If you are going to watch this film ecpecting to find out something new about Vincent van Gogh - rethink your decision. And if you are not a fan of Vincent van Gogh, do not watch this film. It is very beautiful and I do appreciate the effort film makers put into it. It would be a wonderful painting. But as a film it is not that good. The plot is boring and the plot keeps on digging the same thing everyone else ever tried to figure out - how did van Gogh actually died. If you expect to get an answer to this questio, do not.
Reviews
7 Reviews
Owl Mountain
(2018)
Welcome to another day in the Lithaunian cinema world
9 December 2019
Plotless nonsense.
There were some great moments, but as a whole this film is actually worthless. I took my mom to the cinema to watch this film, because we both are cinephiles. Guess what, she hated it. I hated it more. It was boring, dialogues were poorly written, I couldn't understand the plot and the story just wasn't worth to be told.
It seems to me that there are three types of Lithuanian films:
1. "Historical" films about partisans, war victims and other traumatic experiences that we still cannot get over and these type of films are the only ones to actually deliver some films worth watching.
2. Creepy, uncanny, weird and stupid films about "life", "death", "existence" which are so dull and incomprehensible you wish to leave the cinema immediately. Most of these films win worthless Lithuanian cinema awards at the award ceremony and the directors of these films are very proud of themselves.
3. Stupid comedies with stupid jokes, bad acting, cringy dialogue and terrible plot. No need to add anything.
There were some great moments, but as a whole this film is actually worthless. I took my mom to the cinema to watch this film, because we both are cinephiles. Guess what, she hated it. I hated it more. It was boring, dialogues were poorly written, I couldn't understand the plot and the story just wasn't worth to be told.
It seems to me that there are three types of Lithuanian films:
1. "Historical" films about partisans, war victims and other traumatic experiences that we still cannot get over and these type of films are the only ones to actually deliver some films worth watching.
2. Creepy, uncanny, weird and stupid films about "life", "death", "existence" which are so dull and incomprehensible you wish to leave the cinema immediately. Most of these films win worthless Lithuanian cinema awards at the award ceremony and the directors of these films are very proud of themselves.
3. Stupid comedies with stupid jokes, bad acting, cringy dialogue and terrible plot. No need to add anything.
At Dusk
(2019)
Dirty fingernail fetish
6 December 2019
The film is not as trashy as other Lithuanian sovietic depression aka partizan films. This one was pretty decent, I really liked the calm pace and slow burning tension which were the defining characteristics of this film. Performances were great, Alvydas Anusauskas shined through everything, and, in contrast to what other cinefiles has said, I loved the performance of Marius Elijas Povilas Martynenko, his microexpressions were delivered wonderfully, in my humble opinion, his unexpressive possition fits the role perfectly and made the whole film feel like a great spectacle - yes, we are so used to Lithuanian actors bombarding us with feelings, emotions and expression in their faces, but I just felt relieved that finally we have a real human being in that sovietic world. Finally someone who I can relate to.
Now, let's talk about the things which made me cringe and feel unamused. First of all, the film essentialy was plotless, seriuously, there is no plot, just faces, dialogues, (which weren't perfect either and at times seemed to drawn out and way too silly) some wandering around, some shooting, hiding, some crying and deaths. That's it. There's nothing else you can hook on to and you just wait those two hours for something to happen. I waited waited and waited and nothing real happened.
Lithuanians like to say how Hollywood films have this hollywoodish dramatism in them. Well, I have to say that Lithaunian films have some Lithuanian-ish dramatism in them. Before I die, Imma just sing a few lines of that sad melancholic song I once heard; yeah, why not. So, a partizan sings a song and then shoots himself, whilst all of his friends are already dead. How clever. How realistic. You know what, why don't we also put some sad violin music in the background while partizans are being shot down one by one. Yeah, cool, let's do that, let's just ruin the moment. And lastly why don't we just make every person's relation to others extremely difficult so that our audience would not manage to fully understand it. A man is murdered by the soviet dogs whilst trying to escape, his wife is raped. But did soviets really do that? Well, I don't know, because I couldn't actually realise what was happening. And how, why did Unte get here? Where's the logic? Well, I don't know and I should't care about that, I should just enjoy the film, right? Wrong.
By the way, I couldn't help but notice every single time there were dirty hands or dirty fingernails or both shown on the screen. There were just too many scenes like that for me not to start thinking that maybe Sharunas Bartas has a dirty fingernail fetish.
Now, let's talk about the things which made me cringe and feel unamused. First of all, the film essentialy was plotless, seriuously, there is no plot, just faces, dialogues, (which weren't perfect either and at times seemed to drawn out and way too silly) some wandering around, some shooting, hiding, some crying and deaths. That's it. There's nothing else you can hook on to and you just wait those two hours for something to happen. I waited waited and waited and nothing real happened.
