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jean-vincent
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The Butcher Boy (1997)
What comedy??
After reading the book, I was curious to see what Neil Jordan made of it. First: the book tells a gripping tragedy, a boy is going down under thanks to the adults around him. Mrs Nugent comes first, then the priest in the reformatory. The red line in the story is the word PIGS, first used by Nugent, against the boy and his family. That is the onset of his brutal behavior. From now on he will be a PIG. Still, he trusts his friend, the priests in the reformatory and will only see his trust badly abused, which aggravates his behavior and makes him furiously rebellious. The mothers suicide and the death of his father are achieving him as a deeply disturbed, psychotic boy. Neil Jordan has turned a tragedy into comedy, without any regards for the psychological drama. Sure the book, because of his psychological depth, might be very difficult to turn into a script. I see that most of the reviewers didn't read the book and could not compare. If I give a 6 out of ten, is to the benefit of the actors, nor to Neil Jordan's film. Jordan has disappointed me.
Vreme na nasilie (1988)
Plus ça change...
I bought the film recently and visioned it yesterday. I was deeply impressed, sad and angry at the same time. The unbelievable cruelty of it all. One has not to be Bulgarian to realize all the horror of the situation, to feel the helplessness, sadness and hopelessness of the people attacked. It doesn't remind me of anything, except.. fear. The fear that is being instilled to all of us by ISIS...in Syria. Obviously the system of the people of Allah hasn't changed in centuries.Taking young boys and use them as executors, making little monsters of them. It happens to-day. Cruelty all over, no mercy for anyone who doesn't adhere to their view of religion. The shouts of Allahou Akbar are heard again in our time."L'Histoire se répète" it is obvious. Never has any film been so actual in 2015. The film is grand, magnificent if not so horrible a topic and so prophetic of what I hope may stop some day and never visit any of us. The film is at the same time "History" and "Actuality". Fearfull.
Schellebelle 1919 (2011)
It was a big party
I give a 10. Not because it is so arty or interesting, but because it was made by the people. Scriptgirls, electro, costumes, grime, you name it, almost everyone did something and enjoyed it. The film is pure entertainment with a some politics and corruption thrown in for good measure. I do not think this film will be watched any place else but in our own little Flanders and perhaps in Holland, if they can understand our dialect. The Dutch subtitles are far less juicy than the spoken language, so, for them or anyone else there is a little loss of pleasure. Very worthwhile is the bonus or "making of". In fact, people got a little emotional. Anyway, it is a very good portrait of what and how we are here in Flanders. We didn't change much since 1919. Well, here is my 10 and my reason for giving it. In fact, it might be a little chauvinistic, we are just proud of ourselves.
La rivière du hibou (1961)
How so not complete?
Strange it is, that reviewer BENOIT A. RACINE from ONTARIO warns buyers about the incompleteness of the film. I bought it very recently in France. The box looks exactly like the illustration atop the article here on IMDb. The three shorts are mentioned: Chickamauga - mocking bird and occurrence at owl creek bridge. All 3 are mentioned and to be seen. My DVD runs 98 minutes more or less. All three acts are quite gripping and the feel of deep sadness prevails, at least, where I am concerned. I understand from reading the other reviews that no-one except "lucky me" has seen the film in its totality. Maybe people interested should search again everywhere they can. It does exist.
À l'intérieur (2007)
What is wrong in France???
This ends it all. After "Haute tension", "The hills have eyes" or "Sheitan" which were still more or less acceptable, came "Martyrs", total trash with misleading motives at the end of the movie. I felt I had to react against that one. Now this "INSIDE"!! I was so irate and disgusted that I watched the BONUS, just to see if the makers could justify themselves. Their justification is obviously "money". There is something awfully wrong with the public at large buying and watching the thing. Of course I cannot exclude myself.. I have been watching it too,and how came?? Is IMDb score misleading the viewer? A 7!! Where by God does the 7 come from? I cannot read all the reviews, but it seems to me there are enough negative ones... But not enough to topple that movie to zero... Is this art? Where is the 7th art going to? Aother thong I would like to be able to know, what is the age of all those fans of extreme gore?? Are they making tomorrow society?? That thought alone is HORROR in itself. Poor France... poor us.
