FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM 3D
Recommended. Newt Scamander has arrived at the cinemas worldwide. New York is considerably more interesting with his fantastic beasts and the final havoc resembles "Ghostbusters". The 3D's really good. I have the impression the movie would gain
much when watched at IMAX. Plenty of typical for Rowling humour, e.g.: "I'm
not dreaming." "How do you know?" "I haven't got the brains to make this
up." The American legilimens can't read an Englishman's mind because of his accent and Muggles are called No-Majs in the New World. I've got the whole series of "Harry Potter" books and "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" but not "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" because, from what I saw when I browsed it years ago, it was a mere description of 85 magical animals. The film however has got a complex storyline by, no less, J.K. Rowling. Very well acted, especially by Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalsky and Alison
Sudol as Queenie. All the animated creatures are delightful as well. One resembles a sloth, another one a mole, but both these and several other have their peculiar behaviours, some funny ones, like the niffler. Dubbing in the Polish trailer sounded forced.
The trailer of the lego Batman film featured Starship's "We Built This City" song. The animation didn't look enticing but, who knows, with such music it might be fun.
INNER WORKINGS
Recommended. A funny and clever short film preceding "Moana". About professional burnout and healthy lifestyle.
MOANA
Watchable. It starts with an utterly annoying raspy voice of an elderly woman (at least in the Polish dubbing) but bear with it - it's just a moment. The rest is quite pleasant, even if some dialogues and songs are overlong and silly. The water of the tropical ocean shines, Polynesia is bright and full of colour, or stars at night, the people have lovely big eyes, the cock with a coconut shell on his head makes everyone laugh. It's an easy to follow tale of how strong a little girl can be. Above all, enjoy Oceania!
ZACMA (BLINDNESS)
Slept through. Boring and stupid, philosophical and theatrical.
Wednesday 30 November 2016
Monday 28 November 2016
PAKT - SEASON 2 EP. 1
Watchable. It's amazing how political Polish people are. The series is a compilation of well known events from the Polish political arena barely disguised with the change of names. Unfortunately TV news are normally far more exciting. Besides, I couldn't make out parts of the dialogues.
I also tried playing the Pakt Escape Room VR game but got so frustrated with either the zoom or the earphones refusing to work that I abandoned the session.
Watchable. It's amazing how political Polish people are. The series is a compilation of well known events from the Polish political arena barely disguised with the change of names. Unfortunately TV news are normally far more exciting. Besides, I couldn't make out parts of the dialogues.
I also tried playing the Pakt Escape Room VR game but got so frustrated with either the zoom or the earphones refusing to work that I abandoned the session.
Sunday 27 November 2016
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
Watchable. The opening sequence is striking. I read its symbolism as the ugly naked truth of America which gets flaunted constantly one scene after another. The film consists of two stories. I liked the "real-life" one about relationships in love, family, at work and it being set partly in art galleries (fragment of my world too). The "fictitious" tale is boring, especially its initial violently dynamic bit. Random violence is so cliche in American movies. It gets better when the police officer-victim bond is created and when the investigation progresses. The whole film ending is astonishing. Superb cinematography underlines the sharp contrast between the high life in the "reality" and the torching sun as well as dimly lit night in the Texas desert in the "fiction".
Watchable. The opening sequence is striking. I read its symbolism as the ugly naked truth of America which gets flaunted constantly one scene after another. The film consists of two stories. I liked the "real-life" one about relationships in love, family, at work and it being set partly in art galleries (fragment of my world too). The "fictitious" tale is boring, especially its initial violently dynamic bit. Random violence is so cliche in American movies. It gets better when the police officer-victim bond is created and when the investigation progresses. The whole film ending is astonishing. Superb cinematography underlines the sharp contrast between the high life in the "reality" and the torching sun as well as dimly lit night in the Texas desert in the "fiction".
Saturday 26 November 2016
CINEMAFORUM
The festival comprises of, in a bigger part, workshops for young filmmakers in which they work on a short film. As Arkadiusz Jakubik put it, it "dziala, nie zawsze, ale dziala" ("works, not always, but works"). This year the winning amateur short films were:
KAROLA
Watchable. This is how to move a viewer within a few minutes. Unfortunately, the happy ending's out of the blue.
