Amores Perros (2000)

8/10 [recommended]

Continuing my foreign films, my next stop took me to a Mexican film that is intense, gory and scrutinizing

Plot: A horrific car accident connects three stories, each involving characters dealing with loss, regret, and life's harsh realities, all in the name of love.

Amores Perros explores human cruelty through different stories and character interaction. We see rage, disloyalty, pride, lust, gluttony, fear, and jealousy all unfold as characters are put against each other.

Dogs are a huge part in this film, as they are important to each of the 3 main characters. We see dogs being used to gain money, men's best friend, and being support beam for the characters. The dogs become a reflection of their owners'  deepest and hidden emotions.

Not for everyone, but for those who can bare the cruelty and disturbing content, it is such an amazing film.

Winter At Wartime (2008)

8/10 [Highly Recommended]

Amazing war film with a great spin

Winter in Wartime plot: Near the end of World War II, 14-year-old Michiel becomes involved with the Resistance after coming to the aid of a wounded British soldier

The acting, cinematography, writing, and set decoration all came together beautifully in this film.

The cast is unknown to me, but the performance is phenomenal. The story is a bout a 14 year old who witnesses his family and friends being tangled in the war. We watch as he comes to age and matures through different events that occur.

This film reminds me of the film/book Boy in the Striped PJs where the war is seen from the point of view of a boy. Winter in Wartime is far better in comparison. We see the war and its impact on a village from the perspective of a boy whose family is caught in the middle of World War II. We see the boy maturing and seeing the world differently as the movie progresses. His understanding of the war, difference between right and wrong, and the idea of trust in people changes.

What I love about the film is the unexpected twist and its well written characters. I did not expect much from this movie but I thoroughly enjoyed the 103 minutes. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to those who love war films with a great storyline.

Soylent Green (1973)

7.5/10

A look into an all too realistic future

Soylent Green Plot: In an overpopulated futuristic Earth (2022), a New York police detective finds himself marked for murder by government agents when he gets too close to a bizarre state secret involving the origins of a revolutionary and needed new foodstuff.

Even with poor special effects and overly fuschia blood, Soylent Green is still fairly entertaining film that kept me interested.

Many unique themes and ideas were introduced in this film that feels so silly yet completely plausible. Like the idea of the "furniture" and the obvious "soylent green".

Set in 2022, just ten years from now, this film has predicted some elements accurately, though exaggerated.

What is Soylent Green? What is the secret? Why the fuss? Well you need to watch it to find out.

Only complaint i have for this film is that the soylent green item did not seem to be as freaky as it should be. It is talked about and referenced frequently in the film, but the items lacks in being put to use. The final conclusion would be more horrid if this item is actually shown used throughout the film.

I am positive a remake of this film will be done, if not already in process pre-production. Depending on how they write the main character, I could see Russel Crowe, Patrick Wilson or Sam Worthington playing the lead. And if they wanted a younger guy in the lead, I could see Ryan Gosling or Aaron Paul as the lead.

If you like Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys, Idiocracy and any futuristic scifi films than Soylent Green is perfect for you! I recommend you take a bite out of this film and see how you like! :)

Troll Hunter (2011)

8/10 [Highly Recommended]

Surprisingly good Norwegian film that gives creature features a new twist

Troll Hunter Plot: A group of students investigates a series of mysterious bear killings, but learns that there are much more dangerous things going on. They start to follow a mysterious hunter, learning that he is actually a troll hunter.

I was initially scared to watch this film thinking it would be horror film that is filled with cliche horror moments, dramatic music and gory images of monsters. Troll Hunter put an entirely new twist on creature horror films. I didn't, at any time during the film, cover my eyes in fear BUT I found myself holding my breath in anticipation and eyes glued to the screen. The film is shot in similar style as Cloverfield and Blare Witch Project, using a shaky hand held camera and shot in a documentary fashion.

The acting is above par by this unfamiliar cast. Every moment of tension and action was captured perfectly by this cast.

The CGI of the trolls, felt real. The shaky hand held and documentary filming fashion only helped to emphasize the realistic appeal.