Srpski film (2010)
I am raging
This movie doesn't even deserve a review, except that I want to make a point: the makers seems to be honest, when they tell us at the start of the movie, they want to illustrate the situation in their region, the violence etc.. After seeing the movie, I am ABSOLUTELY certain those people have a dangerous mind. And what do we have to think of Serbia after watching this trash?? How is it ever possible they could gather money for making it? further, how is it possible it could be released at all in normal circuits?? Do Serbians be so morally depraved ?? I gave it a 1 vote, because there is no minus 1!!!! The whole shebang goes straight into my waste-bin. Sorry for the money I spent on it AND for having been viewing it!! It will teach me to pay FULL attention to ALL kinds of critics warning me... I fact I have only myself to blame for having gotten this ignominious, psycho-pathologic genre of movie on my screen.
Umberto D. (1952)
An old man's struggle to survive in post war Rome
This is a real gem of a film! I was too young at the time of its release to be able to go to see any film except a Disney. I was very glad to have been able recently to buy it on ebay UK. The film has moved me deeply. It shows a deep understanding, is full of genuine compassion with the predicament of the leading character Umberto.The abyss of the need and despair is going through and the response of his surrounding is harsh and revolting. It is of course set in post war Rome, but I think it very likely one could make it post war Europe. But the social drama that unrolls in Umberto's life is not in the past at all. There might have been some change for the better in our social history but I fear the response one gets from our fellow humans has not been altered that much!The same cynicism and indifference is still too often met and is there not much sign for change. So this film is of the greatest importance and social value even to-day and a must for everyone to see and reflect on it!The very striking moment for me was when Umberto tries to beg, reaches out his hand but looks up to the sky and just at the moment when a passer-by will give him charity he turns his hand around as for checking a raindrop. Here is a good psychological understanding, Umberto's sense of pride supersedes his wretchedness. Cesare Zavattini, writer of the story has not left the film on a bitter note, there is some hope... even if this too is a little cynical. After his attempt of suicide, Umberto hopefully will survive in some mode or other, thanks to his smart little dog Flike, doing tricks in the playgrounds and parks and maybe getting some coins in his hat! I would also like to draw the attention to the special feature of the film, which is a documentary on Cesare Zavattini. Zavattini finally directed one of his stories "La Veritàaaa" This is seemingly about a man locked up in a psychiatric ward and able to escape. The little part of the film shown during this documentary has such an impact on me that I wish I could find and buy it, was it only for these words addressed by the madman from a balcony : "It is a shame, so many people dying, from hunger and illness, it is a tragedy, people are dying without even once using their power of thought" And that is a bit of message we all can do with!
Crash (1996)
James Ballard and his wife have a complicated sex life. After a terrible road accident Ballard starts to explore the thrills of danger, sexuality and death
A real disappointment in Cronenberg! I used to like his films, but this one is reaching my limits! I wonder how the movie could get so many wins! It is gross, unpalatable and absolutely boring! There is nothing else to be said about it than that it is the most VULGAR film I ever saw.No wonder it has been banned in several towns in the UK! What I do not understand at all is that some critics want us to believe this could easily be the best Cronenberg movie ever! The prize they especially designed for him in Cannes is not even deserved! If being daring is fit for a prize I wonder why snuff movies would not get it!It is only disgusting. vote:1
Martyrs (2008)
traumatized girl thinks she found those who molested her 15 years ago and takes revenge
Contains a little spoiler! I am horrified! The most gruesome movie I have ever seen! NOT TO BE PROUD OF!! If it's all the French can produce they better stop it! The end, when one finally knows what it's all about, ecstasy or near death experience is only added to save appearances! Just an excuse for masking what the movie REALLY is about! A freeway to present porno-torture as a deep philosophical given. I don't know how anybody can only think it's good, let alone say it! I do not talk about the technical qualities, the colors, the camera angles or whatever! Technically good movies still DON'T MAKE GOOD MOVIES!I thought it over for about two weeks if I should react or not. And for morality's sake I found I had to! Points to be given: technicality maybe 9. Morality 0! cheap story also 0. My vote finally is 1