195. Get The Goat (Cabras da Peste); movie review

 

 

GET THE GOAT (CABRAS DA PESTE)

Cert 12

98 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, violence, drug misuse

From the Keystone Cops to Police Academy, movie studios have long had a fascination with bungling boys in blue.

But I can't recall any of their antics involving a goat.

But the key to the investigation of incompetent officers Trindade (Matheus Nachtergaele) and the bizarrely named Bruceuilis (Edmilson Filho) is a braying nanny.

The pair team up in pursuit of the animal and a dangerous drug gang after a series of what are meant to be amusing incidents.

Humour is very individual but I can't imagine anyone laughing too loudly when Trindade is responsible for one of his Sao Paolo cop colleagues being shot dead.

That prompts orders for him to be shunted off to a side office when it is believed he can do no harm.

However, Bruceuilis emerges from the sticks and misleads him into thinking a little girl rather than the aforementioned goat has been kidnapped.

This inspires him into action with the notion of trying to prove himself to his boss.

The pair are chaotic in their approach and mess-up follows mess-up but the audience is meant to warm to them because at heart they are good guys.

Consequently, we know exactly how Vitor Brandt's film is going to end.

This predictability wouldn't have been so bad if the film had elicited a single smirk, let alone a laugh.

Get The Goat's slapstick-style humour still resonates in many countries because this type of comedy is still being produced by the score, especially in Asia.

Unfortunately, I just found it dull and juvenile.

Reasons to watch: Slapstick comedy

Reasons to avoid: Infantile humour

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 3/10

Did you know? Local Brazilian goat breeds comprise of six main groups (Moxotó, Canindé, Repartida, Marota, Graúna, and Azul).

The final word. Denis Nielsen: “It is the worst time to be alive, but it ended up being the best time to launch this film” Writer's Room 51

194. Courage Of One; movie review

 

 

COURAGE OF ONE

Cert 15

85 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong violence

It seems rather strange that I had no idea of Portugal's involvement on the Allied side in World War One.

But one of the great joys of cinema is knowledge expansion and, thanks to Jorge Paixão da Costa's Courage Of One, I am now up to speed with the campaign and one particular act of heroism.

I have learned that Aníbal Milhais was one of 75,000 Portuguese soldiers sent to the Western Front at Flanders and his actions saved hundreds if not thousands of his comrades.

His story is told through the eyes of an older Milhais (Miguel Borges) as war ravages Europe for the second time.

He is out hunting for a wolf near his home village with his daughter shortly before an annual presentation to celebrate his actions as a young man.

He flashes back to the Batte of The Lys in which many of his countrymen were killed.

Joao Arrais plays the younger Milhais who witnessed the physical and mental effect of the frontline on the soldiers and the futility of war.

Essentially, the Portuguese platoon seems to have little notion of why they are there at all and are ill-equipped in both temperament and equipment.

Somehow, however, Milhais manages to stand above all of them - although he is modest about his incredible act of bravery.

Courage of One piqued my interest but the problem is that it is impossible to watch a war film without comparing it to recent classics such as 1917.

Obviously, the budgets are incomparable but, frankly so are their effects on the audience.

Paixão da Costa's movie just didn't have the punch to hammer home the horrors of the trenches and even its limited power was diluted by the narrative jolting between 1916 and 1943.

I just didn't think the connection between wolf-hunting and the frontline was necessary.

But at least I know about Portugal's involvement in the Great War and its most inspirational moment so I am enlightened.

Reasons to watch: An untold story of First World War heroism

Reasons to avoid: Doesn't have the drama of similar movies

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? Approximately 12,000 Portuguese troops died during the course of World War I, including Africans who served in its armed forces on the colonial front. Civilian deaths in Portugal exceeded 220,000: 82,000 caused by food shortages and 138,000 by the Spanish flu.

The final word. Eduardo Milhões Pinheiro (grandson of Aníbal Milhais): "From my grandfather's story I keep and try to transmit to my children two essential values: first that we must never abandon and turn our backs on adversity and, second, that sometimes the easiest solutions are not those that must be taken." 

