DER 7TE ZWERG (THE 7TH DWARF)
Watchable. Some references to pop culture, a heart-warming tale, a cute lonely dragon. It just could be more amusing and more tongue-in-cheek.
Tuesday 30 December 2014
Monday 29 December 2014
Sunday 28 December 2014
DUMB AND DUMBER TO
Watchable. I don't know if the first part was funnier or just fresher. This one was by no means boring but it was just mildly amusing, not laugh-out-loud funny. The daughter's IQ level is one big surprise.
I was the only viewer who stayed till the very end after the credits and got to see... the trailer of "Dumb and Dumber for" coming out next summer. Looks like Harry and Lloyd stepped on two guys' toes...
Watchable. I don't know if the first part was funnier or just fresher. This one was by no means boring but it was just mildly amusing, not laugh-out-loud funny. The daughter's IQ level is one big surprise.
I was the only viewer who stayed till the very end after the credits and got to see... the trailer of "Dumb and Dumber for" coming out next summer. Looks like Harry and Lloyd stepped on two guys' toes...
Friday 26 December 2014
FIVE FLAVOURS 8. FILM FESTIVAL
RANG ZI DAN FEI (LET THE BULLETS FLY)
Walked out. Looks like a mock version of very old westerns.
BAHAY BATA (BABY FACTORY)
Watchable. Even though it's about a maternity ward, the viewer is spared disgusting scenes. Sanitary conditions in the poorest hospital in the Philippines are surprisingly good. Still, I learnt little more than that from this documentary.
SERBUAN MAUT 2: BERANDAL (THE RAID 2: BERANDAL)
Walked out. Another mindless gangster movie.
BING DU (ICE POISON)
Walked out. So slow I just couldn't keep track, made me too sleepy.
FOODIES
Watchable. It's interesting to find out that there is a group of people travelling specially to eat out in the world's best restaurants (including one who doesn't go below 3 Michelin stars, mind it, one star means a place well worth eating in, 2 stars are worth a detour, 3 are worth travelling the world). But the film is a mere tour of some 20 restaurants and silly chit-chat between the foodies and the famed chefs.
ENEMEF -THE NIGHT OF THE HUNGER GAMES
THE HUNGER GAMES
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1
Recommended. I'm just amazed at how many times I can watch it without getting bored. The cinematography, costumes and make-up, which I absolutely loved in the first two films, are subdued due to the more serious tone of the almost-ending. Still, the twists of action well make up for the loss in colour and it's the most gender-equal film ever. I just love all three parts and I'm definitely going to the next year four-film marathon of the whole series.
HANNAH ARENDT
Watchable. It feels weird to watch a lecturer smoking during classes and my overall impression of the film is that I'm happy to live in more enlightened times when I can be free of smoke in most places. Other than that, while her observations were groundbreaking and confirmed by Milgram's experiment (both in 1961), she was a philosopher which, in my eyes, makes her boring by definition. It was more interesting to hear others discussing her than listen to her own lecture.
DIE BELIEBTEN SCHWESTERN (BELOVED SISTERS)
Watchable. Psychologically implausible. Only a man, here Dominik Graf, could come up with a concept of sisters loving each other so much that they even share a man. Period details were fascinating though, including the chauvinism.
3 COEURS
Watchable. Another story of a love triangle involving sisters. More realistic, apart from both women being in love with a man at least 10 years older, showing that how our lives go depends on pure chance and coincidence. Painfully slow.
MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE
Watchable. A talking head which is not the most involving form. He predicts the crisis will spread to France next and highlights cases indicating that no single banker can be blamed because the whole system is faulty. It reminds me of Andre Brink's view of apartheid where investigating one crime led to the awareness that the whole system is constructed in a way precluding individuals from making the right choice. A bizarre fact about investment bankers is that you score points for "nights" - working a night or two nights in the office is essential (in Germany at least) to get promoted.
SAINT LAURENT
Watchable. Very similar to the previous film about the designer, with some scenes referring to the earlier or later period of his life. Altogether he had a boring life: drugs and sex orgies all the time. The view of his house full of artworks and his collections compensates for the dullish plot to some extent.
SAMBA
Watchable. I like Omar Sy, especially in comedies and this is one, even if mildly amusing ("I have problems sleeping. Especially at night.") The story is involving and the issues of illegal immigrants are important but it fails to truly move your heart and is not as hilarious as "The Intouchables".
KREUZWEG
Walked out. Religious, a multi-children family, static. Nothing to watch.
MACONDO
Watchable. The cultural differences between eastern and western family structure should be the pivot of this film while the tiny bits of the clash of cultures presented were nothing new to me which makes it more of a story of a naughty kid.
EL NINO
Recommended. Fast action, good suspense, hot actors, excellent music, especially the Arabic-style bit sung in Spanish. The motorboat looks just like the one of the smugglers I saw with my own eyes when in Gibraltar.
BLIND DATES
Watchable. The povertly, greyness, lifestyle and human relations of contemporary Georgia resemble those of communist Poland. Culture-wise it's weird to see all single women wear extremely short dresses and being treated with decency. The story isn't fascinating, the cultural part just enough.
SEN O WARSZAWIE
Watchable. I'm not a great fan of his music but the film makes you appreciate his talent. The pace is not fast but tells all his life story including his love affair and troubles with communist authorities. Most off all the film makes you grateful for living in market economy.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - THE NIGHT OF THE HOBBIT
AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG
THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES
Watchable. I had seen the first two installments before, obviously, so only the third part was new to me. It's a clear-cut series which is actually best seen all at one go. They are all in dark brownish tones due to co-operation with Guillermo del Toro who is not my style. Secondary to LOTR, it's similarly long and grandiose, while "Hobbit" was actually a book I first read in childhood so I'd prefer a lighter tone. The third part is the worst in the trilogy. Luckily the battle at least looks different than in LOTR. Still, I have some favourite scenes in all 3: the hedgehog and rabbits in the first one, the dragon in the second, the battle scenes in wintry scenery in the third. Plus the views of the Shire and its inhabitants.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB
Watchable. It's fun, with some witty bits (e.g. Girl: "So I'll see you on Saturday", Boy's Father: "No way!", Boy: "Way!" - it's my translation from Polish as the movie was dubbed) but a number of silly scenes (like all with the female guard) as well. The British Museum in the film becomes a cross of the namesake and of the Natural History Museum. Great CGIs.
I've got two open tickets to use up by the end of the year in a mainstream cinema. I was horrified when I went through the repertoire - most of the films which I haven't seen yet are about children! Eventually I selected two films which I'm going to see in far away cinemas: "Dumb and Dumber To" and "Der 7bte Zwerg" so these reviews are coming next.
RANG ZI DAN FEI (LET THE BULLETS FLY)
Walked out. Looks like a mock version of very old westerns.
BAHAY BATA (BABY FACTORY)
Watchable. Even though it's about a maternity ward, the viewer is spared disgusting scenes. Sanitary conditions in the poorest hospital in the Philippines are surprisingly good. Still, I learnt little more than that from this documentary.
SERBUAN MAUT 2: BERANDAL (THE RAID 2: BERANDAL)
Walked out. Another mindless gangster movie.
BING DU (ICE POISON)
Walked out. So slow I just couldn't keep track, made me too sleepy.
FOODIES
Watchable. It's interesting to find out that there is a group of people travelling specially to eat out in the world's best restaurants (including one who doesn't go below 3 Michelin stars, mind it, one star means a place well worth eating in, 2 stars are worth a detour, 3 are worth travelling the world). But the film is a mere tour of some 20 restaurants and silly chit-chat between the foodies and the famed chefs.
ENEMEF -THE NIGHT OF THE HUNGER GAMES
THE HUNGER GAMES
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1
Recommended. I'm just amazed at how many times I can watch it without getting bored. The cinematography, costumes and make-up, which I absolutely loved in the first two films, are subdued due to the more serious tone of the almost-ending. Still, the twists of action well make up for the loss in colour and it's the most gender-equal film ever. I just love all three parts and I'm definitely going to the next year four-film marathon of the whole series.
HANNAH ARENDT
Watchable. It feels weird to watch a lecturer smoking during classes and my overall impression of the film is that I'm happy to live in more enlightened times when I can be free of smoke in most places. Other than that, while her observations were groundbreaking and confirmed by Milgram's experiment (both in 1961), she was a philosopher which, in my eyes, makes her boring by definition. It was more interesting to hear others discussing her than listen to her own lecture.
DIE BELIEBTEN SCHWESTERN (BELOVED SISTERS)
Watchable. Psychologically implausible. Only a man, here Dominik Graf, could come up with a concept of sisters loving each other so much that they even share a man. Period details were fascinating though, including the chauvinism.
3 COEURS
Watchable. Another story of a love triangle involving sisters. More realistic, apart from both women being in love with a man at least 10 years older, showing that how our lives go depends on pure chance and coincidence. Painfully slow.
MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE
Watchable. A talking head which is not the most involving form. He predicts the crisis will spread to France next and highlights cases indicating that no single banker can be blamed because the whole system is faulty. It reminds me of Andre Brink's view of apartheid where investigating one crime led to the awareness that the whole system is constructed in a way precluding individuals from making the right choice. A bizarre fact about investment bankers is that you score points for "nights" - working a night or two nights in the office is essential (in Germany at least) to get promoted.
SAINT LAURENT
Watchable. Very similar to the previous film about the designer, with some scenes referring to the earlier or later period of his life. Altogether he had a boring life: drugs and sex orgies all the time. The view of his house full of artworks and his collections compensates for the dullish plot to some extent.
SAMBA
Watchable. I like Omar Sy, especially in comedies and this is one, even if mildly amusing ("I have problems sleeping. Especially at night.") The story is involving and the issues of illegal immigrants are important but it fails to truly move your heart and is not as hilarious as "The Intouchables".
KREUZWEG
Walked out. Religious, a multi-children family, static. Nothing to watch.
MACONDO
Watchable. The cultural differences between eastern and western family structure should be the pivot of this film while the tiny bits of the clash of cultures presented were nothing new to me which makes it more of a story of a naughty kid.
EL NINO
Recommended. Fast action, good suspense, hot actors, excellent music, especially the Arabic-style bit sung in Spanish. The motorboat looks just like the one of the smugglers I saw with my own eyes when in Gibraltar.
BLIND DATES
Watchable. The povertly, greyness, lifestyle and human relations of contemporary Georgia resemble those of communist Poland. Culture-wise it's weird to see all single women wear extremely short dresses and being treated with decency. The story isn't fascinating, the cultural part just enough.
SEN O WARSZAWIE
Watchable. I'm not a great fan of his music but the film makes you appreciate his talent. The pace is not fast but tells all his life story including his love affair and troubles with communist authorities. Most off all the film makes you grateful for living in market economy.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - THE NIGHT OF THE HOBBIT
AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG
THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES
Watchable. I had seen the first two installments before, obviously, so only the third part was new to me. It's a clear-cut series which is actually best seen all at one go. They are all in dark brownish tones due to co-operation with Guillermo del Toro who is not my style. Secondary to LOTR, it's similarly long and grandiose, while "Hobbit" was actually a book I first read in childhood so I'd prefer a lighter tone. The third part is the worst in the trilogy. Luckily the battle at least looks different than in LOTR. Still, I have some favourite scenes in all 3: the hedgehog and rabbits in the first one, the dragon in the second, the battle scenes in wintry scenery in the third. Plus the views of the Shire and its inhabitants.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB
Watchable. It's fun, with some witty bits (e.g. Girl: "So I'll see you on Saturday", Boy's Father: "No way!", Boy: "Way!" - it's my translation from Polish as the movie was dubbed) but a number of silly scenes (like all with the female guard) as well. The British Museum in the film becomes a cross of the namesake and of the Natural History Museum. Great CGIs.
I've got two open tickets to use up by the end of the year in a mainstream cinema. I was horrified when I went through the repertoire - most of the films which I haven't seen yet are about children! Eventually I selected two films which I'm going to see in far away cinemas: "Dumb and Dumber To" and "Der 7bte Zwerg" so these reviews are coming next.
Thursday 25 December 2014
BLACK BEAR FILMFEST
COFFEE, CAKE & SHORTS
NIEBIESKI POKOJ (BLUE ROOM)
Watchable. Weird animation. Some intriguing images but I couldn't grasp what it was about.
FRAGMENTY (FRAGMENTS)
Watchable. No real plot. Very well acted scenes of the world where only money matters and other values are secondary.
DOM OPIEKI
Watchable. It's funny to watch an elderly lady lighting her way with a figure of a saint. The horror of the situation is not clear. Without the synopsis in the festival guide I wouldn't know why she's running.
SIERPIEN
Watchable. Children can be sophisticatedly cruel. But it's too slow-paced to outrage.
WILQ NEGOCJATOR (WILQ NEGOTIATOR)
Recommended. Wickedly twisted. Specific humour and animation, the kind of "Jez Jerzy".
COFFEE, CAKE & SHORTS
NIEBIESKI POKOJ (BLUE ROOM)
Watchable. Weird animation. Some intriguing images but I couldn't grasp what it was about.
FRAGMENTY (FRAGMENTS)
Watchable. No real plot. Very well acted scenes of the world where only money matters and other values are secondary.
DOM OPIEKI
Watchable. It's funny to watch an elderly lady lighting her way with a figure of a saint. The horror of the situation is not clear. Without the synopsis in the festival guide I wouldn't know why she's running.
SIERPIEN
Watchable. Children can be sophisticatedly cruel. But it's too slow-paced to outrage.
WILQ NEGOCJATOR (WILQ NEGOTIATOR)
Recommended. Wickedly twisted. Specific humour and animation, the kind of "Jez Jerzy".
Sunday 14 December 2014
14TH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WATCH DOCS
BROTHER'S KEEPER
Watchable. Very slow and American way full of talking heads. What's interesting is the clash of city and village lifestyles and perceptions.
DZIECI DZWONIA (CHILDREN CALLING)
Watchable. Most calls are pranks so while I was curious to hear why children need psychological support on the phone, not much was serious.
WEB JUNKIE
Watchable. The cinema was full of addicts. A good film showing how to treat such an addiction. I guess I'd like it better if it had more science, not just scenes from the boot camp.
The most chilling was a comment from the audience. Apparently nowadays parents give a computer even to a 2-year-old in a cot so that the child plays with it and parents have the kid off for a couple of hours. It seems to be a norm even in Poland.
GRINGO TRAILS
Watchable. A behind-the-scenes look at tourism and its impact on communities. Shows different issues from various perspectives. Lacks a bite.
THE ENGINEER
Watchable. A bit of CSI, a bit of social psychology. The film however doesn't say much about how gans work in El Salvador. In the 1.5 hour long Q&A the Guatemalan director explained what was missing in the film. I'm looking forward to his upcoming exploration of the roots of violence in the region (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras).
CROP
Watchable. It's an account of how a president wished to be shown in the media. Some tricks are revealed, still it's about one politician only.
NATIONAL DIPLOMA
Watchable. Truth about getting the school ending certificate in black Africa (the Congo) - corruption, magic etc. Nothing new for an africanist, yet highlighting vital cultural differences. A reason why their qualifications shouldn't be accepted as equal to ours.
A QUIET INQUISITION
Watchable. The film proves that several abortions are needed in order to save women's lives. A bit too much talking about the doctors' dilemmas. The election-driven law implementation is menacing. It was powerful but could be more if presented more dramatically, without talking about each day of a victim's dying.
WERKA
Watchable. It's uplifting to see how a person can change, yet doesn't fully explain the motives. Why is it children that have become the woman's vocation?
SOLIDARNOSC WEDLUG KOBIET (SOLIDARITY ACCORDING TO WOMEN)
Recommended. Michael Moore-style insight into the change of the society - how gender inequality was perceived as normal and how women were manipulated out of power by their male co-unionists.
WHITEY: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. JAMES J. BULGER
Watchable but I considered walking out. Scary how corrupted FBI in Boston was. Unfortunately the reason why Bulger couln't be captured for 3 decades gets revealed too soon so the film lacks suspense. It's also full of talkative talking heads so you fall asleep, wake up and they're still talking about the same. Each character has a full chance of expressing him/herself even it's going to bore you to death.
BROTHER'S KEEPER
Watchable. Very slow and American way full of talking heads. What's interesting is the clash of city and village lifestyles and perceptions.
DZIECI DZWONIA (CHILDREN CALLING)
Watchable. Most calls are pranks so while I was curious to hear why children need psychological support on the phone, not much was serious.
WEB JUNKIE
Watchable. The cinema was full of addicts. A good film showing how to treat such an addiction. I guess I'd like it better if it had more science, not just scenes from the boot camp.
The most chilling was a comment from the audience. Apparently nowadays parents give a computer even to a 2-year-old in a cot so that the child plays with it and parents have the kid off for a couple of hours. It seems to be a norm even in Poland.
GRINGO TRAILS
Watchable. A behind-the-scenes look at tourism and its impact on communities. Shows different issues from various perspectives. Lacks a bite.
THE ENGINEER
Watchable. A bit of CSI, a bit of social psychology. The film however doesn't say much about how gans work in El Salvador. In the 1.5 hour long Q&A the Guatemalan director explained what was missing in the film. I'm looking forward to his upcoming exploration of the roots of violence in the region (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras).
CROP
Watchable. It's an account of how a president wished to be shown in the media. Some tricks are revealed, still it's about one politician only.
NATIONAL DIPLOMA
Watchable. Truth about getting the school ending certificate in black Africa (the Congo) - corruption, magic etc. Nothing new for an africanist, yet highlighting vital cultural differences. A reason why their qualifications shouldn't be accepted as equal to ours.
A QUIET INQUISITION
Watchable. The film proves that several abortions are needed in order to save women's lives. A bit too much talking about the doctors' dilemmas. The election-driven law implementation is menacing. It was powerful but could be more if presented more dramatically, without talking about each day of a victim's dying.
WERKA
Watchable. It's uplifting to see how a person can change, yet doesn't fully explain the motives. Why is it children that have become the woman's vocation?
