IviDvo

I liked just about every scene, except for the one with the alien, which is probably a bit of a bummer for a film with “Alien" in the tile. Visually everything works beautifully, great cinematography, great sets, even the visual effects are great. The big Alien was cool, but the white hybrids were unnecessary, though I guess I understand they were trying to come up with something new. It could have been a great film, but unfortunately there are too many "oh noooo" moments where I almost rolled my eyes (the main prize here goes to the "birth"). But it wasn't as bad as Prometheus, so I'm giving it one more star. The actors were excellent, although I was a bit surprised by the choice of the duo "The Prince and the Pauper", but that's not a complaint, on the contrary, I can't fault the actors, but I would love to ask Scott if he is really happy with his "work".

In my experience, Michael Shannon is usually a guarantee of quality, but not quite this time. I haven't come across such naive, illogical and unlikely characters in a film for a long time. Yes, human psychology is complex and often illogical, but usually I can empathise with the characters and understand them, but here I didn't quite succeed.

Those who have read the book will likely be very disappointed. The search for a (non)treasure feels too simple. The book is, of course, more extensive in terms of discovering hidden ciphers and explaining their nature. It also goes much deeper in the portrayal of the characters – the fact that Langdon is rescued by a doctor who happens to have similar knowledge to him and immediately figures out everything as he does is very cheesy. The deciphering of the codes is too fast and overall it seems almost secondary, but this should be the main essence of the film, it's probably what the audience enjoys the most. Here you have no choice but to nod and say “okay, if you say so”. On the other hand, I understand that not everything can fit in a film. As an action movie it's not bad, but for one completely unnecessary extra romantic line and the ending, I'm going down one star.

The only film at Cannes that I really suffered through and wondered how it was possible that something like this could be screened at the world's most prestigious film festival. I admit that I went to the film without knowing what it was about and the beginning was not bad at all, on the contrary it looked very promising, with heavy fog on a bridge and a mass; I was looking forward to what was to come. I would have gladly taken the Korean version of The Mist, but  then there were those loaded killer dogs and my chin dropped in great WTF amazement, which I mean in the most derogatory way possible. Terrible rubbish! [Festival de Cannes 2023]

I understand what the film is trying to say, but unfortunately it didn’t work on me. From Léa Seydoux's performance (I didn't believe a word she said, a single look, her misery) to the protracted pace of the film, I was terribly bored and suffered a lot. And the fact that I found every character extremely unlikeable certainly didn’t help. I always praise French cinema, but this one, unfortunately, I can neither praise nor recommend.

I can’t understand how this film has a higher rating than the first one – though I expect it to significantly fall with time. I like the first one a lot, it’s quirky, funny, nice. This sequel, on the other hand, borders on the peak of cringe perhaps every five minutes. It's true that I like Lily James, and I think she did a good job with the goofiness of her older self as portrayed by Meryl Streep, but overall it just didn't work for me at all. In the first one the whole Meryl and 3 men – 3 possible fathers – plot was very funny, but left room for imagination, here it took a definite form and I just didn't like it. I give 1 star for Lily, for the scene when the visitors arrive at sea and last but not least (how to describe it without spoilers): the final scene in the church... otherwise really quite an ordeal.

The title should be 117 minutes of boredom. The only thing worth looking at is Dornan's body, and even that doesn't save the film. I would like to see Dakota Johnson in a deeper role, I enjoy her acting, it's so casual and natural. I don’t mind watching something undemanding every now and again, but this was about nothing. The first episode was a star more entertaining...

Don't expect more from this film than a few nice visual effects, a couple of imaginative fight scenes, and a funny "Oberyn" – Pedro Pascal. In this day and age of advanced film visual technology and graphics, it bothers me when the effects are too computerized and cheap; after all, things can be better. And those dialogues? My god! And what the hell are Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe doing there? I laughed quite a bit at this film, which is definitely not a compliment...

Films set in schools are some of my favourites, so I was looking forward to seeing Half Nelson. Unfortunately, though, I was very disappointed. The story itself is nothing special and therefore I would have expected at least a better portrayal of the characters, but I couldn't grasp their thoughts or emotions and I was unable to empathise with the protagonists. Even Gosling, whose performance is superb as always, didn’t win me over. There was no emotion coming out of this film and therefore I didn't feel anything either, except a lot of boredom. The only good thing I found is the point of view. Films like The class, Freedom Writers, Dangerous Minds, Detachment, point to systemic problems, problems of discipline, racism, failed integration, whether in the classroom or in society, and they also point to the plight of teachers who face daily disinterest and apathy on the part of their students, and sooner or later question whether their mission is worthwhile. Half Nelson is different, discipline is not the problem, the students are not the problem, the teacher is the problem. He tries to protect his student from the world of drugs, even though he himself is on a runaway train. That's not a bad theme at all, but in my opinion it was not very well handled.

Normally, I don’t review Czech productions, but I promised this to a friend. I honestly haven't seen anything so terribly pathetic and embarrassing in a long time. It’s one disgusting cliché after another. It seems that it doesn't matter if women are capable, self-sufficient and successful at work, as soon as a man with a capital M appears in our lives, we fall in love after only 20 minutes spent together, and mysteriously become helpless and miserable cows. We don't take being dumped well, so we devise an ingenious revenge plan: we go to the hairdresser to look even better than before and let him know we can live without him, and what happens? He realises we're the one, we love each other so much after 3 dates? WTF? And I’d rather not say anything about the friends. I may sleep with my best friend's boyfriend, but she will basically forgives me after a slap and one drink and is still happy to go to my wedding. This film is neither romantic nor funny, I mean I laughed, or rather I chuckled at how utterly stupid and rubbish it is. The cast? I understand actors have to pay the bills, but my God! If it was at least some kind of satire, but it's meant to be serious, and that makes me really upset.