Up (2009)

“Up” is lovely, amazing, awesome animation from the director of Monsters, Inc., Pete  Docter. It has something in common with “Gran Torino” for its widowed and retired main character. The film is incredibly realistic and dreamlike at the same time reflecting both real life and fantasies.

It starts with childhood of Carl Fredricksen and his future wife Ellie. They both are fans of famous explorer Charles Muntz. Muntz is accused of fabricating the skeleton of a giant bird which he allegedly discovered in Paradise Falls, South America.

Carl and Ellie grow older unable to have children. They save money for the trip to Paradise Falls, but every time use them for more necessary needs. Elderly Carl arranges the trip, but Ellie does not make it. She dies leaving him alone. In my opinion this is the most sensitive part of film. I felt extremely sad for Carl, for his loss and loneliness.

After some time, we see Carl’s house surrounded by construction sites. He watches the world changing around him much like Walt in "Gran Torino". Carl refuses to sell his house and attacks construction worker for damaging his mailbox.

The court orders him to move to a retirement house. Carl fills thousands of helium balloons overnight turning his house into a flying ship and starts his trip to Paradise Falls. Russell, small explorer boy becomes an accidental passenger. This is where their adventure begins.

The film is fabulous. It is a remarkable great watch in the company of friends and family.

Reviewer's rating: 7.5 out of 10

Megamind (2010)

"Megamind" is the animated comedy film directed by Tom McGrath with featuring voices of Will Ferrell and Brad Pitt. For the first time, I looked at superhero story from evil character’s side. It made me see how lonely and sad actually those evil superhero-fighters are.

Megamind (Will Ferrell) is an alien genius with big head who masters incredible evil plans and creatures. He constantly fights with Metro Man (Brad Pitt) who has this unbelievably big jaw and loses to him. Metro Man is quite similar to Superman. He can fly and possesses all other Superman powers. Both Megamind and Metro Man arrived on Earth as children and grew up in Metro city. Since then they were fighting each other.

As in Superman’s story, Megamind kidnaps local reporter (he kidnapped her number of times before) Roxanne Ritchi and traps Metro Man into a copper- made room. To people’s surprise, Metro Man cannot escape and dies when Megamind’s death ray strikes him. As it is expected, without a rival Megamind becomes depressed.

Inspired by Roxanne, he decides to create a new superhero by injecting a worthy person with a serum made from Metro Man’s DNA. But he accidentally injects the serum into Hal, Roxanne’s self-satisfied silly cameraman. Instead of fighting Megamind as a good superhero, he uses his powers for taking over the city as the new evil.

Roxanne leads Megamind to Metro Man’s headquarters to find a weak side of Hal who is now Titan since copper does not work against him.  To their surprise, they find Metro Man alive. He confesses that he is tired of fighting Megamind and faked his own death. Though Megamind does not want to fight Titan, he is forced to do so when Titan captures Roxanne. Megamind saves her and Metro city by using the tool to extract superhero serum from Hal. He becomes a new hero of the city.

It is interesting and cognitive to see bad character eventually evolving into a good character. Despite some similarities with Superman, all personages are excellently worked out. It is a family watch and good both for adults and children.

Reviewer's rating: 7.0 out of 10

Oldboy (2003)

It is a South Korean film directed by Park Chan-wook based on Japanese manga. I love films like “Sin city”, “V for Vendetta” based on graphic novels, comics and manga and I loved this one too for its format. But it is important to acknowledge that this film is weird, unusual and a little bit sick.

The story turns around Oh Dae-su, Korean businessmen, who is kidnapped and locked in a room without explanation for 15 years. He has a TV in his room. While watching it he finds out that his wife is killed and his little daughter is sent for adoption. In these first scenes we pity Oh Dae-su and want him out in order to revenge for his life that was taken from him.

After he is set free he meets young chef Mi-do in restaurant. He falls unconscious and Mi-do brings him to her home. She helps him to find the place he was kept captive. Later, we find out that Oh Dae-su’s captor is a man named Woo-jin who attended the same school with Oh Dae-su.

