A Coffee in Berlin (2012) Germany

The tale for a cup of coffee.

Original title:

Oh Boy.

Genre:

Comedy, Drama.

Length:

Approximately 4-minute read.


Review:
     It was like, came five years ago. One of the most unexpected films from a debutant director to succeed commercially, as well as to grab as many as the German Academy Awards. A 'black and white' and a short film than an average runtime. A small budget flick that the entire story revolved within a day. These are the interesting basic things about it you must know. Then going into the film, it's really feels good kind. But not everything in the story was pleasant. I mean, there's nothing serious, but a man who faces difficulties.

     It was about a young, carefree man. Dropped out of law practice and having no job or a girlfriend, he spends his days as how it turns out itself. He has one good friend, nut not an ideal one. And of course annoying father who always advises him to be normal like everybody else. But this particular day is not ordinary. After saying goodbye to a girl he spent the night with, all he wanted was a cup of fresh coffee. Unfortunately, he did not get it.

     So the rest of the day follows, as many unexpected events begin to unfold. One of it was encountering an old schoolmate. She invites him to her play. Meanwhile, his date with dad and later in the day ending up in a pub where he meets an old man who narrates his life experience. Just after that, the story takes a simple twist as the day too is coming to an end, the end credit started to roll up.

 The only thing I can do, is doing nothing for you anymore. 

     I like modern 'black and white' films. Actually 99 per cent of those films I've seen were like masterpieces or almost. They simply don't make one, unless what they wanted to narrate on the screen is something special. It really captured the depth. The depth of the character. When it all began, we know zero about the lead character, but very soon everything changes, only heading forward. And when it reached the other end, you would feel you have known him long enough. One of the reasons could be your life, having similarity with the film. Most of the people have passed that stage in their 20s, like either being rebellious or unemployed/carefree.

     It was pretty much like one of those films you have seen that centres on one particular thing. Because of a small timing indifference or a mistake can lead a slight deviation in the path and then a new adventure begins. That's what in my language we say, 'in a cycle gap'. Bicycles might be big, but its path/track is so thin. In this, it was all about a cup of coffee. If he had got it when he first desired for it, the thing would have been different. Very neatly written screenplay. No doubt why it won the national award for that.

     Towards the end, I felt slowness, like it got tired of everything. But that's perfect, because since this tale is about a single day, that's how people as well feel in their long day. Overall, it worked out for me and so for most those who saw it. I might be late, but watched it, did not I! If you have seen it, that's great, but if not, then I suggest you to try it. Quite fun to watch. No serious laughs, but in a couple of scenes it delivered as it meant. Felt like I've watched a German film after a long time, but I've picked the right one.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Frances Ha, About the Pink Sky, Stranger Than Paradise, Being Charlie, The Art of Getting By.


External link(s):

WCA geolocation:
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Seven Something (2012) Thailand

Three different generations and their romance.

Original title:

Rak Chet Pi Di Chat Hon (Thai)

Genre:

Drama, Romance.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Review:
     This is my latest Thai film and it's an anthology. It was released quite a while back, but I'm only watching it now. Directed by three different filmmakers for three different segments. One of the them was from 'Fan Chan', also known as 'My Girl'. It was not the best Thai film I've seen, yet not much disappointed with the overall film. The reason was the anthology. When the multiple stories compressed in one film, it always depends on each segment. You might like one or two, if not all or the whole film. But the bad luck is if you do not enjoy any of it. Then it will be a shoddy work than a normal concept film in the similar state.

     So, you must know what the title means before jump into to watch it. 'Seven Something' is like for every seven years, love changes. That's what the tagline says. Means you know, the romance at the beginning and the same romance a few years later are not going to be the same for some people in most of the scenarios. Getting used to it is one of the ways to make it work, but what if the kind of romance you have fallen in for, is excessive at some point later in your life. That's the story of the first segment, which is named '14'.