SOLIDARNOSC WEDLUG KOBIET (SOLIDARITY ACCORDING TO WOMEN)
Recommended. Michael Moore-style insight into the change of the society - how gender inequality was perceived as normal and how women were manipulated out of power by their male co-unionists.
WHITEY: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. JAMES J. BULGER
Watchable but I considered walking out. Scary how corrupted FBI in Boston was. Unfortunately the reason why Bulger couln't be captured for 3 decades gets revealed too soon so the film lacks suspense. It's also full of talkative talking heads so you fall asleep, wake up and they're still talking about the same. Each character has a full chance of expressing him/herself even it's going to bore you to death.
Sunday 16 November 2014
BAI RI YAN HUO (BLACK COAL, THIN ICE)
Watchable. Methodically slowly revealing secrets, well made, yet somehow deprived of emotions. Painstakingly portraited Chinese lifestyle - smoking, alcohol, sexual harassment are the norm. Not a place I'd like to live in.
Before the film I saw a trailer of the latest "Hunger Games" installment. I had thought it would be the last. Yet "Mockingjay, Part 1" implies the makers have followed the "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" suit to cash in twice on one book. It worked with the other two enterprises though so so be it. I'm looking forward to the film anyway.
Watchable. Methodically slowly revealing secrets, well made, yet somehow deprived of emotions. Painstakingly portraited Chinese lifestyle - smoking, alcohol, sexual harassment are the norm. Not a place I'd like to live in.
Before the film I saw a trailer of the latest "Hunger Games" installment. I had thought it would be the last. Yet "Mockingjay, Part 1" implies the makers have followed the "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" suit to cash in twice on one book. It worked with the other two enterprises though so so be it. I'm looking forward to the film anyway.
Saturday 15 November 2014
SVECENIKOVA DJECA (THE PRIEST'S CHILDREN)
Watchable. Entertaining but not very funny. OK, the scene of following the teacher and the political commentary about the two lovers were amusing but the whole thing is a moral tale about the freedom to have or not to have children. Lovely views of a Croatian seaside town.
GUI RI ZI (SHADOW DAYS) - part of FIVE FLAVOURS 8. FILM FESTIVAL
Recommended. A harrowing story about how oppressive to women China is. The hardest-hitting are forced abortions but men's attitude to women is also scaringly chauvinistic.
Watchable. Entertaining but not very funny. OK, the scene of following the teacher and the political commentary about the two lovers were amusing but the whole thing is a moral tale about the freedom to have or not to have children. Lovely views of a Croatian seaside town.
GUI RI ZI (SHADOW DAYS) - part of FIVE FLAVOURS 8. FILM FESTIVAL
Recommended. A harrowing story about how oppressive to women China is. The hardest-hitting are forced abortions but men's attitude to women is also scaringly chauvinistic.
Thursday 13 November 2014
Sunday 9 November 2014
JESUS LIEBT MICH (JESUS LOVES ME)
Watchable. A warm movie about Jezus returning on Earth. With beautiful views of a lake and underwater takes. Unfortunately it's too crazy, as if the makers couldn't decide which genre it should be in.
QU'EST-CE QU'ON A FAIT AU BON DIEU (SERIAL (BAD) WEDDINGS)
Watchable. Funny - good lines e.g. "Regardez, qui est venu! La famille Benetton!" ("Look who's come! The Benetton family!) and situation humour e.g. a guy flicking an e-cigarette. A warm family movie. Still, I rarely laughed out loud.
Watchable. A warm movie about Jezus returning on Earth. With beautiful views of a lake and underwater takes. Unfortunately it's too crazy, as if the makers couldn't decide which genre it should be in.
QU'EST-CE QU'ON A FAIT AU BON DIEU (SERIAL (BAD) WEDDINGS)
Watchable. Funny - good lines e.g. "Regardez, qui est venu! La famille Benetton!" ("Look who's come! The Benetton family!) and situation humour e.g. a guy flicking an e-cigarette. A warm family movie. Still, I rarely laughed out loud.
Saturday 8 November 2014
PAULETTE
Watchable. Gently amusing, e.g. the racist granny serving tea and buiscits to the white cop only, even if not really laugh-out-loud funny. Quite uplifting though and something you can watch with your family.
WATCHERS OF THE SKY - part of WARSAW JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 2014
Recommended. The film shows that genocide can take place anywhere in the world and therefore should be prevented at all costs yet how hard it is to make politicians commit to the cause. It also tells a yarn about Tycho - an astronomer who watched the sky night in night for 25 years with no immediate use for the knowledge but saying that his job would one day save 25 years of work of someone who would know what to do with it. Later his tables where used for the man's first landing on the moon.
SICK FUCK PEOPLE - part of HUMAN DOC FESTIVAL 2014
Walked out. Everyday lives of lowlifes are hardly interesting.
Watchable. Gently amusing, e.g. the racist granny serving tea and buiscits to the white cop only, even if not really laugh-out-loud funny. Quite uplifting though and something you can watch with your family.
WATCHERS OF THE SKY - part of WARSAW JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 2014
Recommended. The film shows that genocide can take place anywhere in the world and therefore should be prevented at all costs yet how hard it is to make politicians commit to the cause. It also tells a yarn about Tycho - an astronomer who watched the sky night in night for 25 years with no immediate use for the knowledge but saying that his job would one day save 25 years of work of someone who would know what to do with it. Later his tables where used for the man's first landing on the moon.
SICK FUCK PEOPLE - part of HUMAN DOC FESTIVAL 2014
Walked out. Everyday lives of lowlifes are hardly interesting.
Friday 7 November 2014
KICK
Watchable. After months of waiting for the release I got an invitation to the first night screening. What a treat! I had lots of fun before, after but also during the movie. Still, I've seen better Bollywood. The humour in "Kick" is entertaining but doesn't make you laugh. The main character is silly rather than manly. I don't understand why there's a red double-decker bus saying "King's Cross" in Warsaw. Lots of action gives the movie a good pace though. And the music rocks!
Watchable. After months of waiting for the release I got an invitation to the first night screening. What a treat! I had lots of fun before, after but also during the movie. Still, I've seen better Bollywood. The humour in "Kick" is entertaining but doesn't make you laugh. The main character is silly rather than manly. I don't understand why there's a red double-decker bus saying "King's Cross" in Warsaw. Lots of action gives the movie a good pace though. And the music rocks!
Wednesday 5 November 2014
SINISTER (2012) - PART OF A HALLOWEEN MARATHON
Walked out. A jumble of run-down horror motifs and dumb police.
DZIEN DOBRY, KOCHAM CIE!
Recommended. Really light and funny. Lots of situation humour. With an endearing character similar to the flatmate from "Notting Hill". No deep concerns. Just a perfect, relaxing night out.
Walked out. A jumble of run-down horror motifs and dumb police.
DZIEN DOBRY, KOCHAM CIE!
Recommended. Really light and funny. Lots of situation humour. With an endearing character similar to the flatmate from "Notting Hill". No deep concerns. Just a perfect, relaxing night out.
Monday 27 October 2014
A NAGY FUZET (THE NOTEBOOK)
Watchable. An Oscar contender?! All characters are so masochistic and sadistic at the same time that only morbid curiosity keeps you glued to the screen. Deep it's not.
JIMMY'S HALL
Watchable. Seemingly a casual story of a local folk club, it's a much more involving story about how the clergy was able to ruin people's lives - in Ireland a hundred years ago, or is it?
Watchable. An Oscar contender?! All characters are so masochistic and sadistic at the same time that only morbid curiosity keeps you glued to the screen. Deep it's not.
JIMMY'S HALL
Watchable. Seemingly a casual story of a local folk club, it's a much more involving story about how the clergy was able to ruin people's lives - in Ireland a hundred years ago, or is it?
Sunday 26 October 2014
As I have a massive backlog in blogging, I'm (for the first time and exceptionally) posting a draft covering 51 movies I saw (or walked out from) in the last two months. All the titles are there, some reviews are missing yet.
MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Watchable. I liked 3 of numerous jokes: "I must say you're a lovely little scoundrel", "I don't understand it: I put the whole engine apart, I put it back in and I still have these two little pieces." and the proposal (you just have to hear it with your own ears). Other than that it's typical Woody Allen: clever, ironic and sceptical - feels repetitive after so many of his movies.
THE GIVER
Watchable. A cross between "The Island", "Divergent" and "The Brave New World". Unfortunately not too clever, e.g. the protagonist escapes in one set of clothes and then passes through various climate zones each in a different outfit. But, as usual in science fiction, it's fun to watch the created world.
DARK STAR
Walked out. Cameron's first film is an attempt at slapstick in the outer space. And the props look really fake.
PI
Watchable. Even though not that revelatory after several years, Clint Mansell's music and the well-structured plot maintain a rhythm that stays with you.
HOTEL
Recommended. It's not easy to talk about traumatic issues and this film does it amazingly well. It's about coping with situations that overwhelm us.
COMPUTER CHESS
Walked out. It's full of geeks having their nerdy conversations.
