regnarghost Reviews

Barbarella (1968)

Good charming camp, Fonda is hotter then the sun!

[7/10 · 12 May 2009]

Not nearly is sleazy as i had hoped for (i think i may have seen the "nice version"):& it still delivered plenty of fun with its campy plot and imaginative set designs.

The effects have aged bad. But everyone watches this for Jane Fonda anyway, and she is in almost every scene. I was somewhat surprised to see her not only live up to every expectation, but by far exciting them. Stunningly beautiful and incredible sexy,playing her character with amazing freshness, she left me reeling.

Plus, sometimes its not only a funny mess, but a visually arresting mess, take the scenes in the bubble for example. Beautiful. Psychedelic. Entertaining pulp with high charm-factor.

A bit comparable to Flash Gordon actually, they've got the same unpretentios and playfull vibe, although offcourse, they are children of completely diffren deceniums.

Communion (1989)

Unsettling and silly

[6/10 · 8 May 2009]

Nice attempt this. What seems to be a honest take on a probably manufactured story concerning aliens, or just supernatural creatures(don't remember really seeing a UFO), and its impact on a family's life. part horror, part drama.

How unsettling it is relies entirely on how you feel about aliens and abduction. The subject matter terrifies me, and therefore, it had me incredible uncomfortable during the first visit of the aliens. Its such a pleasure to see Cristopher Walker here, sitting around in different positions with clinched jaws. The director makes a tremendous job at presenting the abduction as a metaphysical and psychological collapse that clearly wont be remembered by the ones involved. Creepy.

As the film progresses some of this "visitors" turn out to look a bit like hooded Ewokds and it brings the experience down. Actually its quite interesting. These creatures are not as frightening as the grays, but logically, they are really not more unrealistic and silly. It kinda highlights how ridiculous this whole fear we have are. But for some (read the Paralysed Sleep thread on the board here) they might be very frightening.

Its still a pretty interesting film. The effects has aged well.

Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2007)

A Film I Wanted To Like More...

[6/10 · 28 April 2009]

Strong, if somewhat long-winding and clearly highly (well rather that then sneakingly) dramatised take on the rise of Genghis Khan.

A often fascination look inside a different, sometimes almost alien culture, but maybe somewhat shallow in this respect. It was certainly hinted at in scenes where the main-characters considered to leave their family's behind for the enemies, in order for some to survive. The film fares better as a action flick, witch the cover certainly hints at.

Its incredible easy on the eye, well placed camera positions combined with beautiful landscapes results in a amazing looking film.

While the main character was put in a lot of tight spots,he seemed to get out of them a little "easy", often aided by external factors, without earning it himself. Over time this robbed the film of its tension.

I also think different characters reached different position, seemingly very easily. One moment a character was a totally outcast, the next moment he was the leader over a huge gang of robbers and so on. Felt a bit left out here and there. I wonder if some bits and pieces were left on the cutting floor that shouldn't have been.

The actors were good, but you could tell that some of them weren't really mongolian, the main character was obviously either Japanese or Korean (Japanese as it turned out). This is at most a minor annoyance though.

Still, this film certainly proves that they can make quality cinema in Khazakstan. And those barbarians with animal masks made excellent and chilling villains. Its a fine film. But i wanted to like it more.

Inkheart (2008)

Nice cinematography... but the film is lackluster

[4/10 · 20 April 2009]

Another of those ever popular fantasy stories are borough to the big screen. The premise is the most exciting thing here. In this one the villains comes from a fantasy book into the real world to face the protagonists, and not the other way around. Its a neat idea. But as the story unfolds, Inkheart quickly turns into a substandard search and find adventure.

To work this film definitely needed better characters or a better story. Dustfinger was the only character with any considerable development, but even so, i was ambivalent about him. The part where he decides NOT to tell Mo about his wife being in the castle worked in context of his character, to a degree, but it also felt like a convenient excuse to take the story down a detour, witch could have been forgivable, if this detour was interesting to begin with.

The dad and his daughter work because they are archetypes and protagonists. But there is nothing noteworthy about them, acting or scriptwise.

The worst character is Farid. I haven seen a character come so totally out of the blue and then tag along for no apparent reason sense Jar Jar Binks crashed into Starwars, and Farid is almost as annoying. There are some hamfisted attempts at humour sorroung his character that really annoyed me.

The book hugging grandmother that decides to storm a castle with her bike also falls under the annoying category.

