16 June 2017.
RETURN TO MONTAUK ***1/2
The director is the renowned German, Volker Schlöndorff (“The Tin Drum”, “Diplomacy”), the main protagonist is the excellent Nordic actor, Stellan Skarsgard, the actresses are German – Nina Hoss and Suzanne Wolff, with the impressive Niels Arestrup as an old acquaintance. The place is New York and the mood is intellectual, literary, pensive, romantic. Somewhere between “My Dinner with Andre” and Woody Allen, this is a film not to miss if you’re in for memories, nostalgia and great dialogue – in English.
The storyline is straightforward, yet rich in underlying feelings and tensions: a well-known writer comes to New York for a series of readings. When he meets a friend from the past, he’s reminded of an old love whom he tries to find in the city. But there is also his young companion (wife?), whom he has not seen for some time. Are missed opportunities more important than the “bird in the hand”? What are relations all about? Can we hold on to a dream? Can we retrieve a great love?
Intriguing, moody, introspective – here’s a satisfying, adult film.
THE MUMMY **1/2
The critics have been cutting this latest blockbuster to shreds. Why do so many people resent Tom Cruise? Is it because of his belief in Scientology? Is it because he jumped up and down on Opra’s couch?
Is it because he has been consistently successful for the past 36 years – reaching cult heights with “Top Gun” in 1986, and going on to “Rain Man”, “Born on the 4th of July”, “A Few Good Men”, “Jerry Maguire”, “Eyes Wide Shut”, “Minority Report”, “The Last Samurai”, “Collateral Damage”, to “The Mission Impossible” series, and an exciting “Edge of Tomorrow” in 2014? Is it because he has worked with such great directors as Ridley Scott, Spielberg, Kubrick, Oliver Stone, Rob Reiner or Barry Levinson?
Is it envy for his continued enthusiasm for all forms of film?
The fans, especially abroad, love him. It seems they have not been contaminated with the negative American press. Cruise, at 55, is a steadily fine actor, with quite a few Oscar nominations and Golden Globes to his credit. Yet many people who denigrate him have never seen a quarter of his films. He does not deserve this constant media onslaught.
I thought The Mummy was a well done popcorn flick, with lots of action and bits of humor, pulling together ancient myths with today’s politics and catastrophes. I could have done without the creepy zombies, but what are mummies without their yucky bodyguards? There’s even an over-the-top Russell Crowe as a modern-day Dr. Jekyll!
The critics praise such filthy-mouthed garbage as “Deadpool“, yet trash this entertaining one? There’s no justice…
Superb **** Very Good *** Good ** Mediocre * Miserable – no stars
By Neptune
Neptune Ravar Ingwersen reviews film extensively for publications in Switzerland. She views 4 to 8 films a week and her aim is to sort the wheat from the chaff for readers.
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