Amsterdam Film Show | March 2018

Countryfile with bare bottoms in God’s Own Country, the exploitation problem in Red Sparrow … our Amsterdam Film Show tips for March are here … 

• David Swatling reviews Red Sparrow 
• Cathy Leung reviews God’s Own Country
• our highlights (low brow and high brow) from the rest of the new cinema releases hitting Amsterdam this month
• special screenings and film festivals
• links via Pinterest

WATCH

MORE INFO 

SHOW NOTES

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL SCREENINGS

“Film festivals and our picks of the special screenings this month”

Cinemasia | on until 11 March | @ Kriterion & Rialto

Notable this year for adding a ‘Best Performer’ prize, awarded by the festival jury with the aim to raise European awareness of the pool of acting talent in Asia. A dominant theme of the programming is ‘Youth’, but this seeks to “debunk the stereotype of the wimpy, nerdy Asian student”. There is also a focus on Indonesian filmmakers for this 2018 edition of the festival and a short comedy about the absurdity of the Dutch inburgering test – reversing it to test Dutch understanding of Chinese culture.

Rozefilmdagen | until 18 March | with Gods Own County voorpremiere on Sun 11 and Mon 12 March 19:30, otherwise you have to wait until 29 March (unless you stream at home from UK itunes or similar.) (More about God’s Own Country later.)

Farewell Daniel Day Lewis series @ Lab 111

throughout March, including My Beautiful Launderette, There Will Be Blood, In the Name of the Father and Last of the Mohicans.

NEW CINEMA RELEASES

“Here’s the Amsterdam Film Show’s highlights from the film releases in the Netherlands, this month.” BTW, films we’re not mentioning: Peter Rabbit animation, Tomb Raider, LBJ, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Mary Magdalene, Hostiles (a western with Christian Bale, Ready Player One (a Spielberg sci-fi) and many more.

FROM 1 MAR

Red Sparrow | THRILLER | Dir: Francis Lawrence | Writers: Justin Haythe (screenplay by), Jason Matthews (based upon the book by) | Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts |

“Ballerina Dominika Egorova is recruited to ‘Sparrow School,’ a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. Her first mission, targeting a C.I.A. agent, threatens to unravel the security of both nations.” IMDB

@davidswatling says “I can’t think of any woman that I know who would enjoy this movie” (for more of his review see video) 7/10

De Wilde Stad | NATURE | LNP | Director: Mark Verkerk | “The city from the unique perspective of the many wild animals and plants that inhabit it. Seen through the eyes of the adventurous urban cat, Abatutu.” IMBD

@CathyCentral says: From the makers of De Nieuwe Wilderness which was utterly fascinating and nature footage to rival the BBC’s Blue Planet series. This looks just as good, and you might even spot your house in it, Amsterdammers.

Phantom Thread | DRAMA | Dir-Scr: Paul Thomas Anderson | Stars: Vicky Krieps, Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville

“1950’s London. Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman who becomes his muse & lover.” IMDB

@CathyCentral says: “Though he doesn’t make a lot of movies, I still suffer from DDL fatigue, because recently he only seems to choose these pompous, barn-storming roles. Butcher Bill, the oilman in There Will be Blood, even Lincoln. I prefer the type of acting we saw with In the Name of the Father and My Beautiful Launderette. Perhaps he saved something special for his last last role?

FROM 22  MAR

Mountain  | DOC | Director: Jennifer Peedom | Writers: Robert Macfarlane, Jennifer Peedom | Narrator: Willem Dafoe

“An experience about the highest peaks around the world.” IMDB

@CathyCentral says “the cinematography looks amazing, I think this is one to submerge yourself in on the big screen. Especially if IRL you ain’t never going up no mountain.”

FROM 29 MAR

God’s Own Country | DRAMA | LGBTQ | Dir-Scr: Francis Lee (his first feature) | With: Josh O’Connor, Alec Secareanu, Gemma Jones

Johnny, a moody young Yorkshire farmer struggles to keep the family farm going. A migrant worker brings extra help for lambing season but also a lot of passion and some old-fashioned TLC. But is there really a future for them? CL

@CathyCentral says “Although there’s a lot of bare bums, forget gay porn, this is Yorkshire porn more like.  There’s strong acting from two fairly unknown male leads who are quite at home birthing spring lambs. However, there’s hardly any humour, and the tone is unrelentingly intense throughout. (For more of this review see video) 6/10

 

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Amsterdam Film Show | February 2018

Can a monster romance charm someone who doesn’t like monster films or romance films? Are child actors ever bearable? We’ll see, as our Amsterdam Film Show tips for February are here … 

• David Swatling reviews The Florida Project  and The Shape of Water 
• our highlights (low brow and high brow) from the rest of the new cinema releases hitting Amsterdam this month; The Post, Black Panther, and I, Tonya.
• special screenings and film festivals
• YouTube, TV, radio & audio versions + text script below
• links via Pinterest

WATCH

LISTEN

MORE INFO 

SHOW NOTES

NEW CINEMA RELEASES 

“Here’s the Amsterdam Film Show’s highlights from the film releases in the Netherlands, this month.”

