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Short movie reviews by Adriana Popovici

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2006
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Writers: Satoko Okudera (screenplay); Yasutaka Tsutsui (novel)
Starring: Riisa Naka / Emily Hirst, etc.

For more information on “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
I enjoyed the story, and felt entertained. The main idea is cool, and the execution of the movie is great as well. It can make your afternoon more pleasant.

Highlights:
It is beautiful, and the spark of magic helps it stand out.

Downside:
The story seems to develop slowly, but, then again, that is how it unfolds.

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 7.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
You should watch the original version, in Japanese, with English subtitles.

 

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2008
Director: Bharat Nalluri
Writers: David Magee, Simon Beaufoy (screenplay); Winifred Watson (novel)
Starring: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, etc.

For more information on “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
Charming! Amy Adams impersonates a winsome character, a frivolous childish girl who can’t decide between what she thinks she needs and what actually makes her happy. Thankfully, Frances McDormand’s character comes to the rescue exactly when she is needed the most. The two actresses are the life of the movie, and, despite a few stereotypes and a lot of predictability, I enjoyed this sweet depiction of a day many years ago, the day Miss Pettigrew lived.

Highlights:
It is a positive movie that has the power to brighten your day, if you allow it.

Downside:
At times, it may seem syrupy.

Would I see it again? – Yes 🙂

My Rating (1 to 10): 7.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Relax, get a comforting drink, and watch it for dessert.

 

127 Hours

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2010
Director: Danny Boyle
Writers: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy (screenplay); Aron Ralston (book)
Starring: James Franco, etc.

For more information on “127 Hours”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
I cringed at the possibility that this movie is about a guy surviving all by his self for 5 days (and nights). Thankfully, the movie is over before it becomes boring. There aren’t useless scenes, no void ornaments. It tells an amazing story of survival, with clean and perfectly balanced cinematographic means.

Highlights:
It is very well done and acted.

Downside:
May seem weird to see mostly just James Franco for the whole duration of the movie.

Would I see it again? – Not in the next few years, but yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 8.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
The man who lived this impressive experience, and then wrote about it, is Aron Ralston. You can read about him on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston.

 

Avatar

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2009
Director: James Cameron
Writer: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez, etc.

For more information on “Avatar”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
I remember literally running to the cinema to see “Avatar”… because we were late :). I loved the movie though, and probably would have run to see it even for the sake of it. This movie is an experience in itself, and talking about it feels silly. It is impressive, surprisingly touching, and it is not all about blue guys vs. humans. Actually, there are some deep and wise ideas weaved into this technological, imaginative, colorful and cool cinematographic breakthrough.

Highlights:
It is a masterpiece in many ways.

Downside:
Some few times it may seem cheesy and a little clumsy, but those moments are easily ignorable.

Would I see it again? – Yes, I already did.

My Rating (1 to 10): 9.5

Recommended: Yes!

Suggestion:
Watch it in 3D; it’s quite amazing.

 

Wimbledon

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2004
Director: Richard Loncraine
Writers: Adam Brooks, Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin
Starring: Paul Bettany, Kirsten Dunst, Sam Neill, etc.

For more information on “Wimbledon”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
It’s not extraordinary, but it is nicely made and acted. You can comfortably pretend the actors are professional tennis players, and enjoy the story. It is a decent movie and a good romantic comedy, all in all pleasant.

Highlights:
Looks realistic… in a polished cinema way 🙂

Downside:
It comes with the limits of its genre.

Would I see it again? – Not necessarily

My Rating (1 to 10): 6.5

Recommended: Hmm… yeah, why not

Suggestion:
Watch it only if you like romantic comedies, otherwise it might bore you.

 

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