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Slow West (2015)
9/10
Slow, Beautiful West
1 July 2015
Maybe it's because I'm a die-hard Fassbender fan, but he is always worth watching, even if the film is bad. I am not a great connoisseur of Western - I've watched Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "For a Few Dollars More", and Kevin Costner's "Dances with Wolves" only - but until now I loved them. This one is no different.

Slow paced as the title suggests, Slow West is a bizarre, captivating, funny, touching and violent Western road trip that confirms John Maclean as a big talent.

British director and writer John Maclean, through the eyes of naive dreamer Jay, tells a beautiful story, with a memorable ending, about the violence in the New World, cynicism, and money rush that involves everybody, both natives and immigrants. Also, he manages to balance life and death with some great comedic elements.

There is no much character development, but considering the great result achieved, I don't feel like complaining about it.

Filmed in New Zealand, the scenography lacks in Canyons, and provides a sense of loss, yet the spectacular landscapes give you hope. The cinematography by Robbie Ryan is great, and the musical score by Jed Kurzel blends with the film.

The acting is sublime. Michael Fassbender, both leading character and narrator, delivers another wonderful performance - he has improved his American accents quite a lot since "12 Years a Slave" - and his humour perfectly fits the character and this road trip. Kodi Smit-McPhee does a fantastic job in the other leading role. However, the most memorable is Caren Pistorius as the beautiful Rose. She does not have lot of screen time, but she is in the frame she captures your full attention.

Michael Fassbender once said, "The great thing about doing independent films is that they move fast, and I like that. I like the speed, and having to be on your toes...The little films need the big films to do well because they are dependent on getting that money. "Frank" gets made because I do something like "X-Men: First Class" or "Prometheus". I don't think thanking him from the bottom of my heart will be enough.

Read more at afilmadaybysonia.blogspot.com
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Youth (I) (2015)
9/10
The Real Great Beauty
23 June 2015
When it comes to Paolo Sorrentino I don't know what to expect. On one hand I loved his first English work "This Must Be The Place" starring a wonderful Sean Penn; on the other hand I didn't quite enjoy his Oscar Winner "The Great Beauty". I was actually afraid this one was going to be another attempt at being Fellini. But Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Paul Dano and Rachel Weisz gave me the push to watch it. I'm glad I didn't wait, because this is Sorrentino's greatest beauty.

Youth is a brilliant, intense, philosophical, and moving film about life and death, youth and oldness, loneliness and friendship.

As I watched the film I thought the title was deceiving. I thought it was only about being old, and I couldn't find the real meaning of it. But as I'm writing this, has passed almost a week since I saw it, and I've got enough time to think about it. Now, I do realize it is about the importance of youth, because it praises old age as that moment in life when you think about your past.

Masterfully directed and written by Paolo Sorrentino, the film is enhanced by a deep, witty, and provocative dialogue, a wonderful and breathtaking photography by Luca Bigazzi, spectacular scenography, and sublime music.

The acting is first class. Michael Caine shines in the leading role, delivering an intense performance as Fred Ballinger. The supporting cast does a wonderful job as well. Old, but young inside Harvey Keitel, and young, but old inside Paul Dano are perfect in portraying the contrast between youth and oldness. Rachel Weisz delivers another great performance. Jane Fonda's cameo is great too. The one that surprised me the most is Luna Zimic Mijovic, who plays the masseuse.

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10/10
A dream come true!
23 April 2015
I used to think making a better film than the Avengers was quite impossible, but Joss Whedon did it! Avengers: Age of Ultron is a dream come true, the sequel all the fans were waiting for, and inarguably the best Marvel film to date - maybe even better than Guardians of the Galaxy.

The film still has all the elements of the first film, but it makes a huge step forward in the action - the 3D vision is totally worthy - dialogue and character. However, the main difference is the villain: James Spader's Ultron is marvelous.

The talk about artificial intelligence is very fascinating, both conceptually and cinematically.The storyline is far from the cliché superhero story. The script is great and amusing. The direction of Joss Whedon is flawless. There is a great balance within the Avengers, where the superiority of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and Hulk is perfectly balanced with the more active roles of Black Widow and Hawkeye - I would have loved to see more Falcon though. I loved what they did with The Vision, The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.

All the actors gave a fantastic performance. Robert Downey Jr. keeps on playing the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist in a way nobody else could. Chris Evans always brings a sense of honor to his character. Scarlett Johansson really surprised me. Great performances also from Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders and Paul Bettany. Elizabeth Olsen gives one of the best new character portrayals in recent year - I really want to see more of her Scarlet Witch. However, James Spader totally steals the scene: he is perfect.

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2/10
Review of a mad movieaholic
18 April 2015
Dear diary, as the film ended, I realized I've wasted two hours of my life. Diary of a Mad Black Woman is a dull, never-ending film.

The intent to keep the audience attracted failed since I had to stop, and watch the rest of it in the morning because I was falling asleep.

Tyler Perry is not a very talented writer, and the result is a horrifying story. It does show issues within black families, but it doesn't go any further.

The idea that a woman would console a man who threw her out of her own house, and left her broke is ridiculous. Also, the way she treated him after the accident makes her a worse person than him.

I would like to say the acting was awful, but the actors didn't have much to work with.
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9/10
A true piece of art
10 April 2015
Many people have defined the film truly repulsive, a waste of time, and nothing more than a porno, due to its high level of pornographic contents. That said, I don't see why films such as Blue Is the Warmest Colour, Don Jon and Shame had a different impact on public opinion.

