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Showing posts with label Norwegian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norwegian. Show all posts

Thursday, April 6, 2017

The King's Choice (2016) Norway, Ireland

All for Norway.






Original title:
Kongens Nei (Norwegian)


Genre:
Biography, Drama, History, War.


Length:
Approximately 5-minute read.


Review:
     It is from the director of 'A Thousand Times Good Night'. This movie is like the Norwegian version of the Academy Awards winner 'The King's Speech'. Likewise, it was based on the real, that happened around the same timeline of the history, id est, the World War II. Except matching title, it was totally a different narrative. When the Germany was expecting a response to their demand, the Norway cabinet made most of the decisions and turned it down to remain independent country. But from all, a decision that made by the king is what this film was based on and how it changed the Norway's fate was depicted.

     This film was sent to the 2017 Oscars, unfortunately it did not advance to the main event. They might have expected recognition similar to the British film. But I think both the films were good in their own way with the kind of story they told us that took place in the backdrop of the most terrible time of the recent human history. So having a similar title name justifies. It is a biopic, but the story was covered from different angles to reveal us what happened on the other side, including one of the young soldiers who fought in that war.

     The story begins with the April 1940, while the Nazi army sailing towards Norway and after losing most of the cities to them, the people fled to safer places. That did not spare the Norwegian cabinet members, as well as the king Haakon VII and his family. In those hard times, he kept the nation united by respecting to how the government decided to deal with the situation.

     But on one occasion, through a German diplomat with a one-time offer directly from Adolf Hitler leave the king to make the crucial decision for his nation and its people. That's the part of the film to define its title. So everything leads to that moment, how he reacts and what follows decides the Norway's fate to stand on what side of the ongoing war.

 If I am the last card in the deck, so be it. 

     It's a well made film. Neither too violent nor avoided the war depictions to turn it more drama type. Everything had its share, including those war atmosphere for such budget was impressive. More like it was a running and chasing theme. But in the initial parts, there were too many timelines mentioned about what happened on when. Details like that are really good, though I felt it was too much to take on, especially for a foreign film.

     Once the tale enters the mid section, looked all were in order and also got very interesting than before. In a cold country like Norway, in those situations you are like in a multifold trouble. I mean from the common man's perspective. An army is chasing you and harsh winter, surviving that is very challenging.

     All the actors were great, but the king steals the show. If this was an American film that had taken place in America, then he would have won the Oscars. The fresh undertaking films on the World War II themes would never go fade away. So this is one of the best in that kind in the recent time. Except the opening, I did not have any trouble following it. Even the 130 minutes looked shortened. But I won't think everybody would feel the same way as I did. Like any WWII films, it is a must see, particularly to learn from the Norway's perspective of the war.

     But this was depicted from the early stage of the war. And since it was majorly focused from the king's perspective, being a first king elected by his people, how he had faced it, following his crucial decision leads the way to the film's conclusion. If you are as war film fan, particularly the WWII, the actual best part begins henceforth which I'm hoping for a sequel to focus on. If you are not anticipating like the top WWII films you have seen, it can be picked for a watch. But anyway, I would recommend it.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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


Similar movies:
The King's Speech, The Young Victoria, .


External link(s):



WCA geolocation:
Right now we're in

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

The Wave (2015) Norway

They expected it, but never prepared for it.






Original title:
Bølgen (Norwegian)


Genre:
Action, Drama, Thriller.


Length:
Approximately 6-minute read.



Review:
     This is the latest natural disaster flick from the Norway. About an inland tsunami that caused due to the landslide near the lake that based around the mountains. Kind of fresh in that perspective, because as far I remember I haven't seen a movie evolve in this theme which is only a slightly differs from water reservoir burst and flood accidental concepts.

     It's definitely a good watch, something I learnt from the Norwegian side of strategy to tackle the natural disasters. But the film was about what happens when you know the dangers and for some reason fail to the take action at the time, like maybe the human error or the negligence.

     It was sent to represent the nation in the 'the best foreign film' category at the 2016 Oscars, but failed to make the progress. I kind of enjoyed it, but not that impressive other than the quality performances and the visuals. I feel the story was too short, I meant not the runtime. Technically, there was no story other than the opening few minutes.

     It would have been better if it had the hard hitting emotions with the catchy lines and depth in all the main characters. Because when the film ends, you probably begin to forget it already, which usually won't happen for a Hollywood flick. That's the major difference if you compare it with the American films.

 That rock has stood for thousands of years
and will stand securely for thousands more. 

     Okay, I agree Hollywood makes the best disaster movies. But other film industries as well catching up the trend, utilising the modern CGI and trying to match with them. Korea did the same with their first disaster film 'Tidal Wave' back in 2009. Remember this is Norways first step as well and somewhat excelled, especially in the technical area.

