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Reviews
The Great Escaper (2023)
Great indeed!
The premise of this movie created a lot of anticipation from my part. Three great actors in a "based on a true story" movie. And I can only say, it fulfilled every expectation. A "small" movie, perhaps, but huge in every respect. The story is so fantastic, if it weren't true, you wished it would be. You sympathize with the main characters, beautifully played by Michael Caine, Glenda Jackson and John Standing. Yes it's a drama, but not without a great amount of humor. And the film is packed with emotion. And the (subdued) emotion is constantly present and becomes clear at the end. And to be honest, the scene in the French café with German veterans brought tears to my eyes. Go see it and enjoy. What a cracker of a movie!
Ahsoka (2023)
Yet another gem in the world of Star Wars
Star Wars never fails to amaze, also on the smaller screen. Kenobi, the Mandalorian, Andor, the Book of Boba Fett and the several animated series. Delicious entertainment, because eventually that's what it is. From my thirteenth birthday in 1977 until now I have loved Star Wars, in a way unconditionally. Skip to now: Ahsoka, with the charming Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano. After two episodes I love the relaxed pace of the series. This story is going somewhere and the viewer is given ample time to grow into it. Good acting, beautiful sceneries, very good special effects and interesting characters. I am more than happy to follow this series to the final episode. It's entertainment with an A+.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Masterpiece - nothing more, nothing less
In a steady and focused pace, Nolan tells the tail of the man who gave his country a superweapon and whose reputation was compromised by an envious government official. Politics, science, emotions, even humor build op this epic. As far as I am concerned, already a classic. I wonder how many Oscars this movie is going to collect. Cillian Murphy plays the role of his life. Robert Downey j.r. Must win the Oscar for hus role as Lewis Strauss, what a performance! The always sympathetic Matt Damon plays a very convincing hard boiled army general. And finally, Emily Blunt, IS the convincing wife of Oppenheimer, a person not to meddle with. Masterpiece.
De beentjes van Sint-Hildegard (2020)
Great positive movie
Wonderful feel good movie with subtle humor. A typical aspect of Herman Finkers is that his humor never insults people, but is very deep. Funny that the world-wide English title is "Saint Hildegard's Little Legs", as it should be "Saint Hildegard's Little Bones".
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
A very good Ending (Surrounded by Hatred)
I saw my first Star Wars movie in 1977 and I was a fan ever since. The second one, Episode V, was even better and has become my personal benchmark. No Star Wars movie, made after Empire, was better! But that's my humble opinion. Episode III came close, as did Epsiode VII. And here's the thing. We like to compare the movies. And we shouldn't. Because it is not fair. Every movie is a movie on its own.
The Rise Of Skywalker is a damn good movie with an incredible pace, humor and a solid story. Does it leave questions unanswered? Yes, in a way. Especially the return of Palpatine made me wonder "how on earth dit he survive the destruction of the Death Star above the Endor moon?" But guess what? If you want logic, go see Star Trek. This is Star Wars where things happen that defy... well... things. Let's be real: who can explain the Force? But yet, it's the most important element of the Star Wars myth.
So, again, the Rise Of Skywalker is a damn good movie and I enjoyed it through and through. And if you don't like it, So Be It (Jedi)...
And to all those who gave it 1s, 2s and 3s: you call your selves fans? Shame on you! You don't have to like it, I don't care. All you do is spread hatred and confusion and to speak in Star Wars terminology: "that's the Dark Side". Many of you blame Disney for bad Star Wars Movies. All I sense is frustration, deep frustration. As far as I am concerned, Disney is not to blame (thanks to them we will have more Star Wars), but you are to blame. For poisoning the atmosphere around the best movie series ever made. Again, shame on you.
And to all others I say: go see the movie and enjoy it. I did and will do again!
First Man (2018)
Impressive and compelling
Beautiful and convincing tale about the path of Neil Armstrong and his family towards his first steps on the moon. The movie not only focuses on the hard science but also on the impact Neil's ambitions had on his wife and children. Modest and yet also extravagant and compelling in the visuals. A movie worthy to the legacy of Neil Armstrong: the first man ... on the moon'
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
What's With All The Chagrin?
Like with "The Last Jedi" I do not understand the negativity surrounding this movie. I mean, you don't have to like it, but much of the comment I do not understand. As far as I am concerned, "Solo" is great fun. From the start it gives us so much in a delightful high pace. I loved it. Is it the best Star Wars movie? No. But it sure belongs to the better half of the nine that were made so far. To the 'fans' that despise the so called Disneyfication of Star Wars: don't give in to the Dark Side! If you truly believe that Disney is bad for Star Wars then it is probably impossible to make a movie that will take that doubt away. And that is too bad. Again: Solo, a good and pleasant movie!
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
Star Wars VIII: What With All That Negativity?
I was 13 years old when I was totally blown away by "Star Wars". Just "Star Wars". Not Episode IV, Not V... No just "Star Wars". And boy, what a load of negativity when George Lucas came up with Episode V. Five? Are you for real? That couldn't be right. Or could it? And we all know that "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back" was and still is the best movie in the whole franchise.
When I read a lot of criticism about Episodes VII and VIII, there is this thing that echoes in a certain way throughout all the negativity: "Star Wars isn't Star Wars anymore. Disney killed it."
Excuses me? Nonsense!
Things change. Time changes. The world changes. We change. When you see "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" you see the seventies! The hairdo, the set, the costumes, the technology. It"s the seventies! We are now 40 years later and that means you get a movie that's 40 years further in time. It"s now. And in ten years it will be ten years old. It's that simple.
If you go into a cinema and expect "Star Wars", like episodes IV, V or even VI, don't bother. Don't even think about it! Yes, then you will be disappointed. Of course you will. Because you can never expect something to be "identical", "similar" or close to the original 40 years later. No way. Impossible.
If you go to the cinema to expect a spectacular and highly entertaining movie, a movie that will keep you glued to your seats, then "Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi" will give you that. Two hours and 30 minutes of fantastic entertainment. There were moments when I was watching, so fascinated that I forgot I was holding an empty coffee cup for more than ten minutes.
No it wasn't "Star Wars", duh, but it was certainly in the spirit of Star Wars. As far as I can say, as a lifelong fan: this movie honours Star Wars. It has a high pace, great humour, incredible action, probably the best lightsabre duel ever, the Force light and (very) dark, a wonderful Carrie Fisher, an impressive Mark Hamill, interesting twists and mind-blowing special effects. I wanted to be entertained, and I was. And will be, because I will go back to the cinema to see it again, and probably again. And wondering where the saga will go to in Episode IX...
So to all the critics who bashed the movie: let go! "Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi" is a Star Wars movie, it isn't "Star Wars"! It's just great fun.
"Thank the Maker".