pastrunho Reviews

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Tarantino at the nth degree

[9/10 · 5 February 2016]

I watched The Hateful Eight the first day it came out, about a month ago, and I totally loved it! So I went back to the cinema a few days ago to have the pleasure to watch it a second time, and it was even better. Tarantino is my favourite director and every piece of film he puts his hands on ends up to be incredible. He truly loves cinema. He looks up for the best directors and studies their work in order to improve his. His passion to film and attention to details are outstanding. As Brad Pitt himself said in an homage to Quentin's Inglorious Basterds: "(Tarantino) is a man who believes in the power of film. (...) He's a serious filmmaker, he's a unique voice for our time, he's a purist. (..) He's a joy to work for, he's a joy to work with and if you've happened to forgotten what you loved about movies in the first place I tell you you'll only have to spend a night with Quentin." When Tarantino writes a screenplay he literally thinks about everything. He doesn't just write the story, he asks himself why a certain character is like that and what could make him/her interesting and why. He studies deeply each and every detail of someone's personality, he knows everything about them. Even the stunts, he wants them to act, to feel what the character is going through. And then there's the casting, he always pays incredible attention to the this part of the pre- production. He puts so much effort in searching the right actors because he knows that if he wants the script to come to life he needs the best ones (for the role). And indeed he always succeeds. But now let's come to The Hateful Eight. This film is a masterpiece. Shot entirely in two locations, as Tarantino himself said, "is a theatrical play". In fact he stated that one day he would love to bring it on stage. The development of the story is marvellous. The narrative of the film slowly takes you to a point where you find yourself immersed in a sea of questions and then cleverly answers them, of course in a pure Tarantino style. As always the film is divided in chapters, all but one in a chronological order. This film is Tarantino at the nth degree. It's purely based on dialogues, and boy he's the king of dialogues. I was indeed very surprised, and also quite disappointed, when I found out he wasn't been nominated for Writing — Original Screenplay. The directing is outstanding, as usual, and the cinematography in particular is wonderful. The music score by Ennio Morricone is extraordinary but it's not at all surprising knowing il maestro. The soundtrack is one of the few Oscar nominations the film has got. In my opinion it should win hands down even though, with 6 nominations, Morricone never won an Oscar (yeah, that's unbelievable!) if we exclude the honorary one given to him in 2007. Although his music is always wonderful, in this particular movie I think he did a seriously incredible work. I've heard many saying this film is not as good as the previous ones but I strongly disagree. First of all I don't think there's even one bad movie he made. Secondly you can't really compare Tarantino's movies because they're all so different one each other. I read people commenting that this is not even nearly as good as Django but, even considering they're both in the same period, Django and The Hateful Eight have nothing in common, so it's not really fair to compare them. I love both of them but, as previously said, they're very different. Tarantino stated that he's going to make only 10 movies in his life (this was the 8th) and after that he'd love to move to the theatrical field. This movie is a sort of transition between the two similar but with many differences worlds. His reason for doing so is that he wants to make only great movies. I like this. He's not someone who makes a movie a year so he can get as much money as possible, he thinks through his work, he studies it and only when it's perfect he finally makes and releases it. As we've seen with his last work. The Hateful Eight is done in 70mm Ultra Panavision, a format used extremely rarely in the industry and not used in decades because of its difficulties. But its wonderful result and Tarantino's love for film made him pursues this adventure and release a film that is a masterpiece! Am I sad that we only have 2 movies left from this genius? Yes, of course. And the worst thing is that when he'll move to theatre I won't be able to see it because I don't live in the US. But, as I said earlier, I love that he's not sold his soul for money but only for the beauty of film making.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Wonderful!

[9/10 · 5 February 2016]

