50 Film Challenge 2007

1) 300 (2006)
I’m not sure what to think of this movie. The look is really great and it fits because it’s based on a comic so I also can “excuse” some shots I would normally say they are.. well there is no word to say this polite.. bullshit. Anyway the way it’s done is great it’s just that I mainly think heroism is such a stupid thing. To die so willingly is never okay, killing isn’t okay, there is nothing glory about war, dying or killing. It is dirty, horrible and wrong (except Death here because we all have to do die eventually). No matter the course or reason. To tell people glory and remembering things is just for them to fight. No wonder why people see “the Iraq Situation” in this. I didn’t but I personally can’t stand this heroism stuff because it is just stupid.
As for the B-Plot (Wife-story): boring. It takes you out of that horrible (or “glory”) situation and the feeling you get for the people, which was build up from the beginning, after the first “break” I never got into it again. They just had her in it to feed her lines, which you could have give David Wenham doing in an over-voice if you ask me.
And well I would have thought btw. that guarding the kings body till the end is more heroic then seeing the king actually die.. but hey I don’t write the script!
So if you just wanne see fighting, great optic and you don’t hate (even love?) Heroism go and watch it! And even if you don’t like it but like movies and watch how they’re done I would also recommend watching it because it is really a great experience on that matter.

2) War of the Worlds (2005)
It is WAY BETTER then the book! Probably because it’s not that close to it Which strangely was something I didn’t like.. and I hate that book! I think they done a good job bringing it into this time and I don’t mind that they put it into the US (even though I would have liked seeing British people and cities). I even liked Tom Cruise for the first time because of his acting skills (well or let’s say I saw for the first time he actually had some ;P). I just think that it lacks in the “rounding” of the story due to the action and special effects, which are good but have too much space/time in it so the story has to suffer. I would have want to see more from the world wide situation. It isn’t in the book but when they show it on TV there that other countries suffer from it, which is a good transcription from the situation in the book but they don’t stay with it). Just switch away from that. Only come back for one comment about Europe in the middle of the film. But that isn’t hat really bothers me. I just would have want to have pointed out that every alien thing is dead plus they never revealed who those are and why they are attaching earth. And there is an explanation (at least in the book). Btw. they also didn’t say why Harlan was digging. And in that scene I didn’t like that Ray just killed him. I mean that is also a way to show “killing isn’t bad if you have a reason to do so” and oh we can find a lot of reasons to do so. They could have kill him of in an more accidental way.

3) The Big Trail (1930)
great movie! The mixture between the three Plots (journey, Breck&Ruth, Breck&Flack) are perfectly mixed and can carry each other through the movie. Sadly on the end you just have to finish them after each other. Most impressive was here the reality of the trek, how hard and dangerous “the fight against the nature” was and how hard these people worked (both men and women). I think that’s for me the the main part of the movie and not the Elements with that lovestory and the frontier justice. Also it was a bit too much of “oh how brave this pioneers are” which actually has the effect that I can’t take it serious then. I think the pictures itself let you having respect.
Also I didn’t like one or two elements in there but all in all a great Western, a great movie which educates and entertains (great humour in here). (more to this in German here)

4) Dune (1984)
I think I should read the books because the movie doesn’t tell everything besides Baron Vladimir Harkonnen becomes really disgusting here and for no reason, which actually destroys the experience of the story. For a movie it’s really complex and had to be shorten but I liked how they made the movie a “watching” one. You only get some basic informations in the beginning and then you are left alone. You follow the story as it happens, the story doesn’t come to you and tries to take you with it. And that’s actually better then have characters spoken or done things they wouldn’t do just to give the audience information. A good thing was to let the people think with an over-voice. It just doesn’t work that perfectly with Paul, because sometimes I couldn’t understand how the heck he get to “know” that. And I think the end was a bit too fast, we win, I fight Sting and then I let it rain. End. yeah.. not really.
So great story but too complex for that movie. Some interesting cinematographic choices that mostly work. But if you aren’t interested in that don’t watch the movie

5) Girl Shy (1924)
A really nice movie The story about Harold and Mary is sweet, how they meet on the train and then keep theirs eyes peeled for the other. His book as recurrent theme is a brilliant one even though I wonder if his new chapter is any better
The only thing I didn’t like about it was the long sequence at the end, when he tries to get there in time. It surly takes a long time but I think they could have cut the town-scene a bit shorter it started to get boring besides the wedding was very fast in comparison. And I wonder what happened to De Vore’s wife, they didn’t get back to that storyline plus how did Mary know about the whistle?
A really nice silent-movie, watch it!

