vpatrick Reviews

Lessons of a Dream (2011)

Underrated gem

[7/10 · 22 June 2013]

I've caught this on TV the other day, so I didn't have any expectations. The title seemed interesting enough and I decided to give it a try.

A few things you should know about the movie, first, without spoiling anything. The movie starts slow, so if you're impatient, this isn't for you. It has a good reason to do so, it develops very well most of the characters, as well as the stage. The actors, the set, everything does a great job to transport you back in time to 1870's Germany. Oh, and expect some unreasonable behavior, like body punishment against children, but to a tolerable extent. This was after all, 1870's.

The characters are well developed, the stage is beautifully set. If initially I was just curious about the movie, as the time passed I started to care about the protagonists and I was literally drawn into the action. Drama is not my first choice of movie by far, but this movie impressed me because it touches mostly on the key word: "team play". It's also about fair play, choices, love, children, parenting, freedom of expression, history, as well as a story about (German) football.

I would recommend this to anyone who cares about what is right. 7/10 with a warmly recommendation.

The Omen (2006)

A not so good remake of the original

[4/10 · 6 June 2006]

Let me say from the beginning: the original is far better. In the original the cast was much more believable, and the atmosphere... well, it really gives you the shivers.

In a nutshell, this remake does not stand up to the original. In this remake, you'll find nothing really new in the story, only a few changes here and there. The only scary things are the 3 "quiet and then bang" scenes intended to scare you.

People who haven't seen the original may like this movie though. It is somehow adapted to our times. But it is boring! Unfortunately, because one would think that with a remake, you might see something new, something added, something interesting. Well, you won't see it here.

So, if you want a very light "horror"-"thriller" go watch this movie. A much better choice would be rental of "The exorcism of Emily Rose".

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Great performance of Ian McKellen!

[6/10 · 20 May 2006]

When I entered the theater I didn't know what to expect. As with every movie made from a book, it lacks many subplots and it somehow fails to reproduce the mystic atmosphere in the original writing. The movie is good, performance of the actors is excellent, and I must say, Ian McKellen's act was by far the most convincing.

As for the movie, we must state it is a fiction from the very beginning, as is the book. Did Jesus and Mary Magdalene have a child? Unlikely, but this is what the movie and the book try to make you see. As for the religious part, people believe in witchcraft, spirits, ufos, extraterrestrials and even devils but not God... It's much easier I guess.

As a conclusion, this type of modern literature, that catches (read traps) most youngsters into the world of IFs and possibilities is shamefully widespread. Coelho-like spawn that shadow true literary masterpieces are very trendy these days. What most people don't see is that they come and go as the rain.

I'd give it a 6, and that alone for artistic performance. If you want something spectacular, try something else instead.