KOMISARZ PUK I BROJLERY NIEUPRZEJMOSCI
Walked out. It's too stupid and absurd to be funny.
A MOST WANTED MAN
Recommended. Slowly and gently do you get entangled in a spy plot. Two terror suspects, two security agencies. Who's there to trust? A subtle rendition. A curiosity - Herbert Groenemeyer has a minor role.
OMAR
Recommended. Another excellent spy movie. A different country, another muslim enemy. The story's full of twists and turns. You never know who to trust.
MISSION SPUTNIK
Watchable. Silly, for children but quite heart-warming.
SERCE LWA
Watchable. Too PC. But the characters are lively and the male lead hot.
SIN CITY A DAME TO KILL FOR
Recommended. Visually stunning, the few 3D effects are superb. Two mesmerising stories.
BLUE RUIN
Walked out. Slow, with few words but with an early kill instead. I didn't wait for the obligatory final slaughter.
LES VACANCES DU PETIT NICOLAS
Recommended. Laugh-out-loud funny, very well acted, for all ages, with serious subtones made hilarious.
MALE STLUCZKI
Walked out. People boring, mundane and lacking sense in interiors I wouldn't like to visit acting in a way which would put me off such weirdos in real life too.
KAZE TACHINU (THE WIND RISES)
Recommended. An involving story of love, duty, career where animation doesn't distract you from the story.
NOAH
Watchable. The transformer-like fallen angels are off-putting and the story too children-oriented. But it's still Aronofsky with his ability to make you emotional. It's also a proof he's capable of making a blockbuster as much as he is of more intimate films.
WISH I WAS HERE
Walked out. It's about Jews, dying of cancer, children's schooling and having a weirdo in the family. If none of these issues concern you, neither will the film.
WHAT IF
Walked out. Friends, a couple and a would-be couple talking about physiology all the time.
L'ENLEVEMENT DE MICHEL HOUELLEBECQ (THE KIDNAPPING OF MICHEL HOUELLEBECQ)
Walked out. If you ever kidnap anyone, give them a book to read. Otherwise they're going to bore you with philosophical discussions.
JE FAIS LE MORT
Watchable. Moderately funny, partly predictable, partly surprising.
MAGYAR RAPSZODIA
Walked out. No plot. Pure chauvinism. Fully dressed soldiers and a naked woman. Disgusting.
THE MAZE RUNNER
Recommended. A story like no other, full of mystery and puzzles, with an intriguing ending.
BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP
Watchable. Psychologically absurd but with good suspense.
MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Watchable. "You only live once. Or two or three times, depending on your supply of ectoplasm.", "I don't understand it: I put the whole engine apart, I put it back in and I still have these two little pieces." and the proposal were most funny for me this time. I enjoyed it about the same as the first time.
SOUS LES JUPES DES FILLES (FRENCH WOMEN)
Watchable. "I'm not a nanny!" "You're their father!"
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT
Watchable. Fun on the whole but the jokes themselves weren't very amusing.
WELCOME TO NEW YORK
Watchable. It's not as much a crime case as it is a study of sex addiction. Quite realistic which is both good and bad for the movie. Becomes too philosophical towards the end. Starts with sex.
STAR WARS REBELS
Watchable. Very good animation. The story's fun too. It just took me too long to work out who was who and doing what.
RELATOS SALVAJES (WILD TALES)
Watchable. Six stories about people driven round the bend and losing it. Some are so ridiculous that they make you laugh, some are tongue-in-cheek (my fave is the explosion engineer's). Great acting throughout. Produced but not scripted or directed by Almodovar.
GEOGRAF GLOBUS PROPIL (THE GEOGRAPHER DRANK HIS GLOBE AWAY)
Walked out. It's about people wasting their lives, drinking, unruly teenagers at school, dysfunctional relationships.
GERONTOPHILIA
Watchable. Very tasteful taken the normally-disgusting subject, with a hot male lead (the young one, I mean), great music.
I only hope the film is not going to make old pricks pester young women even more than they do already.
LA STRADA
Recommended. Once upon a time a long time ago Italy was poor, people sexist without even knowing it, life simpler and final credits limited to the word "Il fine".
DIE VAMPIRSCHWESTERN (VAMPIER SISTERS)
Watchable. An interesting family movie about a mixed vampire-human family. Inspired by "Twilight" heavily and "Harry Potter" a little bit (mail comes in the form of a bat). Low-end humour and lousy CGIs.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON -THE NIGHT OF FINCHER
I skipped "The Social Network" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" as I had found them just watchable before and the remaining two films were long enough:
GONE GIRL
Watchable. The start is boringly slow and the ending over the top, especially the bloody part. But the portrayal of a psychopath and the complex detective story full of twists and turns are superb. Somebody taking care of a cat surely is a good person. Or is he?
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Recommended again. "You're going to deal with thieves, misers, bullies - my family." or "I'm reading your notes." "They're encrypted." "Please." and "May I kill him?"
ZORAN, IL MIO NIPOTE SCEMO (ZORAN, MY NEPHEW THE IDIOT)
"E quante volte ti ho aiutato io?" "Mai."
MOMMY
Watchable. The story of a depraved mother who gets her unruly teenage son sectioned is involving action-wise, in spite of the running time of 140 minutes, but doesn't really evoke emotions.
FILTH
Watchable. "Trainspotting" it is not. Well, drugs are still there, good actors too (James McAvoy this time) but there's too much about crime-ridden police and about gays and the evil-to-the-core protagonist is attractive but the subject feels so run-of-the-mill years on.
THE DROP
Walked out. Left the cinema before my IQ lowered. Each and every character in the film is a moron - just listen to their dialogues. It's also protracted and deprived of emotions.
THE JUDGE
Recommended. Was it released in autumn on purpose? Because Robert Downey Jr. as a full-time cynic this time seems to be fighting for an Oscar. A gripping courtroom drama intertwined with a moving family story.
ADWOKAT W ROLI GLOWNEJ (ADVOCATE IN THE LEADING ROLE)
I skipped Kieslowski's "The short story of killing" as I'd seen it before and it's not the type of film I'd fancy watching again so I saw the remaining five:
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (1991)
Watchable. An involving story slightly marred by the pointless narration of the comatose wife.
THE LINCOLN LAWYER (2011)
Recommended.
12 ANGRY MEN
Recommended.
LINCZ
Watchable.
ANATOMY OF A MURDER
Watchable.
VI AR BAST! (WE ARE THE BEST!)
Watchable.
10,000 DAYS ON EARTH
Walked out. An ugly, washed-out, obscure musician drones on about his life. Mine is luckily far more interesting.
FURY
Walked out. Mindless bullies in war.
THE GUEST
Recommended. Fun. What "Scream" did with the horror/slasher, this movie does with thriller/slashers. It has both suspense and intelligent humour (look how he defends the school boy in the principal's office) and the leading Dan Stevens is such hot. The film is so suggestive that spillt popcorn looked to me like bullet shells.
MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Watchable. I liked 3 of numerous jokes: "I must say you're a lovely little scoundrel", "I don't understand it: I put the whole engine apart, I put it back in and I still have these two little pieces." and the proposal (you just have to hear it with your own ears). Other than that it's typical Woody Allen: clever, ironic and sceptical - feels repetitive after so many of his movies.
THE GIVER
Watchable. A cross between "The Island", "Divergent" and "The Brave New World". Unfortunately not too clever, e.g. the protagonist escapes in one set of clothes and then passes through various climate zones each in a different outfit. But, as usual in science fiction, it's fun to watch the created world.
DARK STAR
Walked out. Cameron's first film is an attempt at slapstick in the outer space. And the props look really fake.
PI
Watchable. Even though not that revelatory after several years, Clint Mansell's music and the well-structured plot maintain a rhythm that stays with you.
HOTEL
Recommended. It's not easy to talk about traumatic issues and this film does it amazingly well. It's about coping with situations that overwhelm us.
COMPUTER CHESS
Walked out. It's full of geeks having their nerdy conversations.
KOMISARZ PUK I BROJLERY NIEUPRZEJMOSCI
Walked out. It's too stupid and absurd to be funny.
A MOST WANTED MAN
Recommended. Slowly and gently do you get entangled in a spy plot. Two terror suspects, two security agencies. Who's there to trust? A subtle rendition. A curiosity - Herbert Groenemeyer has a minor role.
OMAR
Recommended. Another excellent spy movie. A different country, another muslim enemy. The story's full of twists and turns. You never know who to trust.
MISSION SPUTNIK
Watchable. Silly, for children but quite heart-warming.
SERCE LWA
Watchable. Too PC. But the characters are lively and the male lead hot.
SIN CITY A DAME TO KILL FOR
Recommended. Visually stunning, the few 3D effects are superb. Two mesmerising stories.
BLUE RUIN
Walked out. Slow, with few words but with an early kill instead. I didn't wait for the obligatory final slaughter.
LES VACANCES DU PETIT NICOLAS
Recommended. Laugh-out-loud funny, very well acted, for all ages, with serious subtones made hilarious.
MALE STLUCZKI
Walked out. People boring, mundane and lacking sense in interiors I wouldn't like to visit acting in a way which would put me off such weirdos in real life too.
