You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take. “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” (2021)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Dean Fleischer Camp
© 2021 A24. All Rights Reserved.

It’s time for me to write about Marcel, because I bet a lot of you expected me to comment on this production and I didn’t mention it during the Oscars period. So – yes, I definitely recommend you to get to know Marcel. In fact, for a long time it was my personal winner this year, but then I watched “Pinocchio” and my heart was stolen. Both of those films are marvellous stop-motion animations, yet “Pinocchio” won, at least in my eyes, because of a better-written screenplay. But first things first – meet Marcel (voice – Jenny Slate). As the title indicates, Marcel is a shell with shoes on. The director of this film, Dean, stays in an Airbnb house which is also the house of Marcel, his grandmother and his pet. The shell is a very adventurous little buddy with a very optimistic way of seeing the world. It’s fascinated by everything around and is willing to share its thoughts with Dean. When the director shares a video with Marcel on the internet, people go crazy about it. Suddenly, Marcel becomes a real star and many want to get to know the shell. Marcel isn’t much bothered with its popularity, yet becoming famous brings some hope of finding its family and reuniting with them. Abstract? Yes, totally. This is not just a stop-motion animation, but also a mockumentary, so at some point you may feel like Marcel actually exists, which is both ridiculous and hilarious. Personally, I had those moments when I was like “hey, such a smart little shell, I’d like to meet it” – and then realised how much my brain was playing with me. Marcel is an adorable character and I bet a lot of people adore it for its looks, but this shell in cute shoes is also incredibly smart, charismatic and a bit cynical. Marcel is a mix of a child’s spirit and a senior’s mind. During the whole film we may hear numerous important quotes reminding us to open our minds, appreciate who we are, be gentle with others and ourselves, keep asking questions, stay curious, and shortly – enjoy our lives, as simple as it sounds. Even though I was incredibly moved by Marcel, I believe this animation was way too long. One of my friends commented it as “great idea for a short film” – and I couldn’t agree more. I believe that if they made a short out of it, we would have had a total winner in that category. However, they decided to make it longer without polishing the screenplay to make it entertaining enough for viewers to stay equally amazed by Marcel for the whole 90 minutes. What’s more, this film is actually based on a series of short videos with Marcel the shell, so the filmmakers did start with such idea. And, in my opinion, they should have keep the films short. Still, I believe “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” is a very good production and it stands out from other animations that are usually awarded, so if you’re wondering whether it’s worth seeing, I say “hell yes”. Besides, I believe Marcel was the best dressed nominee of all award events, so this little shell is not only a great motivational speaker, but also a true icon on the red (or any other) carpet. I recommend you to get to know Marcel, because it’ll brighten your day for sure.

My rating: 7/10
S.

You have to live the life you were born to live. “The Sound of Music” (1965)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Robert Wise
© 1965 20th Century Fox. All Rights Reserved.

Let’s get back to the 60s and enjoy the sound of music, shall we? I’m sure many of you recognise this production even if you haven’t seen it yet. Lots of artists have got inspired by this story and the film adaptation definitely popularised it on a bigger scale. Because if you didn’t know – the film I’m recommending today is an adaptation of the stage musical from 1959. However, the screenplay of that stage musical isn’t a totally made-up thing. In fact, it’s based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp called “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers”. So what you’ll see in the film is mostly based on a real story, which to me is even more exciting. Everything is set in the late 30s in Austria. The main character is actually Maria (Julie Andrews), a young woman who’s preparing to become a nun. Unfortunately, shortly speaking, she’s way too fun to stay in the abbey, so she’s ordered to work for Captain Georg von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). The man is very wealthy and has a huge villa where he lives with his seven children. Their mother died and Captain finds it difficult to raise this whole bunch on his own, therefore he needs a governess. At first, the children aren’t thrilled about meeting Maria, but the woman has so much charm that she manages to become their friend quite fast. However, Captain is a very strict man and he’s used to discipline, while Maria is a free spirit who finds pleasure and happiness in everything around her. Those two seem to be from totally different worlds, yet at some point they find something in common – and it’s their love for music. And that’s all I want to share about the plot so you can enjoy discovering it. This musical is an absolute classic and a must-see. Even if you don’t like musicals, this one is a significant piece of art in the world of cinema, so if you’re a cinephile who likes understanding references and certain allusions, go and watch it. It’s difficult for me to say anything against it because it’s a legendary production made from A to Z. The songs you may hear in this musical are still remembered and appreciated, and it’s impossible not to sing along with the characters. Besides, Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer did a marvellous acting job there, which gives real chills and makes you feel lucky that you’ve shared this planet with such artists – at least I do feel so. And last but not least – it’s fascinating how they presented those historically difficult years in contrast to Maria’s spirit and never-ending optimism that she shared with the whole Trapp family. The scene where all of them perform is worth more than any words. Therefore, I’ll stop my post here and just say – watch it, appreciate it, enjoy it.