ASFIKSJA
Watchable. Each workshop participant presents their cliche script, weird colours are used on purpose. Well acted. Shamefully, the film lacks sense.
Among other productions, "Dom" won the Best Animation prize. As I've written before, I found it mediocre.
Presenter Mateusz Damiecki told some actors' jokes: "An actor is someone who, riding a bike through a dark wood at night, keeps the light on himself." and "How do you recognize an actor at a party? He'll tell you himself."
Finally, two of the awarded independent films were shown:
CZARNOKSIEZNIK Z KRAINY U.S. (THE WIZARD OF U.S.)
Watchable. Composed of interviews conducted in Hollywood in 2014, with excellent modern animation, it tells about moving countries: the reasons and the outcomes. The experiences, however, are just like anyone else's: two people attracted to each other never end up together as a result of playing games meant to attract, someone spending Christmas in bars, people making their own living.
NADEJDA LEPSZE CZASY (SOMETHING BETTER TO COME)
Recommended. Such tragic stories I was crying from the beginning to the end. It's worth seeing the lives so miserable you just wouldn't believe possible. Homelessness and living on a rubbish heap in their stark clarity.
The festival comprises of, in a bigger part, workshops for young filmmakers in which they work on a short film. As Arkadiusz Jakubik put it, it "dziala, nie zawsze, ale dziala" ("works, not always, but works"). This year the winning amateur short films were:
KAROLA
Watchable. This is how to move a viewer within a few minutes. Unfortunately, the happy ending's out of the blue.
ASFIKSJA
Watchable. Each workshop participant presents their cliche script, weird colours are used on purpose. Well acted. Shamefully, the film lacks sense.
Among other productions, "Dom" won the Best Animation prize. As I've written before, I found it mediocre.
Presenter Mateusz Damiecki told some actors' jokes: "An actor is someone who, riding a bike through a dark wood at night, keeps the light on himself." and "How do you recognize an actor at a party? He'll tell you himself."
Finally, two of the awarded independent films were shown:
CZARNOKSIEZNIK Z KRAINY U.S. (THE WIZARD OF U.S.)
Watchable. Composed of interviews conducted in Hollywood in 2014, with excellent modern animation, it tells about moving countries: the reasons and the outcomes. The experiences, however, are just like anyone else's: two people attracted to each other never end up together as a result of playing games meant to attract, someone spending Christmas in bars, people making their own living.
NADEJDA LEPSZE CZASY (SOMETHING BETTER TO COME)
Recommended. Such tragic stories I was crying from the beginning to the end. It's worth seeing the lives so miserable you just wouldn't believe possible. Homelessness and living on a rubbish heap in their stark clarity.
Wednesday 23 November 2016
Monday 21 November 2016
THE ROLLING STONES OLE OLE OLE!: A TRIP ACROSS LATIN AMERICA
Recommended. Even if you have known little about the Rolling Stones, the film will make you a fan. The cinematographer Jonas Mortensen makes the most of the bright sunlight in Latin America, its stunning locations, architecture and of the band's bright outfits: adjusted to contemporary fashion, yet so much rock'n'roll. The single rain scene looks superb too. The band members are all athletic, well-cultured and just charming. They all have the charisma they never bring up discussing their undiminished popularity. It's very informative about the band, the tour management and even politics. The musicians provide insight into how when something gets banned it immediately gets devout followers as well as why dictatorships delegalized rock music. It's a music documentary so, obviously, it's filled with music and dancing. Sitting in a comfy cinema seat is a perfect way to absorb the sounds in 5.1 and the pictures on a big screen. It's so vibrant and exhilarating it's just pure pleasure.
SPUTNIK RUSSIAN FILM FESTIVAL
INTIMNYE MESTA (INTIMATE PARTS)
Watchable. How much can lighting affect a movie! It's a nearly asexual film about sexuality. So, while it's barely exciting, the very topic never bores. It tells about all sorts of harmless perversions. Most of the actors are fat and ugly and their characters have issues with satisfying their peculiar needs.