Troll Hunter's story line and held true to the myth of trolls. I learned quite a bit about troll myths from this movie. Too many bad movies nowadays (movie saga that must not be named) moved so far away from the myth of the creatures (vampires) that it lost its core element. Troll Hunters brought the myths of trolls to life, such as trolls turning to stone and exploding with sunlight.

This film also dabbles now and then in a bit of humor, which really help make this film refreshing. I fairly enjoyed the final scene of the film, as the absurdity made me laugh.

Troll Hunter is a creature features aimed at documenting a myth of a monster (oxymoron, I know) and NOT just a horror film directed at scaring you. It seems almost educational in a sense.

I highly recommend this film. It is not that scary but it is uniquely thrilling. Trolling just found a whole new meaning.

Sorority Wars (2009)

4.5/10

typical teen drama, fairly simple, good film to pass the time.

Plot: Katie (Lucy Hale) and Sara (Phoebe Strole) have been friends since childhood. They enter college together, where Katie is a prized legacy candidate for the Delta sorority


When I started this film, I thought it would be another disney teen drama and that I wouldn't like it. However, when the first scene started rolling I found myself enjoying it. Seeing Katie (played by Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars) starting her first day at University, it reminded me of myself on first day of FROSH but less dramatic.

The ending of Sorority Wars is, to some extent, predictable. I figured Katie to come back on top as most heros do. However, I liked how the film made the final achievement NOT to be "the popular guy". The film veered away from the typical ugly duckling to beautiful swan scenario (like A Cinderella Story, She's All That) and went with somewhat of an opposite  story. We have the popular girl turning into the one who can't even find a chair at lunch table. She struggled through it with happy endings (of course, no surprise there).

I found the film to be too short, not giving enough time to really explore character personalities and lacked in a better look at the university school life. Also, some of the characters seem to lack in common sense, which became somewhat a pain to watch.

Lucy Hale is a good actress with a lovely singing voice. I can see her being in a lot more films, be it teen dramas, daughter of some die hard hero in blockbuster Hollywood action flick or courageous damsel in distress of some thriller/horror. Hale is just getting started.

Whatever It Takes (2000)

5.5/10

Goofy, dumb and predictable teen comedy from high school days; with an epic cast.

Plot: Ryan's dreams for catching the eye of the 'goddess of the high school hallway' has a chance of becoming true when her cousin (Chris) offers to make him a deal. All he has to do is help Chris to win the heart of his best friend, the beautiful enigmatic Maggie. This sparks off a damned cute comedy as 'boy helps boy to get girl' Via IMDB

Based on the play Cyrano de Bergerac, this film is about a guy, Ryan, liking the popular girl school, Ashley, and gets an offer from school jock, Chris, to help. Stuff happens and Ryan realizes that he is in love with his next door neighbour, Maggie. Pretty simple plot right? well that's because it is. This movie is fairly similar to 'She's All That' so if you liked that you'll like this.

The movie is fairly predictable, as you can see the ending at the beginning. The characters are divided between normal/loveable and completely mental, which gives this film its humor elements.

The only element I love about this film is the cast. Watching it again few days ago, I noticed that, besides having Shane West and James Franco, Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) is also in this film. I remember watching this movie a long time after A Walk To Remember came out, but not noticing Paul and Franco at that time.

Not my favourite teen movie but it does have three of my favourite actors in it. If you want to relive 90's and early 2000s high school teen movies days, I would add this to the list along with Bring It On, She's All that and A Walk to Remember.

Where God Left His Shoes (2007)

7.5/10 [recommended]

when it rains, it pours but a storm won't last forever

A failed boxer (Leguizamo) struggles to find a job and an apartment for his family on Christmas Eve.

What would you do if you lost your home as well as your job and needed to support a family?

Like Pursuit to Happiness, Where God Left His Shoes is aobut a down on his luck father, Frank Diaz (Leguizamo), who takes his son and goes through the city searching for a job in order to get his family an apartment. The relationship between Frank and his son is tested as the two goes through highs and lows. Through multiple scenarios and events, Frank takes his family out for Christmas eve meal, but in fear that he can't fend for his family. We see the Diaz family drifting from shelter to shelter, place to place without any luck.

