AdGuzman00 Reviews

Werckmeister Harmonies (2000)

Amazing composition, you have to experience it to make it your own

[8/10 · 18 December 2017]

Loved the initial take, I loved Jànos definition of immortality, however I somehow deceived myself into thinking that was the kind of 'ride' Tarr was taking us which he never does, he's true to himself and avoids formula, avoids giving the audience what we think is appropriate and in doing so he manages to create an honest, truthful and refreshing cinema.

I'm not going to say I understood Werckmeister Harmonies, but there were ideas behind it such as how easy is to disrupt the quietness in life or of a culture/community in the presence of 'bright' new notions, views or acts.

However, after watching some interviews from Mr Béla Tarr I have the sense that 'making a statement' out of his stories is never his purpose, perhaps he's just trying to portrait life as he perceives, and being not only factual but also sincere in how narrative tends to display in real life.

I'm sure I will be trying to watch Werckmeister Harmonies for a third time, trying to catch more details, trying to pin things out even when Béla has already said that's not his idea of cinema...

The only "flaw" I could think of is that in catching moments on camera, and getting the audience (me) immerse in the story was a task better achieved in Sátántangó, it was easier for me to enjoy and lose myself in the moments captured in Sátántangó than in Werkmeister.

The Seashell and the Clergyman (1928)

It kinda give me the creeps that we keep talking about Un Chien Andalou when this film was released earlier

[10/10 · 18 December 2017]

Stumbled upon this on Wikipedia:

quote: The British Board of Film Censors famously reported that the film was "so cryptic as to be almost meaningless. If there is a meaning, it is doubtless objectionable"

I wonder if the fact that this was the work of a female director influenced people of that time to dismiss the importance of this particular piece.

Just with a little research we can find Dulac's political views about gender, thus for me is quite clear the intention behind this film, and perhaps we can have second guesses about the symbols used in it, but her questioning the church, the state and male sexuality and the positioning of women at that time was groundbreaking. Which is sad, because if not but that huge dismissal, this could be catalogued easily as the very first surrealist film of all times, BEFORE Buñuel-Dalí's 'A Chien Andalou' and don't get me wrong I enjoyed it, but even Buñuel stated that he didn't put any meaning behind it, it was just a dream put into film so why the double standard?

Loved the ideas behind The Seashell and the Clergyman, it was great to bump into this film, for it was an amusing discovery!

Marianne & Juliane (1981)

Cannot find better drama intertwined with the political as fine as this!

[10/10 · 18 December 2017]

Politics at the core of this intense and emotional depiction of fraternal love, support and the search for 'the' truth...

And sometimes dismantling the intricate apparatus of power is of not use, perhaps a depressing view but an accurate one, as Marianne's dubious dead hints.

Apart from the dark glimpse on systems of power in modern society that the film shows, it was such a delight to enjoy the astonishing performances of these two women, the casting of their younger selves (as teenagers and little girls) was spot on. I could relate better with Juliane's approach to women's right conviction, but something tells me that perhaps to achieve greater advances Marianne's fire for the cause is what is needed at times. For me, Marianne's conviction as an adult, and cheeky behavior as a young woman was enticing and contagious, but Juliane's gentle soul was lovely and engaging, the cause for her is built from woman to woman, with sorority at the center, supporting each other, establishing strong bonds, and for that same reason I think her role is even a little more hopeful.

The Player (1992)

Witty

[8/10 · 18 December 2017]

That was soooo meta! It was funny, sardonic, and extremely clever! Best ending possible for the story.

Pretty well written, omg I'm kinda feeling guilty in not including my bf in the screening of this one, perhaps I'll see The Player all over again with him.

I enjoyed the cameos so much, Jack Lemon, Peter Falk, Malcom McDowell, and the posters, I loved the inclusion of those posters!

I Am Cuba (1964)

We need more of this

[9/10 · 18 December 2017]

Can a propaganda film result in a work of art? Yes, it can, you just have to call the best at it, Mikhail Kalatozov managed to put the communist cause to the center, making it look inviting. The four stories he presents us invite us to feel the tragic ways of capitalism, the pain of corruption, and the abuse of power. That continues today more than ever, only that it is destroying us in a more subtle way.

