Image source: IMDb

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Enjoy a science fiction visual feast of color and imagination.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

General impression:
Luc Besson’s films have often intersected my interests, so, I generally like his work. Although it is not in my personal top 3 Besson movies, I enjoyed watching “Valerian”. Several scenes in the movie are spectacular, but my favorite was the extra-dimensional commercial complex – so exciting! I was divided between liking the execution of the concept and, on the other hand, trying to figure out how it could have been made even better. The movie doesn’t have a jaw-dropping plot or twists – which is fine. The simple sci-fi story gives a clean base for the fantasy world to unfold in all its richness. As the title suggests (“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets“), there are many types of creatures and environments to be seen in this movie. And, although it looks very much like any Hollywood movie, it has an European je ne sais quoi that reminded me of childhood stories. The cast was not fantastic, but it didn’t bother me, and I was surprised at how well Rihanna fitted into the picture.

Highlights:
Awesome visuals. The world created by Luc Besson and his team is full of imagination and color.

Downside:
The chemistry between the protagonists was rather weird – not great, not awful. It almost seemed like they didn’t bring out the best in each other, and you, the viewer, kind of end up wanting some other partner for either of them.

Would I see it again? – Yeah – it’s a visual treat.

My Rating (1 to 10): 8.5

Recommended: Yes!

Suggestion:
Check out the grand version of “Gangsta’s Paradise” by 2WEI featured in the trailer for “Valerian”: https://vimeo.com/218829124 & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEL2VomvzkI

Information about Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Year of release: 2017
Director: Luc Besson
Writers: Luc Besson (screenplay), Pierre Christin, Jean-Claude Mézières (creators of the comic book series “Valérian and Laureline”)
Starring: Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, etc.
For more information on “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Image source: IMDb

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Put your mind on standby, just enjoy Gal Gadot and the action.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

General impression:
I rarely talk during movies, but this one made it hard for me to shut up. For a while. Then I got bored and started paying more attention to my phone. It’s not that “Wonder Woman” is a terrible movie, but, for me to like a superhero movie, it has to be special. I loved Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight”, for example. Growing up, I liked comics and cartoon series based on comics, and maybe that is why, as an adult, I think that all the silliness and scrambled mythology in these stories should be carefully adapted for the big screen. You either emphasize the cartoonish aspects of the story and characters, or you blend them into reality as seamlessly as possible. I know that it’s fiction and that such movies get primarily made for financial gain, but neither of these facts means these productions wouldn’t benefit from a plus of value and better storylines. Back to “Wonder Woman”, I wanted to like the movie as much as I liked Gal Gadot. She was a great Wonder Woman. If I were a little girl, I would run around the house wearing mother’s bangles, wrapping people in rope, asking where I can find Ares. As the potential mother of a little girl, I’m somewhat worried that, after seeing this movie, my kid might have difficulty learning about WWI or Greek and Roman mythology. Not that mythology is important. Accuracy is. Final thought: the charm of comics is that they are comics.

Highlights:
Gal Gadot… and the rest of the cast There are some funny and cute moments, too – the ice cream scene is so sweet! There’s also a nice little revealing twist.

Downside:
Just another unsurprising superhero movie.

Would I see it again? – No

My Rating (1 to 10): 6

Recommended: Only to see what the hype was about, or if you’re a fan of superhero movies.

Suggestion:
Keep your expectations low. Who knows, this way they might be exceeded.

Information about Wonder Woman

Year of release: 2017
Director: Patty Jenkins
Writers: Allan Heinberg (screenplay & story), Zack Snyder, Jason Fuchs (story), William Moulton Marston (creator of Wonder Woman)
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, etc.
For more information on “Wonder Woman”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Image source: Wikimedia

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A masterpiece woven with beauty and gore.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

General impression:
This is the perfect movie for Leonardo DiCaprio’s haters – his character gets mauled by a bear, crawls in pain for a good portion of the movie, and goes through a lot of extremely nasty situations and conditions. And just as haters are starting to feel kind of satisfied, he achieves his goal… because that is what haters deserve On a more serious note, DiCaprio proves once again he’s good at what he does. A little bit more surprising is the flawless performance of Tom Hardy – I really hope he wins some awards for it. He made Fitzgerald (his character) believable, despicable, yet human – really good work, I was impressed. The story is profoundly masculine, and this would almost be an action movie (and a rather hollow one) without the solid base of visual excellence and the breeze of grace that keeps asperities in check, making the movie fluid and turning it into a masterpiece. I don’t think most people would identify with the main character, nor do I think it is a particularly entertaining movie; however, it is so well made, well performed, well put together, artistic and beautiful, that I highly recommend it

Highlights:
Consistent and coherent execution of the artistic vision.