     For unknown actors and the language, these films are restricted or depended on the domestic market only and this film did great by setting up a record for that year in the revenue. But films like these are rarely recognised in the international arena, other than by the critics through film festivals. What I think is they need to improve by commercialising the overall product a bit if they want the international market like once again saying what the Korean film industry did.

     It opens with a simple drama that centres around a family from a small town who're facing the usual family issue. At the end of the first half, the disaster strikes, which was just around the 5 minutes. So you are going to miss those Hollywood propaganda like ships capsized or the falling skyscrapers. The usage of graphics were limited, but the later scenes were green screen shots. So I warn you to keep your expectations low.

     The next half was the aftermath of the calamity where the people go look for their beloved ones. But it focused only the one family, and their involvement, which is more or less similar to 'The Impossible'. The supporting characters are the weak point in the entire narrative. One of the few things I like about this film was this one looks more natural and realistic.

     I won't officially declare it a must see, it was not bad either. You might like it more than me. The movie is worth a watch other than often you encounter the influence of other flicks. You can't complain for those, basically, they are like a blueprint for a theme like this. If you're able to comply with pouring cliches, you could have a good time with it, in my opinion.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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


Similar movies:
Tidal Wave, San Andreas, The Impossible, 2012, Twister.


External Link(s):
      


WCA geolocation:
Right now we're in

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Kiss Me You Fucking Moron (2013) Norway

A well known teen romance-drama, for a change in different language.



Comedy | Drama | Romance

Original title:
Kyss Meg For faen I Helvete (Norwegian)


Review:
     A romance-dramedy from Norway. This movie did not turn as what I expected. I was deceived by the tempting title. In the end, I found it a very common teen theme. Most of us are usually so familiar with this kinda story, in fact from Hollywood I must say. As per the Norwegian perspective, this movie could be a fresh product and well made.

     A rebellious teenage boy is forced to do community service after he was bullied his schoolmate. He has to team up with a girl who is exactly opposite to him. His friends tease him, but sometime later he begins to defend her. A little crush between them begin to grow, but the different lifestyle they live in resists it. Yeah, I know it was the story of 'A Walk to Remember' that is what this movie is largely influenced. Same storyline, but the characters and platforms are changed. Although it was not an emotional romance tale, but a heartwarming story of young people.

     You must not consider both the movies are same from frame to frame. The second half is totally varied and travels different direction. Different language, different people, different accent, different places, all these together gave me a different experience than the title I mentioned in the above paragraph. Probably that is the reason I did not get bored to watch till the end I guess. I believe it won't work for everyone in that way so I put it in an average list.



Similar movies:
Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Never Been Kissed, Tamara Drewe, According to Greta


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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

Kiss Me You Fucking Moron (2013) on IMDb


  • Tween: From age between 7 to 12
  • Teen: From age between 13 to 19
  • Adult: From age above 20
  • Ignore: Not worth watching
  • Bad: Not good but watchable
  • Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
  • Good: great certainly not masterpiece
  • Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Turn Me On, Dammit! (2011) Norway

A teen comedy on sex theme.



Comedy | Drama

Original title: 
meg på, for faen (Norwegian)


Review:
     Based on a book of the same name about a 15 year old girl Alma's sexual fantasies. A simple story for a silly reason takes place in a small Norwegian village. Occasionally, additional scenes that try to merge with the main story stream are totally a diversion to the viewers. Sometime what is real and what is fiction are too hard to differentiate from each other. Especially this whole story happens in the backdrop of an incident that takes place in the beginning of the movie. For that, to make clear to ourselves, we have to wait till the end where it explains. But still I am not sure whether it is a real or fantasy of Alma.

     The story is set in a small town called Skoddeheimen  located somewhere in Norway. A teenager, Alma is attracted to her classmate Artur and she filled with sex fantasies about him. One day at a party, her long pending desire gets fulfilled when she makes out the night with Artur. So she tells that to her two close friends, but they deny it as they are jealous of it. The relationship end there and friendship with Artur too. She's been outcasted by her schoolmates, instantly she's been teased by calling dick-Alma. As one side, she is obsessed with fantasies and other side bad remarks against her, will she rise from all these is what remaining portraits.

     Yeah, kinda chick movie, but without any regret I enjoyed it. It was just like the American movies about teenagers problems that they face in their school except it was not lousy. That mean not like a commercial movie where a protagonist rises from the ground with a master plan and take a revenge. More like a reality in presentation with nice characters and shot in a beautiful place. In other word, it is exactly same movie to Kristen Stewart's 'Speak' but story travels in the opposite direction with comedy as its genre.



Similar movies:
Speak, Totally True Love, Mean Girls, Easy A, Little Birds, Jack and Diane


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


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

Turn Me On, Dammit! (2011) on IMDb


  • Tween: From age between 7 to 12
  • Teen: From age between 13 to 19
  • Adult: From age above 20
  • Ignore: Not worth watching
  • Bad: Not good but watchable
  • Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
  • Good: great certainly not masterpiece
  • Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece