The Easie Precis: Straightforward love triangle sort of story. Really, though, the focal point is the city of New York, beautifully shot in black and white. I could watch this movie, on mute, for three days straight and it still wouldn't lose any charm.
Compatible Movies: Ummm, something by Antonioni?.. La Notte (1961)
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 90%
Watch the Trailer? Sure. Watch it here.
A Little More Detail...
The story in this movie is typical Woody Allen: a sort of love-quartet type situation involving affairs and unrequited love, etc. Although I'm sure it's been analysed to death, I choose to take this movie as pretty shallow. There's some interesting dialogue and thoughts running through the movie, and some good jokes, but really I think it's just simply telling a story with some beautiful imagery to go along with it.
What's it About?
New Yorkers. New York. Pointless philosophical debates. Pseudo-Intellectuals. Older men with younger women - or, should I say, the value of realizing true love without giving into society's demands.
Best Viewing Company: By yourself
Movie Reviews and Bad Spelling!
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
Tuesday, 19 May 2015
Movie Review: Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
The Easie Precis: Follow a young woman's obsession to another world. See her disconnection from reality, from this foreign world.
Compatible Movies: Not that it's anything like it, but Fargo goes with this pretty well!
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 65%
Watch the Trailer? Yes, you can watch here.
A Little More Detail...
This film is about a young Japanese woman who becomes obsessed with finding the treasure (a bag of money) that is fictitiously buried in the 1996 film Fargo. She travels from Japan to the town in question.
The film is quite slow-moving, but in being so, really underlines Kumiko's disconnect from the world. It helps you empathise and feel that nasty notion of obsession where everything else in life is terribly mundane and represents time that just has to be killed until one can return to the only "important" thing.
This film does not have the feel of adventure I would have expected. In this way, it does present a more real picture, however, because the audience does not share Kumiko's obsession, this lack of excitement and adventure makes it very difficult to sink too deeply into the film. For this reason, the film presents as quite harsh and flat - deflated - at times.
There are some quite memorable visuals and solid performances all around.
What's it About?
Japan, Minnesota, Country Folk, Cold, Snow, Ice and a Duvet cover
Best Viewing Company: Any situation with no distractions - is quite slow and does not contain much dialogue
Saturday, 18 April 2015
Review: Leon: The Professional (1994)
The Easie Precis: Lolita learns how to become an assassin
Compatible Movies: Am yet to find anything that captures all the dimensions of this film.
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 85%
Watch the Trailer? No, just watch the film
A Little More Detail...
I don't want to say too much about the plot of this film because the way it develops as a story is quite beautiful.
I will say that it is unique and touching and as "dumb action movie" stands on its own. The regular trappings of action movies, although littered throughout this film, do nothing to detract from the heart. In a weird way they even seem to reinforce the more tender moments.
The flip-side to this is that this film is pretty rad. Classic action scenes. The casting is spot on. The stripped back sets put all the focus on the relationships between the characters.
The flip-side to this is that this film is pretty rad. Classic action scenes. The casting is spot on. The stripped back sets put all the focus on the relationships between the characters.
What's it About?
An assassin, a daughter, revenge and loss
Best Viewing Company: Maybe best alone, however, perfectly fine with one or two friends or family
Saturday, 28 March 2015
Review: Pierrot le Fou (1965)
The Easie Precis: A quirky, French, bright, arthouse Bonnie and Clyde.
Compatible Movies: Not Bonnie and Clyde.
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 78%
Watch the trailer?Yes. This is one of the best trailers I have ever seen for a film. The perfect summary without showing too much.
A Little More Detail...
This is one of those films that feels like it has deeper meanings than it probably does. It is bright and colourful and interesting. The story is not entirely linear, with some segmentation, but it is certainly not too complex and any complexity it uses does add richness. In this film, it isn't so much about the story as it is about the atmosphere, the visual and the energy between the characters.
This is one of those "artistic" films where the characters seem to discuss, at times, some philosophical (I use that term loosely) topics that are somewhat irrelevant to the film itself - but, as usual, without making any conclusions. However, there is plenty of time to get intimate with the characters and their "human" nature is still exposed in a warm and playful way.
Fantastic ending.
What's it About?
Being on the lam, relationships, primary colours
Best Viewing Company: Probably just yourself. Or with your friends that are into arthouse French movies
Compatible Movies: Not Bonnie and Clyde.
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 78%
Watch the trailer?Yes. This is one of the best trailers I have ever seen for a film. The perfect summary without showing too much.
A Little More Detail...
