veve_veve Reviews

Inventing Anna (2022)

Good except for the parts that are terrible

[5/10 · 1 March 2022]

The story was there and at times the series seemed to be on to something. But in the end it got very boring and annoying. The characters and their motivations not believable, and the writers expecting us to root for someone unlikable and, well, guilty. You cannot build a character like Anna for 8 episodes and then drop a phone conversation and a hand shake and expect us to fall in love.

Also, as others said, it's way too long for its own good.

Golden Robot (2015)

Inspirational and authentic story

[10/10 · 23 March 2016]

I watched this during a documentary festival and I was impressed by the authenticity of the story and of the main character, Steluta. Born and raised in foster houses, in rough conditions, Steluta ends up on the street, taking day jobs to survive. She finds refuge and escape in box and becomes multiple national, European, and world champion.

She's a very down to earth, honest, and likable person. All she wants is to be able to win more medals so that, in the end, she can buy her own house. The movie portrays well the relationship between Steluta and her coach, who took her under his wing and became a father figure to her. It also shows Steluta in different environments, from her old foster house group to her family's village.

The scenes are not directed. It's all filmed as it happened and shows rather than tells. It also highlights the difference between what the media makes of her and what she really is (and thinks).

It's an inspirational story worth watching, that can serve as an example of hard work and determination not only for abandoned kids, but for youths everywhere.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Really enjoyed it

[10/10 · 29 December 2015]

Saw this yesterday and I still have a good feeling from it, and can't stop listening to the soundtrack. I enjoyed every minute of it: the drama, the humor, the old and new, the special effects, and the overall energy and emotions that the movie transmits.

A talented journalist once said: "There are only two story lines: a stranger comes to town and a man takes a journey." Who cares if the story has been told before? All good stories have. What matters is that it didn't feel like an old story while watching the movie. It felt fresh, the characters were believable, and the dialogue witty.

It felt wonderfully familiar, while taking us one step further in the saga. Of course, some will love it and some will hate it. After decades of build up, some's great expectations won't be met. I'm a relatively new fan of Star Wars, and for me it was just right.

Toto and His Sisters (2014)

Powerful documentary

[10/10 · 9 October 2015]

This documentary depicts a period of a few years in the life of three Roma siblings. When their mother is arrested with drug charges, Toto and his two teen sisters are left to figure out life on their own. Living in a bad neighbourhood, in very poor conditions, surrounded themselves by drug use and with no one to turn to, their situation is desperate.

The film follows their development and presents with rare and brutally candid images a different world, that many maybe prefer not see. But you cannot look away. The images, filmed by both the filmmakers and the kids themselves, are gripping. Some of the footage is so powerful and authentic that it is hard to describe.

If you get the chance to see this documentary, don't miss it. It's a life lesson on many levels.

Go On (2012–2013)

Not great

[5/10 · 21 November 2012]

After watching a few episodes of Go On, I'm disappointed. It's predictable, jokes are too easy, and it's a waste of Matthew Perry's talent.

The characters are clichés: the lonely woman who loves cats, the weirdo who says the strangest things out of the blue, or the one who's too cool for the whole thing but somehow find his emotional side (and everyone says 'awww'). There's no original spin on the characters and I feel like I've heard the story many many times before.

It's not the worst sitcom, there are few funny moments here and there, but too few, too far apart, and they were overtaken by the times when I felt like saying "Oh, come on!" rather than smile.

Last, one thing I found particularly annoying is it's resemblance to NBC's Community. Not because I don't like the latter, I love the show, but Go On one is just a toned down version of Community, stripped of its best parts, in my opinion.

Eight Miles High (2007)

An inspiring movie

[10/10 · 18 June 2011]

I'm disappointed about the low rating that this movie has. It's one of my favorites and I've watched it several times. I've read other reviews to see why it has such a low rating, and I notice that people expect from it something that it's not. They expect it to be about the "Kommune", they expect it to be about an extraordinary girl, and they expect expensive set designs.

This movie is not about all that. The way I see it, Das Wilde Leben is about a journey, it's about a girl who is free and is not afraid to break boundaries, it's about a girl who uses her beauty to have the adventure of her life. She falls in love with powerful men, she lives wildly, she sees the world. And, above all, this movie is about a powerful woman.

Is the movie true to the historical facts? Is it true to Uschi's life? That's not what's important. It's a movie, not a documentary. Beyond the cheap sets and the historical inaccuracies (if there are any) lays a beautiful and inspiring story.