vdg Reviews

Ill Manors (2012)

Tough and disjointed, but worth seeing

[8/10 · 16 August 2013]

I don't like to write many reviews, but when I discover a movie that I think it is underrated, it makes sense to write about it:)

Although there are many characters, you do not get to know very well any of them and at the same they all have something in common: a horror east-London story-line that tangles them.

I guess the movie seems very rough and tough from many points of view, specially to someone who has not been in that part of London, nor has seen anything similar. To all the other ones, this seems to be just another slice of live that brings up sometimes the worst and best of people.

There is a positive message in the end, but boy..you have to through hell and back before you get there!

I am having hard time recommending the movie, although from technical point of view it was almost without flaw, mainly because the abuse of using too many sad stories at the same time. Limiting the number of main characters to only 2-3 would've had the same effect.

Anyway, kudos to the director for a well done movie, albeit I will never want to watch it again...

Boy (I) (2010)

The little gem from NZ

[9/10 · 20 September 2010]

There are very few movies coming out of NZ that are memorable at all, and stumbling upon such a gem is quite a rarity!

I rarely take time to write reviews, but I felt that this movies deserves one:)

There is hardly any fault in this movie from direction and acting perspective, although I have to reckon I have never heard of anyone from the main movie credits... Combining unknown actors with a very simple script is a recipe for disaster, in general,BUT not in this film. I think the charm of the movie comes from kids that are playing their roles just perfect:innocent but responsible when need it.

The last scene of the movie makes you feel that you've just experienced something unique that comes on the screen once in 10 years!

If you manage to get the DVD, invite some friends over and have an '80 night at the movies: all of them they'll feel happy at the end!

Snijeg (2008)

Touchy subject handled almost perfect!

[9/10 · 30 September 2008]

I have never heard of the director or the actors who played in this movie, but they managed to produce one of the most memorable movies about the consequences of the Bosnian war. The VIFF screening of this movie had its moments when some people left the theater, but the overall reaction was one of silence - silence for the ones that were victims of that war.

If you have the chance to see this movie, go with an open mind and you'll be reward it, as the film would manage to stir a lot of questions about the war in general, and about the Bosnian war in special: why did it happen? ohhhh, WHY?

16 Years of Alcohol (2003)

Interesting story and direction

[7/10 · 15 February 2006]

I really don't understand how come some people trash this movie! There is nothing wrong with: the acting is quite good, the direction is quite fresh, the music rules and the story is reasonably good.

Yes, there are same scenes taken from Kubrick's work and the whole story is NOT original, but the setting in Scotland's capital is quite nice. I was pleasantly surprised by the actors,quite natural acting helped probably by a story that is very familiar to some of them:)

Overall this film is well worth it and would expand your horizon of good European movies.

A well deserved 7/10.

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)

Pleasant surprise..indeed!

[8/10 · 14 December 2005]

I was not expecting a story like this, as I was very familiar with the other movies written by Guillermo Arriaga...so the surprise was even more powerful when I saw something very original:) Nothing utterly complicated, wonderful music, good actors; that was a recipe for one of the most interesting movies of 2005.

You might look at the primary story, and you would see just some simple revenge, but that is just the backbone of some other interesting stories from today's world: marriage,poverty,love,friendship.

I would not spoil your pleasure with details of this movie: just go and see it!

Mirrormask (2005)

Fantasy gone astray

[7/10 · 11 December 2005]

I am a big admirer of Neil Gaiman's stories, but this movie does not do justice to his talent. Although the story is on the same path as you were expecting from Neil's previous works, it left me with a desire to SEE something else.

The music ,for the most part of the movie, is struggling to find a direction, and the acting is leaving a LOT to be expected...

Imagine that you are in the desert, and you are looking desperately for water; somewhere it might be,but when you get closer to it, it vanishes.That's what's happening with the direction in this film: it wanders from perfect to amateur back and forth a few time, that in the end it makes you wander if it's just one director or may...:(

Nevertheless, it's quite original, and it deserves to be seen just for the unique techniques used, but don't expect a masterpiece: this is clearly an artsy movie gone wrong...

Sorry..just a 7 from 10.

