Wednesday 30 April 2014

Easter Break. Cinema Inhabitant.


I visited the cinema 5 times over Easter break. I saw Divergent, The Invisible Woman, The Lego Movie, L'épreuve D'une Vie and Noah. On my trusty laptop I saw Nyphomaniac Volume 1, The Cove (again) and had some fun with my Woody Allen classics. I also spent about half a day watching the extended trailer for The Fault In Our Stars again and again and well... again. Scroll down to read 4 short reviews. 

Divergent



It wasn't artful or insightful or even thoughtful. In fact it was rather formulaic despite being based on a distinctly original theme. But it was exhilarating and contributed something notable to the tired dystopian genre. Shailene Woodley supplied a beautiful performance. It was so unequivocal I am sad to say that she was almost out of place in the film. She was too good for it. I appreciated the elaborate set design and futuristic tunes (thanks largely to the ethereal voice of one Ellie Goulding) It also encompassed quite a likeable love story. Better than that of the Hunger Games. Will definitely be revisiting this film some time. 

63/100


Nymphomaniac Volume 1



I am ashamed to admit that I was rather timid to vocalise my wider opinions on Lars Von Triers latest masterpiece. Hence, I compromised. I decided that I wouldn't qualify this as a full review but simply some comments on my thoughts of it. The reason for my hesitation is that I found volume 1 of Nymphomaniac (and most of Lars Von Trier's films) to be so far beyond my current understanding of film that I simply have no authoritative stance to judge it.  But here goes nothing:

It's a complex web showing human nature as nothing truer and more raw than I have ever seen. It's not glazed with an air of glamour or shine, rather its stripped back and vulnerable. The chronological journey is simple yet not generic. The purity in portrayal is incredible. My eyes never strayed far from the screen. 
Basically, it was beautiful. And I didn't understand it. But I will watch it and think about it until I do, so that I can fully appreciate it. 

87/00

The Lego Movie 



Taking franchise product-developed film to a whole new level. Humorous, a well-developed plot-line and noteworthy graphics, expect this to win big at the 2015 Oscars. I appreciate this on the level that it is at, pure entertainment. 

68/100



L'épreuve D'une Vie/The Finishers


Documentary director, Nils Tavernier took a shot at drama and it payed off. He took the simple course of filmmaking and produced a tearjerker with some memorable sequences such as a runaway montage of protagonist Julien to Awolnation's "Sail", proving surprisingly powerful. It's a cryptic message about faith and family, the joys we find in striving long and hard for something and coming away with a little bit of everything. 

71/100


4 comments:

  1. Glad you found something to like in Nymphomaniac - I'm definitely not a fan of Von Trier, yet somehow I sat through both parts of it. I hated it but I'll give it this - Uma Thurman was outstanding in her scene.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really did enjoy Nymphomaniac. Von Trier has a very distinctive, particular style so it really isn't for everyone. Good job on giving it the benefit of the doubt and giving it a shot though! The scene was so long it could've been tedious, but Uma Thurman was perfection. She carried that scene.

      Delete
  2. I agree with you wholeheartedly on Divergent. It was silly etc., but thoroughly entertaining. I'm not a fan of the young-adult, but Divergent was of a higher quality than most. As for Nymphomaniac, I can't wait to see it now!

    Meanwhile, the music on your blog that plays in the background is awesome. "I Follow Rivers" is a song I'm loving right now. So thanks for that, haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to hear that you agree with me! The YA genre makes me rather sad, the fixation on dystopian worlds and vampires. It really undermines some pretty decent films I'm afraid. Nymphomaniac was a seriously groundbreaking film. I have so much respect for Lars Von Trier. You should definitely check it out!

      Thank you so much Ben. Lykke Li music is often used beautifully in films and "I Follow Rivers" is easily my favourite. And no worries at all, the pleasure is all mine.

      Delete