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markvanwasbeek
Reviews
American History X (1998)
One of the best movies of all time
I remember being 13 wanting to rent this movie at the videostore. I had to go back and get a permission slip from my mom or the guy wouldn't rent it to me. After I watched it as a 13-year old, I kinda understood. I'm 39 now and watched it again yesterday (although I still have it on dvd somewhere). I understand it better now.
This movie is top 5 best movies for me. Edward Norton gives his best performance, better than all the movies he did later. The casting overall is superb. On an emotional level it hits harder now though.
Maybe because nothing has changed. Still the same rhetoric, still the same problems. Or maybe I'm more empathetic this age. Maybe it's a midlife crisis who knows.
Point being, this movie still very much holds up after 26 years, aged like fine wine even.
This is a must-see for anyone who has teens and you should let them watch it too. Or anyone without teens for that matter. Like Requiem for a dream it should be standard for everyone. It's a relic of the 90s. 9.5/10.
Hardcore Never Dies (2023)
Better than expected
The name really doesn't cover the load of this movie. Yes, the Dutch gabber scene acts as a glue for the story but the movie is more a coming of age and family drama.
I wasn't familiar with the actors but they did an excellent job. Especially Jim Deddes as Danny (reference to Vinyard from American History X?). He really did remind me of my brother back in the days, and as in American History X his little brother in this movie looks up to his brother while he actually shouldn't, albeit for different reasons.
The only thing that bothered me were the insanely stupid choices the Danny character made.
For international audiences, skinheads in this movie are not like American ones, it was style of the subculture like the Nikes and Australian tracksuits.
In that regard the director also did an amazing job portraying Netherlands of the 90s. So well I felt nostalgia for most of the film.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes a good family drama, but especially to Dutch people or the ones that liked or still like the rave scene.
Ferry: De Serie (2023)
Excellent eurocrime
I am glad the Flemish producers of the hit-show Undercover decided to deepen the most interesting storyline, that of drug kingpin Ferry. The first season of Undercover was the best, although the later seasons are pretty good too. You can't help but see the reminiscence to Breaking Bad though (Ferry is Walter, Daniëlle is Skyler, Lars is Jesse and John is Mike). Even the goonie friends of Dutch-Jesse are present. But as a Dutch saying goes, better stolen properly than made-up poorly :) In that sense it does a great job. The portrayal of the underground synthetic drug scene is a major problem down in the south here, and the acting is spot on. The character Ferry feels more fleshed out the longer Frank Lammers plays it, which can be weird since this show is set before the first season of Undercover. I just love Elise Schaap, in this part but she seems to be a really nice person too.
Casting for Lars is perfect too, before this I only knew Yannick van de Velde from the SUPER funny Rundfunk show and movie Jachterwachter.
The production seems on par with American standards, which should make this show more appealing abroad.
If you liked Breaking Bad, Top Boy or other drug related crime dramas, and you feel like having a look into the Dutch underworld, this is definitely for you.
Watch the movie Ferry first though, for background purposes. And watch it in Dutch with subtitles. Otherwise the sublteties will be lost in translation.
The Creator (2023)
A new sci-fi classic
Once in a while there's a movie that completely sucks you into another reality. This is one of them. I don't know how they've done what Marvel/DC tries to do in terms of special effects with such budget, but this must be the prettiest/coolest cgi possible in these times. Felt like the magic of seeing Blade Runner, Jurassic Park or District 9 for the first time!
The story itself is entertaining enough and has good pacing, the action sequences are truly amazing. I liked the chemistry between the main characters, the girl was eventually a very touching character whom you start to care for. A special mention to the soundtrack which complements the whole, afterwards I read it was by Hans Zimmer so that explains everything. Can't go wrong there.
This movie sets new standards for all sci-fi to come in terms of effects and effective storytelling. This will be a classic and is my favorite sci-fi of 2023.
