tomyargo Reviews

La pasión turca (1994)

Biased Review from a Turkish guy who live with catholic woman..!

[9/10 · 21 April 2024]

Good movie. Not superb, but decent.

The movie uses a lot cliché. Orientalism hard core, the mental image of Turkey heavily used. No body want to see an another European country, like a modern factory made car, almost identical to each other. People want to see these differences, taste it, fell it and live it. So the director took us the travel to unknown, different and a bit forbidden places. In our inner world of feelings and literally.

She consume forbidden apple (desires) and became of slave of her desires and lost, than completely destroy herself and her ego. And Turkish man start exploit that love she fall in. She is going some kind of hell, with eating that exotic apple. In my life, I saw similar stories. My gal friends fall in toxic love and be miserable later on. So it happens.

The movie show us the phases of love, eventually it reach to sexploitation levels.

If you are interested Turkish culture, and visit Turkey, you will experience belly dance, food, carpets history etc etc. And the movie provide these background images. More less, you will experience same things.

Reality slightly different. Turkey is not that orientalist. It is a bridge country, it connects east and west, so you find very very western characters but also eastern. It is a mixed culture. Turkish girls will not even talk with that Yaman character. He is kind of repulsive (even for 80s-90s standards-maybe for 70s standards he is ok, I dunno). The streets, housing, environment possibly could be exist in limited old city. Like Venice, canals there for tourists and there is modern city beside. Anyway, who cares reality? People see only what they want to see.

Good man is better than gold (and harder to find). Turkish or Japanese or Mexican etc. You find a good loving man, keep it. My partner still keeping me for 15 years. I must be a good man but I am not. I am an A$$whole like Denis Leary says. The poor woman does not know, she is delusional like Desi. Shhh do not wake her up.. So the movie is a fantasy, cliché a bit soap opera but nice to watch (especially at emotional perspective).

Fall (I) (2022)

Scare to height and watched..

[7/10 · 13 April 2024]

Life is short, too short. So you gotta use every moment. I watched this movie.

My partner was laughing from my reaction, one moment I start standing and walk around the sofa, terrified... SO my comment is biased.

The movie has so many holes, moments happen and you say 'cmoon , f..k that' It will not gonna ever happen in real life. I was hoping 'Vertical limit' vibe, but I did not take it. Instead I felt cheated, because it is not possible.

However, the pace, character development, thrill, the story were all good. Overall I did not care if it is realistic or holes in it. Because the emotional/psychological message of the movie surpass goofy realism.

Would I recommend? Definitely yes. However, I should warn, do not expect realistic approach. Approach like a fantasy/ dream. And if you scare from heights, watch it..:)

A Separation (2011)

Superb

[10/10 · 12 April 2024]

I do not know Iranian culture or cinema well. However, this is not a political local theme. The story, human conditions are very familiar.

Acting, camera, perspective other technical details is very good. Masterclass.

The story, plot is very good. Twist, surprises increasing drama is really just glue me in front of screen. Pace gradually increase, it is not an action movie, so the average speed low. However, superb acting performances does not allow movie lost pace.

The realism of the movie must be mention too. It is very realistic, in human level and real life events perspective.

I definitely recommend, if you especially like reality, moral dilemmas. 10/10.

The Society of the Spectacle (1974)

It depends of political view

[8/10 · 8 April 2024]

The movie is a critique itself. Depends of the political view of 'the spectator', it is masterpiece or rubbish. And another group will find this movie too hard to understand and confusing, a kind of mumbling gibberish or an intellectual fart. First two political perspective, I welcome respect and salute. The last group go back to your place in this world. You are travelling a wrong direction.

This documentary style of montage of images with reading a narrative and adding some scenes from other movies creates a boring style. The images very powerful but the ideas surpass images and take the focus from images and creates a thinking frenzy. Some very provocative, some subtle.

My critique to this movie, Could we use better images? More accurate timing, stronger images. Could we focus less idea? Instead try to answer and reach every aspects and create very concentrated movie, little diluted more visually pleasing and easily understandable movie/documentary.

Very interesting piece. It is very hard to watch without prejudice. Definitely recommend, even as a mental challenge. 8/10.

G.D.O. BlackCat (2013)

Turkish Gem

[10/10 · 6 April 2024]

It is not for international audience. To be able to understand this movie you need to understand Turkish underground culture. The underground, family, traditions etc. Too many subcultural motive used. For example, the patriarchal hierarchy. Big brother came home with covered mud, ask 'where have you been, I called you and you did not answer' than go rage and use his belt and hit, beat his two siblings. Due to customs, if your big brother punishes you, you should not respond (he is your elder). His anger is not genuine, his rage and beat also kind of fake. In Turkish culture, if goes rage like that, consider funny. Because he is elder, he should be calm and collected; but he is covered mud. Safak Sezer gets angry so beautifully, similar to George Costanza/ Seinfeld. More the anger, more funny.

Linguistically, it is challenging movie also very male oriented movie.

If you know the sub-culture codes, it is a gem. If you don't, you are not in the position of understanding.

The Palace (1980)

If life is a dream, than what is dream?

[8/10 · 3 April 2024]

Interesting movie. It is not a Kieslowski's 'Mirror'; however it is an attempt to ask daring questions to ourselves. Self questioning, inward journey. It show social differences, and makes the character transfer between class and roles (like in dreams, no boundaries of reality).

The movie did glue me with absurd events, weird conversations, daring actions. However, the absurdness was weakness as well. Alice in wonderland in adult form, with some heavy questions and bitter reality in it.

I asked this questions to myself: what is my personal response to in equality and class differences. Did I accept where I am standing and keep acting based on my own class? OR I am just dreaming a magical place (A palace..!!) where I can do whatever or escape? Is 'my movie peeping' just a reflection of my incompetence in life? And more self challenging questions.

Cinematography, technical aspects very satisfying, definitely above average. Lights, colours, costumes everything is above average (if it is not superb) Acting was also very good. There was one lacking element for me: Connection Some movies you instantly connect with movie even characters not developed properly. It sucks you in, even it is absurd. For example Fellini's 8and1/2; there is dreams, bizarre childhood connections, stories inside the story etc but yet the main character just like sitting near by me and watching own movie (masterpiece). In this movie, I felt always I am out of bubble, always alien. Maybe the main actor should be different, maybe language barrier I don't know.

Would I suggest? Hmmm, this one though. I could not conclude decision. Maybe dear reader you watch and tell me what you think.

Kivril Ama Kirilma (1976)

Exploit and further pain

[2/10 · 12 March 2024]

70's Turkish movie industry in crisis, and this movie made for 'exploit sex' and it does. Is it porn? Almost..!

They are not doing, but clearly acting. Some scenes, only legs moves, quiet fun to watch (I laugh). Imagine 2 adults standing, touching and legs rubbing in a funny way each other. Leg love?

Hulya, exploit man using her beauty and con them in order to save some money for her mother's eye surgery. Nuri also a con-man and exploit woman and steal valuables. Somehow, couple like each other and things go out of control...

I should warn, there is no strong plot or editing. It is sexploitation and it is badly edited, dubbed sometimes shot. However, we see dramatic camera approaches, zoom in and out etc.

Even some like to watch sexploitation, I could say stay away unless you like to watch the cast specifically.

Ikitai (1999)

Ikitai = Purpose of living

[10/10 · 5 March 2024]

Masterpiece.

Kaneto Shindo is an incredible director. The strong composition, attention to detail and meticulous work I have seen at Tarkovsky. He is a master.

In this movie, Shindo question us with 'What should we doing with elder, and as an elder what should we do?' Old man at the end of his days dealing with senility, sphincter problems and collapses. He is living with his bipolar daughter also has some retardation. He try to find a way to go in peace. He does not know what to do with himself and daughter. There is cultural/traditional parameters needs to be calculated but also modern life bring more parameters and make question even harder to answer. Shindo use black and white sections (another story in the story- genius) to show what were the older generations doing in order how to deal with elder problem.

He gave a lot of powerful message to audience ' I only read sport section on newspaper, because that is the only truth you can read, the rest is just lie..!' or 'life is the greatest dream' and so on.. Superb movie from superb director.

Note: I personally was scare and confused about my old age, with this movie I little bit relax and accept the Shinto (the religion/ director) approach my own elder dilemma. It is definitely recommended. 10/10.

European Nights (1959)

Who wants visit different clubs and watch all these shows at 1959?