FROM 1 FEB

The Post | Director: Steven Spielberg | Writers: Liz Hannah, Josh Singer | Stars: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson

The Washington Post has the country’s first female newpaper publisher and she’s facing a show-down with the government over a huge cover up. How will she handle it?

@Cathycentral: “I’m so bored of the same names, same dirctors, same US focussed historical gaze. I’ll give this one a miss.” 

FROM 8 FEB

The Florida Project | Director: Sean Baker | Writers: Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch | with: Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinaite, Willem Dafoe

 

Moonee (6) lives in poverty in a Florida motel with her mother, Hallie. But that doesn’t mean the summer holdiays have to be dull. Together with her band of motel friends, they fill their days with mischief, begging, vandalism and more, while causing the motel manager no end of headaches. But when Hallie can’t make the rent money anymore, can the fun last?

@cathycentral gives it 7/10 

@davidswatling says 8/10

Screening @ Cinecenter  /  Filmhallen /  The Movies / Pathé Arena  /  Pathé Tuschinski   /  Kriterion  / at least 

FROM 14 FEB

Black Panther | Dir-Scr: Ryan Coogler (Creed – a Rocky film) | Stars: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o & many more

The new king of Wakanda, T’Challa, already faces a challenge for the throne of this advanced but remote African nation. Black Panther steps up and leads the efforts to stop a brewing world war.  

@cathycentral says: “This is your top movie choice if you are looking for spectacle and action this month, and obvs better to see on a big screen so now’s your chance. Feted for the costumes especially, but the storytelling has also had great reviews – and story often lets the Marvel franchaise down …

FROM 15 FEB

The Shape of Water | Dir-Scr: Guillermo del Toro | Stars: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon

 

A strange sea creature kept in a secret lab in the 1960s may have found true love with a lonely cleaner. But can their love survive?  

“I highly recommend it”  @davidswatling

Screening @ Uitkijk  / Pathé Arena & Tuschinski  /  Filmhallen  / Studio K

FROM 22 FEB

I, Tonya  | Dir: Craig Gillespie | Writer: Steven Rogers | Stars: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney

Tonya Harding, the working class US figure skater is technically brilliant but her reputation becomes tainted when her ex-husband tries to take out her main competion.

FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS

“Film festivals and our picks of the special screenings this month”

 

Sun 11 Feb from 19:00 | Drinks with the host before the film

The Insult | c/o CINE EXPAT series @ CINECENTER | Dir. ZIAD DOUEIRI, ARABISCH spoken + EN subs

A fight during the construction of an apartment building in Beirut between the builder, a Palestinian refugee, and Toni, a Libanese christian, becomes a conflict of national significance. Courtroom drama with great reviews.

• also another Cine Expat on Thurs 22 March probably.

 

26 Feb – 4 March

Taartrovers Film Festival @ EYE filmmuseum | “Taartrovers Film Festival, known previously as Fantastisch Kinderfilm Festival, is a festival for young children, packed with films and imagination.”

“taartrovers” = cake robbers  

“The festival aims to plant a seed with the young ones that will grow into a budding love for film and a first understanding of film literacy … They can share their observations, and create with one another in the ‘Playground of the Imagination’, a set of interactive installations on site. It’s a national, roving festival and the Amsterdam edition  includes international classics ‘The Neverending Story and Matilda (OVs and lots of cahrming looking shorts. Nick Park’s new aniamtion Early Man is screening but with Dutch dubbing. Opening dance on Monday morning and everyone encouraged to go in fancy dress. The website gives  a lot of info in English and provides age suitability for each item on the programme.

taartrovers.nl

 

Amsterdam Film Show | January 2018

Is Call Me By Your Name a gay love story or just a coming of age story? We discuss this plus circus freaks, middle America gets the In Bruges treatment, Churchill makes a big decision and Christopher Plummer finally getting All the Money in the World … our Amsterdam Film Show tips for January are here. 

SHOW NOTES

• David Swatling reviews Call Me by Your Name (in NL cinemas from 11 Jan)
• our highlights (low brow and high brow) from the new cinema releases hitting Amsterdam this month
• special screenings and film festivals
• YouTube & TV versions (or see text script below)
• links via Pinterest

REVIEW   

Call Me By Your Name | DRAMA | Dir. Luca Guadagni | Scr: James Ivory (novel: André Aciman) | w. Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet | in Amsterdam cinemas from 11 Jan

“In Northern Italy in 1983, seventeen year-old Elio begins a relationship with visiting Oliver, his father’s research assistant, with whom he bonds over his emerging sexuality, their Jewish heritage, and the beguiling Italian landscape.”

