Reviews

Not to sneak up on anybody, I am a born again Christian but I also love great movies. Now most Christian movies rather suck, except this one. Sure, it's not the greatest production, it's even in 4:3 format. But the acting is great and the story is heartwarming. At the same time it gives you a look at some of the most disturbing parts of what Amsterdam is: drugs and (male) prostitution.

Another reviewer found the movie homo-erotic. I disagree. Sure, the guy is attractive, but what main actor isn't? If you start looking at movies that way, then almost every movie is homo-erotic. So stop talking such crap about this movie. It's not about that, it's about the story.

This story shows many sides of humanity. The young guy has no idea what hit him when he got to Amsterdam, so he quickly gets pulled into the criminal circuit. That is something real, these things happen in real life. But what's just as real is that this Christian from India shows him God's love and compassion by being his friend and helping him to solve his difficult situation. It doesn't get much more real than that.

The shots of Amsterdam are gorgeous! Criminality aside, it's a very beautiful city. And whatever you think of Billy Graham, this conference was impressive. Not many people are as radical as he was. God rest his soul.

In short, if you think Christian movies suck, then go see this one! You will not be disappointed.

This movie is not only very well made (great acting, good camera work, good directing), it also gives a very honest portrayal of what most evangelical churches are like. I recognize everything that happens here, been there many times.

From the beginning it's obvious that main character Jake has problems. After losing his mother he barely gets by, and he needs pills to do it. After joining the church group they make him feel like he can do anything, as long as he keeps filled by God's Spirit. The only problem is that he has no idea who that God is, and nobody tells him, because all they want is to gather phone numbers.

The group is shallow and impersonal, and they don't seem interested in Jake's personal life at all. The only thing they want is for him to become just like them. This almost seems like a cult. Especially when Jake doesn't feel like answering his dad's calls.

In the end, what has Jake gained from being with this group? Nothing. He's back on the pills and he doesn't feel spirit-filled anymore at all.

What this movie shows is how it's not done. God's message is all about love. Loving people, helping them, giving them what they need. Not gathering souls to play church. The movie is good, but it could have been even better if they had shown how it should have been. Someone should have taken an interest in Jake's life, helping him and really showing him God's love. Then the viewer could have taken a positive message from this movie. That's why I didn't give it a perfect 10. However, this is still one of the best Christian movies I have ever seen.

Like many reviewers are saying, this is a very satisfying ending to the Avengers series. Most Marvel fans will love it, but it's certainly not worth a full 10.

It takes a while for the story to get going. At first the feeling of loss does make an impact, but it gets slow after a while.

The plan to fetch the infinity stones from the past is not very well executed, and the groups get back too quickly. But then there's the final battle, and that looks amazing! Good to see everybody back.

The role of captain Marvel is disappointing to say the least. She seemed so powerful in her own movie, but here Thanos easily beats her.

Captain America does get his happy ending with Peggy Carter, and I can see why actor Chris Evans wants to quit playing him. There's really nothing to tell about the captain anymore...

Overall the movie is packed with lots of fun and also some really emotional moments. The CGI is top-notch, as can be expected from Marvel. The movie is entertaining and I want to see it again, just not right away. Go see it, you will not be disappointed. Just don't expect to have your mind blown...

Gene Roddenberry was a man with a vision. He saw a future where everyone worked together to better ourselves, to explore the universe and to have great adventures. Star Trek Discovery is one of those great adventures.

OK, the acting may not always be great, some characters are not that interesting, not everyone gets nearly enough screentime (like Airiam), and some of the storylines are not as great as they could have been. But it is Star Trek, there's no doubt about that! Let me explain why:

• it follows Roddenberry's vision of the future
• it challenges viewers to think
• it expands boundaries of tv making
• it has diversity of characters that keep growing
• it looks really hi-tech

The makers of Star Trek Discovery have really thought it through. The show is set ten years before Kirk, so that they could show the start of the Klingon war, as well as some back stories for well-known characters from the original series. This setting makes for some interesting stories, to say the least.

Saru is an interesting alien with a great background. Sylvia Tilly is a great character because she is autistic (like me), and this is very fresh and original! Paul Stamets and Hugh Culber are the first gay characters on a Star Trek show. Isn't that what everyone wants to see? Airiam looks interesting, sort of like an android, or an enhanced human. I hope we get to see a cool back story for her! Captain Lorca was interesting, because he was the first captain that was not such a perfect boyscout, a captain with a hidden agenda, that is also something we had never seen before on Star Trek. Speaking of boyscouts, captain Pike is a typical Starfleet captain, right along the lines of Kirk and Picard! Emperor Georgiou is mysterious, and we never know whether she is a friend or foe.

The only character that is not that interesting is Michael Burnham. She happens to be the main character, but the fact that she's Spock's foster sister is not very believable, and everything about her seems exaggerated and overly emotional.

Discovery may not be the best Star Trek show ever, but it is Star Trek anno 2017. It may not be what the long time fans expected, but it has everything a Star Trek show needs. If you don't like it because it doesn't live up to your expectations, get over it! Or as William Shatner once said it: "Get a life!".