[9/10 · 4 March 2024]

Imagine you are young at 1959. Would you like to trip Europa and visit all clubs watch cabarets, shows, magicians, circus, belly dancer even striptease show ?

Documentary of entertainment industry at that era. However, this is beyond documentary. It is pure entertainment with very good edit and technicality (with colors!). A singer on stage and the director use (I count) 6 different angle and suck me inside the scene. Very good indeed.

This documentary glued me to the screen. Mesmerising performances push me think I was a time traveller and I could be able to watch all these show live at that time.

It is a cultural feast. Carlos Saura show us culture of Spain; in this movie we see blend of all cultures.

I definitely recommend, if you are looking entertainment.

Dune Drifter (2020)

The worst..!!

[1/10 · 4 March 2024]

Do make yourself a favour, do not watch..!

Half of the movie you will hear somebody scream or moaning like give a birth. Eventually, me my wife start moaning and we gave our own birth. We start laughing and screaming each other with joy..!

I understand budget limitations. That is not a problem. Basic knowledge of filming is not there. Pictures, sound, scenario nothing there.

Some people better not to do the job if they do not know. Go school, learn some skills, study.

I am a generous voter. People put effort, work, to do something so I gave at least give 4-5 due to effort. Here I gave 1, Imagine that bad. You are warned...

Yosma (1984)

'Yosma' mean 'coquette/slut'.. It is an offensive word..

[7/10 · 28 February 2024]

This is not a sexploitation movie contrast the name.

A rural family migrate a big city for better life. The new city life bring own problems. Family members cope with this problems with their individual response. The patriarchal family struggle with unfortune events.

Pinar was a call girl, but introduce herself as a model. Kerem and Pinar met with chance and fall in love. Pinar hide her profession from Kerem. However, unfortune events push Kerem and his family to live with Pinar. When they try to adapt new city life the brother of Kerem was dead, and his sister became a prostitute as well.

Under pressure of new life and new social conditions was another challenge for traditional mind set family and Kerem. Pinar was now working for mafia, instead call girl, she became a prostitute. Will Kerem accept Pinar? What was waiting in future for both of them?

In this low budget B-grade movie, the director work just nicely. If you keep expectation low, the movie will satisfy the audience. I gave 7, not because it is above average; but try to address cultural, social and economic problems of the era.

The Color of Pomegranates (1969)

Challange, poetic, visual, masterpiece, life, culture

[10/10 · 23 February 2024]

Did you watch Tarkovsky- Mirror or Kurusova- Dreams? Do you know Caucasian culture, folklore and life style? Do you like surrealist poetic art?

Then welcome to 'The Color of Pomegranates' otherwise maybe you should look somewhere else. Not every bodies taste.

I would like help some who struggle to understand what is it about? The movie tell us a life: born, childhood, adulthood, old age and die. The director tell us a life. When we are watching a life, we will be sucked in a Transcultural Caucasian cultural/folkloric journey as well. A lot of symbolic expressions will be presented visually pleasing manner. The movie is not purely focus art, it show us life style, tradition even culinary aspects of the region.

For example pomegranates, used for paint, pomegranate stain never fade; it has dark red color like blood and blood is the symbol of living, life. In the region, if somebody suffer from anemia, they offer pomegranate. Sweet sour taste of pomegranate also could be symbolised as the taste of life (sweet and sour). This provocative thinking can go forever, like a pomegranate stain..!

If you had enough, Hollywood cliché; looking an exotic surrealistic tastes. You may find a refuge in this movie.

The Wait (2021)

Good, Bad Ugly

[8/10 · 29 January 2024]

I do not know language, and watch it w/o subtitle!!

That gave me a unique perspective, because I am not distracted with script.

First, I would like to congratulate the director. Very meticulous work with really nice pictures, angles and lights. (For example, husband pick his friend from dock to drop house. How many camera angles, side door, front of the car, static road camera, underneath window etc etc. I stop counting.) This movie could be watch just to see the director's work. Well done.

Second, artists. Without understanding dialogs, I could be able to read emotions, expressions. Not under or over performing. I gave them perfect, except friends visit house, some sort of party. Party scene was underperforming. Main characters was awesome.

