One-stroke deficit

Inspired by the real events of the biggest heist of all time on Danish soil. But the filmmakers have certainly taken it easy with the facts. And what actually happened. Too much nonsense and breakdown of logic in the script. There are of course freedoms in making art, but thinking that viewers are stupid is irresponsible. No way the robbery was anything like what was described. But if you forget that, this was quite an exciting and fast-paced crime film. 

Just fuck off and sing

Great first minutes. Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy) meet Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet), a young musician who has come to New York. The story continues well and interestingly. Until Bob Dylan's diva-like nature starts to rear its head. He doesn't give the impression of a nice person. This is certainly essential and part of his essence and image, but the movie focuses too much on it when he's so damn absolute. And it is in those moments that Timothée Chalamet's weaknesses as an actor become apparent. 

The left behind

Famous French actor cancels appearance in theater production and fucks off to lavish spa in countryside instead. There he meets his old mistress, whom he once met in Paris. All of this is the best medicine and therapy to relieve stress. A fairly traditional French romantic drama, even in its unpredictability. 

A disconsolate tomorrow awaits outside

A film about Dingo, one of the most significant bands in Finnish music history and their frontman Pertti "Nipa" Neumann. The Finnish could not avoid them in the eighties. They were loved and hated. Their absolute peak only lasted a couple of years, then the decline began and it was steep as hell. Mari Rantasila's film is about their highlight years and their unyielding lead singer and songwriter. A nice portrait of the time, even excellent in its authencity and imagery, but things were handled too quickly and in a roundabout way. 

Blood divides in silence

Many Jews fled Hitler's tyranny during World War II. Neutral Finland was considered a haven of peace. Fat chance. The claws of Nazism sank there too because, fearing Russia, they jumped into the embrace of Germany. The Finnish government was fragmented in its own chaos and was leaning in one direction or another. No one had a good time. The Jews least of all, both locals and newcomers. The film is a nice breath of not-so-distant history. Klaus Härö is a masterful film director, his sense of drama is first-class. Ei koskaan yksin is not his best work, but it's impressive nevertheless. 

Unsatisfied voodoo charm

Finnish horror film by Keke Soikkeli. Without a doubt, he is trying to make his dreams come true. Does his best. As I'm sure he did with his previous film Tuomion saari (2023). Unfortunately, that's not quite enough yet. I don't even dare to laugh at this because it's absolutely horrifying. Everything is wrong, everything is messed up and so full of sheer stupidity that words are not enough. Maybe things will go better and more smoothly with the next attempt. Let's give Keke a chance.

The one you will feed wins

In Oregon, USA, a population of werewolves is thriving. You shouldn't normally go there. But something has to be done about the property that has been inherited. Bring the whole family along and forget about the nasty tales about furry monsters. There's almost nothing wrong with this, it's kind of a nice horror story, but the traditional easthetics of werewolf lore aren't paid much attention to. 

Soar like an eagle, sit like a pelican

David Brent is a personification of all the most embarrassing. So is his band Foregone Conclusion. He doesn't notice his own tastelessness. But he's funny and symphathetic and basically just well-meaning. Somewhat unnecessarily and unjustifiably though, he's trampled on and bullied here. However, Ricky Gervais's 2016 film ends on a good note. 

Stumbling around directionless

Groovy bloody fun. A weekend getaway turns into nightmarish and insane chaos. Without giving away too much of the plot, this is one of the coolest horror adventures in recent times. A real treat. Genious in its own way, but wonderfully raw and heartless. Directed by Drew Hancock.

Cursed to believe in something

You want to yell at the characters in the movie and then punch your screen because they can't hear. You are so frustrated with stupidity that it hurts. Michael Pearce's Echo Valley is a depiction of horse trainer who has enough problems of her own, but whose daughter is a drug-addicted bastard and she's just making things worse. A lot worse. 

