[2011] 100 Films Project! May 23rd - Jun 5th
+6 Films: #62. Copie Conforme (2010), #63. Elektra Luxx (2010), #64. Women In Trouble (2009), #65. The Roommate (2011), #66. Transylvania (2006), and #67. Unknown (2011).
copie conforme (2010)+
6/10 ******
Plot: In Tuscany to promote his latest book, a middle-aged British writer meets a French woman who leads him to the village of Lucignano. While there, a chance question reveals something deeper.
Not as great as I thought it would be, but that's high expectations for ya. Either way, still a very decent film. Binoche, as usual, delivers a remarkable performance, and the lead actor is also quite good. The story is surprising, but not as *much* as I was led to believe. Has a Before Sunset feel to it, but be warned not *nearly* as fantastic (I know, I'm biased considering my adoration for the franchise).
elektra luxx (2010)+
6/10 ******
Plot: Pregnant porn star Elektra Luxx is trying to make a split from the adult film industry by making a living teaching sex classes to housewives. But her life is thrown into disarray when a flight attendant with ties to Elektra's past approaches her for a favor. Chaos and hilarity ensue as fiancees, private investigators, a twin sister, best selling authors and even the Virgin Mary force her to face up to an unexpected series of decisions and revelations.
Oh, My God! So much more than I thought it would be. I'm very fond of camp when done properly, and this film certainly delivers it. It's compelling, at times touching, funny, sweet, you feel for the characters... Besides, the cast (Gugino, Levitt, Olyphant, Shelton, Kirk, Palicki, Chriqui, Quinlan, Akerman, Moore...)? Simply amazing! I mean, even the tiny parts. I know I epically failed by watching Elektra before Women In Trouble, but I had no idea the latter existed. But I corrected that mistake as soon I found out on IMDb. Anyhow, I recommend this to all.
women in trouble (2009)+
6/10 ******
Plot: A serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly disparate women: a porn star, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, a bartender, a pair of call girls, etc. All of them with one crucial thing in common. Trouble.
Same as I said about Elektra Luxx applies for this film as well. The cast is practically the same, too; and equally awesome (Britton, Brolin, Baker, Clarke...). Recommended. 100%
the roommate (2011)+
2/10 **
Plot: College student Sara finds that her new roommate Rebecca has an obsession with her, which quickly turns violent.
Sooo bad that words fail to depict its high level of suckness. I mean, talk about weak script and storyline in general. I think they were shooting for something along the lines of that Jennifer Jason Leigh film, you know, the one she goes all weirdo/psycho on Bridget Fonda. The name of the film escapes me right now, but either way, it doesn't even compare.
transylvania (2006)+
6/10 ******
Plot: Zingarina arrives in Transylavania, accompanied by her close friend Marie and her guide and interpreter Luminitsa. She is not there only to visit this region of Romania but to trace her lover Milan, a musician who has made her pregnant and who left her without a word of explanation. When she finds him back, he brutally rejects her and Zingarina is terribly upset. She leaves her two companions and having become a wreck she hardly survives by following a wandering little girl. Her destiny changes for the best when she meets Tchangalo, a traveling trader.
Nice, really nice! Engaging storyline, powerful soundtrack, well-developed characters, quirky feel to it... Reminded me a bit of Gegen Die Wand, maybe because of the love story, or perhaps the strong/touching soundtrack, maybe because of Ünel (who I strangely find quite sexy)... I really can't tell exactly, but I'm getting sidetracked here. Anyways, totally worthy of a view.
unknown (2011)+
3/10 ***
Plot: A man awakens from a coma, only to discover that someone has taken on his identity and that no one, (not even his wife), believes him. With the help of a young woman, he sets out to prove who he is.
