jeroenv Reviews

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

Fun adventure movie, if you manage expectations

[7/10 · 16 December 2023]

No, it is not the best Indiana Jones movie. Yes, it is a bit too long. Yes, Ford is no longer in his thirties. No, the action sequences are not as thrilling as the mine-cart chase from Temple. This is all true, but isn't this to be expected?

Raiders and Crusade are close to perfect films, and this installment certainly isn't. But when it's good it's very good, and the lesser parts don't go on too long. It makes for a very fun viewing, if you accept that things are never going to be exactly like in those 2 movies. It has some nostalgia, while acknowledging the age of the main protagonist and that things have changed. The story is far-fetched but grounded in reality just enough for you to suspend disbelief. The action is great to watch. It has heart. It's just...fun, a well-made film with some characters from way back in a new adventure. You know, like Temple and (to a certain extent) Crystal Skull. Or like most James Bond-movies.

So if you approach it with that mindset, you're in for a fun ride. If you want a second Raiders, don't bother.

Misstoestanden (2000)

missed opportunity

[3/10 · 17 July 2005]

This is the second movie based on the popular Belgian comic Kiekeboe. The first attempt ("Het Witte Bloed", 1992) was a low-budget adaptation of a comic book. It went straight to video, and partly due to lack of promotion (and lack of quality) it didn't do very well.

Fast-forward 8 years. A second attempt is being made, this time with a higher budget, better actors and a new script (that wasn't published as a comic before) aimed at the big screen. The result, however, is even worse.

This movie lacks a plot (it wasn't written by the author of the comics BTW), lacks good directing (the director even admitted he doesn't like the comic book series), and despite the (for Belgium) know cast it lacks good acting (since there's not much to go on).

Too bad, since this could have been great. Luk Wijns is a perfect typecast. Given a better script and a better director this could have been good. Now it's just a total waste.

The author of the comics withdrew from this film when it was still in production, and refuses a DVD-release. Chances that one will ever see this film again are minimal. The director (thankfully) learned his lesson too and went on to direct for TV instead of film. So now, most people seem to have forgotten it even exists. Which is probably a good thing...

Het peulengaleis (1999– )

Great, if you're in to it

[27 December 2003]

"Het Peulengaleis" started as an adaptation of the radio show "Het Leugenpaleis" Bart Peeters and Hugo Matthysen had some years ago, and consists of sketches with absurd humor. When I say absurd, I really mean absurd. I allways wonder where they get this stuff. And obviously Bart and Hugo have a lot of fun writing and recording them.

I don't think it's humor that appeals to a lot of people. That's probably the reason it's programmed rather late in the evening on a channel that is meant for "non-mainstream"-programs. But if you like that kind of humor you'll love Het Peulengaleis.