Oh Dae-su remembers Woo-jin and his sister. At school after witnessing their incestuous interaction through the hole in the window, Oh Dae-su inadvertently started rumors about Woo-jin’s sister and transferred to another school. Because of rumours and visible signs of pregnancy, she committed suicide.

Here, we look at the story from the opposite side. We see a brother and a lover suffering and mourning for sister and lover. The role and emotions are perfectly delivered by the actor. His feelings seem so real that you almost forget how sick his relationship and revenge actually are. When at last Oh Dae-su confronts Woo-jin, the story gets even sicker.

It is definitely not a family film and it is difficult to advise whether to watch it or not. You should decide for yourself.

Reviewer's rating: 7.5 out of 10

Never Let Me Go (2010)

I read Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel “Never let me go” in 2006, long before this film has been produced. I was shocked by the calm and destroying reality of the book and the way characters accept their fate without fight regarding it as inevitable. In my opinion, as it usually happens, film is not as good as the novel itself.

“Never let me go” was directed by Mark Romanek and starring Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley. First of all, I have to admit that I avoid Keira Knightley –starring – films. I cannot take her weird lips; they annoy me throughout story and I end up with wrongful opinion about film. But I could not avoid “Never let me go”, as the book had a huge impact on me.

The captions in the beginning of film explain that after the medical breakthrough in 1952, human life expectancy reached beyond 100 years. Kathy H (Carey Mulligan) narrates the film: her memories of the boarding school called Hailsham and her life as a carer.

At Hailsham, we see ordinary boarding school pupils. One day, teacher Miss Lucy informs them about their fate.  They are destined to provide donor organs for humans. They will never grow old or have a profession as they dream to obtain in future.  After Hailsham, Kathy and her two friends - Tommy and Ruth live with other teenagers in cottages on a farm. There, it is revealed that all of them are clones. After second or third donation they will die. Their deaths are referred to as “completion”.

The carer is a clone who is temporarily reprieved from donations for taking care of other donor clones. Ten years later, after leaving the farm because of tension with Ruth, and Kathy’s feelings towards Tommy, we see her working as the carer. Kathy comes across her friends again.

“Never let me go” is sad and hard film. It makes to think about the lives of world’s children living in child institutions. The film is not an evening watch, nor a family film. But, it is definitely worth watching.

Reviewer's rating: 7.0 out of 10

WALL-E (2008)

WALL-E is an animated film directed by Andrew Stanton. It is an excellently delivered and moving film that makes to look at our modern world differently. The characters mainly communicate with robotic sounds. The film has little human voice featuring towards the ending.

WALL-E is a robot designed to clean Earth from garbage. Earth is abandoned by humans and is covered with trash. There is just this sweet and adorable creature or metal piece WALL-E who is only surviving unit of his type. He everyday leaves his robotic house for compacting garbage. He then orderly arranges cubes of garbage.

All humans are out in space in a big space ship. Buy-n-Large Corporation evacuated Earth’s population some seven hundred years ago in Axiom, cosmic ship. After five years in space, Earth was deemed too toxic for living and humans remained in space.

WALL-E collects objects that he finds useful or nice and brings home. I loved the way he threw away the ring and kept its box. One day he finds a little plant. Later, a space ship arrives and leaves behind EVE, another robot, designed to find a life on Earth. WALL-E cannot pronounce her name correctly and calls her EVA. Their relationship is very touching. Wall-e falls in love with her and gives her his plant.

EVE automatically stores it and sends back a signal. The space ship returns for her. Wall-e clings to the ship and arrives in Axiom. Humans in this ship are obese and suffered bone loss because of relying on automated systems. Axiom’s Captain does not do much, and leaves control of the ship to the robotic autopilot, Auto. As part of the directive to keep humanity away from Earth, Auto resists return to Earth. Its assistant tries to destroy the plant, but WALL-E saves it. Auto tries to isolate captain and stop the hyper-jump of Axiom, instead captain deactivates Auto. Humans are finally able to return home.

During these encounters, WALL-E is seriously damaged. EVE brings him back to his home for repair, but WALL-E might not be his cute self again.