Lithuanians like to say how Hollywood films have this hollywoodish dramatism in them. Well, I have to say that Lithaunian films have some Lithuanian-ish dramatism in them. Before I die, Imma just sing a few lines of that sad melancholic song I once heard; yeah, why not. So, a partizan sings a song and then shoots himself, whilst all of his friends are already dead. How clever. How realistic. You know what, why don't we also put some sad violin music in the background while partizans are being shot down one by one. Yeah, cool, let's do that, let's just ruin the moment. And lastly why don't we just make every person's relation to others extremely difficult so that our audience would not manage to fully understand it. A man is murdered by the soviet dogs whilst trying to escape, his wife is raped. But did soviets really do that? Well, I don't know, because I couldn't actually realise what was happening. And how, why did Unte get here? Where's the logic? Well, I don't know and I should't care about that, I should just enjoy the film, right? Wrong.
By the way, I couldn't help but notice every single time there were dirty hands or dirty fingernails or both shown on the screen. There were just too many scenes like that for me not to start thinking that maybe Sharunas Bartas has a dirty fingernail fetish.
Joker
(I) (2019)
too much of the taxi driver
6 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Todd Phillips' JOKER is neither as good as everybody says, nor as bad as you might expect. I loved the performance of Joaquin Phoenix but I love him and everything he does overall. I also think that the soundtrack was so soothing, I haven't heard this in a while. But that pretty much it. The plot was just like THE TAXI DRIVER's and I was expecting a better ending. It's trying to be edgy, dark, philosophical and anti-capitalist but fails to do so. The dialogues were dull and pretty useless, everything you hear or see people quote is actually just another try to be woke and deep. Everyone's talking how different this films is, but I don't see it that way, because JOKER doesn't start a conversation. Just makes you wonder why the f did you just watch a 2019 joker TAXI DRIVER version.
genius, but too long
29 August 2019
I watched this film at the movie theatre and I believe this is the reason why it had such a great impact on me.
I really loved the actors, acting, cinematography, 60s vibes, the editing abd colours, the dialogue - almost everything.
But there are two problems. The first one - this film is a bit too long, I was waiting and waiting and waiting for something tarantino-ish to happen and I had to wait two hours to finally truly enjoy it.
The second problem - I felt like I did not understand the point of the protagonist Rick Dalton's character arc. He seemed well written, but not crucial character for this film, his storyline was deep, but in essence had no real point. Other characters seemed much more interesting to me.
I really loved the actors, acting, cinematography, 60s vibes, the editing abd colours, the dialogue - almost everything.
But there are two problems. The first one - this film is a bit too long, I was waiting and waiting and waiting for something tarantino-ish to happen and I had to wait two hours to finally truly enjoy it.
The second problem - I felt like I did not understand the point of the protagonist Rick Dalton's character arc. He seemed well written, but not crucial character for this film, his storyline was deep, but in essence had no real point. Other characters seemed much more interesting to me.
Maniac
(2018)
cinematography, but dull
29 August 2019
I enjoyed this tv series maybe for one or two episodes. Then I got bored, but continued on watching while expecting something great to happen at the, sadly, it did not happen.
The only reason why i managed to end it and appreciate it when I was done is C I N E M A T O G R A P H Y .
Though it is not that kind of a series I would watch twice.
The only reason why i managed to end it and appreciate it when I was done is C I N E M A T O G R A P H Y .
Though it is not that kind of a series I would watch twice.
Breaking Bad
(2008–2013)
"I am the danger"
1 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I believe I've been waiting my entire life for this TV show. I'm not sure whether I haven't seen it because I was too young or maybe I just didin't like the whole drug deal, but since the moment I started watching, I fell in love with this masterpiece immediately. I watched all seasons two times already and am still not able to move since this art was just so thriving I couldn't get over it after two years. Why? There are so mamy reasons.
