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Short movie reviews by Adriana Popovici

The Book of Eli

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2010
Directors: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes
Writer: Gary Whitta
Starring: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson, etc.

For more information on “The Book of Eli”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
First there’s a cat, then I, the viewer, should be surprised. I didn’t fall for that, and kept knitting :D. The first fighting scene grabbed my attention, and made me put the needles down – something I regretted later, as the movie didn’t make much of an impression on me. It is basically the story of how faith can make you superhuman when you have a special mission, like carrying a special book in a special format, so that it can occupy a special shelf. Nice seeing Titus Pullo Ray Stevenson again, although Rome (TV series) suits him better.

Highlights:
There are two or three positive ideas in this movie – starry, somewhat challenged, but positive.

Downside:
It’s not as deep as it wishes to seem, and it takes itself more seriously than it deserves to be taken.

Would I see it again? – No, thank you.

My Rating (1 to 10): 6

Recommended: Not bad enough to say no, nor is it a must-see.

Suggestion:
Cat lovers, skip the beginning.

 

Barney’s Version

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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 😀

 

Black Swan

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2010
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Writers: Mark Heyman, Andrés Heinz, John McLaughlin
Starring: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, etc.

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

 

General impression:
It seems as if the whole movie was made for the sole purpose of winning Natalie Portman the Oscar. She deserved it, but I wish she would have been awarded for a role in a less freaky movie, one that is not best suited for teenagers, snobs, and other people that mistake shock and madness for depth in a movie. It’s Aronofsky… I don’t stomach his work well – it always leaves me sad and on the verge of nausea. It makes me wonder: what’s with him? is anything torturing his soul? He’s an artist, he expresses himself, so something must be troubling his heart. He distorted all grace and beauty into a grotesque movie that does absolutely nothing for the viewer. It’s all his vision, and what he intended you to feel, when he wanted you to feel, and those feelings are negative! It might be a movie about overcoming yourself, but you’ll most likely remember it for rashes, peeling skin, blood, and Natalie Portman turned into a disturbed character you can’t even feel for 🙁

Highlights:
It is artistic.

Downside:
Gloomy, cold, Aronofsky. Overrated.

Would I see it again? – Absolutely not

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended:
I only say yes because many people liked this movie, and you might do too. But, based on how I feel, I’d say no.

Suggestion:
If you don’t want to get depressed, avoid “Black Swan”. An hour and a half is too much time to spend solely on admiring Aronofsky’s cold art and Portman’s (undeniable and already well-known) acting skills.

 

Mr. Nice

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Year of release: 2010
Director: Bernard Rose
Writer: Bernard Rose
Starring: Rhys Ifans, Chloë Sevigny, David Thewlis, etc.

For more information on “Mr. Nice”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
It is a good biopic. I think its average rating on IMDb is not relevant. The actors do a wonderful job, it has both funny and dramatic moments… really nothing unenjoyable, quite the contrary.

Highlights:
Nicely put together. Not to mention that both Rhys Ifans and David Thewlis have Harry Potter movies in their filmography – talk about versatility 😀

Downside:
Maybe it wasn’t promoted well enough.

Would I see it again? – Yes, someday.

My Rating (1 to 10): 8

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Check out the real life Howard Marks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Marks.

 

127 Hours

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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.

 

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