When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

Genre

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Director

Rob Reiner

Country

USA

Cast

Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby, Steven Ford, Lisa Jane Persky, Michelle Nicastro, Kevin Rooney, Harley Kozak, Franc Luz, Tracy Reiner, Estelle Reiner

Storyline

Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) first meet as they finish college in Chicago and spend 18 hours together in a car headed to New York. They don't quite hit off, but over the next 10 years they occasionally meet and soon become friends. But then they are confronted with a problem: can a man and a woman be just friends? 

Opinion

If I didn't know it, I'd say Woody Allen made this, because even though the story is different, the music, the humour, and the dialogue feel like "Annie Hall" or "Manhattan". However, nouveau Rob Reiner did a great job.

When Harry Met Sally... is an appealing, funny, sweet, and touching romantic comedy, one of the best romantic comedies indeed. 

Nora Ephron's writing is clever, and witty. The dialogue do remember Allen's, but is amazing, and it has its memorable quotes. The story is wonderfully engaging, and keeps you glued on the screen to find out what will happen in the next scene. The character development is quite remarkable, and the great thing is that you get to know Harry and Sally in the same way they are getting to know each other. 

The all thing is delivered with some great acting as well. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan both shine as Harry and Sally, and the chemistry between them is superb. The supporting cast - Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher - does a spectacular job. 

Quotes

Harry Burns: It is so nice when you can sit with someone and not have to talk.

Blade II (2002)

Genre

Action | Fantasy | Horror

Director

Guillermo del Toro

Country

USA | Germany

Cast

Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ron Perlman, Leonor Varela, Norman Reedus, Thomas Kretschmann, Luke Gross, Matt Schulze, Danny John-Jules, Donnie Yen, Karel Roden, Marit Velle Kile, Darren Crawford, Tony Curran, Santiago Segura

Storyline

Still pursuing his goal of slaying vampires, Blade (Wesley Snipes) forms an uneasy alliance with the Vampire Council in order to combat the Reaper vampires who feed on vampires.

Opinion

I knew Guillermo del Toro would have made Blade right, and he actually made quite a difference. In fact, Blade II not only is a huge improvement on its predecessor, but is the successful combination of horror and action, and manages to entertain.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am not saying it is an outstanding film, because it still have some problems. The story isn't as brilliant as I wished, there are still some plot holes, but at least this time the few little twists keeps you engaged, and give you the push to go all the way. The action isn't spectacular, but it is quite enjoyable.

One of the biggest problems is the CGI. The computerised characters may look good, but they seem fake, and their movements looks even faker. The other big problem is with the characters: there is no development, some of them are not intriguing at all, and Frost was definitely a better, and most interesting villain than Nomak - but at least this time Blade needs more time to defeat the enemy.

Oh, the acting. I gotta say it, I really miss the comic-dramatic version of Snipes. Comparing him with the first film, he has certainly worked on his body, but I can't say the same about the acting. Kris Kristofferson is good, but wasted because of the wrong use of his character. Ron Perlman does a good job, and he really seems to be having fun. Leonor Varela does a good job - unfortunately her character's relationship with Blade isn't used as it should have. Norman Reedus is young and cocky in the role of the clichéd Scud - it would have been great seeing him slicing vampires' throats Daryl Dixon's style.

Quotes

Blade: There's an old saying: Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.

Oldboy (2003)

Original Title

올드보이 Oldeuboi

Genre

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Director

Park Chan-wook

Country

South Korea

Cast

Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung, Kim Byeong-ok, Oh Tae-kyung, Ahn Yeon-seok, Woo Il-han, Yoon Jin-seo, Oh Dal-su

Storyline

One day, for reasons he doesn't understand, Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) is kidnapped and imprisoned. After 15 years behind bars, he is released, only to find that he must find his kidnapper in 5 days. 

Opinion

Since many years have passed, I don't remember how I ended up watching this film. But I do remember exactly how I felt while and after watching it, and I can assure you, I feel the same way every single time I watch it. And if I thought it was a good film back then, I do now think it is one of the best films ever made.

Oldboy is a tremendous, intense, dark, brutal, strange, sick, disturbing, raw, yet sweet, humorous, moving, and visionary story of vengeance.

This Korean gem is one of those films that stuck with you, and doesn't really leave you, whether you like it or not. It is memorable both in its violence and its sweetness. Just think of the brutal, choreographic corridor fight scene, the quite disturbing scene in which Choi Min-sik eats the live octopus - he actually did it -, or the scene in the train with the big ant, or the sweet moments of love, that first get stuck in your mind, and then, after the shocking discovery, disturb you and kinda make you feel disgusted. 