This is one of those films that feels like it has deeper meanings than it probably does. It is bright and colourful and interesting. The story is not entirely linear, with some segmentation, but it is certainly not too complex and any complexity it uses does add richness. In this film, it isn't so much about the story as it is about the atmosphere, the visual and the energy between the characters.
This is one of those "artistic" films where the characters seem to discuss, at times, some philosophical (I use that term loosely) topics that are somewhat irrelevant to the film itself - but, as usual, without making any conclusions. However, there is plenty of time to get intimate with the characters and their "human" nature is still exposed in a warm and playful way.
Fantastic ending.
What's it About?
Being on the lam, relationships, primary colours
Best Viewing Company: Probably just yourself. Or with your friends that are into arthouse French movies
Sunday, 22 March 2015
Review: The Wicker Man (1973 & 2006) Double Review!
I will attempt to review 2 films at once: Wicker man (1976) and it's 2006 remake. BLUE text refers to the original, ORANGE text refers to the remake.
The Easie Precis: A creepy ridiculous story of one man's missing persons investigation. Set on an isolated island, while you can feel the trap bad-acting closing in on him. This film is a thoroughly entertaining watch.
Compatible Movies: These two films are NOTHING like one another.
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 79 2%
Watch the trailer? Yes and yes.
A Little More Detail...
I'm not sure if it is solely because it is an English American film from the seventies noughties, but the creepiness cheesiness of this film is felt instantly and strongly. The film-makers clearly researched neglected the druids and pagans and as such are able to present a compellingly real fraudulent universe. The creepiness - the uneasy feeling hilarity you get from the film feels like it comes from a place of reality absurdity. It is not just typical Hollywood things trying to scare you. At times you almost feel like this movie is a documentary joke.
I would not recommend playing a drinking game while watching this film. A good one is here.
The lead actor gives a remarkable performance.
I recommend it to watch.
What's it About?
Isolated islands, Pagans, Missing Persons, THE BEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS
The Easie Precis: A creepy ridiculous story of one man's missing persons investigation. Set on an isolated island, while you can feel the trap bad-acting closing in on him. This film is a thoroughly entertaining watch.
Compatible Movies: These two films are NOTHING like one another.
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 79 2%
Watch the trailer? Yes and yes.
A Little More Detail...
I'm not sure if it is solely because it is an English American film from the seventies noughties, but the creepiness cheesiness of this film is felt instantly and strongly. The film-makers clearly researched neglected the druids and pagans and as such are able to present a compellingly real fraudulent universe. The creepiness - the uneasy feeling hilarity you get from the film feels like it comes from a place of reality absurdity. It is not just typical Hollywood things trying to scare you. At times you almost feel like this movie is a documentary joke.
I would not recommend playing a drinking game while watching this film. A good one is here.
The lead actor gives a remarkable performance.
I recommend it to watch.
What's it About?
Isolated islands, Pagans, Missing Persons, THE BEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS
Monday, 9 March 2015
Review: American Psycho (2000)
The Easie Precis: A New York businessman whose life revolves around appearance, status, popularity and wealth. He is, of course, typical of his milieu... except for his bloodlust.
Compatible Movies: Again, a stand-out. However, aspects of the main character can be seen in Lou Bloom in Nightcrawler (2014). In philosophy you might see it share values with Exit Through the Gift Shop (2013), but they are completely dissimilar films in every other respect.
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 90%
Watch the Trailer? No. There isn't any spoilers in it, but this isn't really the sort of film you worry about spoilers. Gradually knowing more and more about the main character is what this film is about - the trailer wrecks that.
A Little More Detail...
Entertaining in a twisted sort of way, this film does well to get you inside the main character's head. You almost even begin to understand him.
This section is called "a little more detail" and that is so appropriate to this film. The detail is fantastic. Facial expressions, little twists of reality, phrases, lines, beads of sweat are all just spot on and perfectly timed. When you make a film so exceptionally well, it becomes like a platform for audiences to begin questioning what the real message is. In this film, it is quite open to interpretation.
What this film does beautifully is to ironically - and hilariously, at times - show the corporate world as the pissing contest it is. The main character is merely a tool that is expertly used to by the film-makers to display how ridiculous this sort of thing is. I guess the point is that the axe-murdering maniac is not the real monster - it is all of us.
What's it About?
New York, Money, Prestige, Violent Murder, Returning some videotapes
Best Viewing Company: With a couple of friends. Potentially awkward with family
Compatible Movies: Again, a stand-out. However, aspects of the main character can be seen in Lou Bloom in Nightcrawler (2014). In philosophy you might see it share values with Exit Through the Gift Shop (2013), but they are completely dissimilar films in every other respect.
