Reelboy-2 Reviews

27 Missing Kisses (2000)

Very lively

[7/10 · 4 September 2000]

This movie is very lively and poetic. Based around a romantic triangle between two teenagers and the boy's father, the movie plunges you in the ambiance of a small georgian village. Combining moments of comedy and tragedy, it succeeds in being entertaining.

Preferisco il rumore del mare (2000)

Strangely Hypnotic

[8/10 · 4 September 2000]

The strength of this movie is it's enigmatic characters; a stern father and his rebellious teen taking under their wings a studious southern boy who's mother has been murdered. All these characters seemed to keep a secret. There's very little plot, however, we delight in seeing these people evolve. The lack of closure at the end might annoy some viewers.

Die Polizistin (2000 TV Movie)

refreshing

[7/10 · 2 September 2000]

This movie is a very realistic view of a police squad in a small german town as seen through the eyes of a woman recruit. She brings her way of dealing with the law, which means more than simple convictions. The strong performance of the main character, supported by good dialogues makes this flick very enjoyable.

Come Undone (2000)

A waste of time

[2/10 · 2 September 2000]

This story of a summer fling between two young men remains just that and doesn't go anywhere. The supporting cast brings nothing to the plot, as well as many scenes which do not contribute anything. The main character is depressed for no reason whatsoever and you will be too, because you will be left waiting for an explanation.

Eine Hand Voll Gras (2000)

Modern tale

[6/10 · 2 September 2000]

The basic intrigue is rather unusual and very european: A young turkish boy is borrowed from his family to sell drugs on the street of Germany. We follow the harsh life of this kid only to be faced with a lack of closure from the story. There is generally an odd lack of explanation in the plot. All in all, the movie is cold is an emotionless.

Little Cheung (1999)

Great movie

[9/10 · 31 August 2000]

A brilliant portrayal of a family living in Honk Kong slums. Evolving around the central character of a nine-year-old boy, the director shamelessly displays the hardships of these real people. Their values, their dreams.

Divided We Fall (2000)

Hidden jewel

[9/10 · 28 August 2000]

Set during WWII, this movie examines the perils of loyalty when a man hides a jewish neighbor in his pantry and has to deal with a friend turned german collaborator. Supported by a solid script, the performance of all the actors is excellent. Assuredly, this flick will have you thinking about your own loyalties and how far you would go to maintain them.

La via degli angeli (1999)

Italian epic

[7/10 · 28 August 2000]

This movie set in the 30s in Italy, details the lives of the people living in a rural area, getting ready for a big dance. The cast of characters is strong as it is common with italian epics. This charming portrayal of simpler times makes for an enjoyable movie.

Don't Look Back (1999)

Bittersweet

[7/10 · 27 August 2000]

The little joys, the little sorrows of a schoolboy in modern Japan make for a delicious quiet movie. The first half is dedicated to the mischievous antics of Akira and his buddies but soon things become dramatic. This movie is about friendship and loyalty. It is well done and funny.

Alors voilà, (1997)

Simply awful

[1/10 · 9 July 2000]

I was having high hopes from this movie since it was the first job of renowned french actor Michel Piccoli as a director. However, the absence of any storyline whatsoever had me rushing for the exit as did most of the audience at the festival showing. The characters are angry throughout what I have seen, for no explainable reason. It can hardly be called a movie, perhaps an experimental cinematographic essay. No matter, do avoid.

La camisa de la serpiente (1996)

Small joyous film

[7/10 · 9 July 2000]

This small production from Spain is well worth watching. It's an original coming of age flick set in a little town where teenagers are coping with old traditions. The general atmosphere is light and sweet and will assuredly take your mind away from daily hassles.

The Kite (1999)

Touching

[6/10 · 24 September 1999]

This is a small touching movie well worth your time. The exploration of the inner conflicts of a boy whose dad has shot another kid by mistake is very well studied. Movies from the phillipines are seldom presented around the world, so if you have a chance to see it, go ahead.

Farewell Pavel (1999)

Don't watch if depressed.

[4/10 · 10 September 1999]

This movie is gray, bleak and austere. The plot is quite confusing and leaves you wondering why the main character remains stuck in Rotterdam, helping out an exiled hooker, while his teenage son waits anxiously for him back in Russia. There is no suspense nor resolution to the intrigue, if one there is! It is simply a walk in the coldness of urban desolation.

L'autobiographe amateur (1999)

Unusual

[1/10 · 10 September 1999]

This movie is a wacky look in the life of a young movie director. The pretense of filming his biography allows him to show us the ins and outs of movie making as well as taking

a few shots at the big institutions involved. The actors are actually not actors, but the real individuals evolving in his life. A strange vision of reality along with a dash of fiction. Not uninteresting.

The Children of Chabannes (1999)

Surprising documentary

[6/10 · 10 September 1999]

Well documented material supports perfectly the tales of survivors & saviors during WWII in a small rural village of France. The quality of the research and the moving testimonies makes this a very powerful movie. The director succeeded in showing every aspect of the life of the children hidden in the rustic community. It will warm your heart and restore your faith in man.

L'ospite (1998)

What's the point?

[1/10 · 10 September 1999]

This movie had much to offer. I expected a juicy good time since the story of the film revolved around the conflicts of the members of an italian family after the mother introduces her young thai lover. However, the lack of emotions and neverending cold dialogues left me wondering the purpose of my viewing. Everybody remains quite unaffected and poised. There is no progession in the plot and the whole thing ressembles a bad soap opera.

La prima volta (1999)

Two out of five.

[4/10 · 10 September 1999]

This movie consists of five realistic short stories about the first tremors of love & sex for a group of young adults. Unfortunately, only two are worth watching. The characters and situations explored are not that original. Emotions don't flare. Beside a few smart interludes, this movie is pretty flat. In the end, I found myself grateful for not being in the same generation presented on the screen.

Co chytnes v zite (1998)

Delightful

[6/10 · 9 September 1999]

The three tales in this movie are of equal quality. This small production entirely revolving around a field of rye is suprisingly witty and charming. The poetic beauty and the effective dialogues will assuredly bring a smile to your lips at the end of the presentation.

Pudding chômeur (1996)

half a success

[27 August 1999]

The wackiness of this movie will grasp your attention initially. However, the director treated the subject matter too seriously, spoiling this modern farce. The acting performances of the young boy hero and his aunt, who believes he has biblical powers, are not stellar. The supporting cast of flamboyant characters does a good job. All in all, lets say that the dramatic undertones are uneffective in what should have simply been a demented comedy.

Tom et Lola (1990)

Strange flick

[2/10 · 27 August 1999]

The plot of this movie (two ill children escaping the bubble they live in to take on an endeavour in the outside world) is very thin and failed to sustain my interest. Perhaps, the symbolism didn't get to me. Many times, I asked myself where all this was heading. The poetic aura left me emotionally disconnected and questioning the purpose of my viewing. It is however, a very unusual and gutsy film for which the director should be praised. For those easily offended, please take note that the children, portraying the title characters are nude for nearly the entire movie.

The Fire That Burns (1997 TV Movie)

Quiet charming flick

[5/10 · 26 August 1999]

This story of a priest scrutinizing the close friendship of two young boys in a highly-religious, regulated catholic school, was well treated and in tune with the author's book. The poised and repressed sentiments lead to a slow, uneventful movie that succeeds however in getting its point across. A nice tableau of a time not so far away.