panta-4 Reviews

Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned (2016)

Masterpiece...

[9/10 · 21 July 2021]

Korean movies are always full of surprises and refreshing ideas... and this one, story-wise, must be having one of the most fantastic stories while claiming that it is a real event!

Mixed genre masterpiece of time-slip experience, drama, mystery, coming of age, crime and love story - all parts pushing to the max without losing itself in the process!

Wait for the credits, and try to decipher the secret messages... becomes even better after 2 hours and 13 minutes watching charismatic young actors giving everything best! Eun-soo Shin as Soo-rin will be remembered forever with this role.. at least by me!

It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

It's such a beautiful film

[15 July 2021]

A masterpiece shot on 35mm where all of the visuals for the film were captured in-camera with experimental optical effects and trick photography.

This film will have a huge impact on anyone with a three digit IQ! Storytelling of a highest rank looking on the the surface too simple using a stick-man Bill and describing his struggles in life.

Don Hertzfeldt (the animator) narrates the events using tiny excerpts plucked out from a bigger picture... matching the animation style .. gluing everything together with a perfect choice of classical music.

Do not miss it!

The Mystery of the Carpathian Sphinx (2014)

Worst kind of "documentary"!

[2/10 · 14 July 2021]

This is a typical self-indulging (I was tempted to use the phrase "spiritual masturbating" because that's how it looked to me) documentary about the topic which the writer, director, producer, narrator and everything else - Oana Ghiocel probably red couple of books about and had no real knowledge or expertise. I can vouch for that statement as an archaeologist, historian of art, philosopher and anthropologist!

Our wonder-woman Oana decided to do this documentary in English, with an IELTS level 5.5 (I guess she never past 6.0) ... so the mispronunciation and awkward screenplay writing "nicely" contributed to even less understanding of what was she trying to present to us as a claim! Her "star", Robert Schoch, "expertly" followed her lead agreeing to everything proposed as a possibility, just to convert and accept those possibilities as facts few minutes later, helping to reconstruct a spiritual Neanderthal world which can be real in their heads only! That is not science... that is how kids work!

So, if this was a kindergarten show I would give it 5 stars for educational and fantasy development... but if this claims that the Carpathian Sphinx points to a very old sacred world that we are just now beginning to unfold: the world of the First Spiritual Man, the misunderstood and little known man we most commonly refer to as the Neanderthal... even one star is too much!

By the way, I agree that the Neanderthal was much different than media and traditional science textbooks have portrayed him, but this documentary didn't show the Neanderthal in a new, unexpected light, one that might completely shock me, because there is not a single evidence to support all the statements and fantasies these two characters managed to bring forward in a romantic atmosphere of the Bear Caves.

If this was made just for someone to get laid... well, I hope it worked!

Something Unknown Is Doing We Don't Know What (2009)

Very interesting documentary about PSI

[7/10 · 13 July 2021]

"Something Unknown is doing we don't know what.." is known as a quirky feature documentary on the science behind psychic phenomena... and that description is quite accurate. Full of credible individuals supported with reliable experiments, this film is explaining possibilities of Telepathy, Clairvoyance, Healing, and Remote Viewing as a normal part of the daily possibilities of individuals who mastered the way to use them. This documentary by Dutch filmmaker Renee Scheltema, who was inspired to explore the realms of psychic phenomena, after a series of curious and unexplainable events happened around her all at once, will not give you all the answers, but it will open the door of thinking how to reach them yourself!

A real treat for those trying to understand the spirituality and science connection! I enjoyed it immensely!

XXY (2007)

Beautiful

[8/10 · 7 July 2021]

This Argentinian film will make you think... and think... and you will never have a definite answer what to do if this was your child...

Well written, amazingly acted, superbly directed story of a 15 year old hermaphrodite, living as a girl in a small Uruguayan coastal village with her family. Sensually played drama stayed away from any kind of exploitation even with the plenty of sexual experimentation around. The photography skills were extraordinary!

This is subtle and emotionally packed but sometimes draining... it is definitely a masterpiece of a rookie... no doubt there!

Silver Skates (2020)

Likeable!

[7/10 · 6 July 2021]

End of the XIX century Russian fairy tale in which two people from different social classes meet... one is an ice skating gang member who robs people for living, another one is a princess who reads "The Capital" from Karl Marx, and her father is legally robbing people... while his police beats those who complain!

The cinematography of Russian winter atmosphere was absolutely fabulous. Well developed, fast paced, extra long, historically accurate as it could be, with a touch of the feminist developing at that time around the Court...

Love story in a different setting and with a surreal feeling for most of us who rarely see snow. Beautiful!

Discover the Gift (I) (2010)

I enjoyed it

[8/10 · 6 July 2021]

OK... I see someone gave it a half star... so I guess this is not for everyone. It is an amazing documentary which reveals a lot if you are open to grow... but if you are someone who follows certain teaching which are always attached to unchangeable dogma - stay away from this!

