a documentary on National Geographic, I would have given it an 8, but I was expecting a motion picture and that wasn't exactly what I got. Despite my disappointment I want to add a positive thing to this comment as well. The cinematography was amazing, bravo for Harris Savides.

Meisje (2002)

Growing up is never easy

[8/10 · 7 September 2005]

This movie was a pleasant surprise for me. Not only did it have a well written story, the acting was amazing as well, specially Charlotte Vanden Eynde. I think she should have won the Joseph Plateau Award, because her performance was much more superior than Els Dottermans' performance.

Something more about the story now, because this might be the main reason why I liked this movie so much. I saw a similar situation in my family and I thought this movie told a very realistic and touching story. What we see is a young girl with a desperate hunger for independence and a mother who's afraid of losing her daughter. This was the aspect I loved the most about "Meisje". Muriel wanted to stand on her own feet, she wanted to be no longer independent from everyone, she wanted to make a new start. And when you're dreaming of this new start, you think everything will work out easily and your life will be great in no time... but the problem is that it's never as easy as it seems. Starting all over again is tough and you do need people around you who you can trust and who you can count on. Everyone needs someone who takes care of them.

It's exactly this aspect that I was touched by the most. "Meisje" is a sensitive and great Belgian movie which tells a story of growing up, closing chapters and starting new ones. It's a wonderful movie and Charlotte Vanden Eynde is definitely the star of the show.

8,5/10

Awakenings (1990)

Stunning performances by both leading actors

[8/10 · 7 September 2005]

"Awakenings" is more than just two brilliant actors casted in something that might first look like a cheap over sentimental Saturday night movie. This movie tells a story of hope, a story of courage,... It's the true story of Dr. Malcolm Sayer and he believe in an awakening of his patients. It's hard to say which actor gave the best performance in this movie. Robin Williams as well as Robert De Niro were both amazing. I love Williams the most when he plays characters like Dr. Sayer. Those intimate portraits of truly good and honest men, like Sean in "Good Will Hunting". Brilliant!

Robert De Niro was great as well. Touching and a bit a sad role as well, but nevertheless truly great. "Awakenings" is by far Penny Marshall's best movie as well. I also like the double meaning of the title, at least I suppose it has two meanings. It the first place, the awakenings refers to the patients who awake from their 'non-active' state. But it think the title also refers to the people who are taking care of the patients and I think Robin Williams mentioned it in the movie as well. When those patients awake, after a while the realise that they have missed quite some time of their own life. They didn't experience a lot of things, things that might not seem that important, but nothing is less true. And by seeing what those patients missed, the other people realize what is really important in life and how lucky they are that they really have a life and can experience it as well.

But that's only how I see it. Moving and brilliantly acted by both leading actors. A must see!

8,5/10

Stand and Deliver (1988)

Edward James Olmos delivers!

[8/10 · 7 September 2005]

I know, there are a million movies made like this. The story about a teacher handling tough students has been told quite some times. "Dangerous Minds", To Sir, With Love", "The Substitute"-movies, "The Principal",... The stories often look a lot like each other and "Stand and Deliver" isn't any different, but that doesn't bother. This is a fine movie!

I don't know if Edward James Olmos' Academy Award nomination was a big surprise at the Oscars or if his performance was indeed one of the 5 best performances of 1988, but I can only confirm that he gave a great performance. Funny, smart and touching as well. I think all the students were great as well, even so I didn't knew any of them, except from Lou Diamond Philips of course.

"Stand and Deliver" might not be the most original movie ever made, but that doesn't change the fact that it's highly enjoyable to watch. The story is good and the performances are great. Nor melodramatic, neither comic, just excellent Saturday night entertainment without being cheap. Worth watching!

8/10