The acting is fantastic. John Leguizamo and Leonor Varela are fantastic in the role of the desperate parents needing to fend for their family but completely out of luck. The kids are perfect in supporting the story. The family's frustration and desperation levels are brought to extreme but yet they stick together.

Unlike Pursuit to Happiness, we aren't given a resolving conclusion to the family. We don't know what will happen to them but we know that together, the four of them will be alright.

Beautiful film that will really make you appreciate what you have in life, because not everyone is as lucky.

Gettysburg (1993)

7/10

long, but epic battle

In 1863, the Northern and Southern forces fight at Gettysburg in the decisive battle of the American Civil War

I learned quite a bit about the American Civil War from watching this film and reading up on the events of that day. This film is fairly historically accurate (at least according to what I've read). It is fairly slow as it has much events to cover, but I also watched the director's cut so that must have been longer than normal.

Gettysburg happens in a span of three days and this film takes us through certain highlighting events during those three days. We see the bayonet charge by the 20th Maine that became one of the most fabled episodes lead by Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain. We watch as the Confederates attack the middle of the Union lines on the third day.

We see the events of the three days from the perspective of the Majors, Generals and Colonels. We aren't given any insight to the soldiers, thus it was hard to connect to the horrors of the battle field as the soldiers dropped like flies.

This war film is one of least gory one I have seen. It has many explosions/gun fires but the blood and gore was kept at bare minimum. This element, again, made the actual battle not as gruesome and horrid. Very different from Saving Private Ryan, where the gore/blood/horror of the war was made apparent to me.

Gettysburg, the film, did a very well job in trying to stay neutral, by showing both sides. The film even made connection between the Union and Confederate: same culture, same language, same myth, same history but different dreams.

If you like war films, this is one you must add to the collection. It is different from World War films in sense that there's not as much heavy artillery and explosions. It would be helpful to do some research and read up on the civil war before jumping into this film because there's a dozen of characters/events thrown at you from minute one.

Kontroll (2003)

6/10

odd film about subway life.

Plot A tale about a strange young man, Bulcsú, the fellow inspectors on his team, all without exception likeable characters, a rival ticket inspection team, and racing along the tracks... And a tale about love.

Not too sure how I feel about it. Kontroll has a wide range of quirky/funny characters and situations. Entire film shot underground in a subway system, with no day light. There is not much of a storyline, we just follow Bulcsú around as he work, played and slept in the underground system. We learn little bits about him throughout his wonderings but we never get the complete picture.

This film gives the audience an inner look at the subway system, giving a tour of what we normally do not see. The concrete walls, empty train tracks, the air vents and transfer tracks. The cinematography does a good job of creating the wonderment of this underground world.

Will take a special person to really appreciate this film.   It does not have much of a solid story line. It has action, some very dull moments, some dreamlike scenes and gore. The gore comes from the subway train running over people. Not for the weak stomach.  There are certain scenes where the situation is so ridiculous that it was actually fairly funny.

Pretty much all of your fears about riding public transit (be it bus, train...) all put together in this one film.

The Truman Show (1998)

7.5/10 [highly recommended]

Ultimate reality show. (was originally a Twilight Zone episode)

An insurance salesman/adjuster discovers his entire life is actually a TV show.

How would you like to be on TV? How would you like to have your own show? How would you like to have a big fan following? How would you like it if you had it all, but just didn't know it. This film is exactly like that.

In 1989 an episode of Twilight Zone with similar plot of a man finding out that his life is a TV show. The inspiration for The Truman Show may have its roots from this episode.

A timeless classic that I absolutely love. You can catch it on TV every once in a while. (If you haven't seen the entire film, you've missed out BIG TIME!)

My Girl (1991)

7.5/10

step back to the 90's in this sweet meaningful film.


