Enchorde Reviews

Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975)

Best film ever? No

[3/10 · 4 May 2024]

Jeanne Dielman... was recently named Greatest Movie of all time by Sight & Sound (in a poll of more than 1600 people that knows movies). So for a movie afficionado this is a must see.

Be prepared that this will be a different experience. Running at over 3 hrs this is an extremely slow movie. It is about the title character Jeanne Dilman, a widow with a teenage son and her everyday life. Mostly cooking, eating the food and then doing the dishes. Cleaning the apartment. And a bit prostitution (rarely shown) for extra money. Going to the post-office. One of the more dramatic scenes is when Jeanne discovers there isn't enough potatoes when she prepares dinner. Other scenes include: Doing the dishes (a scene lasting about 3 minutes), sitting in an armchair (also about 3 minutes)... and so on. So when they say Slow cinema they really mean Slow.

The camera is extremely static, it doesn't change even if Jeanne or her son is talking with their backs to the camera, or walks out of frame. I don't think I saw one pan at all. Most cuts are just done when they literally need to move the camera to another room. Most scenes are long, lasting several minutes. It is a movie so different from most everything you have seen. It is interesting in a technical way, I'll give it that. Perhaps it is also a way to emphasize the mindset of Jeanne and her life, slow and boxed in. I'll also admit is brave to make a movie so different. For this the movie has received great praise.

But for me it lacks one of the most important part of a movie. An interesting, engaging narrative. Simply put; a story. As it is it almost becomes a fictional documentary, even if there is a small development after about 100 minutes and actually ends with a bit of surprise. I get that a select few, most probably with some sort of connection with film making or academic studies of film, will find it interesting. But the broader audience will most probably find it dull. Mind numbingly so.

So, best film ever? Not by a longshot.

Good Night Oppy (2022)

A bumpy emotional ride

[9/10 · 9 August 2023]

A documentary about the building, launch, landing and exploration done by the two Mars-rovers, Spirit and Opportunity ("Oppy"). It is an interesting bumpy ride, both literally for the rovers and the team that built them, but also as an viewer of this documentary. It is very well done in showing the process of a space exploration project. But mostly it excels in showing how emotions and humanity get intertwined and connected to the science, and utlimately these rovers. And it wasn't hard, as a spectator, to get dragged in this emotional roller-coaster. So what we have here is a rare gem, a science documentary with a emotional twist. Highly recommended.

Becker - Kungen av Tingsryd (2017)

A little of everything, but not really anything

[3/10 · 3 December 2021]

Becker, advertised as a comedy thriller, is a enterprising Swedish movie set in a small rural town where Becker tries to rule the local criminal world. But now two new outsiders tries to move in and take over.

As usual, everything starts well for Becker but slowly everything deteriorates around him. His black market workers doesn't complete the school renovation, his underlings start to work for (are forced to) the outsiders, even his most trusted friend Stefan. His own (legal) furniture shop is threatened. And suddenly a woman turns up and leaves a girl, what is supposed to be his daughter. Soon his very survival seem unsure, so Becker has to do something.

I liked the idea and premise of the movie. If done well, these low budget, story driven comedies set in rural towns can be excellent (see Slim Susie (Smala Sussie på svenska) for a good example). But Becker tries to do too much, and be sublime about it at the same time. There is no character that is really able to deliver a fun dialog or some witty remarks (Becker tries to sometimes but fails). There is not really any good physical comedy, as the movie then would not be the thriller it also tries to be. There is very little action at all.

What there is is a lot of subplots. The polish workers and the school. The contract for the ice rink and the politicians, his kid, Stefan and his wife and I may forget a few. All of which are introduced, sometimes alluded to but never really explored or resolved. So when the main plot ends, and Becker gets rid of his competition, the movie just ends with stating that Becker is at the top of the world. Not a word about of how they took care of Stefan, his best friend and co-worker, that died. Not a word about how Stefan's wife reacted. Not a word about how Becker and his daughters wife resolved their issues. And the rink is totally forgotten. So, the movie tries to do very much, but in doing that, it never really does anything. It would have been so much better to concentrate on one subplot and really do that. And choose genre. Is it a comedy, or a thriller?

