kyleroberts Reviews

Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

Incredibly tense and intense

[10/10 · 4 November 2023]

It starts slow but then it gradually builds up into something surprising. Beautifully acted by entire cast. Loved the close-ups and the intricacies between characters. Loved also how the external collective character of the "social environment" was included in the plot.

I would have stopped it earlier but finally the director had its intention. :-)

The movies reveals how on a simple situation can unfold into an entire universe of possibilities where reality becomes unknown, or it gets so many facades where each point of view is a real as the other's.

Loved every second of it.

I highly recommend it.

After Yang (2021)

This movie should be placed in the dictionnary at the definition of "movie"

[10/10 · 12 February 2023]

Recently I saw "After Yang" listed as one of the "must see" movies from 2022. I watched the trailer and I was already mesmerized.

Today, I managed to watch it and wow, I am left speechless.

When I was a student and took a class about image composition, I learned the definition of a movie: " a sequence of perfectly balanced shots". My brain (who had already seen many commercial movies up to that point) immediately started challenging such definition: "this can't be true. There are so many movies where there's nothing apart from the story or the action." But then, luckily for me, my "real" movies journey began... It commenced with WKW - In The Mood For Love. Then it continued with Almodovar's "Hable Con Ella", Tarkovsky's "Stalker" and "Sacrifice" and Tom Ford's " A Single Man". Two years' ago I fell in love forever with "Dolor y Gloria". In all these I appreciated the story, the cast and the image mastery.

"After Yang" has just become another favorite to add to the above list. The philosophical theme of the movie displayed in 90' of perfectly balanced shots have me say that this movie could be easily put as The Definition of what a movie should be like.

The light, the fine details, shot after shot, wow. My heart could barely contain the immense beauty shown, accompanied by peaceful silence, or amazing orchestral music.

Thank you, Mr. Kogonada for this masterpiece!

My soul is eternally grateful to you for this creation.

The Viewing Booth (2019)

Ingenious directing

[10/10 · 3 July 2021]

Found the idea of the movie intriguing, but I got thrilled by its film directing. The shooting angles, which created multiple viewing layers of reality, overlapped in a complex "new reality" - that inspired me. Also, I loved the honest, profund dialogue between the director and the main character.

All in all, wow.

Holy Father (2020)

Brillantly crisp in sight and in depth of Life

[10/10 · 1 June 2021]

When I read the headline beneath the title, I immediately said to myself, OMG this movie is about me. I've been searching for my lost father, my whole life (only that mine passed away when I was a teen).

Then I saw the movie and I can't hold my admiration to the courage of the author to "exploit" so honestly his life, in this interactive, public diary chapter.

Well done, Andrei!!!

I totally love the image, the editing, the "script", the ending, the flow of the relationship with your dad.

It seemed like a soothing process for both your soul and your dad's soul. Lots of gratitude to your partner who accepted to shine so naturally in your creation (I mean Paula). Of course, Ana Sofia just entered the stage. :-) God bless all of you! And thank you a million times for inspiring me with your story. You probably just changed my life (and I am in my 40s - right on time for a new path ;-) ).

The Man from Earth (2007)

What's there to comment

[1/10 · 27 December 2007]

To me it seemed like someone wanted to subtly express some opinions about human beliefs so they created this boring movie.

Did not like the acting (...but what was there to act?), did not find anything exciting in the plot.

Overall, I don't even know what to comment about this movie as I found nothing interesting whatsoever about it.

Apparently, the ones who liked it, were the ones who shared the author's opinions... but as a movie, it really is one of the worst I have ever seen.

Even the space odyssey was better, although I hated that one as well.

Fracture (2007)

Quite a disappointment

[3/10 · 11 November 2007]

It's a new trend with the current decade of movies to try to shock the audience at the end. Matrix, The Sixth Sense, The Other are just a few examples of the many on this recipe.

Unfortunately, 'Fracture' started on many threads to try to get us lost in the plot. However, in the first few minutes of the movie, my wife and I guessed what it was all about. After that, many 'subjects' were left hanging in the air, with no explanation to it. The office people, the title, the many 'symbols' used were left unexplained, with no meaning.

Too bad. It had a great potential, but... totally wasted.

La Vie En Rose (2007)

Sensationally tragic and beautiful. Spectacular acting performances

[10/10 · 15 March 2007]

All I can say is wow.

It was so sad and so well done. Filmography, sound, scenography and acting, everything in a package that you will never forget.

The story of a star with all the drama behind the curtains.

A roller-coaster of emotions, beautifully crafter and sensationally interpreted by every single actor and actress.

Marion Cotillard, I could not even put in words the tremendous portraying of Edith Piaf. I would definitely go for an Oscar as leading actress. If Nicole Kidman won it for Virginia Wolf, by all means, this young French super-talented actress deserves nothing less.

