Highbrow Magazine - amsterdam https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/amsterdam en ‘Amsterdam’ Is a Flawed Retelling of a Real Conspiracy https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/21770-amsterdam-flawed-retelling-real-conspiracy <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Sat, 10/22/2022 - 15:56</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1amsterdamfilm.jpg?itok=uKqjbFUi"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1amsterdamfilm.jpg?itok=uKqjbFUi" width="480" height="256" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>Amsterdam</em> is a movie with an interesting plot and some solid acting from a good cast, but it gets bogged down by its script and subplots. The film is based on real events from the 1930s and it’s a story that’s relevant today -- although that doesn’t mean that it’s a must-watch.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington make up the central trio of the story as a doctor, nurse, and lawyer, respectively. Their bond was created after meeting in a hospital in France at the end of World War I. Twelve years later, they get swept up in a grand conspiracy that aims to change the course of the United States. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/2amsterdamfilm.jpg" style="height:652px; width:521px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">While watching the conspiracy unravel is entertaining, the core story is at odds with subplots and an abundance of side characters. The first half of the movie feels slow because of that since by the time you’re at the halfway mark, it seems that there’s been little progress in solving the mystery, and when it does get to it, the pacing feels rushed.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">While Washington and Robbie put in good performances, it’s Bale’s work that really stands out in the film. His portrayal of an eccentric doctor plagued with pain and trauma from the war is compelling and provides moments of comedy throughout the film. While a lot of the movie is lighthearted in tone, there weren’t any scenes that are "laugh out loud" funny, but the script does have some dry wit to it.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/3amsterdamfilm.jpg" style="height:347px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The biggest problem with <em>Amsterdam</em> is that the longer it goes on, the preachier it gets with its messages. The conspiracy involves the rise of fascism that would cause World War II and the writer is willing to beat you over the head to make sure you get the parallels between the movie and today’s world. There’s also a message about chasing love and beauty wherever you can find it, and while there’s nothing wrong with these themes, the heavy-handed way the film goes about conveying them makes the whole thing off-putting. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">In today’s America, a film about resisting fascism, race relations, and love is totally relevant, but many films have proven that themes alone cannot carry a movie. <em>Amsterdam</em> has a lot going for it between its plot, cast, and interesting setting, but its problems are hard to ignore as you watch it. Those issues keep this movie from being great, but it’s still worth a shot if you have the chance to see it.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Author Bio:                             </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong><em>Ulises Duenas is a senior writer at</em> Highbrow Magazine.</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>For Highbrow Magazine</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/amsterdam" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">amsterdam</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/amsterdam-movie" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Amsterdam movie</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/chris-rock" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">chris rock</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/john-david-washington" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">John David Washington</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/margot-robbie" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">margot robbie</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/christian-bale" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christian Bale</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/david-o-russell-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">David O&#039; Russell</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-films" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new films</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Ulises Duenas</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">In Slider</div></div></div> Sat, 22 Oct 2022 19:56:10 +0000 tara 11405 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/21770-amsterdam-flawed-retelling-real-conspiracy#comments ‘The New Rijksmusuem’ Sheds Light on the Renovation of the Netherlands’ Most Famous Museum https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/5488-new-rijksmusuem-sheds-light-renovation-netherlands-most-famous-museum <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Sun, 12/13/2015 - 15:08</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1rijks.jpg?itok=n0HDM8bb"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1rijks.jpg?itok=n0HDM8bb" width="480" height="244" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>How long does it take to renovate a museum?</p> <p><em>The New Rijksmuseum</em> is a documentary by Oeke Hoogendijk that follows the renovation journey of the Rijksmuseum, one of the Netherlands’ most popular art museums. The film follows the ups and mostly-downs of the museum and staff as they face multiple obstacles in re-opening on time.</p> <p>The film starts in December 2003, focusing on the entrance of the museum; Spanish architects Antonio Cruz and Antonio Ortiz are talking about their contest-winning design that depresses the main pathway into an entrance, yet still maintains the pathway, structure and integrity of the building.</p> <p>Yet Ortiz and Cruz’s designs face opposition in the form of the Dutch Cyclists Union, who argue that the design ruins the bike path that cuts through the tunnel of the museum. In a surprising move, the District Council opposes the entrance, which in turn sets off a series of delays. The repercussions of this decision are seen throughout the film as the architects and museum team pitch proposal after proposal for an entrance that is both useful and pleasing to the cyclists.</p> <p>While the designs and construction of the museum are being worked on, restoration and organization for the museum’s art collection—1 million objects ranging from sculptures to paintings to furniture—is also underway. The documentary sheds a light into some of the processes and behind-the-scenes of the work it takes to maintain art, as well as acquire pieces. For example, the film follows Curator of Asian Art Menno Fitski as he procures two Japanese temple guards for an exhibit, and it follows Curator of Furniture Reinier Baarsen as he oversees the reproduction of a 17<sup>th</sup> century room.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2rijks.jpg" style="height:305px; width:625px" /></p> <p> </p> <p>While the documentary is mostly unbiased in its storytelling, one can’t help but feel negatively towards the Dutch Cyclists Union. The goal of the renovation was to re-establish the Rijksmuseum as an “international art center,” said then-Director Ronald de Leeuw, voicing his frustration with the cyclists. Yet multiple protests ranging from complaints about lane size to an attack on “Dutch cycle culture,” have caused setbacks for the Rijksmuseum in the form of both time and money—it’s hard to sympathize with activists who believe that biking is more culturally important than art. In that sense, the film makes a small commentary on the intersections between activism and culture.</p> <p>The documentary, of course, ends on a high note. After a budget of 366-plus million Euros and 10 years in delays, the Rijksmuseum finally opened in April 2013, and became one of the most visited museums<a name="_GoBack" id="_GoBack"></a> in the Netherlands for 2013 and 2014. <em>The New </em>Rijksmuseum documentary does a great job of highlighting the museum’s cultural importance in the realm of the art world.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><br /> <strong><em>Gabriella Tutino is a contributing writer at</em> Highbrow Magazine.</strong></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/rijks-museum" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">rijks museum</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-rijksmuseum" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the new rijksmuseum</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/art" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">art</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/rembrandt" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">rembrandt</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/holland" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">holland</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/amsterdam" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">amsterdam</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/netherlands" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the netherlands</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/dutch-art" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">dutch art</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Gabriella Tutino</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Sun, 13 Dec 2015 20:08:57 +0000 tara 6524 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/5488-new-rijksmusuem-sheds-light-renovation-netherlands-most-famous-museum#comments