Change Your Image
Saruman-1
Reviews
L'année dernière à Marienbad (1961)
A bold experiment that does not always work
This film has tons of style and an intriguing mystery - but it can also be long and tedious and hard to get into. It lacks many aspects that make a good film - the characters are flat and unappealing, the plot is both confusing and banal and there is constant repetition.
On the other hand, there is one thing this film certainly is - memorable. There are few quite like it and once you have stopped expecting characters, a plot and other non-essentials, you can find some enjoyment in it by watching it as more of an art project on psychology and dreams. In my opinion, neither one of the greatest of all time nor "boring and pretentious" - but an experiment. And it is certainly better to try and fail grandly than it is to produce mediocrity.
Salta (2020)
Infuriatingly boring
Four shallow, generic characters make shallow, generic decisions, and this is supposedly gripping. If you are interested in the personal lives of a bunch of clones with the personality of oatmeal, watch this. If not, avoid.
Push (2019)
Thought-provoking and necessary
Seeing as the only other review here at this time is ludicrous corporate doubletalk, I feel compelled to contribute my own view on this documentary, instead of going for a straw man, and comment on the big issue:
The interests of renters and of investment capitalists are diametrically opposed. By going to the roots of the problem and interviewing some people directly affected by this conflict of interests, as well as showing initiatives being taken to rectify it, this documentary manages to both cause outrage and give hope - something many documentaries on social issues fail at because they only present the problem, leaving the viewer hopeless. This film ends on a hopeful note but makes it quite clear that there is still a lot of change needed.
The only thing I missed was an opportunity for the other side to state its case (aside from a few short clips of Milton Friedman being his usual repulsive, sociopathic self) - but then again, the only corporate representative declined an interview. A little more persistence would have been helpful here.
Zimna wojna (2018)
Style over substance - but what style!
First of all, this film is a feast for the senses. The cinematography is flawless, and the Soundtrack a fascinating journey through the history of music in the fifties and early sixties - fitting for a film about musicians which uses music as one of its main means to convey mood.
That said, the writing and acting seem more like a frame to hang pretty pictures on (but what Pictures!). The plot is standard and contains no surprises (except maybe one) - just your average 100 % artificial extruded will-they-or-won't-they product. The writing is occasionally snappy, sometimes hilariously blunt and mostly refreshingly free from romance-movie clichés.
The acting is spotty - a very charismatic leading lady is paired with a male co-star who always seems flat and passive, following her around. The supporting roles (of which there are few) are adequate, but nothing more than that. However, the main flaw of this film is simple - there is absolutely zero chemistry between the leads! That it manages to engage you emotionally anyway is a credit to its directing and presentation; at no point do you go "those two are in love, alright". It feels artificial, awkward, illogical.
A pretty. pretty film but nothing more than that.
1. April 2000 (1952)
Very odd, very dated
This film is a rarity for many reasons. First of all, it is Austrian Science Fiction (albeit only as a framing story - it's a pure comedy with a few Sci Fi elements). Secondly, it brings together all the great talents in Austrian film at the time. But thirdly and most importantly, it is state - commissioned, and it shows. Badly. Intended as a propaganda piece, this film loses no time in using the kitschiest possible imagery (and music!) to convince the viewer. The framing story is ridiculously badly written and deeply misogynist to boot - the Union's strong - willed President is even asked if she "really is a woman"! The historical reenactments meant to demonstrate to the delegates - and the viewer - how peaceful Austria is, are elaborate and well - made (the costumes are gorgeous), but extremely obvious propaganda. Yet still, this piece has its own quirky, kitschy charm. In a naive way, it is very honest - it makes no effort at all to hide that its first and only intention is to make a point. It is unabashedly political, and it uses all the clichés of early fifties comedy to reach its goal. Recommended to anyone interested in Austria's postwar history, as it shows the atmosphere in occupied Austria very well - how anxious everyone was to gain independence and yet how improbable it seemed that it would be granted anytime soon.
