HISTORIA ROJA (THE STORY OF SWARM (ROJ) OR YOU HEAR BETTER UNDERGROUND)
Watchable. Lively action, brutality, good editing, great music. Unfortunately the film is so dark it's hard to distinguish between protagonists and it's chaotic. It also shows people in different uniforms, uses acronyms of organizations without explaining who is who or how many sides are in the conflict. First it says that cursed soldiers fought the Soviet occupants. Later you see Poles slaughtering other Poles. I just couldn't make out who was shooting who and why. Whatever the film is about, it clearly glorifies violence.
Monday 29 February 2016
Sunday 28 February 2016
OSCARS 2016
I love Chris Rock! I feared he would make racist anti-white jokes. Instead he's against political correctness and clearly states that what black actors need are opportunities. He rightly points out Leonardo di Caprio gets a great opportunity every year while Jamie Foxx who "was so great that when he was Ray they unplugged the real Ray" doesn't. Or about women who are no longer asked what they are wearing: "Men aren't asked because they all wear the same!"
No wins for my favourites so far. But I admit I haven't seen "Spotlight", "The Big Short" or "The Danish Girl".
Oh, no! That awful "Mad Max: Fury Road" gets 6 Oscars.
Visual Effects for "Ex Machina" is not too bad. At least not for "Mad Max".
Star Wars robots (all 3 of them) on the stage!
Scout cookies replace the pizza order gimmick. Barely funny. But at least I learnt Leonardo di Caprio had made 30 million.
Mark Rylance winning the Best Supporting Actor award for being the Soviet spy in "Bridge of Spies" is fine with me. He was brilliant. His speech made an impression as he said "I don't know how they separate my supporting acting from your glorious supporting acting" to his awarhttps://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6904490964741603406#editor/target=post;postID=7083504047651953856d rivals.
Best Documentary Feature "Amy". Exactly what I rooted for.
Hungarian "Son of Saul" deservedly wins the foreign category.
I hated the "Till It Happens To You" being nominated as the best song because the film - "The Hunting Ground" wasn't. To my amazement the vice president came to the Oscar gala, where he called himself "the least qualified man here" but came to urge everyone to take "a pledge to intervene when a consent has not or cannot be given". Lady Gaga also made a statement with her powerful rendition of the song.
Brie Larson won Best Actress In A Leading Role for "Room" just liked I hoped and she even thanked the movie goers for seeing her film.
Shame Lady Gaga's song didn't win. The worst song performed by Sam Smith did. I just could't stand his voice.
Ennio Morricone deservedly won the Best Original Score for "The Hateful Eight" and paid a tribute to his rival John Williams. I really appreciated it. Two greats had been nominated at the same time.
At his 6th nomination Leonardo di Caprio finally wins! He gets a standing applause and gives a beautiful speech on climate change and on how we should take our planet for granted just like he's not taking his Oscar for granted.
High time for me to see "Spotlight". Quite a lot of movie clampdown on sex criminals this year by the way.
I followed http://schoener-fernsehen.com/live/stream/de/PRO7/PRO%20SIEBEN/ without significant technical disruptions this year.
I love Chris Rock! I feared he would make racist anti-white jokes. Instead he's against political correctness and clearly states that what black actors need are opportunities. He rightly points out Leonardo di Caprio gets a great opportunity every year while Jamie Foxx who "was so great that when he was Ray they unplugged the real Ray" doesn't. Or about women who are no longer asked what they are wearing: "Men aren't asked because they all wear the same!"
No wins for my favourites so far. But I admit I haven't seen "Spotlight", "The Big Short" or "The Danish Girl".
Oh, no! That awful "Mad Max: Fury Road" gets 6 Oscars.
Visual Effects for "Ex Machina" is not too bad. At least not for "Mad Max".
Star Wars robots (all 3 of them) on the stage!
Scout cookies replace the pizza order gimmick. Barely funny. But at least I learnt Leonardo di Caprio had made 30 million.
Mark Rylance winning the Best Supporting Actor award for being the Soviet spy in "Bridge of Spies" is fine with me. He was brilliant. His speech made an impression as he said "I don't know how they separate my supporting acting from your glorious supporting acting" to his awarhttps://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6904490964741603406#editor/target=post;postID=7083504047651953856d rivals.
Best Documentary Feature "Amy". Exactly what I rooted for.
Hungarian "Son of Saul" deservedly wins the foreign category.