KAZE TACHINU (THE WIND RISES)
Recommended. An involving story of love, duty, career where animation doesn't distract you from the story.
NOAH
Watchable. The transformer-like fallen angels are off-putting and the story too children-oriented. But it's still Aronofsky with his ability to make you emotional. It's also a proof he's capable of making a blockbuster as much as he is of more intimate films.
WISH I WAS HERE
Walked out. It's about Jews, dying of cancer, children's schooling and having a weirdo in the family. If none of these issues concern you, neither will the film.
WHAT IF
Walked out. Friends, a couple and a would-be couple talking about physiology all the time.
L'ENLEVEMENT DE MICHEL HOUELLEBECQ (THE KIDNAPPING OF MICHEL HOUELLEBECQ)
Walked out. If you ever kidnap anyone, give them a book to read. Otherwise they're going to bore you with philosophical discussions.
JE FAIS LE MORT
Watchable. Moderately funny, partly predictable, partly surprising.
MAGYAR RAPSZODIA
Walked out. No plot. Pure chauvinism. Fully dressed soldiers and a naked woman. Disgusting.
THE MAZE RUNNER
Recommended. A story like no other, full of mystery and puzzles, with an intriguing ending.
BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP
Watchable. Psychologically absurd but with good suspense.
MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Watchable. "You only live once. Or two or three times, depending on your supply of ectoplasm.", "I don't understand it: I put the whole engine apart, I put it back in and I still have these two little pieces." and the proposal were most funny for me this time. I enjoyed it about the same as the first time.
SOUS LES JUPES DES FILLES (FRENCH WOMEN)
Watchable. "I'm not a nanny!" "You're their father!"
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT
Watchable. Fun on the whole but the jokes themselves weren't very amusing.
WELCOME TO NEW YORK
Watchable. It's not as much a crime case as it is a study of sex addiction. Quite realistic which is both good and bad for the movie. Becomes too philosophical towards the end. Starts with sex.
STAR WARS REBELS
Watchable. Very good animation. The story's fun too. It just took me too long to work out who was who and doing what.
RELATOS SALVAJES (WILD TALES)
Watchable. Six stories about people driven round the bend and losing it. Some are so ridiculous that they make you laugh, some are tongue-in-cheek (my fave is the explosion engineer's). Great acting throughout. Produced but not scripted or directed by Almodovar.
GEOGRAF GLOBUS PROPIL (THE GEOGRAPHER DRANK HIS GLOBE AWAY)
Walked out. It's about people wasting their lives, drinking, unruly teenagers at school, dysfunctional relationships.
GERONTOPHILIA
Watchable. Very tasteful taken the normally-disgusting subject, with a hot male lead (the young one, I mean), great music.
I only hope the film is not going to make old pricks pester young women even more than they do already.
LA STRADA
Recommended. Once upon a time a long time ago Italy was poor, people sexist without even knowing it, life simpler and final credits limited to the word "Il fine".
DIE VAMPIRSCHWESTERN (VAMPIER SISTERS)
Watchable. An interesting family movie about a mixed vampire-human family. Inspired by "Twilight" heavily and "Harry Potter" a little bit (mail comes in the form of a bat). Low-end humour and lousy CGIs.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON -THE NIGHT OF FINCHER
I skipped "The Social Network" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" as I had found them just watchable before and the remaining two films were long enough:
GONE GIRL
Watchable. The start is boringly slow and the ending over the top, especially the bloody part. But the portrayal of a psychopath and the complex detective story full of twists and turns are superb. Somebody taking care of a cat surely is a good person. Or is he?
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Recommended again. "You're going to deal with thieves, misers, bullies - my family." or "I'm reading your notes." "They're encrypted." "Please." and "May I kill him?"
ZORAN, IL MIO NIPOTE SCEMO (ZORAN, MY NEPHEW THE IDIOT)
"E quante volte ti ho aiutato io?" "Mai."
MOMMY
Watchable. The story of a depraved mother who gets her unruly teenage son sectioned is involving action-wise, in spite of the running time of 140 minutes, but doesn't really evoke emotions.
FILTH
Watchable. "Trainspotting" it is not. Well, drugs are still there, good actors too (James McAvoy this time) but there's too much about crime-ridden police and about gays and the evil-to-the-core protagonist is attractive but the subject feels so run-of-the-mill years on.
THE DROP
Walked out. Left the cinema before my IQ lowered. Each and every character in the film is a moron - just listen to their dialogues. It's also protracted and deprived of emotions.
THE JUDGE
Recommended. Was it released in autumn on purpose? Because Robert Downey Jr. as a full-time cynic this time seems to be fighting for an Oscar. A gripping courtroom drama intertwined with a moving family story.
ADWOKAT W ROLI GLOWNEJ (ADVOCATE IN THE LEADING ROLE)
I skipped Kieslowski's "The short story of killing" as I'd seen it before and it's not the type of film I'd fancy watching again so I saw the remaining five:
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (1991)
Watchable. An involving story slightly marred by the pointless narration of the comatose wife.
THE LINCOLN LAWYER (2011)
Recommended.
12 ANGRY MEN
Recommended.
LINCZ
Watchable.
ANATOMY OF A MURDER
Watchable.
VI AR BAST! (WE ARE THE BEST!)
Watchable.
10,000 DAYS ON EARTH
Walked out. An ugly, washed-out, obscure musician drones on about his life. Mine is luckily far more interesting.
FURY
Walked out. Mindless bullies in war.
THE GUEST
Recommended. Fun. What "Scream" did with the horror/slasher, this movie does with thriller/slashers. It has both suspense and intelligent humour (look how he defends the school boy in the principal's office) and the leading Dan Stevens is such hot. The film is so suggestive that spillt popcorn looked to me like bullet shells.
Tuesday 19 August 2014
Thursday 14 August 2014
ENEMY
Watchable. It's not very comprehensible. From the beginning till the lookalikes' first contact it was hard to understand what was going on. As the story develops, it gets better and better. Architecture makes impression. I haven't read the book by Jose Saramago but it's said that the movie is flat in comparison to the book which makes for a great book recommendation.
Watchable. It's not very comprehensible. From the beginning till the lookalikes' first contact it was hard to understand what was going on. As the story develops, it gets better and better. Architecture makes impression. I haven't read the book by Jose Saramago but it's said that the movie is flat in comparison to the book which makes for a great book recommendation.
Wednesday 13 August 2014
LUCY
Watchable. Standard action and fiction fare with a hot kickass lady in a skimp dress. Based on the false premises that we use only 10% of our cerebral capacity, scientifically it's rubbish and nonsense. Lots of inconsistencies within the plot. The makers of the movie must have used less than the usual 100% capacity of their brains indeed.
Watchable. Standard action and fiction fare with a hot kickass lady in a skimp dress. Based on the false premises that we use only 10% of our cerebral capacity, scientifically it's rubbish and nonsense. Lots of inconsistencies within the plot. The makers of the movie must have used less than the usual 100% capacity of their brains indeed.
Monday 11 August 2014
Sunday 10 August 2014
BANK LADY
Watchable. Involving and psychologically credible, with good suspense but it lacked something - I think the acting was too mundane, with little showmanship.
MISS KICKI
Watchable. I was curious of Taiwan and the ambiguous relationship of the two boys. The character of the mother didn't keep me glued to the screen. The pace of the film was too slow for me as well.
LE GRAND BLEU (THE BIG BLUE) - DIRECTOR'S CUT
Recommended. Probably the same version I saw in childhood as the ending and music score were changed for the US market only. A cult movie whose love of depths brought on a whole generation of divers. The film is perfect in all ways.
SABOTAGE
Watchable. Beautiful views of a bridge with forested isles in the background. Elderly Arnold Schwarzenegger and fat Sam Worthington. Standard action plot, low-end humour.
BOBRY
Watchable. Wooden acting. Good script. Crime in the afterlife is the best description. It's also the best idea in the plot. Humour exists but, due to poor acting, is not as prominent as it should. My fave bits were: "Myślelismy, ze wino mu nie wszedło" ("We thought the wine didn't went down with him"), "Gwiazdy tańczą po lodzie" (a pun meaning either: "Celebrity Dancing On Ice" or "Celebrity Dancing After A Blow Job"), "Szalet damsko-męski U Damiana" ("Male-female Toilet At Damian's") and on a store: "Artykuły monopolowe, budowlane, AGD i inne" ("Off-licence, building, household and other products"), the hanging and the final scene.
THE EVIL DEAD (1981)
Watchable if you want to compare the versions. Trashy though a bit less trashy than the new one. A cross between "The Exorcist" and "Psycho" - demons run with daggers.
Screening open-air leads to funny effects, e.g. the protagonists hear a noise from the cellar. One of them dismisses it as "It must be some animal.". They go into the cellar, search it in silence for a few minutes and then... a dog in the audience barks.
Watchable. Involving and psychologically credible, with good suspense but it lacked something - I think the acting was too mundane, with little showmanship.
