Siradakis Reviews

Strella (2009)

Much better than I would imagine at first

[7/10 · 17 January 2010]

Strella was one of the two Greek films people would propose me to see this winter (the other being "Kynodontas"). Unfortunately I missed the second, but I had the opportunity to see this one and I have to say that, unlike my rather low expectations, it finally came out to be a very interesting film, actually more than other very highly discussed and budgeted Greek films. The good things about it?.. I guess it's because you never get bored through the film and there is always something in the plot to make it interesting. Then, it's the fact that it's very human. No one is characterized by what he / she does or who he / she is. A prison convict is just a person and so is a transsexual. I am happy with the fact that the film emphasizes on feelings and not on stereotypes. This makes it present a difficult subject in an easy way for the viewer,without being melodramatic or superficial either. My highlights are the squirrel scenes (fantastic idea!) plus the performance of Mina Orphanou - she is unbelievably good let alone for a non trained actor! So, I would highly suggest people to see this even if they have hesitations...

Pay It Forward (2000)

Very good idea but mediocre outcome

[3/10 · 19 June 2008]

I bumped on the film "accidentally" one night on television. I have to say that the minute I saw the idea it deals with (doing something positive for no return) I felt it was one of the best materials for script ever. Nevertheless, I'm afraid the result was full of clichés and predictable emotional moments. In the hands of another alternative director it could be a jewel, like "Manolia" for example. The fear of people to do good and mostly the weakness to deny doing it on your turn after having received it, is an excellent concept. The same goes for the idea of having a child starting this. But, honestly, all the clichés of the beaten wife, the traumatized molested teacher, the alcoholic grandmother, the stabbing of the kid and most of all the mellow ending (kids with candles in the courtyard) gave it a predictability and a lack of proper depth that was only partially saved by the excellent performances and some good moments overall. Finally, I have to say that Helen Hunt is really making the difference here, by giving true substance to her role.

Billy Elliot (2000)

very good film

[8/10 · 14 March 2007]

When "Billy Elliot" was first released in theaters, I consciously chose not to see it - I had a negative bias for no particular reason, really, even thought it was a very big hit. I guess I was tired of "british suburbs" films that make you depressed: I used to find them interesting but, then, after a certain point I felt they started becoming repetitive and "dead ended" like the lives they describe. So, when I practically bumped on the film in the TV, minute by minute I found myself being pleasantly surprised by what I was watching. Now, I believe it is one of my favorite films. What "Billy Elliot" manages to do is give a tender and tough, bitter and sweet, at the same time, taste of reality in the life of the boy. It makes a story with out the American- type "emotionalism", with the correct dosage of laughter, compassion and questioning for the viewer. The thin line between social criticizing is very well kept in the film, since it does not try to take a stand nor in politics (like Ken Loach would) or in other issues presented (such as homosexuality): it rather prefers to show the impact on the boys life, through his own eyes. In general very well directed and very well acted, music bonds very well with the action. Do not miss it.

Lost in Translation (2003)

the Bitter sweet taste of encountering..

[9/10 · 18 December 2004]

Such a great film.. "just like honey" - like the song from Jesus & Mary Chain of the soundtrack.. What is beautiful is that Coppola surpasses the obstacle: usually it is very hard to depict the connection that can occur when you meet certain people - the interaction between people is something vague and fragile but very substantial at the same time. Sofia Coppola manages to show the bitter sweet taste of sharing things that need not be told in words between two total strangers. I loved it. And the reason is that it combined the pulse of American filmaking with the aura and beauty of European cinema. Tokyo is the best background, Both Bill Murrey and Scarlet Johansson are great, and DO NOT forget to buy the soundtrack.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

lovely and simple

[9/10 · 19 March 2004]

This film really touched me - maybe it's because I live in Greece that has many similarities with Italy, but I dont think it is just that.

It reminded me of the innocence of childhood, the true excitement of first love, the bittersweet taste of growing, the love of a mother to a child and it also reminded me the magic taste of cinema -haven't had this pleasure for a long time from a film...

Well, it seems as if all these things are at one point fading and what remains is pieces of film stitched together that makes us cry, like Salvatore. Yet their existence we can never forget, since it's a part of us, part of what we are. We carry our childish soul for a long time :)

Cabaret (1972)

Money makes the world go round

[9/10 · 16 March 2004]

"Cabaret" is an excellent film. I have very rarely watched a musical that did not bore me. Well, this one actually excited me. This one is excellent. It presents a particular social entourage considered as decadent, yet honest to itself, that reflects as a mirror the social and political decay of the era. The Nazis will fight them to their extinction, because the perverted one does not like to watch a blatant self in the mirror.Within these bounds, these people search for some sort of love or rather consolation to their loneliness to some other lap, any lap. Apart from that, Liza Minelli is amazing and the music and songs need not be praised since they are already considered classical.

Do see it. It will teach you some things. Because, it will always be the same:"Money makes the world go round, the world go round, the world go round..."

Death in Venice (1971)

such a wonderful film..

[10/10 · 9 February 2004]

It may be hard to explain how, but this film is a masterpiece. Perhaps, because i never imagined that a plot like this or a film with so few words would convey all this poetry. The true poetry and aristocracy of human passions and obsession. Bogard is amazing and needless to say that Venice is utilised as a perfect scenery: dark, sinking and dreary just like Bogard's soul. And classical music is more that a simple background escort to human feelings. In my opinion, a classic masterpiece of european film-making.

Don't Look Now (1973)

amazing

[10/10 · 5 February 2004]

What can i say... it is amazing, you just have to see it. It goes right to your subconscious and makes you feel so petrified even thought you see nothing. Actually it cannot be described. Venice is more than appropriate scenery for this story - just DO see it. Thank God there are directors that can show us something different, not just the same things, over and over again....

Vertigo (1958)

Amazing

[10/10 · 7 July 2003]

There is not much to say about this movie, except than it should definately be seen by anyone that considers himself a movie lover. It is amazingly suspenseful. It gets in your mind, in a slow, devious and viperish way. Agony and torment is deriving from the human mind - rather than the actual going-ons or plot of the film. It is a film than can be read in many layers, like the halucinational dreams and obsessions of the main character, that linger between reality and fantasy. Reality is what we make of it... and Hitchcock sure knows how to play with the viewers and his characters mind.

The best thing is he still remains the master of his kind. MUST NOT miss it. I think it is his best film.

G.I. Jane (1997)

No reason of existence for this film

[2/10 · 15 April 2003]

Sorry to say that but this film was really meaningless.

What happened to Ridley Scott? Where are the "Blade runner" and "Thelma and Luise" days? A viewer is constantly under the impression that the director is really bored to do his job with this film. No meaning, no message, no nothing. If it is supposed to denounce political corruption or racism it definately fails to do so. Besides, Demie Moore was definately chosen for her appeal at that time rather than her acting abilities. A film with no reason of existence. Even "Gladiator" was better than this.

Heat (1995)

wow! the best action

[8/10 · 20 February 2003]

Wow! What an action movie... Such suspense and tension, not to mention De niro and Pacino's acting. They are amazing. Nothing more and nothing less than themselves at their best: They are the sides of the same coin, placed one opposite the other,since each one is coping with his life the way he knows. Very strong scene the one they meet and talk at the coffee shop, and then the hunting continues.. Also the big robbery scene.. Very "Mannish" the way all the "satellite" characters are presented as complete personalities, who's actions are affecting the main characters and vise versa.

I shouldn't forget to mention the amazing scenery: the city, the jungle where the rivals are competing for their survival. Every single background of the city was amazing, characters are almost swallowed by it.

Definately don't miss it.

The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Very good action & romance

[8/10 · 17 January 2003]

This film made me think that, it seems that whatever Michael Mann copes with, it's definately worth seeing. This is a classic action & romance film, at its best. Action is embellished and sometimes even descended into nature, and romance is chased by stalkers of life and revenge. Landscapes rise above people and embrace them and love is as needful as survival, or more. Classic movie, imposing action, excellent music,very good acting and of course, the unmistakable mark of Michael Mann.

