Thursday, 31 May 2018
Onibaba (1964)
Two women kill samurai and sell their belongings for a living; while one of them is having an affair with their neighbor, the other woman meets a mysterious samurai wearing a bizarre mask.
Monday, 28 May 2018
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
After the rebels are brutally overpowered by the Empire on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker begins Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader.
Second installation of the series has all the production quality one expects, but despite all innovative specials effects this remains an old-fashioned sci-fi swashbuckler, still as dated as on the day it was released.
On rewatching: maybe a bit more entertaining than the first part, since it has more hrills - and humour.
Halliwell***: "More exhilarating interplanetary adventures, as mindless as Star Wars but just as enjoyable for aficionados."
Maltin***: "Smashing sequel to STAR WARS manages to top the original in its embellishment of leading characters' personalities, truly dazzling special effects...and nonstop spirit of adventure and excitement."
Star Wars (1977)
Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader.
The legendary very first movie of the Star Wars series has always been a silly, but quite effective space opera.
On re-watching: Entertaining sci-fi epic that offered spectacular special effects for its time successfully recreates the excitement and fun of the early space opera serials - and on the same intellectual level.
Halliwell****: "Flash Gordon rides again, but with timing so impeccably right that the movie became a phenomenon and one of the top grossers of all time. Good harmless fun, put together with style and imagination."
Maltin***1/2: "Elaborate, imaginative update of Flash Gordon...It's a hip homage to B-movie ethics and heroism in the space age..."
Saturday, 26 May 2018
Swiss Army Man (2016)
A hopeless man stranded on a deserted island befriends a dead body and together they go on a surreal journey to get home.
Very off-kilter, but silly and unsavoury satire that tries to say something substantial but undercuts its own efforts; additional kudos go to Daniel Radcliffe for his attempt to estrange his Harry Potter fans by playing a farting corpse.
Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
The defiant leader Moses rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.
Bombastic Biblical epic reliably ticks off the main highlights of the Exodus story, but never goes beyond Cecil B. DeMille's efforts - including the silliness.
Thursday, 24 May 2018
You Were Never Really Here (2017)
A traumatized veteran, unafraid of violence, tracks down missing girls for a living. When a job spins out of control, Joe's nightmares overtake him as a conspiracy is uncovered leading to what may be his death trip or his awakening.
A pulpy plot is turned into a near-masterpiece of cinematic brilliance breaking down the narrative into optical puzzle pieces, creating a mesmerizing, if dark experience; on top of that, Joaquin Phoenix delivers a fascinating performance, and the soundtrack is a work of art in itself.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares for battle with the First Order.
Competently produced and highly entertaining continuation of the Star Wars saga, again proof that the recent productions are superior to the previous trilogies concerning characters and character development, - and diversity; Daisy Ridley's Rey is arguably the series' most agreeable hero.
Tuesday, 22 May 2018
The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X.
Monday, 21 May 2018
A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)
As a cowardly farmer begins to fall for the mysterious new woman in town, he must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband, a notorious gun-slinger, announces his arrival.
Mildly entertaining Western comedy with an unnecessary cast of top-rate stars; most jokes are hit-or-miss and, too often, vulgar.
Das Netz. Unabomber, LSD und das Internet (2003)
Documentary about the complex backstory of Ted Kaczynski, the infamous Unabomber, which situates him within a late 20th Century web of technology - a system that he grew to oppose.
Dubious documentary intrigues by construing meandering connections to the Unabomber, but unnervingly seems to uncritically agree with his manifesto.
Eskimo Limon - Eis am Stiel. Von Siegern und Verlierern oder Die bittersüße Geschichte einer unendlichen Filmproduktion (2018)
Documentary about the international success of the movie Eskimo Limon (Lemon Popsicle) and its actors, who still live with the image of the film.
Depressing insight into the harrowing production, surprising success and long-term personal repercussions of an - in itself depressing - movie phenomenon.
Sunday, 20 May 2018
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
A spy organization recruits an unrefined, but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.
Entertaining homage/parody of the James Bond spy spectacles is very well produced, but definitely a bit too long.
All the King's Men (2006)
In the 50's, in Louisiana, a smart populist, manipulative and wolf hick is elected governor with the support of the lower social classes and erects his own corrupt regime.
Great direction, visuals and performances add up to a good movie that still can't surpass Robert Rossen's 1949 classic adaptation of the same novel.
On rewatching: still a good movie - that could have been better, but Penn's excessive performance seems true, now that we have a similar person as US president.
Maltin**: "Penn's histrionics never ring true, and his talented costars are wasted in this disappointing production...Zaillian wrote the ineffectual screenplay."
Standoff (2016)
A troubled veteran gets a chance at redemption by protecting a 12-year-old girl from an assassin after she witnesses a murder.
Fairly professionally made, but not too inspired thriller with a few lengths; wisely, it doesn't outstay its welcome and keeps it short with its 80 minutes length.
Friday, 18 May 2018
El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
The story of the relationship between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and last survivor of his people, and two scientists who work together over the course of forty years to search the Amazon for a sacred healing plant.
Intense and visually mesmerizing historic drama, which is an adventure as well as a sharp analysis of colonialism.
Children of the Corn (2009)
While traveling, an unhappy married couple encounter a cult of murderous children who worship an entity called He Who Walks Behind the Rows.
A half-hearted Stephen King adaptation neither thrills nor shocks; the greatest horror is the bickering couple during the first half of the movie.
Thursday, 17 May 2018
Wednesday, 16 May 2018
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