193. Peter Rabbit 2; movie review

 

 

PETER RABBIT 2

Cert U

93 mins

BBFC advice: Contains mild comic violence, very mild threat, rude humour

Second up during my first visit to the reopened cinema was Peter Rabbit 2 - something of a disappointment after such a lively first outing for Beatrix Potter's beloved character.

I eulogised about Will Gluck's original Peter Rabbit two years ago because it had the element of surprise.

This sequel, in common with many follow-ups just has a sense of 'been there, done that'.

Once again, James Corden provides the voice for the title character who, along with his pals, is now firmly part of the family of Bea (Rose Byrne) and Thomas (Domhnall Gleeson).

Well, sort off Bea loves Peter, Benjamin (Colin Moody), Flopsy (Margot Robbie), Mopsy (Elizabeth Debicki) and Cottontail (Aimee Horne) but her husband is not quite so comfortable with them.

But, to please his new wife, he tries his best.

Unfortunately, however, Peter keeps pushing his buttons.

Indeed, naughty and a little-bit-full-of-himself Peter is at odds with a new scenario where rabbits are meant to be behaving themselves.

The movie is charming enough - once again the animals are wonderfully lifelike and the action is pacey.

It looks great but the plot is very convoluted and I couldn't quite work out why the makers insisted on suggesting that Gloucester was down the railway track from Windermere.

To compensate for the cuteness of computerised animals wearing off, Bea and Thomas become even more shouty and slapsticks and then there is the strange choice of David Oyelowo as the pantomime villain.

This time, Gluck's adaptation of Beatrix Potter didn't make me laugh but I am not a four-year-old and Cineworld is already claiming that Peter Rabbit 2 has been a big hit with families - only a week after reopening.

I agree that it is harmless entertainment for the kids and, to be fair, that is its target audience.

Reasons to watch: It's Peter Rabbit

Reasons to avoid: Lost the freshness of the first movie

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? One of the most popular stories ever started off as a picture story in a letter. The letter was for a sick boy named Noel Moore, the son of one of Beatrix Potter’s friends. Noel was five at the time and Potter wasn’t sure how to cheer him up, so she decided to send him a story about four little rabbits called Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter. 

The final word. James Corden: ""I would argue that this film is the perfect film for an outing for all the family. I have young kids and I think the best moments when you're watching a film with your children and they're enjoying a moment for one reason and you're enjoying the same moment, but for a completely different reason." Digital Spy

192. The Unholy; movie review

 

 

THE UNHOLY

Cert 15

100 mins

BBFC advice: strong horror, disturbing images

Cinema is back!

I booked my ticket online, drove over to Derby, took the photo of the outside of Odeon De Lux and pronounced on Facebook: "Honey, I'm home!"

The friendly staff instructed me to follow the assigned path, have my QR code on my phone verified, fill in the registration of my car and all that was left was for me to deposit myself in row B of Screen 1.

In truth, my happiness at the return to seeing movies on the big screen will remain much longer in the memory than The Unholy.

Anyway, at least this adaptation of James Herbert's book zipped by quickly enough to prove why I prefer watching films at a picture house than at home.

It stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan as a washed-up journalist who has lost his credibility after making up stories and has sought solace in the bottom of a bottle.

He has resorted to touting freelance articles to sensationalist websites for small-buck payments.

But when driving while drunk, he stumbles upon the biggest story of his life - a deaf girl (Cricket Brown) who speaks for the first time at the site of the execution of a witch in the 19th century.

The 18-year-old then claims that the Virgin Mary has spoken to her causing much excitement in the small American town of Banfield.

This reaches fever pitch when she claims she is Mary's vessel and carries out miracles for the faithful.

However, this is a horror movie, so we already know that dark forces are bound to be present - and so it transpires.

Unfortunately, Evan Spiliotopoulos's film follows a very well worn path and movie cliches abound.

Even though I was quite taken with Morgan's performance, I was irritated by the journalist stereotype. Yet again, a reporter is portrayed as a sleazeball alcoholic who would sell his granny for a story.

But, on the upside, this one has been given the opportunity for self-reflection at the same time as setting about uncovering the truth about the supposedly saintly apparition.

I was also impressed with Brown as the naive girl who believes that she is a vessel for good.

Unfortunately, the journalist wasn't the last of the movie cliches - the clergymen, who include Cary Elwes, are just as shallow.

