XXY

XXY (2007)
Seen on the 6th December 2010 (86 min)

A film about exploration of identity in the face of having (literally) preference for both sexes. It is a film about what it means to be a man and what it is not to be a man. It also explores the relation between two neighbouring countries: Uruguay and Argentina and the differences in thinking and behaving. There are some unexpected moments in the film and it really puts one to think about the nature of choice, gender and the meaning of life as a free, independent and no judgeamental person.

Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows (1st part)

Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows (1st part)
Seen on the 4th December 2010 (146 min)

This is by far the best part of the Potter series. It is about running away from the situation, it's a road movie and it should be seen like this. Harry and his friends are facing for the first time the sometimes terrible task of making their own choices and facing the consequences of this all. Ron gets really frustrated about this (trying to find in Harry an answer to all his problems) but then he comes back. The figure of Dumbledore is always in the background overseeing everything and supporting Harry's decisions. Voldemort is close than every but also distant, the end is in sight.

Intacto

Intacto (2001)
Seen on the 23rd October 2010 ( 108 min)

A film about luck and lack of love. A group of aficionados get together every now and again to trade with luck. A serious bet is expected by all assistants and the winner takes it all. Tomás had a lucky scape from a plane crash being the only survivor, and Federico, now working for an insurance company, makes sure to bring him into the game. Federico, however, has an ultimate objective, to take personal revenge to Samuel, a mythical figure who has survived to Russian roulette for over 30 years. Tomas and Federico find it harder to achieve this objective and Anna is a constant figure in the film. Does Tomás love Anna enough to make him the luckiest or the unluckiest person on the Planet? Interesting film.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Wall Street: Money never sleeps (2010)
Seen on the 14th October 2010 (133 min)

Going the distance

Going the distance (2010)
Seen on the 13th October 2010 (102 min)

She's Out of My League

She's Out of My League (2010)
Seen on the 30th September 2010 (104 min)

A fun american comedy about a very awkward teenager who is the object of the affection of a very attractive girl. Some fun moments.

The Counterfeiters

The Counterfeiters (2007)
Seen on the 19th September 2010 (98 min)

A film about survival in uncertain times: is it better to keep one's life helping the enemy, or die to sabotage the enemy? A film about who the enemy is (sometimes the enemy is within) and what freedom means in war time. A person (a jew) who never identified himself as one, ends up in a gild of counterfeiters selected by the Nazi regime to pun on the biggest counterfeiter operation. Sally (not even called Salomon himself) ends up taking the role of the gild's leader and tries his best to keep everybody's desires at first. An ethical dilemma is brought up by Burger (another inmate) who wants to martyrise himself by sabotaging the whole operation arguing that it is better to die than to help the enemy. Tensions arise when Sally puts the case forward that an extra day is an extra day and that helping the enemy could bring them salvation. The ending is interesting, full of realisation for Sally, himself and his role in the world: a counterfeiter is a counterfeiter is a counterfeiter. You can't cheat the cheaters but there is some poetry on this too.

The Fourth Kind

The Fourth Kind (2009)
Seen on the 3rd September 2010 (98 min)

An interesting film about UFO abductions and psychology. In a sleepy town in Alaska things get out of control after two psychologist observed sleep disruption related to seeing an owl. Things get more interesting when an expert in Sumerian civilisation turns up to help the protagonist. Real footing is presented and the prospect of FBI and CIA cover up is always there. Interesting film.

Thirst

Thirst (2009)
Seen on the 28th August 2010 (133 min)

The most serious of the three films seen on the same day but not the most enjoyable. This is the story of a priest turned vampire in Korea. It deals with topics of good and evil, of double standards but overall with sensuality and the fight agains irrepresible desires. This is, visually, a very attractive film full of colour (red and blue are highlighted). There are very intense and sexual (although not explicit) moments in which the viewer is taken into the world of vampires. An extraordinary film.

