Rec is a pretty short movie, but it stayed with me for quite a while longer. The story is nothing to write home about, even though the writers obviously tried to include a few twists in order to make it not quite so cliché. But that's not really important for a horror film. Atmosphere is, and Rec delivers it in spades. If you think the documentary-style is a bit old by now, think again: Rec manages to immerse you into the movie - you might not realize that until the credits have rolled. The acting is superb throughout, the setting is believable and direction and camera-work are top-notch. After the abysmal Darkness (I have yet to see Fragile), I honestly didn't think Balaguero could pull off something like this. But - together with Paco Plaza - he did, and horror fans should be grateful for this. I certainly am.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Fido
(2006)
Cute comedy
10 September 2007
Fido is a cute comedy that deserves wider recognition, especially considering the mainstream crap that is supposed to entertain us these days.
As has already been pointed out, this is hardly a real zombie film, but rather a sweet satire that employs the undead to point fingers. While there are necessarily some bloody scenes, there is almost no gore and the way this movie is presented (feel-good 50s style), I can't imagine anyone being actually scared or turned off by Fido & his fellow sufferers.
While the cast is generally good, I felt that Moss and Nelson stood out. The humor is not in-your-face, but rather subdued; there's a lot of attention to detail and I caught myself smiling benignly several throughout the movie. This is certainly no masterpiece of cinema, but it doesn't strive to be - instead, Currie succeeds in delivering a heart-warming black comedy.
As has already been pointed out, this is hardly a real zombie film, but rather a sweet satire that employs the undead to point fingers. While there are necessarily some bloody scenes, there is almost no gore and the way this movie is presented (feel-good 50s style), I can't imagine anyone being actually scared or turned off by Fido & his fellow sufferers.
While the cast is generally good, I felt that Moss and Nelson stood out. The humor is not in-your-face, but rather subdued; there's a lot of attention to detail and I caught myself smiling benignly several throughout the movie. This is certainly no masterpiece of cinema, but it doesn't strive to be - instead, Currie succeeds in delivering a heart-warming black comedy.
Two Days in Paris
(2007)
Surprisingly enjoyable comedy
19 May 2007
This is a somewhat romantic comedy about a french-American couple spending two turbulent days living with her parents in Paris.
My expectations were fairly low when I was coerced into watching Julie Delpy's directorial debut. After the first couple of minutes (and arguments between Delpy and Goldberg, respectively) I was still skeptical. But by the time her (real life, by the way) parents were introduced, things got really hysterical and I was holding my sides laughing throughout the rest of the movie. It has to be said that most of the jokes are sexual in nature, so this is no film for the young or easily offended. There are also moments where Delpys character is a little annoying, but those are thankfully far and few between. Similarly, I approved the brevity of Daniel Brühls appearance. Special mention has to go to Adam Goldberg, however, whose antics lend the movie the lion's share of its funny moments - I certainly hope to see more of him in the future.
My expectations were fairly low when I was coerced into watching Julie Delpy's directorial debut. After the first couple of minutes (and arguments between Delpy and Goldberg, respectively) I was still skeptical. But by the time her (real life, by the way) parents were introduced, things got really hysterical and I was holding my sides laughing throughout the rest of the movie. It has to be said that most of the jokes are sexual in nature, so this is no film for the young or easily offended. There are also moments where Delpys character is a little annoying, but those are thankfully far and few between. Similarly, I approved the brevity of Daniel Brühls appearance. Special mention has to go to Adam Goldberg, however, whose antics lend the movie the lion's share of its funny moments - I certainly hope to see more of him in the future.
The Ex
(2006)
Mediocre comedy
23 April 2007
Zach Braff ("Scrubs"), Amanda Peet ("Studio 60..") and Jason Bateman ("Arrested Development") help this little film just over the "average" bar. Even though their characters are pretty shallow, they put in a good performance and partly succeed in making you forget about the shabby script. There are a couple of funny moments, but without this cast the movie would have fallen apart, its strictly formulaic approach and lack of any inspiration just being too obvious. It's not as bad as "The Last Kiss", but Braff should choose his options more wisely, unless he wants his well-deserved Garden State acclaim to go down the drain.
Recommended only for fans of the above-mentioned stars, the rest of you is not missing out on anything.
Recommended only for fans of the above-mentioned stars, the rest of you is not missing out on anything.
Borat
(2006)
An exceptionally funny movie
11 October 2006
Being a huge Borat fan, I went into the cinema with the highest of expectations. I was actually expecting to be let down by this feature film, but luckily Cohen kept the repetitions from his TV show on a very short leash - even avid admirers of his stunts will have a hard time not laughing, as he easily tops his previous endearments. As a matter of fact, the first hour is a non-stop laugh-fest: I have yet to see another movie that manages to blend slapstick & toilet humor as well as social criticism of the more degenerated states of America into a funny experience as this. Given, this movie doesn't even try to be PC, and part of the German audience was wincing during some of the stronger anti-Jewish jokes. But Borat, being Jewish himself, has no trouble at all with that - he generally just seems to promenade through the inadequacies and embarrassments of the North American societies. I cannot imagine the person that does not find this movie funny. I would go as far as to declare anyone not laughing at least thrice during the first half hour of the movie devoid of any humour. Yes, it is that good.
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