Again... an example of how to do it. Watch Smala Sussie.

The Walk (II) (2015)

Told with heart

[8/10 · 1 November 2019]

Based upon the real events of Phillipe Petit's tight rope walking betweem the Twin Towers, this is a beautifully told film of how Phillipe conceived, planned and executed the feat, or "the coup" as he called it. Even though, based upon the real events and therefore not any real room for surprises, the film has it's thrills and suspense. Also, the character Phillipe maintains that he is an artiste and that the coup is an artistic event. These values is incorporated into the movie. Phillipe, or rather Jospeh Gordon-Levitt in charachter as Phillipe, narrates the entire movie giving the story more depth and background, while also adding a subtle but warm humor. To enhance the story uses some CGI. This is beautifully done, sometimes subtle as when they play with the colours in Phillipe's reminiscence, or when the tightrope appears from thin air in Phillipe's mind. Other times it is evident, as in Philippe's walk between the two towers. In all, the makers of this movie uses the entire range of tools it has in terms of making a movie. From how the script is structured and the story told, to the use of special effects and CGI. I should also mention the cast, spearheaded by Gordon-Levitt. I think their acting is really good, giving heart and soul to the characters.

All in all, this is a movie i recommend. It is surprising how they can fill this rather straight forward story with wrinkles and turns that make it both suspenseful and fun.

The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964)

Honest, interesting and impressive acting

[6/10 · 3 September 2019]

An almost literal movie about the life of Jesus, according to the gospel of Matthew. With Pasolini not imprinting his own feeling or beliefs into the story it is very honest, with a authenticity to it that many other movies about Jesus lack.

In black and white, filmed in a rural area in Italy, the setting add to the stark and sometimes grim feeling of the movie. Pasolini supposedly used many local amateurs in the movie, even casting the student Enrique Irazoqui as Christ. However, he is perfectly cast, and delivers a striking presence (albeit being a human one). Pasolini's (and his crew) work in setting, casting, directing and filming the movie is impressive. The movie is agreat example what you can do withot needing a big budget or lot of effects. A good script and knowing how to tell it with a camera is enough. Aspiring movie makers might want to take notes.

However, as film entertainment goes, this is perhaps not the movie to watch for fun. Not the movie to watch when tired or wanting to relax. But there are other values in this moive, pick your moment and company.

Ex Machina (2014)

Makes you think

[9/10 · 31 July 2019]

A suspenseful thriller without fast paced CGI (although it did win the Academy Award for special effects - the effects are used in a totally different way). Instead the story is driven by dialog and the hints of hidden agendas (and there are a few of them).

It is slow paced, taking its time to make you think. The questions that the character asks of another are many times also directed to the audience. There is time to think about both ethical and philosphical questions, especially in reference to new technology, but also how we live and treat each other. What it means to be sentinent, and to be human.

You don't need to think about it if you don't want to, the suspense and story is good enough to carry itself, but it is that extra dimension that gives the movie an edge.

The acting and directing is very good, without anyone standing out. The entire (but small) ensemble is very good (I must admit that I didn't recognize Isaac with his beard), and director Garland knows how to make his points. He has also put in a lot of references, both to other (many of them with a similar topic) movies and history (especially in reference to technology). It is telling that the character often quote pieces that is associated with the development of the atomic bomb.

Recommended, especially if you want a movie that you can continue to think about even after the end credits.

The Fatal Glass of Beer (1933)

A surprising gem of a comedy

[8/10 · 3 July 2019]

This was included as bonus material on a disc with A Farewell to Arms. Never heard of it before, but when I had watched both the classic A Farewell to Arms, it is The Fatal Glass of Bear that I will remember.

