Film Blog #2635

Mongol by Sergei Bodrov (2007, Germany / Kazakhstan / Russia)

2008-10-09T17:01:00.004+08:00

The gorgeous backdrop (of what appears to be mostly China) is truly captivating in this historical piece. Sergei Bodrov managed to achieve an epic feel of realism through marvelous casting and non-annoying use of CGI. The battle scenes were superbly shot, and every character was well-acted. The deliberate pacing, though jarring at times, was good and moved the plot well enough. The love angle was a bit weak and feels forced and was my main beef with the film. Otherwise, I look forward to the next 2 films in this prospective trilogy.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Lilja 4-ever by Lukas Moodysson (2002, Sweden / Denmark)

2008-05-06T19:32:00.005+08:00

A movie set in the armpit slums of Russia. A story about Lilja, a young girl who is about to be abandoned by her single mom, and how she copes living alone in the ghetto. It is a movie which will motivate most viewers to greatly sympathize with characters like Lilja, propelling them to do extreme stuff like volunteer in their local orphanage during weekends... or something.

The film is extremely gritty. The characters there are thrown into very unforgiving circumstances, to which they are presented with almost no way out.

4/5 stars
IMDB

August Rush by Kirsten Sheridan (2007, USA)

2008-05-06T19:13:00.005+08:00

A story based on the classic Dicken's novel, Oliver Twist. It's a love story between 2 talented musicians who had an incredibly romantic encounter one night conceiving a son who was orphaned (won't go into detail, just have to watch the movie to find out why). Life's bleak and realistic circumstances broke then apart and extraordinary circumstances reunited them again many many years after.

To me the show was trying to teach us all a lesson about finding one's solace, in this case it was music.

The soundtrack to the film is nothing short of beautiful. Almost every scene was complimented with euphonic instrumental arrangements. The movie had a tendency to be quite corny in some areas but somehow always makes up for it soon after.

If everything else isn't appealing to you, it has Jonathan Rhys Meyers doing his own vocals and instruments in the movie, that to me is one significant selling point.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Eastern Promises by David Cronenberg (UK / Canada / USA)

2008-01-06T14:59:00.000+08:00

A gripping mob tale with all the inner workings of a good film. A good, unique plot with a nice setting in London, a great cast of actors, some intricate camerawork punctuated by a nice score, and a dash of bloody violence makes this a fine thriller by Cronenberg. Viggo Mortensen is outstanding in his role as a Russian driver cum hitman. It's obvious he's done research and spent some time with some Russian tough guys before this film. His mannerisms and speech were great, with an icy cold stare and some badass prison tattoos.

The fight at the bathhouse is probably one of the best hand to hand combat ever filmed for a non-martial arts movie, in the likes of the hammer fight in 'Oldboy'. This is one of the best films of 2007, and Cronenberg has got his own unique style and tone down on the film. I'm definitely looking forward to catching up with his filmography. For some reason I've been avoiding watching his movies so far, with the exception of 'Spider', but that's going to change soon.

4/5 stars
IMDB

The Detective by Oxide Pang Chun (2007, Hong Kong)

2008-01-05T20:00:00.000+08:00

Gritty supernatural HK thriller set in Thailand. It looks good, but lacks any real substance, not to mention the supernatural element is really tacky and cliched and for the Pang brothers, it's pretty much beating a dead horse by this point. The scares weren't scary and it's really evident the Pang brothers desperately need some kind of inspiration, from the kind of shit they've been churning out lately. Andy Lau wasn't bad, but not even he and a handful of pretty chicks could save this movie from making viewers fall asleep.

2/5 stars
IMDB

American Gangster by Ridley Scott (2007, USA)

2008-01-05T19:55:00.000+08:00

Ah, what a waste of time. Ridley Scott should have done better with a drug kingpin movie. Instead he focus too much time on the buildup of the story on the two main characters, which ultimately led to a slow movie with a boring payoff. Interesting characters, but I think I've seen this kind of cop/villain film before. Watch out for the director's cut though.

2/5 stars
IMDB

Sunshine by Danny Boyle (2007, UK / USA)

2008-01-05T19:43:00.000+08:00

I felt a little let down after watching this movie. Definitely not Danny Boyle's best movie. In fact I couldn't believe he basically made a crazy space monster movie, choosing to abandon character development and a believable plot in the last act. Anytime you have a pseudo-religious wackjob as your villain, it's usually a good sign the plot is turning to shit. Cliff Curtis was cool while he lasted.

2.5/5 stars
IMDB

The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down by Paul Sapiano (2006, USA)

2007-12-27T18:30:00.000+08:00

The problem with most mock documentaries, is that they are often not really funny, or have that much to say in trying to push a point or satirize the subject matter in the first place. This show wasn't deep or even that much funny, but it's more a laid back look at the interesting, hedonistic culture and lifestyle of some LA clubbers.

I'd say it seems accurate portraying the subject matter, taking into account that I have zero knowledge of the partying lifestyle there, but it seems real enough. None of the character really stood out in the show, but the social interactions between them was interesting enough to move the show along. The editing was good, in that I didn't feel bored at all watching it, compared to other shows in the same vein, like perhaps 'The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human'.

There was a late scene that somehow made me feel a little for the characters, when a few of the characters were heading back from the party. It was after sunrise and they were in a car, with Zero 7's 'Today' being prominently played in the background. So they were just passing by normal people going about their normal routines, and it struck a chord with me at the realness of the situation and the characters, that just by being around the normal people makes them actually feel awkward and somewhat guilty, and how it made them feel like a freak. But then you think back, hey it's all right, after all they did have fun.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Futurama: Bender's Big Score by Dwayne Carey-Hill (2007, USA)

2007-12-27T18:02:00.000+08:00

I wasn't much of a fan of Matt Groening's more famous creation, 'The Simpsons', but I've been hooked on Futurama from the first time I watched it. Maybe it was the satirical humor, the stupid jokes, identifying a little with the protagonist Fry, or wanting to be more like Bender, or maybe it's because it was a straight-up awesome cartoon adventure. I felt a little sad inside when Fox canceled Futurama after the fourth season, so imagine my excitement upon hearing news of a 5th season coming back in the form of a trilogy of movies that would be re-cut and re-edited to tv episodes.

