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Reviews
Avatar (2009)
Can we please just feel the Greatness of this movie?
Experiencing this movie, in Imax 3-D, was simply the best movie experience I have ever had. It is great that there is a lot to say about movies but this should be the fist and most important thing. What did the experience of watching evoke in you? I start this way because I have been reading very much about this movie and I have heard so many perspectives on it that I almost lost the direct feeling of it. Moreover the fact that It is being spoken about so much is to me another indication that this is an important and intriguing film. Of course attention in itself it not an indication of value, but it becomes apparent soon that the discussion is very widespread and represents many views that already are inherent to our society itself. As soon as this criterium is not met we should be aware what this movie is trying to do with us or with a certain group of people. From my point of view such a discussion is not going on and what is going on is a fair and multiperspectival approach to a deeply intriguing and moving cinematic masterpiece (even though the last word of this sentence is a bit more personal).
Having said all that what is left now is for me to present my contribution to the ongoing dialogue. As one might have guessed I am very positive about the movie and not only because it was a great experience in a 3-D movie theater. This movie clearly has a message that our world needs. The consciousness that wants to aggressively dominate and control the world around itself for the purpose of profit regardless of the consequences for the world of nature, life and living beings is being defeated in here. And it is defeated by the conscious choice of beings living by natural law, by other beings abiding the ways of the spirit of the planet and by the very command of this planetary spiritual will itself. As such this storyline is a simplified but direct representation of processes playing out on the face of earth nowadays where the aggressive military-industrial (american) way of control and manipulation is being defeated by conscious processes on various levels of existence.
My wholehearted thank goes to James Cameron and his crew for this fantastic tale of life, love, victory and hope. Thank you for creating this and good luck with all future endeavours (which I am looking forward to).
De hel van '63 (2009)
A non-typically-Dutch Masterpiece
Even though I am Dutch, I am not a fan of Dutch Cinema. Therefore this movie surprised me even more than I had hoped for. I enjoyed every minute of this icy ride about the worlds longest ice-skating tour. Director Steven de Jong has provided new hope for Dutch cinema by doing an excellent job. The 'elfstedentocht'(tour of eleven cities) van '63 was a unique and timeless event that deserved a great film like this and I am happy to have experienced this.
This whole movie is just excellent and two points deserve special attention regarding the history of Dutch Movies. One thing that has often irritated me in these movies is the unnatural acting. Actors are often acting too much instead of just being relaxed and natural in their role. The actors in this movie are not superior, but they are very natural. And that just makes them and the movie as a whole much more convincing. The second great thing is the camera-work. To give some grandeur to this movie the camera often swings into great heights, crawls under the ice and/or fades from a film-image to a map and vice-versa. The accompanying music creates effects not seen before in Dutch cinema. It really lifts this movie to another level and creates refreshing perspectives. Steven de Jong even portrayed the harsh element of wind in the form of luring icy animals. Something completely unexpected and until now unseen in Dutch movies.
Altogether this is a great and unexpected arrival that gets a rating of nine. And I am looking forward to new releases that can match this one.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
An underrated adventure-movie that feels very real and exciting
"Holiness is in right action and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves" -Hospitaler 1185 AD-
From the director of 'Gladiator' and '1492: Conquest of Paradise' comes this adventurous epic which grabbed me right away with its purity and honest crudity. Those two go together very well in this story about leadership,courage, love and wisdom of the heart.
This movie greatly depicts how a hurt blacksmith grows into a true man who knows to heal his wounds and who learns what matters most in life. Orlando Blooms natural innocence and intelligence make him into a suprprising and convincing character. He surprises by undergoing his trails without judgement or emotion and finding the righteous path in a glorious way. Convincing because he acts with a confidence and self-assurance that show that he is a developed soul who is able to read between the lines and act on it in a conscious and creative way that, again, surprises friend as well as foe.
I love watching these kind of heroic epics not in the least because of the great images they provide. 'Kingdom of Heaven' is no exception and shows wonderful landscapes and enchanting scenery that creates feelings of freedom and splendor. Except for 'Gladiator', 'Braveheart' and a few others, movies like these are often underrated and that is truly a shame. The story, the camera-work, the environment and the dialogues are all very sophisticated and inspiring and make me honour this splendid movie with a 9 rating. Enjoy!
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
Spectacular and Fantastic Martial Arts Showpiece
This is one of those movies that reminds one of the magnificent and glorious adventure that life offers to the One. Which we, just as the leading character Jason, of course all are in the face of destiny. Destiny certainly plays a crucial role in this entertaining, funny and deeply convincing action adventure kung-fu epos. I had almost forgotten about the beauty and fun movies like these offer the viewer. This movie impressed me just as much as 'Hero', 'House of Flying Daggers' and 'Crouching Tiger' which I value very high. And what makes this movie legendary and unique is the combination of Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Both play outstanding roles as very different characters. The fight in the ancient temple between the two of them is absolutely memorable.
One of the things that surprised me most is the perfect balance between fantasy and realism. The writer and director did a great job in achieving this. Too much fantasy can make a movie implausible whereas too much realism can create an overly serious or sober atmosphere. The breathtaking landscape of China, 'The land where heaven touches the earth', greatly contributes to the overall feeling and charm of this jewel. Inside this enchanting story the archetypes of the old wise man, the master, the student and the evil lord/witch are clearly visible. Such fulfilling storytelling reminds me again of the immortal tagline of 'Waking Life': 'Dream is Destiny'.