Moon Hand

This is a hard film to judge, either emotionally or technically, or even from the stand point of simple cinematic 'entertainment' in the very broadest sense. I think it should either get 1 out of 5 or maybe a 5 out of 5....the result being a mechanical median of 2.5! I was just left indifferent and disappointed. I was underwhelmed by the dull and plodding story, which had no ending for the German 'characters' - I use the later term term advisedly, given the lack of character development. I was disappointed that it didn't really provide any alternative or different insight and am sad that it was emotionally bland. It was certainly a very slow and pedestrian-paced film that the majority of viewers will struggle to concentrate through. Most watching will probably only stick with it because of its Oscar award and its (bigged-up) reputation by some critics. Despite the many opinions held by some that this film was somehow a clever angle or unique insight to Auschwitz and the Holocaust, I found the approach all blatantly obvious and predictable - if initially 'interesting' - and boringly plodding in what it was trying to do after the first 10 minutes. Actually, just what was it trying to do or achieve? It never really moved on from the opening position and style, and did not get the viewer engaged, nor even shocked at any point, which given the era and topic is surprising. The contrast between the scenes in the garden with gunshots/ smoke/ muted screams/spreading of the murdered' ashes on the rose beds etc etc coming from across the wall, as if from another world, are only marginally provocative. The only powerful part, but still keeping appropriately within the style of the film, was the river bathing scene. I was most disappointed in the way it was hard to care about, or have insight on, the German family. All the scenes of domestic life are shot at wide angle; the are no close-ups of the husband or wife, their interactions, their relationship. There was no intensity anywhere, or at any time (and there were places for that to occur). The dialogue, and dare I say acting, seemed intentionally - and I can't understand why - wooden and staid; it was deliberate for sure, but I can't fathom why . It just all felt empty, false and not impactful, emotionally or intellectually. The closing modern day scenes were a lazy and obvious way to close too, despite some who saw this as an excellent squaring of the circle. This is one of those films you have to see because of the media output about it, but overall I think the viewer will probably be left indifferent, at best, about the experience.

Hammy acting, proceedurally all over the shop - don't know who they consulted on the technical stuff, but it's weak as hell - and totally predictable, so not suspenceful at all. It was written by a Year 7 student me thinks! Check out First Responder on BBC1 if you want to watch how to do it.