Innocent Voices (2004)

Horror..horror

[8/10 · 28 November 2005]

..what else beside horror, can you feel about a civil that torn apart a country and forced children to fight? How you were suppose to feel about the American government that spent BILLIONS of dollars to support a civil for some stupid reasons? Although this is just a movie, the real drama that Salvador went through should not be forgotten. Watch and learn!

I would dare to compare this movie with "Machuca" from Chile, but this one is way more realistic,and not so eye-candy like Andrés's Wood story. Acting is quite good,but sometimes the dramatic moments are a bit over-acted; the music is quite good,and you wish to listen more to the folk songs from that time...

I can definitely recommend this movie: a deserved 8/10.

Dersu Uzala (1975)

Once upon a time, there was a director...

[9/10 · 3 October 2004]

..and his name was Akira Kurosawa. Once upon a time there was a simple man: a hunter, and simple story of friendship and reflection about life. Once upon a time a magnificent director and film crew have put a beautiful story on the screen with such perfection, that in our days we look back and we wonder: why movies like this are not being made anymore??

It doesn't matter if you like any other Kurosawa's works or any other 'Russian' films, because this one would touch you so much that you would go back and looked for similar films… I wish I could see this film in all his beauty: on a big screen, in the original format (70 mm), as I felt that I missed a lot of details from the TV format.

There are directors and there is Kurosawa, there are dramas and there are Russian stories, so when you put both of them together, what do you get? Dersu Uzala!

Enjoy it, at least as much I did

Días de Santiago (2004)

Nice one!

[7/10 · 2 October 2004]

Lima, Peru. If you ever been there you will recognize the sad truth about that city: poverty and misery all over. For a movie coming from Peru, I think it was very good, but it cannot stand with international standards: most of the actors were pathetic:) Now, don't understand me wrong, the movie is nice, and I recommend it, BUT is still far away from the Italian neo-realism (It is indeed a neo-realist film..) and WAY far away from the Taxi Driver, that many people compare it with. The streets and the atmosphere from Lima was caught very good on the screen using some black and white images alternating with colored ones, but other than this, don't expect anything spectacular.

7/10 - one of the best Peruvian movies.

Bab el shams (2004)

Not really...

[6/10 · 30 September 2004]

I had high expectations from this film: 270 min. epic about Palestine. ..but in the end, I had to walk out of the movie before the end, as some scenes were pure ridiculous. Of course, it's a political movie, and the Jews are portrayed almost the same like Nazis, but the main reason for not liking it was the direction and the acting. Quite understandable, there are no good actors in here, most of them seemed to be amateurs, but this is not an excuse for a director to deliver such a distasteful movie. Way to many close-ups, and running scenes were everyone is looking into the camera, like waiting for the next signal to do something. The sceneries, costumes and the music were brilliant, but this was not enough to make me recommend this film. Sorry.

6/10

War and Peace (1965)

Perfect!

[10/10 · 16 September 2004]

Most of the Russian movies have something in common: a highly dramatic content. This one is not of an exception either…a very touching human drama in times of Peace and WAR. I shall not say the same things that other reviewers said, so I just want to mention the brilliant camera work and the almost flawless direction.

I was expecting a rather conservative approach of the camera, with pan and scan shots, but at some times I was pleasantly surprised by different techniques: you'll have to see the movie for yourself…as I wont make a technical analysis here. There are certain scenes where you get the feeling that you are privileged in watching them, as a spectator, but at the same time you can 'feel' the atmosphere so real, so you might think you've been there for real…

The music, ohhhh…the music…flows through the whole movie so natural: from the Russian folk songs to the army marches, going through the waltzes and other époques music styles. There a quite a few scenes where there is nothing else but MUSIC, and a wonderful camera work.

One special note about the actors: beside Sergei Bondarchuk (who is the director as well) we have a cast of brilliant actors that are just perfect for their roles. Indeed the scenario is very good, so their roles are well developed, but nevertheless , the young Lyudmila Savelyeva is quite a Russian gem that unfortunately has not been used much in the later years…

What can I say more about this movie…just that there is new version on 5 DVDs, with a 5.1 re-mastered soundtrack, and with an acceptable picture quality: sometimes you can see some dark corners, scratches and so one..but overall is the best version you'll be able to find..so GET IT and WATCH IT.

10/10 – perfect movie for movie lovers!

Stalker (1979)

Masterpiece or failure.

