Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Papirosen


Argentina 2011

Details pragda

Seen 5 November 2013

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 6.6/10










My ratings 7.0/10
The life of a Jewish immigrant family in Argentina.


My impressions:

An escape from the past
Which is still ever present
Unknowingly, unconsciously in the background
Always there
As a reminder

Of a time
That is hard to forget
Especially for those
Witnesses during that period of their lives

The new generation
With their own concerns
Problems and struggles
Might be able to break free
From the past but
Certainly are rushing headlong
Into new territory
On their own terms

The past will always be there
As a reminder

For the present, and future

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

It's the earth not the moon (É na Terra não é na Lua)



It's The Earth Not The Moon


Portugal 2011


Seen 5 November 2013

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 6.6/10







My ratings 7.0/10
A documentary of an isolated island and its inhabitants.


My impressions:

Pristine, that is the first impression
Idyllic, bucolic

A small island
A small population
Everyone knows each other

Outsiders come and
Some stay
For reasons of their own
Finding that peace and solace
They were searching

But others want to leave
As the island is not
Big enough, challenging enough

An island isolated
The presence of man, alas
Has changed its character
Fortunately, not too much
At the moment

But we are not sure of the future

You are all captains (Todos vós sodes capitáns)





Spain 2010

Details zeitunfilms

Seen 4 November 2013

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 6.9/10













My ratings 6.5/10
A European film director and his experience in a film making project with children from a social center in Tangiers.


My impressions:

Children, what do they know?
Or do they know more than us, the adults

A child
Sees with a different outlook
Reacts differently

To assume, to expect
A child to be in your mould
To follow diligently
Might be putting too much hope
A burden on the child's shoulders

He will disagree
He has his own ways
He has his own mind
Thinking, wondering

It might not be pleasant
To adults who are used to
Rules and regulations

A child is different definitely

Monday, November 04, 2013

She, a Chinese

She, a Chinese Movie Poster
UK 2009

Details impawards

Seen 3 November 2013

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 5.7/10












My ratings 6.0/10
The journey of a girl from China to the West.


My impressions:

How does one reconcile
Life experiences
With expectations

Such glaring differences

Ordinary lives
Are special in their own way
Tiny moments of joy
Tinges of colour, wind swept vistas

In contrast
Hardships, struggles
Another journey
Leading to another destination
Such a long hard road

It was a decision made in the past
The present has to be faced

What come may

Paradise: Hope

Austria 2013

Details cine-vue

Seen 31 October 2013

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 7.2/10









 


My ratings 7.0/10
First love during the summer holidays.


My impressions:

Feelings for an older person
Quite common
Persistence in its pursuit
Is also acceptable

The consequences
The journey of discovery
Of who you are
Of where you're going
Of those you can depend on
Of those you love and care

At such a young age
Love has no equal

That feeling
Occurs again later in life
Perhaps repeatedly
But the first is always
The one that will remembered

Forever

Paradise: Faith

Paradise: Faith (2012) Poster
Austria 2012

Details IMDB

Seen 29 October 2013

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 6.4/10












My ratings 6.5/10
A woman finds solace in her faith but someone from the past upsets the equilibrium.


My impressions:

Faith, an intangible entity
So soothing, calming, reassuring
Others should bask in its warm glow too

Thus a routine, an effort
Spreading the word to others
Is forged, followed
Diligent, persistent
Overcoming any obstacles

But the past catches up
Puts a dampener

So many tests
So many rejections
Is this all part of a bigger plan

As believers of a glorious end
Thorns, sharp and wily
Strewn along the path
Are they mere irritations

A divergence from the true direction


Tokyo Story

Tokyo Story (1953) Poster
Japan 1953

Details IMDB

Seen 26 October 2013

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 9.7/10













My ratings 8.0/10
Parents and children, how they treat each other.


My impressions:

Parents, children, grandchildren
The scheme of family life
How it is developed, and where will it end

The love and care in bringing up your children
Do we expect returns

Would we just be glad
And thankful
That they have managed
To stand on their own

They might not be the success
We envisaged
But we are proud of their achievements nevertheless

Of course we should not make comparisons
As that would be a never ending
Regret