Shame, 2011

Shame, 2011
Director: Steve McQueen
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale



Stage: Home theatre, late night with an aim for a good piece


Shame in short: Brandon is a 30-something man living in New York who is unable to manage his sex life. After his wayward younger sister moves into his apartment, Brandon's world spirals out of control. From director Steve McQueen (Hunger), Shame is a compelling and timely examination of the nature of need, how we live our lives and the experiences that shape us


Preps: It was at our "creative" theatre, a while ago, when this piece became notorious. I wanted to see it at that point, knowing the storyline, and was deeply interested. But I never made it to the movies. Anyhow, seems like a proper night to spend it on this.

Reality: Well, like McQueen's Hunger, this piece also strikes hard into one's perception of the world. Following Fassbender with his pervert actions and fantasies from the start feels like fun and is really intriguing, however with the depth of the movie (the length), you get the feeling of loneliness. Striving towards fulfilling human flesh hunger cannot replace feelings and emotions that happen in relationships. Having everything at a distance may seem like a good place to hide or a good way to avoid trouble, however, it is vividly shown, it also leads to loneliness, depression, introvertism.

Brandon is constantly trying to escape, surpresses his own feelings and own soul and lets noone near him. Only the surface you may smell, he might be thinking, every time he makes an interaction with any female. On the other hand, watching this I get a distinct impression sex is around every corner, if you want to see it. The intriguing thing is that the only time Brandon comes, is when he's paid for sex or when it happens in a way you can smell a prostitute (or a prostitute like relationship). The scene, when he cannot come hard with a woman he really likes, is really sad and makes me doubt even more if this is the way someone can really lead a life.

The only rescue path he's offered and obviously refuses, is through his own sister, the person that just walks into his perfectly set life and makes a mess out of it. He doesn't like it and almost forces her away with dogs, but she's persistant and just won't go away. Is this the way a relationship with your relatives is supposed to be or work? I believe also relatives need to deserve respect and not take anything for granted. I believe we should respect one's aim to be alone and lead a private life. However through some sane observation, one could simply state that Brandon represents a loonie, someone fit for mental institution. And to others he could be a hero. He is everything a "nomal" person isn't. Especially when it comes to pervert thinking and making it real. I doubt that a lot of people have such a distinguished collection of porn things at home.

The walk through a small part of Brandon's life keeps me sad and emphasizes the feeling of loneliness, yet alone, the feeling of wanting to hold someone and just be grateful for this. We aren't meant as some kind of sex machines or some tokens one takes just when he/she feels like having fun. Having a relationship can in my opinion bring much more satisfaction, because at that time, even sex has a different approach and meaning, and is not perceived just as a midnight sport.


My personal rating: 8,0 (sad and depressive, solid drama. A wonderful interpretation of what becomes of someone if he closes into a basket and leaves noone besides).



Shame on IMDB

A dangerous Method, 2011

A dangerous Method, 2011
Director: David Cronenberg
Cast: Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen



Stage: Kino Šiška, Liffe


A dangerous method in short: In his latest film, the iconic director David Cronenberg goes back in time to the dawn of of psychoanalysis. A look at the intense relationship between the fathers of psychoanalysis, Jung and Freud, and their patient to whose charms they both succumb.


On the eve of World War One, Zurich and Vienna are the settings for a dark tale of sexual and intellectual discovery. Drawn from true-life events, the film takes a glimpse into the turbulent relationships among fledgling psychiatrist Carl Jung, his mentor Sigmund Freud and Sabina Spielrein – the troubled but beautiful young woman who comes between them. Their personal exploration of sensuality, ambition and deceit drive Jung, Freud and Sabina to challenge and forever change the nature of modern thought.




Preps: Well, apart from relationship Jung/Freud, I don't know much other things about this piece. But I am eager to find out.



Reality: The movie strikes me with its energy which draggs me into this world of Jung and Freud - from its beginning to the end. I am thrilled to see how scientists once exchanged their ideas and how once life was. Writing letters for real, not emails as nowadays. Seeing each other once per a month or even longer. Having a relationship for the sake of a marriage and kids, on the other hand, having mistresses and letting everyone know you are pure and prudent.

Plus, an excellent way to describe the turbulence between two friends, in some cases caused by two dividing paths they chose to take, sometimes driven by Sabina, a deluded woman, excellently played by Knightley. I was excited to see her in an unusual not Hollywood-like piece and she did an excellent job. The mimic she used to depict the illusions and horrors inside her soul is extremely good and it gives me shivers. On the other hand, I am sure she must have done hell of a job just trying to get under the skin of this role. I am surprised how well the three characters interact with each other and the viewer can almost smell the fear and anxiety when they show it, can feel the love when it's on the stage and can most definitely take position in disputes Freud and Jung have between each other. The sexual analysis that Freud is pursuing can be a bit annoying (you cannot explain everything in sexuality, or can you?)

