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Hereditary(2018)

claudiusasc — 2023-11-09 13:02:08 UTC

It is fresh and surprisingly good for a modern horror movie. Probably one of the most sinister and unsettling as well. Toni Collette delivers a spectacular performance, probably the best of the decade in this genre. The pacing, though, makes 'Hereditary' special among modern horrors. Ari Aster, the director, builds up tension really well and doesn't hurry at any time with cheap jumpscares in his film, using many different types of horror. The script has been done in a similar manner many times before and it's very easy to screw it up, but Ari Aster did an excellent job and I feel like one of his future horror films will be just as good if not better than this one, based on how well he did with the pacing, tension building, and scare factor. 'Rosemary's Baby', one of my favorite horror flicks, is probably the biggest influence for this picture plot-wise, so I was naturally interested when the plot involved themes of cultism and witchcraft, but 'Hereditary' turned out to be much more than that. It is exactly what most modern horror movies would want to be but aren't.

Watched on 24/09/2023

I rate this film 4/5.

Oppenheimer(2023)

claudiusasc — 2023-11-09 13:09:26 UTC

I enjoyed Robert Downey Jr.'s performance and the nuclear testing scene. Everything else, I consider to be contributing to the most underwhelming film of all time. I watched this in a cinema and the visuals aren't this divine thing they are said to be. Some shots of the atomic blast are beautiful, but there is no way you can screw up those when you are a director of Nolan's prestige. The rest, considering visuals, wasn't anything special, not interesting at all. Cillian Murphy probably did his best with what he was given, nothing too special here either, taking into account some other performances of his. Props to Nolan for advertising his film so much and bringing so much hype to it but for me it's one of his worst and certainly his biggest fail and most underwhelming. I'm not a fan of the character J. Robert Oppenheimer in the slightest, a very uninteresting man and it seems like he got what he deserved. I felt like the antagonistic parties were mostly in the right and he wasn't, his very neutral attitude didn't help either. Even if I leave my convictions aside and watch all of this with a more objective eye, his character and the story in general, especially the third act, are very dull. The real events that have ocurred don't deserve this adaptation. What a disaster by Nolan.

Watched on 13/08/2023

I rate this a 2.5/5

Aguirre, the Wrath of God(1972)

claudiusasc — 2023-11-09 13:13:53 UTC

'Aguirre, the Wrath of God' and 'Fitzcarraldo' by Werner Herzog are probably the most intertwined films of all time with their directors because of how significant the personal connection is between them. Although he had a limited budget, Herzog went and created this entire movie in the Peruvian Highlands and Amazon rainforest back in 1972, featuring one of the most insane productions of all time. A decade later, he repeated the process and created 'Fitzcarraldo', featuring probably THE most insane production of all time. Both of these films serve as analogies for themselves, with Werner Herzog in the lead.
The main characters of the films are dreamers with crazy plans who yearn for the riches hidden deep within the Amazon rainforest and go through great adversities to reach their goals. Herzog is a visionary with an obsession with the Amazon River and its mystic aura who went to tremendous lengths and controversy to shoot his transcendent films in the Amazon and showcase his vision.
Klaus Kinski is especially good in 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God'. His deeply troubled disposition and insanity combined with shooting in the Amazon rainforest don't even require acting, he was essentially playing himself.

Watched on 04/08/2023

I rate this film 4/5

Insomnia(1997)

claudiusasc — 2023-11-09 19:53:13 UTC

A meticulously crafted film, superior to Nolan's remake by far IMO. The main difference between the two is probably that the remake is cheesier and full of clichés at times( such as the laughable ending), with the story following the good cop type of protagonist made for a much larger American audience. The Norse original follows a way more morally ambiguous character and has a vastly different approach to exploring some of the central themes of the movie, such as guilt and corruption.
Stellan Skarsgard is completely brilliant in this, much better than Al Pacino, who was probably the best thing about Nolan's film.
The color palette is very bleak and radiates discomforting energy corresponding to the protagonist's insomnia and exhaustion. It's without question more atmospheric than the American remake, which creates a rift between the two in terms of what genre they can be cataloged as. The original is more of a film noir with a focus on character study, whereas the remake becomes an action-driven cop story that would pave the way for Nolan's blockbusters later. The remake probably wins when it comes to the antagonist, as Robin Williams' character may have been a better fit. The original still wins though, despite its experimental nature, compared to the more refined American remake.

