Toph-22 Reviews

The Green Knight (2021)

Audiovisually a stunner

[9/10 · 16 January 2022]

'The Green Knight is further proof of the outstanding movies produced by A24. Movies that are very special because of their creativity, their ingenuity and their courage to take different paths.

Basically, it has to be said that you have to get involved with this movie. On the one hand, this is due to the entire artistic style, which is not suitable for everyone. And on the other hand, you also have to be in the right mood. I can very well imagine that you can easily be bored by this movie if you are caught on the wrong foot.

The underlying story is very interesting and anything but run-off-the-mill, but not much happens between the triggering events at the beginning and the end of the story. Paradoxically, I personally liked that a lot. The movie flew by, I didn't feel any lengths or unnecessary narration at all.

The movie captivated me with its outstanding images, camera angles, soundtrack as well as its overall staging. Every shot is like a work of art.

We accompany the main character Gawain on his odyssey, which corresponds to a self-discovery. The pacing is very slow, which gives us the opportunity to dive into the emotional world and let the images shown work and interpret them for ourselves. At many points, there is a wide spectrum of interpretation.

Of course, the movie can be said to be about style over substance. The images suggest in many places that there is more to it than meets the eye. Some events I could relate to, but some events left me in the dark.

But I don't care about that. 'The Green Knight' knocked my socks off audiovisually. Worth a watch.

The Guilty (2021)

Remake without new ideas

[8/10 · 4 November 2021]

Remakes often have a hard time. They are inevitably compared to the underlying original. With 'The Guilty' it's actually the case that I find both movies equally good. The US version from 2021 is in no way inferior to the Danish original from 2018.

This is simply due to the fact that the complete plot with all its twists and events is almost 1 to 1 identical. There are here and there some differing marginal details like the prevailing forest fire or that the family situation is a bit more present. Such things. Things that have nothing to do with the plot itself.

This movie doesn't do anything different or better at all. However, you can't reproach the movie for that.

For me, it's more a question of principle. Why remake a 3 year old movie and then do everything exactly the same? The main goal of a remake should be to give a basis for inspiration, to set new impulses or to prepare a movie for a new generation.

This version will of course appeal to significantly more viewers due to the lead actor and the fact that it is an American movie. However, I had the feeling I was watching the same movie with different actors and location. That's not good enough for me.

Now, of course, you still have to say that the movie is good and the plot and staging are refreshing. You don't see these kinds of movies every day. Acting-wise, Jake Gyllenhall performs on a high level as usual. Even if he acts close to overacting in my opinion. But that's complaining on a high niveau.

In summary, I can say. Whether it's this version or the original Danish version, it's definitely worth watching. The story is really something new. Much takes place in facial expressions, gestures and one's own imagination.

Atomic Blonde (2017)

Convincingly good fight scenes

[8/10 · 24 October 2021]

'Atomic Blonde' is one of those movies that I can watch over and over again and it just doesn't lose its impact. When I saw the movie for the first time I had no expectations and I was more than convinced. Since then it is one of my favorite movies and that although it is certainly not a masterpiece.

In the intro, you already get a foretaste of the direction the movie is going to take, which is then consistently followed through. The movie doesn't lose its pace over the entire runtime. There is no real hole.

The entire atmosphere feels incredibly authentic. The whole thing is underpinned by a really stylish, cool and coherent soundtrack, which strongly underpins the images shown.

The only point of criticism is the plot. It seems a bit confused and essentially serves to explain why a character gets from A to B. The story isn't really complicated, but you still think to yourself at some points, just accept it and don't question it.

But you can turn a blind eye to that, because the actual plot is in the background for me here. The overall look and feel paired with the really strong fight choreography let you quickly overlook it.

And that brings us to the crucial point. The movie has incredibly strong fight scenes. The camera is close up throughout and all the fights look handmade. That's what I want to see and not cut-up action where you can't see anything or which is just bristling with GCI. Some action movies can take a leaf out of this book. Showing and not hinting is the motto here. One of the best scenes of the whole movie is a several minutes long plan sequence in a house. I find this impressive every time. In these moments, the movie reminds me of a reduced, well dosed John Wick, only the setting and the framework story appeals more to me personally.

