Filmfestivalen 2016

I
care little for Jesse Eisenberg, but I find Jason Segel to be brilliant in most
that he does, and his portrayal of
acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace is no exception. This time he has some great material to work with,
as most of his lines obviously are straight from the author’s mind.

The lines
are great, but the film lacks conflict. It’s basically just two dudes talking,
but it’s still interesting.

Failed
the Bechdel test

3 pepsis of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/the-end-of-the-tour

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3416744/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_3

Muslims like to
claim that their go-to-guy was an actual person, who actually lived. That might
be true, I have no reason to doubt that. The film, however, claims to be an
actual representation of historical events and depicting the real life of
young-to-adolescent Mo. Then, lay off the magic, please! With islam’s poor
track record of self-distance, and the film’s own claims of being honest and
true, suspension of disbelief becomes a problem when hocus-pocus abounds.

I’m certain that if
one could just ignore the self-seriousness and the absurd claims, this film
could be an entertaining one. If they shortened it from three hours down to
two, and added som events, characters, conflicts and, you know, entertainment.
I just came here for the comments.

Failed the Bechdel
test

2 drawings of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/muhammad-the-messenger-of-god

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3921314/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_1

This is
essentially two films in one, one after the other. It’s hard to tell whether
each had worked on its own, but I for one think that the two halves compliment
each other, making their counterparts better for the experience. Claustrophobic
and intense, the opening act deals with the handling of despair and how to not
transfer that despair to the next generation, seeing that they have no way of
relating to the outside world.

The
closing act deals with transition and possible consequences, and an uncertainty
of the unknown. And both acts are brilliant on their own, but even moreso when
joined together. Abrahamson pulls just the right strings, balancing the
emotional tightrope without failing. The dialogue is spot on, the set design
praiseworthy and the supporting cast kicks arse (have Joan Allen and William H
Macy ever faltered?). But, due to the films central plot, it would have failed without convincing leads. Brie Larson
is nominated for a best actress Oscar, and rightfully so. But the real star is
actually 6 year old Jacob Tremblay. He’s simply terrific, and I don’t mean that
as in “he’s terrific, for a kid that age”. He’s simply terrific in
his own right.

Due to
inconvenient ferry traffic, I realised I wouldn’t make it to my intended film
across the river, and so swapped my ticket for this screening of Room instead.
I suppose I got lucky, and I hope Room will get distribution nationwide.

Failed
the Bechdel test

5 ponytails of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/room

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3170832/?ref=acknowledge

A know a wee bit
about early 20:th century Far Eastern history, but not as much as I’d like.
Amsal, or Assassination as the English translated title is, caught my interest
about the era.

Mostly set in 1933,
this action-filled popcorn film follows the formulaic fortunes and misfortunes
of a trio of would-be assassins, their sellsword foils and the traitor in their
midst. One has to wonder whether GRRM and/or J Whedon were involved in the script,
judging by the death toll among the main characters. Violence, lorrychases,
comic relief, adventure, excitement and just a smidge of romance makes Amsal a
great film for watching with some mates over a Cass or three. Highbrow it is
not.

Passed the Bechdel
test

3 nicknames of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/assassination
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3501416/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_1