Joaquin's Talk

Inglourious Basterds

What can I say. Tarantino always finds new ways to amaze the viewer. This was the opportunity of Inglorious Basterds, a movie full of action, drama and a little bit of black humor that we're used to watch in all Tarantino's movies. It is perfectly narrated and with an excellent rhythm, yeah it maybe a little bloody but its never gross, its like I like say entertaining and justified violence. The story is excellent, set in WW II, a group of Jewish soldiers named "the basterds" travel throughout the Nazi occupied Europe killing German soldiers as an act of revenge, and the plot is perfectly written full of twists and with an unexpected ending. The cast is awesome, Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Christoph Waltz, Til Schweiger and even Mike Myers in a very short appearance were astonishing perfect. To conclude, Inglorious Basterds is the best movie from Quentin Tarantino maybe since Pulp Fiction, fully recommended and totally worthy.

Summer '04 (Sommer '04)

"Sommer '04 an der Schlei" is pretty much a vehicle to showcase a lot more of German actress Martina Gedeck than you'd normally see. It has at least three close-up sex scenes which are pretty much the only reason why most people want to watch it in the first place.

However, if you get past that aspect of it (and it's really hard to since Martina Gedeck is gorgeous for an over 40 year old woman), the movie is a lot like the French "slice of life" genre (if there is such a thing) mixed with a bit of Mike Leigh. It's a drama without a real beginning or end but with a lot of characterisation and interplay between the characters.

If you watch the trailer for "Summer 'O4", you'd be forgiven for thinking this was some kind of story about paedophilia. Although there is more than a suspicion of that in the plot, it's a lot more about love and relationships breaking down. If you are expecting another "Lolita" this isn't it at all.

I really don't know how I feel about this movie. On the one hand, I really liked Martina Gedeck and thought that Robert Seeliger was excellent in his role too but, on the other, I didn't like Svea Lohde (who played Livia) or Lucas Kotaranin (her 15 year old boyfriend Nils). The teenagers really were just ciphers to the main story of Miriam and Bill's more than telegraphed affair and they didn't really act so much as just exist in the film to create a few red herrings.

"Summer '04" is just one of those films that is really well done but leaves you with more questions than answers probably due to the script and incongruous ending. In words of less syllables, it just makes you wonder, "What the hell did I just watch? And why?"

It's all shot beautifully though and makes you think that it really is Summer on the River Schlei (to quote the German title). The features on the DVD reveal that the title was originally "Sommer '01" and it was filmed during bad weather in 2006 but I don't think the date has any significance whatsoever.

It's a strange film, easy to follow but ultimately pointless. I'd give it 4 out of 10 since it intrigued me a lot more than it eventually delivered. Plus I could watch Martina Gedeck all day.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

I've read a lot of reviews of New Moon since I watched it myself and one thing I've noticed is that the Twihards are divided over whether or not New Moon is better than the first Twilight movie. There are some that say it is close to the book and those that say not but, since I haven't read any of the saga novels myself, I have no opinion about that whatsoever.

Is New Moon better than the Twilight movie though? That's the problem because some of it is and some of it isn't. The romance, action and hotness of everybody involved has certainly improved this time round and it's starting to move right into "Interview with the Vampire" territory so that's no bad thing. But (and there's always a "but") the story still moves too slowly and there are too many characters to keep track of even if they only have minor roles compared to the big triumvirate of Bella, Edward and Jacob.

The story is much as before, i.e. Bella loves Edward and wants to be a vampire so that they can be together forever, Edward doesn't want to take Bella's humanity away, and so it goes on. This time though Edward leaves Bella because he wants her to be safe and so she drifts into the world of werewolves as Red Injun Jacob reveals his feelings for her during Edward's absence.

To tell you any more would spoil it for you but I have to say that the CGI werewolves weren't too bad considering that they are still CGI and fake as hell and that both Edward and Jacob spend a lot of time with their shirts off (which I'm sure will please a lot of little girls). Unfortunately Bella doesn't spend any time with her shirt off which would have certainly made New Moon 100 times more enjoyable for me.