I watched this on 12/05/2023

I rate this film 4.5/5

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

claudiusasc — 2023-11-09 19:55:06 UTC

Probably the greatest Romanian film ever made. It truly excels in every way and fully deserves the Palme d'Or, being a lesson in filmmaking internationally as well. Distressing story and an important well-told piece of Romanian history. The plot is well-paced, even featuring the very long takes it has, and builds up very suspensefully toward the conclusion. Lacking a score also contributes a lot to the suspense that is done so right.

The acting and dialogue are my favorite parts by far though. They feel so realistic at all times and are among the best I've ever seen in film. It was shocking to see a Romanian film have such natural dialogue and acting.
I also loved the camera work, shaky or static exactly when it needs to be in order to set the tone of the film and well-positioned at all times. Reminds me a lot of the 'Pusher' trilogy. Shooting on location was also spot on, the crew did an excellent job in choosing the best locations that would showcase the late '80s communist period in which the plot takes place, and that, for a Romanian movie, fascinates me.

Watched on 11/05/2023

I rate this film 5/5

Napoleon(2023)

claudiusasc — 2023-12-04 14:59:58 UTC

Very attractive sets and overall design, but that's the furthest point the $200 million budget reaches. The plot vaguely presents an overview of some of the key events in Napoleon's life after the French Revolution. Still, it doesn't do much more than jumping between the events without being coherent or having any shape. No attempt made at a character study makes Napoleon look like someone with a narrow mind who doesn't do anything impressive other than occasionally win a battle against the odds. Nothing is emphasized anyway. There's a bit of everything: action, romance, and cheap comedy for the trailer punchlines, but nothing stands out or gives anything specific. The 4-hour version might have something else to say, though. Joaquin Phoenix is okay but the script doesn't hand him any relevance by having him just walk around, Vanessa Kirby felt like she had a trickier character to play. When compared to 'Gladiator', this film feels like something Ridley Scott did just because he hasn't released anything big in a while.

Watched on 27/11/2023

I rate this film 3/5

The Fountain (2006)

claudiusasc — 2023-12-04 15:02:45 UTC

My least favorite film directed by Darren Aronofsky so far. It retains Aronofsky's general style by portraying specific central themes, such as obsession and, in a way, self-destruction, but that's about it for what makes this film feel like it was directed by him. The camera work is unnoticeable compared to 'Pi', 'The Wrestler' or 'Requiem for a Dream'. Aronofsky probably had too much in mind for this film, because the plot narrative reaches too far for what it offers. It's complex and thought-provoking but simply spread too thin and incoherent/incomplete enough to achieve something more, which is unfortunate knowing how incredible and creative Aronofsky can be when his film has a clear, simple narrative as a starting point that makes it possible for him to develop everything around it. His following productions, 'The Wrestler' and 'Black Swan' are perfect examples of this.
Hugh Jackman does a great job, though, and the soundtrack isn't substandard.

Watched on 27/07/2023

I rate this a 2/5

Underground (1995)

claudiusasc — 2023-12-04 15:06:28 UTC

One of the most complete films of all time and overlooked for sure. A celebration of life. I love everything in this, from the brilliant comedy, drama, and war epic character to the metaphors embedded in the final act. Featuring the Second World War, the Cold War, and the Yugoslav Wars in his film, Kusturica came up with a considerate solution for the portrayal of the Yugoslav Wars, a very delicate subject, as they were still taking place during the 90s. The third act covering them is much more subtle, and abstract than the other two, feeling like a completely different movie, devoid of the comedy and liveliness present up to that point. The destructive nature of war is shown, without blaming anyone but acknowledging the tragedy also using the metaphor of one brother(of one nation) fighting another(of another nation). The ending reveals one of my favorite conclusions ever, probably, as Kusturica leaves the drama aside and makes it all about his countrymen and their jovial spirit, that they have retained even after facing so much.

Incredible homage paid by Emir Kusturica to his country, its people, and history.

Watched on 17/07/2023

I rate this film 5/5

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

claudiusasc — 2023-12-04 15:08:21 UTC

Even though it's corny at times and full of worn-out tropes and scenes that only exist because they probably made up for a good trailer montage, I still enjoyed watching this, no doubt, because it's all about Tom Cruise. He's one of the greatest movie stars of this age and one of my favorite actors in general because of how invested he is in his own career and how he reached such a high point while always being at the center of everything. Every production that he has ever been in is centered around him, from Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece 'Eyes Wide Shut' to entire franchises that are full-on Tom Cruise propaganda. The original 'Top Gun' is one of my favorite blockbusters ever. This one doesn't do so well in my opinion. I hated the soundtrack apart from what also was in the original version and the old characters were just about the only aspect of the plot that I cared for. Airplane-mounted cameras are impressive, but Tom Cruise is still what makes this movie, doing whatever he wants whenever he wants.

