Regnmager Reviews

The Thing (1982)

Digging up schorched bones

[10/10 · 3 December 2022]

One of the biggest horror sci-fi treasures. Unbelievably chilling even after 40 years. Mystery, terrific acting, astonishing practical effects and dark, claustrophobic mood set by the plot and scenery are a founding stones for this masterpiece - and a lesson about passion and aristry for next generations.

No stupid comedy fillers, you can see here, that dialogues have weight of people really terrified about situation which they have found themselves in, without easter-eggs, puns and breaking 4-th wall.

As a separated laudation I'd like to thank Ennio Morricone for this minimalistic, cold theme piercing thoughout the film. Absolutely chilling, those bass notes. Wow.

Orzel. Ostatni patrol (2022)

Disgrace to the real story of the Orzel crew

[2/10 · 2 November 2022]

Disappointment starts with quote citation of Poland's current Minister of National Defence. Movie is overpumped, ready to explode with pathos, making no more space for anything else.

Scenario, music, cinematography, everything here is lacking, insufficient, artistically infertile.

I want to believe that talented men who were cast just had no place and possibility in this abhorrent scenario to spark anything to make their charcters feel like actual real human beings, instead of lifeless moving statues of Polish martyrdom.

And this is the main problem with our current Polish movies about national heroes - producers/directors simply seem to forget that people they want to honor with a movie were real people, with passions, upsides, downsides, with spark in eye, with tears on cheeks, taste of blood in mouth, full of honor, love, anger, fear.

Angels & Demons (2009)

On higher gear than its predecessor

[7/10 · 30 October 2022]

I am in love with adventures of prof. Langdon so far. Angels and Demons are bigger in sense of plot and scale - and does it quite nice. I very liked the form of one evening to unfold whole story - you really have feeling of competing against time.

Music is superb. I love the soundtracks so far and have to admit that Hans Zimmer was completely on fire writing those pieces.

Cinematography is ok, nothing really breathtaking but it is sufficient to be entertained. On the acting side I'd like to really compliment work of Ewan McGregor as Kamerling and Stellan Skarsgard as Richter - it was a pleasure to watch those gentlemen act, especially the former - he steals the show.

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Visually stunning, semantically depressing

[8/10 · 30 October 2022]

I havent read the original book yet, but as a.person especially curious about World War I period I found this movie as very appealing.

Visually and storywise it is a gritty, visceral story about young man who, brainwashed by nationalist propaganda, joins war effort as enlisted rookie troop to find out why war is not an adventure.

Cinematically wise - beatufiul wide shots, perfect color grading and sense of grandeur scale are present here. Great directing and acting from whole team. Its is really a spectacle.

Music is correct - not really an earworm, but during the screening it does its work correctly in capturing the tension, when needed.

Viking (2022)

Not quite my cup of tea, but not a bad movie

[5/10 · 20 October 2022]

Director is unfolding the plot before us with specific pacing, which is hard to describe. At specific moments story is dragging, and on another feels... just correct.

There definitely was an idea behind this project (as after the movie I had an amazing opportunity to listen to small Q&A session with actress Larissa Corriveau, which graced that evening's screening). Something around decade of thought put into this piece of art. For such a commitment to project I can respect mr. Stéphane. Also, I'd like to congratulate the actors and actressess which all of them did an amazing job.

The thing is - as I definitely keep with regard that this movie is clearly a work of passion, it just didnt resonated with me.

Pacing problems, too vague screenplay at times, some kind of inconsistency between humour, absurdity and drama have not synced with me and haven't managed to reach my sensivity. I found movie so uneven at times, that even my suspension of disbelief was scratching its head.

Anyway, my friend who was with me at the screening, very liked the movie, found it moving and important and we discussed it for hours after; so I guess everyone has to check it for him/herself.

Watched at Warsaw Film Festival 2022.

The War of the Worlds (1953)

Original in style, but faithful to the original book spirit

[7/10 · 23 May 2022]

The movie is very consistent in its growing despair tone and is not that out-dated as it may look to the young cinephiles, googling for photos in the web, as I did.

My love for vintage old sci-fi stories prevailed and I jumped aboard. Considering the epoque when it was made this is a solid OK movie. Actors do everything they can to set viewer in tone of hopelessness and they are believable, although you must be ready for more calm, almost theatrical delivery of dialogue lines than some indistinguishable from reality, visceral, believable job that is nowadays a standard. Special kudos for climate establishing presence and play go to dr. Forrester (Gene Barry), general Mann (Les Tremaine), Sylvia van Buren (Ann Robinson) and the radio reporter (Paul Frees). Mrs. Ann Robinson has some acting struggles, but without her the movie would be a lot less charming for sure.

Overall my opinion may be biased, because of mentioned love for golden sci-fi era stories and movies, but I recommend movie for a pleasant evening watch.

Paddington 2 (2017)

Simplicity is always a good idea

[10/10 · 19 May 2022]

I started watching it as a continuation of rolling joke from The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022), expecting nothing really impressive, nothing over just a simple good-time, heartwarming story.

I finished the movie with teary eyes and definitely under the spell of Paddington warm heart and kindness.

This movie is everything you'd want from a children/family movie. Entertaining but not dumb, funny in inclusive for all-ages way, innocent but definitely clever, and still it does not offend intelligence of older viewer, moreso it has a beutiful message, that everyone will understand.

Film in script, technical-wise terms of strict and always grumpy cinephile, which can be always found in someone in our friend group is of course not a some 10/10 Kurosawa, Kieslowski, Nolan masterpiece, but it does not matter, because Paddington 2 is a perfection in terms of good, heartwarming story for whole family. All it takes is to hang up our prejudices and trust this little bear, while he will take us on the adventure.

Invisible demons: tuhon merkit (2021)

It ain't much but it's honest work

[19 May 2022]

TLDR: Nothing astounding in terms of content and cinematography, but still a powerful image of dystopian future on our threshold.

Movie balances on the verge between vox pop and personal take on the topic by the creator, mr. Rahul Jain. Interviews with ordinary Delhi residents intersect with his off-camera thoughts, supplemented by scenes with a courageous journalist woman.

Documentary takes its time, giving us time to watch the everyday scenes of Delhi occupants life. Even if duration of the film wraps around only 70 minutes, the long, static takes make the film seem to last longer.

It is rather a depressing image of one of the least human-friendly places on earth, a postcard from hell, made with precision and factual adherence. Not very groundbreaking stuff for people interested in ongoing climate catastrophe, but still an important image and reminder for what is about to come if our leaders will not wake up.

Watched at Docs Against Gravity 2022.