Downside:
Just a little more depth and dialogue might have balanced this movie to perfection.

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 9.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Be grateful for the times we live in and the comfort we often take for granted. We may have a lot of problems, but we also have Internet access, computers, central heating, medicines, toilet paper, and also lower chances of surviving in the wild

Information about The Revenant

Year of release: 2015
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Writers: Mark L. Smith, Alejandro G. Iñárritu (screenplay); Michael Punke (novel)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, etc.
For more information on “The Revenant”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Image source: Wikimedia

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The uniqueness and eccentricity of Andy Kaufman condensed into an excellent biopic.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

General impression:
Andy Kaufman passed away in 1984, therefore he may not be very relevant to younger generations today. He lived and expressed himself in times when television was the most advanced mass media outlet, and the public, despite being used to it, was still a long way from what television is today. Kaufman was one of the people in television who pushed its strict and predictable boundaries, going against the grain of both standards and expectations. Before watching this movie, I only knew him as Latka from “Taxi”, a sitcom also starring Danny DeVito. However, being part of that sitcom was not characteristic for Kaufman, although it did bring him fame. He preferred different entertainment experiences, where he blurred the lines between audience and performer, reality and show. He drew spectators into his acts in a simple and raw manner, engaging their emotions, creating quick and powerful reactions. Young people should know about Andy Kaufman because he was unique, odd in his time, and his passion for play and blind experimenting can be very inspiring. This movie offers a balanced presentation of Kaufman, keeping mystery and showing vulnerability where it is the case.

Highlights:
The direction of Oscar-winning masterpiece creator Miloš Forman, and the dramatic performance of Jim Carrey.

Downside:
Nothing worth mentioning

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 10

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Get inspired by Andy Kaufman, and do a few things no matter what people may think or say about you

Information about Man on the Moon

Year of release: 1999
Director: Miloš Forman
Writers: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Starring: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love, Paul Giamatti, etc.
For more information on “Man on the Moon”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Image source: Wikimedia (Le grand bleu, Mamma Mia!, Life of Pi, Cinema Paradiso)

Summer is not the time to sit and watch movies, unless you’re sitting outside, maybe in an open air cinema. But not everyone is able or willing to be out and about enjoying the weather all summer long. For those who want an instant two-hour holiday in the comfort of their home, there are movies that combine vacation scenery with captivating stories in such a great way that the whole experience almost makes you feel like you’re reading on the beach.

For this post, I’ve chosen four such movies. They don’t have similar themes or stories, but, in pairs, they do have common elements. For example, three of them feature the sea prominently. Of those three, two are set in the Mediterranean region, just like the fourth. And come to think about it, the element of youth and the passing of time are present in all four of these fairly different movies.

Let me tell you why I think each of them is a good watch for the summer.

Le grand bleu

(details about “Le grand bleu” – EN: “The Big Blue” – at Wikipedia and IMDb)

“The Big Blue” is a 1988 movie by French director Luc Beson, starring Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno, and Rosanna Arquette. The story is inspired by two real-life champion freedivers, but that is not why I’m recommending it. First of all, it is a good movie, effectively combining comedy and tragedy, friendship and rivalry, love and passion. Then, you have dolphins, pasta, the Mediterranean, and a lot of cooling blue. It is a very enjoyable drama, and I wouldn’t want to spoil it with details.

Mamma Mia!

(details about “Mamma Mia!” at Wikipedia and IMDb)

We’re still at the Mediterranean, this time with Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, and friends. This musical tribute to ABBA is quite silly in essence. A girl is getting married and she’s inviting her three possible fathers to her wedding. But before making a hasty judgement, you should also know that in this movie the sea is blue and sparkling, the music is familiar, and everybody’s dancing and having a good time. So, if you’re looking for a light, joyful, sweet movie, this one is a good choice. And the best thing is that you will sing along before you know it. There’s also the probability that you’re going to start planning a vacation to Greece as soon as the movie is over.

Life of Pi

(details about “Life of Pi” at Wikipedia and IMDb)

Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, this is the fantasy adventure movie in the list. However, it is quite slow and a bit unbalanced for an adventure movie, and, if you’re not interested in how a boy and a tiger share a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, you may find this movie very boring. The story and the visuals are beautiful, though, supporting the philosophical core of this production. I’ve said this before: “It’s a beautiful film, with spectacular visuals, poetry, and sparks for thought.”