[9/10 · 9 August 2004]

There are just two different ways of cataloging this film: a beautiful, poetic masterpiece, or a big failure from one of the most artistic director of all the times. Yes, both affirmations from above can be quite true. 1. Masterpiece. For an art lover, or a good connoisseur of Tarkovsky's films, this movie comes floating like a dove on the water. The techniques used here are never the less brilliant, and Tarkovsky-an, if I can say that…There are moments in the film that makes you say: STOP, rewind, PLAY it again…and again..and again..and again!!! Even for me, with so many art movies that I've seen in my life, this one is difficult to fully comprehend. I've read the novel that this movie is based on, before seeing the movie, BUT, Tarkovsky doesn't follow the book too much, so it didn't really help me understand it…Oh well, after seeing it the fifth time, I can say that I have a better idea than the first timeJ 2. Failure. Closed, hermetic, snobby, pretentious, boring ..etc. All those adjectives can be found in so many reviews about this film, and is quite understandable why. Tarkovsky did want YOU to understand so easy, he wanted to make YOU think about it, more and more…and in the end to still have more questions…Comparing with all the other films by Tarkovsky, Stalker stands up as the most `difficult' one, and maybe that's why most of the critics are having hard time recognizing its true value!

I have just one recommendation: watch the movie alone, in a dark room, with tons of volume from your receiver (get the 2 DVD version, with the newly re-mastered 5.1 sound). Watch it in one night, and then the second night do the same. Then take a pause of 2-3 days, and do it AGAIN!! After that MAYBE you can comprehend what this movie is all about.

Festival Express (2003)

More..more..PLEASE!!

[9/10 · 31 July 2004]

There is nothing more to add to the other commentaries: all you want at this end of the almost perfect documentary is MORE MUSIC!! Indeed I could see the same technique used by Pennebaker, and the same groove as in "Woodstock", but this is the closest you'll ever get in these modern times to a recreation of the flower-power atmosphere!! Today we have no more Janis, no more Jerry, and the whole world just feels empty without them, now even more than before, thanks to this movie. JANIS just steals the show every time she appears in the film, but there are many other people with memorable lines and comments, so in the whole it's an amazing feast for the eyes and ears! GO AND SEE IT

Code 46 (2003)

Could've been MUCH better!

[7/10 · 29 July 2004]

I found this film to be quite un-equal, with some very good moments and some very bad ones. The main actors were very good, and the story was quite interesting, even though there were many details that were not quite right. The cinematography was gorgeous at some times, and very bad some other times:). I am still trying to figure out if this was indeed the intention of the director or not... Overall the film can be rated as mildly interesting with a different view at the future and the progress (or regress) that would bring (i.e: Spanish language will be very popular even in China).

Not very techie, for a SF movie, and well balanced, it has a great potential that fails short of a very good movie: one more step up and this one would've been a CULT movie...well, maybe some other time!

Mamma Roma (1962)

Good early Pasolini!

[8/10 · 20 July 2004]

One of the early Pasolini, Mamma Roma is a forgotten gem of Italian cinema. Some pleasant surprises in this underrated movies, like the amazing performance of `mamma roma' -Anna Magnani , and the MUSIC, mostly classical!!! I can relate this movies with some work done by Vittorio de Sica , but is not so neo-realist, even though sometimes you feel like it is. Symbolism, a very dear approach of later Pasolini's work is present here as well, and we can even see this movie as a Greek tragedy, leaving the viewer's many options to explore. Overall, a well deserved 8.5/10.

The Emperor's Wife (2003)

Fails to deliver...

[7/10 · 16 June 2004]

I was lucky to get a copy of this film, and after reading some reviews, I had great expectations about it. Without a doubt this film would've been on of the greatest art movie, but it fails to deliver. My first impression was that Julie Taymor's TITUS, had a big impact on this movie, and I would've loved to see the same kind of acting and direction. Unfortunately the movie dilutes from the initial high level, to something that's nothing more but a cheap art film. I would've like to see more of the costumes and the décor and less of the bad acting of some of the actors… Interesting camera movements, reminiscent of Greenaway's films, a quite pleasant music score, original screenplay, but in the end you are left with the desire of MORE. For movie lovers I think is worth take look at it, and in this commercial world it's a nice exception from the mainstream films.

7/10

The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 1: The Moab Story (2003)

Almost impossible to comment on it...

