Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Arnold is once again back as a terminator, and as the last time his lack of acting skills makes him perfect for the cyborg role. James Cameron both in the chair and behind one of the pens, and this time he came pretty close to perfect the genre.

As in the original The Terminator, Cameron blends CGI, action and suspense with a well told story covering the theme of time travel and future cybernetics all mixed in well. Twenty years later, and this movie still hold up in an ever changing CGI-world. That's quite an achievement, and one none should underestimate.

The Third Man (1949)

The Third Man

I didn't quite buy lead actor Joseph Cotten in all his scenes, but that's the only non-spoiler objection. The rest of my objections keeping it from a top score, I'll keep to myself to ensure not ruining what still is a remarkably great movie.

Vienna post WWII is truly a stunning scenery for this movie. The bombed architecture, the four parts of town controlled by different country's forces and the language problems. What's more; director Carol Reed knows how to use it to its fullest effect. He also spends a lot of time achieving magic with the use of shadows, whether it's scenes where people are running or hiding.

The dialogues are great, and I love the way it uses German often enough by native Vienna people, rather than making it unrealistic by everyone speaking English. The supporting cast is great, also those you really can't understand if you don't speak German, as their tone and body language gets it through.

The Third Man is no doubt a must see movie experience everyone should enjoy.

The Awful Truth (1937)

The Awful Truth

It's nice to be remembered there actually was a time when movies labeled 'comedy' could make you laugh, and The Awful Truth sure achieves laughter. What's more is the fact it's charming and sparkles with life as well, which is something you rarely see these days.

It won an Oscar for 'Best Director', while also being nominated for 'Best Picture', 'Best Lead Actress', Best Support Actor', 'Best Editing' and 'Best Writing Screenplay'. As I mentioned when reviewing Make Way for Tomorrow, director McCarey felt he won that Oscar for the wrong movie that year. While there's no doubt I agree with him, simply because that's still the best movie I've ever seen, there's neither no doubt 1937 was a great year for McCarey.

The chemistry between Irene Dunne and Cary Grant is excellent, and especially Dunne is brilliant. Also worth a mention is Cecil Cunningham's performance as Aunt Patsy and Asta as Mr. Smith, the latter being a dog.

There's a couple of scenes that doesn't quite work as well as they probably hoped, but most of them thankfully helps establishing the characters and their chemistry. Overall a delightful divorce, as I guess I might as well mention the plot with half a sentence at least.

Strangers on a Train (1951)

Strangers on a Train

On the rapidly ever growing list of praised directors I reach late, we've reached Hitchcock. I've always been a fan of classic old fashioned murder mysteries, so the film noirs of their prime should speak to me in many ways. Not at least because they have the good old alibis and motives as their focus, rather than all the scientific CSI stuff we're stuck with today.

I'm not a huge fan of Granger, but Ruth Roman have a certain quality as Anne Morton and Robert Walker is brilliant as the charming and psychotic stranger.

We've all met him. The stranger who's just a little too friendly and chatty, but more often than not they turn out quite differently than Walker's character Bruno Antony. Maybe this movie should be blamed for how difficult it's to chat friendly with the guy next to you wherever you go these days, but I imagine it's more about the times we live in than Hitchcock.

I don't love this movie. Its final half hour have a little too many shady choices for my liking, but it's very interesting for quite a while. I certainly notice several interesting choices by the director, and look forward to get to know his work better. Walker sadly died at the age of 32 the same year this movie was released, and that's a great loss. He certainly brought another layer to this picture with his part.

Castle in the Sky (1986)

Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta

Hayao Miyazaki have worked him self into a position of well deserved fame through his animated movies, as I myself learned through Howl's Moving Castle (a movie which review I haven't gotten around to yet of those backlogged, sorry!). Castle in the Sky doesn't manage to capture me in the same way, but it's still a quite good story.

The life of an orphan mining boy change when a girl fall from the sky, all though rather slowly as she's protected by a force he reckons comes from a stone amulet. She's hunted by pirates as well as by strange agents helped by the army. The boy (Pazu) helps the girl (Sheeta) escape, and find them self in a strange race involving the mythological castle in the sky, Laputa.