Cinema Paradiso

(details about “Cinema Paradiso” at Wikipedia and IMDb)

This famous Italian movie about lost love and childhood passion turned into a career, brings us back to the Mediterranean, in Sicily. It is a touching story about a boy growing up without his father, finding friendship and fatherly care in the projectionist working in the local cinema. Eventually, the boy grows up, leaves for Rome, and becomes a filmmaker, but the price he pays is very much like the censorship of his childhood movies. You have to watch the movie to know what I’m talking about

Of course, there are many more movies great for summer, and maybe there will be a second part to this post – I’m already thinking of five other movies. But this is it for now.

Did you see any of these four movies? Leave your opinions and suggestions below

Image source: Wikimedia

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A story about a girl walking from Nebraska to Las Vegas.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

General impression:
The misadventures of a young girl from Nebraska who gets a gun as a gift, and sets off for Las Vegas. Evidently, that spells trouble, especially since her background is disturbed and uneducated. The dramatic elements are there, the actors are fine, but, unfortunately, there is a sterility about the whole movie that minimizes any other aspect. A different ending might have improved the end result. When the movie ended, I was left with the feeling that I wasted time watching a sad story that helped no one. There are stories that don’t necessarily need a point – they are simply interesting and beautiful, they engage you. This is not one of those stories. You are basically watching a girl going through all kinds of distressful experiences, and you don’t even get the relief that all those things served her to evolve in some way.

Highlights:
It has some educational value for filmmakers, because it’s a good example of how quality ingredients don’t always make for a great end result, especially when the proportions are off.

Downside:
The worst thing about this movie is the lack of an acutely needed moral. The story is too depressing to be satisfying by itself.

Would I see it again? – No

My Rating (1 to 10): 6

Recommended: No

Suggestion:
Watch “Winter’s Bone” instead.

Information about Hick

Year of release: 2011
Director: Derick Martini
Writer: Andrea Portes (screenplay & novel)
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Blake Lively, Eddie Redmayne, Juliette Lewis, etc.
For more information on “Hick”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Image source: Wikimedia

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A movie about the real meaning of education.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

General impression:
This is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen! Realistic, serious and smart in essence, well spiced with the right amount of sentimentality, color, and good ol’ Bollywood singing and dancing. The combination works beautifully – I laughed, I cried, I nodded, I was charmed. It is a story about formal education, passion, friendship, and much more. The characters are perfectly outlined, the depth of human emotion is exposed even in antagonists, and, despite twists and turns, the movie doesn’t end with questions left unanswered. It is a long movie, but also entertaining and rich in events. You’ll see how characters deal with situations like wanting a different career than the one their parents have chosen for them, the stress of student life at a prestigious university, getting a degree only to meet people’s expectations, and other problems that many of us have to deal with at certain points in our lives. A wonderful thing about this movie is also the bold statement it makes: India has to give up old prejudices, embrace new possibilities, in order to encourage and keep young talent, and, through this, flourish. Good point not only for India.

Highlights:
It is one of those rare movies that have it all – complexity, consistency, continuity, a good story, likable characters, and a great message.

Downside:
Some viewers (me not included) may not enjoy the Bollywood musical moments.

Would I see it again? – Yes, anytime

My Rating (1 to 10): 10

Recommended: Yes, highly!

Suggestion:
Learn all you can about things you’re passionate about. Make them an active part of your life… the biggest part

Information about 3 Idiots

Year of release: 2009
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Writer: Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra (screenplay); Chetan Bhagat (novel)
Starring: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, etc.
For more information on “3 Idiots”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Image source: Wikimedia (Prometheus & Europa Report)

Facts

“Prometheus” is a movie released in 2012, directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, and Charlize Theron. More about “Prometheus” on Wikipedia and IMDb.

“Europa Report”, released in 2013, stars Anamaria Marinca, Michael Nyqvist, Sharlto Copley, Daniel Wu, and others. It is directed by Ecuadorian director Sebastián Cordero. More about “Europa Report” on Wikipedia and IMDb.

Commentaries

If you’ve seen the movie “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (the original version, not David Fincher’s remake), you’ll probably recognize the two main actors from the Swedish film in the sci-fi flicks I’ve chosen for this post. Noomi Rapace plays a space explorer in “Prometheus”, and Michael Nyqvist channels a Russian astronaut in “Europa Report”. Two movies about man’s attempt to find and understand his standing in the Universe.

