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Reviews
Oyun (2005)
As much as it can get close to real life...
I adored 'Oyun'. This movie is about the daily lives of women peasants and their goal to stage a play with the director of the village school. Among the things they have to do in the routine of their daily lives, they create time for the rehearsals and commit themselves to the play. It's an experience both for these women and their families who never witnessed a mom's/wife's asking for something only for herself! The story is not something unheard of, but the way these women act are so natural that at some point you feel like they forgot the cameras being there. Pelin Esmer seems like she was able to both direct them and be out of their sight at the same time. I saw this movie in Istanbul Film Festival when it was screened for the first time and almost the whole village was there! How happy and proud they were, you can't imagine. Unfortunately, to enjoy this documentary throughly you must be either Turkish or someone who witnessed the rural life in Turkey. You have to have an idea about these women and the life they lead.They are so much as they are in 'Oyun' that I've never seen a real actor act that real!
Morning Glory (2010)
Disappointment!
The disappointment starts with the characters that don't convince you to their being real. Each of them is like an exaggerated joke of a prototype. The film is predictable from start to the end but it's not my point of objection since that type of films all are. What makes Morning Glory boring is that it believes in the success of the stars that take part in it so much.Indeed, they are all good actors, but this film is not the best opportunity to prove it. It was only tiring watching McAdams (who could be really cute in a better film) running on her high heels for over an hour! Although the actors at the side roles are all good, unfortunately "the big three", Keaton, Ford and McAdams overact. Maybe they thought it was the only way to make the audience laugh. No way, that needs a smarter scenario.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
too long to be loved!
There are limits to stretching a short story and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is definitely off its limits. Fitzgerald's brilliant idea turned out to be an endless story in Eric Roth's, Robin Swicord's and David Fincher's hands. If they fall in love with what they are doing, it is hard for the creators to spare some of their work, but I wonder what else was the editor busy with! It's a pity that as the film got longer and longer, even that beautiful story, those wonderful actors and magnificent make ups became harder to appreciate. I really wanted someone to sit at the editing table and trim the excess scenes from the film. Than, I would love it by all means!
Muhsin Bey (1987)
best ever Turkish movie
If you like a lot the film you watch, you may want to see it again someday. Since I liked it so much, I've seen "Muhsin Bey" twice. But then one day, while I was zapping I saw it on TV. I couldn't move to another channel before seeing "the end" again! Years went by, this situation repeated many times. Even today if I happen to see it somewhere, I watch it till the end. It is a heart warming movie with wonderful actors. I don't believe that there can be a single person who wouldn't admire this story who lived in Istanbul before the 80'ies.It's a perfect mirror to the change this city and the people who live in it went through. Also it's one of the best stories told on "social loneliness".
La sconosciuta (2006)
best of Tornatore
"The Unknown Woman" is such an intense film that don't even think about "having a good time" while going to see it. "Cinema Paradiso" shouldn't be your reference for this "dark" Tornatore film. This is not for having a good time! This is for witnessing the lives that you can hardly think someone lived. This is feeling the pain of injustice in your veins. This is feeling shame that you live in such a world and can't and won't be able to do anything to change it. This is heart breaking! This is being absorbed by a touching story that is beautifully told. This is what cinema is for. One can only say,"Bravo Tornatore"!