April - Short Reviews

This post contains short reviews and ratings of the films I saw this month but didn't want to make a full post about, because I either had written about them before, or I had very little to say about them.

• Birthday Girl (2001) - 5 / 10

While this film had a lot of potential, it was wasted. The story is interesting enough for this film to be remade by someone more skillful and with unique talent.

• Four Rooms (1995) - 8 / 10

So absurd and hilarious! Every segment is unique and extremely weird and intense. Excellent film that doesn't get the recognition it deserves

• Friends With Benefits (2011) - 7 / 10

Light-hearted and fun to watch, even if the structure is known to all.

• Futurama: Bender's Big Score (2007) - 7 / 10

Just what you could expect from a Futurama movie: absurdly funny and weird, but also full of weirdly touching moments and the kind of brain farts that could only be resulted by time travel.

• Futurama: Bender's Game (2008) - 5 / 10

When you've seen it before, it takes too long to get to the "good part", and if you feel like that, you know the film is doing something wrong.

• Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder (2009) - 5 / 10

• Futurama: The Beast With The Billion Backs (2008) - 5 / 10

For some reason The Beast With The Billion Backs isn't as funny as Bender's Big Score. It gets slightly weird towards the end. I still can't believe David Cross was in this movie...

• Hostel, Part: III (2011) - 2 / 10

A huge disappointment compared to the first two. When you feel suspicious, because the movie doesn't have Eli Roth writing and directing anymore, trust that instinct. Something left when Eli Roth left.

• Pulp Fiction (1994) - 10 / 10

I never get tired of this film! Amazing writing, direting, acting, soundtrack... Everything clicks. It doesn't get any better than this.

• Reservoir Dogs (1992) - 10 / 10

Good structure, intriguing story and intense ending. The film is so simple, but it's still so detailed and filled with amazing dialogue. 

Up in the Air (2009)

Directed by: Jason Reitman

Written by: Walter Kirn (novel), Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner

Ryan Bingham enjoys his lifestyle: he flies across the country, because different companies hire him to fire people. His philosophy is to avoid commitment, and his job emphasizes that. But Ryan feels like his lifestyle is threatened by two women: a potential love interest and a new co-worker, who wants to change the whole system.

---

I was just browsing Netflix when I stumbled upon Up in the Air. I hadn't heard about it before, but I decided to watch it anyway.

First of all, is that a real job? Can someone's job actually be firing people in other companies? It might be a better system for the employers, but that must suck for a) employees and b) the person who has to fire like hundred people in a month, if not more. Yikes. 

While it might not be the main point of this film, Up in the Air can show how annoying it might be the employees when everything is computerized. Sure, some co-workers of Ryan Bingham may enjoy how they don't have to leave their hometown and all that, but Bingham is used to travelling. He points out that the airport is his home. And let's be honest, firing people through computers might be extremely alienating, when they can't even be in the same room with the person who is telling them their position is no longer available. Also this kind of job would be more interesting if you can actually see "the world" (mostly the U.S. but still) while doing so. 

Also the main character's philosophy is interesting. It's basically telling you to give up everything, because every commitment you have weighs you down and stops you from going forward. He makes me think of a weird version of Tyler Durden, except Ryan Bingham isn't running a group of terrorists. Ryan Bingham is an interesting character, considering many people have probably dreamed of a life like that: you don't have to contact your family, but you're not alone, because you meet new people every day. You're alone in the sense that you don't have to commit to relationships, but you're not actually lonely. But when you see the film, you start realising how empty Bingham's life really is, and that gets to you. While some people certainly could be satisfied by Bingham's life choices, you start wondering what if you couldn't pull it off? 

Because of that this film makes me think of Alfie. In that film, a womanizer Alfie is so happy with his life, but eventually he realises how empty his life is. I think Bingham has the same kind of realization. 

During most of the film the viewer feels miserable. It's like nothing good happens. The part that's supposed to be happy - Bingham's sister's wedding - is completely drowned in a melancholy music, which makes it seem like even then Bingham isn't actually happy because he is missing all of that, and that's... It feels faux. And because of most of the latter part of the film is so melancholy and miserable, it makes you think if there were any kind of happy moments in this film.

