Tag: Foreign

EMA (2019)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Pablo Larrain
Written By: Pablo Larrain, Giillermo Calderon and Alejandro Moreno
Cinematography: Sergio Armstrong 
Editor: Sebastian Sepulveda

Cast: Mariana Di Girolamo, Gael Garcia Bernal, Santiago Cabrera, Paola Giannini, Cristian Suarez, Giannina Fruttero 

A couple deals with the aftermath of an adoption that goes awry as their household falls apart.

Watching this film is more of an experience. the base there always seems to be a running rhythm or one that the film as well as its Characters seem to be running On.

How a beat builds, how it takes many different elements put together to make not only A song but even a bear which is the Love force the heartbeat of the entity known as music. The same can be said of life, art  and That is how this film Works 

At first, it seems like the main character is acting irrationally and randomly but as the film goes along we see how she is putting everything together to get what she wants essentially any kind of reward for all of those with who she is involving without their knowledge as to the overall goal.

For a film that seems to be about Mostly dancing there are no sustained long-term dance sequences. As some of the scenes are edited more briskly With plenty of cuts more like a music video. 

You believe everything to be random out of freedom then in the third act a reveal happens that brings it all Together. 

This is one of the horniest yet not erotic films I have seen recently. As it is erotic but doesn’t exactly aim in that direction. Though the characters seem more exhibitionist and more Hedonistic. As it seems to open itself and showcase open and polyamorous relationships 

As the film presents sex and sexuality as non-judge mental more open and quite naturalistic and feral. As more matter Of fact 

Grade: A

CURE (1997)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Cinematography: Tokusho Kikumura
Editor: Kan Suzuki

Cast: Koji Yakusho, Tsuy Oshiujik, Masato Hagiwara, Anna Nakagawa 

A frustrated detective deals with the case of several gruesome murders committed by people who have no recollection of what they’ve done.

This is a film that the less you know about it the better. Though it still will have no overall effect on your enjoyment or feelings. It does help you to discover things as the characters do.

This movie is a marvel, not one to easily describe. It plays as a psychological thriller and horror but is more like a piece of art above all Else.

The film is tightly composed and contains a stillness. As well as staying very quiet no matter the violence that is shown.

Where the violence is shown more in the aftermath. Rather than actual attacks or actions. 

The mood and tone of the film never managed to rise. It stays dry, quiet, cold, and measured at its own pace. Which whole being a thriller is impressive as we watch pieces come together. Though still, some remain unexplained. 

The film manages to keep us interested and learning as it goes on. As this is a film that is best to pay attention to all the details though at Its speed it would be hard to miss certain elements.

The film eventually breaks down into a cat and mouse game between the suspect and the detective but it involves so much more that might be red herrings such as conspiracies. 

Some of the film’s threads that seem to connect to one another unravel or come off as some kind of coincidence. 

What helps throw the audience off is that there is no lead-up to the violence or actions of the characters. It just seems to happen and we are presented with it offering no rhyme or reason at first. Seemingly random and dealing with the aftermath. Which can be scarier than knowing the motive where you can rationale or understand 

Grade: B+

EVIL DEAD TRAP (1988)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Toshiharu Ikeda
Written By: Takashi Ishii 
Cinematography: Masaki Tamura 
Editor: Akimasa Kawashima 

Cast: Miyuki Ono, Aya Katsuragi, Hitomi Kobayashi, Eriko Nakagawa, Masahiko Abe

A late-night TV presenter receives a snuff tape, in which a woman is brutally killed. She decides to take a crew out to a location indicated in the tape, but only death and despair await them.

This is a movie best to go in blind as even if described it can never match the experience of watching it and what actually happens throughout the film. 

The location of the film the warehouse that the characters go through Is a character In itself as it seems the deeper and longer they stay there it seems to get bigger and as they journey along it seems like they are going deeper and deeper into hell on earth. A demented funhouse that seems to be a playhouse for the killer. 

This is a movie I had heard about for a while but from its title believed it to be an Evil dead movie Rip off. 

The irony is that the film actually does at times seem to have homages to the film of Its title’s inspiration with scenes of a rampaging camera going throughout the location. As seemingly whoever the evil is seeking.

You also have to consider when the film was made and released. As it’s a refreshingly original film where you can see the inspiration for many other horror films. In its, DNA is definitely in the SAW movie franchise with the boobs traps and graphic violence and consequences. 

The special effects and make-up are impressive and practical. Especially for the time as you can tell this was a film made with love of the genre 

Unfortunately, one of the few weaknesses of the film is that while trying to serve us sec and nudity, which seemed more common for the genre at the time we get a graphic sec scene but we also get a totally unnecessary graphic rape scene. That really adds nothing but gives the film an unneeded sense of depravity. Punishing certain Characters even more cruelly than needed and for no reason.

This is the kind of film where after a while you kind of give up all hope of sense or the film comes to a logical conclusion and just goes with it the chaos that it offers up and hopes it is worth it or it stays as unpredictable as it has presented itself so far. 

The film doesn’t have a big body count but makes up for it with impressive and original kills. Not to mention piling on the tension at times. Even if towards the end it feels a little long and overplayed. 

Grade: B

IL DEMONIO (1967)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed & Story By: Brunello Rondi

Written By: Brunello Rondi, Ugo Guerra & Luciano Martino

Cinematography: Carlo Bellero

Editor: Mario Serandrei

Cast: Daliah Lavi, Frank Wolff, Anna Maria Aveta, Dario Dolci, Francs Mazzoni, Rossana Rovere 

A lonely, sexually-uninhibited young peasant is subjected to an exorcism after she hexes a man who rejects her advances.

This is a film I had never heard of before and stumbled upon. Definitely did not regret it.

What will attract many to this film is the lead played by Daliah Levi, She is amazing in her role and quite gorgeous. That you can see why so many are tempted by her. She throws herself into the role even more physically in one acne where she continuously contorts her body. She is as beautiful as the cinematography throughout.

This is an obsessive love story that turns into madness and questionable passion or a growing mental illness that seems to grow into group hysteria. By the end of the film, there is barely anyone who is truly innocent.

This film can be seen as a precursor or maybe even an early inspiration for Isabelle Adjani’s Iconic performance in POSSESSION

The film is a neorealist Italian movie with religious overtones and folk horror elements.

The film plays out a tragedy really as for all of those supposedly scared of her. She is ultimately a victim throughout. Most of the men trying to save or cure her violate or viciously attack her. All of them so-called holy and come down with her throw her away. Even the man she is in love with the man who blames his lust for her. All on her as some kind of spell. 

At first, her lover does come across as a victim but becomes a villain by the end. As the film tries to showcase what has led him to this path. His own mind of mental breakdown is tied to religion, lust, and folklore. 

This film definitely shows how misogynistic and exploitive those so-called true believers are when it comes to women and especially if they show any sexuality or seem to enjoy sex 

GRADE: B-

POLIZIOTTO SENZA PAURA – MAGNUM COP (aka FEARLESS) (1978)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Stelvio Massi
Story By: Fulvio Gicca-Palli 
Written By: Stelvio Massi, Franz Antel & Gino Capone 
Cinematography: Riccardo Pallottini 
Editor: Mauro Bonanni 

Cast: Joan Collins, Maurizio Merli, Franco Ressel, Werner Pochath, Massimo Vanni, Annarita Grapputo, Alexander Trojan, Gastone Moschin

An Italian private investigator tries to get to the bottom of a suspicious kidnapping case with the help of an exotic dancer.

This is a movie that leaves one with mixed emotions. At first, it feels like pure 1980s European sleaze and stupidity dialed up. To make what seems like a movie the filmmakers believe Americans will love. Though eventually the film actually becomes somewhat engaging.

Can’t really tell if it is natural or because the audience gets into the film’s nature and anything subdued is welcome and if it isn’t outrageous seems more possible than what we have seen before.

The beginning credits show us what to expect throughout, but feel more like credits for a television show of what to expect in future episodes. After a silly violent opening, it ends up being an early highlight reel to try and convince you to stay.  

This is truly a film that has to be seen to be believed. One of the aspects of the film that helped sell the film is that Joan Collins is in it and gets star billing. Even though she doesn’t appear until halfway into the film with a grand entrance and shows plenty of skin throughout. Even though she is a supporting character of importance she comes across as a special guest star who is eye candy and the femme fatale. She is the most recognizable cast ever to an English language-speaking audience. 

The film is definitely of its Time when it comes to Materials and culture. It has a protagonist who always seems to have a one-liner or comeback ready for every occasion. In one scene after getting beat up seems to look around for direction as to whether to at least lose consciousness in the scene. 

So that at first it feels more comedic than a thriller or action film. Even with an opening scene of pure action. The film also is filled with nudity and comes across at times as sex-obsessed. Not sure if it was intentional or not. Even though it is a detective mystery at heart.

The film eventually develops into competence as it goes along and we analyze the story. When it decides to calm down from its More outrageous factors. That ends up saving the movie. As it becomes engaging and less over the top.  

It seems that most of the female characters can’t resist the lead who comes across with a perineal that Bruce Willis would perfect in the 1980s 

Though it gets tawdry, especially in the conclusion that involves underage girls leaves this and the audience with a bad taste in your mouth and wondering why this was needed. As it makes the film obscene. This might be why this film isn’t as known or famous. As it is quite distasteful

Can definitely see this as a cult or midnight movie and gaining an audience. By the end, it feels like the first in a series of movies or franchises that are never to be.

Grade: B-

SUMMER OF 85 (2020)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Francois Ozon

Based on the book “Dance On My Grave” By Aidan Chambers

Cinematography: Hichame Alouie

Editor: Laurie Gardette

Cast: Felix Lefebvre, Benjamin Voisin, Philippine Velge, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Melvil Poupaud, Isabelle Nanty 

When 16-year-old Alexis is caught up in the deceitful Normandy sea, David heroically saves him from drowning. And, this is how Alexis meets the person of his life. But, how long will this tumultuous, dreamy relationship last? Will the dream last for more than one summer, the summer of 85?

The film doesn’t go where you expect it to go. What keeps you guessing and mystified when it comes to his film is how it plays with time throughout and leaves you expecting the worse when things are mostly innocent 

It feels a bit similar to CALL BE BY YOUR NAME. As it is a coming-of-age love story between two males of intense feelings and obsession, but yet always feels a bit more of a thriller than a true romance. Though then again young love can be innocent and messy.

Even though nonchalant It’s not even truly coming out film. As it is all relatively handled with no big revelations. Though shows itself as a love story and not one of lust or dangerous obsession 

The film runs on expectations. So that as it goes along. You constantly feel a sense of dread. Always looking for clues, hints, or motives. 

All seems to go well until a girl is thrown into the mix. Even when she had the best of interests. Proving to be loyal to all.

The main characters are the rebellious carefree type versus an introverted romantic. At first, he believes it is all in his head and just an innocent friendship. Then he realizes he is being seduced. Even though the more aggressive character might be bisexual or a sensationalist, narcissistic and not prepared for his feelings. Especially being so young, not ready for the intensity.

By the end, you find instead of a thriller you have gone through a dark drama. That also feels like a string after-school special or a coming-of-age film that has thriller elements. 

Grade: B-

JUMBO (2020)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Zoe Wittock 
Cinematography: Thomas Buelens
Editor: Thomas Fernandez 

Cast: Noemie Merlant, Emmanuelle Bercot, Bastien Bouillon, Sam Louwyck, Tracy Dossou

Jeanne, a shy young woman, works in an amusement park. Fascinated with carousels, she still lives at home with her mother. That’s when Jeanne meets Jumbo, the park’s new flagship attraction.

This film will remind some audiences in the know of Titane. As they have particular storylines that are similar but are in Totally different ways.

The French film, TITANE is dark and about more than necessarily meets the eye. Where it has things to say about many subjects. This film Is sweeter and has no pregnancies though it is a fairy tale based On reality and tries to keep matters at hand. 

This film has a sweetness but doesn’t ignore its own implausibility. As it even has the character question her sanity. Though her own faith shows through. We in The audience begin to question as we see erratic behavior and every time there is something fantastical involving others we never see it as random there is a logical reason for it all. 

The film doesn’t shy away from sex but it doesn’t make it feel tawdry it feels erotic but more out of innocence. 

Even those close to her who doubt her and her sanity. We are left to wonder if they are doing it for their own self-interest and out of jealousy. 

