The Trial (1962)

In 1962, Orson Welles decides to bring Franz Kafka's novel to the big screen and does so with - for the time - stunning results. After Joseph K. finds himself charged, summoned and tried for something never explained to him in the hearing, he sets out on a personal quest to find out the truth behind this charade. A suggestive insight to a corrupted judicial system, expansive to at least necessary background aspects of "modern" reality, the story is presented in an abundance of metaphoric exaggerations, the drama comes alive in reference to the real protagonists: the archetypal figures, the depressingly familiar structures, the practices that constitute a rotten justice. Overplayed performances shape the intended world of caricatures, product of  Welles' "theatricality" on the direction, the latter also certifying an almost ritualistic pacing even in the climactic second half of the film. Powerful depiction of fragile characters, strong political exposition and sparse use of thought-provoking imagery that still manages to impress, make this 2 hours long drama a tedious necessity for everyone to watch at some point.

Life of Pi (2012)

A young writer from Montreal visits the residence of Piscine Molitor Patel, a man who as a young lad found himself adrift in the middle of the Pacific ocean and made it through to tell the story. It is very early when - upon recounting segments of his past - the film's exotic presentational tone and storytelling aesthetics are revealed. Satisfying the story's thematic necessities, consequence of inspired direction, and special thanks to the beautiful actors on one end and a very well done computer graphics implementation on the other. There is an exquisite balance at play and the overall atmosphere feels subtly and efficiently conveyed. The introduction drags unnecessarily as a background setup for the main character and before long, it gives way to an ensnaring non-action oriented adventure which paces steadily for the remainder of the film's 116' runtime. Exciting, mesmerizing, esoteric, at times spectacular, for a while superfluous, Life of Pi is Ang Lee's "Big Fish" and a film which surpasses expectations. Highly recommended.

Primal Fear (1996)

An archbishop is murdered and a young member of his church is arrested with all evidence leading to him. Richard Gere plays a prominent lawyer, who takes over the kid, claiming that he saw him and believed him at first sight. The movie would have been a very boring lawyer movie. However, Edward Norton (the "murderer") plays very well and keeps the suspense on until the end. Laura Linney is the DA that makes the life of Richard Gere difficult. 

The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

The sequel of the Bourne Identity. Some assassin uses the fingerprints of Jason Bourne for a murder and then tries to kill him. This mission doesn't have the planned result and things get really mixed again for him. The concept is similar once more. Jason Bourne is always a step ahead of the people that try to trap him. The movie keeps once more the spectator at a very high level of excitement until the story comes to an end. The scenery is this time Berlin and Moscow, whereas the director is trying to take advantage of some German and Russian cliches as well. The movie is recommended!

Groundhog Day (1993)

A weather report specialist travels to a small town in order to take part in a weather prediction ritual, when he finds out that he gets to live the same day again and again. The movie gets funny when he realises that and tries to get advantage of this fact. A sweet movie with a very original story. Bill Murray incarnates the weatherman very sufficiently, whereas Andie Mac Dowell and Chris Elliott complete the cast of main characters. I always like watching this movie around Christmas. Do it if you haven't already done it!

Rob Zombie 's Halloween (2007)

This is a remake of the well-known 80s horror film. This one contains a little bit more to the young years of Michael Myers, but in fact it doesn' t really contributes anything more to the spectator. The acting is worse than the old one, direction is a bad copy of the old one and, generally, I found the old one a lot more exciting than this one. If you want to watch Halloween, take my word and watch the old one, even if you 've already seen it!

Boys Don't Cry (1999)

Another true story about a boy being born with the body of a girl. The plot evolves extremely slow and boring for longer than one hour without giving any excitement to the spectator. Hilary Swank got an Oscar Award for her acting in this film and one has to confess that she really presents the role very convincingly. The production doesn't seem so well-thought and the rest of the cast doesn't impress so much. I think too much noise was made about this film, due to the topic it deals with.

Catwoman (2004)

You live in - I don t know - the 50th floor and climbing out the window to save a... cat that is miaowing, finding out the secret plans of your bosses earning money in cost of the humanity, dying flushed down the sewage, being rejuvenated by a cat...I don t know why I kept on watching and watching this film. Halle Berry doing the best she can in a VERY bad movie. I am looking at the Box Office numbers and still wonder who would pay to watch such a movie. Waste of time, money and nerves. No further comment.

Frankie and Johnny (1991)

Johnny is released from the prison, finds a job in a Greek diner in New York and tries to approach beautiful but reluctant Frankie. The same old cliche romantic comedy of the 90s. Nothing special in it apart from Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer. Some beautiful corners of New York appear as well.

Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

Slevin is trapped between two families that have their differences. Things get more complicated when the son of the one boss is assasinated. A movie that keeps you alert the whole time and also compensates you with a very exciting end. Nice choice of music, nice direction and very good actors in the most important roles. The movie is recommended even if you are not fan of mafia movies.

The Lucky One (2012)

A soldier lives through his service in Iraq carrying a lucky photo he found somewhere after a night attack. The photo illustrates a beautiful woman and soon he gets the idea that she is helping him through all his problems at war. A movie with a usual scenario, usual direction, usual scenery and more than usual end. The spectator can be sure that nothing exciting will happen throughout the whole movie and should avoid watching it lying down. Boring and cliche.

Super Size Me (2004)

Morgan Spurlock decides to take a complete health test and then eat exclusively at Mc Donalds or other junk food/fast food restaurants for a month. He tries to find out what and how big is the effect of such a nutrition on someone's organism. In this documentary, the spectator comes across with several astonishing findings on the influence of this food on our health. However, Morgan Spurlock - who is apart from main character, also the producer and director - fails partly to give the funny tone that he intends to the film, whereas the findings and information he presents could very well fit in a documentary of an hour or so. I found it a bit long.