FESTIWAL FRANKOFONII (FRANCOPHONIE FESTIVAL)
في عينيّا / REGARDE-MOI (LOOK AT ME)
Walked out. About taking care of an autistic child. I dislike kids and the autistic one screamed even at the age of 7.
Tuesday, 24 March 2020
Wednesday, 18 March 2020
THE INVISIBLE MAN AT IMAX
Watchable. No Imax needed but a few jump scares result from top notch sound effects so the Atmos version will be best. Story-wise, it's a thriller about a psycho stalker which has adopted one sci-fi element (a very plausible invention) and some taken from horrors, like jump scares or people hurled around by an invisible force. A few surprises (I'm using this word on purpose) are counterbalanced by some fairly predictable solutions. I only didn't know till the end if the perpetrator would be killed or it'd be set for a sequel. Filmed in NSW, Australia. The views of San Francisco must have been added in post-production.
The new, uncomfortable plastic seats at the Warsaw Imax are a bit comfier than the ones at Arkadia but still make it harder (literally) to get through the whole film.
THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY
Walked out. Overtalked.
Watchable. No Imax needed but a few jump scares result from top notch sound effects so the Atmos version will be best. Story-wise, it's a thriller about a psycho stalker which has adopted one sci-fi element (a very plausible invention) and some taken from horrors, like jump scares or people hurled around by an invisible force. A few surprises (I'm using this word on purpose) are counterbalanced by some fairly predictable solutions. I only didn't know till the end if the perpetrator would be killed or it'd be set for a sequel. Filmed in NSW, Australia. The views of San Francisco must have been added in post-production.
The new, uncomfortable plastic seats at the Warsaw Imax are a bit comfier than the ones at Arkadia but still make it harder (literally) to get through the whole film.
THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY
Walked out. Overtalked.
Monday, 16 March 2020
While the COVID-19 virus has forced us to stay home, I'm posting what I saw before the national quarantine. None of it is urgent now but I do hope the movies will be on again or will premiere - depending on the title - when cinemas are allowed to re-open.
BAD BOY
Watchable. Patryk Vega's craftsmanship makes it just fine. The movie makes use of the best solutions of his earlier productions which works up to a point. The thing is it gives you a déjà vu feeling. Skillfully directed, especially the air view of an arrest. Good lines, e.g. when the arrested guy explains how he was able to resist for so long: "otoczyłem was" ("I surrounded you"). The movie's extremely brutal at times. The story is from rags to riches. No ending but I guess a sequel is coming.
IL TRADITORE (THE TRAITOR)
Watchable when seen again. I managed to tie up my loose ends after the first viewing - this movie requires attention to each word and picture. Still engaging, this time if felt slower and even pensive at times. And definitely less glamorous. I also think of Tommaso Buscetta's motivation differently - he chose the lowest cost of dealing with his enemies. Incarceration was the most effective revenge and protection at the same time.
Turns out director Marco Bellocchio is over 80 now. I therefore renounce what I previously said that directors should retire before 70. Not all.
SALA SAMOBOJCOW. HEJTER (SUICIDE ROOM: HATER)
Recommended. A gripping thriller, emotional at times, plausible. The flower scene was so absurd - on purpose - I burst out laughing. Maciej Musiałowski and Maciej Stuhr are superb in the roles of the hater and the politician respectively.The climax first seemed over the top but then I remembered events not only from Poland but also other countries. Definitely exportable stuff. The movie was scripted by Pacewicz of "Boże Ciało" ("Corpus Christi") fame, directed by Jan Komasa - the way he depicts men, again, I had the impression he was gay.
They finished shooting on 23rd December 2018. Polish politician, Adamowicz, was assassinated on 13th January 2019.
BAD BOY
Watchable. Patryk Vega's craftsmanship makes it just fine. The movie makes use of the best solutions of his earlier productions which works up to a point. The thing is it gives you a déjà vu feeling. Skillfully directed, especially the air view of an arrest. Good lines, e.g. when the arrested guy explains how he was able to resist for so long: "otoczyłem was" ("I surrounded you"). The movie's extremely brutal at times. The story is from rags to riches. No ending but I guess a sequel is coming.
IL TRADITORE (THE TRAITOR)
Watchable when seen again. I managed to tie up my loose ends after the first viewing - this movie requires attention to each word and picture. Still engaging, this time if felt slower and even pensive at times. And definitely less glamorous. I also think of Tommaso Buscetta's motivation differently - he chose the lowest cost of dealing with his enemies. Incarceration was the most effective revenge and protection at the same time.
Turns out director Marco Bellocchio is over 80 now. I therefore renounce what I previously said that directors should retire before 70. Not all.
SALA SAMOBOJCOW. HEJTER (SUICIDE ROOM: HATER)
Recommended. A gripping thriller, emotional at times, plausible. The flower scene was so absurd - on purpose - I burst out laughing. Maciej Musiałowski and Maciej Stuhr are superb in the roles of the hater and the politician respectively.The climax first seemed over the top but then I remembered events not only from Poland but also other countries. Definitely exportable stuff. The movie was scripted by Pacewicz of "Boże Ciało" ("Corpus Christi") fame, directed by Jan Komasa - the way he depicts men, again, I had the impression he was gay.
They finished shooting on 23rd December 2018. Polish politician, Adamowicz, was assassinated on 13th January 2019.
Monday, 9 March 2020
ZIEJA (TRUTH MAKES FREE - ZIEJA)
Watchable. The movie is quite religious, the agent trying to extract the information from the priest is but a pretext. It features some smart sermons - shortened but used verbatim. However, Andrzej Seweryn as priest Zieja looks lecherous rather than holy. Funnily, the Vatican Museums paintings show muscled naked men. The extent of male nudity gives them a gay feeling. I'm quite certain that wasn't the director's intention. The lead character is righteous and sensible. The depicted conversations he held with Kuroń are authentic, e.g. "if you have God in yourself, you don't need religion". Talking to his imaginary friend, he's aware that you become "old when you realize you haven't always been right and you're not needed any more". He's said to have rescued 23 wounded in combat during the war, he told soldiers not to shoot in which he resembles the religious hero of "Hacksaw Ridge". Visually-wise, cigarette smoke shifts into a picture of World War 2 where the scene soon becomes clouded in the smoke from explosions. Torn body parts are depicted but it's all grey which spares you from the shock. Unfortunately, apart from the reminiscences, everything else is grey too which makes the movie lackluster. There's also no action or tension. The main message is: "God is one for everyone." Dull music from Fonoteka Sonoria doesn't help. The beginning and ending is a frame - the final knocking by an unknown person leaves a field for interpretation.
Director Robert Gliński thinks Andrzej Seweryn cast as Zieja looks just like the original. I've since looked up his pictures and dare to disagree. The director decided that since Zieja was a virtually saint hero, an anti-hero was needed. So he pitted the restrained "saint" versus such a "rozbuchany kartofel" ("frisky potato") as Zamachowski so that the interaction sparkles.
The script was 180 pages long so he had to decide which fragments to choose but also added extra scenes, ending up with 3 hours so then had to remove some material. The selection criterion was: what's contemporary stays.
The beginning and ending is a frame - the final knocking on the door by an unknown person meant to show how history repeats itself.
There had been documentaries about Zieja but no actors' movie before.
The priest spread pacifism. In effect one of the Warsaw Rising scout insurgents went for the Arsenal action without a pistol. Zieja was also a precursor of feminism - he wanted to introduce women into the parish council. KOR (the Workers' Defence Committee) had two opponents active within the organization: Michnik, Macierewicz. They argued a lot and it was Zieja who kept them in peace for 4 years.
On the balcony, Zieja talks to Kuroń whose identity is not explained in the movie. The conversations with Kuroń are authentic. The director has been to Kuroń's flat in Żoliborz.
The dog biting the SB (the Security Service) man was an authentic case.
Robert Gliński found it hard to implement the script due to resistance from Catholics in the film circles though the Church supported it. It was his colleagues who tried to block the movie.
WINTERLAND
Watchable. The snowboard documentary comprises of virtually the same views and rock music all the time. What drew my attention was frostbite on the sportspeople's faces as a downside to the hobby but, on the other hand, the 12 year old was superb and the dangerous falls from extremely steep slopes provided a bit of adrenaline for the viewer.
ROADLESS
Watchable. Another snowboard flick. I quickly spotted frostbite on their faces and hands again. This film offers more varied views and music. Talks also about getting pro.
365 DNI (365 DAYS)
Walked out. Neither the mafia opening, nor the subsequent corporate meeting are plausible. Wooden acting makes it even worse. In the first sex scene we see disgust on Massimo's face. Later, with the 'right girl', they both look at each other with hatred and disdain. Both leads act gangsters instead of lovers. And he treats her like a perv. It's basically a "Fifty Shades of Grey" chav way, especially in the protagonists' language. In the US, movie producers hire dialect coaches. In Poland, they didn't even check English grammar!
The script writer barely managed to get to the premiere of the movie, the producers didn't invite him. When he did see the film, he realised it wasn't what he had written. He could see low budget. He wrote the whole in Polish and someone else translated the dialogues into incorrect English.
Watchable. The movie is quite religious, the agent trying to extract the information from the priest is but a pretext. It features some smart sermons - shortened but used verbatim. However, Andrzej Seweryn as priest Zieja looks lecherous rather than holy. Funnily, the Vatican Museums paintings show muscled naked men. The extent of male nudity gives them a gay feeling. I'm quite certain that wasn't the director's intention. The lead character is righteous and sensible. The depicted conversations he held with Kuroń are authentic, e.g. "if you have God in yourself, you don't need religion". Talking to his imaginary friend, he's aware that you become "old when you realize you haven't always been right and you're not needed any more". He's said to have rescued 23 wounded in combat during the war, he told soldiers not to shoot in which he resembles the religious hero of "Hacksaw Ridge". Visually-wise, cigarette smoke shifts into a picture of World War 2 where the scene soon becomes clouded in the smoke from explosions. Torn body parts are depicted but it's all grey which spares you from the shock. Unfortunately, apart from the reminiscences, everything else is grey too which makes the movie lackluster. There's also no action or tension. The main message is: "God is one for everyone." Dull music from Fonoteka Sonoria doesn't help. The beginning and ending is a frame - the final knocking by an unknown person leaves a field for interpretation.
Director Robert Gliński thinks Andrzej Seweryn cast as Zieja looks just like the original. I've since looked up his pictures and dare to disagree. The director decided that since Zieja was a virtually saint hero, an anti-hero was needed. So he pitted the restrained "saint" versus such a "rozbuchany kartofel" ("frisky potato") as Zamachowski so that the interaction sparkles.
The script was 180 pages long so he had to decide which fragments to choose but also added extra scenes, ending up with 3 hours so then had to remove some material. The selection criterion was: what's contemporary stays.
The beginning and ending is a frame - the final knocking on the door by an unknown person meant to show how history repeats itself.
There had been documentaries about Zieja but no actors' movie before.
The priest spread pacifism. In effect one of the Warsaw Rising scout insurgents went for the Arsenal action without a pistol. Zieja was also a precursor of feminism - he wanted to introduce women into the parish council. KOR (the Workers' Defence Committee) had two opponents active within the organization: Michnik, Macierewicz. They argued a lot and it was Zieja who kept them in peace for 4 years.
On the balcony, Zieja talks to Kuroń whose identity is not explained in the movie. The conversations with Kuroń are authentic. The director has been to Kuroń's flat in Żoliborz.
The dog biting the SB (the Security Service) man was an authentic case.
Robert Gliński found it hard to implement the script due to resistance from Catholics in the film circles though the Church supported it. It was his colleagues who tried to block the movie.
WINTERLAND
Watchable. The snowboard documentary comprises of virtually the same views and rock music all the time. What drew my attention was frostbite on the sportspeople's faces as a downside to the hobby but, on the other hand, the 12 year old was superb and the dangerous falls from extremely steep slopes provided a bit of adrenaline for the viewer.
ROADLESS
Watchable. Another snowboard flick. I quickly spotted frostbite on their faces and hands again. This film offers more varied views and music. Talks also about getting pro.
365 DNI (365 DAYS)
Walked out. Neither the mafia opening, nor the subsequent corporate meeting are plausible. Wooden acting makes it even worse. In the first sex scene we see disgust on Massimo's face. Later, with the 'right girl', they both look at each other with hatred and disdain. Both leads act gangsters instead of lovers. And he treats her like a perv. It's basically a "Fifty Shades of Grey" chav way, especially in the protagonists' language. In the US, movie producers hire dialect coaches. In Poland, they didn't even check English grammar!
The script writer barely managed to get to the premiere of the movie, the producers didn't invite him. When he did see the film, he realised it wasn't what he had written. He could see low budget. He wrote the whole in Polish and someone else translated the dialogues into incorrect English.
Monday, 2 March 2020
ZENEK
Recommended. Little short of phenomenal. It's not a typical biography - Zenek's life's different than what we know from other musicians' biopics. The movie was "inspired by" Zenon Martyniuk's life and is not a documentary but a very honest biography where the director doesn't shy away from showing the future star step into actual shit in the street on his way to a gig. It depicts village life in Podlasie since but mostly in 1985 - both the rural region and the 80s are meticulously recreated not only in objects but also in behaviour. The social-cultural background is the highlight of this production - it clarifies who he is and explains the whole phenomenon around him. The social-cultural setting manifests itself also in the taste in clothes - chic disco polo way, including the singer's house decor, the choice of wife and her fashion style as well. Other than that, he first sang covers, including Limahl's, whose posters he had in his bedroom, like virtually every Polish teenager at the time. The whole film is fantastically acted, but especially by Jakub Zając, the talented young actor enacting the star's youth. The film's shot in an interesting form - with mock-documentary utterances of people from his circle which smoothly transport you to a different year. The finale's wonderful.
Recommended. Little short of phenomenal. It's not a typical biography - Zenek's life's different than what we know from other musicians' biopics. The movie was "inspired by" Zenon Martyniuk's life and is not a documentary but a very honest biography where the director doesn't shy away from showing the future star step into actual shit in the street on his way to a gig. It depicts village life in Podlasie since but mostly in 1985 - both the rural region and the 80s are meticulously recreated not only in objects but also in behaviour. The social-cultural background is the highlight of this production - it clarifies who he is and explains the whole phenomenon around him. The social-cultural setting manifests itself also in the taste in clothes - chic disco polo way, including the singer's house decor, the choice of wife and her fashion style as well. Other than that, he first sang covers, including Limahl's, whose posters he had in his bedroom, like virtually every Polish teenager at the time. The whole film is fantastically acted, but especially by Jakub Zając, the talented young actor enacting the star's youth. The film's shot in an interesting form - with mock-documentary utterances of people from his circle which smoothly transport you to a different year. The finale's wonderful.
Sunday, 1 March 2020
EMMA.
Recommended. A most delightful period piece: elaborate, embroidered and crocheted costumes, splendid hats, stunning hairstyles, impeccable set design - lavish, historic interiors, speckless outdoors and the combination of these elements, e.g. Emma standing in a white dress with embroidered flowering plants right under a lilac in blossom, are pure perfection. Directed by Autumn de Wilde - a photographer known for portraiture work. The adaptation of immortal Jane Austen's is all stately which doesn't hinder irony but also surprises with touching moments on occasions. Wonderfully acted, especially by Anna Taylor-Joy as Emma, Mia Goth as Harriet, Josh O'Connor as Elton. Can be seen either as a warning that even in a perfect world feelings can reduce you to tears or, better, as a happy-go-lucky tale about carefree lives. The music comprises of: traditional, Mozart, Haydn, some Beethoven.
The dialogues are so rich in advanced level personality adjectives I should use the film in class.
Recommended. A most delightful period piece: elaborate, embroidered and crocheted costumes, splendid hats, stunning hairstyles, impeccable set design - lavish, historic interiors, speckless outdoors and the combination of these elements, e.g. Emma standing in a white dress with embroidered flowering plants right under a lilac in blossom, are pure perfection. Directed by Autumn de Wilde - a photographer known for portraiture work. The adaptation of immortal Jane Austen's is all stately which doesn't hinder irony but also surprises with touching moments on occasions. Wonderfully acted, especially by Anna Taylor-Joy as Emma, Mia Goth as Harriet, Josh O'Connor as Elton. Can be seen either as a warning that even in a perfect world feelings can reduce you to tears or, better, as a happy-go-lucky tale about carefree lives. The music comprises of: traditional, Mozart, Haydn, some Beethoven.
The dialogues are so rich in advanced level personality adjectives I should use the film in class.
Sunday, 23 February 2020
南方车站的聚会 (THE WILD GOOSE LAKE)
Watchable. The wild goose has a different meaning in Chinese than in English. While the translated title carries a meaning seemingly fitting the crime story of a fugitive, the original connotations are different: a wild goose bears a message of love from afar if persons are separated by a great distance, or signifies a lone goose, bereft of both mate and flock. We find both in the picture. But the movie's far from romantic. Decrepit food outlets and hotels, derelict buildings, pervasive cigarette smoking. Modern edifices and skyscrapers on a huge poster contrast with the pair walking past. The film ticks off all the noir boxes: interesting light and shadow effects in the yellow-black night, pink or blue at times, rain, shabby places, gangsters and a prostitute muse, prolonged shots, violence and a romantic title. Visuals of interest include: neon shoe soles on dancers' feet, a boat in the mist, the prostitute's label hat sinking literally and symbolically, shadows behind yellow curtains during the day, close-ups on gripped body parts during a brawl, blood splashing on the inside of an umbrella. All these visual effects make you look at the evening city differently once you leave the cinema.