The last time armed Germans patrolled fences

There was a hostage crisis at the 1972 Munich Olympics. It was called the Munich Massacre. And it was orchestrated by affliates of the Palestinian militant group Black September. And they attacked the Israeli team's accommodations in the Olympic Village. 900 million people were watching because the act of terrorism was broadcasted live around the world by ABC sports crew. This film is a great, vividly detailed, depiction of events. Directed by Tim Fehlbaum. 

The years of manly dreams

It's great that there are series like this. This will surely offend sensitive and ordinary viewers. There's almost everything here that will shock them. And on the other hand, some just enjoy it all. Totally and deeply enjoying it. Bad Thoughts is a disturbed, provocative, almost taboo-breaking and vulgar series. And it's great. Created by Tom Segura.

Walk through fire

Belgian Kamal, a rapper and drug dealer, gets caught, escapes and fucks off to Syria to fight with ISIS. Life there is hard. Brutal, hardly any life at all. And he regrets leaving. It's not nice when people are killed arbitrarily and for ridiculous reasons and women are like cattle for sale. Meanwhile, in Antwerpen, radicalization threatens Kamal's little brother. Quite captivating, however a few musical scenes, probably meant to add artistry and softness, didn't really suit the narrative. But a strong film and a heart-stopping ending. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. 

Rotten stomach linings

Joe Moore (Gene Hackman) is a high-level criminal. He loves his job. Although smart and resourseful, he doesn't shy away from nasty tricks to succeed. Perfect at his job. But even he can't no anything about his treacherous partners. David Mamet's Heist (2001) is incredibly gripping and cunning thriller. His writing style is very lively, sometimes even trying to be unnecessarily witty.

An extinguished lantern

It was worth watching, a nice story, well acted and told, but when it was boring, it was really boring. A few times, it got stuck in place for no reason and the story didn't go anywhere. Brother is a 2022 Canadian drama film of two brothers growing up in the Scarborough district of Toronto.

Eternal ghosts

You should probably stay the hell out of a roadside motel run by a crazy scythe-wielding maniac who has a crocodile for a pet. The film is pure B-grade horror, directed by none other than Tobe Hooper. Stupid, but creepy and gruesome. 

The past ain't through with us yet

This is one of the best movies ever.  An ensemble piece directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. It follows different - terminally ill, lovesick, self-absorbed, or just plain sad - people for three days. Still, the film gives a lot of joy, laughter and pleasure. Many actors give the best performances of their lives in Magnolia. Take Tom Cruise for instance. 

Married to desert

Even a bad horror movie can be worth watching. But that's it. For instance, a shitty western is a shitty western. The badness of Brett Bentman's The Bounty Men isn't even funny. Let's be thankful this piece of shit doesn't last more than 75 minutes. 

The Moon fell from the sky

In the hopes of altering tragedic events in the past, a 19th century professor, with a time machine he built, accidentally travels 800,000 years into the future. Up ahead, mankind still exists, but they also have their challenges. Based on the novel by H.G. Wells, one of its many adaptations. Kind of funny, but for the most part the potential of time travel was still largely ignored. Directed by Simon Wells, starring Guy Pearce, Sienna Guillory, Samantha Mumba and Jeremy Irons. 

Burning cotton fields

First thought was what were Pierce Brosnan and Tim Roth thinking? Renny Harlin's film The Misfits is a kind of attempt to make a modern thriller and spice it up with wild humor. And of course it fails at that. And everything else. 

Somebody needs a funeral

Reason to watch at least because of Gene Hackman's performance. But unfortunately, the reasons probably end there. This agent thriller has everything going for it, but the narrative is too sprawling and weak. Interestingly, films that are inspired by Arthur Penn's Target may be a lot better. Take Taken (2008) for example. 

Pedaling towards the sunset

 

The Guro District, Seoul, among the locals it is called Chinatown. There are gang wars between different groups over territory and trade. And the police are trying to keep the area under control. Yunsung Kang's The Outlaws is based on real events that occurred in 2007. It's rare for Korean film to disappoint in its entertainment, and this one is no exception. A slightly distorted and introverted sense of humor only made it better.