“Prometheus” started off as a prequel in the “Alien” franchise… Umm, I don’t know… So, let’s talk about it as a stand-alone movie. It is the story of a group traveling through space in search for the origin of human life, or the gods/God/entities that created man.

On the other hand, “Europa Report” is future-oriented. The astronauts in this movie are on a quest to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, looking for the essence of life (as we know it), namely water.

There are many similarities as well as differences between these two movies, and I don’t want to give too much away about any of them. None of these movies is a masterpiece, in my opinion, but they are well made and somewhat entertaining. “Europa Report” is more somber and realistic, while “Prometheus” dives more deeply into sci-fi and imagination. And, although I liked them both, I’d still rather watch “District 9” (also featuring Sharlto Copley) or “Gravity” instead.

Bottom line

If you were to watch only one of these two movies, I’d probably recommend… “Prometheus”, only because it is more complex, and has more things going on. But if you were to see them both, I’d recommend you started with “Europa Report”, for the same reason.

Image source: Wikimedia

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A movie that reminds us about bigger things we have no merit for, we often take for granted, and our whole life is built upon.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

General impression:
When Sandra Bullock and George Clooney play the main characters in a movie, one can (usually) expect some Hollywood movie stereotypes, but “Gravity” evokes such powerful essential facts about the human condition, that the rest becomes irrelevant. Despite missing the few first minutes of the movie, I enjoyed it a lot, and the main reason why I liked it was not necessarily the production itself, but all the thoughts and feelings it stirred in me. I watched many minutes of this movie in tears. It was beautifully made, and universally touching. Everyone on Earth can relate to gravity. We don’t usually think about it, but we experience it every single day, every single moment. It is one of the main reasons why life as we know it is the way it is. This movie can make you think about life on a small (personal) scale, but also on a big (cosmic) one. We all need to remember (at least from time to time) that life on this planet is a privilege, and that we should appreciate… everything more.

Highlights:
Wonderful idea and beautiful imagery.

Downside:
There’s not a lot of diversity in this movie, but there’s also no real need for it.

Would I see it again? – Yes, someday

My Rating (1 to 10): 9

Recommended: Yes!

Suggestion:
Have hankies close, and indulge in your own thoughts

Information about Gravity

Year of release: 2013
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Writers: Alfonso Cuarón, Jonás Cuarón
Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, etc.
For more information on “Gravity”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Image source: Wikimedia

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A futuristic story about a lonely writer and his software companion, that tells a timeless truth about relationships.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

General impression:
A poetic movie, but rather boring for those who like tightly woven stories, efficiently edited for pace and emotional impact. Some extra trimming of fluff would have made a difference, turning the movie not only shorter, but also less sluggish. A story about a depressed man separated from his wife cannot be too dynamic, but the movie often feels as if it’s in slow motion, and this is probably its one essential flaw. On the other hand, the story is beautiful. At first glance, it is a sci-fi scented love story between a human and an advanced operating system. However, if you’re into spirituality, by the end of the movie you’ll recognize familiar ideas that are not obvious from the beginning. For example, Theodore, the main character, is basically learning to let go of the past and the void created by the current absence of that past. The OS, Samantha, represents more than just a piece of software. It/She is a symbol for the human spirit – ever learning, ever expanding, connecting, free, nonjudgmental. Through his relationship with immaterial Samantha, Theodore reactivates feelings he had pent up, and learns the lesson he needs in order to move on to a new stage in his life. The main idea of this story is that relationships help us grow, evolve, want more, become more. Sometimes we outgrow relationships, and our paths diverge, but this does not invalidate our love, nor does it mean we’re losing. With an attitude of consciousness and gratitude, we allow ourselves to become larger, integrative, we can connect and spread our love and renewed self to others. That’s pretty new agey

Highlights:
The story is open to interpretation

Downside:
The movie, as a whole, dilutes the story a bit too much.

Would I see it again? – Not soon

My Rating (1 to 10): 8

Recommended: Yeah, but it depends a lot on your expectations

Suggestion:
If you’re bored after 30 minutes, it doesn’t get more dynamic, so you can stop watching.

Information about Her

Year of release: 2013
Director: Spike Jonze
Writer: Spike Jonze
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Scarlett Johansson (voice), etc.
For more information on “Her”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb