shmulik-cohen Reviews

Magic Men (2014)

Khoury as a Survivor from Salonika in the Holocoust. Tragi-Comedy.

[9/10 · 8 April 2014]

After 60 Years Avraham returns to Greece and Salonika searching for the Greek who saved him. He has a Hate-Love relationship with His Son. On the Background of Salonica and Narrow Mountain Roads of Mainland Greece. Maria does the part of well known Bar Whore that is very Greek. Greeks eat Out and Drink Out. They invite Men for a Drink and then offer Sex Services at the Bars. With Special Greek Music and Songs. A bit like Zorba the Greek. I had to see this as My father Survived in the Mountains of Greece and fled Salonica. He returned after Germans left. Also I am a Makram Khoury Fan. I would give a 10 but some of the criticism of the Movie is true. But Very Enjoyable Story.

Youth (2013)

Realistic Drama too close to Reality but full of Surprise

[9/10 · 12 September 2013]

Hanoar Youth 2013 Two Brothers one a Soldier with Automatic gun. Kidnap a Female Teenager Played by Gita Emily Hoping to cash the Ransom. This money should solve tough Financial Problems of the Family. Moshe Ivgy The Patriarchal Father has done similar Leading Roles in many Movies and TV series. He is having a Crisis. The Pace of the Movie is Fast and Full of Surprises Suitable for International Audiences. But Middle East is like that so at some points looks Boring.The excellent Script makes it like a Thriller. Hanoar (Youth) reminds us of Bar-Noar, An Attack on Homosexual Club for teenagers that took 4 years investigation and only recently the suspect was caught and Indicted. The Style is similar to CSI Miami Vice, Los Angeles or NYPD of New York. 9 out of 10 points.

The Gatekeepers (2012)

A must See Doco but 9 out of 10.

[9/10 · 30 March 2013]

I lived thru most of the events mentioned in Documentary. The Shabac is only One of the Military Services Involved in Policy and Decision Making. There were hints at the Crux of the Problem in Israel. The PR Election System Similar to Italy after WW2 and Other countries that had PR Proportional Representation mainly from WW1 to WW2. Also Lebanon suffered from Sectarian Politics. Lebanon had a Crisis in 1958 and 1975 when Consensus broke down. Or Holland after Right wing Leader was Shot. But a must see for anyone interested in The Israeli Palestinian Conflict. Quite Detailed Collection of Different Sources about Rabin assassination. Settling of West Bank, The "Wall" and Other Issues. Also I add the Modern Issue of Asymetric Warfare and Asymetric Politics. Uncle Sam.

Summer Holiday (1963)

My Teenage favorite with Cliffs the "Young Ones"

[9/10 · 10 May 2012]

Lovely Songs of 1960's ending in Greece where my Father was Born. I was in Greece in 1979 when Greece and the Islands where Inexpensive BackPacker's and Leonard Cohens Write Song Books. In contrast to "Guns of Navarone" which is about ww2. Pre Vietnam Protest Period. At that time the Young People Revolted against and mistrusted anybody Over 40 who took part in WW2. Lovely Color Photography in Colorfull Greece, Some of those period films were Black and White. like to have DVD. Plot from Wikipedia : The story concerns Don (Cliff Richard) and his friends (Hayes, Green and Bulloch) who are bus mechanics at the huge London Transport bus overhaul works in Aldenham, Hertfordshire. During a miserably wet British summer lunch break, Don arrives, having persuaded London Transport to lend him and his friends an AEC Regent "RT" double-decker bus (and not a later Routemaster as often quoted). This they convert into a holiday caravan, which they drive across continental Europe, intending to reach the South of France. However, their eventual destination is Athens. On the way, they are joined by a girl trio (Stubbs, Hart and Daryl) and a runaway singer (Lauri Peters), pursued by her mother (Ryan) and agent (Murton). The movie was a huge box-office hit, thus repeating the success of Cliff Richard's earlier film The Young Ones (1961). There are 16 song and musical numbers in the film: "Seven Days to a Holiday", "Let Us Take You for a Ride", "Stranger in Town", "Swinging Affair", "Really Waltzing", "Yugoslavian Wedding", "All At Once", "Summer Holiday", "Bachelor Boy", "Dancing Shoes", "Foot Tapper", "Big News", "The Next Time", "Les Girls", "Round and Round" and "Orlando's Mime".

My Michael (1974)

A Wonderful Movie Based on One of the Best Amos Oz Books, Jerusalem Pre 1967 When Jerusalem was Divided.