All in all, 'Atomic Blonde' is a solid agent thriller, which can more than convince with its atmosphere, look and fight scenes. In terms of plot, familiar structures, motifs and sequences are used. If you can overlook that, then you can really have fun with the movie.

CODA (2021)

Impressive movie

[8/10 · 22 August 2021]

I have not seen a movie like 'CODA' yet. The movie is about life in / with a deaf-mute family. 'CODA' manages to realize the entire story with an immense authenticity, dramaturgy and kindness.

The movie consistently relies on sign language again and again and leaves the viewer alone with it. It is fascinating what effect facial expressions and gestures alone can have. Through sign language, you don't understand what exactly is being discussed, but you do understand in which direction a dialogue is developing, which feelings are being triggered and what the context is.

The frame story is basically run-of-the-mill, but that's not the point here. It's more about the interpersonal relationships and the tensions within the family. In addition, it is impressively shown what it means to be deaf and with what difficulties one is confronted.

The acting performance of Emilia Jones also deserves special mention. She was really good and I found it impressive how authentic her use of sign language was. I totally bought her role.

It's really refreshing that there are movies like 'CODA'. Movies that break the conventional mainstream pattern and dare to go other ways. Of course, you have to get involved with the movie and be in the right mood. But it's worth it.

Free Guy (2021)

Convincing

[8/10 · 22 August 2021]

'Free Guy' is the kind of movie that you either like or dislike. There is nothing in between. 'Free Guy' could convince me.

Video game adaptations or movies that are about video games often have a hard time being convincing. This is often due to the fact that you can't identify with the characters or that the world created in the movie is not compatible with the one in the underlying game.

'Free Guy' is not based on a concrete game, but it uses classic video game elements and realizes them really well. You can identify with the characters unexpectedly well and it's fun to accompany them.

The movie doesn't even try to create a world that is as realistic as possible, but deliberately invokes a video game look. You know from the beginning what is going on here. The rules that prevail there are immediately understood and accepted.

Basically, you should not expect a masterpiece. The movie is fun and entertaining. The basic plot is nothing extraordinary and it is relatively quickly clear what the movie is working towards. However, the way the movie reaches its goal is really elegant and charmingly realized.

Not every gag ignites, but there are some laughs. 'Free Guy' also delivers some surprises, allusions and cameos. Taika Waititi as a counterpart was unfortunately too over the top for me. A bit more seriousness would have done his role good.

Apart from a few weaknesses, 'Free Guy' can really convince. You have to be in the mood and want to get involved with the basic topic.

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Disappointing conclusion

[4/10 · 14 May 2021]

The second part was already borderline. 'Matrix Revolutions' goes one better and falls completely into a mindless story and an ultimate shooting orgy without sense and reason.

Why exactly are there two parts? Targeted action interludes and a focus on the essential story (regardless of whether the story makes sense) would have made it possible to make both parts into one. It would have been good for the quality.

'Matrix Revolutions' is a huge disappointment for me. The philosophical approach from the first part was half-bakedly taken up in the second part, but in the third part at the latest it is completely lost. The focus is now on senseless shooting, where people shoot at a crowd of guard machines for several minutes and try to scream even louder. There is no tension at all.

What also struck me negatively is the character development. Neo has finally become the omniscient and invincible messiah and Morpheus has been degraded to an interchangeable side character.

The ending is a joke and if you think about it for 3 minutes and continue spinning what was said you will realize that it can't work like that. Also, some events are left without explanation, making these situations seem arbitrarily placed.

Overall, a disappointing conclusion.

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Can not follow up on the first part

[6/10 · 14 May 2021]

'Matrix Reloaded' wants too much and wants to go one better on everything. What was the non plus ultra in the first part is now playschool. Agent Smith becomes an entire army, one guard becomes a quarter of a million.

