LNAndersen Reviews

Confidential Informant (2023)

Suspenseful B-film with Great Actors

[5/10 · 29 December 2023]

Definitely a low budget b-film. In the first half and hour I found the dialougue lacking a little bit, but the story got me hooked and I felt I was in good company. Great actors. I could feel their hearts were in it. Then the dialogue got better, above average I would say, and there was suspense from start to finish.

The subject of the film is a bit controversial. Is it ok to make insurance fraud and to go above the law, even if it's for the right cause(?) What should we as society ideally aim for(?) And what works best in real life on the ground(?) Those are the questions this film asks.

Finally, I would like to mention that this film in my opinion is the best Mel Gibson has been in since The Expendables 3 and certainly a lot better than what he's been in recently.

Den gamle præst (1939)

Quirky Charm

[7/10 · 4 March 2023]

Being a mixture between "Præsten i Vejlby." and Morten Korch the film is more a tragedy than a comedy. Together with some excellent actors, strong dialects (it takes place in East Jutland, however there are many different dialects) and wonderful characters (all of the actors are excellent), this for me gives the film a quirky charm and personality. Compared to Karl Stegger (1972) and Henrik Malberg (1931) in "Præsten i Vejlby", Poul Reumert is here more jovial and perhaps naive

The dialects can, I think, be a little difficult to understand, but this doesn't change my overall impression of a highly charming look into the old days.

Fathers and Mothers (2022)

The Best Danish Comedy since "Idioterne" (1998)

[7/10 · 11 December 2022]

Not always satisfied with the quality of Danish films in recent decades, I must say that "Fædre og Mødre" together with "Speak no Evil" are the best Danish films since "Antichrist" (2009) in my opinion. "Fædre og Mødre" is also the best Danish comedy since "Idioterne" (1998) with which it has a rather lot in common. The acting and dialogue here are far above average even compared to international films. The film is often subtle in its message, and the humor is delivered in a relatively original way. And even though there's lots of humor, at the end of it most people will propably feel saddened. As for the actors, I would say that especially Katrine Greis-Rosenthal as the seemingly innocent and good-hearted Piv, Rasmus Bjerg as the carefree Per, and Amanda Collin as the passive-aggressive Julie stand out as exceptionelly good. But also the others are great.

As to what the film is about, I would say that it deals with the problem of when does freedom in society lead to too much suffering and idiocy, but it does it in a funny and not very politically correct way, so it never feels preachy.

Compared to "Den Tid På Året" (2018), also by Paprika Steen, this one I find much better. The dialogue is funnier and sharper, and the performances by the actors are significantly better. With "Fædre og Mødre" Paprika Steen has really shown herself to be one of the best directors in Denmark at the moment.

Street Corner Justice (1996)

Guilty pleasure

[6/10 · 20 October 2022]

Not being one of the best vigilante films out there, this film has still enough twists and atmosphere for its genre to make it exciting enough. For instance this combination of a hooker and a Christian worshipper who team up with an ex-cop for some vigilante justice, I haven't seen before. Also I think some effort has been made into the dialogue.

Almost all of the main male actors I find well above average. Especially Marc Singer (Mike Justus), Steve Railsback (sergeant Freeborn), Tom Lister Jr. (Angel Aikrns, and Bryan Cranston (Father Brophy) stand out. But make no mistake, this is certainly a b-film.

In theme it reminds me a bit of other vigilante films such as "The Annihilators" (1985), "Death Wish 4" (1987), and the somewhat better "Shotgun/Vigilante" (1982).

Exorcist Vengeance (2022)

Slightly above Average B-Film

[5/10 · 21 July 2022]

Good actors and casting. The dialogue I find mediocre or slightly above. What I like about it is the psychology behind it and that it's pretty no nonsense, but it's also unmemorable. I'm no expert in films with exorcism. The only other film I've seen which reminds me of this is "The Exorcist" (1973) which obviously had a lot higher production value. However, this one is no copy, neither regarding the story line nor in its message which is here much more in the spirit of Charles Bronson in his later years (yes, Richard Bronzi is a Charles Bronson look-alike, but he's a pretty good one). Don't take it too seriously and don't expect high art, just slightly above average entertainment.