Aesthetically the film looks really good and ithe camerawork is consistently better than in Twilight. There wasn't too much of a distracting soundtrack to this either with the music being quite minimal and unobtrusive. That works in New Moon's favour but perhaps not for future CD movie soundtrack sales. I only noticed two songs in the whole thing so where the rest of the album would come from I have no idea. I only mention that because I went to Burger King and got the little burgers with the free New Moon coupons with them and I know one of them was for money off the soundtrack CD. I won't be buying one anyway. (BTW the "Burger Shots" suck!)

I'll add more to my review later once you've all had chance to see New Moon for yourselves.

The bottom line is that I enjoyed it. I'd rate it as about 6 out of 10 (and half of that again if seen as a horror movie which it really isn't). I still think of the Twilight series as being the Dark Shadows of the 21st century.

Inglourious Basterds

Freakin Awesome,I was in the mood for some bllood ,gore and git,I should have known that Tarantino would satisfy all my needs so well.Excellent cast,I was totally surprised to see Mike Myers in this,too funny,I love the sarcastic humor and cutthroat storyline,LOVED it.If you haven't seen this I would check it out very soon,HIGHLY recommended!

Julie & Julia

Highly enjoyable film!! Meryl Streep just keeps managing to top herself.She really poured her heat and soul into this movie and became Julia Child,very believable too.Lots of innocent laughs and all around just a good feeling movie all around,you'll be happy you took the time to watch this one.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Pretty good.I liked this one a lot better than the first,there was much more going on,keeps you interested for sure.The first one had some slow points this is much better pace.And all I have to say to put the icing on the cake is bravo Taylor Lautner all those work outs paid off... WHEW!

I Love You Beth Cooper

Pretty cute.=)

High Tension (Switchblade Romance)

Intense edge of your seat thriiiiiler...see this it is a keeper! LOL! I LOVED it! That lady student went though hell to get her sanity back from the stalking killer that was on her tail...I loved it!

2012

INTERESTED

The Proposal

One incredible laugh out insanely loud comedy of two co-workers that take their work relationship unexpectedly to a whole different level. The chemistry with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds takes the joy of knowing each other to a whole different level. See this it is a joy!

Recipe for Disaster

This is one light hearted comedy that Disney should have picked up but MGM didn't do too bad in bringing to the young families out there in need of a clean simple responsible comedy. See it if you are that type of crowd...in that type of mood.

Spread

FINALLY they have a movie where the gigolo is the victim...but this one in the category of endurance of human interest...LOL! How far can he go with what he does kept me paying attention throughout the film. See it if you want but the final scene with what he has a bullfrog do will amaze you...see it!

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

Intense...incredible and on point...and the use of the clock in this action packed edge of your seat thriller is a must see with real scenes from NYC!!! The last question that Denzel Washington asks James Galdofini jokingly just about made my year as a sports fan LOL! See this...it is a "must see"!!!

Eden Lake

This movie is sick and unrelenting. As a viewer you don't really get any satisfaction in a way because the innocent get slaughtered while the sicko gets spared, and is completely unapologetic. That said, it is very well done, and maybe what is the most disturbing thing is how it really could happen. With the British youth yob culture we have, which is getting worse... Who is to say it couldn't? Scary.

Mum & Dad

I thought that this movie was really well done considering they had what is known as a micro-budget! To be fair, I think it's good anyway, and there hasn't been a brit-horror quite like this. Mum & Dad are disturbed, but I sometimes feel like I can relate to parts of mum (that's so wrong!)... It's sick but with very mild humour in places. The main character who is 'adopted' is given an emotional tour de force by the actress playing her. Clever & should be commended in what they did with so little.

Disney's A Christmas Carol

Great special effects,Delightful fun for the family this holiday.

Law Abiding Citizen

AWESOME!!!! Gerard and Jamie Foxx are a fantastic pair.Intense and twisty,I loved it!!

Amelie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain)

Loved it! This has been on my see it soon list forever.A film desidned to have the viewer fall in love with the story.I have never really seem anything quite like it.Its amazing what one random act of kindness for a stranger will spark off in another persons life.See this movie if you haven't already!! =)

Amelie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain)

Loved it! This has been on my see it soon list forever.A film desidned to have the viewer fall in love with the story.I have never really seem anything quite like it.Its amazing what one random act of kindness for a stranger will spark off in another persons life.See this movie if you haven't already!! =)