Bedways

Bedways

I recall seeing two new German films last year and both of them were highly erotic. Sadly, only one of them was any good, and even more sadly, it wasn't this one. "Bedways" is about a female film director who wants to make an art-porn film with her two friends, but never really gets started as the focus always seems to end up elsewhere. Much like my focus while watching this, as I was about to fall asleep out of plain boredom. (2 out of 10)  

My Week With Marilyn

My Week With Marilyn

Michelle Williams gives a fantastic performance in this film as Marilyn Monroe, but it is not enough to make this film more than just above average for me. Everybody seemed to love this one when it came out, but much like films like "War Horse" and "The Iron Lady", I think it has the potential of something great, but somehow gets a little too slow-going and boring to really make the impact it should have. Worth a watch, but it'll just be the one. (6 out of 10)

Buzz Aldrin, What Happened to You in All the Confusion?

Buzz Aldrin, What Happened to You in All the Confusion?

In the Faroe Islands we haven't produced a lot of films, so we appreciate pretty much everything featuring our own actors. This Norwegian four episode mini-series is located on our beautiful islands for at least half of the entire show (the rest of the time we find ourselves in Norway) and features quite a few Faroese actors. The show itself, which is about a depressed Norwegian young man who moves to the Faroe Islands to start over after his girlfriend dumps him, is surprisingly good, not only by Faroese standards, but also by Scandinavian standards. (7 out of 10)    

Pete Smalls is Dead

Pete Smalls is Dead

If you saw this (which you probably didn't) and thought that the dwarf looked familiar, then you are right, because, yes, it's the same dwarf who was in "Death at a Funeral" (both English and American versions) and is in the popular TV-series "Game of Thrones". As you may have noticed, Peter Dinklage, usually doesn't land a lot of leading roles, but in this film, however, he deservably does play the lead. Sadly for him, however, the film is just not worth a damn. Skip this British comedy. (2 out of 10) 

Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown

Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown
I remember seeing some Charlie Brown cartoons on TV when I was younger - probably short films - but I don't recall being blown away by any of it. It got this film for my kids, but it turned out none of them wanted to watch it, so I watched it by myself and found it to be alright and probably better then a lot of what my kids are watching. (6 out of 10)

Gnomeo and Juliet

Gnomeo & Juliet
As the title implies this is a modern animated version of Shakespear's "Romeo and Juliet". When released last year, the film received mixed reviews. Quite a few were good, but a lot of them were also bad. Personally I found it quite enjoyable. It wasn't as good as last year's best animated films such as "Rango", "Happy Feet 2" and "Tintin", but it was a film worth seeing for those who are into animated films. (6 out of 10)

Yogi Bear

Yogi Bear
There were several semi-animated films released last year (okay this one was released i December 2010, but was released on DVD in March 2011) or should I call them part animated and part live-action films? Anyway, most of this kind of films that I saw last year were pretty bad. This one was defintely one of the worst (not worse than the newest "Alvin and the Chipmunks" film though). Not even my kids wanted to see this one again. (3 out of 10)

Resistance

Resistance
Oh my God, this was a real drag. It was like a bad BBC World War II film or something like that. Boring, boring, boring. What the fuck did Michael Sheen do in a piece of crap film like this. Jeeez. (2 out of 10)

Weekend

Weekend

After Iranian lesbian drama "Circumstance", "Weekend" was probably the gay picture of the year in 2011. It's about a young gay man who picks up another gay man he doesn't know at a bar. From there on the film centeres around their relationship that started as random sex and then evolved into on and of sex and then, who knows, maybe even love? The script of this film is very well written and even though the film moves slowly, it'll keep you interested. Give this film a try if you're into films about relationships. (7 out of 10)

A Little Help

A Little Help

Those of you who've liked the charming acting of Jenna Fischer in the television show "The Office", but think she hasn't come to her right in the motion pictures she has appeared in, well here's a chance to finally see her in a leading role where she does. In this film she plays an ordinary single mother who gets thrown of balance, but desperately tries to keep things together. The film may not the most interesting one, and it loses a few points, as it is a bit too slow in places, but it wins equally many back for the honest and heartfelt story. (6 out of 10)

Friends with Kids

Friends with Kids

"Friends with Kids" was supposed to be to the romantic indie-comedy genre in 2012 what "Bridesmaids" was to the same genre in 2011, but where "Bridesmaids" was a fairly good wedding movie, "Friends with Kids" digs a little further into the relationship, namely when the time comes for married couples to have kids. And then every once in a while when there are friends who want to have kids. Much like "Bridesmaids", "Friends with Kids" is a fairly good romantic comedy. Not as good as the critics have said, but still well worth your time if you're into romantic comedies, because it's a lot better than most of what normally comes from Hollywood within this genre. (6 out of 10)  

