Reviews
Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War (2024)
A perfect documentary with a taste of genuine western soul
I didn't expect to be watching a splendid production dedicated to a 360° approach to one of the greatest stories of revenge and survival in Wild Wild West.
Since I was a little boy. I have been interested in westerns as they took me to those times filled with action and anarchy and not the least freedom.
Thank you . Both the story telling and acts were top notch. I collapsed before Netflix and could not bingwatch.
You should not miss it . Listening to Ed Harris present us this great mortal combat of the Earps against a bunch of outlaws is mesmerising.
Thank you all to the crew. I suggest everyone interested in history watch this documentary.
Fresh, Fried and Crispy (2021)
A great disappointment
Dany has turned a promising content into garbage.
His poor credentials in tasting and reviewing are indisputably crystal clear. First of all, his judgments are extremely biased and exaggerated . I think Americans in media industry have notorious reputation in overrating and underrating people , places and things . This is no exception . Dany is like a naughty guy running and playing all around. Too much obsessed by his own judgments he is . Pushing his own world to viewers , I could not help thinking that I am imprisoned in his own mind. I could not breathe ! Think about it . Such a creative enterprise it is in that a non - American could discover fried , crispy and fresh tastes of street food in the States . But Dany makes this enterprise fall apart in his exaggerated body language , his too much interference with host restaurants and corners. Each time the camera is zoomed into his insatiable appetite ,I only feel disgust. This is not a street food programme for viewers but a personal entertainment show for his beloved friends . It is insane to select amongst all hosts the best for each city. To complicate matters his choices are extremely biased . I don't get why he should pick one
I suggest producers of this show to remake it and bring someone that knows food streets or not . Not a prejudice but I just don't like watching someone reminding me of cliches in average American society : stocky , insatiable and greedy... This is not a culinary program .
Chernobyl (2019)
A masterpiece in all times.
Masterpiece . Awesome and devastatingly sheer truth.
I often heard that it was extremely good and spoke of harsh truth and untold stories behind. I was a little biy when the nuclear diseaster hit the then Soviet Union. My country has also been affected by nuclear radiation. Back in those years people primarily in the Black Sea coastal regions of Türkiye had cancer. We had stopped buying tea packs manufactured in the year 1986. I never knew what happened in Soviets as it was the time of Iron Curtain and we were in the West as a NATO Ally and a European country.
This tv series is to me the best of the best .
I am simply grateful to everyone in this production. Casting is excellent. Scenes are so accurate and real that I can not help thinking of it is a documentary we are watching . People were not acting ! They were simply flesh and soul people in the heart of a technical diseaster hidden from both country fellows and others around the world . Fear of humiliation by arch enemy West ended in one of the greatest human crimes of history. The then top Soviet bureaucracy simply is to blame for this catastrophy with incredibly high human costs . Chernobyl is never to be nor should it ever be forgotten from mankind's memory. May those killed by the diseaster rest in peace. Peace to the Ukraine.
Street Food: Asia (2019)
PERFECT! A MUST WATCH DOCUMENTARY
Once I started watching this , it did not take long to realise that this was a spotless documentary dedicated street food vendors and their lives filled with challenges and rewards. Each story has heros and heroins. Such tough lives they had to endure to reach to their current status. You can not help feeling scars and pains they share with you. They sometimes cry while telling their success stories. I think hard work , resilience and commitment to excellence pays off . I suggest every parents show this striking document to their kids. Also I recommend all people in pursuit of their setting up their own business. These guys never gave up . They never lost their faith in their dreams. My desire to see East Asia and spend some time there grew larger each time I saw these exciting streets and crowded stores selling street food.
Krigsseileren (2022)
Mesmerising and indeed underrated
A very decent production based upon tragic events befalling valiant Norse men. It is always interesting for me to watch nations devastated by Nazi or Soviet war machines. Powerful story telling accompanied by genuine acting have made this production a real one. I think having to be a side in a war that has no place in your life is ironical . You can escape nowhere. All you see raids , attacks , casualties and tears. This vicious cycle of life and death left traces in Norwegian society. I think we need more balanced productions like this to have a better grasp of our pasts. With love from Türkiye to Norway.
13 Geboden (2017)
Unique, natural and capturing !
I am amazed by the production's quality from a to z and equally surprised by its underrated character. I do not see beautiful girls nor handsome men who happen to be cops. Instead all I see is guys with all flaws and merits. I applaud wholeheartedly the characters Peter and Vicki as they are so real and talented. As each episode goes you can not help thinking how come these characters are both curious and weird . Aren't we all indeed ?
