Reviews

This is the movie that got me hooked on Hong Kong action cinema, so regardless of its faults, I will always have a weak spot for it. Most ingredients are standard HK action fare: wooden acting, some forgetable cantopop song, dubious humor, and a slightly incomprehensible plot. Yet there's also lots of action, and this is where the film really shines. There is swordplay with flexible swords, there are vicious yo-yo's (!), there are silly supernatural villains, and there's a hero whose shirt keeps slipping from his shoulders. This hero is Andy Lau, who lets his charisma do most of the acting. he is supported by Aaron Kwok and Anita Mui (in a semi-funny double role). All in all, it's better-than-average HK fare, that probably will also appeal to non-fans.

As can be gathered from previous comments, this movie is weird beyond belief. I could not really detect a plot, but my guess is it has something to do with naked she-barbarians with masks and bearskin strings. The film seems to be shot through some kind of filter, giving the effect of a constant fog hanging in front of the camera. The splatter is not as abundant as in Fulci's better-known zombie-films, but there's still the occasional bloodletting.

Worthwhile, but only of you're into cinematic curiosities.

Lucio Fulci set a standard of sorts with movies like Zombie and The Beyond. This effort is rather stiff and boring compared to those movies, but less critical gorehounds who don't mind a little living dead fun could do much worse.

That said, I have to admit that the gore is about the only thing worth watching for in this overlong movie. It doesn't come by the bucket, as in some of Fulci's other films. But hey, any film that features a 'Dr. Freudstein' can't be completely wrong!

Still, this is mainly for fans of the genre.

The Netherlands don't really have a tradition of crime films, and those expecting something like Goodfellas or The Godfather will be disappointed. This low-key drama follows the life and misfortunes of 'Bella' Bettien Martens, a Dutch girl who rose through the ranks of the international drugs maffia before disappearing into a witness protection program.

The script falls flat sometimes, and there are some rough spots here and there. But generally this is a better-than-average attempt at showing the dark side of crime. Thekla Reuten is excellent in the title role. Keep a look out for the guy that played Kazim in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).

This is not really a movie. It's a two-minute short produced for Dutch theme park De Efteling, and featured in its own tiny castle at the park. It features the troubles of Snow White's stepmother (she of fairytale fame) in killing off her dear relative.

For what it is, this is a moody and creepy piece of work, finely acted by Marianne Vloetgraven (with the help of clever makeup and special effects) and directed by Dennis Bots, who previously made the Efteling-inspired student film 'Hugo' (1996). The film can only really be done justice when projected in its own building, which is probably also the only place you will see it.

The plot of this short student film is loosely based on a ride at Dutch theme park De Efteling, which usually is not a good sign. Luckily, writer-director Bots largely ignores the story of the ride, taking only the most dramatic ingredients and weaving them gently (if not seamless) into a story about gangs of robbers called Goat Riders, who terrorized the Dutch and Flemish countryside during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Production values are reasonably high, and the film features some fine performances and moody set pieces. Watch for the subtle reference to 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'.

First shown on dutch television, and subsequently sold on tape at the Efteling theme park. Director Bots would go on to direct several dutch TV series.

I don't know where to begin in describing this film's faults. Its terrible corny script is a springboard for some of the worst acting ever in a dutch film. And that's really saying something. Van Kolck is appalling as the female lead, although this may be partly due to the terrible voice dubbing of her role. The other actors fare little better, and Millecam's performance is an all-time low by any standard.

Directing is virtually absent. Most scenes play out as amateurish, badly-lit vignettes with a sense of humor that seems to be aimed mainly at fouryear-olds. And don't get me started on the annoying child actor, the lame sex scenes and the boring music.

Only recommended for masochists.

Tonke Dragt's 'De Zevensprong' was an excellent children's novel, so it is only fitting that it was made into this charming and well-crafted series. The plot concerns the investigations of a school teacher with a fantasy-prone personality into the dark and creepy history of a nearby castle. A great script, excellent acting and a superb score by Tonnie Eijk.