Palais Royal !

Posted on November 24, 2005 by Jt

Palais Royal !Valérie Lemercier :: France :: 2004 :: 1h40Two seemingly ordinary people are thrust onto the throne of a fictional (Belgian-like) nation after which they sort out their dirty laundry in public (UK-style). Although clearly a capable actress, Ms Lemercier shows herself at a loss at directing a feature movie – an issue probably picked up by her producers during the editing, inspiring the premature, heavily over-done advertising campaign no doubt intended for a first weekend cash-in before the contents become public.

Filed under: Europe, France | Leave a Comment »

Three Times

Posted on November 18, 2005 by Jt

Zui hao de shi guangHou Hsiao Hsien :: Taiwan :: 2004 :: 2h11Three love stories set in different times and settings with the same actors playing the protagonists…. In this last tale, the viewer is at times simply set aside, at a distance, we see the lovers drive by, we know them but they could also just fade away into the highway traffic, as if their tale is just one amongst many.

Filed under: Asia | Leave a Comment »

Backstage

Posted on November 17, 2005 by Jt

The two characters are both very physical in their expressions, lacking the development of self-analysis which adulthood brings the lucky ones amongst us. If you are happy you laugh, if you are upset you cry and if you are angry you break something…. The Mylene Farmer type idol does not seem like a popstar, but rather more like an over-the-hill actress, and the unattractive provincial fan is a very unlikely love-interest for the nightlife vampire in the popstar’s entourage, both rendering the whole tale unconvincing.

Filed under: Europe, France | Leave a Comment »

Joyeux Noël

Posted on November 16, 2005 by Jt

Joyeux NoëlChristian Carion :: France :: 2005 :: 1h55During the Great War (WWI), the French, Scottish and German troops lay entrenched on the Franco-German border in a frozen stand-off…. You would expect to be confronted with wounded soldiers rising up from the muddy trenches like zombies in a violin drenched, tear-jerk climax of a scene, but rest assured that you are spared of that.

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Les Chevaliers du ciel

Posted on November 15, 2005 by Jt

Although you may be forgiven for thinking that you are dealing with just another simple action movie (especially if you have seen the trailer, or read the title), but you are presented here with quite some spectacular air chases and flights over the beautiful French countryside…. The decision on whether or not to walk to your local cinema to watch it is quite tough, because seeing the fighters dip in and out of the clouds (if you’re interested) is something you would want to see on a big screen, but you do have to actually sit though quite some tiresome dialogues for it…

Filed under: Europe, France | Leave a Comment »

Manderlay

Posted on November 13, 2005 by Jt

Manderlay(Saga USA – Land of Opportunity part II)Lars von Trier :: Denmark :: 2005 :: 2h19After her disastrous stay at Dogville, Grace arrives on the Southern US plantation of Manderlay, which is run as if slavery were still in place…. A satirical jab at race relations in the New World (American dream – American nightmare theme), as the idealist clashes with the harsh reality.

Filed under: Denmark, Europe | 1 Comment »

Match Point

Posted on November 3, 2005 by Jt

Match PointWoody Allen :: USA/ UK :: 2004 :: 2h03Provincial young tennis player works his way into the London upper-class and into an amorous claustrophobic love triangle…. The same themes loom, as our young Raskolnikov-fueled character worms his way through the stable family life of the Hewitt family, confirming the prejudice of the outsider.

Filed under: America, Europe, UK, USA | Leave a Comment »

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