It is a lovely, exciting, emotional, and different from others animation that you will enjoy a lot. It is great and outstanding both for children and adults.

Reviewer's rating: 8.5 out of 10

The Next Three Days (2010)

It is a drama film directed by Paul Haggis, starring Russel Crowe and Elisabeth Banks and  is a remake of 2008 French film "Pour elle". I enjoyed it much and lived through all dangers and concerns of main character. It made me to think how easily an innocent person can be jailed for a crime.

Lara and John Brennan are happily married couple with son, Luke. After a row with Lara at work, her boss is found dead in the parking lot. Lara’s fingerprints point to her. Police arrests her in their house. She is convicted and jailed for murder. After failing with appeal, John Brennan, professor at a college is possessed with the idea of breaking her out of jail.

John pays to a former convict Damon (Liam Neeson), who escaped from jail numerous times for consultation over jail-break. Damon advises him to get big amount of cash, new passports, new social security numbers and run to an unpopular for Americans destination country.

John works on several ideas and fails number of times. The film would not be convincing without failures. When one of the scenes proposes that he is to obtain new passports soon, it seems unnaturally easy. But next minute John is attacked and beaten. It makes the story real.

Throughout the film, Brennan is shown writing and drawing his plan, sticking pictures and notes on the wall of his house. He tears them down and places in garbage bags before leaving house to realize his plan, leaves one bag outside of his house and the rest in neighbourhood. This material misleads police regarding their destination.  At the end of the film, Brennans are safe in Venezuela and it is shown that actually another woman killed Lara’s boss.

The film is interesting and exciting. It is a nice evening watch in the company of family.

Reviewer's rating: 7.0 out of 10

Biutiful (2010)

Biutiful is a strong and affecting film directed and written by Alejandro González Iñárritu, produced by Guillermo del Toro (and others), and starring Javier Bardem. It has been long since a film last induced so deep emotions and left an excellent impression on me. The story, director, and actors - all are 100 percent great.

Biutiful takes place in Barcelona, Spain. The main character, divorced father of two children, Uxbal is played by Javier Bardem. His acting is excellent and outstanding. Uxbal is in the middle of a big mess. He exploits and helps to large number of illegal African and Chinese immigrants. He earns his livelihood with petty criminality. Interestingly, Uxbal also has a psychic gift; he can see spirits of dead people. He makes some cash out of this gift.

His ex-wife Marambra is unreliable, hard-drinking and reckless woman who sleeps with Uxbal’s brother. She seemed psychotic to me. The story would not be this sad without Uxbal’s health condition. He has a prostate cancer. He neglected medical examinations and cancer has been metastasizing. He is left a couple of months to leave.

Uxbal tries to help people and make good deeds during this short time, but unfortunately a little turns out well. He struggles with pool of emotions: guilt, love, and worry for his children. He has nobody to leave Ana and Mateo. Here comes the wife of an African immigrant and her baby. He gives her money for taking care of his children.

Film starts and ends with Uxbal giving his mother’s ring to his daughter. I love Biutiful and I am happy that I watched it. It is a moving, touching, emotional, hard, massive film. You should definitely watch it as you will remember it for a long time.

Reviewer's rating: 9.0 out of 10

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

The film was directed by George Nolfi starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. First time ever on my blog, I have to say this about a film: it is a complete waste of time. The film is not convincing. It does not have a proper plot. It is boring and based on weak statements made by characters.

Overall the old idea of angels helping with our lives is great and I believe this is true. But in The Adjustment Bureau some people (their identity remains unclear to me), who claim that they were called angels in the past (so they are not even humans), and now they are the adjustment bureau, control human lives. They change things according to the plan written by ‘Chairman’.

This Chairman thing as well remains unclear to me.  Did they mean the God by Chairman? Most probably yes.  Then why on earth these fake-angels say ‘son of a bitch’ every now and then? Is this director’s understanding of angels and God?

They refer to the fact that humans had free will for some time in history and it never ended well. The wars are result of human’s free will. Therefore, free will is taken from humanity. This, in my opinion, sounds ridiculous. The creatures of Bureau use doors to travel faster through the city. It reminded me of Monsters, Inc., 2001 animation and their doors.