And, The Unholy, while having a fairly engaging story, failed to make me jump.

But, hey, this is just the beginning of a brave new world away from the big screen, so I am happy to be eased into the cinema.

Reasons to watch: Jeffrey Dean Morgan gives his best shot

Reasons to avoid: Lots of cliches

Laughs: None

Jumps: Two

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 5.5/10

Did you know? During the twentieth century, there were 386 cases of Marian apparitions. The Church has made "no decision" about the supernatural character regarding 299 of the 386 cases, a "negative decision" about 79 of the 386 cases and verified only eight cases: Fatima (Portugal), Beauraing (Belgium), Banneux (Belgium), Akita (Japan), Syracuse (Italy), Zeitoun (Egypt), Manila (Philippines)  and Betania (Venezuela).

The final word. Evan Spiliotopoulos: "I just felt that that the combination of a totally egotistical cynic entering a small town where eerie things are happening, and then manipulating the story to his own advantage, but then realising that he’s unleashed a spiritual Pandora’s box and only he can stop it, but at the cost of everything he always wanted – is a great character." Jump Cut

191. Death Will Come And Shall Have Your Eyes (Vendrá la muerte y tendrá tus ojos); movie review

 

Death Will Come ANd Shall Have Your Eyes (Vendrá la muerte y tendrá tus ojos)

Cert TBA 

88 mins

BBFC advice: TBA

Cancer is humanity's curse, apparently choosing its victims at random.

Its cruelty in dragging out the misery for its sufferers and their families seeks no boundaries.

To see a loved one disintegrate is forever etched on our eyes, an ever-present memory which cannot be dimmed even decades later.

Sadly, the more years pass, the more inevitable that we will encounter this horror.

During José Luis Torres Leiva's Death Will Come And Shall Have Your Eyes, we see how devastating its impact can be.

At the centre of the story are Ana (Amparo Noguera), a senior hospital nurse and her partner, Maria (Julieta Figueroa), a maths teacher.

They are clearly deeply in love and it is heartbreaking to see the cruel fall-out of Maria's terminal cancer.

She refuses treatment and her decline is all the more painful when she takes her frustration and fears out on her partner who is dedicating herself to making her as comfortable as possible.

The pair spend Maria's last days in a country cabin but we are deflected from their very touching path towards Maria's death by odd tangents.

I have since read that these are representations of Maria's reflections on love, desire and the power of narrative.

To be honest, they didn't seem to be connected to anything to me. For example, two chaps meeting in the woods and having sex was a very strange juxtaposition to the cancer storyline.

Yep, you read that correctly. And there are several other lengthy asides to the main narrative which left me bewildered.

There is no doubt that Noguera and Figueroa give their all to two roles which must have been very draining.

Unfortunately, however, Death Will Come And Shall Have Your Eyes wandered so far off-piste that the full effect of their performances was diluted.

Reasons to watch: The portrayal of terminal cancer

Reasons to avoid: Arty interludes

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 5/10

Did you know? An advance decision to refuse treatment (ADRT) is a written statement of your wishes to refuse a certain treatment in a specific situation. It is a way of making sure everyone knows what treatments you do not want to have if you become unable to make your own decisions. It will only be used if you cannot make or communicate a decision for yourself.

The final word. José Luis Torres Leiva: "Initially the story came from three friends of mine who all died of cancer. For the first time in my life, I had to look death in the eyes and ask myself about the possibility of death at any moment in one’s life. Then I began to think about death, not in a tragic way but more about the beginning of a new life for those who remain after the death of their loved ones, the survivors." International Cinephile Society

190. Exhibition on Screen: Sunflowers; movie review

 

EXHIBITION ON SCREEN: SUNFLOWERS

Cert U

89 mins

BBFC advice: Contains references to mental health, nudity

In March 1987, an anonymous buyer paid $39.85 million for Vincent van Gogh’s ″Sunflowers,″ a work the artist once hoped to sell for $125 and failed.

And yet the painting wasn't even a one-off. It was one of a series of five which are of the same bouquet in the same ceramic pot and set against either a yellow or blue background.

They hang in art galleries all over the world from Tokyo to Philadelphia.