PATERSON
Watchable. A slow-paced but pleasant film about a small town full of little dreams of its endearing inhabitants. I like it how late it's revealed where the town is. For a bigger part you think it could be anywhere in the US.
QUACKERS
Walked out. The movie was as disorderly as the kids around and the Polish version's dubbed with irritating voices.
The trailer of an upcoming film about a dog getting reincarnated at the same owner's, "A Dog's Purpose", looks enticing.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - THE MARATHON OF PITBULL
A nice touch was starting the marathon with a slot of actors greeting the viewers, talking about their transformations into the characters and warning: "Tylko mi nie spac!" ("Don't you dare sleep!")
PITBULL
Watchable. Not everything was clear and some bits were hard to hear, even at my second viewing. Still, I liked it better this time. Some scenes are hilarious, e.g. "Ucz sie zawodu" ("Learn the profession") one or when a police officer disables a bribe of 500 thousand dollars and gets 800 zlotys as a reward for the deed. The final song has good lyrics.
PITBULL. NOWE PORZADKI (NEW ORDERS)
Recommended. Great music, the character of Strachu is introduced and remains the highlight of the second and third part of the trilogy. The scene with him complaining about shoes is brilliant. Kura has got a fancy shade of blue nail polish. Top notch action.
PITBULL. NIEBEZPIECZNE KOBIETY (TOUGH WOMEN)
Recommended. No worse than the second film. Strachu again and, additionally, a gang's own lawyer. Perfectly scripted again.
Recommended. Even if you have known little about the Rolling Stones, the film will make you a fan. The cinematographer Jonas Mortensen makes the most of the bright sunlight in Latin America, its stunning locations, architecture and of the band's bright outfits: adjusted to contemporary fashion, yet so much rock'n'roll. The single rain scene looks superb too. The band members are all athletic, well-cultured and just charming. They all have the charisma they never bring up discussing their undiminished popularity. It's very informative about the band, the tour management and even politics. The musicians provide insight into how when something gets banned it immediately gets devout followers as well as why dictatorships delegalized rock music. It's a music documentary so, obviously, it's filled with music and dancing. Sitting in a comfy cinema seat is a perfect way to absorb the sounds in 5.1 and the pictures on a big screen. It's so vibrant and exhilarating it's just pure pleasure.
SPUTNIK RUSSIAN FILM FESTIVAL
INTIMNYE MESTA (INTIMATE PARTS)
Watchable. How much can lighting affect a movie! It's a nearly asexual film about sexuality. So, while it's barely exciting, the very topic never bores. It tells about all sorts of harmless perversions. Most of the actors are fat and ugly and their characters have issues with satisfying their peculiar needs.
PATERSON
Watchable. A slow-paced but pleasant film about a small town full of little dreams of its endearing inhabitants. I like it how late it's revealed where the town is. For a bigger part you think it could be anywhere in the US.
QUACKERS
Walked out. The movie was as disorderly as the kids around and the Polish version's dubbed with irritating voices.
The trailer of an upcoming film about a dog getting reincarnated at the same owner's, "A Dog's Purpose", looks enticing.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - THE MARATHON OF PITBULL
A nice touch was starting the marathon with a slot of actors greeting the viewers, talking about their transformations into the characters and warning: "Tylko mi nie spac!" ("Don't you dare sleep!")
PITBULL
Watchable. Not everything was clear and some bits were hard to hear, even at my second viewing. Still, I liked it better this time. Some scenes are hilarious, e.g. "Ucz sie zawodu" ("Learn the profession") one or when a police officer disables a bribe of 500 thousand dollars and gets 800 zlotys as a reward for the deed. The final song has good lyrics.
PITBULL. NOWE PORZADKI (NEW ORDERS)
Recommended. Great music, the character of Strachu is introduced and remains the highlight of the second and third part of the trilogy. The scene with him complaining about shoes is brilliant. Kura has got a fancy shade of blue nail polish. Top notch action.
