Customer Reviews

All Those Moments

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4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
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If you are reading this review, then chances are you are also a fan of Rutger Hauer. He has appeared in some of the seminal roles of film history...I don't need to mention the obvious ones i.e Roy Batty. There was Soldier Martin in Flesh & Blood and of course the role that broke the mould in Turkish Delight, a film which I thoroughly recommend. The hitcher was chilling. There were also the many many doozies - really bad films that Rutger somehow managed to find himself in. Lets face it he has done may of these, Omega Doom, Cold Blood to name but a few.
The book promises on the surface to reveal something of the man himself. I expected to hear his side of things, why for instance did he make some of these obviously poor choices. Here was an opportunity to open up to the reader. But alas it never quite breaks the surface. Autobiographies usually reveal something of the pscyche within. Rutger chooses not to expose this. When he mentions his parents and their departure when he was still a child, our appetite is whetted. We want to hear more...but then he moves on never quite settling on anything too long. Yes it was interesting to learn that he left with the merchant navy at such a young age (he was 15) but we are never allowed more than a furtive glance into the man's life.
Part of what attracts people to this man has been the mystery that surrounds him and his refusal to fit in with the Hollywood stereotype. This is why I would have liked to hear more from him on a personal level. His need for privacy is legendary and we can well understand this. But when one elects to write a biography, the reader expects a little more insight than has been generally available. This book could have been so much more.
We don't hear much about his wife nor why they decided not have any children. O.K I know this is personal stuff but it would have given us a more complete picture of the man. You get the feeling that in the last few chapters he is scurrying towards the finish...he just wants to get it out of the way.
The last section of the book just regurgitates diary entries which can be read on his website (a good one by the way) but we needed to learn something new.
I think Rutger has been phenomenal in those roles that were made for him but he could have delved a whole lot deeper. Instead I'm left feeling a little cheated by the lack of the juicy bits. 'His craft' is overstated. What prompted him to accept so many bad roles is never quite dealt with. Yes of course Rutger you needed the money but come on there was no artistry here!
You will still want to read this especially as the money goes to his very worthy charity but just don't expect new insights into the actor or the man.

This is a true treat for Rutger Hauer fans. Very interesting reading. The stories behind such great films as Blade Runner, The Hitcher, Ladyhawke, Nighthawks, etc are fascinating. I highly recommend this book. As a plus, the profits from this book go towards Rutgers Starfish program to help HIV/AIDS patients. Keep up the good work.

While I do recommend this book if you are a fan (which I most definitely am) what disappointed me was his complete elision of the literally dozens of stinkers he's participated in. After the mid-1980's he seemed to sink out of sight for US audiences, but I'd see him in absolutely awful B movies routinely on some cable channel and wonder "Who on earth did he tick off?" For a man of such talent to do that many poorly written/filmed movies - well I'd like to know "why?"! Michael Caine has also participated in his share of terrible movies, but he's always been upfront about it, ala "I'm a working bloke and a check's a check" which I find refreshingly honest. But Rutger never addresses the issue: I wasn't looking for apologies or hand-wringing, but an explanation. Does he love to travel and to heck with the movie? Would he rather work than not? Is home comfy but boring? His good work demonstrates without question he can keep an audience's attention as well as any star, but honestly I wondered if his string of less-than-B movies was a result of some serious toe-stepping on... or....? He seems like a wonderfully down to earth fellow, and it's nice to read a movie star memoir heavy on praise and light on criticism, and his work for the charity he founded gets him a 'crown in heaven' according to my Nana. It's a fun read, just don't expect any answers to his more questionable choices.

I have been a fan of Rutger Hauer since I saw Blade Runner when it came out in 1982. His new autobiography ("All Those Moments") is a revealing portrait of the artist giving a candid look at his life and his approach to acting. The son of actors, he describes his early life growing up in Holland, his start as an actor in a small rural theater company and his start as a film actor.

He describes his major films: Blade Runner, Ladyhawke, Blind Fury, Soldier of Orange, the Hitcher and Nighthawks, and his breakthrough role in the Dutch television series Floris, in detail giving insight into how he approaches his character. He spends some time describing his craft and the difficulties of being away from home for long periods of time. Mr. Hauer has made his share of bad films but he has always struck me as such a consummate professional that his performance is always worth watching.

