JeremyAR Reviews

Another Man (2008)

Poor attempt

[5/10 · 25 February 2010]

This film is a poor attempt to emulate artsy cinema. First off, the actors, especially the lead, did an ordinary job in this movie. He becomes pointlessly arrogant as the film goes on, and I really didn't feel his clumsy attempts at seduction.

Sexuality in this film, instead of creating a romantic and sensual atmosphere, made the scenes really awkward, not adding anything to the whole story at all.

The black and white usually work well, but in this film it didn't. It just felt like a colour movie, without colour (as opposed to another recent black and white, The White Ribbon, which I didn't feel would have been the same with colour).

Overall, this movie offers nothing worth of renting it at the video store. I give 5 stars for the effort, and the music, which is good.

7 Days (2010)

Very disturbing

[8/10 · 6 February 2010]

This movie is very disturbing, and I am used to violence in movies. In fact, it is not the violence that disturbed me, but rather the very, very tense atmosphere charged with various emotions. It feels so heavy, I am still uneasy, an hour and a half after watching it. Those who have watched Saw or Hostel will find the violence bearable, but this is not a gore movie like these two franchises; it is a psychological film. I believe that knowing these actors very well (not personally) made me biased towards this movie. I am convinced that if the movie would have featured different actors, or perhaps if it wasn't Québécois, I wouldn't be as troubled as I am right now. It is a weird feeling that I cannot really explain.

The movie itself is very well done, technically and artistically. Daniel Grou's direction is near perfect for that kind of movie, expect maybe a few shots which, in my opinion, were unnecessary. The movie has no soundtrack at all; long stills of the character(s) in silence help getting in the mood, help understanding, if that's possible. Which brings me to this point: this is a rather slow movie. It reminds me in many ways of Asian cinema, particularly (some) Japanese movies (maybe Yasujiro Ozu). There is minimal dialogue, but well delivered by the actors and I have to give a mention to Martin Dubreuil, who played Anthony Lemaire. I didn't know him before this movie and he delivers a terribly solid performance here. Claude Legault is also excellent.

All in all, this is a great film. There is one thing I recommend though; do not see this in the theatre, because of the damned food and plastic bags noises. The silences in this movie need to be respected and it is very annoying when you hear someone talk during this movie, even more so because there's no music. Rent it or buy the DVD (Blu-ray?).

This is my first review, I hope it makes sense.