tatumjaatinen Reviews

Too Beautiful for You (1989)

Marital misery of the modern middle-aged middle-class

[5/10 · 3 February 2023]

"Elle est trop belle" is a romantic drama overflowing with a refined yet vulgar sensuality that is common in French films. Sexuality, lust, infidelity are the main themes of the film, and are lusciously exhibited on screen. Choice of music was excellent, with Schubert in the background providing beauty and consolation in midst of heightened drama. You have fancy dinners, spacious mansions and country homes. Certainly men of culture will appreciate this film.

Acting in scenes was mostly naturalistic and plain, though not completely without emotion. Overall tempo of the movie was slow and relaxed, taking plenty of time to establish scenes and characters. Sometimes even bordering on boredom. Focus was not purely based on intense emotions of infatuation and cliched notions of romanticism, but the human relationships between the characters.

The unoriginality of the subject matter and the lack of subversiveness in the message, however, dims the glow of its achievements. The sudden middle-life crisis and the marital unhappiness of a well-to-do middle class couple has been well documented in the history of film, and there have been better portrayals of it. The movie is heavy-handed with its message of internal and external beauty.

There might have been some critique of the boredom of the perfect bourgeoisie life, but it is soo brief, indirect and inconsequential you could easily miss it. It seems the down-to-earth nature and vividness of Colette is contrasted with the icy and cold demeanor of the proper Florence, and the white spacious family home with the small run-down motel.

In the end, the story felt quite simple and predictable, even cliched. While watching it for the first time was a pleasant experience, there is probably little one can gain from rewatching the film. Overall, it is a decent film, doing its job well, but nothing out of the ordinary. Though I do admire the movie in other respects, the script just doesn't make it.

Assassin's Creed (2007 Video Game)

A Little Tedious

[6/10 · 28 January 2023]

The first title of the AC series is in many ways prophetic. Already here one can see the hallmarks of the AC series: endless repetition, copy-pasted quests, assets and locations etc. Even in a game as short as 20 hours, you will be climbing towers, pickpocketing, listening to convos, assassinating etc. Multiple times, and it gets the more boring the more you do it. What little actual story is hidden between is mostly in cutscenes and scripted sequences here and there, which is sad, since it actually somewhat interesting.

Most of the time, you will be running around in the open game world that is cluttered with quest markers and side activities. Unfortunately, clunky controls and movement hinder the amusement from it, as well as the ever-present enemies that constantly decide to attack you in groups and which you have to fend off in tedious fights. Speaking of it, combat mechanics are the most simple and unsophisticated possibel, which certainly does not help. Still, it was fun to run around the cities and the roof-tops from time to time, but nowhere near as intuitive as in later titles.

In relation to the length of the game, the modern day storyline was more expanded and had multiple sections that advanced the plot, something which has sadly since been abandoned. In this game, the balance works and keeps you interested in continuing the storyline.

Shaun the Sheep (2007–2020)

Sheep Entertainment for the Masses

[10/10 · 28 January 2023]

Shaun the Sheep is a comedy series suitable for the whole family. In a small farm in the countryside, a dog is watching over the sheep, and must keep track of what they are doing and report it back to the owner. Sometimes they work against each other, sometimes they all have a common interest in keeping some things secret from their owner. Whatever the case, something wacky and unexpected always happens.

Humour in the series is clever, requiring no words to understand and in fact having no dialogue, so it is highly suitable for international audiences. It is not just childish, it can make even serious-minded adults laugh easily. In a way, it reminds me of early silent-era slap-stick films, like Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin. It has the characteristic Aardman style, so if you like Wallace & Gromit films or Chicken Run, you are certainly going to like this show too, and vice versa.

Castle in the Sky (1986)

The Unattainable Utopia in the Clouds

[10/10 · 28 January 2023]

Laputa is an amazing film and I recommend everyone to watch it at least once. I have watched it at least five times already. Just seeing this one film has made me a lifelong fan of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, whose films are all treasures to be cherished dearly.

Rewatching Laputa again and again reveals the wonderful structure of its narrative. There is nothing unnecessary for the development of the plot, and it has been condensed to its bare essentials. Scenes proceed effortlessly from one to another and form a continous whole. Nothing is excessive, nothing is boring.

At its core, Laputa is an adventure story, keeping you in suspense from beginning to finish. Young girl that falls from the sky seems to possess mystical powers, and is picked by a young boy living nearby. They then try to find out more about the mythical city of Laputa, which is said to be located high in the sky and possess magical technology not available for the rest of mankind.

Within this seemingly simple story, themes of surprising depth are developed on the way. The destructive nature of humankind and technology, the endless desire for absolure power and wealth, the healing power of nature and friendship. There is more to the story than meets the eye. It reaffirms the message that is familiar from their other titles like Nausicaä or Princess Mononoke.

