In this segment I will sum up all my contributions that are not simple movie reviews. All articles that deal with news, events, theory, other inspired topics about film or themes I made up myself some time ago that would otherwise get lost in the blog's archive can be found here.
01/01/13 A Happy New Year ... for the movies?
The 5 Major Types of Moviegoers
Director's Special:
Me and my friends were making our first movie. I wrote down some of my thoughts at the end of each day of shooting.
Director's Diary - Part 1: A hard day's night
Director's Diary - Part 2: Surprises of each kind
Director's Diary - Part 3: Lucky Number Three
Director's Diary - Part 4: All that remains
Series Special:
True Blood (Season 1)
More stuff coming soon ... hopefully.
6/30/2011
All My Reviews (in alphabetical order)
** Click on a film to get to the review **
The Accountant (1 star)
After Hours (3 stars)
Another Heaven (half a star)
The Artist (4 stars)
A Serbian Film (2 stars)
A Tale Of Two Sisters (3 stars)
Bad Lieutenant (4 stars)
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans (3 ½ stars)
Beasts of the Southern Wild (3 ½ stars)
Boogie Nights (4 stars)
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (1 star)
Brotherhood (2 ½ stars)
Carnage (3 ½ stars)
The Chaser (3 ½ stars)
Clash of the Titans (1 star)
Confessions (2 stars)
Crazy Heart (4 stars)
The Crow (1 ½ stars)
Cutting Moments (3 ½ stars)
Dear Wendy (1 star)
Django Unchained (3 ½ stars)
Dog Day Afternoon (3 ½ stars)
Dogtooth (3 stars)
Do The Right Thing (4 stars)
Drive (3 stars)
Easy Rider (3 ½ stars)
Gravity (3 stars)
The Guard (3 stars)
Happiness (4 stars)
Hard Eight (3 ½ stars)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2 ½ stars)
Hugo (4 stars)
Hunger (3 ½ stars)
In Bruges (4 stars)
Inception (4 stars)
The Intouchables (3 stars)
Let The Right One In (3 stars)
Life of Pi (3 ½ stars)
Limitless (2 stars)
Looper (3 ½ stars)
Magnolia (4 stars)
Martyrs (3 stars)
The Master (3 ½ stars)
Memento (4 stars)
Nocturnal Animals (4 stars)
Pan's Labyrinth (4 stars)
Pi (3 ½ stars)
Prometheus (3 stars)
The Revenant (3 ½ stars)
Rubber (1 ½ stars)
Run Lola Run (3 stars)
Rush (3 ½ stars)
Scott Pilgrim vs. the world (2 ½ stars)
Session 9 (half a star)
Seven Psychopaths (3 ½ stars)
Sherlock Holmes (3 stars)
Sicario (3 stars)
Sightseers (3 stars)
Skyfall (2 stars)
Source Code (1 ½ stars)
Taken (2 ½ stars)
Take Shelter (3 ½ stars)
Taxi Driver (4 stars)
Ted (2 stars)
The Dark Knight Rises (3 stars)
The Great Gatsby (2 ½ stars)
The Next Three Days (1 ½ stars)
The Yellow Sea (2 stars)
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (3 stars)
Trance (half a star)
Transfer (1 ½ stars)
Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen (Zero stars)
True Grit (3 ½ stars)
United 93 (3 ½ stars)
Wild At Heart (2 ½ stars)
My favorite films
Here is a quick overview over my (25) favorite films:
Magnolia
“If I had to choose just one film, it would be this one. It is probably the most touching, personally moving and also one of the most thought provoking experiences I ever had at the movies. A 3 hour miracle that combines multiple storylines about life, love, fears and dreams ending with a biblical climax that will leave you breathless” - Elias
Memento
“A small, complex, intriguing, challenging, philosophical, independent film-noir psycho thriller. In this early Nolan movie, he toys with the audience minds in a most precise and most clever way. It's perfect.” - Elias
Pulp Fiction
“This is one of the best and probably the most influential movie of the 90s. Tricky stories perfectly arranged, great dialogue, great characters, great style, great soundtrack. Not only revolutionized the movies but also influenced pop culture. Represents a moment in time!” - Elias
No Country For Old Men
“A perfectly crafted thriller by two of my favorite directors: the Coen Brothers. Grotesque, funny, brilliant. Some scenes are so good you could watch just these bits over and over again ...” - Elias