W.C. Fields stars in this short set in the dark and cold wilderness of Canada. And he is brilliant. He delivers quirky lines ("I'll just go out and milk the elk...") with a deadpan seriousness that makes it impossible not to laugh. Or when he, for the umpteenth time, says ("It is not fit for man or beast to be out this night") and get splashed with snow in the face each time. Simple, but effective comedy.

It is a rare combination of slapstick, dialog driven farce, and detail (check out his sled-dogs) jokes. It is hard to put a label on it, but it works.

If you stumble across it, watch it!

A Farewell to Arms (1932)

Doesn't live up to the reputation

[5/10 · 3 July 2019]

Well, it is ok, but there are many other classic movies out there that are better, more entertaining classics out there (comparative in age is Metropolis, King Kong, Imitation of Life and so on).

The problem with A Fareweel to Arms is its failure to really lure me in to the story, to engage me. It is a slow story, some nice scenes with good settings and camera technique, but the story-telling is slow. However, a movie doesn't need to be fast paced to be entertaining, but if not the pace is keeping the interest up, the movie needs to be telling a catching story with characters I really connect to.

Sadly, the story focuses too much on the romance between the characters Catherine and Frederick, and not the issue of morality, humanity and war (supposedly hemingway was furious with this). The other thing is that I couldn't really sympathize with either of the main characters. They make choices that doesn't really put them in the best light. Frederick, a ambulance driver more interested in ladies than in his patients, deserts to be with Catherine that has left the country as well (leaving her post as a nurse). And it is not until later that he learns that Catherine is pregnant with his child (which could have been a moral dilemma to build upon, stay and do your duty or assume your responsibility as a parent). And the connection and chemistry between Fredrick and Catherine is not the best either. The passion doesn't seem to be there, and in a romance heavy movie, that is not good.

Still, it is not bad, worth seeing once. But had it been made this year (and not based upon a Hemingway novel), it would have been quickly forgotten.

Border (2018)

Unique, dark and probably not for everyone

[6/10 · 2 July 2019]

Tina is not like everyone else. She know it herself and it has haunted her her entire life. First, she is burly, has pronounced brows and teeth. She has considered herself ugly all her life. Secondly, she can smell if anyone feels shame, is deceitful or likewise. Something that is very helpful in her job as a customs officer. She lives in a small cabin far out in the woods, and feel most at home in nature.

One day at work she meets Vore. Vore is mysterious. Powerful and full of secrets, but he also look similar to Tina, maybe he has more answers to Tina's life than she does. At the same time Tina get to help the polive in following up a bust she made in customs, a dark secret hidden behind closed door in the middle of the city.

Both events will lead to Tina reavluating her whole existence.

The movie is dark, not so much that it builds upon old lore but set in modern day society, but it reveals such evil among us. Both supernatural contained in the film but also such evil that exist in society today. It is a bold movie, a story daring to touch and handle such topics as child pornography, and it might not always end up with the answers you wish for. But that also makes it an uncomfortable watch, it is hard to really connect to the protagonists. The movie makes a point of the difference between Tina and Vore and us, both physically and mentally. That makes it hard to identify or even sympathize with either one of them. And the movie is filmed in a rough way, some cuts and camera movement seem unpolished, something that reinforces the uneasy feeling.

On the other hand, if you want a movie that is different, perhaps not so much with surprises but with a new kind of story, this is interesting. There are twists and some unexepected developments. This movie tells a story that you definitely won't see in mainstream cinema. It has been praised at several film festivals, most notably Cannes.

I really wanted to like it, wanted that it should live up to it's hype. The acting is really good, I like a movie that dares to take a step outside the normal comfort zone. But I did have too much of a problem connecting to, feeling for the characters, and therefore wasn't able to engage fully into the movie that a good movie makes you do.

