Amintiri din epoca de aur

English Title: Tales from the Golden Age

Hanno Hofer+others, Romania+France, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment:

I haven't cried (for laughing so much) in a film for such a long time that, this is why Im giving so many Uchuvas to this film! The film is good... the concept is really good! they really are short "tales" about a communist party in Romania in the late 80's. Not only those tales were good... some how, and not for being Romanian or Easter European at all, I felt identify with the people in every "tale". 

East is East

English Title: East is East

Damien O'Donnell, UK, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment:

Another UK film and, as most of the time with British films, I like it a lot! I remembered that I watched it a long time ago. I was pleased to find it (without looking for it) as it's really worth it! What I like the most about the film, apart from the subject which is very powerful, was the acting. Every single character make its statement in the film! Every single character is very very very well performed! 

The disappearance of Alice Creed

English Title: The Disappearance of Alice Creed

J Blakeson, Englad, 2009, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas

Comment:

So, finally, a British film to start this year!!! How I love this films!! I was in between 4 and 3.5 Uchuvas but looking at the 4 Uchuvas films that I have posted, it wouldn't be fair to give 4 to this one. That being said, I like a lot the film! It's a suspenseful film that really gets your attention from the first 4 minutes, which by the way, are the best 4 minutes in the whole film as they really prepared you for what you are about to see.  The way the film evolves is very intriguing and stressful! Two of the only three characters in the film (yes, only three people appear on the screen!!!) are not thaaat good but as the script is quite good, you just forbid a bit that part.

La Pianiste

English Title: The Piano Teacher

Michael Haneke, France+others, 2001, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment:

I saw it last night and if I had reviewed it by then, I would have put much less Uchuvas as I don't like films with gross scenes but with Haneke you just need to be prepared for anything! The teacher is just incredible! the character couldn't have been more well performed! The scenarios where just perfect selected... the music, the color, the costumes were just perfect to create a stressful and dramatic film.  However, from Haneke, The white ribbon is the best one so far (by far!)

the King's Speech

English Title: The King's Speech

Tom Hooper, UK, 2010, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: Well... another British film!!(I'll ask for commission to the British academy!!) A great cast with a really really good performance! Firth is just perfect for the character! The cinematography makes his part too!! Beautiful shots! Beautiful color!! I particularly liked the microphone shots... sooooo pretty!! Anyway... a nice film well worth to watch.

Frida

English Title: Frida

Julie Taymor, US+Canada+Mexico, 2002, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: I'm not sure I should be posting this film but I just watched it recently again and it's so beautiful that I felt I had to post it. The film is really nice and very well acted!! Frida and Diego are just perfectly performed!! I totally loved the scenes change from portraits to reality and vs. Really amazing!! There are a couple of important characters that get lost during the film without any explanation but .. oh well... let's forget about it!

El Secreto de tus Ojos

English Title: The Secret in their Eyes

Juan Jose Campanella, Argentina, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: No, I don't think this film is ANY better than Un Prophete or Ajami or no way better than The White Ribbon.... BUT it has the "magic formula" that a film needs to have to win a Oscar... I'm not saying it's a bad film but I don't think it's in the same level as the other Oscar's nominees (I haven't seen La Teta asustada thou). In any case the acting is really really good! With Ricardo Darin you are sure to see good acting and then Irene, playing "Soledad", did a superb job!! Also the rest of the crew is fantastic! The make up is astonishing! One of the best aging I've seen in the big screen (with a couple of exceptions). Edition is good too.

MicMacs a Tire-Larigot

English Title: Micmacs

Jean-Pierre Jeunet, France, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: I guess as a follower of Jeunet's films (Delicatessen, the city of Lost Children, Amelie, A very long Engament), I can't give less that 4 Uchuvas to this film. I would have given less than four but I just can't with this director. His films (including this one) are cleaver, "light" and beautifully made! I liked better the other films (except Delicatessen that I didn't like that much) but his style is there, his magic is there and the colors (the same beloved green and red colors) are there!! I think this guy has a great style that he has been able to keep during his films without loosing originality in each one of them.

Exit Through the Gift Shop

English Title: Exit Through the Gift Shop

Banksy, UK+US, 2010, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: When I was dragged to the theater I didn't even know the title of the film. I was super happy that in the end I could say that this "film" it's, indeed, one of my favorites within the last few months. I would say it's more a black comedy's documentary than a film itself. If you put together: This fabulous/sarcastic street artist + that other out of mind street artist and a great documentary's composicion... you will get what you can see here.... It's hilarious... DO NOT MISS IT!!

