Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Michael Bay | USA | 2009
150 min

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen is an insufferable attempt at exercising all manner of excess. Most of what made the original film work exists here as well - including what can only be described as a gratuitous, semi-pornographic, cataract inducing usage of fiery explosions and chaotic robot crashes that lovingly explode on the screen. The film doesn’t lack anything except the good sense to realize when it’s gone overboard. This is not only an observation of the script (which meanders with semi-cooked ideas it can’t explain - like robots taking on human form), but also of performances, such as Shia LaBeouf’s Sam who hams his role and overacts his part as a savior of humanity and Earth. continue reading »»

Che
Steven Soderberg | USA | 2008
262 min

The Cuban revolutionary leader Ernesto “Che” Guevara was many things to many people. To some (especially those from third world countries) he was an effective and fierce opponent of America’s hypocritical imperialism while for others he was nothing more than a criminal who masterminded violent campaigns to overthrow governments. Whatever your opinion of the man might be, Steven Soderberg’s film, a four and a half hour magnum opus feels truly epic in scope and function. It is a rare cinematic experience because it presents both points of view in two equal halves that complement each other. continue reading »»

The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3
Tony Scott | USA | 2009
106 min

The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3 could be a case study in why remakes should not be made or seen. The former because of a simple fact: this remake fails to improve upon the original (but how could it!); the latter because it makes anyone who ever considered watching the original (a classic dramatic thriller from the 70’s) wonder what made that film so good in the first place. continue reading »»

Blindness
Fernando Meirelles | Canada/Brazil | 2008
120 min

Imagine if people start going blind at random. No reason, no warning. It won’t happen to everyone at the same time, but in slow intervals, and everyday this number of people will increase. That is the world in Blindness. Fearing that the disease might be contagious, the government locks the infected in a hospital ward, to control the outbreak. Things are going fine in the beginning. There is food, the ward is clean, there is space, and people are waiting patiently to be cured. But then, more and more blind people are sent in, the ward becomes overcrowded, food supply has to be rationed, and then things go very wrong. continue reading »»

Blindness
Fernando Meirelles | Canada/Brazil | 2008
120 min

Fernando Meirelles’ Blindness is a film depicting a social experiment gone wrong. In essence, it is the Stanford prison experiment for the blind, where groups are formed, one of them taking on the role of the oppressor and the rest become the oppressed. It doesn’t work. The setting for the film appears to be those great tales about post-apocalyptic futures (though the film is based on a prize-winning novel and not necessarily set in the future) but the inspiration for the film seems to be your typical dull and unsubtle zombie movie. Its ideas are a mish mash of elements of horror and sci-fi but it degenerates into human depravity in order to shock and awe the audience. The film is never meant to be pleasant, but it doesn’t succeed at being memorable either. continue reading »»

Up
Docter & Peterson | USA | 2009
96 min

Despite Pixar’s pristine cinematic reputation, Up surprised me. It is Pixar’s most touching, heartwarming film. It is saccharine, to a point. Where most films have a heart and a head, rarely both, Up also has humour, depth and gasp, something dark lurking underneath. continue reading »»

Crank 2: High Voltage
Neveldine & Taylor | USA | 2009
96 min

Somewhere along the movie, Jason Statham’s Chev Chelios attaches one claw of a jumper cable to his right nipple, and another to his tongue. With the other end of the cables juiced by a car’s running engine, Chelios jump-starts his supplementary heart so he may continue his manic run of mayhem across the city. As with most genre films, you need to have an appetite for this kind of over-the-top action and politically-incorrect chauvinism that the Crank movies are all about. Either this movie is for you, or it isn’t. There is no middle-ground. continue reading »»

Terminator: Salvation
McG | USA | 2009
130 min

Terminator: Salvation (or T4 for salivating fans) is an ultra serious, brooding, post apocalyptic action/war movie. Previous installments were never this grim or dull, even in the face of certain defeat. This makes the many explosive moments in Salvation (and there are many) almost seem like relief. They make us forget the joylessness of it all and remind us that we are supposed to have at least as much fun as we’ve had watching any of the previous Terminators. In that respect, this fourth film is a let down, but with many redeeming elements. continue reading »»