Les Derniers Jours

I do love dystopian films. They just hit the right spot in my brain, but only if they are done right. This, was done right.

With believable characters, and a proper amount of back story, this film deals with how humans cope with normal life when something as basic as stepping outside for breath of fresh air becomes impossible.

It doesn't try to be anything overly amazing, but revolves around Marc and his struggle to reunite with his love, Julia, in an unstable world. As they say, it's not the destination - it's the journey. That applies quite well here.

For those afraid of subtitled films, the dialog is sparse enough - do not pass this one by for that reason.

A mysterious epidemic similar to agoraphobia but with fatal outcome, extends worldwide, so that people cannot go outside, they were forced to take refuge in buildings and other enclosed spaces. Marc a computer programmer trapped in his company will try to meet his girl through the subway line and makeshift tunnels.

The new Pastor Brothers film, (Carriers 2009), is visually very powerful, both in photography and in the types of plans, showing an unusual Barcelona, scorched and desolate, but mostly deserted, with streets and avenues without a soul, a lawless city.

Good attempt at criticism from managers trying to make us reflect on our current way of life, so far from our natural origins. That with the help of a well-selected soundtrack might make more conscious thought to the room.

In terms of in script, it is the Achilles heel of the movie, because development of the story is very predictable, full of clichés and are not surprising, what is worst of all, dealing with an original idea in which people cannot go outside, it is unable to generate anxiety and claustrophobia in the viewer, giving the feeling that we are again faced an adventure story before an almost apocalyptic thriller.

6/10

Who else came here because of the COVID-19 quarantine? The premise of "The Last Days" is different than what we are dealing with, but long /short of it, is that people can't be outside. Despite it being a horror/thriller, I remember it being a beautiful compelling and haunting film when I first saw it nearly 7 years ago. Now I'm inspired to re-watch it 😊

This is an entertaining, not pretentious survival movie that has not zombies in it and that's a lot to say nowadays.

The movie takes place in Barcelona and tells the story of a software engineer caught up in the middle of the disaster. Nothing extremely original but it is just well done. The film-maker paid attention to details, cast performance is rock solid specially Coronado's and the pacing is perfect. The main actor also delivers but I didn't like his voice very much and sometimes couldn't make out what he was saying.

It sends some messages and social commentaries but not in a pretentious, superficial way. Maybe I would have hoped that the main female character ,played by actress Marta Etura, be more important in the storyline.

This is a good European catastrophic movie. We need more of these!

The synopsis for this movie almost put me off as it seemed a little dull but I am so glad I decided to give it a go.

The basic premise is a guy looking for his love after developing "The Panic", a form of agoraphobia so severe it causes instant death. There is a little bit of buddy action thrown in as he goes on his travels. Please don't let that put you off, I am not into romantic films or buddy movies and I loved this. Well acted, beautifully shot, this one draws you in from the start and has you rooting for the main character until the end. There is not a huge amount of dialogue so even if you are not a fan of subtitles, it didn't detract from my enjoyment. There is a little action in it but it is mostly about how people deal with an apocalyptic event in a completely human way.

If you like your films with loads of action, gore and special effects then this probably isn't for you but if you don't mind something a bit slower like The Road for example, then you'll like this one.