Monica Bellucci

Monica Bellucci

Irréversible (2002)

 

Events over the course of one traumatic night in Paris unfold in reverse-chronological order as the beautiful Alex is brutally raped and beaten by a stranger in the underpass.

If you reverse a maddening downward spiral, here's proof that it doesn't go upward; aside the two controversial scenes, this film (albeit directed with quite some talent) still emanates a so thoroughly nihilistic view of mankind that it feels superficial and unconvincing.

Halliwell*: "There is something so brutalist and miserablist about Noé's view of the world that it can seem ludicrous, but not here: with a ferocious murder followed by a vicious rape, both shown in all their horror, this can be a shattering experience that offers no hope for humanity."

Maltin*1/2: ""Controversial does not begin to describe this ugly, over-the-top rape-and-revenge tale, told in reverse a la MEMENTO, ...Graphically violent, even by contemporary standards, this glorified exploitation film features an extended rape sequence and brutal murder that's hard to stomach. Though gimmicky and repugnant, some will admire the film for its audacity." 

Monica Bellucci

Monica Bellucci

Monica Bellucci

Monica Bellucci

(ph: Bettina Rheims)

Under Suspicion (2000)

 

 

A lawyer is asked to come to the police station to clear up a few loose ends in his witness report of a foul murder.

 

Remake of Garde a vue: a murder mystery staged as a closed-room drama with the two male leads playing at their best, but still can't make the ending more believable - the original managed that much better.

 

On renewed viewing: I still agree with my initial opinion, the performances make it quite watchable.

 

Halliwell (no star): "Disappointing duel between two fine actors, who are not helped by the hyperkinetic style of the director. The result is much less compelling than the French original The Inquisitor/Garde a vue."

 

Maltin**1/2: "Hopkins uses some imaginative techniques, and the two leads are excellent, as usual, but overall it's routine and familiar."

 

 

Monica Bellucci

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Bellucci

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

Master sorcerer Balthazar Blake must find and train Merlin's descendant to defeat dark sorceress Morgana le Fey.

Colorful nonsense offers lota of incomprehensive magic and action and fairly little romance, but is clearly intended for an audience of kids.

Maltin**1/2: "Formulaic but enjoyable-enough mix of large-scale action and humor..., ostensibly inspired by the famous sequence in Disney's FANTASIA. Wittiest part of the film is the inventive use of Manhattan locations, from Wall Street to a ledge on the Chrysler Building."

Ne te retourne pas (2009)

Panic attacks and memory loss signal the plight of a writer whose body is inexplicably being taken over by another woman.

Intense, but a bit overplayed psychodrama with a quite confusing plot. 

Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre (2002)

 

 

Astérix and Obélix go to Egypt to help architect Numérobis who is building a palace for Cleopatra.

 

Fairly entertaining live action adaptation of the beloved comic classic; well produced, it has its moments, but a lot of the humour is quite silly.

 

Halliwell*: "Jolly slapstick romp through Roman history with some good gags along the way."

 

 

 

Sheitan (2006)

A group of youngsters go out to a disco late one night and accidentally run into a shepherd who has prepared himself for a night of Satanic worship.

Over-the-top and weird low budget horror thriller that successfully plays with the audience's expectations, but somehow doesn't add up to be a coherent movie.