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The Saint of the Impossible (2020)
"The boys don't need to find love; they're filled with it."
The central theme of the film revolves around the exploration of love, weaving through different generations and diverse social groups. It sheds light on the individual journeys of each character as they navigate the challenges of life.
The two brothers, in their youth and curiosity, search for love, primarily through physical desires. The young girl is attracted by the purity of these boys but wants to be desired for her essence as a person. For the mother, love is a source of hope, while for the man, it becomes a means of asserting control.
The bond shared by the two brothers was what struck me the most. Due to their challenging social circumstances, they lived very close to each other and at times felt like two halves of one person. I loved how they would often glance at each other and smile, as though they understood each other's thoughts at any given moment. Despite the tragic nature of the movie, they were always surrounded by a certain optimism that is infectious to the viewer. It is why I left the movie moved and with a feeling of optimism.
Like stated by the girl midway through the film: "The boys don't need to find love; they're filled with it.
Kreuzweg (2014)
Beutifull an long scences.
Beautiful scenes with lots of stationary compositions that look like religious paintings. A lot of somber colors and calm atmosphere accentuate this world. The scenes consist of mostly long takes with ongoing dialog that delves deep into religious and spiritual philosophy. The movie has a great way of showing each character's personal ways of dealing with these philosophies.
Eventhough there the scenes are mostly conversation based with little cinematography, the movie does not feel slow. At times I even wished there were longer pauses for the viewer to reflect.
There is a lot of ideas that will make you think about the values and the affects of orthodox Christians religion. Though ultimately it's clear that the noble ideas that are portrait slowly turn into poison.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Anti meat movie
While it is correct the movie talks about conservatism and the clash of an older generation fighting the new ways, to me it's clear the '74 version is an anti meat movie (which makes sense cause in the 70 this was a common trope of the new generation). In an interview The horror director Guillermo del Toro said he became a vegan after watching the movie. After all, the movie characters are treated like runaway cattle. Accept for the final girl, they are killed without much thought. Just the old hammer to the head. The movie does not give the kills much attention and the most horrific thing about them are how quick and sudden they happen. At the first half of the movie they all walk to the house one by one like cows walking in line to be slaughtered. The movie makes us think about the act of killing and the barbecue they ate at the gas-station makes it all come full circle.
Er ist wieder da (2015)
Scarry to see that this is possible in the streets of Berlin.
Understanding that this is a book adaptation, it was a really good choice to use some kind of hidden camera element like we see in the films with actor Sacha Baron Cohen, to accentuate the theme of this satire film. That said, the film will take more liberties and differ from the book, resulting in a less superior story.
The reaction of the the public was the most interesting part of the movie. I was honestly quite shocked to find out how easy-going people were after seeing something that, for what I understood, holds a great stigma in Germany. It was scary to see people level with Adolf as they talked about the status quo and started agreeing on very strong and often very right statements. The kind of statements that are shortsighted and have no complex context, but sound empowering by promising prosperity. It's clear that this can mirror how the real Hitler, or other politicians, use these signs of discontent from the people in order to push their own agenda.
Another topic that I find, and this may me more subjective, is the debate on weather or not we should keep certain things a taboo. A lot of people threw a quirky smile, or rose their hand as got a picture with this "comedian". Most of these people may not identify with the ideologies that Hitler represents but merely act along with the joke. Still I think it's fair to say that this behavior is what develops the story. By doing so they gradually lift the veil of this stigma and give it a platform. Kind of like the book and movie "The Welle". A story about a similar social experiment where the kids are just joking around, but eventually get caught up in it all.
Sadly, though there is a lot to think about, I do not feel as though most of that is credited to the movie itself, it lacks clever writing or strongly researched philosophies. instead it is rather on the nose and weaves a silly story through it all that I just couldn't get into. Everything felt a bit childish. Even Hitler himself was not really that spot on (unlike the claim of most other reviewers). I thought be was kind of immature, shortsighted and often straight up dumb. Like when he broke the car lamp and tried to put the broken glass back into the lamp.
