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Reviews
Io no (2003)
two films in one - a good one and a ?
On the Internet Movie Database this film has 3 different directors listed, I wonder if that's the reason why it feels a lot like two different movies glued together as one. The first one is a nice comedy about two brothers (Tognazzi and Venditti) who apparently have an habit of falling for the same women, and that's definitely not the only matter of conflict in the family. This part is extremely enjoyable, and less predictable than many other romantic comedies. Then, unexpectedly, the film drifts towards a totally different perspective, leaving the viewer somehow puzzled (what's the reason for moving the action to South Africa? A co-production agreement, most likely, but definitely not an artistic choice). Without giving up much of the plot, let me just say that if after one hour you suddenly feel as if you're now watching a totally different film, don't worry, you're not the only one.
Il est plus facile pour un chameau... (2003)
delightful
Delightful little debut film from Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. Part family drama, part surreal comedy, and definitely not for all tastes, but if you're in for something unusual, edgy but entertaining, this is the film for you. My personal highlights are the scenes where Federica, the main character (played by Bruni Tedeschi herself) flashbacks to her years as a kid, especially the one where the feared kidnappers (she comes from an extremely rich family, so she could have been a target for kidnappers, as often happened in Italy during the seventies) are invited home for dinner and are joined in a chorus of 'El Pueblo Unido' by the whole bourgeois family.
7 Zwerge (2004)
hilarious spoof on the grimm brothers's tale?
This film is silly, okay, but it's also extremely funny and entertaining! If you liked the various 'Airplane' and 'Naked Gun' spoof, this movie's for you, even if it comes from Germany! So the seven dwarfs are not small, they're grown up men who escaped from women and civilization, and hid in the woods. Everything's fine, until Snow White arrives there, escaping from a nasty queen (Nina Hagen!) that wants to get rid of her. It does not hurt that Snow White is quite a lovely good looking brunette, just about to turn 18... again, if you ever happen to get hold of this film, watch it and you won't be disappointed, it's a good one hour and a half of fun. I have no idea if it will be dubbed or subtitled around the world, but its humor is definitely universal, so don't be scared by its country of origin, Germany! You'll get 95% of the jokes anyway, and who cares if you miss one or two, when you're already rolling on the floor with laughter?
Arsène Lupin (2004)
action movie french-style
I have just seen this film, and I have mixed feelings about it. There are some very nice scenes, especially when Lupin plays the lovable smartass (excuse my french), but then it gets overlong and the plot gets too convoluted for a general audience's taste... should have stayed simpler, it would have been better.
Instead, it turns into one of those recent french-style action movies, where they must fill in a special effect or two, and turn everything into a Gothic play. This makes the film heavier than it should be. That said, the lovely Eva Green looks lovelier as ever, but I wouldn't be surprised if box office for this title would be disappointing, especially abroad.
Kleinruppin forever (2004)
light, silly companion to 'Goodbye Lenin'
If you liked Goodbye Lenin, and are nostalgic for the eighties and former
communist countries, this movie is for you!
It's nothing more than a light comedy, so don't expect too much, but it can be very entertaining at times, and also nice without being cheesy (even if
shamelessly quoting La Boum!).
It gives you a smile and a little message, so what else can you ask for?
There's a strong supporting cast, and some cleverly-worked out plot twists. Of course you have to have been a teenager in the eighties to get it!