MISS KICKI
Watchable. I was curious of Taiwan and the ambiguous relationship of the two boys. The character of the mother didn't keep me glued to the screen. The pace of the film was too slow for me as well.
LE GRAND BLEU (THE BIG BLUE) - DIRECTOR'S CUT
Recommended. Probably the same version I saw in childhood as the ending and music score were changed for the US market only. A cult movie whose love of depths brought on a whole generation of divers. The film is perfect in all ways.
SABOTAGE
Watchable. Beautiful views of a bridge with forested isles in the background. Elderly Arnold Schwarzenegger and fat Sam Worthington. Standard action plot, low-end humour.
BOBRY
Watchable. Wooden acting. Good script. Crime in the afterlife is the best description. It's also the best idea in the plot. Humour exists but, due to poor acting, is not as prominent as it should. My fave bits were: "Myślelismy, ze wino mu nie wszedło" ("We thought the wine didn't went down with him"), "Gwiazdy tańczą po lodzie" (a pun meaning either: "Celebrity Dancing On Ice" or "Celebrity Dancing After A Blow Job"), "Szalet damsko-męski U Damiana" ("Male-female Toilet At Damian's") and on a store: "Artykuły monopolowe, budowlane, AGD i inne" ("Off-licence, building, household and other products"), the hanging and the final scene.
THE EVIL DEAD (1981)
Watchable if you want to compare the versions. Trashy though a bit less trashy than the new one. A cross between "The Exorcist" and "Psycho" - demons run with daggers.
Screening open-air leads to funny effects, e.g. the protagonists hear a noise from the cellar. One of them dismisses it as "It must be some animal.". They go into the cellar, search it in silence for a few minutes and then... a dog in the audience barks.
Sunday 27 July 2014
TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM
Recommended. Beautiful, beautiful voices, curiosities (did you know that the backup singers who had worked, among others, with Whitney Houston, made flying animals voices for "Avatar"?) and touching stories about how some people become stars and others, though even more talented, never make it. A well deserved Oscar.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
Watchable. Very good 3D, an involving story with a twisted ending. Only the You-know-who inspired noseless, here additionally red, face of the villain is too tacky.
Recommended. Beautiful, beautiful voices, curiosities (did you know that the backup singers who had worked, among others, with Whitney Houston, made flying animals voices for "Avatar"?) and touching stories about how some people become stars and others, though even more talented, never make it. A well deserved Oscar.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
Watchable. Very good 3D, an involving story with a twisted ending. Only the You-know-who inspired noseless, here additionally red, face of the villain is too tacky.
Monday 21 July 2014
IL ROSSO E IL BLU
Watchable. An ordinary school drama with a funny character of an extravagant elderly teacher. Watch him throwing books out the window ("That old crazy prick again!").
SONG FROM THE FOREST
Watchable. Being an africanist I was curious to see how an American got into the Balaka culture. I liked the typically African ethnic music but it's a typically American documentary full of talking heads which leaves the topic of intercultural relations underexplored.
AMBASSADA
Recommended. It has everything I love in science fiction the most: time travel creating an ingenious alternative reality. It's also funny and very uplifting for the Polish folk ("Don't tell me we border China!"). All the fun lasted for me till after the movie. A handful of us stayed till the end of the credits which was close to midnight and finally someone remarked: "We'd better leave. We don't know what was here before the war."
BEGIN AGAIN
Watchable. Interesting relationships of all dimensions but the music is lousy and it's about musicians.
KERTU
Watchable. It's weird and disturbing which can be either a plus or a minus but the story feels forced either way.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - THE 17-MINUTE IMAX TRAILER
Watchable. Silly storyline. Interesting characters, e.g. an animal-looking guy who doesn't consider himself an animal, a green woman otherwise resembling Angelina Jolie, a LOTR-inspired walking tree.
DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
Watchable. Interesting, moving but with too much fighting (a proper war).
SUPERCONDRIAQUE
Watchable. While not wholly hilarious, I did laugh out loud a number of times, e.g. seeing him with a befriended rat on his shoulder. It also conceals a second story after a twist of action which doesn't get revealed in the trailer.
BLOOD TIES
Walked out. Life after leaving prison appears to be boring. Better to stay in. Also, aging Clive Owen having an affair with young and beautiful Mila Kunis?! Hardly plausible.
UNDERBAR OCH ALSKAD AV ALLA (WONDERFUL AND LOVED BY ALL)
Walked out. The comedy is not funny and it's about theatre which isn't my cup of tea anyway.
THE PURGE: ANARCHY
Watchable. Gripping social fiction. But in real life if one night a year you could commit any crime you liked, would there be so many murders? I believe robberies and sexual offences to be more likely.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON: THE STEP UP NIGHT
STEP UP 2: THE STREETS
STEP UP 3D
Watchable. Fun to watch, great dancing, silly storylines, lots of hip-hop.
STEP UP REVOLUTION 3D
Recommended. It just blew me away. Amazing plot, music including my fave techno, mind-blowing choreography.
STEP UP: ALL IN 3D
Recommended. Music and choreography like above. Lots of good fun. Alexa's attire drawing on "Hunger Games" costumes.
Watchable. An ordinary school drama with a funny character of an extravagant elderly teacher. Watch him throwing books out the window ("That old crazy prick again!").
SONG FROM THE FOREST
Watchable. Being an africanist I was curious to see how an American got into the Balaka culture. I liked the typically African ethnic music but it's a typically American documentary full of talking heads which leaves the topic of intercultural relations underexplored.
AMBASSADA
Recommended. It has everything I love in science fiction the most: time travel creating an ingenious alternative reality. It's also funny and very uplifting for the Polish folk ("Don't tell me we border China!"). All the fun lasted for me till after the movie. A handful of us stayed till the end of the credits which was close to midnight and finally someone remarked: "We'd better leave. We don't know what was here before the war."
BEGIN AGAIN
Watchable. Interesting relationships of all dimensions but the music is lousy and it's about musicians.
KERTU
Watchable. It's weird and disturbing which can be either a plus or a minus but the story feels forced either way.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - THE 17-MINUTE IMAX TRAILER
Watchable. Silly storyline. Interesting characters, e.g. an animal-looking guy who doesn't consider himself an animal, a green woman otherwise resembling Angelina Jolie, a LOTR-inspired walking tree.
DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
Watchable. Interesting, moving but with too much fighting (a proper war).
SUPERCONDRIAQUE
Watchable. While not wholly hilarious, I did laugh out loud a number of times, e.g. seeing him with a befriended rat on his shoulder. It also conceals a second story after a twist of action which doesn't get revealed in the trailer.
BLOOD TIES
Walked out. Life after leaving prison appears to be boring. Better to stay in. Also, aging Clive Owen having an affair with young and beautiful Mila Kunis?! Hardly plausible.
UNDERBAR OCH ALSKAD AV ALLA (WONDERFUL AND LOVED BY ALL)
Walked out. The comedy is not funny and it's about theatre which isn't my cup of tea anyway.
THE PURGE: ANARCHY
Watchable. Gripping social fiction. But in real life if one night a year you could commit any crime you liked, would there be so many murders? I believe robberies and sexual offences to be more likely.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON: THE STEP UP NIGHT
STEP UP 2: THE STREETS
STEP UP 3D
Watchable. Fun to watch, great dancing, silly storylines, lots of hip-hop.
STEP UP REVOLUTION 3D
Recommended. It just blew me away. Amazing plot, music including my fave techno, mind-blowing choreography.
STEP UP: ALL IN 3D
Recommended. Music and choreography like above. Lots of good fun. Alexa's attire drawing on "Hunger Games" costumes.
Monday 30 June 2014
Monday 23 June 2014
Thursday 19 June 2014
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2
Watchable. The film shows how reaction times vary between generations. For me the first half an hour is at the gamers' speed. Then it slows down a little bit and you can appreciate the occasional humour, e.g. the threat: "The boat is flammable, we're in the ocean. How's your swimming?" "Very poor." The middle part is an "Avatar" rip-off and towards the end it heavily draws on "LOTR". The best thing though is that it's full of love for animals. Kids should see it for educational purposes.
Watchable. The film shows how reaction times vary between generations. For me the first half an hour is at the gamers' speed. Then it slows down a little bit and you can appreciate the occasional humour, e.g. the threat: "The boat is flammable, we're in the ocean. How's your swimming?" "Very poor." The middle part is an "Avatar" rip-off and towards the end it heavily draws on "LOTR". The best thing though is that it's full of love for animals. Kids should see it for educational purposes.
Sunday 15 June 2014
GRACE OF MONACO
Watchable. An inspiring story told in a cheesy and dull way.
CHENNAI EXPRESS
Watchable. A comedy which is funny but silly.
GOLIYON KI RAASLEELA RAM-LEELA
Watchable. First I went through the ludicrous film to see Priyanka Chopra and then I continued to see the non-standard ending.
HUNDRAARINGEN SOM KLEV UT GENOM FONSTRET OCH FORSVANN (THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED)
Watchable. Slow and painfully boring with a handful of funny scenes in between. I liked the one with a hammer on a construction site best. But most of the story is like Forrest Gump in a dark comedy way.