See the AFS video above for a review from @davidswatling 

Screening @ Cinecenter / Filmhallen / FC Hyena in Noord / Rialto / Pathe City / Pathe Tuschinski / Studio K & The Movies  – so a lot of love for this film anticipated in Amsterdam.

NEW CINEMA RELEASES 

“Here’s the Amsterdam Film Show’s highlights from the film releases in the Netherlands, this month.”

FROM 4 JAN

The Greatest Showman | Dir: Michael Gracey | w. Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron

“Celebrates the birth of show business, and tells of a visionary (Barnum) who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.”

FROM 11 JAN  

 awards favourite …

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | CRIME DRAMA | (Dir-Scr:  Martin McDonagh | with Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell) – so from same team of In Bruges.

“A mother personally challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter’s murder when they fail to catch the culprit.”

 and a Kevin Spacey-less …

All the Money in the World | Dir: Ridley Scott | with Christopher Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams  

FROM 18 JAN

Darkest Hour | Dir: Joe Wright | with Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill, Lily James, Kristin Scott Thomas

“During the early days of World War II, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler, or fight on against incredible odds.”

FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS

“Film festivals and our picks of the special screenings this month”

Sun 14 Jan | CINE EXPAT series @ CINECENTER

Thelma + EN subs | DRAMA FANTASY | NORWEGIAN | Director:-Scr Joachim Trier |+ Drinks with the host before the film

“A confused religious girl tries to deny her feelings for a female friend who’s in love with her. This causes her suppressed subconsciously-controlled psychokinetic powers to reemerge as seizures with devastating results.”

Very good reviews! “Though it may seem at first like an unoriginal combination of Carrie and Blue Is the Warmest Color, Thelma is a haunting and sometimes pretty tense film centered on a young teenage girl from a strongly religious family struggling with her sexual impulses and desires.” Carlos Magalhães

wed 17 Jan pm | Raising Arizona ( NC & Holly Hunter) @ Studio K | part of their Nicolas Cage month

From 20 Jan | EYE Jean-Luc Godard series | in French with NL subs mostly but two of the series are with EN subs | One of which is: Masculin féminin … Godard dives into Parisian youth culture in the turbulent 1960s. Outspoken, wild, playful, free of form and rules, a satire and tragedy in one.”

 Sun 28 Jan AL DAY | PAC Festival @ Pathe Tuschinski | The Post / I Tonya & three more Oscar-worthy films 

Amsterdam Film Show | December 2017

A poker queen fights the FBI, Jedi knights, a young deaf actor, not one but two  Franco brothers, a migrant bear and migrant queers. Our Amsterdam Film Show tips for December are here. 

SHOW NOTES

• our review of Molly’s Game (from 26 Dec in NL) from Megan Buxton & Cathy Leung.
• Added commentary from guest critic David Swatling
• our highlights (low brow and high brow) from the new cinema releases hitting Amsterdam this month
• special screenings and film festivals
• YouTube & TV versions, or see text script below …
• links via Pinterest

SCRIPT TEXT

REVIEW  

Molly’s Game | DRAMA | Dir. Aaron Sorkin | w. Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba | 26 Dec in NL

After running high stakes poke games for celebrities and the totally minted in LA and New York, Molly Bloom is facing prison unless she gives the Feds intel. Will she squeal? 

 

@cathycentral:  “A 6/10 for a good story but it seems to stay close to her book, her voice and not very objective.  I think the director held back too much – there’s so many powerful people, some of which are his friends, and I think he chickened out. I, Tonya is coming out soon and that looks much more entertaining.” 

Megan: “A quick-paced script and characters speak to one-another in quick succession. This technique is also used in The Big Short and Wolf of Wall Street, and I think is intended to mind-boggle the audience, keeping them slightly alienated from the details of triple A mortgages/ shares/ poker. This made the film appear well-researched and intelligent.  One of the few films with a (formerly) successful and ambitious woman who is still portrayed as likeable, friendly and clever. had no choice but to include it.”

 

NEW CINEMA RELEASES

“Here’s the Amsterdam Film Show’s highlights from the film releases in the Netherlands, this month.”

FROM 6 DEC

Paddington 2 (OV) | Director: Paul King | w. Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, + regulars | Screening @

“Paddington Bear has settled into London life with his new family but when it’s time to buy a family birthday present he gets caught up in a criminal underworld.” (OK that sounds dark. It’s not obvs.)

then, from 7 Dec …

Wonderstruck | FANTASY DRAMA | Director: Todd Haynes

Writers: Brian Selznick (based on the book by) | inc Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams | Screening @  

50 years seperate a Mid western boy and a girl from New York from days gone by. But something connects them …

“Just looks magical!”