6) Another Country (1984)
First I didn’t know what to expect when it started in Russia and frankly I don’t know about that now, it doesn’t even seem to be a “frame” like in Young Guns II. But the story inside is an interesting and emotional one. Sadly it ends too fast. I would have wanted a bit more explanation at the end. (And a bit more love-scenes in the middle *sniff* they are so cute together!)
Really sweet. Watch it

7) Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage (2005)
The movie itself is well done and absolutely believable. I personally would have want to see more of Hans and Sophies relationship and maybe see Sophies cheerful soul more in action because that was what really hit me, nothing absolutely nothing could take that away and I think that’s a rare gift. Back to Hans, he actually was the one involved in the resistance and when Sophie moved to Munich she started doing small jobs. But as I said her cheerful persona made the whole thing so incredible, just I carried that impression from the book I read about her last year and not from the movie. It’s a nice movie, watch it. But if you’re interested in Sophie and her life you should read a biography or something similar because the movie lacks there a lot.

8) Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
I actually don’t get it: he isn’t a rebel and he has a lot of cause for what he does… but maybe it’s just me.
A really good movie and it’s probably due to James Dean. He’s playing an intense teenager who tries to find his way, struggling with life and his parents. An actually the adult are aimless and have no idea what is going on, the kids know what is and what isn’t what is important and at the same point also see what the difficulties are there. The reality and the parents are pulling them into directions they don’t wanne go but they di because they have to do something.
I really do like that movie even though the end was a bit too dramatic and actually too long.

9) The Godfather (1972)
Interesting film and well done. You believe the characters and see their reasons for doing what they do. But it was a bit complicated so don’t watch it if you can’t concentrate because there is a lot of talking and you have to get it all.

10) Big Fish (2003)
A lovely movie with great stories. You never who if it’s true or not and if it’s true what part of it. Really interesting because you wanne hear more stories but at the same time you want to know the truth like the son.

11) Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
A really well done movie! You could almost smell it.
But for me the story itself isn’t catching, maybe the book describes it better but I didn’t get hooked so it was rather lame but I really liked camera perspectives and cut. Wouldn’t watch it again though.

12) Shane (1953)
“You talkin’ to me?”
Besides the fact, that I get the urge to kill that boy it is a pretty good movie. You either can lean back enjoy the whole thing or look for little boxes with a lot of interesting things in it. For me the most interesting thing was how Shane feels the urge to be part of the family, trying to be a homesteader even though he knows he isn’t and never will be. After killing Ryker and Wilson he finally accepts that. “There’s no living with a killing. There’s no goin’ back from one. Right or wrong, it’s a brand… a brand sticks. There’s no goin’ back. Now you run on home to your mother and tell her… tell her everything’s alright. And there aren’t any more guns in the valley.” This also shows the ambivalence the westerner find himself in. In order to protect the “civilized world” he has to become an out-law. Also impressive how much the homesteaders express to the audience that frontier law and state law is something different. You’re on your own and have to find a way to protect yourself, your family and your land. But Also the counterpart of Ryker is a men very similar to Joe, only he had to chose the gun, which you see when both talking to each other on the farm. Also shown that Ryker is able to learn and to deal with Joe in simple not walking through the river at the “final invitation” is pretty impressive.
If you wanne see a well done movie watch Shane! And try to ignore that boy with his crush on Shane.

