Remedy

Nicholson's Oscar is rightly deserved, because what Jack does on screen is incredible. At first I was only annoyed by the Czech translation "It’s Not Getting Any Better", which creates a negative impression, while the original title is nothing like that... Otherwise – the way I hesitate to give most films 5 stars, with As Good As It Gets I didn't hesitate for a moment.

An above-average ghost thriller that benefits mostly from Spielberg's great script, visual effects, and dense sound. Spielberg himself also oversaw the directorial side, so for me an enjoyable experience, particularly augmented by the elaborate visuals.

Being completely unfamiliar with Kar-Wai Wong's work, I approached My Blueberry Nights without much expectation. An ex-girlfriend recommended the film to me and spoke of it with great enthusiasm (and maybe even subtext, who knows). From the opening minutes it was clear to me that this was no ordinary affair, but an intimately shot drama about finding yourself directed in an unconventional and appealing way. The choice of music was also very nice, the actors very pleasant. It truly doesn’t fall far short of 5 stars, maybe I’ll add the last one after the next viewing.)

Francis Ford Coppola shows with his authentic and in every way perfect handling that Count Dracula was actually an unhappy man beyond the reach of love. Compared to the really boring Interview with the Vampire, Coppola's Dracula is a brilliantly directed (it was indeed the directing I found lacking in Interview with the Vampire) and well cast adaptation of Stoker's book. The setting, the art direction, the costumes, the wonderfully evoked atmosphere and above all Coppola's imaginative and breathing direction are the main pluses of Dracula.

I'm not saying it's a masterpiece, but in concept and treatment, Underworld certainly doesn't fall into the category of a purely "B" film: The sets, the art direction, the music, and the excellent action are the main pluses of this film, which otherwise flounders on its script. Underworld is far from being a sophisticated and intelligent vampire saga, but I was not bored, quite the opposite – I had a great time. A weaker 4 stars.

If Tarantino hadn't co-produced this, it might not even be two stars. Comparisons to Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs would just make me want to barf, so in the end Killing Zoe is a hackneyed "story" about junkie amateur thieves that lacks any suspense, any trace of a concept!!!, and just serves up a lot of cheap and ridiculous action... Avary has undermined himself by writing the screenplay, because the moronic direction with zero invention is accompanied by an even more moronic script.

Another great piece of work by Marc Forster. While Stranger Than Fiction is very bitter and sad at times, the overall craft and especially the incredible sense of direction and storytelling are so amazing that by the finale it’s sure to move everyone to tears. It's about how a completely ordinary life can be changed by a very small thing, about how love enters a "boring" life and brings with it the desire to live again, and to the fullest... That's what this beautiful film is about.

Very dark in places, but also very funny and touching... What can be caused by unknowingly confusing Valium with LSD, and how many people are affected as a result, is presented here in a really authentic way. 80%

Aronofsky hit me right in the heart with this arrow. The absolutely brilliant central string theme, the depressing atmosphere in every second, but most of all the hopelessness, the inescapability, the insane suffering, overall compounded by the uncompromisingly harsh yet absolutely perfect direction. It's really hard to talk about any hint of optimism or hope here, every character suffers the same, long and forever...

I haven't read the book by Stephen King, but I'm seriously considering it after that near-perfect two hours. An impressively made psychological thriller about a twisted fascination with the Third Reich that eventually escalates into a real crime. The atmosphere is really thick in places (the shower scene) and that Jan Tříska – he's just a cherry on top. 4.5 stars