PETERSSON UND FINDUS - FINDUS ZIEHT UM (PETTSON AND FINDUS 3 - FINDUS MOVES OUT)
Recommended. Another production from the series where even the opening credits use jobs creatively, e.g. putting the costume designer's name on a piece of fabric etc. The plot is eventful and funny as usual, with hilarious situations like when Findus is catching a fish bigger than himself, when Petersson (Pettson) and Gustavsson are scrambling in the tent, when Gustavsson is reproaching Petersson (Pettson) for spoiling Findus - he's got a point, or when Gustavsson has got caught in the fox trap. And Findus is disarming with his 'own' ideas coming from ever-resourceful Petersson (Pettson). Yet all these amusing events are part of the tale of the cat growing up and demanding his own space the way older children do. Both the cat and the owner learn some lessons while keeping the viewers entertained. Delightfully acted, cutely animated, with songs nice even in the Polish dubbing. The tale is so engaging it's easy to forget all the children in the audience.
Watchable. The wild goose has a different meaning in Chinese than in English. While the translated title carries a meaning seemingly fitting the crime story of a fugitive, the original connotations are different: a wild goose bears a message of love from afar if persons are separated by a great distance, or signifies a lone goose, bereft of both mate and flock. We find both in the picture. But the movie's far from romantic. Decrepit food outlets and hotels, derelict buildings, pervasive cigarette smoking. Modern edifices and skyscrapers on a huge poster contrast with the pair walking past. The film ticks off all the noir boxes: interesting light and shadow effects in the yellow-black night, pink or blue at times, rain, shabby places, gangsters and a prostitute muse, prolonged shots, violence and a romantic title. Visuals of interest include: neon shoe soles on dancers' feet, a boat in the mist, the prostitute's label hat sinking literally and symbolically, shadows behind yellow curtains during the day, close-ups on gripped body parts during a brawl, blood splashing on the inside of an umbrella. All these visual effects make you look at the evening city differently once you leave the cinema.
PETERSSON UND FINDUS - FINDUS ZIEHT UM (PETTSON AND FINDUS 3 - FINDUS MOVES OUT)
Recommended. Another production from the series where even the opening credits use jobs creatively, e.g. putting the costume designer's name on a piece of fabric etc. The plot is eventful and funny as usual, with hilarious situations like when Findus is catching a fish bigger than himself, when Petersson (Pettson) and Gustavsson are scrambling in the tent, when Gustavsson is reproaching Petersson (Pettson) for spoiling Findus - he's got a point, or when Gustavsson has got caught in the fox trap. And Findus is disarming with his 'own' ideas coming from ever-resourceful Petersson (Pettson). Yet all these amusing events are part of the tale of the cat growing up and demanding his own space the way older children do. Both the cat and the owner learn some lessons while keeping the viewers entertained. Delightfully acted, cutely animated, with songs nice even in the Polish dubbing. The tale is so engaging it's easy to forget all the children in the audience.
Thursday, 20 February 2020
SMAK PHO (THE TASTE OF PHO)
Recommended. A subtle, heart-warming tale of a Polish-Vietnamese family and the complex situation of the Vietnamese and other foreigners working in Poland. The national identity manifested through lifestyle, food, demeanor as well as mixing cultures of the Polish hosts and immigrants from all of Asia form an intricate mosaic which is visible only to a watchful eye. Thang Long Do stands out as Long. The hardships of acculturation and intercultural homesickness permeate through him. Insightful, ordinary and multi-layered at the same time.
Recommended. A subtle, heart-warming tale of a Polish-Vietnamese family and the complex situation of the Vietnamese and other foreigners working in Poland. The national identity manifested through lifestyle, food, demeanor as well as mixing cultures of the Polish hosts and immigrants from all of Asia form an intricate mosaic which is visible only to a watchful eye. Thang Long Do stands out as Long. The hardships of acculturation and intercultural homesickness permeate through him. Insightful, ordinary and multi-layered at the same time.
Tuesday, 18 February 2020
FANTASY ISLAND
Recommended. Adventure and dark fantasy with a second bottom. Shot on Fiji which makes for the seemingly paradise island and just the right premise for adventures including a military action in Venezuela, a drug lord estate as well as an idyllic beach. A handful of good actors, no big shots, and a thoroughly engaging and mysterious story. Each person's fantasies differ, they sometimes match one another's, at other times collide and either leave the people unfulfilled when leaving a dream or turn out wrong which is a decent allegory of life, especially when you consider how we think we want something but then discover we wanted something hidden much deeper. The way the movie's made, it's all entertainment, with a number of twists and constant uncertainty: is it a game or for real? And who is played by who? The song heard over the end credits is aptly titled "Don't Wish Your Life Away". While I could find tropes from "Hostel 3", "Jumanji", "Flatliners", "eXistenZ", "Saw", I also quickly came to the conclusion the structure of "Fantasy Island" was in fact original. Well, it turns out it's based on Gene Levitt's TV series from the 1970s-80s which I have never watched but from what I'm reading now: The movie may be the first installment of a series since Mr. Tattoo is kind-of introduced at the end. He's short and Asian. Julia is the one who shouts "The plane! The plane" and she's Hispanic. Mr. Roarke wears a white suit and wants all his staff to smile. Another reference to the series is when the vengeful girl dubs him a "genie". Roarke makes it clear each fantasy has to be played out to its natural conclusion. The guests arrive having won a competition. Some are in another person's fantasy. One character is a private eye. Few supernatural elements appear in comparison to the series. Typical guests are said to want to enact sexual fantasies - the original idea the TV series stemmed from. TV used Kauai, Hawaii for the opening view of the coastline and shot the rest in California, not Fiji.
Recommended. Adventure and dark fantasy with a second bottom. Shot on Fiji which makes for the seemingly paradise island and just the right premise for adventures including a military action in Venezuela, a drug lord estate as well as an idyllic beach. A handful of good actors, no big shots, and a thoroughly engaging and mysterious story. Each person's fantasies differ, they sometimes match one another's, at other times collide and either leave the people unfulfilled when leaving a dream or turn out wrong which is a decent allegory of life, especially when you consider how we think we want something but then discover we wanted something hidden much deeper. The way the movie's made, it's all entertainment, with a number of twists and constant uncertainty: is it a game or for real? And who is played by who? The song heard over the end credits is aptly titled "Don't Wish Your Life Away". While I could find tropes from "Hostel 3", "Jumanji", "Flatliners", "eXistenZ", "Saw", I also quickly came to the conclusion the structure of "Fantasy Island" was in fact original. Well, it turns out it's based on Gene Levitt's TV series from the 1970s-80s which I have never watched but from what I'm reading now: The movie may be the first installment of a series since Mr. Tattoo is kind-of introduced at the end. He's short and Asian. Julia is the one who shouts "The plane! The plane" and she's Hispanic. Mr. Roarke wears a white suit and wants all his staff to smile. Another reference to the series is when the vengeful girl dubs him a "genie". Roarke makes it clear each fantasy has to be played out to its natural conclusion. The guests arrive having won a competition. Some are in another person's fantasy. One character is a private eye. Few supernatural elements appear in comparison to the series. Typical guests are said to want to enact sexual fantasies - the original idea the TV series stemmed from. TV used Kauai, Hawaii for the opening view of the coastline and shot the rest in California, not Fiji.
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Recommended. The opening credits are accompanied by the sound of chopping wood, announcing the biggest star - Harrison Ford as one of Buck's owners, but the first sequence of the movie comprises of hilarious exploits of the dog in a southern villa and garden. Buck is digitally antropomorphised Scooby-Doo way. Other dogs, wolves and caribous are clearly CGI-enhanced since they resemble "The Lion King". Scenes under the northern lights, the black wolf figure and a town venue called "The Argonaut" give the film mythical and fairy-tale-like characteristics. While I loved it as an adult, it appears suitable for children as well. It's almost a comedy, though the film keeps in tension and has a few deeply moving moments. The plot is presented mostly through the dog's eyes - not in the camerawork but in the storytelling. In the town, "Teeth pulling" is advertised. I laughed a lot and I cried on a few occasions too but the most moving situation ends with humour as well. Cara Gee, Omar Sy and Harrison Ford are excellent in their roles. Credible locations: British Columbia, Yukon and California do the magic too. And last but not least, I kept replaying the matching, gentle western music in my head after leaving the cinema.
HARLEY QUINN: BIRDS OF PREY
Recommended. I loved every bit of it. Is it even possible not to adore Harley Quinn? The soundtrack is perfect. Margot Robbie deserves an Oscar. Ewan McGregor gives a top performance as well. But the best are the set decor, all of Harley Quinn's look and the script, especially the main protagonist's narrative. It's punk, deranged and... fabulous. The reenactment of "Diamonds are a girl's best friend" Harley-style is fantastic. The post-credit is puzzling because you hear her say: "Did you know that Batman...?" and it gets cut-off.
Recommended. The opening credits are accompanied by the sound of chopping wood, announcing the biggest star - Harrison Ford as one of Buck's owners, but the first sequence of the movie comprises of hilarious exploits of the dog in a southern villa and garden. Buck is digitally antropomorphised Scooby-Doo way. Other dogs, wolves and caribous are clearly CGI-enhanced since they resemble "The Lion King". Scenes under the northern lights, the black wolf figure and a town venue called "The Argonaut" give the film mythical and fairy-tale-like characteristics. While I loved it as an adult, it appears suitable for children as well. It's almost a comedy, though the film keeps in tension and has a few deeply moving moments. The plot is presented mostly through the dog's eyes - not in the camerawork but in the storytelling. In the town, "Teeth pulling" is advertised. I laughed a lot and I cried on a few occasions too but the most moving situation ends with humour as well. Cara Gee, Omar Sy and Harrison Ford are excellent in their roles. Credible locations: British Columbia, Yukon and California do the magic too. And last but not least, I kept replaying the matching, gentle western music in my head after leaving the cinema.
HARLEY QUINN: BIRDS OF PREY
Recommended. I loved every bit of it. Is it even possible not to adore Harley Quinn? The soundtrack is perfect. Margot Robbie deserves an Oscar. Ewan McGregor gives a top performance as well. But the best are the set decor, all of Harley Quinn's look and the script, especially the main protagonist's narrative. It's punk, deranged and... fabulous. The reenactment of "Diamonds are a girl's best friend" Harley-style is fantastic. The post-credit is puzzling because you hear her say: "Did you know that Batman...?" and it gets cut-off.
Sunday, 16 February 2020
GRETEL AND HANSEL
Watchable. Gretel's potential employer turns out to be a sex pest, she runs from domestic violence, an emaciated zombie-like man attacks the siblings, both: Gretel and Hansel eat hallucinogenic mushrooms in the woods, Gretel has visions even without them, weird music, the witch wears a hat like in "Wicked" (the long-running theatrical performance in London), characters talk in a lofty tone as if expressing the philosophy of this sick vision. Isn't the original fairy-tale horrible enough? It sounds like a well-balance horror without these extra specials. On top of that, it's terribly politically correct: the only good person is black and the script is all feminism envisaged by men: the writers Oz Perkins and Rob Hayes since it emphasizes that Gretel "finds her own way". I practically watched to see how much more stupidity they'll come up with.
AMAZONIA
Recommended. Almost a documentary where the monkey's story only serves to show the lavishness of nature. Shot in a few eco parks and a monkey school, it depicts a pink dolphin, insects, sloths and lots of other wildlife, with a number of amazing close-ups - pure delight.
Traditional local music in the background. Why is this perfection targeted at children instead of nature-loving adults?
LA VERITE (THE TRUTH)
Walked out. Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche know how to bring boredom to every movie. Films about shooting films never enthrall either. A grumpy actress and her bland family also failed to give me a reason to watch till the end. Ethan Hawke - here mocked as if he weren't a good actor - wasn't enough.
SIBYL
Watchable. Pretty-faced Virginie Efira attracts you first but when she appears naked a couple of times it's somewhat exhibitionist, especially that her body is neither slim nor fit. The story, swiftly cut, is engaging at first but about half-way into the plot, you realise that all the major characters take advantage of others: to write a book, to land a role in a movie, to get laid, to shoot a good picture and wear the lovers off each other which feels a bit on the mental side. And it's about shooting a film which never works in films. More and more nudity is thrown in to keep you watching when the story starts limping. Doesn't really work.
Watchable. Gretel's potential employer turns out to be a sex pest, she runs from domestic violence, an emaciated zombie-like man attacks the siblings, both: Gretel and Hansel eat hallucinogenic mushrooms in the woods, Gretel has visions even without them, weird music, the witch wears a hat like in "Wicked" (the long-running theatrical performance in London), characters talk in a lofty tone as if expressing the philosophy of this sick vision. Isn't the original fairy-tale horrible enough? It sounds like a well-balance horror without these extra specials. On top of that, it's terribly politically correct: the only good person is black and the script is all feminism envisaged by men: the writers Oz Perkins and Rob Hayes since it emphasizes that Gretel "finds her own way". I practically watched to see how much more stupidity they'll come up with.
AMAZONIA
Recommended. Almost a documentary where the monkey's story only serves to show the lavishness of nature. Shot in a few eco parks and a monkey school, it depicts a pink dolphin, insects, sloths and lots of other wildlife, with a number of amazing close-ups - pure delight.
Traditional local music in the background. Why is this perfection targeted at children instead of nature-loving adults?
LA VERITE (THE TRUTH)
Walked out. Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche know how to bring boredom to every movie. Films about shooting films never enthrall either. A grumpy actress and her bland family also failed to give me a reason to watch till the end. Ethan Hawke - here mocked as if he weren't a good actor - wasn't enough.
SIBYL
Watchable. Pretty-faced Virginie Efira attracts you first but when she appears naked a couple of times it's somewhat exhibitionist, especially that her body is neither slim nor fit. The story, swiftly cut, is engaging at first but about half-way into the plot, you realise that all the major characters take advantage of others: to write a book, to land a role in a movie, to get laid, to shoot a good picture and wear the lovers off each other which feels a bit on the mental side. And it's about shooting a film which never works in films. More and more nudity is thrown in to keep you watching when the story starts limping. Doesn't really work.
Wednesday, 12 February 2020
UNDERWATER
Watchable. Starts with Kristen Stewart sporting a crew cut, she's working on a deep-water drilling platform. Looks like both former vampires have taken a similar career path - Robert Pattinson in the outer space. Anyway, the whole film is an "Alien" wash-off - literally, because the monsters - a cross between the Geiger's alien and an octopus - are in the ocean, half-way down the Mariana Trench. The plot is rubbish, with the first explosion a few minutes in, but with good music. The lines are tacky, the level as low as the trench. About the only one I fancied was when you hear an advertisement: "We've got big things in store to come" and see a huge monster out the porthole. As for the horror part, there's one bigger and one smaller jump scare and the ending threatens you with a possible sequel.
RACETIME
Watchable. In Poland, it's all dubbed in Polish, including songs, so you won't hear Lara Fabian, Cool Kids, Joshua Moreno, Simple Plan, Cyndi Lauper etc. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the rhythms. The storyline is simple and clear, far from the craziness the trailer implies. Joyful, light entertainment.
Watchable. Starts with Kristen Stewart sporting a crew cut, she's working on a deep-water drilling platform. Looks like both former vampires have taken a similar career path - Robert Pattinson in the outer space. Anyway, the whole film is an "Alien" wash-off - literally, because the monsters - a cross between the Geiger's alien and an octopus - are in the ocean, half-way down the Mariana Trench. The plot is rubbish, with the first explosion a few minutes in, but with good music. The lines are tacky, the level as low as the trench. About the only one I fancied was when you hear an advertisement: "We've got big things in store to come" and see a huge monster out the porthole. As for the horror part, there's one bigger and one smaller jump scare and the ending threatens you with a possible sequel.
RACETIME
Watchable. In Poland, it's all dubbed in Polish, including songs, so you won't hear Lara Fabian, Cool Kids, Joshua Moreno, Simple Plan, Cyndi Lauper etc. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the rhythms. The storyline is simple and clear, far from the craziness the trailer implies. Joyful, light entertainment.
Tuesday, 11 February 2020
2020 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS - ANIMATION
Only the first 5 were actual nominees, the next 4 were "highly commended".
HAIR LOVE
Recommended. Lovely, the cat making faces is the best, the story of family love when one member is seriously ill is touching. Two animation styles: different for the foreground and for the background.
DCERA (DAUGHTER)
Watchable. Fascinating animation-wise: dolls with faces made of wrinkled paper, wearing clothes sewn from scraps, all places are made of miniature models. But there are no words in the story and I couldn't work out what it was about. Something depressing for sure.
SISTER
Recommended. The woolly dolls look pretty ordinary but the story of a life that never came into being moved me deeply. It's emotional and political - about the Chinese one child policy. Powerful, I rooted for it in the Oscar race.
MEMORABLE
Recommended. Clay dolls covered with impastos. The man's face resembles Vincent van Gogh's which explains the technique. But the highlight is towards the end when the man's wife becomes transparent - you only see some strokes of colourful paint on the outline of her silhouette. The story's touching because it deals with losing memory and vividly shows what it's like to be unable even to recognize yourself in the mirror.