This is not a new film but I watched it again yesterday and I every time time I have the pleasure to watch I remember why I love it so much! This movie is basically a story within a story. In fact it starts in the present with a girl in a park reading a book, in front of a monument of the author. In the book The Author is sitting at his desk in 1985 and narrates the trip he made in 1968 to The Grand Budapest Hotel where he met Mr. Moustafa, who told him the story of how he became the owner of the hotel. And again we go back, to 1932, when M. Gustave was the Grand Budapest's devoted concierge. The most wonderful thing about this storytelling is how cleverly is done. The present is shot in 16:9, the trip he made in 1968 is shot in classic cinema ratio 2.35:1 and the story of M. Gustave and Zero, the lobby boy, is portrayed in 4:3. The directing by Wes Anderson here is at his best. I absolutely love his style and the work he's done here is outstanding. A hand of applause to the cinematography as well, simply marvellous. This movie is an incredible pleasure to watch. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you wonder what they're going to find themselves in next. It's a masterpiece of soft comedy narrated through bright colours and wonderful photography. And even with Birdman as an opponent this film managed to win 4 of the 9 Oscars it was been nominated for. Surely if The Grand Budapest Hotel came out in a different year it would have won Directing, Writing and Cinematography as well. But as I always say Oscars don't make a movie better and this film is absolutely fantastic as it is, with or without those Academy Awards.

Carol (2015)

Beautiful

[8/10 · 25 January 2016]

Carol was different. I was expecting a great film full of contents and that was what I got. I was very satisfied with it but, nonetheless I was kinda shocked. In a good way. This film had a big impact on me. And this is so important with art (yes, movies are art) but it's not much considered nowadays. The directing was good but it didn't convince me. You can clearly see the big potential of Haynes but I think it could've been used better, or at least pushed a little more. The score was just beautiful. It totally throws you back into the '50s. I loved the different development of the two characters even though, in my opinion, the finale is too quick. It looked like the times of the film are perfect both to create a story and to let the viewer "interact" with the protagonists but at the end it's like they didn't have anymore time so they don't give enough space to let things evolve in a natural way. Although a it was a wonderful film and very enjoyable to watch.

Creed (II) (2015)

A pleasure to watch

[8/10 · 25 January 2016]

I'm not a huge fan of Rocky but I watched all the movies of the famous saga more than once and I loved the first one. I still remember when I went to Philadelphia, where some relatives of mine live; I was 11 and I ran up the glorious stairs with joy and excitement and it's absolutely true that when you're up there it seems you can fly. Watching the sun set over the city from there was an incredible pleasure. Even though I heard very good comments about this film when I went to watch to watch it I wasn't expecting too much but I got out ecstatic! The directing left me perplexed. I didn't like it at all in some shots but then I loved in some others, particularly the fight scenes. The beauty of this film is that you can enjoy it both if you're a Rocky fan and if you know almost nothing about it. There are so many wonderful quotes to the original saga that every time something came up on the screen (from the turtle to the ball Balboa always plays with and many many others) I smiled like an idiot. Jordan strongly got up from the total disaster that Fantastic Four was. Stallone was incredible, he moved me badly, nearly made me cry. The finale is wonderful. In a boxing movie you can end in one way or another. There's always the big fight and the protagonist can win or lose but here you see the beautiful touch of the screenwriter in how it ends. How Rocky and Adonis fight together, what pushes them and how they fight. A word must be said about the beginning as well. I loved how they catapulted the viewer into Creed's story. So pure and natural his mother's feelings and how lovely they showed the emotional progression she has about him. As I previously said I wasn't expecting much but I was very satisfied with it. Such a good film, a pleasure to watch.

The Revenant (I) (2015)

Insane!

[10/10 · 18 January 2016]

Oh. My. God. The Revenant was absolutely amazing! Di Caprio in one of his best performances, especially considering the incredible physical and mental (he actually did eat a real buffalo liver) exertion he had to put in this act. Tom Hardy, if possible, even better than Leo himself. Rising like a phoenix this actor is growing brilliantly, better and better every film. He deserves the Oscar not only for his incredible talent shown in this film but for the amazing development he's had in the last years. Iñárritu seriously overtook himself. The directing of this film is unbelievable. Starting with the scene of the battle at the beginning, one long incredible take of pure magic to the very end of it. His writing is great as well. Even if based in part on a novel, his touch is strongly present in the screenplay. The cinematography was the best part of all. Lubezki did an incredible work. The photography was seriously insane. And if you consider that all the film is entirely shot using natural light only (boom — mind blown!). I won't be surprised if he wins the 3rd Oscar in a row. This film deserves, at least, 4 of the most important Oscars.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Seriously terrible!

[4/10 · 27 December 2015]

Oh man, Star Wars was terrible, such a delusion, even worse than what I thought! Great VFX, very good photography as well as sound mixing and editing, and OK directing. Terrible acting, especially Daisy Ridley, and seriously awful screenplay; come on guys, my dog could've written better dialogue.

