Holy Motors (2012)

Directed by: Leos Carax
Country: France / Germany

Review: Irreverent filmmaker Leos Carax shares his personal vision on cinema, turning “Holy Motors” in a film to be discussed. The first moments, filled with mystery and uncommon eccentricity, strangely appealed to my senses. My curiosity was sharpened while I was constantly trying to understand the meaning of all the odd assignments and behaviors. An obscure parallelism was made between the roles given to an actor and the roles played in real life (or lives). Each one of them had its purpose and meaning, needing to be fulfilled in a better way. The idea would have worked better, if we weren’t lost for so much time in its surrealism. The effective puzzle from the first half hour, gave place to some frustration due to the consecutive scenes that seemed pointless. This bizarre essay needed something else to become more lyrical or philosophical. Radical and free... although not brilliant.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Directed by: Peter Jackson
Country: USA / New Zealand

Review: Nine years after “The Lord of the Rings”, Peter Jackson returns with another trilogy based on a Tolkien's novel. The first part of “The Hobbit” is visually intense and puts a lot of energy on the screen, but stays a few steps behind any movie from the first trilogy. The formulas need urgently to be recycled. The characters are not surprising anymore and the plot insists on the same kind of dangers, battles and conclusions. Even the humor worked so sparingly that becomes forgettable in the end. The imagery by itself isn’t enough to handle a movie, and it seems that Peter Jackson relied too much in this aspect, simply forgetting to put some spice on the rest. Hereupon, my expectations for the sequel are very low, making me believe that it won’t be much different from the insubstantiality presented in this one. Let's wait and see...

Love In The Buff (2012)

Directed by: Pang Ho-Cheung
Country: China / Hong Kong

Review: “Love in The Buff” is the sequel of “Love in the Puff” from 2010. Cherie and Jimmy continue the struggle to make their relationship endure, but eventually they break up to meet once again in Beijing in unexpected circumstances. Starting all over again, will bring them the same problems as before, with the big decisions being reserved to the end. The movie unevenly stands between the light comedy and the sentimental drama, depicting how inattentive behaviors can ruin a relationship. The romantic side was watchable and with the right balance could have been much better, while the comic side was a complete failure. Using some cheesy scenes, uninspired jokes and an awful karaoke moment, this is a movie with too much ups and downs to be considered solid or interesting.

Tabu (2012)

Directed by: Miguel Gomes
Country: Portugal / others

Review: Aurora had a rich and spoiled youth, spent in a former Portuguese colony in Africa. Now she lives in Lisbon with her african maid, who she accuses of sorcery. She became a fragile, frightened and poor old woman, haunted by memories of a lost lover. Some of the characters have shown margin for further development, yet the plot was rather compelling. The unforeseen invocation of mute cinema to approach the scenes of the past, gave it a distinguished touch, luring the viewer for its magnificent black-and-white pictures. The Religion factor was another fundamental aspect to create a favorable mysticism - guilt, fear and regret are often associated with the devil and hell. Miguel Gomes was deservedly recognized at Berlin Film Festival as an emergent filmmaker.

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012)

Directed by: Alison Klayman
Country: USA

Review: This is a powerful and thorough documentary about the Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, famous not only for his art but also for his clash with the Chinese Government. The movie covers a long period in Ai Weiwei's life, giving a perspective of the events that led him to a brain surgery and posterior domiciliary imprisonment. This will be another slap in the face of China’s Government, since we witness the inexistence of human rights, corruption and a shadowy democracy. Several people contributed with their words to tell the world how Weiwei is so important in this never-ending struggle. His personal life was also documented, although in a very discrete way. “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” denounces a persisting problem and shows how much fearless people are needed to make pacific changes. 

Kon-Tiki (2012)

Directed by: Joachim Ronning / Espen Sandberg
Country: Norway / others

Review: “Kon-Tiki”, directed by the same duo of "Max Manus"(2008), was the most expensive Norwegian film so far. The plot consists in the voyage planned and made by Thor Heyerdahl (and five more men) in a balsa raft, from Peru to Polynesia, to prove that South Americans could have been the first inhabitants of the latter. A curious detail was that Thor, despite being a courageous sailor, didn’t know how to swim. The highest moments of “Kon-Tiki” were those filled with tension, including shark attacks, a threatening storm and the passage through the Raroia reef. Nothing here was so remarkable or that we haven’t seen before. Feelings only come around in the final scene with a touching letter from Thor’s wife, while the soundtrack reinforced the sense of heroism, in a super-budget film that failed a prominence place among cinematic odysseys.

Sleepwalk With Me (2012)

Directed by: Mike Birbiglia
Country: USA

Review: One-man-show Mike Bribiglia wrote, directed and acted in “Sleepwalk With Me”, a movie based on his own experiences. A weird comedy about the pressure of getting married and how to be a successful comedian using true life stories. Beyond that, a lot of sleepwalk and some setbacks complete the panorama, in a plot that never came to a real shakeup. For many times I could feel the frustration shown by Matthew, when his jokes were completely misunderstood or simply were not funny. I felt frustrated because this movie just needed a push or a click to make the emotions come out, and that never happened. The weirdness fits well here, but in the end there wasn't much more for us to retain. It opted for an honest modesty instead of a deceptive grandeur, which in this case had its own risks, leading to a limited amusement.