Well let's just say that this show didn't disappoint. In fact I would be so bold as to say that it's just as good if not, better than any of the previous seasons. The show just seems to get better and better as it goes along, contrary to most tv shows. And the running gag on Fox network is just too funny. They weren't scared to venture into time-traveling and paradoxes this time, which is a writer's nightmare's considering all the potential plotholes and flaws that have to be covered up. It was nice seeing everything was written flawlessly and all loose ends covered. I await in much anticipation and glee to the forthcoming movies.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Exodus by Pang Ho-Cheung (2007, Hong Kong)

2007-12-08T21:56:00.000+08:00

Ah, it's been a while since I've watched an artsy flick. Or at least a pretentious one, if the opening scene of Exodus is anything to go by. A pitiful man gets beaten up by a half-dozen naked men with scuba masks and flippers using hammers in slow motion, captured by a slow zooming out tracking shot, complete with soaring classical music. The shot actually kind of pissed me off. I'm not sure whether its the odd music choice, or the fact that the naked frogmen really suck at beating up a helpless guy, or because it seems so pretentious. Anyway by the end of the film, I didn't care that much for the opening shot enough to dislike the show. It was a pretty 'cute' film, if I have to describe it in one word.

The plot about a conspiracy for women to eliminate all men is kinda cute in a morbid fashion, also not to mention the cute female protagonist and Cecilia Cheung look-alike, Annie Liu. Simon Yam's experience shows from his portrayal of his character, though I think he's a bit too old for it, compared to his character's wife. I like the scene where the dead man's ex-wife was pouring out her feelings to Simon Yam's character, and they ended up having sex. It was a long static shot, and it was composed as such to make the viewer feel as if he/she is peeping at them throughout the whole exchange, at what ultimately is an adulterous couple. The plot needs a bit of work though, but the cinematography is good and composition is excellent. I wasn't so much a fan of the revolving camera though, it makes me dizzy.

3/5 stars
IMDB

The Kingdom by Peter Berg (2007, USA)

2007-12-08T13:48:00.000+08:00

The Kingdom is an ambitious political/action thriller that successfully attempts what few Hollywood movies have been able to these past few years - to unabashedly depict the social and political atmosphere in the Middle East with all the tension and hate amid its unique culture. Although it's not a flawless film by any means, it manages to remain mostly unbiased in the face of the controversial subject matter: islamic insurgency.

The real star of the show here is Ashraf Barhom, a sympathetic, good-hearted Colonel who faced a tragic end, in the one of the best last half-hour of non-stop action in the film. The first half of the film really took its time with its pace, with all the bureaucracy and red tape that explains for the lack of any action of the movie, taking place mostly in a foreign workers housing complex.

However once, Colonel Ghazi grew some balls and got some power from the prince to lead the FBI team out of the compound, that's where the film quickly picks up pace. From a crashed and rolled, overturned SUV, the FBI agents, Colonel Ghazi and one of his man chased the insurgents around, ultimately ending with them versus a whole village of insurgents. Undoubtedly, this leads up to a much visceral and heart-pounding climax, before ending on a sad note of the reality of the situation. Overall, I must say the action is top-notch and the acting was excellent, which makes it a must-watch, even though it may seem to be a tad unrealistic and idealistic, but for what it has managed to achieve, I say it's forgivable. Also watching Jennifer Garner sticking a knife in a big man's head is more than satisfying.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Shoot 'Em Up by Michael Davis (2007, USA)

2007-12-08T13:22:00.000+08:00

A glorious, over the top action movie starring Clive Owen, Monica Belluci and Paul Giamatti. Really, what more could I ask for in an action movie? Guns, sex, a bald villain, crazy stunts, and a nice dose of cleavage. Multiply that with an over-zealous hollywood production and you get 'Shoot 'Em Up', a crazy shooting action movie which reminds me of Crank in some ways, but is not as fast-paced. There are some parts that kinda dragged, but overall I enjoyed this movie for what it was, and because Clive Owen as a badass anti-hero simply rocks.

3/5 stars
IMDB

The Stepford Wives by Frank Oz (2004, USA)

2007-11-02T20:37:00.000+08:00

I had the chance to watch this on tv and I have to say remaking this was a terrible idea. Aside from having gaping plot holes due to the 'hollywood ending', this weak remake isn't worth watching at all, despite starring Matthew Broderick and Chris Walken. Really, the ending is what disappointed me the most, other than the fact that it wasn't funny or scary, even though it attempted to be sort of a light comedy/horror spoof. Instead of updating upon the ideas from the original script to fit modern times, the show was focused mostly on making the twist work, and the plot is wasted on what could have been a brilliant satire on the social expectations of men and women. No doubt the original is way better, and this remake was done purely in the interests of making some fast cash for the producers. Still, nice art direction, and Nicole Kidman is good eye candy, if nothing else.

2/5 stars
IMDB

Stealing Beauty by Bernardo Bertolucci (1996, USA)

2007-07-19T20:55:00.000+08:00

This is a story of a virgin girl; Lucy who went back to a beautiful rural province in Italy to get her portrait painted by her uncle after her mother passed away.

The first 15 to 20 minutes of the film was compelling where what seems to be a house full of middle aged strangers who chance upon, talking about sex all day. but what was compelling before quickly turned incoherent and rather confusing. the script was cloying with too much sentimentalism and cheesiness. I guess i can almost relate to what the director was trying to show his audience but he does not quite get there amidst all the sub plots and anti climatic scenes.

