Mission "AFAD" - July 2011

As you know, I've been away from home for a long time, almost three weeks in July.
Therefore, the yield of cinematic experiences for last month is tiny.


Barely 18 films to talk about, and a lot of them is just trash, trash, trash...
Explanation? There is one: I lived with my Danish guest family (if you are a frequent visitor, you will know whom I am talking about), and well... they have a quite simple taste for movies.
That's not bad. It's what most people have - at least these do have a little sense for good films... But, well, we also watched a lot of trash.

And by the way, the first row of movies (on the picture) is what I watched in Greenland, meaning in the first three weeks of the month.
That's also why I didn't watch any Bollywood films, for the first time in... 1 year? (There was a time when I didn't watch as many films as I do now).

18 - attarah (yes, I do miss you, Hindi speaking people in my favorite films...)

Triple Agent (2004) Eric Rohmer
France, French - First view
This was the only DVD laying around where we lived, and there was only one TV-channel, so off course, we watched this film some time. But only once. It's a good example for how you can make a good film without much effort, it all looked very simple - editing, shooting, directing. However, it didn't fully catch my interest, somehow, also because the characters stay "cool". You don't really get into the film. And at the end, I didn't understand it - the story.

The Sin Eater (2003) Brian Helgeland
USA/ Germany, English - First view
We had to wait two days to get out of Saqqaq, so I was incredibly bored and we borrowed some DVDs from a brother of my guest mom. This is the first one. The most interesting things about it were Heath Ledger and the fact that a German actor was in it (Benno Fürmann). What I like about films like these is the knowledge you get about history and religion. Otherwise... well, an un-scary horror film.

Dead & Buried (1981) Gary Sherman
USA, English - First view
Now this is a real oldie horror film. What I like about these kinds of films is, that you can see how much film makers were capable of doing in a horror film at that time.
At least it was scarier than The Sin Eater - but not much.

Qivitoq (1956) Erik Balling
Denmark, Danish/ Inuit - Second view
I already wrote about Qivitoq in April. It was interesting to watch the film a second time after having been to the places it was filmed, and having seen many of the people that were in it.


Raising Helen (2004) Gary Marshall
USA, English - First view
Well, Gary Marshall, Kate Hudson... you can't expect anything new from a film with those names. It was... okay. Maybe. I honestly don't remember.

The Fighter (2011) David O. Russell
USA, English - First view (on flight)
This was one of the last 2011-Oscar-films I hadn't yet seen, and I don't even really know why... Maybe it was because of the title - it sounds a bit macho-esque, and then the plot... But the film is so much better than what I had thought! All actors are brilliant - my favorite being Christian Bale, who blew me away with his performance. I loved his role, I hated his role, I... think I went through every stage of liking with it. This film once again proved that 1) boxing films are great, 2) sports films can be about more than sport (and no, we're not talking team work or friendship or any of those old-chewing-gum-topics), and 3) but not least: action films that are maybe supposed to be "men's films" can turn out to become some of my favorites. Aside from Harry Potter (sorry, fan-ship counts more), The Fighter is the best feature film I've seen this month.

She's Out of My League (2010) Jim Field Smith
USA, English - First view
Films like this can easily turn out to be either boring, porno-esque, embarrassing - or maybe even a mixture of these. However, there's something about this film. It doesn't take itself too seriously, for instance. It has some almost black (or at least grey) humour, and at the same time, you feel there's a heart in it. The actors are also mainly quite good - my personal "pearl" being Krysten Ritter. I'd love her in anything.

Scary Movie 3 (2003) David Zucker
USA, English - First view
Very formula-orientated filmic slapstick/ scorcher. But still better than the first film (haven't seen the second one).

Long Weekend (2008) Jamie Blanks
Australia, English - First view
Starts quite promising and manages to build up some tension, but then slowly dies away. You never really get shocked, except for the scene where the guy finds a dead girl in a car, and in the last scene, before the guy runs away (I don't want to ruin the film for anyone who wants to watch it). As a self-declared horror film specialist (well, not really, but I've watched a lot of horror films, love them, and basically watch everything I can get my hands on), I cannot recommend this film whatsoever.

Old Dogs (2009) Walt Becker
USA, English - First view
I love Robin Williams and I love John Travolta (as actors, at least). I also had a lot of fun with Wild Hogs. Old Dogs takes the fun a little further, I think, I mean we all laughed a lot. And that's rare these days. I don't laugh at many comedies, most are just boring, especially the "romantic" ones. My favorite comedies are still the rather black ones, but I do like a family-friendly comedy that is actually funny - if it is actually funny. This one is, I can assure you of that. Watch it with your family.