The same goes for the special effects. I don't need to see something in slow motion every 5 minutes just to make it look cool. Quantity instead of quality seems to be the motto here. Used purposefully, this is definitely a suitable stylistic device. Unfortunately, it is used randomly.

Basically, the movie digresses into inanities, especially in the early stages. I'm thinking of this several-minute rave in Zion, for example. The movie wants to give insights into the everyday life of people living in reality. This is basically the logical next step, but unfortunately 'Matrix Reloaded' doesn't manage to relate to the people at any time. Everything seems sterile and unapproachable.

In the first part, fight sequences were used quite purposefully. Every fight had its meaning. Here, I have the feeling that the fights are pure show interludes.

'Matrix' didn't just stand out because of the action, but also brought a philosophical approach into play. Unfortunately, this approach is almost completely thrown overboard in the sequel. That's a shame, because it's a feature that can set it apart from the normal action genre.

The point that really bothers me the most is the transformation of Neo into a kind of Superman. He can do anything and seems almost invincible. I generally find these types of characters difficult, because it's hard to identify with them.

Finally, one plus point of the movie. The scenes on the freeway were really good. I would have liked to see this kind of staging for the rest of the movie as well.

In summary, 'Matrix Reloaded' falls far short of following in the big footsteps of its predecessor. More should have been made of the strengths and special features of the first part.

Aliens (1986)

Too much action, too little atmosphere

[8/10 · 2 May 2021]

For me, 'Aliens' doesn't come close to its grandiose predecessor. In short, the reason for this is the lack of atmosphere. The first part shone through the certainty of the unknown. Sure, you didn't know what you were dealing with, but the whole way the eerie creature from a foreign world was staged and introduced to the viewer was brilliant.

The sequel, of course, has the problem of some knowledge about the alien, which in turn means that the story has to be approached "differently".

The first point that bothers me are the soldiers brought into the game. They are bursting with testosterone and try to outdo each other with churlish, clumsy and cliché-laden oneliner. There I was actually disappointed, because I had hoped the gloomy mood from the first part is continued. But then I knew the movie would probably be a completely different one.

In the second section, 'Aliens' drifts into an action movie and consists to a large extent only of shooting interludes, in which an even bigger gun is unpacked. The entire location would actually provide an ideal basis for a thriller peppered with horror elements. But the setting can't work reasonably and can't spread in the viewer's mind.

Towards the end, the movie really picks up speed and this section is also really good. This is mainly because the movie returns to the basic elements of its predecessor and focuses more on suspense and atmosphere. In addition, this is also because Ripley comes back more into the center. Ripley was a highlight in the first part and is again in the second.

Overall, you have to say, sequels always have a hard time, 'Aliens' has tried to go new ways, has done that basically well, unfortunately it does not come to the genius of the first part. And without the fabulous last third, 'Aliens' would have been just a normal action movie for me.

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Great successor

[8/10 · 1 April 2021]

'Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back' has it easier on the one hand, since the basic characters and the basic story can be taken for granted. On the other hand, the sequel is automatically compared with the predecessor and the pressure of expectation is high.

Episode V doesn't need to hide from its predecessor. On the contrary, it's even a bit better. The main reason for this is that the aforementioned basic elements no longer need to be introduced. This episode can deal with new things and, above all, a deeper story right from the beginning.

Starting with the battle on the ice planet Hoth. This is really good and can convince with the effects. The mood is altogether more threatening, darker and a bit more brutal. This part seems more serious and adult than Episode IV, but the funny and easy undertone of the characters is still not lost. This is mainly due to Han Solo, C3PO and R2-D2.

We also learn more about Darth Vader and Yoda appears on the scene (again). Yoda is one of the best characters, but I find him in the first scenes when Luke meets him like a senile, not serious, slightly stoned weirdo.

Overall, a successful continuation and an ideal starting point for the conclusion of the first trilogy.

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

The myth has a beginning

[8/10 · 1 April 2021]

'Star Wars: Episode IV - A new Hope'. The movie scores especially with its charm and atmosphere. You get the feeling that an incredible amount of time went into creating the worlds, the characters, the spaceships and everything around them.

The technical realization is really outstandingly good, considering that this movie was made in the late 1970s. The effects are handmade and you can tell. If you look at the movie today, the ravages of time have gnawed at it in some places, but that doesn't bother at all.

It's fun to watch the movie and accompany the characters on their adventures. For Luke, many things are new, as well as for the viewer. It's relatively easy to connect with him.

Narratively, the wheel is not reinvented, it's a classic good versus evil story. The motive of the antagonists is simply more power. Why this goal is being pursued is not really clear. In addition, all the typical character traits are represented. The suspense arcs are rather short and why the Death Star can be destroyed so easily is also not clear. You have to accept that first.

What struck me positively is the way the Force is introduced. The Force is simply thrown into the room as a reason for something in many places in the movie, but Obi-Wan explains relatively at the beginning what it has to do with the Force. This was solved much better than, for example, in Episode I, when Qui-Gon fails to explain the Force.

Star Wars Episode IV managed to create a fascinating world despite a simple story and to draw the viewer in, thus forming the basis for the Star Wars myth.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Dignified end

[9/10 · 1 April 2021]

'Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith'. Anakin's inner conflict comes to a head and becomes more and more extreme. The path to the dark side of the force seems to be paved.

There is no lack of grandiose battles in this movie. The initial space battle alone is outstandingly realized, has not been seen to this extent in previous Star Wars movies and does not have to hide from its successors.

Finally, Yoda himself twitches his lightsaber again before he goes into exile and disappears from the scene for the time being.

And last but not least, the epic final battle on the volcanic planet Mustafar. During this battle, the previous events replay before the inner eye, how it could come to this situation at all.

It also resonates with this pervasive tragedy. Anakin has chosen the dark path to help the person he loves the most. In the end, paradoxically, he himself is to blame for all the suffering he wanted to avoid. As expected, the mood is much darker than in the two predecessors.

Episode III is a brilliant and successful end to the trilogy. You've taken part in Anakin's development and you've learned the background of why things happened the way they did. This part manages both to create a suitable transition to episode 4, as well as to lead the events from the previous two episodes to a coherent end.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

Weaknesses on the narrative level

[7/10 · 1 April 2021]

'Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones'. Especially nice is the change of Anakin compared to the first part. In the first episode, you could tell that he was more than just self-confident, but his childlike manner covered that up and you didn't know what direction the whole thing was going to take. Now, as a young adult, Hayden Christensen manages to portray a character that represents a balancing act between arrogance and inner emotional conflicts.

He thinks that he is not given the necessary recognition and he tends to have uncontrolled outbursts of rage again and again, although in some places this is portrayed very exaggeratedly. Nevertheless, you can understand his motivation. He's not really likeable either, but he still manages to take the viewer on a journey.

But that's also because we already got to know Anakin in great detail in the first part. Otherwise, it would have been very difficult to connect with the Anakin from episode 2.

What has actually always struck me as negative is the seemingly non-existent age difference between Padme and Anakin. In the first part, Padme looks so much older than him. 10 years later, Padme doesn't seem to have aged a day and Anakin has "caught up" with her. This is not something that makes the movie worse, but it is very noticeable.

What makes the film worse, however, is the seemingly endless and schmaltzy love story between the two. Of course, this is important for the overall story and also for the development of Anakin. However, the whole thing could have been presented much shorter and the same result would have been achieved.

The entire storyline around the clone warriors is interesting and exciting. Obi-Wan has also managed to emerge from the shadow of Qui-Gon. Visually, the planets, battles, etc. Look excellent across the board. There are also some allusions to future parts, which struck me as positive. Narratively, it hacks in some places, but still a good second part.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Can supposedly not live up to the high expectations

[8/10 · 31 March 2021]

'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace'. A movie, which has a difficult standing in the fan community. For me, not understandable, because I really like the movie and it's a successful prelude to the formerly new trilogy.

