Paula Jensen

The photography is spellbinding with its variety. But not to the point of being a roller coaster. It changes to suit the plot. The costumes are fantastic in a fantasy context. And the acting is over the top. The movie is a visual and contextual surprise from start to finish.

I am a writer, so I viewed this movie with a more critical eye. I can't imagine having notes in a cardboard box when everything we do nowadays is on a computer. Nor did the workshop scenes. fly. Reading snippets of your work to others for approval. It's not part of the creative process, at least mine. Some of the interpersonal relationships don't work at all like the lead female having an affair with a very unattractive Bill Murray. The age difference is just not believable. Using the Great Dane as a intermediary falls short. I adore animals and I have three dogs. However, how the lead character handles him is unacceptable. It's cute but no responsible dog owner would leave Apollo sitting in a car with an wide open window nor loose in an unfenced yard at a strange house while doing errands on a bicycle. This movie has a weak plot, and tries to lean on the charm of the animal to pull it together.

Pace was acceptable because it was all part of the tedious voting process. Acting was top notch but some of the plot twists were implausible.

Same old Axel chase stuff but fun and unpredictable! Great to see same cast reprised. Can't imagine what this cost to make but a riot to destroy property just like Kathy Bates in Fried Green Tomatoes!!

I love foreign movies because of their different and usually more subtle character development. However, THOG has too many loose ends that are not resolved and dilute the story. It wandered and left me lost among vaguely religious, moral, familial and coming to age underpinnings.