Movie reviews

GAME OF THRONES SEASON 7 EP. 8 (watchable) AND SEASON 8 EP. 1 (recommended) AT HELIOS DREAM

The ending of season 7 explains a lot of the preceding story. Both episodes were shot in my favourite, and often used in fantasy productions, Iceland. I loved the music and dragons and rooted for Snow. Both parts are brutal, esp. season 8 ep. 1. But there was even one funny scene - the look a dragon gives Jon when he and Daenerys are kissing. The start of season 8 has a better pace than the beginning of season 7. And what Jon Snow learns makes for a cliffhanger that's bound to last till the end of the series.

The Atmos system really does enhance even 5.1-recorded films. And the "GoT" theme was sounding in my ears long after. 

DOUBLES VIES (NON-FICTION)

Watchable. Overtalked and superficial. At least relatable in the part covering the modern publishing market. Unfortunately, the movie's so badly conversation-based that I'd rather get the dialogue list in writing to scan the text quickly instead of sitting nearly 2 hours in the cinema. And they talk cliches. 

MISSING LINK

Watchable. An average animation with puppets which look ugly but wear clothes with distinctive textures. The storyline's engaging and the Yeti has a pleasant character. Yet the action has a number of superfluous slower bits and the humorous situations fail to make viewers laugh. In Poland, dubbing means you won't hear Hugh Jackman as Sir Lionel Frost.

RED JOAN

Recommended. A heartfelt spy story. Touching because of love affairs and heartbreaks but also thoroughly compelling through the way the secrets unravel. Interesting also on the social level since women were perceived differently than today. Superbly acted - Dame Judi Dench is the least of the magnificent cast. Also, a part of history is presented and it poses a difficult question of whether weapons of mass destruction ensure peace in the world.

Warsaw's cinemas vary in display quality. Atlantic provided a decent viewing while just a few minutes later I went to Kinoteka where the "Red Joan" trailer was of considerably poorer visual quality. 

SAUVER OU PERIR (THROUGH THE FIRE)

Recommended. A deeply moving and compelling story about rebuilding your health and life after a disfiguring accident. It's all the more striking since the protagonist is good-looking and very fit, wonderfully muscled. Shown how he goes from saving others to saving himself step by step but so powerfully it just glues you to the screen. James Ensor's paintings reflect his face during recovery. Tear-jerking.

DOLCE FINE GIORNATA 

Watchable. A Polish movie shot at Porto di Cecina in Tuscany. Very pleasant, slow-paced but with intelligent conversations since the main character is a Nobel-winning poet. The rest is shallow though. Still, in Poland, it's going to be released in June so it's just something pleasant before holidays. The sun-drenched screen is going to fit the season.

SHAZAM! 3D

Watchable. A silly tale with amiable characters. Music varies from so-so to quite good and ranges from Bing Crosby, through Bruno Mars, Calvin Harris, Queen to John Williams' "Superman Theme". 3D enhances the picture but this version is only dubbed in Poland and the dubbing makes it sound vexingly infantile. There are a mid-credit and a post-credit with an "Aquaman" reference.

PUPILLE (IN SAFE HANDS)

Recommended. Touching surprisingly engaging even for people like me who don't like children. It presents the enviably well-organized adoption process in France from all angles and what toll it takes on everyone involved. Left me amazed at their responsibility and professionalism. Top-notch make-up reflects the signs of time on their faces.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME AT IMAX 3D

Watchable. "No amount of money can buy a second of time" so never mind the picture and sound formats. It's 3 hours long so just pick the comfiest seat in town. In fact, I'm relieved the series is over. Or is it? They mentioned a risk of parallel worlds... Nostalgic music by Alan Silvestri, farewell to some protagonists, sentimental family scenes - it drags. And it's dark and sombre. It's uneven. Parts merit 3D and/or Imax, most don't. Wooden lines, e.g.: "Let's get that son of a bitch!" or "You've got a problem." Twists of action enliven things and it ends roughly well, though with 2 big losses of much-loved heroes. Stan Lee cameos as a driver in the 1970s. No mid- or post-credit.

IRON SKY: THE COMING RACE

Watchable. Surprisingly fun, certainly better than part one. Moon Nazis want to "make Earth great again". People worship Steve Jobs with an e-prayer app. Earth Nazis include Hitler, Margaret Thatcher, Kim Jong Un, Stalin, Steve Jobs etc. and they sit at a long table like in "The Last Supper" painting. Cultural connotations and conspiracy theories abound. Reptilians rule the world and use dinosaurs like dogs. Communists ally with crusaders and jihadis who both chase "the unfaithful sinners". You find out why Nazis were looking for the Holy Grail. The ending connects the red planet of Mars with Russians. It's all postmodernist entertainment, yet I giggled only at the allergy and gluten gag. The comedy part failed a bit, especially the Russian jokes were pointless. Cheerful songs and military techno by Laibach sound great and are recorded in Dolby Atmos - though this sound format isn't played in some countries including Poland. No mid- or post-credit.

BELZEBUTH

Watchable. Engaging but not scary. An unusually for a horror complex and consistent storyline. Horrid massacres, also untypically, take place in Mexican bright light. The plot's engaging and holds a few aces up the sleeve. Still, the second hour of this Mexican production consists mostly of American-style possessions (worms, lit eyes, shooting to demons).

PET SEMATARY

Watchable. The remake goes the beaten path of horrors: ominous music, sound effects, pictures, a deadman's warning, word choice in a conversation, e.g. "graveyard shift". In spite of truly surround sound, it's tense but not really scary. The middle twist is over the top. Jason Clarke as the doctor looks like a moron, he acts well but his face is not convincing.
The heavy ending's much different to the original. I'm afraid a sequel may be on the cards. 

A funny incident occurred during the screening. At some point, we heard a dog growl on the right but the sound came from below, not from the loudspeakers above. It turned out to be a cinema employee's, normally benign, pet.

VOX LUX

Watchable. This tale about a fictitious celebrity startles almost from the opening but wears off and the abrupt finale is a let-down. Mediocre music in a film about a singer is a blunder. Songs performed by Raffey Cassidy mostly, 3 by Natalie Portman. The initial incident at school is definitely the highlight of the film.

KALANK 

Watchable. Catchy Bollywood tunes. Beautiful outfits. A message of love which builds and hate that destroys. As for shortcomings, CGIs are pathetic and the tale mawkish.