bdivjak-90-776050 Reviews

Invictus (2009)

One of the best movies of all times!

[10/10 · 7 May 2023]

Firstly, as someone who lived in Africa, incl. RSA, the movie is very true to the actual events and the people. Almost a documentary of a critical phase of the South African life. It breathes loving-kindness and compassion, which unintentionally makes it a Buddhist movie too.

The movie is so highly emotional and inspiring, charged from the start and building up its climax by which time you will need a handkerchief or two.

Above all, the movie celebrates one of the most charismatic and courageous world leaders, unmatched by even the greatest spiritual and religious leaders in sharing love for other fellow human beings. Nelson Mandela is someone to always learn from and the movie does a great job in showing why that is.

I have seen it probably 10 times and undoubtedly, I will be watching it again.

The Pope's Exorcist (2023)

Too backward even for the last century

[2/10 · 4 May 2023]

This movie has an 80s scent. Seen oh so many times, chewed upon, yet with the same silly approach, ancient beliefs, tricks, insanities that no one of this generation feels like swallowing any more. It's quite shocking in fact to what a poor scenario Russell Crowe signed up. He acted like he can't be bothered, the others couldn't even deliver that much. At points I was wondering if it was meant to be a parody or a horroresque.

If it wasn't for the good special effects, this would have been a one-star-don't-waste-your-time movie, but I graciously gave it two. I skipped the predictable end, the last half hour, whereas in fact I should have skipped the film altogether.

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)

How the movie changed my perception of Whitney

[8/10 · 3 March 2023]

I grew up in the 80s and when the first Whitney's album came out, it was the tape that was being rewinded again and again. I was totally in love with most of the songs and with the singer of whom I knew nearly nothing at the time.

I was coming out of age as the media mostly focused on her dark side that was capturing the front pages and sadly, this is how I mostly remembered Whitney Houston.

And then came the film. It took me a couple of days for it to sink in. Then I started seeing a lot more behind the songs that I used to sing and dance to endlessly as a kid. Growing up amidst all the teenage insecurities the Greatest Love of All was my beacon in the dark. The song that failed to bring her very owner back to light, sadly. It's Not Right But It's OK reveals a lot more than the cool dance beat and the intriguing lyrics. The title song itself has a much different feel to it, now that I've had an insight into her private life, especially the earlier part. The medley that closes the movie is heartbreaking, placed right at the end, where one expected the sad final scene of her life. So very appropriate and considerate of the movie makers.

The music took me back to my teenage days and my own growing up, but it also changed my perception of Whitney, whom I disrespected for a long time for drug abuse. I feel I understand her now and the movie rectified her as a music icon in my eyes and I hope in the eyes of many who blamed her for the wrongs she did.

It might have not been the best biographic movie ever, but so much needed to tell the world the real story of one of the best voices and pop icons of our time.

Pride (I) (2014)

Possibly my favourite movie ever!

[10/10 · 8 January 2023]

I've seen it at least ten times and every time I watch it I laugh and cry like the very first time.

It's the British cinema at its best. The range of stars in it is worthy of several amazing movies, but here you have them all together. Probably the topic itself held the movie from becoming another Love actually or so.

The movie is based on the true events and comparing the story line to the wiki articles on the subject(s), you can see it was very loyal to the historic account. But it hits the human side of the historic events. Two marginalised communities of the time get together. How very different agendas find an overlap. At very perilous times for both.

It's almost impossible to find a favourite scene, the best actor/-ress. There is no segment where you turn to do something else or want to pause the movie, to the very final credits. This is the movie that I go back to watch whenever I get tired of the current box office titles that I won't remember a week later, and I'll never get tired of it.

Ava (IV) (2020)

Cool, dynamic movie, with good cast

[7/10 · 23 August 2020]

I can't stop thinking of the amazing resemblance of Ava (Jessica Chastain) in the movie and her mother (Geena Davis). Having forgotten the actual age of Davis, I actually thought she was doing a dual role.

Well, that aside, it was a good movie. I've seen a lot more action movies that are much slower, less engaging. This one will get you drop anything else you've been doing in parallel perhaps. The cast is impressive, worthy of any major movie. The story line is not particularly inventive but it carries a few interesting twists and character developments.

I'd say - press play and enjoy!

Handsome Devil (2016)

Dead Poets Society remake with a slightly different spin

[9/10 · 22 June 2017]

I loved the movie. The only reason it's not a 10/10 is that it's way too similar to the Dead Poets Society. Same English teacher with his unorthodox pedagogy, same sports vs. arts dilemmas, except this time the characters are openly gay and that adds a dimension.

It's equally moving, with the same twist of pupils taking sides, which is the climax of the movie. The acting is great too. I wouldn't be surprised if 5-10 years down the road we see some of these same faces playing in the top gear movies, running for the top prizes. Certainly worth watching - it's not just a coming out of age and a coming out of closet movie, but also a touching young folks' drama set up in a realistic environment. Great piece!

Deadpool (2016)

Finally a fun superhero!

[9/10 · 3 April 2016]

It was the best superhero movie to date! No glam production, like the obvious suspects, but a very 'modest' movie with terrific jokes. Some of the quotes were so funny, I'm considering watching it again in less than a week. Also, Ryan Raynolds didn't seem too pretentious and what I liked best is that he was so spontaneous with the jokes - to the extent that he really grew in my eyes as an actor.

The plot is absolutely nothing new. You could pretty much foresee how things will develop. But do watch it for the humour. You won't regret the experience. I'd give it a 10, but superheroes are not my thing necessarily, which is why I leave it at 9. But I'm awaiting another R. Raynold comedy now, as I am keen to see the sequel of Deadpool.

Hladnokrvno (2014)

Even for a low budget movie - the acting was dreadful

[1/10 · 24 April 2015]

That feeling when a short movie is too long... The plot was simple, the end pretentious, the budget was minimal (and that's not an issue necessarily), the locations unimaginative, but the acting takes the centre stage as it was painful to watch how badly the lines were coming out of the 'actors'. None of them probably have any acting experience, which is also OK for a home video, but I wouldn't advise anyone getting exposed to it, unless you're a family member who has to see it.

I say - if you have 22 minutes of your life that you want to regret - go and watch it. Otherwise, you can maybe invest that time in making tonight's dinner much more creative and actually enjoy the investment severalfold.