There was one scene in the movie that cracked me up though, it was where Lucy stumbled onto an old friend of hers whom i assume was her pen pal, and then 2 other beautiful European men stepped in to say their hellos to her. That scene was like one of those porno flicks reaching for plot. It was kinda hilarious, and i seriously thought then and there, it would lead to a three way romp... and it didn't, i was once again disappointed.

All i had to take away from this film was the beautiful rural Italian scenery and the respectable cinematography.

2.5/5 stars
IMDB

Big Nothing by Jean-Baptiste Andrea (2006, UK/Canada)

2007-06-23T21:22:00.000+08:00

One of the most frustrating movies I've had the displeasure of seeing. The plot is so derivative and nonsensical to the point where I had a huge headache trying to keep track of the story with all the glaring plotholes and loose ends until I realised suspension of disbelief was paramount here, and stop caring halfway in. This led to a much easier viewing to one of the most boring, unfunny 'dark comedy' to star Simon Pegg. The movie is basically a big rip-off of all the major mystery plots before it, plus a few witty one-liners the screenwriters oh so cleverly slotted in. Sigh... the inclusion of David Schwimmer should have served enough of a warning to me in the first place though.

2/5 stars
IMDB

The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky (2006, USA)

2007-05-05T16:08:00.000+08:00

A beautiful film by one of my favorite directors, Darren Aronofsky, that almost did not make it to the big screen. It has a simple plot about a man soon to be bereft of his sickly wife, but told masterfully with 3 different stories in 3 different parallel universes.

Much of the film had a Christian undertone, but that did not tarnish the story line one bit. I gained a newfound respect for both Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz with their performances. It's nice to see high profile actors like them coming out of their comfort zones to work on projects that aren't promising them an exorbitant amount of cash (not to my knowledge at least). Regardless, they did an extraordinary job. The cinematography was also magnificent and emotive. It is very rare to spot such effects like the ones used in The Fountain in any other film. I heard that Darren refused the use of the green screen for all of the nebulae shots, and he turned to unique methods to capture that timeless effect (not sure what it was though..).

Overall a marvelous film - do not be thrown off by the tacky title given to it.

4/5 stars
IMDB

This is England by Shane Meadows (2006, UK)

2007-04-03T19:34:00.000+08:00

A pretty enchanting film set in the 80s about a boy and his skinhead friends in suburban England. It's very well-made, everything flows perfectly but there just seem to be a little too many characters, scenes and subplots that don't really tie in well together or have any real closure until you realise the film is somehow suppose to replicate life and its many loose elements, relationships and the things that you probably won't know of and the things that was never meant to make sense or have any real meaning.., and then boom! the ending catches you by surprise. A great film with many subtle moments I can draw inspiration from.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

300 by Zack Snyder (2007, USA)

2007-03-12T22:01:00.000+08:00

Too much testosterone-inducing material here. Everything from the steel-hard abs to the constant campy pep-talk lines Leonidas spouts out to the sore lack of females. I understand that it is indeed an action movie and Zack Snyder probably didn't aim for it to be more than anything else, but it just kinda felt like one really long music video, with a bit of blood and violence.

I can't complain about the aesthetics of this film though. Visually stunning, it's really quite a sight to be seen, but the irony is how soulless these Spartan warriors all seem. Lack of character development plus the fact that they all look the same doesn't really help to lend any emotional weight to this film and any of its characters, and the dramatic impact was never really achieved especially when it needed it the most. (in the battlefield, when the Captain mourns for the loss of his son)

Frustrated, a little bored. Not entirely satisfied. These are the feelings I felt when the movie ended. Not a good adaptation by any stretch. It's kind of a letdown actually - a good reminder to never let internet hype get to you.
All in all, a homoerotic fest of a war movie, with a very generous helping of slow motion.

3/5 stars
IMDB

The Queen by Stephen Frears (2006, UK/France/Italy)

2007-01-08T21:23:00.000+08:00

Pretty effective character study with some intimate dramatic scenes and wonderful, wonderful acting. The direction was masterful as evident from the film itself. The scene with the queen and the stag was touching and metaphoric of human nature itself. I was never 'into' Princess Diana though, so her death at that time meant next to nothing for me as an 11 year old boy, not to mention I know basically nothing of british politics and culture even today. So in many ways, this film is sort of an eye-opener for me.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

The Proposition by John Hillcoat (2005, Australia/UK)

2007-01-08T21:10:00.000+08:00

A moody modern western by John Hillcoat featuring music from Nick Cave. Great cinematography and good acting on all accounts, especially Ray Winstone. He played the troubled cop brilliantly and with conviction. The action and dramatic scenes were equally gripping and they were paced and balanced well too. The violence was beautiful, almost poetic, and the outback setting coupled with Nick Cave's vocal musings was perfect. I hope Cave and Hillcoat continue their collaborations well into the future.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Flag of our Fathers by Clint Eastwood (2006, USA)

2007-01-08T20:53:00.000+08:00

One of the two recent WWII movies by Clint Eastwood on the Battle of Iwo Jima. The story was intriguing enough but the narrative kind of meanders around and didn't really have a firm grounding. It was and felt very much a like a war drama with overtones of anti-war sentiment, but the present day stuff tacked into it was really distracting and didn't really work for me. The war scenes were shot superbly, being no surprise since it was produced by Spielberg himself. It got a bit repetitive with some of the scenes too, and ended up being too long and not entirely rewarding for its duration. I hope Letters from Iwo Jima will be better.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Apocalypto by Mel Gibson (2006, USA)

2007-01-08T20:15:00.001+08:00

This works so very well as an action movie, so much so that the historical context it was in is merely secondary to what this film has to offer - the action. The action was superb and paced perfectly, the brooding suspense and the refreshing cinematography totally sucks you into the movie, the music was excellent and complements the action perfectly. The camerawork was magnificent and should be a guide to how most action scenes should be shot, instead of all the shaky cam we've been getting recently. The violence was visceral enough, but not too gory to turn your head away from. In short, it was almost the perfect action movie.