Lassie (1994) Daniel Petri
USA, English
Lassie is such a nice movie for children, much better than all those loud and fancy... I-don't-know-what-to-call-them. My favorite children films will forever be the Disney classics and the Pixar films, but right after those comes Lassie. I didn't really watch the whole film, though, the grandchildren of my guest mom did.

Disaster Movie (2008) Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer
USA, English - First view
This film really is a disaster. I don't really know what to do about those mass produced film parodies. On one hand, they do have some fun scenes, but most of it is just... well, a disaster. Made for the only purpose of luring masses of teenagers into the cinemas and get their money. Date Movie was actually quite funny - the other ones? Forget about them.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (2011) David Yates
UK, English - First view (cinema, 3D)
I - am - a - sucker - for - Harry Potter. I am fanatic about these series. The books and the movies. When I was a little kid, I couldn't wait to turn 11, because I was so sure an owl would come and bring me an invitation to Hogwarts. My favorite film, and probably also book, will forever be the third one, but in a filmic view, the last one was probably the best one. Filmic-ally. Do you know what I mean? Well, that's what all the grown-ups and critics say. The 3D effect was nice, but as often unnecessary. Harry doesn't need any "amplifier" - it is magical enough. Oh, I can't believe it's over, it's really over...

Gone with the Wind (1939) Victor Fleming
USA, English - First view
Whoever spread the rumour that Gone with the Wind is one of the best films ever made, and one of the best love stories ever told is a badass liar. I didn't understand any freaking bit of it! Okay, it is a story about the southern states and how people lived and how the civil war changed everything - but that's it? That's f***ing it? (Sorry, but I was more than disappointed after 4 hours of nothingness). No love? I mean, if I got the end and the whole story right, then she doesn't love him (yeah, they say she does, but I can see she doesn't), and he loves her but hates her and leaves her. The kisses were awful, too. All of the "emotional" scenes were awful. Hey, I was expecting another Dirty Dancing, or Titanic, or Romeo + Juliet. So I decided now, to take a very drastic and maybe never before seen step. I will not recommend this film. No, I will even warn all of those who haven't seen it yet. Do watch it, if you must, but be aware of what this film really is, under the 11-oscars mask... : nothing.

Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) Michael Moore
USA, English - First view
Michael Moore, I want a child from you. Okay, I don't want to have it myself, but I want you to have one. America, the whole world, would be different, if it weren't for you. You brought me awake, shook the naïve girl inside of me, made me shed tears and shake my head in anger and disbelief. The world needs to see this documentary.
I'm personally very cautious when capitalism is denounced, because it automatically makes me think that the only other way is communism. Which wouldn't be democracy. The idea of a democratic economic system never even crossed my mind. But it is wonderful. It's what I had been searching for, the perfect idea, a solution. Of course, it would never change everything, all problems can never be solved - but it would be so much better than now. This film also reminded me of how fortunate I am, we all are, to live in Germany or Denmark, to live in Europe. Our system is working, more or less.
I am shocked - I am shocked - I am shocked.

The Family Man (2000) Brett Ratner
USA, English - First view
Hm, I like Rush Hour. It's funny. I also liked this film, but only a little, little bit. It has these ambitions of being a "serious" film, that makes people think. But it's too commercial for that.

Cars 2 (2011) John Lasseter, Brad Lewis
USA, English - First view (cinema, 3D)
I already told you that I'm a big Disney Pixar lover, and Cars 2 once again proved this. It might be a little senseless and very guff-y, but I need that once in a while. It's so sweet, so full of details, so enchanting.

Knight and Day (2010) James Mangold
USA, English - First view
As a real person, I hate Tom Cruise. The fact that he's scientology is enough for me. But I have to admit that he does a decent job in mainstream Hollywood films, especially action comedies. Same for Cameron Diaz - with the difference that she also did some not-totally mainstream films, in which I liked her. This could have been a quite mediocre action flick that you forget after one week, but there's something about it that makes it a bit more special. I can't really put a name on it... whatever, it's fun.

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Thank you for reading,

Mette M. K.

Mission "AFAD" - April 2011

With 24 films, this month ranges 2nd in this year's record - 7 films less than January. Though I did cheat a little bit by watching 2 short films, just to increase my film list for this month.
Some of my achievements include "breaking in" to a new film industry by watching a South Korean film, going to the theatre three times (and it were three different theaters), watching my second Telugu film and also checking out some Parallel Hindi Cinema films.
This is also the first month that I've seen more non-Indian films than Indian ones, for this year. And, if you're following me on twitter you already know: I bought the highest amount of DVDs at once, that I've ever bought. I think it were about 40 DVDs.

