Reviews
Pax (2011)
Pretentious and stiff
We follow a group of people on a plane, whose stories are intertwined. All the characters have some pretentious and uinteresting backstory. And the word pretentious can be used to describe nearly all aspects of this film; the corny score, the horrible scripting, the lame flashbacks, the overly theatrical themes, the poor acting and so on. The only positive thing is that it is short.
Stear away. Do not even consider taking a peak to enjoy the horribleness, this one is just not worth it.
Jernanger (2009)
Great cinematography, story lacks focus
Jernanger, a story about lost love in the style of "Love in the time of cholera". The movie follow Eivind (Bjørn Sundquist), Who lives on the ship Jernanger, and Kris (Pål Sverre Hagen) who ends up working for Eivind on Jernanger to get her ready for a long voyage.
The cinemtography in this movie is great; the brownish palette, the rust, the beer and the sea. It really sets the tone, together with the casting, where Sundquist bears most of the load, with his bitter and dry behavior. The side characters were also enjoyable, especially Pedersen (Hans Petter Hansen). Great dynamics!
I wish the storyline had stayed true to this image. It does not. Instead it finds itself poluted with clichées, melodramatism and cheap plot techniques. I also felt that the storyline lacked focus, it seemed like it didn't really know where to go. It got stuck. Which is i shame.
All in all, worth watching (as are all movies shot in Stavanger!). But could have been so much more impressive.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
Steer away
Interesting idea, poor execution. Full of clichées. Had such high hopes, but left really disappointed.
Whiplash (2014)
Interesting and intense!
Really interesting take on a highly competetive environment. Rhytmic and engaging, the movie plays just like å drum solo!