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre

"Jane Eyre" received a lot of praise last year and while I think it's a quite likeable film, I am not sure it is as good as people have made it sound. Sure, it's beautifully shot and features an amazing cast with the likes of Mia Wasikowska, Jamie Bell, Michael Fassbeinder, Judi Dench and others, but when it all comes down to it, this is pretty much just another British period drama much like most of the others of its kind. Fans of the genre, however, will go absolutely crazy about it, but then again, fans of the genre have surely seen it a good while ago. (6 out of 10)  

Brake

Brake

Just like "Elevator" was a total rip-off of "Devil", "Brake" is a total rip-off of "Buried". Only "Brake" takes place in the trunk of a car instead of a coffin. As in most cases with films that are really similar, it's hard for the newer film to be as effective as the first one, as it in a lot of ways, in its similarity, seems like something seen before. Watching "Brake" feels like that. Watching Ryan Reynolds in "Buried" was both effective and suspenseful, but watching Stephen Dorff in "Brake" just seems tried and it gets tired really fast. Those who stick through it all, though, get rewarded with an ending that comes out of nowhere and gets the overall impression up a notch or two. (5 out of 10)

Jane's Journey

Jane's Journey

Having studied chimpanzees for most of her life and having spent a great deal of her life trying to make this world a better place for people as well as animals, Jane Goodall is clearly a remarkable person and her lifework is truly admirable. This documentary about her sees a lot of people, including celebrities like Angeline Jolie and Pierce Brosnan, saying really good things about her. We also see Jane herself look back on her life as well as seeing some archive footage. There's no doubt that Jane's story is interesting, but I don't think the director of this film gets it across as well as he should have. I also think that this film feels a bit longer than it actually is. (6 out of 10)

Hysteria

Hysteria

It's not that I think British period dramas are too stiff and boring, but I think "Hysteria" was a breath of fresh air within this genre with its light take on things. "Hysteria" is in a lot of ways a rather typical romantic comedy, but it's also the story of the beginning of the vibrator. And yes, by vibrator, I am speaking of the sex toy. Sounds like a lot of fun, right? It actually is and the funniest part about it is that it is actually said to be based on true events. The film features a strong cast where Hugh Darcy and Maggie Gyllenhaal shine the brightest. (7 out of 10)

Hop

Hop

I love watching children’s movies with my kids and I was really looking forward to watching last year's semi-animated eastern hit movie with them. Needless to say, my kids absolutely loved it and still watch it frequently. But I can't say that I was as crazy about it and some would argue that I shouldn't be. James Marsden sucked badly in the leading role and the eastern bunny was just too damn cute. The best thing about this film for me, was seeing the gospel band, The Blind Boys of Alabama, which I also was fortunate enough to hear live last year, play for a short while in this film. (4 out of 10)

The Skin I Live In

The Skin I Live In

The Spanish "The Skin I Live In" was one of the best foreign language films of last year, which didn't come as a surprise to me, as I haven't seen a Pedro Almodovar film yet that I haven't liked. Almodovar's films are always a bit strange and nothing quite like anything else you're bound to see and "The Skin I live In" is no different in that department. Actually, if it is different, it would rather be that it is even stranger and crazier than normally. Not only does this film deliver another great directing job by Pedro Almodovar, but it also delivers the best damn acting performance by Antonio Banderas in years. (8 out of 10)

Winnie The Pooh

Winnie The Pooh

Being 34, I'd say that I am a bit old for this, wouldn't you? That and the fact that Disney hardly are breaking new ground here, as well as this film is rather short for a feature film at full price, should all speak in favor of a mistake by Disney. However, seeing Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and all the others again, was actually quite pleasant. Not to mention that the kids seemed to love it. (6 out of 10)

Perfect Sense

Perfect Sense

Not knowing anything about this film, I really thought that I was about to see a typical romantic film, which I probably based on the poster. Heck, I even had my girlfriend by my side when I watched it, because I figured she'd like it. This is a love story, let there be no doubt about that, but there's nothing typical about this one. This is actually an apocalyptic sci-fi romance set in modern-day Glasgow. It has a thing or two in common with last year's "Melancholia" and "Another Earth" and this year's "4:44 Last Day on Earth", but it is even sadder than any of those. (6 out of 10)

Dirty Girl

Dirty Girl

The biggest problem with "Dirty Girl" is that this supposedly dirty girl isn't dirty enough, or at least as dirty as I expected her to be. For a few minutes in the beginning she's a little bit bad perhaps, but that's soon over and from there on, she is actually quite sweet if you ask me. Anyway, "Dirty Girl" is pretty much your typical run-of-the-mill coming-of-age story with nothing new or interesting to show for. (4 out of 10)