31 janvāris, 2016

The Revenant

Also a bit late but still counts: The Revenant.
I won't take much space when talking about this piece. It's beautifully shot, the landscapes are wonderful, scenes make you feel cold and shrug a bit. It has a "great" villain in it and Leo's (yes, first name basis) face expressions are believable and excellent (little spoiler: he does not talk much).
And somehow I couldn't wait for this movie to end. I think it was too long. Maybe it's necessary for us to see this long, long journey Leo's character takes (and suffers A LOT) but I don't know, I started to get bored and that is not what I like to feel when watching a movie.
Who most probably will enjoy this movie the best? People who like to see long-term suffering and long, long journey.
I will say this again: It was beautiful (just don't give an Oscar to DiCaprio for this one, it would almost be a shame. To my mind, he's done a better job in other films).


Rating: ★★★

29 janvāris, 2016

Carol

I don't know how to begin. I'm still processing but I have to get this out now. Otherwise I won't be able to sleep well.

So it's a movie that is set in a time when world was still quite small, limited and when women were still suppressed and controlled by men.
We get to meet two very different women (character and age-wise) and see how they meet, develop together and apart, grow, change and live.
What I liked most was how taken I was by those word-less motions, those head nods or slight lifts, looks of interest, anger, fright, sadness, wondering or confusion and other emotions. I was consumed and intrigued, I wanted to get into Rooney Mara's characters head to see what she was thinking, it was great. I enjoyed how her character was build, it was insecure, confused, unsure but very willing and brave I would say. The character is a young woman and she has whole life ahead of her so she doesn't really say "no" to anything. And I don't think you should especially if you feel like it's right or could somehow be good for you. This was a character whose mindset I could get. But those different looks and how much they can say especially if masterfully shot....Thank you.
So if I was into Rooney's characters facial expressions I can tell you that I was very keen on Cate Blanchett's Carol's nature and the way (and tone of her voice) she spoke. Carol was a little fearless and willing to stand up for herself and what she wanted. She was mature and so strong and that is what I really like to see - powerful characters with flaws (because nobody's perfect. Don't even want to see something perfect). She spoke in a way like she's lived which obviously comes with age. What I can say in short - thank you for making these characters like they were - I have no objections.
What else? Well I did also enjoy it wasn't very political (50's and same sex relationship, you know..), it was more like a pure love story and it could have easily been with two guys in lead or even with a woman and a man.
Todd Haynes has done a magnificent job, I was interested and really felt for the characters and that is mainly what I want to receive from movies.
Also the set, costumes and music was appealing to me.
Thank you, I had a wonderful time.
So if you're up for a romantic drama with many emotions I truly suggest you can go and see this piece.
P.S. Did have small laughs here and there.


Rating:
★★★★½

28 janvāris, 2016

Dirty Grandpa

Not the newest one but still running in cinemas.
The reason why I went to this one is the cheap tickets. I figured I should see something "cheap" for 1.50 euros. I wasn't ready to watch something good for that kind of money, felt wrong.
So, Dirty Grandpa is supposed to be a comedy. It got three smiles (not laughs) out of me and they all were because of Aubrey Plaza (I'm a fan of this young woman).
Movie itself is very shallow, vulgar and quite a cliche character-wise. I wasn't feeling the jokes about drugs, guns and/or cops in Florida, they felt offensive and wrong. 
I also kept wondering why Robert De Niro wanted to take part in something like this. I was left wondering. Still am.
Were there good parts? Well, I enjoyed some summery beach views (I miss summer already), Aubreys' character was quite cool most times and that's about it.
To who I would suggest go and see the movie? Well, it could work for people who enjoy...I don't know really. Maybe the ones who like American comedies. Just comedies and easy time. I don't know, I'm not sure, sorry.
P.S. If you liked it, please tell me why. I would like to know.