Prepare your hearts and souls, to meet this unique French star: Edith Piaf; and you will get to see her, not just the character.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Prepare yourself to start believing

[8/10 · 6 December 2005]

I am quite fond of Laura Linney and Tom Wilkinson, therefore I chose to go see this psychological thriller, although I am no longer a fan of this genre (after 'Saw'). I was not disappointed. I had a feeling that it was more like a documentary rather than a fiction film. I had had the chance to witness a real exorcism procedure and had a very different perspective on the whole film. I like the fact that it presented the story both from the science/medicine viewpoint and the religious one. If you have doubts, or if you wanna check out what kind of forces are around us, you should definitely try it out. But don't expect bloody, scary scenes, it more in your mind (it reminded me of 'Entity'- 1981).

Off the Map (2003)

Another movie about people and life's simple beauty

[9/10 · 9 August 2005]

Sadly enough, movies like this, hardly ever reach the theaters in Romania. It took almost two years for this one to get to our screens.

Not only do they reach us with huge delays, but when they do eventually get to show, they only show it for a week or two and so discrete as if they are struggling for you to miss it, as if they are trying to keep it secret so nobody sees them.

My girlfriend wanted to see a movie, so I chose this one. Did not know anything about it, but noticed the nominations and Joan Allen's name so I decided to go.

Another simple movie about other people from this vast world. Just beautiful. Nothing spectacular, nothing too dramatic, no strong language, nothing commercial. Just clever and simple and beautifully shot.

It's really a masterpiece.

A movie where the beauty of nature (the skies, the animals) brings the characters closer to God, to the meaning of life. You don't get to see that much often, unfortunately.

Strong characters, each in their own way, following their calling.

If only there were more movies like this... not trying to teach anything, not trying to shock you in any way, but just trying to see another type of existence. It could be you... it could be me... but this time, it's them.

Loved it!

A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004)

Tired of your life, try another....

[9/10 · 9 August 2005]

I love the kind of movies which I know nothing about, and leave the theater utterly surprised. This was one of them.

It's not a movie about dramatic events. It's a simple movie, about a bunch of people living their lives the way they know, the way they feel.

In a world which seems to promote only block-busters, or mind-wrecking dramas (rapes, murders, people with disabilities) this is just a simple but very beautiful story about people like you and me, living their 'ordinary' life.

I loved the way the movie simply took me and my girlfriend off the seat and introduced us to their world. In a way, all of the sudden, I felt I had just gained some new friends.

Each and every character of the movie is beautifully and realistically played. The many quotations from famous authors brought an extra, almost idyllic, charm to the beauty of the entire movie.

Don't expect anything and let yourself sucked into the story. You will love it, each and every piece of it.

A recommended movie for a relaxing evening.

Closer (I) (2004)

Love X-ray of a couple

[8/10 · 19 July 2005]

I heard so much about this film but I just didn't have the chance to see it. The opinions were so different that I didn't know what to believe, should I watch it or not? Eventually, I did.

Did I like it? Yes.

It is a very different story about love. It does not stay at the 'and they were happy ever after' but goes into all the dirty details, excitement, depression, perversion, everything bluntly exposed.

In my opinion, despite the four characters, they are only two different sides of the same couple; on one hand, the tough couple - who follows their desires, does not hesitate in making compromises, shouts and bites, bleeds and fights but moves on, and the weak couple - who dreams, who hesitates in every decision, who weeps and feels remorse about everything.

I loved how each and every one of the actors played his/her part, and in particular, I loved Natalie Portman, who's grown into such a beautiful and charming woman, still keeping a lot of innocence in her face/eyes.

You wanna see a different story about what pretty much any couple goes through, don't hesitate to watch it all the way, it's worth it!

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)

Prefer this to any American comedy with Ben Stiller or Adam Sandler

[8/10 · 14 July 2005]

I am not into comedies, but this one really made me laugh.

I did not like the prequel but somehow I ended up going to see this one as well and I don't regret it. I also rent it on DVD months later, just to have another laugh and forget about daily routine.

It's just great, simple humor and Renee Zellweger does one of her best performances as far as I am concerned. The dumb chubby girl who simply loves Mr.Darcy but somehow does everything wrong, excellently epitomizes the state of being madly in love with somebody.

I laughed, I dreamed, I was happy when everything turned out the way it should. In a way, I found it like the British version of the 1990' 'Pretty Woman'. A dream coming true... outside United States.

Enjoy it!

The Barbarian Invasions (2003)

a film for all ages... from 20 to 99

[10/10 · 14 July 2005]

I am not very much into politics, nor into polygamy and other stuff, but there was something about this film that made me love it.

I think its main feature is that is addresses to everybody, from young to old, from happy to unhappy, from good to bad, father and sun, junkie and business consultants.

At the end of the film, I felt richer, and if one film can do such a thing, then, it served its purpose.

All the actors play beautifully and they sort of force you to love them all. I felt like they were my friends, so natural, so funny, so emotional.

A masterpiece for all ages! Must be seen!

Birth (2004)

Bizarre atmosphere, very interesting soundtrack!

[7/10 · 14 July 2005]

Well, to me, it was Nicole Kidman which made me rent this DVD.