Interesting and well worth a look, but it lacks the magic and greater interactions seen in Howl's Moving Castle. I'll definitely keep checking out Miyazaki's work though, because there's no doubt he's extremely talented.

M (1931)

M

This review is based on the 110 min edition.

A city of four and a half million people can easily be scared; just let a child predator loose on their streets. Fritz Lang knew this very well on the back of several cases throughout Germany were they struggled with it, and 80 years later his movie on the subject holds a well deserved masterpiece status.

The opening scenes alone are well worth the hype. From the kids singing in the streets about the man in black to the mothers worrying and then Elsie Beckmann. The acting involved in smaller parts like Elsie's is one of the main reason this works so much better for me than another old movie with masterpiece status for many, Bicycle Thieves did. Here Lang bring class to the smaller parts as well, while the amateur support of Bicycle Thieves remained amateurs in everybody's heads.

There's of course a lot of other reasons this works a lot better than a movie I gave a 7/10. Lang have a stunning child murderer in Peter Lorre, and dare to give him a balanced life with emotions all over the place. M also brings a town in terror, and we get to see many scenes where the nerve plays as much part of the scene as the dialogue and acting. Add a whistling that bring to mind many great scores later used in the industry, thieves protecting their domain and a bunch of smaller details, and you got yourself a must see experience with well deserved status. I simply loved it, and look forward to get to know Lang better in the future.

Bicycle Thieves (1948)

Ladri di biciclette

One of those movies that seem to appear on every list from here to Moscow and back again, so there's little doubt there were some expectations finally visiting it. Simplistic, real and emotional are amongst the most used reasons for its fame, and it sure is simplistic.

A man finally gets work in post WWII-Italy, but depends on having a bicycle. Getting it back from the pawn shop thanks to giving up the sheets, getting it stolen is the worst that could happen to his new found happiness. Then we'll follow his Sunday search to get it back.

It's emotional, but the real part I got a little trouble with. Not only are some of the acting terrible (thankfully not amongst the main characters), but some of the scenes go between ridiculous and forced.

It's in my opinion a good movie, but far from the masterpiece many speak of it as.

Star Wars (1977)

Star Wars

The beginning of a franchise I've never got to, until now. I've obviously known quite a lot about the Star Wars universe thanks to numerous references in never pop culture, but I've never really been that enthusiastic about getting to know it my self.

For an introduction to a new universe it works quite well, but as a movie seen on its own merits it lacks a little. It doesn't have neither the necessary charm nor the action or adventurous needed to come over the top. There's obviously also something to be said for the lack of hitting easy targets with those laser weapons of the stormtroopers.

It's more than good enough I'll be looking forward to dip further into Lucas' universe, and I might even have this growing on me in time. Just now it doesn't quite make up for the legend, acclaims and hype.

Make Way for Tomorrow (1937)

Make Way for Tomorrow

Perfection.

I'll be surprised if I'll ever be able to start a review with that word again. Pleasantly so I might add, but very surprised none the less.

As overlooked when it arrived as it still is today. Only 1343 votes at IMDB tells all about how forgotten it is. Director Leo McCarey made another movie in 1937, The Awful Truth, igniting Cary Grant's launch to superstar fame. Unlike Make Way for Tomorrow, The Awful Truth was nominated for several Oscars and actually also won McCarey his first one. It was even the 'Best Director' category, and the story goes McCarey stood up saying:

"You gave it to me for the wrong picture."

That speaks of McCarey thoughts of this movie. Looking at how little fame it have received since, I can only wonder what he must have felt as years past by.

I have very few problems understanding his reaction on the Oscar ceremony, as there's really not a single misplaced step in this one. The direction is spot on throughout, the acting is first rate, the story is timeless and as important 73 years later, and the subject and characters are handled with respect, love and an eye for details. I could go on speaking of this movie for hours, but there's really very little left worth saying after my first word so I'll rather make an appeal.

While there's never a bad time to watch this masterpiece, we're coming up at the Christmas holiday now. It's the absolute perfect time to watch it, whether it's for the very first time or as a revisited reminder of the important stuff we so easily forget even at this time a year. It's a disgracefully overlooked gem, and my hope is that everyone goes into this holiday touched by McCarey's forgotten masterpiece.

