[REVIEWS] Films: Foreign
Apr. 11th, 2011 11:03 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thewlisian_afer.
Battle Royale (2001)
When even schoolchildren begin to abuse a system on the verge of social collapse, the Japanese government introduces a strict new punishment whereby randomly chosen students are taken to a deserted island and forced to fight each other to the death. Renowned Japanese auteur and actor Takeshi "Beat" Kitano stars in this explosive, violent drama from director Kinji Fukasaku, based on Koushun Takami's novel.
I really like the concept of this movie but I wasn't especially fond of the execution. Something about the music kept taking me out of it. But, as I said, I enjoyed the story and there were also several characters that I really liked. I think I ought to read the book. I'd probably like that better. [Rating: 3 stars]
City of Lost Children (1995)
With a mad scientist kidnapping children to steal their dreams, only brave young Miette (Judith Vittet) and a kindhearted circus strongman (Ron Perlman) can save them. Part fantasy, part nightmare, this production used more special effects than any other French film to date. Featuring stunning visuals from directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, the sci-fi fairy tale was nominated for a Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival.
While this is definitely not my favorite Jeunet film, I still really liked it. There is so much detail to look at and the story is absolutely fascinating. Plus, I really enjoyed Ron Perlman's performance (and his character was so endearing!) and I always like Dominique Pinion. [Rating: 3.5 stars]
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Exhausted and disillusioned, a medieval knight (Max von Sydow) makes the journey home after years of combat in the Crusades. But when the black-robed figure of Death confronts him, the knight challenges him to a game of chess. A powerful meditation on the existence of God and the meaning of life, this drama is considered one of Ingmar Bergman's best and took the Cannes Film Festival Prize in 1957.
I'm sorry, Ingmar Bergman. I tried, but ... meh. The first half was boring and a little confusing (the latter probably because of the former) and the second half wasn't good enough to bring my opinion all the way back. So I'm in the middle of the road on this one. [Rating: 3 stars]
Le Corbeau (1943)
The shadowy writer known only as "Le Corbeau" drives a French provincial town -- via cryptic and damning letters -- into exposing the suspicion and hard feelings hidden beneath the community's surface. Made during the Nazi occupation of France, director Henri-Georges Clouzot's film was vilified by the right-wing Vichy regime and other groups. But writers such as Jean Cocteau recognized the powerful subtext to Clouzot's anti-Gestapo tale.
Why had I never seen this before? Great story and great characters handled by a great director. It definitely gets my recommendation. [Rating: 3.5 stars]
With a Friend Like Harry (2000)
While fixing up their summer cottage, Michel (Laurent Lucas) and his family run into a man (Sergi López) who claims to have gone to high school with Michel. Although Michel doesn't recognize him, the man knows too much not to be a former mate. Soon the man and his girlfriend are living in the cottage, and Michel is realizing that his classmate's interest may instead be obsession in this highly lauded thriller from director Dominik Moll.
That was the most disappointingly mediocre movie I've seen in quite some time. It was painfully predictable, there weren't any standout characters, and the acting was all simply adequate. [Rating: 3 stars]
Battle Royale (2001)
When even schoolchildren begin to abuse a system on the verge of social collapse, the Japanese government introduces a strict new punishment whereby randomly chosen students are taken to a deserted island and forced to fight each other to the death. Renowned Japanese auteur and actor Takeshi "Beat" Kitano stars in this explosive, violent drama from director Kinji Fukasaku, based on Koushun Takami's novel.
I really like the concept of this movie but I wasn't especially fond of the execution. Something about the music kept taking me out of it. But, as I said, I enjoyed the story and there were also several characters that I really liked. I think I ought to read the book. I'd probably like that better. [Rating: 3 stars]
City of Lost Children (1995)
With a mad scientist kidnapping children to steal their dreams, only brave young Miette (Judith Vittet) and a kindhearted circus strongman (Ron Perlman) can save them. Part fantasy, part nightmare, this production used more special effects than any other French film to date. Featuring stunning visuals from directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, the sci-fi fairy tale was nominated for a Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival.
While this is definitely not my favorite Jeunet film, I still really liked it. There is so much detail to look at and the story is absolutely fascinating. Plus, I really enjoyed Ron Perlman's performance (and his character was so endearing!) and I always like Dominique Pinion. [Rating: 3.5 stars]
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Exhausted and disillusioned, a medieval knight (Max von Sydow) makes the journey home after years of combat in the Crusades. But when the black-robed figure of Death confronts him, the knight challenges him to a game of chess. A powerful meditation on the existence of God and the meaning of life, this drama is considered one of Ingmar Bergman's best and took the Cannes Film Festival Prize in 1957.
I'm sorry, Ingmar Bergman. I tried, but ... meh. The first half was boring and a little confusing (the latter probably because of the former) and the second half wasn't good enough to bring my opinion all the way back. So I'm in the middle of the road on this one. [Rating: 3 stars]
Le Corbeau (1943)
The shadowy writer known only as "Le Corbeau" drives a French provincial town -- via cryptic and damning letters -- into exposing the suspicion and hard feelings hidden beneath the community's surface. Made during the Nazi occupation of France, director Henri-Georges Clouzot's film was vilified by the right-wing Vichy regime and other groups. But writers such as Jean Cocteau recognized the powerful subtext to Clouzot's anti-Gestapo tale.
Why had I never seen this before? Great story and great characters handled by a great director. It definitely gets my recommendation. [Rating: 3.5 stars]
With a Friend Like Harry (2000)
While fixing up their summer cottage, Michel (Laurent Lucas) and his family run into a man (Sergi López) who claims to have gone to high school with Michel. Although Michel doesn't recognize him, the man knows too much not to be a former mate. Soon the man and his girlfriend are living in the cottage, and Michel is realizing that his classmate's interest may instead be obsession in this highly lauded thriller from director Dominik Moll.
That was the most disappointingly mediocre movie I've seen in quite some time. It was painfully predictable, there weren't any standout characters, and the acting was all simply adequate. [Rating: 3 stars]