Taxi Driver
“One of my favorite Scorsese movie is this New Hollywood-Classic. A film about loneliness and alienation. A shattering nightmare in the wonderfully portrayed Streets of New York City with an amazing, chilling performance by Robert DeNiro at its center.” - Elias
Donnie Darko
“Another complex indie movie. Surreal, interesting journey with lots of very sympathetic characters.” - Elias
Se7en
“40s style film noir crime-thriller that set new standards for the genre. Dark, gritty atmosphere, great chemistry between the protagonists and a brillant script lead up to one of the most infamous endings I can think of!” - Elias
A Serious Man
“In a way, this was more satisfying than any other Coen film to me. I love it. The script is so fantastically written and funny. It's an odd movie without mainstream appeal, I guess. But with a universal message. I also try to be a serious man...” - Elias
Boogie Nights
“Altman meets Scorsese in this wonderful portrayal of the rise and fall of a porn star in the 70s/80s.” - Elias
The King of Comedy
“A criminally overlooked masterstroke by Martin Scorsese. Probably my favorite of his. The film was a financial flop but is up there with his very best ones. A tragic story about a lonesome schmuck who loses himself in his obsession” - Elias
American Psycho
“I think this is an underrated one. Christian Bale is certainly one of my favorite actors and in this satire he gives one of his best performances. Mean, weird, twisted and even thought provoking.
It's a laugh riot ...” - Elias
American Beauty
“A razorblade satire about suburban life and the horrors behind our closed doors. As tragic as it is laugh out loud funny.” - Elias
Happiness
“If you like American Beauty, you may like this one as well. Even though by comparison, American Beauty is a feel-good story. Very offbeat ensemble drama about lonely people on their search for happiness in a society of oppressed emotions, needs and desires. Seek it out, it's brillant” - Elias
Being John Malkovich
“Charlie Kaufmann is surely one of the most original and ambitious screenwriters around. With director Spike Jonze he creates a sweet story from a very unusual perspective” - Elias
Adaptation
“Ambigious and multilayered narrative treat by Charlie Kaufmann about a poor screenwriter struggling with writers block and ending up writing himself into his own story” - Elias
Birdman
“Technical perfection meets a tragic comedy exploring existential human needs. I love it” - Elias
The Big Lebowski
“The dude is not only a character but represents an attitude. Hilarious, grotesque comedy by the great Coen Brothers. Cult.” - Elias
Inception
“One just can't deny the appeal of an insanely, entertainingly complex film like this. Even though parts of it may feel a bit too conventional Nolan's project remains a challenging, sophisticated stroke of genius that is a fascinating experience on literally multiple layers!” - Elias
City Lights
“This has always been my favorite among Chaplin's famous works. One of the sweetest romances in the history of film.” - Elias
City of God
“An electrifying indie-drama! Incredibly well made, rich story about life, corruption and crime.” - Elias
One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
“Wonderful film and statement for life and freedom.” - Elias
Oldboy
“Extraordinary. Inventive and colorful, bizarre and beautiful, violent and funny. A dark and extremely powerful revenge drama.” - Elias
In Bruges
“This wonderfully sweet, emotional story about three hitmen reflecting their life and profession blew me away when I saw it the first time. I am still not sure if it holds up though.”
Her
“This most recent film has impressed me more than any other fiction film in the last two or three years. What a sweet, intelligent and surprisingly funny love story of the near future.” - Elias
A Clockwork Orange
“My favorite by visonary director Kubrick.
