Quick Ratings/Reviews Of The Week

Well, I didn't see as many as I would have wanted this week, but everything doesn't always go as one plans in life I suppose...
I saw a fair amount, mostly great films but a couple of really terrible ones. I don't mind watching the occasional terrible film though, it helps one develop ones critical skills. 



The Commitments - 1991 directed by Alan Parker
9/10
This is one of Ireland's most acclaimed films so I naturally had high expectations, and I wasn't disappointed. The Commitments is a very good film, there is not much more to say than that really. The only thing stopping it from getting a full 10/10 was that the directing could of been better and some of the musical scenes did drag a bit...
If you like The Full Monty - 1997, then you will enjoy this, it's kind of like the Irish Full Monty, although more depressing.

One Day In The Life Of Andrei Arsenevich - 2000 directed by Chris Marker
10/10
I'll be posting something about Chris Marker soon so I won't go into any details about this one, I'll just say that it accomplishes exactly what it set out to do and provides a unique look at genius director Andrei Tarkovsky at work. It also works well as an essay on the major themes of his body of work. Very interesting stuff, especially for fans of Tarkovsky.

Chats Perchés - 2004 directed by Chris Marker
10/10
Another Chris Marker. What can I say? The man's a genius.
Keep a look out for my detailed post on his works coming soon!

Diva - 1980 directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix
8/10
This is the film credited with launching the "Cinema Du Look" movement which was a radical departure from The French New Wave style of film making.
It is appropriately stylish, in fact it is one of the most stylish films I've ever seen. But the story does let it down a bit, it contains numerous questionable aspects that were annoying at times but nothing that seriously brings down the film.
Read my review here!

Largo Winch - 2008 directed by Jerome Salle
2/10
I watched these two over the weekend, I had heard very little about them and was only slightly familiar with the comics these films are based on. I was surprised at how much I disliked these films.
I felt that the plot rather offended my intelligence, it was ridiculous but pretentious, full of unlikeable characters played by mediocre actors. The plot twists and turns but I didn't care, all aspects of it repulsed me. It was about shallow people and revolved around money. We get to see vast amounts of opulence on display and are apparently supposed to marvel at it and be jealous, it didn't work in my case.
The film was all over the place, it was a strange mix of "economic thriller", action film (Bourne style), with a touch of James Bond-ness and a lot of melodrama.
But while the film failed to entertain, it also failed to deliver any thing remotely interesting or appealing from an artistic point of view. The camera work was terrible, during the action scenes it seemed the camera-man was wrestling with the camera on the floor. The only commendable aspects were the set-design, which was actually very good, and the lighting which I liked for it's crisp brightness. I get bored of dull, darkened action films.

And don't even get me started on the pacing, really really bad...

Largo Winch 2 AKA The Burma Conspiracy- 2011 directed by Jerome Salle 
3/10
See above!
The only reason this one got a higher score than the previous one was that the plot was slightly more clever and the main actor had improved...otherwise it was strikingly similar to the first film.


Pink Floyd The Wall - 1982 directed by Alan Parker
10/10
Why it took so long for me to see (or rather, experience) this magnificent film, I just don't know. Maybe it's because it doesn't get enough attention these days, sure it's a Cult Classic but I really haven't seen many reviews of it or even lists featuring it.
Which is a shame, for this film is easily one of the best I've ever seen. I don't say this lightly. This is required viewing, not just for film buffs but for all those who think differently and are thus capable of understanding and agreeing with this films message.
I'll probably write a full review for it as it completely blew my mind.
Brilliant music (Pink Floyd) acting (Bob Geldof), directing, (Alan Parker) and animation (the whole animation team). Great, great film!
Watch full film here! (on Youtube)

I just wondered, has any one else seen Largo Winch? It doesn't seem to be very well know...

And please tell me I'm not the only one who think The Wall is a masterpiece, it has such a low score on Rotten Tomatoes and a rather unimpressive one on IMDb that I'm quite puzzled.