JASKOLKA
Walked out. Why would anyone sit watching some degenerate weirdoes?
NIGHT FILM MARATHON: THE X-MEN NIGHT
X-MEN 2
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
THE WOLVERINE (2013)
X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
Watchable. Seen for the umpteenth time all earlier parts were still fun you didn't want to sleep through even if a little tacky. The new Bryan Singer film brings nothing you haven't seen in the cinema before, yet delightfully mocks some good oldies - the spoofs of "Terminator" and "Inception" are just disarming.
The trailer at the end of the latest instalment shows a cult in ancient Egypt. I wonder what that is going to be...
FADING GIGOLO
Watchable. Fading Woody Allen lacks energy but some lines were funny, e.g. "Have you got any children?" "Six. I wanted to have more but I took a while to get pregnant."
BELLE ET SEBASTIEN
Recommended. A beautiful fairy-tale-like story about the love of nature, animals and fellow humans.
LA VENUS A LA FOURRURE
Recommended. Two actors completely steal the show. You become engulfed in the ambiguities of their relation.
YVES SAINT LAURENT
Watchable. An interesting personality. Sadly, the film covers only a short excerpt of his life skipping both his growing up and upbringing and his death, we only see him young and successful. The French, as usual, focus on sex life.
POSTMAN PAT: THE MOVIE - YOU KNOW YOU'RE THE ONE
Recommended. An endearing tale of a nice neighbourly chap and a crazed corporate psycho with lots of hints at pop culture. The cat is cute.
THE NIGHT OF CINEMA
WALESA. CZLOWIEK Z NADZIEI (WALESA. MAN OF HOPE)
Recommended. Accurately and convincingly recreated communist-time reality togehter with suspense worthy of a crime story. Walesa is portrayed as a people's man, fearless, active, with lots of common man's common sense.
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE
Recommended. A masterpiece in a league of its own. The storyline is unique, the acting superb. The costumes play with the bowler hat gentlemanly stereotype. And movie psychos rarely get as good as Alex.
The comparison of Poland and the UK of the 70s in the above movies leads to two conclusions: In those dark ages smoking was ubiquitous Europe-wise. The differences in the working class standard of living were drastic.
LAST VEGAS
Watchable. Not really funny but truly warm and light-hearted, showing there is life on retirement. All grumpy old people should see it.
WARSZAWA 1935
Watchable. Most of the film is too dark for already-darkening 3D glasses. Otherwise it's an interesting recreation of my home city at times when it was different beyond recognition.
Watchable. An inspiring story told in a cheesy and dull way.
CHENNAI EXPRESS
Watchable. A comedy which is funny but silly.
GOLIYON KI RAASLEELA RAM-LEELA
Watchable. First I went through the ludicrous film to see Priyanka Chopra and then I continued to see the non-standard ending.
HUNDRAARINGEN SOM KLEV UT GENOM FONSTRET OCH FORSVANN (THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED)
Watchable. Slow and painfully boring with a handful of funny scenes in between. I liked the one with a hammer on a construction site best. But most of the story is like Forrest Gump in a dark comedy way.
JASKOLKA
Walked out. Why would anyone sit watching some degenerate weirdoes?
NIGHT FILM MARATHON: THE X-MEN NIGHT
X-MEN 2
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
THE WOLVERINE (2013)
X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
Watchable. Seen for the umpteenth time all earlier parts were still fun you didn't want to sleep through even if a little tacky. The new Bryan Singer film brings nothing you haven't seen in the cinema before, yet delightfully mocks some good oldies - the spoofs of "Terminator" and "Inception" are just disarming.
The trailer at the end of the latest instalment shows a cult in ancient Egypt. I wonder what that is going to be...
FADING GIGOLO
Watchable. Fading Woody Allen lacks energy but some lines were funny, e.g. "Have you got any children?" "Six. I wanted to have more but I took a while to get pregnant."
BELLE ET SEBASTIEN
Recommended. A beautiful fairy-tale-like story about the love of nature, animals and fellow humans.
LA VENUS A LA FOURRURE
Recommended. Two actors completely steal the show. You become engulfed in the ambiguities of their relation.
YVES SAINT LAURENT
Watchable. An interesting personality. Sadly, the film covers only a short excerpt of his life skipping both his growing up and upbringing and his death, we only see him young and successful. The French, as usual, focus on sex life.
POSTMAN PAT: THE MOVIE - YOU KNOW YOU'RE THE ONE
Recommended. An endearing tale of a nice neighbourly chap and a crazed corporate psycho with lots of hints at pop culture. The cat is cute.
THE NIGHT OF CINEMA
WALESA. CZLOWIEK Z NADZIEI (WALESA. MAN OF HOPE)
Recommended. Accurately and convincingly recreated communist-time reality togehter with suspense worthy of a crime story. Walesa is portrayed as a people's man, fearless, active, with lots of common man's common sense.
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE
Recommended. A masterpiece in a league of its own. The storyline is unique, the acting superb. The costumes play with the bowler hat gentlemanly stereotype. And movie psychos rarely get as good as Alex.
The comparison of Poland and the UK of the 70s in the above movies leads to two conclusions: In those dark ages smoking was ubiquitous Europe-wise. The differences in the working class standard of living were drastic.
LAST VEGAS
Watchable. Not really funny but truly warm and light-hearted, showing there is life on retirement. All grumpy old people should see it.
WARSZAWA 1935
Watchable. Most of the film is too dark for already-darkening 3D glasses. Otherwise it's an interesting recreation of my home city at times when it was different beyond recognition.
Tuesday 13 May 2014
GODZILLA
Recommended. Original Gojira movies climate with state-of-art CGIs. A nice surprise was that it actually has a plot. Some scenes are reminiscent of famous disasters like the nuclear leak in Fukushima or the tsunami of a few years ago. There are also symbolic scenes like the view of a Chinatown gate with dragons in the foreground while the monsters fight in the background and at least one iconic scene which you'll have to see for yourself.
Recommended. Original Gojira movies climate with state-of-art CGIs. A nice surprise was that it actually has a plot. Some scenes are reminiscent of famous disasters like the nuclear leak in Fukushima or the tsunami of a few years ago. There are also symbolic scenes like the view of a Chinatown gate with dragons in the foreground while the monsters fight in the background and at least one iconic scene which you'll have to see for yourself.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - PSYCHONIGHT
TRANSCENDENCE
Watchable. The film is unequal. The beginning and ending are boring - protracted and silly. The middle part however, from the moment he takes over the world until he loses the power, is great - proper science-fiction with some ingenious ideas.
On a different note, every woman dreams of a man who'll understand her. This one had all her dreams made true. And she was upset.
BLACK SWAN
Recommended. Still great. Ambiguous and full of suspense. Great acting.
INCEPTION
Watchable. Felt silly re-seen after years. Still, the visuals are impressive and the sound effects unforgettable.
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Recommended. Full of suspense and such good twists of action that I had forgotten some and enjoyed them again. A unique story.
TRANSCENDENCE
Watchable. The film is unequal. The beginning and ending are boring - protracted and silly. The middle part however, from the moment he takes over the world until he loses the power, is great - proper science-fiction with some ingenious ideas.
On a different note, every woman dreams of a man who'll understand her. This one had all her dreams made true. And she was upset.
BLACK SWAN
Recommended. Still great. Ambiguous and full of suspense. Great acting.
INCEPTION
Watchable. Felt silly re-seen after years. Still, the visuals are impressive and the sound effects unforgettable.
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Recommended. Full of suspense and such good twists of action that I had forgotten some and enjoyed them again. A unique story.
Tuesday 6 May 2014
Tuesday 29 April 2014
Monday 28 April 2014
Sunday 27 April 2014
JEWISH MOTIFS FILM FESTIVAL
A PLACE IN HEAVEN
Watchable. You can learn what forms the basis of Jewish patriarchy but the film itself is so protracted you're just aching to leave. The cast includes Michael Alonso but he only appears in a cameo as a wounded soldier who dies quickly.
KORCZAK
Recommended. A truly great film about a great man.
A PLACE IN HEAVEN
Watchable. You can learn what forms the basis of Jewish patriarchy but the film itself is so protracted you're just aching to leave. The cast includes Michael Alonso but he only appears in a cameo as a wounded soldier who dies quickly.
KORCZAK
Recommended. A truly great film about a great man.
Saturday 26 April 2014
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - HIGH-OCTANE CINEMA
BRICK MANSIONS
Watchable. "Banlieue 13" ("District 13") it isn't. The tongue-in-cheek money laundering scene, numerous puns and some good action scenes are a plus. Unfortunately the two lead actors and slow English lines pale in comparison to energetic acting and machine gun speed French conversations of the original.
RUSH
Watchable. Casting an Australian actor speaking American English to pretend to be British was a big mistake. Still, it's fun for linguists as, apart from a mixture of English varieties, you get German and Italian. Some scenes are funny, e.g. hitching a ride after a car breakdown. Hans Zimmer's music is marvellous, including the credits score. The psychology of characters and their rivalry appears genuine. Last but not least that's how history of sport is made.
