The_Crys Reviews

Super Demetrios (2011)

A hero made in Greece

[8/10 · 7 November 2011]

I saw the film the night it opened, at the 52nd Thessaloniki International Film Festival. The movie is an independent, practically zero-budget production: the labor of love of a group of friends who, in their own words, have a great passion for the art of filmmaking.

The film comes out at a time when the country's much-publicized political affairs have left its citizens feeling bitter, jaded and in a state of perpetual hopelessness. The fact that festival attendance has been so great this year can only mean one thing: the people are in desperate need of entertainment, of the kind of solace that can only be found in the warm, escapist experience of watching a good film.

How fitting then, that in this year's festival, Thessaloniki enters a particularly elite club: that of a veritable metropolis with its very own superhero. Meet Super Demetrios, named after the patron saint of Thessaloniki. Humble, righteous and powerful, he fights for: "[...] Truth, justice and the Greco-Christian ideal."

The film's plot revolves around the most recent strike of one Captain F.ROM, the hero's archenemy. Tired of being scorned and enraged by the people's refusal to recognize him by what he feels is his true name, he decides to retaliate and it's up to Super Demetrios to save the day. The movie is a humorous, oftentimes exaggerated (as parodies tend to be), yet very astute critique on practically everything, from past and recent political scandals, to the economy crisis, the culture of fear propagated by the media, religion, and even the city's obsession with fast food.

Though the film's main appeal lies within the satire of the Hellenic cultural norms, the movie can still entertain foreigners who are not familiar with the modern way of life in Greece and Thessaloniki. Any viewer who has ever seen a superhero movie will surely derive much amusement from the complete and utter deconstruction of the genre's clichés.

The movie's two screenings were both sold-out, something truly remarkable, considering the fact that films by other, far more accomplished directors weren't as successful. I'm not quite certain what, if anything, this means. Does it prove that film-goers are thirsty for comedies in these dark, uncertain times?

Some may argue that I'm over-thinking what was, after all, a film that doesn't take itself too seriously. Even so, leaving the movie theater that night, I asked myself just what it is that makes a superhero so appealing to the public. Is it the fact that heroes become the personification of justice? Is it the quick, almost magical solution they tend to provide to seemingly insurmountable obstacles?

Whatever it is, my personal opinion is that what truly makes a hero, is the ability to inspire people. Taking that into account, I can't help but wonder who the true hero of the film was. Was it Super Demetrios, or the small group of independent filmmakers who proved that a lack of funding is not anathema to artistic vision?

I'll let you decide.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

All is mostly well

[7/10 · 14 July 2011]

Well, this is it. After fourteen years, we have reached the end of the Harry Potter saga both in print and on film. Like them or hate them, the movies were undoubtedly an entertaining experience to look forward to, and while I always preferred the books to them, I found myself feeling incredibly sad and moved as I left the theatre tonight. The end of an era, indeed.

This is by no means a bad movie, but it sadly fails to deliver as much as the first part did (which, in my opinion, was easily the best Harry Potter movie). The two installments are vastly different; it has been said that the first is a road movie and the second an action movie and the direction reflects that all too well. In fact, at times I felt I was watching a film by a different director. The change wasn't unwelcome, but a little eerie nonetheless. This is the end, and the director wants us to feel this to the very core, from the missing trademark opening theme, down to the feel of this film.

As with all adaptations, certain things have been changed for the transition to the big screen. Whether you enjoy them or not falls under personal preference, but the majority were welcome to me. The trailer makes this perfectly clear, so it shouldn't fall under the spoiler section, but the most noticeable change was inflicted on the very final battle. There is no crowd watching in this time, only Harry and Voldemort, both driven to the edge. The fight feels more personal. Yes, the other characters make it abundantly clear that by the end of the story everyone's lives have been affected by this war, but the burden still falls on Harry's shoulders; everyone else can only pave the way.

I won't waste time waxing rhapsodic about the film's special effects. The battle of Hogwarts is an absolute thrill to watch, though I never once doubted the well-trained Hollywood crew would fails us on that aspect.

Everyone gets their moment of glory in this film, be it as a character or as an actor. I had expected that Alan Rickman would steal the show this time around, and brilliant though he is, this is Daniel Radcliffe's movie through and through. Our little trio has grown up, and along with their blossoming into adults, we have witnessed them become better actors. Both Emma and Rupert do a fine job indeed --the latter thankfully not a mere comic relief- but it's Dan who truly shines. He has never embodied his role as much as he does here. The much-awaited forest scene is his crowning moment, where his performance had everyone in my vicinity in tears (or in the verge).

For specific nitpicks and personal favorite moments (including spoilers), move on to the lists below. If you're interested in my conclusion, skip to the last paragraph.

