Super Fast Reviews for People in a Hurry Part 3

  Good evening to you all. This part of the year tends to feel like an empty vacuum after the delights of Christmas. The days grow dingy and bleak as the temperature begins to plummet. The sort of weather which Werner Herzog would say, make a man "look into the abyss, only to see himself looking back". But wait... What's that? The cinema is showing good films for a change. Thank god for Oscar season! Although, the strange thing is that the Oscar films don't have the highest scores in this update. That would belong to a TV show and a film that shows humans have far more potential than we could possibly imagine. They really believe that the sky is not the limit, and that humanity can conquer galaxies, planets, eternal life and so much more... There is no limit. It's really what I needed on a dull, breezy and dark January morning.

Birdman (2014)

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

USA

  This is one of the few films that I found appealing ever since I saw the trailer last September. I anticipated for the film more than I should have, which normally results in a disappointing experience of the film (The Wind Rises and Cloud Atlas). 'Birdman' was far more than what the trailer had shown. The film is near flawless.  The story of an actor risking everything for a Broadway play, while juggling his homelife and his movie-acting past is told with sweeping beauty and grande splendor.
  The long, never-ending take, is not a gimmick, just merely a beacon to show how great the acting is. There was a couple of dodgy transit shots and some of the actors slipping up on a word or two, but who cares? The film is wholly magnificent. Inarritu, has created an experience that no other film has done. It reminds me of what I found so interesting about film in the first place.

Score 89

The Theory of Everything (2014)

James Marsh

Britain

  This Stephen Hawking Biopic (like Birdman) has been nominated for Best Picture. It follows Hawking (Redmanyne) and his relationship with his wife Jane (Jones), as his Motor Neurone disease got gradually worse. The story of a man, who is told he has two years to live, is indeed a great story to tell. Everything is done by the books. I know this is what everyone else believes, but they're right. The large amount of biopics coming near Oscar time is colossal, and has now started to take the piss. The UK film Industry and Hollywood are now making films with the belief "this guy has an amazing story to tell, lets tell it".
  There is nothing wrong with the film. The acting is brilliant. The story is well told. The cinematographer does a decent job with the visuals. There is nothing to set it apart from the countless other biopics. I saw the Benedict Cumberbatch film 'Hawking' late last year, and I expect the two to merge in my head, during the years to come.

Score 71

Gurren Lagann-Series 1 (of 1) (2007)

Hiroyuki Imaishi

Japan

  Gurren Lagann tells the story of Simon and his friend Kamina, in their underground village. They are not even told there is a surface, yet Kamina disregards this. One day, a Beastman Gurren (large robot) falls into their village, and with the help of Yoko, they manage to destroy the machine. As the series continues, their goals get bigger and bigger, until they are throwing galaxies at each other for the fate of the universe.
  Gurren Lagann is completely barmy and over-the-top. It doesn't give the viewer anything to think about, so could be seen as nothing but thoughtless entertainment. However, the creators had this intention, and created something so enjoyable, so fun, with such iconic and great characters, that it has stayed with me every since I finished watching. I may say this is the greatest thing I have ever seen. In 24 episodes, there is so much character development and so much exhillarating mayhem, that now it has ended, well... I sort of miss it. I kind of hate it for making every other anime look crap in comparison. It'll make you shout "THIS IS THE DRILL THAT WILL PIERCE THROUGH HEAVENS" to your friends only for them to reply with "huh?". Why are you even reading this? You should be watching it now!!!

Score 100

It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

Don Hertzfeldt

USA

  It's Such a Beautiful Day is the culmination of Hertzfeldt's three shorter films "Everything is Going to be OK", "I'm so Proud of you" and "It's Such a Beautiful Day", which tells the story of Bill, as his psyche gradually gets more and more shattered. Bill is the most ordinary of men, taking oranges from the back of the pile, and chewing on a sore in the corner of his mouth as he looks at a shopping bag blowing in the wind. Hertzfeldt then shows Bill's sad past, bleak present and his incredible future, showing that even the most mortal and ordinary beings can be ultra-incredible and extraordinary.
  The film is a poetic swansong to life, told through some of the best animation I have ever seen. Hertfeldt draws, narrates, writes and produces his films. The ultimate auteur. The talent this guy has is unbelievable, with an entire filmography of short films which must also be seen. I know its only January, but this may be the greatest film I see all year.

Score 96

Tuesday, After Christmas (2010)

Radu Muntean

Romania

  This film tells the story of a man, choosing whether to devote himself to his wife or his lover. The man is a pretty normal guy, but his ability to cheat on his loving wife really makes him unsympathetic and detestable. Both woman are nice and beautiful, so choosing between them is hard and when he does, the consequences are likely to anger the audience. The film takes its time to reach its climax, with a long and gradual run-up to Christmas. This could be seen as ultra-realist, something that is so real, it is actually a bit boring. If you turned on the film at a random moment you would most likely see an ordinary conversation.
  While this may be well directed, acted and photographed, nothing interesting or different happens during the film. Nothing to take it "out of the crowd" but not a bad film at all. That said, I wouldn't ever watch it again and I don't believe it is a classic in any way.

Score 62

La Soufriere (1977)

Werner Herzog

Germany

  Herzog is often seen as one of the best directors making films today, having created the Epic 'Fitzcarraldo' and one of the best ever documentaries 'Grizzly Man'. I've seen 15 of his films altogether and 'La Soufriere' remains as one of his best. Herzog travels to the island of Guadeloupe, where a volcano (Soufriere) is due to erupt. The once-busy city is now barren and abandoned, as the citizens have been evacuated. One person has decided to stay in the town, and it is this reason, Herzog journeys to the island.
  The film is filled with haunting imagery, and narrated by Herzog himself (what a voice!). To see a city deserted, with empty streets and livestock roaming amok, feels like something from a Hollywood blockbuster. As the film continues, it ventures further into the island, and the people of the island. The final interview with a guy who isn't afraid of dying, is deeply moving, haunting, thought provoking and unforgettable. Perhaps, one of the greatest moments in documentary cinema.

Score 84