Pietà (2012)

Directed by: Kim Ki-Duk
Country: South Korea

Review: With “Pietà”, Korean Kim-Ki Duk is back to interesting projects, after an extended period where his works didn't achieve great notoriety. Since 2004, with “3-Iron” and “Samaritan Girl”, that he hadn't so satisfying and balanced results. “Pietà” carries a psychological weight and violence that could have easily fallen in those kinds of unbearable gloomy scenarios that often lead us to discomfort in detriment of substance. This time, the strong content of the plot was well handled, without excess of violence, keeping the story alive till the end, and even making the imagery appealing. The visual pollution that can be seen throughout the film (decimated buildings, dirty alleys) has the power of increasing the miserable reality of the characters. Awarded with the Golden Lion at Venice, "Pietá" is an asphyxiating story about motherhood, greed, evilness and revenge.

Tilva Ros (2010)

Directed by: Nikola Lezaic
Country: Serbia

Review: “Tilva Ros” is a dissimulated documentary turned into independent drama. The movie was shot in Bor, Serbia, a small town that in the past was considered the biggest copper mine in Europe. Nikola Lezaic, also a native from Bor, decided to make a movie about two friends, Toda and Stefan, who are skaters in a group named “Kolos”. Despite their friendship, they are constantly competing about a girl named Dunja who arrived from France for holidays. Most of the time they're doing small-videos about radical jumps, auto-mutilation, beatings and random destruction, to get her attention. The movie shows a particular way of living, pointing how the living conditions and choices will take them to different paths. “Tilva Ros” may seem aimless at the first sight, but a closer look will make you conclude that this is a curious study about youth and their ambitions, in an isolated town.

A Happy Event (2011)

Directed by: Remi Bezançon
Country: France / Belgium

Review: Rémi Benzançon is known for his heartwarming movies, mixing naturally comedy and drama. “A Happy Event” has all these features but didn’t achieve the brightness and grace of his prior work: “The First Day of The Rest of Your Life”. The eagerness in making all the situations look gentle, charming or delicate, ended up in a quite sentimental analysis of how your life can be affected after having a baby. The story aroused some curiosity during the first half, but from then on, it wilted, never attaining truly high moments. Despite this mishap, all the phases of a pregnancy were analyzed with meaning, from a feminine perspective: starting with happiness and optimism, then experiencing fear and expectation, and ending with restraint, disillusion and tiredness. Unfortunately, the adopted approach betrayed the possibility of “A Happy Event” being a better movie.

Diaz: Don't Clean Up This Blood (2012)

Directed by: Daniele Vicari
Country: Italy / others

Review: At a time where protests are constantly occurring around the world, nothing better than watch “Diaz” to become alert for the dangers of democratic rights’ suppression and unjustified physical violence, all with political consent. After an incident involving a police vehicle and a group of demonstrators, during the G8 summit of 2001 in Genoa, the Italian police start an incursion to Diaz School, which was operating as a shelter for left-wing activists and journalists, causing several deaths and injuries. This true event was also known for the false medical reports and faked proofs used by the police to justify the excess of violence and abuse of power. The characters were based on real witnesses and the scenes generate the proper tension to catch the viewer. “Diaz” is an important film, denouncing a tragic day that will always be a stain on Italian Democracy.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Directed by: David O. Russell
Country: USA

Review: David O. Russell beckons to Academy awards with “Silver Linings Playbook”, an engaging and cheerful romantic comedy filled with plenty of craziness. The explosive encounter between two disoriented souls looking for something new in their lives, was the tonic for one of the most interesting comedies of the year. The story showed consistency, but also competence to ably recover after a couple of trembling moments where everything seemed to fall apart. Indeed, the ups of the plot were in much greater number than the downs. Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro, all of them in very good shape, contributed to the triumph, conveying the radiance and truthfulness that were demanded from their performances. Nothing here was unexpected, but everything worked so fine that I left the theater in a very good mood.

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Directed by: Jason Moore
Country: USA

Review: “Pitch Perfect” is an empty musical comedy. The movie adopts that annoying attitude of forced enthusiasm and exhibitionism mixed with shabby dramatic situations. Tuned voices or vomiting scenes don’t make me enjoy a movie. Beca, played by Anna Kendrick, makes two superb statements during this movie that describe “Pitch Perfect” in perfection: the first is right in the beginning, while she was answering to the proposition to join Bellas’ group as singer – “it’s pretty lame”, she said. The other when she was talking to his friend about movies - “I get bored in the end, they are so predictable”. So, deliberate or not, this movie had the ability to tell some truths about itself. I just would like to add: frivolous plot and unnatural performances.

