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.
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