Movie Comments (two): HoP and A

Note: I cross-posted these comments under the European Movies Folder.


I haven't been in the mood to watch any movies for a few weeks, but then the days are long and it's too nice to stay inside. That said, however, over the last few days I squeezed in two movies, one French, one Greek.

If you haven't already seen them, here are my comments.

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House of Pleasures (2012)

Before deciding to see this French movie, I read some reviews on the Internet, as well as at Amazon. I then picked up the DVD, adding it to my queue. A couple of days ago, I finally got around to watching the movie.

This film is what I would call an Art House Movie, a VERY Art House Movie. It takes place in a French brothel around the turn of the century (circa 1900). The movie's storyline is centered around the daily life of the brothel's women and their customers. Be aware that there's lots of nudity and sexual innuendo.

The photography is great, but the actual story is boring, moving at a glaciating pace. There isn't any tension. None. I never felt any empathy for the characters.

Now everyone's taste is different, but from my perspective, I didn't care for the movie. It was a chore having to sit through it. Aside from that, however, it was a nice glimpse into brothel life.

Plot: A character study of the brothel women and their camaraderie.

I give this movie 1.5 stars out of 5.

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Attenberg (2012)

After reading that this film was the official Greek entry for the Academy Awards, I picked it up when the DVD was released. Last night I finally got around to watching the film.

Let me say right off the bat that the movie's opening scene was quite shocking—at least to me. But then it caught me completely by surprise.

This turned out to be a strange movie, maybe weird is the better word. It's definitely not action-packed and fast-paced, but rather it unfolds at a slow methodical pace.

Though at times the film was boring, there was something about it that kept me watching, wanting to see how it ended. It goes without saying that not everyone will like this movie. But I did. Be aware that the film contains nudity and sexual innuendo.

Plot: A character study of a young woman (circa 23) coming of age as her father is dying. It takes place in the Greek boondocks, a remote factory town.

I give this movie 3 stars out of 5.