The biggest disappointment in this film has to be the soundtrack. The first song is extremely good, but the actual soundtrack is lame. It does it's job, but you wouldn't listen to the soundtrack when you're doing something else. 

Up in the Air is a good film in a way - it makes you think about life and all that. But still if you fell completely miserable after the film, and not even in the really sad way that makes you want to cry your eyes out, what's the point? It doesn't give a really good feeling about the film. I had the same experience with Alfie, and I haven't touched that film since. I doubt I'll be seeing this movie ever again.

☆☆☆☆☆

5 / 10

Saw (2004)

Directed by: James Wan

Written by: Leigh Whannell & James Wan

Two men are trapped in a room and neither one of them has any idea why, until they realise they are pawns in a game controlled and led by a notorious serial killer called Jigsaw.

---

The idea I've had of the Saw movies has been that they are mostly senseless stodge, gore done for no other purpose but score, and especially I've been very doubtful because of the several sequels. Even gore movies should be done with some other purpose than money. I can't yet say if I'm wrong or right: I've only seen the first, and considering the director (and writers) seem to be different in the others, the first one might still be way better than the others.

But I was pleasantly surprised by the plot - no matter how weird the choice of words may seem. The plot was extremely intriguing in a way, but it could've been much simpler - and that way more effective. What if we'd lose most of the flashbacks in the film, so for the most part it would be just the two men in the room, talking to each other, until the crucial point something else is revealed? That's what I thought during the film, but now that I've seen it I can see how important the flashbacks were, but before the end they just felt unnecessary way to make the film longer. But everything did wrap up nicely. 

Still the plot is quite simple. I mean is there anything unnecessary in it? There's not too much violence, and the film is about 1,5 hours. The plot is so much closer to thriller mystery than gore horror. That's something I won't expect from the sequels, if I ever end up watching them. I think they might be overplaying the gore parts and downplaying the mysteries - but what we already found out in definitely why the mystery in the sequels would be ruined. But still, I can't say yet. This is just my speculation.

The cinematography bothered me the most. It seemed tacky and bad, and the sped up effects seemed just ridiculously stupid. Sure, the way this film was shot gave it a certain atmosphere, but it was quite annoying to look at.

Saw was a great movie, which I'd prefer to call thriller than horror. I'm still surprised how it isn't as violent as everyone always said it was. It's simple yet it surprises you. Saw is an amazing film, and I didn't think I'd like it, but here I am. 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

8 / 10

Cabin Fever (2002)

Directed by; Eli Roth

Written by: Eli Roth & Randy Pearlstein 

Five college graduates rent a cabin. They realise too late that it's way too easy to catch flesh-eating viruses.

---

I rented this movie today mostly because I loved Hostel movies directed and written by Eli Roth. I thought it would be interesting to see his earlier stuff. But funnily enough the most interesting thing about the whole thing is that it's listed as both "comedy" and "horror".  Watching the film I had no idea it was supposed to be a comedy as well. Sure, it's slightly absurd, but not so much I'd see right away that it's comedy. There are jokes there, of course, but there are in several horror films, and they aren't automatically comedies. Well, you can always learn more about movies...

The music in this film is completely unnerving. The soundtrack of this film is magnificent, and a good score always gives a horror film something extra. There are genres where it doesn't matter so much, but in horror it's surprisingly important. It keeps you on your toes. And even the lack of soundtrack is extremely effective in horror movies. But in Cabin Fever there is a soundtrack, and it works.

The thing about Cabin Fever is that there's no serial killer hunting the young characters. The "bad guy" of the film is a disease. And what's the thing about that? You can't outsmart it. But still, the characters are idiots. That is of course a typical trope in horror, but sometimes someone does something so obvious you want to punch them. Someone is infected and you decide go touch them? Yeah that's definitely a great idea!

Cabin Fever is thrilling, yet there's something about it that makes it slightly annoying. I enjoyed watching it this first time, when I have no clue what's going to happen, but I doubt I'm going to see it again.

