adeej Reviews

OSS 117: Lost in Rio (2009)

Some hilarious parts but pretty ludicrous too

[7/10 · 26 July 2009]

The second OSS 117 film that I've seen. The hero Hubert thinks that he's God's gift to women, a la the James Bond films. The story line is pretty ludicrous, but it is a fun spoof of the classic spy movie. Some of the more ludicrous parts are: * The hero and the villain falling off a lookout down the Iguazu Falls and surviving - yeah right! * Finally beating the hero on top of the Jesus statue on top of the Corcovado in Rio (I won't say any more than that) * The hero being shot out plenty of times but him never getting shot * The Nazi and Chinese sub-plots (that's as far as I'm going on that one too) * The location of the microfilm that the villain wants (again, I'm saying no more - but it's somewhere completely unexpected!)

Would I recommend others see this film? Yes, if they can put logic aside and enjoy a fun romp of a film that is inane, but very funny.

Louise hires a contract killer (2008)

What an awful perverted film! - walked out it was so bad

[1/10 · 26 July 2009]

This film is truly weird and truly perverted. I was looking forward to it as the last film that I would go to as part of the 2009 New Zealand Film Festival, but was deeply disappointed.

The two main characters are a man dressed as a woman and a woman dressed as a man. When we got to the scene where Louise was "comfortable" in the overtly gay bar and they showed us scenes of a perverted gay pole dancer, I walked out (Luckily I was on the end of the row in the cinema). The premise of the story could have been interesting, but they made it boring. There was little linking of the story in the first 45 minutes that I saw.

I value keeping my mind pure and thinking on good things. Having walked out, I was so glad I had. If you are a Christian or you are even a moral person, do NOT go to this film!

The Valet (2006)

A wonderful French farce!

[8/10 · 14 July 2006]

Continuing on in fine form from the wonderful film 'The Closet', Veber has created a film that is wonderful for those who need to see the lighter side of life. Although the situation shown in the film is perhaps not very realistic, the excellent timing and wonderful lines in the film made me laugh regularly throughout. On the negative side, I would have liked a few more aspects of the film to have been developed further - for example, further examination of the problems the company was facing, together with further examination of the marriage relationship between the CEO and his wife. The acting was great. In particular, I enjoyed Kristin Scott Thomas's portrayal of the suspicious wife. The supermodel was also very beautiful and certainly a pleasant sight to examine for any red-blooded male! This film would be great to take your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife out to for a special date. A highly recommended comedy.

United 93 (2006)

A New Zealander's perspective on this powerful film.

[10/10 · 14 July 2006]

I have just seen 'United 93' at the 2006 Auckland International Film Festival and consider this film to be a very important film that truly commemorates with honour the events of September 11, 2001.

Although other respondents have commented on some factual inaccuracies of the film, the film is extremely gripping and gives a good understanding of what may have occurred on board that aircraft. It also gave me an understanding of what it would have been like to have been at the Air Traffic Control tower in New York and seen the events taking place before their eyes. The scene where you are shown an aircraft crashing into the second World Trade Tower gave me an illuminating understanding of what emotions those people would have felt in actually seeing it take place before their eyes. I also gained a perspective on what it would have felt like as an American to have someone attacking their land.

The regular swapping between the various agencies that were trying to deal with this emergency increased the suspense of this film and showed what a difficult situation they were in.

This film is very respectful of what occurred and does not glorify or 'Hollywood-ize' the events in any way. The use of unknown actors increased the sense of reality of the film. You weren't focusing on any one actor - you were focusing on the events. Seeing the characters come to terms with the reality that they were not going to live through this experience was harrowing but also a fine study of human emotions.

I would highly encourage all who can to see this movie. I am very pleased that the families related to the tragedy were supportive of the film. It truly is a very respectful memorial to the events of this fateful day.

Joyeux Noel (2005)

This is a wonderful, moving film showing humankind at its best

[9/10 · 2 January 2006]

Wow! Joyeux Noel was a great movie. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this film but found it to be moving, heartwarming and a wonderful cinematic experience.

The fact that the story is based on real events that happened shows that their is some good in humans across the world. In this story, all sides are respected as humans and the soldiers come to understand that under God, we are all one.

Please, even if you don't normally go to foreign language films or war movies, go to this film. The war scenes are not prolific. You will come out changed and smiling from the inside out!