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Thor: The Dark World (2013)
And in this movie you will see... everything you have seen many and many times before
My opinion about this movie will be clearly opposite from the most of the rest viewers. Not because I hate comics, neither because I love them so much that I can't take any deviations in the movies from the printed original versions of the stories. It is because this movie was dull, boring and full of almost painful clichés. If you have seen previous Marvel movies, here you won't find nothing new, except, of course, new villains.
A very huge flaw is the plot as it is duplicate of the casual superheroes saving planet Earth movies. There is an exiled great evil - the ark Elf Malekith who lost against Asgardians and for some reason waited eons of years for revenge, his seemingly unbeatable (of course, falling because of cheesy trick at the end of the movie) sidekick for dirty work Kurse, lots of not so clever minions made to be beaten buy the good guys. Most of the movie is about how they have their vengeance and obtain the all-powerful universe destroying weapon Aether. Then there are some good guys who help hero just before the culmination of the action, over concerned father Odin, a hated traitor Loki who, of course, sacrifices at the time of need, a hero's girlfriend Jane Foster who is to be saved. And naturally almighty hero Thor who suffers from personal life problems. In this movie they even have a demented scientist and incapable of performing everyday cares Jane's friends but who also happen to be extremely helpful than the Earth is attacked by super powerful evil entity. The villains to destroy the universe yet again will have to attack the poor Earth where they lose (though after winning in Asgard against gods). Despite all this sarcasm I can say that the last scene of the movie was great and was the only part not according to the usual superhero film script plan. By the way, there is additional extra scene just after the credits...
Acting, in my opinion, was average. It could be because of the fact that in such type of movies there are only few characters who have development. Cast was good but exceptional performances were made by those who played the bad guys - Christopher Eccleston (Malekith) and, Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Chris Hemsworth is probably the best possible actor as Thor. Others, however, did not shine so bright. Even Academy Awards winners Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman did not looked so perfect as they always do.
Most people enjoy screening of comic book based movies because greatly executed special effects and entertaining fight scenes, especially if it is in 3D. More than a half of movie consists action scenes, so you will get both heaped. However, fight scenes are boring and predictable since you can tell before even they start whose time has come to lose and die. Fight scenes look messy although both inventive as creators mash up medieval, modern warfare and Star Wars like weaponry at the same time. Landscapes seem much improved form Thor 1. Soundtrack and cinematography? There reason why people usually don't talk about them in comic book based movies... There are a lot of jokes, some of which are cheesy one liners and some are fairly descent. This slows down the tension.
In overall it is not a bad movie. Had great potential with strong cast, great visual effects, great director Alan Taylor and astronomical budget. However, its predictability, lack of creativity and clichés kill the interest in the movie for those who are not Marvel movie fans.
Redirected (2014)
Adventures of four Brits in Rom country or the "beauties" of Eastern Europe
All those who now raise their eyebrows seeing this near funny support from Lithuanians may be right. But they will have to find out themselves if this creation is as good as we say. Hopefully, it will not disappoint (Since non Lithuanian viewers will have to wait for few months in order to see it, I may include spoilers!).
This movie is not a sudden appearance into big screens of some idea which suddenly got financial support. It is a long walk of both director from former similar type domestic movies Zero and Zero II and all the cast which worked in them. Laboriously gathered cast and money made creators responsible for the movie to make it as good as possible.
As creators themselves best describe it, you can call this movie Hangover meets Guy Ritchie criminal action comedy with one peculiar thing - it happens as probably never before in post soviet country. It tells a story of John, Ben and Tim who plan on robbing illegal casino in London and fly to the sunny beaches of Malaysia. In the process they add unwillingly another friend who seems to be living a descent life with a descent job and loved girlfriend. The plan goes almost smooth until the flight as the movie title says is redirected to Eastern Europe. Here the four musketeers face constant threat for their life. Also, the four gangsters led by Golden Pole (who is played by one of the best possible actors for such task Vinnie Jones) find their trail and add additional Guy Ritchie spice to the mix. Here they face cunning prostitutes, corrupt policeman, cigarette and immigrant smugglers, alcoholics, asocial Polish, Russian and gypsy people with bad attitude, unique for this part of Europe guys with sweat suits and baseball bats. They even show perverted priest and molesters emergency medics! Most of the film action takes place in full of rubbish and debris places, almost like in Gypsy encampments. All of this is factual but rather reflects single events and the past rather than tendency and present situation in the country. Actually you would have to search deep in Lithuania in order to still find such behaving people and places. However, the director knows that it is what audience want and that he is the best at delivering it.
Although this is a gangster movie with a lot of dark and asocial material, its main merit is humor. In this movie you will not find longer than one minute length stretch without a joke. More importantly, the jokes are not lame. Some are seen in previous movies like tattoos after hangover or shooting the bad guy just before he kills a good guy. But others are completely original. Only in "Redirected" you can find naked guy handcuffed to the radiator which he carries around in the city, strong as Liqueur beer in plastic two liters bottles, real mob shooting guns in countryside where chicken and piglets share same space with humans, statue of Lenin hidden in the woods.