It handles topics so it is impossible to call it entertaining. It raises questions, but the supernatural setting sets it apart from real world so they doesn't really stay with me. I don't regret seeing it, not at all, but it isn't one of those movies you remember...

This Is Not a Film (2011)

In this non-film, the non-story is important

[7/10 · 25 June 2019]

One of the most peculiar documentaries I have ever seen. But also one of the most brave, telling and therefore important (not-)movie I have ever seen. Jafar Panahi, internationally acclaimed director, is sentenced to jail (6 years) and forbidden to make movies (20 years) by the oppressive Iranian government. He sits at home awaiting his appeal, unable to do what he wants, making movies. However, the ban didn't mention appearing on camera, so he sets up the camera and films his day in his appartment.

Considering this, you shouldn't expect much action. Actually nothing much happen at all. Panahi speaks with his lawyer on the phone about his case, he describes his next movie (which have been stopped by authorities) to a friend and discusses the day he and his family got arrested with a janitor. The dialogs got both a subtle humor and immense weight, just because they are describing real events, his own personal history.

And it is in that context this is such a brave and important movie. The drama (and subtle action) is in the point that we are _not_ watching his next movie. It is evidence and testament of the oppressive ban on a filmmaker, who just want to make films about people in Iran. It is a protest, pushing the limits of the ban. Panahi takes a huge risk doing this, which is why he mostly does this in his own appartment (but please take note of the final remark of the janitor, begging him bot to go outside and being seen with the camera, knowing in full what might happen then).

It is as a statement, describing the ban without ever showing it, that this is exteemely important. You won't be much entertained (although I didn't find it boring), but you need to see this, especially if you live in a democratic country thinking free speech can be taken for granted.

This Is the End (2013)

Fun idea - but too one-sided type of humor

[6/10 · 24 June 2019]

The idea is really good, and I bet that the actors had a really fun time. Because I don't think they really took care of the idea - it ended up feeling like some weird kind of frat party movie. The humor is almost only drug- or sexrelated, which gets old really quick (and probably makes it so that half of the viewers wil hate this and half love it with few in between).

But it does has its moments, it isn't really boring. And it is a good idea. Just wished they would have made more of it.

6/10

Hidden Figures (2016)

Both inspirational and depressing, both important and entertaining

[9/10 · 19 June 2019]

A strong movie, with strong performances, set within the space race era. I say set within, because this is not the story of how USA finally managed to send a human into space. This is the story of how three black women managed to stand up for themselves and fight for their rights (which they shouldn't have to fight for).

It is inspirational to see how these women fight and succeed in a time when prejudice against both black and women was everywhere. I am not saying that everyone was racists or regarded women as less than equal, but the system was. And how those women managed to fight and prevail in the system, hence changing it for the better.

The movie in itself, how the story is told, is pretty ordinary. It follows the classic path with steps forward and backwards for the the three protagonists. It is the story itself, the history in it, and the strength in the characters that make the movie really good.

But it also depressing and frustration experience. Frustrating that these woman had to fight for something that they honestly shouldn't have to fight for. Frustrating to know how many others that have had to fight the system, perhaps in an losing effort. How much both individuals and socitey both lost because of it. And depressing that many people seem to still hold those beliefs.

Then it is important that stories like these are told.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Zombie invasion made fun

[5/10 · 17 April 2019]

Shaun of the dead is a classic that have aged well. Not too dependent on effects, it feels like it could have been made last year (instead of 15 years ago). One of the first movies of what has now almost turned into an genre (World war Z, I am Legend and son on) it still has a unique and what still feels like a fresh perspective on the zombie apocalypse. Instead of being scary, Simon Peggs Shaun intends to do so well, but it never works out as he wants it to, often with quit fun implications. He and his friend Ed, not the brightest men around, try to rescue Shaun's (ex-)girlfriend and mother, evacuating them from their homes to take refuge in the Winchester pub. And if you can't outrun the zombies, you need to fight them. And if you can't fight them, you migt as well try to blend in...