Sympathy for the Devil (2023)
Great soundtrack, classic Cage
I liked it better than the reviews would have me believe. If you are a fan of Cage's overacting style, you will love this movie. Cage plays the part very well as you would expect from him, but Joel Kinnaman was a really good lead too. The soundtrack is really, really good. It fits the tone and atmosphere of the movie very well. With a running time of about one and a half hour you won't get bored, the main story unfolds fast, and although the plot is quite predictable the journey towards it remains intriguing enough. All in all a very entertaining movie, and a must-see if you are a Cage fan like me! 7/10.
Saules aveugles, femme endormie (2022)
Different
Blind willow, sleeping woman is, strange. That doesn't mean bad, but it's different than your regular monday night cinema. I usually get annoyed by 2d animation or it takes me a while to get into it, but in this picture they make use of some sort of 2d/3d blend, which turned out very beautiful at times. The stories are really strange, but they make me want to read the books at the same time. Adults, as I too, often lose their childlike imagination. So an animation that's as imaginative and dreamy as this makes a good escape from the sometimes harsh reality of life. The music is simply beautiful and used sparsely but at the right moments. Pretty good movie, definitively more than I thought it would be.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
Yeah
By now you know what to expect from a John Wick movie. I thought the franchise was losing a little momentum in chapter 3 so I was worried this could be disappointing. It's not. It's even more on steroids than any Wick before! Even close to 3 hours it doesn't feel to long which is very special for a action movie. This franchise has set new standards. If anybody says a movie is good like John Wick, it better f'n be! The set pieces as everyone mentioned before are really insane this time. The Tokyo sceney with illuminated cherry blossoms was beautiful. The only super illogical thing that bothered me was that nobody flinched at the nightclub, eventually they did but after a whole 10 minute beatdown through the whole club, but then again it's a shady nightclub for high table people. If you liked the first three movies, get your ass to the cinema. Yeah.
The Old Way (2023)
Not super good, not super bad
First of all I'm glad Cage is back again in theaters the recent years. Not all of them are Pig or Mandy. Was a bit surprised to see Cage on the title roll for a western. I like westerns and I like cage so seeing this was a no-brainer. Was not expecting much though, and it's good I didn't. Bit of a basic story, and the soundtrack was really really cheesy and distracting. Westerns should not rely heavily on music. I was pleasantly surprised by Noah le Gros. He plays the part of villain very well, I wasn't familiar with him but he carries the role well. Actually the best actor this movie, sorry Cage.. That being sad I'd give it a 5,5. Wasn't a total waste of time. Nice for a dreary sunday afternoon.
To Leslie (2022)
Really really good
As someone that comes from a family line of alcoholism I must say this movie hit a few sensitive notes. Andrea Riseborough is truly amazing. Epically amazing. After seeing this movie it's a shame she did not get the Oscar, it would've been very deserved. Like The Whale this is a drama movie about addiction, and it's also about a parent trying to reconnect with their estranged kid. It's also a character study. Like the Whale this movie doesn't judge, however as a member of the audience you'll propably sigh at poor choice after choice. Bear in mind that when you are constantly intoxicated you will not think like 'normal' people. Every single addict has to hit their rock bottom before they change. Some never will. I never spoke to my father again after my 18th, because he didn't and some things are unforgivable. I am sure that this is why this struck an extra sensitive note with me, but the director brings his a-game as well. Bad movies don't touch me, especially when I am familiar with the subject. Good ones definetely do, so props for that. The score with the whining western songs really add atmosphere and authenticity. Best surprise in a while. Very recommended! 9/10.
Cocaine Bear (2023)
Campy fun!
I loved Elizabeth Banks as an actress. Now I love her as a director too! This was good ol' campy fun! I don't know why all the pissy critics are so negative. Were you expecting Oscar material? I was expecting a not-so-serious-over-the-top action comedy, and that is exactly what is delivered. It doesn't pretend to be anything else. I also loved the 80s soundtrack and setting, it really adds to the campiness too! The acting is not too great, and character development barely existent. But who the f cares with a movie like this anyway? It has Ray Liotta, kids and animals on drugs, gore and humor. 95 mins perfect runtime. 8/10 highly recommended.