The book is written in a conversational style, as if Mr. Hauer was taking to you, which makes for fast reading. The book is illustrated with several black-and-white photographs of some family pictures but more of Mr. Hauer in his various roles. My only small complaint is that the book does not have a true ending. We leave off at Mr. Hauer's most recent projects - Batman Begins and The Poseidon Adventure - for a chapter on acting followed by a chapter on the Starfish Association and some entries from his diary. There is no looking ahead to what he thinks his life or career will bring. The Starfish Association is an AIDS support group to which the royalties of Mr. Hauer's book are being donated.

This is a very frank, entertaining and thought-provoking book. If you have seen any of Rutger Hauer's films his book is a must-read.

Sometime around 2006 Rutger Hauer's car breaks down somewhere near Cape Town in South Africa. A tow truck operator is finally found after dusk has set in. The man arrives, takes a look at the actor and says "I can't believe I am meeting you here. Blade Runner is my favourite movie."

Rutger has had a long and winding career in the arts spanning from small-time stage and screen productions in his native Netherlands in the late 1960s onto more recent Hollywood flicks like Batman Begins Batman Begins (Full Screen Edition). Hauer has no lack of stories to retell, experiences to recount and memories to reminisce. Yet, it is Blade Runner Blade Runner (The Director's Cut) that to this day captures the most hearts and minds. Not only does Hauer allocate more space to the film he calls "The role of my life" than any other (although not a considerable feat given some of Hauer's other films), but also Blade Runner fans would enjoy learning the trivia and information shared by the book. There is information here on how his participation almost didn't happen, the lines he contributed and all that other stuff. In fact, this book's name, sub-title, title font and back-cover quotation are all Blade Runner references.

Hauer has a lot to say about other roles he has taken on, film industry experiences and also opens up emotionally a little. His encounter with Sly Stallone in Nighthawks Nighthawks is an interesting one, as is C. Thomas Howell's reaction to him in The Hitcher The Hitcher. The writer himself refers to his mid-'80s work and career as his prime-time. Then again, recent appearances in Batman Begins and Sin City Sin City might constitute something of a re-entry into the big leagues.

Speaking of which, while Blade Runner is Hauer's definitive performance he was known in the '80s by many (including myself) from his role in The Hitcher. That was the commercial success that probably propelled Hauer to become famous. The Replicant, though, has had a much longer shelf life since its incept date.

All Those Moments' proceeds go to the actor's Starfish foundation, which cares for those afflicted with Aids. It has much to say about the Dutch man, the film industry in Hollywood and without. It even has a few things to say about others in that industry. The book is an interesting read for those who know Rutger Hauer, but also for those who should know him.

This is a biography mainly about Ruger Hauer's acting career. He writes a little about his childhood and parents but this is his chronical about the roles he played. It's an interesting story. Hauer is never critical of the actors he worked with, nor does he write about scandals in the film world. He spends time discussing The Blade Runner (his favorite role) and Lady Hawk( another great part for him). This is a story about an actor's work in films. Not every piece of his film work is covered, but enough that the reader knows that Rutger is a serious actor.

I was surprised by Hauer's book. There was no Hollywood hoop di do or affectations. Just a honest tale of his life's adventures-very down to earth, and totally interesting.

I have loved Rutger Hauer's movies. I was hesitant to buy the book because I really couldn't imagine what he and the author would write about. It was a book you want to read to experience what it is like in another person's shoes. This one being an actor. It was very interesting, down to earth and sounded very personal from him. My husband, who is pretty critical, also really liked it. Proceeds go to fight AIDS/HIV.

Rutger has been in some of my favourite films (Blade Runner,Ladyhawke,Flesh and Blood,the Hitcher to name some)and many that I watch for a laugh (Split second,Bleeders or Hemoglobin to name a few) and countless other films that were pure tosh (Omega Doom,Bone Daddy,Beyond Justice and other such fare....what worries me is that I remember the titles!)
So,I got the book expecting Rutger to open up about his involvement in so much pure Tosh....Instead of a "honing my art" excuse.I,the reader,wanted to read his thoughts and experiences.
A weak book that gives little insight into the man but maybe Rutger was just "honing" his writing skills.

As a huge fan of Rutger's, this book was an eye opener about his life and his path to being a star. From his humble beginnings, to his adventures in theater, to his current Hollywood status, this is a must-have for fans.