Thirst

Thirst (2009)
Seen on the 28th August 2010 (133 min)

The most serious of the three films seen on the same day but not the most enjoyable. This is the story of a priest turned vampire in Korea. It deals with topics of good and evil, of double standards but overall with sensuality

Scott Pilgrim versus the World

Scott Pilgrim versus the World (2010)
Seen on the 28th August 2010 (112 min)

A good film about the fears and anxieties of being a teenager. This film incorporates elements from video games and media into the life of a geek Scott Pilgrim. His life revolves around his band and his failures to keep a healthy adult relationship. When he meets Ramona Flowers his life is turned outside down when he discovers he has to fight and defeat the league of ex's set up by Gidean, the evil latest boyfriend of Ramona. In a journey of self-realization, Scott fights agains everything to get not just what he wants but to fight for himself. A truly enjoyable film!

Where the wild things are

Where the wild things are (2009)
Seen on the 28th August 2010 (101 min)

I had not seen a very goof film in a very long time!This a refreshing film about growing up and leaving childhood behind. It's a wonderfully weird dream about the realization of how this world works if you want to be an adult. The film reminded me of the lord of the flies and the 400 blows. One particularly good aspect of the film is the soundtrack which really emphasizes the film to support different feelings and ideas that the main character has during his short reign as king. A beautiful film I recommend.

Did you hear about the Morgans?

Did you hear about the Morgans?
Seen on the 25th August 2010 (103 min)

Yet another romantic comedy with Hugh Grant and Sara J. Parker. Very predictable with one very funny moment.

Driving Aphrodite

Driving Aphrodite (2009)
Seen on the 25th August 2010 (95 min)

Eden Log

Eden Log (2007)
Seen on the 24th August 2010 (98 min.)

Get smart

Get Smart (2008)
Seen on the 22nd August 2010 (110 min)

Salt

Salt (2010)
Seen on the 19th August 2010 (100 min)

Good action movie.

It's complicated

It's complicated (2009)
Seen on the 16th August 2010, 120 min.

Yet another film about baby boomers finding love in their late life. This is one has got fun moments (by Steven Martin) and a good message of self forgiving and self love. I liked the bit with the party and the fact that the baby boomers do realize their decisions have broader implications for the family they created.

Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia (2009)
Seen on the 11th August 2010, 123 min.

A good film about blogging!

Alice in wonderland

Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Seen on the 11th August, 2010, 108 min.

A brilliant film! I had not seen a film like this in a long time, to me is the best Burton film every since it deals with topics of identity and worth. I appreciate the way in which Burton understood the main message by Lewis Carroll.

Inception

Inception (2010)
Seen on the 8th August 2010, 148 min.

Genial! This film is by far much better than similar ones (the matrix to begin with) dealing with topics of alternative worlds and realities. The idea of inserting ideas in a dream is appealing to thieves and dreamers. However, it is the protagonist who goes very deep in his mind in a psychoteraphy session worth watching the film again. The performances are good but the ending leaves a lot open to imagination.

Inglorious Besterds

Inglorious Bastards (2009)
Seen on the 9th November 2009, 153 min,

Film

Film (1979)

Seen on the 10th July 2010 (26 min)

An interesting film about paranoia. Who is observing who? Why are paranoid people getting away from it all? What is the fear behind this obsession? Who is seen by whom? Who is I? Is the person a look at the mirror me? Or is it an imagined being looked through my eyes? Do a dare to see?