As for the authour? Lets not even go there.

If you're into this genre (like me) you might as well satisfy your curiosity and watch it, the film is colorful and features some beautiful locations and the effects are generally good. The camera-work stands out throughout the film. Nice framing and who ever handles it knows how to more around with it at the right places too.

The ending sort of pulls a rabbit out of a hat though.

Dream (2008)

Frankly, a bad film

[3/10 · 15 April 2009]

A man and a woman's life becomes entangled as she does what he dreams, or in other cases,he experiences what she does while sleepwalking. Its a storyline that Kim-Duk should feel right at home with. And for the first twenty five minutes or so it looks promising. Rich atmosphere with tasteful use of music. I was just waiting for him to really start WORKING with the story and ideas at hand.

I don't think he does that. To me it looks like Kim-Duks abandons much of his graceful soul-searching in favor of fleshy melodrama. Especially the awkward shouting-scene at the field, but the whole film has something contrived about it. The main-character are very illogical in their thinking, with may indicate that the film is meant to work on a allegorical level, but I'm dubious. The cinematography too strikes me as bland, with some interesting exceptions. There are faint echoes of 3-Iron here, the film that more and more stands out as his masterpiece, but lacks most of its subtle grace.

Well, until the end that is. The breathtaking and magical scene where she "escapes" confirms that Kim-Duk still has it in him,(but I'm not wild about how it ties everythinkg together so neatly), as much as i respect him as an artist, i think Kim-Duk needs to relocate and form ranks.

Adrift in Tokyo (2007)

Awesome little film

[8/10 · 8 April 2009]

For someone who as seen his fair share off quirky\artistic comedies i engaged into this story somewhat reluctantly, and i did role my eyes at some of the intentionally oddball jokes, before i decided that i actually liked where it was going. Its not a film i laughed much at, but during the last third or so, but it left me grinning, and in a elevated state of mind. Really. Awesome little film this.

It concerns a student and debt collector of the mafia, roaming the streets of Tokeyo for three days, and their pretty much random encounters and(small)adventures. Its directed with lightly and competent hands.

Parts i really liked:

1. The electric guitar weirdo roaming the streets of Tokeyo. Awesome! Not sure why the student lost respect for him because he was polite to the cops. I though he handled that very nice.

2. The student choking at the curry (that wasn't even spicy). This is a touching feel good moment handled precisely right!

3. The two main characters.

This really reminded me why watched films to begin with.

Bedtime Stories (2008)

Sandler has found his match: Children's films!

[6/10 · 6 April 2009]

Sandler plays a despised handyman at a hotel, witch once belonged to his father. Originally, he was supposed to be the manager of this hotel, but its new owner, does not have much confidence in him and rather keeps him as a handyman. When Sandler is forced to help his sister out and babysit her children, a chance of redemption is offered, when the tales that he tells them during bedtime, witch are inspired by his own life, starts to influence reality.

OK, first thing. Sandler, while not a favorite of mine and admittedly a downright bad actor, has always possessed something endearing to me. Maybe if i watched more of his stinkers i would learn to loathe him accordingly but i never quite been able too, and in this one i believe he has found his match. Children films, bad acting doesn't matter to much (kids doesn't notice or care) if the film is campy enough (and this is VERY campy)and i fore one think he manages to come across as a really likable average-Joe.

The script is very unfocused, but there is no mistaking the imagination involved here, the whole film realized with a gleefully off-the wall spirit that i personally found very disarming. For sure, some of the humor is lame as hell. But it IS a children's film, and for all the bad parts there are also parts that amused me. (I would love to live in a world where you could impress a girl by jumping at a fat guys stomach). The parts where Sandler tries to invoke the fairytale into his own life, resulting for instance, in him getting robbed, are especially funny. But the growing relationship with the handyman and the kids and the other babysitter, while maybe overly cute, are there to. Its well rounded in this respect.

All in all, an enjoyable film, even if its to long and has some embarrassingly bad parts.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Dishonest and shallow love-story with lots of style and sentiments

[4/10 · 1 April 2009]

This left me dumbfounded. I cant believe this film has garnered so much attention, let alone adoration. This got some the Oscars? I just realized this from reading glancing over the board, i though it was The Curious Case Of Benjamin Buttom that won best picture. Oh well.

I don't know what to say. Its directed with great style and i love that it takes place in Inda.