PITBULL. NIEBEZPIECZNE KOBIETY (TOUGH WOMEN)
Recommended. No worse than the second film. Strachu again and, additionally, a gang's own lawyer. Perfectly scripted again.
Saturday 19 November 2016
SNOWDEN
Recommended. We live in the world of total surveillance: our emails, calls, text messages, chats, Facebook accounts are tapped into, webcams and mikes used even when the computer is off, naked scanners search our bodies, we spy on people we know and don't know, information is everything. Joseph Gordon-Levitt looks much like Edward Snowden, just as Rhys Ifans resembles Corbin a lot. We get to know Snowden's full story, including him never having completed a school, his army service, as well as his love life. The plot is tense with the Rubik's cube scene being the highlight. Very well cast, structured and much revealing. It ends with some real life footage bits extending over the first credits. Great music score.
PLAC ZABAW
Recommended. Very well shot by Mateusz Skalski. Lots of clear close-ups, some CCTV footage, distant takes - all playing a role here. Excellent actors, including the very young ones. An uneasy watch about how cruel children are and about how it goes top-bottom in families.
Recommended. We live in the world of total surveillance: our emails, calls, text messages, chats, Facebook accounts are tapped into, webcams and mikes used even when the computer is off, naked scanners search our bodies, we spy on people we know and don't know, information is everything. Joseph Gordon-Levitt looks much like Edward Snowden, just as Rhys Ifans resembles Corbin a lot. We get to know Snowden's full story, including him never having completed a school, his army service, as well as his love life. The plot is tense with the Rubik's cube scene being the highlight. Very well cast, structured and much revealing. It ends with some real life footage bits extending over the first credits. Great music score.
PLAC ZABAW
Recommended. Very well shot by Mateusz Skalski. Lots of clear close-ups, some CCTV footage, distant takes - all playing a role here. Excellent actors, including the very young ones. An uneasy watch about how cruel children are and about how it goes top-bottom in families.
Tuesday 15 November 2016
SPUTNIK RUSSIAN FILM FESTIVAL
SOLARIS (1972)
Watchable. The 2002 American version was, as my friend put it, "about Clooney's arse", so I decided to see the Soviet version by Tarkovsky. However ancient it is, it hasn't really aged. Still, the 159 minute running time is too long. The suspense created at the beginning gets ruined by all the slow scenes. In fact "Solaris" by Stanislaw Lem is one of the books I have at home but have never had time to read. I believe it must have been groundbreaking at the time. The topics tackled, according to the adaptation - who's really human and "Flatliners'-like chance of atonement - have reappeared in science fiction several times. The thoroughly psychological insight into both of the issues at the same time is the main value of the film. It's just too slow to grasp.
NEBESNYE ZHENY LUGOVYKH MARI (CELESTIAL WIVES OF THE MEADOW MARI) (2012)
Watchable. Meticulous house and dress decorations hide lewdness and vulgarity. Fascinating and revolting at the same time.
SOLARIS (1972)
Watchable. The 2002 American version was, as my friend put it, "about Clooney's arse", so I decided to see the Soviet version by Tarkovsky. However ancient it is, it hasn't really aged. Still, the 159 minute running time is too long. The suspense created at the beginning gets ruined by all the slow scenes. In fact "Solaris" by Stanislaw Lem is one of the books I have at home but have never had time to read. I believe it must have been groundbreaking at the time. The topics tackled, according to the adaptation - who's really human and "Flatliners'-like chance of atonement - have reappeared in science fiction several times. The thoroughly psychological insight into both of the issues at the same time is the main value of the film. It's just too slow to grasp.
NEBESNYE ZHENY LUGOVYKH MARI (CELESTIAL WIVES OF THE MEADOW MARI) (2012)
Watchable. Meticulous house and dress decorations hide lewdness and vulgarity. Fascinating and revolting at the same time.
Friday 11 November 2016
LIFE, ANIMATED
Watchable. A typically American documentary where the voice is given mostly to the protagonist's family members. Luckily, due to swift editing, it's all mixed with Disney movie excerpts and, also, you shortly get to follow the man's love issues and him being such a cute person, this is the highlight of the film.