     It revolves around a teenage romance. As in the todays world, there's no life without social media. How those platforms became the youngsters daily life routine was told in here. From all, 'YouTube viral' concept was the majorly focused on it. People do videos for many purposes, including profession, talent exhibit, but for some it is just for fun. This was really needed for the at present internet culture the youngsters adopted. So I felt it was a very good message, awareness part of all three stories. The slight let down was, that I am not familiar with the Thai internet culture which differs from nation to nation. Though the fame getting out of them are same everywhere in the world.

 I'm just one person. Without me, you'll be fine. You have 10,000 people who love you out there. 

     The second segment was about the film actors and their torn romance. It was named '21/28'. After the good start, I anticipated it to be another fine tale, but it was not. I did not like it. It has been just a decent one. It all revolves during the time between the film called 'Sea You' and its sequel 'Sea You Again'. The whole nation knows their breakup, because of their fight in public stages. The attempt was made by them to patch, but does it work or not is the remaining is to reveal.

     Too sentimental, but not to be felt kind it belongs. Everything was on the screen, between the two characters, though failed to touch its viewers with its softness. If you are familiar with Thai films and its culture, that might help you to enjoy it better. I don't know. There are other actors those I've seen in other Thai films can be seen in the guest appearances. Especially the final credits have a music track where they all come to dance with a lip sync. What disappointed me the most was to learn this tale was from the 'My Girl' famed director.

     The third and final segment was about a middle aged TV journalist and her romance with a younger man. This part was known as '42.195'. She has a reason for her depression in life. Then one day, she accidentally meets a marathon runner which going to change her life forever. But it's not easy in the circumstance of life she's in. Their little friendship, how it develops to an unexpected level of bond is what covered in the rest of the section. And again, I liked this segment. Very meaningful and realistic. The best performances by the pair of the entire film. I think you have to be an adult like the late 20s or more to enjoy it better.

     The three tales are connected as they all set in the same timeline and the universe. Each one is to entertain different generation audiences. So when you watch it, you would know which is yours. Nearly 40-45 minutes for each segment. And the overall runtime was a bit excessive which could unfavours for some viewers. As well as the paces differs in all the three. Should have been improved the screenplay in a few parts, particularly the middle tale. Otherwise, it is not a bad film, but when it comes to suggesting others, I'm not sure to thumb up. It is a less known film, and like I had a mixed feeling, it might work for you as well, or even better, maybe not. So choose it wisely.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Hormones, Hello Stranger, Suckseed, Seasons Change, Love at 4 Size, Dear Galileo.


External link(s):

WCA geolocation:
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Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012) USA

The one man force.

Genre:

Crime, Drama, Mystery, TV Movie.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Part-VIII review:
     The eighth film in the Jesse Stone series based upon the characters created by Robert B. Parker. If you had read all my previous reviews of this series, you would know how much I'm looking forward for this. Not like I'm happy with the series to continue, but the last couple of films were below par than usual Jesse films. Like always, I went for it expecting the series could get better, and does it fulfill my desire? I won't say it did, but surely a decent one. It had the opportunity to become much better than that, but it was the story, like they wanted to start off again from the scratch. So it was kind of a refresher in the series, there's big changes you would find from the very first scene itself.

     Jesse received his PPD cap, that mean he's back, but he's the only one left in the force. This time he brought in to investigate the death of his rival in the department. He also has a strong back from the town council, as well as from his Boston boss. So this is an important case for everyone, particularly for Jesse to get back like he always say this is his last stop. This is not a detached story, I mean not some new characters comes in, commits crime and got punished. This is really well improvised story within the available characters. So the viewers can be optimistic about guessing the events including the finale.

     Kind of depressing to see one man doing all the job. I mean it was always been like that in the series, but this time feels it was a slow presentation. Jesse is no Rambo, yet feel he's isolated. I liked how the film developed with the existing characters. That means there's a serious change in characters, like many are from the previous films went missing and some of those who appeared in this were involved in termination. So the next film will be very interesting, whether there will be a bunch of new ones or the old ones return.

 Cop deserves the benefit of the doubt. 