KITBULL
Watchable. Nothing new animation-wise. The animals demonstrate how humans treat them and how affectionate dogs and cats can be.
HENRIETTA BULKOWSKI
Recommended. The tale of the constructor is engaging, there's actual action and touching moments too.
THE BIRD AND THE WHALE
Watchable. The story's depressing, colours grim, only the orangish hues of the sky are attractive.
HORS PISTE
Recommended. The tale is ironic, comical even, without words but perfectly comprehensible. Nothing new in terms of animation but fun to follow the story of two rescuers and one wounded person whose stretches are used as a bridge over a ravine and who experiences many more adventures with or without the rescue team.
MAESTRO
Recommended. The best of the nine shorts. Live animals animated into concert-like behaviour. With a classical soundtrack. A masterpiece.
GORDON & PADDY
Recommended. Animation in pleasant, warm colours, even at night the shades of gray are warm. The animals are lovely, have big, cuddly bodies and cute, thin legs. The story's simple, perfect for young children and filled with the love of family and people - in the shape of animals - in general. I hope for a sequel. In Polish cinemas, it's available dubbed in Polish only. There's an early mid-credit.
The only downside, apart from dubbing, to watching it at the cinema is that you may end up surrounded by many noisy children like I was.
Only the first 5 were actual nominees, the next 4 were "highly commended".
HAIR LOVE
Recommended. Lovely, the cat making faces is the best, the story of family love when one member is seriously ill is touching. Two animation styles: different for the foreground and for the background.
DCERA (DAUGHTER)
Watchable. Fascinating animation-wise: dolls with faces made of wrinkled paper, wearing clothes sewn from scraps, all places are made of miniature models. But there are no words in the story and I couldn't work out what it was about. Something depressing for sure.
SISTER
Recommended. The woolly dolls look pretty ordinary but the story of a life that never came into being moved me deeply. It's emotional and political - about the Chinese one child policy. Powerful, I rooted for it in the Oscar race.
MEMORABLE
Recommended. Clay dolls covered with impastos. The man's face resembles Vincent van Gogh's which explains the technique. But the highlight is towards the end when the man's wife becomes transparent - you only see some strokes of colourful paint on the outline of her silhouette. The story's touching because it deals with losing memory and vividly shows what it's like to be unable even to recognize yourself in the mirror.
KITBULL
Watchable. Nothing new animation-wise. The animals demonstrate how humans treat them and how affectionate dogs and cats can be.
HENRIETTA BULKOWSKI
Recommended. The tale of the constructor is engaging, there's actual action and touching moments too.
THE BIRD AND THE WHALE
Watchable. The story's depressing, colours grim, only the orangish hues of the sky are attractive.
HORS PISTE
Recommended. The tale is ironic, comical even, without words but perfectly comprehensible. Nothing new in terms of animation but fun to follow the story of two rescuers and one wounded person whose stretches are used as a bridge over a ravine and who experiences many more adventures with or without the rescue team.
MAESTRO
Recommended. The best of the nine shorts. Live animals animated into concert-like behaviour. With a classical soundtrack. A masterpiece.
GORDON & PADDY
Recommended. Animation in pleasant, warm colours, even at night the shades of gray are warm. The animals are lovely, have big, cuddly bodies and cute, thin legs. The story's simple, perfect for young children and filled with the love of family and people - in the shape of animals - in general. I hope for a sequel. In Polish cinemas, it's available dubbed in Polish only. There's an early mid-credit.
The only downside, apart from dubbing, to watching it at the cinema is that you may end up surrounded by many noisy children like I was.
Sunday, 9 February 2020
THE 2020 OSCARS GALA
This year https://www.brettygood.com is working from the opening song and dance performance, which in the lyrics, music and attires recollects this year's movies, nominated and not. So are the white and black non-hosts of the commencement.
I loved the joke about the progress in nominating blacks - we've got 1 black nominee this year. And Steve Martin and Chris Rock have an "amazing time no-hosting". And they loved "the first season" of "The Irishman" - not surprising a joke since binge-watching of a series lasts sometimes as long as the Scorsese's movie alone.
Brad Pitt wins Supporting - not bad, my second fave.
I had a feeling right before announcing that "Toy Story 4" would get Best Animated Feature, 'cause it's time after so many movies in the series. And it's Pixar again, obviously. The same with "Hair Love" - Pixar too. This happens when mostly Disney votes.
I'd prefer just the original version of "Into the Unknown" - I hate dubbing, especially in songs.
"기생충" ("Parasite") wins Original Screenplay - it's OK, in this category I mean. And Taika Waititi too - Adapted - what for?! The story's rubbish!
Live Action Short - "The Neighbors' Window" - I'll have to see it.
At least Production Design for "Once upon a Time... in Hollywood" like I wanted.
The song announcing Costume Design is a brilliant compilation of lyrics relating to outfits. "Little Women" as I hoped.
Documentary Feature - sadly "American Factory", OK, I admit I haven't seen it but still, it seems just so biased towards America. Short "Learning to Skate in a Warzone (if you're a Girl)" - another one for me yet to see.
Supporting Actress - Margot Robbie touched me in the movie fragments but Laura Dern wins, overall probably a little bit better.
What a wonderful compilation of songs together with the movie scenes, goes back to the 1980s and includes my all time favourite "Back to the Future".
Sound Editing for "Ford v Ferrari" - great! Sound Mixing for "1917" unfortunately though.
An actress: "Not only is it the cinematographer who prepares meals for the crew but also the cinematographer and cinematographer only knocks on the trailer door and tells us it's time to go out and create magic." "1917" wins, unfortunately. Editors cut her out of "1917" and "Parasite" that "was originally in". "Ford v Ferrari" wins - fantastic!
Why do they even remind us of those revolting "Cats" with the presenters' costumes?! Anyway, "1917" wins - for a movie looking like a computer game?!
A middle-aged actress states she's 87 so can't overestimate makeup and hairstyling. Surprisingly, "Bombshell" wins.
In the meantime, I'm impressed most of the commercials in the intermissions on ABC are movie-based.
International Picture unsurprisingly "Parasite", I preferred one of other two but it's not the worst win either. I even feel moved seeing the crew stand up to an applause from all sides.
I like teasing journalists with the remark that the fight club loser will answer the question of how it is to be a woman in Hollywood.
"Joker" has the best Original Score - I'm elated. The female composer won even though a female director poorly rendered her music just before.
Sadly, Song goes to Elton John for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" instead of my fave "Into the Unknown".
Directing - "Parasite" again. Well, could be worse. OK, I truly enjoyed the movie, just preferred other ones to win Oscars. Funnily, Bong Joon-ho had already been preparing to rest. He himself finds Scorsese the best. He also thanked Quentin Tarantino for popularising his movies. He's split his Oscar with "the Texas chainsaw" and share it with others.
This year's tribute to the deceased included Rutger Hauer who left an indelible mark on me drawing me to movies but they missed Stan Lee - not too much of a film person for them?
Olivia Coleman: "Last year was the best night of my husband's life".
Actor in a Leading Role - Joaquin Phoenix for "Joker" - I rooted for someone else but Joaquin Phoenix was amazing too. And what an astonishing vegan speech. He also mentioned his late brother.
Janelle Monáe in the audience in a dress sparkling in colours like gemstones, earlier Hildur Guðnadóttir had a similar top in hers, but more elaborate.
Actress - all nominations for strong-headed characters, apart from "Judy", fighting for their rights - Renée Zellweger wins as I hoped and expected. In her speech, you can hear her own voice is much different from the character's she impersonated. She's wearing an amazing dress looking like ice on an ice-skating rink.
Picture - "Parasite" - hard to believe Koreans win. Hahaha.
3,5 hours in total like last year, from 2 to 5:30 a.m. Polish time.
This year https://www.brettygood.com is working from the opening song and dance performance, which in the lyrics, music and attires recollects this year's movies, nominated and not. So are the white and black non-hosts of the commencement.
I loved the joke about the progress in nominating blacks - we've got 1 black nominee this year. And Steve Martin and Chris Rock have an "amazing time no-hosting". And they loved "the first season" of "The Irishman" - not surprising a joke since binge-watching of a series lasts sometimes as long as the Scorsese's movie alone.
Brad Pitt wins Supporting - not bad, my second fave.
I had a feeling right before announcing that "Toy Story 4" would get Best Animated Feature, 'cause it's time after so many movies in the series. And it's Pixar again, obviously. The same with "Hair Love" - Pixar too. This happens when mostly Disney votes.
I'd prefer just the original version of "Into the Unknown" - I hate dubbing, especially in songs.
"기생충" ("Parasite") wins Original Screenplay - it's OK, in this category I mean. And Taika Waititi too - Adapted - what for?! The story's rubbish!
Live Action Short - "The Neighbors' Window" - I'll have to see it.
At least Production Design for "Once upon a Time... in Hollywood" like I wanted.
The song announcing Costume Design is a brilliant compilation of lyrics relating to outfits. "Little Women" as I hoped.
Documentary Feature - sadly "American Factory", OK, I admit I haven't seen it but still, it seems just so biased towards America. Short "Learning to Skate in a Warzone (if you're a Girl)" - another one for me yet to see.
Supporting Actress - Margot Robbie touched me in the movie fragments but Laura Dern wins, overall probably a little bit better.
What a wonderful compilation of songs together with the movie scenes, goes back to the 1980s and includes my all time favourite "Back to the Future".
Sound Editing for "Ford v Ferrari" - great! Sound Mixing for "1917" unfortunately though.
An actress: "Not only is it the cinematographer who prepares meals for the crew but also the cinematographer and cinematographer only knocks on the trailer door and tells us it's time to go out and create magic." "1917" wins, unfortunately. Editors cut her out of "1917" and "Parasite" that "was originally in". "Ford v Ferrari" wins - fantastic!
Why do they even remind us of those revolting "Cats" with the presenters' costumes?! Anyway, "1917" wins - for a movie looking like a computer game?!
A middle-aged actress states she's 87 so can't overestimate makeup and hairstyling. Surprisingly, "Bombshell" wins.
In the meantime, I'm impressed most of the commercials in the intermissions on ABC are movie-based.
International Picture unsurprisingly "Parasite", I preferred one of other two but it's not the worst win either. I even feel moved seeing the crew stand up to an applause from all sides.
I like teasing journalists with the remark that the fight club loser will answer the question of how it is to be a woman in Hollywood.
"Joker" has the best Original Score - I'm elated. The female composer won even though a female director poorly rendered her music just before.
Sadly, Song goes to Elton John for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" instead of my fave "Into the Unknown".
Directing - "Parasite" again. Well, could be worse. OK, I truly enjoyed the movie, just preferred other ones to win Oscars. Funnily, Bong Joon-ho had already been preparing to rest. He himself finds Scorsese the best. He also thanked Quentin Tarantino for popularising his movies. He's split his Oscar with "the Texas chainsaw" and share it with others.
This year's tribute to the deceased included Rutger Hauer who left an indelible mark on me drawing me to movies but they missed Stan Lee - not too much of a film person for them?
Olivia Coleman: "Last year was the best night of my husband's life".
Actor in a Leading Role - Joaquin Phoenix for "Joker" - I rooted for someone else but Joaquin Phoenix was amazing too. And what an astonishing vegan speech. He also mentioned his late brother.
Janelle Monáe in the audience in a dress sparkling in colours like gemstones, earlier Hildur Guðnadóttir had a similar top in hers, but more elaborate.
Actress - all nominations for strong-headed characters, apart from "Judy", fighting for their rights - Renée Zellweger wins as I hoped and expected. In her speech, you can hear her own voice is much different from the character's she impersonated. She's wearing an amazing dress looking like ice on an ice-skating rink.
Picture - "Parasite" - hard to believe Koreans win. Hahaha.
3,5 hours in total like last year, from 2 to 5:30 a.m. Polish time.
OSCARS 2020 - MY HOPES
Actor in a Leading Role - I hope for Leonardo DiCaprio for "Once upon a Time... in Hollywood", alternatively Jonathan Pryce for "The Two Popes".
Actor in a Supporting Role - I haven't seen "A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood", from the remaining ones I'm rooting for Anthony Hopkins in "The Two Popes", alternatively Brad Pitt for ""Once upon a Time... in Hollywood".
Actress in a Leading Role - I haven't seen "Harriett", from the remaining ones, Renée Zellweger is probably the best, alternatively I can accept Charlize Theron in "Bombshell" but Saoirse Ronan in "Little Women" and Scarlett Johansson in "Marriage Story" were too annoying.
Actress in a Supporting Role - no greats either, Kathy Bates, Laura Dern and Margot Robbie did well, Florence Pugh so-so and Scarlett Johansson in "Jojo Rabbit" was disastrous, far from an Oscar for sure.
Animated Feature Film - I haven't seen "I Lost My Body" and "Klaus", the other three were mediocre.
Cinematography - "Joker" best and definitely not "The Lighthouse" or "1917".
Costume Design - nothing spotless but "Little Women" had some lovely ballroom gowns.
Directing - Martin Scorsese for "The Irishman", alternatively Todd Phillips for "Joker", definitely not Sam Mendes for "1917".
Documentary Feature - I've only seen "Honeyland" and that was brilliant.
Documentary Short Subject - haven't seen any.
Film Editing - anything but that rubbish "Jojo Rabbit".
International Feature Film - "Dolor y gloria" ("Pain and Glory"), alternatively "Honeyland", the worst was "Les Misérables".
Makeup and Hairstyling - "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil", alternatively "Joker".
Music (Original Score) - only "Joker".
Music (Original Song) - only "Into the Unknown" from "Frozen II".
Best Picture - "Ford v Ferrari", "The Irishman", "Joker" or "Once upon a Time... in Hollywood".
Production Design - "Once upon a Time... in Hollywood" but "기생충" ("Parasite") or "The Irishman" will be fine too.
Short Film (Animated) - "Sister" is my fave but anything but Czech "Dcera" ("Daughter") will be fine with me.
Short Film (Live Action) - I haven't seen any.
Sound Editing - "Ford v Ferrari" or "Joker".
Sound Mixing - "Joker" or "Ford v Ferrari".
Visual Effects - "The Irishman" or "The Lion King".
Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - "The Irishman", "Joker" or "The Two Popes".
Writing (Original Screenplay) - "Once upon a Time... in Hollywood", "Knives Out" or "Marriage Story", alternatively "기생충" ("Parasite"), definitely not "1917".
Actor in a Leading Role - I hope for Leonardo DiCaprio for "Once upon a Time... in Hollywood", alternatively Jonathan Pryce for "The Two Popes".
Actor in a Supporting Role - I haven't seen "A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood", from the remaining ones I'm rooting for Anthony Hopkins in "The Two Popes", alternatively Brad Pitt for ""Once upon a Time... in Hollywood".
Actress in a Leading Role - I haven't seen "Harriett", from the remaining ones, Renée Zellweger is probably the best, alternatively I can accept Charlize Theron in "Bombshell" but Saoirse Ronan in "Little Women" and Scarlett Johansson in "Marriage Story" were too annoying.
Actress in a Supporting Role - no greats either, Kathy Bates, Laura Dern and Margot Robbie did well, Florence Pugh so-so and Scarlett Johansson in "Jojo Rabbit" was disastrous, far from an Oscar for sure.
Animated Feature Film - I haven't seen "I Lost My Body" and "Klaus", the other three were mediocre.
Cinematography - "Joker" best and definitely not "The Lighthouse" or "1917".
Costume Design - nothing spotless but "Little Women" had some lovely ballroom gowns.
Directing - Martin Scorsese for "The Irishman", alternatively Todd Phillips for "Joker", definitely not Sam Mendes for "1917".
Documentary Feature - I've only seen "Honeyland" and that was brilliant.
Documentary Short Subject - haven't seen any.
Film Editing - anything but that rubbish "Jojo Rabbit".
International Feature Film - "Dolor y gloria" ("Pain and Glory"), alternatively "Honeyland", the worst was "Les Misérables".
Makeup and Hairstyling - "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil", alternatively "Joker".
Music (Original Score) - only "Joker".
Music (Original Song) - only "Into the Unknown" from "Frozen II".
Best Picture - "Ford v Ferrari", "The Irishman", "Joker" or "Once upon a Time... in Hollywood".
Production Design - "Once upon a Time... in Hollywood" but "기생충" ("Parasite") or "The Irishman" will be fine too.
Short Film (Animated) - "Sister" is my fave but anything but Czech "Dcera" ("Daughter") will be fine with me.
Short Film (Live Action) - I haven't seen any.
Sound Editing - "Ford v Ferrari" or "Joker".
Sound Mixing - "Joker" or "Ford v Ferrari".
Visual Effects - "The Irishman" or "The Lion King".
Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - "The Irishman", "Joker" or "The Two Popes".
Writing (Original Screenplay) - "Once upon a Time... in Hollywood", "Knives Out" or "Marriage Story", alternatively "기생충" ("Parasite"), definitely not "1917".
