Age rating: K-12

Browse all posts

Published:

Headfirst

Essi, in her thirties, is a single mother and a cashier at a gas station café in Vantaa, who easily loses her temper. It doesn’t help that her teenage daughter, Takku, constantly gets into trouble at school and has already changed schools several times. Takku’s new school teacher, Lasse, was infatuated with Essi when he was younger. Lasse is not an exemplary teacher and projects his own traumas onto his students. Meanwhile, middle-aged alcoholic Sakke might be Essi’s father. When Takku breaks school rules again, Essi persuades Sakke to become her daughter’s classroom assistant.

Director:
Antti Heikki Pesonen

Starring:
Armi Toivanen
Mimosa Willamo
Eero Ritala
Kai Lehtinen

The film won a total of two Jussi Awards:
Best Supporting Actress (Mimosa Willamo)
Best Screenplay (Antti Heikki Pesonen)

Published:

Missä kuljimme kerran

Based on Kjell Westö’s Finlandia Prize-winning novel, the film explores humanity and love amidst the upheavals of the nation.

Early 20th-century Helsinki is essentially two cities: the idyllic world of the wealthy upper class and the slum quarters of the poor laborers. The story spans decades, illustrating how time, place, and social class both bring people together and drive them apart.

Independent and curious, Lucie (Jessica Grabowsky) refuses to conform to the mold of upper-class women. Her childhood friend, the photographer Eccu (Jakob Öhrman), passionately loves the wild and eccentric Lucie, but his heart belongs to Allu (Andreas af Enehielm), a young working-class football hero.

The film also features Allu’s father, Enok (Elmer Bäck), Lucie’s politically fervent brother Cedi (Oskar Pöysti), the humanist observer Ivar Grandell (Niklas Groundstroem), and other beloved characters from the novel.

Director:
Peter Lindholm

Starring:
Jakob Öhrman
Jessica Grabowsky
Andreas af Enehielm
Oskar Pöysti

Published:

The Creator

In the future, amidst a war raging between humanity and artificial intelligence forces, Joshua, a hardened former special forces agent grieving the loss of his wife, is recruited to track down and destroy the Creator, who resides in an unknown location. The Creator has developed an advanced artificial intelligence and a mystical weapon capable of ending the war—and potentially wiping out humanity altogether. Joshua and his elite team of soldiers penetrate enemy lines, venturing deep into the dark, AI-controlled territories. However, it soon becomes apparent that the target of the destruction order is a small child, posing a threat to the world.

Published:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” is an action movie released in 2016, which continues the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series.

The plot revolves around four mutant turtles – Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael – who fight crime in New York City. The film begins as the Turtles have been anonymously fighting to save New York.

Soon, they encounter a new threat as the evil scientist Dr. Baxter Stockman teams up with the notorious Shredder. Shredder plans to create a device to release infamous and powerful Dimension X beings onto Earth.

The Turtles must join forces with their former enemy, reporter April O’Neil, and a new ally, Casey Jones, to stop Shredder’s plans. Their mission is to prevent Shredder and Dr. Stockman from bringing destruction to New York and the world.

The plot unfolds through themes of action, humor, and the brotherhood among the Turtles. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” offers an entertaining adventure for all Turtle fans.

Published:

Kielletty hedelmä

Forbidden Fruit is a story of breaking boundaries and seeking freedom. The film tells the tale of two young girls on the threshold of adulthood who experience the adventure of their lives. Raised in the tranquility of the countryside within a religious family, the girls escape from home to the summery capital city in search of freedom and their first major experiences — to encounter a world that had previously been forbidden to them.

Starring:
Marjut Maristo
Amanda Pilke
Joel Mäkinen
Jarkko Niemi

Director:
Dome Karukoski

The film was awarded the Jussi Award for Best Supporting Actress (Amanda Pilke).

Available on DVD (not Blu-ray).

Published:

Muukalainen

A young boy lives with his mother on a remote farm, deep in the forest. His violent father is incarcerated, and the boy occasionally visits him in prison. Life is simple until one rainy evening, a stranger arrives at the homestead — carrying a message from the boy’s father and a bullet in his side. Reluctantly, the mother and son provide refuge to the stranger.

Jukka-Pekka Valkeapää’s debut feature film is an enigmatic and powerful story of loyalty, betrayal, and love. Valkeapää’s cinematic talent gives rise to an exceptional work, whose artistic — stylistic and narrative — merits have been recognized internationally as well.

Director:
Jukka-Pekka Valkeapää

Starring:
Pavel Liska
Jorma Tommila
Vitali Bobrov
Emilia Ikäheimo

The film was awarded three Jussi Awards: Best Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.

Available on DVD (not Blu-ray).

Published:

Ganes

Remu grows up in humble conditions. As a teenager, he drops out of school and becomes a criminal by profession. The fate of the family is unfolding, and the expected story is looming: prison, alcoholism, and a violent death. However, when Remu encounters rock music, he becomes inspired, especially when he realizes that even black people have succeeded with rock in America. Remu learns to play the drums and inserts himself into various bands. However, the bands are wary of Remu’s straightforward approach and fear his reputation. His first trip to prison interrupts his musical career. Upon his release, Remu forms his own band, which he names Hurriganes. With persistence, Remu styles and trains the band to top form. Through tenacity and even unconventional methods, Remu gets his band to work together, and their popularity begins to grow. However, before the final breakthrough, Remu must come to terms with the ghosts of his past.

Director:
JP Siili

Starring:
Eero Milonoff
Jussi Nikkilä
Olavi Uusivirta
Timo Tikka

The film won awards for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design at the Jussi Gala.

Published:

Courageous

“Courageous” is a Christian drama film released in 2011, directed and produced by Alex Kendrick. The film follows four policemen who attempt to find a balance between their family lives and careers while facing various challenges and difficulties. It emphasizes the role of fathers in families and their responsibility in raising children. Additionally, it highlights the significance and impact of faith in life.

The film has received mostly positive feedback for its messages regarding family values, fatherhood, and faith. It provides viewers with the opportunity to contemplate and discuss these themes.

Published:

Miracles from Heaven

The movie is based on a true story and follows Christy Beam, whose daughter Anna is diagnosed with a rare and serious digestive disorder. Christy fights desperately for her daughter’s healing and faces a crisis of faith. When Anna experiences an almost fatal event followed by a miraculous recovery, the family’s life takes incredible turns. The film explores the strong bond of family, hope, and miracles amidst adversity, offering a touching and uplifting story.

Published:

Breakthrough

“Breakthrough” is a drama film released in 2019, based on a true story. Directed by Roxann Dawson, it stars Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, and Mike Colter.

The movie recounts the events following the near-tragic drowning of John Smith, a young boy from St. Louis. John fell through the ice of a local lake and was submerged for over 15 minutes. When he was finally rescued and taken to the hospital, he was without a heartbeat for over an hour. Doctors were preparing to inform the family of John’s passing, but after his mother’s fervent prayer, a miracle occurred: John’s heart began beating again.

“Breakthrough” follows the story of John and his family, their faith, despair, and ultimately hope. The film explores the significance of faith, community support, and the miracles that can happen amid adversity. It is a heartwarming tale deeply rooted in real events and human experiences.