Stanislaus

A spectacular documentary with a plethora of evocative scenes that, together with Eric Serra's fantastic score, create an exquisite audiovisual experience. On the one hand, the film is an ordinary animal documentary, while on the other hand it is a magical symphony accompanied by unique images. The most impressive scenes for me were the ones with the manta rays and the whale sharks.

At first glance it is an overly long film, but while watching it you realize that everything is in its place and all the scenes are important for the general impression. The Big Blue is a visually captivating film with a wonderful score by Eric Serra and great and convincing performances by the central trio. The actors were able to relate very well to their roles - the downtrodden, slowly sinking into the depths and increasingly absent in spirit Jean-Marc Barr as Jacques; the fortune-seeking, likeable and constantly compromising Rosanna Arquette as Joan; and not least the obstacle-seeking and conquering, family-oriented and charismatic Jean Reno as Enzo. The magical depths hold myriad secrets and it's only a question of why Jacques was so attracted to it. The most powerful moment was Enzo's last attempt to descend into the deep and the final (ambiguous) scene. A quality film that, despite its running time, I found very interesting, entertaining and moving.

Modern Times reflects the unfortunate social problems of the time, tempered with a humorous touch and many witty gags and skits performed by the legendary Charlie Chaplin. Ultimately, Modern Times isn't as funny as The Circus, but I still laughed a lot - especially in the scene with the testing of the "feeding machine" in the factory. In short, a film where the joke lies in different parts than in today's comedies, but still manages to entertain.

Of the three Czech/Czechoslovak winners of the prestigious Oscar so far, I think The Shop on Main Street is the film that deserves the golden statue the most. The initially slow story with a few humorous moments turns into a psychological drama with an inevitable ending. The film realistically depicts the atmosphere during the Second World War in one Slovak village. The natural and convincing acting of Jozef Kroner and Ida Kaminska adds to the film's quality. Of course, the most impressive sequence is the last scenes with the deportation of the Jews and the sad ending, which suddenly turns into a conclusion full of optimism, hope and redemption (I don't want to spoil it). In short, a very nice, authentic and well acted film that made me laugh, touched and amazed me - and that says it all.

Tim Burton's best film according to a good number of users, critics and reviews here - for me, the top spot still remains the phenomenal Big Fish and Sleepy Hollow, even after watching Ed Wood. I'd seen Plan 9 before this biopic, so I kind of knew what a peculiar character I'd be dealing with. Ed Wood was a film buff. He wanted to create, write, direct and even act in films. But even the greatest enthusiasm couldn't disguise the fact that his films lacked virtually all the aspects that simply belong in a good film. Involving an aging, almost burnt-out and drug-addicted star in the form of Bela Lugosi did nothing to help Wood's reputation. The black and white cinematography was used effectively, and I don't even want to imagine what it would have looked like in classic colors. All the actors are overshadowed by the great Martin Landau, whose Oscar rightfully belongs to him - he portrayed the disgraced Lugosi standing over his own grave very convincingly and commanding respect. As for Johnny Depp, I sometimes wondered if he was joking or if he was really playing (and not "acting") Wood - at times I had enough of his stupid expressions and smile. All in all, this is a quality and above-average film that brings you closer to the worst director of all time, both from a personal and professional perspective. A nice tribute to one of the most bizarre filmmakers who earned his place in history just by being incompetent.

I was very interested in The New Normal as a series after the first couple of episodes, but it lost its breath at times during the first season, with overly blatantly educational and sentimental (in a bad way) scenes coming to the surface, but the the season finale was good, so I'm looking forward to the next one. The most distinctive and actually the funniest characters are Jane and Rocky Rhoades. Ellen Barkin won me over a lot with her acting and I'm used to NeNe Leakes from Glee, where I also enjoyed her a lot. A lot of the jokes do come to naught due to a different culture, but I still duly enjoyed the many heated discussions and verbal shootouts. Probably the least likable character for me is Clay, who talks even worse than a small child, and besides that sometimes Shania, who at times could use a little grounding. Otherwise, as for the central couple and their surrogate mother, it can be said that they don't offend, but they're not particularly distinctive. A pleasant diversion with a likeable running time, it's got its issues, but still entertains a lot.

Why did I watch this film? Because of Kate Winslet! And why didn't I turn it off after the first story she appeared in? I thought maybe I'd get a few more laughs! Still, if it weren't for the uncharacteristically morbid tampon commercial and the relatively funny (but also silly) "never mind - never mind" I might not have laughed. The rest of the film is disgusting, forced, perverse, pointless, lacking in sense and making you want to open your own veins. The frame story didn't work at all, and the last story with the animated Beezel is something I could have done without (I'm tolerant, but too much is too much). On the surface (at least according to the trailer), this is a bold project with a plethora of familiar faces (while wondering how some could have got involved after reading the script), but it's mired in a dull and obtuse execution dominated by a very stupid premise and script.

500 Days of Summer is a sweet romantic dramedy with a likable cast in the lead roles and an unconventionally portrayed relationship between two people who meet by chance. Aside from the narrative style, which was purposefully non-linear, I liked the uncharacteristic ending, which gives a run for its money to the vast majority of overseas films of a similar genre. In short, a film suitable for brightening up a day in which love, fatality, disappointment and hope collide.

Aaron lives his stereotypical life as an Orthodox Jew and feels dead inside, but all that changes with the arrival of Ezri. Aaron's life takes a breath and he finds himself in a dream. But there always comes a day when everyone must wake up. An engaging film with a likeable lead cast that draws on a fairly unorthodox premise. How one can face something that doesn't really exist (or shouldn't exist). In short, a nice surprise from Israel in the form of a romantic drama in which love, religion, faith and beliefs collide.

A romantic-dramatic comedy about a love that was not favoured by the social climate of the time and many other circumstances. The Trip is a film that purposefully mixes comic and relaxed scenes with tense and tragic ones, while the love story finds its place. Even though it's more of a modest and (in appearance) TV movie, it still got me. I'm sure it could have done with a little more in certain places, but I was still satisfied in the end. In short, a film about an unconventional look at one couple in love, influenced by contemporary events across a decade.