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Short movie reviews by Adriana Popovici

Barney’s Version

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2010
Director: Richard J. Lewis
Writers: Mordecai Richer (novel); Michael Konyves (screenplay)
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Scott Speedman, Dustin Hoffman, etc.

For more information on “Barney’s Version”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
“First he got married. Then he got married again. Then he met the love of his life.” No, it’s not Rodolfo‘s story :D, but that of Barney Panofsky, played by Paul Giamatti. There’s no spectacular adventure or action in this movie; only good acting and a beautiful story. It touched me. There was a moment when, crying, I just burst into even more tears. That twist is the key to the whole movie, making it special and deeply emotional.

Highlights:
Few films can pull off romance with a character like Panofsky.

Downside:
Those who don’t enjoy an emotional movie, a tearjerker even, will probably not like this one.

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 8.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Don’t watch this movie while eating; it will ruin your dinner. I know from experience – food will come second, you’ll stop for wiping your eyes and nose, and, at times, you will even forget to chew 😀

 

Solino

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2002
Director: Fatih Akın
Writer: Ruth Toma
Starring: Barnaby Metschurat, Moritz Bleibtreu, Gigi Savoia, Antonella Attili, etc.

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

 

General impression:
This is a movie from one of my favorite filmmakers, Fatih Akın. He deals a lot with issues such as roots, family, cultural differences in his films, and “Solino” is no exception. However, there is no Turk in this one, and they don’t speak Turkish, but Italian and German. The movie is about an Italian family that emigrates to Germany in the sixties. The cinema, the kids, the dusty Italian village reminded me a little of “Cinema Paradiso” – in a good way.

Highlights:
It’s warm 🙂

Downside:
At certain points, my attention tended to slip away.

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 8.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Discover Fatih Akın’s excellent movies.

 

28 Days Later

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2002
Director: Danny Boyle
Writer: Alex Garland
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, etc.

For more information on “28 Days Later”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
I don’t like horror movies. It’s usually because they are just a sum of scary cinematographic tricks with no point other than to produce a negative emotional reaction in the viewer. The only brains in these movies are literal… and grossly displayed. “28 Days Later” is considered a horror, but it is smart. Not only does it develop a fantastic idea, but it also has a very good story, and the concept doesn’t get compromised for the sake of cinematography. I wasn’t expecting to like it, but it made a deep lasting impression on me, and I’m glad I saw it. If more horror movies made a point, like this one, I’d probably start watching them.

Highlights:
The atmosphere of abandonment and terror is strikingly realistic.

Downside:
The credible apocalyptic vision may shake you into some serious thinking.

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 8.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
If you’re interested in how an epidemic of rage might develop, watch “28 Days Later”. Afterwards, be nice, really nice, and don’t get angry… so that no one catches anger from you 🙂

 

Young Frankenstein

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 1974
Director: Mel Brooks
Writers: Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder
Starring: Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn, etc.

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

 

General impression:
Fortunately, I found this movie just as my mister was deciding it’s too silly for us to watch. I gave it a peek, it amused me, so I insisted that we should see it. A few minutes later, he was enjoying this classic funny film too. I thought it was refreshing to see a comedy that, unlike modern ones, doesn’t stretch humour to a hideous mutation of vulgarity, grossness and stupidity. It’s silly, but in a good way.

Highlights:
It is really, really funny without being outrageous.

Downside:
May seem occasionally puerile to some.

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 8.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Visit Transylvania 🙂

 

Filantropica (EN: Philathropy)

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2002
Director: Nae Caranfil
Writer: Nae Caranfil
Starring: Mircea Diaconu, Gheorghe Dinica, etc.

For more information on “Filantropica” (EN: “Philanthropy”), visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
This is one of my favorite Romanian movies. It is artistic and expressive, complex but not intricate, entertaining and thought-provoking. A movie about money, means to obtain it, what it can lure, and some other elements smartly weaving the story of a middle-aged high school teacher who finds a reason to find a more lucrative alternative to his writing endeavors.

Highlights:
It’s a good movie, with an interesting plot.

Downside:
It may seem exotic to some, especially if they know nothing about any of the topics.

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 8.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Try to find it, watch it, and maybe appease my curiosity with some non-Romanian opinions.

 

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