Park Chan-wook did a wonderful job both at directing and co-writing the screenplay with Hwang Jo-yoon and Im Joon-hyeong, based on the Japanese manga of the same name written by Nobuaki Minegishi (story by Garon Tsuchiya).

If you look beyond the violence, you can see much more: wonderful cinematography, sublime musical score, great plot, and at last, but not least, first class acting.

Choi Min-sik is perfect as the revengeful Oh Dae-su, delivering a powerful and emotional performance, and domination every single scene he is in - basically he is a sort of Korean Patrick Bateman/Christian Bale (American Psycho). All the other characters are very well portrayed by an amazing supporting cast, among which Yoo Ji-tae stands out.

Quotes

Oh Dae-su: If they had told me it was going to be fifteen years, would it have been easier to endure?

Oh Dae-su: Even though I'm no more than a monster - don't I, too, have the right to live?

Oh Dae-su: Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone.

Lee Woo-jin: Remember this: "Be it a rock or a grain of sand, in water they sink as the same."

Club Life (2015)

Genre

Drama

Director

Fabrizio Conte

Country

USA

Cast

Jerry Ferrara, Danny A. Abeckaser, Jessica Szohr, Robert Davi, Ryan O'Nan, Tovah Ferguson, Jay Ferguson, Anne Gibbons-Brown, Al Sapienza, Brian Tarantina, Allegra Carpenter, Ethan Russell, Angela Bellotte, Glenn Wein, Jay Giannone, Gregg Bello, Annalaina Marks, Jennifer Missoni, Busta Rhymes

Storyline

When Johnny D. (Jerry Ferrara) is forced to take on his family's financial troubles, he turns to the Manhattan club scene to make some fast cash. As he falls under the wing of a veteran nightlife promoter (Danny A. Abeckaser), Johnny quickly rises through the ranks, but soon finds that not everything behind the red rope is full of glitz and glamour. 

Opinion

Inspired by former New York City club promoter Danny A. Abeckaser, who acts here and co-wrote the script with Ryan O'Nan and Ryan Vallan, Club Life is a flat drama with a lot of wasted potential that doesn't quite hit you.

There is no story here: as the film goes on, the already-seen feeling grows in you constantly, and even forgetting about the clichéd and completely predictable rises and falls, it is shallow.
They did try their best though to give Johnny D., the main character, a good reason for diving into this new life: his father, former limo driver with no pension or health insurance, has had a stroke, so he needs the money.
Unfortunately, Johnny's complicated relationship with his father isn't developed as it should have, his relationship with his mother and his sister isn't developed at all, and the other characters are completely shadowed by the main character.

The acting is so so. While Jerry Ferrara gives a mediocre performance as the main character, being charming when needed, but lacking of emotions throughout the whole film, Danny A. Abeckaser gives a believable performance as nightlife promoter Mark - not unexpected though - and Robert David is wonderful and steals each scene he is in.

Good effort though.

Quotes

Mark: You act like you got the power. Even if you don't.

The Lazarus Effect (2015)

Genre

Horror

Director

David Gelb

Director

USA

Cast

Mark Duplass, Olivia Wilde, Sarah Bolger, Evan Peters, Donald Glover, Ray Wise, Amy Aquino

Storyline

A group of researchers, led by Frank (Mark Duplass) and his fiancé Zoe (Olivia Wilde), discovers a way to bring dead patients back to life.

Opinion

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

The great cast, and the captivating premise made increase my expectation in the film. As a horror's lover, saying I got disappointed isn't enough.

Classified as horror - which is a shame -, The Lazarus Effect lacks originality, is unexciting, dull, extremely obvious and unscary at all. In fact, instead of being scared to death, I was bored to death.

The film does start quite good actually, but as soon as Wilde's character accidentally dies, everything falls. After she resurrects, instead of focusing on her recurring nightmare, writers Luke Dawson and Jeremy Slater thought they should have gave the film the worst, clichéd turn possible. 

So, for a half of the film, all we see is a possessed (?) woman going around killing those who were supposed to be her friends, and the dog, of course. Nearly the end, there is some psychological introspection of the main character, some explanations about her nightmares, but the all thing is rushed. 

And at the very end, the tip of the iceberg: after killing them all, she wants to bring them back to life to turn them into monsters like her - which may imply a sequel.