My rating: 8/10
S.

Do you want to be special? “Hunger” (2023)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Sitisiri Mongkolsiri
© 2023 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

I just love finding random films which turn out to be real gems. Today, I’m taking you to Thailand to recommend you one of their dramas. Just be aware of the fact that this film may make you feel hungry… or quite the opposite, depends on your current mood and how full your stomach is. We get to meet Aoy (Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying), a young woman working in their family restaurant. They cook simple and cheap food for ordinary people, yet they do it with passion and using old recipes, so many customers enjoy eating at the place. One day, Aoy gets an invitation to a very fancy restaurant called “Hunger” to meet with its chef, Paul (Nopachai Chaiyanam). The man has an incredible charm and Aoy admires his authority in the kitchen, therefore, when he offers her a job, she accepts without any doubts. The woman knows deep inside that there are many differences between her and the chef, however, she wants to do everything to impress him and become as special as he is. Unfortunately, while working in the prestigious restaurant, Aoy realises that becoming special has its huge price. If you’re getting “The Menu” (2022) vibes from this description, then I have to tell you that it really reminded me of the American production. Chef Paul is also a very disturbing person and he’s in the contrast to Aoy, an ordinary woman who doesn’t understand his made-up glamorous reality. The middle of the film could have been done better because I felt like its pace wasn’t similar to the beginning or the end, but I still enjoyed the film a lot. The character of Aoy was on point because they didn’t make a tragic figure out of her just because of her social status. Indeed, she’s a simple cook, but she also has a strong personality, which is visible to the chef and other colleagues. There was something magical about her static and focus, which said a lot about the character’s strength. Even if this film may remind you of “The Menu”, I think it’s still much different and has a lot of elements worth learning about. The most basic thing is that it’s a Thai production set in Thailand, so obviously, we may experience a bit of their culture. Perhaps we won’t understand all socioeconomic contexts, but it always gives a slight idea of what their reality looks like. I definitely loved the atmosphere of this production and the performance by Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, who is also an actress with a very impressive surname. Try to remember it, because I’m sure it’s worth seeing this lady’s work more often.

My rating: 7/10
S.

The purest form of love. “The Elephant Whisperers” (2022)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Kartiki Gonsalves
© 2022 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Before Oscars 2023 happened, this film was my favourite short documentary and during the event I was thrilled they got appreciated. Although I find it ridiculous that the Academy awarded a film about the purest love between humans and animals and in the same evening they forced a poor donkey to be brought onto the stage so a bunch of wealthy and famous people could have a laugh. I wish common sense could be bought with money. Anyway, let’s focus on this beautiful story as it actually brings me lots of joy. In “The Elephant Whisperers” we get to meet Bomman and Bellie – a couple living in South India. They are both indigenous people sharing a rather simple yet happy life together. And just like some of us have different pets such as dogs or cats, Bomman and Bellie have their own baby elephant Raghu. The little-not-so-little fella is a true sunshine that needs a lot of attention from their humans, but also brings a lot of happiness to their family. I was incredibly moved by this film because it shows the purest form of love. Bomman and Bellie didn’t have to accept the elephant – they could have just let the animal be or find someone else to worry about that. Their life is not that easy and they struggle to provide for themselves, so having such a baby pet is a huge challenge. And still, they didn’t give up on Raghu. They live all together and you can’t even imagine any different scenario for this little family. I love how much time and effort they’ve been putting into caring about Raghu and how much they’ve learnt about the animal, as if that was their human baby. This film really reminds us that we don’t have to be able to change the entire world with our actions – it’s enough to make a little step, especially in our surrounding. Besides, we could really live in peace with animals. This cruelty that has become our everyday life is completely unnecessary if you think about it. We really don’t need to hurt animals to have food, clothes or any other products. Just because certain things are common or have become our traditions, doesn’t mean we should be blindly following them. Try to take a break from it all and reflect on the topic yourself. Today’s documentary is full of peace and affection and I hope that by recommending it to you I’m also reminding you to seek for the same in your realities.