But its a little hard to care for such a flat character as the protagonist. But off-course you root for the underdog right? Oh, i definitely did initially, but as the film progressed and the love-story kicked in, i started to care less.

Take the scene where the brothers rescues the girl. First, would she really still have been a virgin? A man that burns children eyeballs probably would have sold her to someone already. Does this matter?

Yes because the film shouldn't soft panders us like that.

And would she really have been wanted to escape with them?

Run away with two street-thugs? No. People are not just trapped physically you know, people are trapped by their social situation. A girl in her situation probably would have chosen to stay as a dancer where she at least could earn some kind of living and had a sense of security.

But does this really matter? Its a "fairytale" right? Sure, but the film calls this kind of thinking and critics to itself by describing the ugliness of poor in almost gruesome details. It wants to have it both way. Its a dishonest and shallow picture in so many ways.

The love-story is underdeveloped. There is little chemistry between the two brothers. And its main-character is, as i already stated, very flat.

There are some great scenes. Jamal falling down in crap-house and then getting his autograph was funny and disgusting. But i found the film decreasing in quality as it went along. The scenes in the actually Millionary show was also quite good with the host turning in a good performance, being that kind of character that is written for the audience to dislike and loath.

Miracle at St. Anna (2008)

What was he thinking???

[5/10 · 30 March 2009]

Wow. I don't think i have seen a promising film fall apart so much sense Sunshine. Seriously, what was Spike Lee Thinking. I guess he really wanted to make a film about black men in WW2 and the issues surrounding this. I think he maybe got confused along the way, not knowing how to wrap it up or, so he started to reach for different ideas, and before the end the whole film totally implodes into a thematically confused mess. Its still quite a interesting mess, and for what its worth, and I'm glad i watched it.

Great camera-work, framings and interesting settings. We are easily transported into the world of this grunts and their situation. The actors are all very good and i personally didn't mind slow tempo at all. Actually, i liked that. The first half, and a bit more then so, worked really well for me, but as more and more elements were added to the mix i began to lose track of the story, or rather, any trace of its purpose. As for the racist subject, its there, and presented accordingly. But i wouldn't say that he actually DELVES into it. Still, one thing is certain, Spike Lee is only interested in bringing us 3D full-scale world-view. Persons are not easily defined, there are good people on all sides, and most people have doubts. we have Italian partisans, Italian partisan traitors, Italian fascists, and so on, and none of these are portrayed as anything other then human. Even though some people here does monstrous things we are not left with the impressions that any side are represented by monsters.

Just a few things concerning the ending.

1. The rising conflict with the black soldiers and their racist commander feels slightly forced at the end, although im sure things could turn ugly, Lee did not make it seem believable.

2. When American soldiers are in a fight they tend to take down at least five Germans before they die,(if they aren't surprised, offcourse), and when they are taken down they are normally shoot in the back or something. Yeah right. Grow up already. This sort of kill rate are OK in say Commando or Rambo but it doesn't work when Lee had set up an otherwise realistic tone.

3. Its nice that Spike Lee wanna show full fledged human beings, but having a German commander give a wounded American soldier a gun is little much no?

4. WTF does he want to say here. At the end on the island. His savior turns out to be the grown up kid. WTF is the point. It just comes across as incredible cheesy. I guess it looked smart on paper, or something, to bad it was tacked on a character driven war drama and not some smart action-heist-thriller.

So, yeah, the film fell apart completely but still entertained me for a long while. The relationship with the Italian boy and the big soldier became quite touching, as was their interaction with the villagers.

Ponyo (2008)

The Purity, Oh the Purity!

[8/10 · 22 March 2009]

Rendered in beautiful water colors, Ponyo At The Cliff is definitely a sight to behold, vaguely remembering the trailer, witch i didn't find that impressive, i was surprised at how beautiful and detailed it was. This film just washed over me with its purity.

At the center is a young boy that comes into contact with a sea creature, and its their relationship that carries the movie. Miyazaki is a master both at creating memorable imagery and showing young ones interacting in a believable way with their little quirks intact.

There are a few parts that didn't sit well with me. It would be an understatement to say that the music during a particular scene "resembled" Ride Of The Valkyrians, its a shame because such a precious film as this cant afford to take liberties and it hurt a otherwise truly great scene. The antagonist and its back-story never interested me either, but i guess it served more as a background then anything else.