In the meeting following the screening I learnt about Wojtek Przybyszewski Jr. - an autistic boy who improves Disney films. He corrects inaccuracies in pictures as well as changes scenes for happy ones if they look too threatening. Shame he's not exhibiting in Warsaw now.
TROLLS 3D
Recommended. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake dubbing the leading roles as well as John Cleese as King Bristle Sr. await you in the original version and nobodies in Polish. However, the tale is so delightful I loved it even translated and even though some songs are unrecognizable in Polish. The trolls here are cute and Smurf-like, just more colourful. The story's also Smurf-like + lots of hit pop songs. It was just so much fun I didn't even mind the presence of kids (although I admit sitting in a safe distance).
"The Baby Boss" trailer looks promising: good 3D and an intriguing plot.
GIMME DANGER
Watchable. I couldn't care less about a rock band composed of school drop-outs who quickly pick up drug habits eventually leading to the demise of the Stooges. I watched it partly as a comfort movie about people whose lives were thoroughly miserable which just made me feel really safe enjoying all sorts of creature comforts daily and partly to see who that famous Iggy Pop was. Only for die-hard dinosaur rock fans.
THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX
Watchable. For the first half I couldn't make out the sequence of events as the action jumps to and fro in time and some scenes are dream sequences or phantasmagories. When I finally got what it was about, it turned out to carry a criminal mystery and that was truly involving. Sarah Gadon looks so beautiful and innocent with her blonde hair and deer-like eyes she's a perfect cast.
Watchable. A typically American documentary where the voice is given mostly to the protagonist's family members. Luckily, due to swift editing, it's all mixed with Disney movie excerpts and, also, you shortly get to follow the man's love issues and him being such a cute person, this is the highlight of the film.
In the meeting following the screening I learnt about Wojtek Przybyszewski Jr. - an autistic boy who improves Disney films. He corrects inaccuracies in pictures as well as changes scenes for happy ones if they look too threatening. Shame he's not exhibiting in Warsaw now.
TROLLS 3D
Recommended. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake dubbing the leading roles as well as John Cleese as King Bristle Sr. await you in the original version and nobodies in Polish. However, the tale is so delightful I loved it even translated and even though some songs are unrecognizable in Polish. The trolls here are cute and Smurf-like, just more colourful. The story's also Smurf-like + lots of hit pop songs. It was just so much fun I didn't even mind the presence of kids (although I admit sitting in a safe distance).
"The Baby Boss" trailer looks promising: good 3D and an intriguing plot.
GIMME DANGER
Watchable. I couldn't care less about a rock band composed of school drop-outs who quickly pick up drug habits eventually leading to the demise of the Stooges. I watched it partly as a comfort movie about people whose lives were thoroughly miserable which just made me feel really safe enjoying all sorts of creature comforts daily and partly to see who that famous Iggy Pop was. Only for die-hard dinosaur rock fans.
THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX
Watchable. For the first half I couldn't make out the sequence of events as the action jumps to and fro in time and some scenes are dream sequences or phantasmagories. When I finally got what it was about, it turned out to carry a criminal mystery and that was truly involving. Sarah Gadon looks so beautiful and innocent with her blonde hair and deer-like eyes she's a perfect cast.
Tuesday 8 November 2016
ARRIVAL
Watchable. The Sapir Whorf theory is nearly a century old. Known by linguists and philologists, was mostly referred to in situations where cultural differences came up. Only recently have psychologists come to the conclusion that it's easier to solve a problem if you switch to another language. In the film the Whorfian hypothesis is pushed to the limits of imagination. It's the core of the film. Unfortunately the sentimental beginning and ending, with the scientist's obligatorily terminally ill daughter is terribly tacky. Also, the happy ending has a logical gap - is her daughter going to fall ill again?
Strangely the Polish title is totally different from the original which caused confusion even among film journalists some of who didn't recognize the long expected release.