FROM 13 DEC

Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Dir. Rian Johnson | Writers: Rian Johnson, George Lucas (based on characters created by) | w. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher | (Episode 8 in the series, the 2nd in the new trilogy.)

Having found Luke Skywalker, young apprentice Rey joins Leia, Finn and Poe in another epic battle, unlocking secrets of the Force.

@cathycentral: “I have a bad feeling about this” (that Luke will turn out to be a baddie). But it’s the one i’m most likely to go see at the cinema if I’m honest.

FROM 21 DEC

The Disaster Artist | Dir: James Franco| w. Dave Franco, James Franco 

“In 2003 Tommy Wiseau, an independent filmmaker and larger than life character wrote, directed and produced his vanity project and romantic drama, The Room, spending $6m in the process.  It’s now a cult classic. Here’s the story behind the best-worst film ever.”

• Stars James Franco as Tommy Wiseau and his brother Dave Franco as Greg Sestero.”
• So far highly rated by critics and audiences alike, hailing it as both funny and touching.” Eg “In a kooky yet vulnerable and heartfelt performance, Franco gets right at the heart of what makes Wiseau a true hero – his sheer willingness to try” Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service

FROM 26 DEC

Molly’s Game (discussed earlier, see review)

FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS

“Film festivals and our picks of the special screenings this month”

6-10 Dec

International Queer & Migrant Film Festival @ De Bale

 

Sun 10 Dec | On Body and Soul + EN subs | Hungarian Golden Bear Winner | CINE EXPAT series @ CINECENTER | Drinks with the host before the film

A worker in a slaugherhousekeeps herself to herself but then she discovers her dreams and her bosses dreams are strangely similar. What can this mean?

 

 

 

18 DECEMBER | 22:00 | The Untouchables (1987) + whisky tasting @ Kriterion

21 Dec – 1 Jan| Christmas movies screening at a pop-up cinema at De Amsterdamse Winterparade @ RAI

winterparade.amsterdam

Snow-set thrillers | Ams Film Show | Nov 2017

SHOW NOTES

• review of Wind River (from Megan Buxton) and The Snowman (from David Swatling)
• our highlights (low brow and high brow) from the new cinema releases hitting Amsterdam this month
• special screenings: the latest Cine Expat edition
• YouTube & TV versions, or see text script below …

SCRIPT TEXT

Wind River v The Snowman (“two snow-set serial killer-thrillers”)

Wind River | Dir. Taylor Sheridan | CRIME THRILLER | stars: Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner

“Following the murder of a local girl on a remote Native American Reservation, a rookie FBI agent investigates with help from a local game tracker with a haunted past.”

@cathycentral: “Writer-Director, Taylor Sheridan, also wrote Hell or High Water and Sicario and those were both excellent films. So count me in.”

Screening @ Pathe city @ Filmhallen, EYE filmmuseum, Kriterion, Lab 111, The Movies

The Snowman | Director: Tomas Alfredson, based on book by Jo Nesbø | Stars: Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg

“Detective Harry Hole investigates the disappearance of a woman whose pink scarf is found wrapped around an ominous-looking snowman.”

screening @ Filmhallen & the Pathe chain from 2 Nov

NEW CINEMA RELEASES

“Here’s the Amsterdam Film Show’s highlights from the film releases in the Netherlands, this month.”

FROM 2 NOV

 

What Happened to Monday dystopian thriller staring Noomi Rapace.  

Your Name | FANTASY ANIMATION | Dir-Scr: Makoto Shinkai |

“A random body switch between two teenage strangers lead to a magical connection and though the two long to meet, it’s far from simple.”

screening @ Filmhallen, EYE filmmuseum, Lab 111, Pathe de Munt , The Movies (but expect NL subs)

FROM 9 NOV

Murder on the Orient Express | CLASSIC MYSTERY | Dir: Kenneth Branagh | based on Agatha Christie’s classic | Stars: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, & a zillion other A-listers

“Thirteen stranded strangers on a long train ride & Poirot the Belgian detective weeds out the murderer, yet again.”

OUCH – ONLY 2 STARS FROM THE GUARDIAN’S P.BRADSHAW.

@cathycentral “mostly a vehicle for Kenneth Branagh? ‘Scuse the pun)”

Screening @ De Uitkijk, Pathe chain at least

also from 9 Nov …

The Square | SATIRE | Director: Ruben Östlund, Writer: Ruben Östlund, Stars: Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West

“From the dir of The The Square is a poignant satirical drama reflecting our times – about the sense of community, moral courage and the affluent person’s need for egocentricity in an increasingly uncertain world.”