L'UOMO DEL LABIRINTO (INTO THE LABYRINTH)
Watchable. Gripping - a 13-year-old girl is kidnapped in the opening scene and while it keeps you in suspense, nonsense, chaos, overcomplication with numerous red herrings and putting into doubt what's true and what's not detract from the mystery. Just like "La ragazza nella nebbia" ("The Girl in the Fog"), Donato Carrisi scripted and directed the movie based on his own book. In a way as ambiguous as before and adding confusion. What additionally ruins the film is inadequate romantic music in the more static sequences and unnatural-looking editing in some fast scenes, including the initial kidnapping. Make-up, realistic in the case of the girl in the hospital, elsewhere gets ridiculous, e.g. the black mark on the boy and man's face looks painted. Dustin Hoffman and Valentina Bellè's impeccable acting save the day.
PSY 3. W IMIE ZASAD
Watchable. The basic idea is fine. The movie takes you fast forward from the 90s to 2020. The characters' lives have changes plausibly. But the subsequent developments are far-fetched, filled with nonsense and it's not clear who, what and why. The music, with long saxophone blows, makes the passages between action feel even more lengthy than they are. At least acting is up-to-scratch. The finale's rubbish: who is the ending text message from and to?
GRAND OFF WINNING SHORT FILMS
About 3500 short films were sent in from 133 countries to enter the festival in 2019 and 4000 in 2018, normally European festivals receive about 300 entries. After preselection nominees are sent out to 90 selectors from round the world. The 90 people form the Jury Chapter, comprised of film professionals. Taken all that, I'd expect top-notch productions to win so was disappointed with what I saw:
MIT IM BUND - awarded for the script in 2019
Watchable. I liked the sexual harassment topic and its development where the girl doesn't remain a victim. The title has a double meaning: within the Federal Republic and within the bunch of people which is some food for thought. Still, it lacks suspense and feels moralistic.
DOUBOUT (STAND UP) - awarded for cinematography in 2019
Watchable again. I most liked hearing about the dangers of Europe from the African point of view: "This will fall on your head" (about snow) and "If it's not snow, it's terrorism." It also shows how "Star Wars" are a global inspiration. The rest is a nice family picture. Just an excerpt from someone's life, nothing special.
ТОЧКА БИФУРКАЦИИ (BIFURCATION POINT) - awarded for editing in 2019
Watchable. There is one little surprise in the plot. The rest is a moral tale for naughty teenagers.
TIMECODE (2016) - one of the festival organizer Witold Kon's favourites, awarded for directing
Recommended. Great cinematography, a riveting idea which was a great surprise, subtly told, professionally danced.
BUS STORY (2016) - one of the festival organizer Witold Kon's favourites, awarded for the plot
Recommended. Fantastic cinematography, especially on the bus, with a smart use of windows, also the reflections he creates with his mobile, are later reflected in his lonely ride when he's watching the city through the bus window. The romantic tale is subtly depicted, with no words.
Watchable. Gripping - a 13-year-old girl is kidnapped in the opening scene and while it keeps you in suspense, nonsense, chaos, overcomplication with numerous red herrings and putting into doubt what's true and what's not detract from the mystery. Just like "La ragazza nella nebbia" ("The Girl in the Fog"), Donato Carrisi scripted and directed the movie based on his own book. In a way as ambiguous as before and adding confusion. What additionally ruins the film is inadequate romantic music in the more static sequences and unnatural-looking editing in some fast scenes, including the initial kidnapping. Make-up, realistic in the case of the girl in the hospital, elsewhere gets ridiculous, e.g. the black mark on the boy and man's face looks painted. Dustin Hoffman and Valentina Bellè's impeccable acting save the day.
PSY 3. W IMIE ZASAD
Watchable. The basic idea is fine. The movie takes you fast forward from the 90s to 2020. The characters' lives have changes plausibly. But the subsequent developments are far-fetched, filled with nonsense and it's not clear who, what and why. The music, with long saxophone blows, makes the passages between action feel even more lengthy than they are. At least acting is up-to-scratch. The finale's rubbish: who is the ending text message from and to?
GRAND OFF WINNING SHORT FILMS
About 3500 short films were sent in from 133 countries to enter the festival in 2019 and 4000 in 2018, normally European festivals receive about 300 entries. After preselection nominees are sent out to 90 selectors from round the world. The 90 people form the Jury Chapter, comprised of film professionals. Taken all that, I'd expect top-notch productions to win so was disappointed with what I saw:
MIT IM BUND - awarded for the script in 2019
Watchable. I liked the sexual harassment topic and its development where the girl doesn't remain a victim. The title has a double meaning: within the Federal Republic and within the bunch of people which is some food for thought. Still, it lacks suspense and feels moralistic.
DOUBOUT (STAND UP) - awarded for cinematography in 2019
Watchable again. I most liked hearing about the dangers of Europe from the African point of view: "This will fall on your head" (about snow) and "If it's not snow, it's terrorism." It also shows how "Star Wars" are a global inspiration. The rest is a nice family picture. Just an excerpt from someone's life, nothing special.
ТОЧКА БИФУРКАЦИИ (BIFURCATION POINT) - awarded for editing in 2019
Watchable. There is one little surprise in the plot. The rest is a moral tale for naughty teenagers.
TIMECODE (2016) - one of the festival organizer Witold Kon's favourites, awarded for directing
Recommended. Great cinematography, a riveting idea which was a great surprise, subtly told, professionally danced.
BUS STORY (2016) - one of the festival organizer Witold Kon's favourites, awarded for the plot
Recommended. Fantastic cinematography, especially on the bus, with a smart use of windows, also the reflections he creates with his mobile, are later reflected in his lonely ride when he's watching the city through the bus window. The romantic tale is subtly depicted, with no words.
Friday, 7 February 2020
RICHARD JEWELL
Recommended. When you've heard of the authentic case from 1996 it's based on you get intrigued from the start. The period details include group "Macarena" dancing - hip at the time. Paul Walter Hauser's performance and the situations the simple mind protagonist is presented in make you curious - a big part of the high quality of the movie is the lead's acting. And from the time the bomb goes off, it captivates. Also, the sound's well made. No Atmos version but when in Richard's house, you hear cars driving away behind you - as if you were inside with your back to the door.
MARIANNE & LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE
Watchable. While the love affair binds the story together, the documentary is predominantly a depiction of the 1960s. Would you have associated the romantic ballad singer with drugs and promiscuity? I didn't but it turns out he and his band would stay high for up to 23 days in a row and he lived in 2 relationships simultaneously and sometimes got laid with 2 women in a single day. These saucy revelations make the second half of the movie more engaging and intriguing than the first. It's not only sensational but also an important voice about "free love" - one of such a couple always got hurt and children of parents living in multiple relationships or changing sexual partners frequently would invariably end up: mentally ill, drug addicts, alcoholics and/or committed suicide.
Recommended. When you've heard of the authentic case from 1996 it's based on you get intrigued from the start. The period details include group "Macarena" dancing - hip at the time. Paul Walter Hauser's performance and the situations the simple mind protagonist is presented in make you curious - a big part of the high quality of the movie is the lead's acting. And from the time the bomb goes off, it captivates. Also, the sound's well made. No Atmos version but when in Richard's house, you hear cars driving away behind you - as if you were inside with your back to the door.
MARIANNE & LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE
Watchable. While the love affair binds the story together, the documentary is predominantly a depiction of the 1960s. Would you have associated the romantic ballad singer with drugs and promiscuity? I didn't but it turns out he and his band would stay high for up to 23 days in a row and he lived in 2 relationships simultaneously and sometimes got laid with 2 women in a single day. These saucy revelations make the second half of the movie more engaging and intriguing than the first. It's not only sensational but also an important voice about "free love" - one of such a couple always got hurt and children of parents living in multiple relationships or changing sexual partners frequently would invariably end up: mentally ill, drug addicts, alcoholics and/or committed suicide.
Monday, 3 February 2020
IL TRADITORE (THE TRAITOR)
Recommended. Starts with a celebration - like famous "The Deer Hunter" and, more importantly in the context, "The Godfather"- both start with weddings. Also a character is named Corleone, making the associations more immediate. The whole story, based on facts, deals with honour and dfferent understandings of morals centred around the Cosa Nostra. Yet, the action takes place in Brazil, Italy, the US and so Italian, Portuguese, Spanish (Tommaso Buscetta's wife Cristina), Sicilian, English are spoken, making it all the more realistic. The realism is further achieved with TV news insertions and the footage of the original Tommaso Buscetta singing at the end. Actually, I will have to see the film again - too many characters at different ages, I'm confused. The movie may be difficult but maintains proper tension and is wonderfully shot. You feel the suspense especially if you remember from "Shooting the Mafia" who was killed in reality - it's like sitting on a ticking time bomb - additionally magnified by the time counter appearing on the screen for the top-notch sequences of killings. I was struck by the psychopathic traits exhibited by the mafiosi, like boldness in court and manipulating the judge. I remember Letizia Bataglia say how bossy and foreboding the capi were, as if they ruled the court - you get to see it re-enacted.
THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM
Recommended. An amazing documentary about the balance of nature. At first it looked like a farming tutorial, which it may serve as, but the film runs deeper: it shows how nature, once set in course, will sort everything for us. It only takes 7 years. It masterfully explains how our foes can become friends and vice versa in the cycle of life and the complex relations between the fauna and the flora. And how our loving care creates harmony in all aspects of our existence.
DOLITTLE
Watchable. Now I know what Robert Downey Jr. is doing here - the movie's a crazy adventure with a construed plot like "Sherlock Holmes" a few years back. "Dolittle" includes a dragon, magic, an exotic ruler (unrecognizable Antonio Banderas), the vet's love interest - Kasia Smutniak as Lily Dolittle. Poor CGIs. I miss Eddie Murphy - both the actor and the modern, down-to-earth plot. There's a mid-credit.
2ND STAGE VR
Recommended. Debussy creates the outlandish ambience as you land on the Moon and Mars and explore their surfaces. Memorable.
CONSCIOUS EXISTENCE VR
Watchable. Annoying mostly for the childish voice narration. But also for the visuals: partly based on special animation effects and only partly more impressive e.g. nature. Too many cartoon-like visuals.
ELEGIE (ELEGY) VR
Walked out (or rather took off the headset). You're stuck in a lift for 30 minutes.
L'ILE DES MORTS (THE ISLE OF THE DEAD) VR
Recommended. Amazing effects: first when your home gradually disappears as you die, next the dark-grey ruins in the sea with patches of water in shades of blue, Rachmaninov's "L'Île des morts" ("The Isle of the Dead") accompanies the visuals. Makes you muse about your own death.
ALTERATION (ALTERATION) VR
Watchable. Too quiet, barely audible in a public place so I didn't quite get the story. One excellent VR effect - you suddenly find yourself in bed with a stranger. Changing graphics of varying quality - partly interesting, artistic, partly mundane and repetitive.
LITTLE WOMEN
Watchable. A fairy-tale for adults. Alternatively, a historical drama about how hard it was on women to have to fall in love with rich men only. All characters are kind and gentle. Loving families and generous neighbours. The costumes and music by Schubert, Schumann, Dvořák, Brahms etc. are fairy-tale-like too. Timothée Chalamet is superb. The scenography and editing fail considerably. The characters walk past some shops and a minute later walk past the same shops again - one of the stores has a big cloth thrown over the sign to pretend a different one. It's also not always clear what happens when. Last but not least, took me time to realise who died. I loved some of the ballroom gowns though.
CIENIE IMPERIUM (SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE)
Watchable. Ruins, ruined health (nervous smoking), torn-apart families and lives: moving places and being bombed everywhere they go or inability to see your family who's stayed on another side of the border - borders can be several and changing. The film focuses on 3 out of 15 areas where Russia is waging mini-wars. It starts with a quote from Alain Besançon about states seeking development and prosperity with the exception of Russia seeking expansion. What the film lacks, is maps and commentary. E.g. the Nagorno-Karabakh protagonist lives 1,5 miles from the front line but I learnt about it from the director, not the documentary.
According to the scriptwriters, Russia specialises in smouldering conflicts and planting delayed-ignition bombs. And that was started by Stalin who mixed ethnicities with the potential of conflict in mind. Putin further divides societies to be able to ignite them as soon as the former republics become too independent.
LA FEMME DE MON FRERE (A BROTHER'S LOVE)
Watchable. Yeah, I can believe it's made by a friend of Xavier Dolan's. I recognize the pointless chatter intertwined with bits of music. The film consists of three kinds of scenes: conversations - either overly philosophical or downright ridiculous, scenes with music - better, dancing - the best bits, for various reasons, sometimes for the quality of dancing itself, sometimes for accompanying developments. The music and dance fragments get the best cinematography and a vast array of musical genres. The whole thing is just about peculiar family and friends relationships. I'm happier with my own.
Recommended. Starts with a celebration - like famous "The Deer Hunter" and, more importantly in the context, "The Godfather"- both start with weddings. Also a character is named Corleone, making the associations more immediate. The whole story, based on facts, deals with honour and dfferent understandings of morals centred around the Cosa Nostra. Yet, the action takes place in Brazil, Italy, the US and so Italian, Portuguese, Spanish (Tommaso Buscetta's wife Cristina), Sicilian, English are spoken, making it all the more realistic. The realism is further achieved with TV news insertions and the footage of the original Tommaso Buscetta singing at the end. Actually, I will have to see the film again - too many characters at different ages, I'm confused. The movie may be difficult but maintains proper tension and is wonderfully shot. You feel the suspense especially if you remember from "Shooting the Mafia" who was killed in reality - it's like sitting on a ticking time bomb - additionally magnified by the time counter appearing on the screen for the top-notch sequences of killings. I was struck by the psychopathic traits exhibited by the mafiosi, like boldness in court and manipulating the judge. I remember Letizia Bataglia say how bossy and foreboding the capi were, as if they ruled the court - you get to see it re-enacted.
THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM
Recommended. An amazing documentary about the balance of nature. At first it looked like a farming tutorial, which it may serve as, but the film runs deeper: it shows how nature, once set in course, will sort everything for us. It only takes 7 years. It masterfully explains how our foes can become friends and vice versa in the cycle of life and the complex relations between the fauna and the flora. And how our loving care creates harmony in all aspects of our existence.
DOLITTLE
Watchable. Now I know what Robert Downey Jr. is doing here - the movie's a crazy adventure with a construed plot like "Sherlock Holmes" a few years back. "Dolittle" includes a dragon, magic, an exotic ruler (unrecognizable Antonio Banderas), the vet's love interest - Kasia Smutniak as Lily Dolittle. Poor CGIs. I miss Eddie Murphy - both the actor and the modern, down-to-earth plot. There's a mid-credit.
2ND STAGE VR
Recommended. Debussy creates the outlandish ambience as you land on the Moon and Mars and explore their surfaces. Memorable.
CONSCIOUS EXISTENCE VR
Watchable. Annoying mostly for the childish voice narration. But also for the visuals: partly based on special animation effects and only partly more impressive e.g. nature. Too many cartoon-like visuals.
ELEGIE (ELEGY) VR
Walked out (or rather took off the headset). You're stuck in a lift for 30 minutes.
L'ILE DES MORTS (THE ISLE OF THE DEAD) VR
Recommended. Amazing effects: first when your home gradually disappears as you die, next the dark-grey ruins in the sea with patches of water in shades of blue, Rachmaninov's "L'Île des morts" ("The Isle of the Dead") accompanies the visuals. Makes you muse about your own death.
ALTERATION (ALTERATION) VR
Watchable. Too quiet, barely audible in a public place so I didn't quite get the story. One excellent VR effect - you suddenly find yourself in bed with a stranger. Changing graphics of varying quality - partly interesting, artistic, partly mundane and repetitive.
LITTLE WOMEN
Watchable. A fairy-tale for adults. Alternatively, a historical drama about how hard it was on women to have to fall in love with rich men only. All characters are kind and gentle. Loving families and generous neighbours. The costumes and music by Schubert, Schumann, Dvořák, Brahms etc. are fairy-tale-like too. Timothée Chalamet is superb. The scenography and editing fail considerably. The characters walk past some shops and a minute later walk past the same shops again - one of the stores has a big cloth thrown over the sign to pretend a different one. It's also not always clear what happens when. Last but not least, took me time to realise who died. I loved some of the ballroom gowns though.
CIENIE IMPERIUM (SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE)
Watchable. Ruins, ruined health (nervous smoking), torn-apart families and lives: moving places and being bombed everywhere they go or inability to see your family who's stayed on another side of the border - borders can be several and changing. The film focuses on 3 out of 15 areas where Russia is waging mini-wars. It starts with a quote from Alain Besançon about states seeking development and prosperity with the exception of Russia seeking expansion. What the film lacks, is maps and commentary. E.g. the Nagorno-Karabakh protagonist lives 1,5 miles from the front line but I learnt about it from the director, not the documentary.
According to the scriptwriters, Russia specialises in smouldering conflicts and planting delayed-ignition bombs. And that was started by Stalin who mixed ethnicities with the potential of conflict in mind. Putin further divides societies to be able to ignite them as soon as the former republics become too independent.
LA FEMME DE MON FRERE (A BROTHER'S LOVE)
Watchable. Yeah, I can believe it's made by a friend of Xavier Dolan's. I recognize the pointless chatter intertwined with bits of music. The film consists of three kinds of scenes: conversations - either overly philosophical or downright ridiculous, scenes with music - better, dancing - the best bits, for various reasons, sometimes for the quality of dancing itself, sometimes for accompanying developments. The music and dance fragments get the best cinematography and a vast array of musical genres. The whole thing is just about peculiar family and friends relationships. I'm happier with my own.