24 films... and I know, these are only 22, because there were no posters for the short films

Bheja Fry (2007) Sagar Ballary
India, Hinglish - First view
I reviewed this film in my "Introduction to Hindi Parallel Cinema", a post that I worked on for a rather long time, and that I thought (and still think) is my best post until now, though sadly, I gained very little response for it. Okay, I didn't receive any kind of response for it. But never mind, I'll get over that.
Shortly: A good film. Earned three Lime Stars.


Mixed Doubles (2006) Rajat Kapoor
India, Hinglish - First view
And this is the second film, that was featured in the article. I think I made some kind of Parallel Cinema evening at the start of the month. It earned four Lime Stars, and I think it's a particularly well-done film of the newer Hindi Parallel Cinema.


Bommarillu (2006) Bhaskar
India, Telugu - First view
I chose "Bomarillu" to be my second Telugu film, for I had initially planned to start my career as a Telugu-watcher with Siddhart-films, because I already know him. But, as you all know, a certain "Arundhati" interfered that plan. Contraire to "Arundhati", "Bomarillu" is completely blood-free, and there's even just a very tiny, small, little dishoom-scene. The film also saved my personal Siddhart, meaning, well, we had some trouble after "Striker" because I didn't like his looks in that one, but he's back again, all mine. I found his character in this one a bit too daddyrules-like, but he still did a good job as an actor. Genelia was also sweet. Maybe the film was a tad too long, but it was still enjoyable and funny.


The Wild Bunch (1969) Sam Peckinpah
USA, English - First view
After Jack L. wrote about Sam Peckinpah (he even watched his entire filmography - I think I should do that with some classic Indian directors, too...), I recognized I had not seen any films of this famous director, so I instantly decided to watch his most known one: The Wild Bunch. It is a very classic western film, also very calm in a way (yes, despite the frequent bloodshed), so you have to be prepared for what you're going to watch. If you are, you will hopefully enjoy this film, because it is a great study on male friendship, men getting old (or should I say: cowboys)... and some other things.


Almanya (2011) Yasemin Samdereli
GER, German/ Turkish - First view (theatre)
While I was in Hamburg for my internship, I watched almost no films - and it was a 2-week-internship. The phrase "I can count them on one hand" (don't know if it exists in English), is very fitting for this matter: I did watch 5 films, only. Three of them in a theatre - actually, in three different theaters. Oh, how I love exploring new cities, and new theaters - as a matter of fact, exploring various theaters in a new town is a great way of getting to know the town.
The film is about Turkish immigrants in Germany, and is narrated in a very light and funny way, reminding me of my forever-favorite TV-series "Türkisch für Anfänger".


Så Som I Himmelen (As It Is in Heaven) (2004) Kay Pollak
Sweden, Swedish - First view
While I was on vacation in Sweden last summer, with my mother, sister, best friend, and best friend's mum, we watched the start of this, but found it very strange and turned it off again.
Indeed, it is a film not particularly appropriate for a DVD-night, or even for watching with many people at all. I watched it by myself, and I must say... Well, it's a typical Swedish film. Very philosophic, rough at times, but also with a great sense of humour to it.
The search for perfectness in art is something that has always intrigued me. I'm a perfectionist myself, even though I can be chaotic in certain situations, and I find that films dealing with this subject are exceptionally interesting. The last time I saw this, was in "Black Swan", and in this one it was a little different, because it's about music. But not only that: while in "Black Swan", the un-perfect happens to be perfect, this is not what we see in "As It Is in Heaven".
I can recommend this film to those who like to explore the topic I mentioned, and who are into films that are... well, a bit different (though, since I've seen "Harold & Maude", I haven't really been actually surprised by any film).


Ek Hasina Thi (2004) Siram Raghavan
India, Hindi - First view
I even did a real review on this film. If you want my opinion, you can read it.