Dazzling camera work as well.

The New World (2005)

Kilcher excelled

[8/10 · 18 December 2017]

Definitely an experience, I was reluctant to watch this film because of all of the backlash even knowing that I have a soft spot for Malick's pieces, however I loved its pacing, the daring decisions he usually takes storywise, the bold camera work. And in that, The New World proved to be no different than his other works.

For me, the first part of the story was shot in the best way posible, allowing us as audience to feel immerse in every shot, the camera work manages to let us feel included in the characters' points of view. Lubezki showed us the level of craftsmanship he has in himself. Q'orianka Kilcher achieved an engaging and powerful portrayal, now I cannot imagine this film without her. Lastly, the use of music was exquisite as well.

Basically, the only issue I have is not with the film itself, but with the source material, I cannot trust the conquistadores' point of view to be accurate and as tender in real life, but we'll never know, but for me is just common sense, colonialism was never respectful, nor gentle, nor even thoughtful in its approach.

Dil Chahta Hai (2001)

Not for me

[5/10 · 18 December 2017]

Addressing the fact that it should not take 3 hours to tell that story, some time ago I read that Hindi movies were so long because moviegoers in India wouldn't go unless they felt that the value of their money was reflected in the final runtime of the film, I don't know if that's entirely true but surely I'd prefer to watch a film focused more in content that in runtime.

The scene in the nightclub with the dancing was great, it was like watching a fancy music video, great dance moves, it was fun to watch. But my favorite was the scene were Sid is painting Tara.

The acting is over the top for my taste, and I feel off in stating that the notions of stereotypical romance depicted in the film are outdated and sexist, but hey the whole industry in the world is just like it in terms of romantic comedies, right?

It had a few good moments, I liked the relationship between Sid and Tara, they could definitely make a statement out of that plot but they chose to go safe on that.

Black God, White Devil (1964)

How I finally understood why Brazilian Cinema is amazing in incorporating the political into art!

[9/10 · 18 December 2017]

I kept thinking about Black God, White Devil but I couldn't gathered the right thoughts on it at first. For me discovering this film makes clearer the way Brazilian Cinema has become one of the most prolific and true to its own context cinemas in the world. I really believe that once an art manages to emancipate from the chains of the mainstream culture begins an honest art-form that is difficult to evade.

I must admit that I had to pause the film in order to get some of the terms used trying to get the most from it. I had issues with the ample of the religious themes, but being from México another country in Latin America that has its history re-written in clerical ink gives me the notion the manner in which catholicism has permeated the Latin American countries' culture, and how was set to control the mind and acts! of the oppressed.

The very first shots are overwhelming, we're being forced to grasp the world of the common folk, the amount of work to produce food for a day. To truly know these people's town through their quests, to learn about their struggle with corruption, fake prophets and their search for purpose, or simply a different life.

The narrative is quite beautiful put, like a modest parable presents the story of Manoel who after killing his dishonest boss leave his home with Rosa, in his search for peace and justice stumbles upon with two different forces, the first from the "realm of god", a leader who promises a land full of everything the sertão is lacking, but the cost to it includes acts of utter violence; the second one offering to fight the system but with no honor, both asking for blind obedience and servitude. In the middle is Rosa, the voice of reason that we rarely give the credit deserved. The arc of Manoel and Rosa ends just how it began with they leaving behind everything they know, everything we came to know, with nothing but uncertainty about their future. Perhaps that's the commentary Rocha is offering us, that in a putrid system it is no good to trust rigid and tyrannical figures, and sometimes that in which we attribute power is leaving us empty.

For me the cinematography felt as a part of the narrative, the overexposed takes are fascinating, the contrast between black and whites makes you feel the rawness of that arid space the characters are into.

Perhaps is not a film for everybody not because the author made the effort to distance its oeuvre for a 'type of moviegoers' conceivably it has more to do with how we're used to learn only about our own struggles without reaching beyond the familiar, if you choose to ignore the history of other countries and detach yourself from their struggle surely you'll find this film 'boring', I think is time to learn about each other and be sensible about it.