13) The Hitcher (2007)
A popcorn horror movie. This modernized version of the brilliant of the movie from 1986 destroys everything that makes the original so good. From the “all alone in this” theme to Ryder as not “gettable” monster. You only can stand this if you don’t know the original and if you like such popcorn horror like Scream an alike.
If you looking for a great re-doing you looking at the wrong place.

14) Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes (1972)
the only thing I can say about this is: interesting. One one hand it didn’t really hooked me, it was kinda boring but on the other hand it was interesting what would happen next and if it maybe have a “happy” ending. Also liked that it hadn’t much music in it and that you was rather slow and and “realistic” view – only from one POV not showing close up what happens there, what the other people can’t possible see.
It is also my first Klaus Kinski movie and he is great as mad man

15) Anders als die Anderen (1919)
This movie was sadly destroyed and had to be restored. But it was well done so only at the end it disturbed the mood because there was the climax and the resolving of it. If you only have a picture with explaining text it takes you out of the illusion.
But that’s due to the history of the movie not the movie itself.
I love the movie to pieces because it explains and tells about the matter of homosexuality and society in a non judge able way. A lot of movies just have that “mission” to tell people to be tolerant. And they nearly force it. Anders als die Anderen does show intolerance and the consequences but it’s not in an attaching way. Some may think the scenes of explanation are too long or over done but I think they show the passion people (here: that professor) have to explain the topic, to be heart about it and in general make it a public topic. I loved it. It was much to read, which made it seem a bit overwhelming and that is actually right. There is more to it then “homosexuality is nothing wrong”. They for examples also explained what transvestites are and that it’s something different from being homosexual.
Another scenes I really liked (except all between Paul and Kurt, which are just adorable) was in the courtroom. The look on both Paul and his blackmailer and the judge who HAD TO find Paul guilty even though he didn’t want to :-/

16) Shrek the Third (2007)
There is hardly anything to say about this. It is funny and entertaining as the other 2 and resolves the whole story to a point you can leave “our heroes” in peace without wondering what happens now.

17) Night At The Museum (2006)
A very nice movie to relax. Funny and with cool characters. What I really liked is that the characters (especially Ben Stiller) aren’t just funny but they had lives and it was a serious situation

18) Metropolis (1927)
A monumental movie with a huge religious issue. The special effects are very good for this time but sadly is the religious theme too dominant, which had to be for that audience then but is really a hit in the face for today’s audience. The story itself is good but poorly done – the director itself said he was more interested in the special effects. I had the luck to see it on big screen with live music, which gives the whole movie a better view from my part. See it on TV or at least with a none-live music it would be not such a good movie. Boring I think except you try it interpret

19) The Children’s Hour (1961)
A great movie about friendship, love, selfishness, egocentric, lies&consequences, sacrifice, identification process and society. Within the story are so many aspect that you could fear you can’t give them enough room but that’s not the case. Especially the development of “the situation” is an unusual one and it gives the movie more depth and reality. I also like that you don’t have to say so much (except that “outburst” of Martha which had to be like that because inside of her it explodes and it want to get out). So the scene where Karen runs up to Martha’s room and had to break in. You only see Karens face and the shadows, which is also a great picture the shadows of that will always be upon her. It changed her life and not even Joe tries to get her back because he knows she is gone, walked too far to get back to her life. He wants to but he knows she wouldn’t do it.

20) Broken Arrow (1950)
This is one of the first movies that didn’t show Indians as wild animals. It is a good story that shows how cruel both sites are and how much struggle it is to find peace. Sadly all main Indians are played by white people. But the characters of Cochise has a great development and is for me actually the main character, not Jeffords, because he is the one who seeks so badly peace that he is willing to give up his power if his people won’t follow him. And just because of his doing peace has a real chance.
Due to the time it is a good movie but from a modern point of view it doesn’t seem has so much meaning as it has back then.

21) Jude (1996)
An interesting movie which touched me on a level I cannot describe. It’s sad but also great. It has a lot of turns, which I didn’t see it coming and it was kinda surprise how much you see in the movie. For example when the child born.

