If someone had told me ten years ago or even two weeks ago that I'd spend seven hours of my 90th year watching a TV series about chess, I would've laughed in their face and told them they're crazy. But guess what? You guessed it. I just watched the seventh and last episode. So enjoyable. So satisfying. No car chases. No gun fights. No explosions. Just people interested in playing chess... and dealing with their personal problems. Every face is a prize. Every character is portrayed perfectly. All facets of the production are first-class. Anyone interested in cinema and storytelling... or chess, shouldn't miss this. I might add that even if you don't care for chess or you don't know how to play-like me-this is still a spellbinding film. The dialogue is fresh and real. The words and the editing are flawless. One scene-I won't name it because that would spoil it-is one of the most emotionally gripping I've seen. The main female actress, Anya Taylor-Joy, will now certainly be in demand, as well as several other talented performers. It isn't exclusively about chess. It's about life.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Gloomy Sunday
(1999)
Masterpiece
6 July 2020
I wrote this review in December of 2012 when the movie was titled "Gloomy Sunday." A great movie experience. I'm 82 (then) and had been watching movies since I was 18 months old, held in my mother's arms. This is an unforgettable film. Every facet is superb. The acting is flawless, the cinematography is breathtaking, and the gripping story has every human emotion imaginable. It's hypnotic from start to finish, but keep in mind, you have to be attentive. There are some subtle touches that can go unnoticed if you're not carefully observing and listening, and missing them can possibly deprive you of fully understanding and enjoying the fantastic ending. The skilled director doesn't use a heavy hand, and that's admirable. Every single actor gives a perfect performance. Having studied acting for five years, I must mention that they don't act, they behave. Erika Marozsán's portrayal is colossal!. I've fallen in love with her. Even if I were 18 months old now, there's a scene with Joachim Król I'd remember the rest of my life. I've viewed that particular scene about eight times. Gut-wrenching, yet inspirational. Never in my life have a watched any movie four times, and I just saw this one again for the fourth time... in one week! If not for IMDb and Netflix, I would never have heard of it. And it received no nominations for the Academy Awards. Ridiculous! This is truly a masterpiece! I'd never written a review for IMDb before this, but for this film I had to do it. I cannot praise this movie enough!
Adu
(2020)
Extraordinary!
5 July 2020
I think 2020 will be remembered as the year in which "Adu" was released. I've been watching movies for almost 90 years. "Adu" is one of the best movies I've ever seen, and the seven-year-old boy who plays the title role is terrific... and before he was picked to portray this character, he didn't even know what a movie was... and didn't know how to read or write. Extraordinary! Please search engine his name, Moustapha Oumarou, and read about how he was discovered. Amazing.
One of the best directors I've worked with told us before rehearsals started, "Don't act. Forget about acting. I want you to behave." To the credit of Salvador Calvo who directed "Adu," that's exactly what the actors in his movie do: behave. There's no acting; it's real. This movie is what movie making is all about. I'll cut to the main point. In every award category for which a feature film qualifies, except "Actress in a Leading Role," this movie, "Adu," should win awards. And that's simply because there isn't a leading actress role in the movie. Anna Castillo should win for her supporting actress role, and either Luis Tosar or Adam Nourou should win for their supporting actor roles. Should be a tie so they can both win. And guess who should win for "Actor in a Leading Role?" You got it. The then 7-year-old Moustapha Oumarou. He owns the part. He owns the movie. It's his movie. He behaves in every scene he's in. And every other qualifying category should be won by "Adu," especially, Best Picture and Best Director.
I won't compare "Adu" with this year's South Korean winner because they can't be compared. "Adu" is in a class all alone. And we're talking about cinematography, screenplay, production design, costume design, sound editing, sound mixing, film editing. The director is god of a movie, and Salvador Calvo is the god of this movie... and should be recognized for his talent at coming award ceremonies.
One of the best directors I've worked with told us before rehearsals started, "Don't act. Forget about acting. I want you to behave." To the credit of Salvador Calvo who directed "Adu," that's exactly what the actors in his movie do: behave. There's no acting; it's real. This movie is what movie making is all about. I'll cut to the main point. In every award category for which a feature film qualifies, except "Actress in a Leading Role," this movie, "Adu," should win awards. And that's simply because there isn't a leading actress role in the movie. Anna Castillo should win for her supporting actress role, and either Luis Tosar or Adam Nourou should win for their supporting actor roles. Should be a tie so they can both win. And guess who should win for "Actor in a Leading Role?" You got it. The then 7-year-old Moustapha Oumarou. He owns the part. He owns the movie. It's his movie. He behaves in every scene he's in. And every other qualifying category should be won by "Adu," especially, Best Picture and Best Director.
I won't compare "Adu" with this year's South Korean winner because they can't be compared. "Adu" is in a class all alone. And we're talking about cinematography, screenplay, production design, costume design, sound editing, sound mixing, film editing. The director is god of a movie, and Salvador Calvo is the god of this movie... and should be recognized for his talent at coming award ceremonies.
Retribution
(2015)
Spanish thriller
8 March 2017
An attention grabber and holder that takes place in the Galicia area of Spain, north of Portugal. I think the main actor's portrayal is superior to those of the last two years in the Oscars. He displays a very wide range of emotions sitting in the driver's seat of his car. Never a dull moment.
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