Wile writing this review I was reminded of one of the characters in the media team, who said something about reviewers that will often rate satire higher in order to not look stupid. So do with that what you will. I get the picture, I just feel as though the movie itself wasn't as strong.
(+) Social experiments and ideas that are thought provoking.
(-) Lacking dept in the topic at hand
(-) Boring characters and silly story.
The Perfection (2018)
To far fetched with lazy attempts at creating dept.
SPOILER FREE REVIEW
Overall I have to say this movie was pretty bad. Without spoiling much it's hard to say why, yet I'll keep it vague.
Some of the twists that happen may succeed in keeping a kind of tension in the story, but by flipping the narrative the way they do here, all the events that happened before stop making sense. Characters make decisions that can, in no way, determine the intended outcome due to the random events. And may I say, the whole "plan" is ridiculously far fetched.
A bigger story will eventually unfold but unlike the strange foreshadowings, the rabbit hole isn't that complex at all. Instead the story feels to far out there and makes a terrible effort to present the topic at hand as some kind of psychological horror film.
(-) rediculus story
(-) incohesice
(+) good atmosphere
Mad Max (1979)
In the land of the free, we are helpless.
Screeching tires and clouds of dust fill the air as you embark on your way. The hot sun creates mirage on the long road ahead. For a lot of people in the 70's, this was what freedom felt like. In Mad Max we see a different side of this "Easy Rider" coin.
The 2015 movie, "Fury Road" is what introduced a lot of people to the franchise. When younger generations such as myself go back to the first movie they will find that it is less fiction oriented. Although Mad Max does have a dystopian quality to it, the setting feels familiar and captures a spiritual desire for freedom. At the same time, the American desert roads also evoke a feeling of helplessness. The same feeling you get when you find yourself out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by rusted scrap metal and dry land. This junk yard aesthetic is the heart of the movie and is as much present on the road as it is in the city and police station. The road cops of desperately try to uphold a sense of reason in a world that has long since lost it's order.
The only complaint I have with the movie is the pacing. Though I was never bored in the first and second act. I felt as though the third act tied everything up a bit to quickly. Afterwards the movie also ends rather abruptly. In way this does emphasise the brutality of it all. You should be advised that the movie will not hold back on shocking you with well executed stunt work and lovable characters that go through a lot. If you felt bad for John Wick, than do hold on for a similar roller coaster that builds up to an inevitable confrontation.
(+) Great atmospheric world.
(+) Unique and charismatic characters.
(-) Underwhelming third act.
What Did Jack Do? (2017)
A foggy dream that seems to vibrate on a different plane of logic.
What I always admired about Lynch is his ability to stick to his roots and keep exploring the same aesthetic over and over into a perfected style. 'What Did Jack Do?' Is no different. Anyone who likes his way of storytelling will enjoy this little scene.
We are dropped into a noir setting filled with the typical symbolism of the American town lifestyle. Characters talk with more emphasis on detective movie tropes than the conversation itself. It remains vague and allows you to fill it in with context by using a kind of associative thinking. Yet somehow you cant help but feel like there exists nothing else outside of this room. Like a weird dream this surreal scene seems to have manifested itself by tapping into your subconscious memories.
His lo-fi video effects are back as well in order to add to this aesthetic. The mouth of the talking monkey is edited on the image rather robustly. Some parts are clearly sped up, others are slowed down. It makes for a foggy scene that refuses to stay consistent and, like a dream, seems to vibrate on a different plane of logic.
It's quite an interesting experience and people that recognize these things will understand that Lynch is not weird for the sake of being weird. He understands exactly what our subconscious is made of.
Nóz w wodzie (1962)
An example of how limited resources can often create incredible beauty.
An overal great movie. It's able to pull off quite a lot for a relatively simple story.
