swekarl Reviews

Pornography: A Thriller (2009)

A half-measure, unfortunately

[4/10 · 5 January 2011]

The first half of the film is pretty exciting, let be a bit cheesy, but that's part of the genre. Then it just gets weird in a "it was just a dream - or was it?" kind of way. Boring.

I got the impression the writer didn't believe in his own script, thinking the basic story was too over the top to make it on its own. So he made a twist to save face as a serious movie-maker. Or something like that.

Sorry to be so negative about it, but just like another reviewer pointed out, this movie could have been so good with so little extra work done to it.

Technically it was well done, the acting/directing is okay too, I really just object to the script.

Glue (2006)

Total absence of a script makes it boring

[4/10 · 21 April 2008]

I really didn't want to dis this movie, because the acting/directing was great and the movie does succeed in capturing the teenage vibe, despite the male actors look a little older than 16 to me (still very cute though).

What makes me rate it a 4 is the total absence of a script. There is no depth of characters, no character development, no conflict. I don't mind experimental storytelling as long as I'm engaged and care for the characters. You don't in this movie and I found myself thinking like scandojazzbuff - wake me up when it's over.

The Gus Van Sant style rather annoyed than impressed me - that's how all alternative coming of age movies look like.

It seems to me many film makers want to both write and direct their movies. If you're not Woody Allen and can pull it off, maybe it would be a good idea to use that old thing called a scriptwriter.

Sleep Dealer (2008)

Great idea, but so boring

[2/10 · 19 February 2008]

Great idea, great setting, even a great story - and yet so boring. Reason: The characters remain paper dolls.

Rule 1A in all story telling is "show, don't tell". It doesn't matter how much a character emphasizes something - it's his actions that convince us. In this film there is none such character development - they just talk. When you don't believe in the characters, you don't care for them. And what makes a story exciting is that we care for the fate of our heroes. In Sleep Dealer I couldn't care less. Unfortunately, because I love the genre.

I should add that the photography and music is wonderful - that's what made me stay in the theatre and stopped me from giving this film one star only.

The Genesis Children (1972)

Pathetic yet brilliant

[6/10 · 26 December 2005]

Judging from comments on other sites, people either love or hate this movie. I was warned that it would be crap, but I was even more enticed by the theme: A bunch of teens doing what they are best at - being beautiful.

And that was exactly what it was. There is no story whatsoever and the so called philosophical theme is just there as an alibi - its naive statements make you laugh. What's more - the acting sucks. The Genesis Children really is a pathetic movie, by normal movie standards.

The only point with The Genesis Children is to show teenage boys naked. And God, that's a great point! That is *radical* in today's society. I watched the movie smiling, both at the boys' beauty and at the fact that such a film has been made at all.