Week 16 and 17 in film

I'm Still Here (Casey Affleck, 2010)
Not only a great actor, but Phoenix proves to be funny as well. Had the world doubting if his claimed career move (from actor to rapper) was a hoax. Everyone remembers his Letterman appearance, this film puts it in context. A great joke and a statement against reality shows, unfortunately not funny enough to fill an entire film. 6.5/10

Enter the Void (Gaspar Noe, 2009)
After watching this a couple of years ago it came back to my memory at times. Perhaps better than I remembered? Well, yes, for the first hour, at least, it's great. It is the second half that kills it a bit. Noe's very original choice in narration works against him after a while. Makes the last hour a drag, which is a shame, this film is special. 6/10

Hard Target (John Woo, 1993)
Guilty pleasure, and it's not even bad! John Woo's first Hollywood film is a fast and stylish action flick that has everything that made the 90s action movies great. Van Damme's haircut is film history in itself! 7.5/10

We Own The Night (James Gray, 2007)
Again, a good film from Gray. This is not the most original plot, but directed in a way that feels more like Scorsese than most imitations, and this might not even be an imitation. Phoenix is, as ever, great. 8/10

Cop Land (James Mangold, 1997)
What a mess. A great cast that centers the weakest actor. Fails to entertain which is quite a shame considering that it is a genre that easily amuses me, usually. 4/10

The Hunger Games: Cathing Fire (Francis Lawrence, 2013)
Jennifer Lawrence, Philip Seymour Hoffman, an exciting survival battle? Could be great. Well, forget it. Maybe this film appeals to you if you've read the book, but I couldn't feel with the characters or experience any suspense, at all. And shouldn't it have an ending? Oh wait, we have a new goose with golden eggs. 3/10



Magnificent Obsession (Douglas Sirk, 1954)
Starting to become a Sirk fan. His films are just as beautiful and easy to watch as they are melodramatic. This one is sometimes too melodramatic but contains a very powerful message, not even under the surface this time, or I am missing something... 8/10

White Dog (Samuel Fuller, 1982)
Powerful story about a dog who is trained to attack (and kill) black people. Great metaphor and one very effective horror film. A must see in American cinema. 8/10

Week 28 in film

Had better film weeks...

Bitter Moon (Roman Polanski, 1992)
Controversial. Roman Polanski. Could have been quite something. Especially from this director I expected at least something surprising, shocking or insightful. This film is about the super decent Hugh Grant who meets a disabled guy sharing his history which his much younger sensual wife, played by Emanuelle Seigner, Polanski's wife in real life. Most of the film tells this story, which is way way too boring for its controversial (S&M, sexual dominance) content. Dull and forgettable.  3/10


Pieta (Kim Ki Duk, 2012)
As usual, not a lot of dialogue in this latest Kim Ki Duk film. Combined with the depressing surroundings in which our protagonist terrorizes his victims as a loan shark matches the film's mood. Never felt comfortable watching this. Of course something changes when his mom arrives at the scene but somehow I couldn't care anymore. I didn't like the main character, didn't like the film. Not very bad, but this director can do so much better. 5/10

Irréversible (Gaspar Noé, 2003)
Finally I had the 'nerve' to watch this. The dvd cover warned me for extreme and realistic violence. To be honest I wasn't that shocked. The infamous rape scene is uncomfortable but doesn't reach the desired effect the director is after, at least from how I interpret this film. Some of the disorientating camera movements combined with a haunting sound design along the first scenes were effective but this effect is lost at the end of this picture.  6/10

Now You See Me (Louis Leterrier, 2013)
A movie about magicians is begging for a plot twist. This is not even a surprise nowadays. But is this a reason to make it so ridiculous? Had an ok 'Ocean's eleven' like start but slowly went downhill and not only became very improbable it also felt forced. Proves once more how hard it is to write a proper original ending. Yes, failed to do so.  4.5/10


The Notebook (Nick Cassavetes, 2004)
I guess this film can be considered classic in a way, so I decided to watch it. Not as special as I was hoping for. End of the day not much more than a standard poor boy meets rich girl story. Seen it all before. With all I mean both plot and narrative (flashback). Nevertheless pretty amusing.  5.5/10