The camera angles, the lights are no new thing. The musical score fails at adding suspense. The acting is awful. I'm sure they chose Olivia Wilde to distract the audience from the crappy film, but I don't understand how came into her mind to be part of this waste of time, and money.

Death in Venice (1971)

Original Title

Morte a Venezia

Genre

Drama

Director

Luchino Visconti

Country

Italy | France

Cast

Dirk Bogarde, Mark Burns, Marisa Berenson, Björn Andrésen, Silvana Mangano, Romolo Valli, Nora Ricci, Franco Fabrizi, Sergio Garfagnoli, Luigi Battaglia, Masha Predit, Marcello Bonini Olas, Nicoletta Elmi, Marco Tulli, Leslie French, Antonio Appicella, Ciro Cristofoletti, Dominique Darel, Eva Exén, Bruno Boschetti, Mirella Pamphili

Storyline

While visiting Venice, Gustav von Aschenbach (Dirk Bogarde) falls in love with a beautiful young boy, Tadzio (Björn Andrésen). The relationship is ruined by Aschenbach's obsession with the boy's youth and physical perfection. 

Opinion

I've read Thomas Mann's novel "Death in Venice" about 10 times, and every time I love it more. Unfortunately I can't say the same about Visconti's film.

Death in Venice is as slow as a sloth, and fails at getting to the heart to the novel as ambiguity is the first thing to die in the film.

Visconti's choice to present us with a straightforward story of homosexual love is definitely not spot on, and he ends up missing the greatness of Thomas Mann's novel.

He turned the writer into a composer - believing Mann based the character on Gustav Mahler -, but that is not the big deal. The real problem is the way the relationship between Aschenbach and the young boy develops. In the novel, the man doesn't really know what Tadzio thinks of him, they never speak, the boy does smile at him, but so he does with many others, and he is unaware of the homosexual implication.

In the film, the boy pose in front of the man, and sweetly smiles at him - and it happens so many times, after a while feels like a deja vu.

However, there's some good about it. The cinematography by Pasqualino De Santis is superb, and Mahler's music, used as a background, helps creating a mood of melancholy. Also, Dirk Bogarde wonderfully plays Gustav von Aschenbach. 

Should you watch this? It depends. If you loved the novel as it is, you rather not, but if you didn't quite enjoy the novel, or didn't read it, I am sure you can enjoy this film.

Quotes

Gustav von Aschenbach: You know sometimes I think that artists are rather like hunters aiming in the dark. They don't know what their target is, and they don't know if they've hit it. But you can't expect life to illuminate the target and steady your aim. The creation of beauty and purity is a spiritual act.

Alfred: Non Gustav, no. Beauty belongs to the senses. Only to the senses.

Camp X-Ray (2014)

Genre

Drama

Director

Peter Sattler 

Country

USA

Cast

Kristen Stewart, Peyman Moaadi, Julia Duffy, John Carroll Lynch, Lane Garrison, Joseph Julian Soria, Tara Holt, Ser'Darius Blain, Cory Michael Smith, Mark Naji, Anoop Simon, Robert Tarpinian, Yousuf Azami, Marco Khan, Kyle Bornheimer, Nawal Bengholam, LaDell Preston, Daniel Leavitt

Storyline

Army private first class Amy Cole (Kristen Stewart) is placed as a guard at Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Her convictions become less certain after she strikes up a tenuous friendship with one of the detainees (Peyman Moaadi).

Opinion

Surprisingly good, intense, and solid, Camp X-Ray is one of those films that doesn't even leave you after the end credits.

The film should serve as an eye-opening to those who believe in the legitimacy of the Americans wars against the eponymous enemy. Also, it is an ode, a praise to humanness. It shows that living all together in peace, as John Lennon hoped, may be just a utopia, but from an individual perspective, it is possible to make a difference, to knock down those walls that separate different, yet similar people.

In his directorial debut, with a million dollar budget, Peter Sattler achieves a fantastic result, result to which Michael Bay has failed to get even close with multiple stratospheric budgets.

The storytelling is slow, and repetitive, and it would be natural to wonder why some scenes haven't been cut in the editing room. But as you go on with the film, you realise that's how it was supposed to be, because that's the only way to fully immerge the audience in the claustrophobic prison's cells blocks.

The acting surprised me the most. Kristen Stewart has finally found the kind of thing that suits her. Being done with that teen garbage, she finally shows that she can act, playing the lead very well, and delivering the message. However, the real star is Peyman Moaadi. He delivers a brilliant performance and reaches the heart. 