I hated the "Till It Happens To You" being nominated as the best song because the film - "The Hunting Ground" wasn't. To my amazement the vice president came to the Oscar gala, where he called himself "the least qualified man here" but came to urge everyone to take "a pledge to intervene when a consent has not or cannot be given". Lady Gaga also made a statement with her powerful rendition of the song.
Brie Larson won Best Actress In A Leading Role for "Room" just liked I hoped and she even thanked the movie goers for seeing her film.
Shame Lady Gaga's song didn't win. The worst song performed by Sam Smith did. I just could't stand his voice.
Ennio Morricone deservedly won the Best Original Score for "The Hateful Eight" and paid a tribute to his rival John Williams. I really appreciated it. Two greats had been nominated at the same time.
At his 6th nomination Leonardo di Caprio finally wins! He gets a standing applause and gives a beautiful speech on climate change and on how we should take our planet for granted just like he's not taking his Oscar for granted.
High time for me to see "Spotlight". Quite a lot of movie clampdown on sex criminals this year by the way.
I followed http://schoener-fernsehen.com/live/stream/de/PRO7/PRO%20SIEBEN/ without significant technical disruptions this year.
BEFORE THE OSCAR GALA
Who would I like to win?
Leonardo di Caprio because he did more than any other actor in history. I'm not even talking about his eating sushi (raw fish) and steak tartare (raw meat) on the screen but that he entered the horse carcass! I wouldn't ever do it and I suppose most people, even actors, wouldn't either. Respect for commitment and authenticity. If he didn't get it even this year, it would be outrageous.
Among the others who absolutely should get an Oscar is Roger Deakins for cinematography in "Sicario" - he elevated cinema to a whole new level of brutality, just like "Oldboy" years ago marked a new level of showing cruelty, now did "Sicario" and that's mostly due to the cinematography - so naturalistically nightmareous it's weird that actors didn't run from the filmset. Alan Robert Murray should by the way get an Oscar for sound editing as it completet the horror in the movie.
Also Lenny Abrahamson for directing and Emma Donoghue for the adapted screenplay of "Room" - an exceptional storyline, where after, like I had thought, the climax, long continuation follows and it's no less hard-hitting than the first part of the film (who's seen it, knows where the division line goes). On the whole, that second part is the most meaningful because the events which inspired the first half were reported all over the world, while what happens to such persons afterwards disappears from the media even thought it's no less frightening.
In the foreign language category Laszlo Nemes for "Son of Saul" which is impossible to forget.
In the visual effects category Richard McBride for the bear scene in "The Revenant" - the computer-generated bear looks like a real one.
Who would I like to win?
Leonardo di Caprio because he did more than any other actor in history. I'm not even talking about his eating sushi (raw fish) and steak tartare (raw meat) on the screen but that he entered the horse carcass! I wouldn't ever do it and I suppose most people, even actors, wouldn't either. Respect for commitment and authenticity. If he didn't get it even this year, it would be outrageous.
Among the others who absolutely should get an Oscar is Roger Deakins for cinematography in "Sicario" - he elevated cinema to a whole new level of brutality, just like "Oldboy" years ago marked a new level of showing cruelty, now did "Sicario" and that's mostly due to the cinematography - so naturalistically nightmareous it's weird that actors didn't run from the filmset. Alan Robert Murray should by the way get an Oscar for sound editing as it completet the horror in the movie.
Also Lenny Abrahamson for directing and Emma Donoghue for the adapted screenplay of "Room" - an exceptional storyline, where after, like I had thought, the climax, long continuation follows and it's no less hard-hitting than the first part of the film (who's seen it, knows where the division line goes). On the whole, that second part is the most meaningful because the events which inspired the first half were reported all over the world, while what happens to such persons afterwards disappears from the media even thought it's no less frightening.
In the foreign language category Laszlo Nemes for "Son of Saul" which is impossible to forget.
In the visual effects category Richard McBride for the bear scene in "The Revenant" - the computer-generated bear looks like a real one.
Saturday 27 February 2016
JAB TAK HAI JAAN (AS LONG AS I LIVE) (2012)
Watchable. Painfully slow for the first hour, with slow music, nothing much happening and all the modern Bollywood cliches (he's poor, she's filthy rich, they fall in unfortunate love). Still, it's heart-warming and quite moving for the next two hours. With Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif.