This bizarre, unique piece is a funny (in a dark way) study of violence, gives insight about human nature and criticizes society.” - Elias
Magnolia
“If I had to choose just one film, it would be this one. It is probably the most touching, personally moving and also one of the most thought provoking experiences I ever had at the movies. A 3 hour miracle that combines multiple storylines about life, love, fears and dreams ending with a biblical climax that will leave you breathless” - Elias
Memento
“A small, complex, intriguing, challenging, philosophical, independent film-noir psycho thriller. In this early Nolan movie, he toys with the audience minds in a most precise and most clever way. It's perfect.” - Elias
Pulp Fiction
“This is one of the best and probably the most influential movie of the 90s. Tricky stories perfectly arranged, great dialogue, great characters, great style, great soundtrack. Not only revolutionized the movies but also influenced pop culture. Represents a moment in time!” - Elias
No Country For Old Men
“A perfectly crafted thriller by two of my favorite directors: the Coen Brothers. Grotesque, funny, brilliant. Some scenes are so good you could watch just these bits over and over again ...” - Elias
Taxi Driver
“One of my favorite Scorsese movie is this New Hollywood-Classic. A film about loneliness and alienation. A shattering nightmare in the wonderfully portrayed Streets of New York City with an amazing, chilling performance by Robert DeNiro at its center.” - Elias
Donnie Darko
“Another complex indie movie. Surreal, interesting journey with lots of very sympathetic characters.” - Elias
Se7en
“40s style film noir crime-thriller that set new standards for the genre. Dark, gritty atmosphere, great chemistry between the protagonists and a brillant script lead up to one of the most infamous endings I can think of!” - Elias
A Serious Man
“In a way, this was more satisfying than any other Coen film to me. I love it. The script is so fantastically written and funny. It's an odd movie without mainstream appeal, I guess. But with a universal message. I also try to be a serious man...” - Elias
Boogie Nights
“Altman meets Scorsese in this wonderful portrayal of the rise and fall of a porn star in the 70s/80s.” - Elias
The King of Comedy
“A criminally overlooked masterstroke by Martin Scorsese. Probably my favorite of his. The film was a financial flop but is up there with his very best ones. A tragic story about a lonesome schmuck who loses himself in his obsession” - Elias
American Psycho
“I think this is an underrated one. Christian Bale is certainly one of my favorite actors and in this satire he gives one of his best performances. Mean, weird, twisted and even thought provoking.
It's a laugh riot ...” - Elias
American Beauty
“A razorblade satire about suburban life and the horrors behind our closed doors. As tragic as it is laugh out loud funny.” - Elias
Happiness
“If you like American Beauty, you may like this one as well. Even though by comparison, American Beauty is a feel-good story. Very offbeat ensemble drama about lonely people on their search for happiness in a society of oppressed emotions, needs and desires. Seek it out, it's brillant” - Elias
Being John Malkovich
“Charlie Kaufmann is surely one of the most original and ambitious screenwriters around. With director Spike Jonze he creates a sweet story from a very unusual perspective” - Elias
Adaptation
“Ambigious and multilayered narrative treat by Charlie Kaufmann about a poor screenwriter struggling with writers block and ending up writing himself into his own story” - Elias
Birdman
“Technical perfection meets a tragic comedy exploring existential human needs. I love it” - Elias
The Big Lebowski
“The dude is not only a character but represents an attitude. Hilarious, grotesque comedy by the great Coen Brothers. Cult.” - Elias
Inception
“One just can't deny the appeal of an insanely, entertainingly complex film like this. Even though parts of it may feel a bit too conventional Nolan's project remains a challenging, sophisticated stroke of genius that is a fascinating experience on literally multiple layers!” - Elias
City Lights
“This has always been my favorite among Chaplin's famous works. One of the sweetest romances in the history of film.” - Elias
City of God
“An electrifying indie-drama! Incredibly well made, rich story about life, corruption and crime.” - Elias
One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
“Wonderful film and statement for life and freedom.” - Elias
Oldboy
“Extraordinary. Inventive and colorful, bizarre and beautiful, violent and funny. A dark and extremely powerful revenge drama.” - Elias
In Bruges
“This wonderfully sweet, emotional story about three hitmen reflecting their life and profession blew me away when I saw it the first time. I am still not sure if it holds up though.”
Her
“This most recent film has impressed me more than any other fiction film in the last two or three years. What a sweet, intelligent and surprisingly funny love story of the near future.” - Elias
A Clockwork Orange
“My favorite by visonary director Kubrick.