1. Stuning performances. a) Acting. The acting was not just great, it was something you don't see everyday. Since it was a story about one man's evolution, breaking bad, Bryan Cranston had to put so much effort for getting Walter White right, and if I haven't seen BrB I wouldn't believe that he is a great actor. His voice, his movements and facial expressions were exacly what made it even better. Aaron Paul's Jesse was something extraordinary. At first he seems to be just some stupid average drug addict, but at the time we understand he is so much more: Jesse's sympathetic, compassionate, good and honest friend who truly cares for Walt, even if Walt doesn't appreaciate that at all. To add to this, producers decision to pick comedians for their roles was truly geniuous - it turned out really well. b) Relationship. Walter and Skyler's relationship seems to be passive agressive. No matter what Walt does, although we know that his decisions and actions are not for the best, is just bad for Skyler, she keeps pushing him to his limits and in the end she's the one who's in pain, because she never truly understood her husband's desires and dreams. On the other hand I felt sorry for Skyler since she tried so hard to make money even when she was pregnant (she sold her own old stuff) and desperately wanted to make everyone at home feel better, but eventually she failed, because neither Walt nor Walt Junior didin't appreciate it. Thus, none of them is the villain, none of them is the victim. Both of them are just people who tried to understand each other, but horribly failed. Walter and Jesse's relationship somehow reminds me of father-son relationship. In fact, there are few scenes where Walter calls Jesse his "son" which make us feel like we're here to witness something special between them. Jesse needs Walt as a father figure in his life, the one who helps him to make right decisions, who teaches him, etc, while Walt needs Jesse to boost his self-esteem, to maintain the idea of him as "the king". And that's where the dark part of their relationhips comes to light. We realize that perhaps Walt never really cared about Jesse as much as Jesse cared about Walt. Walt kept insulting Jesse and he suffered for all Walts crimes. Everything wrong that Walt did affected Jesse in the worst way possible. But it still seems to be that there were some kind of sparkle between them because in the last "Felina" episode Walt sacrifises his own life for Jesse's freedom, despite the fact it was his fault that Jesse had been imprisoned. To sum up, I could say they're relationship is more like God/father-Jesus/son relationship. Jesse and Mike's relationship are the ones I loved the most. They are somewhat like Walt and Jesse's relationship except they weren't so toxic and when being with Mike Jesse didin't feel so sad and neglected. Mike truly cared for Jesse, he wanted he to be safe, alive and have a good life. And Jesse was just that true good character in the show - he showed compassion to everyone, even the ones who where seemingly not worth it. I believe that his care for Jesse made Walt kill Mike in the final season. Perhaps Walt thought that Mike had too much impact on Jesse.
2. Scenaristic. a) Camera. How the camera rolls is just something fantastic! Weird point of views, shocking shots, bird fly views and many others. Just remember that scene where Walt finds out that his money are gone forever and the way he laughs in that hole. This is the thing you don't see everyday and it has huge impact on viewers mind and mood. Camera often moves not the way we want to, in the positions that are uncomfortable to watch and makes us feel a little bit lost. But that's just it. Amazing. Magical. Inspiring. And realistic. b) Colors. The colors basically make the story. From Walts clothes to Mexican landscape and blue crystal clear meth - everything makes sense. Talking about Walt's clothes, the change should be noticed since it's quite obvious. In the first few episodes, seasons 1 and 2 Walts clothes were soft, calm and earth-coloured and throughout the rest of the series they kept turning darker and darker. Bright yelowish and orange landscape colours create true mood of hotness, steam and pressure which leads us while we're watching cooking and intense action scenes. Bright blue color of meth Walter and Jesse cook might symbolize sanctity and purity of this crystal ice.
3. Evolution. a) A man's duty. Breaking Bad starts it's story by introducing us to a man who's main duty and purpose of life is to provide for his family. And that's what Walter White does. He works as a chemistry teacher at a high school where his abilities and potencial are underrated. He puts a lot of effort just to pay bills, taxes and keep the house he has for now. His son is disabled and bullied, wife is seven months pregnant with an unplaned child. And, furthermore, Walter dicovers that he has lung cancer which means that after he dies his family will remain with no money source. While being in this deep dump hole Walter White has no other choice just to search for other ways to gain money for his loved ones before he dies. And that's when his chemistry knowledge comes hand to hand with making crystal meth. Though even if at first Walter says that he cooks meth for money, to make sure his family will remain safe and not poor when he is gone, in the end he admits that he did it not because of his family, but because he liked it and he was good at it. Despite the fact that Walt was good at chemistry and found his Ikigai only when he turned fifty, this story is about the type of men which is so rare nowadays - a provider. The one who feels responsible for his wife and children, the one who ignores his own desires in order to make his loved ones happy. It's a story about a man who tried to supress his wishes and dreams, but in the end failed epically. So, what this TV show teaches us? That we should always reach our dream, do what we're good at and what we love, otherwise our life won't be as fullfilled as it could be. But we must never forget why we are doing all of this - because of the ones that make us feel loved and cared. Still, Walt is a man, who's duty is different than purpose. He's one of the most difficult characters in TV show history.
b) From protagonist to antagonist. Walter White's journey from good to bad, his personality evolution is one of the greatest illustrated development of all time.
