willemsensem Reviews

Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021)

More of the same

[6/10 · 2 October 2021]

Fine successor to the first film. More of the same however. The game is new of course, so that makes the film still interesting, but after the next and the next and the next predictable aspect, it becomes a bit dull.

No great acting too.

Quo Vadis, Aida? (2020)

Super important message

[9/10 · 14 July 2021]

I went into the cinema without preparation. I hadn't seen the trailer, I didn't know anything about the real story, I just sat down and watched it. Damn, I was struck by it.

The plot is real. That makes it even more devastating. They told the story in such a brilliant way that I had a little bit of hope every time Aida had a bit of hope. I would lose that, and regain that. Of course in the end I lost it for good. Another thing they did really well is the helplessness of the Dutch soldiers. I really felt like they couldn't do anything, and that made the feeling of hope and sadness and anger and all that, so much more real.

The acting was terrific. I hadn't heard of any of the actors involved, and I actually kind fo like that. It makes it way easier to slide into the story, seeming as you don't associate the people you see with anything other than their role.

I saw this film, I was devastated about the whole situation that was portrayed, and than like most people probably it went out of my head and I didn't think about it anymore, after 4 days or so. But then, 1.5 week after seeing it, a friend posted about not forgetting about this slaughter and that most people don't know about it and everything, and BAM, the whole film popped back in my head and I thought about it again. I shared it with my friend (who is part Bosnian) and it felt like a proper ending to my connection to this film, and I'll never forget about this tragedy again.

Chaos Walking (2021)

Pretty well

[7/10 · 14 July 2021]

So, it's pretty decent. For me it was even a bit sentimental for being this sci-fi teenage growing up kinda story, which could be made into a trilogy.

In my youth at some point a few of those sci-fi trilogies came up; Divergent, The Maze Runner, Narnia, Hunger Games. This really brought me back to that time in my life. That is one of the main reasons I enjoyed this so much. The plot is a bit thin, but if worked out into a trilogy could be really nice. I felt there were a little bit too many details left out, which made it a bit dull at times. Still it's a very original concept with the noise and such.

The acting was fine. I'm not a big fan of Tom Holland or the chemistry between Holland and Daisy Ridley. They both did what they could to develop their characters though. You just see that they're both not super experienced yet in these big roles, especially when there are not a lot of other characters around and they have to build the story on their own.

The visuals are very nice. I really love how they visualised the noise and the colonies and all that. They definitely had a clear mind about how to do that and they succeed very well.

All 'n all I think this concept has a lot of potential that did not fully come to succeed in this film. I would watch more parts if they would make them.

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

No negatives here

[10/10 · 14 July 2021]

I'd been wanting to see this for a long time. Finally got the chance and it absolutely didn't disappoint.

The plot is very well, because it's real events, and where some people thought it wasn't enough about Fred Hampton, I really liked how they portrayed the bond between O'Neal and Hampton, and the way the whole Black Panther movement worked a bit. I think the setting and the story were top notch.

Still, the best thing about this picture is the acting. Kaluuya is one of the best actors these days, and he shows some amazing range with this picture under his belt. He expressed Hampton amazingly, although Hampton was 10 years younger irl. Stanfield also did a terrific job, he knew how to portray the highs and lows in O'Neals life. He managed to receive pity and anger after watching the whole picture. Amazing performances.

The cinematography captured the scene and the time in which the story is set perfectly. I never had the feeling something was wrong. It felt like I was there, in the office, with the Black Panthers, helping in the discussions.

The soundtrack has some more standard music on it, but one track really got to me. It was one where there were a baritone, tenor and alto playing really tight and with tension. That was such a majestic sound and I still hear that when it's quiet.

Next to the picture soundtrack, there's an album made by modern day artists who were inspired by the picture. Whilst listening to that album after the viewing was also a very powerful and mesmerising feeling. A very good way to end this whole experience.

All 'n all I really liked it, and it hit me right where I wanted it too.

