Under the Sun (Under Solen) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A wonderful, heart-warming story about an aging, simple-minded farmer who has never known love, and the woman he meets when he decides that if he doesn't try it once, he might never know love at all....
The actors are uniformly sweet and engaging, and the story plays itself out slowly and calmly. This is a little Swedish vacation, into the past and the countryside, and the simple life of a good-hearted farming man. Gorgeous cinematography. And wonderful details... it was great to see the traditional Mora clock, quietly ticking away, and reminding our dear farmer that life is short, and he should take life by the reigns and do his best. He does, and it's lovely.
Those who love this film should see "House of Angels," another of Nutley's quiet gems.
Recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Under the Sun (Under Solen)

From the Director of House of Angelsand Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, Under the Sun is a sensuous, lush and lyrical film, set in 1956 in the sun-drenched summer countryside of Sweden.Sweet but lonesome Olof (Rolf Lassgård) lives by himself on his family's farm after the death of his mother. Unable to read or write and therefore forced to take people on trust, Olof must depend upon his womanizing younger friend Erik (Johan Widerberg) to help him with the farmwork. Erik, once a sailor and now a part-time gravedigger, shamelessly uses Olof's money for bets at the racetrack. One day, out of the blue, Olof places an advertisement in the local paper: "Lonely farmer, 39, own car. Seeks young lady housekeeper. Photograph appreciated." It's not long before the ad attracts a surprising candidate: Ellen (Helena Bergström), a beautiful, 34-year-old, well-heeled city woman.As the summer progresses, Ellen effectively takes over both the house and Olof's heart. Erik, also taken by Ellen, is determined to destroy her blossoming romance with Olof by unearthing the secret past he's convinced she's hiding.

Click here for more information about Under the Sun (Under Solen)

Read More...

Tomorrow (2004) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This 1972 film, starring Robert Duvall before he became famous, is a real find. Based on a short story by William Faulkner, the play as well as the screenplay were written by Horton Foote, of "To Kill a Mocking Bird" fame. Naturally, it's set in Mississippi in the days when mules and buggies were used for transportation, and old men still remembered fighting in the Civil War.
Robert Duvall is cast in the role of Jackson Fentry, a simple cotton farmer who takes on a job of caretaker at a sawmill during the winter months. It's a lonely place, and he lives in a shack, but there's a water pump outside and a wood stove to cook on, and he's used to a hard life. He hears a low moan outside one day, and discovers Sarah Eubanks, played by Olga Bellin, who is weak and pregnant and needing care. She's been abandoned by her husband and has no place to go. Both of them are quite shy and their meeting, in which he invites her in to his shack, is a small masterpiece of nuance. She has large expressive eyes and they both talk very slowly, but I never felt bored and easily adjusted to the pace.
During the next few months their life together becomes idyllic but there is always an underlying tragic feel to their happiness. "Marry me Sarah," he says. But alas, she can't; she's already married. As the story moves on, it gets sadder and sadder and, when, twenty years later, he's called to be a juror in a murder trial, we all understand why his vote causes a mistrial. It's a fitting conclusion, although not a happy one.
This is perhaps one of Robert Duvall's greatest roles; one that he has said in interviews is still his favorite. It required excellent acting ability and he certainly demonstrated it. Throughout, we identify completely with the simple farmer with his deep regional southern accent. Olga Bellin is also excellent, but, with the exception of two minor roles on television, this was her only film. The screenplay is perfect also, using language that was natural to the characters. And the simple black and white cinematography sets the mood just perfectly. All together, this is a small gem and not to be missed by those who love good drama. Just be forewarned about the sadness. Recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tomorrow (2004)

Starring Robert Duvall in his breakthrough screen role, Tomorrow is a poignant tale based on a short story by William Faulkner, and scripted by Academy Award® winner Horton Foote (To Kill a Mockingbird, Tender Mercies). Duvall is Jackson Fentry, a young manwho leaves his father's farm to work at a local sawmill. Fentry rescues a young pregnant woman, who has been abandoned by her husband and family, and the two fall in love. Shot in black and white to convey the feel of the Depression era, Tomorrow remains the finest screen translation of Faulkner's vision of the South.

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about Tomorrow (2004)

Read More...

The Sasquatch Gang (2006) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This movie was recommended to me by a friend, who said it was one of the funniest films he's ever seen. I'm always a little sceptical when people tell me this, as I've been tricked into watching really lame movies many times. This one, however, definitely lived up to my friend's description. I was expecting something similar to Napoleon Dynamite when I put it on, which is essentially what I got. But I believe this film is even better.
The actors all have brilliant comedic delivery (especially Justin Long as the character Zerk and his friend Shirts) and the plot is interesting and unique (something unusual for a comedy). It depicts "nerds" and "losers" in a funny and sort of affectionate way. It's really refreshing to see something like this, when all other comedies out there are either terrible teen flicks or the dreaded "romantic comedy" genre.
I've already watched it four times since I bought it, which, for me, is always a sign of a good movie. I think this would appeal to just about anyone, kids and adults alike. Definitely check it out!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Sasquatch Gang (2006)

Get 27% OFF

Click here for more information about The Sasquatch Gang (2006)

Read More...