☆☆☆☆☆

5 / 10

Mr. Right (2015)

Directed by: Paco Cabezas

Written by: Max Landis

After Martha experiences an unfortunate break-up, he meets the guy who seems absolutely perfect: charming, exciting and funny. The only problem is, when he says he kills people, it isn't just his quirky sense of humour!

---

I wanted to see a film after I realised both Sam Rockwell and Tim Roth are on it. I only vaguely knew it was an action movie, but knowing the genre vaguely doesn't always tell you everything, which is why I really had no idea what the movie was about.

First of all, the soundtrack was good. Especially Norman Greenbaum's Spirit In The Sky suited the first gun fight scene excellently, and if by then you had no idea what kind of action movie Mr. Right is, that scene tells it to you straight.

Anna Kendrick is amazing as Martha, a girl so quirky you don't know if she's just weird or if there's actually something even more weird going on his head. Also the way Martha shook off "Mr. Right"'s comments on killing people made me wonder several times if she thinks he is joking, or if she just doesn't care too much, because he is so perfect for her. Sam Rockwell is an interesting choice for "Mr. Right". When Martha first meets him, he comes off pretty creepy, and while Rockwell is still very charming, he still seems dangerous. Even the viewer is suspicious of whether or not to trust him, mostly because we have already seen what he does, but he just  seems so nice, but it's masking how creepy he is, but that is kind of destroying how sweet and charming he is, and so on. Right then and there it's a vicious cycle, but of course when we learn more, we trust more.

The romantic side of the film is interesting. The romance between "Mr. Right" and Martha is cute, but you feel like it shouldn't  be. He seems older and kind of creepy, Martha just broke up with someone and also doesn't realise how her new, uh, boyfriend is actually a killer. But their chemistry just is astonishing. Of course there are a lot of problems in their relationship if you start analysing it, but they just seem like the perfect, cute, quirky couple.

The action side of the film is very excellent. The scenes are fun to follow, and "Mr. Right"'s skills make them even more interesting.

The character "Mr: Right" is probably meant to seem quite mysterious in the beginning, because nothing is said about him or the origin of his skills immediately. But for some reason that mystery doesn't seem that interesting than other plot-lines in the story. I was more interested to see the action scenes, Hopper's hunt for "Mr. Right", the development of the romance and I wanted to see Martha become a proper action girl. When the information about who "Mr. Right" actually is, it's just like "Okay sure". It doesn't seem like an important detail. 

If I'd have to compare Mr. Right with another movie, it would probably be Seven Psychopaths. The reasons for that are Sam Rockwell in both movies, the humour, and just something about the plot, probably how there are several different plans and goals we are following all of them.

Mr. Right is a fun action movie. The plot seems original enough, and the film is interesting to follow. It has a certain spark and a charm. What more do you need?

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

9 / 10

Whip It (2009)

Directed by: Drew Barrymore 

Written by: Shauna Cross

A 17-year-old finds a way to escape from the misery caused by her small hometown by joining a roller derby league.

---

I got curious about this movie because I've been interested in roller derby (while the last time I roller skated was around time when I was 7-10, oops), because the movie has so many women on it, and lastly because Zoë Bell is in the film. It's always a pleasure to see her work on screen, whether it's acting or stunts.

While I've never been into sports, or sport films, I loved Whip It! The matches between the leagues were so intense and thrilling! 

I'm so delighted because of how many women were in this film, not just the characters but the director and writer as well. And there are so many different kind of female characters in the story, all having their own ideologies, all having different personalities. There are characters who are so typical good characters, but they are still interesting. There are assertive women, violent women, competitive women, mean women, nice women, mothers, daughters... So many different kind of characters. It's almost rare, because so many films have around 80 % male characters. 

The structure of this film may be quite predictable, but the other qualities of Whip It make up for that - the story is emotional in many different ways, and it's just fun to watch. And after all, isn't most of Hollywood pretty predictable these days? And the story has many different levels, it's not just about the sport. It's about the main character Bliss growing up, it's about her relationships with her parents, her friends, the friends and rivals she makes while playing roller derby. And while the main point of the film is Bliss finding her passion and what makes her happy, the story doesn't forget all the other details that push her forward or pull her back.

