Skip to main content

Impressions notebook

Search This Blog

Quote: John F. Kennedy

November 24, 2013

Get link
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.

John F. Kennedy (American president 1917-1963)

Get link
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Hercule Poirot (old style)

I love Agatha Christie and of course, I love the films and series made of her books. For me, there is no better Hercule Poirot than David Suchet and I am very happy I have the whole series on DVD. But David Suchet was not the first to portray the Belgian detective and he was not the first I saw in this role. When I was young two films were often braodcasted on Dutch television, and I must have watched them several times. These were Evil under the sun (1982) and Death on the Nile (1978), both films after a book by Agatha Christie and with Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot. Peter Ustinov is of course an iconic actor, but to be honest he plays a better Peter Ustinov than he plays Hercule Poirot. Still, the films are absolutely great fun to watch. I have them on DVD as well and during Christmas day, I had a quiet afternoon and I watched both of them. Death on the Nile (1978) Linnet is a rich young woman, who marries the fiancé of her best friend. They go to Egypt on their honeym

Striking photograph by Erwin Olaf

Erwin Olaf is one of the most famous photographers of The Netherlands, and probably one of the best we ever had. He has exhibitions all over the world and is responsible for the beautiful and original portraits of the Dutch royal family in the last years. When I went to an exhibition of modern art last week, I also saw one of his works hanging in the museum. It is called: Catwalk I (The Helena Slicher Weddingdress 1759) from 2012. I love how this photograph plays with the painted portraits of the 17th and 18th century. At first glance you think it is a painting, but then you see it is a photograph. For me, Erwin Olaf is an amazing artist. This year will mark his 40 year workjubileum and there will be a large exhibition in The Hague to mark that occassion. I know I will go there, I would not want to miss it. More information about Erwin Olaf can be found HERE

Some of the ladies in Poirot

I think I must have mentioned it hundreds of times, but I will say it again: I love British series and costume dramas. Nobody does it better than they do. A particular favorite of mine is the series Poirot with David Suchet as the Belgian detective. I have been on a Poirot-binge these past weeks. I do not like all of the films (they completely butchered Appointment with death, The mystery of the blue train or Murder on the Nile and they murdered Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express), but most of them are very good. And although Agatha Christie was sometimes capable of writing a plot that was a little bit ridiculous, most of the time it is very good entertainment. It is a testament to how good these series are when you look at all the amazing actors who took small roles in it, like Damien Lewis, Martin Shaw or even Edward Fox. But most of all I love watching the clothes. The series is set in the thirties, so we have plenty of red lipstick and fur-foxes hanging over one shoulde

Hidden churches in Amsterdam

In the 17th century the Dutch Republic was a bit of an exception in Europe. We were a Republic amongst monarchies, and also tolerance was something that was treasured. Since the war against Spain (1568-1648), Calvinism was the main religion in the Netherlands, but other religions were allowed to practice their faith. As long as they did so in silence. Especially the Roman Catholics had to be a bit careful. They could have churches, and the whole town knew a Roman Catholic church was there, but as long as it was not recognizable as a church and they did not do anything in public, they were tolerated. Some of these Schuilkerken (hidden churches) can still be seen in Amsterdam. One of the most beautiful churches is called 'The parrot' , in the middle of the busy shopping street The Kalverstraat. Inside is a lovely church full of atmosphere. Worth a visit! Another well known hidden church is at the Begijnhof . The church on the Begijnhof is now an Anglican church, but on

Agatha and the curse of Ishtar (2019)

In 1928 Agatha Christie is at a bit of a loss. Her divorce came through and she wants to write something else than a detective novel. Perhaps she even wants to write a romance-novel. Friends of her, Katherine and Leonard Woolley ask her to come to their archological dig in Iraq, where she can do research and take her mind of things. Agatha travels to the dig, but the first person she finds has been shot. Agatha takes the man to a doctor and it turns out he is also a friend of the Woolleys and works at their dig as an archologist. His name is Max Mallowan and he was looking for clues how his friend died a couple of days before. When Agatha and Max arrive at the house of the Wooleys, a pet monkey seems to be murdered, there is a thief who steals the ancient artefacts and there is more murder. Is it the curse of the Goddess Ishtar, or is it something more modern? Can Agatha, with the help of Max, find the solution to this mystery? I really enjoyed this film. It is lighthearted and fu

Powered by Blogger