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Fanny och Alexander (1982)
Drama that delves into the complexities of life, love, and loss.
Fanny and Alexander is a visually stunning and deeply meaningful drama that delves into the complexities of life, love, and loss. However, the slow tempo may not be suitable for viewers with limited patience. The movie beautifully captures the human experience but does contain elements that may be off-putting to some, such as Bergman's anti-Christian sentiments. Despite these drawbacks, the movie is incredibly beautiful with Sven Nykvist's impressive photography and exceptional acting. Ingmar Bergman certainly deserves all the praise he has received for this film, but most of all, it is the well-written script that stands out. It is not only an excellent drama, but it also contains intellectual treats about our existence and place in the universe. The script delves into profound questions and themes that resonate on a deeper level, elevating the film beyond just a compelling story. Bergman's masterful storytelling is complemented by the richness of the dialogue and the thought-provoking ideas woven throughout the narrative. The script serves as the foundation for a truly engaging and intellectually stimulating cinematic experience. In all, I have to say that Fanny and Alexander is a complete movie in the full sense of the word!
Play (2011)
Immigrant violence and the frustration of everyday people
This is a really good movie that challenges our perceptions about class, age, and ethnicity. What I appreciate is that Östlund dares to tackle this difficult subject without moralizing or even trying to justify what the immigrant gang is doing. Instead, the director portrays a grim reality that many people today live in, thereby challenging society's attitude towards these violent youth gangs. The argument that erupts at the end between the father and some woman captures the frustration everyday people currently experiences in a brilliant way. Unfortunately, what brings the film down is the boring cinematography. I understand that Östlund wants to come across as a bit arty and artistic, but please, let go of Roy Andersson's mind-numbingly dull style! It drags the pace down to a painfully slow level. However, with that said, I will still recommend this movie as watchworthy. Few directors even dare to touch this theme after all!
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Good classic about the horrible Great War
The movie stands as an exceptional war drama, widely regarded as one of the best of its kind ever made. Remarque's anti-war perspective shines through vividly, highlighting the harrowing experiences of ordinary soldiers amidst the brutal realities of war. There is little heroism in the narrative, focusing instead on the grim struggle for survival in dirty trenches and the sad death of comrades, in what Remarque ultimately viewed as a pointless war. The film masterfully captures the essence of the book, delivering epic war scenes and compelling personal drama brought to life by a stellar cast of actors. Through its powerful portrayal of the human cost of war, the movie resonates with audiences, serving as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on individuals and societies.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Strange relationship - a distraction from the core story
I was somewhat disappointed with the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid because I thought it would be more hardboiled and a more intense portrayal of the Wild Bunch gang's comradeship and the bonds that held them together. Instead the focus is only on the friendship between Butch and Kid, as well as a strange relationship with Etta Place and both men. In reality, she was the girlfriend of Sundance Kid, but in this movie, she's portrayed as having a romantic connection with both men. This added element felt like a distraction from the core story and characters, which I had hoped would delve deeper into the exciting life stories of this infamous gang.
Den brysomme mannen (2006)
Tiresome criticism of middle-class materialism
This film is creative and has good photography, but it didn't leave me particularly moved. There's clever humor that can be appreciated though. For example, there is a scene where grown up men strive for security in the modern womb - symbolized by a cave they dug out. There is a dark theme, with a desire to provoke, but most of the criticism falls flat. For example, the film tries to criticize the middle-class materialism by having shallow, superficial characters around the main character. The problem is that these characters are nothing more than cardboard cutouts. They're not "ordinary people" that the viewer can relate to, but fake tokens the director strikes with tiresome marxist talking points. It's clear that the director is trying to critique modern society, but the critique falls short due to a lack of deeper philosophical insights.
Lord of the Flies (1963)
Reflection on the leadership theme
This movie is just ok, but it still provides enough insight to spark deeper reflections. In my short review I want to share the theme of leadership. Overall, the characters in the movie are one-dimensional stereotypes, generalizations, and simplifications of leadership. They are simplified icons, if you will, but they still help to see different aspects of leadership. Jack is an alpha leader who exercises a primitive form of leadership where direct power and violence are very normative. What Ralph exercises is a higher form of leadership - the kind that builds civilizations. Jack initially accepts the moral order and yields to Ralph's formal authority, but soon exploits his alpha traits to assert leadership. As a consequence, Jack constantly challenges Ralph's leadership and ultimately loses to him. Most great leaders are not alpha personalities, and they are often challenged by alphas, but despite the challenges, they can still assert their authority. How is that? And why did Ralph ultimately fail? The problem I see is that Ralph lacks multiple alphas whose egos he can balance against each other. Ralph's leadership type always loses head-to-head to an alpha leader, but wins against two or more. Several alphas will collide and neutralize each other in petty power struggles, and with multiple alphas present, an Augustus benefit by Ralph's leadership style. I focused on one theme in this review, but the movie and book offers several other thoughtful themes as well, making it watchworthy.
