hamomili Reviews

We Are Together (Thina Simunye) (2006)

Don't miss it!

[10/10 · 7 March 2008]

I rated this documentary with a 10 out of 10, because the kids in it, their lives, the tragedies they go through and the way they just fight it all back with a song and a smile is so shocking for all of us people that our life problems revolve around jobs, debts, holidays etc.

Watching this I felt that if I was faced with the problems these kids encounter in their lives (no parents, AIDS killing my relatives and the people that I love, poverty) I would definitely break. But their innocence and strength is amazing! Plus, the songs you will hear in 'We are together' are amazing, the kids' voices are amazing and if you watch the movie or buy their CD you help them with their Agape kids' home.

I was moved and amazed by this and it gave me another perception of life, which I knew it existed, but never had such a striking reference for it.

Highly recommended!

Volver (I) (2006)

Almodovar is back and he's on form!

[8/10 · 1 September 2006]

I was very glad to watch another Almodovar movie after 'Bad education'.

This is a very good movie and 'women troubles' are its theme.

Penelope Cruz is really good as Raimunda and so is Carmen Maura as her mother Irene.

The story is a very good one, with its necessary twists present, to keep the viewers interested and there are funny moments, moving moments and very good performances from all the women playing. Men are hardly there in this movie and Almodovar throws all the light on his women. They are the movie and they really deserved the Cannes Festival Award they got.

Although it was not as strong as 'Bad education' or his masterpiece 'All about my mother' is still a very good movie and one worth watching.Very good soundtrack as well.

The English Patient (1996)

One of the best films ever made

[10/10 · 17 August 2006]

I watched this movie when it was released and being really young and not too much into cinema it was one of the most fascinating cinematic experiences I ever had and it really left a mark inside me.At first I didn't quite understand the story and probably failed to make the necessary correlations between past and present as the movie presents them to the viewer.

Years after I first watched I managed to watch it again and this was the time that I fell in love with 'The English Patient', it touched me so deeply and for me it became the best film ever made.

Anthony Minghella made an absolutely stunning film, all the locations are amazing and through his camera he manages to create unbelievable emotions inside you.

Of course, the music of the film is such a big part of the whole emotional journey of the characters and the film would not be the same without it.

But personally the best thing was the fragile performance that Ralph Fiennes gave in this masterpiece. He plays so well the man that falls in love slowly but so deeply with Katherine Clifton,opens up his heart and dives into this prohibited affair.

The most heart-breaking scene for me will always be the one where hurt Katherine is carried by Almasy towards the Cave of Swimmers and she wears the thimble that he bought her.She says 'I always wore it.I always loved you' and at that moment he starts crying with such pain flowing from inside him.

Juliette Binoche is also amazing in her performance and really deserved the Oscar she won.

Overall, this is a film that anybody who proclaims himself a cinema lover should watch in their lives.

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Better read the book

[4/10 · 15 August 2006]

One of the most hyped books of the decade, read by millions of people around the world was made into a movie.

I was expecting to see a fantastic movie, as good as the book, I only had my objections about the choice of Tom Hanks as the lead character, Robert Langdon. And I was proved wrong about the movie and right about Tom Hanks. I liked Audrey Tautou in other things she had done ('Amelie','A very long engagement','Dirty pretty things') but this was a weak one for her.There was definitely no chemistry between her and Tom Hanks and I can only blame the director that could not see it, when for the rest of the world it was so obvious.

Apart from the dull couple though, there was Ian McKellen & Paul Bettany that played their parts really well and they're probably the most memorable characters of the whole movie.

The director created a good movie, which probably needed a bit more pace and 'atmosphere' I may say. But overall it wasn't up to the standard that the fans of the book were expecting.

So, if you really want to know the story in the most exciting way, it would be better for you to read the book.

Rush Hour 2 (2001)

Nice, entertaining movie

[6/10 · 15 August 2006]

I watched Rush Hour 1 & 2 back to back and although the first one left me a bit disappointed, I think that the second was a lot better.I am not a big fan of these Kung-Fu comedies, although I used to watch a lot of Jackie Chan movies when I was a kid.

Now being an adult they're not my cup of tea anymore, but this was a funny movie. Both Chan and Tucker were acting better than in the first one in my opinion and overall it was a nice and entertaining movie to watch on a Saturday afternoon.

I liked the plot and it had enough twists to keep you interested.

Ziyi Zhang is also there and she's a very beautiful actress to watch and she is a plus in the movie.

I saw that there is a third instalment coming in 2007 and I hope it is good as well.

Amélie (2001)

Amazing film

[10/10 · 14 August 2006]

I watched this film in the cinema when it was released, didn't know what to expect, I had only seen the strange trailer which left me wondering what this French film would be all about.

When I left the cinema after watching it I had fallen in love with it and I think this love will last forever. I keep watching it on DVD when I feel down and it cheers me up.

The colours in the movie, the cinematography, the amazing direction of Jeunet, the wonderful soundtrack and most of all the fabulous and so full of expression Audrey Tautou,made this movie one of my personal all time favourites. I recommend this movie to anyone who gives a chance to 'different' movies.

One amazing experience...