Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

(cast spoilers!)

The audience and critics alike loved the chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham in The Fast and the Furious films so much that the studio decided to green light a spin-off featuring both of them. And now it has finally arrived. I myself only started watching the series when Statham joined it and as far as dumb action movies go, they are really good. And this spin-off has the added bonus of Vin Diesel, the black hole of charisma that actually sucks out the charm of surrounding actors, being nowhere in sight.

The Handmaiden

The Handmaiden is based on the novel "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters The novel is set in London during the 19th century, but the film is set in Korea in the 1930s, under Japanese colonial rule. The pickpocket Sook-Hee (Tae-ri Kim) is hired by the Japanese heiress Lady Hideko to be her personal servant. Hideko is supported by her Uncle Kouzuki and the gold-digger "Count Fujiwara", who is indeed son of peasants, wants to marry her to steal her inheritance. Sook-Hee is a small-time thief of the ring of the conman "Count Fujiwara" and is sent to help him in the confidence game. But soon Hideko and Sook-Hee get close to each other and become lovers.

 I saw this movie while knowing very little about it, all I knew is that there is a conspiracy against the heiress and the girl who is pretending to be her maid falls in love with her. The twist before part 2 (the film is divided into 3 parts) really took me off guard which is very rare, but I knew the movie was fantastic long before then.

The Hunt

There is a number of movies that genuinely infuriated me. Sometimes it's because they end up being disappointments when I wanted them to be great. Sometimes it's because they are a waste of my time. But there are actual great films that infuriate me so much, I'm angry just thinking about them weeks, months, years after seeing them. Those are the films that accurately show that the majority of human race is weak, contemptible and genuinely pathetic.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

I remember when I first saw The Fellowship of the Ring, 11 years ago. I loved the movie. I loved The Two Towers even more and though I'm not a big fan of The Return of the King it still had many unforgettable and moving moments. The Hobbit, which will be inevitably compared to The Lord of the Rings, really suffers when that comparison is made. There are so many problems with it I hardly know where to begin. It doesn't help that I didn't read the book and yet I still didn't love the movie - what I mean is that I was completely new to this story, yet many times I was really bored.

Haywire

79/100 (93 min, 2011)
Plot: A black ops super soldier seeks payback after she is betrayed and set up during a mission.
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writer: Lem Dobbs
Stars: Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor and Michael Fassbender

They gave her no choice. 

"Haywire" is all you can expect from the movie Steven Soderbergh does during considering retirement from film making - I see that he isn't going to do that after all from the trailer for "Magic Mike" which is a peculiar choice of a story for this director - it's entertaining and quit simple, but it still has distinctive style known from Soderbergh's films - slick cinematography, smooth editing and jazzy, elegant score. Another thing that will hint at this being his movie is the presence of many well known actors, who while still used in too big quantities than it is necessary aren't as underused as in "Contagion".

When it comes to Soderbergh's movies I often complain about that - there are so many well known people in his films and yet we never get to focus on each of them enough. In the effect his films are usually a classic case of style over substance - yes, it's all cleverly executed but who cares if all those stars are wandering around without getting a chance to shine? In "Haywire" we finally have a clear protagonist - Mallory Kane, ironically played by someone unknown to the average movie goer - Gina Carano.

The Hunger Games

35/100 (142 min, 2011)
Plot: Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match.
Director: Gary Ross
Writers: Gary Ross (screenplay), Suzanne Collins (screenplay, novel)
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth
 
Please, let the games stop.

In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the rich Capitol and poor 12 districts. Each year two young representatives - one male and one female - from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors with all citizens required to watch.

From the very first minutes "The Hunger Games" feels messy and it only becomes worse and worse as it progresses - you wait for the games to begin for and hour and when they do, they feel like action scenes shot for a TV movie with cheesy explosions, people running around the woods and horrid editing adorning all of it. The world the story takes place in, didn't engage me. The characters, so underdeveloped, didn't interest me. Say what you want about Jacob and Edward in Twilight - even comparing to those two male characters in "The Hunger Games" are so bland that if actors playing them are not nominated for Razzies this year, I'll be truly shocked.

Heavenly Creatures

75/100 (99 min, 1994)
Plot: Two girls have an intense fantasy life; their parents, concerned the fantasy is too intense, separate them, and the girls take revenge.
Director: Peter Jackson
Writers: Fran Walsh (screenplay), Peter Jackson (screenplay)
Stars: Melanie Lynskey, Kate Winslet and Sarah Peirse

"It is because we are MAD. We are both stark raving MAD!"

"We should meet in another life, we should meet in air,

Me and you."

— Sylvia Plath (Ariel: The Restored Edition)

"Heavenly Creatures" directed by now famous creator of "Lord of the Rings" trilogy Peter Jackson and a feature film debut of now one of the biggest stars in the world Kate Winslet is a disturbing and complex movie based on the real events, which led to the crime that shook entire nation due to the circumstances surrounding it and the brutality of the act.

Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme met in school during the 1950s. Pauline was a shy good girl,  Juliet on the other hand was eccentric and bold newcomer in the school. Despite being so different, the girls instantly became best friends and invented fantasy world in which they would live, spending every moment together. More and more estranged from their respective families, the two girls realised that they are extremely different from most other people - at one point it was just them against the world, they took no interest in other people, boys and their parents. The girl's relatives, concerned about the powerful and possibly inappropriate bond between them decided to separate them. That led to a shocking crime both of the girls committed in order to stay together, that in the end will be the reason for their lifelong separation.

The Help

94/100 (137 min, 2011)
Plot: An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960's decides to write a book detailing the African-American maid's point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.
Director: Tate Taylor
Writers: Tate Taylor (screenplay), Kathryn Stockett (novel)
Stars: Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer

"Write that down."

“The Help” is perhaps the most uplifting and moving film about civil rights since “Milk”. Unlike that movie, though, it doesn't show politics and big demonstrations – it shows a group of women who just by speaking the truth, with the addition of a lot of bravery and friendship, managed to make a difference. The protagonist is Skeeter, played by delightful Emma Stone – Skeeter is not like her friends – she doesn't care about finding husband and making babies. She wants to become a journalist. After seeing her whole life how badly black people are treated all around her, she decides to write a book showing the perspective of black maids working for rich, white people.

The first maid who helps her find out the truth is Aibileen – she has been raising other people's babies for most of her life, forced to drop out of school to help her family. Those babies loved her and she loved them – they were neglected by their parents – fathers who spent all their days at work and mothers who were too busy hosting parties and gossiping with their friends. Skeeter was practically raised by black maid as well – she was like a mother to her, being for her whenever Skeeter needed her.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 2

(130 min, 2011)
Plot: Harry, Ron and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord.
Director: David Yates
Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint

Years of magic, years of love.

(spoilers)
I remember when I was still a kid and I was siting in the theater watching “Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone”. I recall how I loved the characters flying on broomsticks, facing danger and forming life long friendships. Over the years I haven't missed any of the movies, although I only started to read the books recently. What makes that series so beloved and unique? Why is it my favorite popular story, one which I love more than 'Lord of the rings”, “The Matrix”, “Star wars” or “Pirates of the Caribbean”?

The secret is that J. K. Rowling realized that her readers will grow, that with time they will mature. As they did, the characters followed. We saw Harry, Hermione and Ron falling in love for the first time, having disputes, facing tragedies and going through normal phases of life. Even though they live in magical world their lives never differed too much from ours. Kids and adults all over the world witnessed their adventures and related to them. Because in its heart “Harry Potter” was never about magic. It was about friendship, love, loyalty and sacrifice. And most of all – about making choices.
The second part of “Deathly Hallows” shows Harry, Hermione and Ron on their quest to destroy horcruxes – magical objects in which Voldemort hid parts of his soul. Only when they are destroyed he can be killed. Their quest continues during epic battle for Hogwarts, when Death Eaters attack the legendary school and all of our beloved characters try to stop them.

While part 1 had very flawed pacing part 2 is an extraordinary movie – things move fast, very rarely too fast. Apart from one short scene with Helena Ravenclaw (which I think could be cut down by a half and the movie would be much better) I was not bored for a second, whilst during part 1 I think I dozed off at one point. The movie races as fast as the spells shoot out of wands, but you can still follow the story. Still, I cannot understand why the last part and with all honesty, best part of the series was made into the shortest film. Some of the scenes, like duels between Snape and McGonagall and Molly Weasly and Bellatrix Lestrage really deserved to be longer.

The Hours

(114 min, 2002)
Director: Stephen Daldry
Writers: Michael Cunningham (novel), David Hare (screenplay)
Stars: Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore

Hours, days, years, moments, lives.

(spoilers ahead)
“The Hours” is one of the most powerful movies I've seen. But before I get to describe the actual story I want to go through the structure of the film. There are many common motives in the movie – suicide (Laura's attempt, Richard's death, Virginia's final escape), eggs, flowers, books, service people who don't understand their customers (Flower lady who didn't get Richard's book, Virginia's cook who is mean to her, Laura's babysitter friend), kids we can rely on, that somehow make us confess more than we wanted to, devoted partners, on whom we can count on, even if we don't deserve it, moments of total desolation, the release of real feelings when important visitor comes around, the kiss – whether it is long overdue (Clarissa), the dream come true (Laura) or quick impulse and the sign of affection (Virginia).

Three women, each living in different time, different city. But they all have all those things in common. They actually have something in common with all of us – the feeling of despair, of being lost, alone. Solitude. Although they are surrounded by people.