Pay It Forward (2000)
Naive trust will be your fall
The movie is inspired by the idea that those who have received good deeds should "pay it forward" to others. However, the reality is often far from benign. Instead of paying forward kindness, people often pass on the consequences of a job poorly done or a problem left unaddressed. Often a malfunction gets passed along from one bureaucratic official to another until it lands on some poor soul who has neither the power nor the position to pay it forward further. The story tries to be a feelgood movie, but it is overly emotionally and false. This film dances on pink clouds with a naive trust in humanity's goodness. The truth is that most people cannot be trusted, and we should be wary of those who try to dump yet another problem on you. In truth, find people of good character and work together with them.
Cleopatra (1963)
Beautiful but missed potential
While being a Hollywood classic with stunning visuals, the film falls short in terms of compelling storytelling. It overlooks key dramatic historical moments like Marc Anthony's speech at Caesar's funeral and the intense rivalry between Cleopatra and her brother. Despite a dramatic ending, the movie somehow leaves a sense of unfulfilment that is difficult for me to pinpoint precisely. It remains a watchable film due to its visual grandeur and historical backdrop, but it doesn't quite reach the level of excellence due to its narrative shortcomings and missed opportunities to delve deeper into the depth of characters as well as the historical events it portrays.
Total War: Shogun 2 (2011)
Fantastic Strategy Game!
Shogun 2, along with Rome, stands out as a truly remarkable games. The blend of strategic map navigation and engaging battle tactics creates an unparalleled gaming experience. The captivating Japanese cultural theme adds a beautiful touch to the game, immersing players in a unique setting. The humorous memes, like spear units shouting "yarimazing", bring a delightful and satisfying element to the gameplay. While some of the game mechanics may show signs of aging, the overall essence of Shogun 2 will forever hold a special place in the hearts of many gamers, myself included. The strategic depth, historical authenticity, and memorable moments from epic battles make Shogun 2 a timeless classic that continues to captivate players with its charm and gameplay intricacies.
Forgotten Realms: Baldur's Gate II - Shadows of Amn (2000)
RPG masterpiece!
This Role-Playing Game is a classic masterpiece, deeply rooted in the iconic Dungeons & Dragons game mechanics that captivate players with thrilling adventures. The storytelling is extraordinary, drawing from rich narratives crafted by passionate D&D enthusiasts, ensuring a world of depth and character development that's immensely satisfying. If you enjoy Role-Playing Games, I wholeheartedly recommend picking up the remastered version of this game. Immerse yourself in a realm where every decision shapes your destiny, uncovering mysteries, confronting formidable foes, and forging meaningful alliances in a dynamic and enchanting fantasy universe. Overall, simply a great game!
Master i Margarita (2023)
Beatiful adaptation of a classic work
The movie adaptation of the classic book is a rare gem that successfully captures the essence of the story, the tragic lives of the Master and Margarita. The film explores the absurdity of communism, the struggles a creative writer has to endure under a suppressive regime, and features a beautiful love story that adds to the movie's emotional depth. The execution of the film is excellent, with fantastic actors bringing the characters to life, including August Diehl as Woland, Yevgeny Tsyganov as the Master, and Yuliya Snigir as Margarita. In all, I loved the different themes interwoven in this lovely tragedy.
El secreto de sus ojos (2009)
Good crime drama
A good crime drama exploring themes of revenge, justice, and regret in old age, making it a compelling watch. The movie's portrayal of these themes is thought-provoking and engaging, and the cold and calculated nature of the revenge plot adds to the film's intrigue. However, the love story in the movie is underdeveloped and feels like an afterthought, detracting from the overall quality of the film. Additionally, the unnecessary obscenity in the movie does not add to its merit and may be off-putting to some viewers. Overall, the film is well made and the weaknesses can be overlooked. It is worth watching for fans of the crime drama genre, but it may not be for everyone.
Team America: World Police (2004)
Great comedy, although not for everyone!
Great comedy that cleverly satirizes America's role in spreading "democracy" and "freedom" to the dark parts of the world (ie. Everywhere, not America), while showing the irony of how America is making the world worse all-over in the process. The film is a blend of witty jokes with dirty and juvenile humor. While not suited for all audiences, those who appreciate its style will find the movie to be a blast!
Pros: The witty political and cultural jokes of America being the world police are truly spot on. Also, the jokes about muslims are playing on relatable stereotypes.
Cons: The juvenile humor makes the movie inappropriate for most audiences. Making Kim Jong-Un as the main antagonist of America is quite cringe, and shows a lack of imagination. It would have been more fun if it was a revived supervillain, such as Zombie Hitler.
What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004)
Far-fetched (and incorrect)
It was not until toward the end that you found out that this is just a long pitch for the Ramtha cult. The movie mixes weak assumptions from quantum physics with New Age thought. Throw in some pseudoscience and magical thinking that you can construct your own reality, you have this garbage. The methodology is to start gently with some true, but very limited and selective statements about quantum physics and neurobiology. These parts are often said by scientists, but then these are mixed together with talks from Ramtha cult representatives in order to draw far-reaching (to not say completely incorrect) conclusions about metaphysics. I can understand that some people caught up in the rhetoric, but this is certainly a film that only spreads ignorance and misinformation.