It is a good idea, a fun story, with quite a lot of good scenes and moments with a lot of laughs. However, a few of the characters are just too much. They are too ignorant, too stupid, just too much. I think of Ed and Shaun's mother Barbara. By exaggerating the characters they go from fun to annoying. And that ruins quite a few scenes unfortunately. It would have been better if the would have managed to balance the characters traits better.

Get Out (I) (2017)

Unusual horror

[7/10 · 16 April 2019]

Chris, who is black, follows his girlfriend Rose, who is white, to meet her parents for the first time. It's a meeting where everyone can feel the pressure. And the racial issue is at the forefront, although Rose assures Chris that everyone will be ok with it. At Rose's parents house Chris starts to feel uneasy. Perhaps it is that all the help is black, or perhaps it is some odd behaviour from the help. And it doesn't get better when there is a family party coming, with many other family and friends acting very odd indeed. Chris is starting to feel singled out, something deeply disturbing is going on.

An unnerving movie. Jordan Peele, the director, manages to take us along Chris's mental ride. Nothing is revealed beforehand, and there is just the feeling, those few odd details, that something is wrong. Like Chris though, we have no idea what is wrong. At the same time, as the weird things keep happen, sometimes to a bizarre level, it takes on a streak of comedy as well. Augmented by some odd choices of music I can almost best describe this as a horror/comedy.

Unlike many other horror movies it is not so gory and blooddripping as others, not until the end, that is. When all is revealed and Chris need to fight for his freedom, you get some quite bloody scenes.

I usually don't like horror movies, but this as stated, is something else. In the horror genre for sure, but so different that my normal objections doesn't apply. If you also usually dislike the genre, you might want to give Get Out a chance. If you on the other hand are a fan of the genre, I'm sure you will love it for it's originality as well.

Jane Got a Gun (2015)

Average Western

[5/10 · 14 April 2019]

As westerns go, it is a decent movie. However, I expected, or rather hoped for, a little more gunplay and gunfights. Instead it follows a pretty standard storyline with a big shootout in the end. What is a little bit different is that it got some elements of a mystery to it. Portman's character Jane and Edgerton's Dan clearly have a history together, there is tension there, although very little about it is known or revealed at the beginning. What clouds the picture is that Jane is married, with her husband lying dying, shot by the bandits hunting Jane. Why they hunt Jane is also unclear though. As Jane and Dan prepare for the inevitable attack they talk and more and more of the events leading up to the situation is revealed.

It is an interesting story, which Portman and Edgerton delivers well. And it is a good movie. But, if you are expecting a movie with a little more action and gunplay, which the title lead me to believe, it also comes down lacking a little bit. It does have the final shootout, but is not as exiting as hoped. Too few exchanges and duels. More of a massive onslaught that forces Jane and Dan to take cover. No real suspense, as the battle tilts quickly in their favor.

Some nice talent, with Portman and Edgerton leading the way. Ewan McGregor also does well as the leader of the gang hunting them.

Certainly good enough to watch once if you like westerns. Too few new quality westerns are made nowadays, this is one of them. But it won't be mistaken for a modern classic.

The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)

A lot of song and dance

[5/10 · 13 April 2019]

The two twins Solange and Delphine, one a musician and the other a dancer, dreams of leaving little Rochefort and wants to move to cosmopolitan Paris. Currently they live with their mother, who reminices a long lost love ,and kid brother. It is soon the towns market days with a big party at the town square, and performers and salesmen from out of town arrive. A good chance to meet new interesting persons. At the same time Maxcence, a young artist, longs for when his military service is up. And at the same time the known American musician Andy Miller is in town visiting an old friend from school. And all is looking for love.