What a mess! Really, *really* weak script. I mean, the holes on that plotline were big enough to fit ten elephants inside. With plenty of room to spare. Even the acting left you hanging; Neeson, Kruger, Jones... everybody was off their game. I guess it's hard to work with such ludicrous material. But the most baffling fact is that it has a 7.0 rating at IMDb, I mean, films there are usually overrated, but such disparity is still highly amusing (for lack of better word).
copie conforme (2010)+
6/10 ******
Plot: In Tuscany to promote his latest book, a middle-aged British writer meets a French woman who leads him to the village of Lucignano. While there, a chance question reveals something deeper.
Not as great as I thought it would be, but that's high expectations for ya. Either way, still a very decent film. Binoche, as usual, delivers a remarkable performance, and the lead actor is also quite good. The story is surprising, but not as *much* as I was led to believe. Has a Before Sunset feel to it, but be warned not *nearly* as fantastic (I know, I'm biased considering my adoration for the franchise).
elektra luxx (2010)+
6/10 ******
Plot: Pregnant porn star Elektra Luxx is trying to make a split from the adult film industry by making a living teaching sex classes to housewives. But her life is thrown into disarray when a flight attendant with ties to Elektra's past approaches her for a favor. Chaos and hilarity ensue as fiancees, private investigators, a twin sister, best selling authors and even the Virgin Mary force her to face up to an unexpected series of decisions and revelations.
Oh, My God! So much more than I thought it would be. I'm very fond of camp when done properly, and this film certainly delivers it. It's compelling, at times touching, funny, sweet, you feel for the characters... Besides, the cast (Gugino, Levitt, Olyphant, Shelton, Kirk, Palicki, Chriqui, Quinlan, Akerman, Moore...)? Simply amazing! I mean, even the tiny parts. I know I epically failed by watching Elektra before Women In Trouble, but I had no idea the latter existed. But I corrected that mistake as soon I found out on IMDb. Anyhow, I recommend this to all.
women in trouble (2009)+
6/10 ******
Plot: A serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly disparate women: a porn star, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, a bartender, a pair of call girls, etc. All of them with one crucial thing in common. Trouble.
Same as I said about Elektra Luxx applies for this film as well. The cast is practically the same, too; and equally awesome (Britton, Brolin, Baker, Clarke...). Recommended. 100%
the roommate (2011)+
2/10 **
Plot: College student Sara finds that her new roommate Rebecca has an obsession with her, which quickly turns violent.
Sooo bad that words fail to depict its high level of suckness. I mean, talk about weak script and storyline in general. I think they were shooting for something along the lines of that Jennifer Jason Leigh film, you know, the one she goes all weirdo/psycho on Bridget Fonda. The name of the film escapes me right now, but either way, it doesn't even compare.
transylvania (2006)+
6/10 ******
Plot: Zingarina arrives in Transylavania, accompanied by her close friend Marie and her guide and interpreter Luminitsa. She is not there only to visit this region of Romania but to trace her lover Milan, a musician who has made her pregnant and who left her without a word of explanation. When she finds him back, he brutally rejects her and Zingarina is terribly upset. She leaves her two companions and having become a wreck she hardly survives by following a wandering little girl. Her destiny changes for the best when she meets Tchangalo, a traveling trader.
Nice, really nice! Engaging storyline, powerful soundtrack, well-developed characters, quirky feel to it... Reminded me a bit of Gegen Die Wand, maybe because of the love story, or perhaps the strong/touching soundtrack, maybe because of Ünel (who I strangely find quite sexy)... I really can't tell exactly, but I'm getting sidetracked here. Anyways, totally worthy of a view.
unknown (2011)+
3/10 ***
Plot: A man awakens from a coma, only to discover that someone has taken on his identity and that no one, (not even his wife), believes him. With the help of a young woman, he sets out to prove who he is.
What a mess! Really, *really* weak script. I mean, the holes on that plotline were big enough to fit ten elephants inside. With plenty of room to spare. Even the acting left you hanging; Neeson, Kruger, Jones... everybody was off their game. I guess it's hard to work with such ludicrous material. But the most baffling fact is that it has a 7.0 rating at IMDb, I mean, films there are usually overrated, but such disparity is still highly amusing (for lack of better word).