Thursday, 30 January 2020
КИСЛОТА (ACID)
Watchable. Engaging. Russians know how to bring a story home. An engaging plot. Good actors, good looking guys, a bit of great club music and dancing. Realistically presented - glassy eyes of drug users. But the whole story, though revealing more and more in time, lacks a bite. Leaves an empty feeling.
If a character in a Russian flick is vegetarian, it means the trend is truly global.
Watchable. Engaging. Russians know how to bring a story home. An engaging plot. Good actors, good looking guys, a bit of great club music and dancing. Realistically presented - glassy eyes of drug users. But the whole story, though revealing more and more in time, lacks a bite. Leaves an empty feeling.
If a character in a Russian flick is vegetarian, it means the trend is truly global.
Wednesday, 29 January 2020
RED SHOES AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
Watchable. In Poland, it's only dubbed, including songs, in Polish so you won't hear Sam Claflin as Merlin. The wizard's name sounds familiar, doesn't it? So add characters enchanted into green-skinned ones, like ogres in "Shrek" and a talking tree as a mirror - not sure if the chatty plant comes from "Guardians of the Galaxy" or "The Lord of the Rings". Some lines refer to pop culture as well, e.g. considering a guest list for an aristocrat's party: "Princess Diana?" "From a different fairy-tale." "Princess Leia?" "Promoted to general." The animation style and quality varies. It's either sufficient-for-kids or displays varying textures or, once only, near the beginning, it's artistic. As for the story, it tells you that if a man gets to love you, you can put on weight and will be still loved and if he's valiant, you'll fall for him and he'll look handsome in your eyes. The movie sound's been recorded in Atmos but the music's poor. At the end of the early credits, which are all fun, a scene seems to announce a sequel.
TROUBLE
Watchable. A standard riches-to-rags and back again dog plot, with an obligatory escape from a dog pound. Sufficient-for-kids animation. Silly music but, with the film dubbed in Polish, I'm happy at least the songs are in the English original. Squirrels perform a Jacko-style dance at times and one of songs is called "Bad And Dangerous". The translation by Bartek Fukiet means witty lines. Several are created around dogs' impeccable sense of smell and hearing but some compare human and dog lives' delights, e.g. when ordinary dogs are pampered with meditation, one remarks: "And I thought that the sense of my dogness is smelling bottom backs." Trouble is a cute little mutt and his and other dogs' feelings are truly moving. The film teaches the love of dogs. A loud fart sound makes for the post-credit though.
Watchable. In Poland, it's only dubbed, including songs, in Polish so you won't hear Sam Claflin as Merlin. The wizard's name sounds familiar, doesn't it? So add characters enchanted into green-skinned ones, like ogres in "Shrek" and a talking tree as a mirror - not sure if the chatty plant comes from "Guardians of the Galaxy" or "The Lord of the Rings". Some lines refer to pop culture as well, e.g. considering a guest list for an aristocrat's party: "Princess Diana?" "From a different fairy-tale." "Princess Leia?" "Promoted to general." The animation style and quality varies. It's either sufficient-for-kids or displays varying textures or, once only, near the beginning, it's artistic. As for the story, it tells you that if a man gets to love you, you can put on weight and will be still loved and if he's valiant, you'll fall for him and he'll look handsome in your eyes. The movie sound's been recorded in Atmos but the music's poor. At the end of the early credits, which are all fun, a scene seems to announce a sequel.
TROUBLE
Watchable. A standard riches-to-rags and back again dog plot, with an obligatory escape from a dog pound. Sufficient-for-kids animation. Silly music but, with the film dubbed in Polish, I'm happy at least the songs are in the English original. Squirrels perform a Jacko-style dance at times and one of songs is called "Bad And Dangerous". The translation by Bartek Fukiet means witty lines. Several are created around dogs' impeccable sense of smell and hearing but some compare human and dog lives' delights, e.g. when ordinary dogs are pampered with meditation, one remarks: "And I thought that the sense of my dogness is smelling bottom backs." Trouble is a cute little mutt and his and other dogs' feelings are truly moving. The film teaches the love of dogs. A loud fart sound makes for the post-credit though.
Sunday, 26 January 2020
FALENICKA ATLANTYDA
Watchable. Documentation-wise it's spotless. But it means the only thing you learn about the Falenica - a town with 70% Jewish population before the war - ghetto is hunger. That's because no first hand testimonies were available. For history buffs, it may be important but for me, apart from learning how many Jews there were before the war, coexisting with no racism with the Polis population, and the mere fact there was a ghetto there, I learnt nothing new. Well, one girl saved herself from a rape when she said she was 13 in German. That's it. No more benefits of the movie.
Watchable. Documentation-wise it's spotless. But it means the only thing you learn about the Falenica - a town with 70% Jewish population before the war - ghetto is hunger. That's because no first hand testimonies were available. For history buffs, it may be important but for me, apart from learning how many Jews there were before the war, coexisting with no racism with the Polis population, and the mere fact there was a ghetto there, I learnt nothing new. Well, one girl saved herself from a rape when she said she was 13 in German. That's it. No more benefits of the movie.
PAMIEC NA POKOLENIA. POKAZ FILMOW O ZAGLADZIE (MEMORY FOR GENERATIONS. A SCREENING OF MOVIES ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST)
WARSZAWA: MIASTO PODZIELONE (WARSAW: A CITY DIVIDED)
Recommended. The documentary starts with a tram which makes sense when you hear the story. A completely new take on the ghetto. The extermination is mentioned as if on the margin of the main plot. It's the first time I've seen the area (due to excellent drone pictures), the borders of the ghetto and the rest of Warsaw as an urban development and an architectural plan. You see how the Nazis envisaged it. On the one hand, it strikes you with how methodically the occupiers acted having a comprehensive plan of action and on the other, how painful it is to this day for survivors to walk the former ghetto streets. The ghetto was dismantled to rubble, mind it. The current streets and buildings were built from scratch, not counting human remains in re-used rubble - some Muranów inhabitants say their flats are haunted by ghosts. Golden placques on buildings apparently mark the borderline - I'll have to walk the route once.
SWIADKOWIE EPOKI: CZAS ZAGLADY
Recommended. A hard-hitting register of testimonies about the Holocaust where even a poem tells about the people who didn't have graves. Horrible stories about gas chambers fill most of this luckily short documentary.
OSTATNI ETAP (1947) (THE LAST STAGE)
Watchable. Probably the most realistic feature about a concentration camp: shot right after the war which means there's real mud on the ground and nights are black. Shot on a camp location, with prisoners and staff speaking various tongues without translation. Based on real cases too. Ends abruptly. And that includes "Koniec" ("The End") without a long list of end credits - the latter is a bliss.
WARSZAWA: MIASTO PODZIELONE (WARSAW: A CITY DIVIDED)
Recommended. The documentary starts with a tram which makes sense when you hear the story. A completely new take on the ghetto. The extermination is mentioned as if on the margin of the main plot. It's the first time I've seen the area (due to excellent drone pictures), the borders of the ghetto and the rest of Warsaw as an urban development and an architectural plan. You see how the Nazis envisaged it. On the one hand, it strikes you with how methodically the occupiers acted having a comprehensive plan of action and on the other, how painful it is to this day for survivors to walk the former ghetto streets. The ghetto was dismantled to rubble, mind it. The current streets and buildings were built from scratch, not counting human remains in re-used rubble - some Muranów inhabitants say their flats are haunted by ghosts. Golden placques on buildings apparently mark the borderline - I'll have to walk the route once.
SWIADKOWIE EPOKI: CZAS ZAGLADY
Recommended. A hard-hitting register of testimonies about the Holocaust where even a poem tells about the people who didn't have graves. Horrible stories about gas chambers fill most of this luckily short documentary.
OSTATNI ETAP (1947) (THE LAST STAGE)
Watchable. Probably the most realistic feature about a concentration camp: shot right after the war which means there's real mud on the ground and nights are black. Shot on a camp location, with prisoners and staff speaking various tongues without translation. Based on real cases too. Ends abruptly. And that includes "Koniec" ("The End") without a long list of end credits - the latter is a bliss.
Friday, 24 January 2020
BAD BOYS FOR LIFE
Watchable. Starts with music on the opening credits. DJ Khaled is the guy behind the soundtrack and he also makes a cameo as Manny. An excellent theme is played over and over during the movie, including the end credits. Worth hearing in Atmos where available. The movie resembles "Fast & Furious": bright sun, speeding on the street, a protagonist prays and it's set for a sequel. As for the plot, is Will Smith going to find out about a son or clone in each movie now? Well, at least, unlike "Gemini Man", here the whole story's served with a big dose of humour - I didn't quite laugh but it felt lighthearted. The humour was partly based on social observations, e.g. the two cops' conversation on the plane sounds as if they were criminals or even terrorists. In another situation, Mike Lowry remarks there are only vegans in Miami so why Manny claims to have made money selling meat. Most importantly, the movie lifts your mood and makes you ready for life challenges: "Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, when we come for you?" There's one very early mid-credit (the passenger on the plane).
SPIES IN DISGUISE 3D
Walked out. In spite of decent 3D. In Poland, you can see it only dubbed in Polish so no chance to hear Will Smith. The plot is terribly run of the mill and when the main protagonist is turned into a pidgeon, it focuses on the disgusting stuff the birds do. DJ Khaled's music sounds pretty average too.
MAYDAY
Watchable. Another cinematic release by decent comedy craftsman Sam Akina. Still romantic but this is a comedy of piling up errors. Based on Ray Cooney's stage play "Run For Your Wife" but heavier and more brutal, gangster way, than the original play or than the subsequent British movie. Complex plot. Great dialogues by 5 writers of both sexes. Piotr Adamczyk i Adam Woronowicz are phenomenal in the two lead roles. The two wives, by Anna Dereszowska and Weronika Książkiewicz, are too serious though. The running from hospital sequence with superb Piotr Adamczyk is top-notch comedy. I laughed out loud a few more times, e.g. the guy is having sex with one of his wives when they hear a banging on the door so he shouts out: "Jeszcze nie!" ("Not yet!") or he's running to and fro at a horse race venue to the commentary about racing horses and a policeman remarks: "Zaraz wygra Derby" ("He'll win derby soon"). But the plot is convoluted, partly through the opening scene and then going back in time. After a longer analysis I understood the crime subplot but that was unnecessary confusion on top of the romantic comedy of errors. No mid- or post-credit but at the end you read that any similarity to actual persons or events is coincidental unless you have two wives. Or husbands.
NASZA MALA POLSKA (OUR LITTLE POLAND)
Recommended. Czech Matěj Bobrik has made a comprehensive and thought-provoking documentary about Japanese students reading Polish at Tokyo University. Their perceptions of Poland and Europe appear weird at times, e.g. about milk being sold in large containers in Poland and going off quickly - I wonder how milk is sold and preserved in Japan. And their remark on the two child actors who later "became presidents" in Poland shows their blessed ignorance of the fact all Poles associate it politically at present. It's quite refreshing to hear about it in such a light tone. Also their summer course in Poland sometimes leads to funny observations, e.g. the conversation about what's a national dish: when sauerkraut is put in kebab it becomes Polish. It shows their struggles with the language but also a creative enactment of a traditional story where a legendary character meets a historic figure and where many male roles are replaced by female. Add on their pondering about the value of such niche knowledge as well as the comparison of ultra-busy lives of Japanese corporate staff and the "slow" life in Poland. What's fascinating is how the other culture changed them: both the deep analysis of Polish legends and the experience of a different lifestyle. I bet they'll never be like the other Japanese just like I'll never be fully Polish. The ending touched me.
Watchable. Starts with music on the opening credits. DJ Khaled is the guy behind the soundtrack and he also makes a cameo as Manny. An excellent theme is played over and over during the movie, including the end credits. Worth hearing in Atmos where available. The movie resembles "Fast & Furious": bright sun, speeding on the street, a protagonist prays and it's set for a sequel. As for the plot, is Will Smith going to find out about a son or clone in each movie now? Well, at least, unlike "Gemini Man", here the whole story's served with a big dose of humour - I didn't quite laugh but it felt lighthearted. The humour was partly based on social observations, e.g. the two cops' conversation on the plane sounds as if they were criminals or even terrorists. In another situation, Mike Lowry remarks there are only vegans in Miami so why Manny claims to have made money selling meat. Most importantly, the movie lifts your mood and makes you ready for life challenges: "Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, when we come for you?" There's one very early mid-credit (the passenger on the plane).
SPIES IN DISGUISE 3D
Walked out. In spite of decent 3D. In Poland, you can see it only dubbed in Polish so no chance to hear Will Smith. The plot is terribly run of the mill and when the main protagonist is turned into a pidgeon, it focuses on the disgusting stuff the birds do. DJ Khaled's music sounds pretty average too.
MAYDAY
Watchable. Another cinematic release by decent comedy craftsman Sam Akina. Still romantic but this is a comedy of piling up errors. Based on Ray Cooney's stage play "Run For Your Wife" but heavier and more brutal, gangster way, than the original play or than the subsequent British movie. Complex plot. Great dialogues by 5 writers of both sexes. Piotr Adamczyk i Adam Woronowicz are phenomenal in the two lead roles. The two wives, by Anna Dereszowska and Weronika Książkiewicz, are too serious though. The running from hospital sequence with superb Piotr Adamczyk is top-notch comedy. I laughed out loud a few more times, e.g. the guy is having sex with one of his wives when they hear a banging on the door so he shouts out: "Jeszcze nie!" ("Not yet!") or he's running to and fro at a horse race venue to the commentary about racing horses and a policeman remarks: "Zaraz wygra Derby" ("He'll win derby soon"). But the plot is convoluted, partly through the opening scene and then going back in time. After a longer analysis I understood the crime subplot but that was unnecessary confusion on top of the romantic comedy of errors. No mid- or post-credit but at the end you read that any similarity to actual persons or events is coincidental unless you have two wives. Or husbands.
NASZA MALA POLSKA (OUR LITTLE POLAND)
Recommended. Czech Matěj Bobrik has made a comprehensive and thought-provoking documentary about Japanese students reading Polish at Tokyo University. Their perceptions of Poland and Europe appear weird at times, e.g. about milk being sold in large containers in Poland and going off quickly - I wonder how milk is sold and preserved in Japan. And their remark on the two child actors who later "became presidents" in Poland shows their blessed ignorance of the fact all Poles associate it politically at present. It's quite refreshing to hear about it in such a light tone. Also their summer course in Poland sometimes leads to funny observations, e.g. the conversation about what's a national dish: when sauerkraut is put in kebab it becomes Polish. It shows their struggles with the language but also a creative enactment of a traditional story where a legendary character meets a historic figure and where many male roles are replaced by female. Add on their pondering about the value of such niche knowledge as well as the comparison of ultra-busy lives of Japanese corporate staff and the "slow" life in Poland. What's fascinating is how the other culture changed them: both the deep analysis of Polish legends and the experience of a different lifestyle. I bet they'll never be like the other Japanese just like I'll never be fully Polish. The ending touched me.
Tuesday, 21 January 2020
HVITUR, HVITUR DAGUR (A WHITE, WHITE DAY)
Watchable. Had it been more subtle and the white meant snow instead of mystic mist, it would've been more convincing than the straight in your face nudity or blood and violence. Also Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson's exaggerated acting as Ingimundur or insertions of theatrical characters dressed in foil make the whole thing feel forced. While the silence, peace and occasional beautiful vistas of Iceland reflect the reality of the island, the plot doesn't.
Watchable. Had it been more subtle and the white meant snow instead of mystic mist, it would've been more convincing than the straight in your face nudity or blood and violence. Also Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson's exaggerated acting as Ingimundur or insertions of theatrical characters dressed in foil make the whole thing feel forced. While the silence, peace and occasional beautiful vistas of Iceland reflect the reality of the island, the plot doesn't.
Monday, 20 January 2020
THE GENTLEMEN
Recommended. Starts with sounds of voices right over the opening credits. A brilliant gangster thriller with manifold 'who's playing who'. Gripping from the first to the final scene. All shot in dodgy corners of London and around but the plot's so attractive you don't need visual delights. Hugh Grant is barely recognizable as the reporter with an offer. Matthew McConaughey is the self-professed "king of the jungle" - clearly a reference to his earlier role in "The Wolf of Wall Street". There are other movie references aplenty. Coppola's "The Conversation" is named explicitly. The original content includes some mockery of classes mixing and mingling and how hard it is nowadays to tell who is who. All of that superbly acted by absolutely everyone in the cast. Top-notch hip-hop and fantastic dancing complete the picture. The hip-hop video runs again over the end credits.
VSECHNO BUDE (WINTER FLIES)
Watchable. Looks terribly amateurish: the pictures, acting, script, everything, including incongruous music. What's worse, the picture and sound often don't match so there's either something off technically or the artistic vision has gone awry. I got intrigued why the main protagonist had run and where from and who the retarded boy was but that never gets explained. Is there any idea behind this series of incidents? The movie doesn't seem to convey any message. The Czech title meaning "There'll Be Everything", the Polish title: "Kawki na drodze" - meaning "Jackdaws on the Road" - which was the original title idea due to some cultural connotations for the Czechs and the English one differ enormously.
