Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)

Written and Directed by Werner Herzog

Starring Klaus Kinski, Del Negro, Ruy Guerra and Peter Berling

In the 16th century, the ruthless and insane Don Lope de Aguirre leads a Spanish expedition in search of El Dorado.

A story of man's greed, both materialistic and spiritual, "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" is about more than just one man's selfishness. Through his acts of barbarianism and intimidation, the films protagonist also serves as a suitable antagonist, destroying anything and anyone that stands his way and crossing the line from the films opening.

In his first of a handful of collaborations with the infamous Klaus Kinski, Werner Herzog runs a production that is just as crazy and dangerous as the story of the films characters. Throughout the film, there is a sense of unease, hopelessness and aimlessness due to the way it was filmed. Whether it was intentional or unintentional, it certainly added to the suspense of a somewhat vacant plot.

As is the case with most, if not all of Werner Herzog's films, this is most certainly not for everyone. To the average movie goer, it could be seen as a long (despite an hour and a half running time) and boring story in which very little happens. But if you look at it with a slightly more studious eye, it is a brilliant allegory for the destruction Europeans brought on to the natives of the New World.

So if you do watch it, be sure to examine it and take it in for what it is. A Werner Herzog film.

My Rating: 8/10

Valhalla Rising (2009)

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Written by Nicolas Winding Refn, Roy Jacobsen and Matthew Read
Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Maarten Stevenson, Gordon Brown and Gary Lewis

For years, On Eye, a mute warrior of legendary strength, has been gel prisoner by the Norse chieftain Barde. Slaying all of his captors, he soon finds himself on a journey with Christian Crusaders in search for Jerusalem. But when a strange mist plagues their travels, they find themselves in a strange new world, with no provisions.

With a strong and ominous first chapter, this film started off just right. There was action, mystery, violence and superb pacing within the opening ten minutes. It seemed that this film was going to have a quality more like Refn's "Drive" and less like his "Only God Forgives".

Then everything came to a screeching halt. The action became nonexistent, the mystery was boring, the violence was plagued by cartoonish blood splatter, regardless of the awesome makeup effects. But nothing was worse than the pacing. The pacing became less suspenseful and more yawn inducing.

With the entire third chapter stuck on a small boat in the middle of a misty ocean, the director decided to show long takes of people trying to stay awake. One can only presume it was his way of holding up a mirror so the audience could truly see themselves in that moment in time.

In an attempt to parallel "Heart of Darkness", I believe Refn was aiming for "Apocalypse Now", but with Vikings. The only problem is, nothing happened for a good twenty minutes. And once they found land, the explorers wandered around aimlessly and separated with no rhyme or reason.

Overall, my biggest problem with this movie were some very questionable choices. It felt as though Refn cared more about having striking visuals with an ambient soundtrack than he did an actual story. And unlike some art films, this Nordic epic had little to say.

I understand Refn has made strong silent characters his trademark, but that shouldn't mean everyone else around the characters should be as stoic. That is what was so great about "Drive". Everyone around Gosling's character talked and wouldn't stop talking.

But this film felt as though he had only a forty page script, and then just stretched it out over an hour and a half. And after as strong as a beginning as this film had, I had such high hopes. Unfortunately, they were not met.

My Rating: 5/10