The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant

West Germany 1972

Details IMDB

Seen 19 April 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes 7.4/10

My impressions

At first glance, Petra, the main character is very cold hearted and gets her way using others. Was it her past that has shaped her present?

Falling in love seems to put her stoic character vulnerable. Indeed, it did. Petra wants everything according to her whims and fancies but others have their own minds too. That reality hurts. A lot.

Human frailty. However strong you are, matters of the heart almost always steers your plans not along the intended path.

A lot to ponder.

Film Socialisme

Switzerland 2010

Details IMDB

Seen 31 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 5.8/10

Rotten tomatoes 5.4/10

Legendary director Jean-Luc Godard returns to the screen with Film Socialisme, a magisterial essay on the decline of European Civilization 

 

My ratings 6.0/10

My impressions:

The cinematography, juxtaposition of images and quotes, invites the audience into the mind of the director. The past will always have an effect on the present. Questions are asked to justify why certain decisions were made. Have past actions brought the results desired.

More and more questions surface. The answer is still uncertain.

The Mill and the Cross

Poland 2011

Details IMDB

Seen 30 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.9/10

Rotten tomatoes 7.4/10

The film focuses on a dozen of the 500 characters depicted in Bruegel's painting. The theme of Christ's suffering is set against religious persecution in Flanders in 1564

My ratings 7.0/10

My impressions:

I was attracted by the three actors in the film, Rutger Hauer, Michael York and Charlotte Rampling. Having one of them would light up any story and having three gives a different glow to the entire proceedings.

Those who want a fast paced sequence of events should avoid watching this depiction of how a painting comes alive. Layers of paint are applied in each scene. Savour it slowly and you will be rewarded.

Korczak

Poland 1990

Details IMDB

Seen 29 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.5/10

Account of the last days of life of the legendary Polish pedagogue Janusz Korczak and his heroic dedication to protecting Jewish orphans during the war

My ratings 7.0/10

My impressions:

The atrocities of war affects everyone. In this case even children from the orphanage. The good doctor tries his best to save the children but what exactly can he do considering the situation. The plan to deport them had been set and any effort to change that decision is futile.

Fated being born of a certain group

That choice was not in our hands

Children with all their dreams and hopes

Are the same

Unfortunately

Tomorrow might not wait for them

Three Monkeys (Üç maymun)

Turkey 2008

Details IMDB

Seen 20 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.4/10

Rotten tomatoes 6.8/10

A family suffers from a major communication breakdown during their struggle to get through their hardships.

My ratings 8.0/10

My impressions:

That first step, agreeing to be part of a plan in exchange for money is itself a harbinger of future disaster. All seemed so simple at the beginning but when your wants get the better of you, the plan goes awry.

The main actors hold the audience's attention with sparse dialogue relying instead on their facial attractions and body movements. They managed to convey that inner struggle each of them were facing during those uncertain times. No one knows of a definite answer.

Each event flowing

Like the waves in the ocean

Hurling itself to the shore

Before retreating

Back to a normal state

Don't drink the water

USA 1994

Details IMDB

Seen 13 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.3/10

Rotten tomatoes 4.7/10

Somewhere behind the early 1960s cold-war iron curtain, the Hollander family cause an international spying incident when Walter photographs a sunset in a sensitive region

My ratings 6.0/10

My impressions:

A Woody Allen would not be one without the rapid fire dialogue. In this story, that trademark is evident. That is also its failing in a way as the audience must be alert to catch all the little snippets. The cast worked well together as the director managed to bring out the best from each of them.

It not the best from Woody Allen but still entertaining.

Special circumstances bring

Different people together

However strange it may seem

Unbelievable even

Love blossoms

Mistakes, blunders, errors

Throughout the life of a man

They accompany him

Time for a change

To bolster your own self confidence

To forge a new life

A new destiny

The Ambassador

Denmark 2011

Details IMDB

Seen 12 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.3/10

Rotten tomatoes 6.8/10

Danish journalist Mads Brügger goes undercover as a Liberian Ambassador to embark on a dangerous yet hysterical journey to uncover the blood diamond trade in Africa

My ratings 7.0/10

My impressions:

A story that tries to show the inner workings of the blood diamond trade in Africa. Seen from the perspective of an outsider who is trying to pass himself off as a consul. That cover is supposed to make him immune from the usual checks when he travels to and from that country with lots of cash or diamonds.

A comedy at one level as it shows how unprepared the main character is when he faces difficult situations. A sad reality on another level. The danger and dealings are accepted routines in the country.

The daily lives of its citizens.

Far removed from the riches

Gained from the mineral abundant

The gains are for those in power

Those with connections

A wrong move

A wrong decision

Might signal the end of all plans

But others continue coming

Following their dreams

That one day

They will strike it rich

The Whole Shootin' Match

USA 1978

Details rogerebert

Seen 11 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.5/10

Two friends trying hard to make a living. Are they on the right track after previous failed attempts.