Quotes

Ali Amir: You're asking me why do I want to die, but you don't see that I'm not even living. You gus control everything. You tell us what to eat, when to sleep. Even when we don't want to eat, you tell me we must. It is your life... it is not ours.

Youth (2015)

Genre

Drama

Director

Paolo Sorrentino

Country

Italy

Cast

Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano, Jane Fonda, Mark Kozelek, Robert Seethaler, Alex MacQueen, Luna Zimic Mijovic, Tom Lipinski, Chloe Pirrie, Alex Beckett, Nate Dern, Mark Gessner, Paloma Faith, Ed Stoppard, Sonia Gessner, Mădălina Diana Ghenea, Sumi Jo, Gabriela Belisario, Viktorija Mullova

Storyline

Fred Ballinger (Michael Caine) and Mick Boyle (Harvey Keitel), two old friends, are on vacation in an elegant hotel at the foot of the Alps. While Mick scrambles to finish the screenplay for what he imagines will be his last important film, Fred has no intention of resuming his musical career. The two men reflect on their past, each finding that some of the most important experiences can come later in life.

Opinion

When it comes to Paolo Sorrentino I don't know what to expect. On one hand I loved his first English work "This Must Be The Place" starring a wonderful Sean Penn; on the other hand I didn't quite enjoy his Oscar Winner "The Great Beauty". I was actually afraid this one was going to be another attempt at being Fellini. But Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Paul Dano and Rachel Weisz gave me the push to watch it. I'm glad I didn't wait, because this is Sorrentino's greatest beauty.

Youth is a brilliant, intense, philosophical, and moving film about life and death, youth and oldness, loneliness and friendship.

As I watched the film I thought the title was deceiving. I thought it was only about being old, and I couldn't find the real meaning of it. But as I'm writing this, has passed almost a week since I saw it, and I've got enough time to think about it. Now, I do realize it is about the importance of youth, because it praises old age as that moment in life when you think about your past.

Masterfully directed and written by Paolo Sorrentino, the film is enhanced by a deep, witty, and provocative dialogue, a wonderful and breathtaking photography by Luca Bigazzi, spectacular scenography, and sublime music.

The acting is first class. Michael Caine shines in the leading role, delivering an intense performance as Fred Ballinger. The supporting cast does a wonderful job as well. Old, but young inside Harvey Keitel, and young, but old inside Paul Dano are perfect in portraying the contrast between youth and oldness. Rachel Weisz delivers another great performance. Jane Fonda's cameo is great too. The one that surprised me the most is Luna Zimic Mijovic, who plays the masseuse.

Quotes

Mick Boyle: I lost the best years of my life. You said that emotions are overvalued, but that's bullshit, emotions are all we have!

Fred Ballinger: Music is all I understand. And you know why? Because music does not need words, nor experience. Music is.

Blade (1998)

Genre

Action | Fantasy | Horror

Director

Stephen Norrington

Country

USA

Cast

Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, N'Bushe Wright, Donal Logue, Udo Kier, Sanaa Lathan, Arly Jover, Kevin Patrick Walls, Tim Guinee, Traci Lords, Eric Edwards 

Storyline

In a world where vampires walk the earth, Blade (Wesley Snipes), half-vampire, half-mortal, has a goal: protecting the human race, while slaying evil vampires. 

Opinion

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Aaron, some guy on IMDb, wrote, as I quote him, "I liked this one even more than "X-Men". In fact, this movie is sort of a cross between "X-Men" and "The Matrix" and it came out before either.". I do really love "X-Men" and "The Matrix", and just because this one was released before, I can't swallow the fact that somebody even thinks it's ok to compare those films.

But let's move on straight to the review! Blade is a dull, dragged, lifeless comic book adaptation, with lots of useless blood, that doesn't engage the audience at all, and instead of rooting for somebody, you only want this torture to end. But I get why tons of people gave this film a 10 out of 10. After all, it has lots of exploding heads and bodies, oceans of blood and lot of unrealistic fighting.

Mostly everything in this film is bad, and doesn't make sense. Blade is portrayed as the unbeatable vampire that can beat the Blood God in just a few minutes. For God's sake, after a two-hour-never-ending-screening don't we deserve something more? Why do the bad guys always attack Blade one at a time? They even wait for their turn, isn't that ridiculous? I guess I've missed something because the council members were supposed to be essential in the process, but after Frost's girlfriend kills one of them, at my very surprise, the ritual goes through. And how about Blade killing his mother with a bone? I'm sure I've missed something else, because I don't remember somebody saying vampires can be killed with bones. And at last, but not least, Karen. After Blade drank her blood - no small amount, considering how much he sucked it from her neck - she can walk like nothing happened, and she even attempts a fight with Frost's girlfriend, which, by the way, looks like a meth head. 

