Movie reviews

DE USKYLDIGE (THE INNOCENTS)

Recommended. This dark thriller/horror depicts children the way they are: shockingly cruel. The science-fiction part is they develop telekinetic, telepathic and, finally, mind and body controlling skills. It starts with boredom - on the kids' part, though at the beginning the viewer isn't thrilled either. Angry rather - with their impunity as their parents fail to notice their evil tendencies. The children kill their summer boredom - literally, starting with a cat, and discover psychic abilities - these games are fun for the viewer too. And the plot centres round these both types of pastimes as their capabilities grow. Then it's truly gripping. Their behaviours, so far from expected, are never quite predictable. Their brutality is unspeakable. I don't want to see anything like it again. But the movie's original for sure. All minors act remarkably convincing. The end credits are upside down. Natural after murderous kids leave the world upturned. 

FIREHEART

Recommended. An animation dedicated to firewomen. The reality of the job is to be taken with a pinch of salt. After a touching opening when the girl's dreams are shattered, comes the action and that's funny. Georgia's pet dog makes faces - with his full body - showing his reactions, the motley crew of firemen, a star actress, a garlic vendor are all well-overdone comic personalities. The movie carries a feminist message.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE

Recommended. A saucy British drama. A young sex worker is hired by an aging woman. Expectedly hot it gets. Emma Thompson (now 63) bares it all and partnering her Daryl McCormack oozes sex. But it's mostly intellectual pleasure. The movie explores our attitude to bodies, to lust, to freedom as opposed to social norms.

SONIC THE HEDHEHOG 2

Watchable. Lots of effort was put into spectacular visual effects but they fail to seduce because of the messy plot. They put in everything you may want from a movie for tweens. For tweens because the humour, far from sophisticated, is sometimes aimed at children, sometimes teenagers, sometimes adults and such interests seem to converge in that age group. It's certainly not for everyone, for hyperactive types rather. And everything they put in means: cuddly characters, superheroes, secret agents, stroboscopes, Russians, Transformers-like gigantic robots and again that moustached weirdo Dr. Robotnik played by Jim Carrey. And a handful of gross jokes. Some scenes are lovely, full of warmth but most comprise of some tween banter and mayhem. Such a waste of the investment into expensive CGIs. At least there are some hit music pieces and a wonderful dance contest. Altogether fun in spite of the lack of a solid script. There's a mid-credit announcing a sequel.

AFTER YANG

Watchable. An important science fiction drama exploring the future of families, customer rights and feelings. Yang is an android - here called 'a techno' or 'a techno sapiens'. I loved the futuristic vision of life, together with the cityscape, autonomous cars and watching films directly through readers in the form of glasses which you put on to see and control with voice. But when those novelties are no longer central, it's just a slow, paradoxically dispassionate, love story. An important film, yet imperfect. Like a prototype.

CICHA ZIEMIA (SILENT LAND)

Recommended. Poles have hard holidays this year. If it's not 'fucking Bornholm', it's effing Sardegna. The title is ambiguous. Polish 'ziemia' could mean earth, land, soil, ground - each meaning gives you ample opportunities to interpret its sense. Film-wise, wonderful vistas of the island and the sea form the backdrop to a quiet but well-paced moral analysis of modern European humanity. A gripping drama in a holiday spot.

TOP GUN: MAVERICK

Recommended. The movie's a result of extensive cooperation with numerous Navy aviation units. The sequel opens with the 90s theme remastered in all-surrounding Atmos, even if you watch it in an ordinary screening room, and impressive visuals. You're in for a cinematic feast indeed. The music is a mix of old and new tracks, the 80s ones appearing whenever the past is mentioned. The story's gripping, tear-jerking at times but equally funny at others, e.g. when Maverick has ejected himself from a plane and walks into a diner in his pilot uniform, looking unsteady and asks: "Where am I?" and a kid answers: "Earth". The plot smoothly blends the old and the new story, even though Kelly McGillis' character is replaced with Jennifer Connelly as Penny, apparently another old crush of Maverick's, though I don't remember the original movie that well. The whole thing is uplifting and leaving you empowered. Top film. Marvellous.