Annie Hall

Annie Hall (1977)

Seen on the 11th July 2010 (93 min)

Annie Hall is a story told in between two jokes. The first joke is about living in this horrible society where nothing can be expected. The second joke is about not doing anything else just because the lack of courage to do it. What has Annie Hall given to modern the romantic comedy genre? It has given nothing at all! Annie Hall is a delicious disquisition about love and sentimental relationships in a World characterised by Chaos, selfishness and danger. I think an important element of the film is the meta concept: is a film about Woody Allen's life turned film. I think it is hard not to see the whole think as a joke mainly because the main protagonist is not serious about his relationship and at the same time he is constant denial of its importance for him. However, there are glimpses of reality in this: the painful reality of everyday relationships and sexual frustration. The main character is constantly moaning about his life and makes his partners loose patience with him. It is sad to see how a very attractive woman (Annie Hall) is sincerely in love with this guy. There are clues that Annie Hall is not at all the liberal, cosmopolitan woman she pretends to be and indeed, it is only through Singer that she becomes a singer, a cultivated woman who is finally emancipated from the insufferable person Singer is.

It is also painful to see Singer deny everything to himself, he has got everything Annie Hall is looking for except the courage to live happily with it. Instead, he cultivates his neurosis and projects an aura of chaos and selfishness which are their main protectors. So what is exactly Singer trying to avoid? I think he avoids looking at himself. He is paranoid and as such he feels he's been observed (perhaps a reference to Samuel Becket's Film?). By running away from him he is trying to find a safe haven, the final destination found in Annie Hall. Unfortunately for both of them in between the thousand horrible things surrounding Singer's life and his lack of courage, life goes on and on and becomes a permanent search for himself, out of the internal Chaos and fear, out of New York, but always back. Back because that is, ironically, the only safe port he knows as he is unable to sail together with the person who truly loves him. The romantic comedy genre is so unlike this film. Romantic comedies offer the opposite recipe: offer a world of certainties where despite differences, despite bitter encounters and horrible misunderstanding true love awaits at the end of the tunnel. Annie Hall gives us a bit of light, a respite from a self-contained chaotic life into a fresh look at how Annie sees the world. Unfortunately there is a tunnel at the end of the light and Alvy lacks the courage to change direction and go a different route, but why bother, all the roads take back to New York. I think an interesting element of the film is the changes in perspective, going from outside to Singer's inside world and vice versa. A particularly interesting bit is the narrative and the meta narrative that Annie Hall and Singer are having at the beginning when they just met, who is talking to whom? Why am I saying something else to what I wish? Is this control necessary in relationships? Aesthetically, Annie Hall offers interesting close ups to faces, gestures and situations which make the narrative more fun and interesting.

Inglorious bastards

Inglorious Bastards (2009) Seen on the 9th November 2009, 153 min,

Ripley's game

Ripley's game (2002)

Seen on the 10th July 2010 (111 min)

I thought it was a good sequel to "The talented Mr Ripley". Patricia Highsmith's concern with belonging, true passion and morals are evidenced in this adaptation of her book. "I lack your moral concerns" is the flagship of the plot. Moral concerns on every aspect of his life indeed, but from the moral person's point of view is this intrinsically Bad? Apparently no, but only in a fast, transient and final time of your life. The English friend who is dying of cancer seems to have found true realisation and had gone a long way from picture framer to assassin back to admiration and finally friendship. It is hard not to see Mr. Ripley felt the same way, perhaps in the final hours of his life his appreciation of morals found a better, higher ground: friendship. True friendship capable of giving one's life for the other. So lack of morality might be good if a higher feeling is found it appears. But coming back to "I lack your moral concerns" who is I and who is You? Is you the person, the picture framer, the good family man, or is it something else entirely, is it convention, is it habit, is it just a good to spend life? Who is I, is it the cold blooded person capable of anything to find a higher ground in life? Is it I who does it, or is it only a body that happens to contain a true I, a true self? Interesting film but I would definitely recommend watching The talented Mr. Ripley first.

Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Seen on the 27th June 2010 (103 min)

This is very funny follow up story to the saga. What are you supposed to do when you are a toy and your owner is ready to leave you because he's going to University? That is the question Woody, Buzz and the others have to answered in this really funny, heart lighted comedy. Who would have thought toys had existential crises? New characters add lots of saucy moments to the plot, particularly Ken and Barbie.

