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Devon
Reviews
Winterschläfer (1997)
Excellent film representing a good direction for German Cinema
I was surprised and disappointed to read the empty complaints about this excellent movie. Instead of responding to these vapid ramblings, I will try to explain why I enjoyed the film.
First, the characters. All are very well portrayed. The acting in this movie is interesting and very real. I found myself identifying with them and believing them. Josef Bierbicher as Theo was very convincing and his portrayal of a bereaved father rang true. Floriane Daniel is similarly skilled. Not all the scenes in this film are easy to perform, yet when her grief overwhelms her at the most inopportune of moments - as she crouches behind a shed to relieve herself - her naked emotion is laid bare to the audience.
The plot is built towards a cathartic ending. I won't say what happens, but the audience is left satisfied with the end that comes to each character. It is not all a happy ending, but there are aspects of both sadness and happiness. The relationships between the characters are well-developed, and thought they may not be "unique", though they may describe common, every-day events, that is their power as well. This is a film about people in pretty much every-day situations, but with an added twist of life and death.
The cinematography and directing by Tykwer is simply enthralling. Nearly every shot was beautiful. I was entranced from beginning to end by the simple joy of the images on the screen. This is not necessarily revolutionary film-making, but it is the film-making of a confident and excellent director.
So, I recommend this film to anyone who wants to see a mature and interesting movie. One word of warning: this is not "Run Lola Run." The movie moves more slowly and is definitely less visceral, more hinged on dialog, and less on action. However, don't let this warning scare you away. Give "WinterSleepers" a chance and you won't be disappointed.
Mars Attacks! (1996)
Unfunny and gruesome from beginning to end...
There have been many comments on this movie so I will be brief. There are no redeeming qualities to this film. Most of the best actors are wasted in throw-away parts, with death scenes that are not at all funny. There is nothing particularly intelligent about this film, contrary to some comments; perhaps they mistake gleeful sadism for intelligence. There are few movies I truly hate, and this is one of them.