Films – Page 7 – DANIEL PEPIJN VAN DIJK

Youth – Paolo Sorrentino (2015) ****

A rich and impressive film about friendship, growing older, family and yes…life; both humorous and philosophical, it’s a visual wonder (as may be expected from Sorrentino) with great actors (notably the 82 year old Michael Caine). Despite flirting with kitsch, especially in some scenes towards the end, it’s a film to love.

Inside Out (2015) ****

Pixar and Disney worked together to create this highly entertaining animation film about the little voices in our head, that is at its strongest when asking philosophical questions about emotions and the impact of our memories.

Slow West – John McLean (2015) ***

Since I saw him excel in Steve McQueen’s “Hunger”, I go to see every new Michael Fassbender movie. Slow West is certainly not his best, but it’s good entertainment: a combination of a ferry tale, a classic western and some Tarantinoesque shooting scenes. The story line is pretty straightforward: a Scottish boy looking for theContinue reading “Slow West – John McLean (2015) ***”

The Imitation Game – Morten Tyldum (2014) ***

Being familiar with his story, Alan Turing’s achievement didn’t come as a surprise to me. One of the film’s merits is that it succeeds in getting across the enormity of the sacrifices needed to win a war – including keeping secret that Turing breaking the Enigma code hastened the allied victory. And one that wasContinue reading “The Imitation Game – Morten Tyldum (2014) ***”

Whiplash – Damien Chazelle (2014) ****

Cruel and beautiful, Whiplash stands for the search for excellence, the extreme way – pushing people into the abyss hoping they will emerge from it as a once in a lifetime genius. Because real (musical) talents, those who aspire to be one of the greatest, will never be discouraged. By nothing. Not even Terrence Fletcher,Continue reading “Whiplash – Damien Chazelle (2014) ****”

Wild – Jean-Marc Vallée (2014) ***

Troubled young woman walks a thousand miles through the American wilderness to find herself. That’s about it.

Irrational Man – Woody Allen ***

Despite some overacting and a cliched character or two, an entertaining film with a surprising plot – quintessential Woody Allen.

Films of 2014

***** amazing **** loved it *** nice ** disappointing * waste of time Under the Skin – Jonathan Glazer ***** The Wolf of Wall Street – Martin Scorsese *** The Grand Budapest Hotel – Wes Anderson ***** The Master – Paul Thomas Anderson **** The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – Ben Stiller ** ZeroContinue reading “Films of 2014”