ipekmine

Normally I'd rate this movie 4 stars over 10 but I'll leave it at 5 simply for the sake of Asli Enver and Kaan Urgancioglu because they both have had really good projects lately -but not this one, unfortunately. I'd expected a dramatic story, maybe a tear-jerker even, and I wouldn't mind a few clichés here and there but I found a poorly edited film with such a slow flow that's almost boring and fails to deliver the story. Both leading characters were "in good hands" indeed, the acting performance was good -as expected. However, that's all.

Yes, these two are not typical Cem Yilmaz movies, so those expecting something like Arif v 216 or Yahsi Bati may well be disappointed -BUT, the teasers and pretty much everything Cem Yilmaz said about these films in advance had already told us that he was doing something new, something different than his earlier works and masterpieces. The first movie of the Kara Komik Filmler series, 2 Arada, is a unique film and the character, "Ayzek" shines like a star. I don't want to share even the slightest spoiler here, so I'll just say: we love you, Ayzek! I think those who see cinema as mostly commercial/simple fun may find 2 Arada rather dull, but those who respect and appreciate the 7th art will like it. As for the second movie, Kacamak, well, it does make you laugh with a cast we all love, but it's not as powerful and unique as 2 Arada. However, the production, visuals and overall quality is praiseworthy, as is the case with any other Cem Yilmaz movie to date. All in all, I liked the 'single ticket for two films' concept, and liked 2 Arada more than Kacamak, and I'll definitely be seeing the 3rd and 4th movies of the Kara Komik Filmler series in January 2020. Hats of to Cem Yilmaz for his courage in unique works and significantly higher quality films in Turkish cinema -he really is good at competing with himself

P.S: I think one of the problems with Kacamak was the inadequate English language skills of the actress portraying Carolyn (Nilperi Sahinkaya) versus the native speaker actors and Alisan Ugur (Rich).

Fathers And Daughters: A movie that would have made me book the first flight home without waiting for holidays if I still lived overseas. I mean it. Yes, I'm a "daddy's girl", and I've been lucky enough to enjoy this beautiful movie with my father (well, my mum and brother were there too, but dad was a 'must' from what I'd heard about the film). As one can easily guess after seeing the trailer, it's a touching piece, and the cast does a great job in reflecting the story on screen. Gabriele Muccino delivers the plot with a non-cliché flow, he's very successful with the flashbacks, and one of the strongest aspects of F & D is the amazingly beautiful music, in my opinion. Particularly the Carpenter's cover by Michael Bolton, Close To You adds so much, not to mention that it squeezes your heart during a particular scene. Speaking of heart-squeezing, I think Russell Crowe has made a habit of making his audience cry, especially with The Water Diviner and now, with Fathers and Daughters. As expected, he does not just act, he 'becomes' Jake Davis, and forms multiple lumps in your throat with the character he portrays. As one of the best actors of our time, if not the very best, he's simply amazing. Also, the chemistry between R. Crowe and Kylie Anne Rogers is great, it's heart-warming and so 'real', if I may say so. Kylie Anne is the sweetest potato chip, that goes without saying, and I need to add that at some point I did hate Bruce Greenwood and Diane Kruger.. well, not them, but the characters they played, of course. Needless to say, Jane Fonda was one of the shining stars of F & D, and I think Amanda Seyfried and Aaron Paul were well-chosen for their respective roles, *thumbs up* to them both. Taken together, I loved the story, it was beautifully transformed into a tear-jerker on screen, and I sincerely hope this movie gets released in every country -because it's a sweet piece of art which reminds you of the most important and valuable things in life. PS: Keep tissues nearby when you're seeing F & D. Am not kidding.