The music was well chosen. It keeps the viewer psyched, and the songs work when you're listening to them outside of the movie. I have several of them on my playlists.

Simply put, Whip It is an amazing movie. It touches, thrills and delights. There's only one thing I'd change, and it would be deleting most of the useless heterosexual romances and add some women loving women there. It would suit the film and make it so much more better, but I'm happy with what I got.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

9 / 10

Hostel: Part II (2007)

Directed and written by: Eli Roth

Three American college students are travelling to Prague, but they are persuaded to take train from Prague to Slovakia. They stay at a hostel, and are soon to discover the grim truth about it.

---

Yes, after the first one I wanted to see the second one, so here I am. 

While Hostel: Part II is very much alike to the first one, there's one main difference. After the first movie people know what is going on. People know what's going on in Hostel and who is torturing the others and all that. So that's why Hostel: Part II has a chance to explore the people killing more than the previous movie, that tried to keep that a mystery for as long as possible. The second movie introduces us to two possible killers and we follow them as we follow the girls we know are going to experience what the guys in the first movie experienced. And while Hostel films are pure horror, it's interesting to see the two possible killers and their personalities - and see the development in the characters. That shows some true writing skills from Eli Roth.

Another thing was that the three main characters were female in this film. This offers a lot more plot devices for the story. Now I was worried that the female characters would be the kind of typical horror movie girls, but something about how they were written reminds me of Death Proof. While the genres are different both Eli Roth and Quentin Tarantino have proven they can write very interesting women.

Also if the viewer has seen the first Hostel movie, the second one isn't as thrilling, because you already know how the system works. Of course there's still the violence and torture that create the horror, but the thrill is gone because you already know. And while  you still may be excited to see if the characters are going to survive, it's too easy. Who survives is following the pattern. But the "how" is much more interesting in Hostel: Part II than the first one. 

Otherwise Hostel: Part II is pretty similar to the first one, and it's hard to not to repeat myself apart from those three key differences that I just pointed out. But the thing is, of course it's similar. I didn't expect it to be different in a major way. Still, Hostel: Part II is just as interesting, even if some of the mystery is gone. While the themes and patterns are similar, there are so many new details that make this one worth watching if you have seen the first Hostel movie. 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

8 / 10

Hostel (2005)

Directed and written by: Eli Roth

Three backpackers in Amsterdam hear good things about a hostel in Slovakia, where beautiful women are interested in getting bed with Americans. But when they get to the hostel, they have no idea what is really waiting for them.

---

One of my friends talked about she'd want to watch movies by Eli Roth, but they are so full of gore she couldn't stand it. Then another friend mention she liked Hostel. I was torn between two options: I'd watch Hostel with the chance I might throw up or worse, or not watch it and feel like I missed out on something. I took the chance of throwing up, but I didn't!

First of all, it takes quite a while before all the torturing starts. And that's magnificent, because the opening credits hint of violence, so even if you'd watch this movie without knowing anything about it, you know something horrible is about to happen. But it doesn't happen right away and you just have to follow these three guys being gross and annoying, and you're just wondering when the torturing is going to start. And the longer it goes on, the more frustrating it is. You want the violence to start, so you can get it over with. The waiting is the most frustrating part about it, and Eli Roth handles that wonderfully. 

The characters of this movie are annoying. They are very gross and to be honest, during the start of the movie I was hoping they'd all die. And I didn't like them at any point of the movie. They were the typical characters in a horror movie. You want to yell at them because they don't see the imminent danger ahead of them. Still. I didn't want them to be tortured to death, so during the most suspenseful part I was on the edge of my seat, hoping they'd survive all that. 

About the suspenseful parts, wow! They were so thrilling I don't think I've ever been that thrilled while watching a horror movie. The suspense was killing me! It was so excellently written and shot, wow.

I will always praise horror movies for their dialogue. Especially in the beginning the dialogue is so ordinary, because nothing horrible is happening yet. It's real, it's the kind of dialogue you hear every day, and I love it, because while all the torture is going down, how realistic or amazing can dialogue be anyhow?