22) Christiane F. – Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo (1981)
Nothing for people with a weak stomach. You see a lot and that’s because the film is so hones. it doesn’t make it more brutal (which actually would destroy it because you couldn’t believe it) and they don’t not show it, which forces you to watch what happens.
You follow Christiane and you see her struggle. How “easy” you get there and stay there without anyone knowing. But you also see ways to get out and that there has to be external help. You maybe want to but without help you can’t.

23) Recovery (2007)
In the Beginning it was a bit confusing, but it is actually a brilliant start because it reflects the state Alan is in.
During the movie you follow several emotional, mental, intra-personal and inter-personal states and journeys. Of course it’s focused on Alan and Tricia but with the sub Plots of their kids and friends (and parents) it shows how much impact that accident has. The movie is very good with the subtle things especially for Tricia to hold on, to make her go on. Or for Alan who gets so frustrated. And it so really frustrating to not get done things or nor be able to do things you could do before and you feel so stupid even though you know it’s not your fault.
Brilliant acting from the whole cast end especially David Tennant and Sarah Parish. I love them together or in a scene alone. In Blackpool they were great and here as well, I’d say even better because more “down to earth” and heartbreaking. This is one of my must-see movies this year. I can’t wait for the DVD to come out.

24) The Ring (2002)
If it weren’t for the suppose to be horror elements it would have been a good movie. The story itself is good but that it should be a horror movies just makes it laughable at best.

25) The Sound Of Music (1965)
It is a nice movie, a really good one. You just shouldn’t expect to see the real story because they changed so much that it’s hardly fitting together. I liked the countryside footage and of course Salzburg. I love that city, makes me wanne go there again.
I also liked that they put in the Austrian-Nazi conflict because that’s something you don’t see that often in movies. And it is so heartbreaking leaving your country for an unknown period of time, maybe for ever.

26) Caligula (1979)
Strange movie. It moves really slow because you have many and long sex scenes. It’s even more graphic then erotic movies on German TV at night. More like a Porn with a good story.
I wouldn’t mind the really graphic sex, orgy and kill scenes if there were any meaning to it. The story seems random with no tension or meaning including scenes sex scenes. Nothing more to it.

27) L.A. Without A Map (1998)
A nice popcorn movie, which got bonus points for David Tennant and the viewing of how ridiculous Hollywood is. This poor guy is so confused (and I would be too in his place)

28) Singin’ in the Rain ( (1952)
A far better movie then I expected. I really like it because it shows what evolutionary movies with sound were and what it did to the industry and the actors. A lot of silent movie stars couldn’t come along. Sound was the end of their carrier. Besides this topic it’s a nice and funny story, very entertaining and nice music.

29) Escape from Mars (1999)
Better then I thought. I probably had Mission to Mars in my head all the time (Kavan Smith was also in there) but this one is much better. It’s about the people and their mission. A little goody for Stargate fans is that there are three SG actors in it: Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson), Kavan Smith (Major Lorne) and Allison Hossack (Zenna Valk, Perna)

30) Lilo & Stich (2002)
Another movie, where I didn’t get what I expected. I thought it would be only a “nice” movie, but it was a character journey and a story about family (even though there are a few scenes where it’s over the top). The only flaw I think is that the character development is a too fast.

31) Hair (1979)
If the songs weren’t that often unmotivated and the scenes without a good connection it could have been good. I just hope the play/musical is better itself. If you need backgrounds noise this is your film to go.

32) Der blaue Engel (1930)
Pretty boring at the beginning, they use too much time to establish the situation or if they use that much time they should have involve more tension there. in the middle it’s getting really interesting and till the end it’s getting more and more tension and emotional involvement. And it ends how it had to end :-/
All in all not a great movie but watchable. Although has especially in the end quite got elements.

