Blue Jasmine (Woody Allen, 2013)
One of the better Allen's again. Blanchett really is good and I think the mix of drama and comedy worked well. I do believe Allen doesn't have a very clear and realistic view on the lower classes in this world. They don't live in San Francisco the way they do in this film and they don't all have bad taste in style. 7.5/10
The Last Stand (Jee-Woon Kim, 2013)
Korea doesn't direct well in Hollywood as it turns out. This film is also the return of 'Arnie' in cinema. It is ridiculous at times, and not in a good way. Not a good film and only at times enjoyable or fun which can sometimes overcome low quality. Not in this case. 4/10
Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971)
Best Peckinpah I've seen so far. Great directing in the last half hour, which has suspense all over it. Even though Hoffman's character is portrayed as a stereotype at first there is a lot more to him and he gives the film it's depth in a scary and convincing way, I believe. 8/10
Jean de Florette/Manon de Sources (Claudi Berri, 1986)
Overall slightly disappointing after all the positive reviews I've read and heard. The story is interesting but the directing is too safe and moderate. Becomes somewhat boring at times, the second film portrays some characters with a little more depth and nuance but overdoes it in the end. Still the second film is a little bit better, not only because I am not a big fan of Gerard Depardieu. 7/10;7.5/10
The Frozen Ground (Scott Walker, 2013)
By some hailed as the return of the 'solid' Nicolas Cage, true but this choice is a bit too safe. It is a by the numbers thriller based on a true story. We know who did it from the beginning, Cusack is portraying the serial killer somewhat creepy and his scenes with Cage are not bad, but this film lacks suspense and originality. I prefer a crazy Cage, luckily he is rumoured to have something to do with the new film of Richard Kelly. 4.5/10
Johnny Guitar (Nicholas Ray, 1954)
Unconventional western. Intentional colorful and played with by the director. Reversed roles (a stellar Joan Crawford) and plenty of sexual undertones. Above all, extremely enjoyable.
There's nothin' like a good smoke and a cuppa' coffee. You know, some men got the craving for gold and silver. Others need lotsa' land, with herds of cattle. And then there's those that got the weakness for whiskey, and for women. When you boil it all down, what does a man really need? Just a smoke and a cup of coffee. 8.5/10
Borgman (Alex van Warmerdam, 2013)
Absurd, funny and darker as ever. Van Warmerdam has a unique position in the Dutch cinema and after Cannes perhaps in European cinema. Not the worst billboard for our humble country in the cinematic world. The film itself is good, but not very much better as some of the previous films from this director. His absurdity is fun, but only works up to a certain point and doesn't keep your full attention (or concern) for almost two hours. Nevertheless, not your everyday movie. 7.5/10
One of the better Allen's again. Blanchett really is good and I think the mix of drama and comedy worked well. I do believe Allen doesn't have a very clear and realistic view on the lower classes in this world. They don't live in San Francisco the way they do in this film and they don't all have bad taste in style. 7.5/10
The Last Stand (Jee-Woon Kim, 2013)
Korea doesn't direct well in Hollywood as it turns out. This film is also the return of 'Arnie' in cinema. It is ridiculous at times, and not in a good way. Not a good film and only at times enjoyable or fun which can sometimes overcome low quality. Not in this case. 4/10
Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971)
Best Peckinpah I've seen so far. Great directing in the last half hour, which has suspense all over it. Even though Hoffman's character is portrayed as a stereotype at first there is a lot more to him and he gives the film it's depth in a scary and convincing way, I believe. 8/10
Jean de Florette/Manon de Sources (Claudi Berri, 1986)
Overall slightly disappointing after all the positive reviews I've read and heard. The story is interesting but the directing is too safe and moderate. Becomes somewhat boring at times, the second film portrays some characters with a little more depth and nuance but overdoes it in the end. Still the second film is a little bit better, not only because I am not a big fan of Gerard Depardieu. 7/10;7.5/10
The Frozen Ground (Scott Walker, 2013)
By some hailed as the return of the 'solid' Nicolas Cage, true but this choice is a bit too safe. It is a by the numbers thriller based on a true story. We know who did it from the beginning, Cusack is portraying the serial killer somewhat creepy and his scenes with Cage are not bad, but this film lacks suspense and originality. I prefer a crazy Cage, luckily he is rumoured to have something to do with the new film of Richard Kelly. 4.5/10
Johnny Guitar (Nicholas Ray, 1954)
Unconventional western. Intentional colorful and played with by the director. Reversed roles (a stellar Joan Crawford) and plenty of sexual undertones. Above all, extremely enjoyable.
There's nothin' like a good smoke and a cuppa' coffee. You know, some men got the craving for gold and silver. Others need lotsa' land, with herds of cattle. And then there's those that got the weakness for whiskey, and for women. When you boil it all down, what does a man really need? Just a smoke and a cup of coffee. 8.5/10
Borgman (Alex van Warmerdam, 2013)
Absurd, funny and darker as ever. Van Warmerdam has a unique position in the Dutch cinema and after Cannes perhaps in European cinema. Not the worst billboard for our humble country in the cinematic world. The film itself is good, but not very much better as some of the previous films from this director. His absurdity is fun, but only works up to a certain point and doesn't keep your full attention (or concern) for almost two hours. Nevertheless, not your everyday movie. 7.5/10
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