So much copied, badly, from Episode IV; (SPOILER —>) from Han's death, and the parental relationship between him and Kylo Ren (the new Darth Vader), to the destruction of the Death Star (or whatever is now called). Seriously, all the plot is a bad remake of IV. From a review I found on the web: "1) A droid has important information that must be delivered to the good guys (Episode IV, anyone?) 2) So the bad guys hunt for the droid on a desert planet (IV) 3) Storm troopers raid a village, killing everyone (IV) 4) A girl is captured by the bad guys and the good guys rush to the base to the rescue. (IV) 5) The girl and the boy have a friend zone relationship through the film (Ep IV, Luke & Leia, wouldn't be surprised to learn that they are siblings in Episode IV) 6) The stormtroopers, elite soldiers of the bad guys, still can't hit a barn door. On the other hand, the good guys always hit, even when they use a weapon for the first time in their life 7) Supreme Leader Snoke = Emperor with a silly name 8) The bad guys have a magnificent new weapon that can destroy planets (Ep IV) 9) They use it to destroy a planet loyal to the rebels (IV) 10) The weapon has shields that can be destroyed by going down on the planet and disabling the shield generator (VI) 11) The epic villain wears a mask that distorts his voice (IV) and sadly, looks better with the mask on than without it. 12) The good guys can only destroy the weapon with an attack by X-Wings on the exact target (IV) 13) The X-Wings have to fly in a tight trench in order to reach their target (IV)"

Embarrassing the fight scene when Rey is losing to Kylo and, by closing her eyes and looking for the force, she wins. And again, when she uses the force on the storm trooper to let her go I didn't know if I wanted to laugh or cry. In general, all her journey, a very small one, in learning how to use the force and mastering the technique is way to quick and not detailed; seriously badly thought. (<— SPOILER)

The touch of Disney is far too heavy on a film that should be serious, for adults, and it's been ruined just for the sake of making more money. I was expecting it not to be good but man this was way too bad.

The Little Prince (2015)

Best animation feature I've ever seen

[10/10 · 2 December 2015]

Best animation feature I've ever seen. Insane photography. Wonderful story. The cutouts scenes are absolutely magical. This movie uses all the powers of animation. With this incredible tool nothing is impossible, as far as you can imagine it, you can do it. Shots and compositions that would have been impossible to do on a normal movie can be easily done in animation. And this picture makes this philosophy real. As a big fan of good photography I couldn't be happier of how it's used. I love that 3 different techniques are used to create something original and so incredibly beautiful. This movie takes the story we all have read as kids and, in a way that only children could imagine while reading the book, takes it to another level, making it even more magical. It doesn't matter if your a kid or an adult, when you watch this movie you go back to your childhood and see things differently, using your imagination. Love the nice touch the French songs give to the film. Not only the poetic picture is insanely wonderful, but it also is full of beautiful life lessons.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

A total disaster!

[5/10 · 18 December 2014]

A total disaster. They did a wonderful job in the first half. Great study of characters' personalities, awesome Special Effects, really good development of the story. And then they screw everything up in the second half. The fight scenes were just awful. The story went to f*ck itself. The love story between the dwarf and the elf is so goddamn ridiculous. Just end that sh*t for f*ck's sake! Also with the Special Effects they sh*t all over. And what the f*ck was that walking on the falling stones?! Are you f*cking kidding me?! That is, unfortunately, one of the worst movie they could have ruined. Also because my expectations were very high and after the first minutes of the film they became even higher. But then they just f*cked up everything. Anyway, it's still a 6/10 for the good first half. Best thing of the film is the psychological development of Thorin. Such a great actor as well.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)

I liked it

[6/10 · 16 January 2014]

I love animations and visual effects so I love these films. The story isn't excellent but I don't care so much is these kind of films. Pixar is absolutely better in this, of course, but I love all these films, so I liked a lot also this one. The most thing I like in Pixar's films is that they aren't for children. In fact there're a lot of quotes that a child can't understand. Furthermore, the animations are really great, fantastic, gorgeous, something that a child can't realise and like totally. Although, there're a lot of funny moments but it's not enough for a better vote, so it's a 7, thanks to the animations. They are really well done, and also the ideas of the food-animals, or foodimals like the film said, but the story is just a 6. The first one was better, but I suggest to you to watch both of them, if you like animation films.