Wesley Snipes does exactly the same things he did in "The Demolition Man". He fights - luckily for him, Sylvester Stallone isn't his opponent this time -, and has the opportunity to show off another awful haircut. Also, he probably is at his worst in this film. He looks like he doesn't care about the film, and he moves like a robot. At least, Stephen Dorff is pretty good as Frost.

The Fighter (2010)

Genre

Biography | Drama | Sport

Director

David O. Russell

Country

USA

Cast

Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Jack McGee, Frank Renzulli, Mickey O'Keefe, Jenna Lamia, Bianca Hunter, Erica McDermott, Sugar Ray Leonard

Storyline

For Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg), boxing is a family affair. His tough-as-nails mother (Melissa Leo) is his manager. His half-brother, Dicky (Christian Bale), once a promising boxer himself, is his very unreliable trainer. Despite Micky's hard work, he is losing and, when the latest fight nearly kills him, he follows his girlfriend's (Amy Adams) advice and splits from the family. 

Opinion

Not what I expected. This is the first thing that comes to my mind when thinking about this film. Maybe it's because I do associate Mark Wahlberg to mediocre films, and I thought this would have been just a film about boxing, with tons of fights and nothing more. But David O. Russell directed it, and Christian Bale did another of his amazing transformations for the role, so I couldn't help but give it a try: I'm glad I did. 

Based on a real story, The Fighter is a family drama with a boxing background that reaches a whole new emotional level for the genre.

Brilliantly written, as said before, the story isn't focused on boxing, but mostly deals with family problems, drugs addiction, and failures - of a crack addict on one side, and of a bartender who drinks to not think about the place she works in on the other side -, but also redemption. It is the story of a man who didn't give up, and the title couldn't be more appropriate.

Lot of people are wondering how different the film would have been if Aronofsky made it. I think we should focus on the incredible job David O. Russell did, and put the 'What ifs' aside. Because let's face the truth, his direction is flawless, and when it comes to biopics, he is the man.

What else can I say? The grainy, documentary-like cinematography gives the film an authentic look. The soundtrack features wonderful rock classics like The Rolling Stones "Can't You Hear Me Knocking", and Led Zeppelin's "Good Times Bad Times", and a newer rock piece, The Heavy's "How You Like Me Now?".

The acting is the best part of the film. Mark Wahlberg did really surprise me, delivering a great performance as Micky Ward. Amy Adams and Melissa Leo provide a good support. However, Christian Bale is star. Not only he did drop 30 pounds of weight for the role - we are used to see him continuously physically transformed -, but he did become Dicky Eklund: the desperate need to be appreciated for what he could have been can literally be read in his eyes. 

Quotes

Dicky Eklund: Are you like me? Huh? Was this good enough to fight Sugar Ray? Never had to win, did I? You gotta do more in there. You gotta win a title. For you, for me, for Lowell. This is your time, all right? You take it. I had my time and I blew it. You don't have to. All right? You fuckin' get out there, and use all the shit that you've been through, all that fuckin' hell, all the shit we've gone trough over the fuckin' years, and you put it in that ring right now. This is yours. This is fuckin' yours.

Dances with Wolves (1990)

Genre

Adventure | Drama | Western

Director

Kevin Costner

Country

USA

Cast

Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Tantoo Cardinal, Jimmy Herman, Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse, Michael Spears, Jason R. Lone Hill, Charles Rocket Robert Pastorelli, Larry Joshua, Tony Pierce, Kirk Baltz, Tom Everett, Maury Chaykin, Wes Studi, Wayne Grace, Michael Horton

Storyline

Lt. John Dunbar (Kevin Costner), exiled to a remote western Civil War outpost, befriends wolves and Native Americans, making him an intolerable aberration in the military.

Opinion

Some people said there's no reason for the film's three-hour length. I agree on that, because the film's length was supposed to be almost four hours, but then the studio made Costner cut some parts.

Dance with Wolves is a marvelous, adventurous, romantic, peaceful, and violent western, full of love and hate, misunderstanding and guidance.

