Movie reviews

THE CROODS: A NEW AGE

Recommended. In Poland, it's only dubbed in Polish so you won't hear Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone or Ryan Reynolds voicing the characters in the original. At least all songs and occasional captions are in English. The movie tells about cultural and physical differences between social classes but successfully shows how both need the other, can inhabit the land together peacefully and have fun. Attitudes to life and to the other societal group are depicted - cleverly and entertainingly. The environmental issue of governing water resources plays a big part too, as does the crisis of masculinity and the re-emerging of women power. The plot is so eventful, the pictures so rich in detail - all admirably creative - that I felt overstimulated at some point but that is exactly when some hyperactive kids in the audience finally got quiet. Colours, invented animals, picture-perfect plants, with the prevalence of fruits and flowers, dazzle you. But most importantly, even though I haven't seen part one, now I love the troglodytes, the Bettermans and their pets and want to see more of them. Funny at times, e.g. "It's not my hand", at other times outrageous but never lacking in ingenuity. 

TOM AND JERRY

Recommended. Can a rom-com-cum-career-comedy with superimposed cartoon animals actually work? Well, written by the numbers, it does not bring any surprises but amuses, e.g. when Ben apologizes to Peeta or when Tom and Jerry try to put a guilt trip on Kayla, moves you to tears with love issues and glues you to the screen throughout with numerous developments. Kayla lands a job by her wits but proves she's really good with people. The hotel director is every beginner's dream boss and is played spot on by Rob Delaney. I adored the barman Cameron (Jordan Bolger) - the counterbalance of reason when the cat, the mouse, the dog, elephants and peacocks wreak havoc in the hotel. The girl porter (Patsy Ferran) resembles Loona Lovegood from the "Harry Potter" series. The cat and the mouse make faces wonderfully. Indian wedding attires manage to bring even more colour. Set in NYC, the movie was shot not only in the US but also in Battersea Park, London. In Poland, it's only dubbed in Polish. At least all songs and occasional captions are in English. Altogether, it's good fun. There's a post-credit.

MORTAL KOMBAT

Watchable. The new version of the sci-fi flick based on a video game, shot in Japanese, Chinese and English in South Australia, finally offers decent CGIs. Sadly, it's all shot in a dark palette. The actors are fine but the shoddy plot doesn't offer much. One curious bit is when an extremely brutal character draws a comic book and remarks that every artist is twisted. The 1995 film at least had a nice soundtrack. Pretty standard orchestrations in the new one disappoint. Fantastic "Techno Syndrome 2021" runs only over the end credits.

DRUGA POLOWA (THE SECOND HALF)

Watchable. A truly amusing comedy of errors with some hilarious lines and social satire, especially on footballers. Hot young Maciej Musiał is just amazing as a silly celebrity. Cezary Pazura shows off his impressive muscles. All other lead actors are perfectly cast too. Attractive cinematography. Only two elements detract from this enjoyable rom-com: the pointless sad mention of the orphanage and the homeless man - equally useless in the story, especially that the scene with him picking up the Lotto ticket doesn't find a conclusion. It just looks as if the editor forgot to cut out the loose ends. The film finishes with the scenes shown along with the early end credits.

Polish national representation footballers with their wags saw the movie first and declared there was nothing fake in it.

NOMADLAND

Watchable. Must have been written by a very positive person. I was struck by how kind to each other they all are. The story doesn't present anything I wouldn't have known before. It clarifies what kind of people American inland nomads are and demonstrates how they regain control of their lives and deaths. But it's all too flat emotionally. You watch the whole thing in the same slightly low mood. Visually unimpressive. I don't understand why Frances McDormand recommended seeing it on "as big a screen as you can".