CLOSE TO THE POINT, BUT ALAS...

Wartime stories are kind a worn out genre, even in Europe, which tried to give them some more humane touch (”A very longengagement”, ”Atonement”, ”Enemy at the gates”).

”Frantz” is one of those humane dramas about the gallantry and knighthood between the enemies and a discreet love triangle that emerges among the hatred and fresh wounds after the ending of First World War.

Slow tempo and gradual building of tension will seduce the viewer in the first part of the movie, but will leave the story open and pretty much without the required climax and outcome.

”Frantz” is a solid piece of war/love drama, but not a special one as well.

FRANTZ – 5/10

FOTO: www.afr.com

GOOD, BUT NOT THAT GOOD

Few movies had a greater impact on popular and cinematic culture than the immortal love story of „Casablanca”. Hence, the expectations from it were huge and, alas, only semi fullfilled.

The story is just plain straightforward, revolving around the American expatriate (Bogart) squirming his ways around Morrocco during the Second world war. When the old love steps in (Bergmann), the cliche won't stop until the very end that is just too expected and pathetic.

However, Humphrey will set the standards for the male cool behavior on silver screen and some of the most memorable lines in the history of cinema will be delivered during the course of this spy and love story.

„Casablanca” is a good movie, but not an excellent one as the majority of ratings and reviews claim to.

CASABLANCA – 6/10

FOTO: i.cdn.turner.com

OUTDATED BY TODAY’S STANDARDS

Hitchcock not only redefined horror and gave birth to thriller, but also managed to revamp the action genre and he did that by one of his most famous flicks, „North by Northwest”. Back in the day, some of the sequences and special effects must have been a revelation to the cinema audience, but they are now almost completely non persuasive.

The basic triangular story (love-conspiracy-adventure) is something we already saw in that era, as well as the trademark confused charm acting by Cary Grant.

„North by Northwest” was a great movie in its time, but had been since then overran by its successors.

NORTH BY NORTHWEST – 3/10

FOTO: static01.nyt.com

BANAL SOFT PORN

Chan Wook Park gave us some really powerful and quality movies in the past and his every next flick is the one being closely monitored. And so ist the story about the Korean con trying to hussle his way into a wealthy Japanese family with the help of his protege, a handmaid.

Besides deceit, love will form the second backbone of „The Handmaiden”, this time focusing on the emotional relationship between two women. Unfortunately, that lesbo moment will overtake the entire flick and almost completely diminish Park's trademark mystery twists.

„The handmaiden” is just too erotic and banal for a mystery movie.

THE HANDMAIDEN – 4/10

FOTO: hancinema.net

CHEAP AND CORNY PAID WAR PROPAGANDA

Civil war in the Balkans during the '90s represents one of the least adequately depicted ones when it comes to Western cinematographies, so the „Twice born” is no exception.

Tacky story, pathetic twists as well as poorly played main cast (Penelope Cruz, Emile Hirsch) could be considered just as a flop if it weren't for the really well thought out premeditation to blame it all on the one party in the conflict.

Aside from clearly laid out political and financial inputs, „Twice born” is just one really, really bad movie in every major aspect.

TWICE BORN - 1/10


FOTO: cdn.collider.com

BEAUTIFUL, BUT EMPTY

FOTO: midwestmovieman.files.wordpress.com

Unexpected co-production between the Iran and USA is a modern interpretation of the ever-repeating motive of the love between the female vampire and a mortal, set on the outskirts of the grim Persian suburb.

Even though the directing reinvents the capabilities of the black and white camera, the story and painfully slow rhythm tend to make the indisputable artistic achievements pointless. That’s a true shame, because this could have been an instant indie classic in the genre.

”A girl walks home alone at night” is one beautifully shot and directed indie, but sadly, without much sense and direction when it comes to script and characters.

A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT - 4/10