The Last Picture Show (1971)

The Last Picture Show

I didn't remember this was a Larry McMurtry story until the end credits, but it sure made a lot of sense being reminded. For those unfamiliar with Larry, he co-wrote the Brokeback Mountain screenplay not long ago and is the author behind the Lonesome Dove series.

Even when the movie came out in 71, Bogdanovich took us back in time, to the early 50's and the death of movie theatre's as they were known. It must have been at least as wonderful a journey back then as it's now. The mood and atmosphere of the West Texas town Anarene is stunning, and McMurtry and Bogdanovich knew how to treat their small town people.

I sometimes wonder if I weren't born way to late (and on the wrong continent), and after this I'm again left wondering about it. I guess I'm just like the next guy when it comes to sentimental foolery.

Whatever happened to Sonny, Duane, Jacy and the rest, I doubt Texasville would do me nothing more than ruin the memories of this classic.

Vivre sa vie: Film en douze tableaux (1962)

Vivre sa vie: Film en douze tableaux

Almost ashamed I admit this was my first Godard-movie, but afterward I'm not so sure that's something to be ashamed of. Don't get me wrong. There's a lot of interesting things about the movie. The camerawork, Anna Karina and how it demands your thoughts as the best parts.

Still. There's just to much weakness in it for me to understand how this can possibly be so acclaimed. Some of the tableaux's are nothing short of uninteresting and boring, which doesn't do well in a movie coming short of 90 minutes.

In all fairness this is the kind of movie you really have to let sink in and preferably watch twice until you can come with an informed opinion, but the weaker parts makes me quite sure I'll never consider it a classic and I'll not be able to get through it again in quite some time.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

I'm not a huge fan of Steve Martin, but thankfully there were more subtle humor in this one. While many movies start out good, or even great, most of them have a lousy second half dragging them down. This one starts out quite slow and predictable, but Hughes manages to build it steadily upwards towards several great scenes in the second half.

Charming and heartfelt, it's a great little movie for the holidays.

Walkabout (1971)(1997-reissue)

Walkabout

Nicolas Roeg first solo-project is nothing short of mind bugging, taking a simple enough story into the natural second layer. It should in all fairness be mentioned the 97-reissue must be better than the original from what I've gathered about the added scenes of about 5 minutes. On any layer you'd like to think of the movie, that added footage makes it more complete.

A civilized teenage girl and her young brother find them self wandering alone in the middle of Australian dessert, with little to eat or drink. Alone they walk to survive, without the knowledge of nature to do so. Found by a aborigine boy who doesn't speak English, their worlds collide, and our two siblings have to depend on his knowledge. Communication is a problem, and communication was part of the reason they ended up there in the first place.

Roeg loses the pacing a little in the middle, and there's a couple of unnecessary scenes. Still the cinematographic beauty, the rawness of the nature and the evolution of the leads makes up for it overall.

This movie isn't shocking, but true to nature. Still it makes you think about what you witness throughout and think about the characters actions and choices. The simple story isn't the lead, but the layers of it and the ever growing continuous results of the journey is. While I don't currently consider it a masterpiece, it certainly is a must see movie.

Blade Runner (1982)

Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Novel: Philip K. Dick Screenplay: Hampton Fancher, David Webb Peoples
Cast: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, William Sanderson, M. Emmet Walsh, Daryl Hannah, Edward James Olmos, Brion James, James Hong
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Drama

Blade Runner is no doubt a Sci-Fi classic if there ever was one. Ridley Scott's movie have a lot of fans singing its praise, and is another of those movies I hadn't seen since the early 90's. Within this genre movies often get outdated in a very short time, but that's not at all the case with this one. It feels almost as fresh as it must have felt back then, much thanks to a dystopian vision taken to screen with care and talent from the maker. The dark scenes of future L.A. is breathtaking, while being simple enough.


It's difficult to fairly judge a movie made so long ago which have achieved such a status. At times you feel you're more interested in the phenomenon that is its status, rather than the quality on the screen. Anyway. That's the case with a lot of the old classics, and here there's plenty to put your finger at.


To me Harrison Ford is a very limited actor. Sometimes it works out well, like in the original Indiana Jones movie, but often his limitations also limits the movies he's involved in. That's no doubt the case here in my eyes. Hauer and Hannah works a lot better, but I feel also the part of Young could have done a lot better with another actor. Overall too much of the talent on screen, just isn't talented enough to breath the needed life into the dark world of our Blade Runner and the replicants.