Watchable. The Sapir Whorf theory is nearly a century old. Known by linguists and philologists, was mostly referred to in situations where cultural differences came up. Only recently have psychologists come to the conclusion that it's easier to solve a problem if you switch to another language. In the film the Whorfian hypothesis is pushed to the limits of imagination. It's the core of the film. Unfortunately the sentimental beginning and ending, with the scientist's obligatorily terminally ill daughter is terribly tacky. Also, the happy ending has a logical gap - is her daughter going to fall ill again?
Strangely the Polish title is totally different from the original which caused confusion even among film journalists some of who didn't recognize the long expected release.
Sunday 6 November 2016
THE WARSAW KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL
인 허 플레이스 (IN HER PLACE)
Watchable. It attempts to show tragic consequences of intervening into a young girl's life but, with such poor acting, fails to move the viewer (or me at least).
암살 (ASSASSINATION)
Watchable. Chaotic. Without the knowledge of Korean history I just couldn't work out the whole political plot. The part with twins was about the only one I understood. Good acting and witty dialogues (e.g. "Didn't you sign it with your own blood?" "Yes, I had an attack of anaemia afterwards") save the film.
인 허 플레이스 (IN HER PLACE)
Watchable. It attempts to show tragic consequences of intervening into a young girl's life but, with such poor acting, fails to move the viewer (or me at least).
암살 (ASSASSINATION)
Watchable. Chaotic. Without the knowledge of Korean history I just couldn't work out the whole political plot. The part with twins was about the only one I understood. Good acting and witty dialogues (e.g. "Didn't you sign it with your own blood?" "Yes, I had an attack of anaemia afterwards") save the film.
Saturday 5 November 2016
THE WARSAW KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL
뷰티 인사이드 (THE BEAUTY INSIDE)
Recommended. Truly beautiful, also on the surface. The story, music, actors are all alluring. But the core is the subtly presented story about our insecurities in love relationships. One is the fear that the other person won't accept us on the days when we look worse. The other is the woman's fear of being left by someone who can easily disappear without a trace. Also, it shows how the person has to get used to us, whatever we are. It just stays with you.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - THE NIGHT OF HORROR
I skipped "Ich seh, ich seh" ("Goodnight Mommy") and "Lights Out" which I had seen and reviewed earlier.
THE WINDMILL MASSACRE
Watchable. The slasher's main murderer looks like Leatherface. A good idea to make all protagonists sinners who have to repent but their individual stories don't get developed. A sequel is very likely.
SUMMER CAMP
Walked out. It's just rubbish. An empty camp before the opening of the season. Four American workers and some Spanish locals. 20-some minutes into the movie one of the guys attacks another one, growling and biting, and it's not even the one who got bitten by a dog earlier. Shortly afterwards another one does the same.
THE WARSAW KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL
지금은맞고그때는틀리다 (RIGHT NOW, WRONG THEN)
Watchable. Two distinct parts. In the first one all protagonists are extremely polite and kind to each other. In the second things go wrong quite a few times but people are more authentic and fair to others. It's funny to hear the "director's" evasively courteous comments in the first part. In the second he's more to the point even if that upsets people. The finale though shows things end better when people are honest. An interesting concept, still the story could be less mundane, especially that you follow it twice.
베테랑 (VETERAN)
Watchable. While it starts with slapstick, the large middle part is dramatic and brutal. The director Ryoo Seung-wan is Park Chan-wook's fan and friend and you can see it in the film. The ending is lighter again. The comedy bits aren't really funny though and the highlight is the psychopath running the corporation.
FIVE FLAVOURS FILM FESTIVAL - ASIAN HORROR NIGHT
곡성 (THE WAILING)
Watchable. Rushing from "Veteran" in a different cinema, I arrived in the middle of this lengthy production. I'm happy I didn't have to watch it all. Beautiful landscape shots, e.g. a scenic serpentine road + exotic local folklore mixed with a shoddy storyline, poor acting and class B horror. Scary it isn't, pathetic rather.
손님 (THE PIPER)
Watchable. Just like the one above so I'm copying and pasting: exotic local folklore mixed with a shoddy storyline, poor acting and class B horror. Scary it isn't, pathetic rather.
