angeliki_spatki Reviews

Chile '76 (2022)

Spherical Chile's portraiying

[6/10 · 14 March 2024]

Spherical Chile's portraiyng, seems interesting as political background forms a surrounding anxiety, comparing to the calm and well living at the beautiful beach house. Photography portrays a far away country's aspects close to ocean's waves. All the country-side seems interesting. As for the part of political climat at that time, it goes exploring an internal angoisse, contrary to the calm of the house and it's inhabitants. Violence is present and makes a remarquable contrast of the well arranged, easy life of the protagonist life.

I enjoyed that movie cause of it's calm atmosphere besides the bad things wich are occuring at the time of raising dictatureship against president Alliente. Also it makes a good notion of Chile's outside Sangiago capital, nice regions by the sea. Also the music background is excellent as it contributes to the general atmosphere of angoisse besides the calm.

Let the Sunshine In (2017)

Woman alone searching for love

[6/10 · 8 October 2022]

A divorced and alone woman is searching for real love, after the failure of her marriage. Unfortunately commits some unsuitable relationships, till the end of the narrative, without any further perspective.

A dull routine with interesting - from the point of exchanging personal sentiments view, but somehow inexplicable relationships, played convincingly by Juliette Binoche in-spite of the whole story which is dull and predictable. The movie is saved by her acting and for the unexpected end of Gerard Depardieu's appearance, really extraordinary which gives the final - somewhat funny, tone - as a resumé to the whole story.

Some nice scenes come along, in the French country-side, where heroine has some crisis of revolt against social conventions in-front of her friends, and in some bars and cafés of Paris.

Come Down Molly (2015)

Alone in front Nature

[7/10 · 2 December 2018]

A group of old co-students in a desert mountain place exploring only joys of past school rememberances amist the greatness of nature seen in a valley as river's waters spread with force, nice planture, blue sky as some white clouds passing slowly. They explore the valley with nothing in their heads but only joy in heart by their reunion. A great hymne to nature with people who don't care for nothing but only for the moments walking across the trees, hearing the voice of lonely animals in the woods. They return to their shelter with joy of passing a day in the beauty of mountain surrounded woods; a perfect place to be alone only with the inner shelf seems enough to bring happiness - notioned as banned from the city and one's obligatons. That movie has a loose script - resulting from director's ambition to speak only about the truth; truth of nature and people in it; equal to the truth of inner feelings resulting from friendship in the lonliness of nature's scenic splendor.

The Other Side of Hope (2017)

The raw side of truth

[8/10 · 7 November 2017]

Aki Kaurismaki doesn't embellish the truth. Truth is, that hope and life goes together. So that emigrant and novice restaurateur - representing both and in turn, hope, in European now days some aspects of a cruel reality. Each other in turn, face a cold, repulsing reality: The young Syrian refugee, the fact that has lost family and home, in bombardments of Aleppo, Syria. Now is seeking to build a new life in distant Finland. Why Finland? Cause this country has a good reputation on treating civil rights. But hope seems to deem slowly as soon after he is told that his application for asylum is rejected cause of not enough documentation on reasons he narrated to the police officers. On the other hand, things do not go better for the stout Finnish - recently restaurant owner. He is with no wife since he left her drinking on the morning table. He also abandoned his job of man's shirts retailer, taking the price to play poker cards, in a playing club near the official casino of the city. What he earns, invests in a restaurant business with three people stuff: the gate keeper, the cook, the waitress. To all three then added Khaled, the Syrian refugee as Wikstrom makes acquaintance of him close to restaurant trash-cans. All seem go right as Khaled sister is found by track-driver - Wikström friend, on Lettonia's borderline, and brought back to Finland to fulfill her brother's strongest wish. But things doesn't happen as supposed to occur: Restaurant doesn't make the intended success, but both, protector and his protected (Winkström and Khaled) face - with optimism and pessimism going together. Another Kaurismaki strong point, the defeat of hopes.