Hostel is the first movie of this type that I've seen, but I love it! Of course these kind of movies don't have much substance or themes or anything like that, but that's not what they are for!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

9 / 10

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann 

Written by: Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce 

A penniless writer falls for a beautiful courtesan Satine, while they are making a play, but an investor for the play, The Duke, also wants Satine for himself.

---

Moulin Rouge! was on TV last night, and since I hadn't seen it in ages I decided to watch it. 

The story of Moulin Rouge! is quite simple when you think about it. But it's not just the story, there are of course other elements, like the bohemian revolution, and the characters' quest to have truth, beauty freedom and love in their play. And while the love story is simple, combined with everything else that's happening in the movie makes Moulin Rouge! quite unique, and clearly it stands out from the romance genre. 

While the story is of course tragic, Luhrmann and Pearce didn't make it just tragic. Moulin Rouge! is beautiful, lovely, tragic and hilarious. Moulin Rouge! is actually pretty wild, The shots and special effects alone make it so, but also the humour is amazing. There's a lot of misunderstandings and second-hand embarrassment, and so many other ways it's amazing. Especially the beginning of the movie is extremely wild, and it brings out the contrast between the tragedy of the movie.

One of the strengths in Moulin Rouge! is the visual side of the film. It's extremely colourful and very detailed. Many of the set designs are extremely detailed - in fact they are so detailed, there's no point even trying to see every detail in certain rooms etcetera. Also a lot of scenes consist of extremely fast and short shots. That's usually fine by me, it creates a nice effect, but in some parts they are used way too much. Sometimes it hard to concentrate and focus because the shots don't necessarily flow so nicely. But still, that is just one thing, because otherwise the cinematography in this film is almost perfect.

The music is beyond amazing! I have the soundtrack and I love each and every song on that soundtrack. They take songs from our time and put them in 1899, that's just amazing. My absolute favourite is El Tango De Roxanne, because they way the song Roxanne is turned into something completely knew is so effective, almost surprising every time I watch this movie. Also the choreography and the visual side of the scene during El Tango De Roxanne is just amazing. Apart from that I can not say which song is my favourite, because every song is so amazing. Sparkling Diamonds, Elephant Love Medley, Come What May, Someday I'll Fly Away... All those are magnificent!

When you don't watch Moulin Rouge! for along time, you might forget about its charm. Maybe it's also because now I'm older, but Moulin Rouge! is probably one of my favourite musicals. Every part of this movie works. 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

9 / 10

Sushi Girl (2012)

Directed by: Kern Saxton

Written by: Destin Pfaff & Kern Saxton

Fish has spent six years in prison. Once he is released, four men he protected by his silence invite him to a congratulatory dinner - sushi served on a naked girl. But it seems that the dinner has another purpose: to find the diamonds that went missing six years ago.

---

I found this film in the rental store ages ago, but at that time I didn't rent it. I was kind of suspicious. But it started to haunt me, I knew I had to see it. The summary on the DVD kept saying how Sushi Girl is easy to compare to Quentin Tarantino, and since that man is the love of my life. The next time it was either all rented or I just didn't find it. Eventually I got it, and from the moment it started I knew I was going to fall in love with the film. It has everything I love to see in a film: mystery, violence, beautiful women (or a beautiful woman, or it happens to be with Sushi Girl), tension and thrill, revenge and so many other details and themes, I can't even list them all.

The beginning of this movie is beyond perfect. It's quiet, it's slow, yet it's extremely intense. It's something that makes you know you're going to watch the whole movie. 

And right from the beginning the music of this film is amazing. I want to listen to the whole soundtrack again, that's how good it was. Towards the end of this film I almost forgot about the soundtrack, because while the film gets even more intense, the music doesn't distract the viewer, it enhances the feeling of the scene. Every track goes well with the moments they were tied with. They create such a great balance it's easy to just make the soundtrack merge with the scene. They just belong together. 