In animation, Studio Ghibli simply reigns supreme above all competitors. The beauty of their style is unparallelled, and bring to mind best impressionist paintings of the 19th century. So clearly is the story told through mere pictures alone that I merely watching it through the pictures you would not miss much of the plot.

The Road (1954)

The Silent Tragedy Of Poverty and Abuse

[10/10 · 28 January 2023]

When I first saw this movie, I did not truly understand how brilliant it was, merely due to my young age. Now that I have had a better perspective of the subjects that the movie deals with, I can confidently say it is among the best that I have ever seen.

La Strada is a classic that opens itself quite slowly. Watch it to the end, and only then judge if it is good or not. I thought it was boring at first but when I had seen it to the end, I did not regret seeing it.

It details the history of abuse and neglect of its main protagonist, young woman called Gelsomina, in the hands of Zampano, leader of a local circus troupe. She is poor and without connections, and nobody really cares about her. She is abandoned there by her very own family, who cannot afford to support her.

The story is a tragedy, but not one of royals or nobles, grand monologues or ending in mass murder and grand battles, it is a slow-moving trail of tears of ordinary people from beginning to the end. A more silent, and a more common type of tragedy in reality than which is found in dramatic plays, but all the more touching and sad one.

Indeed, the rendition of the cast is superb throughout. Anger, sadness, happiness, all emotions are displayed to their fullest without pretentious drama or exaggeration.

Love Actually (2003)

Utter sentimental cheap romantic trash

[1/10 · 28 January 2023]

There is probably no more wallowingly sentimental, cliched and stereotyped, syrupy film ever made. It is the epitome of the romantic comedy, in every excess of it possible. Disgusting and pathetic trash.

There are no negative emotions like jealously, sadness, rage that would threaten the embrace of love and happiness by any of the characters. All conflicts are resolved by the end of the film and everyone has a happy ending, whether they deserve it or not. Truly "a good mood rom-com" of the worst kind, in that there are no other emotions than a good mood. On top of that, it is a Christmas movie, and I can think of no worse combination of two genres already considered horrible and unwatchable separately. The film even jokingly alluded to this several times, which makes it even worse, as it is clearly intentional.

I know this is a matter of personal taste, and that some people genuinely enjoy these kinds of things, for some inexplicable reason beyond my comprehension, but the very fact that this film was made and garnered a huge audience and sales figures deeply offends my sensibilities.

While actors are doing a great job and the cinematography is good, etc., I hate the plot and characters of the film with such vehement passion, that I must review this film among the lowest of the low. Never I am ever going to watch this film again, if I can help it.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

A Rainbow of Color and Beauty

[9/10 · 28 January 2023]

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is one of the best musicals I have ever seen. Merely on a musical level, the score of the film is a wonderful achievement, with the lyrics and melodies feeling completely natural and appropriate to the situation. In fact, this film could be characterised as an opera since the recitative runs throughout. The themes are continually varied from situation to situation to fit the mood of the scene.

Aesthetics is one of the strongest suits of the film, and the design of clothing and sets in the scene is brilliant. Bright, colorful visuals give the film an unique look, not faded with age or technology. It seems to capture the essence of the 1960's, of when it was filmed.

When it comes to the plot, one can consider it cliched, but it is effective and well written. Young girl called Genevieve, from a rich family, is in love with a car mechanic Guy. She is even having a child with him, but just as he is preparing to take care of the child, he is called into the army to fight in the Algerian War of Independence. Meanwhile, Genevieve marries a rich suitor, while expecting the child of another, and breaking her promise of waiting for Guy.

The film achieves near perfection with its ending scene. Guy, now a successful owner of a service station of his own, is visited by Genevieve wanting to fuel her tank with gasoline. The gaze and meet each other, exchanging a few trivial words of politeness with one another. The wistful memory of the earlier memory plays in the background, in the form a melody of a song they used to sing.

Fanny (1932)

Fantastic French Film

[8/10 · 28 January 2023]

Fanny is a young French girl expecting a child. Her lover, a sailor had left her unmarried and without support, and of no knowledge when he might return from the sea. A woman within such a position was, during those times, stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Either she would have to quickly find a husband gullible or generous enough to support a child not his own, raise the child alone (which was considered a great shame and would imply great poverty), give it for adoption and to be estranged from the child, or wait that her betrothed were to return, marry and take responsibility of the child. Either way, she would have to regret any decision she would make.

Such a drama may seem antiquated now, that social norms have developed, but it does give a good idea of what they were during former times. In any case, the athmosphere is desperate and melodramatic throughout, sometimes even too much so, which is enhanced by the musical effects and the dark colors of the black-and-white film. It can be a bit over-the-top and pathetic at times, but there is certainly not many dull moments

There is one scene I will certainly always remember. It is the return of Marius to the city and the ensuing confrontation between Marius and Fanny. It is emotional and intense, and captures the conflicting emotions of love, despair, jealousy, abandonment, longing, fury and all that must have gone through the characters' minds.