I learned this by watching this latest documentary produced by Phil Grabsky whose films have taught me so much about great artists.

The film explores the questions and mysteries posed by the Sunflowers series and the part they play in the intoxicating Van Gogh life story.

There is no doubt that the detailed discussion will enrapture serious art-lovers who will want to know why Van Gogh was especially fascinated by the long stem and golden crown of a flower which I have always thought of as a Blue Peter project rather than a possible adornment for our garden.

It even goes back into the history of the sunflower which is not native to Europe and yet has become synonymous with the work of one of the continent's most famous artists.

Inevitably, there is a catalogue of explanations of what Van Gogh was trying to say with these paintings and why each version is slightly different.

I found myself geeking out when scientists told of their discoveries when they analysed each painting in minute detail.

Van Gogh's story was at the heart of one of the most exciting periods in art history and the Sunflowers series is particularly relevant to his relationship with Gauguin and the slicing of his ear (or maybe it was a lobe).

This film gives a greater understanding of the man and his work.

However, dare I say, it still couldn't prevent a non-scholar such as myself thinking that the paintings are one-dimensional and a bit clumsy.

But, hey, what do I know? Well, at least more than I did before watching David Bickerstaff's film.

Reasons to watch: Knowledge expansion

Reasons to avoid: Bit too much like an art lecture

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes (in painting) 

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? The only recorded named work of Van Gogh which sold during his lifetime was The Red Vineyard at Arles for 400 Belgian francs. However, it would be wrong to say for certain that it is the only painting he sold.

The final word. David Bickerstaff: “It was such a joy to witness how unique each version of the Sunflowers really was, evidence of Van Gogh’s exuberance for experimentation. This cinematic journey brought the sunflowers series into sharper focus for me and revealed a new insight to the tragic circumstances that followed." Albie Media

 

189. Mortal Kombat; movie review

 

MORTAL KOMBAT

Cert 15

110 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence, language

I have never played the video game Mortal Kombat nor have I seen any of the previous films linked to it.

Consequently, I was at a considerable disadvantage when it came to understanding the storyline of Simon McQuoid's movie.

Not that it has much of a plot - as the not-so-subtle clue in the title suggests, this is predominantly a fight film.

So, there is mixed martial arts, a bit of flying through the air and even a heart ripped out.

In my opinion, the opening five minutes are probably Mortal Kombat's best - set in 17th century Japan and seeing the death of great warrior Hanzo (Hiroyuki Sanada) alongside his wife and child at the hands of Bi Han (Joe Taslim) - an assassin with the power of freezing all in his path.

With his last breath, Hanzo indicates the fight is not over as his baby is plucked to safety by Raiden (Tadanobu Asano), God of Thunder.

The story swiftly moves on to the present day and down-on-his-luck martial arts fighter (Lewis Tan) who, it turns out, is a descendent of Hanzo.

Consequently, despite his deficiencies in the ring, he has the credentials to be a champion in a battle which will decide the fate of the world.

Lost yet? Well, I was. But it transpires that there are tournaments called Mortal Kombat and if the bad guys from Outerworld defeat the good guys from Earthrealm, they will take over.

I was unclear who agreed to this but, to the uninitiated, it seems like a heavy price to pay for a loss in the ring.

Anyway, it turns out that the man who can save the world with fists, kicks and a bit of magic is Tan albeit with a bit of concentrated training.

In Mortal Kombat, there are good guys, bad guys, a slice of sorcery and a heck of a lot of fight scenes.

Its character exploration is shallow, its action is nothing out of the ordinary by today's standards and its acting quality is well beneath the Marvel franchise.

Frankly, I couldn't see the point but those who have played the video game may have a different view.

Reasons to watch: Action-packed

Reasons to avoid: Shallow storyline

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 5/10

Did you know? A year after taking original form as an upright arcade game, Mortal Kombat found life via four home systems: Nintendo’s Super NES and Game Boy, and Sega Enterprises’ Sega Genesis and Game Gear. All four versions of the game were released on a heavily marketed “Mortal Monday” on September 13, 1993.