There was one thing that I think I liked. This was second part of David Norris’ (Matt Damon) speech when he said that he did not even choose his own tie. I do not think in our real world politicians can have the courage to make such speeches.

I think success of film depends on story (40%), director of film (30%) and actors (30%). The story of this film is feeble and acting or directing skills cannot save it. I do not think this film is a good way to spend your time.

Reviewer's rating: 5.5 out of 10

Rango (2011)

Rango is the animation directed by Gore Verbinski with featuring voice of Johnny Depp. I did not like it much, but it might be good watch for children.

Rango is a chameleon, who I think was drawn completely ugly. Maybe this is the reason why I did not like him and his adventures. The beginning of film was a little boring. As I got used to Rango’s ugly face, there came another ugly-drawn creature, iguana named Beans (Isla Fisher). She takes him to Dirt, Wild West town, where different desert animals leave. This is where film becomes interesting. Dirt, in my opinion, is a lovely name for a town.

Town suffers from the lack of water and its water reserves are very low. Rango, after accidentally crushing predator hawk under water tower and killing it, is appointed the new sheriff by Mayor (turtle). He inadvertently gives location of bank (water reserve) and tools for breaking into the vault to some mole robbers. Next morning when town animals find out that their water is stolen, Rango organizes posse to chase out robbers and they find bank manager dead.

When they track robbers and find the bottle empty, though robbers confess that they found it empty, town animals bring them to the town for trial. Rango confronts Mayor suspecting him in stealing town’s water. Mayor denies his involvement. He later sends for Rattlesnake Jake in order to get rid of Rango. Rattlesnake Jake humiliates Rango in front of everybody and makes him to confess that everything he told to town animals about himself is not true.

Rango leaves the town, wanders in the desert and meets the spirit of West. Later he learns that Dirt’s water was shut off and understands that it is done by Mayor. Rango returns to town and calls Jake for a duel, so that the hill clan and cacti, which he befriends in the desert, can open Dirt’s water. He surrenders when Mayor threatens Beans’ life. They put both of them into the bank vault to drown. Mayor prepares to shoot Jake and refers to him as a remnant of past.

Rango breaks with only bullet the glass of the vault and floods the room taking Mayor and his ‘people’ out. Jake acknowledges Rango for saving his life and drags Mayor into the desert. Town animals celebrate the return of water.

The characters of animation are interesting as they are taken from real life. They are delivered admirably well. Surely, not only children, but adults also will love it. People like me, who love contrast of colours and are obsessed with beauty, might not like it at all, though the plot and characters are definitely interesting.

Reviewer's rating: 6.0 out of 10

Paul (2011)

It is a comedy directed by Greg Mottola starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. I laughed a lot and really enjoyed the film.

First of all, I love Pegg and Frost since I watched the film ‘Hot Fuzz’ (2007). They were co-starring in ‘Shaun of the Dead’ (2004) as well, but it was not as good as ‘Hot Fuzz’.

Paul is the name of the alien who arrives in his cosmic ship decades earlier killing same name dog of a little girl. Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost) are two English comic book nerds who take a road trip through America in their RV. A couple of times during the film they are taken for homosexuals. They meet Paul who wrecks up the car, which he has been driving to get to the place of departure for his ‘homeland’.

Later, it is revealed that government intends to surgically remove Paul’s brain in order to obtain his abilities of healing, disappearing, transferring information by touching with fingers, via telepathic link. He runs from government in order to return to his planet. He is no longer useful to them with his scientific and sociological advises.

I loved the way Paul claims that he gave the idea for E.T. and creating the character of Fox Mulder. But also as a believer, I did not like how Paul convinced Ruth Buggs, who run a motor park together with her father Moses, in non-existence of God. I did not like their swearing as well. Boys and alien are forced to take Ruth with them as Paul reveals himself to her. Later, Paul heals her eye.