Watchable. Painfully slow for the first hour, with slow music, nothing much happening and all the modern Bollywood cliches (he's poor, she's filthy rich, they fall in unfortunate love). Still, it's heart-warming and quite moving for the next two hours. With Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif.
Friday 26 February 2016
DEADPOOL
Watchable. I didn't like the mostly vulgar jokes but enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek comment on Ryan Reynolds (by himself in Deadpool's costume) and opening credits listing e.g. Hot Chick as one of protagonists. Stiil, it's vulgar language plus lots of hip hop and the trailer slogan of "With great power comes great irresponsibility" should refer to the movie makers exploiting the X-Men's fame.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - ANTYWALENTYNKI (ANTIVALENTINE'S)
THE BOY
Watchable. Never truly scary, it's however full of mystery but subsequently gets ruined when the secret is revealed and the film ends like a classic slasher. The drowning scene is impressive.
THE GIFT
Watchable. The stalker isn't very annoying and the whole plot looks like an artificial set-up. But of course stalking involves so it's easy to follow till the end.
PRISONERS
Watchable when seen again. What makes the biggest impression at the second time is how nerve-racking the whole situation is for the families of the kidnapped girls. When you know who-done-it, you no longer sit on the edge of the seat so it's not that thrilling watched again.
SPRAWIEDLIWY
Recommended. It's not just a film about a Pole helping Jews under the patronage of the President of Poland (which is likely to put several people off). It's a moving film about universal moral dilemmas.
NA GRANICY
Watchable. Within this run-down genre, it's quite good, enough tension. One rubbish scene where a hypothermia victim's body is... rubbed instead of warmed gradually. The scriptwriter got duly reproached by me at the conference after the press screening.
THAT SUGAR FILM
Recommended. Before this documentary about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption I was going to buy chocolates. After the screening I didn't. So it worked.
AS MIL E UMA NOITES - VOL. 1 O INQUIETO (ARABIAN NIGHTS - VOL. 1 THE RESTLESS ONE)
Walked out. Slow-paced nonsense full of cursing and vulgarity.
ZOOTROPOLIS IN 3D
Recommended. Good 3D. Great fun, including a great translation by Bartosz Wierzbieta in Polish "Zwierzogrod", e.g. calling Rodentia Chomiczowka (hamster-related and a real suburb of Warsaw at the same time). It's also a captivating (pun intended) thriller with, clear to adults, references to immigrants and ISIS - an amazing achievement in a children's cartoon.
UMBRA
Recommended again. You know it's a masterpiece when you see it again and interpret differently, even more when you talk to others and realise that everyone, including the film director perceives it differently. And the music, acting, make-up enthrall no less than the mysterious story/stories.
GODS OF EGYPT IN 3D
Recommended. Spectacular. Visually absolutely stunning, worth seeing at IMAX (for me the screen seemed too small). The plot is a perfect Hollywood make. Ladies' costumes look strongly inspired by belly dancers'.
Watchable. I didn't like the mostly vulgar jokes but enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek comment on Ryan Reynolds (by himself in Deadpool's costume) and opening credits listing e.g. Hot Chick as one of protagonists. Stiil, it's vulgar language plus lots of hip hop and the trailer slogan of "With great power comes great irresponsibility" should refer to the movie makers exploiting the X-Men's fame.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - ANTYWALENTYNKI (ANTIVALENTINE'S)
THE BOY
Watchable. Never truly scary, it's however full of mystery but subsequently gets ruined when the secret is revealed and the film ends like a classic slasher. The drowning scene is impressive.
THE GIFT
Watchable. The stalker isn't very annoying and the whole plot looks like an artificial set-up. But of course stalking involves so it's easy to follow till the end.
PRISONERS
Watchable when seen again. What makes the biggest impression at the second time is how nerve-racking the whole situation is for the families of the kidnapped girls. When you know who-done-it, you no longer sit on the edge of the seat so it's not that thrilling watched again.
SPRAWIEDLIWY
Recommended. It's not just a film about a Pole helping Jews under the patronage of the President of Poland (which is likely to put several people off). It's a moving film about universal moral dilemmas.
NA GRANICY
Watchable. Within this run-down genre, it's quite good, enough tension. One rubbish scene where a hypothermia victim's body is... rubbed instead of warmed gradually. The scriptwriter got duly reproached by me at the conference after the press screening.
THAT SUGAR FILM
Recommended. Before this documentary about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption I was going to buy chocolates. After the screening I didn't. So it worked.
AS MIL E UMA NOITES - VOL. 1 O INQUIETO (ARABIAN NIGHTS - VOL. 1 THE RESTLESS ONE)
Walked out. Slow-paced nonsense full of cursing and vulgarity.
ZOOTROPOLIS IN 3D
Recommended. Good 3D. Great fun, including a great translation by Bartosz Wierzbieta in Polish "Zwierzogrod", e.g. calling Rodentia Chomiczowka (hamster-related and a real suburb of Warsaw at the same time). It's also a captivating (pun intended) thriller with, clear to adults, references to immigrants and ISIS - an amazing achievement in a children's cartoon.
UMBRA
Recommended again. You know it's a masterpiece when you see it again and interpret differently, even more when you talk to others and realise that everyone, including the film director perceives it differently. And the music, acting, make-up enthrall no less than the mysterious story/stories.
GODS OF EGYPT IN 3D
Recommended. Spectacular. Visually absolutely stunning, worth seeing at IMAX (for me the screen seemed too small). The plot is a perfect Hollywood make. Ladies' costumes look strongly inspired by belly dancers'.
Wednesday 24 February 2016
JUTRO BEDZIE FUTRO
Recommended. A great documentary without moral preaching. Fur industry is rife in Poland even though Poles don't wear fur coats. Foxes are bred for fur export. The appalling conditions in which they are kept haven't moved hearts. What causes outrage of people living in the vicinity of such farms is environmental damage, escaping animals attacking their hens and the lack of promised jobs. A gripping film avoiding graphic images and showing why the fur industry, while unwelcome, is so hard to fight. The fashion designer saying he's "only icing the cake" is a gem.
GOOSEBUMPS
Watchable. The highschool, the police and the family layer of the film are pleasant to watch. The fantasy layer is not: silly, simplistic and using all the rundown monsters like carnivorous plants, a ventriloquist dummy, an invisible boy, zombies, a gigantic mantis, a werewolf etc. Very predictable.
RENTANEKO (RENT-A-CAT)
Recommended. The cats are cute and the people endearing - each in their own way. A comedy drama about contemporary life where everyone is lonely with little prospects to break this predicament.
0.5 MM
Watchable. At 3 hours 18 minutes and several overlong scenes it's just too long. The story itself is peculiar, involving and very humane.
HAIL, CAESAR!
Watchable. Satire on Hollywood and religions full of movie stars. It's all fun but just mildly amusing, not a laugh-out-loud comedy.
BROOKLYN
Watchable. A very righteous film about a decent girl surrounded by friendly people on emigration. Domhnall Gleeson looks hot. Lame story, some interesting characters. Doesn't deserve any Oscar.
Recommended. A great documentary without moral preaching. Fur industry is rife in Poland even though Poles don't wear fur coats. Foxes are bred for fur export. The appalling conditions in which they are kept haven't moved hearts. What causes outrage of people living in the vicinity of such farms is environmental damage, escaping animals attacking their hens and the lack of promised jobs. A gripping film avoiding graphic images and showing why the fur industry, while unwelcome, is so hard to fight. The fashion designer saying he's "only icing the cake" is a gem.
GOOSEBUMPS
Watchable. The highschool, the police and the family layer of the film are pleasant to watch. The fantasy layer is not: silly, simplistic and using all the rundown monsters like carnivorous plants, a ventriloquist dummy, an invisible boy, zombies, a gigantic mantis, a werewolf etc. Very predictable.
RENTANEKO (RENT-A-CAT)
Recommended. The cats are cute and the people endearing - each in their own way. A comedy drama about contemporary life where everyone is lonely with little prospects to break this predicament.
0.5 MM
Watchable. At 3 hours 18 minutes and several overlong scenes it's just too long. The story itself is peculiar, involving and very humane.
HAIL, CAESAR!
Watchable. Satire on Hollywood and religions full of movie stars. It's all fun but just mildly amusing, not a laugh-out-loud comedy.
BROOKLYN
Watchable. A very righteous film about a decent girl surrounded by friendly people on emigration. Domhnall Gleeson looks hot. Lame story, some interesting characters. Doesn't deserve any Oscar.
Wednesday 17 February 2016
Tuesday 16 February 2016
A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS
Watchable. An inside view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Natalie Portman speaking Hebrew. Other than that nothing to attract a viewer.
UMBRA
Recommended. Poetic with fantastic music. Reminiscent of Bill Viola as well as Baginski's "Cathedral" while it tackles rape and pedophilia. Perfectly enacted too.
MOW MI MARIANNA (CALL ME MARIANNA)
Watchable. Transsexualism isn't exactly my thing but this film has taught me something new - apparently huge doses of female hormones can lead to a stroke. I found the two parallel stories annoying at first, especially that one is in the form of a play seemingly being prepared. But altogether it tells a full story of turning male to female with its physical, social and psychological consequences.
THE ASSASSIN
Watchable. Silly, typical Chinese kung fu plot. Beautiful visually: the landscapes, the costumes, the scenography make for a pleasant watching.
D'ARDENNEN (THE ARDENNES)
Walked out. About lowlifes. I hate seeing them in real life and can't see a point in watching them at the cinema. If only they were as intelligent as in Tarantino's films. But no. They aren't. Just lowlifes they are.
Watchable. An inside view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Natalie Portman speaking Hebrew. Other than that nothing to attract a viewer.
UMBRA
Recommended. Poetic with fantastic music. Reminiscent of Bill Viola as well as Baginski's "Cathedral" while it tackles rape and pedophilia. Perfectly enacted too.
MOW MI MARIANNA (CALL ME MARIANNA)
Watchable. Transsexualism isn't exactly my thing but this film has taught me something new - apparently huge doses of female hormones can lead to a stroke. I found the two parallel stories annoying at first, especially that one is in the form of a play seemingly being prepared. But altogether it tells a full story of turning male to female with its physical, social and psychological consequences.
THE ASSASSIN
Watchable. Silly, typical Chinese kung fu plot. Beautiful visually: the landscapes, the costumes, the scenography make for a pleasant watching.
D'ARDENNEN (THE ARDENNES)
Walked out. About lowlifes. I hate seeing them in real life and can't see a point in watching them at the cinema. If only they were as intelligent as in Tarantino's films. But no. They aren't. Just lowlifes they are.
Wednesday 10 February 2016
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - NOC POLSKIEGO KRYMINALU (THE NIGHT OF POLISH CRIME FILMS)
PITBULL
Watchable. Chaotic, loose scenes with no comprehensible storyline, yet lively, showing all sorts of pathologies within the police force.
PITBULL. NOWE PORZADKI (NEW ORDERS)
Recommended. Comprehensible, twisted and contorted story line, beautifully shot, with fascinating characters. It comprises entirely of authentic dialogues and features real police and real criminals. Great action movie.
FOTOGRAF
Recommended. Seen for the second time it's still fascinating and definitely the best film of the marathon. Full of mystery and insight into Russian mentality (the film's banned in Russia) together with the criminal intrigue.
PSY (PIGS)
Walked out. Cliche lines, lousy plot, no fascinating crime either.
PLANETA SINGLI (PLANET SINGLE)
Watchable. Sometimes funny, e.g. to a little boy previously scorned by a teacher, now called over by him: "Nie boj sie, badz mezczyzna!" ("Don't be afraid, be a man!"), sometimes tear-jerking, never hilarious. A Polish film scripted in one half by Americans, in one fourth by a Canadian and one fourth by a Pole. In result it looks like a frame-by-frame remake of a concoction of American rom-coms. It's also fairy-tale-like, very light entertainment. Far from real life online dating experiences.
CAROL
Watchable. It's boring, slow, phoney. None of the Oscar nominations justified apart from the score which creates old time Christmas charm.
THE FINEST HOURS 3D AT IMAX
Recommended. Chris Pine - handsome and acting superbly is the film's main asset. Combined with great visual effects and a clear storyline it makes for a pleasing watching. The final song is beautiful too.
PITBULL
Watchable. Chaotic, loose scenes with no comprehensible storyline, yet lively, showing all sorts of pathologies within the police force.
PITBULL. NOWE PORZADKI (NEW ORDERS)
Recommended. Comprehensible, twisted and contorted story line, beautifully shot, with fascinating characters. It comprises entirely of authentic dialogues and features real police and real criminals. Great action movie.
FOTOGRAF
Recommended. Seen for the second time it's still fascinating and definitely the best film of the marathon. Full of mystery and insight into Russian mentality (the film's banned in Russia) together with the criminal intrigue.
PSY (PIGS)
Walked out. Cliche lines, lousy plot, no fascinating crime either.