[10/10 · 6 June 2004]

How can I write something about this movie…as it's almost impossible to write a review about such a film! Get all the other Greenaway's movies, add a doze of Gillian and Lynch and you can get an idea about what this movie is all about it. I think the students that learn about what film editing means, should use this film as the most perfect example. Multiple scenes flying across the screen, multiple dialogs, theater-like atmosphere and a good music score, adds up to create a unique experience! I have to reckon that I had big expectations about this movie, after reading the reviews, seeing the web site related to the whole story, and of course, seeing all the other Greenaway's movies… and I was not disappointed- this film is something that I have waited to see since long time ago: a blend of reality, imagination and a perfect manipulation of movie editing.

Definitely this movie should be seen in the theater, as its just too small for a normal TV-there is so much information on the screen…or maybe if you have a projector at home:)

There are probably lots of `mistakes'(like a very hard to follow script, too many characters...etc) in this film, and many people would not understand a thing, but this is just normal, because there is no other movie that can be compare with this one!

IF you love art movies, and you are prepared to give some `food' to your brain, then see this movie, you won't be disappointed.

Probably, Greenaway's idea of creating this multimedia Magnus Opus would be doomed to a commercial failure, but for the real art lovers, I think the movies created for this project would set a landmark.

10 out 10

Woman in the Dunes (1964)

Sand..sand..sand..THE sand!!!

[8/10 · 13 May 2004]

1964, Japan. Sand and love. Sand and drama. Sand and horror. I saw this movie recently and I won't forget some scenes in really long time. It's just haunting, and has changed my perception about desert and sand...and on top of it you add some erotic scenes that are pure perfection without showing too much nude skin, so at the end you get a very provocative movie. The director is a real artist in creating an atmosphere that's just perfect for the story he tells. Rarely I have seen a better manipulation of light, sound and filming techniques. Many times before I have wondered what a director has in mind when creates a movie so powerful like this one, is he really conscientious about all the final effect on the viewer, or is he expecting everybody to have his own opinion about it? In this case I think the director left too little to your own imagination, but that's not too bad, as the movie DOES manage to transmit, what I think it was, the original message of the director (I'll let you watch the movie, and figure out for yourself that message..).

I gave the movie 8/10 , just because sometimes the sound was not that great, and some scenes had some technical faults(like too dark, or the contrast on the film of bit off). Anyhow, I strongly recommend this movie to any serious lover of art films, and to anyone who wants to rediscover maybe, some feelings no so well expressed in today's cinema.

The Saddest Music in the World (2003)

Experiments, madness, comedy, drama, musical and some more...

[8/10 · 6 May 2004]

Experiments, madness, comedy, drama, musical and some more.

I was unaware of Guy Maddin movies until I saw this one, so from the start to the end I was in awe about a director that came to me from nowhere and managed to surprise me. I am saying this as I have seen quite a few (1000's maybe) movies, and I am very hard to be surprised by something.

Without any doubt the movie IS one of the most original ones I've seen in years, and beside the strange techniques used (black/white grainy film, alternating with color-grainy as well, theater-like sets, etc..) the originality of the director is never the less amazing.

Of course quite a few people left the theater during the movie, but that's understandable, as this is just for the die-hard fans of good/art films. If you thought SALLO was a good movie, beside the cruelty on the screen, or if you actually understood Satyricon, then this movie might appeal you, otherwise don't waste your time on it.

I can't find a movie that can be related to this one, I just cannot!!! Great actors, great music and even a greater director: food for the soul.

8/10

Pelle the Conqueror (1987)

Again..a pleasant surprise!

[10/10 · 27 April 2004]

Very few films can stand up so well as this one. I was very pleasant surprised when I got the DVD from the public library and I realized that I had and in my hands an unknown gem. Starting with the costumes, that are probably the most realistic ones I've seen in many movies; the actors that just perfect for their parts (specially the kids..) and finishing with a brilliant director that to me was quite unknown( I realized later that is the same one from `Misérables, Les'). If there is something missing or maybe not as good as the rest of the film is the MUSIC. Sometimes it lives up to the quality of the movie, but most of the time is just missing or is not really appropriate for the particular scene..sorry, but that's my opinion! Most of the people think that the characters are not well developed and not coherent , but to me adaptation of the book is always hard to follow, so maybe that's why you get the feeling that something is missing… The movie ranks on top of my `all times favorites', a true European masterpiece!

