It’s finally February again! Why you ask, when this is probably the coldest and most unwelcoming month of the year? Well for one it is over pretty quickly and second it is Berlinale month. The film festival commences this Thursday and has plenty in store for cineastes. Over 400 films will flicker across the screens of this city from the new Zoo Palast to the old Kino International. Tickets are already for sale, but with the amazing line-up of great films it’s difficult to choose. Here are some recommendations of what will most likely be worth queuing up for…
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by Lia | Entertainment, Events, Movies
He was elected last sunday, the new head of the State, the highest representative of Germany, Joachim Gauck is Germany’s new President. He was nominated for the second time and after he had lost agains Christian Wulff in 2010 he received 991 votes at this sundays election. The quick second chance for his election was due to the scandal around Wulff, his private loans and a series of doubtful parties. It wasn´t a massive political scandal, but it was enough of a dent to his persona to make him resign from his position. Sadly I couldn´t find German productions that deserve the name political thriller. But there are quite a few films dealing with American politics. So this week a small selection of films that take us to the heart of politics…
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by Lia | Misc., Movies
The time has finally come: Nicolas Winding Refn‘s Drive will be released this Thursday. I have been excited about this film for months as I was lucky enough to see it at the Vienna Film Festival back in November. It was a Saturday Night 12 pm showing and yet the massive Gartenbau Cinema was sold out completely. Drive had premiered in Cannes, the Refn received the palme d´or as best director and the film was received outstandingly well by audiences and critics alike. So word was out that this was a must see.
Everybody had a beer, everybody was excited and as soon as the film started all hearts stopped in awe. Ryan Gosling is Driver. The nameless Protagonist works in a garage and as a stuntmen during the days, and becomes a getaway driver at nights. He seems introvert and calm, but starts opening up a a littel when he meets and falls in love with his neighbour, Irene (Carey Mulligan). When Irenes husband returns the films starts picking up it´s pace, just to slow down again in all the right moments. Things go wrong, Driver is in trouble, we suddenly see whats inside him, as he fights for his life and Irenes safety.
Refn tells this story in an action manner, but treats it´s protagonists with much more empathy and respect than these films usually do. It pays attention to detail, evokes emotions atypical for this genre and tops the cake with great music.
If you like action thrillers you´re hopefully already checking playing times in a nearby cinema. If this isn´t your typical choice, let me try to convince you again: Drive is much more than an action thriller. It´s a character study, an amazingly empathetic film that finds the perfect balance between action and conversation, fast cuts and slow motion and has an amazing cast. Go see it on the big screen!
All trailers and more Ryan Gosling Films after the Jump!
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by Lia | Movies