I don't know if the series will have second seasons . But I look forward to seeing Peter and Vicki in other suspense thriller to series as they are perfect match for each other. Not the lest the supporting actors and actresses are just fine! Thank you guys.
Selleobeuriti (2023)
Outstanding !
This is a true reflection of what happens in digital works . I find characters quite realistic and the theme extremely in tune with our times. Obsessed with social media that is definitely asocial, I see many people wasting their time following accounts of influencers acting out of their sole material motivations. It feels weird to buy things just because a celebrity you love is promoting their sales online.
Korean tv series industry is to me extremely unique in their huge capacity to touch social aspects of market society and their repercussions on individuals, families and other forms of social institutions. I tend to believe that Celebrity is underrated and deserves a lot more attention.
J'ai perdu mon corps (2019)
Pretty interesting and unique
Quite nice and intimate in its plot. I just do not know why the main character has not undergone plastic surgery to have his chopped hand replanted. My apologies but I do not understand whose hand it was the one that travelled far long to meet the main character.
Regarding the map shown on the cartoon, it is interesting that the landmass including southeastern Europe from Albanian shores up until Eastern Mediterranean is shown Türkiye. I think our Greek neighbours would not like that at all. I don't know why Istanbul has been shown Constantinople. Does he / she prophecy the rise of greater Türkiye with massive territorial gains including present Greece , Bulgaria , North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania. Nope I am not an irredentist guy. All I want is my country's return into their factory settings as a truly European country in southeast Europe.
By the way , I am confused by the same map . It shows the current region once called Caria as Cilicia. This is truly another historical mistake in the production . Cilicia is the ancient name for the current region including present provinces of Adana , Osmaniye and eastern half of Mersin.
Unfaithful (2002)
Underrated but great !
Regarding unfaithfulness and swings in the pendulum of faith and betrayal , this movie has a lot to say . Congratulations to the leading actor and actress and not the least to the director.
La valla (2020)
Suspenseful , creative and thought - provoking
This is a very brilliant , suspenseful and powerful production from Spain based upon a future Spain divided by an imminent World War 3.
Parliamentary Monarchy has been suspended and replaced by dictatorship that has changed everything from the country's flag to name.
Casting is outstanding , script is extremely moving and intriguing . It heralds the future world falling victim to enemies of the people who have no mercy against nature and people.
I definitely believe that Spain is a mesmerising country in both movie and tv series productions. Spanish production industry has a crazy imagination reaching beyond our borders. With its relevance to what is staged at present on earth in the framework of a controversial and equally an enigmatic epidemic, the production demonstrates and inspires how fundamental liberties can be curtailed even denies in the name of safety and health.
La Valla is underrated . I am confident that it deserves at least 8.5 as rating.
With love from Turkey to amazing Spain
La caja 507 (2002)
A very good thriller movie
This is an underrated movie from Spain.
Definitely worth - seeing!
The Queen's Gambit (2020)
Perfect tv series
Exceptionally great , genuine and touching . Adapted from a novel , the tv series is spotless.
I was mesmerised by the casting , decoration and plot. Set in the Cold War era through a fictional heroine , Elisabeth, it is the life of a genius girl who happens to take up an interest in chess.
Congratulations to the production team from A to Z as it shows us vividly that excellent productions can be made without dependence on sexuality , violence or sensational lives of celebrities. Thank you for everything. ✨💐🙏🏼🍀
Monarca (2019)
A very well - written script and fabulous casting
I loved Monarca . Congratulations to members in team for their fabulous work. I hope to see the 2nd episode though I do not know whether they can sustain same level of curiosity and pleasure amongst audience. Thank you Mexico . With love from Turkey.
Criminal: France (2019)
Brilliant , breathless and real..
I started watching this series with France and have just finished all the three episodes . I am going to start watching the other countries' series from tonite on .
Does anybody know if Criminal : France will have other seasons ?
A Royal Night Out (2015)
So boring
Gross . I do not want to spend another minute . Do not waste your time for this stupid movie.
Novine (2016)
More than perfect . This is a masterpiece
Outstanding casting , great script and perfect direction . The paper has much relevance to the demise of freedoms and liberties even in the free world. In view of populist right's rise in both Europe and North America fed by xenophobia , economic fall and immigration challenges , this series has so much to tell to the world . As fundamental freedoms are curtailed in the name of insecurity (?) around the world and wealthy nations rise their borders , crime , corruption and demagogue prevail significantly . The Paper is indeed a wake up call to what we undergo.
Though the story is based upon dirty relationships revolving around businessmen , politicians and high level state officials , it is easily applicable to many nations around the world .
