Movie reviews

RIVER

Director Jennifer Peedom's previous "Mountain" was the highest-grossing Australian documentary in history.

Recommended. Stunning pictures form this film. Narrated by Willem Dafoe, though 73 out of the 75 minutes is filled with Australian Chamber Orchestra and some Radiohead. It shares astounding information, e.g. that some river dams amass so much water they've slowed down Earth's rotation - thought-provoking, isn't it? Still, most of the time I kept wondering how it all had been shot - world-wide. And the pictures are truly mesmerising - you don't want the film to finish. 

ORLY FESTIVAL 2023 - POLISH FILM AWARDS CANDIDATES

GLOS (THE VOICE)

Recommended. The documentary about novice priests of the Jesuit order not only informs you of their 1-year-long training but is food for thought for the non-religious of us as well. They learn to clean a lot but also to get rid of self-interest and not to care about the number of consecrations, focusing rather on offering love. They serve the ill in a hospice. They used to have girlfriends but the vocation proved stronger. For most. Few drop out - out of their own will. It brings back my faith in man.

SHOTGUN WEDDING

Watchable. Dominicana stands in for the Philippines. The flick is frivolous fun like in all J-Lo movies. Not too smart. But not too dumb either - whatever feels ludicrous in the beginning, makes sense later, being consistent with new discoveries within the plot - that is simple really. The best part is "Walk Like an Egyptian" sung by the cast at the start of the end credits. 

LE PETIT NICOLAS (LITTLE NICHOLAS)

Recommended. This cartoon tribute to the character of le Petit Nicolas (Little Nicholas) creators René Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempé mixes humorous scenes from Nicolas's lives with facts from the lives of the pair of the creators of 222 tales about the little boy.