However, it took some time to get to the real core of the action, even though it was worth it. From the opening scene, the film quickly pulls you into its world and brings you along for the rollercoaster journey ahead, toying around with your emotions while making you watch in fascination at the beautiful Mayan world it has created. The journey to the Aztec city was paced too slowly though, it took too long for what is essentially a journey of two or three days, and in the end you don't really care for any of the characters there other than the protagonist Jaguar Paw and maybe the big foolish guy, Blunted. Other than that, the historical inaccuracies don't really bother me though, I wasn't actually expecting Mel Gibson to make a honest documentary anyway.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Little Children by Todd Field (2006, USA)

2007-01-06T22:24:00.000+08:00

As much as I want to like this film, it gets progressively worse as it goes on. What bothered me most was how idealistic this film turned out to be. It started out as a realistic tale of infidelity and 'suburban ennui', then slowly progressed to be a satire of societal prejudice against sex offenders. Then both storylines merged somehow and by the end of the movie, it became some sort of an uplifting story about moral values and how everything turned out fine because somehow everyone gets a dose or reality or a jolt of sense into them finally, when they've been acting morally ambiguous all throughout the film.

The use of narrative voice over, probably as a reference to the title, did more to hurt the film than it actually helped. The dramatic impact of the 'shock ending' is lost when the audience knows everything is gonna be alright in the end. We all know that's not how it is in real life anyway. Still, I can appreciate what commentary this film had, especially on all the discrimination towards the registered sex offender Ronnie, played brilliantly by Jackie Earle Haley. Also I appreciate how they tried to downplay the preachiness of such a film on moral values and societal prejudice, compared to the over-the-top crap like Crash and the like.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Tideland by Terry Gilliam (2005, Canada/UK)

2007-01-02T13:47:00.000+08:00

Some people has complained that this film was incoherent and hard to follow. I agree with them, but I think that's why it's such a great film. It was made to be hard to watch at times because of the awkwardness of the situations present in the film and also how sad the life of the child protagonist is. The incoherence of the plot just made me focus more on the story and that's why I found this film to be so engrossing. It is told exclusively from the child's point of view, and that's where all the dutch camera angles, upbeat mood despite the bleak setting, saturated colors and surrealism all come into play. This is some of the best acting by a child actor I've ever seen. Jodelle Ferland, that kid from Silent Hill, has put in one hell of a performance here, and I must credit Terry Gilliam for that. When I say Pan's Labyrinth is one of the best fantasy movies I've seen all year, Tideland is undoubtedly on par with that film as well.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Idiocracy by Mike Judge (2006, USA)

2007-01-02T13:39:00.000+08:00

Pretty funny satire from Mike Judge. Kinda sad how long it took him to release this and why Fox has mysteriously decided to let as few people watch this as possible. It had a lot of potential though but I think some of the stuff has been omitted or dumbed down to cater more for the mainstream (case in point - the sappy third act), so I feel the film hasn't been fully realised, if that makes sense. The stuff on dysgenics was really interesting and this film has made me realise how hot Maya Rudolph is.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

The Good Shepherd by Robert De Niro (2006, USA)

2007-01-02T11:19:00.000+08:00

Quite possibly the most boring film of 2006. I think De Niro tried to make this film more of what it could or should be, and in the end the film didn't quite achieve what it was supposed to be in the first place. It was a dark spy movie with subtle themes, but a third of the movie is about family drama that I couldn't care less about. Matt Damon wasn't convincing enough as the lead, and the plot is just cryptic for no reason. I think with better editing and some cutting, this film could be a lot more enjoyable.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Children of Men by Alfonso Cuarón (2006, UK/USA)

2006-12-31T14:33:00.000+08:00

I don't think I'd be wrong to describe this as Alfonso Cuaron's masterpiece. He is probably one of the most underrated directors working today. I hope this movie will be his big break to the mainstream, and he would continue to make great, or even better movies after this.

There's really a lot to talk about this film. Where do I begin here? First of all, I'd like to say this is the best film of 2006, all things considered. The only real contender is Pan's Labyrinth, but this film really made me think for days after I've watched it, and it holds up really well after the second viewing. There were a lot of subtle details, especially with the abundance of pets in the movie, and how humanity probably used them to fill the emotional gap of not having children. The mise-en-scene and blocking is excellently choreographed, and the narrative was graceful enough with what little exposition it had. The ambiguous ending just tops it off, since it fits thematically with the film, which is retaining hope in the face of utter hopelessness.

Also, the camerawork. Yes, the mindblowing camerawork. Inside the car, and the 7 minute epic steadicam shot in the war zone. It's a feat of brilliance. People will be talking of this for years to come. I'm glad they didn't cut the shot after the blood spatter on the camera lens, it made the scene much more cooler and adds a sense of immediacy to the action happening all around. (well Cuaron actually yelled for a cut, but they didn't hear him on top of the explosion, so he decided to continue.) The shot where both sides stopped fighting after they saw the baby for the first time is also a great scene, and how they started fighting soon enough after that is probably a subtle metaphor for human nature.

Clive Owen has earned my respect after watching this. I've had my doubts on him after watching Inside Man, but his work here is worthy of praise. I somehow missed this in the theaters when I found out that it had screened here in November, so that was very disappointing for me. I don't think I can ever forgive myself for that. I just hope more people will watch this, because it's a clever science-fiction movie that deserves watching. Also, I love the reference to Pink Floyd's 'Animals'.
Man, I just can't stop talking about this movie.