Dead Man (1995)

Magical trip to demise

[9/10 · 11 December 2002]

What a movie!... didn't want to see it at first.. But, then, when it begins, you take the trip with Blake to the big sea.

So beatiful pictures, such poetry in every single one of them. Hypnotic black and white scenes, still and vast nature, music that takes you down the other side.

It's the unconsious trip of one man to death, slowly descending to another level, deeper into nature. Or is he already dead and is not aware of it? Rivers, trees, animals and spirits to guide him along the way. This is a trip to self-knowledge, a hallucinational, sweet and slow resignation from needs and senses.

Amazing directing, incredible photography and an also amazing Johnny Depp, sunk in his own visions and thoughts, excellent in his portrayal of a man's abdication to parrallel levels of consiousness.

Thank god there is the indie american film making, that we see such beatiful movies.

Final Cut (1998)

SO BITTER YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT

[6/10 · 5 December 2002]

This film is so bitter, it does not surprise me most of the comments are negative. Yet, what I saw was a big, dumbfounding answer to all these so called "reality shows" around us on tv, that we all watch so willingly.

You see, there is a huge difference between being AWARE that you are being watched and not knowing it. No one can be true when he / she is consious of being watched AND THEREFORE JUDGED.. That why this is not likeable: reality bites.

What we see is people as they REALLY are. The fact that they are forced to face their true selves leaves every single one of them devastated - even Sadie. The undeniable revelation of their self pretense crushes everyone. Even the dead -Jude- is revealed to himself and the rest, this game has gone out of his hands.

Yet, there is an objection: the film somehow finally crushes all human relationships by not making clear that not ALL people act this way. Somehow the point seems to be that we should loose faith in any friendship and all relationships in general. This is why there should be a much clearer grading of people and situations.

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

much better than I thought it would be

[7/10 · 27 November 2002]

I saw this film on dvd, not at the theatre release. I must say it was much better than I thought it would be. It has sweetness and sorrow at the same time. It talks about friendship, innocence, love, attraction, adolescence and much more. It also talks about music and the way it expresses our sentiments.It reminds us all when we were teens -a period of life when we are half mature, half innocent- and the way we felt about the opposite sex, the way our parents behavior was decisive for our personality as a whole -in this film tragically involved to the death of the girls. It also reminds us the way a piece of music used to affect our feelings and express our mood, when we were young.

Very good directing, acting, and musical score. Everything was very good. The film somehow reminded me of another one, "Stand by me". There is absolutely nothing in common about the plot, but it leaves you with that same bitter-sweet feeling at the end.

Do see it.

Blade Runner (1982)

think about the future

[9/10 · 8 November 2002]

Ridley Scott seems to have made a classic movie. Very close to a masterpiece. In the not so distant future, man has lost control over his own product, the replicas. First he makes them perfect, now he has to restrict its potentialities to defect. Sometimes our own creation gets out of our control and what happens then? Who is guilty and who is not? Is the manufacture or the manufacturer to be blamed for the loss of the original purpose of the existence created? What is allowed and what is not? Future is shown so cruel and poetical at the same time. Perhaps each one can find his personal answer in Batty's line: "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die."

The Pianist (2002)

At last, a good film after a very long time

[7/10 · 5 November 2002]

At last, a very good film after such a long time. Polanski's "Pianist" is different than most films about the Jews story on the WW II. Apart from the description of the atrocities -that happen "around" the main character and are often implied rather than described- this film is also about man's love for music, a love that, even if not obvious, survives the agony of every day survival, of hunger and thirst. Music surpasses nationalities, war and fear. The film is narrating a story of a man -not a hero- and is a simple and honest picture of human emotions that emerge on extreme situations - situations caused by man himself. Mr Brody is a very emotional and expressive "pianist" and the film is simple and strong. Definately a "must see".