Never before has a story about Native Americans been told with such emotion, and although such contacts hardly ever took place, because of the racist dominant culture, this 'what if' story is simply spectacular. The magnificent storytelling drew me in, and made me one with it's leading character, as the Native Americans were with nature. 

Kevin Costner's directorial debut is flawless. I'm amazed at how smooth the film is, whether is an action, romance, or quiet scene.

The cinematography is breathtaking. The scenery is absolutely stunning. The musical score also is spectacular.

The acting is great. Kevin Costner plays the role of John Dunbar to perfection, delivering his best performance ever. The supporting cast is excellent: Graham Greene delivers an outstanding performance as Kicking Bird, Mary McDonnell delivers an emotionally deep performance as Stands With A Fist, and Rodney A. Grant is wonderful as Wind In His Hair.

Not too many films leave you feeling enriched, but this one does. And if you haven't already seen it, I highly recommend you the Director's Cut version, it might be longer, but it's flawless, and you'll never want this 'journey' to be over.

Quotes

John Dunbar: Many times I'd felt alone, but until this afternoon I'd never felt completely lonely. 

John Dunbar: My name is Dances with Wolves. I have nothing to say to you. You are not worth talking to.

Wind In His Hair: Dance with Wolves! I am Wind In His Hair. Do you see that I am your friend? Can you see that you will always be my friend?

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)

Genre

Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Francis Lawrence

Country

USA

Cast

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Claflin, Natalie Dormer, Mahershala Ali, Willow Shields, Paula Malcomson, Jena Malone, Stef Dawson, Patina Miller, Evan Ross, Wes Chatham, Elden Henson, Robert Knepper, Sarita Choudhury

Storyline

With the Games destroyed, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), along with Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claflin) and Beetee (Jeffrey Wright), end up living with the rebels in district 13 after President Snow (Donald Sutherland) destroyed the other districts except for district two. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore), Katniss because the 'Mockingjay', the symbol of rebellion for the districts of Panem.

Opinion

We are near the end, the Hunger Games are almost over. And to be honest, this should have been the end. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 is a slow, dull, average, and disappointing half third chapter, that leaves more room for feelings, leaving action, thrills, and excitement behind, and it just doesn't have enough content to fill a 2 hours film.

Being both Part 1 and Part 2 shot at the same time, they should have taken their time to edit the film, so to save us both time and money. But since the editing guys had to be paid, and the release of a film only would have definitely halved the incomes, they opted for a bad film instead. Hopefully just one.

In few words, the story is an extremely long preview of what to expect in the final film. But I'm not going to blame the screenwriters on this. Of course, it's not their fault. It is more than obvious that it is not that easy to extend a one book story in two long parts. But at least I enjoyed what they did with Josh Hutcherson and Philip Seymour Hoffman's characters.

Fortunately, the film has Jennifer Lawrence, whose charm and unbelievable acting skills prevent the audience from falling asleep, and save the film from being a complete fail. Also she sings James Howard's "The Hanging Tree" quite well. Donald Sutherland gives another great performance as President Snow, and Philip Seymour Hoffman just nails his character. But the same cannot be said for Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and new entry Julianne Moore as President Coin, who although has a certain presence, fails in capturing the essence of the character. 

Quotes

President Snow: Miss Everdeen, it is the things we love most that destroy us.

Lost in Translation (2003)

Genre

Drama

Director

Sofia Coppola

Country

USA | Japan

Cast

Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris, Fumihiro Hayashi, Akiko Takeshita, François Du Bois, Takashi Fujii, Hiromix

Storyline

Well-known American actor Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is in Tokyo to shot a commercial for a Japanese whiskey. Spending most of his non-working hours at his hotel bar, he meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), the young wife of a visiting photographer (Giovanni Ribisi).

Opinion

After "The Virgin Suicides", Sofia Coppola strikes back, and proves that blood will out. Not a love story, not a comedy, but a story of a brief moment of life, Lost in Translation is a charming, melancholic, slow, moving film that perfectly captures loneliness, and although not much happens, it is worth the time of a watch, or two. 

Sofia Coppola's choice of shooting entirely in sequence in order to get Murray and Johansson know each other at the same time of their character is successful, and the result is brilliant. 

The film is down-to-earth, and allows you to relate to the characters, Bob and Charlotte. Both of them are dealing with a life crisis, and searching for their lost souls. The romance/love affair between Bob and Charlotte, for once in cinema, is not physical, but about souls and minds.

The photography by Lance Acord is stunning, the bright colours evoke the spiritual awakening of the characters, and the Japan-pop music perfectly fits the film.