Cherry Blossoms (2008)

In the shadows of cherries

[9/10 · 19 September 2017]

A very sentimental film about eternal love. After the unexpected loss of his wife while on vacations to the Baltic sea, Rudi goes to Japan to escape from his sadness, to his son's house Karl, in Tokyo. Days pass with the memories of his beloved wife Trudi, but also exploring the big city. Lost in the lights of skyscrapers at night, at day staying most of the time in the small apartment, occupied by simple housekeeping, life seems so unbearable for the lost in the bitter shadows of memories husband, until one day at the park with the blossomed cherries, he meets Yu - a young girl playing pantomime. Impressed by her slow and ritual movements, he goes closer to her and they soon become friends. But this was not to last. In a journey to mount Fuji, waiting for the mountain to be revealed to them every morning, when opening the window, days where passing. This reveal was to happen at his last day - to see the mountain with it's snowy pick. He then, moves closer to the lake, where the majestic mountain was reflected and then came to his eyes the image of himself dancing the ritual movements of the Japanese dance (Butoh) with his wife - together and forever. And immediately then, came the moment to die, by the side of the lake. A very touching film of the eternal love, but also a really true study of the contemporary way of living, which can not offer the real essence of life, to human beings. Between loss, sorrow, the lights and furor of a big city, the company of his somehow distant son - absent all day to his work, the salvation of the soul of the unlucky widower, came by the Japanese girl, dancing with the movements of the human body shadows - which means the movements of the inner unsatisfied, waiting for salvation soul. All active elements of the movie especially direction, cinematography, acting photography, music, filming locations, contributed to a very satisfying evolution of the plot above.

The Hollars (2016)

I would recommended more

[6/10 · 6 May 2017]

This movie has good acting first of all, a story that can happen to all humans, is 'nt boring at all - in spite of the sad theme of mother's illness. I was watching it with enough interest then came the scene where ill mother escapes with her son to have a dinner outside at a restaurant, celebrating the next day's operation. On the other hand, the end seems real, brings in mind, the well known saying, hope dies last! Anyway, I think, this movie has some bizarre writing details. We see comforting son, saying that is tired, or has enough, from his relationship and afterwards, admitting that he loves and wants to be together! Surely, the dialogues are good enough, but somewhere control over reality is getting lost - or is reality sometimes, so contradictory?

Teorema (1968)

Teorema is a puzzle to be solved

[8/10 · 3 July 2016]

Surpassing the new-realistic themes or those of past history Pasolini enters deep waters of philosophical questions of post- industrial society mainly on those concerning the upper class of those possessing the production means. It is a hard accusation there of unmeaning way of life. Now the technique and theme is surrealistic, reminding "maitre of surreal", Bunuel's, former film "The Exterminator Angel".

In their big wealthy Milanese house they're all wandering without a meaning of existence. The son has no talent for the art of painting he wants to follow, the daughter has no love to stand upon, the mother the same. Dressed with high fashion clothes and hair-styled the same, she passes all time wandering in the big garden with no real feelings deep inside her. Her husband spends all time at his industry not paying any real attention to his family. Their maid as she represents the opposite to bourgeoisie class stays always silent serving them the dinner - a figure representing New Testament's "Happy those who have no mind".

She is the one who can be saved as she returns to her village staying silent all day with no food or water. As the stranger arrives all are astonished by his beauty: His eyes, his smile, signs for the promised paradise they couldn't attend on this earth. But are they really attracted to his beauty or in the notion of salvation he carries?

With this prophetic film Pier-Paolo Pasolini shows that there is no salvation in that chosen road: surrounding landscape is cold and desert if it is without the human joy of life. Where that joy is hidden? In the blue eyes of the visitor, in the open air smile and joy he carries with him. But as he has to leave the house all again is getting more and more obscure. The boy's paintings a mess on the walls of his room, girl's pessimism in not finding affection hidden in the old family's photo albums drives her to complete paranoia. Same for the father who wants to get rid of the factory offering it to the labor-workers, drives him to madness in Milan's rail-way station by getting rid of all his clothes.