Plot: Vada Sultenfuss is obsessed with death. Her mother is dead, and her father runs a funeral parlor. She is also in love with her English teacher

So sweet and genuine. Film full of themes and overflowing with love.

The young cast is stunning in carrying the story with such power.

Great character development and fantastic collaboration of music and playful scenes. Definitely well put together.

Definitely recommended

La môme (2007)

8/10 [highly recommended]

Stunning film all around!

La môme is the life story of singer Édith Piaf.

Our attention are gripped not only by the story but we are carried away by amazing music, brilliant make up and one amazing French actress, Marion Cotillard.


Love Me If You Dare and Inception are the first films I saw starring Marion Cotillard. With those films I was already in love with her performance. After seeing La môme, Cotillard has become one of my favourite actresses. Her performance as Edith Piaf is so stunning that, at times during the film, I forget I am watching a portrayal. Capturing the singers walk, gestures, facial expression, quirky, tone of voice and stance. Cotillard won the Oscar for Best Actress for this film, and damn did she ever deserve it!

The story is told out of sequence in a mix of flashbacks, memories and 'present' day. We follow Piaf's life in a classic fairy tale of the ugly duckling transforming to a beautiful swan. However, what most fairy tale fails to do is tell you that transformation into the beautiful swan, is not the ending of the story. As we can see in Piaf's story, her shining transformation came with a price.

Towards the end of the film, we find out a vital event that occurred early in the singer's life, which seems to finally shine some light on Piaf's later statement mind that was depicted early on in the film. A mix of songs at different stages in Piaf's life is knitted together by a non-linear storyline of her life. Throughout the film, I found myself slowly starting to piece together the story. It is as if each minute that passes, we are receiving a piece of puzzle building up to a mystery image.

The music is beautiful. It didn't matter that I didn't understand what the songs were about because music and singing had a way to sweep you away.

The second Oscar that this film won was for make up. The detail and realism that was involved in making Cotillard to look like Piaf, succeeded. The make up department was able to capture the singer in the late stages of her life looking ill, weak but still with energy to sing. It is not too difficult to make someone look old, BUT it is mighty hard to make someone look not only 1) old 2) resemble a different person 3) realistic. What really was impressive is the fact that the make up team was able to make the singer look like she's wearing make up to cover her ill stricken skin.


I highly recommend La môme! It is a work of art. Pieced together by a talented/dedicated actress, a great make up team, unique storytelling and pure beautiful music.

Shattered Glass (2003)

6/10

The sinisterly kind boy who cried wolf

The true story of a young journalist Stephen Glass who fell from grace when it was found he had fabricated over half of his articles.

This is a well done film about a man who preys on people's sympathy, gullibility and kindness. Living one lie to the next while repeating "I didn't do anything wrong". This film makes you review people's values and academic integrity. He is so focused on wanting the perfect story instead of the truth.

Hayden Christensen as Glass and Peter Sarsgaard as Lane both did a fantastic job in capturing the emotions between a new editor seeking the truth and a reporter who has lost grip on his morales. This might be my favourite performance by Christensen.

Film makes you wonder if Glass even has any real memories. If Glass didn't get caught, would he ever admit that he fabricated 21 of his 40 articles? Or would he continue down that road?


Glass should just write fiction, he seems to have a knack at it.

Run Fatboy Run (2007)

7.5/10

Run Forest-I mean Fatboy Run!

Run Fatboy Run is about Five years after jilting his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, out-of-shape Dennis decides to run a marathon to win her back.

Simon Pegg stars and David Schimmer directs. Last film I saw with the duo was in Big Nothing, which was pretty fun film to watch.

Simon, again, is fabulous as Dennis the average joe who wants to accomplish something for once in his life. I am adding this to the list of awesome Simon Pegg film collection.

Simple story made quite enjoyable with some extremely silly characters and well knitted dialogue. This film doesn't cause burst of hysterical laughter but rather is filled with subtle humor that keeps you snickering.

The funny thing is I watched this film while doing my own spin cycle on the exercise bike and what a motivation it is. After the film I wanted to go for a run, I might have to watch this film every time I feel lazy.