The Polish producer, responsible for 10% of the film, finds it to be "European artistic cinema". They have made "Kamper" and "Córka trenera" ("A coach's daughter") before. Currently they're making 3 movies: a documentary about a family - the topic is their main interest, a feature about a family and a science fiction one: "Echo w głowie" ("Echo in the head") is the working title. I'm looking forward to the sci-fi one.
L'EXTRAORDINAIRE VOYAGE DE MARONA (MARONA'S FANTASTIC TALE)
Recommended. It's painful but it's because the dog's life story, quite typical, presented through the animal's eyes and nose is so moving. The animation's extraordinary, as if consisting of a series of works of art. The depiction of the park in the final part is particularly beautiful. Love of dogs permeates the film. The movie's about life, our attitude to dogs and their to us. It falls into philosophical tones at times so it's certainly for adults. I'm not sure about children.
JAK POSLUBIC MILIONERA? (HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE)
Watchable. A very pleasant romantic comedy based on Dutch "Ellis in Glamourland" ("Alice in Glamourland") so it has a worldly feel. I don't recall seeing the original but from photo stills I can see that even the characters look much alike so I guess it's an exact copy. It's wonderfully cast, no exceptions. Anita Sokołowska, here as the taxi driver, is one of few Polish actresses who can do comedy, I laughed out loud when she was giving warning signs to the millionaire. Wojciech Mecwaldowski in turn, known from a few comedies, has got a rather serious role of a playboy this time which is surprising but with his great acting quality maintained. The plot is quite typical and predictable but the film, in warm, bright colours, is very pleasant and the story uplifting. Light, easy music, not exactly catchy but just fine. Makes you leave the cinema with a smile.
ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS
Recommended. A compelling, authentic rags to riches story. Ella Fitzgerald's childhood was just unbelievable: homelessness, reformatory institution, scuffles, possible abuse by her stepfather. Later, in spite of her tremendous innate talent, she struggled to play in big venues. Interestingly, another troubled superstar, Marilyn Monroe came to rescue. Ella, weighing 110 kilos, suffered from health issues as well. She lost both her legs 3 years prior to her demise. Yet she had such a strong will of life and performing that despite numerous traumas and illnesses, she lived till the age of 79. All that is presented with the black history of the US in the background. Shockingly, slavery turned into unemployment - once they had to be paid, social pressure was to hire whites. No wonder for Afro Americans everything was, and to a point still is, about race. Music-wise the movie turned out to be a great relief for me. After "Amazing Grace" - about Aretha Franklin, at which I struggled to sit through the film due to my dislike of jazz, I was apprehensive. But swing sounded more like rock and I even enjoyed it. Bepop with scatting - not to my taste - was bearable. Her ballads were soothing. The truth was she could sing anything, she was such a versatile and proficient singer. I'd never thought I'd be replaying jazz in my head like I was after the movie. In Poland wrong translation, where the translator fails to see the difference between a reform school and a school reform, detracts from the pleasure of watching. It's essential to ignore the subtitles.
Recommended. Starts with sounds of voices right over the opening credits. A brilliant gangster thriller with manifold 'who's playing who'. Gripping from the first to the final scene. All shot in dodgy corners of London and around but the plot's so attractive you don't need visual delights. Hugh Grant is barely recognizable as the reporter with an offer. Matthew McConaughey is the self-professed "king of the jungle" - clearly a reference to his earlier role in "The Wolf of Wall Street". There are other movie references aplenty. Coppola's "The Conversation" is named explicitly. The original content includes some mockery of classes mixing and mingling and how hard it is nowadays to tell who is who. All of that superbly acted by absolutely everyone in the cast. Top-notch hip-hop and fantastic dancing complete the picture. The hip-hop video runs again over the end credits.
VSECHNO BUDE (WINTER FLIES)
Watchable. Looks terribly amateurish: the pictures, acting, script, everything, including incongruous music. What's worse, the picture and sound often don't match so there's either something off technically or the artistic vision has gone awry. I got intrigued why the main protagonist had run and where from and who the retarded boy was but that never gets explained. Is there any idea behind this series of incidents? The movie doesn't seem to convey any message. The Czech title meaning "There'll Be Everything", the Polish title: "Kawki na drodze" - meaning "Jackdaws on the Road" - which was the original title idea due to some cultural connotations for the Czechs and the English one differ enormously.
The Polish producer, responsible for 10% of the film, finds it to be "European artistic cinema". They have made "Kamper" and "Córka trenera" ("A coach's daughter") before. Currently they're making 3 movies: a documentary about a family - the topic is their main interest, a feature about a family and a science fiction one: "Echo w głowie" ("Echo in the head") is the working title. I'm looking forward to the sci-fi one.
L'EXTRAORDINAIRE VOYAGE DE MARONA (MARONA'S FANTASTIC TALE)
Recommended. It's painful but it's because the dog's life story, quite typical, presented through the animal's eyes and nose is so moving. The animation's extraordinary, as if consisting of a series of works of art. The depiction of the park in the final part is particularly beautiful. Love of dogs permeates the film. The movie's about life, our attitude to dogs and their to us. It falls into philosophical tones at times so it's certainly for adults. I'm not sure about children.
JAK POSLUBIC MILIONERA? (HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE)
Watchable. A very pleasant romantic comedy based on Dutch "Ellis in Glamourland" ("Alice in Glamourland") so it has a worldly feel. I don't recall seeing the original but from photo stills I can see that even the characters look much alike so I guess it's an exact copy. It's wonderfully cast, no exceptions. Anita Sokołowska, here as the taxi driver, is one of few Polish actresses who can do comedy, I laughed out loud when she was giving warning signs to the millionaire. Wojciech Mecwaldowski in turn, known from a few comedies, has got a rather serious role of a playboy this time which is surprising but with his great acting quality maintained. The plot is quite typical and predictable but the film, in warm, bright colours, is very pleasant and the story uplifting. Light, easy music, not exactly catchy but just fine. Makes you leave the cinema with a smile.
ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS
Recommended. A compelling, authentic rags to riches story. Ella Fitzgerald's childhood was just unbelievable: homelessness, reformatory institution, scuffles, possible abuse by her stepfather. Later, in spite of her tremendous innate talent, she struggled to play in big venues. Interestingly, another troubled superstar, Marilyn Monroe came to rescue. Ella, weighing 110 kilos, suffered from health issues as well. She lost both her legs 3 years prior to her demise. Yet she had such a strong will of life and performing that despite numerous traumas and illnesses, she lived till the age of 79. All that is presented with the black history of the US in the background. Shockingly, slavery turned into unemployment - once they had to be paid, social pressure was to hire whites. No wonder for Afro Americans everything was, and to a point still is, about race. Music-wise the movie turned out to be a great relief for me. After "Amazing Grace" - about Aretha Franklin, at which I struggled to sit through the film due to my dislike of jazz, I was apprehensive. But swing sounded more like rock and I even enjoyed it. Bepop with scatting - not to my taste - was bearable. Her ballads were soothing. The truth was she could sing anything, she was such a versatile and proficient singer. I'd never thought I'd be replaying jazz in my head like I was after the movie. In Poland wrong translation, where the translator fails to see the difference between a reform school and a school reform, detracts from the pleasure of watching. It's essential to ignore the subtitles.
Wednesday, 15 January 2020
CATS
Walked out. My eyes and ears couldn't stand it. Only the first song was up to scratch. From then on it goes downhill. Untrained vocals and poor arrangement. Bad, discordant music is called 'kocia muzyka' (literally 'cat music') in Poland - an apt term for the movie. Visually it's even worse. Dull, brownish hues dominate the screen most of the time. Dancers' movements look so unnatural at times I could bet they were CGI-assisted. Rebel Wilson and James Corden - the chubby cats - are vulgar instead of cute or comical. At times it felt like finding yourself in a lift with a perv.
BOZE CIALO (CORPUS CHRISTI) OSCAR NOMINATION
In Poland it's seen as another success of Polish culture after Sapkowski and Tokarczuk. It's also the 3rd year in a row that a Polish movie gets a nomination. It's a direct result of the support of the Polish Film Institute being higher and higher every year. On the other hand, Polish audience at Polish films also grows by 50% every year. Last year's nominee, "Zimna wojna" ("Cold War"), had received some European awards first. But "Boże ciało" ("Corpus Christi"), which received a long applause at the festival in Venice, in September 2019 was unknown in the US and no ranking, whether by "Hollywood Reporter" or "Variety", included it. The top of the ranking is still "기생충" ("Parasite"). The Polish Film Institute has been sponsoring the Oscar promotion. Its main task was to make people who write and Academy members see it. Jan Komasa, Piotr Sobociński and Bartosz Bielenia are in the US now and are attending lots of Q&As. Few people in the US had bet on the movie to be shortlisted in the first place. Even the producer describes the script as "very Polish, local". But 45 territories, on all continents, purchased the movie. The US theatrical distribution starts in February. In the US arthouse movies get 20-30 screens, blockbusters 2000, Poles are dreaming of getting 100 screens for "Boże ciało" ("Corpus Christi"). The Oscar nomination means different things to different people. Actor Tomasz Ziętek is happy that his foreign friends will finally see it. Oscar-nominated producers get funds easier. Editor Przemysław Chruścielewski says that the Oscar label is lifelong. He perceives editing as "a beautiful tool to manipulate emotions".
Walked out. My eyes and ears couldn't stand it. Only the first song was up to scratch. From then on it goes downhill. Untrained vocals and poor arrangement. Bad, discordant music is called 'kocia muzyka' (literally 'cat music') in Poland - an apt term for the movie. Visually it's even worse. Dull, brownish hues dominate the screen most of the time. Dancers' movements look so unnatural at times I could bet they were CGI-assisted. Rebel Wilson and James Corden - the chubby cats - are vulgar instead of cute or comical. At times it felt like finding yourself in a lift with a perv.
BOZE CIALO (CORPUS CHRISTI) OSCAR NOMINATION
In Poland it's seen as another success of Polish culture after Sapkowski and Tokarczuk. It's also the 3rd year in a row that a Polish movie gets a nomination. It's a direct result of the support of the Polish Film Institute being higher and higher every year. On the other hand, Polish audience at Polish films also grows by 50% every year. Last year's nominee, "Zimna wojna" ("Cold War"), had received some European awards first. But "Boże ciało" ("Corpus Christi"), which received a long applause at the festival in Venice, in September 2019 was unknown in the US and no ranking, whether by "Hollywood Reporter" or "Variety", included it. The top of the ranking is still "기생충" ("Parasite"). The Polish Film Institute has been sponsoring the Oscar promotion. Its main task was to make people who write and Academy members see it. Jan Komasa, Piotr Sobociński and Bartosz Bielenia are in the US now and are attending lots of Q&As. Few people in the US had bet on the movie to be shortlisted in the first place. Even the producer describes the script as "very Polish, local". But 45 territories, on all continents, purchased the movie. The US theatrical distribution starts in February. In the US arthouse movies get 20-30 screens, blockbusters 2000, Poles are dreaming of getting 100 screens for "Boże ciało" ("Corpus Christi"). The Oscar nomination means different things to different people. Actor Tomasz Ziętek is happy that his foreign friends will finally see it. Oscar-nominated producers get funds easier. Editor Przemysław Chruścielewski says that the Oscar label is lifelong. He perceives editing as "a beautiful tool to manipulate emotions".
RADIOACTIVE
Recommended. It's no biopic. It's a context-rich depiction of what science means for researchers and for the general public. Of course, much of it is about Maria Skłodowska-Curie. We can palpably feel her despair after her husband's death. But the most profoundly moving moments are those of scientific breakthroughs, including their implications for the future, after her demise in 1934. The gravity of the topic is magnified by the use of music like in TV programs on science - "Metamorphosis Part 1" and "The Poet Acts" by Philip Glass. Still, the marriage interview conducted by the scientist is amusing. And you see that at the Solvay International Conference of 1927 Maria Skłodowska-Curie was the only woman - hilarious nowadays.
Recommended. It's no biopic. It's a context-rich depiction of what science means for researchers and for the general public. Of course, much of it is about Maria Skłodowska-Curie. We can palpably feel her despair after her husband's death. But the most profoundly moving moments are those of scientific breakthroughs, including their implications for the future, after her demise in 1934. The gravity of the topic is magnified by the use of music like in TV programs on science - "Metamorphosis Part 1" and "The Poet Acts" by Philip Glass. Still, the marriage interview conducted by the scientist is amusing. And you see that at the Solvay International Conference of 1927 Maria Skłodowska-Curie was the only woman - hilarious nowadays.
Monday, 13 January 2020
PAN T. (MISTER T.)
Watchable again. My opinion stays the same so I'm only adding what else I noticed and what I heard in the Q&A with the movie makers and actors.
This time I realized that the little girl in the movie at who her father shouts: "Co to jest rzeczownik! Bo nie będzie kolacji!" ("What's a noun! Or there'll be no supper!") was the director's daughter.
Meticulously recreated 1953 includes dirt roads in Warsaw - long gone in reality.
The informer, Filak, thinks he's got no literary talent but lies so well I bet he could invent stories as a writer.
We hear that "Kisielewski" visits him - a reference to a famous Polish writer and publicist.
The masked woman crawling next to the cord fuse looks as if she had nails painted in a very modern way - one nail in a different colour - which I thought was meant to be revolutionary. But the makers thought it obvious that the person was Bierut because his portrait exhibited one nail blackened. The person also has a signet ring just like in the portrait. I hadn't noticed that in the film myself.
Costume design started with shoes but then they appeared only about twice on the screen. The main protagonist's shoes are always polished as opposed to the wellies covered in mud seen on the scaffolding behind his window.
Computer post-production was heavily relied on. Green screens were used too but also lots of scenography was built to look like from the 50s, e.g. the bar - shot in Dzik restaurant - which was made over so that the actors felt like transported to the 50s. The whole world was created the way movies are made in the US, rarely in Poland.
Paweł Wilczak tried to get rid of himself in the role, because "less is more".
In the Atlantic cinema the movie enjoyed more viewers than recent "Star Wars".
Sebastian Stankiewicz says that in most film duets there are Don Quixote and Sancho Pansa. Antique tragedy, Shakespeare and archetypes sell. He loves the fact stories are passed on from one person or one movie to another. While shooting, it often turns out that the lines don't sound natural and the scenes are rewritten together with actors. The actor likes slow movies, with master shots instead of jump cuts. He reckons we have the same system now as writers had in communist times - some people get funds for movies, others don't.
Even prof. Balcerowicz makes a cameo in the film - as a retired professor of philosophy.
Fedorowicz has had an eye operation and feels relieved not to have to wear glasses any more. The costume designer made him wear specs for the role.
The movie contains quotes from Polish writers like Herbert, Lem and others. Also from Tuwim's "Wylękniony bluźnierca".
Actress Maria Sobocińska had daily phone calls with the director for 2 years. She likes Paweł Wilczak so it was easy for her to act with him.
A few scenes are almost repeated. Apparently it consists of 3 parts: the first in his head, his second entry with the suitcase is the present time and the ending takes us back in time. However the chronology is not clear to me and other viewers.
MATTHIAS & MAXIME
Watchable. Overtalked. Overchattered in fact. A misfired attempt to imitate "Moonlight": drug users instead of dealers, tacit gay love. Xavier Dolan acts fine as Maxime. But the way he directed and cut his movie looks as if he had been high on drugs himself. The pathological mother is a vivid character but brings little to the story and is more distinct than the two lead protagonists. Both guys, especially Matthias, are so troubled they'd be unable to form a healthy relationship anyway. Only the fragments with music, with either singing or no words spoken, make the watching bearable.
WSZYSTKO DLA MOJEJ MATKI (ALL FOR MY MOTHER)
Recommended. Harrowing and depressing. Very realistic, consulted psychiatrically by sexologist specialising in teenagers Wiesław Sokoluk. Hard-hitting through the extent of neglect and violence, mostly sexual, by men who were meant to protect the girls: caretakers in the correctional institution or temporary foster family and the police and by women: mothers, the abusive father figure's wife, institutional personnel who prefer to turn a blind eye. It's the Polish equivalent of "Systemsprenger" ("System Crasher"). It's heart-wrenching how the longing for their mothers is stronger than the need of safety.
MONOS
Watchable. A child soldier variation of "Lord of the Flies". After an uninspiring beginning, it develops into a full-blown adventure. Quite brutal. The doctor's character transformation and the children's complete depravity are hard-hitting but appear realistic too.
Watchable again. My opinion stays the same so I'm only adding what else I noticed and what I heard in the Q&A with the movie makers and actors.
This time I realized that the little girl in the movie at who her father shouts: "Co to jest rzeczownik! Bo nie będzie kolacji!" ("What's a noun! Or there'll be no supper!") was the director's daughter.
Meticulously recreated 1953 includes dirt roads in Warsaw - long gone in reality.
The informer, Filak, thinks he's got no literary talent but lies so well I bet he could invent stories as a writer.
We hear that "Kisielewski" visits him - a reference to a famous Polish writer and publicist.
The masked woman crawling next to the cord fuse looks as if she had nails painted in a very modern way - one nail in a different colour - which I thought was meant to be revolutionary. But the makers thought it obvious that the person was Bierut because his portrait exhibited one nail blackened. The person also has a signet ring just like in the portrait. I hadn't noticed that in the film myself.