[9/10 · 3 March 2012]

The Movie is as Good as The Book like Zorba was also a Special Book and Movie. Amos Oz writes "My Michael"in the eyes of a Women. He a Geology Student - She Literature - Love at First sight. But they Drifted Apart as they lived in Different Worlds. In the Background is Divided Jerusalem 1948-1967 (Not 1950ś as Some Wrote). Chana has Halucinations when she sees The Young Arabs. This is a Love Novel on the Background of Six Day War 1967 when Jerusalem was Reunited. Amos Oz - like me Want Peace in Jerusalem. The Photography by Adam Greenberg is on Location in Jerusalem Built in 1950ś with Historical Sights. Read the Book and See Film! Even if you are not Israeli. Compare too David Grossman more Recent Book and Movie Someone to Run With 2006.

Trespass (2011)

Why I did not enjoy Tresspas

[5/10 · 17 January 2012]

a) I see less films lately and when I do I want a Class A Movie.

b) Life is not dull and Reality is Violent enough and Crime , The Rat race is not what I am looking for. There is no shortage of good movies. From Israel or from World cinema. c) On the other hand Tresspass is exciting and I did not fall Asleep in a Warm Cinema with Cold weather Outside. d) Being a Kidman fan (The HOURS) and a Cage Fan I expected something Better. Movies based on John Grisham , Like the Pelican Brief I have on DVD and watch on my Computer Many times. It is many years since I walked out of a Movie after 60 of 90 Minutes as the Movie was Predictable. and Lastly it is January 2012 and there is no shortage of Violence as I wrote in (b) I am involved in Politics so I am looking for something more deeper like Meryl Streep as Thatcher that I have not seen yet.

Sorry my vote is Only 5 out of 10.

Last Tango in Paris (1972)

Sorry to hear that Maria Scneidar Died so Young This was a Amazing Movie.

[10/10 · 4 February 2011]

I saw it in 1973 when I was an Adolescent Virgin of 22 just past sixties Cinema and "New Left" Generation. Also a Big Screen Movie to convince People to leave their TV's And have an experience. Also in Paris after 1968 with the Parisian Chic so different to the cool London. I wonder if I would enjoy it now on DVD that I am going to look out for. I think Young People can like this film too. At that time I also discovered "Butter or Margarine". One of Marlon Brando's Best Performances in a career of Masculine Parts. Maria's Hairdo became a Hit after this Popular Movie. And she looked so young then, Sorry She Died only 58 Today. 10th June 2014, Discovered the DVD and Watched the DVD on my Desktop. The Uncut uncensored Version! Two Lonely People in A City with expensive Rooms to rent. I had forgotten it but it stayed in my mind for Many Years. Maria and Brandon are Above Average! One of my Favorites. Uncle Sam

Lemon Tree (2008)

Like Eran's Syrian Bride, The People behind the Conflict

[9/10 · 25 October 2009]

Very Realistic or close to Reality with Emphasis on People involved. Salma played by Hiam Abbass, a widow who lives on her dead Fathers Lemon Grove. An Israeli Defence Minister comes to live opposite Grove. Based on real story with Minister Shaul Mofaz. This causes a security problem. Showing "Fence" which is mostly a Wall. The Ministers Wife identifies with Salma. This is very much like Israel 2008. Similar to "Syrian Bride" Riklis set's up the Realistic Story and how it effects on People caught in to the situation. Hiam is Marvelous and other actors in the cast too. 9 out of 10 Sam's Rating. An enjoyable DocuDrama.

Aviva, My Love (2006)

Even More Relevant at the end of 2008

[10/10 · 26 December 2008]

When this film was made in 2006 the problem of growing gaps in Israeli Society was quite clear. But in December 2008 when I saw the movie it is even more relevant. A combination of economic pressures with political and security pressures makes life crazy. It reminds me of a recent French movie I saw Claude Lelouch "Roman de gare" 2007. Also a writer and the crazy pace of "Modern" Society. With the present growing uncertainty and Economic Crunch that we do not know when it will end I give 10 to "Aviva my Love". In recent years Israeli cinema has grown in international Popularity and this movie can be compared with Assy Dayan's work.

55 Days at Peking (1963)

55 Days at Peking 2008 compared to 1963

[9/10 · 27 September 2008]

I am commenting on the DVD version that I have now and I have not seen since 1963. There is a very big difference as in 1963 not only I was much younger but Cinema has changed. 55 Days was a Large Screen Movie compared with the Ten Commandments, Cleopatra of the same year 1963 and The Sound of Music and many others at that period. In those days of Cinema Hollywood convinced people to go to the Cinema with Movies that are not the same on Black and White TV on Small Screen. Watching it on DVD is not the same. Technirama an Advanced Technicolor, Dolby Stereo not as big as Cinerama. I specifically remember sitting in the cinema and the sound moved behind us. For example the Musical Bands in the opening scenes playing the anthems. About the History of China read the other comments. Still a very exciting Movie where a minority overcomes the Mass's winning at the end. David Niven does an interesting part that reminds me of the Guns of Navarone. Heston and most other actors do it very well too. Nine out of Ten in Sam's Scale.

