Ordinary people who end up in extraordinary situations can produce fascinating results in films. And if a film does this well, you as a viewer can imagine that it could happen to you and it will make a film memorable. That’s something like A Simple Plan proved for example. Such a scenario also happens in The Fall of the American Empire, but is this also a good film? Continue reading
The nice thing about Netflix is that every week an enormous amount of content is added and you occasionally have absolutely no idea what to expect from a certain title. That may mean that you are pleasantly surprised, but also that you sometimes watch titles of which you think that they should not have been made. A while ago, Rim of the World appeared on the on-demand service. I hadn’t read or heard about it yet, but since the film was directed by McG (who also has directed, for example, 3 Days to Kill, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle and Terminator Salvation), my expectations were not high, but I was curious about the concept. I always have a weakness for science fiction and a movie in which teenagers fight aliens looked interesting on paper. Continue reading
In a sea of films, the waves can sometimes become so predictable that, while sailing, you hope for a wave that may have a different shape, such as square, so it stands out and gives you a new experience. Unfortunately the chance of this happening is extremely small, but as a film lover you hope to discover one. A film which gives you hope that there are still unique things to be found. Gräns (Border) is such a title. Continue reading
*This review contains spoilers*
Recently the fifth season of Charlie Brooker’s series Black Mirror came out. A series that I always watch with great pleasure and after the interesting Bandersnatch a couple of months ago, I was waiting patiently for a whole new season. With only three episodes, that may not be much, but if you include the three mini episodes that will still appear on YouTube, there is something else you can sink your teeth in into as a Black Mirror fan. The first episode is Striking Vipers. And unfortunately it is a disappointing start. Continue reading
We live in times of abundance, even when it comes to entertainment. The choice of books, video games, films and series is overwhelming. With that “problem”, the feeling of a shared experience has largely disappeared. It occasionally happens with big releases like a Marvel movie or something like Game of Thrones, but the chance that when you’ve seen a movie others have already seen the same title is small. Especially when such a film has not appeared in the cinema. That is also the case with the Netflix romcom Always Be My Maybe. A title that may be promoted temporarily through the service, but one which you may add to the long list that you probably already have, but which you will never get back to. Yet this is one that you should actually watch immediately when you are looking for a light-hearted film with lots of humor. Continue reading
Yorgos Lanthimos is a director who I always like to keep an eye on as a film lover. The reason for this is that he creates worlds and tells stories that are anything but standard or predictable. In The Lobster single people had to find a partner within 45 days or else they would change in animals and in The Killing of a Sacred Deer he plays with extortion and possibly supernatural powers, resulting in a number of very memorable moments. As a result, these films may be strange and not easily watched by everyone, but I really enjoy them myself. The Favourite is perhaps his most accessible film and has received a lot of Oscar nominations and Olivia Colman won the statuette for best actress (and had an amazing Oscar speech). What makes this film so special? Continue reading
When I think of director Robert Rodriguez, I do not immediately feel that I should see every project he does. His first film El Mariachi was good, I have been able to enjoy the Spy Kids films for what they are and Sin City is perhaps his best, but the feeling of Grindhouse-like films that he has done a lot (eg. the Machete titles) prevails. I did not really have any expectations about Alita: Battle Angel, but the fact that this is a project that James Cameron wanted to make for nearly twenty years, besides Avatar, and he was also involved in developing this Rodriguez version, could result in something interesting. I decided to watch the film the best way possible, in a Dolby Cinema. Is Alita: Battle Angel worth it? Continue reading
Poland, the 1950s. Wiktor (Tomasz Kot), together with a number of colleagues, travels through the country to ensure that traditional music is not lost and does so by recording it. They start an organization to perform this music and Wiktor meets the rebellious Zula (Joanna Kulig). The two are getting closer and closer, but as the success of this folklore group increases, the regime also sees it as a perfect way to promote itself, something Wiktor is not enthusiastic about. He devises a plan to escape with Zula to the west so that they can be together and do what they want, but whether that is realistic, is the question. Continue reading
You only have one time to make a first impression and when DC, inspired by the success of Marvel and their “shared universe” of films, tried the same thing, it was not really successful. Batman vs. Superman disappointed and the same was true for Justice League. Where the Marvel films were mainly light-hearted and entertaining, that was not the case in the DC universe. That does not have to be a problem, as the Batman films of Christopher Nolan have proven that a realistic, dark atmosphere can work, but the general public doesn’t seem to look forward to the films of the studio as much. Wonder Woman might have been the exception, but that also succeeded because it had a different tone. Aquaman was introduced in the In Justice League film and Jason Mamoa gave the character both a serious as a lighthearted feel by for example joking about Batman. Now the character gets his own movie. Is this another disappointing DC movie or has the company finally found the right balance? Continue reading
Music is emotion and the best artists often use their own experiences to make memorable songs. When you base your movie on the process of creation, it can add something to a movie that you connect to more strongly. Director John Carney seems to be specialized when it comes to creating music, just think of Once, Begin Again and Sing Street. They all deal with music and love. His movies probably are the best in this subgenre. Hearts Beat Loud isn’t directed by him, but also revolves about creating music, relationships and which things inspire you. Continue reading