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Sibelius (2003)
Why writers are so important
The first review "This won't do..." says almost everything about this movie and its numerous problems. The most glaring problem is of course that this project lacked a competent screen writer. Koivusalo can pehaps be described as a mostly competent director who can wring out a workable result - even if you on a few occasions in this film ask yourself: "was that really the best take?". But a screen writer for a biographical film Koivusalo most certainly is not. Afraid of missing anything "important", he makes the beginners mistake of trying to cram "everything" into the movie - instead of trying to find one or two strong story archs, and limit the time periods to a few formative periods of Sibelius' life.
Koivusalo is of course not alone. Screenplays in finnish films often seem hastily written - which is a shame, as the technical aspects like cinematography and editing often are quite good.
To be fair, it is watchable, mainly due to nice and accurate set designs, and of course the music. It it gets a bit better towards the end. If anybody after this film gets inspired to visit (or revisit, as myself) the Sibelius catalogue, the film has at least achieved something, even though the film in itself is not on the same masterpiece level as many of Sibelius' compositions.
Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007)
Gets better with repeat viewings
It doesn't happen very often to me, but I think this film actually gets better with repeat viewings. Ten years after release, the criticisms at the time seem pretty petty; the film really works as an extension of the TV series and an homage to, on one end, the European comedy tradition of Jaques Tati, and on the other end, silent movie slapstick. And the references to pretentious cinema auteurs seems even more relevant today than ten years ago. The film has a nice, slow pace I appreciate more and more, and it's expertly produced and photographed. The supporting cast is good, especially French Emma de Caunes, who manages to portray some extraordinary sweet normalcy, as a contrast to Mr Beans antics.
Käsky (2008)
No Bergman, yet
The premise (see other reviews) could be set in any civil war situation and as such could be made into a workable movie. This film, however, has a few problems. For the domestic Finnish audience the film is frustrating because of the many historical inaccuracies, which, 90 years after the civil war, still make many people angry. For an international audience, the film has problems on other levels. It often feels unnecessary slow-paced and drawn-out. Sometimes you had the feeling the director was so in love with some of the shots that he could not let them go on the cutting floor despite ruining the pacing of the movie. The nude an homosexual themes also feel "mandatory" - I almost wanted to shout out "not again!" during the press showing. The film is competently photographed and scored, and has a professional feel. Mr Louhimies also presented himself as a nice and affable man during the press showing, and I wish everything good to him. He will be a great director. This film, however, won't be remembered as his best.
Xanadu (1980)
Xanadu is a musical
It's a great musical. I remembering seeing it back in the 80's, just when I had discovered the wonderful comedy/musicals of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. I saw it in a cinema, on the big screen. It was good. We didn't mind if it was a box office success or not. We liked it. We were ELO fans and Swing fans. What a great swan song for Gene Kelly! And Olivia Newton John was so sweet. We loved her. It just happens that some movie get to be hits - this one didn't. Doesn't mean i'ts a bad movie. Its a musical in the real sense of a musical. Don't take too seriously. When looking at it now, you have to put the film in its proper context. Perhaps it was a great deal ahead of its time. I think it's counterproductive to make a big deal of the film's pace - this was how we did movies back in those days. Enjoy - don't take yourself too seriously.
Captain Blood (1935)
Why this film is a great movie
In his first starring role, Errol Flynn is what we now would call, a "natural". He is backed up by a great cast, a great score and wonderful direction. And the film works because the role Errol Flynn plays is in a way a mirror of himself (please read his autobiography). He portrays only the best sides of the male character: a sense of justice, humour, and treating the ladies with the respect they deserve. Nobody could do it better. And Errol Flynn did it for many years after this film. Often people think of mr Flynn as only a swashbuckler. I think his greatest moments are the electric scenes with the villains, were he in a very understated and believable manner, takes a stand for justice and equality. Go watch all his movies. Go buy them. They are truly timeless classics of our movie heritage.
Adventures of Don Juan (1948)
One of the best
I'll second all other comment-writers who point out the witty humor and Errol Flynn's still nimble swashbuckling at 38 in this very entertaining film, but I'd also like to point out another feature of Errol Flynn's performance (also applicable to many other of his films):
He is also good at delivering more serious lines in exchanges with the villains (in a very believable, underplayed manner) and, for that part, more sincere dialogue with the beautiful ladies.
I think this is an often overlooked part of Errol Flynn's charm and why many of his films, although light in subject, make for truly timeless pieces, just like The Adventures of Don Juan.