Amazing interviews, many people who know what are they talking about, and few stowaways jumped but you will recognize them according to their deeds (or just talk) - all trying to let us know that the most powerful and most misunderstood force of this universe is LOVE... Albert Einstein said it - and all the people in this documentary agree with it.

I liked most of it, with the exception of "self-stimulating spirituality" of the Lichtenstein family! That part seemed cheesy! But I will leave that to you...

The Patent Scam (2017)

Corruption!

[7/10 · 5 July 2021]

Austin Meyer was a victim of a patent troll... so he made a documentary to show us all many challenges frivolous patent litigation poses for business owners and entrepreneurs!

The steps are simple: Non-practicing entities (NPEs) or "patent trolls", purchase vague, low quality patents - many of which should never have been granted in the first place - to claim ownership of commonly-used ideas or business methods such as searching for something using a computer. These low lives use corrupted judges and their lawyer sons in one of the Eastern Districts of Texas to threaten litigation against businesses, particularly small and medium sized businesses they know will not have the funding to endure a lengthy legal battle.

The truth is out there... sadly in 4 years from the documentary none of the politicians did anything... but siding with the lawyers who obviously have deep pockets!

Austin Meyer, thank you!

Plan B (II) (2021)

Refreshing

[8/10 · 3 July 2021]

This was refreshingly different teenager pregnancy drama with charismatic characters (Kuhoo Verma, Victoria Moroles) and mostly hilarious lines written by Joshua Levy and Prathiksha Srinivasan, in action superbly directed by Natalie Morales. I enjoyed it immensely!

Noticed that bad reviews all seem to be by older men. Interesting... because I am a 60 year old man and I thought that this was funny, engaging and relevant film! Don't listen to the majority of old farts... see it for yourself!

Female Beautician Rope Discipline (1981)

Niiiiice!

[6/10 · 3 July 2021]

Well made, kinky to the max, exceptionally informative soft porn with amazing acting from the main character... the rest of the actors were forgettable.

Shaky camera work added to the authenticity, and the directing was the way it should be for films in this category! Beautiful!

Her Pen Pal (2021 TV Movie)

Not bad

[6/10 · 2 July 2021]

Clare Niederpruem directed a chick flick the best possible way, using the story of Kim Askew and a screenplay done by Joie Botkin! Do not expect too much if you are a guy - maybe you will even be annoyed... but that still makes this Hallmark film a successful one.

Starring Mallory Jansen, Joshua Sasse and Lachlan Nieboer didn't bring anything but generic faces, so anyone else would do a good job, I guess.

Nice to enjoy with the loved one...

Clairevoyant (2021)

I will not want to watch it again!

[4/10 · 2 July 2021]

This mocumentary is about a rich and spoiled brat becoming "spiritual" in a sea of "enlightened sharks"!

Many similar vlogs are available, so, in a way, this one misses the target for me... repeating the things which we heard before!

A Stray Goat (2017)

Very heavy...

[6/10 · 29 June 2021]

Very heavy movie... almost feeling everything on your shoulders... depressing, dark, violent... almost deranged. Kind of a coming of age drama where everything goes wrong!

Good cinematography and acting but I will recommend it only for people who like slow burners and can handle injustice as something acceptable!

Translation of the movie was probably done using some translation software and it was one of the worst subtitles I ever used! Quite annoying reading something which sounded like a sentence from Yoda, not a teenager girl or boy.

Missing (2019)

Watchable!

[5/10 · 24 June 2021]

Online novel, new director, actress known for her naked photos... everything had a doom written all over it... but somehow this team pulled out a watchable mystery which sometimes was bringing me to despair with some of the screenplay solutions!

Fatherhood (I) (2021)

Another dramedy

[6/10 · 23 June 2021]

This is a second film with Kevin Hart venturing into the "dramedy" category. Following up 2019's The Upside, Fatherhood has a kind of a plot full with melancholy which brings the film to a borderline of boredom but the persistent positivity and his humour saved it few times during the 1 hour and 49 minutes on the screen.

A simple feel-good movie, watchable and far from spectacular.

Aika jonka sain (2020)

from Finland comes the beating

[6/10 · 13 June 2021]

Quite an inspirational story from Finland, if you can "survive" the first half which was somehow confusing and without a clear message... real story told without a proper pacing and dynamics and lack of artistic direction will always backfire with blandness! That is what happened here, too... but because I love riding and horses, and I understand the desire and the passion to be back into the saddle - gave it 3 stars. Watchable and enjoyable if you don't expect too much!

Bufo Alvarius: The Underground Secret (2018)

The Secret...

[9/10 · 12 June 2021]

This is too powerful to be ignored... and I am not talking about directing, screenplay and cinematography which was nothing exceptional... but the truth revealed here is priceless! And the way to reach it was not just revealed, but we could witness it.

I am definitely not a New Age guy... so I would go back to the first sentence!

The secrets of the universe are available to everyone!

Hold Me Back (2020)

Impossible not to adore!