Costume design started with shoes but then they appeared only about twice on the screen. The main protagonist's shoes are always polished as opposed to the wellies covered in mud seen on the scaffolding behind his window.
Computer post-production was heavily relied on. Green screens were used too but also lots of scenography was built to look like from the 50s, e.g. the bar - shot in Dzik restaurant - which was made over so that the actors felt like transported to the 50s. The whole world was created the way movies are made in the US, rarely in Poland.
Paweł Wilczak tried to get rid of himself in the role, because "less is more".
In the Atlantic cinema the movie enjoyed more viewers than recent "Star Wars".
Sebastian Stankiewicz says that in most film duets there are Don Quixote and Sancho Pansa. Antique tragedy, Shakespeare and archetypes sell. He loves the fact stories are passed on from one person or one movie to another. While shooting, it often turns out that the lines don't sound natural and the scenes are rewritten together with actors. The actor likes slow movies, with master shots instead of jump cuts. He reckons we have the same system now as writers had in communist times - some people get funds for movies, others don't.
Even prof. Balcerowicz makes a cameo in the film - as a retired professor of philosophy.
Fedorowicz has had an eye operation and feels relieved not to have to wear glasses any more. The costume designer made him wear specs for the role.
The movie contains quotes from Polish writers like Herbert, Lem and others. Also from Tuwim's "Wylękniony bluźnierca".
Actress Maria Sobocińska had daily phone calls with the director for 2 years. She likes Paweł Wilczak so it was easy for her to act with him.
A few scenes are almost repeated. Apparently it consists of 3 parts: the first in his head, his second entry with the suitcase is the present time and the ending takes us back in time. However the chronology is not clear to me and other viewers.
MATTHIAS & MAXIME
Watchable. Overtalked. Overchattered in fact. A misfired attempt to imitate "Moonlight": drug users instead of dealers, tacit gay love. Xavier Dolan acts fine as Maxime. But the way he directed and cut his movie looks as if he had been high on drugs himself. The pathological mother is a vivid character but brings little to the story and is more distinct than the two lead protagonists. Both guys, especially Matthias, are so troubled they'd be unable to form a healthy relationship anyway. Only the fragments with music, with either singing or no words spoken, make the watching bearable.
WSZYSTKO DLA MOJEJ MATKI (ALL FOR MY MOTHER)
Recommended. Harrowing and depressing. Very realistic, consulted psychiatrically by sexologist specialising in teenagers Wiesław Sokoluk. Hard-hitting through the extent of neglect and violence, mostly sexual, by men who were meant to protect the girls: caretakers in the correctional institution or temporary foster family and the police and by women: mothers, the abusive father figure's wife, institutional personnel who prefer to turn a blind eye. It's the Polish equivalent of "Systemsprenger" ("System Crasher"). It's heart-wrenching how the longing for their mothers is stronger than the need of safety.
MONOS
Watchable. A child soldier variation of "Lord of the Flies". After an uninspiring beginning, it develops into a full-blown adventure. Quite brutal. The doctor's character transformation and the children's complete depravity are hard-hitting but appear realistic too.
Tuesday, 7 January 2020
SAVING FLORA
Watchable. The circus and sentimental music both give the impression it's happening a century ago. Wrong. Mobile phones indicate the present day. Luckily the film exhibits little nostalgia for the bygone era of circus. Instead the strongman plays a little role in the plot later on. The elephant has a dotted face which looks weird in close-ups. The muscled acrobat woman and the girl doing a sideways split are more convincing. Luckily most of the story takes place in the countryside, with occasional awe-inspiring sights. Unfortunately, in one scene the kids ride the elephant against a huge Moon backdrop, mimicking the iconic scene from "E.T. the Extra Terrestrial" in a tacky way. At least the elephant isn't flying. Poachers are called "hunters" which is a complete confusion of terms. The whole film is on the sad side.
THE GRUDGE
Watchable. Total rubbish. When Sam Raimi ("Evil Dead") re-works the Japanese classic, he uses the famous tropes like the estate agent and the bath, the staircase, connection to Japan but also jump scares, plenty of slimy corpses, some with maggots, some creaking at movements. The plot starts like a crime case but leads to nowhere. It's chaos with Christian propaganda - the religious guy doesn't enter the house so avoids the horror. The finale implies a sequel but one of the music pieces from the movie: "Too Many Times" sums up the production best.
IT MUST BE HEAVEN
Recommended. A smart, tongue-in-cheek depiction of a kind of paradise - Elia Suleiman, acting as himself, displays in a sequence of incidents he quietly observes what peace in the Middle East would look and feel like. Many such events are intricately choreographed. Each neighbours' conversation or strangers' encounter as well as the police reaction represent imagined peace to a humorous effect. It also highlights how badly Palestinian reality is connected to the police, air raids, planted bombs. The satire extends to the vision of Palestine in the eyes of onlookers from France and the US. Gael García Bernal has a cameo as a... movie director. Beautiful Arabic music, including the great hit of "Arabiyon Ana" by Yuri Mrakadi - to which even I have bellydanced to several times, extends till the end of final credits.
The Polish title changes the meaning of the original unfortunately.
Watchable. The circus and sentimental music both give the impression it's happening a century ago. Wrong. Mobile phones indicate the present day. Luckily the film exhibits little nostalgia for the bygone era of circus. Instead the strongman plays a little role in the plot later on. The elephant has a dotted face which looks weird in close-ups. The muscled acrobat woman and the girl doing a sideways split are more convincing. Luckily most of the story takes place in the countryside, with occasional awe-inspiring sights. Unfortunately, in one scene the kids ride the elephant against a huge Moon backdrop, mimicking the iconic scene from "E.T. the Extra Terrestrial" in a tacky way. At least the elephant isn't flying. Poachers are called "hunters" which is a complete confusion of terms. The whole film is on the sad side.
THE GRUDGE
Watchable. Total rubbish. When Sam Raimi ("Evil Dead") re-works the Japanese classic, he uses the famous tropes like the estate agent and the bath, the staircase, connection to Japan but also jump scares, plenty of slimy corpses, some with maggots, some creaking at movements. The plot starts like a crime case but leads to nowhere. It's chaos with Christian propaganda - the religious guy doesn't enter the house so avoids the horror. The finale implies a sequel but one of the music pieces from the movie: "Too Many Times" sums up the production best.
IT MUST BE HEAVEN
Recommended. A smart, tongue-in-cheek depiction of a kind of paradise - Elia Suleiman, acting as himself, displays in a sequence of incidents he quietly observes what peace in the Middle East would look and feel like. Many such events are intricately choreographed. Each neighbours' conversation or strangers' encounter as well as the police reaction represent imagined peace to a humorous effect. It also highlights how badly Palestinian reality is connected to the police, air raids, planted bombs. The satire extends to the vision of Palestine in the eyes of onlookers from France and the US. Gael García Bernal has a cameo as a... movie director. Beautiful Arabic music, including the great hit of "Arabiyon Ana" by Yuri Mrakadi - to which even I have bellydanced to several times, extends till the end of final credits.
The Polish title changes the meaning of the original unfortunately.
Monday, 6 January 2020
AFRYKAMERA 2019
TALKING ABOUT TREES
Watchable. The film slowly explains who the three nice elderly gentlemen are and what they're going to do. Slowly. But it has a few funny moments, e.g. the Sudanese Film Group representatives comment that there are six mosques round the cinema and during a passionate kiss scene you could hear "Allahu Akbar" or when a muezzin's call interrupts the announcer's speech so he's mouthing the words of that call. Also when the dictator mistakes thousands with millions of years.
AKASHA (THE ROUNDUP)
Watchable. A lighthearted film meant to be a comedy.
Some trivia from the Q&A: The director says the war in Sudan really stops naturally for every rainy season and then people just want to enjoy themselves. When you're at war, you don't want to talk about war. None of the crew were professionals. The director was bombed in 2012 and 2016 which was admittedly scary but in between bombings the war is just in the background and you just carry on with your life. The Sudanese don't talk about the things they're supposed to not to be doing: they drink alcohol, they call pigs 'boars' in order to eat them. The director's experience is that conservatism gets broken at war or revolution. The craziest stories in the film are real - he was writing down stories for over a year. The guy who lost someone from his bike and only noticed an hour later was based on a real incident. The action takes 24 hours. The director used to be an activist which landed him in jail and beaten up by the militia. The psychedelic plant was inspired by "woop" seeds. He ate the seeds, nothing happened, he forgot them, then he got up and couldn't walk, he fell.
LE MIRACLE DU SAINT INCONNU (THE UNKNOWN SAINT)
Watchable. The crime comedy premise is a pretext for social satire rather, e.g. a doctor's waiting room is a gathering place for old people, though I did laugh out loud once - when a guy opened a can of Coke and heard an explosion. But it's frustratingly slow.
And outside the festival:
J'ACCUSE (AN OFFICER AND A SPY)
Walked out. Historical military red tape. Three reasons not to watch.
PRZEGLAD NOWEGO KINA RUMUNSKIEGO (NEW ROMANIAN CINEMA SCREENING)
SINGURA LA NUNTA MEA / SEULE A MON MARIAGE (ALONE AT MY WEDDING)
Watchable. A psychologic drama. Engaging even when you don't share the protagonist's experience.
AFRYKAMERA 2019
THE BURIAL OF KOJO
Recommended. Four post-production studios in Accra, one in Johanessburg and one in London created, together with cinematographers, mesmerising pictures and top-notch sound effects. Entirely African music of varying styles. Magical realism and a compelling story, touching at the end.
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER AT IMAX 3D
Watchable. The words shaped like a spaceship open the 9th episode of the star saga. And that's where the magic ends. What has my once favourite J.J. Abrams done to the franchise all of a sudden?! It's such nonsense! Ghosts, visions, telepathy - lots of supernatural hogwash. The plot, especially family ties, is over the top. Some protagonists have got obese: Lando, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Rose Tico. Poe Dameron is so fat he barely moves and he holds his belly while running as if he were pregnant. We never see the rebels eat anything. They always run around, fight, practise combat so where, when and how could they have possibly put on weight?! Also, dressed up horses look like dressed up horses. The spy subplot is predictable. And my fave actor gets killed off early on. The 3D is fine. Imax is good because of large-scale constructions. But the only location is Jordan and it looks bland. There's little alien fauna. D-O's voice is J.J. Abrams himself.
AFRYKAMERA 2019
AFROSHORTS: SPIRITUALITY
MAMA BOBO
Watchable. Lovely Senegalese music. The story's unsettling at first because the elderly lady is the butt of jokes but the ending is heart-warming.
WE INTEND TO CAUSE HAVOC
Watchable. An average music documentary. This one about a band which was big in Zambia for 6 years in the 70s. The songs and dialogues are all in English. On the margin of the music topic, it's also a cautionary tale since the smoking and drinking band members would die in the order of the amount they smoked and drank in life. The more stuff you inhale and/or drink the shorter you live - as simple as that.
Some trivia from the Q&A: The band toured the US recently - their gigs would sell out. After cassettes came in, people would use vinyl as frisbees. Jagari still works in a mine for steady income and additionally earns money from the band tours. They drank and smoke a bit of weed but did no other drugs. It's the director's film debut. It took 5 years to make and find funds. He's thinking of a new film, "maybe more experimental". Well, I personally think this one was an experiment enough and am not looking forward to a new one by this obscure old music afficionado.
LA MISERICORDE DE LA JUNGLE (THE MERCY OF THE JUNGLE)
Watchable. Feeble plot. I admired the sights and sounds of nature.
And outside the festival again:
LES MISERABLES
Watchable. An annoying moral tale about clashes between the police and black ghettos. The French overphilosophize the issue as usual. It's a video lesson on the origins of riots which indicates at men's and boys' anger and control issues. The story has nothing to do with Victor Hugo's book of the same title.
AFRYKAMERA 2019
SILENT FORESTS
Recommended. The Mariah Wilson's nature documentary and a crime thriller in one is wonderful. You see dog pups being born. You learn that elephants are family animals, mothers are pregnant for 22 months and then the baby elephant has to be brestfed for 3 years to survive. They're very intelligent - e.g. they destroy poachers' camps. It his horrifying to see their dead bodies and to hear of mother killed so early the baby can't survive. But it also presents individuals committed to saving them. Gives hope.
THE GREAT GREEN WALL
Recommended. The first time I've heard about the plans to build a 15 km wide green wall of planted trees. Even though only 15% of the project has been completed, the patches of success are inspirational.
Outside the festival again:
HONEY BOY
Watchable. Written by Shia LaBeouf autobiographic drama about childhood with an alcoholic father. Relatively quiet, didn't stir any emotions in me but it was interesting to see what it was like to have such a family.
AFRYKAMERA 2019
KETEKE
Watchable. Looks like a film from the 70s, including fashion. Typical for Ghanaian TV comedy shows humour, pleasant even if not amusing to me, and a dash of magic. The sorcerer is the most fascinating part of the story.
TANZANIA TRANSIT
Watchable. A manifold travelogue. A cross-section through East African society, its customs, beliefs, hopes and dreams. Impressive also how resourceful they are when they have to wait for a track repair. Depicts in one film how the whole country works. The only downside is that it's just an excerpt from everyday lives, strictly observational.
THE LAST TREE
Recommended. Life through the eyes of a Nigerian boy taken to the UK in childhood. You almost tangibly experience his feeling lost and left on his own. It's fascinating watching him growing up listening to such English legends as The Cure or New Order. Building his own personality and integrity in difficult surroundings. Explains why some boys end up in gangs. Convincingly acted. Captivating, intimate story. Also masterfully shot - engaging from minute one.
This year movie quality varied a lot, just like in previous editions. The films were from across the continent yet captured the essence of Africa perfectly. The catalogue was comprehensive but the division into sections was confusing. I'd rather it were just in alphabetic order for ease of use. The program was filled with plentiful meetings with the movie makers which left no time between the screenings to grab a bite of something to eat. At least on a particularly long day I managed to snack on some dates at the festival stand. The organization wasn't exactly up to scratch, at times the staff acted as if surprised by preparations for a screening. The volunteers were very amiable, eager to help but often had no clue what to do or what the program was. The interpreters were very good. I loved the badge which was from recycled paper and recyclable together with the piece of natural rope. But the catalogue was on glossy paper. I really think they should follow the example of Five Flavours and use newspaper-type paper which is much more environmentally friendly. If not the same recycled type they used for the badges. The opening concert of Ifi Ude was nice but the closing one of the Afronauts was much better - the first time I danced at a movie festival. The drinks at both ceremonies were: exquisite South African wines and Amarula - finally available in Poland. I'm looking forward to the next edition.
JULEMANDENS DATTER (LUCIA'S CHRISTMAS)
Watchable. The story's delightful: a Santa and his helpers' school, differing traditions in various countries and gender equality. A pleasant film for kids, still fine for adults. It just lacks a touch of magic. Christmas music could improve it as well.
DABANGG 3
Watchable. Riveting music: in numerous dance songs as well as in the background score. Silly plot, most of the gags consist of punches and slapping in the face - barely funny. Swear words appear too, for no reason at all. While I adore Salman Khan, I don't understand why he attached his name to such rubbish. Only two events are well-written: the corrupt politician forced to confess and the hero who thought one day in advance. Surprisingly, even this silly buggers movie speaks up against women trafficking. The rest is some nonsense. But I loved the music, my feet wanted to dance.
FROZEN II 3D
Watchable. Uneven animation: transparent clothing or ice reveal the colours behind the objects but most of the colours and textures in the film are just average, some even basic. About half the action takes place in white and blue wintry lands but little use is made of potential hues and reflexes. Decent 3D doesn't make up for those deficiencies. In Poland the movie's dubbed, including songs, which results in all of them sounding the same and tedious. Only the 3 songs over the end credits are in the original and strikingly beautiful. That includes one version of the Oscar-shortlisted "Into The Unknown". The plot is moral and silly and the action protracted. Even the Oscar-shortlisted score is nothing to fall back onto.
SERCE DO WALKI (FIGHTER'S HEART)
Recommended. Very well structured. Provides suspense and emotions. Very well acted, including children. Perfectly directed and cut. Most importantly, leaves you feeling fighting fit and motivated.
ARCTIC JUSTICE
Watchable. A standard cartoon for children which will be still fine for adults: the foxes are cute, the main protagonist strives to become someone else and finally goes back to his innate self, while going through a career struggle and a crush on a vixen on the way. The first hour lets you sympathise with him, then suddenly a mad scientist hellbent on destroying the world comes into play and the rest of the movie is run-of-the-mill and tedious. The finale's nice - some parcel is "Not so fragile" and you should "Handle without care". The original is dubbed by Heidi Klum, Anjelica Huston, John Cleese and others, the Polish version by nobodies. The original's not available in Poland. Forgettable music.
FUTRO Z MISIA
Watchable. The opening credits are fun to watch, e.g. directors' names appear on a door after whose opening someone gets killed. It's a crazy gangster comedy in the style of the 90s, with some actors popular at the time. Not funny but light, eventful and engaging. There are a few mid-credits.
AWOKEN
Watchable. Clearly set to scare teenagers both with the effects of sleeplessness or rare sleep disorders and with demons. The movie makes use of jump scares as well as a number of horror gimmicks. The only twist of action can be predicted as soon as you realize the phone situation. But that's a good thing since it's the only bit that lets you do some thinking for a change. Still, only one fragment frightened me fully - the information that you can't survive more than 18 nights with no sleep. I'll have to mend my ways.