I watched if after 'Bridget Jones - The Edge of Reason' because I reckoned I needed something serious after that fairy-tale, but I was not prepared to see what it was coming.

I honestly hated the story, I find it appalling that somebody would think of such a f**ked up story. And even though there are some CGIs used for some of the scenes where the two main characters meet, I still think this is a sick tale to put on screen.

However, there is something interesting about this film, despite its many flaws (as if they did not have enough money to properly edit it). Nicole Kidman is wonderful once again, playing the part which suits her like a glove: a very beautiful woman, entirely consumed by all sorts of dramas ('The Others', 'Dogville' are just two other examples). And yes, that shot, at the Opera... is just amazing! Brilliant! Apart from Nicole Kidman, there is also the very special soundtrack, which combined with the directing, create an atmosphere of intense pressure, eroticism, beauty and darkness altogether.

Also, the image at the end of film, on the beach... will haunt me forever.

Relax your nerves, cause they will be stretched ... to the maximum (at least that's what happened to mine!)

The Descent (2005)

Finally, I lived to see a good horror film!

[10/10 · 14 July 2005]

I actually wanted to go see Mr and Mrs Smith but it was showing too late in the evening so we chose this one, not having a clue what it was about.

I read the synopsis, a team of women exploring some cave and finding they were not alone...

Well, just prepare yourself for your worst nightmare, because once it starts, it doesn't stop until the end.

Just brilliant!!! The 'negative' character is built in a very realistic way to scare your spirit off.

To me, this was a FLAWLESS horror movie that couldn't have been done better! Must be seen, but go to the gym and get your muscles in shape cause you might have to hold your girlfriend all the way through (if she does not ask you to leave before it's over!).

Enjoy!

PS> Hopefully, they will not make a sequel, cause it would spoil the whole thing!

Alfie (2004)

Lucky me, it was shot in New York!

[4/10 · 27 March 2005]

We had to choose a movie for a Sunday afternoon. It had to be something domestic, some nice and easy... We chose Alfie, as we did not have many choices and it seemed to fit the description. We had had a long day so we only managed to stay awake for as long as we ate the cornflakes (the first half of the movie) and then... nothing managed to kept us awake.

To me, the only good points of the movie were:

1. It was shot in New York, and it's always nice to see again the Brooklyn Bridge :p.

2. 'It's OK, son, you screwed it. We all make mistakes, it's more important what you do next'. The philosophy of the whole movie comprised in a single phrase at the end of it. If only, those who needed this, heard these lines and gathered their meaning.

Tonight, we'll go see Mike Nichols' 'Closer' which sounds more promising.

Alexander (2004)

If I were Oliver, I would have rather shot a gay porn movie instead

[3/10 · 22 January 2005]

Despite everybody's bad impression, I've decided to bite the bullet and give it a shot. I bought a glass of beer and a bag of popcorn, just in case I would get too bored, to have something to do. The movie begins... And after three hours, it ended.

What did I notice in between:

• a shrew, Angelina Jolie (brilliant acting, I hated her character so much, that I couldn't even enjoy the beauty of the actress behind the character).

• a weak bisexual king, Colin Farrel (didn't like his acting, didn't like the character)

• meaningless cinematography

• too much Vangelis (despite the fact that I am fan of his music, what's too much, is too much)

• many pathetic dialogs

The bottom line: a movie made for the sake of being made, without a message (or if it had one, it did not get to me).

I do not recommend it to anybody.

Loved (1997)

I want to see it again.

[27 July 2004]

It's interesting how depending on the maturity of each viewer, there are so positive and so negative comments at the time. This proves one more time how differently we perceive things. I saw this movie, maybe 3-4 years ago. I must admit, I did not experience any feeling of excitement while watching it, nevertheless it did catch my attention. When it ended the only idea that I was left with was that love is like a drug... if you become addicted ... it can ruin you. Robin's character response to "if you were to go back in time what would you do?" , "I would do everything just the same"... was tattooed to my brain. This story needed to be told and it couldn't have been better told. This is my opinion.

In the Mood for Love (2000)

Discover the beauty genially encrypted in "Asian Beauty"

[10/10 · 27 July 2004]

I was recommended this film as one of the best love stories ever told. And as I am huge fan of love, I bought the tickets and sat myself in the theatre. After 90 minutes I left the theatre with nothing but disappointment and the theme song as the only positive thing of the film. I was appalled at the story itself, that two people can love each other but be so afraid as to never act it. I just couldn't go passed the language barrier and the cultural barrier. The second time I ran into it... I was in a different mood, no longer had any expectation ... and had more patience, more relaxed mind to "see" the film... and as soon as I opened my eyes, I discovered the love... the beauty of the film. I went beyond the language and the love story and saw the acting (not even for a moment did I ever felt like they were acting!) and the cinematography. The first time I heard a definition of what a film is, I was told that it should be a chain of perfectly balanced photographs (shots) and this is the film to match the description. Almost every shot has an idea behind it, and combined with the music... and the light effects... the result is just a masterpiece! And a masterpiece is just something that you must have in your collection of films.