I'm still quite entertained, both by the vision in making this futuristic world and the life of its own this movie have received since. I also think this might grow on me the next time around, but for now I don't really get all the hype or the classic status.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Director: Tim Burton
Writer: Story: Tim Burton, Caroline Thompson Screenplay: Caroline Thompson
Cast: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Alan Arkin, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Edward Scissorhands is the Burton classic about the gentle creation Edward, unfinished due to his masters death. As a result he's got scissors instead of hands, and we get to follow him from embarking on social life away from the abandoned castle he's spent his life until saleswoman Peg takes him under her wings.

Depp is as usual brilliant as Edward, and flanked by the talented Ryder this soon enough turns into a heartwarming story told with fantasy, visual insight and playfulness.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)(Int)

Original title: Nuevo Cinema Paradiso
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Writer: Giuseppe Tornatore (Story and Screenplay), Collaborating writer: Vanna Paoli
Cast: Philippe Noiret, Antonella Attili, Marco Leonardi, Agnese Nano, Salvatore Cascio, Jacques Perrin, Pupella Maggio
Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy

Among all the amazing things about Cinema Paradiso, the one that amazes me the most is the fact this was only the second feature film of director Tornatore's career. I'm not amazed because he managed to make such a great movie so early in his career, as that's not such an unusual feat anymore. I'm amazed because the entire premise, feel and direction of the movie is that of an old man with a lot of experience within the industry. Prior to the success of this movie, it's said Tornatore spoke of it as his obituary to traditional movie theatres and the industry in general. That's spoken like the the movie speaks, and it's amazing he didn't have more movies behind him while saying so.

I watched the international edition of 124 minutes. Next time around I'll watch the longer one, if I can get my hands on it, because this is a celebration of cinema, movie theatres and friendship you don't want to end. While its main focus is on the nostalgia of a theatre and its personal connections, Tornatore have managed to touch on several of the essentials of life as his story progress. While there's a couple of choices you can point towards as flaws or reasons to degrade it, I find the overall accomplishment of Tornatore's efforts such a heartfelt testimonal it should be viewed by all; and if not by all, so at least by everyone with a love for movies.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Director: Rob Reiner
Writer: William Goldman (Novel and Screenplay)
Cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Fred Savage, Peter Falk
Genre: Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Comedy

If The Princess Bride was a young man, he would probably by those who loved him be described as honest and brave, with a boyish charm. Those who wasn't such fans might say childish, spoiled and full of him self, but therein lies the beauty of any entertainment. It's all in the audience's own experience of it.

There was a time almost anything Rob Reiner touched turned into gold. He was a mainstream King Midas of Hollywood, with the successes of this movie along Stand by Me, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, This is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men, all made in a period of eight years. Not all of them box office successes, not all of them critically acclaimed and not all of them even acclaimed by the masses, but all of them have a devoted fanbase.

The Princess Bride followed his pre-teen adventures of the boys in Stand by Me released the year prior, but this adventure is made in an old-fashioned way, much like the way old folk tales are told. I love the way they go into the movie, I love the grandpa reading story angle and I adore the first half hour of the movie all together. It's funny, light, magical and hints at several old tales, as well as it stands on its own merit.

Sadly the acting isn't great, but for a while you're really not caring that much as the charm of it's poor quality flows much like the story it self. After a while the story slows down a bit, and then the acting and the entire story's build-up starts to become a little annoying. Yet, not more so than we're able to forgive thanks to its overall charm. I would predict this as a sure hit with the children, but it works for the rest of us as well. It reminds us of a different time, a different kind of storytelling and for many probably about their childhood when they watched it for the first time them self. Haven't seen it prior, I have no such nostalgic reasons to enjoy it. I still do enjoy it, and are actually not surprised at all of its high overall ranking and top 250 spot at IMDB despite its flaws.

