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Eirikurr
Reviews
Mýrin (2006)
Well Done Indeed
I went to the premiere of Mýrin (Jar City) last night, the much awaited movie based on the novel by Arnaldur Indriðason. Having read the book, a lot of effort went into analyzing how it played out on the screen. And on that front, there are no complaints. I thought that the feeling of the novel shone throughout the film and the necessary plot changes were clever and executed perfectly.
A friend of mine who also went to the premiere, without first reading the novel, was also impressed and found it compelling and exciting.
The actors delivered their role nicely, especially Ingvar Örn Sigurðsson and the comedy relief Björn Hlynur Haraldsson. Gone is the annoying habit of acting as if you were on stage when on screen, that has troubled Icelandic filmmakers in the past.
The music is brilliant, both Mugison's theme music as well as the powerful opening and closing scenes with the Reykjavík Police Choir.
Having had high expectations for this film I'm very impressed. 9 out of 10. Keep up the good work, Baltasar Kormákur, there are many more novels by Arnaldur that would fit the silver screen.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
A wait worth the while!
*POSSIBLE SPOILERS* Yesterday evening I finally saw the first part of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and if it were not for the other two movies left of the epic there would be no need to see another movie, ever!
As an avid Tolkien fan I have been waiting with much anticipation to see this film. As early as 1995 I and my friends were discussing the possible casting of the movies, and I must say that Peter Jackson far succeeded my expectations for the actors and actresses. Especially I would like to comment on the part of Frodo Baggins, played wonderfully, and believably by Elijah Wood.
At first when I heard about the casting of Wood, doubt crept in and I thought for some time that Jackson might not pull off the masterpiece that this movie should be. But I was amazed by Wood's performance, and I must say that he has matured and grown as an actor (anyone seen Flipper?).
The foreseen necesary changes to the original story are very carefully written and during some parts of the movie I think they actually make the story more believable than the original. Notable scenes where this is evident might include the entrance to the Mines of Moria and the imprisonment of Gandalf. I also liked how Mr. Jackson handled the epic of how the One Ring came into the hands of Bilbo Baggins. Only one major scene from the book I must say is missing in the film, and that is the gifts that Lady Galadriel gives to each member of the Fellowship. But after leaving the theater I heard a rumor that that would be dealt with more closely in the second movie, to create the friendship between Legolas and Gimli.
Everything about this movie is otherwise perfect, especially for someone like me who has gone deep into Tolkien legends. The conceptual designs of Alan Lee and John Howe are perfect and if not like I imagened, then better.
It is necesary to view the film from the point of someone that has no knowledge of Tolkien or Middle-Earth, and several people that I spoke with at the preview yesterday were utterly flabbergasted and I believe that many of them will see the inside of a bookstore today.
All in all, a fantastic film, it has already kicked Godfather to second place for me, let's hope that it does the same for imdb.com.