Watched on 18/06/2023

I rate this film 3/5

The White Ribbon (2009)

claudiusasc — 2023-12-04 15:11:06 UTC

What a masterpiece by Haneke. The stark black-and-white imagery and slow pace don't seem to offer much at first glance but this film turned out to be fascinating to watch. It feels so much like a novel. One of my favorite feats of 'The White Ribbon' would be the intense dialogue and also the exceptional cinematography that makes for some great scenes that tell so much without having any dialogue in them. I am intrigued by Haneke's view on cinema and how he relates to it as a form of art. In 'Cache' and 'The White Ribbon' he leaves much to the viewer's interpretation, without offering a clear narrative ending, determining good and bad, or promoting ideology, yet still managing to put forward a complex point that goes beyond the narrative. I find this similar to analyzing a beautiful painting and finding different hidden subtexts, which makes me love Haneke's style and artistic vision. He's one of my favorite directors and is an example of his unique way of shining.

I watched this on 18/09/2023

I rate this film 4.5/5

Some of my favourite Eastern European films

claudiusasc — 2023-12-04 20:59:54 UTC

Romania

Terminus Paradis

I am greatly interested in the '90s as a time in Romania and the other East European countries. The '90s make me so nostalgic for a time I didn't get to live in and I feel like Terminus Paradis gives me a perfect representation of what society used to be like back then. The entire film matches with the stories older relatives have told me - stories of horses still being kept and grown at the base of apartment buildings in the middle of towns or stories of rebellious relatives making their path in life by going to live in a Western country such as the USA and barely making it over there. Terminus Paradis captures all of this and not only, but also tells an impressive story about destiny, identity, and family, with a slight philosophical touch. I like to call it the Romanian 'Taxi Driver' because both films follow similar characters: a deeply troubled man observing and being disgusted by the society around him seeking to prove his worth by helping someone in trouble. Even though Terminus Paradis was probably inspired by Badlands directed by Terrence Malick, I would still argue that the Romanian remake beats the American classic original.

Russia

Brat 1&2

Brat 1&2 is a pair of films I consider to have genuine cultural importance because of how they portray the '90s in Russia and what they have achieved.

The first film follows a former soldier in the Russian army who makes his way to St.Petersburg in search of his brother, digging into the criminal underworld of the city and dominating it by the end. Upon my first watch ~2 years ago I was shocked by how this random Russian action movie would come to captivate me through smart dialogue, imposing thoughtful questions about subjects such as family dynamics or the change from communism to capitalism in Russia. The soundtrack features rock bands such as Nautilus Pompilius and DDT which I would come to love.

The second film follows the same characters, this time going to sort out business in the US of A. I don't think there's a single person who watches movies regularly who hasn't encountered the 'Russian villain' trope in a production. Well, the roles change this time around. The same protagonists go to America to help out a friend, discover a new world, and fight bad Americans this time. I like the sequel just as much as the first movie, but I love how this one addresses different questions and touches different subjects in its scope, this time a bit more political. Brat 2 talks about Russian-American relations, Russian-Ukrainian relations, the validity of the American Dream, and what it means to be a strong individual. The cultural clash that Danila, the protagonist, would have in the USA and the oddities he encounters make this one of the most entertaining movies I've ever seen, not necessarily funny though. Growing up in East European democratic Romania, a country which once upon a time was communist and part of the Eastern Bloc, my loyalties were torn watching this film. Who can I relate to more? Russian Danila also from East Europe going to see the wonders of the West or America that I've seen and felt so much through cinema and not only?

Yugoslavia

Time of the Gypsies

Emir Kusturica is one of the directors whose productions give me feelings that I don't think can be reproduced in any other way than cinema. Maybe it's just Goran Bregovic's legendary music, but Emir Kusturica is certainly special and gifted in his craft. He can portray so much- family, destiny, and his controversial love for his homeland and its history which is now being split apart, and in so many ways- absurdism, drama, comedy and so much more. Besides Underground, Time of the Gypsies is the only other movie I've watched made by Kusturica and they both have epic characters and a fabled, legendary soul. Both are probably among the most underrated movies of all time. Goran Bregovic, the soundtrack producer of both titles is my 2nd favourite soundtrack composer of all time, being out-titled by the legendary Ennio Morricone only.

Greece

Eternity and a Day

Theo Angelopoulos' contemplative masterpiece says so much yet speaks so little. The story follows an aging Greek writer living in Thessaloniki who seeks to find a purpose in his old age after not having been satisfied by his long life. He encounters a little Albanian child, an illegal immigrant, and plans to drive him to the Albanian border and drop him off there. After much reflection, he realises that he's even more lost than the child

TBC