ZeddaZogenau

A very interesting, but also problematic in parts, film about the very specific grief process of an unsuspecting father. Seven years after the original film LONGING (2017), which was shot in Hebrew, Israeli director Savi GABIZON was able to make an English-language version for the North American cinema market.

Richard GERE plays the wealthy businessman Daniel, who suddenly learns that he has had a son for 19 years, but that he has just died in a car accident. He travels to his deceased son's hometown and learns a lot about his life through encounters with various people. Daniel often acts intrusively, presumptuously, and embarrassingly. This, of course, fits wonderfully with a character who is irresponsible, emotionally traumatized, and simultaneously lacking in distance. Some plot lines are difficult to bear. One example: Daniel's son was madly in love with his French teacher (Diane KRUGER), whom he stalked day and night in a transgressive manner. German actress Diane Kruger plays this teacher, whose professional dedication is misunderstood, very vividly and convincingly. In a dream sequence, however, the film depicts this teacher larger than life as a sexual projection screen for father and son, which comes across as extremely embarrassing and inappropriate. Similar borderline scenes occur elsewhere in the film, which detracts from a better rating of this otherwise well-made film.

As a portrait of a thoroughly typical contemporary who serves as a symbol of irresponsibility, inability to commit, and lack of distance, the film is quite successful. However, the director doesn't tell it that way, as he still shows too much sympathy for his main character. Thus, the film about the misguided grieving process of a questionable personality remains a mixed pleasure.

A thrilling and deeply mysterious crime miniseries that cleverly and effectively reassembles plot elements familiar from other series of this kind. Australian actor Eric Bana (known from HULK, TROY, and MUNICH) and the other members of the cast deliver very convincing and sensitive performances. The real star of this six-part series, however, is the breathtaking Yosemite National Park, which is beautifully shot.

It all begins with a mysterious death, which is also filmed in an extremely spectacular way. A reclusive park ranger and a policewoman from the megalopolis of Los Angeles must team up to solve the case. Soon, more mysteries emerge, and the story doesn't stop at just one death.

It's not a reinvention of the genre, but the story develops a pull that's very difficult to escape!

Worth seeing!

A film based on the novella of the same name by Stephen King, awarded the People's Choice Award at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival! And lo and behold, the result is a wonderful film that celebrates life without glossing over the cruelties and randomness of our existence. And seeing Tom Hiddleston dance with Annalise Basso is already a highlight of this cinematic year. But first things first...

In three backward-told acts, the life story of accountant Charles "Chuck" Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) is unfolded. This is at times mysterious, joyful, and tragic.

In the first act, with teacher Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his ex-wife Felicia (Karen Gillan), we experience something like the collapse of the digital world we know, which also includes natural disasters and the strange behavior of numerous people. Chuck appears here as an oversized billboard thanking him for 39 great years.

In the second act, we meet Chuck himself and follow him through the streets of a town in Alabama where something wonderful is about to happen.

And in the third act, the audience gets to know Chuck during his childhood and youth, which are shrouded in tragedy. And then there's the actually beautiful tower room in his grandparents' Victorian house.

How it all fits together and what roles mathematics, Walt Whitman, a volcanic eruption in Germany, and the moonwalk play in it is best experienced for yourself in the cinema. In addition to the actors already mentioned, there are also very fine performances by Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Heather Langenkamp (Nightmare on Elm Street), Carl Lumbly (Cagney & Lacey), and Mia Sara (Ferris Bueller's Day Off).

A beautifully told film that is exciting, moving, and very unusual!