The Hunt (Jagten) (2012)

A friend said couple weeks ago something like “all things that were to be said in films have already been said”. Apart from the fact that cinema is an art and there is never an end to artistic creation, “The Hunt” is one of the films that prove him wrong.

It is a film that raises and (partially) answers so many questions…How well do we know our friends? How sure are we about their character and how willing are we to stand by their side when things get tough? How careful one must be in accepting a “fact” about someone else? Is the same, to make a stand when a problem is born, as making it later on? Hatred, justice, innocence, all exposed and dealt with the precision of a surgeon’s knife by Thomas Vinterberg and amazing performances by all actors, immaterial of age.

A film you should not miss.

My rating: 10/10

Chinese Take-Out (Un cuento chino) (2011)

For some weird reason I prefer the original title, i.e. “Un cuento chino” (a Chinese story) over the English translation “Chinese Take-Out”.

There are films one sees which have something to say and thus are considered important. In many cases however they are very, very depressing. Like the one in my previous post.

There are other films that have also a lot to say but they say it in a beautiful, appealing manner. When they end they leave you with a smile in your face, with a deep satisfaction that you saw something pretty, that may be there is hope in this world because the characters portrayed show a lot of the humanity and kindness we all have within. Do not miss it.

My rating: 10/10

Killing Them Softly (2012)

“Killing Them Softly” is a movie one needs to have a strong stomach to watch for two reasons. Since it is a tale about outlaw games, the people involved, the beneficiaries behind them, it is expected to have violence. There is a lot of it and it is very realistic, that being the first reason. However, what is extremely interesting are the broadcasts in radio and TV in various points of the play commenting on the US financial system, the players involved, the way things are going. summed up at the end of the film by the main character (Brad Pitt). There are also the well portrayed feelings of the poor devils involved in one or another way in the plot, their lack  of options, their imaginary world where they escape to avoid reality, their loneliness and fate. If ones also considers the “business” discussions taking place between the people “calling the shots”, so similar to the discussions taking place in legal businesses, then one realizes that this film says something more than an illegal gambling story. That is the second reason. This is one of the films saying more than one story. A must see.

My rating: 09/10

Labyrinth (2012)

Labyrinth is a two episode series based on an book by Kate Mosse along the lines of “The Da Vinci Code“. It may be according to wikipedia a successful book but the film is far from convincing as a story. It is not for me to judge the historical facts presented, but the way the story is unveiled: the start is extremely naive and the story is heavily based on supernatural phenomena that could be left out. It closely resemblances in several points “The Da Vinci Code”, driving the spectator to make a comparison which works against the movie. There are points where it becomes awkwardly emotional in a way totally unfitting to the scenery developed so far.

My rating: 05/10

The Big Year (2011)

The Big Year is a film about birds and bird observers. People that are passionate observing birds, devoting a big part of their life try to see them, hear them, admire them. Well, I am a nature fan (walking the mountains is a favorite activity of mine) and despite the fact that I do not share the passion I sympathize!

So, the subject is an original one, the plot is not bad and there are numerous funny moments. The point however where the film shows its real beauty (for me) is on the finish line, i.e. in the last five minutes. For these five minutes, which of course build on the remaining film, it gets…

My rating: 08/10

Woody Allen: A Documentary (2012)

Apart from a very short period of time (something like less than a year) I am a big Woody Allen fan. I’ve seen almost all his films. So, when the documentary was released in a film festival, I thought: “but I know the guy inside-out, watching it should be a waste of time!”. Big mistake! This is an excellent film worthy of its subject.

It is very interesting to see how Woody Allen started, as a person that was extremely uncomfortable with a live audience and became the director he is now. How things in his childhood affected his obsessions, ideas, beliefs. The way people who worked with him speak about their collaboration. The way he sees his work, life, love and of course death!

It is such a pleasure to see a man at his age to have such clarity, soberness and maturity about all aspects of his life and work.

He is really amazing as is this film that shows the man behind the work done. If you like his movies do not miss it. If you don’t, well, you may learn something in another level 🙂

My rating: 09/10 (Ok, I said I am a fan!!!)