The movie is very much a musical, almost everything is said with a song and a dance. Not like Demy's other mucical, Umbrellas in Cherbourg, where exactly everything was sung to non-stop music. In The young girls from Rochefort there are separate song and dance numbers. It is well choreographed and easy to get caught up with the music, even though I don't speak French. It is a fun, easy going feel good movie that takes everything with a smile and a shrug. Even when one of the family friends turn out to be a murderer, it is mostly joked and sung about. And that may be the movie's biggest flaw. It is so focused and full packed with songs that it forgets the story. It takes a long time to pick up a thread in the movie, and things just happen, more than anyone actually has the agenda or motivation to actually do something (except sing and dance). Mostly what happens is that the obvious couples runs around town just passing each other by, missing each other by moments.

It is hard not to like the movie, but it is equally hard to really care fore it. When every character doesn't really seem to care, as long as the song and dance contiunes, I found that neither did I. It was fun to have watched this once, but nothing I think I need to see again.

Last Knights (2015)

Decent swordplay in medieval action

[6/10 · 13 April 2019]

Cliwe Owen stars as Raiden, captain of the guard to Morgan Freeman's provincial lord, Bartok. But when Bartok refuses to bribe an corrupt minister at the emperor's court both fall out of favor. Bartok is executed and Raiden, with his men, is forced out into the cold and starts to secretely plot their revenge.

The story is pretty standard, straightforward but sets does what it is supposed to do, be the reason to all the fighting. It is a decent actionmovie, especially if you like movies set in medieval (or medieval-like) times and swordplay.

Enjoyable and recommended if you like the genre, but nothing too remarkable or worth remembering. A good time while it lasts.

120 BPM (2017)

Deeply moving

[8/10 · 8 April 2019]

In the early 90's the activists in ACT UP fight for the rights of those infected by HIV. They want the government to inform the public of the risks and step up their work to prevent further spread of the infection. But they also target the medical community and companies and urge them to release and communicate their work for treatment and a cure.

Surprisingly, the group's actions is not the main focus of the movie. Instead it is the weekly meetings were everything is planned that are given most time. And it is the right choice, it is at the meetings all emotions, all frustrations, the dwindling hope and determination is vented. It is not a calm disussion, but often a heated debate. It is easy to get engaged with the activists, feel for and with them.

In the midst of all this Sean and Nathan meet and start a relationship. They share their histories, their hopes and their fears. Especially since Sean is HIV positive.

But it is not a happy story. It will not end well, as no story with a HIV positive did in the early nineties. It is not a susprising turn of events, but deeply moving. The acting is stellar, and it is easy to feel for the characters, sympathize with them, even though their lives is very far from mine.

It is an important movie, a engaging one. But it is not a feel good story. Watch it when you are in the right mood.

Supercon (2018)

Immature and sexist

[1/10 · 23 March 2019]

An actual good idea, a heist movie inside a comic-con, with the marginalized celebrities seeking revenge on the (of course vile) big star and the greedy organizer. Add to that some known names, most notably John Malkovich, Maggie Grace and I was intrigued.

Wow, what a disappointment this was. Extremely mishandled, everything from the script to the acting was so bad. And not even so bad it was quirky or funny, but just bad taste bad. Each and every so called joke either was about sex or human waste. It was so simple minded that if I said that it could only have been written by a few eight year old boys, I think I am actually insulting the boys' intelligence. And instead of the heist being the climax, it became a low point of toilet humor in its worst representation.

It is beyond me that the writers, who set their story in a comic-con, couldn't come up with jokes and references connected to the popular culture or fandom that is one of the fastest growing businesses today. Instead the jokes always centered around someones crotch (mostly testicles) or cancer. Actually, the most commonly used "joke" combined it - Testicularcancer. Hilarious? No.