Admittedly, the movie has weaknesses. First of all, the hair-raising attempt to explain what 'the force' is. Qui-Gon tries to explain to Anakin that there are Midi-Chlorianes which are the basis and the reason for everything. Anakin replies that he doesn't understand what Qui-Gon is trying to explain to him. Thereupon Qui-Gon lets it rest and the scene is over. Of course, you wonder what that was all about. So either you explain it correctly or you leave it completely. But so the whole thing seems really unnecessary.

The entire storyline is unnecessarily complex and I have to admit that I didn't really understand it. You do have the feeling that you can understand the motivation of the respective characters, but the entire political plot is not 100% clear. It seems like an overambitious attempt to get seriousness into the movie.

Jar Jar Binks. Here, you realize that the movie was made for a younger audience. Jar Jar is an attempt to be funny in a childish and clumsy way. It wouldn't have needed it. However, I didn't find it really disturbing either.

These are points of criticism, but they only bother me to a limited extent. Episode I has so many strong moments. The whole act of introducing Anakin, the way Tatooine is portrayed, the really well staged pot race. All these moments know how to convince.

The chemistry between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan is brilliant. And while we're on the subject of characters, Darth Maul is for me one of the best antagonists there is. The few scenes with him manage to build a mystical aura around him. The fight between these three characters is outstanding as well.

Episode I is hard to compare to the first Star Wars movies. And it is precisely this comparison that is Episode I's undoing. The movie were made at a different time, have a different tone and of course it can't be denied that this movie was also made for a younger audience.

For me, Episode I did what Episode IV did for many others. To ignite enthusiasm for the Star Wars universe.

The Snowman (2017)

Real disappointment

[3/10 · 21 March 2021]

'The Snowman'. To break the movie down to its essence, a lot, really a lot of potential was wasted here.

I do not even know where best to start.

The motive of the murderer and the figure of the snowman is not comprehensible. There is an attempt to introduce the motive and the viewer also thinks, ok, here comes the interesting background. But wrongly thought, the perpetrator and his thoughts are completely interchangeable.

This is supposed to be a high-quality, gritty thriller. Why the heck is CGI blood used consistently here? It looks incredibly inauthentic and gives the viewer the feeling of being in a B-movie. The few scenes I'm talking about would have looked so much better with real effects.

The movie starts with a good suspense at the beginning and the atmosphere is also oppressive. Unfortunately, this swings relatively quickly in the course of the movie. In the middle part, some parallel storylines are opened, where 1. it's not clear to me what that's supposed to do and what relation it has to the actual plot and 2. these storylines aren't even told to the end.

Much of the middle section could have been left out completely and the movie would have been neither worse nor better understood.

I can't shake the feeling that the producers were already thinking about a sequel. To be able to build up a film series, everything possible was simply thrown into one pot to have a sufficiently good basis for sequels. This has to go in, this has to go in, oh yeah, and this has to go in too. But please don't go into too much detail, otherwise the movie will take too long.

That's a real shame, because as I said, the potential would have been there. It is also unbelievable when you look at the really good cast.

Logan (2017)

100 percent Wolverine

[9/10 · 21 March 2021]

If you look at the X-Men series, 'Logan' stands out very clearly from its predecessors. It's more brutal, more melancholic, and confines itself to the essentials.

You realize relatively quickly in which world Logan lives, in a harsh, doomed world. The excesses of violence serve as a deliberate stylistic device to show what it's really like to fight for survival. Logan himself says that reality is not comparable to what is shown in comics.

There are occasional references to comics in the film. Of course, this is fanservice in a way, but I found it very fitting and helped to show this contrast between the ideal superhero world and the harsh reality.

The slow narrative pace, the dreary world, the dialogues and emotions reduced to a minimum can unfold their effect on the viewer. In terms of genre, the movie is reminiscent of a modern western in many places. Logan has never been known for his emotional outbursts or witty humor. He has now come to terms with the fact that his life is different from that of "normal" people. He's used up and that's exactly what you notice from the first minute.

