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Fat_Cobra
Reviews
Car Masters: Rust to Riches (2018)
An OK, show, but writing could be better
Things that really would get me upset in real life in situations dealing with these people would be their inability to step away from their signature decorations, the fact that sometimes they just fasten parts to fiberglass panels using something looking awful lot like wood screws (feels like a lot of corners are being cut and some parts are put together by the quickest means possible that would hold for the duration of filming) and the cameraman doesn't even try to film the stuff from the good angles, or editors don't care to cut out the bits where someone cheats... and that Top Cat sounding Shawn always coming around and complaining how they overspent on stuff because of artistic liberty and need more money than they initially agreed upon - just do some calculations and add some overhead just in case there's a problem beforehand, Shawn.
The show itself is full of verbal repetition like it was made for TV where commercial breaks are so often that you might miss some mundane detail they mentioned at some point in the last 4 minutes instead of Netflix where this feels just weird.
The rest feels normal.
Nekas mus neaptures (2019)
Not for everyone, I guess
It might seem like a slow cinematic piece to some people, but it does have layers. And despite what some people say - acting was good - so with that out of the way - some spoilers ahead.
It's about a guy who owns a rather unique recording studio, where he creates refined albums through his approach to sound engineering. The writing seems pretty good. Usually with Latvian cinema feels like there's businessmen, who own "successful" businesses and that's it (what is the business about? No clue). This movie - the business is the passion and the protagonist is confident and acts like a determined artist with a vision. The idea seems believable (there's tape recorders on the walls - like he had this idea of doing it either way back or maybe he does it the old analogue way sometimes). So - like the plot summary mentions - a chance to record a band that's a known name in the industry.
So next layer - the family life is complicated. There's the wife, but they are not that close anymore. Insinuations that the studio and artist is holding on by the threads and goodwill of his estranged wife keep popping up again and again. Friction ensues.
Another layer - a protegé appears. A classic love triangle? Not exactly. There's power at play - the financial power versus the artistic prowess versus the youth potential, soul searching and volatility. A complicated relationship model - on one hand a family and stability, duties and expectations that go along with it, on the other hand - passion for creation, beauty and freedom to be what you want to be. The "love triangle" feels like a metaphor about life itself and the tough choices one sometimes has to make.
Imagine - you want to keep your dream alive but it's getting harder and harder, you get sidetracked, you have to keep up the appearances to be in the game, things collide. The more I think - the more things come to mind.
And they got some known musicians to play industry people, which was a really nice touch.
So all in all - impressive.
Kriminalas ekselences fonds (2018)
Surprising
It might be better to see the movie for yourself before reading any reviews or hearing spoilers. 9 stars might be a bit too generous, but these are unique circumstances considering its niche in movie industry. When a new Latvian movie pops up - most people I know - set their expectations really low. This movie is something different entirely (might not be for everyone). It seems polished and thought out - from smaller details like camera work and props to major things like acting, story, flow of dialogues. The movie gives an impression that there were actual professionals working on it. Acting felt very believable for the most part (some minor line deliveries here and there might have gained something from additional takes and direction or maybe some assurance - but that was mostly for one or two secondary or even tertiary characters). Usually with Latvian cinema - a lot of actors act like they are on a theater stage which rarely works in modern movies and feels overacted. Not this movie. The language is coarse, but it depicts quite realistically how some people talk and react to certain things. Every character seems likeable and like someone you can actually relate to. The script is surreal at times and funny throughout - dialogues are organic, the story itself - crazy, but believable, the way characters are introduced and developed - creative and quirky. And the story is quite unpredictable and full of surprises and twists. The whole nostalgia-exploitation works great - the props, the people, the setting. What is even more impressive - this movie was made through donations and crowdfunding. If I had to compare this to something else then I would say that watching this somewhat felt like I was watching something created by Coen brothers or Taika Waititi - in terms of approach to character interactions and some style similarities.