Honestly speaking I was not expecting such a great production from Croatia . Hvala. I am looking forward to seeing the season 3.
Ki Hwanghoo (2013)
Fabulous Tv series from Korea .
A very well - written script , a greatly acted drama and amazing scores. I did not watch many Korean series but this is the best I have seen to date . Thanks for all hearted work. Warmest regards from Turkey. Love you Korea .✨🇰🇷🍀💐
Ufak Tefek Cinayetler (2017)
Masterpiece in Turkish TV series history
The best tv series of Turkey TV stations without a single doubt ! It is destined to acquire wider attention across the world thanks to its fabulous script , genuine cast , amazing tunes and not the least its majestic direction.
The series is based upon 4 major female characters who were once intimate classmates at high school and after years they all happen to be living in the same neighborhood of Istanbul called "Sarmasik" filled with rich residents.
The greatest fracture in the relationship of the four main characters begin with the outbreak of a scandal at high school years. Victimized by a slender thrown against Oya , the relationship of the 4 girls collapse ending in the dismissal of Oya from the school. The other three girls , Merve , Pelin and Arzu continue to see each other's and develop their friendships in spite of a series of clashes and jealousy.
After years , we see Oya now being a MD starts living in the same neighborhood along with the other 3 old friends of hers.
Actually , the casting is fabulous . I must admit that the characters are very well- written and acted . I have realized that the script is thoroughly studied and the characters are cleverly analyzed. The scores are so good btw.
I am pretty sure that I will watch this series again in the days to come.
Bir Zamanlar Anadolu'da (2011)
Disillusionment in the highlands of Interior Anatolia: Ceylan and his exquisite taste in cinematography- 1
In reviewing contemporary cinema, a number of directors are easily distinguished in the way they tell their stories, they construct their plots and in the manners they design for their heroes/heroins. Nuri Bilge Ceylan is primarily an exquisite director that has proved his reputation in international independent cinema strongly and irreversibly.Particularly fashioned by his competent arts education together with his acute observation of Turkish society in influx destined to persist for decades to come, Ceylan has made controversial movies that are not equally embraced at his home country.In essence, I have seen once again that Ceylan does not primarily address to Turkish audience despite the stories told in his works are exclusively the contemporary antagonisms such as rural versus urban identities, sense of belonging to individuality versus community, "one person" solitude in partnerships, communication gap between generations, hypocrisy in Turkish society especially towards "namus" (English equivalence "honour") , permeable lines between tradition and challenge of globalization. Today I watched the movie with a number of people not more than 12 at an elegant movie theater in the cent rum.Indeed I wasn't expecting to see more people than that.I have realized how few people had taste of higher quality productions.Fewer, better indeed.. Regarding the story,I must admit that it was not strong, quite typical of Ceylan movies.Amidst the director's thirst for unearthing the ironies and chronic fallacies in Turkish society, the audience might be lost in labyrinths of events that are increasingly repetitive.Ceylan's devotion to symbols, stories and body language has its reflections on the movie as well.In comparison to his previous productions, this movie includes higher level of dialogs with greater depth. For instance, you start realizing that the director has acknowledged the importance of oral conversation.
Hayat Var (2008)
A movie of Art and Deep thought
"Hayat Var" means "There is Life" in Turkish. The director seems to have made a word game by choosing such a title for its movie. The main character, Hayat, is a teenager stepping into adolescence in a depressing and morally damaged social environment in one of the most marginalised and equally forgotten quarters of the metropolitan city of Istanbul. The environment in question is depressing in its very limited vision of a decent life in terms of both material prospects and social networks.It is morally damaged in the sense that its inhabitants lead the viewers to the opinion that a collectively shared and regulator social environment simply does not exist and the members of this environment does not reflect any behaviour of social norms and integrity.Just like the extremely individualised segments of a modern society, the director's view of the movie's habitat is comprised of "loser" individuals fragmented into pieces and destined to be disregarded in the face of rapid social and economic transformation in the core, the metropolitan Istanbul. Rather than focus on the dichotomy of the core versus periphery, the director has devoted his time to remain focused within the context of periphery.This is a very ambitious and determined approach bearing the risk of failing to represent periphery accurately and consequently turning the movie into a movie of orientalism- the act of misunderstanding the lives of what lie behind the curtains of periphery.I congratulate Erdem for his bold handling of periphery and provocative method of drawing the attention of Turkish public in the controversial concepts of Turkish society such as gender codes, sexuality and social fabric largely defined through religious and kinship bonds.