After number of adventures and almost getting caught by their hunters, Paul is able to leave. But before he leaves, he demonstrates his healing ability once again by bringing Graeme, who has been shot by headmaster of hunters (Sigourney Weaver), back to life. As it is common for films with aliens, Paul takes Tara, little girl who is now an old woman and who saved his life when he arrived, with him. Two years later, Graeme and Clive are shown in an event promoting their new comic book, ‘Paul’

Film is funny, clever and amusing with some black and English humour. I recommend it as a good laugh and funny watch in the company of family.

Reviewer's rating: 7.0 out of 10

Inception (2010)

This is another 2010 film with ambiguous ending. I enjoyed watching it, though went back to the film and studied final scenes all over again to finally accept the truth.

Entering subconscious minds through dreams and “extract”ing important information is a cool and great idea for film. Scenario of film was written by Christopher Nolan, director of film. One might get easily confused counting dreams in dreams, but not the writer. Nolan wrote the script for almost a decade. He clearly and beautifully delivered Inception as he knew what it is all about.

Film characters, Dom Cobb and his friend Arthur are professional thieves - extractors. Each mind-spy has a “totem”, small object that helps them determine whether they are in somebody’s dream. Cobb’s object is a spinning top. His wife Mal’s memory disturbs him frequently in his dreams and spoils his efforts of extraction. Lovely, sexy, beautiful Marion Cotillard stars as Mal.

Cobb takes the last extraction offer of performing ‘inception’ from wealthy Mr.Saito (Ken Watanabe). Saito promises to use his contacts to clear Cobb of the murder charges for his wife’s death. It will allow Cobb to return to the United States and reunite with his children. In return Mr. Saito asks to enter the mind of his competitor’s son who will inherit the vast energy company and plant in him the idea of breaking up the company.

They sedate their target during the long flight from Sydney to Los Angeles and build a three-level shared dream. This is where story gets complicated. I loved the idea of ‘militarized subconscious’ – subconscious trained to find and kills extractors. Going into limbo upon death in the dream is interesting as well.

Though team accomplishes the task and plant the idea in target’s mind, Saito gets killed inside the dream and Cobb searches for Saito in limbo. He finds old Saito who has been waiting in limbo for decades and brings him back.

Extractors awaken on the flight. Cobb returns to United States and turns his spinning top to check reality. But he cannot see the result as he gets distracted by his children, inviting the speculation on whether the final scene was reality or another dream. It is up to viewer to decide.

I am positive about Inception. It is a nice evening watch in the company of friends and family.

Reviewer's rating: 8.5 out of 10

Limitless (2011)

I have just watched “Limitless”, film directed by Neil Burger. It is a crazy film about drug addiction, drug-chasing and drug-dealing. It is not a boring and not a deep film. It does not leave lasting impressions, but it is interesting to watch.

Main character, Edward Morra, is a writer whose girlfriend dumps him in the beginning of story. His life is one big mess. He fails with deadlines of his new book. His flat is unclean and messy, just like him. It is here, he meets his ex-brother-in-law Vernon Grant. Vernon gives Eddie one tablet of a new drug called NZT. Well, it is not just a drug; it provides access to 100 % of the brain power. Thanks to this drug, he finishes his book extremely fast in a short time.

Later he finds Vernon dead in his flat, searches his flat for drug and finds stash of NZT. Edward understands that there are no limits to his ability and abandons his writing career. He starts trading stocks. He becomes rich and gets back together with Lindy. He takes more and more NZT for fast learning and thinking. But nothing comes without side effects. Soon, his memory starts to fail, and he becomes frenetic.

His ex-wife Melissa, who also was an NZT-addict, warns him about major health problems in case of withdrawal from NZT. He manages to consume drug in an average level, assists his new boss in making an important deal, and gets away from murder charges and also from Russian thug Gennady.

As usual for these types of films, a year later we see Eddie, in a better position, running for the United States Senate. While refusing Carl’s (Robert De Niro) offer of an unlimited NZT, Eddie mentions that he no longer needs the drug. He says that modified version of drug has helped him to come off the drug, though in the last scene of film  he speaks Chinese with waiter  and it is left unclear (as it is fashionable nowadays) whether he uses NZT or not.

