Week 10 and 11 in film

True Detective - Season 1 (Nic Pizzolatto, 2014)
I couldn't resist. A detective series that resonates Twin Peaks and focuses on the flawed characters. Exactly my cup of tea. Most of this series is excellent, even brilliant sometimes, like the final part of the fourth episode. If I was disappointed somewhere along the road, it was during the final episode. It is great, but I expected more angles after the build up in the previous episodes. Perhaps, could have used a couple of episodes more. Nevertheless, a must see for anyone who likes (detective)series. And I haven't even mentioned the stellar performances. 8.5/10



La haine (Mathieu Kassovitz, 1995)
Decent character study of angry youth in the French banlieus. They are bored, violent and represent the problems that are present. Despite all violence, hostility and sincere characters this film didn't move me as I had anticipated. 7/10

Soylent Green (Richard Fleischer, 1973)
It's the future, all food is from soy, its color depends on the day. A funny and possibly interesting notion, but this film sucks. Even with Edward G. Robinson the scenes don't work well, accept for one dreamlike one towards the ending. It has to be said: Charles Heston, who has the lead roll, is terrible in this film. Every first year film student would be embarrassed by producing such lame action scenes. 3.5/10

Touchez pas au grisbi (Jacques Becker, 1954)
A French gangster film from Becker, the director who made the  perfect Le trou (1960). Has the typical french elements that are present in almost every french crime film, a genre mastered by directors like Melville. This film skips the heist but focuses on the consequences. Becker slowly (maybe a bit too slow) builds up the tension and delivers yet another great film. 8/10

The Devil's Eye (Ingmar Bergman, 1960)
Satan sends Don Juan to earth to take a young girl's virginity so that his infected eye will be cured. Yes, Bergman attempts to be funny and succeeds. And of course, love wins over evil. 7/10

Funny Face (Stanley Donen, 1957)
I will probably never become the biggest fan of musicals. I might be missing why this is a masterpiece, but its story is pretty...standard and predictable? The colouring is beautiful, the acting good and some scenes are funny. Good for a laidback saturday night. 7/10

Week 8 and 9 in film

Her (Spike Jonze, 2013)
Wow! This must be the best film of 2013. It's smart, funny, visionary and exactly the kind of SF I like. Phoenix is endearing and even Johansson's voice was cast perfectly. Interesting question: is this Jonze his answer to Lost in Translation? The broken heart issue might not be just fictional but be inspired by Jonze his lost love Sofia Coppola. Anyway, Her is great and one Academy Award was not enough if you ask me.
You're dating an OS! So, what's that like?  9/10



La vita e bella (Roberto Benigni, 1997)
Disappointing. This film takes place in one of the most horrible places in history. Benigni annoyed me more than he made me feel emotional, positive or negative. 6/10 

The Innocents (Jack Clayton, 1961)
One of the scariest films ever. No 'cheap' thrills but tense directing and very well acted by the children. Showing a minimum of that what we should be scared of again proves to work very well. 8.5/10

12 Years A Slave (Steve McQueen, 2013)
Finally, a good film that adresses the horrors of slavery. I was afraid of a lot of 'Oprah-Winfrey'-like sentimentality but McQueen stays true to his style and makes no compromises. Beautifully shot and well acted, especially by Michael Fassbender and his terrifying wife (Sarah Paulson). I was impressed after the final shot, more than I expected while the film was progressing. Yes, it is good enough to win an Oscar. 8/10

The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wes Anderson, 2014)
Colorful, stylish and screwbally funny. Fans of the director will be treated with 'the usual' but also something fresh and original in the world of Anderson. Not as good as Moonrise Kingdom but unlike some of the earlier Anderson's I like this film. Keep them coming. 8/10



August: Osage County (John Wells, 2013)
This film is over the top. Overacted by Streep and Roberts (I think she had a lot of fun). Some parts were well acted, but it is not really a good film. I did have a lot of fun, though. Only Nicolas Cage was missing
 ;-). 6.5/10

Ain't Them Bodies Saints (David Lowery, 2013)
Are all films from the midwest Malick-like now? This one is for sure inspired by films like Days of Heaven. Unfortunately not the best copy. Looks good but fails to tell an interesting story. 5.5/10

Breakfast at Tiffany's (Blake Edwards, 1961)
I can see why its iconic, not that good if you ask me. Who would cast an American to play an Asian these days? Racist, but, I am sorry, very funny. Entertained me, but in the end I cared just as much for the cat as I did for Paul Varjak. 7/10