The movie is a black representation of a very big Istanbul. The viewers will probably see for the first time very original views of both the Bosphorus and the peripheral Istanbul continuously. The modernized and prosperous quarters of the city can only been viewed in the movie as details far away from the original platform- the riverbanks of a district lying on the Asian shores of Istanbul. Continuously, the Bosphorus appears on the screen through great and ugly sea vessels with their hidden agenda ( Smuggling, sex trade etc.)
Hayat is a "loser" girl.Unlike her name's meaning full of energy and zest, she is destined to lose from the beginning. As the only child of a broken family, she is given no other option other than try to survive within a "family" of a smuggler father oriented to the random and casual sexual encounters with the same sex, an old grandfather suffering from asthma and confined to a miserable bed.Hayat's mother enters into Hayat's life from time to time as she is already married with a baby to a policeman. Leading the viewers to feel that her existence was reduced to a " exist or not .no problems" situation, the director surprisingly gives no great level of reaction for the main character. Hayat does not speak a lot, nor does she weep for her "life" in abysmal conditions.She is forced to take care of an old man that hates his own son and spends much of her time in the confines of a shabby wooden house by the riverside.As there is no social regulators defining both the intra-family interaction and social network, she shows poor record of expressing herself amongst both her peers at school and towards her teacher and the headmaster. Sliding into social degeneration and moral corruption, Hayat is challenged by several factors: her abuse in the hands of two mature people- a shopkeeper man with pedophilia tendencies and a nextdoor neighbor woman who systematically abuses her.She does not resist towards this constant double abuse.Instead, she seems to have accepted the faith written for her.
In my opinion, the director has succeeded in probing into the interrupting issues such as child abuse, broken families and marginalization in periphery remarkably.Rather than dramatize the situation befalling Hayat, he calls for viewer's attention on these thorny issues with care.The use of colors, nature and tarnished quarters of the city helped me see a different Istanbul that "exists" in the door gates of the center.Regarding the music, the famous Turkish Orhan Gencebay's several songs are injected into the different scenes of the movie from the beginning to the end.
If your aim is to get "pleasure", the movie will get you nothing except for frustration and humiliation.However, if your objective is to see with your own eyes how a talented director evolves and enriches Turkish movie industry, then you must "see" it.
Golemata voda (2004)
Excellent movie but couldn't the music be better?
The movie is the story of the little Macedonian kid Lem who fell victim to the 2nd World War by witnessing the loss of his parents. Like so many guys and girls picked from the different parts of Macedonia which was once one of the republics of the Yugoslavian Republic, Lem is brought to an orphanage house which serves as an agent of regimentation. The Socialist regime needs ambitious and well-trained guys and girls who are expected to be die-heart patriots against the Nazist and Fascist threats. Poorly aware of the Socialist training and its consequences, Kim starts to be exposed to the building blocks of socialism.His life starts to change once a mysterious boy steps into the wrecking camp. Kim's curiosity and penchant for being closer to this mysterious boy draw the two characters to chain of irreversible events. Based upon a very famous Macedonian novel, the movie is excellent in the great performance shown by the actors and actresses. The director's way of introducing the story to the viewers is so good.There is only one thing missing in the movie.That's the choice of the music for the movie.I am convinced that the director could choose better music.
Gönül Yarasi (2005)
You must see this movie.
Gonul Yarasi (Lovelorn) is the latest movie of Yavuz Turgul, one of the leading directors in modern Turkish movie industry.Turgul has always exhibited tendency to take the movies of people shattered by urbanisation, individualisation and alienation.This movie is one of the best examples of how people with their commitment to their values can still survive all hardships surrounding them.I found the movie quite successful.However, Turgul must have paid more attention to both the characters of Dunya (Meltem Cumbul) and Halil (Timucin Esen). Cumbul can not really make you feel that she plays a character of Eastern Anatolian origin.Esen is not successful in his role owing to both his physical appearance and the way he acts.I think the major responsibility fell on Nazim (Sener SEN) as he has acted his role successfully. The movie is the based upon losers.I believe you will find so many things from your life be you are Turkish or not.