Bradley Cooper plays his role very well. He changes his attitude a couple of times throughout the film and becomes a new person each time. Cooper delivers it flawlessly. He makes the film a nice watch.

Reviewer's rating: 7.0 out of 10

Shutter Island (2010)

In my opinion, this is one of the best films from Leonardo Dicaprio. But that is partly because of Martin Scorsese who flawlessly directed Shutter Island and because of Dennis Lehane who wrote the same name novel. This film has all three things that make a great film: experienced (and talented) director, talented actor and catching story.

It takes place in 1954 on Shutter Island in Boston harbor. US marshal Edward “Teddy” Daniels arrives at the Ashecliffe hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island with his newly assigned partner Chuck Aule to investigate disappearance of a patient. Throughout the film, viewer is perfectly fed with the details of story and has no suspicion of what will come next. The ending is unexpected and unbelievable. Somehow you want to believe in conspiracy rather than reality.

As soon as truth was out, my mind went back to the beginning of story and tried to analyze every little detail to find out whether marshal is sane in reality. Edward’s partner turned out to be his doctor –Dr. Sheehan and Andrew Laedis, who he searched for throughout the film and blamed in his wife - Dolores’ death, is actually Edward himself.

Doctors explain that Edward went through repeating cycles of realization of truth. Whole this investigation was part of an experimental therapy and another attempt to help him realize the truth.  I believed Andrew when he protested violently to doctor’s explanations only to realize that doctors are right. This is where Leonardo must be praised since he excellently delivered the scene.

After explanations, Andrew accepts the reality and blames himself for ignoring his wife’s illness until she drowned their children. Though he finally accepts the truth, he pretends that he is still into conspiracy story for his doctor and calls him Chuck. After this, hospital workers approach him to take for lobotomy. He asks his doctor whether it would be worse to "live as a monster, or die as a good man" and goes calmly with workers.

I have to say, it is an interesting and catching film that leaves ambiguous feelings. Since not every film is able to do so, it is definitely one of a kind.

Reviewer's rating: 8.5 out of 10

Gran Torino (2008)

I love talking about dear, good, old guy Clint Eastwood. He is my childhood hero. ‘The good, the bad and the ugly’ (1966) was one of the films my family watched when gathered together. There is no need to talk about Eastwood’s impeccable acting skills. In Gran Torino, he was the same good old lad who you can easily rely on and get on with his grumpiness.

It was Clint’s last acting role perfectly played at the age of 78. It is sad that the world will not have another film with Clint Eastwood featuring in it and nothing can be done about it. He plays Polish-origin, retired American middle class auto worker and Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski. Film starts with his wife’s funerals. I loved the way one of the attendees names his wife a ‘bitch’ and Walt just thanks him for coming.

Another adorable expression is the way he calls Father Janovich a 27-year-old virgin. Walt seems angry at everybody and everything. For every representative of every nation other than white American, he has a nickname. His sons and grandchildren are alienated from him. While Walt leaves the impression of a difficult man, his children seem selfish and uncaring. His son even tries to convince him to move to the retirement community.  He vehemently turns down this suggestion.

Walt becomes a hero when he saves neighbour Hmong family from the gang. When he menacingly declares ‘Get off my lawn’ with gun in his hands, he looks like The Good from 1966 film, only forty years later. Handsome, strong, reliable hero. I loved the way he scares a couple of guys with just a finger and was completely assured by his impeccable acting skills that he can easily kill with a pointed finger. Oh, he can do that.

The film is a huge success also due to Clint’s strong directing skills. Good, old lad knows how to make films. Though it might leave some racist impression, in my opinion, it actually shows that no matter what you are, immigrant, black, white or Hmong, you should just be a good person and do right things. It is even obvious from Walt’s last will. He leaves his 1972 Gran Torino to Thao, Hmong boy, whom he saves from the gang and who actually tries to steal same car in the beginning of the film.

Not only Gran Torino is a great, touching old-school film, also its soundtrack is lovely. You should definitely watch the film and listen to the soundtrack.