Ratcatcher (1999)

Pleasant surprise!

[8/10 · 15 April 2004]

A dream… a sad dream, but sometimes beautiful. Is very hard to write about this movie. I just saw it on the DVD, and I was happy to find a good movie in a title that doesn't attract too much. Yes, I can say that's a good movie, with flaws, but still a good movie. Some scenes are just magnificent, and some are just dull. The biggest flaw I can see it in not having enough soundtrack, most of the scenes are `dry', and I had the feeling that something is missing. Indeed this technique is creating a sense of truce and reality in the film, but still, I would've preferred more music. The director has something in common with some East European directors, and I have to admit that is the first Scottish director that manages to transmit real feelings to the viewers. BRAVO!

Overall, the acting was OK, with special mention of the boy (James), which was just brilliant…way to start an acting career!!!

8/10

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)

Symbolism and art!

[9/10 · 31 March 2004]

A play. A director. A crazy writer. Some more crazy actors. A perfect score. Mix them together, add a doze of Antonioni and Fellini, and you'll get this movie. This is not your usual film, and for the majority of people this would be `THE' craziest movie ever! But, for sake of art and originality, please see this movie with an open mind and take it as is: an expression of originality and creativity. The costumes, the scenes, and the cinematography are like from a play in the decadent times. Very intriguing transitions from one scene to another, changing the light/costumes/music all at the same time, but following the same scenario idea, makes you wonder if the director/writer were `awake' when they created this.

…or a better way of saying something about this movies: `it's a Greenaway'. You see a Dali painting and you know is by Dali, the same with this film: something that you'll always associate with Greenaway and his original way of seeing the world.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Original!

[9/10 · 25 March 2004]

I really have to write something about this movie... Original and different from most of today's films, this one manages to capture your attention from the first to the last minute! This is not your typical Jim Carrey movie, so don't go just for Jim...as you might be disappointed. Jim and the rest of the actors are very good, but the screenplay is pure magic: original, touching, inventive, and sometimes even groundbreaking! The director, or anything else did not impress me; this is a pure screenplay-acting film, nothing more...but don't expect some art movie, or cult movie...is still a Hollywood movie. Definitely one of the best movie of this year!

The Cranes Are Flying (1957)

Masterpiece from Russia.

[10/10 · 17 March 2004]

I would like to tell you just a few things before considering seeing this movie. If at one point or another you thought you've seen good camera work, be prepared to be amazed by this movie. For the record, this movie was made in 1957 in Russia, but the technique used here is probably something that we've seen much later in the western world...about 20 years later. The level of emotions through the film varies quite a lot: happiness -love-war- despair-joy, but in the end you remain with something quite unique: the joy of seeing one masterpiece of filmmaking. The young directors from our time should study more this kind of movies and maybe they will be able to create something similar..even though I think movies like this are very hard to come by... If you've seen "I am Cuba" , then this movie would appeal to you very much, but if not, be prepared for a unique experience. The Russian directors have something in common: very small budgets, great actors, and a joy of creating art...and yes, they are able to create more masterpieces than all the western world together. I am not a big fan of Russia, actually I hate everything that's communist, but the film making in that part of the world, manages to create such feelings that are hard to describe.

Enjoy it.

The English Patient (1996)

Slow but rewarding, beautiful!

[9/10 · 12 March 2004]

I have seen many movies, but very few of them managed to create such emotions in the viewer. There are certain movies that makes you feel alive because you FEEL something: sometimes we forget what we are looking for, when we watch a film- we are looking for certain feelings to be created, for certain emotions to surface again. This film is all about this and more. Indeed is a slow paced movie, indeed the characters are not so great, but even the real life is not perfect, so let's put aside all this, and enjoy it with an open minded. Romance is something that appeals a lot to filmmakers, but again, few of them manage to capture it so nice on the screen. The actors were just amazing, the score is captivating and the cinematography reminds of Antonioni. If you are `impatient' this movie is not for you, but all the rest should be able to understand this movie and appreciate it.

I watch it 3 times so far, and every time I discover new things that where not there before…

Grab a bottle of nice wine, turn off the light, and let the magic of this movie surround you… I give this one 9 of 10.