@cathycentral says “From the make of the well-received Turist, NB it’s quite long at 2h 22min”

Screening @ EYE filmmuseum, Pathé City, Rialto, Filmhallen, Cinecenter (expect NL subs but some English spoken)

FROM 16 NOV

We can’t honestly single out a pick from this week’s new releases. But what do you think …?

Justice League | latest offering from the stable

Ghost Story | critics love it , audiences may struggle to embrace it, slow moving film- poetic meditiation on what we leave behind when we die, staring Rooney Mara.

Suburbicon | Coen brothers (scriptwriters) staring Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Oscar Isaac directed by George Clooney.

(Also three foreign-language movies, Hanneke’s latest, Happy End, Danish drama, Heartstone and C’est la Vie, a French comedy.)

FROM 23 NOV

Battle of the Sexes | COMEDY DRAMA | Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris,  Writer: Simon Beaufoy| Stars: Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough

“The true story of the 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs.”

FROM 29 NOV

The Killing of a Sacred Deer | Dir-Scr: Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster) | Stars: Nicole Kidman, Alicia Silverstone, Colin Farrell

“Steven, a charismatic surgeon, is forced to make an unthinkable sacrifice after his life starts to fall apart, when the behavior of a teenage boy he has taken under his wing turns sinister.”

FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS

 

IDFA | the documentary film festvial| 15-26 Nov | all over town

Many screenings get sold out. it’s also very popular with the general public as well as the many many film industry and press people who are visiting for the festival.

idfa.nl

 

Sunday 12 Nov | The Square + EN subs

c/o CINE EXPAT series @ CINECENTER  | Drinks with the host before the film

 

We’re ‘Loving Vincent’ | Ams Film Show | Oct 2017 #2

SHOW NOTES

• review of Loving Vincent  from David Swatling
• our highlights (low brow and high brow) from the new cinema releases hitting Amsterdam this month (19-26 Oct releases)
• special screenings: the latest Cine Expat edition
• YouTube, Soundcloud & TV versions, or see text script below …
• for links see our Pinterest board below.

SCRIPT TEXT

AFS NEW CINEMA RELEASES

“Here’s the Amsterdam Film Show’s highlights from the film releases in the Netherlands, this month.”

FROM 19 OCTOBER  …

Daphne | COMEDY DRAMA | Dir. Peter Mackie Burns | Emily Beecham | Screening @ Cinecenter at least

A hard-living junior chef in London, Daphne scuffs her way around the city resisting any meaningful connections for all she’s worth. But can she keep on living that way?

@cathycentral: “Think Frances Ha set in Lambeth. As a Londoner, the film looks much like my old life and friends. I do miss home, and my friends, but I won’t be going back to that, maybe I will just watch this instead.”

Here’s a little taster … 

also from 19 Oct

The Glass Castle | DRAMA| Dir-screenwriter: Destin Daniel Cretton | Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, Naomi Watts etc | A girl grows out of her poor, nomad upbringing.

FROM 26 OCTOBER …

Loving Vincent | Director-Screenwriters: Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman | Screening @ Rialto, EYE filmmuseum, Pathé chain,

The story of Vincent van Gogh but this time told in ‘oil paint’ animation, bringing his famous art to life.

Here’s a little taster …

+  David Swatling tells AFS what he though of it (see video/audio)

also from 26 Oct

The Mountain Between Us | ROMANCE-THRILLER| Kate Winslet and Idris Elba star as two strangers stuck on a remote mountain range and somehow it all turns romantic …

@cathycentral says “good for a laugh?”

Thor: Ragnarok | Dir. Taika Waititi | the usual cast plus … Benedict Cumberbatch.

@cathycentral says “Thor has never yet disappointed me for a bit of fun entertainiment. But there’s a first time for everything.”

 

FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS

“Film festivals and our picks of the special screenings this month”

CINE EXPAT @ CINECENTER

Thurs 26 Oct 21:00| Le Fidèle + EN subs

AKA Racer and the Jailbird. Matthias Schoenaerts plays a Brussels gangster Gigi who falls in love with rich racing driver, ‘Bibi’ but his next robbery just might ruin everything. Just maybe. Directed by Oscar-nominated Michael R. Roskam.

+ Drinks with the host before the film

cinecenter.nl

LINKS

DEVELOPMENTS!

We plan to produce the AFS in audio format as well from now on, as well the YouTube and local TV (Salto) versions. Eventually we’ll also share it on local radio too.  We are also seeing how it feels in a monthly format. Let us know what you think, and if you want to contribute, please also get in touch.