My ratings 7.5/10

My impressions:

Luck is definitely not on their side

Failures more than successes

Or has there ever been a successes

An average income

Nothing to be proud of

The butt of jokes

That is their second name

Flings, drinks, a good time

A respite from the grind

A regular routine

Not spectacular, but mundane

Would their lives change when

That big great idea is sold and marketed

Or have they jumped the gun

Expecting too much from that one idea

Hoping that this will be the turning point

Round da way (Lascars)

France 2009

Details IMDB

Seen 10 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.0/10

Tony and Jose are best friends and petty crooks, but tension strikes the duo when Jose falls for the rich Clemence and wants to go straight

My ratings 8.0/10

My impressions:

I got hooked from the first strains of the music and opening scene. There is an infectious feel to the whole story. The script might be simple, following a tried and tested story line. A guy from the wrong side of town falling for the rich girl. But of course, things do not go according to plan. There are obstacles along the way.

There is always tests

Where matters of love is concerned

Attraction to another

Who seem to be so incompatible

Trials and tribulations

Would always be there

Until true love

Finds its way

Home

The Death of Mr Lazarescu (Moartea domnului Lazarescu)

Romania 2005

Details IMDB

Seen 9 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.9/10

Rotten tomatoes 8/10

Mr. Lazarescu, a 63 year old lonely man feels sick and calls the ambulance. That is the beginning of a long night.

My ratings 8.0/10

My impressions:

The main character has his own ideas on what is making him sick. From the moment he calls the ambulance, the nightmare of being alone and sick fills the screen. The neighbours might be helpful but up to a certain extent. The emergency services try their best to send him to get the proper care that he needs, but there are obstacles along the way.

Is the health care system responsible

For the state of affairs

For the well being of each citizen

Doctors, nurses, paramedics are underpaid, overworked

A common occurrence in most places

They try their best

That is what they are trained to do

But do patients have a responsibility too

Taking care of their health as far as possible

So as to lessen the burden on the system

A vicious cycle

The Face You Deserve (A Cara que Mereces)

Portugal 2004

Details cinematheque

Seen 8 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.1/10

A man turning 30.

My ratings 7.0/10

My impressions:

The beginning of the film gives a glimpse of what lies ahead. The main character, Francisco will be 30 and he seems to be ambivalent about that milestone. When the celebrations for the party did not go as planned we see him in a different light.

The director uses the major part of the film after the canceled birthday party scene to show the different facets of a man.

Does a man ever change

When he reaches a certain age

Does he need to change

When that moment comes along

Can he remain the same

Retaining the past

As a stepping stone

For bigger challenges

That lie ahead

Phantom Love

USA 2007

Details IMDB

Seen 5 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.3/10

A surreal drama about an alienated family set in Koreatown, Los Angeles and Rishikesh, India

My ratings 6.0/10

My impressions:

Seemingly unrelated sequences is presented to the audience. Images of childhood, love making and at work on its own own does not make sense at all. It fits the definition of surreal perfectly. Very strange and unusual.

Watch at your own risk.

The present shaped, influenced

By what happened in the past

How does one confront

The recurring dreams or nightmares

Or has it merged into reality

An overpowering presence

Volcano (Eldfjall)

Iceland 2011

Details IMDB

Seen 4 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.2/10

Hannes is an old man who has grown apart from his children. Recently retired when his wife gets ill he tries to reconcile with them and to atone for his cold demeanor in the past

My ratings 7.0/10

My impressions:

Uncaring, grouchy, touchy

All negatives, that is what they see

She knows better, he knows it too

That despite those outbursts

There is a deeper shared love

Between them

They have weathered the storm

They have gone through the years

Together

In sickness, and in health

In unexpected ways

The test has come

He will try as best as he can

To live up to that promise

Others may doubt it

He is adamant that

He will not give up

He will persevere

Shit Year

USA 2010

Details Rotten tomatoes

Seen 1 May 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 5.8/10

Rotten tomatoes 4.5/10

An actress finds herself adrift after she quits performing

I saw this because Ellen Barkin was in it.

My ratings 7.0/10

My impressions:

The end of a career

Even though voluntary

The end of a life known

A new place, a new beginning

Perhaps

Would anything change

The emptiness before

The emptiness now

People were around you

Now nature is the companion

The hoped for peace

Still elusive

Beyond reach

As the past is still in control

Marriage Italian Style (Matrimonio all'italiana)

Italy 1964

Details IMDB

Seen 30 April 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.4/10

Domenico, a successfull businessman, with an eye for the girls, begins an affair with Filumena when she is 17 years old. She becomes a prostitute, but also becomes the mistress of Domenico

My ratings 7.0/10

My impressions:

The first look was enough

The start, beginning of a long affair

One accepting, another taking advantage

How long does one accept

That arrangement

Money and wealth helps

Is that enough, or ever enough

Feelings, attachment, love

Hope against hope that

The situation would improve

Unfortunately

Drastic measures has to be taken

Before changes can be seen

Two Gates of Sleep

USA 2010

Details IMDB

Seen 29 April 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.1/10

After preparing for their mother's imminent death, two brothers go on an arduous upriver journey to honor her final request

My ratings 6.0/10

My impressions:

Siblings, brothers devoted to the mother

Her last wish must be fulfilled

Her final resting place

Her final journey

It is not an easy journey

Words might not be spoken

Silence more the norm

Until emotions overflow

An outburst, changes

The situation

Then the journey begins again

Ensuring the wish, the dream

Is fulfilled