Run, Fatboy, Run

Run, Fatboy, Run (2007)

Seen on the 20th June 2010 (100 min)

An entertaining film about self-pitty and fear to compromise. I don't like Simon Pegg as an actor, but in this role his performance achieves some good moments. Perhaps his personification of the common lad is good but it's starting to bore. The story about the normal, everyday man against a "master of the Universe" city boy is touching in places. Hank Azaria on the other hand, fails to convince. The soundtrack is good.

Franklyn

Franklyn (2008)

Seen on the 27th May 2010 (98 min)

An interesting film about faith and love in the modern world. Franklyn inhabits meanwhile city where he is taken the role of vigilante. His mitssion today is to rescue a 16 year old girl who has been attacked by his arch rival the individual. Meanwhile city has become a meca where everyone has a religion and you must have one, you must believe in God. Naturally, Franklyn is an atheist and is look after the state who demands of him faith.

In a parallel Universe in London Milo has been stood at the altar by his fiancee. He seems to have taken this rather calmly and has fallen in love of his childhood sweetheart. He seems to be coming out of the problem well. On the other hand, Emilia doesn't seem to be well adjusted and her art project involves killing herself literally every month to gain her mothers attention and make her accept she is on Emilia's side after the father left. Milo also seems to be looking for his father who is absent, and the mother seemingly away with the fairies. A tale of love and faith, fate plays an important role in the consequences and ending of this intriguing film.

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Precious (2009)

Seen on the 1st May 2010

This a very poignant story about a girl called Precious. This is a story of survival, self acceptance and overall determination to be happy. It is a bit over the top but the point of the film comes across strongly, life is to be enjoyed no matter what it takes and how badly we have been treated.

Mala Noche

Mala Noche (1985)

Seen on the 24th April 2010 (78 min)

A film about young gay love in Portaland in the mid 1980's. A white, openly gay young man falls for a Mexican illigal inmigrant. The clash of civilizations can not be more evident in the film, yet love and good will smooth the relationship between these two caracthers. What is interesting is that in the end, the white boy does not achieve his open intensions of beding Johny but instead succeeds in beding Pepper who seems to enjoy this at a subconscious level.

To me, the way these two Mexican young boys experienced in the US at that time, sums up many of the traditions and cultural suppositions of Mexico of the past two decades. Their dreams come to an end by their illigal status, their understanding of love, homosexuality and a society which is way beyond their day to day experience. Pepper in particular is an interesting character, seeking love, companionship and security in the arms of the white boy yet utterly dennying the homosexual nature of this relationship. Johny keeps his aloof and distant nature throught the film, conforming to stereotypes of the macho boy from Mexico.

Antichrist

Anticrihst (2009)

Seen on the 24th Abril 2010 (108 min)

This is a distressing film about love, hate and morals. The story starts by looking at the protagonists penis penetrating his partner in what seems a love making scene. Soon, we realize there is a baby playing in the background who soon clims up the stairs and falls to die in the spot. This is only the beginning into the relationship of the two protagonists. The story is organized around three scenes which coincide with the stages of acceptance of the tragedy of the death of the son.

The man is a psychoanalist, she is a researcher of women's struggle in the past. Soon, the film becomes a set of possibilities to the viewer. A first immediate level is the sex war or the struggle for power, the man through force in the past made the women dependent who in these days no longer take this role for granted. Then there is the the philosophical level, the good and evil sides of the human being, his calmless and aloofness, are there a good in themselves? Her moods, swings and erotic desires are bad at all? Or simply an act of nature? And there is the psychological level, the right brain cold analytical aloof, and the left hand side, irrational, emotional and highly unstable. All these levels colide in the film which to me is based a lot on Nietzche's principles of the super man and his role in Nature. A would definetly see this again.

