Girl with a Pearl Earring

This weekend we watched Girl with a Pearl Earring, nicely cuddled up with my wife and a friend, while the fireplace was gently crackling. And I can tell you the setting of the movie was just as appealing: the beautiful paintings of Johannes Vermeer were brought to life by using similar techniques of colour, light and contrast.

The story itself was not particularly captivating, but the beautiful images created a unique atmosphere. In the end I would have liked to see this movie in the cinema, as the scenery would impress me even more on a big screen.

He had a vision no one saw as clearly as she. In a house where everything had its place, where every image had meaning, he gave her the power to see the light. She gave him a look that would last forever.....

Quote from Girl with a Pearl Earring:

Griet: [enters the room, where Maria Thins and Catharina sit quietly by the fireplace, and curtsies]
Catharina: Yes?
Griet: Madam, shall I wash the windows?
Catharina: [Scoffs] You don't need to ask me about such matters.
Griet: It's just...it may change the light.
[both Catharina and Maria Thins stare at Griet questioningly]

The Accidental Husband

We all agreed that this was not a very good movie. Romantic comedies are always a bit tricky, as they have to please both men and women. But I'm afraid this was just too lightweight to please any of them. And it's easy to see why.

First of all, Uma Thurman is not the best choice for a leading lady in a romcom. She is much better as a kick-ass killer (see Kill Bill) or a sexy femme fatale (Pulp Fiction). Furthermore, her character is not very likeable, she is neurotic, selfish, egocentric and a bit of a bore. To make matters worse, it seems the leading man falls in love with her because she knows how to play pool and drink beer...hardly very good reason, wouldn't you agree?

Secondly, her love-interest (role by Jeffrey Dean Morgan as a fire-fighter) is not very convincing either. He's actually a pretty nasty guy, if you ask me. I mean, what's wrong with Colin Firth? If I were a woman I'd rather chose him. Frankly he was the only one who truly loved the Uma Thurman character. Jeffrey is a TV-actor (Grey's Anatomy) and he really didn't have the same comedy power as for example Ben Stiller. I still think Something About Mary is the ultimate romantic comedy.

Thirdly, the story is unbelievable and too far fetched. Without giving away too much of the story, some Indian kid hacking a federal computer is too easy as a story line.

And finally, it's sad to see so many good actors being wasted: Colin Firth, Isabella Rossellini, Sam Shepard...

Sorry folks, try to find yourself a better comedy, i'm sure there are plenty out there.

Quotes from the Accidental Husband

Patrick: [with a mouth full of sample wedding cake] This cake is fantastic!
Emma: Shh. Please...
Patrick: You mix these two together, it tastes just like a ring-ding.
Emma: [Patrick shoves a fork of cake in her face] No. No, no.
Patrick: Ah!
Emma: No.
Patrick: Ah!
Emma: [she accepts the forkful of cake] it was yummy.
Patrick: It's super-duper.

Emma Lloyd has made a career out of her sensible, mature and responsible approach to relationships. She has a hit radio talk show, an impending book deal, and a loving relationship with her fiancé, Richard, a conventional sort-which is precisely what Emma is drawn to. Then Emma finds out that she is already married to a man she's never met before, a result of a misguided prank that leaves her bewildered and very confused. Worse than that, her plans for the future are now threatened. With her wedding just around the corner, Emma must find the mystery man and obtain an annulment. Emma tracks down her "accidental husband" - Patrick, a charming and handsome neighborhood fireman, with a big secret...

Mamma Mia!

Boy oh Boy, talk about kitsch :) This movie certainly wins the Oscar for "Best Good-Feeling Movie with Oscar-Nominated Actors making a complete Fool of themselves and attempting something closely resembling singing".

I mean : Julia Walters, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard... such great actors and they are running around, dancing like crazy on disco tunes, wearing funny wigs, wide trousers and platform shoes...

Can you believe I didn't even know that they would be singing? I thought the music of ABBA was merely a part of the gimmick, not the whole movie. In the end this film had such a positive attitude, full of crazy people doing crazy things, that i even appreciated the kitsch and all the antics. I give it 3 stars out of 5

Quote from Mamma Mia!

Father Alex: And a welcome to Donna, who's representing her side of the family.
Donna: And a welcome to... Sophie's dad... He's here.
Sophie: I know, I invited him.
Donna: How could you? I don't know which one it is... OH MY GOD... that's why they're here!
Sophie: I'm sorry, please forgive me!
Donna: I don't know... Can you forgive me?
Sophie: What? I don't care if you slept with hundreds of men. You're my mother and I love you.
Donna: Oh Sophie... And I haven't slept with hundreds of men...

Set on a colorful Greek island, the plot serves as a background for a wealth of great ABBA songs which are used in remarkably appropriate ways. A young woman about to be married discovers that any one of three men could be her father. She invites all three to the wedding without telling her mother, Donna, who was once the lead singer of Donna and the Dynamos. In the meantime, Donna has invited her backup singers, Rosie and Tanya