Acting is certainly excellent throughout the film, and more than a little expressive. I will probably watch this one again someday, if I can get the opportunity.

Some Like It Hot (1959)

An All-Time Classic

[10/10 · 28 January 2023]

An all time classic and one of the funniest comedy movies I have ever seen. Despite its age, it does not appear dated at all, on the contrary, it seems all the more relevant in modern times.

Two male musicians have earned the ire of the Chicago mafia by witnessing a massacre and need to escape quickly. They have to dress as women to avoid detection and join an all-women band on their way to a beach resort in Florida. Thus, much of the humour revolves around sex and gender roles.

Without revealing anything more about the plot, the ending is just perfect, the final icing on the cake. Best way to end a movie that I have ever seen.

Roman Holiday (1953)

One of the the most overrated movies ever

[5/10 · 28 January 2023]

This film is nothing more than a glorified tourist advertisement for Rome, showing you all the major sights on the way in strict and efficient order. In fact, looking at the city in the background is often much more interesting than actually focusing on what events are unfolding on the screen.

The plot is actually pretty boring and average, and unbelievable too. I felt awkward when I saw it as a child, and I do still. The forced romance is something repulsive and disgusting.

No doubt the actors in the film are famous and capable at their jobs. Too much, in fact, since they manage to salvage this trainwreck of a plot premise merely through their great gifts at acting, and manage to elevate it into a status of classic without any real merit to such a title.

It's harmless entertainment, and there are worse ways to spend your day, but it is a pretty average rom-com, and there are much better titles out there.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The Quintessential Fantasy Film of All Time

[10/10 · 26 January 2023]

It is difficult to convey in words what a phenomenal achievement Peter Jackson's LOTR movie trilogy is. It manages to stay relatively faithful to the source material while providing a big-budget entertainment with suspense and spectacle. In fact, it often does so many things right one can only be puzzled at how it humanly possible to achieve anything like it.

One should probably need no explanation of why Lord of the Rings is such an important work as book to the world, and why a movie version of it is such a big deal. Some have ascribed the very existence of the modern fantasy genre to Tolkien. In the very least, his book has been highly influential in creating the standard fantasy story setup, and has been hailed as a literary classic ever since its publication. This, of course, mounts huge pressures for any director attempting to make it into a film, something this movie not only manages to achieve, but to excel.

The prologue starts of things strongly, and nails down perfectly what the Lord of the Rings is about. What I was worried would be a long and boring explanatory scene for those unfamiliar with the book, was actually one of its fortes. One can only imagine how many re-writes and deliberations the production team has gone through to achieve such a smooth result. What in an ordinary fantasy movie would be the epic finale is only the beginning, and a textbook example of how to do one right at that. Yet even that is only first of the numerous examples of scenes that can serve as textbook examples of how to do a scene right!

Against these high expectations set by the beginning, the rest of the movie manages to hold up brilliantly. Scenes move seamlessly from one another, panning from one location to another, transitioning from one shot to another without even noticing. Care has been taken to ensure that each detail is careful though out and emphasised. Such groundwork may not be immediately appreciated by the viewer, but the more one delves deeper into the constitution of the movie, the more one notices the silent effort that holds up the movie together.

In visual terms the movie is yet another amazing achievement. Rugged, open landscapes dominate the scene and impress the viewer. Tight spaces and corridors feel claustrophobic and frightening. Visual filters and color palettes are appropriate to each scene and enhance the magic of the locales. The lushness of fields and forests contrasts wonderfully with the grayness of caves and dungeons. The natural beauty of New Zealand is at full display, especially enjoyable on a wide screen.

Scenes would not be as dramatic and impressive without the presence of epic and music by Howard Shore. It helps to elevate the tension of action to the heights it deserves, while providing tranquil serenity for the more peaceful scenes.

Acting in the movie is not just a step up from other titles but on a whole another level to most productions. Each and every emphasis of syllable and intonation of voice is carefully thought, calibrated and practicised to fit in with the whole. Whatever magic formula the directors have used to extract such phenomenal performances from the actors, it works brilliantly. It helps that the cast is composed of amazing actors, including such legends as Christopher Lee and Cate Blanchett.

If you choose between theatrical cut and extended edition would be recommend the latter, as it includes more scenes. Especially the scene Concerning Hobbits, which should have been included in the theatrical release.