This film is also the highlight of Bill Murray's career. He gives his strongest performance ever, perfectly playing a middle-aged and depressed guy. Also, his voice is amazing, and he proves when singing Bryan Ferry's "More Than This". However, Scarlett Johansson is the stand-out. She is stunning, and convincing in her role - I wonder what happened to her.

Quotes

Charlotte: I just don't know what I'm supposed to be.
Bob: You'll figure that out. The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.

Charlotte: Let's never come here again because it would never be as much fun.

(500) Days of Summer (2009)

Genre

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Director

Marc Webb

Country

USA

Cast

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, Geoffrey Arend, Chloë Grace Moretz, Matthew Gray Gubler, Clark Gregg, Patricia Belcher, Rachel Boston, Minka Kelly, Maile Flanagan, Yvette Nicole Brown, Olivia Bagg, Richard McGonagle

Storyline

Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is an aspiring architect who currently earns his living as a greeting card writer. Summer (Zooey Deschanel) is his boss's beautiful new secretary. As they start knowing each other, Tom discovers that they have plenty in common and he falls for her. There is only one problem: she doesn't believe in true love.

Opinion

If you already have read some of my reviews, you'll probably know I usually dislike romantic comedies for recycling the same idea over and over again, and despite a different storyline and a different title, at the end they are the same thing. And even though some films are made on some nice ideas - take "Knocked Up" or "He's Just Not That Into You" - the result is never as good as hoped. 

I didn't expect much from the film - mostly because of the title - and I thought it was going to be just another clichéd romantic comedy, but god if I was wrong. (500) Days of Summer is charming, sweet, smooth, original, and unpredictable, it is a different take on falling in love, it manages to engage you with a love story you already know can't end in a good way, and, for once, the relationship it's shown from the man's point of view. Hope you don't get mad if I define it a modern version of Woody Allen's "Annie Hall".

The narrator warns us upfront, saying this is not a love story. But I guess it's because we are so preconditioned by Hollywood that throughout the whole film I thought, "That's not true. This is a love story". Only at the end I realized the narrator was pretty accurate.

Director Marc Webb put the story into a blender and the result is a great non-linear story, that manages to make you feel happy, and warmed up for a moment, and sad and feel empathy for the guy in just a few minutes. We also get a funny musical number in the park, and some great music.

Now the acting: this film got two great performances. On one hand we have Joseph Gordon-Levitt, marvellous as Tom, and capable to project humanity in an unbelievable way. On the other hand we have Zooey Deschanel. She delivers one of her best performances to date. She'll make you love her, and then she'll break your heart, but you'll just want to love her more. The chemistry between Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel is wonderful.

Quotes

Tom: I love how she makes me feel, like anything's possible, or like life is worth it.

Narrator: Most days of the year are unremarkable. They begin and they end with no lasting memory made in between. Most days have no impact on the course of a life.

Ex Machina (2015)

Genre

Drama | Sci-Fi

Director

Alex Garland

Country

UK

Cast

Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya Mizuno, Symara A. Templeman, Elina Alminas, Gana Bayarsaikhan, Tiffany Pisani, Claire Selby

Storyline

A young programmer, Caleb, (Domhnall Gleeson) is selected to participate in a breakthrough experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I. (Alicia Vikander).

Opinion

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Defined by many the Sci-Fi film of the year, I had great expectations for this title, but I got let down a little. Visually stunning, Ex Machina presents some interesting questions about Artificial Intelligence, male-female relationships, and human sexuality, and it had great potential, but it failed to engage me completely.

The writing is not that smart as it may look, and it feels more appropriate to thirteen year olds, although few of them will actually get to see the film because of the R rating. The film just has too much frontal female nudity, images created for the male gaze only. You cannot even open the closet’s open without seeing naked robots.

I got to admit, I was waiting for a twist that didn't come – it would have been good if Caleb turned out to be a robot, and that he was the one being tested. The end is completely spoiled, and the suspense killed by Nathan asking Caleb if he really thought Ava liked him.

Also, there are some logic issues. First of all, how come a genius like Nathan uses a plastic card as a security measure, when said card can be easily stolen? Being his estate hours from anything, where did he find the sashimi? If Ava is Nathan's latest model, why is she exposing her circuits? And how does Asian skin match Ava's? And at last but not least, why isn't the helicopter pilot suspicious at all? I mean, he picks up a beautiful women instead of the nerd he was supposed to. 

