Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

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1. annanavin 03.05.17 / 6pm

   Hey Larry! You have given a very good descriptive review of this film. I like how you described the opening scene of the film, you are a very good writer. With the current migration problems going on it seems this film would be a good one to view as it relates to the recent news and media. Is this film still currently in theaters? Anyways, I enjoyed reading your analysis of the film and even though its not a movie I would typically select to watch I may consider it now.
2. Zack Stockton 03.08.17 / 8pm

   Larry great review! I admire the way the opening scene is explained and it almost shows that you are telling the story. After the opening scene the plot of both the main characters and how they are two different protagonists that live completely different lives is amazing. One man is trying to do the right thing while the other is clearly not trying at all. As fate would have it these two come together and the story is tied together through the way the production team managed the lighting with great skill. From reading the review and the way it was told I might consider trying to find this film and watch it.
3. Lawrence Gleeson 03.09.17 / 7am

   Thanks, Zach! I felt it was a very cool film, too. Afterwards, I found out the director is rather iconic, well respected and well-known in European cinema. This style of film is his forte or trademark.
4. JasmineRamirez 03.10.17 / 5pm

   The Other side of Hope,
   Successfully reviewed by Larry Gleeson, the way that these two characters are presented are in a very easy and informational way. The two main characters of the film are found to be living in two very different ways, the two men have come across a way to better their lives and even though their lives were completely different they come across with each other. We are informed that the more successful man helps out the other man who is a man in need. This review right off the top tells us the plot of the film in a way that still addresses the films way of production, by describing in a very detailed way the opening scene and how through out the film the character are a very important aspect that make the film work.
5. Jennifer Patten 03.10.17 / 6pm

   I enjoyed Larry’s review because not only was it descriptive but the adjectives he uses to describe the characters really spoke to me. For example, when he describes the opening of the film and Wikstroms wife, I could mentally visualize what the characters would look like without even watching the film. The way Larry described part of the mise en scene (lighting) intrigued me as well, it made it sort of mysterious. It was interesting to have Larry point out the different perspectives and background stories of these two protagonists. Overall, I think Larry did an excellent job in describing what the audience could expect from this film. I would defenitley be interested in seeing this.
6. kyle kaufman 03.10.17 / 6pm

   This film looks great. I am a ex business major so I am sure I could comprehend a lot of the stuff going on in this film. I thought the review was very well laid out. I also thought that it flowed really smooth and made the it easy for the reader to comprehend and visualize what really is going on. I have seen many similar styles in movies and I am very excited to see how this one is portrayed.
7. Shannan Irish 03.10.17 / 7pm

   Good review and great vision very very descriptive starting with the opening scene and the fog horns I could completely visualize what is going on. And the way you describe the scene and action just the point of a cigarette dangling from her mouth puts a complete vision of the scene in my head.And the way you take the protagonist and their plight from different life styles but are tied together is a great concept that seems like it should work very well. And getting into elements such as production designs with creative praise gives a complete picture to the production. I have not had the pleasure to see this film but the way that you have reviewed it makes this a must see you are great at creating a complete picture of this work.
8. Kiet Nguyen 03.10.17 / 9pm

   An another featured movie from Berlin International Film Festival, the reviewer Larry Gleeson have choose to tackle on another movie by a Finland movie director Aki Kaurismaki and the overall story does intrigued myself. The movie places on two different character with different background story, Wikstrom and Khaled. Larry is very descriptive at giving synopsis of the movie, especially the opening scene where the dark tone cover around the dock scene. It gives me a eerie sensation and also, create a vague impression on the movie despise the fact that I didn’t watch the movie. I do understand that the director Aki Kaurismaki want to create a opening sequence where he want to show that this film does not have a happy story in the beginning then it slowly turn around by the end. I can see the big change on the story when Wikstrom reach out his hand to Khaled when they meet each other for the first time. The way Wikstrom contrasting to Khaled have create the conflict from real life, one live with money already on the hand while the other struggling day after day. I love the detail of the review and along with learning more about the production design work, I would love to sit down and watch the movie so I can see how narrative works out by the end.
9. Kaelana Organista 03.10.17 / 10pm