Anyway, great film. The boat trip scenario with all its imagery and sea-creatures stood out me thinks. Pure and magical. And yes, handrawn artwork is more intimate then computer animated, I'm really pumped for Princes And The Frog now.

Synecdoche, New York (2008)

Sometimes maddening, sometimes glorious, or maybe both?

[7/10 · 21 March 2009]

Being John Malcovitch was super-smart, hip and very cynical. This is its maddening cousin: messy, clever and emotional. Eternal Sunshine definitely hinted at a more heart-driven creator, and indeed, this time Kaufman turns inwards.

Part of me think he dropped the ball, and I'm quite convinced he feels the same way, there is a lot of reflections on such subjects in this film. Illussions of grandeur, self-pity, but also humor and love.Its a brave film. Not as clinically funny as his two first film. He wears his heart on the sleeve here, even if its a confusing mess (intentienally) of a film that surely will reward patient people greatly on further viewings. Remniscant of classics like 8½, but also of Beckets short-plays ( especially its darkly wonderful brand of humor).

Its aptly directed, with a very nice score, by nature its a bit hit and miss, certain scenes are staggering in their confusing and heart-wrenching glory while other passes by unnoticed. Offcouse, different wievers will likely have different favorites.

I don't expect a new Kaufman film anytime soon. But i think this is a keeper.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

Satisfying if somewhat affected

[7/10 · 19 March 2009]

Just the premise, a man aging backwards, should warrant this one a shot. In its execution though, it reminded me more then a little of Forest Gump. For instance, the narrative with its humor (some are made to get struck by lightning) and the ongoing love-story. Maybe its a few shades darker, but its overall tone, is largely the same. Its sentimental, episodic, nostalgic, looks beautiful, and reminds engrossing through most parts of the picture, but fails to accomplish anything significant.

I though the way they made the character change throughout the film was quite amazing. Brad Pit turns in another good performance, but is clearly out-shined by Cate Blanchett. Likewise, the way the times changes are handled nicely, mostly just hinted at in the background with different trends (just one little misstep in this department: The parts with The Beatles on television).

I wish they wouldn't have to resort to the bookending parts where they read his diary on her deathbed. Its length also wore me out and i felt my interest fading for the last hour, but i probably weren't on the right frame of mind, after all, this is the kind of film you watch with your whole family during Christmas and in that context its probably great. So, all in all, this is a typical Oscar winner. For better and worse.

Gran Torino (2008)

Eh,,, It was alright.. well.. kinda

[5/10 · 17 March 2009]

OK. After the passing away of his wife, an Korean veteran is left alone in a neighborhood with almost only immigrants and a lot of criminality. He has little contact with his family, perhaps because he is such an ass, or because they keep undermining his pride with their care, whichever, the interaction between them is quite amusing. To be sure, most of the humor in this film steems from the veterans bad temper.

Through a twist of fate he gets some contact with his neighbors, an Asian family, whose hopeless son are bullied my the local thugs. Relucantly this old veteran starts socialize with this family and much to his amazement find them to be decent people.

While like some of Clint Eastwoods older films, i gotta say, I've probably grown tired of seeing him play the sullen thoughghuy. Its like watching Bill Murray turn in another performance as bored and sarcastic. You forget whoever he is playing and just see the actor.. Eastwood certainly knows his sticthc, but i wouldn't say this ranks among his better performances. Its a little overdone with the grunting and all. Still i had bigger issues with some of the other actors here, the Asian wimp especially, sometimes i just couldn't figure out if he truly was shy or really afraid of the camera.

All in all, the story plays out like you would imagine, but has a pretty neat touch just at the end. So its good, but not memorable. But most people like a hero*, i suppose, especially the tragic* ones, and Clint Eastwood sure loves to play em.

* Some would assert that this guy isn't a hero, because swears a lot and even is a racist, so he is a anti-hero, but i would assert that anti-hero's are our modern cinemas conventional heroes. More importantlym this also makes him more tragic(misunderstood) when he finally does something good (sacrificing himself).

EDIT: after some consideration decided to lower its grade, its just plays out to much as a vehicle for Eastwoods ego.

The Orphanage (2007)

Familiar elements

[5/10 · 16 March 2009]

Although there are some nice moments here, few of its ingredients feels even remotely fresh and it makes for a rather stale experience. Its aptly directed, acted, shot, but the storyline is too similar to a lot of other horror movies. The Others most obviously.(although this one aims to transcend horror into drama). Add some disturbed and some disturbing kids, a mother that comes into contact with supernatural forces and her rationale husband that doubths her. It feels like I've seen all that a HUNDRED times over.