Nymphomaniac: Vol. I is a brave, provoking and philosophical piece of art. Lars von Trier strips sex of its romance and overloads it with nothing but lust.

The highlight of the film, brilliantly written by Lars von Trier, is the very intense and philosophical dialogue between adult Joe, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Seligman, played by Stellan Skarsgård.

The wonderful and unusual story is told with a superb photography, some provocative scenes, and other meaningful scenes, all accompanied by a music at irregular intervals, ranging from Bach's „Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ", to Rammstein's „Führe mich".

Charlotte Gainsbourg gives a shameless and extremely cold performance as Joe. Making her debut as young Joe, Stacy Martin is fantastic.
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Detour (I) (2013)
7/10
It's worth your time
28 February 2015
If you enjoyed Cast Away, 127 Hours, All Is Lost, or Gravity, then this film might be for you. I am always amazed by how strong a human being can be to survive, and this film amazed me.

Detour is an intense and thrilling story about a literally buried man that puts all his efforts to survive. How did he end up there? Will he survive? If so, how? These are the questions that kept me in my seat.

Director and co-writer William Dickerson teaches us to appreciate life and what we have. The filming, which explore the small set, is great.

Whoever wrote The Rat's Rabbits Are Calling song is a genius: the lyrics are monotonous but catchy at the same time, and I can't get this song out of my head.

Neil Hopkins does an incredible job: he is able to carry the film through until the end.

More at afilmadaybysonia.blogspot.com
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Whiplash (2014)
10/10
One of the best films I've ever seen!
13 February 2015
Whiplash is an incredibly powerful film with lot to teach: never give up, pursue your dream, no matter what. Damien Chazelle, young and talented, becomes part of the history of cinema with this thrilling, exciting masterpiece. The constant drumming that stays with us for almost the entire film is amazing. There are many good film at the Oscar this year, but this is one of the few that moved me: at some point, I started crying and I couldn't stop and that doesn't happen to me very often. Miles Teller is surprisingly good, actually he is fantastic and this is his best performance so far. J.K. Simmons delivers a flawless and astonishing performance, which got him a Golden Globe for best supporting actor, and an Oscar nomination, which surely will turn into a win.
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5/10
What happened to Scott?
11 February 2015
Exodus: Gods and Kings is a huge disappointment. This story, which has been told and retold for thousands of years, deserved something better than this. And it really means a lot coming from an atheist.

Ridley Scott brought to the screen his own interpretation of the Bible, and is it good? No, it isn't. $140 Million probably spent for special effects, costumes and a cast full of stars, but surely not on the script. I was expecting a spectacular Red Sea parting, but there is no trace of it. It is a mystery how Scott did such a poor movie.

Christian Bale is mediocre, delivering an emotionless performance - I wasn't expecting this from him at all. Joel Edgerton is surprisingly good.

More at: afilmadaybysonia.blogspot.com
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Unbroken (I) (2014)
8/10
Brilliant
11 February 2015
This film got so much hate and I sincerely don't understand the reason. Based on Laura Hillenbrand's "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" Unbroken is a brilliant film about friendship, inner strength and love.

A great and bright cinematography is provided by Roger Deakins. Coldplay's "Miracles" - ending credits - perfectly fits in the story and I couldn't imagine of a better song.

Jack O'Connell is the real deal, and puts his efforts to portray such a man. Miyavi as The Bird does a great job.

More at: afilmadaybysonia.blogspot.com
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9/10
Iñárritu is a genius
6 February 2015
Alejandro González Iñárritu is a genius. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is an ironic, intelligent and surreal film that certainly needs to be seen more than one time. For a moment I thought this film would have had a Black Swan finale - Riggan just wanted to be perfect and does what he does - and I really liked the end.

The cinematography is outstanding: it involves the viewers in such a manner that makes them feel like part of the crew.

The score, by Antonio Sánchez, is simply perfect: the rhythm of the drums perfectly blends with the story.

The cast is fantastic: Michael Keaton is mesmerizing; Zach Galifianakis proves to be a good actor; Edward Norton seems to be born to play this role; Emma Stone delivers a fantastic and intense performance.
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8/10
Unforgettable
6 February 2015
Like all of Tarantino's film, you love it or you hate it. Presented as a bizarre action film, Kill Bill vol. 1 is fascinating, unforgettable and definitely not a movie for children.

In this film comes to attentions Tarantino's love for Oriental culture: martial arts, katanas and tributes to Japanese directors - the Bride's costume reminds Bruce Lee's in Game of Death.

The score, by The RZA, is overwhelming. The fighting sequences are spectacular, loved the last one.

The performance from Uma Thurman is brilliant. Lucy Liu manages to give a decent performance, and probably Tarantino has the merit for it.
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10/10
A masterpiece about freedom
3 January 2015
Never a film had given such a direct meaning to freedom, not a physical freedom but the one that dwells in the human soul. With this masterpiece seems the director, Frank Darabont, wants to prove Seneca's thesis. Seneca, in fact, argued that a man can be free on the throne or in chains. Though the role was firstly offered to other actors (Kevin Costner, Tom Hanks and Brad Pitt), Tim Robbins's Dufresne is extraordinarily expressive. The script is well adapted from the Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, and though Red was supposed to be Irish I forgive Darabont because he gave to the whole world the opportunity to see an amazing Morgan Freeman. I'm actually disappointed this film didn't won any of the seven Academy Awards nomination received (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Sound Mixing, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing).
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