The Good:

• The opening scene

• The whole Gringott's scene.

• The Battle of Hogwarts as a visual spectacle

• The many shout-outs to the previous movies. From props to creatures and even a past running gag (Seamus blowing everything up), the creators of the film paid homage to the journey that led up to this, like a personal wink to the viewer. Very nice touch.

• The way Harry makes his presence known when in Hogwarts, signaling the start of the battle.

• The Prince's Tale. Understandably missing a few memories, but the way they blend into one another, and the way certain scenes seem to crop up to help the viewer place the later events during the movies made for a beautiful and touching montage.

• The final battle

The Bad:

• Voldemort's laughter when Harry's body is brought back from the forest. Never been a fan of Fiennes in this part (good actor overall, but he overacts in these films) and the laughter was just plain awkward.

• Neville's 'rousing' speech. Corny to the max and badly written.

• The many, awkward attempts for humor when it was not needed. The film has a very precarious balance here. Some one-liners are very well-timed and placed (Ron's line when the trio returns to Hogwarts comes to mind), but many will most likely induce more groans than chuckles.

• Dumbledore's entire backstory gone. Wasn't expecting a detailed analysis like in the book, but they could've made time for a little more.

• The off-screen deaths of important characters. Really hoping they end up on the director's cut or even as deleted scenes on the Blu-Ray.

• Voldemort and Bellatrix literally disintegrating. What? Why?

• The epilogue. I like that it focused on the most important part (AKA Harry's private word with one of his sons), but I always thought the essence of the epilogue lies in Harry's final thoughts as the train leaves King's Cross. Thinking of past horrors, he rubs his scar absently as Ginny tries to reassure him that everything will be fine. This wasn't really touched upon here.

Overall, the end, like the saga as a whole, was a bittersweet affair. As a film it has its faults and is certainly not a movie the non-book fans will easily follow, but it's the end, and it's thrilling, it's entertaining, a non-stop ride chock full of blood, sweat and tears.

All is mostly well.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

In one word, mediocre (minor spoilers).

[6/10 · 5 September 2009]

This installment of the series felt very similar to the fourth part, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"; plot was sacrificed on the altar of light entertainment.

The problem with all book adaptations is that unless the book is very short, there will be many elements missing from the film, and that's perfectly understandable. A screenwriter and director's job is to be able to overcome this issue by keeping a balance between plot, characterization and anything else that defines the book in question.

"Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" fails to meet this goal, which is a shame seeing as this book is far less complex than its counterparts. The story is straightforward, with very few important subplots, so I would have imagined that translating it into a film would have been easy. What's even more baffling is that although in previous films any chance for some action was milked to the last drop, in this film a very important fight scene is missing entirely, only to be replaced by another, which doesn't even appear in the books. Very odd and unnecessary change.

THE BAD: Only two memories of Voldemort's past were shown, which begs the question as to how Harry will have any knowledge of what to go after in the next film. Steve Cloves (the screenwriter) is back, so fans of canon Ron can kiss the lovely "Order of the Phoenix" characterization goodbye; Ron is once again in comic relief mode. Even the titular storyline, that of the Half Blood Prince, is so underplayed that when we do find out the identity of the mysterious person in the film's climax, it doesn't leave much of an impression.

THE GOOD: Excluding all the above (which is no easy feat seeing as they're pretty important), the film is very enjoyable. I loved Slughorn's depiction and nearly every scene involving him was executed very well (the Felix Felices scene in particular was a delight). The romantic scenes were, at times, highly entertaining, but overly abundant. The scene where Harry and Dumbledore discuss Horcruxes includes a very nice touch which is both a wink to the previous movie and foreshadowing for what's coming next; you'll know what I mean when you see it.

In conclusion, the film had some good moments, but it ultimately fails to deliver the important aspects of the book. It's very hard to satisfy fans, but I'd like to think I'm not asking for too much when I say: Less fanservice, more plot, please.

7th Heaven (1996–2007)

Yeuch

[1/10 · 23 July 2007]

No, really, that about sums up my opinion of this show, but I guess I'll elaborate.

I'm so sick and tired of these so-called 'morality' shows. If I had kids and wanted to teach them a thing or two about life, I'd tell them to read a friggin' book or ten, not subject themselves to this mind-numbing piece of steaming crap.

