Sarah: So, Ben, what made you decide to start a blog?
Ben: You.
Sarah: Great! So now that we're here, let's talk about movies. Ben, we recently watched a movie called The Vanishing a foreign film made in The Netherlands in 1988. Did you enjoy the picture?
Ben: It's a good movie with a disappointing ending.
Sarah: Tell us more!
Ben: The Vanishing from Dutch director George Sluizer in 1988, is a quality thriller, with a healthy dose of suspense, a modicum of actual thrills, and plenty of creepiness. If you're like me, you will be frustrated by the protagonist's lack of ingenuity, but admire him for his dedication. This movie is, after all, a testament to perseverance and dedication in the face of hopelessness and the unknown. In its way, it is really a perverted romantic comedy; there is an element of humor to the villain, balanced by an earnest seriousness (to a fault) where the protagonist is concerned. That dichotomy, I think, is the thing that propels this movie from the realms of the ordinary. You find yourself oddly intrigued, wondering what the hell this guy is up to, yet knowing it is evil. I give it 4 (out of 5) stars.
Sarah: Thanks, Ben!
Everyone check us out again, as Ben will be working on future movie reviews. If you have any questions for him about movies, post a comment below! And thanks for reading!
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Hey Ben,
ReplyDeleteI was curious what you thought were the best movies/performances this past year? Any Oscar predictions?
Jarom
You are a great reviewer, Ben! I wish there were more reviews like this on Netflix. You should copy/paste your comments there, too - you'd be doing humanity a favor.
ReplyDeleteMollie
Do you like the Netflix viewer? Rick wanted one to download movies, too....but I am mean and said no! What else have you seen recently?
ReplyDeleteKate
Ben,
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read more of your reviews. If the Vanishing is the first movie you review, I look forward to hearing about the rest of your list.
I believe I saw the Vanishing a long time back, in fact I believe I was living in Belgium when I saw it. It may have contributed to my hating movies like it! I can't stand kidnap/disapearance movies. I remember seeing Breakdown with Kathleen Quinlan and Kurt Russel (I know, it's a stretch to compare a Kurt Russel film with the Vanishing) but that may have been the last dissapearance movie I watched. I've eschewed them ever since.
Now, since Lana watches horror films while hiding behind a pillow, I'll have to rent it.
I look forward to further reviews.
Dick
P.S. if they aren't on your list yet, consider adding:
Man Bites Dog (also a product of the Netherlands)and
The Big Lebowski (is it overhyped, or is it truly a funny movie)
P.P.S Apprapos of nothing except that it too is a blog, I would love to hear your thoughts about my blog www.puborperish.blogspot.com
Ben - Per the Esquith book, Teach Like Your Hair is on Fire, I am looking for some quality candidates for a film club with the granddaughters. They are bright and about to turn 10 and 9 (the younger ones may have to wait a few years to fully participate). I am looking for "can't miss" films appropriate for that age. They get to see plenty of recent release animated and kids pix without having to be in Papa's Film Club. So I am looking for titles that are more classic, help develop an appreciation for the art / history of film making, and are conducive to some life lessons and discussion. Flicks with strong female roles would be great (as the candidates for the club are currently all girls) but this unfortunately limits the list more than it should. Our first flick was To Kill a Mockingbird and I actually think that is a great example of the kind of movie that will work best. We went for lighter fare in the next 2 sessions (Cat Ballou and Swiss Family Robinson) and they were okay. I have a couple of candidates in mind but would appreciate any suggestions you might have. I think the challenge is visualizing how all the topics that might come up will be received by young girls. I would think that one benefit of using classic movies here is that they were by nature less explicit than today's pix. Nice work on The Vanishing. Biz
ReplyDeleteHey Ben,
ReplyDeleteAny suggestions for other perverted romantic comedies. What did you think of Bruno? I think Sasha Baron Cohen is creating a new class of movie...the porno comedy...what do you think?
John
Interestingly enough, The Vanishing was just referenced in the Newsweek annual roundtable discussion with this year's Oscar nominees for best actors/actresses. Sandra Bullock remembers falling into Jeff Bridges' lap for a whole scene...and, as you may imagine, he also remembers!! It was one of her first movies.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, Ben. Of course, there's no way I am going to look up this movie since I'm more of a Sleepless in Seattle type but it was great hearing your opinion. I could really "hear" you talking and it makes me yearn for more. If you run out of movies, I'd read your book reviews, too. Thanks, Shirley
Sarah, you're like the opposite of a straight man. In fact, Ben's more the staight man, except he's the funny one, too, so you'd think there would be no need for Sarah whatsoever, but that's not true. Somehow there's a very funny thing going on here with this interview format, but it defies traditional comedic convention. Maybe this should get turned into a movie itself. Anyway. More, please.
ReplyDeleteWhy am I just now reading this?
ReplyDelete