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Joan of Arc (1999)
An artistic take on the famous French hero.
I always enjoyed Luc Besson's work and this title is no different. A starry cast and an inimitable filmography make this movie highly enjoyable. The action scenes are masterfully choreographed the score is captivating and the dialogs are believable even though spoken in English. Milla Jovovich lends herself perfectly for the role of a brave and excentric Joan, for being the director's wife is not a flaw, for we can see her as tenderly and passionately as the director intends.
The movie is unique in the sense that portrays the narrative in a stylized manner bringing forth the mysticism of Joan's visions and their ambigual nature that ultimately torments the character. But my favorite part is the action packed battles, brought together with good acting, good extras, good props and perhaps a bit of special effects here and there.
Overall a good movie, that allows even for the most devout atheists like myself a long introspections about the meaning of faith, spirituality, ideals and a higher meaning in our lives.
Sostiene Pereira (1995)
A faithful portrait of 20th century Portugal
A beautiful movie depicting the tirany of Portugal before the 25 of April 1974. A past that many prefer to forget and that also many want to bring back. A moving story of courage and rebellion against oppression. A proof that a single soul can make the difference.
Very well acted by Marcello Mastroianni as Pereira, and I particularly enjoyed watching a young Joaquim de Almeida as the bartender Manuel. The score is not particularly moving for Morricone, but it has moments of beauty such as in the collaboration with Portuguese singer Dulce Pontes, which can be heard when Pereira is listening to a track (A brisa do coração) in a record player in his living room. The portrait of the city, the environment and the attitudes is masterfully done, a faithful portrait of XX century Portugal. The moment in which Pereira decides to go for a swim is very amusing, for Pereira tries to show the lifeguard that he doesn't need floaties and can swim well, and in such showmanship he almost drowns, the actor captures it very well.