LONE SURVIVOR
Watchable. On the one hand it's yet another war movie and yet another Seals appraisal. On the other a chance to see a real war and real Afghanistan. Demystifies the local population.
JACK STRONG
Recommended. Another linguistic attraction. Plus perfectly drawn characters and the Cold War atmosphere. Excellent suspense. Convincing acting. And the real life mystery of Kuklinski's sons deaths.
BRICK MANSIONS
Watchable. "Banlieue 13" ("District 13") it isn't. The tongue-in-cheek money laundering scene, numerous puns and some good action scenes are a plus. Unfortunately the two lead actors and slow English lines pale in comparison to energetic acting and machine gun speed French conversations of the original.
RUSH
Watchable. Casting an Australian actor speaking American English to pretend to be British was a big mistake. Still, it's fun for linguists as, apart from a mixture of English varieties, you get German and Italian. Some scenes are funny, e.g. hitching a ride after a car breakdown. Hans Zimmer's music is marvellous, including the credits score. The psychology of characters and their rivalry appears genuine. Last but not least that's how history of sport is made.
LONE SURVIVOR
Watchable. On the one hand it's yet another war movie and yet another Seals appraisal. On the other a chance to see a real war and real Afghanistan. Demystifies the local population.
JACK STRONG
Recommended. Another linguistic attraction. Plus perfectly drawn characters and the Cold War atmosphere. Excellent suspense. Convincing acting. And the real life mystery of Kuklinski's sons deaths.
Wednesday 23 April 2014
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - THE NIGHT OF ADAPTATIONS
DIVERGENT
VAMPIRE ACADEMY
ENDER'S GAME
Watchable. All of them (the first two seen for the first time, the last one for the second) this time were quite fun but standard fare, nothing you wouldn't have seen before. And all of them talk about teenagers/school and teach you that practise of martial arts makes perfect.
THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES
Walked out. I had found it watchable the first time but it seemed too silly to see it again.
DIVERGENT
VAMPIRE ACADEMY
ENDER'S GAME
Watchable. All of them (the first two seen for the first time, the last one for the second) this time were quite fun but standard fare, nothing you wouldn't have seen before. And all of them talk about teenagers/school and teach you that practise of martial arts makes perfect.
THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES
Walked out. I had found it watchable the first time but it seemed too silly to see it again.
Sunday 2 March 2014
THE OSCARS 2014 ACADEMY AWARD CEREMONY
"The Dallas Buyers Club" hasn't been shown in Poland yet. Neither has "The Great Beauty".
I wanted "Star Trek: Into Darkness" to win the Visual Effects but it all seems to go to "Gravity" this year. At least the Sound Mixing and Sound Editing deservedly. Cinematography less so. Not sure about Film Editing. Oh, no! Even Directing?! I walked out from the movie! Remember!
Kenyan Lupita Nyong'o the Best Supporting Actress - it would be unjust to give the award to anyone else.
Not only is this year's show full of usual inside jokes but also a pizza delivery: "Tip him whatever you feel is right. No pressure of a billion people watching."
Paul Walker dead?! How come? Oh dear, how eponymous when a star of "The Fast And The Furious" dies in a car crash!
Where are Oscars for "The Wolf Of Wall Street"?! I'm still waiting!!! Oh no, not even for Leonardo... or the movie... The Most Overlooked Film Of The Year Award??
"The Dallas Buyers Club" hasn't been shown in Poland yet. Neither has "The Great Beauty".
I wanted "Star Trek: Into Darkness" to win the Visual Effects but it all seems to go to "Gravity" this year. At least the Sound Mixing and Sound Editing deservedly. Cinematography less so. Not sure about Film Editing. Oh, no! Even Directing?! I walked out from the movie! Remember!
Kenyan Lupita Nyong'o the Best Supporting Actress - it would be unjust to give the award to anyone else.
Not only is this year's show full of usual inside jokes but also a pizza delivery: "Tip him whatever you feel is right. No pressure of a billion people watching."
Paul Walker dead?! How come? Oh dear, how eponymous when a star of "The Fast And The Furious" dies in a car crash!
Where are Oscars for "The Wolf Of Wall Street"?! I'm still waiting!!! Oh no, not even for Leonardo... or the movie... The Most Overlooked Film Of The Year Award??
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - THE OSCARS NIGHT
12 YEARS A SLAVE
Watchable. A very good film which, however, doesn't rise above a regular slave film. It does its best to show varying points of view and attitudes of both slaves and their owners, just like the original book by Solomon Northup did, but on the whole it's a brutal account of atrocities everyone associates with slavery already. Brad Pitt doesn't sound even remotely Canadian in his cameo unfortunately. It's worth noticing, that although the film is predominantly black, including the director, it comes out shortly after revelations about Cleveland abductions and several cases involving enslaving white women worldwide.
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
Recommended. Whatever I said about the film previously, still holds true after the second watching. I loved every minute of it from the beginning to the end. It deserves Oscars in all the five categories it has been nominated for, especially for Leonardo di Caprio as the lead actor.
PHILOMENA
Recommended. A moving story of the evil brought about by those who believed their moral standards applied to everyone. The third true story nominated this year. And rightly so.
GRAVITY 3D
Walked out. Couldn't stand that bore again. While the music and sound categories deserve Academy Awards, it's too little to sit through something so deprived of emotions.
12 YEARS A SLAVE
Watchable. A very good film which, however, doesn't rise above a regular slave film. It does its best to show varying points of view and attitudes of both slaves and their owners, just like the original book by Solomon Northup did, but on the whole it's a brutal account of atrocities everyone associates with slavery already. Brad Pitt doesn't sound even remotely Canadian in his cameo unfortunately. It's worth noticing, that although the film is predominantly black, including the director, it comes out shortly after revelations about Cleveland abductions and several cases involving enslaving white women worldwide.
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
Recommended. Whatever I said about the film previously, still holds true after the second watching. I loved every minute of it from the beginning to the end. It deserves Oscars in all the five categories it has been nominated for, especially for Leonardo di Caprio as the lead actor.
PHILOMENA
Recommended. A moving story of the evil brought about by those who believed their moral standards applied to everyone. The third true story nominated this year. And rightly so.
GRAVITY 3D
Walked out. Couldn't stand that bore again. While the music and sound categories deserve Academy Awards, it's too little to sit through something so deprived of emotions.
Friday 14 February 2014
Monday 3 February 2014
THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG IN 3D AT IMAX
Watchable. I hate Guillermo del Toro - his grim cinematography style ruins every film. As for Peter Jackson, he exaggerated with extending the relatively short novel into 3 long films. While I enjoyed the added characters and scenes on their own, they protracted the film beyond the limits of my patience. This part is also less funny or cheerful than the first one but the dragon is impeccable, you can see its every scale.
Watchable. I hate Guillermo del Toro - his grim cinematography style ruins every film. As for Peter Jackson, he exaggerated with extending the relatively short novel into 3 long films. While I enjoyed the added characters and scenes on their own, they protracted the film beyond the limits of my patience. This part is also less funny or cheerful than the first one but the dragon is impeccable, you can see its every scale.
Thursday 2 January 2014
NEW YEAR'S EVE FILM MARATHON 2013
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
Recommended. American dream as seen by a psychopath. The scene of between the phone call from the casino up to the arrest in its own right should earn Leonardo di Caprio an Oscar. True to the book by John Belfort which in turn is quite honest, according to the investigator, especially the most unbelievable bits check out, it's more than just a lively story of life and crimes of the Wolf of Wall Street. Most importantly it shows, known to me from London, drug-fuelled traders at work and play. No wonder such people have ruined the world's economy. Another tasty bit is the impersonification of his second wife (Nadine - Naomi in the film) - looking just like the original but with bigger curves.
You have to admit money helps in preserving good looks - JB being 51 looks much better than many guys around my age (a recent date from the internet just made me cringe and the guy was 44). And that's after a good few years of substance abuse.
CASSE-TETE CHINOIS
Watchable. Audrey Tautou speaking Chinese is a gem. I was curious of the lead character's issues with settling in New York but I'm not sure for what other reason one might watch it.
ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE
Walked out. Vampires for retired people.
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
Recommended. American dream as seen by a psychopath. The scene of between the phone call from the casino up to the arrest in its own right should earn Leonardo di Caprio an Oscar. True to the book by John Belfort which in turn is quite honest, according to the investigator, especially the most unbelievable bits check out, it's more than just a lively story of life and crimes of the Wolf of Wall Street. Most importantly it shows, known to me from London, drug-fuelled traders at work and play. No wonder such people have ruined the world's economy. Another tasty bit is the impersonification of his second wife (Nadine - Naomi in the film) - looking just like the original but with bigger curves.
You have to admit money helps in preserving good looks - JB being 51 looks much better than many guys around my age (a recent date from the internet just made me cringe and the guy was 44). And that's after a good few years of substance abuse.
CASSE-TETE CHINOIS
Watchable. Audrey Tautou speaking Chinese is a gem. I was curious of the lead character's issues with settling in New York but I'm not sure for what other reason one might watch it.
ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE
Walked out. Vampires for retired people.
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