My rating: 8/10
S.

That small thought is all it takes to lose control. “Possessor” (2020)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Brandon Cronenberg
© 2020 Elevation Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

If you’ve seen at least one film by David Cronenberg, I bet your cinephile’s life is no longer the same. I’m not sure what to think about this director as most of his films make me question the meaning of life in a rather negative way, yet there are some that I could say I “enjoyed”. But am I a big fan? Nah. However, today’s production is actually made by David’s son – Brandon Cronenberg. And perhaps I’ll say something controversial here, but I do believe the younger generation has more potential to present. Still, if you think that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree… you’re right, because Brandon seems to be following a very similar path to his father’s – just with a better equipment and idea where he’s going, if you know what I mean. In this film we meet Tasya Vos (Andrea Riseborough), an assassin who works in an unusual way. Instead of killing her targets herself, she possesses other people’s bodies and kills as them. All that is possible thanks to fancy brain implants and advanced technology, which we all know from sci-fi productions. After finishing her job, she has to commit suicide as the person she’s possessing and this way she may return to her own body. Easy? Well, judge yourselves. Except work, Tasya is a wife and mother, which becomes more and more difficult to manage. Since she constantly has to possess other people, she starts questioning her own self and who she actually is as a person. Detaching from her family would make things easier, but the woman doesn’t want to lose the loved ones. One day, Tasya gets another mission and a new person to possess. Even though she knows what to do, not everything goes as planned… but that’s for you to see yourselves. I have to say that Brandon Cronenberg way of writing screenplays speaks to me way better than his father’s concepts. I seriously enjoyed going into this film’s world and I felt like I was taken care of as a viewer – that I’d not get lost in the story at some point. This film is strange, but you shouldn’t expect anything else coming from men with that surname – and it’s a compliment, because we need some strangeness in cinema. However, it also makes you reflect on the topic of relations, at least that’s what it did to me. What if someone started possessing us – would we even notice? Or maybe that would be easier for some of us? And if so, how would we feel being surrounded by people, some of whom could be possessed by someone else and we would no longer know who we’re dealing with. Welcome to my mind, dear reader, that’s what happens when I get a sci-fi film. I personally love when filmmakers play with this topic of personal detachment and mind control, because it’s something that may be our reality in the future, who knows? And nothing scares me more than probable scenarios of the future. Give me a man with an axe chopping a group of people in a basement? Yawn. Give me a film about an advanced technology letting us possess each other? Ayuda, my brain is on fire! This film would need a bit of polishing to be more outstanding in its form, but I’m still satisfied. I’m looking forward to more questionable productions from the Cronenberg family!

My rating: 6.5/10
S.

