Sneaks' Movie Reviews: "Mostly Martha (Bella Martha)" (2001)

Movie: Mostly Martha (Bella Martha) (2001)
Director: Sandra Nettelbeck
Rating: 8.8/10 Stars ********"

I never cease to be amazed at how much better European movies and actors are than their American counterparts, probably has to do with the fact that Hollyweird is all about the bucks, and only formula movies get a pass when it comes down to that. This movie, however, is quite good and about a top female-chef in Germany who's sister has just died and by default adopts her 8 year old niece who is going through the trauma of losing her parent at such a young age (also never having met her Father who lives far away in Italy). Seems realistic and a bit intense, but not too intense, their is tragedy and comedy in this one, so take your pick.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'The Forest for the Trees (Der Wald vor lauter Baumen)' (2006)

Movie: The Forest for the Trees (Der Wald vor lauter Baumen) (2006)
Director:Maren Ade
My Rating: 6.1/10 Stars *****'

This movie was stressful to watch. A young school-teacher begins a new position at a new school in a new town after leaving a long-term relationship behind her. This movie is really about relationships, and what happens when people don't know how, or are un-willing to establish strong boundaries between themselves and others, between what is acceptable to them and what is not. I found this movie to be quite realistic from my own experience as I have known very socially awkward people who constantly over-step boundaries and who just don't seem to have an innate sense of what is appropriate and what isn't, and the character in this movie has this problem with her students and with her attempts to make new friends. Be prepared to be stressed, not an upbeat movie by any means. Sorry, couldn't find a trailer for this online.