Lazy people who hates running be warned, this film is not for you even though it is funny, well written, and has amples of corky characters.

Run Fatboy Run review

Nine Queens (2000)

7/10

Cons after cons after cons that I don't even know what to expect.

plot: Nine Queens, Nueve reinas, is an Argentinian film about Two con artists try to swindle a stamp collector by selling him a sheet counterfeit rare stamps (the "nine queens").

[warning: spoiler] ----------

The opening sequence was a bit confusing becauseI assumed the two characters were in on it together, only to find out this is their first time meeting.

The film takes us through numerous cons, all with different approach but each resulting in the two men earning cash. These little cons revolves around a bigger scheme involving a set of stamps. With so many different cons happening in the film, I imagined there to be a bigger twist toward the end. Throughout the film I started guessing the alternative endings to Nine Queens. This isn't the first film I watched that I started making guessing the possible endings for. I predicted there to be a bigger scam overshadowing the Nine Queens, which I got correct. However, I was shocked to find out who was involved in the scam.

-----------

Starring Ricardo Darín the same actor from The Aura and The Truth In Their Eyes. Having watched three of his films almost consecutively, I have gotten a better appreciation for his acting. Darin is a very solid actor and can embody characters very well.

I would recommend people to watch The Truth in Their Eyes first and then Nine Queens; you can skip The Aura as it isn't everyone's cup of tea.

This film will make you very much aware of strangers the next time you are wondering the streets.

Daisy (2006)

6.5/10

beautifully shot, sorrowful Korean/chinese collaboration


Plot: "Daisy" is a story about the inevitable showdown between a detective and a killer who fall in love with the same woman.



Another well crafted sorrowful film starring Jung Woo-sung (from A Moment to Remember). I didn't feel much of an attachment to Gianna Jun's character Hye-young. She just seemed in pain most of the film, which wasn't a lovely quality in comparison to her character in My Sassy Girl. The connection between the three main characters was a bit out there.

Having met Jung Woo-Sung a while back. He has this very sincere and kind look about him both in real life and in films.

What I loved about the film was the beautiful scenery and mix of languages used. A large portion of the film was shot in Netherlands and the location chosen are breath taking. From the daisy filled fields to the European style buildings,

Recommended to those who enjoy action, romance, and korean drama mixed together. Not always my cup of tea as Korean romance films are a bit farfetched and aimed at jerking a tear out of you. I didn't mind this film so much for the location and cinematography but the drama wasn't too captivating.

My Sassy Girl (2001)

7/10

Sweet and silly story

Plot: Based on a series of true stories posted by Ho-sik Kim on the Internet describing his relationship with his girlfriend...

The Korean My Sassy Girl is such a silly and sweet movie. I didn't think I would like this film much but it captured my attention. It wasn't the story, that itself was simple, but it is the way the story is told and how the movie is put together. We are constantly given scenes where win our minds we jump to one conclusion but in reality it is not that case.

This film is almost like serendipity but the two seem to continuously miss each other at key moments. "There's a time and season for every matter"

Kyun-woo (Tae-hyun Cha) is hilarious as the guy lead. Talk about having bad luck and can't explain yourself. I love seeing Kyun-woo get beat up by the girl (Gianna Jun), and the completely wild dares the girl tells Kyun-woo to do. The shoe exchange, now that was awesome. The girl, her complete disregard for things at times, scares me but eventually she grows on you.

My Sassy Girl is silly, wild, hysterical and a lot of fun to watch. Though at times a bit slow paced, the humor makes up for it. Overall, a good rom-com

The Witches (1990)

7/10

Incredible special effects make up that still scares me even now.

plot: A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse. 

I remember having watched this when I was in elementary school and left pretty much sleepless that night. Well re-watching The Witches, it still gives me chills. What a timeless film in that regards.

Anjelica Huston is outstanding in her portrayal and definitely highlight of this movie.

This film does an incredible job in mixing slap-stick humor, legend of witches and terrifying looking witches together. Definitely worth watching!