   Hi Larry,
   I really enjoyed your review of the film The Other Side of Hope. You gave enough detail to make the plot really easy to understand and at times I feel like I could picture the scene you were describing. After reading this, I really would like to watch the film. I had no idea it relates to the Syrian refugee crisis and I think it would then be a great film for others to watch, especially to get a take on the refugees point of view, as it may help them to be more understanding and compassionate towards them.
10. rcamp36 03.11.17 / 12pm

    Hi! This a very well written and well thought out review. I like how you summarize the plot which makes me interested to see it. I like how you did this though because it gives me the feeling and vibe there is in the movie. I also liked how you gave a very good description of the beginning of the movie, which is the scene that draws in the attention of the audience. It also gave me a visual of the film itself. You also mention the production and the design work. Mentioning the protagonist and his background was interesting to read as well.
11. Lawrence Gleeson 03.11.17 / 5pm

    It’s also a fun film to watch. There’s some colorful characters and Director Kaurismaki plays with the idea of restaurant themes to great effect. And, yes, the opening is really, really cool! In addition, I felt the acting was quite solid. Thank you for your comment.
12. Nicholas LaQuay 03.11.17 / 1pm

    Upon reading Larry Gleeson’s review of The Other Side of Hope (Kaurismaki, 2017), I was certainly captivated. Larry does a great job of setting the stage of the film. In the few opening lines, Larry describes the night scene as foggy and continues to set the stage with the various sounds present; I feel as if I’m watching the movie. Though I’m sure it was a great film, I don’t think I would see this movie. From what I’ve gathered it doesn’t seem like a movie that would interest me but taking into account the great things Larry had to say about it, I might reconsider.
13. Lawrence Gleeson 03.11.17 / 5pm

    Thank you, Nicholas. The Other Side of Hope is an interesting film, in my opinion, for two basic reasons. First, the topic of refugees is timely. Secondly, the director creates a story that is fun to watch with a fair amount of humor. I believe t is a very good film. One worthy of seeing for film studies students simply because of the narrative structure. It is quite unusual. I’m happy I saw it. I might not have seen it, had it not been for another journalist who spoke highly of the director. Maybe not a great film. Just a very good film with an unusual and unique narrative structure. And plenty of laughs! Again, thanks for you comment, Nicholas.
14. Rebecca King 03.11.17 / 8pm

    Other Side of Hope
    Larry, your writing was so vivid. I could imagine the movie by your descriptiveness. I enjoy it when characters from completely different lives come together at some point in a movie. I agree that is it not an easy task to do, yet when it is done right, it is so appreciated. I loved how you described the successful businessman helping out the refugee and: “not only survive in community but to thrive in community.” Well done on the facts you found interesting about the film, and how you compared it to an American studio production. Definitely interested in seeing this film, as we are in a similar predicament here in the US.
15. mattyoungggg 03.12.17 / 9pm

    From the very beginning of this review, “The Other Side of Hope”, the author begins painting pictures in the readers head. The diction the author used was incredibly vivid and I had a strong image of what the coal looked like as it was being unloaded from the ship. This type of effective wording makes me want to compare my thoughts to the actual film. Overall I think that this review was very well done. In my opinion it was much more clear than the first review I read.
16. Nathali Medina 03.12.17 / 11pm

    It is great to see such a twist descriptive in a manner that I am already deeply engaged in this film’s plot and have yet to have even heard of this film before this review let alone have watched it. I really love that this review connects the plot and production within the same sentences so gracefully that you don’t even notice it. I love when characters are intermingled and even depend on one another so far into the film as is described in this review because it truly is so realistic and representative to every human being not noticing how you could connect to someone else within a matter of coincidences happening in seconds.
17. Lawrence Gleeson 03.14.17 / 8am

    Yes. Well said, Nathali. One of the film’s strengths, in my opinion, is connecting these two characters. Both seem to fill a need in each other’s life. I felt is was a very heartwarming, life-affirming film as both characters have come from very trying circumstances and manage to meld together and move forward. The fact that Director Kaurismaki took 40 minutes in developing the characters before they meet is rather unique. And, it works! Thank you for your comment.
18. kpastuszak 03.13.17 / 6pm