[9/10 · 12 June 2021]

If you are up for something invigorating, refreshing and uplifting... try this! Perfect for anytime!

Akiko Ohku, as a director - you rule with this piece! What a masterpiece... if you can say that for a rom-com and a late coming of age drama (over 30 years old) hybrid!!!

What a screenplay written by Risa Wataya - a surreal kicks of wasabi feelings in your brain were constant reminder of the fragility of the main character - almost like living on the edge!

And acting of Non (previously known as Rena Nounen) just left me speechless. I didn't care what is she involved in the future - I will watch it! That girl has power and has the audience in her palm, holding us tight!

Unexpectedly great film - and nobody is talking about it?! What is wrong with these people?

In Action (2020)

I am generous with 3 stars!

[3/10 · 10 June 2021]

On the poster they describe themselves with following words: "they are writers... they are idiots... they're in over their heads...". Sorry guys, I couldn't "set my goose loose" because you were choking me with your underwear "costumes", non-stop talking rubbish, stupid plots and numerous ideas from the infantile minds which will never grow up.

They wrote themselves nice reviews, and those will be probably the only positive reviews here, unless their parents and relatives sign in! By the way, there is some potential there, but it needs lot of work to come up to the surface!

For now, stay away from this!

The Single Moms Club (2014)

Half way...

[5/10 · 9 June 2021]

There was something lacking in this story about five women who reside at the center of "Tyler Perry's The Single Moms Club". Different personalities, different social status, different education - connected through the misbehaving of their children in the private school they attend, these five single women form their own "club" to help them cope with the specific challenges they face trying to rear children on their own.

Directing was without anything exceptional, script was written by a specific group pf women by a man which everyone could notice, acting was better than the two mentioned above... cinematography colourful and insignificant... Somewhere in the middle!

Tokyo Family (2013)

Great remake!

[9/10 · 8 June 2021]

Yamada Yoji has been directing films since 1961, but internationally is best known for his late-career "Samurai Trilogy" (2002 - 2006). There is always a heavy dose of nostalgia in his films and this one is no exception! Director Yoji Yamada delayed principal photography of Tokyo Kazoku, a remake of Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Story, from the beginning of April 2011 due to the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and subsequent Fukushima meltdown, which occurred on March 11th 2011... from the beginning nothing was going easy!

Remaking a film like "Tokyo monogotari" (Tokyo Story, 1954), the Ozu film that is repeatedly voted to be the greatest film of all time, was very challenging task. I love the result - re-imagining of the original, with contemporary setting and some differences which could be almost called improvements!

Likeable faces with excellent acting skills, combined with great camera work and interesting cinematography revoking some old Ozu styles. As well as great directing, made this family drama one of the best ones coming from Japan.

Mazurkas (2016)

This film won something? Wow! Unbeliavable!

[3/10 · 7 June 2021]

I am glad this was just a little less than an hour long... it was too long as it is... it felt like a badly done intermezzo film they used on the TV in Europe between the shows in the 70's.

Bad camera work, bad screenplay, bad acting, bad editing... and some decent music!

Wait for Your Laugh (2017)

great entertainer

[9/10 · 7 June 2021]

Rose Marie... her name and legacy were unknown to me until now, so I am so glad that the director Jason Wise set out to ensure that this giant of entertainment receives her due. What a character she was - the most famous radio entertainer at age 4 continued for 87 years to sing and make people laugh! Only one with such a long career in entertainment!

You will see a 94 year old Rose Marie in the place where she is most comfortable - under the lights telling us about her big loves - her career and her husband! What a story... worth watching!

Goodbye Honey (2020)

No...

[2/10 · 7 June 2021]

Thank you to all the friends and relatives here for writing the good reviews... but this was a film which just made me think of one thing: Max Strand and Todd Rawiszer, do not quit your daily jobs as production assistant and gimbal operator! And I hope that you both are doing those jobs well, because the work you did on this movie was bellow any standards. Bad screenplay full with illogical situations, characters appearing from nowhere and then disappearing, cinematography with lack of knowledge of basic usage of light... directing was the best part with acting - they together deserved 2 stars!

And I felt sorry for those actors! Poor souls... they will suffer for years being involved in this!

Hare Krishna! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami Who Started It (2017)

Not too bad!

[6/10 · 5 June 2021]

It gave an impression of a very well made documentary... on the surface... but when someone digs deeper, you will be surprised that this was mostly a collage of the documentaries we've seen before with few extra interviews! I enjoyed watching all the footage about the life and teaching of Srila Prabhupada, but sometimes some of the events of this spiritual teacher who came to the West to follow the order of his spiritual master, were presented in a debatable way.

One of the things you could notice is the absence of the two charismatic and important leaders of the movement: Jayapataka Swami and Hridayananda dasa Goswami. Why? I have no answer!

What Srila Prabhupada's spiritual teaching was and what is the movement doing today and the reflection on differences would make interesting viewing, but it was not there!

So, it is watchable and to a degree enjoyable melange of anything connected to Krishna... and not much more!