Reviewer's rating: 8.5 out of 10

Tangled (2010)

Rapunzel is based on another medieval legend. It is about a girl shut away in a tower and taken away from her parents at a younger age. They say Disney spent huge amount of money in order to release this animation. When I first heard the title, I thought it will be yet another Disney prince and princess story with songs. Somehow reluctantly, I started watching and to my surprise I enjoyed it much. In the beginning it reminded me of Madeleine McCann who went missing in 2007.

I love bright and beautifully contrasting colours in both films and animations. In Tangled, I enjoyed bright and illuminating lanterns released into the sky every year on Rapunzel’s birthday. They were lovely. Rapunzel’s shining very very long hairs, glowing rapunzel flower, fresh-looking trees, grass, well-designed tower, castle were all pretty, colourful, and superb. The plot is well-thought and timely planned.

Rapunzel, for a girl kept in the tower all her life and who has never seen another human - except Gothel , who she believes is her mother - yet alone a man, is strong enough to stand up for herself with frying pan. Flynn Rider, who later admits that his real name is Eugene, is another self-satisfied theft like Aladdin. He accidentally finds Rapunzel’s tower in the woods. Later, he evolves into a loving and protective person, much like Aladdin.

As promised, Rapunzel returns satchel with princess’ tiara to Eugene after he takes her to see lanterns. But he does not give up on her when his mission is accomplished. Thugs save him from hanging and he goes back to Rapunzel’s tower. He gets stabbed by Gothel. After her hairs are cut and lose healing power, Rapunzel demonstrates ability to heal with her tears and brings Eugene back to life (similar to Beauty and Beast).

The way, Rapunzel puts all pieces of puzzle together and realizes that she is long-lost sun princess, is perfectly filmed and smartly delivered to audience. Nevertheless, I have to say that there were certain parts, which I did not like. The reason for dislike is probably me, being beyond the age target group of animation.

Firstly, I did not like Maximum the Horse. He sniffs and chases like a dog. In my opinion, it is a weird character. Rapunzel’s chameleon Pascal is nimble and sly, but amiable creature. This company, altogether, reminds me of Mulan (1998), another Disney animation: the lucky cricket Cri-kee is chameleon Pascal, horse Khan is Maximus  and Mulan is Rapunzel. People, who worked on both products, are completely different, but stories have similarities. It is similarities with Aladdin and Mulan that I did not like beside than Maximus.

Tangled definitely is a good watch, not only for younger, but also for older generation. It is one of those funny musical Disney animations you can watch with whole family.

Reviewer's rating: 7.0 out of 10

The Lovely Bones (2009)

If you want to watch this film you have to be morally ready. It is not a week-end or evening watch. It is sad, devastating and genuinely touching film. All actors, especially main character Saoirse Ronan, are hilarious in their roles. The film is based on Alice Seabold’s same name novel.

The story is of a teenage girl who is raped and murdered by her 36-year-old neighbor George. He coaxes her into the den in the cornfield which he builds earlier for just one purpose: to get Susie. Susie’s family become worried when she does not return from school. They never see her again.

Susie watches her killer and her family from above. In afterlife she sees that George killed many other young girls. Her family struggle to get on with their lives. Her parents break up, her mother leaves house, her father is beaten unconscious, and George targets Susie’s sister Lindsey as a next victim.

Later, Lindsey breaks into George’s house and finds evidence of his involvement in Susie’s disappearance and supposedly death, though she does not find or know about the safe in the basement where Susie’s body lays.

He returns home, and notices Lindsey who barely escapes. George dumps safe into the sinkhole and flees. He dies from falling over a cliff. Film ends with Susie’s words: "My name is Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie. I was 14 years old when I was murdered on December 6, 1973. I was here for a moment and then I was gone. I wish you all a long and happy life."

In my opinion, it is not a family watch, though film ends positively.  It is certainly one of a kind, enormously real and affects viewer deep in the heart.

Reviewer's rating: 8.0 out of 10

Red Riding Hood (2011)

Everybody knows the story of Little Red Riding Hood. I grew up with her story and many other folktales and legends. But it never occurred to me that the story could actually be real. There is no smoke without a fire. Every legend has a hidden, true, basis story. My child mind could not think of the story behind the Red-hood tale. When I grew up, as any adult I did not return to childhood tales.