4.5/5 stars
IMDB

Serenity by Joss Whedon (2005, USA)

2006-12-31T14:18:00.000+08:00

Pretty good sci-fi movie for its relatively modest budget. I really enjoyed the action and suspense build-up even though I couldn't help thinking that this was more or less an extended television episode, even though I've never seen the tv series before. It definitely felt like a Joss Whedon movie, except there were no great plot twists and awkward love scenes. I enjoyed the opening scene of the movie, but felt the action was lacking for what was more or less a space western. Also the chinese accents were pretty bad, but I don't really mind it since the dialog was witty and funny at times. Chiwetel Ejiofor was great as The Operative. I was hoping for a huge gun battle between the Serenity crew and the Alliance at the end, but somehow the film decided to break convention and it seemed cool to me. All in all, definitely worth a re-watch.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro (2006, Mexico/Spain/USA)

2006-12-25T19:00:00.000+08:00

This is one of the best fantasy movies I've watched in quite a while, and what is so great about it is the fact that it works on two parallel levels. It's a great dark fantasy movie with fairies and monsters, and also an introspective look into the minds of a child amidst the evil of men surrounding her in the real world. Whether the fantasy world that Carmen, the child protagonist, is a part of is actually real or not, is left up to the viewer to decide and pass judgment on. I feel that it really is more of a story of good triumphing over evil, the sacrifices one has to take to stand up for what one truly believes in, and also a grim reminder of the brutality of men.

The sadistic misogynistic captain is the real monster here, with his deeply flawed sense of justice and loyalty. I was more appalled and terrified of what he is capable of doing to other men, than the other fantasy monsters in the film. The scene where the doctor makes his last stand against the captain was really powerful, and is truly indicative of the film as a whole. Guillermo del Toro has crafted a magnificent movie truly worthy of praise with Pan's Labyrinth, and the cautious yet subtle balance between real and fantasy is definitely brilliant. I can't wait to watch this on the big screen.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Snow Cake by Marc Evans (2006, Canada)

2006-12-24T17:33:00.000+08:00

This film had sad written all over it. So I went inside the theater expecting to watch a depressing film about autism. And yes, it was a heartbreaking film, but it was also a charming, character-driven film with some British sarcasm and witty lines. The film was carried entirely by the performance of Alan Rickman as Alex, in a role tailor-made for him; and Sigourney Weaver, who really did her research and did a great job portraying the autistic Linda. Her unusually honest and optimistic attitude could teach all of us a thing or two about life. The romantic sub-plot seems rather tacked on, though I guess it was necessary as a sort of counter-balance to Alex's personality. Great score by Broken Social Scene, and the indie soundtrack may seem a little pretentious at first, but I'm just happy to hear 'Feist - Let It Die' in the theater.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Crank by Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor (2006, USA)

2006-12-24T17:15:00.000+08:00

This movie would probably never worked without Jason Statham. He was really the only one for the role. He did all his own stunts and his acting was really on par. The same cannot be said for the rest of the cast but it really doesn't matter here, since this movie really is all about Jason Statham. There was a lot of energy from start to finish, though it kinda felt slow for a while in the middle, especially with the girlfriend part. At times, it felt like a video game movie or a glorified skateboard video of some sort, but I'm glad the movie never takes itself seriously, which makes it so much more enjoyable.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Man Bites Dog by Rémy Belvaux (1992, Belgium)

2006-12-22T22:05:00.001+08:00

This is certainly one of the greatest mockumentary films in the history of mockumentaries. It's really funny, disturbing, with lots of biting social commentary from the protagonist himself. Great use of cinema verite to achieve what few horror/thriller films nowadays are able to, on a relatively miniscule budget. It really is revolutionary. I'm gonna have to watch this a bunch of times more.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Rocky Balboa by Sylvester Stallone (2006, USA)

2006-12-22T21:47:00.000+08:00

What a great ending to a great series. I was initially pessimistic about how this would turn out when it was announced but after watching it, I can safely say this is one of the best Rocky movies, maybe only second to the first one. Rocky Balboa is still very much the same guy, only he's gotten older and has lost his wife to 'woman cancer'. The ending fight was easily the best part. It was done well, looks realistic with some cross-cutting and whatnot. Stallone's acting is also at the top of the game right now, the motivational speech he gave to his son in the film is one of his best performances ever. Oh, now I can't wait to watch his next Rambo film.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Down in the Valley by David Jacobson (2005, USA)

2006-12-19T22:58:00.000+08:00

The first act of this movie was probably the best part, it showed a really sweet romantic introduction to the love story of the cowboy and the girl. After that, the story kind of falls flat. Ed Norton's character wasn't really intriguing enough, and the director should have explored more of his past, to establish a greater bond to the character for the audience. In the end, the intended impact wasn't really there. It definitely had its moments though. Such a shame, it had a pretty good cast with Evan Rachel Wood and David Morse.

3/5 stars
IMDB

The Grudge 2 by Takashi Shimizu (2006, USA)

2006-11-30T13:20:00.000+08:00

This isn't so much a bad movie more so than a horribly boring one. The uninspired acting and dull character development plus the non-linear narrative all helped to make this movie a killer of a bore. The atmosphere was there. It could have been so much better with some better writing and actresses. Thanks again, Hollywood.

2.5/5 stars
IMDB

Superman Returns by Bryan Singer (2006, USA)

2006-10-14T20:48:00.000+08:00

To be honest, this movie was quite a waste of time. Brandon Routh was non-engaging as the sensitive Superman, and Kate Bosworth was terrible as Lois Lane. I didn't find her character to be attractive at all. Some of the visuals were pretty nice but this film suffered from a badly written story that dragged on with a plot that gets convoluted and flawed as the story nears the end.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Find Me Guilty by Sidney Lumet (2006, USA)

2006-10-14T20:44:00.000+08:00

There were a few good scenes in this movie and Vin Diesel was believable and even lovable as Jackie DiNorscio so all praise to Sidney Lumet, though that crying scene seems a tad ridiculous. I wanna see Vin Diesel cry for real, goddamnit!

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Dave Chappelle's Block Party by Michel Gondry (2005, USA)

2006-10-14T20:42:00.000+08:00

Watching this movie just deepens my love for hip-hop among other things. Mos Def and Dead Prez along with Erykah Badu put on a hell of fine show and all despite the rain, but the real stars who stole the show were of course, The Fugees. Shot brilliantly by Michel Gondry with great narration by Dave Chappelle.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Grandma's Boy by Nicholaus Goossen (2006, USA)

2006-10-14T20:40:00.000+08:00

Not bad for a B-movie I guess, even had a bit of social commentary on video games going on.

