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A fost sau n-a fost? (2006)
It's movies like these that give Art Cinema a bad name...
Have we been so stifled by Hollywood formulas and actors studio mannerisms that we need throw gold stars and superlatives at anything that does not retread plot devices or boast a familiar narrative contrivance? Is that the measure of good cinema? Anything that isn't a bloated American production? 12:08 East of Bucharest won the Camera D'Or in Cannes for what must the most self-indulgent, esoteric, longwinded one-note joke ever put on art film. We have needlessly long- shots, completely disjointed from the movie's rhyme-scheme, which does nothing but draw attention to the fact that you're watching a film that desperately craves acknowledgement for its bureaucratic pace and 'artistic' subtleties. But nothing congeals and the film's 2-3 minute inert shots and circular banter is reduced to mere gimmicks instead of underscoring (almost non-existent) themes of a stagnated post-communist economy and wishful democratic nostalgia.
This has all the hallmarks of a disastrous inside joke; though the characters are supposed to be quirky, lovable oafs they're never actually written to be anything other than 2-dimensional pastiches each equipped with one tragic flaw and completely irrelevant emotional baggage.
In spite of a few truly charming scenes during a live broadcast gone awry, this is trite, uneventful (in every way) and surprisingly pretentious art-house filler.
King Kong (2005)
Leviathan remake
With his re-imagining of King Kong, Peter Jackson ventures into dangerous waters with art house naysayers slating the CGI on one hand and fans of the original stubbornly condemning the films creative liberties on the other. It's called a remake, but much like Dawn of the Dead (2004) it really only keeps the premise and conceptual design of the original story, in favor of added characters, sub-plots and tongue in cheek references to the original.
Whilst the Kong from 1933 was an extraordinary accomplishment for its time, it most certainly was a film aching for a remake. Only nostalgia could really persuade me to sit through the original today, and as a piece of cinema, that's just not justifiable. Today Kong of the original looks inanimate and is reduced to a mere monster, and even though it's a tough one to swallow the remake actually digs a lot deeper and tries to tell a different, and better story, which ultimately is why it works.
It's a re-telling of the classic tale of beauty and the beast, with Naomi Watts handling Ann Darrow with exquisite elegance and guts. No more the scream queen, Ann finds a kindred spirit in Kong - the solitary last of his kind - and tries to teach him about being human all whilst her fellow breed is trying to kill or capture him. This of course doesn't mean King Kong is an essay on Human depravity or consumerism - far from it, but it manages to convey its story with such simplicity we in no way feel patronized. Any sort of genuine moral would be insulting to itself and the original. We know it's just an adventure film and a fantastic one at that!
Jack Black as Carl Denham, may have raised a few eyebrows, but the usually slapstick Black, shows himself as quite the capable dramatic actor as his Orson Welles-ian zealous and overly ambitious director. Other notable performances include those of Jamie Bell and Colin Hanks.
Thanks to the wonders of WETA and Andy Serikis, Kong is brought to life with intimidating detail and surprising persona. They manage to make the protagonist, the one we care most about - completely CGI. that alone deserves kudos, even though you could tell the CGI in places had been down-prioritized.
In conclusion King Kong of 2005 is simply bigger, better and bolder than its predecessors, leaving you gushing for more at the 3-hour mark. An amazing accomplishment which reminds us why love movies in the first place.
The Office (2001)
What television was and will never be again.
Needless to say, this is not a show for everyone. It's not a light-hearted show about fashionably single twenty-somethings' pursuit of love with whatever hilariousness that may come from that. It hasn't got a laugh-track, it doesn't concern itself with a target audience, and it isn't about delivering a punchline.
It's remarkable in its own right, that it was even picked up by the BBC, but that it would go on to be such a huge success, transcending language and culture is nothing short of incredible.
The comedy is in the characters, in the awkward silence between remarks, and how you see yourself in Tim, and people you know in David, Gareth or even Chris Finch. there are so many things to emphasize, but basically it's just about working in a job you don't really like, for a boss who thinks he knows everything, for much longer than you ever imagined. David Brent is such a pathetic man, that you can't help but like him just a little. He's a man completely defeated by society, fire-branding trite, political correct clichées with one hand and being petty, racist, derogatory and cruel with the other. "It's the hypocrisy about this place that I couldn't stand"
The fact that none of the characters realize their true nature is what makes it so funny. Tragic irony if you will. David doesn't know nobody thinks he's funny, gareth doesn't know no one respects him, and Finch doesn't know nobody really believes his stories. The authority figures in the office is either disillusioned or conceited.