33) Johnny Guitar (1954)
It is one of the un-western western. If you like the genre you should watch this and educate yourself
As a movie I don’t like it that much because I can’t get into the characters and the hunt is a bit too insane. But Dancing Kid is nice eyecandy^^

34) The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966)
Great Movie! I absolutely love Clint Eastwood here! Never thought I would. Also “the ugly” and Angel eyes were great! It’s funny, serious (stupid violence), and you never know what might happens next. Funny though that the movie has nor original language since every actor could speak in a language they wanted to. For example one guard in prison camp says original in Italian to the “band” they should play louder when you had to dub it in english with “with more feeling” Actually the whole movie had to be dubbed over since they couldn’t use the sound from the set. If you know how they made that film (and the other in the dollar trilogy) you wonder how they ever could make a movie like that *lol*

35) Sunset Blvd. (1950)
I liked this movie very much, didn’t thought I would. Performance is good and the story interesting especially it’s told in a way which allows turns and twists. Especially the ending was surprising even though you saw it at the beginning.

36) Nekromantik (1987)
Honestly I can’t remember what got in me to wanne watch that. Probably to “poof” myself I can take such nasty things.. well honestly I don’t really wanne push that boundary again.
I just read the imdb comment because that says it all. The most nasty thing for my was the part where he killed the cat, let its blood drop into the bathtub while he’s rubbing its bowels all over him – especially over his face. Seeing him cut of a means head (right between mouth and nose) was quite amusing in comparison so is the stabbing himself and ejaculate while dying.
The movie in the movie was the best part and it had to be a B-Horro-Movie.

37) Joyeux Noël (2005)
I really do like the movie, I think it shows the emotions the people had there and then. The only thing I didn’t like was Diane Kruger’s role. Why do people have the urge to put in a movie no matter what content a women and/or love? It’s simply distracting. I also liked that you hear French, english and German (and Latin) and not a “dubbed” version, where all speak the same language.

38) Transformers (2007)
Just another boring and senseless action movie. Probably only action fans, special effect junkies and fans enjoy this.

39) Swing Kids (1993)
A good movie, which shows how you got drawn into the brainwashing machine of the third Reich and a climbs of how it worked. Of course some things were told too explicit for my taste but you have to do that so everybody understands it. I really like this movie and the performance of Robert Sean Leonard, Kenneth Brannagh and Christian Bale

40) Munich (2005)
Eric Bana speaking German is ♥ (and every other second on screen) but the story isn’t really mine. It’s all shooting and killing and find reasons to do that. Besides it’s not made interesting so I nearly didn’t listen to Avner’s speech at the end.

41) Elizabethtown (2005)
A nice movie for good entertainment. Nothing special but it’s not one of the “usual love life changing movies” you get. I like especially the scene when the mother is on the stage and they have fun.

42) Emma (1996)
Good Story but they should have cast someone else then Gwyneth Paltrow, she is wrong for that role. Jeremy Northam did surprise me though, I know him from Cypher and he did a fine job there but Mr. Knightley was even better.
Not my favourite Jane Austin film but it’s also entertaining and with great dialogue and scenes.

43) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
A really great Western movie, which had an interesting movie and is surprisingly not focused on the hero. Supporting roles are also greatly involved so that it’s a group effort and not only one pairing that have a business with each other. Probably will buy this one on DVD.

44) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
It took my almost half of the movie to figure out what it going on. I was surprised because I didn’t expect this kind of movie. Also liked both main actors, good job!

45) Essex Boys (2000)
I liked that movie every much for a gangster-movie it has a lot with various turning points and a surprising ending.

46) The Fifteen Streets (1989)
Took me by surprise, I’ve never seen such a movie that takes place in one street and deals with a family and with the lives involved (which are many since you have so many neighbours). Liked the whole things with the talking, screw-up(s), dating, wanting/try to get a better future, holding back, obligations etc. A lot of different characters that still have one certain level of silent understanding (about things). It’s within a feeling of reality

47) Love’s Labour’s Lost (2000)
A failed experiment. To make a musical out of Shakespeare is interesting but it made the whole thing ridicules especially since the english in the songs is modern english and when people talk it’s old english. So that you get thrown out of the reality of the movie and when you get used to the reality of the song it ends and you have to adjust again to the film reality. Therefore you get constantly reminded that it a movie and can’t let yourself get lost in the story.