Restless (I) (2008)

Well made Movie and Relevant. The "Restless" Rat Race.

[9/10 · 2 June 2008]

Many Israelis feel that Tel Aviv-Yaffo is like New York or becoming to be so. The Rich beside those who have dropped down the Social Economic Ladder. Moshe Ivgy has taken part in many films with similar characters as Middle Age Israeli males in the "Rat Race". Also it is very common amongst Israelis for many years to try a new life in New York. The Script is Excellent and well paced. Israelis who ignore that uneasy feeling in Israel of loss of Direction all though Israel has very big success's too are just Blind. You will find similar Scripts by Assy Dayan and Others. Dayan's Movies are even more Stark and Brutal. Israeli Soldiers have a tough time and when they finish the Army they leave Israel for sometimes years. On the Other hand there Is the Israeli Export of Arms and Hi-tech that attracts many to spend years outside of Israel. Highly Relevant Movie. But can be misunderstood.

Nuzhat al-Fuad (2006)

Many Don Quixote's in Jaffa- Jud's Best

[10/10 · 23 March 2008]

Very Strange Movie, Very interesting, Located in Jaffa including Christian Hospice where Cancer Patients only get Pain Killers and wait for Death. I felt that in contrast to "Masa Alunkot" which is realistic, Nuzhat is a Mystery, A movie on many spheres. Many parts are in Arabic (not only Hebrew). I have seen the young Efrat Gosh as a Singer, she is very radical. Muhammad Bakri recently directed the controversial Jenin, Jenin 2002. He has been a long time in Israeli -Palestinian Cinema. I felt that Nuzhat is a bit Issoteric. Instead of a Documentary this many faceted film hints at many subjects. Yael Hadar as Odelia also does an interesting part. I think I am exaggerating if the "Only Good thing in Israel lately is the Cinema". The Movie was made in 2006 Before Lebanon 2 War. I live in Jaffa since September 2006, Soon after that War. I recognize the Streets and Yaffa Cafe. I live further down on Yeffet Street. One of the Best 10 is Sam's Vote. August 2009 Met Efrat last week she told me DVD is coming out. Looking forward to the DVD as this is a movie I want to see many times.

The Debt (2007)

Thrilling near Historical Drama.

[7/10 · 11 December 2007]

Enjoyable Drama that hints to History. In the 60's Nazi's were hunted and Adolph Eichman was brought to Trial and hanged in Israel. Simalrly we see a Group of Young Mossad Agents sent to find the Doctor of Birkenau Aushwitz (Not Treblinka as someone mistakenly wrote) Reminds us of the likes of Josef Mengele. "Rachel Brenner" was one of these Agents in the 1960's who many years later goes again to find Max Reiner. Both Gila Almagor and Neta Garty do the Best parts in this Movie. Neta as the young Rachel and Gila in the present. Another point is how a story is kept secret for so many years. I wondered what other Secret Service stories Mossad or other we do not know about?

The Band's Visit (2007)

The Band Visit , Original Comedy

[9/10 · 19 October 2007]

Very Original and most enjoyable Comedy. The Band from Alexandrian Police comes to Israel and goes to Beit Tiqva instead of Petah Tiqva by mistake. Sasson Gabai and Ronit Elkabetz play an excellent comedy with a human touch. Beit Hatiqva is a far out town that has one bus a day in the desert. The Residents are originally from Arab Countries and Culture. High Unemployment and Boredem in this far out town. Sasson Gabai plays Tawfik the Band Leader. Sasson is not Egyptian but manages to play the part including small gestures of Middle Class Egyptian Officers. The Rest of the cast are good too. All though the film is very funny there are hints to serious issues. In our fast paced emerging market Society, People are left behind. The Band is a good Old Fashioned Band. Beit Hatiqva is a forgotten town like many in Israel. Most of the movie is in Arabic and English and little Hebrew. Go and see this Human Comedy.

The Champagne Spy (2007)

The Champagne Spy, Excellent Documentary. Wolfgang Lotz.