Hanyeo (The Housemaid) (2010) Im Sang-soo
South Korea, Korean - First view (theatre)
And here we have the mentioned Korean film. As I said, it was my very first one to see. I watched the trailer in another theatre, and in that moment I decided: I want to watch that film. I have to.
Artistically, it is an incredibly precious film. Furthermore, it is great for those who are curious for new film industries. But when I had just watched it, I felt a bit disappointed. I felt that the makers focussed so much on the artistic perfection, that they forgot to drag the audience into the film.
Now, about two weeks after watching the film, I've had much time to think about it, and I've come to the conclusion, that this is just what the makers wanted. They wanted the audience to really feel that coldness of the Korean upper class. And it is real upper class. Not what you see in, well, old Jane Austen films, or "Match Point". No, this is modern, modern, really modern and incredibly rich, snobby upper class. And it's fascinating. It's like another world, so scary, so cold. So... intriguing in a way.
This is one of the most interesting, and thought-provoking films I've seen for a long time. Already, I have spent much time on thinking about it, and I can still go on. It's one of those films that will follow you forever, I think.


Never Let Me Go (2010/11) Mark Romanek
UK, English - First view (theatre)
After hearing that the novel I'd just read had just been made a film of, I was very happy, and very curious. Because it was starring Keira Knightley (and Carey Mulligan, but that wasn't what interested me most). And because the book was incredible.
Then, after the abroad release, I read some mediocre reviews, and began to get worried. But when it finally released in Germany, I still went to the theatre, and the old excitement came back up to the surface. I might also mention, that it was my first time to ever watch a Digital Cinema film, which is basically a film that "comes out of the screen", meaning there's no projector, but the film is somehow digitally saved somewhere. While the quality of the film was excellent, I still have some doubts about this new "project", because I think that it will make film piracy much more accessible.
The film itself did not disappoint me. It was my first Carey Mulligan film, and she was great in it - "An Education" is calling "watch me!". Keira Knightley was fabulous as ever, and Andrew Garfield made a good contrast to his breakthrough role in "The Social Network".
However, even though it was a great film (you really need some warm, romantic, true-love films once in a while - especially after watching "The Housemaid" the day before), I found it much more prude than the book. Don't get me wrong: the film did involve some open-minded sex scenes - but only between Andrew and Keira. The leading character, which was played by Carey, did not have sex until she was about 30 years old (at least it seemed to be that way). In the book, she has sex with various boys when she's about 18, in "The Cottages", but in the film, we only see her listening to Tommy and Ruth having sex, or sometimes listening to music so that she would not hear them. I think including those scenes from the book would have given the film a bit more credibility and open-minded-ness.
Nevertheless, it's definitely one of the good films that are based on books. You can also watch it, if you haven't read the book - but make sure you do read it afterwards.


Ek Chalis Ki Last Local (2007) Sanjay Khanduri
India, Hindi - First view
Read my review here.
A weird film that I did not complete, though Abhay was cute as ever.


Action Replayy (2010) Vipul Shah
India, Hindi - First view
Read my review here.
Didn't expect I'd like it - but I did.


How I Met Your Mother - Season 2 (2006/7) Carter Bays/ Craig Thomas
USA, English - First view
Maybe you know that I love HIMYM - or maybe you don't. Well, you know now. I watch all the episodes chronologically. But I don't rush myself - what'll happen, when I'm done? No, I'll rather take it calmly.


Anari (1959) Hrishikesh Mukherjee
India, Hindi - First view
Read my review here.
Lovely Raj-Kapoor classic.


Sønnen fra Vingården (1975) Morten Korch
Denmark, Danish - First view
Danish classics are another thing I love. Especially the kitschy Morten Korch ones. That's what I call high quality mainstream entertainment. How come mainstream films were so much better back in time?


Faded Secrets of Yesterday (2008) Bahaish Kapoor (short)
India, Hindi - First view
I don't usually watch many short films, but I felt like doing so this month. They're an important part of the film industry, and, well, short, which is great. This one was cute, but a bit too old-school. A bit trying-too-hard.


The Mexican (2001) Gore Verbinski
USA, English/ Spanish - First view
Let me first tell you: Mexico is not always exactly how it's portrayed in the films. Firstly, it can be incredibly dense, and not as dry as many think. Secondly, Mexicans can be really nice and friendly. Many of them are.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed this thriller-comedy. I never knew that Brad and Julia made a film together. They're cute as a couple. I don't know if this film would have worked without them, the way it did (it was planned to be a Indie-film without stars).


Qivitoq - Fjeldgængeren (1956) Erik Balling
Denmark, Danish/ Inuuit - First view
Ah... there's a big story behind this one. It was shot in the home village of my Danish guest mother, who is actually a Greenlander. But, in some way, they are Danish, right? However, her parents are in this film, and her mother is pregnant with her. That's funny to see. There are many other people in it, who she knows. Not to forget the biggest star of old Danish films: Poul Reichhardt. Isn't it funny, that the film was shot in exact that village? By the way, I'm going to Greenland for a month in... 7 weeks, and we're going to visit the village. We'll stay there for two weeks, I think.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award and a Palme d'Or.
Oh, and it's a very good film.