Aftersun (2022)
Snoozefest
A 95 metacritic score? Well, guess I missed something. The trailer was vague, but I decided to go anyway. The whole movie is basically a recollection of a holiday of a kid and her father. Maybe this is a father daughter thing that hits with women but I failed to see the point. The movie goes nowhere. Couldn't connect emotionally with the character at all and even the dramatic crying on the bed left me emotionless. I was waiting for at least a dramatic ending but even that was too much to ask. Maybe I'm am a bit spoiled with the good drama's recently but this was 1 hours and 45 minutes of total boredom. If you are a dude, this is propably not for you.
The Whale (2022)
Best Aranofsky since Requiem for a dream, powerhouse by Fraser
Well, that was something beautiful. My first thoughts leaving the cinema (holding my tears, like the rest). Hands down the best Darren Aranofsky movie since Requiem for a dream. The Wrestler was pretty good, Mother! Was ehh different.. But The Whale is almost as dramatic as Requiem for a dream but with a beautiful ending instead of a dark one.
I am sure this movie will stick to me for some time, because it's been going through my head all night after seeing this.
The whole movie takes place inside one house, which makes you feel like you are part of his small world almost only connected to strangers online.
Props for Aranofsky for portraying this, really makes you feel for the main character.
Fraser gives the performance of his lifetime.
I would say that the best actors have a wide range from comedy to drama. Hard to imagine this is the same actor as from George from the jungle.
He is the Bryan Cranston of cinema. I am now a fan.
This is the best movie I've seen the last few months. Highly recommended. 9/10.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022)
Finally the Trek we like
I grew up as a little kid with TNG, and it cerrainly spiked my inrerest for sci-fi ever since. I liked the endless possibilities and story lines, they were well thought out and done. Ever since Voyager, Star Trek was lacking something. Wasn't much of a fan of Enterprise, although that was quite Trek too. Discovery and Picard are okay, but the story line is just blah. This goes back to the 90's Trek, exploring strange new worlds indeed. The production value is epic for a Star Trek show, the cgi is pretty neat. Actors are spot on, and I like the new Spock. The wokeness is not overly in your face like the previous shows. This is just oldschool Trek, and I hope this one runs as long as TNG!
Im Westen nichts Neues (2022)
Superb
The horrors of war. Man, I am glad I did not grow up in those times. We've seen some recent interest in WW1, 1917 was an excellent movie as well. This is on par with that. But from a German perspective. Germany basically got dragged into it, and we see some of the politics with the making of the Versailles treaty, the dagger in the back for a lot of people. The brutals of horror are disturbing. We see gas, flamethrowers, Shells, tanks, machineguns. The full horror. The scene where someone slowly dies after being stabbed is insanely good. Top notch acting, epic production value. Wish it was shown in theatres here, saw it on Netflix. 9/10.
Rebel (2022)
Extraordinary!
This is by far one of the best movies to hit the theaters this year! I went in with only a basic knowledge of the premise, and I was truly impressed afterwards. The cinematography is superb. The war scenes in Syria really grab you by the throat and are visually stunning! The three main characters nail their part. Special shout out to Aboubakr Bensaihi for portraying such a difficult role with so much human heart. The soundtrack really adds to the atmosphere too. The only thing I disliked were the 'musical' moments, however there were done correctly in the setting and tone, but the epilogue kind of took away the shine of the climax.. I am also affraid this will pass under many people's radar, which is a shame because production value wise this looks straight up Hollywood, but the story will not appeal to mainstream US moviegoers. IF you read this review because you are in doubt, go and watch this NOW. It's nice to see movies from a different perspective as usual. You will not be disappointed! 9/10 highly recommended.
Rogue Agent (2022)
Better than the trailer
It's better than the trailer led me to believe. Went to check it out since I have a subscription to the theatre anyway. I was expecting a kind of woman gets heartbroken by con-man story, which it was, but more. The con-man in this case being a complete psycho void of empathy that destroys many people's lifes. Gemma Arterton, which I didn't know before, really nails the part. So well you'd almost fall in love with her. James Norton is pretty solid too. Interesting to know this is based on a real story too. If you thought the story seemed interesting but the trailer lame, go check it out. Solid thriller! 7,5/10.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Pretty decent
Pretty decent whodunnit! I usually hate these kinds of movies, they've been done a million times (like Death on the Nile etc). It's a cheap way of making a thriller, so if you are going to do it, be original. This was original enough though!