Helden in Tirol (1998)
Tyrolia - where even the lynch mobs yodel
This is a musical film which parodies the "Heimatfilm" genre hilariously: Everyone talks in a stilted, highly "artificial" style and starts to sing at a moment's notice. The songs cover different styles, from Austrian folk music to sort - of - rock and are just overdone enough to be funny, but still believably close to the originals. The actors really get into their roles and seem to have fun (the only exception being the forgettable lawyers). Ludger Pistor gives a memorable performance as a priest / drug dealer who talks to Jesus, Don Camillo style. The poacher and the mayor are complete opposites, and both are played to the extremes by their respective actors. My only problem with this film were the many jokes about bodily functions scattered throughout it, such as the mayor being tricked into drinking a beer mug full of urine. Still, most of the humour comes from taking clichés to their hilarious extremes. This film is recommendable for everyone who is either sick of the "Heimatfilm" or who likes films of that sort and can take a bit of good - natured parody.
Before Sunset (2004)
Mediocre, sometimes entertaining, love story
A film which consists almost completely of dialogue needs a very good script, and this is the great failing of this piece. While some of the thoughts the two main characters exchange are quite interesting and there are some funny bits strewn about, the dialogue often descends into uninteresting chatter you could hear every day and trivial bits of "philosophy". The acting is to be praised, an important part in a story which focuses as strongly on just the two main characters as this one. Overall, I did not like this film much, as it lacked in originality and especially in the writing.
Los lunes al sol (2002)
Nice ideas, but too long
Almost nothing happens in this film, which is an important part of the message, which is after all about the boring life of the unemployed. There is comedy (especially Javier Bardem as the rebellious, witty Santa does his best in this department), there is drama, but the few really good ideas in this film are drawn out over too long a time. This works to the film's detriment, creating a plodding, slow, experience where a piece of about two thirds its length would have been interesting. Again, I do realize that the slowness is trying to be part of its message; still, adding scene after scene of essentially the same troubles of an unemployed life was not a good idea in my opinion.
Xiao cai feng (2002)
Good acting - everything else not as good
The good things first: The acting was commendable with Kun Chen and Ye Liu delightfully light - hearted despite the circumstances, Xun Zhuo playing a simple yet intelligent girl and Shuangbao Wang in his portrayal of the stern, severe Comrade Brigadier. Still, the film falls flat because of slow, plodding scripting, bad dialogue (which could be the fault of the translation in parts) and an overall failure to evoke emotions. The audience never gets the impression that there is love between the two young intellectuals and the seamstress. This may stem from cultural differences, but for me as a western viewer, their relation seems sterile.
Secretary (2002)
Avoid
First thing, the people who called this film "scandalous" either have not seen it or have lived in a monastery for the whole of their life. There is some nudity and spanking but nothing really inappropriate. With this out of the way, I did absolutely not enjoy the film. The lead actors are overrated - while James Spader occasionally has his moments, Maggie Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Lee Holloway was absolutely average, with no real high points. The bigger problem is the scripting. With characters whose psychologies are this unusual, the motivations for their (sometimes quite strange) behaviour are often completely non - understandable, and their actions seem random. The dialogue, too, was uninspired and weak, with nothing which could possibly enlighten us about the motives.
Shrek (2001)
An enjoyable comedy
-----------------------------------SPOILERS-------------------------------
The reclusive ogre Shrek lives by himself in a swamp which is suddenly flooded with fairy tale creatures the evil Lord Farquaad banished. Intent on getting back his solitude, the ogre seeks out the Lord and beats up his best knights, which prompts Farquaad to choose him for a heroic quest: To free Princess Fiona from the clutches of a dragon...
While there could have been better animation at some points, the dialog was filled with gags (and there were a lot of visual gags to boot). The storyline is a bit simple, but this is alleviated by it deliberately turning many a cliché on its head. The only thing I have a gripe with is the donkey. While this is generally a fun character who has many great lines, he has been compared to jar Jar Binks, and rightly so. He lacks Jar Jar's immense capability to annoy, but he becomes tiresome after some time. I can not really comment on the voice acting, as I have only seen the German version.