Culture: I think Nordic culture has this fetish (I saw at Vikings series too) Some mysterious foreigner comes town, wifes/GF cheats, than that man is disappear and husbands come back. Maybe it is a cultural thing, I am not sure. Another thing nudist/naturalist line. I had enough with bare bum in this movie. Bum bum bum. Maybe climate has some effect on it. Maybe again Nordic needs to cover themselves most of the time due to weather, therefore they are more comfortable with nudity/ skinny dipping. I do not know.

I do not think cuckholding is empower woman. Cheating start with brain and finish there. I swap roles in my head and put myself woman's position. If I cheat my wife in that way; I will be disgust from myself. If I really desire another woman, I would share with my partner from day 1. Not secretly fling and than blast. The woman's behaviour is very teenager, rather than married person.

Overall, I would suggest this movie to viewers. The movie challenge people, provoke viewers. Worth to see.

City of Women (1980)

Masterpiece for truth seeker

[10/10 · 12 May 2023]

Many can see this movie as an erotic, Fellini carnival of dreams and imaginations, man-woman struggle, strange fetishes etc.

I beg the differ.

This movie is about middle age man looking past, self psycho-analysis, looking deep roots of his desire for woman and try to understand himself. Why do (any) man like a (certain) woman? What makes man decide/ behave certain way? Does (any) man have control of their life and choices? Aren't our choices result of circumstances we are in? How much could we be honest to ourselves?

If one want to understand today, must be looking past. And mostly we ignore the hidden roots of todays decisions.

Fellini is brutally honest, it is so honest that I feel humiliated and challenged. I don't know who am I, what I do and Why I do?

If one looking honesty in art, Fellini welcomes the visitor.

Özgä vaxt (1997)

Dark, slow, harsh yet beautiful..!

[10/10 · 11 April 2023]

Frist of all, the translation of the name of the movie is not 'strange time'. Correct translation should be 'private time'. Oz mean me, so 'time for myself'.

Second to be able to fully understand the movie, the viewer should know a cultural background. Family relations, responsibility etc.

The movie frozen the time and turn black and white. Time still goes, however the main character doesn't feel alive, feeling choked, confuse and disturbed. Try to connect with father, bring back her father to life (he is alive but not connected, in oblivion) and futile efforts take toll from her. And when she feel alive the colour of the movie comes back.

Acting, lights, music, technical aspects are very very good.

The movie took me, my own comfort zone and put me in a position, I challenge myself. I miserably fail, and lost my integrity. That makes this movie very powerful. Expect from this movie: harsh reality of life, nothing more. Which role are we choosing for ourselves? Daughter, father, neighbour, lover. Maybe we are all but running away from our reality.

Overall, If you in art house, yes. If you are looking action, no.

PS: Extended scene of father, boresome repetitive hysteria, deliberately disturb the audience. During the movie, why is the director keep repeating this scene? After movie, I got it. To annoy me, disturb and poke me (or puke).

Ekzamen (1987)

Soviet gem of (not an art house) art- mansion

[6/10 · 8 April 2023]

Is virtue truly a virtue until tested?

Recently promoted academic, appointed as an head of the selection comity. He confront with the pressure that favour relatives and friends for exams (nepotism). They ask a favour for their kids. He resist. However, when his kid made a traffic accident he need to ask a favour to cover up for his his son. He also resist to ask a favour.

This moral dilemma put him in an internal confrontation. How much would you give up from your moral values for your own kids?

Ekzamen mean 'Extra time'. Philosophically, this movie bring centuries old questions, rather than answering, try to push audience find own answers.

One of the question movie also ask; which one is more important: truth or beauty?

Could you be nice to your friends in expanse to other peoples suffering with lies? Is it immature, being a virtuous?

Technically it is not a masterpiece. Actually I could say below average. Could be considered B grade. However, artistically and intellectually superior. Very slow pace movie. A lot of static scenes, just dialog between characters.

If you like art house and cope with technical inferiority, than you may like.

Hymn (1972)

Shindo's love

[10/10 · 2 April 2023]

Technically superior. Meticulous director as usual. Every detail is just there. Music, light, perspective etc. There is no need to discuss.

How could you go far for love? What challenges would you accept or cope? It is hard to find an answer. Mostly we say something and do another. We may say 'it depends'. Cautious approach, understandable. Here in this experiment Shindo challenge viewer and lovers.

If you have a romantic partner, this movie probably touch their soul.

There is kinky element in this movie, but this kink not pornographically shoot. It is very emotional, delicate.

