Italian for Beginners (1995)

Danish Dogma film 'Italian for Beginners' is yet another Danish film I really enjoyed. To be honest, I have yet to see a bad Danish film (Babette's Feast, After the Wedding, Brothers etc. Were honestly some of the best films I have ever seen).
Therefore, I wonder if they do in fact exist? If they do - I'm yet to find one.
However, despite my ardent appreciation of Denmark's film industry I am unfamiliar with many of the Dogma films. Thus, I was excited to check some more out.

Italian for beginners is a low budget film and you can tell. However, it works with the picture. The characters appear realistic with quirks and all. I find this to be central to most of the Danish films though - great characters.
The film has romance and comedy however, is not your typical American "RomCom".
I found this film to be endearing and would watch it again.

Bonnie & Clyde (1967)

Stylish, cool and charismatic duo Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow played by Warren Beatty and Faye Dunnaway are exciting to watch in this iconic 60's film based on the real life characters of the same name.

The leading actors are beautiful and the mix of sexual chemistry, violence and comedy mix very well. I adored the costumes and the stylisation which lend a slight 'Western' like aspect to this film despite the fact that its not set in that time or that part of America. The extreme closeups of Bonnie remind me a little of french women in new wave films.

I liked this film and can understand why it was so influential and such a step away from the more suggary film of that time.


Image from here

Three Kings (1999)

I'm not a big fan of George Clooney as I find he overacts. Thus, I found this movie a bit tedius to watch. That's not to say I didnt recognise this as a good film for some - because it is (for some). However, I cannot say that I loved it.

The film has an energy too it and even though I hate to relate this film to a gender, but I definetly think this is "one for the boys".

I feel somewhat like I have seen this type of film before, however, the films may have borrowed from this film.

Ultimatly my favourite part of this film was the soundtrack.

After the Wedding (2006)

I loved this film.

The storyline was unpredictable but real. The characters were multi dimensional; flawed and yet likable. The performances in this film were nothing short of touching, with the standout performance being Rolf Lassgard (Jorgen) who recites some of the most touching lines in the film. Lines that were delivered with so much emotion, you cannot help but weep for him.

The complexity and depth of characters and the intriguing storyline made for a powerful film.
Of which I found to be so captivating I watched it twice in one day.

Delicatessen clip

Only the French would come up with this.

Bizarre hilarity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJp9ecTjBGQ

Persona (1966)

This is the second Ingmar Bergman film I have seen. The first was "Fanny och Alexander" (A very different film to Persona but still distinct).

The opening to 'Persona' was cringe worthy and intoxicating at the same time. Your left thinking "Did I just see that?" and with the power of rewind/pause. It is confirmed that "yes, yes you did".

The film plot in itself is complex, dealing with existential questions and ideas.
The angles in this film and the extreme closeups help focus the viewer on the character. We watch the character react by studying the constructs of their face.

I liked this film but you really do need to be in the mood for it as their is nothing light and airy about it.
This movie reaffirmed my view that Scandinavia produces some amazingly groundbreaking films.

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Dear John (2010)

Predictable, dull and boring. Another tearjerker attempt for the fans of Nicolas Spark adaptions.
Would make a good Saturday afternoon film to watch with friends on tv. But only on network television.

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