The Darjeeling Limited

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Seen on the 23rd April 2010 (91 min)

This is an interesting film about the search for love. Three brothers embark upon a "spiritual" adventure in India which really is a search for explanations from her mother: does she love them? Does she care about them? The film is about a broken family looking for the meaning of the word family, they stick to rituals and presupositions of what love or closeness is. The three brothers discover they already are loved by their partners or friends and this search is not important, their mother has their own emotional load to deal with.

They too, as they find out towards the end, all this load they carry with them, the rituals, the understanding of love, is holding them to actually have something of family on their own. The film also explores what spirituality means in a very materialistic world. They find love and death everywhere, not just on their own little world in New York. A very interesting film with Angelica Houston in it as the mother.

Io sono l'amore

Io sono l'amore (2009)

Seen on the 21st April 2010 (120 min)

This was a very beautiful film. It is of course a tragedy but this is just the excuse to produce some of the most colorfuls shots and delicious food scenes I remember after Babel's banquet. Exquistely filmed, it recounts the story of Emma, a russian emmigreé living the high life in Italy. Her life seems sorted, she has got everything we could possible wish for: wealth, looks, connections, family. Except that things in the superficiality seem like that. Down deep in our feelings we are still anxious, and in search for the meaning of life. In the case of Emma, her life starts tumbling when she discovers her daughter is a lesbian. The sould of the film, Edo, has just lost a prize in a family where everyone else is a winner.

The grandfather announces the day of his birthday that the big factory and business is going to be managed by Edo's father (a guy we seldom get to know) and Edo himself. However, we sense Edo is not comfortable about it, it goes agains many of his beliefs except for one: ambition. His brother remainds Edo that ambition IS the cornerstone of their business and they need to obey, they need to go global and sell. Meanwhile Emma questions her relationship and starts having an affair with Antonio, the beautiful young chef who is quite close because of some homoherotic moments to Edo. Their lives are turned upside down in this complicated, wild, neoliberal World were real meaning, real people don't seem to count anymore. A fantastic film.

The Happening

The Happening (2008)
Seen on the 19th April 2010 (91 min)

A science fiction movie showing what it would happen if plants suddenly took over animals. Mildly interesting.

The Happening

The Happening (2008)

Seen on the 19th April 2010 (91 min)

A science fiction movie showing what it would happen if plants suddenly took over animals. Mildly interesting.

The Matrix Reloaded

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Seen on the 18th April 2010 (138 min)

It's just the matrix, but a good take to the topic of parallel realities AND meaning of life.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Seen on the 18th April 2010 (96 min)

A very interesting film about love, freedom and relationships. Cristina and Vicky could not have had two more opposing views about love and relationships. When they both meet a Spanish artist, they start viewing things very differently. Cristina becomes, through fully inmersing herself in the experience, aware that she is not as she thought she would be: wild, free, open. Vicky, on the other hand, after thinking things very carefully, decides to go along with the situation and discovers that she preferes to live scared but secure in her marriage.

A found the film one of the best exploration of these topics by Woody Allen. Both Vicky and Cristina represent two opposing views of the World and none is correct or conducive of more happiness than the other. Vicky might have pretended to have lived a very happy life but deep down she KNOWS she does not. Cristina might have pretended to have lived a very wild and free life but deep does she does not FEEL happy. Perhaps life, love and relationships are like the pendule of a clock, they need to go from thinking to feeling and back in regular intervals.

Sliding Doors

Sliding Doors (1998)

Seen on the 17th April 2010 (99 min)

Alternate realities and fate play a role in this movie.

Push

Push (2009)

Seen on the 16th April 2010 (111 min)

A very interesting film about alternatPublish Poste realities.

How to loose friends and alienate people

How to loose friends and alienate people (2008)
Seen on the 11th April 2010 (110 min)

A funny film in places, to me it is a male version of the devil wears Prada.

There is something about Mary

There is something about Mary (1998)
Seen on the 7th April 2010 (119 min)

A very funny film!

