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s-barash72
Reviews
Good (2008)
Infuriating how awful this film is!!!!
Three reasons why this film is a waste of time and money:
First, it is about the most horrific 12 years in German history and none of the actors are German, but mainly English. They don't even make an effort to hide their English accents when they utter German words. However, that is not the main problem, the main problem is that they are so English. Their entire behaviour is SO English. Either you make a film about dictatorship that could happen anywhere, anytime or a film about Nazi Germany but then there HAS to be an accurate historical, cultural portrayal of the time and people!
Second, there is nothing, absolutely nothing 'good' in Halder, he is not even 'nice'. Halder is a Nazi who pretends NOT to be one. He does zero to protect his best friend while it is still time - and we are talking about his best friend, a man he shares his most intimate problems with! It is difficult to understand why he attempts to finally help him once it is too late!
Third, there is nothing moving, nothing touching about this film, even the last scene in the concentration camp feels like - and I am sorry to draw this comparison but this is what it felt like watching it - a trip to the house of horrors at a funfair!
What could have been an interesting, excruciating film about a man who through the choices he makes, gives in to evil and realizes too late that he was lured into a trap and has not only betrayed his best friend but is committing atrocious crimes against humanity, has gone horribly, horribly, horribly wrong! Awful, awful, awful!
Monsieur Lazhar (2011)
A film about surviving
Death / suicide, grief, loss, survival are the main topics in this film. Bashir Lazhar is a man who has lost everything and is seeking the status of political refugee in Canada. He is on his own trying to come to terms with the death of his family and to adapt to another culture. At the same time he is taking up the job of teaching a class of children who are still in shock after their teacher hung herself in the classroom. In school no one knows about his past and it sometimes feels superhuman how he manages to give the children stability and support when he himself has such a heavy burden to carry. It is enchanting to see how he starts bonding with the children and how they open up to him. These moments are filled with subtle humor and lightness. (A wonderfully light scene is Monsieur Lazhar dancing.) And this is one of the strengths of this film. It succeeds in combining humor and sadness. I would love to see this film again!
50/50 (2011)
Surprisingly good movie!
When I first read about this film, I didn't think it could work. But when a friend recommended it, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad that I did and that is mainly because of Gordon-Levitt (who plays Adam). The way he deals with fear of dying/despair and at the same time with his friends and family is very convincing. I think the most moving scene is at the end, right before his surgery, reaching out for his mother and not wanting to let go... Anjelica Huston as his overbearing mom is fantastic and I was glad when they finally started talking. What makes this movie so outstanding is that it isn't only sad, it is funny too (very difficult to get the balance right when you are dealing with such a difficult topic) and that is not due to Seth Rogen, who is most of the time annoying and obnoxious and far from funny. It's again Gordon - Levitt who comes across as such a lovely, likable, easygoing guy whose regret is not having traveled to Canada and never having said I love you to a woman, who on his early morning run waits until the traffic light turns green even though there is no traffic and no one on the street, who keeps an old retired race dog and who puts up with his best friend using him / his disease to chat up women. Comic relief comes partly also from Adam's new friends Alan and Mitch and their 'medicinal marijuana tea time'. Why this movie is not a 10? 1) Seth Rogen: he's too annoying and immature 2) The girlfriend: she's too one dimensional 3) The relationship with his mother: the moment when he needed and accepted her comfort was the most powerful scene in the film and there should have been more emphasis on the development of this relationship (rather than focusing on Seth Rogen and his adolescent antics) Despite the criticism this movie is worth watching! I wish there were more movies like this one!
The Cafe (2011)
Amusing in a quiet way
I would love to see more shows like this one! I don't want to say much about the characters and what this series is about. The story focuses on a little cafè at the sea somewhere near Bristol. Not much happens and that is what I like about it - it is simple. The characters are likable and you want to know what will happen to them. The little seaside town is idyllic, the plot can be summarized quickly, uneventful but not in a negative way, not boring. This is nice and easy entertainment. After having gotten used to / bored with US TV shows that use a lot of profanity, sex scenes and violence to attract viewers, I really enjoyed how ordinary and simple this show is and at the same time amusing. It proves that you don't need a lot of action to entertain an audience - a story about the customers and owners of a cafè and their little problems / love interests can be enough. I'm really looking forward to the next episodes and I hope that I will be able to hear them say "Laters!" (do people really say that?) for at least another season.