I've seen several films with with Richard Bronzi, and only "Once Upon a Time in Deadwood" and this one get a small recommendation from me. The others I find a bit too uneven.

Die Hugenotten (1991 TV Movie)

Great Singers

[7/10 · 9 February 2022]

Although I'm by no means a music expert, I by far prefer with a few exceptions the singers in the German version over the singers in the Australian one (1990). Especially Joan Sutherland admittedly in her last performance and Clifford Grant as Marcel are not exactly a joy to listen to. Otherwise I agree, everything else is better in the Australien version.

As someone who is usually a traditionalist I would though like to add that the scenography in the German version is not that bad for a modern version. Communists in ugly GDR in stead of Catholics in pretty France as the bad guys, why not(?)

Kriminalassistent Bloch (1943)

Great Light Entertainment

[8/10 · 2 February 2022]

"Kriminalassistent Bloch" is in many ways a typical crime story. However, the acting, casting, humour, and dialogue work well above average for its genre.

Even though I myself live in a big city, I can't help but finding it funny when one of the policemen says: "Rather 10 dead men in the city than 1 in the country side." There are several good oneliners like that.

The film has a nuanced view on crime. On the one hand we are asked to have sympathy with the juvenile delinquents who live in a home near the crime scene. On the other hand we end up with little sympathy for the main villain.

Finally I'd like to mention that the film also has a critical eye on journalism.

Breach (IV) (2020)

Hilarious Technology Optimism

[7/10 · 19 July 2021]

99% of all films about space and technology are pessimistic. "The Breach" seems to me refreshingly optimistic about technology if probably somewhat ambiguous when it comes to space and the future. Compared to the "Alien" franchise though which is unambiguously dystopian and where you find a lot of toxic masculinity, the masculinity at play here and its goal, most people will propably end up sympathising with. To me it smells a bit like the people behind this film had different opinions of what the message should be. Nevertheless this low-budget film is in my view by far the best about these topics, second only to "Interstellar" which is also much more serious in tone.

Admittedly, Bruce in his later years needs a good director to direct him, but as in "Death Wish" here it succeeds and Bruce's performance as a result is more than decent. Furthermore most of the other actors are top-notch and what we have is a very entertaining film. Especially the first hour and the ending I find hilarious. At first it may seem like just pure entertainment but I must say it has grown on me since I first saw it some months ago. It's not that it's especially deep but nor is it the opposite. When I first saw it I would have given it 5 or 6 out of 10 but maybe because generally I don't care so much about how expensive films look, I think there's more to it than maybe first meets the eye. The fact that I find the actors and the dialogue so good and funny is for me the most essential.

I could imagine that some of the reviewers who give this a negative rating find the masculinity here a tad too toxic. For me they found just the right balance.

In fact "The Breach" should in no way be seen as controversial and is a prime example of how a film can have a lot of humor without seeking the limits of free expression. Certainly compared to the 80's it's very harmless.

Leprechaun (1992)

Entertaining Series

[6/10 · 21 April 2021]

Leprechaun 1 is the most mainstream in a very quirky and funny series (I havn't seen the 6th installment).

2 and 3 suffer from a lot of very one dimensional characters. The Leprechaun character though still gives them some charm. 2-4 have also a very strong b-film vibe. However 4 (In Space) I find hilarious and a lot more sophisticated than maybe first meets the eye.

In 5 (In the Hood) we still find the same quirky humor as in the previous films but more effort seems to have been made into it. There's better dialogue, more thought has been given into making the characters and it almost doesn't feel like a b-film. The best in the series in my opinion.

Leprechaun: Origins is sort of ok but it totally lacks the unique charm of the previous installments. Ultimately forgetable.

Leprechaun Returns is perhaps ok if you're a teenager.