Battle Los Angeles (2011)

6/10

not bad but not overly epic

Plot: A Marine Staff Sergeant who has just had his retirement approved goes back into the line of duty in order to assist a 2nd Lieutenant and his platoon as they fight to reclaim the city of Los Angeles from alien invaders.

Alien/robots are attacking and we follow a marine staff sergeant as the battle rages. Staff Sergeant's aim to get his platoon and civilians (there's 4 in total that they saved) out to safety. Sound's pretty familiar doesn't it? That's because it is. This tale has been done before, just this time they threw in aliens.

Entire film is filled with battles and standoffs, which if that's what you're hoping for in a film then this is great for you. I didn't mind the endless battles as, in all honesty, it was pretty fun to watch.

The thing I found most annoying about this film is the cliche dialogue and the propaganda to join the marine appeal. It got quite overpowered with almost slogan like dialogue that I was starting to lose focus while watching.

Aaron Eckhart played your typical Hollywood die hard hero. He did a decent job but nothing new there. I'm just glad that he isn't sticking to one type of role and branches out in all genres.

Definitely a macho man type of movie with ton of: gun fire, battles, explosions, alien robots, war and all sorts of weapons. If you like standoff gun fight explosion, this is for you

Suspect Zero (2004)

5/10

Great idea destroyed by lack of focus, poor character development,  unnecessary effects and hard to follow plot.

Honestly, I was trying to keep my attention on this film as I thought it would like Se7en. I'm a fan of Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley, but poor guys got sucked into this crappy film.

Like Se7en, Suspect Zero tries to use fillers to show the psychotic break down of the character BUT sadly this film lacked in having a focus that made it everything but epic.

Suspect Zero tries to create suspense with music and artistic shots of drawings/playgrounds/deserted locations/close ups/choppy sequences of flashbacks. This would have worked if the entire film wasn't so filled with these artistic elements and barely any story line. It was like 80% artistic fillers and 20% story.

The character development was odd. At first Fran and Tom (Eckhart) was at each other's throats about some conflict in the past and Fran showing lack of patience with Tom. Then for whatever reason, after Tom gets crazy over the case, the two reconnects in this overdramatic scene. I couldn't connect with this scene because there was no transition between the two characters' relationship with one another. Also the connection between Tom, O'Ryan and the mystery truck drive was confusing. Then again, people would say you could just imagine the gaps, but this film seems to rely on audience imagining most of the gaps.

Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingley were good, held up the movie despite the flaws.

Average.

El Aura (2005)

6/10

Nicely shot but dragging.

Plot: A deluded taxidermist plans the perfect crime.

El Aura is like a slow moving train. You stand at the station watching the clouds, the trees, the birds and the people. In the distance you can see the train but it never seems to come.

The movie is just like that. There's built up anticipation but the story ever so slowly makes its way. As the story moves I began to see it was not at all how I had initially thought it would be. The entire idea of the main character planning a crime was more just him having a good memory. The crime fell into his lap accidentally and he decided to follow it. Not so thrilling.

The dog is the most interesting part because, like the main character, we never find out his name.

The colour treatment made the film very cold, which matched the main character very well. The film frees gory and gruesome but in reality you don't actually see much of it. Rather we are shown imageries and hints towards the idea that certain events happened.

Overall, a slow slow slow film with a very interesting look at a man who is left with his own memory.

Divided We Fall (2000)

8.5/10 [highly recommended!]

A fantastic film that makes you think

Plot: In Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia, a childless couple agree to hide a Jewish friend at great personal risk of discovery and execution.


Divided We Fall is truly amazing. It examines human behaviour in the most abnormal situations, analyzes morals in tough situations and questions shades of grey. This film brings out people's most heroic as well as our most pathetic side.

