Reviews

The Village is the newest creation of M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs). It's about an isolated community, living in a small village, late 19th century, complete with long skirts, Shakespearian language and small ordinary houses and grazing cattle in the surrounding fields.

At first sight a very peaceful town, but a dark secret is hidden behind this misleading surface. The inhabitants constantly live in fear of 'those we don't speak of'. The tiniest tip of the color red, scares the villagers to death. They do not dare to take one step into the woods, and not one of them would, or should take even one step over the well marked borders of The Village.

The new movie of M. Night Shyamalan has all the well known ingredients: surprising turns, an atmosphere that gives you goosebumps and moments where you jump up from your seat. In my opinion, it's a very disturbing story. But there's one thing that I miss: a great climax. This movie never seems to get this highlight. Shyamalan's latest is in the style of The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, but in these pictures the ending gets you by surprise, they leave you with your eyes and mouth wide open. The story gets to you piece by piece, sometimes surprising, scaring or horrifying. But it doesn't last. The ending of Shyamalan's other movies left you with some of the surprise, horror, or fear. The Village's ending does none of this.

Still, it's a nice movie, as long as it lasts. You're curiosity gets tickled and you only get one piece of the puzzle at a time. If I tell you more, it will ruin the plot of the movie. All I can tell is that it contains a love story, a tale of dubious and clashing moralities. The well known ingredients of Shyamalan's movies I mentioned above, are still an experience. If this is your sort of thing, then this still is a very enjoyable movie.

Sin City, based on the graphic novels by Frank Miller, incorporates three stories, set in the fictional city of Sin City. It seems the only people living there are criminals, prostitutes and strippers, and little girls growing up to be strippers. Consequently all women appearing in the movie are sexy and scarcely dressed, and all men are rough, tough and scarred. This makes the movie a dick flick: sex and violence, for some men a wet dream, I guess. But this doesn't mean a little girl like me can't enjoy a movie like this.

The movie is stuffed with comic book clichés, but what did you expect? Thank god the girls are not constantly scared and screaming out 'Oh please help me!'. These girls bite back, and that makes up for them all looking gorgeous and being half-nude. Besides, bad boys can be sexy too.

Besides the sex, many people complain about the violence in the movie. I must say sex and violence are two main themes in the movie. I can't remember any real sex-scenes, or any shocking positions performed in complete nudity. The 'sex' never was embarrassing to look at, unless off course you faint when seeing a nipple.

The violence was so over-stylized, it never made my stomach turn. Actually you never really see anything so disgusting it would make you sick. It is being told that his guts were smeared out all over the place, but you actually don't get to see it. The moment a dog wants to start eating a certain person, the screen turns black and white: white figures moving in front of a black background. No matter how disgusting some characters are, no matter how creative the ways to make people die (in a most painful way), unless you have a very weak stomach, it won't make you puke.

Enough sex and violence. Let me tell you a bit about the story and the characters. As I said there are three main stories, based on the story lines of three Sin City-books: 'Sin City', 'That Yellow Bastard' and 'The Big Fat Kill'. The movie begins and ends with lady killer 'The Man' (Josh Hartnett). In between we get: the story of Hartigan (Bruce Willis), a good cop, who tries to save little Nancy Callahan out of the hands of a child rapist/killer, who really gets turned on by little girls screaming; the story of Marv (Mickey Rourke) revenging the death of the only girl he loved; and the story of Dwight (Clive Owen), who tries to prevent all hell breaking loose between the prostitutes from Old Town and the cops, as a result of the sad passing of crooked cop 'Jackie Boy' (Benicio Del Toro). The cast is impressive. Besides the men already named, we also see Jessica Alba, Michael Madsen, Rosario Dawson, Michael Clarke Dunkan, Brittany Murphy, Elijah Wood, … Most of them perfectly fit the kind of character they are supposed to portray: the lined faces of Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Michael Madsen and Benicio Del Toro makes them believable as genuine troubled men. I would particularly want to congratulate the filmmakers for the casting of Elijah Wood as Kevin: the creepiness of his big blue eyes has never been displayed in such a perfect way.