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 90%
Watch the Trailer? No. There isn't any spoilers in it, but this isn't really the sort of film you worry about spoilers. Gradually knowing more and more about the main character is what this film is about - the trailer wrecks that.
A Little More Detail...
Entertaining in a twisted sort of way, this film does well to get you inside the main character's head. You almost even begin to understand him.
This section is called "a little more detail" and that is so appropriate to this film. The detail is fantastic. Facial expressions, little twists of reality, phrases, lines, beads of sweat are all just spot on and perfectly timed. When you make a film so exceptionally well, it becomes like a platform for audiences to begin questioning what the real message is. In this film, it is quite open to interpretation.
What this film does beautifully is to ironically - and hilariously, at times - show the corporate world as the pissing contest it is. The main character is merely a tool that is expertly used to by the film-makers to display how ridiculous this sort of thing is. I guess the point is that the axe-murdering maniac is not the real monster - it is all of us.
What's it About?
New York, Money, Prestige, Violent Murder, Returning some videotapes
Best Viewing Company: With a couple of friends. Potentially awkward with family
Sunday, 8 March 2015
Review: Melancholia (2011)
The Easie Precis: Sort of an apocalypse movie - not just the earth but also the human spirit.
Compatible Movies: Not very helpful, but I'd have to say other Lars Von Trier - Antichrist (2009)
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 97%
What's it About?
Depression. The destruction of planet earth.
Watch the Trailer? No worries, watch here.
A Little More Detail...
Firstly, it's not as bleak as it sounds. Okay, well, it's pretty bleak, but it seems to have some sort of uplifting feeling to it. Like, we're all going to die but that's what was meant to be so it's good.
This is one of the most perfectly made films I have ever seen. Now, that doesn't mean that it is entertaining or enlightening and it does take a bit out of you to watch. However, I still find it hard to fault.
What I really love about this movie is how real it is. I love that it is a movie about the concern of a giant meteor colliding with Earth and destroying all life as we know it. But that's not what it's actually about. It is actually about - like what all films should actually be about - what the characters are going through at the time. "Yes, there is a giant meteor that might obliterate the earth but that's not what is really concerning me right now." (not an actual quote from the film - the writing is better than that!) I've always felt watching sci-fi or murder mystery films that it was so shallow that something like finding the identity of the murderer seems to be the ONLY thing going on in the detectives life at that point. Yes, aliens might have landed, but my family member has just taken ill and that is more important to me right now.
For a film such as this I should go into ideas of the human spirit and depression and how that parallels to the destruction of the planet. But I feel like it would be empty intellectualising. Just go and watch this film: you will see what I mean.
Best Viewing Company: Just yourself. Can be slow at times, might be restless with friends. Should be okay with family. Personall,y however, I'd be aiming to reduce the chance of distractions
Compatible Movies: Not very helpful, but I'd have to say other Lars Von Trier - Antichrist (2009)
The "for what it's trying to be" score: 97%
What's it About?
Depression. The destruction of planet earth.
Watch the Trailer? No worries, watch here.
A Little More Detail...
Firstly, it's not as bleak as it sounds. Okay, well, it's pretty bleak, but it seems to have some sort of uplifting feeling to it. Like, we're all going to die but that's what was meant to be so it's good.
This is one of the most perfectly made films I have ever seen. Now, that doesn't mean that it is entertaining or enlightening and it does take a bit out of you to watch. However, I still find it hard to fault.
What I really love about this movie is how real it is. I love that it is a movie about the concern of a giant meteor colliding with Earth and destroying all life as we know it. But that's not what it's actually about. It is actually about - like what all films should actually be about - what the characters are going through at the time. "Yes, there is a giant meteor that might obliterate the earth but that's not what is really concerning me right now." (not an actual quote from the film - the writing is better than that!) I've always felt watching sci-fi or murder mystery films that it was so shallow that something like finding the identity of the murderer seems to be the ONLY thing going on in the detectives life at that point. Yes, aliens might have landed, but my family member has just taken ill and that is more important to me right now.
For a film such as this I should go into ideas of the human spirit and depression and how that parallels to the destruction of the planet. But I feel like it would be empty intellectualising. Just go and watch this film: you will see what I mean.
Best Viewing Company: Just yourself. Can be slow at times, might be restless with friends. Should be okay with family. Personall,y however, I'd be aiming to reduce the chance of distractions
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