I still like its slow tempo and its atmosphere, this is a film that really saviors its scary parts for the right moments, and i do like its conclusion, before then though, its derative nature had worn me out.

Seven Pounds (2008)

Hollow tearjerker alert.

[4/10 · 11 March 2009]

First id like to congratulate Will Smith for turning in such a fine performance. Then id like to state that this movie is a load of tosh. It has a interesting premise but doesn't show any concern for exploring any of the questions at hand. IT rather just "milks" them.

Very hollow. The first part plays outs quite intriguing, flashbacks scattered across, then comes a overly cute but still somewhat nice love-story, then we have the heavy handed payoff. Its a waste of time but its mildly entertaining in parts, if you really cant sleep you are excused for turning to it. The ending is a bit like Titanic. The direction is very middle of the road. Its basically a chick-flick for chicks and romantic guys into martyrdom.

Bolt (2008)

Paint By Number Of Highest Quality

[7/10 · 9 March 2009]

Although this largely is a "been there, done that" experience, it manages to be very entertaining throughout and even a bit moving in the right places. Says something of the developers involved i suppose. Quite reminiscent of films like Ice Age and Finding Nemo, parents wont mind seeing this, in fact they might chuckle as much as the little ones.

Its about this dog (Bolt) that is made to believe he has super-powers in order to extract the best performance in a action-filled TV-show. When through an accident he is separated from his beloved co star, the girl Penny, he naturally starts to search for her. Assuming that she has been kidnapped by evildoers. Along the way he encounters some seriously funny (albeit somewhat annoying) characters that help him in his quest, with becomes as much a tale of self-discovery. Its definitely better then Finding Nemo, i mean, that one didn't have any character development at all, but its also a bit derative.

First i figured i would give it an 8 but then i figured it isn't memorable enough for such a grade, even if its of highest quality. So 7 i suppose. And off course it looks great too (is this even worth meantioning with Pixar and Disney films?).

WALL·E (2008)

The silent moments triumph...

[6/10 · 8 March 2009]

Another fine release in Pixars growing and already impressive collection of 3D generated movies. I have to say i liked the rat better, but this one starts superbly. As a rule, the earlier you introduce something, the easier people buy into it. That computers here have personalities, therefore, isn't a problem ( and shouldn't be, more so then when animals talk or sing in other movies) because the filmmakers establishes it early on.

Its still probably wise to start the film of slowly to let us grow accumulated to this. And they do. He is quite adorable ("adorable", did i just say that) The way the film creators make us feel for him, his world and his struggle. And when they introduce Eve things really starts to hit off. A love story between robots. A love story between two mute robots (more or less). A love story between two mute robots in children's film. I was sold. I though it was magical and gutsy.

Maybe that explains why i didn't fully engage in the rest of the film. I mean, i liked the rest, the parts in the spaceship with the humans. There are some nice thoughts here and anti-authority thinking that i guess are wort wile. And off course the part with Eve and Wall-E in space. But all that chasing bored me and i never really warmed up to that pilot. Its a good film. No noubth. But i liked the rat better.

The Duchess (2008)

Decidedly good, if slightly one sided....

[7/10 · 7 March 2009]

Not sure why more people didn't like it. Really. It certainly is a handy piece of work featuring both interesting characters and highlighting an interesting life. Maybe people are a bit sick of period pieces from England, especially if they featuring Kiera Knightley and concerns love triangles and such. Lets face it, we have seen most of what is presented here in one form or the another.

Still, i found myself very much caught up in this drama. Its hard not to. The costumes (most deservingly awarded) and settings are really beautiful and there are some interesting characters that move in and out in the background, i especially liked (or loathed?) the parts with Bess. Films that are based on true evens inherently tend to be a bit less clichéd and harder to foresee, as i think was the case here, although this certainly cant be said for everything here.

I mean, take the part where Georginia wants to feed her babies her own milk. WHY?? Why does films like this force modern views on their protagonists. Because we couldn't sympathize with them otherwise? Please. Stop. Its just annoying.