The final word. Simon McQuoid: "One thing that we really wanted to make sure was a key ingredient in this was for the film to be fun, fast-moving, and an enjoyable ride. " We Live Entertainment

 

188. Shortcut; movie review

 

 

SHORTCUT

Cert 15

80 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, bloody images, threat

Pre-publicity could lure fans of the Goonies to watch Shortcut, believing they are in for an exciting search for treasure with some ghosts chucked in.

Unfortunately, Alessio Liguori's film delivers on neither count and its acting reminded me of a hackneyed CBeebies drama.

Shortcut's audience is difficult to fathom because there are scenes which could well prompt younger children to have nightmares.

Conversely, I wouldn't have thought it is anywhere near spiky enough to impress anyone over the age of 13.

Shortcut focuses on five British teenagers on a bus which is being driven through forests in Italy.

I might have missed it but it isn't clear why such a small group is together or where they are going - but then this isn't a film which is big on character exploration.

Anyway, their driver (Terence Anderson) decides to take a diversion through a tunnel when a fallen tree blocks their path.

This turns out to be a fatally bad decision because they are boarded by an escaped prisoner (David Keyes) with a reputation for eating tongues before a monster emerges from the dark.

My biggest beef with Shortcut is the weak reaction of the five teenagers to the type of adversity that would give most people heart attacks or at least prompt them to soil themselves.

They face off with the highly dangerous criminal and flesh-eating monster as if they were as common as bigger kids pinching their ball in a school playground.

The quintet is a cliched bunch - there is the rough kid (Zak Sutcliffe) who is aggressive towards everyone but inevitably mellows, the obese boy (Zander Emlano) who talks a lot, the geeky girl (Molly Dew) with a high IQ and the cool-headed pair (Jack Kane and Sophie Jane Oliver) for whom romance is in early bloom.

The addition of a bus and an occasional stab at comedy brings distant echoes of the 70s TV series The Double Deckers. Both also had bland scripts and rather stilted acting.

However, this is meant to be a horror, not a comedy and even has a 15-certificate to prove it and while it may be too scary for young children, it is not nearly well enough executed for older ones.

Reasons to watch:  Teenage horror

Reasons to avoid: Only tense if you have never seen a horror film before

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: Retching

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 3.5/10

Did you know? Despite having a British cast, Shortcut is an Italian-German co-production with Play Entertainment Camaleo and Sternenberg Films, distributed in Italy by Minerva Pictures Group.

The final word. Jack Kane: "The Goonies is a massive thing that I loved as a kid. When I was younger I was very very scared of anything horror-related."

army-of-the-dead-2021

  

 
After a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries takes the ultimate gamble by venturing into the quarantine zone for the greatest heist ever.

Initial release: May 14, 2021 (Spain)

Director: Zack Snyder

Budget: $90 million

Production company: The Stone Quarry

Produced by: Deborah Snyder; Wesley Coller; Zack Snyder

                                

            

                                                    download

Dark season 01

 

Dark is a German science fiction thriller streaming television series co-created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese.^[5][6][7] It ran for three seasons from 2017 to 2020. In the aftermath of a child's disappearance, Dark follows characters from the fictional German town of Winden as they pursue the truth. They follow connections between four estranged families to unravel a sinister time travel conspiracy which spans several generations. The series explores the existential implications of time, and its effect on human nature. It features an ensemble cast including Louis Hofmann, Julika Jenkins, Andreas Pietschmann, Maja Schöne, Lisa Vicari, Lisa Kreuzer, Dietrich Hollinderbäumer, Jördis Triebel and Oliver Masucci.

Dark debuted on 1 December 2017 on Netflix; it is the service's first German-language original series. The second season was released on 21 June 2019,^[8][9] while the third and final season was released on 27 June 2020.^[10][11]

Dark received critical acclaim, with praise for its tone, visuals, acting, casting, musical score, and the ambition and complexity of its narrative. 

 

 

Season 01

EPISODE 01                                  

Secrets

                                                                                                                  

 The small German town of Winden is shaken by the disappearance of a teenage boy. While the townsfolk are occupied with secrets of their own, at nightfall a group of teenagers attempts to recover something the missing boy may have left behind. 

 

                                                              

• PLAY

EPISODE 02:Lies

 

                                                   

                                                              

When a grim discovery leaves the police baffled, Ulrich seeks a search warrant for the power plant. A mysterious stranger checks into the hotel. 