Stellec Licht

English Title: Silent Light

Carlos Reygadas, Mexico, Netherlands+others, 2007, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I'm still trying to digest every long part of this film. The first "scene" is so long, so slow and so quiet than you soon realized that this film is for you to seat back, relax and enjoy a cinematography experience. Every single shot it's a masterpiece! With a few mistakes here and there but beautifully shown every scene on this film is worthwhile. What killed the film was the actors! I know some times nonprofessional actors makes a difference in a film (like The Class... those kids were amazing) but in this case they make such a terrible job that it's really annoying. Be aware that if you want to see this film, put your mind in blank, seat comfortable and be ready to enjoy everlastings silent beautiful scenes.

Red Road

English Title: Red Road

Andrea Arnold, UK+Denamark, 2006, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: It was a bit bad that I saw this film after watching "Gigante" just for the fact that they have similar characters performing the same job and "Gigante" was a bit boring so I thought I would feel the same about this film. But it turns out to be a very tough and strong film very well performed. The story is not told until very late, fact that I liked a lot in films as they make you wonder all the way through.

EL Violin

English Title: The Violin

Francico Vargas, Mexico, 2005, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: After a great day I wanted to see a good film. So, I watched this film but I end up almost crying. It's a nice film but so sad; more than sad is touching. The main character is really well performed. Just by watching his figure is enough to understand his character. Casting was pretty good. Second black and white film that I've seen in a raw with such a beautiful cinematography. (sorry for the poster... couldn't find anything better)

Whisky

English Title: Wisky

Juan Pablo Rebella-Pablo Stoll, Uruguay+others, 2004, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Great film! The acting of the two main characters was really impressive; That helps a lot to give strength to a story that could have been boring. It was super cleaver they way they built the characters and their lives so quickly without feeling that it was made in a rush. Soft, cleaver and delicate.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

English Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Garth Jennings, UK, 2005, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Again, the first time I watched this film I fell asleep!!! also the second time!! but I just totally loved it the third time when I managed to finish it! The actors are really good (most of them) and "Marvin", the robot, is superb!! (his voice is spot on!). I also liked a lot the effects! I'm just totally in love with British films! I pretty much enjoy most of them! I've heard the book is really good too; will need to check it out! BTW, I just realized is the same director of "Son of Rambow" a film I liked too!!

Cashback

English Title: Cashback

Sean Ellis, UK, 2006, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I started to see this film without even knowing that it was a British film. The films was amazing but it turns out to be a ... it never mind. It's a super nice film with great acting and super effects. I'm not sure about the ending... that was my disappointment.

Treeless Mountain

English Title: Treeless Mountain

So Yong Kim, South Korea, 2008, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Finally a Korean film that is not so weird and it's "easy" to digest... although is sooooo sad!!! The director made a fantastic work with the little super sweet girls!!! they look sooooo natural that's is hard to believe that they are acting!! It's a great film, with great little actors and a well built story. (thanks Claire by the way!)

La nana

English Title: The Maid

Sebastian Silva, Chile, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I was very lucky; I went to see this film and when it was finished the director was there for Q&A!! I always like when I have the chance to see someone from the film after watching it. I used to enjoy more when actors are invited but with time I started to appreciate more when the the director is the one in front of you (although I would reconsider this point if the one in front of me is Pitt!) Anyway, the film was good. It's a very simple subject with a great acting of the maids especially the main maid!! (some others of the crew were not as good). From q&a was nice to recognized the fact that the 3 secondaries maids are little parts of the main maid identity.

The Invention of Lying

English Title: The Invention of Lying

Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson, UK, 2009, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: First, I think this film is a US film no UK... but I will leave it as UK's.  It's a film that won't change your life. Also, it's not a film to be remembered for it's cinematography or sound or acting. In fact this film should only have 3 Uchuvas BUT I always give a lot of credits when a story has a lot of design! It's not easy to make a script when everything has to be the truth... think about it! Also, I liked the fact of watching an easy and not trascendental film on a terrible raining day, Sunday, alone and with an empty stomach! Anyway, a nice relaxing film.  (Also you have to consider the fact that I just totally loved Gervais)

Leonera

English Title: Lion's Den

Pablo Trapero, Argentina, 2008, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I don't know what is better in this film: the super sad story, the great actress or the effects! One of the saddest films I've seen and also one of the toughest! After you've seen it you will need a couple of hours to recover.

Malena

English Title: Malena

Giuseppe Tornatore, Italy, 2000, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Another great Tornatore's film. I loved they way he pictures Italy's towns and specially the way kids are educated (or were... not sure). The story is sad but also full of funny moments that make a good balance. The cinematography is really good. I need to keep an eye on his new film La porta del vento that hasn't been realized yet; I'm starting to become his fan.