Movie has well thought out plot and structure. Four friends in Lithuania get separated. So the movie is also fragmented into four parts. Probably, because creators wanted to show more aspects of Eastern Europe exotica. In the fourth part they finally meet up again in "Lithuanian wedding". The flop here feels only at the end of the movie. The ending is quite sudden and completely does not fallow the pace and expectation (Lithuanian movie endings have tendency to be bad). Special credit should be given to cinematography which is unequal in whole history of Lithuania. Landscapes, shots, all look great. Editing is also great. These aspects make movie watchable alongside large budget Hollywood blockbusters.
Cast with the exception of Vinnie Jones playing well his casual character is little known outside Lithuania. But they manage to prove that less popularity does not mean less quality. Brit actors, especially Gil Darnell (Johnny), Scot Williams (Michael) acted great and are worth of working in bigger projects. From Lithuanian part of the cast exceptional quality acting is delivered from those who played Staska, Simona, Vycka with Algis (as Vytas Sapranaukas) in the lead. In overall, actors played characters which very well fit them making their performances more convincing. Be aware that the movie contains a lot of bad words in Lithuanian, Russian, Polish and English languages! To sum up, if you are a fan of "Hangover", "Snatch", "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" you will not get disappointment and even will see something unseen anywhere else. This is a fresh unique peek into post soviet countries social problems. Provoking, exotic and full of guilty fun. However, you mustn't form your opinion about the country itself form this movie as it reflects the worst situation about twenty years ago. Today Lithuania is a typical peaceful European Union nation. This movie is not a real travel journal. I urge you not to miss it and get your really positive and fun boost.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
May not be the best but certainly is one of the most beautiful films of the last year
Walter Mitty is the fictional character from the short story by James Thurber. It was first published in "The New Yorker" in 1939. Although the movie differs completely from the original story, one thing, the main character, remains relevant at all times. Walter Mitty is a person who spends more time in heroic daydreams than pays attention to the real world. In movie this is called "zoning out" and is characterized by the blank stares of the main character. Movie has increasing pace, constantly changing situations and people which both become more and more fancy and Mitty always deals with them in simple open-hearted dedicated manner. In these aspects this movie is very much alike "Forrest Gump" or Tim Burton's "Big Fish". In fact, this movie even equals them.
In movie Walter Mitty works at "Life" magazine with photography negatives. His life seems to be so simple that even the suite he wears is gray. Walter has strong affections towards co-worker Cheryl Melhoff (played by Kristen Wiig) but is too shy to talk about his feelings. His everyday dull life also includes being bullied by human resources manager Ted Hendricks (Adam Scott). Everything begins to change in Walters life from inside out when it turns out that the "Life" will be publishing the last paper issue of the magazine and he receives photo negatives intended for the cover. It turns out that the important for everyone cover photo is missing. Encouraged by his muse Cheryl Melhoff he embarks on the journey of the lifetime. Soon main characters real life begins to surpass the imagined one and he "zones out" less and less often.
Script is great and has no flows. There are completely no excess things as they usually reaper latter on in the movie having meaning and giving acceleration to the plot. Dialogues are well thought out. Acting is convincing and the cast is picked well. Most of the movie time, however, belongs to Ben Stiller and all other characters have only secondary importance. Mysterious maverick and adventure hunter Sean O'Connell played by Sean Penn and Cheryl Melhoff character are the source of inspiration for Mitty and have short but effective both in timing and impact appearances. Worth of mentioning is also the annoying bearded boss Ted Hendricks who brings in mixed elements of comedy and injustice towards main character. Exceptionally well performances give all actors who play natives of Greenland, Iceland and Himalayas. Less talked about they seem to living in the scenes.
Stiller as a director remains true to his comedian style and enriches this drama with comedy elements. This makes the movie easier to watch. The most exceptional aspect of the film is its cinematography. Landscapes, lightning in the scenes, takes and the storyboard are nearly perfect. Some exceptional scenes like football match in Himalayas are unforgettable. This movie certainly deserves Academy Award in the category of Cinematography. In addition to this, music and sound editing add warmth and comfort to overall experience of being in the search of adventure.
In summary, this relaxing and heart-warming film leaves the feel that it is not about people but for the people. It has several many times heard before but rarely showed so breathtakingly important messages. Human imagination is a powerful tool which should not be quenched in everyday life as it determines not only how you feel but what you may tend to do in the future, joy in life lies in small things which we rarely see and etc. The secret 25th frame of Sean O'Connell film tells that the purpose of life may be the search in the meaning of life itself and that those who dare to seek it would feel very essence of living. The movie has the feel of freedom and relaxes audience. The best and the deepest work of Ben Stiller. Also, underrated which makes it a personal pleasant discovery for the viewer.
The Man from Earth (2007)
Large budget is not necessary for a good movie
This is my first review on this page so hopefully it won't turn out to have burnt taste. This movie stands out of a big crowd today's big budget Hollywood blockbusters by being a piece of art and philosophy. It has no special effects, no beautiful scenery, just a few aging scholars debating in one room for 90 minutes about a man who is possibly 14 thousand years old. What I liked the most about it is that it is aimed at proving complete nonsense statement as truth. In this way it is similar to another very well accomplished movie, sci-fi documentary "Dragons: A Fantasy Made Real". It is a philosophical discussion about perception and believes which shape up our biased truth even today. Movie has very low pace requiring a lot of patience from viewer but it prepares and rewards you with some great discoveries and emotional moments. However, movie has a few strong flaws. Argumentation is often naive and flat which does not evoke discussion of educated men. Movie lacks details. Also, camera work seems to be week, sometimes annoying.