CharlotteBronte66 I honestly don't understand why everyone hates this movie. I can see why Mickey Rourke took the project. This film came onto my radar because I am a "foreign film" fan and I thought, "hell, Mickey Rourke is in it...it can't be all bad." So I ordered it. I was pleasantly surprised. It was an exploration of the film business as a business. That's what this film is about, ultimately. It isn't about anything else. The plot line is simply a hook to get people to watch it -- this is a movie about what it's like to make a movie, and more importantly, what it takes to make it in "Hollyood". I took 2 stars away from the total because Bervoets is so annoying that he makes me want to enter menopause early and get it over with. After watching the film, I understood completely why Mickey Rourke did the movie (and it wasn't just for the job or the money, which he probably desperately needed at the time.) Mickey carries the film, cast and crew (including make up artists and key grips all the way through from beginning to end. This film is a lesson in "Hollywood-ese" and "Hollywood Bullshit". It was probably cathartic for Rourke to do it, to experience, even if it is just in a very small way, what it's like to have to direct himself! He saw it as an opportunity in therapy, to walk a mile in another mans shoes. He also got the experience of telling the truth about where his career was at, at the time. (Scene: "Look, there's a reason you and I are here in Belgium, doing this little movie and it's cuz we're not on top anymore" (or something to that effect.)His scene with Michelle in his hotel room where he tells her to cut it out, and that at the "end of the day, you'll just be a two dollar whore" is spot on the money. And he's clearly not justtalking about actresses, or even the movie business in general. (Although that was probably his "motivation", if you will forgive the reference.) He's talking about YOU, or ME, or anyone, who does what they do, so they can just take the next rung on the ladder. When he tells Lily, the makeup artist, not to sleep with the star, his voice has the ring of truth to it...the sound of a man who's seen it all before: a crew member with stars in her eyes about to get used and abused by a "leading man". He looks at her with true pity and compassion --- like someone who has already seen the outcome of such a situation and he's genuinely trying to spare her the pain, because he thinks she's actually a nice person who probably doesn't deserve it.In an interview with 'Inside the Actor's Studio", Mickey Rourke said that if he hadn't been an actor, he would have probably been a contractor (i.e. construction). Truly, there is a God, since that did NOT happen. Thank you God, for giving us Mickey Rourke.I have not found any proof of what I am about to say, but I would be willing to lay down a paycheck, that Mickey Rourke not only had a hand in the script, but that he also "consulted" on this movie, for the actual director, in how the "real world" of Hollywood "works". Mickey has to be the most under-valued, under-rated and un-appreciated actors/thespians of all time, and all because he refuses to bow to the golden calf that is the Academy. God bless Mickey Rourke....he's not just another artist. He's a true Artist, capital A, in a world of mediocre assholes (captial A) This movie proved it. What a waste. Decent script, but Mickey Rourke carries the whole movie. And you will probably enjoy it, if you want to know what film-making and the politics and the bullshit are all about. This film will give it to you, on a silver platter, served by Mickey Rourke. Good on ya Mickey. (PS --nice little scene also, with Loki, Mickey's favorite dog...she has a nice cameo!)I hope you take the chance on this one. I'm not sure what Mickey Rourke himself thinks of it, but if he ever sees this, I hope he will take my compliment in the spirit its intended: F'em , Mickey. You're right, and they're wrong. And you told the truth. God bless ya!

Joyce Hauchart The cast is great, directing and acting are sublime, Rourke plays himself, including dog. The sound track is even better. The dialogues are in Flemish and English, but after 10 minutes you forget this detail and the language sounds real.Great story, a movie within a movie. Anyone who has ever been on a set will recognize the plot, subplots etc.Why did this movie flop? Nobody made faults, not the director, not the actors etc. The main problem is the story line. Who is the bad guy and who is the good guy. They all seem equal. You can't identify yourself with Howard, Bervoets or Decleir.Great movie, but no box office.

Floortje This is a very sad movie. Really. Nothing happens in this movie. The Script is bad!!! I guess they've just copy-paste the first 15 pages to 90 pages. The Producers must have thought let's create a Hollywood movie here in Belgium. They didn't succeed. Now in the third week it is only running in Antwerp and Brussels at 22h45 or something. In the past we have had really good movies in Belgium, like Daens. Shades is a waste of your time. Maybe you could sneak in the theater after you've seen a real movie. If you've seen 10 minutes of Shades, you've seen it all. It was advertised to death on local radio and TV. I hope it will disappear in the Shades soon.

yuri-17 This is probably the first belgian movie that has the "allure" of a hollywood picture, which was the director's goal after all. You could see it as a mix between "The Player"and"Silence of the lambs". The absolute + on the movie is the fact that it tells a story and laughs with itself at the same time.the story is about a film crew which is making a movie about a serial killer, and on the set everything goes wrong. The bit of cliché "film in film" is funny , entertaining and sometimes even exciting. In short : well worth seeing !!