'Logan' represents a worthy end for Wolverine, or for Hugh Jackman in his parade role. I can't imagine, in the best sense of the word, that there will be an actor in the future who can embody this role better.

'Logan' is, for me, one of the best superhero movies out there.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

The somewhat different love story

[8/10 · 14 March 2021]

'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' is anything but a classic love story. At the beginning, you think you know what the story is aiming at and which paths will be taken. Wrongly thought, the story takes atypical paths and shows in a creative way how two people find each other, fall apart and what influence shared memories have.

What do you do with memories that you would prefer to forget? Do you feel better when they are just gone or is it not better in retrospect to continue to have them in your mind, because they are actually nice memories to think about every now and then. Memories, both good and supposedly bad, are part of life. The characters become aware of this.

A mixture of melancholy, love and comedy resonates throughout the movie. Mainly, these emotional states are transported through the reliving of shared memories. These are worked up in abstruse, funny, beautiful and sometimes weird scenes. It's just fun to watch the movie.

The Theory of Everything (2014)

Too superficial over large parts

[7/10 · 21 February 2021]

'The Theory of Everything' tells part of the life story of Stephen Hawking in fast forward. The movie illuminates many facets of his life. Unfortunately, the movie does not take the necessary time to let what is shown have an effect, to give it the necessary depth. We mostly scratch the surface and connections must be opened up by oneself or you have to make assumptions. Meanwhile, the story is already moving on to the next stage of life.

In a biopic about Stephen Hawking, the subject matter of his illness must not be missing. Here the movie manages to keep the balance between drama and positive/funny moments. There are well-dosed elements from both sides.

On a positive note, the acting performance of Eddie Redmayne has to be highlighted. It was really good. His portrayal of Stephen Hawking was authentic and genuine throughout and never seemed forced. The increasing physical deterioration is touching and shows strength to still want to make the best of his life.

The movie is interesting, well made and entertaining. Time itself is an important factor in the whole movie and time is also the movie's main problem. It does not take the time needed to tell a story. Rather, it comes across as if it were a stringing together of important life events. But the context is often not recognizable.

There Will Be Blood (2007)

Modern masterpiece

[9/10 · 21 February 2021]

'There Will Be Blood' is a grand and powerful epic about the ceaseless pursuit of success. 'There Will Be Blood' is a movie about capitalism, about greed and the human abysses associated with it.

At the center is the oilman Daniel Plainview. He is an unscrupulous man who is willing to use any means to get what he wants. What he wants become clear relatively quickly. He wants to be successful and everything, really everything he does is aimed at this goal. Nobody should be more successful than him. He has no empathy and yet it is fascinating to follow this character and his development.

There are always moments when you have the feeling that deep down there is more. The pure pursuit of success is not everything in his life. These moments flash especially when it comes to his son. These are brief moments when his hard core cracks.

But the movie is much more than a character study. It is also a juxtaposition of morality and the human abyss. His biggest competitors are not other companies or the like. His biggest competitor is the seemingly harmless Eli Sunday. He represents the church (morality). He is in every respect the pure opposite of Daniel, but is not less extreme. Everyone is subject to temptations and so he too gives in at some point. Phasewise you have the feeling Daniel is the devil in person.

There is nothing special about either person. You don't even learn any real background information. They remain anonymous and could be replaced at will.

Also, it has to be said, 'There Will Be Blood' is bursting with epic settings and scenes. There are so many moments that remain in the memory. Be it the incredibly good opening scene, the burning derrick or the final scene. Every shot is like a portrait.

'There Will Be Blood' is a great movie that doesn't lose its intensity even if you watch it several times.

The Prestige (2006)

Great movie

[9/10 · 14 February 2021]

'The Prestige' is set in London in the early 20th century and revolves around the power play of two magicians. The movie lives from the fight between the main characters played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. However, it is not a natural rivalry in which they spur each other on to top performance. Nor is it primarily about being seen as a better magician by society. The focus is on the simple fact of wanting to be better than the other. And everything else in the lives of the two must submit to this situation.