I have already mentioned the over-stylized way the movie is shot: the directors have stayed very close to the way the comic book itself is styled: black and white with a drop of colour once in a while. It is as if you are watching a comic book, where the figures have come to life. It all seems very unreal and surrealistic in the beginning, but after a while you get sucked up in the atmosphere, in the world of Sin City, and in the stories. You forget that the real world doesn't look like that, that real people don't need about twenty bullets pumped into their body to die, and that just looking at yellow bastard only dressed in short pants, would make every real person immediately scream. Also the voice-over by the main characters in each sequence (The Man, Hartigan, Marv and Dwight) take a while to get used to, but it gives extra depth to the story, it gives you a bit more insight in the motives, and it often gives what you are watching a relativising and comical note.

I really liked this movie. It was visually new and challenging. The story doesn't need too much thinking and is quite surreal, yet it isn't incredibly ridiculous and stupid, nor is it absolutely unoriginal. It is based on a comic book, but in most comic books (and movies) the distinction between heroes and villains is as clear as black and white. Sin City heroes are everything but angels, and the villains are absolute perverted psychos. There is only grey and the blackest black. And somehow this makes the heroes more real, there is no idealism, no moralistic crap, no false pretences, and in the end, no absolute heroes. The way the story is told makes the darkness complete, without ever making it too heavy or depressing. Just sit back en let yourself get sucked into it.

Danny Ocean and his crew need to get back in action: the big boss of the casino they robbed in the previous movie, Terry Benedict, finds out who made him 160 million dollars poorer three years ago. Even though he has recovered his money by insurance, Benedict demands his money back, with interest, within two weeks. Ocean's crew also get caught up in a little contest with mysterious master thief 'Night Fox': if Ocean manages to steal a Fabergé Egg first, Night Fox will pay the 190 million dollars they owe to Benedict. What follows is a game of trying to outsmart each other: who will be the greatest thief? But as the story unfolds, the uselessness of the story is also uncovered. Even though the movie is very amusing by moments, with resourceful surprises and some hilarious situations, it's all a bit pointless. Though, don't let this stop you from watching the movie, and enjoy the ride while it lasts. I still can promise you a lot of fun.

Madagascar is from the same creators as Shrek and Shark Tale. The story starts in Central Park Zoo, New York, the home of Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hippo, Alex the lion, a bunch of crazy penguins and some monkeys. The penguins are digging their way to 'the wild', but find Marty instead, and Marty instantly starts dreaming of going into the wild too. Followed by his friends, Marty escapes, but they get caught again, and this means a new beginning for all of them: they are shipped off, to be put in a natural habitat in a wild-life reserve. Because of the penguins hijacking the boat, Marty and friends strand in the real 'wild': Madagascar. A whole new world opens up for the animals, who have been living in the city zoo their entire life.

This is a very fun movie. It isn't well constructed and it doesn't even make much sense, but it's just crazy fun like Shrek II and Shark Tale. The voice-casting is very well done, especially Chris Rock as hyperactive zebra Marty, David Schwimmer as Melman, the neurotic giraffe, and last but definitely not least: Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G) as King Julien, the lemur leader. Their voices sound like the characters really are.

I don't believe this movie was meant to be taken seriously, and it is best you don't. Once in a while you get references to other movies, American Beauty being the most obvious. Every single animal is slightly (or completely) nuts: e.g. Melman the giraffe is addicted to doctors and medication, and the penguins are psychotic. Speaking of which, the penguins are simply hilarious. Best to pull up one eyebrow before starting to watch the movie … just to be prepared, and you can be sure to leave the theater with a beat and 'I like to move it, move it' in your head.

The movie i'm about to tell you about is extremely unpleasant. In this story, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning and VERY few happy things in the middle. To be honest there aren't that many happy things in the lives of the three Baudelaire youngsters." "This is the story of the three Baudelaire children. Violet loved to invent, her brother, Klaus, loved to read, and their sister, Sunny, she loved to bite. My name is Lemony Snicket and it is my duty to tell you their tale. No one knows the precise cause of the Baudelaire fire, but just like that, the Baudelaire children became the Baudelaire orphans." And this is where our story begins....

Indeed, this is not a very happy movie. As the Baudelaire children become orphans, they are placed in the care of Count Olaf. All he wants is the children's fortune, and he appears to be a VERY unpleasant man. As the story unfolds, we find out Count Olaf is not only unpleasant, but more, he is a vicious criminal, who doesn't mind a little murdering.