How come all the rules are made by those in power? “Kill Boksoon” (2023)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Byun Sung-hyun
© 2023 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

It’s one of those films that I’d like the Academy to watch and stop giving Oscars to Asian producers just because they are from [insert any Asian country]. Sorry for harsh honesty at the very beginning, but I am slightly mad at what’s been happening to Oscars. If you really believe certain films have got the award just because they were seriously the best in their category – then you’re a true optimist. Did “Parasite” deserve the main Oscar back then? No. Did “Everything Everywhere All at Once” deserve it? No! And trust me, I’m the last person who would like to give the awards only to American productions – quite the opposite. I’d love the Academy to be more open for films from other countries. But being open doesn’t mean awarding any production that shows up on their list. Since I was against awarding EEAAO, here’s a film covering some similar topics yet, in my opinion, done way better. The main character is Gil Bok-soon (Jeon Do-yeon), a single mother raising her teenage daughter Gil Jae-yeong (Kim Si-a). Except the fact that they have a typical mother-daughter relationship, Bok-soon is hiding a secret. Quite significant one. Her daughter believes she works in some office, but in fact Bok-soon is a very skilful killer, known for her effectiveness and professionalism. However, the woman starts having some difficulties at work – some people are simply not happy about her successes. But what happens at work is definitely way easier for her to handle than being a mother to a teenager who needs more attention and support. This film isn’t spectacular enough to get an Oscar, don’t get me wrong, but when it comes to the general idea and consequence in making, I enjoyed it very much. The plot is rather simple – in the end it’s an action film, we all know how it works. However, what makes this one worth watching is for sure the characters, as each of them is well-written, with a certain purpose and a reason to be in this film. I also enjoyed the camerawork and editing, which wasn’t as rapid as it often is in Korean productions. Also, the ending is not that surprising, yet somehow unusual in its form and sums up the whole film in a subtle way. Besides, if you want some women empowerment – this is a story for you, for sure. We don’t only get a female assassin, but also a picture of a brave mother who’s ready to sacrifice anything for her family. I’m not a big fan of action films, but this one caught my attention and I wish you to try it as well. And dear Academy – please, watch more films. Maybe your choices will be more objective then.

My rating: 6/10
S.

You must immerse yourself in an unfamiliar world in order to truly understand your own. “The Nanny Diaries” (2007)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini
© 2007 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. All Rights Reserved.

This film seems to be quite forgotten, so it’s even better that I’m writing about it. I’m guessing that I saw Scarlett Johansson for the first time in this very production. Time flies… Anyway, I’ve recently decided to refresh my memory and see it again – and it’s terrifying how little has changed since 2007. In the story we meet Annie (Scarlett Johansson), a woman who has just finished her studies and, as every young adult, is trying to figure out what next. One day she meets a little boy named Grayer (Nicholas Art), whose mother Alexandra (Laura Linney) offers Annie a job. As she has no other option, Annie accepts the offer and become Grayer’s nanny. At first the woman believes that she’s just “joined” a lovely family, but the longer she works for them, the more differences she notices between their world and hers. This film is categorised as a comedy/drama, but to me it’s way more drama. Perhaps if you watch it for the sake of the plot and to relax your brain, you will simply have a pleasant time. But if you reflect on what’s presented in the story, the reality may hit you hard. When I was younger, I didn’t notice those dramatic elements that much, but now, as an older adult, I see many lessons being taught here. We obviously have Annie, who represents young people who are under horrible pressure from everywhere and everyone, so choosing their path is an awful challenge. We also have Alexandra, who’s a wealthy woman married to a total ignorant and who seems like she manages her life well but in fact she’s just going with the flow and makes sure not to express her confusion or any inner desires. And I have to say that this contrast between Annie and Alexandra gives quite a lot of food for thought about the position of women in the society. Or how women are perceived and what’s expected from them, no matter which social class they represent. However, the part that hits me most is presented by Grayer. Forgive my honesty, but according to me, children have become some sort of object that adults choose to own, yet they totally don’t think of any responsibilities that come with that. Everybody has a child – so will I. Who cares if I have time or any other capacity to actually raise them well? This is terrifying. Because having children shouldn’t be seen as a must or just a task to do in your adulthood to get a badge with “serious adult” on it. You don’t have to have a child, simple as that. And it’s nobody’s business what’s your reason. In fact, people who make a conscious decision not to have children because of [insert whatever reason] get my personal respect way faster than those who have 3 children and complain about the troubles of adulthood. As a person who is incredibly concerned about children’s well-being, this film hits me hard. I’m not saying that Alexandra is a bad person here, because if you analyse it, she really isn’t. I believe this film is generally about how lost adults are in being adults. That’s it. But at the same time, we have those little humans observing us and hoping we will show them the right way. So maybe it’s time to remember that. The film is not any masterpiece, but it’s quite timeless… and now I’m not sure whether it’s its advantage or disadvantage considering the presented topics… Judge yourselves.