Same for the wife who is searching for love affairs in the streets with passing by strangers. The only one who can be saved is maid's returning to her village, gifted with miracle's power to cure diseases. Last scene with her body except the head in the ground an allegory of the lamb carrying all human sins. There is no way of salvation no matter if you are lamb or wolf. For the first the mud of this world, for the second the madness.

Mud, madness is the crowing of that post-war industrial society Pasolini says. Contrary to Trilogy of Life looking at as an Ode to Life, this film is an Ode to Death. If you want something to be changed to that structure you find yourself powerless and mad to the end. Why this terrifying Teorema is in front us? Because - according to precedent Pasolini's works of the new-realistic school, is built on exploitation of other people, on no-mercy rules of western societies which condemns people living in poverty, growing aversion between them. The building you construct has no strong basis it's going to fall, he says to us.

Finally a bell is ringing? An SOS bell. A pessimistic sound for society we all live. Teorema is a puzzle that can't be solved by human race of modern times.

Only if you have salvation angel besides you, who by all means, you keep it all time close to you, salvation could be earned.

The Longest Ride (2015)

One only verse, odd to love

[6/10 · 27 March 2016]

I was a good distraction watching that movie. Cinematography going over North Carolina beautiful scenery with green meadows and idyllic lakes was very impressive. Acting was also persuasive by two protagonist beautiful couples twin crossing the decades. But there was no point other but a general odd to eternal, true love that overcomes obstacles. Those last, were not persuasive at all. Loving painting art and rodeos doesn't make an obstacle - since dependent couple didn't care as they pass a very good time in the ranch riding, watching bull fighting, passing time together in the cozy Texas-style ranch. As for the first couple – the older one, Ruth comes back to her husband Ira not caring about "poetic permission's" injuries of the past. Movie recommended for the very good acting of the two young couples and the beautiful landscape scenery - skillfully filmed, issued to a very good cinematography and that's all.

Regina Roma (1983)

A family tale: Over dominated husband and son with no way out to escape

[6/10 · 6 September 2015]

Brilliant actors in a play of three and a mute - simply watching forth person. Ava Gardner is on top, playing with persuasion and great skill the over dominant Italian I think, mother. She uses all tricks and lies to have her husband and son on her hand. She wants to be the only person in their lives, and that turns to be an absolute catastrophe to their day routine. The drama reaches it's pick when she rejects his son's fiancé as improper for him, accusing her that she's a prostitute! All action takes place in the living-room with Anna Karina (fiancé) watching dumbfounded, Anthony Quinn (husband) accusing her all the time, and the son begging her to stay with them - not to abandon them! Really an opportunity for Ava Gardner's big talent in dramatic, theatrical roles. I consider that her beauty apart, Ava Gardner was a great actress - equal to Liz Taylor.

The Blonde with Bare Breasts (2010)

A rude but affectionate story by the banks of la Seine

[6/10 · 5 August 2015]

Though I had another choice for watching a movie, I stayed on that because I found interesting the theme: two brothers on a barge they must pay the debts, crossing la Seine river. They have made a robbery by stealing from Orsay museum the renown Manet painting "Topless girl", in order to pay the debts of the barge which was always, the proper home for them and their family - two by now, as their mother died and their father is ill in the hospital. Now are three, as they have with them the guard of the museum - the beautiful and fearless also sexy, Rosalie who kidnapped her in their boat, as she was running after them. All three are trying to find a buyer for the renown, valuable painting - all these, among beautiful images of the still river waters, full of pending trees, as their barge is crossing them. The two brothers are impressed by the girl and she finally involves herself in an affair with the elder. A nice cinematography showing another life - that of people working by and crossing the river with on that purpose river-ships. Also a mention to the wild life by the sides of the river as it has been painted by Renoir and other impressionists. The Polish mafia following them to get the painting, but also the lonely life of desperate young people who had no affection in their lives. The scenery of both banks of la Seine is fantastic - also the description of the life on board of the barge. The acting of the three protagonists is very persuasive, real and human as well. Their emotions as wild they appear, always turn sweet - first mentioning the younger little brother, as he is a tender, affectionate, fearless companion - caring as well, brother.