FROM THE VINE
Recommended. Joy of life, love of family and homeland permeate the movie. It's a praise of simple life. The film mixes English and Italian - America stands for business - but it's very Italian in character. Touches your soul.
JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL
Recommended. The same fun as before but with several new elements - exactly how sequels should be made. O'ahu in Hawaii, Alberta in Canada and Mexico make for locations this time. Danny Glover, Danny DeVito, Awkwafina appear in the cast. No mid- or end-credits apart from one sound effect: the Jumanji theme drums and an ostrich shriek can be heard at the very end of the credits.
INVISIBLE SUE - PLOTZLICH UNSICHTBAR
Watchable. Science fiction adventure for children and younger teenagers. Catchy electro and techno tunes. Twists of action. But the same visual effects over and over. And why is the very young girl wearing only underwear in one scene?! There's a mid-credit.
AILO: UNE ODYSSEE EN LAPONIE (AILO'S JOURNEY - THE AMAZING ODYSSEY OF A NEWBORN REINDEER)
Recommended. A beautiful nature documentary shot in Finnish and Norwegian Lapland. Sometimes touching, e.g. when the mother has to decide whether to rejoin the herd or whether to risk her life to protect her newborn, sometimes witty, e.g. the commentary on the fox falling in love. You learn about the Arctic and its fauna: reindeer, red squirrels, Arctic foxes, wolverines, wolves, with some mention of predatory birds and lemmings. The reindeer herd traversing the snow resembles AT-AT walkers from "Star Wars".
LAST CHRISTMAS
Recommended. A complex story starting off like most Christmas romantic comedies but reaching the bottom of such serious issues as finding your identity, dealing with a difficult family, being a refugee, the true reason why people voted for Brexit, accommodation - reminded me of my own experiences in London, looking for love, discovering compassion. It's the most complex and multi-layered Christmas movie ever. The final twist of action rips your heart out. All that to the rhythm of George Michael's songs which keep playing in your head after leaving the cinema. So it is a feelgood movie after all.
MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN
Recommended. Starts like a mess but this mess is exactly what the protagonists need to sort out. One good thing about the beginning is that you can't quite figure out who is who. You just get the feel it's a sort of gangsters' meeting. Director Edward Norton is amazing in Brooklyn's role, making the guy's Tourette syndrome plausible. The 144 minutes don't drag at all. The storyline lets you unravel the mystery piecemeal, together with the detective, and the constant twists and turns glue you to the screen. Part of the music score stands out but only part. It's a grim vision of New York which makes you wonder if there's a grain of truth in the novel the film's based on. It's also hard not to link it to Trump with his racism, a very probable rape he got away with, revelling in the power, contempt for the poor, considering himself a "builder". It's a top-notch detective story with serious political undertones. Some of the revelations sound like Poland nowadays so I guess the picture is universal.
NORM OF THE NORTH: KING SIZED ADVENTURE
Watchable. Funny adventures, e.g. when the bear trips and falls down the whole room in the middle of boasting of how he's delivered the statue without a nick, top-notch dialogue, like when the bear is asking for directions: "How do I get to the university?" "Has got A levels?" and a clear-cut yet eventful plot. The polar bear royalty inhabit the foot of a mountain looking like a crowned bears version of Mt. Rushmore and there's a bow towards the Chinese producer when the crew are surprised not to see any plastic or rubbish in the land. Only the animation standard could be better, the colours and textures are just sufficient. While the translation into Polish is excellent, it's dubbed, no subtitled version.
TALKING ABOUT TREES
Watchable. The film slowly explains who the three nice elderly gentlemen are and what they're going to do. Slowly. But it has a few funny moments, e.g. the Sudanese Film Group representatives comment that there are six mosques round the cinema and during a passionate kiss scene you could hear "Allahu Akbar" or when a muezzin's call interrupts the announcer's speech so he's mouthing the words of that call. Also when the dictator mistakes thousands with millions of years.
AKASHA (THE ROUNDUP)
Watchable. A lighthearted film meant to be a comedy.
Some trivia from the Q&A: The director says the war in Sudan really stops naturally for every rainy season and then people just want to enjoy themselves. When you're at war, you don't want to talk about war. None of the crew were professionals. The director was bombed in 2012 and 2016 which was admittedly scary but in between bombings the war is just in the background and you just carry on with your life. The Sudanese don't talk about the things they're supposed to not to be doing: they drink alcohol, they call pigs 'boars' in order to eat them. The director's experience is that conservatism gets broken at war or revolution. The craziest stories in the film are real - he was writing down stories for over a year. The guy who lost someone from his bike and only noticed an hour later was based on a real incident. The action takes 24 hours. The director used to be an activist which landed him in jail and beaten up by the militia. The psychedelic plant was inspired by "woop" seeds. He ate the seeds, nothing happened, he forgot them, then he got up and couldn't walk, he fell.
LE MIRACLE DU SAINT INCONNU (THE UNKNOWN SAINT)
Watchable. The crime comedy premise is a pretext for social satire rather, e.g. a doctor's waiting room is a gathering place for old people, though I did laugh out loud once - when a guy opened a can of Coke and heard an explosion. But it's frustratingly slow.
And outside the festival:
J'ACCUSE (AN OFFICER AND A SPY)
Walked out. Historical military red tape. Three reasons not to watch.
PRZEGLAD NOWEGO KINA RUMUNSKIEGO (NEW ROMANIAN CINEMA SCREENING)
SINGURA LA NUNTA MEA / SEULE A MON MARIAGE (ALONE AT MY WEDDING)
Watchable. A psychologic drama. Engaging even when you don't share the protagonist's experience.
AFRYKAMERA 2019
THE BURIAL OF KOJO
Recommended. Four post-production studios in Accra, one in Johanessburg and one in London created, together with cinematographers, mesmerising pictures and top-notch sound effects. Entirely African music of varying styles. Magical realism and a compelling story, touching at the end.
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER AT IMAX 3D
Watchable. The words shaped like a spaceship open the 9th episode of the star saga. And that's where the magic ends. What has my once favourite J.J. Abrams done to the franchise all of a sudden?! It's such nonsense! Ghosts, visions, telepathy - lots of supernatural hogwash. The plot, especially family ties, is over the top. Some protagonists have got obese: Lando, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Rose Tico. Poe Dameron is so fat he barely moves and he holds his belly while running as if he were pregnant. We never see the rebels eat anything. They always run around, fight, practise combat so where, when and how could they have possibly put on weight?! Also, dressed up horses look like dressed up horses. The spy subplot is predictable. And my fave actor gets killed off early on. The 3D is fine. Imax is good because of large-scale constructions. But the only location is Jordan and it looks bland. There's little alien fauna. D-O's voice is J.J. Abrams himself.
AFRYKAMERA 2019
AFROSHORTS: SPIRITUALITY
MAMA BOBO
Watchable. Lovely Senegalese music. The story's unsettling at first because the elderly lady is the butt of jokes but the ending is heart-warming.
WE INTEND TO CAUSE HAVOC
Watchable. An average music documentary. This one about a band which was big in Zambia for 6 years in the 70s. The songs and dialogues are all in English. On the margin of the music topic, it's also a cautionary tale since the smoking and drinking band members would die in the order of the amount they smoked and drank in life. The more stuff you inhale and/or drink the shorter you live - as simple as that.
Some trivia from the Q&A: The band toured the US recently - their gigs would sell out. After cassettes came in, people would use vinyl as frisbees. Jagari still works in a mine for steady income and additionally earns money from the band tours. They drank and smoke a bit of weed but did no other drugs. It's the director's film debut. It took 5 years to make and find funds. He's thinking of a new film, "maybe more experimental". Well, I personally think this one was an experiment enough and am not looking forward to a new one by this obscure old music afficionado.
LA MISERICORDE DE LA JUNGLE (THE MERCY OF THE JUNGLE)
Watchable. Feeble plot. I admired the sights and sounds of nature.
And outside the festival again:
LES MISERABLES
Watchable. An annoying moral tale about clashes between the police and black ghettos. The French overphilosophize the issue as usual. It's a video lesson on the origins of riots which indicates at men's and boys' anger and control issues. The story has nothing to do with Victor Hugo's book of the same title.
AFRYKAMERA 2019
SILENT FORESTS
Recommended. The Mariah Wilson's nature documentary and a crime thriller in one is wonderful. You see dog pups being born. You learn that elephants are family animals, mothers are pregnant for 22 months and then the baby elephant has to be brestfed for 3 years to survive. They're very intelligent - e.g. they destroy poachers' camps. It his horrifying to see their dead bodies and to hear of mother killed so early the baby can't survive. But it also presents individuals committed to saving them. Gives hope.
THE GREAT GREEN WALL
Recommended. The first time I've heard about the plans to build a 15 km wide green wall of planted trees. Even though only 15% of the project has been completed, the patches of success are inspirational.
Outside the festival again:
HONEY BOY
Watchable. Written by Shia LaBeouf autobiographic drama about childhood with an alcoholic father. Relatively quiet, didn't stir any emotions in me but it was interesting to see what it was like to have such a family.
AFRYKAMERA 2019
KETEKE
Watchable. Looks like a film from the 70s, including fashion. Typical for Ghanaian TV comedy shows humour, pleasant even if not amusing to me, and a dash of magic. The sorcerer is the most fascinating part of the story.
TANZANIA TRANSIT
Watchable. A manifold travelogue. A cross-section through East African society, its customs, beliefs, hopes and dreams. Impressive also how resourceful they are when they have to wait for a track repair. Depicts in one film how the whole country works. The only downside is that it's just an excerpt from everyday lives, strictly observational.
THE LAST TREE
Recommended. Life through the eyes of a Nigerian boy taken to the UK in childhood. You almost tangibly experience his feeling lost and left on his own. It's fascinating watching him growing up listening to such English legends as The Cure or New Order. Building his own personality and integrity in difficult surroundings. Explains why some boys end up in gangs. Convincingly acted. Captivating, intimate story. Also masterfully shot - engaging from minute one.
This year movie quality varied a lot, just like in previous editions. The films were from across the continent yet captured the essence of Africa perfectly. The catalogue was comprehensive but the division into sections was confusing. I'd rather it were just in alphabetic order for ease of use. The program was filled with plentiful meetings with the movie makers which left no time between the screenings to grab a bite of something to eat. At least on a particularly long day I managed to snack on some dates at the festival stand. The organization wasn't exactly up to scratch, at times the staff acted as if surprised by preparations for a screening. The volunteers were very amiable, eager to help but often had no clue what to do or what the program was. The interpreters were very good. I loved the badge which was from recycled paper and recyclable together with the piece of natural rope. But the catalogue was on glossy paper. I really think they should follow the example of Five Flavours and use newspaper-type paper which is much more environmentally friendly. If not the same recycled type they used for the badges. The opening concert of Ifi Ude was nice but the closing one of the Afronauts was much better - the first time I danced at a movie festival. The drinks at both ceremonies were: exquisite South African wines and Amarula - finally available in Poland. I'm looking forward to the next edition.
JULEMANDENS DATTER (LUCIA'S CHRISTMAS)
Watchable. The story's delightful: a Santa and his helpers' school, differing traditions in various countries and gender equality. A pleasant film for kids, still fine for adults. It just lacks a touch of magic. Christmas music could improve it as well.
DABANGG 3
Watchable. Riveting music: in numerous dance songs as well as in the background score. Silly plot, most of the gags consist of punches and slapping in the face - barely funny. Swear words appear too, for no reason at all. While I adore Salman Khan, I don't understand why he attached his name to such rubbish. Only two events are well-written: the corrupt politician forced to confess and the hero who thought one day in advance. Surprisingly, even this silly buggers movie speaks up against women trafficking. The rest is some nonsense. But I loved the music, my feet wanted to dance.
FROZEN II 3D
Watchable. Uneven animation: transparent clothing or ice reveal the colours behind the objects but most of the colours and textures in the film are just average, some even basic. About half the action takes place in white and blue wintry lands but little use is made of potential hues and reflexes. Decent 3D doesn't make up for those deficiencies. In Poland the movie's dubbed, including songs, which results in all of them sounding the same and tedious. Only the 3 songs over the end credits are in the original and strikingly beautiful. That includes one version of the Oscar-shortlisted "Into The Unknown". The plot is moral and silly and the action protracted. Even the Oscar-shortlisted score is nothing to fall back onto.
SERCE DO WALKI (FIGHTER'S HEART)
Recommended. Very well structured. Provides suspense and emotions. Very well acted, including children. Perfectly directed and cut. Most importantly, leaves you feeling fighting fit and motivated.
ARCTIC JUSTICE
Watchable. A standard cartoon for children which will be still fine for adults: the foxes are cute, the main protagonist strives to become someone else and finally goes back to his innate self, while going through a career struggle and a crush on a vixen on the way. The first hour lets you sympathise with him, then suddenly a mad scientist hellbent on destroying the world comes into play and the rest of the movie is run-of-the-mill and tedious. The finale's nice - some parcel is "Not so fragile" and you should "Handle without care". The original is dubbed by Heidi Klum, Anjelica Huston, John Cleese and others, the Polish version by nobodies. The original's not available in Poland. Forgettable music.
FUTRO Z MISIA
Watchable. The opening credits are fun to watch, e.g. directors' names appear on a door after whose opening someone gets killed. It's a crazy gangster comedy in the style of the 90s, with some actors popular at the time. Not funny but light, eventful and engaging. There are a few mid-credits.
AWOKEN
Watchable. Clearly set to scare teenagers both with the effects of sleeplessness or rare sleep disorders and with demons. The movie makes use of jump scares as well as a number of horror gimmicks. The only twist of action can be predicted as soon as you realize the phone situation. But that's a good thing since it's the only bit that lets you do some thinking for a change. Still, only one fragment frightened me fully - the information that you can't survive more than 18 nights with no sleep. I'll have to mend my ways.
FROM THE VINE
Recommended. Joy of life, love of family and homeland permeate the movie. It's a praise of simple life. The film mixes English and Italian - America stands for business - but it's very Italian in character. Touches your soul.
JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL
Recommended. The same fun as before but with several new elements - exactly how sequels should be made. O'ahu in Hawaii, Alberta in Canada and Mexico make for locations this time. Danny Glover, Danny DeVito, Awkwafina appear in the cast. No mid- or end-credits apart from one sound effect: the Jumanji theme drums and an ostrich shriek can be heard at the very end of the credits.
INVISIBLE SUE - PLOTZLICH UNSICHTBAR
Watchable. Science fiction adventure for children and younger teenagers. Catchy electro and techno tunes. Twists of action. But the same visual effects over and over. And why is the very young girl wearing only underwear in one scene?! There's a mid-credit.
AILO: UNE ODYSSEE EN LAPONIE (AILO'S JOURNEY - THE AMAZING ODYSSEY OF A NEWBORN REINDEER)
Recommended. A beautiful nature documentary shot in Finnish and Norwegian Lapland. Sometimes touching, e.g. when the mother has to decide whether to rejoin the herd or whether to risk her life to protect her newborn, sometimes witty, e.g. the commentary on the fox falling in love. You learn about the Arctic and its fauna: reindeer, red squirrels, Arctic foxes, wolverines, wolves, with some mention of predatory birds and lemmings. The reindeer herd traversing the snow resembles AT-AT walkers from "Star Wars".
LAST CHRISTMAS
Recommended. A complex story starting off like most Christmas romantic comedies but reaching the bottom of such serious issues as finding your identity, dealing with a difficult family, being a refugee, the true reason why people voted for Brexit, accommodation - reminded me of my own experiences in London, looking for love, discovering compassion. It's the most complex and multi-layered Christmas movie ever. The final twist of action rips your heart out. All that to the rhythm of George Michael's songs which keep playing in your head after leaving the cinema. So it is a feelgood movie after all.
MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN
Recommended. Starts like a mess but this mess is exactly what the protagonists need to sort out. One good thing about the beginning is that you can't quite figure out who is who. You just get the feel it's a sort of gangsters' meeting. Director Edward Norton is amazing in Brooklyn's role, making the guy's Tourette syndrome plausible. The 144 minutes don't drag at all. The storyline lets you unravel the mystery piecemeal, together with the detective, and the constant twists and turns glue you to the screen. Part of the music score stands out but only part. It's a grim vision of New York which makes you wonder if there's a grain of truth in the novel the film's based on. It's also hard not to link it to Trump with his racism, a very probable rape he got away with, revelling in the power, contempt for the poor, considering himself a "builder". It's a top-notch detective story with serious political undertones. Some of the revelations sound like Poland nowadays so I guess the picture is universal.
NORM OF THE NORTH: KING SIZED ADVENTURE
Watchable. Funny adventures, e.g. when the bear trips and falls down the whole room in the middle of boasting of how he's delivered the statue without a nick, top-notch dialogue, like when the bear is asking for directions: "How do I get to the university?" "Has got A levels?" and a clear-cut yet eventful plot. The polar bear royalty inhabit the foot of a mountain looking like a crowned bears version of Mt. Rushmore and there's a bow towards the Chinese producer when the crew are surprised not to see any plastic or rubbish in the land. Only the animation standard could be better, the colours and textures are just sufficient. While the translation into Polish is excellent, it's dubbed, no subtitled version.
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