They say the legend is as old as 700 years. The story involves forest, wolf, little girl, grandma who lives on the other side of forest and the village. When it comes to the real story behind the story, my damaged mind and 21st-century imagination goes as far as into another pedophile story: France, medieval ages, small provincial village. Man who likes children, but he is a respected man in the village and nobody knows about his clandestine passion. He hunts little girl, kills her grandmother and just when he gets her, some people come over, kill him and save her.

I am glad I watched 'Red riding hood'. It has produced food for my imagination. Though Amanda Seyfried is a big girl and all intersecting love stories of both older and younger generations are screenwriter's figment of imagination, still story could have had similarity with the "real" medieval tale.

The beginning of film was not enough gripping for me, though I kept watching and enjoyed the twist of story and the way it grew into mystery thriller. Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) is in love with woodcutter Peter who she grew up with. But her parents arrange for her to marry wealthy blacksmith Henry. Peter and Valerie plan to runaway from the village. Soon after, they find out, that Valerie's sister Lucy was killed by wolf. For many years villagers offered monthly animal sacrifice to wolf and it did not attack people.

Valerie's mother convinces Peter to break up with Valerie in order to provide her with better and wealthier life. Angry villagers, Valerie's father, her fiancee, future father-in-law and Peter go to the woods to hunt for wolf. Henry's father gets killed and villagers manage to kill and behead a wolf, thinking it is the same creature they were hunting for.

During mourning for Henry's father, Valerie discovers that her mother and Henry's father had an affair. Lucy was actually Henry's sister, therefore Valerie's mother could not allow their marriage to happen whereas Lucy was desperately in love with Henry.

Back in the village, villagers decide to celebrate wolf's death though Father Solomon, who is invited to the village to hunt the wolf, claims, that what they killed is an ordinary wolf. He killed once his wife who was a werewolf. Upon death, she changed back to her human form. He demonstrates her hand to the villagers. During the celebrations real wolf arrives, kills a couple of people and bites one of the guards. Later this guard is killed by Father Solomon who also claims, because of blood moon the guard will turn into another werewolf. Valerie and her friend Roxanne are caught by wolf. To her surprise, she understands what wolf growls while Roxanne does not.

Father Solomon arrests Roxanne's brother. In order to save him Roxanne tells Father Solomon about werewolf and Valerie's interaction. He captures Valerie and uses her as a bait to catch the wolf. United, Henry and Peter rescue her from capture. Peter is caught after setting the tower on fire and placed inside the brazen bull. Wolf appears when Father Solomon's people are about to shoot Valerie and Henry. Valerie and Henry head for church. Father Solomon attacks wolf with sword and wolf bites his hand off. Wolf cannot enter the church and burns its right paw. It promises Valerie to leave villagers alone, if she comes with him. People shield her from the wolf until sun rises and wolf runs away. Father Solomon is executed by the brother of the guard whom he killed before.

Later, Valerie has a dream. It must be only part closely matching medieval folktale: Red hood asks her grandmother why her ears and teeth are so big. After this dream, she believes, that her grandmother is werewolf. Valerie decides to visit her grandmother and stops by the church to pick up Father Solomon's bitten off silver-nailed hand. In the woods, she meets Peter who is wearing glove and she slashes him with knife, thinking Peter is werewolf  and runs off. In her grandmother's house, situation takes unexpected route: werewolf is the person she least expected.

Amanda Seyfried played her role perfectly well. She was convincing and magnetic. The colours in the film were magnificent. Valerie's red lips, red cloak, white snow all contrasted prettily and made film not only interesting to watch, but also beautiful. I cannot say the same about two men who were in love with her. For me, Peter was not convincing. The ending reminded me of Twilight (not surprisingly the movie was directed by Twilight's director Catherine Hardwicke) and I have to admit - I did not like the ending. In my opinion, the ending would be more interesting if Valerie turned into werewolf.

Overall, the film is a nice evening watch. It is good for imagination and for breaking away from the modern world.

Reviewer's rating: 6.5 out of 10