My rating: 7/10
S.

This is the closest most people ever get to their dreams. “Last Night in Soho” (2021)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Edgar Wright
© 2021 Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

There’s something mysterious about Anya Taylor-Joy because each time I see her on the screen, I know the film/series is going to be at least good. And surprise surprise – this time is no different. But before we get to her character, we begin the story with Ellie (Thomasin McKenzie), who’s a young woman being raised by her grandmother. The girl’s obsession is fashion, therefore she decides to move to London and study at its College of Fashion. Since she’s coming from rural areas, it’s difficult for her to fit in and be on the same page with other students. Ellie is very motivated and stubborn, so, in order to make her dreams come true, she moves from the dormitory to a room in some elderly lady’s house. This way she hopes to find peace and focus on fashion designing instead of her rather unfriendly peers. From the day she moves to the new place, she starts having unusual dreams – she goes back to the 60s, which is the period of time she absolutely adores. Being there, she’s following a woman named Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy). The girl gets a lot of inspirations from her dreams and the character of Sandie, but at some point she realises that those dreams are not like any other. Ellie starts noticing strange things happening, both in her dreams and in the real life. The first thing that is impossible to miss while watching this film is amazing soundtrack – I was thrilled. Then, the camerawork is very pleasant and not that obvious. I definitely adore the dancing scene where Thomasin and Anya have to change from time to time – I actually saw how it was shot and except being a fun thing to see, I was impressed how well they organised it. Acting – I guess I don’t have to even give any argument for that. But what is this film really about? That’s a good question I asked myself and I’ll be happy to answer it as well. Some people say it’s about the problem of not fitting in and trying to escape to a different reality to feel comfortable with ourselves. And I would agree with that if only the other half of this film didn’t exist. But it does, and that makes me question the actual idea. I actually believe it’s a beautiful picture with a quite average narration. I’m afraid the filmmakers weren’t 100% sure which point they want to reach so they decided to reach them all. This film is fascinating, makes you stare at the screen and wonder what happens next – but at the end you may ask yourself “what did I just see?” Aesthetically and technically – marvellous, but someone forgot to polish the screenplay. Still, if you want to see the magnificent Anya and listen to some quality music, this film is something to go for. Plus, it is kind of creepy, so if you’re searching for something weird, yet not too scary for a horror night with your significant other – that’s also a good choice.

My rating: 6/10
S.

Only by dispassionate analysis can we get to the bottom of our inaction. “The Exterminating Angel” (“El ángel exterminador”, 1962)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Luis Buñuel
© 1962 Altura. All Rights Reserved.