Not surprisingly, the acting was rather listless. Quite a few of the actors and actresses are very competent, I know that for a fact. My guess is that they just did their day's work and got out of there as quick as they could. I would have too. I justed wish that I hadn't spent the time watching it.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)

Drama with a documentary feel to it

[6/10 · 22 March 2019]

The Miseducation of Cameron Post beins with Cameron Post being caught in the act of making out with another girl. Her religiously strict foster parent send her to a religous camp called God's Promise. There she, and other teens like her, will "pray away the gay". Needless to say, Cameron is not convinced of either the treatment, or that she needs treatment at all.

The movie shows a series of events, many of them sessions of the so called treatments or how Cameron and friends deals with them and the life at the camp. But there is no real thread of action or agenda from Cameron. It is just those glimpses of events in her life and thoughts and reactions from them. It makes the movie feel like a dramatized documentary.

Unfortunately, although an important message and story about those who has undergone "treatment" like Cameron did, movie-wise it does not become so engaging. It got some good acting, but without a story that I could follow, there was no real suspense built into it. That makes the movie less engaging that it otherwise could have been.

Free Solo (2018)

Inspirational and engaging

[8/10 · 16 March 2019]

Liked this very much. A documentary about Alex Honnold and his quest fo free solo El Cap, an impressive cliff wall. We get to follow his preparations in the years before accomplishing his feat, and learning more about Alex as a person.

This is a documentary about emotions and nerves, not about facts or learning something. I actually felt the anxiety and nerve wrecking moments as Alex hang by his fingers up on that cliff, even if I knew his attempt was successful. It is rare for a documentary to engage me emotionally so completely. Impressive.

But it should be noted, the documentary is as much about Alex as a person, and how his personal life evolves with his climbing expeditions in relation to girlfriend, family and friends. To me that was key, in movie terms, it makes the character Alex more complex, developed and therefore more interesting. It gives his climbs an emotional edge, so that they are more than feats of physical strength. It made the final climb attempt much more intersting, and the movie more depth.

Recommended!

X&Y (2018)

Bizarre and absurd movie.

[2/10 · 15 March 2019]

Warning. This review doesn't only contain spoilers, but might describe descriptions of disturbing scenes (as does the movie).

Anna Odell, an artist, recruits well known actor Mikael Persbrandt (very well known in Sweden, internationally probably most known as Beorn in the Hobbit movies), to make a movie about identities (and how they may differ from identities as portrayed in media). They are to live in a studio, with six other actors that takes on different personas from Anna and Mikael. One is the confident/aggressive side of Mikael, one is the artistic side of Anna, and so on.

We as an audience, don't know, what in the movie is real in the sense that what is their real actions/reactions or what is scripted. It is a movie about making a movie about... identities? As it works on different levels, there certainly is meta-level about the movie.

The events that unfold are mostly absurd and bizarre, with all eight people just trying to be two persons, and frequently leads to sex or sexual situations. There seem to be a simple mindedness in the movie that identity always lead to sex and the power of/over sex.

The movie is twisted, absurd and bizarre, and I had to make the decision that it is all just fake. Certainly provoking, but oddly, and a twisted sort o tale that I had to laugh at (to keep the distance from). If it in any way is real, a real experiment, a real project to explore identity, it is extremely distasteful, and some scenes would portray illegal actions (hence my conclusion it is not real, but a scripted forgery - otherwise it is despicable). For example, in one scene, Anna feels the urge to masturbate, but since she is in bed with her other personas begins to "touch" the other persons.

The problem is that the director has before seem to hold art projects above the law. But my guess is that it is one of the media images that Anna wants to play with and explore/challenge. At least, that is my hope. But this is in no part explained, or even talked about in the movie. But since the movie is about exploring/challenging identities of Anna and Mikael, it is an integral part of the movie, without never being in it.

Though bizarre as it is, it is not boring. It is provoking. And although I cannot agree with Anna's methods, there are interesting parts and scenes. Some scenes with their alter-egos are food for thought.

Does the project come to any conclusion? No idea. The movie gives no answers, and has no real ending. If anybody could interpret something out of this, it is only Anna.

