Movie reviews

XPEND4BLES

Watchable. What's in there apart from off-putting genital warts or pissing jokes? The protagonists are a motley crew: fake face and 'plastic is fantastic' boobs Megan Fox, an alcoholic, a perv, a moron - seriously faulty heroes. But they respect women and ridicule influencers. American versus British ways of expression are mocked too - that's smarter humour. And the line about how WW3 would be disastrous to most but "insanely profitable to some" is spot on. 

WARSAW FILM FESTIVAL

TA, KTORA KOCHAM (THE ONE I LOVE)

Watchable. The documentary opens with beautiful vistas of Mexico City, some white magic ritual, Mexican food, a swimming pool adjacent to the house - nothing's missing at the protagonist's life. Or so it seems, because there's a mystery in her past. What did her mother do? And why did her mother have so many children only to give them up for adoption? Excellent cinematography renders even the most mundane plane landing or a walk magical. The visit in Toruń, Poland starts with a person talking about her pain too theatrically and who is that woman anyway? Very mundane health issues in the family don't help clarify who is who. But the daughter's letter to her mother is shocking. As she's listing her childhood experiences the horror just grows on you. A man, another woman - an elderly one comes into the picture. Again, is she a relative or who? And what are their silly conversations or arguments for? They don't seem to bring anything into the film. Are they her parents and her grandma in the first place? Or is it some other arrangement? A bit frustrating not to have the basic facts laid out. But the investigation is gripping. 46 minutes into the film I learn who the woman is, still not sure about the man. And a new frustration arises because now I don't know what man and what incident the mother is referring to. Won't Polish people ever learn how to make documentaries?! And who are the two young women Daria frequently connects to online? Friends or someone hired to assist her search for the siblings? Next the mother and the man are talking about having been beaten and sexually abused by some man - who the heck are they talking about?! And when was that wedding? Whose wedding (in case that matters)? It's all "he", "they". Finally she mentions having been 14 at the time. In the 60th minute you eventually learn the mother was talking to her brother about their stepfather. Was it too difficult to add captions or commentary or was the director so engrossed he imagined everyone knew the family as well as he did? The film certainly makes you realise how many elderly people don't deserve respect. And how some harsh decisions are the best. Back from Torun, Daria's happy Mexican family visits a pyramid. The search is concluded. At least the results of it all are written on the screen. No doubts or ambiguities. Finally. And I'm crying. The story's as unusual as it is powerful.

Reviewed from the organizers' screener, cinematic reception might differ.

WARSAW JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 

KARAOKE

Recommended. Wonderful, stylish cinematography, with plenty of close-ups, playing with lights and colours, karaoke songs which make you want to dance, sound effects and top acting glue you to the screen in this evocative look at the human need to be recognised but also at trying out new experiences, at crossing over comfort zones, at establishing your true self. It's also on sincerity in various relationships, on how we treat those we look up to, on self-fulfillment and who truly finds it, on losing yourself and finding yourself anew. Our comfortable lives are put into perspective. 

AS BESTAS (THE BEASTS)

Watchable. Daily life in a village, with some grumbling and quarrels but also work on a farm and pleasant time in a market, turns into increasing harassment and mobbing of a neighbour. Big, strong, tough but still mobbed. The threats, even poisoning his well, cornering him keep you in suspense. Still, it feels lengthy. The inevitable murder steps up the tension. The futile search keeps you on the edge of the seat. Even more so when the murderers start cornering the daughter. The ajar (since not exactly open) ending is a bit disappointing.

Reviewed from the distributor's screener, cinematic reception might differ.