Films 2016 – Page 2 – PEPIJN VAN DIJK

Spotlight – Tom McCarthy (2015) ****

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg5zSVxx9JM A tremendous, and yet modest film, on a big subject: child molestation and cover-up within the Boston Catholic Church. Well acted, it also demonstrates the societal importance of brave, investigative journalists (an almost extinct species nowadays). I dearly hope that winning the Oscar will help to further unveil the criminal behaviors of so manyContinueContinue reading “Spotlight – Tom McCarthy (2015) ****”

The Revenant (2015) ****

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRfj1VCg16Y Weren’t the film based on true events, I wouldn’t have believed its story. How can a man possibly survive this kind of horror and pain? Wilderness at its cruelest. An overwhelming experience and, above all, wonderful cinematography (a sure shot Oscar winner).

Beasts Of No Nation (2015) ***

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xb9Ty-1frw Intriguing film (a Netflix original), but one that didn’t fully live up to my expectations. Thought warlord Idris Elba was too much of an attempt at a Captain Kurtz impersonation, whereas the little boy’s painful struggle remained at distance. The film, however, shows really well the sheer idiocy of this kind of civil warsContinueContinue reading “Beasts Of No Nation (2015) ***”

The Big Short (2015) ****

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWr8hbUkG9s Great film; a successful adaptation of the book. Its scenario, actors and humor make a strong mix that drives the message home. Immoral behavior spurred by wrong incentives and a lack of real understanding (with bankers as well as customers) of financials products laid the foundation of one of the biggest economic meltdowns ever.ContinueContinue reading “The Big Short (2015) ****”

The Gatekeepers – Dror Moreh (2012) ****

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2BqrpLaDVw&feature=youtu.be Really interesting documentary film that tells the story of the Israeli security service, Shin Bet, from the perspective of six of its former heads. A revealing insight for me was the cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian intelligence services: not because they like each other, but because it both increases Israel’s safety as theContinueContinue reading “The Gatekeepers – Dror Moreh (2012) ****”

Er ist wieder da – David Wnendt (2015) ****

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LCuGhWXSAs At times pretty funny, the film is above all an indictment of the mass media, as they, guided by viewer ratings only, make the return of Hitler possible by giving him a platform. At first as comedian, later on as a politician on tour. It makes great tv. The last couple of minutes, whereinContinueContinue reading “Er ist wieder da – David Wnendt (2015) ****”

The Hateful Eight – Quentin Tarantino (2015) ***

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRbXn4-Yis According to some the best Tarantino ever made. Others find his eight film boring and too long (over 3 hours). I think it’s great entertainment, but also to a high degree repetitive; many scenes were all too familiar to me, reminding me of his previous films. Nevertheless, Tarantino remains the master in creating anContinueContinue reading “The Hateful Eight – Quentin Tarantino (2015) ***”