If you asked me “who would you like to meet in your life?”, I bet one of my choices would be Luis Buñuel. I know, he’s no longer with us, but I feel like a conversation with him would be one of the most fascinating experiences of my life. During each of his films there’s a point at which I say to myself “no, you didn’t…” – and yes, he did. Today, I’d like to recommend you a story that won’t only entertain you, but also make you reflect on things you perhaps have never reflected on. We’re moving to a fancy mansion where Mr. and Mrs. Nóbile are having a party. Oh, sorry, not a party… an elegant meeting with their acquaintances. Each guest is worth a fortune, so just imagine the level of glamour in that place. However, a strange thing happens right before all those rich people arrive – the mansion’s staff leaves without any explanation. Then, when all the invited gather together, they start mingling and listening to one of the ladies playing the piano. At some point, the guests start suggesting going home, but… they simply don’t. Despite their willingness to leave the room, they just can’t do it. There’s no barrier, no guard forbidding them to pass – they simply don’t go. And if you’re not familiar with Buñuel’s style, then, welcome to his head, my dear reader. Personally, I adore his productions, but I can never fully analyse them. I mean, each time I try to understand what the film is about, I come up with some ideas, yet I never feel satisfied with them. I hate the fact that I cannot just meet with Buñuel and discuss his views, because no critic in this world may see what that man saw in his own work. To me, this particular story is actually quite creepy and disturbing. Except the fact that those people are somehow trapped in that one room, the scariest part is that there’s no explanation why they can’t do anything about it. As an overthinker, I’ve found lots of metaphors hidden there, but I really don’t want to share because of two reasons: one – some of them are somehow private and based on my own life experiences, two – I’d like you to discover something for yourselves without any suggestions from my side. Buñuel didn’t like explaining his films and I respect that fully, because some stories get better if we interpret them ourselves. Even though some people say it’s a comic fantasy, I see a very subtle horror there. I guess it depends on the moment of your life when you decide to watch it, but it’s definitely not just a random film to see and forget. If you like surrealism and quality cinema, this is your new must-see for sure. And I hope you’ll find something to admire there.

My rating: 7/10
S.

Real boys don’t come back. “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” (2022)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Guillermo del Toro & Mark Gustafson
© 2022 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

It took me quite some time to watch this film and I think I saw it one day before the Oscars ceremony… and I’m so glad I did because at least I knew who my real favourite in that category was. And the reason why I couldn’t really force myself to it was because some time before I watched Robert Zemeckis’ “Pinocchio” and… well… it hurt. I mean, as much as I admire Zemeckis, that was a really unnecessary production. Same old story, tiring and even cringy at certain points. So after that, I really didn’t want to go through the wooden boy drama again. But you know what? Guillermo del Toro did something spectacular with the well-known novel and painted it in his own style, with a pinch of mystery and even plot twists I totally didn’t expect. I believe everyone reading this post knows the story of Pinocchio, so I’ll just skip straight to telling you why admired this version so much. First, I had no idea that del Toro decided to go with stop-motion animation, so at the beginning I was positively shocked – if you’ve been reading my blog, you know I’m a big fan of this type of animation. Second, this film screams “I was made by del Toro” because it’s not adorable, it’s not cute – it’s beautiful but in a really disturbing way, which I personally loved. Is it a film for children? Well, depends. It’s not that drastic, but it’s not a shiny Disney production with catchy songs either. Besides, it is set in Fascist Italy, so we get some political background and messages, which can be understood only by older viewers. To me, that decision was great as it gave a lot of new quality to the story and made us reflect on the character of Pinocchio from a different perspective. Also, what does a boy who cannot die mean to the army? Expect such questions being asked in this film as well. Besides, I think this version has something that I missed in other versions myself, but I have to spoil it a bit so the next part is only for those who have seen it already. SPOILER coming: I believe that the end when Pinocchio returns to Gepetto is a real cherry on top. Why? Do you remember the ending in other versions? Pinocchio was turning into a human boy. However, in del Toro’s film Pinocchio stays the same. And isn’t that the point of this story? It’s a story that reminds us to stay who we are and love ourselves for who we are. Pinocchio was perfect from the beginning as a wooden boy and so shall he stay one. Damn, that’s what I’m talking about! I had tears in my eyes, but I guess they were caused by my feeling of satisfaction seeing such an ending. Thank you so much for finally making this story mean more than before. *END OF SPOILER* This animation is truly wonderful and I’m thrilled it was awarded. Not only I’m glad that Disney/Pixar was finally not a sure choice, but also incredibly proud that the Oscar went to a stop-motion animation, my beloved style. Please, let’s make more of those! At the end I may just share a funny fact – Cate Blanchett asked del Toro to give her a role in the film and he agreed, but the only character left was… Spazzatura, a wild monkey that makes only monkey noises. And guess what – she went for it. So each time you see that creepy money, remember it was dubbed by Cate Blanchett herself. Isn’t cinema just wonderful?

My rating: 8/10
S.