PLANETA SINGLI (PLANET SINGLE)
Watchable. Sometimes funny, e.g. to a little boy previously scorned by a teacher, now called over by him: "Nie boj sie, badz mezczyzna!" ("Don't be afraid, be a man!"), sometimes tear-jerking, never hilarious. A Polish film scripted in one half by Americans, in one fourth by a Canadian and one fourth by a Pole. In result it looks like a frame-by-frame remake of a concoction of American rom-coms. It's also fairy-tale-like, very light entertainment. Far from real life online dating experiences.
CAROL
Watchable. It's boring, slow, phoney. None of the Oscar nominations justified apart from the score which creates old time Christmas charm.
THE FINEST HOURS 3D AT IMAX
Recommended. Chris Pine - handsome and acting superbly is the film's main asset. Combined with great visual effects and a clear storyline it makes for a pleasing watching. The final song is beautiful too.
Tuesday 9 February 2016
LUCIFER
Watchable. Mexican village folklore is about the only asset of the otherwise slow film about nothing with ugly actors. A colourful bore.
ICH SEH, ICH SEH (GOODNIGHT MOMMY)
Watchable. Similar to "Funny Games" but here the two boys are children. With a horror twist. The storyline is good but poor acting and some pointless psychological/nudity scenes ruin the effect.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - TARANTINOC (TARANTINIGHT)
I skipped "The Hateful Eight" having seen it just 4 days earlier.
PULP FICTION
Recommended. The dialogues and situational surprises are a gem.
JACKIE BROWN
Recommended. A perfect heist movie. Keeps you trying to figure out who'll get the upper hand.
ALVIN AND THE CHIMPUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP
Recommended. Never mind the child-like voices of the chipmunks, especially in the Polish dubbing. The pets are cute, the film hilarious (e.g. "I can't run so fast!" "Think about donuts!") and heart-gripping, the locations glamorous. A perfect family movie.
LA LOI DU MARCHE (THE MEASURE OF A MAN)
Watchable. Very realistic, like watching the protagonist minute by minute so it's quite slow, its aim is to help you relive some distressing life issues when it shows the eponymous law of market. Also, you can learn some trivia of supermarket security work.
JANIS
Watchable. Clearly made at the wake of the "Amy" success. But it lacks its drama. The film just consists of: people talking, Janis Joplin singing, people talking about her, Janis singing again etc. All in all it tells a sad story of a sensitive girl drugging herself to death.
Watchable. Mexican village folklore is about the only asset of the otherwise slow film about nothing with ugly actors. A colourful bore.
ICH SEH, ICH SEH (GOODNIGHT MOMMY)
Watchable. Similar to "Funny Games" but here the two boys are children. With a horror twist. The storyline is good but poor acting and some pointless psychological/nudity scenes ruin the effect.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - TARANTINOC (TARANTINIGHT)
I skipped "The Hateful Eight" having seen it just 4 days earlier.
PULP FICTION
Recommended. The dialogues and situational surprises are a gem.
JACKIE BROWN
Recommended. A perfect heist movie. Keeps you trying to figure out who'll get the upper hand.
ALVIN AND THE CHIMPUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP
Recommended. Never mind the child-like voices of the chipmunks, especially in the Polish dubbing. The pets are cute, the film hilarious (e.g. "I can't run so fast!" "Think about donuts!") and heart-gripping, the locations glamorous. A perfect family movie.
LA LOI DU MARCHE (THE MEASURE OF A MAN)
Watchable. Very realistic, like watching the protagonist minute by minute so it's quite slow, its aim is to help you relive some distressing life issues when it shows the eponymous law of market. Also, you can learn some trivia of supermarket security work.
JANIS
Watchable. Clearly made at the wake of the "Amy" success. But it lacks its drama. The film just consists of: people talking, Janis Joplin singing, people talking about her, Janis singing again etc. All in all it tells a sad story of a sensitive girl drugging herself to death.
Sunday 7 February 2016
15. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WATCH DOCS (2015)
PROPHET'S PREY
Watchable. While it tells the story of what happened, it doesn't explain how he managed to persuade all those people to give him all their money and their young daughters.
BURDEN OF PEACE
Watchable. Claudia Paz y Paz may look like a housewife but she's been the most effective General Attorney in Guatemalan history fighting corruption and getting drug gangs and war criminals prosecuted. The film lacks shocks or twists and turns. It's a well told story but taken the subject it could have more teeth and suspense.