 

Are you ready for a Good Time? | Ams Film Show | Oct 2017 #1

SHOW NOTES

• film reviews of 120 BPM and Good Time  from David Swatling
• our highlights (low brow and high brow) from the new cinema releases hitting Amsterdam this month (up till 12 Oct)
• special screenings: a nearly sold out voorpremiere
• YouTube, Soundcloud & TV versions, or see text script below …

 

LINKS

SCRIPT TEXT

DAVID SWATLING REVIEWS 120 BPM

120 BPM | Director: Robin Campillo | Writers: Robin Campillo, Philippe Mangeot | Stars: Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Arnaud Valois, Adèle Haenel | (28 Sept release NL)

“The average heart rate. The protagonists of 120 battements par minute are passionate about fighting the indifference that exists towards AIDS.” IMDB

Screening @ Filmhallen, The Movies,  EYE filmmuseum, Cinecenter, Rialto

AFS NEW CINEMA RELEASES

“Here’s the Amsterdam Film Show’s highlights from the film releases in the Netherlands, this month.”

FROM 5 OCTOBER  …

Blade Runner 2049 | SCI-FI DRAMA| Dir: Denis Villeneuve | Stars: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford

• Set 30 years after the original, cult film … bladerunners are still around doing the same old thing. One of them, ‘K’, discovers a secret and feels the need to track down Deckard from the first film for answers.
• Local star Sylvia Hoeks (she was in the Dutch films, Tirza and De Storm) plays a baddie named Luv, with a very high kick.
• Promises plenty of action and stunning cinematography but also revisits that central question: what it is to be human?
• @cathycentral: “Can masses of 5-star reviews be wrong? Sometimes, yes. But I’m inclined to believe the hype for this one.

Screening @ FC Hyena, Filmhallen, Kriterion, Pathé chain, The Movies, EYE (but IMAX screen at Pathé Arena recommended)

also from 5 Oct:

Loveless | RUSSIAN DRAMA | Dir. Andrey Zvyagintsev

From the maker of Leviathan, “A divorcing couple have to co-operate when their son goes missing.”

Screening @ EYE filmmuseum, Rialto (but with NL subs)

CL “Sounds like a mundane domestic drama but expect much more … also a  judgment on modern Soviet society, and very well shot.”

FROM 12 OCTOBER …

Good Time | DRAMA | Directors: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie| Writers: Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie | Stars: Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Jennifer Jason Leigh

“Set all in one night in grimiest NYC; after a bank robbery goes wrong, career criminal Connie needs to free his vunerable brother from prsion hospital before it’s too late.”

Screening @ Filmhallen, The Movies, Kriterion, Pathé Tuschinski, Pathé City

+  David Swatling tells AFS what he though of it (see video/audio)

also from 12 Oct

Borg/McEnroe | DRAMA | Director: Janus Metz | Writer: Ronnie Sandahl| Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Stellan Skarsgård,

Explores the intense rivalry and differences between the two 80s tennis stars, Björn Borg and John McEnroe.

Screening @ The Movies, Pathé Tuschinski, Pathé City, Filmhallen, Cinecenter

@cathycentral says “So it’s a bit like the 2014 film Rush, about the two rival racing drivers. But without Chris Hemsworth ☹️”.

FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS

“Film festivals and our picks of the special screenings this month”

LAB 111 Loves Cinema | (weekender)

13 oktober| 21:30 | Your Name Japanese animation. Voorpremière. NEARLY SOLD OUT

 

DEVELOPMENTS!

We plan to produce the AFS in audio format as well from now on, as well the YouTube and local TV (Salto) versions. Eventually we’ll also share it on local radio too.  We are also seeing how it feels in a monthly format. Let us know what you think, and if you want to contribute, please also get in touch.

 

Amsterdam Film Show | Sept 2017

SHOW NOTES

• Our highlights (low brow and high brow) from the new cinema releases hitting Amsterdam this month
• mini reviews of It and Girls Night from Amsterdammers
• special screenings: including the Cine Expat series, a chilly but free  outdoor film festival and hanging out with the Dutch film industry over in Utrecht
• a quick PAC chat with Thom Hoben, programmer at Pathé Tuschinski about the all day PAC festival on 24 Sept
• YouTube, Soundcloud & TV versions, or see text script below …

LINKS

DEVELOPMENTS!

We plan to produce the AFS in audio format as well from now on, as well the YouTube and local TV (Salto) versions. Eventually we’ll also share it on local radio too.  We are also seeing how it feels in a monthly format. Let us know what you think, and if you want to contribute, please also get in touch.

SCRIPT TEXT

AFS NEW CINEMA RELEASES

“Here’s the Amsterdam Film Show’s highlights from the film releases in the Netherlands, this month.”

FROM 7 SEPTEMBER …

It | HORROR

Based on the famous Stephen King book. After a spate of missing children in their small town, a group of kids take on a sinister clown with a dark history.

@ Filmhallen & various Pathe screens

@cathycentral: “It’s had top reviews, but it’s really only for those who can handle the scares. So not me.”