3/5 stars
IMDB

C.R.A.Z.Y. by Jean-Marc Vallée (2005, Canada)

2006-10-14T20:07:00.000+08:00

holy shit, this movie was everything it was hyped up to be, from the great music to the feel and look of the film itself, to the strong character development. But mostly, it was the music that did it for me. Pink Floyd's music has always been great for film, and this movie, among quite a number, serves as a testament to that. The cast was excellent too. It has one of the most intense emotional scenes ever - the dad listening to Patsy Cline in the foreground, and the mother collapsing in the background. Wish I could find my screencap of it.

4.5/5 stars
IMDB

16 Blocks by Richard Donner (2006, USA)

2006-10-14T19:57:00.000+08:00

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would after first reading the brief synopsis. It had a nice story with some action and a lot of heart. The on-screen interaction between Mos Def and Willis was excellent and was probably why I enjoyed this movie. David Morse was great too, playing the bad cop.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang by Shane Black (2005, USA)

2006-10-14T19:53:00.000+08:00

I imagine this is what a film would actually look like if a film buff/nerd screenplay writer tries to direct a movie. It becomes a little too over-the-top in the end and ultimately becomes nothing more than a boring jerkoff of a movie with way too many clever and witty lines and "snazzy" editing. Alright, maybe I'm being a little too harsh here, but this movie was painful to watch at times.

2/5 stars
IMDB

Hostel by Eli Roth (2005, USA)

2006-10-14T19:37:00.000+08:00

The last 20 minutes or so of this film was the only thing that was probably worth watching. People have criticised ELi Roth for making flat, dull characters that nobody can sympathise with, and I agree with them. This was really nothing more than a poorly-executed exploitation movie, with some good visuals. Reminds me of Eurotrip, with more blood and makeup.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Invisible Waves by Pen-ek Ratanaruang (2005, Thailand / HK)

2006-10-14T18:43:00.000+08:00

A serene, mysterious romance thriller from Pen-ek Ratanaruang. Together with Kang Hye-jeong from Oldboy and Asano Tadanobu, I was really looking forward to watching this in the theater. It had a lot of slow, brooding scenes that seemed to lead to nowhere, weaved with subtle comic relief here and there. Watching this was sort of a dream, you don't really question the story here because it really doesn't seem that important to me in the end, but I should rather applaud the mood, tension and subtle tones that the film tries to bring forward in such a way to connect with the audience and resonate within their hearts and minds. What the hell am i talking about??? I'm not really sure but I quite liked this little film.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Tiger Cage 2 by Yuen Woo-ping (HK, 1990)

2006-10-14T18:25:00.000+08:00

Great budget martial art flick by Yuen Woo-ping and Donnie Yen. The fights were excellent, with a great cast all around. The plot was paced well and there was plenty of comic relief. Rosamund Kwan and Donnie Yen were great as a pair. I love the katana fight.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

The Departed by Martin Scorcese (2006, USA)

2006-10-11T23:40:00.000+08:00

I just came back from watching it and thought it was pretty good. Initially it was a little boring but the story picked up during the 2nd half. DiCaprio and Nicholson's characters were about the only interesting ones on screen and they were the ones who moved the movie along. The others were relatively boring and Damon's character wasn't fleshed out well enough for me to give a fuck about him.

Actually I think this is a pretty nice way to remake a movie; keep the plot intact but change everything else about the movie. You can look at Infernal Affairs and The Departed back to back and say they are two entirely different movies even though they share the exact same plot. The mood, tone, camerawork, composition and lighting, even the acting weren't similar. I liked the ending too. Kudos to Scorcese.

Also the girl was ugly and isn't comparable in the slightest to Kelly Chen :(

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Procrastination (One of these days is none of these days)

2006-10-06T18:47:00.000+08:00

I've been very very very lazy lately and couldn't be bothered to type even a simple review to the movies I've been watching. There are probably around 30+ movies that I need to blog here, and I've been meaning to do them. So this is like a short reminder to myself to get on with the updates already.

Running Wild by Kim Sung-su (2006, South Korea)

2006-06-07T20:40:00.000+08:00

Ah, a Korean movie with two incredibly famous, handsome leads. The story was nothing new or shiny, but the acting was top-notch. Kwon Sang-woo and Ji Tae-Yu both played their roles well, and that has made this film engaging to watch. Korean movies seem to have fallen into a pattern of pretty faces and slick production but lacking a little in the storytelling department. I hope this pattern won't last too long, even though it's earning major bucks for the industry.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Inside Man by Spike Lee (2006, USA)

2006-06-07T20:33:00.000+08:00

A bank heist movie with a Nazi twist and some Spike Lee flavored commentary. The commentary was pretty boring but the heist itself was pretty clever and engaging. Denzel Washington was looking great in his nice suit and hat. I'll probably never watch this again.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Jarhead by Sam Mendes (2005, USA)

2006-06-07T20:25:00.000+08:00

I liked this movie. A lot. Although it might not be a very original in tone, it's probably the only 'war movie' with no bullets fired, at least not during the action scenes. (though, I could be very wrong. war movie buffs, where are you?) There's close to no action, and it's all melodramatic, especially towards the ending. The soundtrack was great, and Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx were great. I think there were a few references to FMJ too. It's pretty fun to watch, ironically.