On the whole though its a fine drama with good performances. Knightley proves herself more then worthy, don't believe the haters. Dominic is OK but needs more scenes to flesh out his character. Ralp Fiennes on the other hand manages to make The Duke if not charismatic, at least interesting, even though his character isn't explored as much as it should have been. (seriously WTF is his problem). This drama is rather one dimensional in this respect and though its sibling, Sofia Coppulas Maria Antionette did a better work capturing much of its thematical meat without resorting to pinpointing. That said, its still a very nice film, and if you are into period pieces you owe to yourself to check it out.

Waltz with Bashir (2008)

Well, **** me, I'm officially blown away.

[9/10 · 7 March 2009]

I knew i was watching something special from the moment it began. Those scenes were some evil looking dogs are running down a nightly street with some dark techno music in the background. It has a greet feel to it and looks superb. As it turns out the movie isn't that great looking throughout, its a bit uneven in this respect, but if you like the style enough it wont matter.

Reminding quite a bit of Waking Life and in style (though not really, this is actually animated) and last years Persepolis (in how it fills us in with a piece of history we aren't familiar with). The story in itself is pretty simple. Its about a ex-soldier who is troubled by the fact that he doesn't remember much of the war, just some brief but intriguing flamages, and decides to seek up his former war-buddies and shed some light on it all. His journey is also ours.

The directing shines throughout. The use of music is exceptional (for instance the scene with "This Is Not A Love Song", or the "Waltz For Bashir shooting scene in the streets, or that certain flashback/dream sequence for that matter). There are plenty of scenes through to both amuse us and perplex us. But through the animation we are still kept at an armslenght from reality. Until the end. This is what truly makes this film, not only a good one, but one of the best of the year. How it ties everything together in the last scene where the camera (in the protagonists head) breaks. Brilliant. Just brilliant.

Hancock (2008)

A boring and jumbled mess... devoid of wonder

[3/10 · 7 March 2009]

For some reason i couldn't quite believe this were as bad as people made it out to be. Wilsson as a superhero that is a complete jackass! Comon! That cant be a turkey right? At least its gotta have some great scenes buried within. Right? Unfurtanatly, not. It certainly has its share of interesting aspects, with the story and premise, and after a start, it neither felt very good, and neither that terribly, and i was just waiting for things to kick up a notch.

It just descends. One of the most annoying things about this flick is that i cant quite understand why it doesn't work. Maybe because Wilssons so intentionally outrageous character comes of as flat. Its at most mildly entertaining, mostly just bothersome. I think i start to doubt him as an actor. He tries hard and is mostly i likable fellow, but he seems to have a problem with fleshing his characters out, its all well in flicks like Independence Day but when he is supposed to be Ali ( as in that other film) or Hancock he fails miserably. Or maybe its the director who messed up and couldn't use him rightly. I honestly started to blank out by the end of the film because it all felt like such a unlikeable and boring mess, so its hard to comment on the directing of it, but it was probably both the directing AND the plot that faulted here. Its DOES try to shake up things and bring in a serious tone but like everything here it just felt gimmicky.

Onibaba (1964)

So good its scary.... Its also scary!!!

[10/10 · 2 March 2009]

Surely one of the best psychological horror movies around. Beautifully photographed (i will never forget that tall grass moving in the wind)with a slow but steady moving plot that slowly seizes a grip around your throat and then creeps into your brain.

Kei Sato is great as Hachi, the scoundrel that returns (deserting i think) from the war too hide out in the swamp, where two other peasants women live. The wife to a friend who was killed in the mentioned war and her stepmother.

Tapping into our primal and sexual nature of our beings, extracting all the goods from a dark fairytale, Onibaba is a disturbing and wonderful film.

Another thing i really liked was the harsh music at the beginning that seemed to mix Japanese folk and jazz. Wish i could find more like that.

Zero Kelvin (1995)

Superb thriller

[8/10 · 1 March 2009]

Gard, a Norweigen poet signs up for for some trapper organisation in Greenland. Assumingly looking for adventures and possible material for his writing. In Greenland things slowly starts to turn ugly. His boss Randbaek is a unreasonable man that seems to have a need to bully someone. The only other person on the station is a calm scientist that only engages in a situation if he absolutely has to.

One of the best things about this film is the depth of Randebaks character. Despite him being really foul and wretched there is plenty of glimpses of a person with regret beneath this rubble. At times he and Gard accomplished some kind of frail peace and at tmies Randaek even seems to respect Gard. But before there, off-course, they have already exchanged to many blows...