But, Amsterdam crime writer, David Swatling can and he’s seen it already. He says:

“Indulged in IT doubleheader. Saw first screening of the film this afternoon and watched the 90s miniseries all in one go on Dutch TV the same night. Fascinating to compare in such close proximity. Movies don’t scare me as they once did, but I recommend the new incarnation … Whereas I found the 90s miniseries unexpectedly dated, most risky choices in the new film work surprisingly well. It was kinda Stand By Me meets The Walking Dead. The young cast is fantastic and drive the story in every way, from humor to creep factor.

But for a whole lot of fun, you might like ….

Girls Trip | COMEDY DRAMA

Dir. Malcolm D. Lee | Stars: Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith +

Four friends reunite for a trip to a New Orleans festival and some much needed girl time.

@cathycentral: “With that plotline, the film can almost write itself …”

Screening @ Pathe chain

There’s a 89% rating on RT, but what about the local critics? We asked Amsterdam Mamas Book & Filmclub what they thought …

Elvira Helena Brock Mendoza says: “I don’t know if enjoyed the movie more or the people around me laughing so hard and screaming ” Go girl” Or ” Hell yeah!” Really cool and funny movie! Totally recommend it for a good laugh and feel good feeling.”

also from 7 Sept: The Beguiled | SOUTHERN GOTHIC THRILLER | Dir. Sofia Coppola | Stars: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst +

FROM 14 SEPTEMBER …

Maudie | SENSITIVE DRAMA

Dir.  Aisling Walsh | Stars: Ethan Hawke, Sally Hawkins

Set in Nova Scotia, a young woman with arthritis takes a job as a housekeeper for a  reclusive farmer. She finds love, but also, fame as folk painter. Based on a true story.

@cathycentral: “If nothing else, it’s an affordable way to see more of Novia Scotia.”

Screening @ Filmhallen @ Cinecenter – at least

Wind River | Dir. Taylor Sheridan | CRIME THRILLER | stars: Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner +

Following the murder of a local girl on a remote Native American Reservation, a rookie FBI agent investigates with help from a local game tracker with a haunted past.

@cathycentral: “Writer-Director, Taylor Sheridan, also wrote Hell or High Water and Sicario and those were both excellent films. So count me in.”

Screening @ Pathe chain @ Filmhallen – at least

also from 14 Sept:  Mother! | DRAMA HORROR| Dir. Darren Aronofsky | Jennifer Lawrence +  

@cathycentral: “Big name production but the ! seems a bit desperate to me. But others will love this trip donw an insanity rabbit hole.”

FROM 21 SEPTEMBER …

Kingsman: The Golden Circle | ACTION COMEDY

• Dir. Matthew Vaughn | Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Halle Berry, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Sir Elton John, Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges (the A-list goes on and on …)

Eggsy is back and .. when the Kingsman headquarters are destroyed and the world … (do you really need to know the plot?) This one’s also got US spies in it.

Screening @ Pathe chain – at least

But if that’s a bit too silly, there’s …

Victoria & Abdul | Dir. Stephen Frears | stars Judi Dench, Ali Fazal +

Queen Victoria forms an unlikely friendship with an exotic male. Again.

Screening @ Filmhallen @ Pathe chain – at least

@cathycentral: “Did you spot Eddie Izzard in the trailer?”

FROM 28 SEPTEMBER …

Detroit | DRAMA THRILLER

Dir. Kathryn Bigelow | stars John Boyega, Will Poulter +

It’s 1967, Detroit is under curfew and the Michigan National Guard is patrolling the streets. A true story of racist violence and murder.

@cathycentral: “Disturbing and timely.”

Screening @ Filmhallen @ Pathe chain – at least

“Film festivals and our picks of the special screenings this month”

WEST BEACH FILM FESTIVAL | 14-24 Sept

@ Sloterplas, Sloterstrand so beach near De Duikelaar watersports

• outdoor, take a jumper + blanket?

• 13:00 screenings on Sat & Sun, otherwise pm.
• No website or accessible listings, but prog flyer is on their FB
• No special theme, some mainstream + a few curated films.
• Sat 23 Sept 13:00 – La La land.

FREE 

CINE EXPAT @ CINECENTER

Thurs 28 Sept 21:00 | The Nile Hilton Incident + EN subs

CRIME THRILLER | In a room of The Nile Hilton in Cairo, the body of a female singer is found … it’s loosely based on the murder on Suzanne Tamim in 2008. (An Egyptian businessman and politician turned out to be responsible for the crime that shocked Egypt.) Winner of the Juryprize @ Sundance.

