The Fox

It is so obvious that the director, and also producer, wished to bring something new, unusual compared to the US productions or Tom Clancy like Hollywood screenplays. It is strange in the development but classical on the shape and the scheme. There are no heroes here, nor expect ending, that is precisely what I like the most. I don't know the main lead but he's damn convincing in this man alone against evil...I remains a gloomy story, a bit slow, with some outstanding scenes, one in particular that makes you jump on your seat; very inventive, rarely shown on screen. I recommend it. Really.

The film opens in Holland 1944 with a downed pilot and then moves to modern times where we are introduced to a flawed and troubled Simon Fox attending the funeral of his father. Simon works in Holland for Europol. On a routine investigation he encounters a conspiracy and history buff police officer who informs Simon about project Gladio, which was to stash arms all over Europe in case of a Russian invasion. In modern times, the conspiracy goes, is that the arms are still in place and are used by the governments to stage attacks go they can enact more restrictive laws. The film made me cringe as I thought about the folks who deny Sandy Hook happened or the 9-11 "truthers." While not quite at that level, it will surely appeal to that crowd. Politics aside, the film keeps you engaged even though the plot was at times hard to follow and swallow. Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity

An Europol agent (with a lot of bad memories and rage), attends his father funeral in Ireland and asked by his superior to check on a death over there. At the crime scene meet a local policeman full of conspiration theories and without willing gets involved in a political conspiration where bodies start to pile up. After a somewhat slow start; things star moving on and while we immediately know the culprits; things gets very claustrophobic. As in many political thrillers, there endings that are not that happy. Many people dies and things are far from fun but totally entertaining. In brief; while not based on real events you can easily relate with many politics in Europe. It could have been better but still worth our time.

Finally on demand, I missed it in the theatres, now I could watch it in the 'privacy' of my home. Not the usual story, not the usual scenery, not the usual actors. Which is good. Instead of the commonlovestorybackground, the story has political, terrorist and historical undertones. Not filmed in the very picturesque city of Amsterdam, but filmed in a cold Holland, in a futuristic city -which sometimes is even still under construction- in caves and flat countrysides, which gives great wide views. Great cinematography! The actors were, besides a few familiar faces, all unknown to me, which was a relief, having seen (too) many Dutch films. And they're good! The leading characters are playing great, like they've been colleagues for years already. Not all the extras are great actors though, but hey, they're extras. ;) Sometimes too many people know too much and give away too much information, but it helps to understand the story. The story is frightening. And easy to follow: by long dialogues in the beginning you slowly get sucked into a web of intrigue. And then the movie evolves from a political thriller into an action movie, where you really don't know who's who and what's what. The soundscape gives the final push. I was in!