City of Lies (2018)

Yes please

[9/10 · 3 June 2021]

As always with the films labeled as 'based on real events' and such, I wonder how much is based, and how much is actually. A few google searches further and this one checks out for the main plot lines. Of course there's some filling, but in this story its very good. The plot is iron-clad. First of the story is very strong, it being real events. Second of all, the way they give you the information bit by bit is very well done. With the flashbacks worked into the present story, it eases you into the investigation. I like it's not the kind where of picture where you don't know anything until the big reveal in the very end. This is more entertaining to watch, especially in this context. This picture was shelved a month before release, because of some shady lawsuits. People suspect it was the LAPD trying to not get this released, for it gave them a bad image. I don't know if that's actually true, but if it were, it would only demonstrate the problem that is depicted in the film. Depp and Whitaker are phenomenal. Of course it could've been better, but that doesn't mean this wasn't a great performance by both of them. The scene in the coffee-house where they both are talking with Biggie's mom is very special for me. Biggie's mom is played by... Biggie's mom. You can totally see and feel both Depp and Whitaker are very aware of that and give their full performance right there, whilst you can see them as actors peeking through and feeling really bad for this amazing stature of a woman. The cinematography is good. They succeeded in fitting the older cam footage with the professional footage of their own camera's. I liked the framing. Smart work on making Biggie super recognisable while covering his face with pieces of the car or fans or whatever. At last the soundtrack is great. The soundtrack made for the film brings the tension you feel and see in the film. The songs used also contribute a lot to the whole story. They're investigating Biggie's death, and at some points you forget that, or it stays a bit in the background, till you hear some heavy hip-hop blasted from a car or just as soundtrack. It brings you right back to the actual point of the story. All 'n all I liked it a lot. I saw the documentary about Biggie when it came out earlier this year, and this gave me the same feeling. Although that wasn't about his death, more about him, still this picture gave me some more handles on that whole happening, almost 25 years ago. 8.5/10.

Atonement (2007)

Outstanding

[9/10 · 17 May 2021]

Wow, this didn't disappoint even a bit. It's basically built of three parts and a small epilogue. The first part perfectly portrays the whole vibe and mood of the aristocrats spending their summer in a huge mansion on the countryside. The second part is over in France where Robbie is for WWI and it follows him though the journey of getting back to Dunkirk and getting evacuated. The third part is back in London with the apology and the epilogue of decennia later. Every part is written well, and especially in the epilogue I could keep dry eyes. It's very smart how they gave you the good ending already, but still manage to undo that. It also brings this whole war in perspective all of the sudden. Ronan gives an impeccable performance being this young and she manages to capture the betrayal with her whole doing. Knightley is as usual the tough damsel in distress. She never misses her roles. McAvoy surprises me as he shows himself from again a totally different side as the last few films I watched of his. Man, this guy can act. He has really outdone himself. The cinematography is very tasteful. From the countryside to the war in France. Of course the most impressive shot is the continues 5 minute or so shot on the beach at Dunkirk. That one shot captures the whole situation there. Last, but not least, the soundtrack is very beautiful. It fits perfectly with the tension points in the plot, where the typewriter is beautifully implemented in the score. No wonder this score won an Oscar. All 'n all, I really loved this. The way it starts out as a romcom, only to unfold in such a beautiful drama, and to end in such horror. Outstanding.

On the Road (2012)

Yes please

[8/10 · 8 May 2021]

I liked it, but I didn't read the book yet. I write this because that seems to be the only thing all bad reviews are about. It isn't as true to the novel as they wanted it to be. Well, I'm looking forward to comparing the two when I read the book.

Now as for the film. I really liked it. It gave me an impression of a time long gone. It captures the whole mood and vibe of that late 40s, beginning of the 50s era. The jazz clubs, the cars, the drugs. They really set the mood right. That is one of the main things I loved. Of course the plot is very well written too, but for me the aesthetics are something I watch a film for too.

In the plot I like how the literate side is there, and it has its place, but its isn't predominant. It's nice to see them clinging to the Proust book, also because I'm now reading it. And it's fun that they do give a few quotes and such, but it's not Plato this, Proust that, bla bla bla.

Sam Riley delivers an outstanding performance, he's very fit for the role, he knows how to capture all of the feeling in this. Hedlund even overdoes Riley, his acting is extraordinary. He perfectly captures the mad, energetic and the sensitive sides of the character. Kristen Steward proves, for the people that didn't want to know yet, that she's not just pretty. She's a great actress, and shows that time and again in here.

The cinematography is perfect. I love the shots, the camera movements, all that. I really like how they portrayed the whole mood in that way too.

All and all I loved it, and I'm looking very forward to reading the novel, especially if it's 'so much better' than this film.