     Regarding the case he's on, he deals it on his usual way. But nothing seems a masterful, the twist and turns are ordinary. So don't anticipate any masterstrokes. Jesse was just roaming around seeking information and then suddenly he gets a clue he was looking for. With that he uses a bait to catch the bad guys and they fall for it. But while dealing it, the event takes an unexpected turn, leaves the story might continue in the following sequel as well. That's the confusing, because the film ran for nearly 90 minutes and did nothing to end on high as it does always. So with this kind of drag, I don't know where the series is heading.

     Like I always say, Tom Selleck is the reason I'm still hooked to this series. In this installment, it is all about him, because like I mentioned earlier, the next to his roles like Rose and Luther are off the hook. That means the Jesse's therapist like the third string characters automatically taken the leap forward, but nothing much expectable from them. Particularly Thelma, the Hasty's assistant seems interested in Jesse, but it does not tell us how serious it is. Because fighting crime takes over the this romance, or maybe we can call a flirtation like Jesse does to gain information. I think, again the follow-up is to answer that question.

     After getting into the rock bottom with the last film, this one looked much better, but still not the best I was looking for. It's just trying to be a normal film, like a television film from the old days and it succeeded somehow. So definitely it is a decent comeback and there's only one film to go for me to end the Jesse Stone series. Oh, I almost forgot that the original director returned for this, that's really amazing news for the series fans. Like the old team coming together, somewhat the series back on the track. The next film that released in the 2015 was received well, that's what I've heard, so can't wait to watch it. The final review on its way, meet me there.



Followed by:
Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


External link(s):
    

WCA geolocation:
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Beyond the Hills (2012) Romania

Between faith and winning a heart back.

Original title:

Dupa Dealuri (Romanian)

Genre:

Drama.

Length:

Approximately 5-minute read.


Review:
     This is my second Romanian movie in 3 weeks to review in WCA. And both of them were the Oscars sent movie that never made into the final stage. My Romanian movie count is not exceeded to double digit, but I think now I started to like them and hoping to watch many more in the days to come. This movie was less expected by me, well, I was delaying it for some times, eventually finished it with highly satisfied.

     From the director of the Golden Globe Nominee movie '4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days' brings the story of two young women who were once abused when in orphanage that led them to bond closely before going their separate ways after leaving the place. One of them returns from working in Germany to win another's heart back who has now found a place in a convent. How the things work out between them, with their new life and the past attachment that affect not only them but entire convent.

     If 'Ida' made into the Oscars, I don't know why this one failed to make. Both of them were kind of similar, about the characters who were caught between the faith and emotion. One's true commitment to the faith is tested with the unexpected encounter with the desires. Is the religion too innocence in the modern world? While the human civilisation shifting its phase to the next stage, the 2000 years old belief is struggling to pull together. In that platform this movie was narrated a wonderful story.

 Continuity is essential in our spiritual realm.
You can't stop for a break when you feel like it. 

     The tale was quite clearly displayed when one has to choose between two, even knowing what the reality is, but fixed with their devoted mind on one. Maybe like coming from the orphanage, knowing all the struggles about life, this is the way they pledged to help the society. In the perspective of hardcore believers, the movie might be a little hurtful, but nothing serious offensive. It was just a movie, and sometimes it was a dark comedy that was not intended, but anyway I had a few good laughs.

     I am really happy for the movie, I won't consider it an outcry about religious cruelty. Unlike hospitals that legally runs performances, while a monastery like this raises a few questions within its practice that performed against someone's will. After all it was inspired by the real event that took place in the 2005 and mostly factual than fiction.

     This was set in the present time close to the original incident, but most of the movie shot in a convent just outskirt of a city, so gives the feel of the 60s, 70s or earlier to that. Because their lifestyle that disconnects from the rest of the world, including their financial struggle. An ideal location for the story and its title. Shot in two different seasons similar to change in the phase and pace of the tale to the intensified conclusion. I loved everyone's performance. Definitely it is not in the line of 'Spotlight', but you can't ignore where the movie is pointing out on what went wrong. In my opinion, it is a must see and surely suggest it for all, well, mostly adults for its sensitiveness.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Ida, The Nun's Story, Stations of the Cross, The Priest's Children.


External link(s):
      

WCA geolocation:
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