Paolo Sorrentino's 'Youth'

(No Spoilers)
This movie. This fucking movie. Up to the first four minutes of the film i was already drooling over how marvellous was everything that i was seeing. Because if something makes Sorrentino stand out is the powerful images, at times oneiric scenes that  speak louder than words.

Before i continue i have to admit that i have only seen his last two works, 'La Giovinezza' and 'La Gran Belleza' (The Great Beauty) but these two have been enough to have my complete attention on him. And while 'The Great Beauty' was a reflection on nightlife, leisure and being bored by all that, despite the glamour, the wealth and the apparent wisdom of artists and poets, in 'Youth' it depicts the contemplation of life growing old while surrounded by a society that glorifies and celebrates youth and has no room for anyone past that age and time.

Starring two old and enormous actors, Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel reflect on life and success, past mistakes and failed flames and all that while contemplating the ephemeral beauty that surrounds them while they're vacationing together. Both Caine and Keitel are companions in life and while one has retired from music, the only thing he understands, the other one is trying to complete his last movie that will serve as his final will after some disastrous works.

This movie is an observation of life at an old age, when it seems that everything glorious that could happen was long time ago and we're only witness of everyone else's prime of their lives. And Sorrentino achieves that with superb performances by his two leading actors, an spectacular cinematography and reflections that transcend the screen and make you think about what's slowly running through our fingers without noticing, that is the time of beauty, of feeling alive. Our youth.

You can see more stunning images after the cut, including the shot that has trapped me for days, that shot towards the ending of Michael Caine's character sitting in the hotel room, totally mesmerizing.

TDKR

(No Spoilers whatsoever)

So, i watched the much expected, much anticipated movie from this Summer, 'The Dark Knight Rises', and while i didn't expect much, for no reason in particular, i was left unimpressed.

The movie is too long, way too long, there are too many explotions, the plot is kinda left unexplained and i got bored sometimes. I feel like maybe Christopher Nolan wasn't willing to make this movie so his heart and brains were not there because the other two Batman movies he directed were great, especially 'The Dark Knight', no need to mention that. Also, it got similar twists to TDK and some 'Inception'-esque scenes that made the movie lose more points. Still, i got a reaaally nice surprise with Anne Hathaway as Catwoman (she's never referred like that in the movie) i barely remember Michelle Pfeiffer's portrayal but Hathaway slayed, she was the scene-stealer that everyone was talking about and it needed more Selina Kyle in the movie. Also more needed? Michael Caine as Alfred, such a flawless man and actor, his role is simply so sweet that i cannot bear to see him cry onscreen.

Other cast members worth mentioning were Tom Hardy which i did not like, Gary Oldman who was, as always, good, Marion Cotillard, whose acting was surprisingly dull, and Joseph Gordon Levitt was fine. It also got tons of famous faces in minor characters, Juno Temple, Jack Bass or Eijah, the hot nurse from 'Grey's Anatomy' (too lazy to look up the names).

Anyway, i guess it's a movie one should watch but without too many expectations and lots of patience, only recommended to die hard Batman fans.

sources: grizzlybombs, uk.ing, flicks&bits & thecinemadose