The Rover (2014)

Genre


Director


Country

Australia

Cast

Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson Scoot McNairy, Gillian Jones, David Field, Tawanda Manyimo, Anthony Hayes, Susan Prior, Nash Edgerton, Jamie Fallon, Samuel F. Lee

Storyline

10 years after a global economic collapse, a cold-blooded drifter (Guy Pearce) pursues the men who stole his only possession, his car. Along the way, he captures one of the thieves' brother (Robert Pattinson), and the duo form an uneasy bond during the dangerous journey.

Opinion

After the success of Animal Kingdom, David Michôd strikes again with this thrilling film. The Rover is a violent, raw film of few words, that despite its extreme slowness manages to capture the audience's attention 'till the end.

Written by Michôd himself, the harsh story is set in a post-apocalyptic desolate Australia, where the only 'rule' in force is to kill before getting killed, as indeed happens in other films/tv shows of the same genre.

For the whole time I kept wondering why Pearce's character wanted his car back so bad. It's finally shown in the final scene, which is one of the most beautiful final scenes ever as it shows that despite the lawless world the man lives in, principles are still meaningful.

The hypnotic soundtrack, the cinematography, which creates a beautiful scenery for the sense of desolation, and the way the story is told, contribute in creating a spectacular film, but not suitable for everyone.

Although it would have been nice having some background of the characters, to understand why the act the way they do, they still are very interesting, and, most of all, they are played to perfection by the two leads.
Barely changing his facial expression, Guy Pearce is very believable as the lonely determined man, who does not have feelings other than anger.
Robert Pattinson is an excellent co-star. As I used to see him in other kind of roles - wizard in Harry Potter, vampire in Twilight, and lover in other films - he has been a huge surprise. He doesn't only renounce his sex-symbol status by appearing uglier, slovenly, and with a crooked walk, but he has also done some excellent work vocally speaking.


You should never stop thinking about a life you've taken. That's the price you pay for taking it. - Eric

Not everything has to be about something. - Rey

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

Genre


Director


Country


Cast

Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Marshall Manesh, Dominic Rains, Mozhan Marnò, Rome Shadanloo

Storyline

In the Iranian ghost-town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, the townspeople are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire (Sheila Vand).

Opinion

The critics loving it, and VICE Films distributing it gave me the input to watch this film. After watching it, and taking some hours to think about it, I still can't come up with something to write that is good enough and appropriate for the film. 

I can say that A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is the first Iranian film blending Spaghetti Westerns, graphic novels, and vampire flicks; it is unique, weird, yet beautiful, and brilliant. But, like with music, or art, or food, I can't give you an explanation for like it.

Iranian director and writer Ana Lily Amirpour is clearly influenced by Jim Jarmusch's aesthetic, but also by David Lynch's nonsensical narrative.

The plot not revealing too much is a good thing because many plot twists works better if you don't expect them. Of course, you can enjoy a second view as well. The film has some scary moments, and it keeps you guessing throughout the whole time. Subplots and secondary characters do not deviate from the original story, but they do are essential to it.

The characters are involving and interesting. You can't help but like the young man; you can't stand the pathetic, drug-addicted, old man; you hate the drug dealer; the girl is weird, but you like her: she is not some crazy vigilante, but she protects good people.

The stunning black and white photography by Lyle Vincent is definitely the first thing you notice, and the unusual, yet beautiful soundtrack fits perfectly into the story, as it was a Tarantino film.

Sheila Vand is great as The Girl, and I'm sure the director choose her for her hypnotic eyes. The others give decent performances.


Pulp Fiction (1994)

Genre


Director


Country


Cast

John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, Quentin Tarantino, Steve Buscemi

Storyline

Pumpkin (Tim Roth) and Honey Bunny (Amanda Plummer) are two thieves who decide to rob a coffee shop. Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are two hitmen on the hunt for a briefcase from their employer, mob boss Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). Wallace also asks Vincent to take his wife Mia (Uma Thurman) out. Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) is an aging boxer who is paid by Wallace to lose this next fight.

Opinion

Comparing the nominations for the 1995 Oscar's Best Picture - Pulp FictionThe Shawshank Redemption and the winner Forrest Gump - is more than obvious that Oscar winners are not necessarily the best movies in the cinema history. 

Perhaps the best film of all time, and directed by one of the most creative geniuses ever born, Pulp Fiction is mixture of violence, black humour, crime, and action as never seen before, and kinda deals with redemption and spirituality.

The film is perfect from the beginning definition of 'pulp' to the end credits, going through some memorable scenes - The 'Royal with Cheese' discussion, Jules's speech, the twist contest, Butch saving Marsellus, Mia's overdose, Butch choosing a weapon. 