It's really nice to see how this game keeps coming to a head and the limits of what is acceptable are pushed further and further. You never really know at what point who has the upper hand and in which direction the whole thing will go. The movie has a lot of smaller and bigger twists that are anything but predictable and lose impact even after watching it several times.

The character played by Michael Cane explains how a magic trick is constructed. It consists of three acts. In the first act, the magician shows something supposedly ordinary. In the second act, the magician manages to make the ordinary do something extraordinary. In the third act there is a twist and the spectator sees something shocking.

In the end, a trick is only interesting if you don't know how it works. This is exactly the point that makes you think and doesn't let you go.

This setup of a magic trick was incredibly well shifted to the level between the two main characters. Every segment of the two's fight works on this principle. The two shock each other over and over again with something that can't be expected or explained.

For me, 'The Prestige' works really well. I've seen the movie several times and it hasn't lost any of its impact for me. On the contrary, when you know where the story is going, you pay attention to other details.

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Insane atmosphere

[8/10 · 13 February 2021]

'Dallas Buyers Club' tells the story of an AIDS patient, played by Matthew McConaughey. Emaciated to the bone, he looks incredibly beat up. As usual he plays outstanding. Especially at the beginning, his character is anything but likeable and definitely not someone you want to have anything to do with. And yet, in is own way, he manages to catch the viewer.

Because of his illness, he begins to rethink his life and throw his previous attitudes/prejudices overboard. This was not necessarily unpredictable, but was conveyed credibly. He takes the viewer on a journey in which he comes to terms with himself and, as paradoxical as it sounds, at the end he is a better man than at the beginning. What I particularly like here, he doesn't change his attitude 180 degrees, his basic character traits always flash through.

The movie has a rather short running time, but still manages to present a serious topic and its consequences in a comprehensible and unembellished way. People feel as if they are not being helped, as if they are outcasts from society, and that is exactly what you feel. They have to help themselves and take every chance to do so, what other choice do they have.

You can also see very well how a lack f clarification or information leads to rumors that take root in society. Those affected are treated like lepers because there are people who believe the disease is transmitted by touch.

The movie knows how to convince with its pure atmosphere. That's all it takes here.

The King of Staten Island (2020)

Feels like real life

[8/10 · 7 February 2021]

'The King of Staten Island' is the story of Scott trying to get his life together. The movie lives from its dialogues, its characters and the whole atmosphere. You feel drawn into Scott's everyday life. This is mainly because the mood created is incredibly authentic. When Scott is confronted with his daily problems, it is done in a pleasantly smart yet sympathetic manner. You feel with him and think you understand him.

'The King of Staten Island' is a mixture of drama and comedy. The movie manages to keep the balance of both genres credible. The humor is often subtle, but just to the right degree. The serious backgrounds don't lose any depth or meaning at any time. Rather the opposite, the movie makes to highlight them even more through the wit. It presses into the wound.

The soundtrack must also be highlighted. It's really good and fits like a glove.

The movie has really funny moments. Just about every gag ignites and over the runtime there are no lows at all. 'The King of Staten Island' has its own style and remains authentic from beginning to end. I really liked the movie and it was fun to watch.

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)

Unbeatable in triviality

[2/10 · 7 February 2021]

If you want to describe the feeling that 'The man who killed Don Quixote' triggered in me, it's boredom. That's exactly what the movie is, it's boring.

The entire plot (if you can call it that) seems arbitrary and just doesn't make sense. At no point can you take what you see seriously. Maybe that's not even intentional. It's just that everything that's supposed to be abstruse, funny or comical is completely over the top and doesn't hit the nerve it wants to hit.