 

 

 

                                                         EPISODE 02

  

 EPISODE 03

Past and Present

It's 1986, and Ulrich's brother, Mads, has been missing for a month. Confusion reigns as past and present intertwine. 

                                                              EPISODE 03

                                                              

  EPISODE 04

                            

Bizarre occurrences give Charlo

tte a sense of déjà vu, and she suspects Peter is hiding something. Franziska snaps when Magnus confronts her. 

                           

                                                      EPISODE 04

 

Hannah takes her obsession with Ulrich too far. The stranger asks Regina to deliver an important package. Martha is torn between Jonas and Bartosz

                      EPISODE 05

                                                 EPISODE 06

                                                   

                                                 EPISODE 07

                                                 

                                                 EPISODE 08

                                                 

                                                 EPISODE 09

                                                

                                                  EPISODE 10 

                                                     

                                                  ENJOY💟💟💟💟

                                                       

187. Charlatan; movie review

 

 

CHARLATAN

Cert 15

118 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong violence, language, nudity

There really was a healer of many thousands of people who could spot symptoms, diagnosis and cure just by holding their urine to the light?

And he was forced to help the Nazi hierarchy?

Well, yes. Jan Mikolášek 

Mikolášek was a Czech who was devoted to the belief that God had provided herbs to cure the sick.

But while many accepted that he had a special gift, he was also accused of misusing it to establish great wealth.

According to Agnieszka Holland's movie, Mikolášek won fame and fortune but he was also cruel, sadistic and only found love in one person - his assistant František Palko whom he treated like a dog.

The film focuses on the period during which the Czech communists tried to undo him, angry at how he has been able to continue with his private industry.

Ivan Trojan plays Mikolášek as a troubled man - compelled to fulfil what he believes is a calling as a healer while finding the simplest social interaction perplexing.

This is seen in how he tries to own Palko (Juraj Loj), selfishly ripping him from his family and forcing him to choose between his wife and both him and his career.

He also shows little manners to his patients - going through the basic routine of taking their bottle, staring at their urine, giving them a diagnosis and cure.

He doesn't do conversation and even acts in the same superior fashion to his inquisitors even when he is threatened with the death penalty.

Trojan's portrayal adds to his fascination - he plays him as a deeply conflicted man with inner rage. Meanwhile,  his son Josef plays the younger Jan so that the resemblance is not quite as uncanny as it might seem.

Mikolášek's story is stranger than fiction but he really did treat some of the world's most influential people by just looking at a bottle of their pee.

And yet, for his entire lifetime, he was described as a charlatan, even by his own father.

His tale is well told and prompts the viewer to be open-mouthed.

Reasons to watch: Intriguing true story

Reasons to avoid: Leaves unanswered questions

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? Over the course of his career, Mikolášek claims to have treated five million people, some 150,000 per year. Clients allegedly included many celebrities such as King George VI of England.

The final word. Agnieszka Holland: "It is the story of the mystery of a man, of the mystery of his special gift, of the prize he was ready to pay for it; the story of the paradox of strength and weakness, of love and hate."

SARDER KA GRANDSON

 

A devoted grandson embarks on a complicated and comic journey to fulfill his ailing grandmother's last wish.

Director:

Kaashvie Nair

Writers:

Anuja Chauhan, Amitosh Nagpal (dialogue) |1 more credit »

Stars:

Neena Gupta, Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh |

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                               

• DOWNLOAD

 

Joker (2019)

     

In Gotham City, mentally troubled comedian Arthur Fleck is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and bloody crime. This path brings him face-to-face with his alter-ego: the Joker.

Director:

Todd Phillips

Writers:

Todd Phillips, Scott Silver |3 more credits »

Stars:

Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz |

                                                             

• DOWNLOAD

186. Servants; movie review

 

 

SERVANTS

Cert TBA

80 mins

BBFC advice: TBA

The point which resonates the most about the communist Eastern Bloc and its various state securities is that they existed during my lifetime.

When I visited the Stasi museum and prison in Berlin, I struggled to get my head around the notion that such misdeeds were happening while I had spent time in the city.

People found themselves reported by those who they trusted most and informants seeped into every corner of society.