Drinks with host Katie Crook before the film

cinecenter.nl

20-28 Sept  | Nederlands Film Festival

• Mainly for the Dutch film industry but special programme for internationals, and with EN subtitles, eg In Blue, Tulipani and more.
• Utrecht – seriously it’s not that far and they have a nice new train station.  

filmfestival.nl

Sun 24 Sept  | PAC Festival

Pathé Tuschinski (Zaal 1), from 10:30 tot 23:15

Five special premieres one after each other (with breaks). High quality films, think Oscar noms potential …

pathe.nl

Amsterdam Film Show | August 2017

SHOW NOTES

•  Interview with World Cinema Festival Amsterdam director, Raymond Walravens (worldcinemaamsterdam.nl)
• Our highlights (low brow and high brow) from the new cinema releases hitting the Netherlands this month
• Film events including the Cine Expat series, Martin Scorsese – The Exhibition last chance to see, Dunkirk in 70mm and why, plus our picks from the Pluk de Nacht and World Cinema Festival Amsterdam programmes. (Links in the Pinterest board below)

 

DEVELOPMENTS!

We plan to produce the AFS in audio format as well from now on, as well the YouTube and local TV (Salto) versions. Eventually we’ll also share it on local radio too.  We are also seeing how it feels in a monthly format. Let us know what you think, and if you want to contribute, please also get in touch.

LINKS

Ex Pats Cinema | Amsterdam Film Show

You can watch foreign films with English subtitles in Amsterdam, thanks to the Ex Pats Cinema initiative at Lab 111.  Here’s a chat with the organiser, Katie Crook and a look ahead to the rest of season 3.

Filmmaker: Cathy Leung
Music: ‘Prong’ (re-mastered) by We Are OK

LINKS:

Ex Pats Cinema – Amsterdam

http://www.lab111.nl/film/ex-pats-cinemahttp://www.facebook.com/amsterdamfilmshow

The Amsterdam Film Show makes short filmed reports all about the Amsterdam cinema scene to share online.

@amsfilm

AFS | Cinemasia’s Lorna Tee: “there are very diverse stories that come from Asia these days”

Lorna Tee talks to the Amsterdam Film Show about what’s new in the Cinemasia festival this year, the new venue of the Kriterion cinema, and shares some of her personal favourites from the films screening.

cinemasia.nl

Interviewer: Julian Ross
Camera & Editing: Cathy Leung.

This feature was first broadcast as part of the Amsterdam Film Show on Amsterdam’s Salto 1 TV channel on 31.03.15.

AFS 3 March 2015 | New cinema releases

Watch this clip for a summary of all the new cinema releases in Amsterdam from 5 March 2015. There’s action, a sci-fi drama, Swedish comedy and a documentary or two.

… and this clip for our film chat about American Sniper. Includes Amsterdam cinemas screening the film.

Also, see our partners, Cinedam, for more on each film.

AFS | New cinema releases, 26 February 2015

Watch this clip for a summary of all the new cinema releases in Amsterdam from 26 February 2015.

 

And this clip for our chat about AFS film of the week, Wild …

Also, see our partners, Cinedam, for more on each film:

AFS 17 Feb 2015 | New cinema releases

 Watch this clip for a summary of all the new cinema releases in Amsterdam from 19 February 2015.  With our pick of the week, ‘Selma’.

Also, see our partners, Cinedam, for more on each film:

AFS | Shortcutz: “a very good thing for young directors and writers”

We asked filmmakers participating in Shortcutz Amsterdam about their entries and why this weekly competition is so important for the local filmmaking community.

Thanks to our partners, Cinedam, who helped make this report.

AFS 10 Feb 2015 | New cinema releases

Watch this clip for a summary of all the new cinema releases in Amsterdam from 11/12 February 2015. It’s not all about Fifty Shade of Grey, some other interesting options also released this week, including the very, very dark comedy The Voices.

Also, see our partners, Cinedam, for more on each film:

AFS reports coming soon …

The Amsterdam Film Show will be bringing you reports from Shortcutz, the Desmets exhibition at the Eye film museum and the recent PAC Festival in the weeks ahead. Plus news of a new cat film festival this summer. Yes, you heard it here first.

Watch AFS on Tuesday nights at 21:10 on Salto 1 TV. Or catch the highlights on Youtube.

In the meantime here’s some stills …

AFS | Other new releases & film events

And watch this clip for a summary of the rest of the new releases screening in NL from 5 February + a special film event.

Also, see our partners, Cinedam, for more on each film:

AFS | Inherent Vice – film chat

The Amsterdam Film Show is back! Inherent Vice is our new film release of the week; find out what our critics thought of the ultimate ‘stoner movie’ and which Amsterdam cinemas are screening it. If you want to know more about the book, you can read a review from The Satirist,  here.

Best films of 2014?

Amsterdam Film Show hosts give you their favourite films of 2014, with Nate & Jonathan (What’s Up Amsterdam) focusing on action, Cathy & Karen on drama. But what did you think?