貞子 vs. 伽椰子 (SADAKO VS. KAYAKO)
Watchable. A spoof of both "Ring" and "Ju-on" ("Grudge"). Silly but involving when you've seen them all.
뷰티 인사이드 (THE BEAUTY INSIDE)
Recommended. Truly beautiful, also on the surface. The story, music, actors are all alluring. But the core is the subtly presented story about our insecurities in love relationships. One is the fear that the other person won't accept us on the days when we look worse. The other is the woman's fear of being left by someone who can easily disappear without a trace. Also, it shows how the person has to get used to us, whatever we are. It just stays with you.
NIGHT FILM MARATHON - THE NIGHT OF HORROR
I skipped "Ich seh, ich seh" ("Goodnight Mommy") and "Lights Out" which I had seen and reviewed earlier.
THE WINDMILL MASSACRE
Watchable. The slasher's main murderer looks like Leatherface. A good idea to make all protagonists sinners who have to repent but their individual stories don't get developed. A sequel is very likely.
SUMMER CAMP
Walked out. It's just rubbish. An empty camp before the opening of the season. Four American workers and some Spanish locals. 20-some minutes into the movie one of the guys attacks another one, growling and biting, and it's not even the one who got bitten by a dog earlier. Shortly afterwards another one does the same.
THE WARSAW KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL
지금은맞고그때는틀리다 (RIGHT NOW, WRONG THEN)
Watchable. Two distinct parts. In the first one all protagonists are extremely polite and kind to each other. In the second things go wrong quite a few times but people are more authentic and fair to others. It's funny to hear the "director's" evasively courteous comments in the first part. In the second he's more to the point even if that upsets people. The finale though shows things end better when people are honest. An interesting concept, still the story could be less mundane, especially that you follow it twice.
베테랑 (VETERAN)
Watchable. While it starts with slapstick, the large middle part is dramatic and brutal. The director Ryoo Seung-wan is Park Chan-wook's fan and friend and you can see it in the film. The ending is lighter again. The comedy bits aren't really funny though and the highlight is the psychopath running the corporation.
FIVE FLAVOURS FILM FESTIVAL - ASIAN HORROR NIGHT
곡성 (THE WAILING)
Watchable. Rushing from "Veteran" in a different cinema, I arrived in the middle of this lengthy production. I'm happy I didn't have to watch it all. Beautiful landscape shots, e.g. a scenic serpentine road + exotic local folklore mixed with a shoddy storyline, poor acting and class B horror. Scary it isn't, pathetic rather.
손님 (THE PIPER)
Watchable. Just like the one above so I'm copying and pasting: exotic local folklore mixed with a shoddy storyline, poor acting and class B horror. Scary it isn't, pathetic rather.
貞子 vs. 伽椰子 (SADAKO VS. KAYAKO)
Watchable. A spoof of both "Ring" and "Ju-on" ("Grudge"). Silly but involving when you've seen them all.
Thursday 3 November 2016
THE WARSAW KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL
According to the brochure, the festival focused on the Korean new wave.
상의원 (THE ROYAL TAILOR)
Watchable. The director, Lee Won-suk, has a great sense of humour. He announced his work saying: "The film may seem boring but please bear with it as I'll be counting you and watching who's leaving." The first part of the film is also witty but in a silly way. The more dramatic second part is much better. Apparently the casting was very quick which is remarkable hence all the roles were cast and acted with virtuosity. As it was a historical movie, movements were minimal but emotions were expressed clearly. So-yi and the queen's dresses were strikingly beautiful and the scenes of each of them entering the courtyard are well worth seeing. The film director "got the royal robe after the shooting and wears it after a shower". Having said that, I have to add I don't like crowds, they're confusing to me and this film was just packed with characters I couldn't identify.
Lee Won-suk is a fan of Sorrentino, Wes Anderson and old Polish films by Polanski. And it wasn't me who asked him this question. Others were curious of it too.
The lecture on new Korean cinema by Andrzej Pitrus was skippable. The professor said only obvious things, like that you won't recognize landmarks in movies shot in Korea.
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