Rough Night (2017)

So disappointed... stay clear of this

[2/10 · 9 March 2019]

I actually had some hopes of this, but that quickly disappeared in a juvenile bog of just not funny stuff. Already in the first scene, a game of beer-pong at a frat party, the movie revealed it's true nature. The joke in that scene to establish the tone of the movie? I am actually not sure, but perhaps that drinking way too much is fun. Oh, great fun. So fun, the main character Jess afterwards says; "I don't want to go to those parties..." while her drunk neighbour urinates in her bedroom. You see all the fun we can expect here.

So what do her girlfriends do when it years later is time for Jess's bacholerette party (that she doesn't want to have - she says so repeatedly). They fly to Miami, loan a beach house, and do a lot of drugs. Seriously not funny. All because, when a man turns up (who the girls believe to be a stripper - which Jess once again repeatedly protests) they can't (or just don't for whatever reason) call the police. What do they do instead? More drugs, and then eat pizza. That is the quality of the jokes you'll get in this movie.

But actually, that is not the worst part of the movie. Many movies has been built around morally dubious themes and can be really fun. Weekend at Bernies, Slim Susie are a few examples. The big difference is that the characters in those movies, with all their faults, are actually likeable. The five girls here are just a bunch of selfish, mean and spoiled brats. It was impossible to even sympathize with them. The least reproachable of them, Jess, played by Scarlett Johansson (she is otherwise a good actress who is able to make a character come through the screen), was in the best of places just bland. It made this movie impossible, the characters killed a lot more than the stripper. They killed the entire movie.

I actually can't remember laughing even once at this (and just saying, between my wife and me, I was the one who thought best of the movie). If you are about to pick a movie for some entertainment. Pich another one.

Lockout (2012)

Decent action

[5/10 · 6 March 2019]

This is a decent action but doesn't really cut it. Actually they try to do too much. What it is, and supposed to be, is a decent action. It is fast-paced, the story is not very good but that doesn't really matter in movies like this, but it got a few good characters. It is fun and entertaining.

Here is where it gos wrong, what they try to do but not really manage: It is a good action, but it actually tries to be a mystery spy-thriller as well, with some surprising twists. The mystery spy story doesn't tie into the main story at all, it just feels like an unnecessary add-on that plays out a little before and after the real movie runs. It also makes you question what the real ultimate goal for the hero is, and who the villain is. Not every line need to be an one-liner. The character Snow doesn't seem to be able to give a straight answer. What is charming and fun a few times quickly become tedious. Too many of the effects feel plastic, not really up to the task. What is perhaps most unfortunate is that most of those cgi effects are in parts of the movie that is more or less unnecessary.

Someone described this as Die Hard in space. Not actually a bad description, but where Die Hard manages too balance story, effects, characters and memorable moments Lockout just goes over the top.

The Big Sick (2017)

Interesting drama, but not a comedy

[5/10 · 23 February 2019]

Both the talk and trailer promised a good romantic comedy (The trailer quoted "Gut-busting funny" and "romantic comedies has a new standard to live up to) so the expectations was high. But this is not a funny movie, not unless you think a person getting hospitalized and nearly dying and a person being shunned by his family for following his feelings especially funny. I don't. Although there are a few peculiar, subtle jokes in there, almost all of them are in the trailer, so if you want the fun parts I recommend that.

But what it actually is is a interesting romantic drama, based on a true story. It is a different spin on the romantic drama with girl ending up in a coma and the boy having to establish their relationship through her parents. And at the same time, taking a look at how cultures might clash, and how you find yourself when you are divided between two. Unfortunately Kumail is a bit distant, not really giving up much clues about himself, so it is hard to really identify/sympatize with him. Ironically, this is critique that Emily gives Kumail inside the movie too.

But if you sit down, expecting a comedy, the risk is you will be disappointed. I certainly expected more, or at least, something else.