The International (2009) Tom Tywker
UK/ USA/ GER, English - First view (only start)
Boring. Incredibly boring. It thought Tom Tywker was a good director - he's known to be one of the good German directors who made it in Hollywood. But... it was boring. That's why I turned it off after 20 minutes.


Wild Target (2010) Jonathan Lynn
UK, English - First view
... Just to tune into this amazing British comedy with some of my favorite British actors. I think I'm really falling for the English humour and films! It's hard to describe, why this film is so good, because it's a comedy, and just like a joke, you can't explain a comedy.
Oh well, just watch it. You won't regret.


The Lovely Bones (2009) Peter Jackson
USA, English - First view
My mother and I were very excited for this one, when we saw the trailer in the theatre, but she went watching it and told me it wasn't that good. So that's why I didn't watch it back then.
I'm so glad I watched it now, because I liked it very much. Peter Jackson is one of those names that can almost guarantee for a good experience, and Saoirse Ronan is one of the child/teen actors that I find the most promising at the time. The "between"-scenes are beautifully made, and make you think about death - and also life. Also the screenplay is very well-made, and the search for revenge never gets boring, even though you know who the murderer is, from the start. There are some really stress-filled scenes, like the one with the diary, and I'm always in awe of a director, who can manage to transform a film-viewing-experience into a sports.


Ahista Ahista (2006) Shivam Nair
India, Hindi - First view
The only Indian film I watched and didn't review this month. Abhay Deol was - how often can I say this - cute as ever, and he had a good chemistry with Soha Ali Khan, who I haven't seen for a long time. The story was light and easy... I was sick of heavy dramas this month. But the end wasn't good... Crying...


Aftermath (2008) Bahaish Kapoor (short)
India, Hinglish - First view
Heard a lot about this. Was okay. But I've seen better.


All About Steve (2009) Phil Traill
USA, English - First view
This month was also a month for comedy. After finishing the second season of HIMYM, and after "The Mexican" and "Wild Target", I decided to try this little known comedy. Mainly because the story sounded funny, and because I adore Sandra Bullock - Bradley Cooper's not bad, too. I was actually surprised by how funny it turned out to be. I didn't even expect a real comedy, I thought it would be a normal, decent rom-com. But I forgot, that Sandra Bullock never makes a "normal" film - she's contributed something new to every genre she played in.
The idea itself (a funny, "unnormal" person is in love with someone and follows him/ her) maybe wasn't completely new, but the director added some fresh air to it, also with the quirky side characters.
This is a throughout born-and-bred feel-good-film. Why? Because you feel good while, and after, watching it. Recommended.


Wimbledon (2004) Richard Loncraine
UK, English - First view
After last months' "Match Point", already one of my favorites, I once again watched a British film about tennis. You're right: "Match Point" isn't really a film about tennis. But there's a lot of tennis in it.
We thought we should watch a British film on the day of the royal wedding in London... Just kidding: the television channel thought they should broadcast a British film on the day of the royal wedding.
But not even this is really a film about tennis: it's more what "All About Steve" wasn't - a rom-com. A good one, I'd say. Predictable end, but funny moments, and entertaining sports sequences with some thrill.

Crocodile Dundee (1986) Peter Faiman
Australia, English
I told you: this was my comedy month (at least the last two weeks). I'm almost entirely sure about having seen this classic before, when I was much younger, but I didn't remember most of it.
I must say that this is a real good old-school comedy film. It's probably been copied many times, and that's why the plot seems so familiar: adventurous wild-life-man falls in love with city girl and tries to live in... hey! That's "Tarzan", isn't it? Wow, honestly: that thought never crossed my mind until just now. Interesting.

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I also found out during my internship, that I do not want to work in the fashion industry - at all. And that I don't want to do something that has to do with crafts (which is almost the same, right?). Not that I'm not good at it - everyone praised my work - but it's just not me. I need more thinking logically and abstract, and more... don't know. Travel, other people. Okay, I know that this is what many people think the fashion industry is all about. But it's not. And it's not me. 

The thing I'm best at is school... However, I'm considering pilot as an option at the moment...

That would be cool, don't you think?

Different people, other cultures, travels - and the flying itself!

That's more likely to be me.

I'm sorry - somehow I tend to ramble a lot in the AFAD-posts.