The reason for this is the great direction. Polanski is able to capture the dense space of a sailboat with great shots but also great choreography.
A lot of little movements and actions happen during their conversations. Things slide arround or fall over. The sail turns and cause displacements of our characters. Objects are stored left and right, reaching for them creates a lot of dynamic. All these things happen very casually but add an enormous dept to a movie that, in the wrong hands would ens up a lot more boring. It also accentuates the small space they are confined in. The man and wife move with confidence and mindfully of their serrounding. The guest is often startled and moves more cautiously. The environment creates some heightened personality traits. The presence of the young girl makes the guys partake in a subtle power struggle. Slowely this competition between the two men grows larger towards our third act. The knife of the guest ends up symbolizing some kind of sexual dominance. Hence the title of the movie.
A strong, well thought out movie that is masterfully captivating due to clever filmmaking.
Gerald's Game (2017)
Great idea. Bad execution.
I'm sad so say that I expected more from this one. Though beloved by many, the film felt rather bland, inconsistent and downright boring.
Little exposition is given before the inevitable cuffing to the bed. Therefor I did not care for these characters and no, her feeding a 200 dollar steak to a stray dog did not help.
Neither did their imaginary counterparts. Though certainly an interesting take on storytelling, the concept was not explored enough. The presence of these characters did not add much. Instead, it felt like a gimmick.
I would certainly have liked to see more of the psychological side of the story. The flashbacks woven into her delirious states were in fact the best part. However instead the movie tries to weave in horror as well but fails to make it all come together.
Let's talk about the demonic figure. I understand that, without spoiling to much, it very well might resemble an embodiment of her traumatic child memories. But than why did this thing have to turn out as real. The final confrontation felt completely unrelated to the personal journey she made that night. So again. The demon did not add any value to the story. The dog might also have been some kind of symbolic embodiment of death, waiting for her, but it fails to use these ideas to develop a rich horror film.
Based on some decent acting, the vage but interesting idea of using traumatic memories to craft this mental, and some beautiful cinematography, I keep it at a 4 out of 10. There's a lot of unfulfilled potential here. Perhaps readers of the book will agree.
In the Tall Grass (2019)
Much better than Gerald's Game.
People seem divided on this one. I watched "Gerald's Game" the other night. Though a lot more people seem to like that one, personally I thought it was boring and inconsistent. I did not get any horror vibe whatsoever.
"In The Tall Grass" shows where Stephen King shines best. Cosmic Horror, or Lovecraftian horror as they say. The movie keeps you on the edge of your seat because it creates an intriguing world that invites you to put efforts into grasping it. However you will never find all answers. That might upset some people, but if you are into cosmic horror, you might like this one.
The movie does not provide jump scares. Instead the cinematography is placed on the foreground. The field feels tranquil, haunting and claustrophobic. It makes things feel eerie while also creating a sense of wonder. Luckily, the movie is not afraid to go to a few unexpected places and reveal some of it's mysteries without revealing to much and making you lose that fear of the unknown. The acting is decent and the characters, though not extremely lovable, are not of-putting either.
It isn't without flaws of course. Some characters have a few familiar horror tropes tied to them, which makes them act in in an exaggerated way, making frustrating choices or jut making it all a little less original. Also the theme of being stuck in a loop, or lost in a place that resembles some kind of purgatory, has been explored many times before. (Dead End (2003), Timecrimes (2007), Triangle (2009), just to name a few.)
That being said, it does execute the idea much better than for example "Coherence" from 2013 (which has a higher score on Imdb, for whatever reason.) Which had highly frustrating characters and felt quite bland i general. It makes me realize how pulling off such a story is like balancing on a rope. Give to much and it becomes silly, give to little and it becomes a blue balling disappointment.
I give In The Tall Grass a well deserved 6.
(+) Great execution of cosmic horror.
(+) Good pacing
(- ) Not groundbreaking