During the course of this film you'll find yourself biting your nails in in suspense, shaking by nerves and keeling over in laughter. Bolek Polívka is superb in his portrayal of Josef Cízek, the childless husband who is torn between protecting his family, battling his morals and trying to stay sane during World War II. During the most intense scenes, where the audience's adrenaline is racing, Polívka is able to smooth over the situation with his silly facial expression and Chaplin like gestures. So many moments in the film I was actually laughing out loud. Anna Sisková and Jaroslav Dusek all deserve praise for their great acting in making this an intense yet hilarious film.

Spoiler Alert:

What makes Divided We Fall stand out from the many other films is that it doesn't try to create one die-hard-tough-fighting super-hero and uses humor in very sophiciated manner.This film is centred around characters who continuously had second thoughts about his/her actions but kept trying to do the right thing. What I love at the end of the film is we see how much each character needed the other. David Wiener, a jewish friend of Josef Cízek, desperately relied on Josef during the war. Josef, who was tormented by the danger of hiding David, found himself in several situations where he desperately needed David.

Max Manus: Man of War (2008)

7/10

Solid cast, great set decoration but slow paced story

Plot: The true story about one of the most brilliant saboteurs during World War II and his battle to overcome his inner demons.

A decent film that captures the life of Max Manus during world war II.

However, I felt something was missing in this film to push it into the catagory of epic/classic but can't put my finger on what. Max Manus: Man of War had the action, great set decoration and amazing characters but it feels like it lacked in the intensity that other world war II films carried. The ease Max and his gang went through check points didn't leave me in cold sweat and panicked. I remember watching Uprising (the TV movie) and after certain scenes I was left shaken. A different type of feeling was created when I was viewing this film. I felt I was just on the sideline watching in on Max's life where I connected with a few characters but spectator for the rest.

This being one of the first Norwegian film I viewed, it has left an impression on me. It was well filmed with great camera angles, nice colour treatment in editing, realistic special effects, bloody amazing set decoration and solid casting. A bit more focus on the other characters' (like Gregers, Kolbein, Gunnar) lives in relation to Max and the saboteurs would have helped the audience to feel attached the the movie. It would have benefitted knowing just a bit more about the other characters to really feel the loss Max felt.

Overall a well made film that is worth viewing but not overly epic.

Though, not going to lie, I have grown rather fond of the supporting character Gregers and wouldn't mind seeing more of the actor  Nicolai Cleve Broch in films.

The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)

8/10 [highly recommended]

astounding storytelling and so gripping that you can't peel yourself away.

Plot: A retired legal counselor writes a novel hoping to find closure for one of his past unresolved homicide cases and for his unreciprocated love with his superior - both of which still haunt him decades later.

A masterpiece of a film intertwinning the present and past together to tell the story of a legal counselor Esposito and his struggle of a past case. This does a absolute amazing job of using flashbacks and character development taking use through the story. This film goes back and forth between the case and Esposito's present life, almost allowing the audience to see his life backwards.

It's a thriller that makes your hair stand at the very end of the film. The entire film is one big chase scene that does not need car crashes, gun shootouts or wild fights to be amazing.

The beginning was very well shot and editted together using blurriness of a scene to convey the idea of a memory. This in contrast to the very sharp image of the present really emphasizes the memory element of this film.

This amazing film is very very graphic with nudity, course language and some gore. I would forewarn audiences with

Run Lola Run (1998)

7.5/10 [highly recommended]

Fast pace, enticing and great storyline

Plot: A young woman in Germany has twenty minutes to find and bring 100,000 Deutschmarks to her boyfriend before he robs a supermarket.

This German thriller is well made to incorporate both cartoon, action sequences and well oriented music. This film uses one simple event to demonstrate its effect on the lives of people who come into contact with it. Run Lola Run takes the one event and fine combs it to allow the imperfection to come out.

The use of of cinematography and cartoon appeal is absolutely wonderful in this film. It not only engages you but it also allows us to be in the mindset of the main character as she frankly attempts to stop her boyfriend from robbing a supermarket. Without giving too much away, everytime she comes into contact with a stranger we see this stranger's life flash before us in a series of photographs. This is a great effect in giving us a quick glance into the lives of others.

Wonderful film that is fast paced and really uses music well to help accompany this film. Love it and I highly recommended!