Küçük Kiyamet (2006)
The movie is below the average
I went to see this movie together with my friend.Honestly speaking, We both did not like the production.Instead of making an original movie, the directors chose the easy way: copying images and characters from some cult Hollywood-based horror movies such as 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre', ' The Ring' and "Psycho".Although the directors seem to have tried hard to frighten audience, I am convinced that all their attempts have been destined to fail eventually.Because you simply can not feel frightened by the story and act.In the western popular culture, cemeteries are frightening places where ghosts walk around. However, the same understanding does not fit into cemeteries in Muslim world.I must state that the Taylan Brothers were unique to bring together a summer house and a cemetery together.Besides, they disguised Azrael as the tenant taking care of the summer house.However, none of those attempts impressed me nor my friend. The characters speak strange conversations thus making no sense.You can not really feel that there is really a family there although the directors tried hard to show audience that the family is fragmented into pieces.I think the actor who acts 'husband' character does not really fit into his role. He just can not make you feel that he is a husband cheating on his beautiful wife but managing his relationship to his wife successfully.He is a tiny figure in the weight of his wife.The main female character acted by Basak Koklukaya, is probably the best part of the movie.You can sense that she suffers from the problem of communication in her family. The character of Azrael is poor.I do not think that the actor playing that role really fits into the role.He can not speak the Aegean accent successfully.The music, though looking good, does not really fit into the movie either.Many times I oscillated between Hollywood suspense-thriller movies and amateur movies. This movie does not have a strong character. The best part of the movie for me, was, the end.I will not tell you what it is. It seems to me that KUCUK KIYAMET has already joined the family of 'you do not have to see it.' movies. I hope someone will break the vicious cycle of Turkish Movie Industry's failure to produce a really frightening movie.
Lilja 4-ever (2002)
Stunning performance of LILJA.. It is a must to watch this movie.
Lilla4ever is a tragic story of a girl who like a flower blossomed but soon died out or with a better expression was killed by evil and cold winds. I didn't know anything about the movie until my corridor mate Daniel,a movie maniac, started telling me about a Swedish movie he watched in Sweden when he first came here. I was curious about the movie after he told me that how tragic story the movie had. What a coincidence ! The Swedish Second TV Station broadcast the movie the same night.
I collapsed before the TV while I was watching the movie and was captured by the strength but ironically the familiarity of the movie subject: little children dragged into prostitution because of mafia which can do the most evil things for the sake of money. I hated myself being a human being and witnessing such a tragedy story. Such stories make wide media coverage in every country. Particularly the dismantling of Socialism created economic and social degeneration in the countries which were once ruled by iron fist.
The little girl is an Russian origin Estonian.Not an ethnic Estonian but a Russian origin Estonian. Presumably, the director aimed to draw attention to discrimination and economic poverty tarnishing the lives of Russian minority in the country.
The movie seems to have been made with a pretty modest budget if one realizes that the locations are quite limited in number and there is no one whose face could be familiar to a movie fan. However, the little girl in her acting ability has been unforgettable in my point of view. While I was watching the movie, I sometimes asked myself if the actress herself was really the little girl abandoned by her mother and hit by economic degradation in her country.
Showing those older men who had done all the evil acts to take advantage of the girl are shown with very influential scenes.I am sometimes wondering how a mature man can get pleasure by having sexual intercourse with a girl at a very young age. My blood is frozen.I stopped myself hard to turn off the TV while watching the movie.I don't know why but wish the little girl had not died..Instead, she would go to police and the Swedish Government would provide her with protection and housing.
About the musics of the movie,I am not really impressed. More tragic sounds could be integrated to the movie. When compared to high level of performance the main character has exhibited in the movie, the musical background is not proper in my point of view.
This movie..I believe that every parent should watch this movie again and again to understand very pure and beautiful dreams that each young has. Life in a stable environment provided by devoting parents.
Girls like Lilja are everywhere. Probably most of us see such girls in the every corner of the cities and on highways. We should be able to say a strong NO to pedophile and child pornography.
Thirteen (2003)
Thirteen is a dawn in American Movie Industry in Doldrum!
Tracy and Ivy are just two innocent and young girls suffering from social crisis: Child abuses,broken families,indifferent parents and the alleged socialisation institutions,schools.Children are our future.When I look at girls and boy wearing extremely strangely and using terrible slangs,I want to cry.While I was watching this excellent and equally depressive film,I just imagined how hard it could be to raise a child. Please Parents! I am a 26 year old young man and would like to establish a peaceful and consistent family in my future.I can not imagine how awful it would be to have daugthers like Tracy and Ivy. Children..We can not leave them to cruelty of life. I am particularly opposed to MTC culture pumping crap images,photocopy singers and 'the would be actors/actresses' into all societies. I am not an American but am wise enough to see negative consequences created by social degeneration in the US. Let us make this life better together. I have a young nephew and would like to buy this DVD as a present to my sister.I hope that she will be able to watch this film with her sister and understand social corruption. Thanks for giving us to express our comments on this masterpiece. It is realistic,convincing and thrilling.I still feel the influence of 'Thirteen' running deep inside my veins and brain.