At least, the acting is good. Alicia Vikander nails her role. Being a robot, she has to act like a wooden creature, and she does a great job. Domhnall Gleeson well-plays Caleb, role that partially recalls Gleeson's Jon in "Frank". Oscar Isaac was barely decent. 

Quotes

Nathan: One day the AIs are going to look back on us the same way we look at fossil skeletons on the plains of Africa. An upright ape living in dust with crude language and tools, all set for extinction.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Tim Story

Country

USA | Germany | UK

Cast

Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Doug Jones, Laurence Fishburne, Julian McMahon, Kerry Washington, Beau Garrett, Vanessa Minnillo, Andre Braugher, Stan Lee, Brian Posehn, Debbie Timuss, Moneca Delain, Kevin McNulty, Crystal Lowe

Storyline

As the Silver Surfer (Doug Jones, voiced by Laurence Fishburne) races around the globe wreaking havoc, Reed (Ioan Gruffudd), Sue (Jessica Alba), Johnny (Chris Evans) and Ben (Michael Chiklis) must unravel the mystery of the Silver Surfer and confront the surprising return of their mortal enemy, Dr. Doom (Julian McMahon), before all hope is lost.

Opinion

I did have really low expectations for this one, and it didn't disappoint me. While a little improvement on its predecessor, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer still is mediocre, dull, and a shame to the fantastic comic books.

As if letting Mark Frost write the script for the first film was a good idea, they called him back, and along with director Tim Story and screenwriter Don Payne, he did a bad job.
Although I like films to be faithful to the comic books, I tolerate some little differences or omissions. Unfortunately, in here, it is a huge problem. There is no backstory of Galactus - he is not even a character - and his servant, the Silver Surfer, has the power to destroy him. How ridiculous is that? Also, the Silver Surfer goes around resurrecting people. There is no explanation to the power swapping, the Torch can just swap powers with the others by touching them, and how the Torch manages to absorb everyone's powers, leaving them powerless, is a mystery.
And the villain for god's sake! Couldn't they come up with some other bad guy? Why did they have to bring Julian McMahon's awful Dr. Doom back?

Nothing exciting happens aside from the chase scene involving the Human Torch and the Silver Surfer. The visual effects suck. Mr. Fantastic looks fake most of the time.

The acting is bad as the rest. Ioan Gruffudd looks like some guy from a soap opera, and his accent still is bad. Jessica Alba is painful to watch. She is nothing more than a pretty face. And the chemistry between the two of them is inexistent. Chris Evans steals the show as Johnny Storm having the fortune to play the only character that evolves during the film. Michael Chiklis did a better job the first time. Julian McMahon is ok. Doug Jones and Laurence Fishburne do a good job as Silver Surfer's body and voice.

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

Genre

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Director

Derek Cianfrance

Country

USA

Cast

Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta, Ben Mendelsohn, Rose Byrne, Mahershala Ali, Bruce Greenwood, Dane DeHaan, Emory Cohen, Harris Yulin, Robert Clohessy, Olga Merediz

Storyline

A motorcycle stunt rider (Ryan Gosling) turns to robbing banks as a way to provide for his lover and their newborn child, a decision that puts him on a collision course with an ambitious cop (Bradley Cooper) navigating a department ruled by a corrupt detective.

Opinion

A few years ago I tried to watch this film, but I gave up after 10 minutes. I should have left that way. The Place Beyond The Pines is a way too ambitious attempt at making a family drama, that turned out to be not a bad film, but three bad films.

The trailer for this film is very misleading, because there’s a lot more going on than Ryan Gosling being a badass. In fact, there are three stories, each with its own main characters, that despite being linked to the same event, the all thing seems forced.

The film starts pretty good – the first story is absorbing, Gosling’s character is developed, and the chasing scene is quite good -, but when the motorcycle rider gets killed, the film dies with him. 

The film doesn't find its center, the dirty cops topic is not well-developed as it deserved to be – or as I was hoping -, and there's to much cod-psychology about fathers and sons. 

The acting could have been a lot better. Despite the great performances by Ryan Gosling as the motorcycle rider, and Eva Mendes as Romina, the rest of the cast is just disappointing - I was expecting more from Bradley Cooper, who didn’t even successfully manage to cry. 

Last words. Derek Cianfrance should have stuck to making a solid thriller, and if only he wasn't trying so hard to be a great filmmaker, maybe the result would have been better that this.

Quotes

Robin: If you ride like lightning, you're going to crash like thunder.