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Dracula Untold (2014)
Hi(story) retold
I almost always read the reviews before watching a movie; and generally I find the negative type of reviews more pertinent, more critical and intelligent. This time I did the opposite: I watched the movie first then read the reviews. How insipid they seem: only a bunch of bitter pessimists who demand, express their needs and views and they demand while offering nothing in return they decry being 'ripped-off' of a few dollars (that is if they have legally watched the movie) because the concept of the story did not fit their expectations. I tell them shut up already you whiners, that's all you are good at - whining. This movie was impressive, I liked, it it delivered a good story, good values and high quality effects; overall great entertainment value. Until today I did not know that Vlad the impaler (Dracula) was a real historical Romanian hero who fought against the tyranny of the Ottomans. The stories (this and others of Dracula) of course are fictitious legends but what this movie did compared to previous others was to provide a more accurate background around the history. I do recommend it and also please do not be put off by the negative reviews, do like I had done: watch the movie then read the reviews and you'll see how silly they will be.
Buried (2010)
one of the worst
I don't think I reveal spoilers but I chose to display the alert just in case. I picked up this movie because it was supposed to have an interesting twist-ending according to some reviews. The reality is it's not the ending that is twisted but this whole movie from beginning to end. A lot have reviewed already so I will spare you the details (that is the flaws and the inconsistencies throughout). What is the "message" the writers are trying to convey I ask myself? The brutality of war, the indifference of the world, the immorality of American enterprise or the capitalist system or the legal system? it's hard to find any meaningful message and if there was any, the sheer idiocy of the plot will make you not care anyway. I will not tell you to not watch the movie, on the contrary, do so and find out for yourself.
Incendies (2010)
Too far-fetched
This movie tries to emulate a Greek tragedy, which is something expected from a movie based on an Arabic story (for example, Egyptian movies are almost all so dramatic and tragic), but it's a flop. Many will consider it as kind of 'artistic' but it's not really, it's just very poor material. First of all the story is very contrived and the events highly unlikely to happen (probability almost nil). Second, the setting is a deformed and inaccurate account of the Lebanese civil war (they changed names and historic events but the backbone is evidently based on that war and that country). As I've seen in some other reviews, with such a setting so removed from reality, the movie lost its impact, it became a farce. A tragedy or a drama is touching especially because it has elements of reality, and when that reality is removed, the movie resembles a ridiculous science-function-like flick that tries hard to be deep but fails. The acting was generally OK, Mélissa Désormeaux (Jeanne) did a good job, however the actress who played Nawal (the main character) was a disaster; they could have found a better actress, at least someone who could speak proper Arabic.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
Rubbish
What's this? The storyline, haha, what storyline? It's just disconnected incoherent scenes put together. Even if you paid close attention (which by the way is hard to do for this film) you won't be able to figure out much. Don't waste much time on this. I'm giving it 3/10 only because the camera work is alright (reminiscent of a Film Noir).
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Sergio Leone wannabe
So many similarities between this QT movie and Sergio Leone's action films (once upon a time in the west; the good, the bad and the ugly). The storyline, the action, the soundtrack etc... There's nothing wrong in trying to imitate (or cover) a great classic, but what's wrong is the out-of-taste disgusting butchery and repulsive gore that prevails in this movie. It could have been as good (if not better) if the 'butchery' scenes have been made less explicit. For this reason I give Kill Bill a low rating.
L'auberge espagnole (2002)
Youth, love and friendship.
If you have ever been a student studying abroad for a period of time (like myself) you certainly will appreciate this movie. I had the luck to be one of the Erasmus exchange students and for that reason I could totally identify with the protagonist (Xavier). The movie is lovely and funny, depicting the lives of university students, from several european backgrounds, studying in Barcelona. The movie also made me "sad" and I did cry sometimes. That's because I was taken back to one of the best periods of my life when I was an exchange student. A period of youth and love and friendship and complete happiness...a period that has gone with the wind now...of friends and lovers that have passed into my life and although we have lost contact since that wonderful period...we still hold that pure youthful memory of each other. I cannot recommend this movie enough, it's a treasure indeed.
Hable con ella (2002)
spanish cinema at its best
This is my favourite Almodovar movie and I think mainly because the story is related thru the experience of men this time for a change. Darío Grandinetti plays a wonderful performance as the sentimental journalist. His acting is very natural and intense. The story lays down many moral dilemmas varying between the theme of love, ethics, and loyal friendship. Notable in this movie is the beautiful soundtrack and a special appearance of the great brazilian artist Caetano Veloso. when everyone thought that Almodovar couldn't do better than "all about my mother" here he tops himself and surprises once again.
Vanilla Sky (2001)
Open your eyes
I personally liked this movie because that's my genre. However I know if you like plain movies and if u're not into alternative twists and psychology/parasychology then you wouldn't really appreciate Vanilla Sky. Anyway I read some reviews here and Jesus! Some guys not only write spoilers (which is bad enough), but they write wrong spoilers to mislead and confuse the reader (one I read said how he liked Cameron Diaz emptying Times Square! What the heck is that? This isn't the plot!) Anyway I advise you to go watch it, you won't regret it. I just have one criticism though: sometimes in the movie they mention some psychological/psychoanalytical technical terms but in a wrong setting, that irked me a bit in the beginning but then I realised that it's just a movie and they can modify stuff like they want, it doesn't have to be what it really is.
Western (1997)
Alternative French
I am not usually very fond of French movies but for reasons I cannot describe too well, this movie was very appealing to me. Although it is very French (it's located in Bretagne west of France) in its context, the idea of the movie is universal. It's about friendship and meeting and seducing women. The events are according to me unrealistic and mostly improbable. I live in Europe and know for a fact that having women and relationships are not as easy as they are portrayed in the movie but we would wish them to be.this makes the movie a kind of fantasy fulfillments tinged with streaks of reality throughout. In the lonely and grey countryside, inside anonymous houses, could one find love and happiness? Whenever I pass a house wherever it is located I'd think `could the woman of my life be inside that strange place that I pass by and will soon forget? If you don't really understand what' I'm saying go watch `Western' and you'll know. It will surely make you feel good.
The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
This sucks
I don't know how this movie rates so well. Don't waste time watching this meaningless piece of junk or if you don't believe me, watch it and be disappointed and don't forget that I told you so! The concept is so void and nevertheless they tried to make something dramatic out of it total failure in my opinion.
Gladiator (2000)
It makes you wanna know more about Roman History
The movie was superb in every respect. The special effects were wonderful. The plotline is very carefully studied and it parallels the real historical events that took place during the rule of Emperor Commodus. Only for the sake of historical truth I tell you several characters and events are fictitious but that doesn't make the movie any less breathtaking. I strongly recommend it.