48) Casablanca (1942)
I do count this as new movie because I haven’t managed to watched it all the last 2 times I tried.
It’s okay. A silly love movie but it shows also the seriousness of war (WWII). Plus it got the famous lines I finally understand *lol* Never the less my favourite lines are “Liebchen – sweetnessheart, what watch?” “Ten watch.” *rotfl* I admit when I started learning english I was confused by that and time in general as well *lol*

49) An Awfully Big Adventure (1995)
An interesting movie where I first didn’t know where it was going (not sure I now know what it was actually about). Brilliant Rickman here (plus very very VERY HOT!) as is the whole cast.

50) A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
Since I had seen The Good The Bad And The Ugly before this one I was surprised in “how much” Clint Eastwood’s character had to say :p It’s an interesting Western since you have one that plays both sites against each other and wins in a way.Especially liked the relationship between Eastwood and that Bar guy. Will buy the DVD.

51) Dark Harbor (1998): Alan Rickman (very yummy) a surprising ending.
52) Clay Pigeons (1998): Joaquin Phoenix is great in this one (not a surprise) and I like that (homosexual) tension between his character and Vince Vaungh’s.
53) Snow Cake (2006): very nice and interesting movie with great acting! (plus yummy Alan Rickman)
54) Close My Eyes (1991): not very interesting
55) Bent (1997): hottest sex scene ever! I just didn’t like that they shows kids playing in the water and that couple watching the march to the camp like it’d be on telly.
56) Fool’s Gold: The Story of the Brink’s-Mat Robbery (1992): Like Essex Boys a good crime movie.
57) Trainspotting (1996): I am not really impressed by this one as everyone else seem to be.
58) The Last Legion (2007): An okay movie. I just didn’t like the end. Excalibur wasn’t the sword from the stone! And it was weird that even though quite some British actors were in such an “American” movie. Meh I like me British actors in good British movies
59) NaPolA (2004): Well done movie! Not too “bad” in an emotional way but sad enough *sniff* wonderful friendship vs. system movie!
60) Extremely Dangerous (1999): Interesting movie especially since you don’t know if he’s done it or not and is going on with the other “players”. It was only a bit too long at the end.
61) Chocolat (2000): Nice movie, I especially liked the music in this one.
62) Citizan Kane (1941): A classic. Love the way it was shot! really great. The movie is kinda sad and it leaves one a bit puzzled.
63) Le Voyage dans la lune (1902): sci-fi film at the beginning. Funny similar the people on the moon were to us on earth in their behaviour
64) The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919): A classic. I’m not much into expressionistic films but you really see here why this movie is so important. Especially backslash/dream sequences at this point is cool.
65) The Conclave (2006): Interesting when you like intrigues
66) Outlaw (2007): A bit different gangster-gang-movie. Liked it
67) Oldboy (2003): Good movie, especially because you don’t get what the agenda(s) of that persons involved are.
68) The Constant Gardener (2005): Very depressing how bad the situation is and what assholes we are. Good movie though.
69) Aliens (1986): not much story but that queen alien was kinda nice
70) Sommersturm (2004): A nice movie, that shows all factors about gayness but doesn’t loose it’s main story.
71) The Field (1990): Great film, really intense.
72) Persuation (1995): Pretty nice but not as good as some other Jane Austen
73) Romeo & Juliet (1978): really enjoyed this. Even it’s a tragedy it’s really funny^^
74) Twelfth Night: Or What You Will (1996): very good! love it ♥
75) The Taming of the Shrew (1967): this is how I like Shakespeare ♥
76) The History Boys (2006): intelligent, interesting, emotional and just a good movie.
77) Mansfield Park (1999): A bit darker then the other Jane Austen’s I know, but it feels more real. Like it!
78) Amadeus (1984): tragic, not bad
79) High Society (1956): it’s okay but very predictable
80) A Woman’s Guide To Adultery (1993): totally boring if it weren’t for smexy Sean Bean
81) Der Untergang (2004): well done movie but it just didn’t do it for me
82) The Hogfather (2006): good adaption but nothing is better then the original