As the main character feels like a typical one you would find in a quirky romantic French film. She looks and dresses like a shy teenager even though she is a young woman in her 20’s.

The movie starts off innocent and as it goes along it gets more serious and into more issues and questions that are surprisingly asked. That is usually left out in films with scenarios such as these. 

Noemie Merlant really shines in this film. She stays believable and strong even though her character can be weak at times and doesn’t speak up for herself. She seems to run away rather than confront. Though she gains our sympathy and soon finds ourselves rooting for her. As we watch from the beginning her character is a tomboy but wears such shapeless clothes we wonder if she is in arrested development. through it all even in various sex scenes. She still seems like an innocent more than anything.

Emmanuelle Bercot as her mother is also strong. As a hard-driven woman. She has had her heart broken quite a few times and wants to believe in love but finds herself defined by the company she keeps usually male. She wants the best for her daughter but that seems in the daughter more or less getting into a relationship and finding a man. As she tries to act more like her sister than her mother. She is tough to a certain degree but has a soft spot for her daughter that she rarely shows.

This is a film that might not always make sense but it does have a charm that is constantly on display and tries to always stay in reality. Even with its more fantastical elements.

Grade: B

UNDINE (2020)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Christian Petzold
Cinematography: Hans Fromm 
Editor: Bettina Bohler

Cast: Paula Beer, Franz Rogowski, Maryam Zaree, Jacob Matschenz, Anne Ratte-Polle, Gloria Andres De Oliveira 

Undine works as a historian lecturing on Berlin’s urban development. But when the man she loves leaves her, the ancient myth catches up with her. Undine has to kill the man who betrays her and return to the water.

Writer/Director Christian Pertzold, Always seems to bring nostalgia and powerful epic love stories into the modern age. 

The film feels like a short story compared to his other films that felt like full novels even if the same length. This just doesn’t feel as strong or as Rich. Making it feel somewhat lightweight, not as daring or demanding. Which can be forgiven. As not every movie needs to be a fraught tragedy. 

As this like most of his films is expressive, vivid, and powerful. Usually unforgettable with a romance that you might aspire to have and dream of despite their tragedy. To love is to gamble and lose big at times. Even when getting what you want it hurts to a certain degree and you lose or have to sacrifice a bit to be affected in the end.

Amazed by what you went through and proud of it. As an expression of passion in all ways. Your own epic story that is universal. Only you can truly understand. As you have your own point of view and are telling this particular tale as a memoir. That is what went through my brain while watching this film.

This film feels like a more modern fairy tale, but the emotions are deep. As it is detailed and textured as one without the lore though. The tragedy is that the tale feels like it ends too soon. Never knowing what you have until over and the characters obsessing over it. Raising it to a level of legend.

Think about how you feel when you break up with someone and feel you will never get over them. Then you meet someone new and realize how bad the other relationship really was. As you never reached the same happiness or highs as is the new one

This film Feels too short. Yet it doesn’t disappoint as it has the same strength and emotions affecting two lives immeasurably but seems to have the substance of a shorter story. That here gets by more on emotions. A brief romance that packs a full love story rather than one that takes place over a longer time period. 

That has an intensity where you wonder if given more time together. Would it have flamed out? Had more stories to tell that reinforced and made this love story as rich as Uncle Scrooge’s vault from DUCKTALES or with time made to realize it was a footnote and more a blueprint for future relationships to revolve around and know what you want and how you want to feel.

It Seems after romantic epics such as PHOENIX and COLD WAR. That Writer-Director Christian Petzold has set his sights on a smaller story that while not having as much of an expanse. its depths are just as strong

Grade: B

FIRST LOVE (2019)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Takashi Miike
Written By: Masa Nakamura 
Cinematography: Nobuyasu Kita
Editor: Akira Kamiya 

Cast: Masataka Kubota, Sakurako Konishi, Shota Sometani, Jun Murakami, Masayuki Deai, Cheng-Kuo Yen 

Leo is a young boxer, successful but unable to show emotion. He has a fight scheduled and is sure that he will win. Instead, his opponent knocks him out. This triggers a chain of unpleasant events involving drugs, corrupt cops, the Yakuza, a female assassin – and Monica, an escort that he must rescue. It’s one hell of a night for Leo.