But there is a very real and affectionate story of love here too. About finding happiness within a system that has been failing you for so long.
I haven't felt this way about a TV-show since I saw the Simpsons the first time. 'Action' came close and so did 'Scrubs', but this one takes the pot.
Honest Comedy.
Joan of Arcadia (2003)
Divine!
Few series have managed to spellbind me like "Joan of Arcadia has. It bears a bit reminiscence of David E. Kelley's "Picket Fences" and "Freaks and Geeks"; both of which made for brilliant television. "Joan" follows in the tradition of non-condescending youth-orientated programming with intriguing plot lines and awesome performances.
Joan Girardi is a young teenage girl who talks to God. Sounds silly? Well it is and it isn't. The manner of which God is presented to us, is simply unparalleled (God has a humor - who knew?), and the series avoids depiction of an arch-typical God, whom we are acquainted with from the Bible, Koran or Torah. This makes the show much more exciting to watch for people who seek a bit more than just another Preachy God-show.
I understand some people has taken offense to the way God appears in the show, but JOA isn't really about religion or mythology, but about relationships, specifically Joan's with God - but to the rest of the world as well.
Amber Tamblyn is perfect as the dazed and confused teen Joan, and makes for a very unlikely heroine, as she tries to figure life out. the show is witty, thought-provoking and well-acted.
Strongly Recommended.
Fight Club (1999)
The most important film of the nineties
It's a shame that Fight Club premiered shortly after the various shootings in American High Schools, and therefore received a lot of criticism for its violence. many critics were afraid to praise the movie or maybe didn't care to dwell beneath the exterior casing of this film. And that's a shame, because Fight is, and should be, the landmark movie of the generation X'ers. The movie is a cry out against consumerism, and promotes self-destruction as a way to rebuild you life. A life without the slavery of material and commodities. Fight Club offers a hole new way to think, and is provoking.
Jack (Edward Norton) is an average American guy, working a job he hates, trying desperately to fit the description of the ideal nineties single successful male. He has his Ikea furniture and other import necessities to fill the void where his existence as a happy man is questionable. Then he meets Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). Tyler turns Jacks life upside down and introduces Jack to his life philosophy: It is only after you have lost everything, that you are free to do anything. Tyler believes in physical pain as a mean to break down the illusions modern day society has brought upon us. Fight Club is started.
Edward Norton gives his best performance ever in this film, and Brad Pitts interpretation of Tyler is brilliant! Also great performances by Helena Bonham Carter as Marla Singer and Jared Leto as Angel Face. Also this movie is perfectly directed by David Fincher (Seven, The Game, Panic Room), and has one of the best plot twists ever seen on film. This movie may well be the most important film of the nineties.
The Believer (2001)
Intelligent and Provocative
I found myself alone in an small theater yesterday watching "The Believer". The absence of a crowd didn't have any impact what so ever on my experience with this film.
Daniel Balint is a promising new right wing extremist who, with his radical ideas and eloquence, wins over the minds of a small group of neo-Nazis. At first he expresses that he wants Jews dead because, as he states, anti-semitism is a human instinct. But Daniel is a Jew himself. He denies his roots, But as the movie progresses he must come to terms with who he is. And that's not always easy.
Ryan Gosling who plays Daniel is a frightening good actor, who almost manages to persuade the audience of his anti-semitic views. I really can't praise Ryan Gosling enough! He could be one of the great new actors to come. The interesting aspect of this movie is the mental struggle in Daniels mind whether he's a Nazi or a Jew. Or both? It's about finding out who you are. The films poses some very intelligent questions, and provokes at times, and this is the films force. This movie is brilliant! Go see it!
Deceiver (1997)
What a surprise!
This film was great!It ranks right up there long with The Usual Suspects. This movie made Tim Roth one of my favorite actors.
The movie itself is very well written and directed, although i would have liked to get a little better insight into Det. Kennesaw personal life. I saw half of this movie on tv, and thought, that it was good. Then i realized my mom had on video, and i sat down to watch it from the beginning. It was fantastic! Tim Roth should have been nominated for an Oscar for his performance in this dark noir film. Unfortunately, not many people have seen this movie, and it's a shame. Deceiver is really great!
4/5