Movie reviews

NUEVO ORDEN (NEW ORDER)

Recommended. Even the typography of the title consists of reverted letters. Unsettling images in the opening are followed by a vision of the near future which seems the natural progression from "기생충" ("Parasite"), had it been Mexican. But this one is not amusing in the slightest. The vision of the class revolution - or is it a class one? - is grim and harrowing. It'll be disturbing for women and men, the rich and the poor alike. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat, shocking you with the evil, deception and unpredictability of characters. Perfect script, convincing acting, immaculate use of locations intensify the social horror. And no, the movie synopsis will not suffice, you need to experience it at the cinema.

NYMPHOMANIAC: VOL. II 

Recommended. This part sees her suffer: physically - the movie pushes the boundaries further in part two - and emotionally. As engaging and thought-provoking as part one. Keeps you glued to the screen. 

BABARDEALA CU BUCLUC SAU PORNO BALAMUC (BAD LUCK BANGING OR LOONY PORN)

Recommended. The new outing by Radu Jude sees him return with a bang (pun intended). It opens with racy content which makes you wonder at which sordid direction the case will fork. Having walked out from director Radu Jude's earlier "Sieranevada" I was apprehensive. But this one is immediately better since, instead of having all the characters stuck in one flat, the protagonist roams the city, letting you make your own observations of Romania. In my case that was mostly admiration of DDM observance in the society but also an astonishment at the obscenity and aggression of some men in daily life. Go with the flow and something wicked will come your way. Next part sets together facts, some seemingly trivial, resulting in social and historical commentary on human nature. The finale deals with the opening racy content, highlights hypocrisy showing in many ways and is going to have traditionalists frothing at the mouth. The whole thing is thought-provoking, astute and intellectual - contrary to what one might expect from the title.

GAGARINE

Recommended. Cinematographic and sound mastery render the movie a cinema essential. A seemingly ordinary gigantic council block of flats shot from below (pedestrians from above), from the sides or, at some point, with the background removed, the sound occasionally muted, once suddenly perfectly surrounding, but also culminating in the roar of a take-off make the block resemble a spaceship. When you get to think of it, numerous parallels can be drawn. The story's one of having a dream - one reaching the stars - here presented in a stunning scene where a teenager organizes an eclipse watching for the dwellers. It's also about the human kind conquering the space while many inhabitants of Earth have appalling living conditions. And one of life which on the one hand you want to separate yourself from and on the other which effectively isolates you against your own will. The movie blew me away. The song accompanying the end credits kept playing in my head after leaving the cinema.

MISTRZ (THE CHAMPION)

Recommended. First Teddy's arrival in Auschwitz is juxtaposed with reminiscences of his past life which gradually introduces you to the protagonist's new reality and sets the mood. Next you witness several atrocities of the concentration camp. Then the champion emerges. Top-notch cinematography and sound effects engulf you. The plot provides not only tension but also tender moments and even one funny punch during a boxing match. Strong performances, graphic images of unspoken brutality and the gripping human story with a number of twists are powerful. As if you were there. 

CZARNY MLYN (THE BLACK MILL)

Watchable. A depressing story of people whose lives are only going from bad to worse, first realistically, later by means of some strange force. And it drags, especially the last act which is little short of ridiculous in itself. I only kept watching because it was so weird I took the bait and wanted to know what happens next. Nothing good did. Whoever writes such tales?! For kids, on top of that. 

REMINISCENCE

Watchable. The set-up and the plot idea are fine but the execution overly nostalgic and sentimental. Some bits don't make sense, e.g. why can't they wear bathing suits in the tanks?

The crime plot is overly complicated and confusing as to who and in whose reminiscence. The criminals are over the top. At least the two main protagonists are wonderfully portrayed by Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson. Surrounding sound effects make it cinema worthy. And the music theme by Ramin Djawadi is fantastic.

GUNDA

Watchable. Produced by Joaquin Phoenix. The use of black and white exclusively distinguishes it from nature documentaries. The camera, constantly pointed at farm animals: pigs, hens, cows brings you closer to their world than ever before. If only we could see the surroundings with their eyes as well, the picture would be complete. No words or music, just the sounds of nature recorded in Atmos. The sow's eyes or the piglets' frolicking resemble dogs', cows run freely like horses or munch on tree leaves like elks. Such unexpected connotations occurred to me. Yet it's predominantly the beauty of these animals as themselves presented on the big screen. Did you know that a newborn piglet is the size of its mother's snout? The documentary's lengthy though.

A-HA

Recommended. I wasn't a big fan of theirs but I recognized many songs immediately, so ingrained in pop culture they are. London, determination, talent are the key ingredients of success. In this case London proves to be the centre of the world - in pop music terms at least, the band's path to fame was rocky in spite of their unrelinquished spirit, Morten Harket's inborn look and voice skills as well as the flair for music they all share. The documentary comprises a complete history of the band, the relationship between the three members, 

the creative process, especially behind the "Take On Me" music and video, the three guys' musical inspirations as well as their impact on other bands. The film makes sure you'll  appreciate Morten's incredible vocal range. Last but not least, it's filled with music and the songs kept playing in my head long afterwards.

ZEBY NIE BYLO SLADOW (LEAVE NO TRACES)

Recommended. The 2 hours 40 minute long movie surprised me with how engaging it was. I didn't expect it from the director behind "Cicha noc" ("Silent Night") which I had walked out from. But this story is based on facts, cut by Poland's top editor Przemysław Chruścielewski and keeps you on the edge of your seat from early minutes. The battering takes place early and the rest is the whole depiction of one year when justice should have been done. There are some hints at the contemporary politics in the country which will be easily picked up on by the audience. Director Jan P. Matuszyński makes a cameo as the radio speaker.