Week 14 and 15 in film

Noah (Darren Aronofsky, 2014)
Yes, as a whole disappointing, especially if you consider what Aronofsky is capable of. Nevertheless, this film managed to move me. The last hour is very powerful, whereas the first felt somewhat too bombastic with a lot of effects and Power Rangers in stone. Not a bad film, but it lacks a sharp notion about the modern day world. I would have been impressed if Aronofsky decided too flood the world by melting the poles. 7/10 



The Saint (Phillip Noyce, 1997)
This film begs for a lame statement: Val Kilmer can't disguise this film being bad and very disappointing. 3/10

Tape (Richard Linklater, 2001)
Play adaptations are made by acting performances. The cast may not be that promising, but thanks to tense directing and good performances, especially Ethan Hawke, they pull of a good film. Makes me want to investigate Linklater's oeuvre more. 7.5/10

Ordet (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1955)
A masterpiece about religion and the difference between the belief and religious conventions and conflicts. The ending would have been corny in 99% of the cases, but this film pulls it off, see for yourself what I mean. Very impressive. 9/10

Killing Zoe (Roger Avary, 1994)
One of many in the bank heist category. Builds up with a lot of stupid behaviour involving drugs and booze, leaving not much to be a surprise. 5/10

Submarine (Richard Ayoade, 2010)
Not sure how to summarize this, Wes Anderson meets Todd Solondz? Anyway, it is funny, original, has some great in-jokes and is very aware of film conventions. The story couldn't really hold my attention, somehow, expected more somehow. 6.5/10

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (Adam McKay, 2013)
Only Steve Carrell's retard character held up, here. I don't think there was any other situation or character that made me laugh. 4/10

Week 23 in film

Before Midnight (Richard Linklater, 2013)
With the previous films being amongst my personal favorites I was somewhat afraid of a disappointment. The start felt a bit off, we see Jesse with his son at the airport, is this film going to live up to its predecessors? The answer: yes. It doesn't take too long before Jesse and Celine are together talking and talking, and talking. May be boring for many, it blew me away again. The conversations are so real, feel so natural and made me sit on the edge of my seat the entire time. After three films the 2nd (Before Sunset) is still the best. Linklater stated that this is the last one, I wonder how he feels in 9 years from now. Anyway, forget the Godfather-trilogy, this is better!  8.5/10



All I Desire (Douglas Sirk, 1953)
As I am watching a lot of films from the early thirties lately the great Barbara Stanwyck grows in my book of favorite actresses. In this film she is somewhat older, but still on fire. Not the best Sirk, but her performance makes it definitely worthwhile. 7.5/10

The Divorcee (Robert Z. Leonard, 1930)
Apparently a pre-code classic. Were the actors acting or reading from the script? To me they felt like cardboard, the story, controversial maybe, but nevertheless predictable and too sweet. Forgettable. 5/10

Design for Living (Ernst Lubitsch, 1933)
Much better example of a qualitative product of pre-code Hollywood. Funny and well-acted film from the director of favorites like Trouble in Paradise and To Be or Not To Be. Oh, and I will look up more films that have Edward Everett Horton, what a character!  7.5/10