1. Stuning performances. a) Acting. The acting was not just great, it was something you don't see everyday. Since it was a story about one man's evolution, breaking bad, Bryan Cranston had to put so much effort for getting Walter White right, and if I haven't seen BrB I wouldn't believe that he is a great actor. His voice, his movements and facial expressions were exacly what made it even better. Aaron Paul's Jesse was something extraordinary. At first he seems to be just some stupid average drug addict, but at the time we understand he is so much more: Jesse's sympathetic, compassionate, good and honest friend who truly cares for Walt, even if Walt doesn't appreaciate that at all. To add to this, producers decision to pick comedians for their roles was truly geniuous - it turned out really well. b) Relationship. Walter and Skyler's relationship seems to be passive agressive. No matter what Walt does, although we know that his decisions and actions are not for the best, is just bad for Skyler, she keeps pushing him to his limits and in the end she's the one who's in pain, because she never truly understood her husband's desires and dreams. On the other hand I felt sorry for Skyler since she tried so hard to make money even when she was pregnant (she sold her own old stuff) and desperately wanted to make everyone at home feel better, but eventually she failed, because neither Walt nor Walt Junior didin't appreciate it. Thus, none of them is the villain, none of them is the victim. Both of them are just people who tried to understand each other, but horribly failed. Walter and Jesse's relationship somehow reminds me of father-son relationship. In fact, there are few scenes where Walter calls Jesse his "son" which make us feel like we're here to witness something special between them. Jesse needs Walt as a father figure in his life, the one who helps him to make right decisions, who teaches him, etc, while Walt needs Jesse to boost his self-esteem, to maintain the idea of him as "the king". And that's where the dark part of their relationhips comes to light. We realize that perhaps Walt never really cared about Jesse as much as Jesse cared about Walt. Walt kept insulting Jesse and he suffered for all Walts crimes. Everything wrong that Walt did affected Jesse in the worst way possible. But it still seems to be that there were some kind of sparkle between them because in the last "Felina" episode Walt sacrifises his own life for Jesse's freedom, despite the fact it was his fault that Jesse had been imprisoned. To sum up, I could say they're relationship is more like God/father-Jesus/son relationship. Jesse and Mike's relationship are the ones I loved the most. They are somewhat like Walt and Jesse's relationship except they weren't so toxic and when being with Mike Jesse didin't feel so sad and neglected. Mike truly cared for Jesse, he wanted he to be safe, alive and have a good life. And Jesse was just that true good character in the show - he showed compassion to everyone, even the ones who where seemingly not worth it. I believe that his care for Jesse made Walt kill Mike in the final season. Perhaps Walt thought that Mike had too much impact on Jesse.
2. Scenaristic. a) Camera. How the camera rolls is just something fantastic! Weird point of views, shocking shots, bird fly views and many others. Just remember that scene where Walt finds out that his money are gone forever and the way he laughs in that hole. This is the thing you don't see everyday and it has huge impact on viewers mind and mood. Camera often moves not the way we want to, in the positions that are uncomfortable to watch and makes us feel a little bit lost. But that's just it. Amazing. Magical. Inspiring. And realistic. b) Colors. The colors basically make the story. From Walts clothes to Mexican landscape and blue crystal clear meth - everything makes sense. Talking about Walt's clothes, the change should be noticed since it's quite obvious. In the first few episodes, seasons 1 and 2 Walts clothes were soft, calm and earth-coloured and throughout the rest of the series they kept turning darker and darker. Bright yelowish and orange landscape colours create true mood of hotness, steam and pressure which leads us while we're watching cooking and intense action scenes. Bright blue color of meth Walter and Jesse cook might symbolize sanctity and purity of this crystal ice.
3. Evolution. a) A man's duty. Breaking Bad starts it's story by introducing us to a man who's main duty and purpose of life is to provide for his family. And that's what Walter White does. He works as a chemistry teacher at a high school where his abilities and potencial are underrated. He puts a lot of effort just to pay bills, taxes and keep the house he has for now. His son is disabled and bullied, wife is seven months pregnant with an unplaned child. And, furthermore, Walter dicovers that he has lung cancer which means that after he dies his family will remain with no money source. While being in this deep dump hole Walter White has no other choice just to search for other ways to gain money for his loved ones before he dies. And that's when his chemistry knowledge comes hand to hand with making crystal meth. Though even if at first Walter says that he cooks meth for money, to make sure his family will remain safe and not poor when he is gone, in the end he admits that he did it not because of his family, but because he liked it and he was good at it. Despite the fact that Walt was good at chemistry and found his Ikigai only when he turned fifty, this story is about the type of men which is so rare nowadays - a provider. The one who feels responsible for his wife and children, the one who ignores his own desires in order to make his loved ones happy. It's a story about a man who tried to supress his wishes and dreams, but in the end failed epically. So, what this TV show teaches us? That we should always reach our dream, do what we're good at and what we love, otherwise our life won't be as fullfilled as it could be. But we must never forget why we are doing all of this - because of the ones that make us feel loved and cared. Still, Walt is a man, who's duty is different than purpose. He's one of the most difficult characters in TV show history.
b) From protagonist to antagonist. Walter White's journey from good to bad, his personality evolution is one of the greatest illustrated development of all time.
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