Also, it is impossible to not appreciate the many connections with Reservoir Dogs, like Vincent being Mr. Blonde's brother, Bonnie the nurse - referred in both films as The Bonnie Situation -, and some parts of the story taking place on the same day of RD's events. 

Quentin Tarantino not only proves to be a master in filmmaking, but also to be the master of witty, complex, and clever dialogue, and fast plot that doesn't allow the audience to get bored. There is no wasted line in the whole film, and every single story is told with irony. The cinematography is outstanding and the soundtrack  is one of the best ever.

The acting is top notch. Samuel L. Jackson delivers one hell of a performance as Jules, part specifically wrote for him. The fact that he was denied an Oscar is shameful. John Travolta is obviously the star of the film, and does a great job as Vincent. The supporting cast is outstanding. Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Walken. All of them. 

The film gets better with each viewing - I didn't think it was possible to love it even more than I did before -, so if you didn't like much the first time, watch it again. If you still don't like it, go watch some commercial success. 

Quotes
Butch: You okay?
Marsellus: Naw man. I'm pretty fuckin' far from okay.
Butch: What now?
Marsellus: What now? Let me tell you what now. I'ma call a coupla hard, pipe-hittin' niggers, who'll go to work on the homes here with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. You hear me talkin', hillbilly boy? I ain't through with you by a damn sight. I'ma get medieval on your ass.
Butch: I meant what now between me and you?
Marsellus: Oh, that what now. I tell you what now between me and you. There is no me and you. Not no more.

Jules: Mmmm! Goddamn, Jimmie! This is some serious gourmet shit! Usually, me and Vince would be happy with some freeze-dried Taster's Choice right, but he springs this serious GOURMET shit on us! What flavor is this?
Jimmie: Knock it off, Julie.
Jules: What?
Jimmie: I don't need you to tell me how fucking good my coffee is, okay? I'm the one who buys it. I know how good it is. When Bonnie goes shopping she buys SHIT. I buy the gourmet expensive stuff because when I drink it I want to taste it. But you know what's on my mind right now? It AIN'T the coffee in my kitchen, it's the dead nigger in my garage.
Jules: Oh, Jimmie, don't even worry about that...
Jimmie: No, No, No, No, let me ask you a question. When you came pulling in here, did you notice a sign out in front of my house that said "Dead Nigger Storage"?
Jules: Jimmie, you know I ain't seen no...
Jimmie: Did you notice a sign out in front of my house that said "Dead Nigger Storage"?
Jules: No. I didn't.
Jimmie: You know WHY you didn't see that sign?
Jules: Why?
Jimmie: 'Cause it ain't there, 'cause storing dead niggers ain't my fucking business, that's why!

This Is Where I Leave You (2014)

Genre


Director


Country


Cast

Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Abigail Spencer, Jane Fonda, Aaron Lazar, Ben Schwartz, Cade Lappin, Debra Monk, Will Swenson

Storyline

When their father passes away, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens.

Opinion

I am really surprised by the amount of bad reviews this title got. Lot of people said you must be Jewish and/or in your 30's or 40's to enjoy this film. Now I can't see why I, an atheist in my 20's, I enjoyed it.

Having said that, based on Jonathan Tropper's novel, This Is Where I Leave You is a brilliant, sweet, and meaningful dramedy, and even though it doesn't manage to gracefully alternate the laughter and tears, it still has its moments, and it made me both smile and move.

Adapted by Jonathan Tropper himself, the screenplay is clever, and tight. Maybe the intelligent dialogue between grown-ups and the lack of car chases and explosions is the reason why people didn't like it.
Of course, you can't build 10 characters in 103 minutes the way you can in more than three-hundred pages, still the characters are developed. Also, there are many storylines so you really have to pay attention to pretty much everything to not miss something important.

Director Shawn Levy, mostly known for mediocre films like "Night at the Museum" and "The Internship", managed to craft something wonderful from Topper's screenplay.

The starry cast does mediocre job. While some do a great job, others completely fail. Jason Bateman and Jane Fonda deliver terrific performances - I'm thankful she has been casted instead of Goldie Hawn. Tina Fey, better known as a comedian, surprised me with a great performance. While he shines in his previous films, Corey Soll looks a bit lost in this one. Adam Driver gives an awful, one-dimensional performance. Rose Byrne tries her best, and has some chemistry with Bateman, but unfortunately her character is nothing more than a love interest.


Quotes

Judd Altman: It's hard to see people from your past when your present is so cataclysmically screwed up.