Liked the character, and millenial problems that are kinda made fun off.
I was surprised to see Halina Reijn directed this! As a actress I always thought she was a bit in the shadow of her friend, Carice van Houten.
Wasn't expecting her to direct a big Hollywood movie. Maybe it's a bit of a Dutch touch that makes this different.
It's 95 minutes, so the run time is perfect for a whodunnit movie too. Any more would be tedious.
As a dutchie myself, looking forward Halina's next project! 7,5/10.
Jaws (1975)
Still holds up
I only remembered this movie from my childhood on video, but it is out in IMAX for a limited period, so had to check it out. This movie still holds up. Funny to see how times have changed, they can't warn people because the phone is out for example :D The practical effects are still really cool, especially considering it's 47 years old now. Acting is a little rusty, like much movies in those days. The soundtrack really adds to the movie. The first of many great Steven Spielberg movies. Absolute classic and must see for everyone! And there is nothing more to say but imdb now wants 600 characters in a review apparently.
Better Call Saul (2015)
Thank you Vince and Peter
Thank you for making yet another landmark in TV history. I did not think this could equal Breaking Bad, I was wrong. Vince, thank you for being in this era. As a kid I used to love the X-files, as a late teen Breaking Bad and as a young adult this. I am waiting with anticipation on your next project. As to all the new projects of all actors. Give Emmies to everyone. It doesn't get better. Superb writing. Superb directing. Superb acting. The only downside is the hole that it leaves behind, now that it's over. Watch this if you haven't. 10/10.
Bullet Train (2022)
Fun!
Loved the whole movie, had an oldschool Guy Ritchie vibe! Great cast, super fun characters too. Loved Joey King, I'm not a Brit but I would've thought she was. Stylish action and camera work, funny moments (laughed too hard at Channing Tatum) and cool characters. No nonsense fun! 8,5/10.
Speak No Evil (2022)
Super messed up, love it
Expecting a bit from the trailer, I wasn't disappointed. This truly is a messed up story, which the trailer doesn't do justice nearly enough. The leads are all excellent, with a special shout out to Fedja van Huet, who really nails the role and is quite disturbing. The musical score was very effective, and beautiful sometimes too. It definetly is a slow burn, but one that will stick with you a long time too. 9/10.
Las Consecuencias (2021)
Bleak
This movie is pretty hard to review without giving away any spoilers. I liked the cinematography, with long shots and a beautiful (but also heavily blue tinted throughout the film) island setting. The acting was also quite good. The soundtrack minimal but there when needed and supported the movie.
It is a bold move to make a movie about the subject that comes into play, and you get the eerie hints that stuff is off from the beginning. That being said, it's very heavy and certainly not for everyone. Don't watch this if you have a disfunctional family. Or do, but be warned.
Better Call Saul: Point and Shoot (2022)
Grim
On par with the previous episode, we see the aftermath of the confrontation. The scene where Lalo and Howard lie next to each other says so much. Two episodes ago you could not imagine this. Even Mike looked at Howard with pity. Each and everyone acts at peak performance, the writing and directing is off the charts! Well worth the month wait!
68 Kill (2017)
Decent crime thriller
Basically a film about psychopath females and a soft guy. I really enjoyed Annalynne McCord, she plays the role perfect. The embodiment of why you shouldn't date psycho chicks. At the same time you can fall in love with her.. Don't expect anything Tarantino/Guy Ritchie like, but still a solid 7 because it entertained me much.
Grutto! (2022)
Good documentary
Ruben Smit returns with his newest nature documentary, centered around the not very well known grutto (other birds/predators are shown a lot too). Not too extraordinary, and propably not very interesting for foreigners. Unless you have a love for birds, or beautiful Dutch (winter) landscapes. However in light of the environmental issues in the Netherlands, it should be a must see for all Dutch people.