[9/10 · 3 June 2007]

Real Documentary of amazing real Spy Story. So well done that many of the characters involved take part. Meir Amit The head of the Mossad in the Sixties and many others. As much Original Photo's and Video Clips as possible. Lotz wrote books (I have one of them) and lectured World wide after the Prisoner Exchange in 1968. Also the main Story Teller is Lotz's Son. They moved to Paris and Lotz would "Go On Important Business" for several months, Leaving his wife and son in Paris. Nadav Schirman the Director has done it very well including exciting music in the BackGround. Egyptians like Spy Stories about Israel, Here is a real One. It is Not 007 Fantasy. The sad parts of the Documentary are also shown. Lotz got so used to High Class Society and Germans that eventually he returned to Germany and died there. His son lives in USA. This is tragic considering what they did for Israel. Lotz Foiled Nazi Scientists Activities in Egypt. Comparable to the Documentary about Marlene Dietrich.

La Vie En Rose (2007)

Edith Piaf- Non, je ne regrette rien

[10/10 · 7 May 2007]

One of the most moving movies I have seen.

Read about Edith Piaf on Wikipedia and you will understand that the movie is a Biography.

Even the Music is the Original Edith Piaf Music recordings. Edith Piaf had a very Painful life and Her Songs are Universal, that is why she was liked both sides of the Atlantic. Some of her Biography is still unclear, Her Childhood. The World War 2 years. I understand she helped the French Resistance. Olivier Dahan does it very well with Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf. The Amazing Romance with boxer Marcel Cerdan. So I want to see this movie again, which is rare with me. Comparable with Movie about Marlene Dietrich and "I'm Your Man" about Leonard Cohen. So I do not Regret seeing it. 10 out of 10.

The Queen (2006)

The Media in this Modern World

[9/10 · 17 February 2007]

The Great Hellen Mirren HRH who I enjoyed in Prime Suspect does it well again. I happen to remember that summer of 1997 and the movie does remind us of the Diana Tragedy. But it is pin-pointed to that period only. My late Mother used to say that EIIR has more family Problems than ours. Maybe the Movie Diana has still to be made. If you did not remember that period the movie does little help. Also the subject of the Impact of the Media and Modern Telecom on Politics is a subject we live with every day. I remember that weekend when we were busy with other tragedies, (Lebanon, Suicide Bombers etc..). In this part of the World we ask What is going to take up the Headlines? Iraq? Darfur forgotten? Diana did not use a seat belt and they were trying, again, to get away from Paparachi. I see this a the universal subject of this well done movie.

Three Mothers (2006)

Family Saga-Emotional. Three Mothers.

[10/10 · 27 December 2006]

I totally disagree with "Mr. Telenovela Ltd" This Movie is Enjoyable and Moving. Triplets is more complicated than twins! Triplets Rose, Flora and Yasmin were born in Alexandria Egypt and King Farouk came at their birth in 1942. In 2006 in Israel, Jasmine needs a kidney transplant. This and the Family Saga are given to us including Anwar Saadat's break thru visit to the Knesset in November 1977. Rose is a successful singer and Gila Almagor and Miri Messika make moving singing. (A bit like the Famous Zehava Ben). Israeli Time-Out gives 4 out of 5 points for this very original Movie. Dina Zvi-Riklis based it on her own Autobiography. It is like a Greek Tragedy or Egyptian Tragi-Drama. I saw it on a cold day, and it was well worth going to the cinema for this. I also had Family who lived in Alexandria and most Mediteranian Countries.

Things Behind the Sun (2006)

A film about Pain in the Family.

[9/10 · 20 December 2006]

Yuval Shafferman,the director is an emerging young director in Israel and this is his debut feature. His short film 'Routine', shot while he was a student at Tel Aviv University has won the prestigious 'Best Student Film' award at the Manhattan short Film Festival and with it $250,000 in the year 2003. 'Things behind the sun' is excellent. It is about Pain in the Family. The Political situation in Israel and the Middle East is not mentioned at all but the Social Situation is hinted all the time. Modern Israel with very big Social Gaps. The tense situation, Materialistic Rat Race, Reminds me of "Knafayim Shvurot" by Nir Bergman (Broken Wings 2002). Family drama, Yitzhak (Assy Dayan) the father who hears that his father is dying in a Hospital. His wife has an art exhibition that opens that same week. The older daughter comes home after many years of study and Hi-Tec work on her Laptop discovers that she is Lesbian. Yitzhak has not seen his father in ten years. The younger daughter is Didush, she is 10 year old and nobody even seem to notice that she is there. The dysfunction of the family is nicely brought out in a scene where Yitzhak and his wife are at the verge of a major fight. They are decent enough to know that they should not talk in front of Didush. They ask her to leave saying it is time to bed. Didush says she does not want to sleep yet. Then they try to get around the problem by speaking in English, only for Didush to say something in English and leave at the end of it. The parents did not even know that their own kid speaks English.