Farewell, My Queen (2012)

Directed by: Benoit Jacquot
Country: France / Spain

Review: “Farewell, My Queen” is a solid drama set in 1789’s Versailles, right after the taking of Bastille, when the French people were asking for the Government’s fall as well as the aristocrats' heads. Queen Marie Antoinette didn’t hide her love for the Duchess Gabrielle de Polignac and set up a plan to save her from slaughter. With this purpose in mind, she will use her passionate reader Sidonie, who will do everything to prove her true and secret love for the queen. This is a movie that lives of small enthralling details. I think that its images' grace overcomes the plot itself. The light was used in a very attractive way and the dialogues were smart enough to make the typical gossips work fine. Competent direction by Benoit Jacquot and firm performances by Lea Seydoux and Diane Kruger.

Sister (2012)

Directed by: Ursula Meier
Country: Switzerland / France

Review: After "Home" (2008), “Sister” is another impressive movie directed by the Swiss-French Ursula Meier, revealing a well-designed story and compelling performances. Set in the Swiss Alps, it unveils the sad reality of a kid who sells stolen skis to make some money. That money often goes to his careless older sister with whom he has a relationship that will make you confused at first. In fact, the reality is very different from what we were imagining, with surprises popping up slowly but in perfect time to make it work throughout the steady rhythm of the story. “Sister” sticks in your head and will make you ruminate about rejection, exploitation and unwanted burdens in similar relationships. The final scene shows how much these two people are apart from each other. “Sister” hits the target, confirming Ursula Meier as a creative writer and influential contemporary filmmaker.

Relevant awards: Berlin; Athens.

Amour (2012)

Directed by: Michael Haneke
Country: France / others

Review: Getting old and sick can be frightful. Michael Haneke shows exactly that with “Amour” – the deserved winner of this year’s Palme D’Or in Cannes. It is amazing how Haneke could make such an intense movie with so little (almost totally shot from inside a house with basically three actors). The bitterness felt for being a burden is very alive in the film, as well as the transformations that can occur on the person who commits to take care of the one in need, regardless of their closeness. The story goes through moments of intimacy, caring and patience, changing unexpectedly to coldness, irritation and aggression. The last 30 minutes were both brutal and poetic, and certainly will affect your mind, shake your feelings and cause you unease. Trintignant and Riva were splendid, in another masterpiece from a genius filmmaker.

Relevant awards: Cannes; European Film awards.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)

Directed by: Stephen Chbosky
Country: USA

Review: Directed by Stephen Chbosky, also author of the novel, “The Perks Of Being a Wallflower” seizes the spirit of the High School’s students without introducing anything really new or noteworthy. The movie tells the story of Charlie, a shy and lone freshman, who becomes friend with two seniors, Sam and Patrick. Charlie was the most interesting character of the film, creating some empathy due to his melancholic personality and some unpredictable behaviors. As for the rest, the movie flows in tones of comedy and drama, delivering sensations of déja-vu with its problematic romances, parties, fights, friendships and betrayals. Not deep enough to be memorable, this movie will probably work if you are looking for a laid-back session or a movie not to think about.

Trouble With The Curve (2012)

Directed by: Rebert Lorenz
Country: USA

Review: 1993 was the last year that Clint Eastwood acted in a movie from a director other than himself. He did it again in “Trouble With The Curve”, the directorial debut from Robert Lorenz, who in turn is a longtime collaborator in the movies directed by Mr. Eastwood (frequently as producer or assistant director). The result did not match my expectations. It reminded me the plot of “Moneyball”, where technology is discussed among baseball scouts and managers, mixed with a small taste of the grumpiness shown by “Gran Torino’s” main character. However, it does not share the quality of those two noteworthy films. The story is feeble, wrapped in sentimentalism and making use of a romance condemned to banality. So, the trouble here isn’t with the curve, or with Clint Eastwood, or even with Lorenz… is the weak plot.

A Royal Affair (2012)

Directed by: Nikolaj Arcel
Country: Denmark / others

Review: The title "A Royal Affair" could not have been more clearer about the essence of this story: a forbidden love affair wrapped in conspiracy and set in 18th Century's Danish Royal Court. It unveils the torments of a beautiful English woman, who became queen of Denmark, after having married with the crazy and childish king Christian VII. Her grief will be attenuated when she starts a passionate romance with a libertine doctor and freethinker, who additionally had become her husband’s best friend. The plan sequences are slow, frequently lacking intensity, while the content is too dense and lengthened. I could not feel any pity of the characters in this cold representation of Christian VII’s reign. Rasmus Heisterberg wrote the screenplay (also for “The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo”), based in the novel by Bodil Steensen-Leth.

Relevant awards: Berlin, Philadelphia.

Laurence Anyways (2012)

Directed by: Xavier Dolan
Country: Canada / France

Review: Xavier Dolan’s previous movies were directly related to homosexuality (“I Killed My Mother”, “Heartbeats”). This one reveals substantial differences, changing the subject matter to transsexuality and becoming the most ambitious of all three. Dolan smartly played his trumps, managing to intrigue us through the complex emotions reflected by the two main characters along several years of connection or absence. With a great sense of directing, where the colors and the music play a major role, “Laurence Anyways” didn’t stop to surprise me during its nearly three hours long. A few needless scenes could have been avoided with a better editing, yet most of its intentions were accomplished with mature determination.

Relevant awards: Cannes, Hamburg, Toronto, Cabourg.