Movie Reviews – Part VI

Dedicated to all of you that want to watch a good movie but haven’t got a clue what to watch. In the spirit of the other movie reviews I’ve posted these will also be very short.

I’m Not There. The film has a very strange format; it’s like they couldn’t decide on what kind of a movie to make so it’s a mishmash of little of this and little of that. The best way I can describe this film is like this: I’m Not There is a fictional fake-documentary. It takes a little while before you get it, but once you do it’s an amazing journey. Six different actors play Bob Dylan in different times of his life, six different actors playing six different Bob’s. Two of the best, in my opinion, are Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett. And may I be so bold as to say that this is definitely by far Cate Blanchett’s best performance this far in her career? Just look at this picture I stole from my brother’s blog, and then imagine her capturing everything that is Bob Dylan so spot on you actually believe she is him… and she did just that! Amazing film. 4 stars out of 5.

Pan’s Labyrinth. A little girl’s mother has remarried, and they have to move far away. The man her mother married is a brutal military man, and he forces them to live in horrible conditions. The girl is somewhat of a book nerd, and she escapes into a fantasy world full of exciting creatures. She meets Pan, the keeper of the labyrinth, and Pan gives her three assignments for her to do in order for her to come and live in her real father’s kingdom. Good film. Watch it. 4 stars!

The U.S. vs. John Lennon. How can the biggest, baddest, wealthiest, most powerful nation be afraid of one British musician? In many ways the US and its leaders are, to be brutally honest once again, pathetic. I guess the only thing “power” is afraid of, is losing it. And when a challenger comes along, in this case John Lennon, all measures are allowed to get rid of that challenge. This is a very interesting documentary that very well captures the spirit of days long gone; the Vietnam War, the anti-war movement, and John Lennon as a private person, the peace loving family man as well as the anti-war spokesman. 4 stars. Watch it! It is available online.

Speed Racer. Forget the story, forget the acting (or the lack of it in this case), forget the action (which is pretty cool, but so unrealistic). The only reason for you to watch this film is the eye candy. This film is literally like stepping inside a candy store. 2 stars.

The Road To Guantanamo. Three British youngsters on vacation in Afghanistan and Pakistan gets captured by the US military, and even though they are innocent they are sent to, and kept at Guantanamo for two years. They are eventually released without a trial. Drama documentary based on true events. Excellent film. One the best, and the most moving, and infuriating films I’ve seen lately. 4 stars! It is available online, so click here and watch it.

Technorati Tags: Documentary, Film, Movie Reviews

This Film Is Not Yet Rated

This is a very interesting documentary which takes a critical look at the MPAA, how movies are rated (in America) and raises questions about America’s puritanical culture.

OH MY GOD! WE CAN SEE A WOMAN’S PUBIC HAIR FOR HALF A SECOND! WE HAVE TO RATE THIS MOVIE NC-17. You Americans sure are strange.

I suggest you watch this film and find out for yourself.

To view this film in its original size, or in full screen click here.

Technorati Tags: America, Documentary, Film, This Film Is Not Yet Rated

Night of The Arts

The Night of The Arts. It’s here once again. Well, tomorrow it is. I love this event. So much is happening all over the city and it draws people like crazy. Even if I don’t participate in any events I just love strolling around the city looking at stuff and people in general and enjoy the atmosphere.

This year, however, I have two events booked in my mental calendar. As a student of film in general and documentary film in particular, I am going to watch two documentaries tomorrow during The Night of The Arts.

The first film is a 1967 direct cinema classic by (the legendary) filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker called “Don’t Look Back”. The film starts at 22.00, it runs for 96 minutes, and to my understanding it is an outdoors event. I’m very excited!

Then I’m taking the metro east. In Itäkeskus there is another classic documentary playing. This event starts at midnight and the film they’re showing is called “Woodstock”. It was made in 1970 by Michael Wadleigh. It runs for 216 minutes, and I really hope the metro is still going in the wee hours of the morning because I don’t want to get stuck in the ghetto for very many hours.

This is going to be so much fun! The only thing that would make this event even more fun would be to have company. Join me?

Technorati Tags: Documentary, Film, D.A. Pennebaker, Michael Wadleigh

Video of The Day

When I was introduced to progressive metal many years ago it all started with Dream Theater. I had never heard music like that. I was intrigued, I was in awe. I thought nobody else made that kind of music. I wanted to know more about this exciting music, and I discovered there is this huge underground universe of fantastic music that nobody ever talks about if you don’t know where to look. I came across loads of bands and music; much of it I didn’t like, but it was an exciting journey digging my way through this place of wonder and amazement and the bands I discovered I’m still a huge fan of. Dream Theater is still up there, of course, but they are not “the band” for me anymore and haven’t been that for a few years.

Eventually I came across this band called Opeth. I found out that they, too, like so many other great bands, come from Sweden. I listened to some songs of them and I discarded it immediately. I wasn’t ready for them just yet, and I continued listening to other things. Years later I decided I will have to check them out again and see what would happen. Second chances sometimes pay off, and in this case it certainly did pay off big time. I listened to a few albums of theirs. It didn’t do much for me until I heard a song off their 2005 release called Ghost Reveries. It just clicked, I was blown away and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I just couldn’t get enough.

A while ago I blogged about a thought I had, and I thought that if I were to define music I would do it like this; music = Opeth. Opeth is probably my very favourite band, and probably the best band I’ve ever heard. They make music like nobody else. And this time I can say so while actually knowing something about what I’m saying. I’ve been around the universe of music all my life, and in recent years I’ve especially been in and around the progressive world.

I’m not a fanboy preaching the gospel of Opeth here, I truly think they are one of a kind. They make music, and they progress music, and they invent music and sounds, they evoke emotions and thoughts like no other band I’ve come across. They are on a whole other level in every aspect of what music is.

Music = Opeth. Oh, I do know that is saying a lot. But you have not heard music until you have heard Opeth. They are metal, yes they are, but if you are not a metal fan, and even if you don’t like metal at all, you can still give them a chance because they are so much more than that.

Watershed, their latest release… It’s an album I’ve been listening to a lot since it was released, and at this very moment while I’m writing this I’m listening to Watershed for the third time in a row all the way through from beginning to end. Watershed is dark, it’s sad, it’s moody, it’s aggressive, it’s mellow, it’s metal, it’s beautiful, and it’s a wonderful journey.

Give Opeth a chance. Watch this video. It’s a part of a documentary on Opeth’s latest album, and if you like it go watch the other parts as well.

May Opeth be with you.

Technorati Tags: Music, Opeth, Progressive Metal, Watershed

Society, Suicide and a certain bridge

Why does life have to be such, that some people can’t see another way out than to end their life? Be it jumping in front of a train, or down a bridge it’s just fucked up!

I’m not going to point fingers here, but there has to be a reason for it. If there is a reason, then there had to been action, and when there is action there is consequence.

Ultimately it comes down to you and me. You and I are to blame for people committing suicide, we all have blood on our hands whether we think we do or not, and whether we like it or not. Because you and I can’t care less about each other, society as a whole has no respect or love for one another. People die, nobody cares. Ce la vie.

The reason I’m writing this post is because I just watched a very controversial film; The Bridge. The central character is a bridge, The Golden Gate in San Francisco, and the people that jumped off it… or rather the people that they left behind? Anyway, that got confusing but I trust you all get the point?

Click this link and watch the film!