The movie is bewitching. You are being smothered by it's very dark (and unpleasant?) atmosphere. You are warned: NOT a very pleasant movie indeed. But if you give the three Baudelaire children a place in your heart, which is not so very difficult to do, it is hard not to love the movie.

The cast is magnificent: not only is Jim Carrey a deliciously unpleasant Count Olaf, but there's a magnificent Meryl Streep as unfortunately afraid Aunt Josephine ('She's the mayor of crazy town.'), but the ones who really steal your heart are the three youngest actors (fortunately they are pleasant): Emily Browning as the clever inventor Violet, Liam Aiken as the intelligent bookworm Klaus, and Kara and Shelby Hoffman as the infant with sharp teeth Sunny (for as far as such little children can act, they are great).

This movie has everything you need for an enjoyable evening. It is hard not to be amused by the weirdest collection of characters and the magnificent way they are portrayed by the actors. The sets are magnificent, and so are the costumes, the make-up, and the atmosphere thus created.

Not advisable for children (and perhaps grownups too) who easily get nightmares, but very advisable to all who are not so easily haunted by bad dreams. (It is not that scary, but as said several times, it's not a very happy tale)

This is an incredibly amusing movie: thrilling and very funny, filled with surprises, and adorable characters.

You can see where the makers of 'The Incredibles' got their inspiration (Superman, Batman, Spiderman,…) but the movie goes beyond that. It is a real superhero movie, because of the story, the looks, the music, the villains, and of course the superheroes and their amazing powers. The only difference: this is funnier, more fantastic and more inventive than any superhero movie has ever been! Pixar Animation Studios are also the creators of 'Monsters Inc.', 'Toy Story(II)', 'A Bugs Life' and 'Finding Nemo'. My favourite was 'Finding Nemo'. Now it is 'The Incredibles', because it's entertainment value is very high. You constantly get surprised by the ingenuity that is displayed in almost every scene. Visually it may not be as beautiful, but it is not bad either. On every other aspect, this movie beats 'Finding Nemo', and in all aspects all the other Pixar-movies too. It is more exiting, more surprising, more humorous (also in a visual way), more imaginative,

First of all: I didn't see 'Hero' yet, so I can not compare.

The story is above all a love story. The setting is the empire China of 859AD, during the Tang Dynasty. The empire is in decline: the emperor is incompetent, and the government is corrupt. 'House of Flying Daggers' is a rebel-group, which operates underground.

There is love growing between two people who should be rivals, a bit like Romeo and Juliet. But there are more obstacles to their love: murder plans, jealous men, lies, … The story is full with surprising changes in plot, so telling more of the story might ruin it for you. To some the story might be too romantic, but there are other things to enjoy in this movie. To those who expect a battle -movie: don't. There are quite some fights, but they certainly do not dominate in the film.

Sometimes I heard the public in the movie theater chuckle, but I think they where not used to seeing Chinese martial arts: apparently, some warriors develop a muscle that makes them able to fly. Sometimeswe have to believe in fairy-tales, to see the beauty of something. My advice: believe.

Visually, this is a very startling movie: almost every shot is composed in the most perfect way. Fights are like dances, landscapes like paintings, even the actors are beautiful. If you need a reason to see this movie, this is it. It is eye-candy.

The music is very much in harmony with the rest of the movie: it only adds more beauty.

Constantine is an exorcist, damned to hell, and dying too. In an attempt to gain a ticket to heaven, he expels demons and casts them back in hell. Normally only half demons are to be found in this mortal world, but lately, full demons are trying to cross over too. A series of strange events makes Constantine weary that something bigger is about to happen. Step by step a devilish plan is revealed, and in the end it is up to Constantine to prevent hell on earth.

I thought this movie began very promising: very dark and mysterious. But it looses it's darkness and mystery, sadly enough, to become a more ordinary comic book movie: the tormented, swearing, drinking and smoking anti-hero Constantine becomes a real hero, too good to be true, with a heart and big guns, shooting around, saving the day. Of course he has to save the world, what kind of movie would it be otherwise. But his sharp edge gets lost and I started missing it. It comes back by moments, but in general he is to nice and friendly towards good people. A lot of this might have to do with Rachel Weisz, as Angela investigating the strange suicide of her twin sister, being to shiny and sweet to be a good companion for Constantine. The character of Angela (and her twin sister) might have good potential, but Rachel Weisz misses something to make those potentials reality.