4/5 stars
IMDB

V for Vendetta by James McTeigue (2005, USA)

2006-06-07T20:13:00.000+08:00

This might seem epic to some, but really it was a mediocre movie mixed in with some overly dramatic philosophical statements. I find the idea of freedom in this movie ridiculously tainted, since it was more about (or should be more about) anarchism rather than freedom and democracy. Hugo Weaving was great, that I have to admit and the lighting and mood in some of the scenes were nothing short of excellent, but there were plotholes all around, and quite a few of them. Ultimately this was an enjoyable action movie with a little bit of Wachowski flavor. This movie will probably appeal more to the younger, angsty teen crowd, as do most comic book movies. Also, now that I remember it, Natalie Portman's pseudo-british accent was terrible.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Underworld: Evolution by Len Wiseman (2006, USA)

2006-06-07T20:01:00.000+08:00

This is another of those incredibly boring and dumb Hollywood movies that appeals to the lowest common denominator. I can't think of why anyone would watch this other than seeing the incredibly hot Kate Beckinsale naked, which is considerably a good idea, but I digress. There were a lot of jumping in this movie. Everybody seems to jump around when fighting. The plot was trash and that's all that I can't recall from watching this crap a few months ago. I've never watched the prequel and I probably never will.

1/5 stars
IMDB

Capote by Bennett Miller (2005, USA)

2006-06-07T19:49:00.000+08:00

Incidentally, I didn't know anything about Truman Capote before watching this film, so it kinda sucks for me since I didn't really understand most of what was going on. I did saw for myself, and appreciate what everyone was raving about though, the great performance by Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Other than that, I have to say the film is pretty well-made, despite it only being the second feature of director Bennett Miller. I'll never forget that hanging scene.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Munich by Steven Spielberg (2006, USA)

2006-06-07T19:21:00.000+08:00

Spielberg's masterpiece. The plot was great, cinematography was great, the lighting, composition, everything was perfect. Eric Bana was perfect. Everyone was great. As a thriller it was great. As a political thriller based on true events, it was awesome, to me at least. It really seems perfect, even though the subject matter is controversial, but that's why I like it so much. Spielberg handled it superbly, without shoving his views down the audience's collective throats, instead forcing the viewers to make their own interpretations of what actually happened. It's been quite a while since I've watched this, so I have to watch this again, sometime soon.

4.5/5 stars
IMDB

Fearless by Ronny Yu (2006, Hong Kong)

2006-06-07T18:55:00.000+08:00

As a martial arts movie, it was pretty decent. There were quite a few good fights and one or two really great ones, such as the brutally fatal fight inside the tavern and the ending fight. There were also some terrific action shots in there. I thought the romantic subplot was pretty stupid and should have been edited out entirely, but Jet Li probably felt romance was necessary in his 'epic'. Too bad he's never been good at attempting romance. It probably could have been done better though (the actress was terrible). Also, this is allegedly Jet Li's last wushu movie.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Caché by Michael Haneke (2005, France )

2006-06-07T18:40:00.000+08:00

I don't think I've watched enough slow, french arthouse movies that seems to have no coherent plot but is driven on the strength of their characters and dialog, under the pretense of a mystery thriller which ironically has no apparent closure. Who's the killer? Nobody knows, as it's hidden, like the title suggests. This movie is more about what's hidden deep inside each character, and I enjoyed it for what it is and what it attempts to be. It also has got one of the most anticlimactic ending ever. Nobody in the theater actually got up until the last shot is over. You can practically see the huge question marks over everyone's head. I can't tell if there's any actual social commentary on the French and Algerians since my knowledge of them is pretty limited but it's probably ham-handed at best.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Rushmore by Wes Anderson (1998, USA)

2006-02-20T04:04:00.000+08:00

Simply fantastic. I can't believe I haven't watched this earlier. Wes Anderson is one of those directors whose films make you want to be a filmmaker. This is so charming, what with the on-screen bond Jason Schwartzmann and Bill Murray shared. The slow-mo was really used to great effect, and the music and screenplay is excellent as always. I love this film.

4/5 stars
IMDB

The Devil's Rejects by Rob Zombie (2005, USA)

2006-02-20T04:02:00.000+08:00

I didn't really like the opening montage sequence, what with all the fast cuts and confusing action sequences. However the rest of the movie was ok. I haven't watched House of 1,000 Corpses yet, but this was better than I was hoping for. The ending gun battle with Freebird playing in the background was a really nice touch. I was expecting much more gore in this film, to be honest.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Fight Back to School by Gordon Chan (1991, Hong Kong)

2006-02-20T03:58:00.000+08:00

A Stephen Chow classic. Any self-respecting Chow fan should know about this movie and the tons of hilarious scenes it had. With that said, it didn't really hold on repeated viewings, or maybe it's just that I wasn't really in the mood for comedy. Still it has its moments though.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Kill! by Kihachi Okamoto (1968, Japan)

2006-02-20T03:55:00.000+08:00

I haven't actually watched a lot of samurai or chambara movies to be honest, so I guess I'm probably missing some crucial element that I should know about while watching this. It was shot really well, and the remastered version looks really good. The acting was superb. Also, Tatsuya Nakadai as Genta was great.Someday when I've caught up with viewing the rest of samurai movies, I'll definitely come back to this film.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Blood and Bones by Yoichi Sai (2004, Japan)

2006-02-20T03:50:00.000+08:00

I have to admit, this film really dragged on at times, especially towards the ending. I probably would have enjoyed this more if I understood more about the China-Korea history. The brutal scenes (pig slaughtering, wife rape) were really done well though, and other than the dark sombre mood it had, those were probably the most memorable part of this film.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Wedding Crashers by David Dobkin (2005, USA)

2006-02-20T03:48:00.000+08:00

I tried hard to like this, but I couldn't. To me, it's just another Hollywood throwaway romantic comedy starring big names. The inclusion of Will Ferrell was a total surprise, and to some extent was worth the watch. I also the loved the aisle scene with Coldplay's Fix You playing. I felt something then, I'm not sure what it was but it rekindled my romantic memories.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Broken Flowers by Jim Jarmusch (2005, USA)

2006-02-20T03:44:00.000+08:00

Broken flowers, broken hopes. A lonely man who can't find happiness even though he knows his way with women. Bill Murray was great as always. This wasn't really spectacular or anything, but it didn't disappoint me either. A good script like this is always appreciated. I appreciate the upbeat and suspenseful mood it had going too.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Election by Johnny To (2005, Hong Kong)

2006-02-20T03:42:00.000+08:00

Ah, triad politics. Johnny To's little movie about the drama behind Hong Kong's underworld really puts things into perspective about how the triads are ran nowadays. It's sort of chilling I guess, about the backstabbing and lies. I guess there's really no more honor when it comes to gangster business. This was one of the better HK movies out last year.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Tom Yum Goong by Prachya Pinkaew (2005, Thailand)

2006-02-20T03:41:00.000+08:00

Holy shit, the one-take multi-level restaurant fight scene was totally worth it. It has to be seen to be believed. Phenomenal, I can't even begin to comprehend how long that one scene alone must have took to plan and practise. The script really doesn't even matter here, I watched it for the fights and Tony Jaa simply delivers again, spectacularly.