Rating: ★½

23 janvāris, 2016

The Look Of Silence

This is the second documentary I've watched that's been nominated for "Oscars" (Amy was the first). I'm sure this review contains tiny spoilers but I don't believe a documentary could be reviewed without them (or I just can't do it)...And also, you can find the facts about this elsewhere as well.
Anyways, it's a story (a horrible story) about a family who had managed to survive (not all of them) the genocide in Indonesia. One member of this family goes around those who were partly or fully responsible for killings and confronts them.
It was hard for me to see how some people don't feel any guilt or regret at all what they did. Some of them seemed to be dashing over what and how they've done "things". Always pains me to see how easily people can be persuaded to believe something that's completely bullocks. 
The Look Of Silence is a good documentary but it lacked something to make me feel for the family all of it's run-time.


Rating: ★★★½

16 janvāris, 2016

Anomalisa

I am one of those people who don't really like or watch animated movies but when I saw a poster of this piece, I had a feeling I should give it a try. And boy, this was so human that it didn't feel like a cartoon (animated movie).
It was so humble and simple. Nothing really out of the ordinary (I presume) happened. The characters felt so real and their lives and problems weren't overdramatized and that most probably is why it seemed very human, like it could be someones real life.
I have to add it was a bit weird that one person was voicing many different side characters. Maybe it was just a way to highlight the meaning of how somebody can see important and fading people in their lives. Maybe there's another point to it and I just can't see it but for me it was strange at first (I got used to it). Just letting you know, because I was confused.
It was so normal, ironically I think that is what made it that special and unique.
I can't really comment (applaud nor criticize) on how good or bad the animation and it's cinematography was but I did like how it looked.
Thank you Charlie Kaufman (the guy behind "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and others) for giving us this.


Rating: ★★★★

15 janvāris, 2016

Room

I don' t have anything much to say about Room. This for me got better and better by time but that doesn't take away the fact it lacked to intrigue me at the beginning.
However I enjoyed actor performances and there's no doubt in my mind now why Brie Larson got a Golden Globe for it and was nominated for an Oscar (don't think she's gonna get it though).
Movie itself felt quite realistic (which I really like when it's not a superhero movie or a sci-fi) and dialogues were fine and also felt close to ones people could have in life.
So if you feel like you're up to watching something dark (but not a thriller with much blood or anything), this should be a good time in front of a screen.


Rating: ★★★½

06 janvāris, 2016

Creed

I have seen some sport and fighting movies in my lifetime and this for me was a great one.
At the beginning of the movie I couldn't tell if I like it or not because I couldn't get in the mood. But then those brilliant camera shots arose and I was so in. Every time I got to "follow" Adonis back and see where he was going or where he was looking - aaaagh, I have no words to express how much I enjoyed that specific choice of view.
Storywise I wouldn't say it was something fresh or original (nor I think it should've been) but it was carried out beautifully. Like I said - great fighting movie with actually enough fighting (or training) scenes in it, a needed build-up and interesting enough story. I also did have two tiny laughs and 3 tiny tears through the whole thing so that says something.
Soundrtracks were also cool and I would say appropriate for this kind of film (lil bit of hip hop, lil bit R&B).
I have a feeling Ryan Coogler will become one of my favorite directors. I can't say that now because it's too early to tell, but by now I soooo dig his work and both of his "big" movies (this and Fruitvale Station).
Michael B. Jordan - DAMN BOY, you got some beautiful, beautiful, beautiful muscles there. And your performance isn't too shabby to say the least.
Oh, Sylvester Stallone was there too.
All in all, I think everybody can go and see this one. Maybe you won't love it but it surely shouldn't be a let-down.

Rating: ★★★★

01 janvāris, 2016

Joy

"Joy" isn't the easiest to talk about after. There were things I liked and some just not so much and that is all I can say - I'm not able to specifically name anything. Don't get me wrong, this film wasn't boring or dissapointing, something was just missing.
Movie itself felt a little dull, for me it didn't seem to go smooth all the time. Plot itself (it's based on actual person and true events) was very random and by random I mean like where do you get the idea of making a movie about a person who invented an upgraded version of a mop? So this I actually liked.
Emotionally I wasn't able to fully connect to any of the characters but I did like Joy's half sisters created nature. I don't know what was and wasn't true but I loved that I almost loathed Peggy (half sister).
I most surely can say that I've enjoyed other David O. Russels' movies (Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, The Fighter) more but this wasn't bad.
Would I suggest to go and see this movie? Not necessarily, but if you do it shouldn't be the worst way how to spend some of your lifes hours.

Rating: ★★★