RAMS
Watchable. A beautiful film about the love of animals and family. Sadly Iceland doesn't look as beautiful here as it does in real life.
15. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WATCH DOCS (2015)
AILEEN WUORNOS. THE SELLING OF A SERIAL KILLER
Watchable. Nick Broomfield at his usual mediocre. The hot subject deserves better. Still, it brings you face to face with the insane serial killer or maybe a serial rape attempts survivor (?) as the director managed to get her speak to the camera.
EXCENTRYCY, CZYLI PO SLONECZNEJ STRONIE ULICY
Walked out. Too fake. Everything seems forced. The protagonist's love interest is the worst actor/actress of the film - just totally implausible and theatrical.
15. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WATCH DOCS (2015)
ATTACKING THE DEVIL
Watchable. It chronicles the struggle for compensation for thalidomide victims, highlighting how a stubborn journalist made it happen. Lacks suspense though.
JUVENILE LIAISON I
Watchable. Britain of the 70s is what all of Europe should be now - discipline in upbringing. Sadly it just follows one case after another without delving any deeper into short- and long-term effects.
LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG
Recommended. A beautiful, modern-world story about love and family. Moving at times, well-paced.
DEMAIN (TOMORROW)
Recommended. It tackles all future issues: food (growing edible plants in urban gardens), (green) energy, economy (zero growth), politics (power back to the people through power-sharing or drawing representatives at random rather than electing), education (hands-on, discovery approach). It says a disastrous future with scarce food, water and energy supplies is coming in 30-40 years but there's a way round it too. Even if the temperature is rising faster than ever before, we can survive changing the world as we know it.
CREED
Watchable. More interaction than action which means even a woman can stand a film about boxing. It's moving, a bit funny at times (Sylvester Stallone as old Rocky Balboa trains a rookie) but a little too long and that cancer is needless.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 3D
Watchable. I loved the return of the original trilogy characters and the slower version of "Imperial March" over Darth Vader's remnants but why does Snoke look like Lord Voldemort?! An interesting take on "I'm your father" and the slow version of "Emperor's March". Rather poor 3D - not entirely bad but I expected more off such a blockbuster.
THE PEANUTS MOVIE
Watchable. Cute, endearing story, decent 3D but too many stories in one film which makes it too long as well.
MOJE CORKI KROWY (MY SISTER)
Recommended. Mostly sad due to the hospital subject but showing such realistically absurd people's reactions that you can't help but burst out laughing.
JOY
Watchable. Best to skip the first 45 minutes about nothing. But after that silly prelude it becomes a truly involving drama of fighting for one's business, freedom of choice and law.
THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Recommended. Tarantino is like wine - better and better from one movie to the next. I worried how I would stand 3 hours at the cinema but there was no dispensable second in the film and suspense was, slowly, minute but minute, growing. From the characteristic music and picture at the interlude up to the final brutality beating recent "Sicario" the script, acting, picture and sound have been masterfully put together.
PROPHET'S PREY
Watchable. While it tells the story of what happened, it doesn't explain how he managed to persuade all those people to give him all their money and their young daughters.
BURDEN OF PEACE
Watchable. Claudia Paz y Paz may look like a housewife but she's been the most effective General Attorney in Guatemalan history fighting corruption and getting drug gangs and war criminals prosecuted. The film lacks shocks or twists and turns. It's a well told story but taken the subject it could have more teeth and suspense.
RAMS
Watchable. A beautiful film about the love of animals and family. Sadly Iceland doesn't look as beautiful here as it does in real life.
15. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WATCH DOCS (2015)
AILEEN WUORNOS. THE SELLING OF A SERIAL KILLER
Watchable. Nick Broomfield at his usual mediocre. The hot subject deserves better. Still, it brings you face to face with the insane serial killer or maybe a serial rape attempts survivor (?) as the director managed to get her speak to the camera.
EXCENTRYCY, CZYLI PO SLONECZNEJ STRONIE ULICY
Walked out. Too fake. Everything seems forced. The protagonist's love interest is the worst actor/actress of the film - just totally implausible and theatrical.
15. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WATCH DOCS (2015)
ATTACKING THE DEVIL
Watchable. It chronicles the struggle for compensation for thalidomide victims, highlighting how a stubborn journalist made it happen. Lacks suspense though.
