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Reviews
Mikra Anglia (2013)
A gem
Modern greek cinema has many flaws and generally tends to absurdity in its effort to be original and unique. But this movie stands out and feels so real, so grounded, so familiar and yet so original and unique.
The actors all give astounding performances and the music score, cinematography, photograph are contributing excellently to this beautiful movie.
It is a drama, in the original sense of the word although the ending offers no catharsis like the ancient drama. It does simulate though meaningful thoughts as to the pursuit of happiness in life.
One will not regret spending the time to watch this movie.
Choeakui Ak (2023)
At first
I wasn't impressed much at first. The whole premise was quite familiar, nothing new under the sun/genre. It progressed smoothly, rather predictably, but the acting -mainly from the two main male characters, the second female character, the annoying cop- was really top quality realistic performances. The female lead felt a little off, but she too had her good moments. I would have wanted a little bit more of an elaboration on the bonding process of the cop to the mob guy, cause it didn't feel all that justified from the qualities of the mob guy, where as the mob guy had every reason to gradually bond with the cop.
What I liked though most was the realistic ending. Anything else might have been satisfying for the audiences but it would not have felt natural.
Pali Road (2015)
It was pretty decent
..... It was a pretty decent movie. Normally I'd give it a 6,5 but it'll get the other 0,5 for the general effort and kind hearted moral of the story.
The truth is some scenes dragged a little and it could have been shorter, also there were some oddities such as why she didn't call the boyfriend while researching her past, but overall it wasn't disappointing and it didn't feel like a waste of time in the end, which for me is the ultimate criterion as to if a movie was good or not.
It also has sort of a moral in the story which is subtle and down to earth.
It's a good movie for a lazy night..
Oldeuboi (2003)
Wtf
Two stars for the cinematography alone.
Other than that the movie is beyond description.
The plot twist is unfortunately both predictable and too far fetched. The plot in general as well, in its effort to achieve originallity and provoke awe and shock, is also lost in absurdity. While I have no doubt that people can go to extremes to get vengeance, this scenario is just over the top, even for a deeply twisted character.
This film is just another classic example of supposedly highly thought provoking cinema when in reality it's just a classic the emperor's new clothes.
If you're into disturbing absurd plots with unnecessary long takes and slow pace, by all means watch this film.
If you're into realistic depictions of emotions such as love, hate and vengeance, do not waste two hours of your life.
The King: Youngwonui Gunjoo (2020)
Well...
My first impression when starting the series was that many key elements were taken from other popular series (the standing pillars from Outlander, time travel and parallel universes etc), but that is not necessarily bad as there is nothing new under the sun especially in art. Having said that I was curious as how the plot would unravel.
As others have said the ending was both confusing -especially the balancing force kid- with no real logic and disappointing as well as it was not a truly happy ending, more of sort of happish. It also provided no real motive and perspective for the villain's actions. And it dragged. With no real reason
The love story was also unconvincing. There was no real reason for either one to love each other and the story's buildup provided none expect that it was fate. The chemistry was also meh.
On the good things, one of the side characters was lucky enough to play different roles which was nice because it provided him the opportunity to express his acting skills. Also settings and costumes were nice.
Would not watch it again.
The Hunger Games (2012)
8/10
The movie itself was great, having an excellent book to rely upon for the story.
I also thought the direction was great. It was kind of artistic and somewhat detached, like a painting or a visual installment of a kind.
My main and probably only problem was the miscasting of the main role. Surely it is difficult to find exact matches to the characters described in the books, but the heroine's small stature is essential to how she is perceived and perceives things and how she finally overcomes adversities. She is also supposedly coming from a starving background. So instead of getting a small in figure and thin actress, the producers cast a tall and rather bulky actress that looked well fed and not at all straggling and did not compensate this mismatch with her acting skills. The male leads, although different than how are being described in the books, are more consistent and functional.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
6,5/10 to be exact
Recently rewatched it, only to reconfirm my previous impression.
I had really liked the first movie. The direction was really unique. It was artistic and poignant.
In this movie the change of director really revealed the lack of talent and charisma from the lead actress. It is painful to watch. The other actors range from good (Phillip Seymour Hoffman,Sam Clafflin, Jena Malone) to bearable (woody harelson, lenny kravitz).
The story itself is pretty solid, although a far cry from capturing the true feeling of the book (again I feel this is mostly to the lead actress's bad acting instead of bad adaptation, cause the adaptation is pretty consistent).
6,5-7/10 for the overall result. Jennifer Lawrence was so miscasted...
Alhambeura Goongjeonui Chooeok (2018)
I agree with most users
Well others have said it, but i feel that adding another review emphasizes the fact that this was a great story that really flopped in the end.
The story is really engaging and the pace just right in the first episodes. After about the middle the pace slows down a little but you are still hooked and interested in the story.
The visuals and acting are also great.
But... The ending is just a huge plot hole that sucks into it the whole series. I'm guessing the writers wanted an ending that was original, ambiguous and unconventional, but the story was already original and unconventional, they could have had it with a more plausible and carefully explained ending. The way it ended seems sloppy and hasty, like they really run out of good ideas. Also the love story is kind of unjustified and rushed, like out of the blue, with no real grounds.
It was a solid 10 up until the last two episodes. Then it got really screwed up.
Enola Holmes (2020)
Well
Well, it is the classic problem of exploiting a well known and liked character, in order to pull your (un)original work out of anonymity and draw audiences or readers (since in this case it based on books addressed to teenagers). But when you decide to choose such a well known character as Sherlock Holmes you have either to be an extraordinary writer in order to surpass the original work and give substance to your character or you have to downgrade the original character in order to make yours stand out. As in most cases, so in this one, the second path has been chosen making the film (and I suppose the books as well) unwatchable (unreadable) for anyone familiar with the original concept/heroes. Therefore it is suitable for only adolescents around the age of 12 and I'm not sure about even that.
If you add to these also outrageous anachronisms the result is even more disappointing.
Is it too much to ask for original context? Is it too much to ask for true originality? Can't two characters be good and shine? Must one downgrade others in order to shine?
I think the messages of the movie lose perspective and are just misguided in the end.
3/10 for costumes and the young actors.
Igano Kabamaru (1983)
People
What happened to my previous review?
Anyway, this series is a gem, a classic really. If you ever come across it, it is a must watch cult gem.
It follows the story of orphan Kabamaru Igano who was raised on a mountain in the country by his grandfather and received ninja training.
Following the death of his grandfather he is being taken under the care of an old friend of his grandfather's and moves for the first time into the city.
The situations he encounters there are both funny and heartwarming, following his integration to a lifestyle and situations totally alien to him.
This sort of innocence and carefreeness is lacking in shows nowadays.
Last Christmas (2019)
4/10
This movie just tries too hard to evoke all these feelings of love and hope that one should expect of a Christmas movie. And that's just the problem. It tries so hard that ultimately it just seems too fake.
The protagonists drama seems too forced -and for me literally totally unjustified- and her male counterpart is just too good to be true, that you in not no way can relate with the situation.
The plot twist isn't a twist at all cause you see it coming a mile away.
And of course the movie ends in a bubbly hopeful way, but a way that feels totally fake even for a Christmas movie.
The music of Wham and George Michael on the other hand is great.
I would not recommend it. Seems like a waste of time. But then again time is something some people have to waste, so..