The bravest one of all three is Clarissa. She lives with her partner Sally, she is a publisher, she has a daughter. She also takes care of her friend Richard, who is dying of AIDS. Every single day she is busy, she is in constant motion, running errands, doing housework, working, buying flowers she adores. "Always giving parties to cover the silence". It's her way of coping with the fact her life is running away from her, before her own eyes. And her dream ran away long time ago. She loves Richard and she only had one magical summer with him. After that he left her for Louis. When Louis visits Clarissa, on the occasion of big party she is throwing for Richard few hours later, she breaks down. He was the one, her one and only, and he spent his life with someone else and now she is taking care of him, long after his best years, watching him slip out of consciousness, sanity and life, being reminded every single day that her dream will never come true.

Virginia Woolf is kept in the countryside, for her own good, by her husband. She had deep depression, she tried to commit suicide. She can't find joy in this quiet place and hopes desperately to get back to frenzy and life beaming London. Virginia is working on the book, „Mrs Dolloway” which will make the most literal connection in the plot between three women. Virginia is a rebel, she doesn't except any rules or conventions Her servants mock her and she is scared of them. Being left alone in a peaceful place like that only makes her feel worse – after all, all she has is the time and peace for her thoughts and ideas. Sometimes too much thinking, especially abut dark matters, especially by someone with vivid imagination and great brilliance is the worst possible thing. Her husband who deeply believes he is saving her, by keeping her away from havoc, finally comes to understanding that she will never be happy in the place like that. Her selfishness and his love is perfectibility portrayed in the scene on train station, where Virginia finally understands exactly how much her husband loves her. So much he condemns himself of being alive when she'll be dead, so much he will willingly go through her illness worsening and her condition deteriorating.

Hanna

(111 min, 2011)
Director: Joe Wright
Writers: Seth Lochhead (screenplay), David Farr (screenplay)
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana
 

The princess and the wolf.

A 16-year-old Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) who was raised by her father (Eric Bana) to be the perfect assassin is dispatched on a mission across Europe, tracked by a ruthless intelligence agent (Cate Blanchett) and her operatives.

Joe Wright is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors – he made splendid “Atonement”, very good “Pride and Prejudice” and now his unique style shines in “Hanna” - blend of classic fairy tale and modern action thriller. The movie has countless allusions to brothers Grimm' fairy tales and it circles around Hanna, girl who is on a quest to track down her mother's kiler – Marissa.

Hanna has been kept from people and civilization for her entire life by her father, who trained her, taught her and raised her after her mother was killed. Hanna spent her days in wilderness, ruthless cold, surrounded by nature. The movie shows us Hanna as she hunts the deer, in the opening sequence. When Hanna shoots it with the arrow she says “I just missed your heart” showing sadness for not letting the animal die quickly. Hanna's kindness is also shown when she plays with animals and when she takes care of her father. She embodies both the child and ruthless killer. Hanna is played by amazing Saoirse Ronan, who always shines on screen – her unusual beauty – long blonde her and big blue eyes fit with our perception of fairytale princess. But Hanna can kill – quickly, mercilessly, without guilt, without hesitation.

On her trip through various countries Hanna befriends spoiled girl her age, Sophie. Sophie teaches her the way of ordinary world and Hanna fascinates her with her mysterious attitude. In a superb sequence in the container park, where men sent to get Hanna try to kill her, Sophie follows her and witnesses Hanna fighting them all at once, with almost superhuman skills. When Hanna notices her she jumps in front of Sophie, like a lioness protecting her young. The juxtaposition of Ronan's looks with her dangerous and deadly skills creates amazing impression throughout the film.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 1

(146 min, 2010)

Director: David Yates
Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint

Eclipse.

Voldemort's power is growing stronger. He now has control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. But little hope remains for the Trio, and the rest of the Wizarding World, so everything they do must go as planned.

I've never been much of Harry Potter series fan. I only read one book and as enjoyable as it was, it's simply not my cup of tea. I found whole thing to be very childish and predictable. Having said that, there are some splendid ideas in the books and the world of magic, existing right next to ordinary one, is very interesting. I saw all of the movies, my favorite one being “Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire” thanks to easy to follow narration, lots of great scenes and the birth of the darkness that will define later movies.

As the series progressed and directors changed, beginning with “Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban” the movies became a little bit more dark. After very disappointing “Order of Phoenix” came my second favorite “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” with haunting musical score and beautiful sequences, especially interesting flashbacks. With each movie the formula changed a little and the unnerving habit of ending movie with a twist about one of the teachers being a villain stopped occurring. The improvement also came with terrific actors being involved in the series, with great Imelda Staunton and always deliciously creepy Helena Bonham Carter. Even the young actors showed more and more talent and feature my favorite performance form all the movies – lovely Evanna Lynch as fascinatingly strange Luna Lovegood.