If you like Japan romance, art and style, I would suggest. If you like action, blast or thriller, stay away.

Akutô (1965)

Masterpiece of Shindo

[10/10 · 1 April 2023]

Kaneto Shindo did again. If I watch this movie without knowing name of the director, I could easily guess if it was shoot by Shindo. His touch so clear, camera, light, perspectives immaculate. Sound just perfect fit the action. Technically I can not say a single word.

This is very meticulous work.

Act also grasp the audience very successfully. Performances very impressive.

Script is well written.

Onibaba's dramatic story is not here. Here we see realism. We are left with the cruelty of life.

I saw the similar story in real life. People use their power for personal benefit recklessly, on the other hand human suffering rampant and they do not care.

Some could find story banal, outdated. So life itself.

It is my taste for sure, I can not say for everybody. I would recommend watch even just for Shindo's technically superb performance.

Grudge (I) (2021)

Happy Medium..!

[7/10 · 13 March 2023]

Some gave 1, say the worst movie ever, Some gave10 it is a masterpiece. It is not a masterpiece, yet it is not bad. It is a film noir with nice surprises.

Acting and directing are not the best performance. However, it is good enough to keep you interested. Tempo time to time slow down, quickly pick up back.

Characters little distant to audience. They may make a better connection with viewer. Editing took a big critic from me. There are gaps in story line.

Morally the movie sitting on the fence. However sending wery good message to viewer. There is no clear line between good and bad. It is easy to judge, but it is not easy be neutral. One of the punch line of the movie ' It is easy to be right, not easy to be just..' All of us think we are right, If we all right than why do we have all these conflicts in the world. Being right is weaken in my head with this movie. Can I be just?

Overall, the movie very cliché in some areas, regular Netflix factory made; but carry very good messages and made me think re-evaluate my perspective. Therefore, I advise watch but do not expect superb job.

Office Invasion (2022)

I read Reviews, some gave 1 and some10?? Love or hate??

[8/10 · 27 November 2022]

After I watch this movie, I couldn't rate. So I read reviews. Very mixed results, like I felt after watched. The movie has definitely 'African humour' inside and I believe some didn't get it. It is cliché at some angles (story), but yet make you smile. If you expect Hollywood style filtering, multi-camera angles, action pack etc. ;well do not. Budget limitations could be recognized.

Actor performance was really good. Sometimes actors overly exaggerating certain traits. I think it maybe confuse with over acting, I think it is performed deliberately, to make fun of the characters.

The movie could be found childish/ geeky, family oriented but it will throw harsh reality to our face in sugar coated form.

I gave 8, because it is not an epic, it is not rare- pure art purposed and shouted. However, it is fun to watch. Grab some pop-corn, relax and enjoy. I did.

Himiko (1974)

Surreal story with decent technic

[8/10 · 4 September 2022]

Himiko, Japanese ruler in history. Was she a tyrant, goddess or devil? Who was Queen Himiko?

Director used new lenses and shot very nice scenes. Camera angles, movements color and light used very elegant and sophisticated way for the age of the movie. This movie is not 'B' class movie for sure. However, it is clear they have some budget limitations and primitive aspects. For example the war scene.

Music of the movie mostly help increase the tension, modern (for it's time) squeaky sounds (clearly I didn't like). Make up sometimes looks funny rather than impressive, but sometimes so elegant and effective. Acting moderate, some charters really amateur but some characters very successful.

The movie has embedded a lot of Japanese culture folk motives inside, like a side note. Contrast, the characters show us not only Japanese but in general human desires, feelings, shortcomings etc. Example: movie has very patriarchal tone, male characters strong and decisive. However, they are not praised, they have own fault and weaknesses.

The story evolve around Queen (holy) Himiko and her forbidden love with brother (incest is not a key tune, there is more important things happening) and jealousy, ambition, prejudice surround them. In the movie, there is the sun believers represent Japanese people, and the Wei is China. Political perspective is also interesting: how Japanese people see or define themselves at that time? There is clues hidden if we look with that perspective.

This is definitely an 'Art House' movie in every way. If you like Japanese culture, colors, geography, history, modern dance etc. You may enjoy and ignore the movies' weak areas. If you like art house, this is really very surreal and artistic piece, so I highly recommend.

Personally, I like the taste of the movie. It is not a masterpiece but definitely decent.