Trollhunter (2010)

Director: André Øvredal

Writers: André Øvredal, Håvard S. Johansen

Stars: Otto Jespersen, Robert Stoltenberg and Knut Nærum

Rating: 9/10

When I first heard about Trollhunter I didn’t quite know what to think. After seeing the trailer and reading a little more about the plot I became a bit more interested. Now that I’ve seen Trollhunter I have recommended it to everyone. Trollhunter is a Norwegian horror/fantasy mockumentary that is fresh, interesting and extremely fun. With only 1 other film under his belt, writer-director André Øvredal showcases his ability to capture an audience.

Mysterious bear killings are happening all over Norway so a documentary film crew decides they are going to shoot an investigative piece. The crew quickly realizes that there are much more dangerous and bizarre things happening then they initially thought. As they start to follow a strange hunter they learn that he is not hunting bears, he in fact is hunting trolls. All hell breaks loose and the crew manages to capture every moment of it on film.

Trollhunter is a blast! I’m very picky about movies that use the shaky handheld camera cinematography, but I can honestly say that I enjoyed the way it was used in this film. Everything about Trollhunter is great, from the acting to the scenery to the use of lighting in the darker scenes. Not one detail was overlooked in the making of this movie. Do yourself a favor, go get some popcorn, find a copy of Trollhunter, sit back and enjoy yourself. This movie rules.

The Twilight Samurai (2002)

Director: Yôji Yamada

Writers: Shûhei Fujisawa, Yôji Yamada

Stars: Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa and Nenji Kobayashi

Rating: 7/10

The Twilight Samurai is about 19th century samurai widower named Seibei Iguchi. Seibei struggles to make ends meet while raising his two daughters and senile mother. He is driven into debt by the extravagant funeral for his wife and quickly rushes home rather than socialize with his coworkers after work. This along with his rather unkempt appearance alienates him from the other samurai working on keeping track of supplies for their lord's castle.

The reappearance of his friend's now divorced sister Tomoe brings happiness to his household as his daughters now have a motherly figure around. Things get complicated after Seibei walks Tomoe home and her drunk ex-husband shows up. Seibei ends up accepting a challenge to a duel with him going against their clan's rules. With both participants facing death should their lord hear of their duel Seibei shows up with a wooden training sword rather than his real sword. This of course offends his challenger who never the less accepts.

Once word of Seibei's fighting skills is spread throughout the castle he is recruited to kill a samurai who has refused to accept his orders to commit harakiri. The aging samurai has already killed the first swordsman sent to take him out and refuses to leave his house. Seibei makes his way into the house not expecting what to find. After a conversation in which he learns that he and the rogue samurai have much in common he must never the less follow through with his orders.

Anyone expecting a lot of action will be disappointed. It takes a while for things to get moving but much like his coworkers the audience discovers there is more to Seibei than meets the eye.