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Reviews
UFO robo: Gurendaizâ (1975)
Cult series through 70s and 80s
Cult series across France, Belgium, Italy, Quebec, as well as some part of the Arabic world, like Tunisia. The show was a huge hit for children growing in the late 70s or early 80s. Adults may find it somewhat repetitive, unless they have an interest for anime and mangas. It has been designed with a target audience of 5 and 6 y.o. boys in mind.
Crappy English tranlastions can account for part of its lack of success in the English-speak world. One UK translation is supposed to be correct, more respectful of the original.
A web search should reveal more than a few fan sites. The series ran on French tv (FR2, FR3 and TVA) from 1978 to 1989.
A lot more imaginative than what most shows offer today--although its not a family show, just a children show. ;-)))
Buried Secrets (1996)
Dreamy and disturbing; an intelligent horror movie
Working with some familiar elements of the horror genre (ghosts) and of the fairy tale (a princess, a castle and a stallion), this 95-minute telefilm is successful at creating an intense, atmospheric tale. It recalls a bit the tales of Grimm, as well as Poe's Fall of the house of Usher.
So yes, there is a ghost story. But mostly it is a story of love unheard. Rather than relying on the usual scare tactics and a good-but-scared-girl-versus-the-villain plot, the text centers just as much around the ghosts brought by memories of what it was to be loved as a child. In a very realistic fashion, it touches serious issues like teen psychiatry, suicide, death, and what is or is not beyond death.
Yet (or maybe because of this) there is no such thing as a body count. There has been one mysterious death, that has remained unsolved mainly because everyone in town has got something to hide. But everyone has got something they would like to find, too. Ultimately, part of the mystery will be solved, but not all of it. Meanwhile, the movie gives a very realistic portrayal of modern-day family relationships, where silence has buried love under deep-rooted suspicions.
The only moot point, imho, lies in the uneven acting. Sometimes, the actors seem unconvinced, despite the strong text they are given. Hence, nine out 10, but a must-see for horror and mystery fans alike. Also check for some new-age undertones. Finally, it should please both genders. (no gross-out stuff here, but an intelligent, well-written story).
La vie rêvée des anges (1998)
I gotta disagree
I didnt find anything new or original in this mostly superficial drama about backpacking and friendship. The incoherent plot and scripted dialogues do a great disservice to a potentially serious topic. Having backpacked a great bit myself, not one bit of the friendship sounds true. The ending is contrived. Throughout the film, I did not find any reason to care about the characters, and even less so when it came to their boyfriends. We are shown a bourgeois, cliché-ridden view of friendship.
So what is about? Two girls with lousy jobs, lousy boyfriends and no ideals. More irritating than interesting. Especially when it becomes an excuse for a sloppy filmmaking.
Vastly overrated, imho.