Watchmen

Watchmen (2009)
Seen on the 6th April 2010 (162 min)

What a film! I never expected this film was so thoughtful and critical about topics such as freedom, justice, right and wrong. The film is about a group of super heroes who have no more space or role in modern society. They played fundamental part in the past wars, WWII and Vietnam notably, but nowadays they have been forgotten and asked to live normal lives.

After the death of one of the super heroes, they start looking into what they are, how they are supposed to deal with issues such as freedom and justice and the philosphical implications of all of this. Dr. Manhattan represents the spiritual side of the film and represents a very interesting position in life, always going beyond reality which hurts, is stupid and pointless. I really recommend this film.

Passanger

Passanger (2008)
Seen on the 29th March 2010 (93 min)

An interesting film about parallel lives. To me it was a similar take to the others or the sixth sense.

The men who stared at goats

The men who stare at goats (2009)
Seen on the 28th March 2010 (94 min)

A very interesting film about "secret" military operations in the US Army. The film is based on a series of alternative ways of doing war which included seeing the enemy with love to try to persuade him of doing evil. The film is funny and witty and recounts the story of a journalist who encountered a member of this secret army who had the ability (among many others) of making goats' hearts to stop just by staring at them.

The Wolfman

The Wolfman (2010)

Seen on the 13th February 2010 (102 min.)

The best part of this film is the fact that Anthony Hopkins is in it. I did not think it was as particularly good or even scary film. The effects are not spectacular nor the performances by Benicio del Toro. Just another scary film, situated in the mid 19th Century England with the prospects of a second part.

The prestige

The prestige (2006)

Seen on the 6th February 2010 (130 min)

A very interesting film about the relationship between two magicians at the end of 19th century London. A truly magical film about love, hate, friendship, professional pride but above all deception. After tragically loosing one of the helpers during a magic performance, Algier (Mr. Danton) becomes obsessed with finding out whether his friend and love rival Bolder did things wrong during the performance. This tragic accident led to the development of mutual admiration and hate that escalated to unimaginable consequences. Throughout the years they both became irrationally attracted by each other increasingly complex magic tricks. However, as the old adage goes, both had the last ace hidden in the sleeve. A remarkably interesting film.

Up

Up (2009)

Seen on the 5th February 2010 (96 min.)

This is one of the funniest and most touching animated films I have seen recently. The story is simple and there are lots of things left to the imagination but the baseline message is everything Disney has always stood for! I loved this film and would happily see it again given the opportunity.

Moliere

Moliere (2007)

Seen on the 25th January 2010

A very interesting film about the young Moliere. I liked the twist about this character, he always wanted to write tragedy and drama and only comedy would come out of him. The story revolves about a love affair where he is hired as a drama tutor so that a middle class person could conquer the love of a higher class, girl. It is a truly amusing and light hearted film true to Moliere's comical approach to life. I really enjoyed watching this film.

Paris je t'aime

Paris je t'aime (2006)

Seen on the 11th January 2010 (120 min)

A very interesting film about love in Paris. It tells 19 or 20 short stories about encounters, separations, escapades and the drama surrounding Paris. I particularly liked the Cohen's brothers take on the film and also the playing with the cliches about visitors to the city. Gus van Saints short film is also intriguing and unfinished making it even more romantic. I really liked the film although some aspects of it are not good enough such as the sound particularly the voice. I really enjoyed this film.

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Seen on the 8th January 2009, 128 min.

A very entertaining film, it recounts the story of Sherlock Holmes a private investigator living in London towards the end of the 19th Century. In this, the first of the series, Sherlock and his inseparable colleague and friend Dr. Watson, solve the mysteries surrounding Lord Blackwood who wants to rule the world. Sherlock uncovers his series of tricks consisting of clever use of science and technology and in the way he faces his famme fatale who is now working for a mysterious character Prof. Moriarti. I truly enjoyed this film and it has opened my appetite to read the entire collection of books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.