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DaveVdH
Reviews
Dobermann (1997)
Almost a terrific exhibition of ultra violence and fashion.
That Jan Kounen came straight out of the world of commercials is evident, when you look at his trendy and experimental camera work, choice of lenses and his careful use of lighting. He is a rare kind of director and not easily categorized. People who brand him like a Godard, Truffaut or John Woo, don't really know what they are talking about. Look at Kounen's short movies and they will realize he is an authentic artist experimenting with fashion and ultra violence. He comes out of the same French creative puddle as Mathieu Kassovitz.
Vincent Cassel, Tcheky Karyo and Monica Bellucci are just terrific and the other characters in the movie are playing their part very convincing in this comic pool of ultra violence. However, the beginning of the film is very promising, but near the end everything falls apart. Probably a bit influenced by the acid-infected Natural Born Killers (1994). It's just a bit too clumsy and pointless and it's pure wishful thinking of Kounen he can get away with some trendy wide angle close-ups and distorted shots in dark surroundings and Besson-like action sequences. Bad acting from second rate actors and too much running and shooting without any realistic outcome. That will always be the difference between a commercial and a feature film. But still, even while the director is very young, he is already astonishing. I am impatient to see Blueberry (2004).
Le contrat (2003)
Spectacular Short
A short little movie that proves that the pen is truly mightier than the sword. Funny and so fresh that it is actually a real pleasure to wonder off in this new universe, filled with empty corridors, suspicious businessmen and moody atmospheres. Furthermore, I would say without blushing, that this short offers what a lot of mainstream films lack; it creates new ways to approach cinema, as well visually as in its audio. As I said, it is spectacular!
Heat (1995)
Probably still the best cop-villain saga ever made.
I saw this film when he got released in 1996. I must say, it was the period where a lot of important films where made; such as Se7en, Usual Suspects, Underground, 12 Monkeys, etc, etc. Those films set the tone for a lot of other movies. There are a million things that can be said about this movie and I believe that others have said those million things through the years, repeatedly. I have recently seen the film again on a big screen and I must say that the film didn't loose his charisma. That is maybe the best compliment a movie can get. Despite 'Ali' (2001), I think that Michael Mann is truly a great director, and I am sure he won't disappoint us with 'Collateral' (2004).