Movie reviews

SING 2

Recommended. After exquisite part one the question was how to sex up the sequel. Well, U2, Eve, BTS, Steve Miller Band ("Abracadabra"), Billie Eilish can be heard in the songs - which have been kept in English. Bono additionally voices Clay Calloway - only in the English original. But it's not just about celebrities. It's a cosmic scale show - purely visually. The film is sometimes moving, e.g. the producer's daughter's story, often funny e.g. when the downtrodden characters polish the floor and next some VIPs slip on it or when Rosita unleashes her piglets. Early end credits are accompanied by some tap dancing. 

DZIEWCZYNY Z DUBAJU (GIRLS TO BUY)

Recommended. The world of top end escorts, based on facts. Similar to Vega's movies but made by women so with a loud and clear message: it's only women who get punished for prostitution and pimping, not men, Their clients can do anything. At the same time this sexy movie, with hot actors and actresses - and even one genuine love story - dazzles you with the riches of the spoilt Saudi princes,leaves no doubt as to what the girls are made do and leaves the question open: what's your price? Smart. 

That completes my long overdue (due to a series of disasters in my life) list of movies seen in 2021 - 455 in total.

AFRYKAMERA ONLINE

TOORBOS (DREAM FOREST)

Recommended. Shot in Afrikaans and presenting an obscure piece of South African history. 

It tells about a deforestation of nearly a century ago, the dignity of ancient trees, female power, a beautiful love story - an unusual plot. The woman's love for the forest is greater than her love for her caring and handsome husband (Stiaan Smith in the role of Johannes). The film is slow-paced but captivating with its calm. An unsettling and simultaneously atmospheric recurring music theme is as extraordinary as the movie. 

RESIDUE

Watchable. American. The protagonist roams the hood and reminisces about the past. Dialogues are often barely audible against street noises which renders the film realistic. The story is fictitious, though shot this way it imitates a documentary. Problem is it drowns the words. It's a bit on the slow side, some shots appear to be heavily inspired by "Moonlight", though technically they're rather poor, as is the rest of the film. This one fails to move but delivers some food for thought. In the past, gang violence was the norm as much as loud music was. The white and black realities only occasionally overlap, superficially. 

MOTO TAXI (BENDSKINS )

Watchable. I'm not sure of the facts but the film boldly claims Michael Jackson copied Manu Dibango's song and Shakira's "Waka Waka" copied  Zangalewa. The movie is comical, e.g. when a passenger keeps talking about those who disturb the driver with their chatter, but protracted at times.

AFRICA MOVING

I enjoyed the set of 5 short dance films at the cinema so much I decided to see it online again but on a computer they were all much less impressive.