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Pig (2021)
Oscar-winning Cage returns for a meditation on grief
This film is the drama version of John Wick, whereas instead of hitting people with bullets, he hits them with truth bombs! The often dimly lit, range of panning shots and slow cuts lead to a naturalistic feel as the film weaves between a divisions of parts from cottagecore to a shady, mafia-type underworld of the restaurant industry. Focused on loss, but also human connection and redemption, even the arrogant side-kick for this most unlikely of buddy-cops in the pursuit of a lost pig end up being fully fledged characters in a work that may be Cages best in recent history, with a somewhat restrained, morose performance. I found this surprisingly moving tail of personal tragedy compelling, intriguing and emotive as I got enwrapped in the communities portrayed within the narrative, with moments of understated humour providing much needed release. A sleeper hit if I ever saw one, an original film that builds tension well and makes it onto my top ten movies for 2021.
Max Schmeling (2010)
Low budget homage to a giant of a boxer.
I would like you people please to disregard the IMDb score and see this movie for yourself. It appears that view have watched this, and indeed if you remove the idiotic "bollbashers" (those who rate 1 on every film by Uwe), you would get an average of 6.4, a more suitable score for this film.
As a whole, this is not a great movie. But I had a unique pang of excitement when Joe Louis was on screen. Max Schmeling is played by Henry Mask, and the boxing matches were very similar to the real thing. The authenticity stems from both the director, who boxed at an amateur level for 15 years, and the "star" was a gold medallist, who had previously held the IBF world light-heavyweight title. This occasionally transcends into flat acting that on a whole was plainly mediocre. Still, Schmeling himself wanted him to play the role.
This film deals with 14 years of his life, and shows how the Nazis used him as propaganda, and how he went against their values- even saving Jewish boys from Kristallnacht. He has a blooming romance that comes across as a bit cliché, but in all this movie was interesting, and very truthful to Schmelings actual life. Some bits are omitted or mentioned in brief, but actual footage was organically placed into the film to make it seem more like the Nazi period of time. You can't help but feel your looking at true history - that of a German hero.
Concludingly, an average boxing film about an above average man. 6/10.
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
A Wonderful satire from Kubrick!
First and foremost, let me mate note that Peter Sellers really shone in his role as the group captain, Lionell mandrake. This is a film that heavily mocks the cold war and the absurdity of the situation. For some viewers, the comedic side might not be clear until the end, as some of the humour derives from actors playing silly things straight. Peter Sellers was really good as President Merkin Muffley, and his phone call to the Russian leader is one of the funniest in history.
The routes of concerns in Dr Strangelove take place in logical facilities that soon escalate into absurdity. There was some subtle jokes, and some not so-subtle ones such as Petter Sellers character, Dr Strangelove, with an uncontrollable Nazi hand, and some other slapstick moments. It's got an iconic ending which in the end is lead to by the human assertion of power and gaps in logic. THis is a film well worthing multiple times - for I only fully understood some jokes, such as the true hilarity of a certain Russian's camera- the second time.
"You can't fight in here, this is the war room". A masterpiece, with the strenght of a serious drama with great irony, one of my favourite comedies.
In the Name of the King: Two Worlds (2011)
So mediocre it's not even funny.
First of all, Uwe Bolls slick visuals to well to mask the fact this has an eighth of the 1st ones budget. Indeed, during some scenes esp the fight ones there were noticeable editing tactics deployed to make them passable. As a hole on the fight sequences, they were well enough choreographed, but not all of them contained a great sense of thrill or excitement.
Some of the scenes were plain forced for stories sake. Like the friendship between granger and a kings loyal servant is pathetic.
The main problem here, is this movie with a $7.5mill budget takes itself too seriously (drama-fantasy) at some points, despite appreciated lighthearted sarcastic jests by Dulph lundgren. There was a twist kinda which was okay. The storyline was a Lil eh and the characters were a lil meh it was a action/decision driven plot to fulfil a prophecy. It was all technically competent and okay.
Whilst the first one had awesome moments and LOL worthy scripting, this one had neither miscasting or brilliance. Hard to laugh with or at, completely mediocre, although I imagine the directors commentary would be a hoot.
Blubberella (2011)
Almost made Bloodrayne 3 worth watching
A bit like an Aaron Seltzer/Jason Friedberg movie. Not really a superhero film although it realises that in a voice-over of the credits. Where should I start with this title? With Uwe Boll's rampage, I was hoping for something better, but was stuck with trash. Apparently this is a money making movie, as he fronts his own production company and shot this and Bloodrayne scene for scene. He mocks/parodies his own movie whilst putting in sex jokes, food, flatulence, and pop culture references. This movie was immature but made be chuckle at some bits. (rosebud, resistance fighter 1 ETC).
However, you have to see this as it is. Light entertainment for those with low IQ. It stands on its own feet as a film and contains some funny references to film making, which often breaks the third wall. Sadly too often, but if your a Boll fanatic this is worth a rent. Its use in title cards was effective, and most the time the wacky music set the tone perfectly. The actors were more suited to this than its counterpart, as the goofy feeling of the film even allowed Clint Howard's character not to annoy me. That being said there was an obligatory homosexual, and this film really felt to me like an attempt to follow a spoof formulae, as the film failed to live up to its premise (IE, the beginning which was of higher quality).
In conclusion, it was some funny moments, but they are over done for the dumb. By the way, the protagonist is a fat vampire. Its really hard to remember that throughout the film.
BloodRayne: The Third Reich (2011)
Another time-filling piece in a low budget series
This film, placed simply, is unsatisfying. The story is adequate, but the plot and characters simply are not given enough depth as this movie somewhat randomly movies on.
This focuses on a group of resistance fighters, (led by Brendan fletcher) Rayne, a sword wielding Dhampir Rayne (Natassia Malthe), and the antagonists- Nazis, helm-ed by Michael Pare. This is apparently more linked to the video game series as its set in world war 2, by the east front. The locations and sets give a real feel, but the wardrobe apartment is only half competent, with some out of place clothing and some ludicrously stitched on swastikas.
This "half working" aspect is present in other areas: German-Canadian accents sometimes present, music setting the tone- sometimes forcing emotional response not shown clearly in the film. I am a fan of Uwe Boll: HOTD= Funnily bad. ITNOTK= Clichaed entertainment AITD= Pure trash FC= sub-par action driven mediocrity. TR= a bit better Postal= dumb satire, but very enjoyable and funny rampage= hint of genius. As such, I was surprised by the apparent lack of enthusiasm shown for the movie. Hes announced a fourth, "for money". This is obvious as cuts and angles seen to be there like hes following a guide or formulae, and seemed 2-dimentional. The basic premise was alright, the lead was sexy in her role and I appreciated the first sex scene, the second was.. unconvincing. The professor was annoying. And some of the action sequences were OKAY. Swords and guns, nothing too flashy. Shot people falling other clutching chest basically.
I think the ultimate failure is how seriously it takes itself. I feel as if this is just for a parody movie called Blubberella... Dramatic and too imposed music, cuts and an attempt to utilise the "Nazis" as villains didn't allow any "fun" in this film, as no less-serious (unless the professor was a relief character, instead of an unwelcome screen presence that SUCKED) reliefs such as good jokes/banter, action etc were used.
Archieve footage and the sex scene were the most entertaining parts in my opinion, a technically sound film with film-school direction and a small budget. 4/10. But you could feel from 2 to 6.