The film is brutal in its Violence at times but what else would you expect from director Takashi Miike. Though it similarly stays silly and fun. It also keeps an emotional connection. 

This is a film that will feel immediately familiar but tries to be different in the details. As this isn’t lovers on the run but two characters with nothing to lose on the run. Who seem to fall for one another while on the run and trying to survive. 

Throughout the film, you will be able to identify what inspired the movie, characters, and scenes.

The male is More motivated and driven as the only reason he goes out of his way for her. Is that he believes he is dying. 

For the female character, the boxer is The first instance or ideal of the perfect person who did something above and beyond then for them and not fully realizing or taking time to see who the person truly is. 

Some people experience this. When they experience it fully with knowing a person. All around can be rewarding rather than just connecting for a moment.

Though strangely the couple is the least interesting part of the characters. As they are pawns In a larger story but needed to advance the story. Is more of a crime Story involving two different mobs who end up in a war over a stolen shipment set up by a dirty cop and inserting 

Each monster fang either tries to double-cross or is out for vengeance. Though each of them, also seems to have its ridiculous quirks.

The film offers some well-contained action sequences and constantly involves misunderstandings and double-crosses that leave you wondering who is out for who half the time. 

The problem here is that as the tale goes on it builds momentum and smartly to a degree doesn’t keep building and putting out its Scenes slightly distanced. So it gives characters time to breathe before the next crazy scene instead of overloading and best one after another.

The drug deal subplot and mobsters do remind the viewer of the movie TRUE ROMANCE. But other than the simpler coincidences this tale goes its own way. As this film has a bit more humor.

Though the main characters are interesting in their reasoning and characters. Including one a drug addict who is beloved, she is haunted by her father who is always in his underwear. It’s the supporting characters who

Are more interesting and keeps the film interesting and on its toes.

Grade: B

THE COLUMNIST (2019)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Ivo Van Aart 
Written By: Daan Windhorst
Cinematography: Martijn Cousijn 
Editor: Irme Reutelingsperger & Yamal Stitiou 

Cast: Katja Herbers, Achraf Koutet, Genio De Groot, Rein Hoffman, Claire Porro, Bram Van Der Kelen, Medina Schuurman, Harry Van Ritjthourn 

A columnist must continuously deal with threats and negative comments on her social media pages. One day, she has had enough and decides to hunt down her trolls.

The film wastes no time in getting right to the point and its actions. The film ends up going down like candy-sweet and quickly with very few complaints. 

The film comes off very dry and seems to have no real sensations at all throughout the film. Especially when it comes to presentation.

Feels very lightweight for such a dark comedy. Almost like a TV movie level. Only with plenty of language and violence.

It might have been stronger if at any point she really has faced a true challenge or more of one in her killings or the immediate aftermath. 

The only other being she seems to face is the older gentleman who at first seems like he could be the easiest.

As she became too common too fast and with very little investigation into these Crimes. So there feels like an absence of any real depth. Especially when the film offers opportunities for it to be more interesting. Like having the daughter act impulsively when thinking her mother’s boyfriend is the killer or having her kill him when believing him to be the killer. Then found out she was wrong when the kills keep happening and then finding out it was her mother or ending the film with the daughter’s Mistake.

In the middle of the movie is the only town where the police really have any questions and she gives them motive and a bit of evidence to build a case if they bothered to really investigate her. 

The killings soon become an obsession. So much so that it takes over her regular responsibilities. Truly shows her character’s transformation. The more she kills the more it relieves her mind as it clears her head and gets more writing done. In essence, becoming more successful.

As it seems she is all for freedom of speech until it is used against her then she becomes the ultimate censor. At first, she is bullied into being a killer. 

Though without controversy there is less of an audience. The end is a little outlandish as it seems meant to be a message. As the film does have one in a worst-case scenario version. That could be reworked but makes itself loud and clear. 

At first, it seems Like it will be open-ended but proceeds especially as there are plenty of witnesses though goes for shock and sensationalism with a warning. 

Her speech might help her and the film to realize what she says about herself goes to the victims also. 

Just her boyfriend who dresses freaky to get attention as fashion is the more normal put-together individual. Whereas she comes off as the more so-called normal one is the crazed killer.

In the end, the film feels disposable and hassle-free.

Grade: C+