JUVENILE LIAISON I
Watchable. Britain of the 70s is what all of Europe should be now - discipline in upbringing. Sadly it just follows one case after another without delving any deeper into short- and long-term effects.
LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG
Recommended. A beautiful, modern-world story about love and family. Moving at times, well-paced.
DEMAIN (TOMORROW)
Recommended. It tackles all future issues: food (growing edible plants in urban gardens), (green) energy, economy (zero growth), politics (power back to the people through power-sharing or drawing representatives at random rather than electing), education (hands-on, discovery approach). It says a disastrous future with scarce food, water and energy supplies is coming in 30-40 years but there's a way round it too. Even if the temperature is rising faster than ever before, we can survive changing the world as we know it.
CREED
Watchable. More interaction than action which means even a woman can stand a film about boxing. It's moving, a bit funny at times (Sylvester Stallone as old Rocky Balboa trains a rookie) but a little too long and that cancer is needless.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 3D
Watchable. I loved the return of the original trilogy characters and the slower version of "Imperial March" over Darth Vader's remnants but why does Snoke look like Lord Voldemort?! An interesting take on "I'm your father" and the slow version of "Emperor's March". Rather poor 3D - not entirely bad but I expected more off such a blockbuster.
THE PEANUTS MOVIE
Watchable. Cute, endearing story, decent 3D but too many stories in one film which makes it too long as well.
MOJE CORKI KROWY (MY SISTER)
Recommended. Mostly sad due to the hospital subject but showing such realistically absurd people's reactions that you can't help but burst out laughing.
JOY
Watchable. Best to skip the first 45 minutes about nothing. But after that silly prelude it becomes a truly involving drama of fighting for one's business, freedom of choice and law.
THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Recommended. Tarantino is like wine - better and better from one movie to the next. I worried how I would stand 3 hours at the cinema but there was no dispensable second in the film and suspense was, slowly, minute but minute, growing. From the characteristic music and picture at the interlude up to the final brutality beating recent "Sicario" the script, acting, picture and sound have been masterfully put together.
Thursday 4 February 2016
15. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WATCH DOCS (2015)
THE LEADER, HIS DRIVER AND THE DRIVER'S WIFE
Walked out. The camera just follows the crew as they try to get an interview with someone not well known anyway. He doesn't have time for them. I decided not to waste mine either.
HYVASTI AFRIKKA (LEAVING AFRICA)
Watchable. Two close women friends: one Finnish and one Tanzanian have been providing sexual education and fighting stereotypes in Africa for decades. Now they're facing a smear campaign. While the film lacks clear-cut conclusion, it's just endearing to watch their friendship and entertaining classes.
MY JIHAD
Recommended. It shows the jihadists' recruitment process and gives hope presenting Muslim counsellors working with youngsters to keep them on the right pious path of Islam.
MON ROI
Walked out. A protracted film about weirdos, including a drug addict, who, halfway through the film, have a baby. No way of identifying myself with any of the protagonists.
THE LEADER, HIS DRIVER AND THE DRIVER'S WIFE
Walked out. The camera just follows the crew as they try to get an interview with someone not well known anyway. He doesn't have time for them. I decided not to waste mine either.
HYVASTI AFRIKKA (LEAVING AFRICA)
Watchable. Two close women friends: one Finnish and one Tanzanian have been providing sexual education and fighting stereotypes in Africa for decades. Now they're facing a smear campaign. While the film lacks clear-cut conclusion, it's just endearing to watch their friendship and entertaining classes.
MY JIHAD
Recommended. It shows the jihadists' recruitment process and gives hope presenting Muslim counsellors working with youngsters to keep them on the right pious path of Islam.
MON ROI
Walked out. A protracted film about weirdos, including a drug addict, who, halfway through the film, have a baby. No way of identifying myself with any of the protagonists.
Wednesday 3 February 2016
15. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WATCH DOCS (2015)
CITIZEN KHODORKOVSKY
Watchable. Slow, brings nothing new and is far from the point. It mentions speculations about him planning to run for president but lacks any more than evasive comments. The only thing worth noting is that Putin let him free on mercy grounds and Khodorkovsky doesn't contest that.
CITIZEN KHODORKOVSKY
Watchable. Slow, brings nothing new and is far from the point. It mentions speculations about him planning to run for president but lacks any more than evasive comments. The only thing worth noting is that Putin let him free on mercy grounds and Khodorkovsky doesn't contest that.
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