I've noticed most people who defend this show are Christians, and as much as I'd love to do some well-placed bashing, I won't, because I happen to have a lot of friends who are Christians and yet laugh themselves silly at the idiocy that is "7th Heaven". Kids who ask their parents permission to have sex? Daughters who ask their mother to find them someone to date? Are we living in the same planet here? Let us please refrain from extremities... Things in life aren't all black and white. The way this show presents it, you're only a nice person if you believe in a personal god, NEVER touch alcohol, NEVER swear, NEVER smoke, and --of course- have sex only after you marry. Everyone else is scum and should either revert to the 'righteous path' or burn in Christian hell. Can ya scream "Get off your high horse?" To add insult to injury, this show isn't even worth your attention despite the forced-upon morality. The plots are recycled and uninspired, the characters are two-dimensional cardboard cut-outs, and the writing is horrid and contrived.

And to all those people who defend this show by saying that it teaches kids a thing or two when compared to other shows... F*** that. Since when did mediocrity, denial, misogyny, propaganda and bigotry become good examples for your children?

The Matrix (1999)

A modern, futuristic masterpiece

[10/10 · 19 March 2006]

It was 1999 when I walked out of a theater in my hometown, feeling this insanely big urge to read philosophical books, re-read everything of PKD I owned and dodge imaginary bullets while doing cartwheels against walls.

THE MATRIX is one of the few (if not the only) movies that, I believe, forces people to think AND is of great entertainment value. If you're looking for a movie to both show you a good time and give you something to think about, look no further. It is Philip K. Dick and William Gibson made cool for the masses, without ever losing even a fragment of its intelligence as a picture.

What more can possibly be said about two --back then rather unknown- directors who managed to craft a film whose each and every aspect is a delight to witness on screen? There are very few film-makers in the industry today who can create a film that flirts with pretentiousness so wonderfully and actually manages to leave you off not bothered by that fact one bit. Science fiction, underlying philosophy, symbolism that is so vibrant you simply cannot miss it, beautiful cinematography, sensational score, the greatest action scenes ever seen up to that day (which have been since copied mercilessly) and a wonderful cast of actors and actresses. Can it get any better?

The story takes us along the journey of one Thomas A. Anderson, a hacker known in cyberspace as Neo (KEANU REEVES). Thomas leads a rather dull life anywhere outside his own computer, until the day he is heaved out of anonymity and boredom by the mysterious TRINITY (CARRIE-ANNE MOSS), subordinate to the legendary man Thomas/Neo has been searching for years, Morpheus (LAURENCE FISHBURNE). The plot soon thickens, as Neo gets more than he bargained for and comes to discover 'just how deep the rabbit hole goes'. The male, aloof version of 'Alice' in this phenomenal film gets thrown into a 'Wonderland' that proves to be cold, alien and terrifying, but more real than anything he had so far witnessed. Or is it? I will come out and state that I am a very big fan of KEANU REEVES. Although fully aware that he is not among the best actors out there, I am prepared to give him a chance to prove himself as an actor in any of the projects he gets involved in. When I later on heard that the original choices for Neo included Will Smith and Tom Cruise, I cringed. KEANU becomes Neo in this film. There is a certain style he has adopted for many years now in his acting, and for this film, it works incredibly well. Venturing into the film alongside him, you can feel Neo's insecurities, his hesitance to become what he is allegedly destined to. A reluctant hero is all his glory, and KEANU is very effective in conveying that. He pulls off the part of the leading man wonderfully, and is framed by an equally capable cast. CARRIE-ANNE MOSS counters the slightly feminine (or rather asexual) look and softer personality of the leading man, and does so brilliantly. As Trinity, she moves with the grace of a woman and the discipline of a mercenary. It is no stretch to assume that two-thirds of the leading trio were cast as such purposefully. The third person to complete the hero triad is played by LAURENCE FISHBURNE, an actor for which, I am certain, no words are needed. Strong leader, caring 'father' to his crew, unyielding mercenary. LAURENCE slips into his part effortlessly.

But surely, the greatest treat of this movie casting-wise is the awe-inspiring villain, Agent Smith, played by HUGO WEAVING. What a find! I have since then followed the man's career and was pleased to see that he does as incredibly as he did in THE MATRIX. Although fully convincing you the he is naught but a part of the machine world, HUGO breathes life into his robotic character. A machine with personality, you'll ask? I assure you that it is later on justified.

THE MATRIX is well on its way of becoming a jewel of a movie for the young ones to get to know, and the older ones to fondly remember.

I urge you to watch this movie again if you have already seen it and enjoyed it; you'll discover something new with every single viewing, since the amount of detail in this picture is almost insane. Kudos to the crew that worked so hard to achieve this result. If you haven't seen it, rent it as soon as possible.

This is not just a movie for people who (like me) enjoy comic books, Sci-Fi, computers and Kung Fu. It's a movie for people who enjoy well-crafted cinema. And if it gives you something to think about when the credits roll under the booming tunes of Rage Against the Machine, all the better.

Love it or hate it, THE MATRIX is a revolution. One certainly not to be missed.