VeronicaJ Reviews

Serendipity (2001)

Is it serendipity?

[8/10 · 22 October 2006]

On a bright October's day in the year 2006 I was in the city to buy 'Phileine zegt sorry', unfortunately it was sold out. After wandering about in my hometown I ended up in a DVDstore where one of my friends work. Being a huge Kate Beckinsale-fan, i bought Serendipity for €3,50 and watched it at home. The main theme of this movie is 'destiny' and, next to making you drool it makes you think: What if? Dozens of what-ifs.

Apart from my own person experience, I KNOW everybody has his/her personal what-if moment. What if i wasn't here 3 years ago but there, what has destiny made for me? (also: What if the movie i intended to buy wasn't sold out? Would i have seen Serendipity on another occasion?) Not only the story is great, also Cusack, Beckinsale and Shannon (who's great in 'Never been kissed') act extremely well and yet so normal and down to earth.

Another great Beckinsale movie

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

Couldn't be worse

[1/10 · 12 August 2006]

Sometimes I don't understand people. Though I'm perfectly capable of being me in this world we live in, I believe Mr and Mrs Smith is one of the worst movies ever made. I'm perfectly capable of understanding why MTV nominated the movie. MTV is one of the best examples of 'screaming girl TV' in a very negative way. When I first saw the trailer I was absolutely hot for it. I wanted to see it, the story seemed very nice and as a (not so) typical 'screaming girl' I expected a good movie, I thought with a cast like this one it couldn't be a failure. But yeah, it was absolutely disappointing. The conversations simply suck, there is no such thing as humor, proper action and a good end. The whole movie is made for the money and not for the entertainment. Thinking about the movie alone breaks my heart. I can't understand why people like the poor thing this movie is. Pure Hollywood simple cash making movie by getting some popular actors. The only reason women/girls watch it is Brad Pitt, the only reasons guys/boys watch this movie is Angelina Jolie. Isn't that idiotic? Watching a movie because you dig the actor and not because it's a nice movie? Black day in the history of Hollywood...

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000–2015)

Bloody, amazing and personal

[10/10 · 12 August 2006]

Since Crime Scening is a very popular thing in the world these days, TVseries have to live up to that. 'CSI' isn't just another series like those we all know. It gives some high-tech and yet easy information about crimes and scenes, but it also brings the human part back to the viewer. Every character has it's own personality and problems. Also some oddities of nature are made visible in the series, such as lycanthropy, sexual preferences, addictions and some things you've never even heard of before. 'CSI' shows us that nature (of God) has a will of it's own. It also is a how to become a better criminal show: never forget to wear gloves and remove any trace! It's yet another cash-machine, turned to gold by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Alfred J. Kwak (1989–1991)

Prepared kids for the real world

[10/10 · 7 August 2006]

Alfred J. Kwak is most likely the series that had the greatest influence on who I have become and who I am now. As a child I always enjoyed watching the show over and over again, my Mum taped the better part of the series so I could watch it over and over again. Even when I was older that the average AJK viewer I remained a huge fan. It was later when I started to realize that some of the episodes are simple versions of what happens in real life. Examples enough: Dolf, his roots and his 'kraaienpartij' refer to the Nazi's and the Second World War; the poverty in Africa is also a subject, as well as the ever-raging conflict in Isreal (nowadays it is still the same as when Herman van Veen described it, except for the invasion) and many other subjects. I think this is one of the few shows that I, as a cheap Dutch Girl, and others in my county can be PROUD of. It makes me feel good about education through television and learning kids something about the fearful grown-up world.

For once, Holland has with some help delivered a masterpiece!

Grey's Anatomy (2005– )

The soap that makes you want to become a doctor again

[10/10 · 10 June 2006]

Yes, Grey's Anatomy brings up the thought of attending a University to become a doctor. Beside beautiful actors and some surreal scenes the story will immediately grab your attention as Meredith falls in love with the one person she never thought she could fall in love with. Everywhere around the planet, people sleep with their bosses for the fun, the kicks and for getting a better job. Mederith however, first sleeps with the guy, than falls in love with him to find out a little later he is her boss. My mum once said about the series that it doesn't look a bit like life in the hospital she works in, but that is not what it's about in 'Grey's Anatomy'. It's a soap, for crying out loud, soaps are to be surreal. Soaps are there for the surreal things. But it also has a down to earth side, Grey's Anatomy. What would you do if you found out your boyfriend in fact has a wife? What would you do if you got pregnant of your boss? What would you do if your boyfriend cheated on you and was able to do the things in bed with her instead of you? Try and answer that, or watch the series. There's not much left to say, other than it would be a mistake not to watch.

Troy (2004)

Homerus would turn in it's grave

[6/10 · 1 June 2006]

As one of the thousands of people in the world who have actually read Homerus' Illias and Odyssee I must say I am concerned about the future when it comes to historical movies. 'Troy' is one of them films that has been made for the benefit and the cash only, of what once was an original but great movie is nothing left. Although the great list of actors that are to be praised, this movie is a total rape of the original story, molded into a blockbuster with the target to raise money, not to educate. Despite very good shots, nice conversations and remarkable special effects, there are several things that just aren't right. Like the death of Ajax and Achilles. As we all know Achilles was killed by an arrow in the foot, but during the Trojan War, not in the end. The death of Achilles drives Ajax insane, or at least his desire to inherit his weapons. Also characters like Breseis, Paris (!) Athena (who isn't there at all), and Helen are completely different according to the great writer Homerus. The love between Paris and Helen seems very down to earth, but yes, Gods are involved, and i haven't seen any of them. Also Iphigenea and Klytaimnestra are completely out of the picture, although they are the beginning as well as the ending of the story. Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad movie, it's just a failure if you compare it with the 'real' story. It's a shame it's called 'Troy', for it could be any epic war if it wasn't for the wooden pony to cut in...

Bloodletting (1997)

Bloody and bloody awful

[1/10 · 13 May 2006]

A girl who tracks down the assumable killer of her best friend. She wants him to teach her how to become a serial killer. The story of Bloodletting is somewhat weird, but it sure does draw attention. High hopes, but very disappointed: Bad camera, bloody horrible acting, fake blood: it all makes you reconsider the story. If there is one word to describe the movie, which is hard, awful would be praising; it is complete and total crap. While the minutes are ticking away, the movie loses its credibility. Making love on a bed where a dead body is: OK. Killing for kicks and orgasms: fine by me. Tearing of somebody's private parts, including jeans: no way. 'Waste your bucks on something else' I thought. Like hell continues, the ending is also terrible and terrible. If I had to make this movie, I would start it. The film is doomed to fail.

Immortal (2004)

Very Nice

[9/10 · 30 April 2006]

The movie Immortel is in my opinion very rare, not because the should is very good, but because it takes a while to respect to movie. At first I had trouble dealing with the fact some parts are animated and some main characters aren't. After a while the movie, and the way it is brought to you, will gain your full interest. Once you've broken the barrier of adapting, you'll be taken in and the film will completely overwhelm you. For those who are capable of watching a film, while adapting to the way it is set, it is a lovely movie: good conversations, somewhat realistic scenes.. For those who aren't capable to continue to watch even though the first 30 minutes are hard: don't do it.