Week 2 in film

The Wolf of Wall Street (Martin Scorsese, 2013)
Excited, a new Scorsese! And yes, it is a good one. Think of Goodfellas but then for the 'modern mafia'. DiCaprio is great as Jordan Belfort whose fast tongue makes him rich in no time giving him everything he wants. Women, a boat, a massive house and drugs, a lot of drugs. Scorsese turns this story in a crazy ride for the first two hours, the last hour was a bit too 'risen star falling' which we've seen so many times before. Some criticize this film for glorifying superficiality. I believe the final scene tells us the opposite. Not a masterpiece but a welcome addition in Scorsese's impressive oeuvre. And how great are Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey ("Do you jerk off?").  8/10



My Darling Clementine (John Ford, 1946)
So far I am not that impressed with John Ford his films. This one, about Wyatt Earp, is not bad at all but feels a bit by the numbers. Can't see how this should be one of the finest westerns ever.  7/10

Short Term 12 (Destin Cretton, 2013)
Missed this in 2013 but it would definitely have made my year's top 10. A very honest and gripping story about two adult foster children who are working in a shelter for teens who have problems at home or with themselves. Impressive to see how they manage to take on such a hard job after their own troubled youth especially when they are challenged the most. For Grace (Brie Larson) things become too much when a young girl with a resembling background walks in. The kind of film that makes you feel sympathy for its characters instantly.  8.5/10

Basic Instinct (Paul Verhoeven, 1992)
One of my all-time favorites. Probably the most entertaining and best Hitchcock-imitation I can think of. Has everything that could be great in 90's film: suspense, snappy one-liners, a twist (gave me the chills even for the 100th time...) and perhaps the best modern femme fatale imaginable. Love Sharon Stone, love Michael Douglas, love the genius Paul Verhoeven for his cynical and controversial contributions to Hollywood.  9/10


Kim Novak, anyone?

Le temps qui reste (Francois Ozon, 2005)
Ozon is one of those directors that never makes a bad film, he also never makes a great film (maybe Swimming Pool, i'll have to watch it again....). This one is on the bottom I would say. The story, about a gay photographer in his 30s diagnosed with terminal cancer, sounds promising but Ozon makes it a bit of a drag with some improbabilities regarding sexuality and sexual favours (or maybe they are typically French, I don't know). Despite some sad and potentially heartbreaking notions not very memorable. 6/10

Bulletproof (Ernest R. Dickerson, 1996)
Sandler was really funny in some of his films in the nineties. He disappoints as an 'action hero' as attempted in this film. 4.5/10

Carnal Knowledge (Mike Nichols, 1971)
I am surprised that this film isn't better known in the oeuvre of Mike Nichols. Nicholson is convincing as a sexual conquerer together with his friend, played by Art Garfunkel. Effectively shows the flipside of the sexual revolution by portraying the Nicholson character as someone who sees women as objects, physically desirable but as a potential threat to his freedom. 7.5/10

Week 52 in film

Christmas + lousy weather = cinema overdrive!

It's A Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946)
Another classic I still had to watch. Christmas felt like a good time to do it. James Stewart is endearing as ever and the fantasy angle in a very sweet and sappy Christmas tale is original and more compelling than I expected. The moral is impossible to miss, but more relevant than ever. 8/10



Star Trek Into Darkness (J.J. Abrams, 2013)
Amongst all the action-scifi crap made these days Abrams proves to be a good action-director. I liked the third Mission Impossible, Super 8 and this one, which surprised me, to be honest. The balance between action and plot is a bit off at the end, but thanks to a great start very sufficient overall.  7/10

The Quick and the Dead (Sam Raimi, 1995)
Raimi honours all these Western classics with some 'comic-book-like' action and directing. The plot development is not surprising or original but I couldn't help enjoying it for its full length. 7.5/10

Tabu (Miguel Gomes, 2012)
One of the most original films of the year comes from Portugal. The history of an old Portugese lady is told by her ex-lover whom she met when living in Africa. Beautiful black and white photography, poetic undertones and a relaxing pace. 8/10

Juliet and the Spirits (Federico Fellini, 1965)
Giulietta Masina seems to be playing herself in this visual treat from Fellini. Keep in mind: Fellini loved women. He was dreaming the biggest boobs and asses you can imagine, as visible in last years Eye-exhibition. He also loved Masina, who was always by his side. Knowing this makes this film very interesting. Giuletta her husband is cheating on her and she struggles with the thought of sexual freedom haunted by memories and (beautiful) visions. A very personal film by the Italian master. Did he 'borrow' the shot shown below from that other Italian master? 8/10



Lawrence of Arabia (David Lean, 1962)
A hiatus in my film knowledge (there are a number of them...): the sword-and-sandal-genre. I decided to dedicate 4 hours to what is supposedly the best film in this category. Reminded me why I am not a fan. After two hours of sand and camels I felt bored. Of course the cinematography is stellar, and the ending makes up for a lot, but still, not a masterpiece if you ask me. 7.5/10

Paradies: Hoffnung (Ulrich Seidl, 2013)
Third and last film in the Paradies-trilogy. The worst. A group of teenage girls at fat camp are more boring than Seidl may have considered. Stays on the surface pretty much the whole film, there are a lot of possible angles here, the doctor-girl relationship is not the best one. 4.5/10

Stagecoach (John Ford, 1939)
A very young John Wayne in a film that is more classic than good. The chase with the Indians is great, some of the characters are funny but the whole love-interest-angle didn't work for me at all. 6.5/10

Miracle on 34th Street (George Seaton, 1947)
Week of the (Christmas) classics. This one is just as endearing as It's A Wonderful Life. Due to a simpler plot and mediocre acting not in the same league, though. 6.5/10