During Ivan Ostrochovsky's Servants, trainee priests and their seminary come under the microscope.

It is set as recently as 1980, when Michal (Samuel Polakovic) and Juraj (Samuel Skyva) are theological students.

Religion and the communist party have always been uncomfortable bedfellows but the tutors try to shape their teachings in line with the demands of government.

However, the students are not as compliant as they might hope despite knowing that defiance will likely cause the wrath of the secret police.

Filmed in black and white, Ostrochovsky's movie gives a clear impression of how bleak life was behind the Iron Curtain.

It shows how merciless the communist system was in Czechoslovakia and how informants pervaded every element of society.

Forty years on from when this movie was set, it is almost impossible to contemplate such state domination or is it?

Then, the state relied on simple word of mouth to confirm suspicions.

Nowadays, they only need to look at internet histories to be able to track our every move. The scary thing is not that families, friends and relatives used to inform on each other - it is the fact that they no longer have to.

Anyway, Ostrochovsky portrays to great effect a cold and grim time in history when people were bumped of for very minor infractions of the Government's code.

Reasons to watch: A glimpse back to the intensity of the Eastern bloc

Reasons to avoid: Presumes quite a lot of knowledge

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? During the Stalinist trials of the 1950s, more than 6,000 religious people (some old and sick) received prison sentences averaging more than five years apiece. Between 1948 and 1968, the number of priests declined by half and half the remaining clergy were over sixty years of age. 

The final word. Ivan Ostrochovský: "We are all servants of some ideology or other. We are constantly under the influence of more or less visible powers, be they politics or religion, wealth or poverty. Whether or not we realise it, these powers control us, and slowly but surely, they transform our values and attitudes."

185. Undergods; movie review

 

 

UNDERGODS

Cert 15

92 mins

BBFC advice: Contains  strong language, violence, bloody images

I try not to read or watch reviews or synopses of a movie before experiencing it because of fear of spoilers.

However, I have to admit that background knowledge of certain pictures would be handy - particularly ones which are based on historical fact.

Undergods is fiction but Mrs W and I would probably have benefited from understanding at least some of Chino Moya's intentions before embarking upon his film.

Put simply, we didn't get it.

Moya's anthology of short stories is set in what appears to be a post-apocalyptic society.

Well, some of them seem to be - because there is a bit of a parallel universe thing going on until the subjects converge.

The common strand seems to be disrupted marriages - for example, that of Ron (Michael Gould) and Ruth (Hayley Carmichael) whose love has long lost its lustre when needy neighbour Harry (Ned Dennehy) shows up.

Another shared element is the violence in which all of the tales culminate.

Others include one of a rich merchant (Eric Godon) who tries to rip-off a designer (Tadhg Murphy) but unwittingly risks the safety of his beloved daughter (Tanya Reynolds).

Then Kate Dickie plays a wife who is stunned when the husband she thought long-dead reappears in the house she shares with her new spouse.

Between each short story, the movie flicks back to two men (Johann Myers and Géza Röhrig) who are driving around rubbled streets picking up dead bodies to throw into their truck.

Every section left us bewildered so I felt compelled to read other reviews before writing mine.

All use the word dystopian - even though I would guess most of the British public don't know what it means (a fictional community or society that is undesirable or frightening).

This tends to conjure thoughts of Blade Runner or Mad Max but, although they are not easy to follow, they certainly make more obvious sense than Undergods.

I also read that Moya was commenting on the break-up of the EU with his movie. I'm sorry I just didn't grasp that at all.

I guess that watching Undergods is a bit like going to an art gallery and trying to establish the artist's intention without ever knowing the right or wrong answer.

Some may enjoy doing that - Mrs W and I prefer not to work so hard on our movies.

Reasons to watch: If you want to work out what a movie is saying

Reasons to avoid: So difficult to follow

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 3.5/10

Did you know? The first modern dystopias, The Story of The Days to Come and When The Sleepers Wakes by H. G. Wells were published in 1899.

The final word. Chino Moya: "I’ve put a lot of my ideas into it, and a lot of my concerns and worries about the world in which we live and with our era of western society. Especially about man and masculinity as well and the failed societies that western man have built for themselves.’ The Wee Review