Jonas Ferry’s blog

Les Misérables (Bille August, 1998). After 19 years in jail Jean Valjean falsifies his identity papers and becomes mayor of a small French town, until his past catches up with him. Beautiful film, nice characters and a very well thought-out story that connects them together. [8/10]

Proof (John Madden, 2005). When a great mathematician dies his daughter carries on his work, but few people believe it’s really her work and not her father’s. I guess it’s a professional film, but I didn’t like the main character and couldn’t feel for her at any point during the film. [6/10]

Le Mystère de la chambre jaune (English title: The Mystery of the Yellow Room) (Bruno Podalydès, 2003). A woman is murdered in a room locked from the inside, and the members of the household are all suspects. Parts of it were cool, but it failed to actually show any of the clues to the audience and instead depended on a “now the detective will reveal the whole thing” scene at the end. [6/10]

The Life of David Gale (Alan Parker, 2003). A death-penalty opponent is sentenced to death, but continues his campaign with the help of a journalist from the outside. Kevin Spacey is great and Kate Winslet is good as the self-centered journalist, in a story that twists and turns without ever feeling forced. Highly recommended. [9/10]

Pay It Forward (Mimi Leder, 2000). As a school assignment a kid, the annoying Haley Joel Osment from The Sixth Sense, comes up with the idea that you should be nice to people. This is the typical feel-good movie, the kind that usually leaves me bitter and enraged afterwards. [5/10]

Harold and Maude (Hal Ashby, 1971). A death-flirting young man befriends an older woman and follows her on her wild antics. The woman, played by Ruth Gordon, is refreshingly crazy and the film brilliantly balances the fun and sadness. [9/10]

4 Inyong shiktak (English title: Uninvited) (Su-yeon Lee, 2003). Two young girls die and haunt a guy, who meets a narcoleptic woman who can see ghosts and through her tries to go on. Honestly not very memorable, a common Asian horror flick. [6/10]

Rakvickarna (English title: Punch and Judy) (Jan Svankmajer, 1966). Two puppets fight it out over a guinea pig that both want. A brilliant 10 minute short by Svankmajer as an allegory of greed and fighting over scarce resources. Apparently the title is mistranslated and the character besides Punch is Jody, not Punch’s wife Judy. [9/10]

MirrorMask (Dave McKean, 2005). The story of an adolescent girl that’s thrust into a dream world with the inhabitants all wearing mask, where she has to find a way to get out. Pretty apparent coming-of-age story with the girl choosing between being “good” or “bad” person. [7/10]

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (original title: Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru) (Kenji Misumi, 1972). The Shogun head executioner is betrayed and goes ronin to avenge himself, with his young son in a baby cart with him. Based on a really good manga, the first film in a series delivers nice action and good characters. [7/10]