dudesweethej Reviews

Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000)

Not... bad... I guess?

[7/10 · 20 February 2012]

Well, not bad... But kinda, uhm... well, I mean, what's the hype? Anyway, it's a veeery casual show, nothing unexpected will pop up. The characters are archetypal and one-dimensional. The "nice girl wanting to be cool", the "bad girl with bad parents", that kind of stereotypical. The theme is, apparently, the life of 80's youth cliques, the "geeks" who are smart, nerdy and unpopular (seriously, in which world is this NOT a cliché?), and the "freaks" who are... well... stupid, irresponsible and very much not likable at all, and apparently, our "sweet girl" can't get enough of 'em, even though most of them treat her and the people around her like crap. The different motives from episode to episode can be the suches as drinking, Halloween(?), and going to parties... wooptie freakin' doo... nothing we haven't had explained a couple of times before... And most of which are portrayed through practically one angle only... And it's when the show hits me with clichés like the teacher teaching sexual matters, while the students laugh at every term he uses, which is NOT only a cliché, but also simply stupid (unless American high school students seriously are that lame? I doubt it) which annoys me. It is enjoyable, though, at times to be able to kick back with something completely casual and predictable, but in that case, i think I'd prefer an old fashioned sit-com anyway... Obviously, some people enjoy this a lot, and while i don't get it, i guess it's fine... As said, it's not bad... It's just elevator television, really...

Dogville (2003)

A piece of art

[10/10 · 6 August 2011]

Lars Von Trier has a tendency of showing critics at their most embarrassing. His films retrieve mixed opinions, shamed by some, adored by few. This says more about critics than the quality of Von Trier's works, because what film critics apparently don't understand is that Von Trier's films must be seen as works of art, more so than classic storytelling. Dogville tells a fascinating (and terrifying) plot, centred on the ancient Greek philosophical question: "Is man capable of being good?" To illustrate and investigate this banal, skinless question, Von Trier creates a banal, skinless scene. No walls to fog the people of the landscape, only what's relevant is shown: The people. Throughout it's 178 minutes playtime, Dogville takes the viewer through disappointments, agony, greed and grief, only to erupt in the most beautifully satisfying ending a movie has ever shown. I'm not implying that that "other films" aren't art. I'm not implying that all critics are incompetent. I'm encouraging sceptics of Von Trier, and this film in particular, to try and watch this as art with a shining moral, more so than just a story. There are a couple of contenders, but i wouldn't feel bad calling this the best film i've ever seen. Now, this is of course the tip of subjective but if anyone denied the films genius, i wouldn't hesitate calling them ignorant. Anyone may dislike it, but denying its genius is ignorant. asked me to suggest a film, whether good, great or astonishing, i would probably pick this one.

In short, hopefully you'll enjoy this film. Even if not, at least it may spawn some debate in the living room...

Forrest Gump (1994)

A brilliant and well-made picture

[10/10 · 5 October 2010]

***Spoiler Alert*** Forrest Gump is one of the most impactive, respected and popular films of the 90's. Widely considered one of the best films o all time, and while this is very subjective, the depth of this film in itself should be enough to at least make people accept its brilliance. In case you don't know, Forrest Gump is in fact a symbol of America. The story follows the main character, who, while not being the sharpest nor most intelligent main character alive, still manages to somehow just do the right things, attain success, and always make the best of others... Don't get too excited now though, cause while we have the naive, well-meaning Forrest, for whom life isn't too serious, we've also get Jenny, who ends up as the opposite. A symbol of everything rotten within America. Don't get it wrong, she's not an antagonist, actually it's just the sad irony, that Forrest, who attains everything by luck and good intentions, Jenny, who has all the ordinary traits and possibilities which Forrest do not have, simply picks all the wrong choices. So much for the American Dream... While these two characters respectively journeys through the best and worst periods of the country, there's always a somewhat romantic relationship between the two, which of course has to result in a child. Forrest Gump deserves just as much attention as it got. Everything form acting to directing to filming is perfect, and while one could keep up the endless discussion bout which of it and Pulp Fiction deserved the Best Film Award, the outcome shouldn't bother too many... Incredibly intelligent and exciting film...

Dorian Gray (2009)

Great story... Frankly didn't work well on film...

[2/10 · 22 August 2010]

This is Oscar Wylde's classic story about Dorian Gray, who sells his soul in exchange of eternal beauty. A great story, greatly written and with good terms of interpretation, with its roots in themes such as narcissism. Somewhy it just doesn't work. There might be different reasons for that. So let's sum up. First and for all, there seems to be no drive... The film just doesn't catch very much, and the story quickly stop evolving. Secondly, the direction is somewhat poor. Too many clichés. Perhaps the main problem simply lies in the fact that this story wasn't ever meant to be filmed. It's a very metaphorical story, and it's supposed to be interpreted, and the director of this film does little to nothing to show this, and therefore loses the... direction... of the story. Not made better by the fact that about half an hour of the film could've been thrown out... In the last 30 minutes we're just waiting to get to see the portrait anyway... Overall, this film is just objectively poor... 4 stars feels like stretching it, but it wasn't like one of the worst movies i've ever seen... Even with the poor direction, and somewhat poor acting performance by the main character (outweighted by Firth's great performance though), i guess i'll say "nice try, just wasn't meant to happen"...