I can't shake the feeling that the movie wants to be much more that how it ultimately gets on the road. It's treading water and not making any progress. Does the movie simply want to be funny or does it also want to depict a kind of self-discovering process? Maybe both. But here you can already see the main problem. The movie can't decide what it wants and as a result can't transport it to the viewer. We'd rather show the next randomly chosen abstruse scene or lapse into overacting.

In fact, I can find almost nothing to like about the movie. Maybe I just did not understand the plot. For me, there are just too many times when I've thought to myself, what the heck? What were they thinking? I just want to understand. There is not structure at all, no red thread. Far too much seems random and this is how it works over the entire term.

I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

Do not believe your eyes

[8/10 · 31 January 2021]

What kind of movie was that? I did not know what to expect and was more than convinced.

Much of the movie consists of dialogue. At first glance, these seem trivial, if not unnecessary. But if you let them work, they say so much about the characters.

The entire atmosphere is intense, dense and a hint of unease swings through the room. You notice relatively quickly that something is not right here. It's a pleasantly uncomfortable mood. This is reinforced by the ongoing snowstorm and the 4:3 format. These contribute to the feeling of being locked in.

There are scenes that trigger a really oppressive, lonely and cold feeling. With time, you lose track of time. The distinction between reality and dream become blurred. You feel like you're in a fever dream.

'I'm thinking of Ending Things' is a horror trip into the psyche. The movie lives from its dialogues and the atmosphere created. The plot and ending leave room for interpretation and make you think. The movie is not for everyone, I really liked it.

Phantom Thread (2017)

Slow narrative pace

[7/10 · 31 January 2021]

Phantom Thread tells the story of two people who, at first glance, could not be more different. In the course of the plot, however, it turns out that they need each other more than first thought. The relationship of the two seems strange, seems false, seems bizarre. It is put to regular tests, but no one can divide them, because they are connected by an invisible thread.

Rarely I have seen a movie where I would say the title is perfectly chosen. It represents both the frame story and the connection between the two main characters.

The first half of the movie is tough. The focus is primarily on Reynolds' passion towards his profession. It is fascinating to see how a person really subjects everything to a certain activity / conviction. Acting-wise, it's also really well played. Unfortunately, the movie as a whole didn't get going at this point. The plot dragged on and it wasn't clear to me in which direction the movie actually wanted to go. Drama, character study, love story or the cat and mouse game of two people trying to improve the other.

The staging, the accurate shots at first sight wonderfully reflect the attitude of the main character. As soon as it comes to looking inside, the movie has a hard time. It's addressed, you're supposed to think it, but as a viewer you can't empathize. This is mainly because the characters are anything but approachable.

Towards the end, the movie picks up speed again. However, this can't take away from the fact that the movie's running time is noticeable due to its slow narrative style. Phantom Thread is definitely a special movie, you have to be in the mood. If you don't know what it's about, then it can get you off on the wrong foot.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

secret masterpiece

[8/10 · 24 January 2021]

'Eyes Wide Shut' is a multilayered and complex movie. At first glance this is not necessarily obvious. You think it's about the pure disintegration of a marriage. But the longer you think about the movie, the deeper you descend into the unconscious, into the inner self of man and draw further insights from it. You realize what a fascinating work this movie is.

A supposedly small event causes Tom Cruise's character to feel a sense of jealousy. That little seed in his head grows into a tree in a flash and throws his life out of whack.

What is the significance of human drives? How can these go hand in hand with societal perceptions? To what degree is something justifiable?

Each person plumbs this limit for himself.

The movie is characterized by precisely this inner conflict between societal values and the instincts that are deeply rooted in human beings. These urges cannot always be put into words or concrete ideas, but you know they are there. The main character embarks on a journey that actually lasts only 2 nights, but is perceived much more intensely.

This inner conflict, in which way he can satisfy his desire, is depicted with the help of the events shown. This does not mean that what was shown did not take place. It merely serves as a bridge, a parallelism to clarify the inner events.

The movie deals with complex processes in a human being, but in such a way that it remains comprehensible for the viewer. The longer you think about the movie, the more facets you recognize. That's what I like about this movie.