All the Characters are played very well. The Script and the Direction are very good. Enjoyed it all-though it is sad and Painful.

Close to Home (2005)

Most Original and Enjoyable.

[10/10 · 18 March 2006]

There have been a few Movies about Israeli Women soldiers, But most films about the army have been about Male soldiers. I agree with the comment from Miami that it is so well done that you do not have to be Israeli or Female to enjoy it.

Also I liked it as it has heavy hints about the situation in Israel in recent years with Intifada 2. But the movie is Human and not Political. Filmed mainly in central Jerusalem and is realistic. You see what happens when a "Pigua" (Terror Explosion) happens. But you also see 18 year old Youngsters growing up the hard way. Directed by two Women Vardit Bilu and Dalia Hagar the movie is thru women's eyes.

Downfall (2004)

German Nightmare

[9/10 · 9 October 2005]

I had very mixed feelings before and when I saw this film about Hitler Berlin Germany and the end of World War 2. The Film is German Perfection that even Spielberg could not do. It is not enjoyable and I thought of walking out before the end of the movie. And for a correction, The Movie mentions that 50 Million died as a result of the war and 6 Million Jews. The truth is that 13 Million died that were not connected directly to the War Including the Six Million Jews, So Nazism was bad for everyone, not only Jews. For the Germans too. 35 Million Russians etc... Here we see Berlin Bombed and we are not shown how many other cities were destroyed. I suppose I had to see this movie.

My Summer of Love (2004)

You do not have to be Lesbian to enjoy this Film!

[10/10 · 21 May 2005]

I enjoyed this film as it asks questions about life, Society and Religion in an unconventional Way. Mona and Tam fall in love one summer.

Press plays Mona, bored to tears with life in provincial Yorkshire, and especially bored with her brother Phil (Paddy Considine) who is a reformed violent criminal and born-again Christian now righteously pouring away the stocks of booze in the pub owned by their late parents, and re-purposing this place of sin as a prayer center. Then she meets Tamsin (Emily Blunt), a kindred spirit despite being outrageously posh, who's rusticated from her private girls' school, and whose neglectful parents let her have the run of their magnificent Tudor family home. Mona explains that her name is actually Lisa, but her habit of complaining got her the nickname "Moaner" Lisa, from her brother, back in the days when he had a sense of humor. Tamsin's enigmatic response is simply to drawl: "I've studied the original." But as I said you do not have to be Lesbian to enjoy this wonderful film. Many people go through life asking themselves who they are? Where do they live and what do they believe in.

The Condemned of Altona (1962)

Altona a film that left an impression since my childhood.

[10/10 · 17 December 2004]

The Condemned of Altona.

This is a film I saw a few times and would like to see again 40 years later. Based on Jean-Paul Sartre about WW2 and the NEW Germany in German eyes. The central character, Franz Gerlach, has kept himself locked in the attic of his father's house for many years because his Nazi Past. Sophia Loren as Johanna visits him in the attic. Loren and all the actors play difficult parts. Reminds me of Boll and Gunther Grass. Those Germans who can not forget what happened in World War 2. A 10 from me, a must see Drama that has been done on stage too. Is there a DVD Copy available? I saw it on TV and at the Cinema in the 1960's.

Circle of Deceit (1981)

Circle of Deceit. Very Important Film by Good Director.

[10/10 · 7 June 2004]

I agree with Benjamin Stello of Sweden but want to add that the Film is made on Location in Beirut and is nearly Documentary. It is before Israel invaded Lebanon to get rid of PLO Terrorists. It shows the situation after Lebanese Civil War that started 1975. Beirut is divided into many Rival Quarters. The Palestinians Controlling part of Beirut. A Hellish situation where everybody is Against everybody. Similar to Yugoslavia some years later. Another Book I recommend is Thomas Friedman's "From Beirut to Jerusalem" which describes Beirut a few years later. This movie I only saw once in 1982 and is unforgettable. I also recommend other films by this Director. The Tin Drum and Others.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)

Very American and that is what I liked

[9/10 · 23 March 2004]

Saw this Movie many years ago and it has stayed in my Memory as a Very American Movie. Those Guys in Washington will not tell us what to do in Texas... I studied Political Science in Israel and This Movie showed me what Federalism is all about. Enjoyable Light Humor and Satire. Not Porno. Would like to see again sometime. 9 in Sam Cohens Scale. 10 for Entertainment.