But there are other things in the movie to make up for that: the angel Gabriel takes over from Constantine to becoming a more interesting character. Tilda Swinton is very well casted to play this character. I was quite surprised when Gavin Rossdale suddenly appeared on the screen, as half-breed demon Balthazar. Later Sithboy told me that the director, Francis Lawrence, is also a video clip director, and probably picked up Rossdale that way. Anyway, I must say Gavin Rossdale is not too bad as a demon. The thematic of heaven and hell, demons, angels, exorcism, etc. is attractive and keeps a bit of mystery alive in the movie and makes it amusing to watch.

In short: the movie was amusing, good entertainment, but it didn't make me go up in it's world, it didn't stick with me and it didn't make me really enthusiastic. It didn't make me feel, like I think a real good movie should.

The story 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' is originally by Roald Dahl, a man with a giant dose of fantasy, and just like Tim Burton, a (sometimes) morbid kind of humour. This story is about little and poor Charlie Bucket, who magically finds a Golden Ticket in the wrapping of a Willy Wonka's chocolate bar. This ticket gives him the opportunity to visit Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, a place where no one has come in or out for many, many years. Together with his grandfather Jacob, and the finders of the four other Golden Tickets, he enters the magical world of Willy Wonka. Many surprises await him, including a big prize.

Tim Burton is my favourite director, and Roald Dahl is my favourite writer, so I had high expectations of this movie. But I'm a bit disappointed. And I blame John August, who wrote the screenplay. I don't really mind that they change the story a bit, but only if it is for the better. On the one hand they spiced it up a little, by making Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) weirder than ever, by making the kids and parents (except Charlie) more obnoxious, putting the Oompa-Loompas in latex suits with vivid colours, giving it all a sharper edge… I had no problems with that. That they gave Wily Wonka a past, and a father, well … OK. But it also took the myth and the mystery around Willy Wonka away (he could have at least come from another planet) But what I really, really disliked about this adaptation is that they also sweetened it up … a lot. First of all, Charlie is said to be a normal kid, but he isn't: he is so sweet and so moralistic that he is everything but normal. Second, and worst, they created a whole new ending telling us how important family is, showing Willy Wonka as a poor traumatised man. Roald Dahl's version of the story is already rather moralistic, by telling us it is bad for kids to watch too much TV, to be spoiled by their parents, to eat too much candy, to constantly chew gum,… That family is important, is present in the book too, just by showing how close Charlie's family is, but why, oh why did they have to exaggerate on this aspect in the movie? By changing the story, by spicing and sweetening it up at the same time, you get a confusing mix of craziness and morals, of fun and seriousness. Because it constantly changes it is impossible to get completely sucked into the atmosphere, like I usually experience when watching Burton-films. One moment it's all sparkling crazy fun, the next moment we go back to Willy Wonka's traumatic youth, this breaks the tempo of the wild ride on the great chocolate river.

Besides this, there's absolutely nothing wrong with this movie, on the contrary. Visually, this is a real Burton film, except that it is more colourful (most of the time) than most of his oeuvre. The scenery looks magical (I especially loved the little house the Bucket family lives in). Another thing that was typically Tim Burton is that everything is a bit weirder than it already was in the Roald Dahl story. Everything and everybody looks and acts very surreal. First of all it is rather weird that all the Oompa-Loompas are all played by Deep Roy, and consequently all look the same. (Female Oompa-Loompas are also Deep Roy, but dressed in women's clothes) As I already said, Willy Wonka is weirder than ever. I've never seen Johnny Depp so crazy, and that is saying something. The kids are just as surreal as Willy Wonka, the movie makers even added some obnoxious habits to the kids' characters. The young actors, picked out to portray them, are absolutely great.

Danny Elfman had lots of fun composing the music for the Oompa-Loompa songs that go with Roald Dahl's lyrics, and I had lots of fun listening to them, and watching the crazy dances of the Oompa-Loompas while singing. He chose a different style for every song (Broadway, 70's, rock, …) and Tim Burton added a matching dance for each one.

The movie is lots of fun, it's like watching the craziest and weirdest circus show, suffused with beautiful visuals. If it wasn't for the spoiled story this would have been a definite four star movie, maybe even five. It makes me almost angry knowing how magnificent this movie could have been, why didn't they just stick to the fun stuff?