Reviews
Da-eum So-hee (2022)
I can't keep calm, I'm Korean
South Korea is one of the only country that managed to make the switch from military dictatorship to democracy within a few decades. Scientists claim this transition happened so fast because of civil disobedience and massive protests in reaction to an unjust government.
Next Soohee is a film about injustice and the protagonists react intensely emotional to it, thereby keeping the Korean tradition alive. The parody on the classic 'Keep calm and carry on' in the title of this review, should be seen as a tribute to South Korean resilience.
After Broker, Doona Bae is brilliant again as a police detective. This role fits so well to her personal appearance. I would love to watch multiple seasons of a crime series with her in the leading role.
Sisu (2022)
Why?
Why make a movie, about a very stubborn and stupid man, who could have easily avoided all the troubles he ran into? Lapland is big, plenty of possibilities to not run into a bunch of nazi caricatures. This, by the way, is my personal benchmark for all kinds of movies: how easy was it for the protagonist to live a happy live instead? The smaller the effort, the worse the movie.
I love the concept of sisu, and that's the reason I wanted to watch this movie. Now I feel that the notion is being abused to lure people into the cinemas, because in my understanding sisu has very little to do with stubbornness or stupidity.
Beautiful scenery though!
Merkel (2022)
A relevant documentary
Angela Merkel will be remembered as an utmost decent politician and nowadays that is a rarity. In a testosteron dominated working environment, she somehow managed to stay human, compassionate and determined to be true to her personal convictions.
I lived in Berlin when the wall came down. The documentary states that this was a decisive moment in the career of Angela Merkel and having been on the spot, it is understandable to me what motivated her to consolidate this acquired freedom. She truly did all within her possibilities to shape the reunified Germany.
In the documentary it also becomes clear what a despicable coward Wladimir Putin (on his high heels!) is. See for yourself; you can only conclude how determined and brave Angela Merkel is.
Maybe Die (2019)
Some self-obsessed idiots who travel Japan (Japan!!) on bicycles without gears
Bicycle couriers from Spain think it would be heroic to ride across Japan on their bicycles without gears. This self-righteouness, boasting in front of the camera what a bunch of special guys they are... The moment they climbed the first hill on their ridiculous courier bicycles I had enough of this idiocy. For god's sake: they were sincerly surprised and shocked, that it was that tough... What did you expect?? I mean, I love a good challenge, but this is complete unnecessary self-torture. Why not climb K2 in shorts or swim across the polar sea? Painful to see they convinced some poor guys to film the whole undertaking. What a waste of time and what a needless cry for attention this documentary is.
Or is it me, just having a bad mood? No it isn't.
Pachinko (2022)
Impressive and beautiful
Obviously the show presents some strong anti-Japanese sentiments, but this is the story of the people that lived through those decades and suffered. My father, a Korean, lived in Tokyo from his 8th (1935) until his 18th (1945). He told me the same stories, so I have no reason to doubt them. But my father worked in his professional live with many Japanese and was very friendly and respectful with them, as they were with him. As many Koreans and Japanese are mutually friendly and respectful in the show! So, yeah, the stories aren't made up, and sometimes they need to be told. On the other hand, I know from first hand that there is friendship between Koreans and Japanese.
This being said, the show is impressive, unbelievable acting and beautifully made. Another triumph for Youn Yuh-Yung!
Piano to Zanskar (2018)
Sincerely moved by imaginative willpower
The Tibetan cultural area stretches from Ladakh in the west to Sichuan in the east. The idea of bringing a piano to one of the most elevated and remotest villages in this area is indeed both ridiculous and beautiful at the same time. As the initiator of this project, Desmond O'Keeffe is consumed by doubt wether he should have done this, we see the people who carry the heavy metal frame across the mountain passes stay invariably enthousiastic. It was heartwarming to see their unconditional joy.
I loved the endearing Anna Ray and her tender friendship with Desmond O'Keeffe.
Like every sensible person, you can ask why this was done and the answer will be: because it adds sheer beauty to this world.
C'mon C'mon (2021)
I like the 1 and 10 reviews; they honour this movie
I checked the 'no spoilers' radio button, but here's one: Woody Norman is going to be an actor in the category Brando, Nicholson, diCaprio or Chalamet. I'm thrilled about his future movies!
Hukuoka (2019)
Pan-Eastern-Asian wandering
Are you a ghost? This question is asked more than once. Add the reference to Murakami and the atmosphere in this movie has been set. Don't try to understand it and if you're lucky it will get to you.
I loved the fact that Korean, Japanese and Chinese is being spoken. Maybe the eastern Asian people have more in common, than they have differences. I like to believe that... In a sense it makes it a very modern movie!
Lost Girls and Love Hotels (2020)
Lost
Imagine Charlotte from Lost in Translation being more desperate. What would have happened? Your answer is this movie. It's not as good as Lost in Translation, but it's a touching movie. And Tokyo is once more a beautiful scenery for a girl looking for her way in life.
The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018)
Is she it?
There's only one question that needs to be answered, to assess the value of this movie: does it do justice to the legendary, most beautiful character of Lisbeth Salander? The answer couldn't be more simple, just yes or no would do. My answer is yes.
I, Tonya (2017)
Relevant movie
Why relevant? Until I saw this movie, in my point of view Tonya Harding was a cheat and a lowlife and this was entirely based on the media coverage of the events in 1994. Having seen the movie I feel ashamed about how easily I judged her and I realised I have to be way more careful in forming my opinion about people.