    This film review is very descriptive when it comes to the plot of the movie! Based off what this review talks about, it seems as though this film has a really touching meaning. The way the two character’s lives intertwine throughout the story line is a really interesting idea and makes the story seem heartwarming. I also found it very interesting how Larry commented on the uniqueness of the casting director doubling up as the assistant director. All in all, I enjoyed reading this descriptive review and probably will be checking this movie out in the future.
19. Lawrence Gleeson 03.14.17 / 8am

    Thank you. The film is a most interesting way of creating a narrative sructure. Director Kaurismaki takes two diverse worlds with very unique characters and brings them together in a fairly seamless manner. Along the way, in my opinion, he adds comic relief to offset the serious nature of wha transpires. A well-done piece of European Cinema. Would love to read your thoughts after you see it. Thank you, again.
20. Brianna Oroz 03.19.17 / 2pm

    I really enjoyed this film review of The Other Side of Hope! You captivated me by your descriptive writing and right away you gave the audience a visual which allows us as the readers to get an initial idea of the film. I like how you then lead into the two opposing character’s lives and compare and contrasted them. The way the director was able to intertwine them and in the end have the two stories meet nearly forty minutes in to the film is amazing and I appreciate how you brought that into the light. I have never seen this film, but after this review I feel as though it is a must see.
21. Lawrence Gleeson 03.20.17 / 6pm

    Thank you, Brianna. I enjoyed the film very much. Director Kaurismaki also balances the seriousness of the refugee situation with some timely comic relief. In addition, his main characters feel authentic while supporting characters feel very unique. Also, I found his practical and colorful approach to relieving the refugee’s concerns interesting and felt his utopian force deeply as he presented a workable (or work-around) solution. Definitely a film worth seeing.
22. Cameron Harger 03.19.17 / 5pm

    This was by all means a fantastic review and you wrote it very well. From the start of your review it was very descriptive, and anyone without seeing this film could be following your review. From the way you even described the production creativity and quality you paint a picture for the film. I also really liked how you detailed you were, whether it be your relation to fog horns and cigarettes dangling out of a mouth. Overall this films seems very interesting and definitely worth the watch! Thank you for writing such an in depth review of what seems to be a fantastic film.
23. Lawrence Gleeson 03.20.17 / 5pm

    Thanks, Cameron. Admittedly, I found the film quite enjoyable to watch as it counterbalanced the seriousness of the refugee crisis with some timely comic relief. Director Kaurismaki is well-known for his ability to take diverse and complex issues and make them into a rather utopian solution-oriented model. And The Other Side of Hope is no exception. However, His weave of the two characters after parallel narratives for 40 minutes was quite exceptional. Thank you for your comment.
24. Zach Peterson 03.21.17 / 1pm

    This film was very interesting at it has a way of connecting comedy and humor to such hardship as the refugee crisis took place. This reminded me of the movie MASH as humor and comedy is tied into the Vietnam War. There isn’t a great deal of comedy but the fact that there is any shows how this tactic is used to grab the audience’s attention. This director is very common with this and it has been seen to be very popular amongst the viewer. This film also gives an amazing visual on what is going on and it has a way of keeping your eyes glued to the T.V.
25. sarah_dolan 04.21.17 / 5pm

    I absolutely love this film concept! Reminds me of the most recent refugee film Calais, about syrian refugees in calais. This movie definitely sounds like a tearjerker. But overall i think it conveys the thought that people no matter situation have the means to help each other out of situations with a bit of compassion. I love that both characters are traditionally minorities trying to get better lives in Europe. This is a film of the twenty first century and it encapsulates so much of people lives are now in Europe as well as the United States. Definitely a must watch.
26. Lawrence Gleeson 04.30.17 / 4pm

    What you say, Sarah, is so true. Director Kaurismaki is known to take on current issues in his films. His portrayal os often referred to as somewhat utopian. To me, however, he uses pragmatism. He takes a cumbersome bureaucratic system and circumvents to create a win-win-win situation. And, this is much easier accomplished in a ninety-minute film than in real-life. A bonus, to this film, is his use of comedic. It is timely and quite effective. So, yes, I agree – definitely a must watch!

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