Sushi Girl is also visually extremely beautiful. There were so many shots I just looked at and thought they were absolutely perfect. Either it was the colours, the simplicity, the details or whatnot, the cinematography of Sushi Girl just doesn't let you down.

The plot of this movie is an excellently planned mystery. The makers of the film have left you with enough space to try to guess the truth with the slow pace of the film. While a lot of things happen during the movie, you still have time to think about it on your own, but the film-makers still have the ability to surprise you. 

The plot isn't the only brilliant writing about this film. The characters are interesting, and there's a lot you don't know, but you can bet the writes know almost every detail of the characters. Little piece about them is dropped every now and then, but it's hard to tell if those things are true or if the characters are just mocking each other. Every character has this tension between them all the time, you just expect some of them to beat the hell out of each other any minute, while the tensions between the others is weird, and you can't quite say what it is between them. 

And the dialogue, well, the dialogue is the best kind of dialogue I want from a movie. It's clear the writers of this film have learned from the best.

Sushi Girl is everything I hoped it would be and more. The only thing I can compare it to is Reservoir Dogs, but even if Sushi Girl is clearly heavily influenced by Reservoir Dogs, it is still different and its own movie. It has excellent writing, music, cinematography, characters, everything. It's interesting, thrilling and surprising. I love every thing about this film. 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

10 / 10

Bad Ass (2012)

Directed by: Craig Moss

Written by: Craig Moss & Elliot Tishman 

A Vietnam veteran becomes an Internet sensation and a local hero after defending a man from attackers in a bus, and he decides to take action when the police don't show any interest in solving the murder of his best friend

---

I rented this movie yesterday, mostly because it had Danny Trejo in it, and it looked like the kind of crappy action movie I like. 

The dialogue in this movie is the best kind of action dialogue there is. There's a lot of swearing and all that, and it feels natural. Also most of the comedy in this film comes from the dialogue. 

The story of this movie is alright. There's a lot of good ingredients there, like the character Frank Vega is awesome and would do better in another type of movie. But honestly, it just feels like he's a cheap, slightly altered version of Machete. But the thing is, I don't think anyone would watch Bad Ass for the story. It's an action movie, and unless an action movie is very special, you watch it for the action parts. And when it comes to action, Bad Ass was good. The action scenes were easy to watch and to keep track of, and they were neither long nor confusing.

It is Danny Trejo who makes this movie good. Like Danny Trejo is awesome by default, he could do anything in a movie, and I'd watch it. I'm not kidding, there could be a 30 minute movie with him eating tacos and I'd probably be like "Trejo is so bad ass wow!" I haven't seen him enough, I need to search for more movies.

Bad Ass is an alright action movie. Few details are nice, but as a whole it's barely above average. I recommend it to people who like action movies, no matter how good or bad they are.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

6 / 10

Little Black Book (2004)

Directed by: Nick Hurran

Written by: Melissa Carter & Elisa Bell

Stacy's boyfriend doesn't really talk about his past relationships, so Stacy goes through her phone to search for the women he used to day and find out more about them with catastrophic results.

---

I started watching this film at midnight because I couldn't sleep, but I couldn't finish it until now. I chose this one because I had seen pieces of it on TV, but never truly saw the film.

First of all Little Black Book does not follow the typical pattern in romantic movies. It's more interesting to follow the film since the structure isn't the typical: a man and a woman are a couple bc of weird circumstances, and then they lose each other briefly, yet they end up together after all. Little Black Book has its own way and own pace, and that's lovely.

And this movie is so adorable and uplifting until the point it isn't. And even after that point it doesn't just wither, it actually becomes emotionally very tough, so heart-wrenching, but it's done extremely well. Brittany Murphy is excellent in this film, she is adorable, but when her character is sad, it seems plausible, you truly believe it.

Best part is how the situation the character gets herself into is something so many people in real life would accidentally get themselves into. Of course in films everything is more dramatic, but still the idea of snooping around in your boyfriend's phone when you get too curious is something several would do, even though we know it's not right. 

Little Black Book is entertaining and just makes you feel good and bad. The plot is excellent. I'd recommend this movie absolutely.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

7 / 10