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ulrik_walther
Reviews
Krøniken (2004)
Nauseatingly Political
Why, why why?
The concept is great, the acting decent. Even the cinematography works. But the scriptwriting is so sickening that it the whole series deteriorates into a painful farce of both glorifying and gratifying tributes to the great achievements of the Danish Social Democrats and an almost obsessive description of the moral decadence, corruption and demise of the "upper" classes.
Had this production come out of North Korea, the DDR or even the Soviet Union, I could have lived with it. Had it been a 90 minute film, I could have forgiven the producers, but this is 22 torturous episodes of badly scripted, incredible and immature propaganda that is unlikely to have exceeded even Stalin's or Goebbels' quality bars.
My advice is fairly clear: Unless you are either very bored or very brainwashed, don't bother with it. Re-arranging your sock draw is more thrilling!
Danish Television and cinema can do and has done far better than this. Why did they ever produce Kroniken with such a cheesy message?
Syriana (2005)
Not cutting the mustard
A film with huge potential that promises so much and yet fails to deliver. Multiple plots, sub plots and confusing visits to cities across the Middle East and America are never synthesised to deliver a clear story. One is left wondering why certain scenes and characters were ever included in the first place - certainly the film would have benefited from their omission. The film's slogan is that "everything is connected." Perhaps it is in the real world, but on screen it comes across as completely disconnected!
Syriana also fails to capture the true atmosphere of the Middle East. If either scriptwriter or director have spent any considerable time in the region, it certainly fails to come across. The cinematography is at best average and fails to do justice to an otherwise fascinating part of the world.
The film was a real disappointment as it has great actors and the potential to be a great thriller whilst delivering a strong and clear political message.