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Short movie reviews by Adriana Popovici

3 Idiots

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3 Idiots movie poster

Image source: Wikimedia

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A movie about the real meaning of education.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

 

General impression:
This is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen! Realistic, serious and smart in essence, well spiced with the right amount of sentimentality, color, and good ol’ Bollywood singing and dancing. The combination works beautifully – I laughed, I cried, I nodded, I was charmed. It is a story about formal education, passion, friendship, and much more. The characters are perfectly outlined, the depth of human emotion is exposed even in antagonists, and, despite twists and turns, the movie doesn’t end with questions left unanswered. It is a long movie, but also entertaining and rich in events. You’ll see how characters deal with situations like wanting a different career than the one their parents have chosen for them, the stress of student life at a prestigious university, getting a degree only to meet people’s expectations, and other problems that many of us have to deal with at certain points in our lives. A wonderful thing about this movie is also the bold statement it makes: India has to give up old prejudices, embrace new possibilities, in order to encourage and keep young talent, and, through this, flourish. Good point not only for India.

Highlights:
It is one of those rare movies that have it all – complexity, consistency, continuity, a good story, likable characters, and a great message.

Downside:
Some viewers (me not included) may not enjoy the Bollywood musical moments.

Would I see it again? – Yes, anytime 🙂

My Rating (1 to 10): 10

Recommended: Yes, highly!

Suggestion:
Learn all you can about things you’re passionate about. Make them an active part of your life… the biggest part 🙂

♦

 

Information about 3 Idiots

Year of release: 2009
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Writer: Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra (screenplay); Chetan Bhagat (novel)
Starring: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, etc.
For more information on “3 Idiots”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Dupa dealuri (EN: Beyond the Hills)

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Beyond the Hills

Image source: Wikimedia

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An excellent Romanian movie about the reunion of two old friends who face the clash of their new desires, values and priorities, in an austere Orthodox convent.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

 

General impression:
I was not a fan of Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu. His acclaimed movie “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days”, winner of the Palm d’Or at Cannes in 2007, was not exactly in tune with my tastes, despite not being a bad film. I also saw other materials by Mungiu, and they reinforced my idea about his work: he shot his artistic flair in the foot with a tendency to overdo, to stage too much (blatantly), resulting in imbalance and a feeling of artificiality – which is ironic for the subjects he presented as authentic.

However, “Beyond the Hills” made me very happy to observe none of the details I didn’t like about his previous films. Instead, I was hooked from beginning to end, expressing out loud, from time to time, my appreciation for the dialogue, the genuineness of the actors’ play, cinematography, etc. It is definitely the work of an artist who has refined his craft. The movie has wonderful flow and pace – not too slow, not too hurried. The story is, sadly, based on a real incident. One of the most remarkable achievements of this film is to present a group of ignorant religious bigots as they are, without vilifying them – after all, they are also victims of their limitations, and they do what they think is right… in this case, exorcism. Two desperately lonely girls who grew up together at an orphanage in Romania – one finds a home in the convent, the other loses the “home” in her friend. Not a happy story.

Highlights:
Well made both in general and in detail. Art and structure balance each other beautifully. I think it’s Mungiu’s most realistic movie yet.

Downside:
Probably, the make-or-break factor in appreciating the movie is the viewer’s interest (or lack of) about the subject.

Would I see it again? – Yes, someday

My Rating (1 to 10): 10

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Don’t abandon others – I don’t know, I have no “lighter” suggestion after remembering this story.

♦

 

Information about Dupa dealuri (EN: Beyond the Hills)

Year of release: 2012
Director: Cristian Mungiu
Writer: Cristian Mungiu (screenplay), Tatiana Niculescu Bran (novels)
Starring: Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur, Valeriu Andriuta, etc.
For more information on “Dupa dealuri” (EN: “Beyond the Hills”), visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Hero

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2002
Director: Zhang Yimou
Writers: Feng Li, Bin Wang, Zhang Yimou
Starring: Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Chen Daoming, Zhang Ziyi, etc.

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

 

General impression:
Poetry in motion. As Orson Welles put it, “a film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet”. Poetry is the very essence of this aesthetically breathtaking film. The choreography of the fighting scenes is out of this world, the movements fluid, and it seems as if those who fight are not human beings, but entities, spirits, ideas, sheer forces, pure energy. It is one of the most beautiful movies I’ve ever seen, and my opinion is only in part influenced by the fascination I’ve had for Asian stories since early childhood. What do you think will happen when the King of Qin meets the hero who saved him from powerful assassins? If this question makes you curious, you’ll most likely enjoy the film.

Highlights:
I don’t think they could have made it better. The imagery will last in your mind, and thinking back to this movie, you’ll see the flowing colors again… and again.

Downside:
Maybe it is not as entertaining as less rigid movies, but I’m talking from a different point of view, not mine – I was entertained. It is too perfect.

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 9.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
You must see this film if you like stories, especially Asian ones.

 

Night on Earth

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Year of release: 1991
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Writer: Jim Jarmusch
Starring: Winona Ryder, Gena Rowlands, Roberto Benigni, etc.

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

 

General impression:
I loved all the movies by Jim Jarmusch I’ve seen, and if I should pick my favorite, “Night on Earth” would be it. The decisive factor is its rich diversity. You don’t have time to get bored during this movie – now you’re in Los Angeles, then you’re in New York, then Paris, Rome and Helsinki. It’s a collection of short stories around taxis, each with its funny, crazy and sensitive parts. The actors are great, the idea is interesting, the script flows well, and I become biased whenever I see Roberto Benigni – I think he’s hilarious! In LA, Winona Ryder is the taxi driver – the tiny, skinny, pretty, tough, down-to-earth, female taxi driver. In NY, the taxi driver doesn’t really know how to drive. The Parisian episode marks the difference between seeing and understanding, and Roberto Benigni drives, talks and acts like a madman on the streets of Rome. Finally, you learn what happens when you get drunk with your Finnish friends. I read that the actor who played the part of the driver in Helsinki died in 1995, at 44, four years after “Night on Earth – RIP Matti Pellonpää.

Highlights:
It’s funny, smart, and, at times, even deep.

Downside:
The worst thing about this movie is that I cannot find any flaw, and I have no idea what to mention as a downside 🙂

Would I see it again? – Definitely. It’s one of my favorite movies.

My Rating (1 to 10): 9.5

Recommended: Yes!

Suggestion:
Don’t get into a cab if you see Roberto Benigni is the driver, unless you want to have a good laugh 😀

 

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring

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Year of release: 2003
Director: Kim Ki-duk
Writer: Kim Ki-duk
Starring: Su Oh-yeong, Kim Ki-duk, etc.

For more information on “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
This is one of those complex and complete films that combine art and philosophy without any special concern for entertaining the audience, but with an acute sense of beauty and proportion. It is special, memorable, and truly deep. There isn’t much dialogue in this movie, yet the point is made across clearly. There isn’t much action, yet it’s not boring. Rare balance and integrity. As for the story, it is almost astounding to find a correlation between yourself and the main character. Nonetheless, we all make mistakes and have to carry their weight around for the rest of our lives. Regret, remorse, repentance – who can’t relate to that? As the title suggests, a year only ends for another to begin, a man becomes wise to help the innocent child grow and make his own mistakes. The cycle of seasons, man, life… in a grand work of art made of poignant simplicity and beauty.

Highlights:
Unity, consistency, poetry.

Downside:
None – any flaw perceived about this movie is a question of personal taste.

Would I see it again? – Yes, sometime

My Rating (1 to 10): 10

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Think and learn!

 

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