That being said, there are, as always, some very minor details to complain about, that were changed from the books, like replacing Glorfindel with Arwen, or how Tom Bombadil was left out of the movie, but frankly, most of the choices are understandable and help to propel the plot forward. I have seen the movie so many times I know all the dialogue lines by heart and have committed the order and visuals of the scenes to memory, so any criticisms I have will likely be minor and mostly irrelevant to the enjoyment of the film.

Inception (2010)

Layers upon Layers of Meaning

[10/10 · 26 January 2023]

Inception is a fantastic movie that has multiple layers. Not only superficially, as in the intricate structure of its plot and layout of its world, but metaphorically and philosophically the movie speaks on multiple levels that can be missed on the first screenings. Whenever I return to this movie, I find a new perspective through which I examine the events of the plot. It could be the best movie I have ever seen, so excellent it is in all aspects.

It took me about five screenings to realise that the whole movie is actually also a parable about film-making, and that designing worlds and implanting an idea into the audiences minds' are what a film director does. There are many questions that are subtly alluded to but never resolved or consciously expressed to the viewer. It hints to the mind numbing nature of entertainment while being one itself, and the corrupting power of money and giant corporations while of course being produced by a major studio while being held hostage to their whims. What is real? How do our imaginations and those of others effect our lives? How much does an author channel his personal experience into his works, and can it ruin his works? How should we deal with the traumas of our past and the separation that comes with work from out families and friends? Are we responsible for the actions of others and should we try to influence them?

On top of that, the movie is a masterpiece in cinematography from beginning to finish. The visual aesthetic is unique, memorable and fits brilliantly into each scene. Scenes are action-packed, loud, exciting, full of amazing landscapes yet quiet, peaceful, poignant, meaningful when needed. There is just right balance of action and drama, whenever either is required. The special effects emit a visceral sense of excitement, but never feel out of place or exaggerated, or taking precendence over the story. While the special effects are clearly not the main point of the film, they alone can make it an amazing experience. Performance of the cast is top-notch, with the calmness and the gravitas that the movie requires, without forgetting to be emotional at the right moment.

But don't worry, it all sounds more complicated than what the film actually is in practice. You might not want to take a nap while watching this movie, though. It is easy to miss many of the finer details, let alone major plot-points, so not understanding can almost be expected with this film. However, once you get the gist of it, it will be easy to appreciate just how ingenious the plot and the whole movie is.

Inspector Palmu's Error (1960)

Classic Finnish Detective Drama

[10/10 · 26 January 2023]

Komisarion Palmun erehdys (Inspector Palmu's Error) is based on a book in the detective series by Mika Valtari, a celebrated Finnish author. Thus, it has some of the best scripts in movies I have seen, and in style quite close to Agatha Christie's classic crime mysteries. Having read the book first on which the film is based, it is very faithfully translated to the screen, and even surpasses it in many respects. It is the best one of the film versions of Inspector Palmu books, and well worth seeing.

A rich playboy is murdered in his bath in his manor, and the grumpy and cynical old Inspector Palmu along with his youthful and eager, yet naive assistant must discover who did the crime. A thorough investigation of all the suspects follows, and keeps you in suspense until the end. Telling more would spoil the plot, you had better see the movie yourself.

Acting is excellent, especially by the actor in the main role of Inspector Palmu. There are no unnecessary pauses or gaps in the story, and its keeps going forward. Visual and set design is excellent, and supports the story, while not being overly lavish either. I watched the movie multiple times already and enjoyed each one of those viewings.

Vodkaa, komisario Palmu (1969)

Nothing like the good old Palmu movies

[3/10 · 26 January 2023]

This production is the only one not based on a book by the original author of the Palmu series, Mika Valtari, and one can easily notice that. Consequently the quality of the plot is lower than in previous titles. They were classical murder-mysteries in the spirit of Agatha Christie, and this one rather belongs to the thriller genre. It was made several years after the previous films, and unlike them, it was made in color. I have seen worse acting in movies, but it is not charismatic or phenomenal either. Mostly the movie just feels like a forced sequel to make cash on a popular character. I am definitely not going to rewatch this, once was enough.

Onks Viljoo näkyny? (1988)

A mediocre old Finnish comedy

[2/10 · 30 August 2022]

This is a Finnish comedy from the 1980's, which means that for foreign audience, this will be almost totally incomprehensible. In addition, it has a ton cultural references to popular Finnish culture at the time and slang that made sense at the time, but have since aged terribly.

The movie is just barely watchable, but still preferable to watching paint dry or waiting for a bus without a cellphone, which is a start. The bare skeleton of a plot is only intended to tie the individual sketches together, and is uninteresting in itself. The jokes are slow, hard to get and not even funny. Some of them consist of just repeated catchphrases of whose repetition is supposed to make them funny. In addition, this movie has many caricatures that can be considered offensive (even at the time this was made), especially the two Sámi people who are portrayed as incompetent and rowdy drunkards.