Taken 2 (2012)

Realistic but Unreal

[6/10 · 23 October 2013]

Another film on secret agents life. That one comes closer to reality by involving wife and daughter having no affair in the killing of the Albanian mafia - acting in Istanbul son, by the protagonist agent (Liam Neeson). The movie gains the impressions by showing old Istanbul's city, it's tiled roofs, the mosques, it's narrow streets, also the luxurious hotels - the ambiance of the city in general, showing in general very impressive panoramic pictures of the entire city. It looses by showing a very cruel aspect, of Albanian mafia who resides there - saying that is the first time I hear about this. The torture scenes are absolutely awful. Also the plan dictated from mobile to his daughter who is in the hotel room - consisted on drawing on his map in his suitcase, to find the location where his his captured, followed by daughter's escape from the hotel, the throwing of the grenades, her desperate run on the roofs, to avoid her persecutors, in order to find her captured parents, is absolutely complicated as mythical - on the other hand, suspensive and impressive. In general all scenes of that movie, are very well filmed and capture the interest of the spectator. Above all the acting of Liam Neeson makes the difference. With his low voice, his persuasive obstinacy showing to his daughter on his aim to save his wife from his persecutors, his perfect skills of beating his adversaries - as he himself, says to her, that "This is his my job!", makes a good choice of seeing that movie.

Trust (I) (2010)

Nice but Dull at the total

[7/10 · 23 August 2012]

Though I don't like the theme of the movie as (overused, common), it's given with some new now days present parameters as Internet abuse, parents tolerance on new morals, modern teen-age language and way of life as "modern, sexy, fashion victims". Also because it shows clearly police's priority on chasing pederasty crime in US. Parents are very confident their children's abusing manners of living till the worst happens that could be a rape, a car accident, bad relationships - to mention some of them. The movie is well filmed, actors are playing to their best. The modern girl playing the daughter is beautiful, clever but she becomes a victim of the internet's virtual reality coughing by the spell of a handsome aged to her person who's business is to earn money from teen-age pornography. An instructive movie on modern dangerous teen-agers and parents morals - leaving that apart, on lie, cheat - last but not least, Trust! - witch is and the title of the movie. A good movie that turns to dull old clichés but filmed in the new era of new technologies, manners, way of life in rich, modern environments.

Faubourg 36 (2008)

A nice, faithful, melodic Paris through time, evocation

[6/10 · 10 December 2009]

I voted for 6 because the film was overloaded. Too many characters and subplots - especially those with the French mafia sometimes called "apaches", were somewhat complicated and puzzling - not meaning that some other,especially those with communists and fascists were'not at least somewhat naive and clumsy.

I recommend this film because there is very good music inside - type of waltz, nice decoration of the sets with an exact theater of the 30s Belle Epoque. As for the externals, all the way long we see Paris with all those rainy-wet pavements, an eternal snow, always a heavy rain, it's picturesque attics looking to the sky, it's old buildings terraces viewing the Tour Eiffel and as we approach to the end, some scenes luxurious as they are, evoke Paris rich and fancy apartments at the "quartiers chic" as they are called.

The scenes of the music-hall are according to the typical tradition of French cabaret, enough satisfying as they recall Lido, Follies Bergeres, Moulin Rouge cabarets. The singing also refers to top french singers - Edith Piaf, Maurice Chevalier, Charles Trenet.

A very satisfying role and performance, is of Pigoil's - music-hall manager, son - a young boy who plays the accordion in the streets of Paris trying to earn some money with which buys some sausages as a supper offered to his father's lonely drinking - caused by his wife's cruel abandonment for the music-hall tenor.

I think this film to it's whole, was not bad directed, with a nice Parisian atmosphere. It will make you surely spend two relaxing and pleasant hours.

Gran Torino (2008)

A "sotto-vocce", anti - war manifesto

[8/10 · 4 March 2009]

The story is a familiar theme: The veteran of Korea because of all those bad things which took place there during the war, has hardened, generally hates the world and above all prefers the companionship of his dog to drink beers, or exchange "thicker words" with his barber.

