Today's mini-reviews

Though my posting of news and reviews originally meant for MovieScene continues to advance my blog in terms of content, the posting of mini-reviews of recently seen movies is still somewhat lagging behind. I hope to catch up on it soon, so here's another batch of short critiques to fill that gap. There isn't that much more of these to come at the moment, but since I still watch new films every week, that might change if I don't get them all up faster. So no time to lose!

De Wederopstanding van een Klootzak: ****/*****, or 7/10

Probably one of the most originally titled Dutch films (official English title: The Resurrection of a Bastard), this cinematic adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name by original author Guido van Driel is both a visual feast and a character study of a small time crime boss (Yorick van Wageningen in one of his best roles yet) whose life is changed after a failed assassination attempt. Van Wageningen does an excellent job at playing both sides of Ronnie B., but the vile, 'bastard' side sticks with you the most. As violent and despicable as Ronnie used to be before – aspects of his character of which we get to see our fair share in flashbacks; we'll never forget the disturbing connection between eye balls and vacuum cleaners... – afterwards he's a peaceful, caring man, and has even seemed to be given the ability to see danger coming when he saves someone else's life. Tracking down his would-be killer (either for forgiveness or retribution, the movie doesn't provide a clear answer on that) to Dokkum, his destiny soon becomes intertwined with the locals, including an elderly couple who was once wronged by him and an African immigrant who means to make something of his life against all odds. As befits a graphic novel adaptation, Van Driel does not ignore the visual aspect, resulting in surprisingly impressive vistas of Friesland and Dokkum, as well as poetic shots of semi-sacred trees that play an integral part in the plot and the history of the town. Another good Dutch movie in the same year as De Ontmaagding van Eva van End, who would have guessed there is still so much talent in the Dutch film industry?

Lincoln: ****/*****, or 7/10

Another one of Steven Spielberg's historical dramas regarding American history, this time centered around the person of Abraham Lincoln at the time of the last year of the American Civil War, as he attempts to have the Thirteenth Amendment, which would mean the abolition of slavery, passed. Focusing less on the war and more on the battleground that is politics, Lincoln is not at all portrayed in the same saint like quality we have come to expect from Hollywood, but more as an insidiously pragmatic politician who's not afraid to engage in less cleaner tactics to achieve his goals. Wheeling and dealing his way through the House of Representatives to secure enough votes to make this historic change to the Consitution possible, the audience has to stay sharp to follow all the political intrigue and squabbling, which tends to dominate the picture a little too much at times. Though not the centrepiece of the film, the tragedy of the Civil War is not neglected, as we witness various dramatic scenes of carnage and human suffering on both sides. The problem Lincoln faces is whether to end this onslaught on his terms, freeing all the slaves simultaneously, or accepting the Confederate terms instead which would not reach that goal but would make for an easier restoration of the country. Going to enormous lengths to hide the Confederate offer, Lincoln and his closest advisors have to race against the clock to get the Amendment passed and persuade (or in some cases downright bribe) enough political adversaries to join their cause. At the same time, Abe has to contend with problems at home, as his son (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) rebels against him in an attempt to join the army, much to his mother's (Sally Field) dismay. An excellent cast through and through: even the less noteworthy parts seem to be occupied by notable character actors only, but of course Daniel Day-Lewis utterly dominates the film in his all too human portrayal of the ill-fated American president. It got him another Oscar, well deserved as always, but not much of a surprise to anyone. Of the total of twelve Academy Award nominations, the film only took home one more statue for Best Production design: also very much earned, considering the fabulous, but raw and gritty, look of 1865 Washington and its political arena.

Last Stand, The: ***/*****, or 7/10

After playing small parts in The Expendables (2010) and its sequel, The Last Stand finally marks the definitive return of the Austrian Oak in a starring role – his first since 2003's Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines – to the genre he helped define in prior decades. Sherrif Owens leads a quiet life in the small backward town of Sommerton Junction near the Mexican border, where not much ever happens except for the mayor parking his car in all the wrong places. Unfortunately for both the sherrif and his town, this peaceful situation is about to change drastically when a ruthless drug lord (delightfully wicked Eduardo Noriega) escapes police custody after a carefully planned and elaborately staged bust-out, racing to the Mexican border with a hostage with only Owens and his small staff of inexperienced deputies (some only present for poorly executed comic relief unfortunately) standing is his path. As we have come to expect from Schwarzenegger in whatever role, he doesn't take this kind of shit from anyone and prepares a warm welcome for the gangster boss and his band of merciless minions, who are armed to the teeth in an outrageous fashion and led by the maniacal Peter Stormare. He has little choice, considering the bumbling FBI agents (led by Forest Whitaker) are ever one step behind in catching up with the crook, so Arnie might as well do things all by himself once more. Korean director Jee-woon Kim shows he has an absolute blast with this typical plot, featuring various high speed chases and completely over-the-top action scenes, while also respecting Ahnuld's position in the genre and acknowledging his age in tongue-in-cheek dialogue. This movie is at no point meant to be taken too seriously, and people who don't can expect a fun, adrenaline rushed action flick with lots of big guns, fast cars and a few sexy dames thrown in. Schwarzenegger may be old but he's still got it where it counts.