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HermesPan
Reviews
Crash (2004)
unworthy
I wanted to like this movie, as I wanted to like all of the Academy-nominated Best Films, but instead I was so terribly disappointed. The storyline is transparent and one-dimensional, the acting is mediocre to pretty good, and the whole time I waited for 'it' to happen - that moment or scene which grabs you and pulls you into the movie, emotionally tying you to the story, the characters, and the experience. Sadly, it just didn't happen. This movie has one goal, and that is to impress upon the viewer how bad racism is. That is a noble goal, and certainly worth making a film about. But give me a work of art, so that I exit the experience emotionally destroyed, or exhilarated, or something - not a big question mark of an expression on my face. This journey took me nowhere.
As to winning the Academy for Best Picture, I am dumbfounded - how did this happen when each of the other four films were so much better? ANY of the other films were so much more worthy.
Gefangen (2004)
Interesting, but not well executed
Not really knowing anything about this movie other than the summary, I went into watching it without any expectation or prejudice. While the subject matter certainly could be interesting, the storyline and directing really left much to be desired. I even think the character played by Marcel Schlutt (who is a total hottie) has some acting potential, but that is unfortunately not exploited by the film's director. There are too many awkward moments in which nothing is happening, and the characters are quite wooden and quite lackluster. Unlike the other post here, I felt that the English translations, while at times good for colloquialisms, left a bit to be desired.
On the other hand, I did think the idea of using real sex scenes is a novel concept, and certainly made for more convincing 'acting'. I wish the reality of the sex moments could have been translated to other parts of the film (or at least make the sex scenes longer :) It certainly doesn't come across as a 'porn film' other than the quality of the (non sexual) acting at times.
I can't say I recommend this as a need to watch, but if you just can't find anything else to put in your netflix cue, it might be entertaining, at least from certain angles.
Krótki film o zabijaniu (1988)
not kieslowski's best, but still worth a watch
Interesting movie, an extended version of one of the episodes from 'dekalog', but I like it better at an hour as opposed to 1 1/2. That said, it's quite a bleak film - virtually none of the characters have any redeeming qualities to it whatsoever. The only likable person is the lawyer. The message is pretty single minded; I would venture to say that most of Kieslowski's communist-era films as a whole speak out boldly against the degeneration of the human condition under state oppression. An interesting topic, and certainly a film that's difficult to watch. If this film interests you, see 'bez konca' (no end) which features grazyna szapolowska in a spectacular role.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)
good but not great
Despite the fact that Kenneth Branagh set out to present a more accurate representation of the Mary Shelley book, he fails to do so in this film, and gives us a compromised 'hollywood' story. True, it follows the story much better than other Frankenstein movies made, but there are still vital parts of the story which were either completely left out or not well represented (in particular, the cottage scene is very underdeveloped). Vital to the development of the monster's character were the various times he was socially ostracized and treated so poorly that he was driven to his painful anger. More than anything Frankenstein is a tragic drama, and not horror in any way. This movie does not develop the story well enough to convey it.
Coming Out (1989)
difficult to judge
Ultimately this is a difficult movie to judge in relation to content, because it is the only movie from East Germany (and perhaps central Europe) dealing with coming out and homosexuality in a somewhat objective manner. East Germany was, for a communist country, rather liberal (homosexuality wasn't illegal, just ignored; women were an integral part of the work force and society...), yet still communist. I am a bit confused by one writer's comment regarding Bush's oppressive America...I think it rather resembles this movie. But I digress...
Overall, the movie is a success given its origin. No tragedies, but rather a man who struggles with his identity and ultimately accepts himself emotionally as a gay man. I guess it is a period piece as much as 'In and Out' may be considered a period piece. Maybe historical representation would be a better term, in particular with this movie, given the timing of its release. The ending is left rather open, leaving the viewer wondering where Philipp might next end up. Maybe there was supposed to be a sequel? We'll never know, I guess.
And yes, he does look good in a pair of jeans.
Der Himmel über Berlin (1987)
One of the greatest movies of the late 20th century
There are so many comments written about this movie, I almost don't want to write anything - but here I am anyway :)
Though everyone is entitled to their own opinion, it disturbs me to read negative comments that WOD is 'too slow' or that Wenders should have been a still life photographer. I think that some people are missing the point of this movie. Wenders filmed this after having been part of the Hollywood machine for several years, and had grown sick of the cookie cutter films that were (and still are) being made in that tradition to produce ticket sales. Yes, this movie doesn't have loads of action and car chase scenes and guns and sex. It does offer some interesting perspectives. The consistent third person view and 'objectification' of the viewer is one aspect. Watching WOD, you don't feel the typical draw into the movie as so often is the case, but rather are a bystander, looking through a window, with your own thoughts and ideas a part of the movie, not the other way around. WOD doesn't allow you to become a subjective part of the film; it 'pushes' you away from empathizing. Even the camera angles and shots motivate this sentiment. The goal and direction of the film are presented without struggle or thought; you know that Damiel wants to be with Marion. He tells Cassiel this, and the only question is - how will he achieve this goal?
WOD belies a sense of traditional film-making. Peter Falk is presented as perhaps the 'idea' of history as fans call out 'Colombo!' The angels are bound to Berlin, existing in a purgatory neither heaven or hell, unable to communicate. The trapeze artist from a traveling circus representing freedom - not only freedom from an everyday lifestyle, but also the key to Damiel's freedom. This movie contains so many interesting ideas and perspectives, that when watched with an open, curious mind, it is fascinating, mesmerizing, calming and inspirational. Filmed entirely in Berlin, the city is not a traditional definition of beautiful. But the industrial, modernist, post WW II reconstructed Berlin is stunning and diverse, providing the perfect background for this modern classic. I cannot recommend this movie enough. But please watch it with open eyes. In the same sense you cannot listen to the music of Schoenberg or Stravinsky as you would Mozart, you cannot watch Wings of Desire as you would a Spielberg movie.