What is real love and is something you have at home (just for the sake ofhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif being there and make you a man to admire, because you are a family man)? Do you take what's on the plate in front of you or do you stay clean in front of yourself? This is one of the dilemmas, depicted in this movie and not solved in favour of the young Sabina. She is betrayed, although deep inside aware that she cannot have more than just a romance. On the other hand, Jung doesn't want to get involved, yet he gets involved and he regrets it on the outside, on the inside he would repeat it in a second, and so he does. The love story is sad, because both parties get wounded and not find a way out to make both or at least one happy. As Trier would said.. no true love unless you suffer greatly.


My personal rate: 9.0 (a splendid piece, filled with documentary facts and things that will make you think about this long after you leave the cinema).


A dangerous method on IMDB

Jane Eyre, 2011

Jane Eyre, 2011
Director: Cary Fukunaga
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell







Stage: Local theatre, with one of my best girlfriends - her pick

Jane Eyre in short:
After a bleak childhood, Jane Eyre goes out into the world to become a governess. As she lives happily in her new position at Thornfield Hall, she meets the dark, cold, and abrupt master of the house, Mr. Rochester. Jane and her employer grow close in friendship and she soon finds herself falling in love with him. Happiness seems to have found Jane at last, but could Mr. Rochester's terrible secret be about to destroy it forever?


Preps: None in perticular. I am familiar with the novel and the content. However, I am curious, as the critics were very positive about the piece. The drama and love content should suit me well, and I am eager to see the movie reproduction of one of the greatest love romances ever written.



Reality: Jane Eyre fills me with strong feelings. On one side, the hatred towards the kind of bringing up that was normal for that period, on other side the yearning this woman feels when being inlove with the master she (for normal standards) never could have hoped for to win. The devastation that childhood brings into her soul reveals many years afterwards and reflects in her character.

A truly good interpretation, directly (strictly) following the book, as if the book was providing guidelines. In other aspect, if you don't read the book, the looking of the movie will provide you with the feeling you have - in some sense rarely we see such a smooth copy paste of the script and so deep emotional cast as in this case. Because we have nothing to compare the reality with (the reality of that time I mean by that), we need to assume that Austen gave us a rare and true glance at the circumstances in which a woman was brought up in those times - along with the fact that they were not treated equally or even close to that, that the love was mostly pre-arranged and marriages followed what the position of a person could afford.

In some sense, the true meaning of Jane for me is in her liberated mind and ways she picks to fight the system, in some sense making a strong example for every female person that feels that she has lost her way and needs to pull some strenght out of something that seems beyond the dreams. On the other aspect, the fulfilling a true love will according to the piece come, if you yearn long enough to get it. And furthermore, if you don't deny who you really want to be and strive for it, it will come eventually.

Brilliant setting, good cast, all the good pluses I need in a movie. And inspirational music to go along with this. A strong must-see!


My personal rate: 8,5 (a strong piece, worthy of seeing. However I doubt many male population will embrace this. Hard to admit, but it suits to girls' nature much more. I could be wrong, and there are some enthusiasts to prove me wrong :)


Jane Eyre on IMDB

Centurion, 2010

Centurion, 2010
Director: Neil Marshall
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Andreas Wisniewski



Stage: home theatre, HD :)
Centurion in short: A splinter group of Roman soldiers fight for their lives behind enemy lines after their legion is decimated in a devastating guerrilla attack.



Preps: Got it from a friend and a recommendation. Has slept in my system for quite a while.


Reality: You are dragged right in the centre of roman world. Fighting, battle, adventurous race to your homeland while being chased by nasty savages. Or are you the savage one? Cannot tell. Cannot diferentiate one battle from another. One thing is for sure - the area where they hold battles seems for real. Also the clothing, the way they interact with each other. The way problems are being sold, judgements fulfilled - the price of one life is so low, you get the feeling that life itself is worthless. And the old proverb from ancients - to die with honour means to die for the cause, even if it costs you your dear life and the life of the ones you love.

The main characters are travelling through rough country, fishing for opportunities to escape revenge-oriented group of savages, chasing them in order to kill them. The differentiation between different battles is almost impossible - the chase happens extremely fast and many lives are taken alongside. I enjoyed the photography and the chosen scenery - the scenario however is poor and maybe the reason behind this is more historical than the fact that the script writer wouldn't have his imagination to write something. All the other things are put aside - only the mere survival and the instinct to kill are set upfront. And nothing else. From the beginning until its ending. No love, no feelings, no other music than battle. Hence the focus stays where the director wanted it to be.

My personal rating: 6,0 (a better combat movie in this period - in my opinion too bloody and I want my focus to run sometimes somewhere else. Nevertheless - a good piece and a genuine feeling you would never want to live in those times).


Centurion on IMDB