This bizarre, unique piece is a funny (in a dark way) study of violence, gives insight about human nature and criticizes society.” - Elias
Introduction: Some thoughts on rating the movies
Best movie eva!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
... know that line?
Well, you will certainly not find that one anywhere on these pages.
In the following I'll share some of my thoughts on reviewing and evaluating the films I see.
... know that line?
Well, you will certainly not find that one anywhere on these pages.
In the following I'll share some of my thoughts on reviewing and evaluating the films I see.
Introduction: Elias and the Movies
Annotation December 2016:
This has been inactive for quite a while for a lot of reasons. But I may just restart writing regularly one day. Lately I have posted a few reviews in german, since I write in a german community anyways and don't feel like taking the time that I don't have a lot of translating everything right now, I'm afraid.
Time to say hello? Let me tell you I am just another movie lover in my 20s ... and I am from Germany in case you wonder about my hopefully-not-too-horrible English.
The first and only thing you need to know: This is meant to be fun. All the posts can be seen as a subjective collection of my own opinions. I do research and try to supply additional information but most of the time I write from my mind and memory.
Now, let's go ahead and continue with the important stuff. Stuff we love. Movies.
I was like five or six years old when I started my movie-going career. My movie heroes at that time were Indiana Jones and nearly all of the characters in Star Wars. Ever since I felt a strong fascination for this art form and this fascination would grow with me.
Writing is so much fun and writing about movies even more so. I love to watch movies and I love to talk about movies. And I hope you came here to satisfy your own addictive desire to discuss some flicks. Sadly the talking always falls a little short outside of a cinephile community. For some people the movies are just time to relax and have some fun and when the movie is over they are done with it.
It was a couple of years ago that I first got really into film criticism. It began when I discovered the famous TV-show "Siskel & Ebert" which is today called "Ebert presents at the movies". You probably know it (if not, check it out!). I got addicted to this series and kept watching ever since. Furthermore I had long started to absorb related articles from all over the web. The show and my increased interest in the subject even enhanced the way I watch films, showed and told me things and films I did not know and really enriched the "movie-going experience" for me.
So in the course of time movies turned from a simple interest into a hobby and eventually into a passion. I started reading and writing quite a bit online but I just thought I could get a bit more focused.
So I decided to start writing an individual blog myself ...
... this one.
This has been inactive for quite a while for a lot of reasons. But I may just restart writing regularly one day. Lately I have posted a few reviews in german, since I write in a german community anyways and don't feel like taking the time that I don't have a lot of translating everything right now, I'm afraid.
Time to say hello? Let me tell you I am just another movie lover in my 20s ... and I am from Germany in case you wonder about my hopefully-not-too-horrible English.
The first and only thing you need to know: This is meant to be fun. All the posts can be seen as a subjective collection of my own opinions. I do research and try to supply additional information but most of the time I write from my mind and memory.
Now, let's go ahead and continue with the important stuff. Stuff we love. Movies.
I was like five or six years old when I started my movie-going career. My movie heroes at that time were Indiana Jones and nearly all of the characters in Star Wars. Ever since I felt a strong fascination for this art form and this fascination would grow with me.
Writing is so much fun and writing about movies even more so. I love to watch movies and I love to talk about movies. And I hope you came here to satisfy your own addictive desire to discuss some flicks. Sadly the talking always falls a little short outside of a cinephile community. For some people the movies are just time to relax and have some fun and when the movie is over they are done with it.
It was a couple of years ago that I first got really into film criticism. It began when I discovered the famous TV-show "Siskel & Ebert" which is today called "Ebert presents at the movies". You probably know it (if not, check it out!). I got addicted to this series and kept watching ever since. Furthermore I had long started to absorb related articles from all over the web. The show and my increased interest in the subject even enhanced the way I watch films, showed and told me things and films I did not know and really enriched the "movie-going experience" for me.
So in the course of time movies turned from a simple interest into a hobby and eventually into a passion. I started reading and writing quite a bit online but I just thought I could get a bit more focused.
So I decided to start writing an individual blog myself ...
... this one.
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