allan-57 Reviews

Days Like This (2001)

Not so interesting about nothing.

[1/10 · 14 November 2001]

Where a danish film as "Italian for beginners" makes small people and their lives interesting "Leva Livet" (Live life) does not. We do not know why we follow these characters or what their motivation/ goal is. We are thrown from one couple to the next. The end is an awful steal from "The Usual Suspects" but without the impact. It actually took me 10 min after leaving the cinema before I even understood what the director had attempted to do. The main character who is an old fat vacuum cleaner salesman is the only character that I liked.

Independence Day (1996)

2001-09-11 America under attack!!!

[11 September 2001]

Are the aliens attacking today? Pentagon and the World trade center are down! Who is behind this?

A truly sad day today...

All my sympathy with all of the Americans and other nationalities who had to die for what reason?

What is this the start of? ...

The Garage (1975)

An interesting drama that still works.

[7/10 · 15 May 2001]

This is the story of Anders and Pia Hiorth who are in a marriage in decline. So badly that she is trying to commit suicide. This comes as a shock to Anders who didn't see this desperate attempt coming. He is working at the local high school, spending a lot of time with his best friend and boss Ulf , the headmaster. A man strong in will and a leader in the community. Anders in stricken with feelings of guilt as he has taken an interest in a student who dropped out of school. But not sexually or at least he doesn't think so. But who is doing whom?

As a kid this is what I always imagined was going on inside the teacher's lounge. Drinking and people sleeping with each other. I even drew pictures of this at the roliga timman "The funny hour" to my teachers contempt. In any case, I think this film survives the passage of time well. It's fun to see the clothes and wallpapers and such from -75. Some of the acting is a bit theatrical especially that of Pia's character by actress Agneta Ekmanner. The film has a few explicit sexual scenes that were very daring at it's time. A funny note is the scene in which a couple have sex in the forest and there's a stand in when the guy takes off his pants with a HUGE hard on. The stand in was a well known porn actor of that time. A lot of the female cast is naked as well. The director Vilgot Sjöman (Seaman) was supposed to be at the private screening I attended but unfortunately he didn't show up. Vilgot created quite an international stir with his film "I Am Curious (yellow)" in 1967. So is been somewhat of a scandal maker. The film stands up to international comparing of that time. The actors and actresses aren't as beautiful as in a French film. The naturalistic point of view is very poignant except for the big horse cock, that is. Reminded me of Pasolini's 120 days of sodom, in size that is... Sorry about all the cheap talk. The film is quite good in any case.

Drifting Clouds (1996)

This film is about survival and loss of selfrespect and the struggle to regain it. I find it very warm and positive. An exploration into the mind of northern Europe and the old values.

[9/10 · 9 May 2001]

This colorful film from Finland's great director Aki Kaurismäki is a warm and passionate (note that passionate isn't the same in Finland as in Spain)story of two working class heroes, Illona and Lauri, with their dog and square life. They are content with their existence and are investing in new furniture and a big television set, all on a payment plan. Work is hard and they don't get much time for each other, but they have pride. Then both of them loose their jobs and their self respect with that. They're proud people and will not go on well fare. There's a economic crisis in the country and jobs are hard to find. They have to take really crummy jobs to survive but are cheated and also Lauri discovers his health isn't what it used to be. They have a few deep looks into the depth of the bottle and any signs of ever getting back are slim. Then Illona, motivated by an ex fellow worker gets a plan... This film is about survival and loss of self respect and the struggle to regain it. I find it very warm and positive. An exploration into the mind of northern Europe and the old values. A good worker needs no help, he stands tall on his own. Also the tango music in the film is wonderful in it's bittersweetness. It's a story of change, when the old reality has to be updated and the pain that can cause.

Jamón, Jamón (1992)

Weird beautiful remedy for the bored or lonely.

[9/10 · 26 February 2001]

This is a very entertaining film. Bigas Luna (director) loves life and all it's weirdness and beauty, which is rather evident in this wonderful film. Definitely a cure for boredom or sadness. The plot turns gets crazier as the film unfolds. Nothing is too much in this imaginative film. A must for all lovers of black comedy. Do also check out Mr Lunas "Teta y la luna, La (1994).