Its a raw and powerful film. With the icy north creating a great backdrop for their escalating conflict. Wonderful atmosphere. Lots of humor. With all the actors turning in good performances ( and with Stellan Skarsgard being particularly awesome). The film is at heart a mini-dram (even though there ARE some action) and much of it takes place in a primitive cottage. In kinda reminded me of the likewise excellent Runnaway Train. Great entertaining thriller with a serious edge.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Too Much Batman and Too little Fun (sacraligus)

[5/10 · 27 February 2009]

OK. Overall i do appreciate a superhero film with a more somber and serious tone and Nolan deserves a lot of respect for going trough with this. But even so, i don't think that has to come of the expense of less fun and less interesting action. Watching The Dark Knight i missed the witty bantering between Batman and Alfred, witch was one of my favorite parts of Batman Begin.

Other flaws:

1. Batman himself. He is a bit corny. Yes, you heard me right. I cant help but cringe when he does his Batman voice. I don't know if this has been a big issue on the board, but i think it should be.

2. Batman doesn't have worthy enemies. He is too damn powerful and dangerous. A film like this needs suspense, yet i never felt he was very threatened by anything. Booooring.

2. Too much Batman and not enough of the Joker.

This re-visioning of the Joker is surely the best thing in the film, and Huge turns in a GREAT performance. Joker as a psychopat you actually can believe in. His scenes are by far the most exciting, fun and just plain engrossing parts. I couldn't get enough of him. But who was he really? I was really hoping for some king of back-story(how did he turn out like that?!) but the film explored less interesting parts instead.

So we got Twoface and some nice musings on what truly makes a hero. Although i have to say the ending is pretty good. Im at loss for the hype surrounding DK and is not surprised that Nolan dosenst wanna continue, seeing that he had to struggle some to make ends meet here, and is probably sick of this franchie by now.

City of Ember (2008)

Flawed... but with enough of its own to separate it from the flock

[7/10 · 25 February 2009]

Had some trouble deciding my rating on this one. There is much about it to like, for sure, but there are also some flaws that cant be overlooked. It has great setting and atmosphere, an intriguing plot and charm to boot. Such things scores a lot with me. The directing is at times questionable though, there is little sense of pacing and there are some parts that feel tacked on (the crazy flumride anybody)just because its supposed to be a summerfranchie. The cute little girl is completely superfluous, and Bill Murray and Treadaway's Doon doesn't make enough with their characters (or isn't allowed too). One thing is clear. Its strenghs of this film mostly resides within the source material(witch i haven't read though). Its really nice for a change to see a fantasy film without a lot of monsters, the enemies here are brain-stagnation, greed and selfishness. Some parts had me snickering. The parts where they are handed there jobs through lottery (a jab at communism?)and the old man with the pipes. THe story is actually pretty good, not original, but tightly woven and deceivingly fresh with a timely message. In short, the source-material had the brains, but the director lacked the guts (or maybe just the talent, or were assasinated by his studio) too go through with it.

Still, it beats the latest Narnia installment, and the latest Harry Potter too for that matter. Also, Ronan, the kid from Atonement, turns in a good performance.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

You can always see its intentions through the script...

[2/10 · 13 February 2009]

This film left me in a funny mood. It left me both feeling cynical and shallow, and a bit angry at the studios and the directors for being cynical enough to engage it projects like this. Is almost exploative. Exploitation veiled in humanism. Its a well done film. Its got Tewlis in it, and it looks good without being selfcounscous about it. It also left me pondering how much originality should be accounted for. Is a good film or is a good film whether its been done before or not? Arguably, the amount of similar films shouldn't really reflect on the film itself. but in that case clichés wouldn't even be possible, you should apply some kinda quotient and WW2 and the Holocoust is some of the most mined subjects, hence its decidedly harder to make a good film about it. Maybe i would have liked this more if it were done twenty years ago?? Uh, yeah, maybe a little bit. And really maybe that little bit would have had an deciding factor. Problem is, its far to easy to tell the intentions of this film. If you're reading the premise, you can probably figure it out, and its message, is so easy to spot through the script its sometimes a little embarrassing. There are some nice parts with the family dynamic, in fact, this parts are far more interesting then main one with the little boy. Maybe if they had concentrated on that one. Shame they Didn't. As it stands this film comes across as tailor-made for unimaginative teachers with a ending you cant help but roll your eyes at.

Also kids are smarter that that.

Check out Shop On Mainstreet instead. Thats a great one.