That changes when he decides spontaneously to become the defender of his neighbors from a Vietnamese immigrant gang's threatens -though compatriots- mainly aimed at the two young children, one of which by threat, forced by his "so called" cousin to try to steal his car -brand Gran Torino- (one of the'74 Ford) which is kept and maintained by the lonely, war-veteran as a valuable heirloom - as like his star medal from the war).

The known history, a scenario somewhat naive, because some things are not documented (undisturbed gang activity). However, other issues are lightened brightly - as the consequences for those who took part in the Korean War (so followed by Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq), the immediacy of communication - even with a crude way, the main idea for people to protect property ("not press my lawn"), immigrants and their gradual assimilation and acceptance by the Americans, the evaluation of the new generation, the gap in ages, caring for neighbors and several other aspects of society - already known, but clearly pointed as first raw society themes.

But thanks to the amazing playing of Eastwood, his natural,honest and robust direction, there is a film to watch that keeps the interest of the viewer from beginning to end. The end though somewhat excessive as demonstrating Walter falling and end, to the altar of an existential, personal atonement, however, raises the question of the consequences of the war for the person who goes back home, giving through a "poetic license" to this well-achieved film, the nature of a "sotto-vocce", anti - war manifesto.

Valkyrie (2008)

A nice film but an unachieved goal

[8/10 · 24 February 2009]

Satisfying general historical ambiance, all actor's crew- acting, shooting, photography, but main thing, the historical details were not clearly exposed - thus the foggy and undocumented historical evaluation of some 3rd Reich's officers resistance, against Hitler's murderer regime - clearly set it though, to the last year of Hitler's end... thing to say that is the least surprising from their part.

The direction needed many more elements, we only saw Hitler's house to the Bavarian Alps (wolf's nest), some conspiring offices discussing about shooting Hitler and Valkyrie plan to proceed after, the Army Headquarters, some Ministery buildings -very well shot was that of Press, with all the telexes passing through. As for the military plan so called "Valkyrie" - the main story of film's plot, that scenario was very weak, so called vague and general...

The all atmosphere of the film was very satisfying, but it produced only a taste - a very good indeed! of the really happened so discussed resistance of Hitler's generals - also known from Hitler's own words at his last moments when he was trying to be informed, and be conscious about the inevitable fall, "I was surrounded by traitors".

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Addiction and love in a big world's capital where television and money notions are in first ranges of some people's interests.

[7/10 · 17 May 2007]

Very exaggerated film, but has two hot points: How much bad thing is television - if you sit all day watching shows and drug addiction. Exaggerated situations -according to this story- happen to the heroes (madness etc,) and the point is, that -as for the drugs addiction we don't understand how occurred to the couple of the story, as for the girl, it is enough clear that she suffers from a sort of mental disease- but for the son, it is not clear how he got involved in drugs - the friendship with the other dealer, or money hunting is not enough explained how it becomes a good reason to get into drugs. Mother's madness to the end is the main reason of the exaggeration of the scenario. A point to mention is that from that point it is a good thing to accuse mental institutions and the methods they use to interfere in illness. Also before that atrocious end, it is well explained how bad thing are pills for loosing weight. Despite all that, acting from all four actors is superb, movie's rhythm also.

Jamón, Jamón (1992)

Comedy turns to drama

[7/10 · 19 November 2006]

Very interesting the way Bigas Luna joins together many elements: surrealism and realism, Italian new-realism and Almodovar's humorist notion in some situations. Certainly, a typical Spanish film of great inspiration which turns to nothing, because of the exaggerated plot about sexual relations with improper persons... same person for mother - daughter, son! - thus resuming to an idea of very bad notion about morals in Spain - both for wealthy and poor. Although acting was very good, also the photography. I mention the excellent acting of Javier Bardem who keeps all the interest in this film, with his role of a "payed lover" turned to a deeply in love desperado of the type of those who have nothing to loose except their own life... in a relationship which starts as a joke and turns to a drama.