Amélie (2001)

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Writer: Scenario: Guillaume Laurant, Jean-Pierre Jeunet Dialogue: Guillaume Laurant
Cast: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus, Lorella Cravotta, Serge Merlin, Jamel Debbouze, Clotilde Mollet, Claire Maurier, Isabelle Nanty, Domenique Pinon, Artus de Penguern, Yolande Moreau, Urbain Cancellier
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

La fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain tells the story of our peculiar everyday heroine Amélie Poulain (Tautou). Amélie didn't go to school thanks to her MD father misdiagnosing her with a heart condition at early age. As a result her mother teaches her at home and Amélie grows up a lonely child, but with a huge imagination. While her mother die when she's still young, Amélie's imaginative ways stays with her as her comforting guidance through life.

At the night Lady Di's death is reported in the news, Amélie is now a young woman making a discovery which will change her life forever. While this movie starts out with a storytelling many might find annoying or unimaginative, it soon gets under your skin and you'll start enjoying it thanks to the feel and atmosphere it adds. I might even go as far as saying it would be very difficult to come close to the same quality doing it any other way.

While there's no shortage of characters in this movie, Audrey Tautou's absolutely brilliant performance as Amélie stands out. She's no doubt the perfect cast, and elevates the experience throughout the movie. Kassovitz is also a joy to experience as the second name on the poster, but there's no shortage of good acting in this fine French movie currently ranked 47th at IMDB. Amélie of Monmartre's story is surely one not to be missed.

Love Story (1970)

Director: Arthur Hiller
Writer: Erich Segal
Cast: Ryan O'Neal, Ali MacGraw, John Marley, Ray Milland
Genre: Romance, Drama

Love Story is probably the most straightforward movie I've ever seen. Within the very first minute its entire story is told, and then they spend the rest of the movie telling it again. It's almost intriguing how banal and simple it all is, and yet there is something to be said for the courage of telling their story by giving away its ending during the opening credits.

Some might even argue the title even have the same purpose, and yes; this is basically the love story of the rich playboy Harvard student Oliver (O'Neal), who meets and fell hopelessly in love with the poor baker's daughter Jennifer (MacGraw) who's studying music at Radcliffe College.


No secret I'm a sucker for love stories, and this one pushes many of the correct buttons. Still it should be noted there's some shortcomings when trying to balance their story's runtime. I wouldn't have minded another fifteen or twenty minutes if it meant spending a little more time on parts of the story I felt were rushed. Still they overall manage to take us through the different stages of the love story at hand, and you get exactly what's promises throughout the title, the tagline, the marketing and the first minute of the movie.

MacGraw and O'Neal have a good chemistry, helping them along in their banter-scenes as well as the more basic lovable ones, and both portrays their characters well. Supported by Marley and Milland playing a father each, the acting holds a high standard. Also the music is worth noting, almost a must having the female lead being a music student.

Love Story must have been quite the original piece of cinema back in 1970, and it still holds up quite well even today as its main themes are timeless.

Labyrinth (1986)

Director: Jim Henson
Writer: Screenplay: Terry Jones Story: Jim Henson, Dennis Lee Uncredited: Elaine May
Cast: Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie
Voice-Cast: Brian Henson, Ron Mueck, Rob Mills, Dave Goelz, David Shaughnessy, David Alan Barclay, Karen Prell
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Family, Musical

Labyrinth is a fantasy story from the good old days. The days prior to animated successes and CGI magic. It relies on puppetry, fantasy and a old school attitude. It's nothing short of magical to follow Jennifer Connelly's quest as 'Sarah' through the Labyrinth to save her little brother from the 'Goblin King'. It's charming, playful, well written and even if it got the usual moral always added in these movies targeting a children audience, it never steps outside of the importance of telling the story well. I can hold my breath for David Bowie's skills, but the young Connelly is refreshing. Recently reviewed her in Blood Diamond, and it's fun to watch her again only a few days later in a role twenty years earlier.

The story is an equal amount of old fashioned fairy tale story like those collected by the Grimm brothers, and children's television-like from the golden era of such. It's a story filled with charm, humor and funny characters. They've also added a lot of familiar fantasy elements in there, but done with their own twist. Keeping in mind it's 24 years since they made this, way before Toy Story, The Lion King, 'Harry Potter' and such, it's nothing short of an imaginary early masterpiece within its target audience. For the rest of us it's both a warp zone back into the 80's, entertaining fun and a moral tale still worthy of our children.