For frihed og ret (1949)

How the Danish Constitution Came to Be

[7/10 · 28 September 2020]

If you have the slightest interest in how the Danish Constitution came to be and what the political landscape looked like at that time, this film couldn't tell that story in a much more charming way. The atmosphere could almost have been taken out of a Dickens story, and the actors couldn't be better. We meet some great and very entertaining characters. The film tries to a large extent to be mainly just true to realty. In my view that is both its strength and its weakness, since I would have needed some deeper layers added in order for me to give it more than a 7/10 rating.

Kaj Munk (1986)

Nuanced Portrait of a Troubled Mind.

[7/10 · 26 May 2020]

DR's series can often involve unnuanced caricatures of their characters. Not this one. Here we see Kaj Munk portrayed as sometimes a fanatic with little empathy for his friends and loved ones, sometimes well loved and respected and able to bring great joy to his surroundings. The acting is wonderful, and beautiful pictures of the Danish countryside and small towns create the right atmosphere.

The Invasion (I) (2007)

One of the Best Films Ever Made

[9/10 · 15 May 2020]

Normally I don't think Daniel Craig is very good but as with everything else about this film here he's excellent. It's a more uplifting remake of "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956 and 1978) with new topics introduced. What is the role of women in the society of the late 2000's and will war always be part of human nature(?)

The Last of the Mohicans (1936)

By far the best version.

[9/10 · 12 May 2020]

This version from 1936 by George B. Seitz is by far the best version and the one most true to the spirit of James Fenimore Cooper. Artistically top-notch too.

Gøngehøvdingen (1961)

Charming Story from when Denmark was under Attack

[8/10 · 11 May 2020]

The Swedes are attacking Denmark in 1658 and the Dane Svend Poulsen (Gøngehøvdingen) wants to help his country and his king, King Frederik 3. Great casting, wonderful humor and beautiful milieu make this, I think, one of the best Danish films of all time. Much better than the series from 1992. The sequel "Dronningens Vagtmester" (1963) is also if not quite as good.

Jeppe on the Hill (1981)

True to the Spirit of Holberg

[7/10 · 11 May 2020]

Dark humor, great casting and beautiful pictures of the countryside. We are often told that people with power are idiots, but could we ourselves, the common people, do a better job(?)

Brødrene på Uglegaarden (1967)

One of the Best in the Series.

[8/10 · 10 May 2020]

In my opinion "Brødrene på Uglegaarden" is one of the best in the series, although not quite as good as and also more folksy than "De Røde Heste" and "Det Store Løb".

"Brødrene på Uglegaarden" has a strong cast, a song which has become a Danish classic and a story not without something to say.

The 3 brothers from Uglegaarden have grown up with their stepmother who has done everything for them but without much luck. Should she feel responsible for them or are they now old enough to take responsibility of their own(?)

Tre piger i Paris (1963)

Very Charming Feel Good Film

[8/10 · 5 May 2020]

Very charming actresses with great chemistry and relatively sharp dialogue with their male counterparts. The story is light and works well for it's genre. The pictures from Paris are abundant and fantastic. A personal favorite scene is when Ghita Nørby helps their French host with his tax returns. What makes this film stand out is the utter charm of the 3 ladies, the setting and dialogue which work far above average for films in this genre.

Drømmen om det hvide slot (1962)

Hard Work and Good Character.

[9/10 · 5 May 2020]

Charming actors and setting. The suspense is almost Hitchcockian and the atmosphere somewhat fairytale like. The story has some depth, unexpected twists and is a tribute to hard work and good character. This is my favorite Danish movie of all time.

Syd for Tana River (1963)

Small Film with a Significant Charm

[7/10 · 5 May 2020]

The story is very simple although with an ending that may surprise some. Poul Reichardt plays a character not wholly unlike the one in "Vagabonderne paa Bakkegården", the son of nature, unbound by conventions and with his heart in the right place. But maybe he's also naive, perhaps he just lives at the wrong time and place or maybe he's just being his authentic self no matter the consequences.

Especially the male actors are very good.

The setting in Kenya is very beautiful and to my knowledge quite rare in Danish movies.