Film's I've seen in 2005 (From March on)

Uhm, just to clear up something of my rating system (which may seem pretty lenient), a 6 basically means that if it happens to be on TV and you have 2 hours of free time, you might want to catch it and it won't be a waste of time. A 7 means that you might want to get a bit out of your way more to see it, and an 8 means that you should go to the theater. A 9 means a classic in my eyes, and is only given to the best. Lower than a 6 means it's a bad, as it is a failing grade. So if I give something a six, don't get too excited about it. ;)

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)- The premise is great, unforunately the conversations for the most part don't live up to what could've been. By far most enjoyable, in my opinion, is the segment with Molina and Coogan and the segment with Cate Blanchett and herself. The rest just isn't all that interesting. A few chuckles here and there, but mostly it is a tad too uninteresting and slow to be really good. But it had it's moments.

Festen (1998)- Though sometimes the camera movement is a bit nauseating, this is still a very good film thanks to the script and the cutting dialogue. Good acting also helps, but it's especially the dialogue and the characters that make you hang on to your seat. During Christian's first speech my jaw just went straight to the floor. The tension between the characters is masterfully crafted, though some things, in my opinion, were a tad illogic. Nevertheless, a very, very good film.

Hotel Rwanda (2004)- A touching film, which indeed got the Academy Award Nominations it deserved. A beautiful story, and good performances all around. Some moments really are very emotional, while the humane side isn't lost in the script. Also, it's nice to see how things work in politics just a tad, with a UN force there that is ordered to do nothing while people are killing each other all around them. Moving, interesting, and a very good film.

The Conversation (1974)- An incredible performance by Gene Hackman. Also a great character study, and the tension is always present. The suspense gets build up, and that's mostly because you really get to know Hackman's character and thus you really get involved in the film. You see the changes he goes through, and without preaching or anything Hackman's actions are explained and you know why he feels something, and why he does something. Also, the constant repition of "the conversation" without it getting annoying is great as well. Smart, suspenseful character study. Maybe some scenes are a tad too long, but that's probably the only thing you can have against it.

Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)- Now here's a comedy. None of these dumb things people seem to think that are needed to make the audience laugh these days, just hilarious dialogue fuelled by comic situations. The situation they are in might be outrageous, and yet you believe they are just two people who are suddenly stuck in a strange situation. Great dialogue, great one-liners, great acting, great everything. And a very nice storyline as well, of course mixed with the additional mariage problems. Woody Allen is the master of comedy, and this light-hearted, but very smart murder mystery proves that yet again.

Modern Times (1936)- Despite the introduction of sound, this film mostly is pretty silent with the exception of a few bits. Strange, perhaps, but that doesn't matter one bit. Chaplin is the master of physical comedy. He is funny, and for some reason you really sympathize with this man as if he was real, which is strange considering he's not the most normal guy to grace the screen. Yet, he makes you laugh, worry, be sad, and everything with just his physical abilities. In the mean time, it's also a social commentary. Very fun, very good film.

Sliding Doors (1998)- Gwyneth Paltrow shows her acting skills in this one, where she plays the same person in two different tales. What's also very interesting, in my opinion, is that those two tales start with Paltrow's character just getting into/missing the subway. Little things can change your life so drastically. But in both stories, there's drama and there's happiness for the character, and you just can't escape that. The film is also a pretty smart one, with sliding doors actually playing a part in it multiple times. It's a bit funny and sad as well. It misses the real punch, the real spirit to make it more than a reasonably good film. But being that is nothing to be ashamed of.

The Iron Giant (1999)- Funny and heartfelt, this one is one of the better animation films to come out in the last past 10 years or so. Today, animation films try to let us feel and care for a furry, sweet creature, and they often feel, yet Bird makes it work with a big, giant thing of metal. My compliments. There are some very funny jokes and moments, but what stands out is how smart and intelligent the movie is. It's entertaining and smart at the same time. Also, it kept me thinking about how hard it is to be good when you are treated bad. As said, smart and good film, just short of an animation masterpiece because it either missed the grandness of, for example, the Lion King or the constant laughs of Aladdin.

The United States of Leland (2003)- Although not really a bad film, it isn't that good either. The way the story is told is very plain, and because the director wants to show so many storylines in this films none of them really comes across or really draws you into it. Also, this film seems to be a real writer's project, in which the writer tries to put as many of his own ideas an opinions on the world and how he sees it into the film as possible. And although some of those are indeed insightful, often it just feels off. Reasonable performances by especially Gosling and the others were very welcome.

Girl With a Pearl Earring (2003)- Nominated for three Academy Awards, and rightfully so. Because the film is simply a marvel to look at. The costumes, the sets, the props, the way the light falls; everything is magnificent. The problem is that it's the only thing the film has going for it. That, and some very good actors doing their thing. But the film failed to connect, in my case, on an emotional level. It were pretty pictures, but never did I feel any connection to the characters or any emotion whatsoever. It never felt like it was going anywhere. Nevertheless, it is worth a look once simply because of the beauty of it.

The Island (2005)- though not bad, this film is far from good as well. The car chases are just there because they wanted some spectacular images, and they are never exciting or suspenseful. There were a lot of things I could've predicted beforehand, and the beginning was rather slow and annoying. But in some parts it was actually pretty good with good pace and good suspense, but unfortunately I can't say that about the whole movie. Best parts of the movie were the chase scenes by foot.

American Beauty (1999)- The third great film in a row, I hope I can keep that up. ;) American Beauty starts out a bit hesitant imho, but it gets stronger and stronger as it progresses. Strong acting by all involved, but the balance between real drama and the sometimes somewhat over-the-top feel isn't 100% right so the film doesn't really move or touch me. Nevertheless a great, smart film that definitely gets you thinking.