4/5 stars
IMDB

The President's Barber by Lim Chan-sang (2004, South Korea)

2006-02-20T03:37:00.000+08:00

This was pretty boring, maybe because I really don't know much about Korean history and culture. Song Kang-ho did fine, but I really didn't feel or grasp the mood this film had or was going for. Maybe it'll hold up better on another viewing.

3/5 stars
IMDB

The Promise by Chen Kaige (2005, China / Hong Kong / Japan / South Korea )

2006-02-20T03:33:00.000+08:00

This piece of overly-animated, overly-ambitious and colorful movie didn't do justice with the power of the great cast it had. Chen Kaige really needed to review his script. Watching this on the big screen was a terrible and disappointing experience, what with the high hopes I had after watching the trailer and the high-budget marketing drive behind it here. I was constantly chuckling throughout the movie over how ridiculously bad it was, even for a martial arts movie. Sigh.

1/5 stars
IMDB

Lilja 4-ever by Lukas Moodysson (2002, Sweden / Denmark)

2006-02-20T03:17:00.001+08:00

Prostitution, drugs, suicide, and the seedy Russian/Swedish underworld. This movie was superbly shot on a presumably low budget, and the depressing tones it brings forth was real. I really admired the camerawork, but I didn't really favor the dreamy scenes, for some reason. It just felt really awkward for such a depressing movie. The morbid humor in some of the scenes were nice, but I didn't know whether to laugh or get sad. Oksana Akinshina as Lilja was just incredible, and cute too. She gave an amazing performance, considering she had to use an interpreter to communicate with the director for this film.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Oliver Twist by Roman Polanski (2005, USA)

2006-02-20T03:14:00.000+08:00

This was quite an experience to watch on the big screen. The dark, warm tones really suits the mood and the tone of the film. I thought the pacing was pretty good for the story, and the portrayal of Oliver Twist by Barney Clark was infinitely charming. Ben Kingsley's playing Fagin was close to bringing me to tears near the end. I need to watch more of Polanski's stuff, since I never actually finished watching The Pianist.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Public Enemy by Kang Woo-Suk (2002, South Korea)

2006-02-20T03:12:00.000+08:00

It's been a while since I watched this, and despite the fact that I always tell myself to really try to blog movies that I watch as soon as realistically possible, I'm just a horibble procastinator. With that said, this movie isn't really memorable or anything, which isn't really saying much, but I thought the acting by the two main leads was decent, maybe even a little over-the-top, but I think that's acceptable when it comes to Korean dramas.

3/5 stars
IMDB

The Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior by Kevin Dunn (2005, USA)

2006-02-20T03:08:00.000+08:00

A painfully biased documentary is a bad documentary.

1/5 stars
IMDB

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish by Isshin Inudou (2003, Japan)

2006-02-19T08:43:00.000+08:00

Tragic romance. A relationship doomed from the start. However that didn't take away even the slightest bit of the sweet, sweet moments these two characters shared. It just makes the ending that much more painful. I really appreciate the issues this movie attempts to bring forward, and the realisticly subtle approach it used. One of the best pitifully romantic movies I've seen that avoided cliches.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Sympathy for Lady Vengeace by Park Chan-wook (2005, South Korea)

2006-02-19T08:35:00.000+08:00

Quite possibly my favourite of Park's revenge trilogy, what with it's surrealist and metaphorical elements. The cinematography and score is excellent as usual, but the larger cast and the hilariously ironic third act really works it way well into the film. This really needs a few more viewings. The inclusion of all the cameos was pretty nice too.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Saving Face by Alice Wu (2004, USA)

2005-11-20T22:12:00.000+08:00

I understand that the Chinese really hate to 'lose face', so this movie is all about the battle between following one's own dreams and desires vs keeping the honor of your familly and cultural expectations. In a fast-changing society, these things often clash but this movie ended on a bright note. The mix of drama and light-hearted comedy is good and I like the jazzy soundtrack with some spots of bossa nova and strings. The three lead women gave solid performances but I feel the script needs more work. Lynn Chen is gorgeous, and if there's ever one thing I don't get sick of, it's asian lesbians making out.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

The Foul King by Ji-woon Kim (2000, South Korea)

2005-11-16T00:47:00.000+08:00

Haha, what a sensational comedy by Kim Ji-woon. This movie is just another reason to love Song Kang-ho. In what appears to be his breakout movie, he plays an underdog wrestler that specialises in cheating to win. This movie was just funny from the get go. What's impressive is he does all the stunts himeself, apparently also the backflips off the top rope.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

This Charming Girl by Yoon-ki Lee (2004, South Korea)

2005-11-16T00:36:00.000+08:00

I'm not gonna lie, this movie was pretty fucking boring at first, but I decided to stick with it, and was duly rewarded. The ending climax was intense and I loved every moment of it. When I looked back I realise how smart the plot and screenplay is. From the minimal editing and dialog to the cuts and the camera shots that linger around, everything all seems thought out perfectly. Wonderful acting by Kim Ji-soo, she displayed a wide range of emotion so effortlessly, and is the sole reason I stayed watching the entire time (she charmed me). This is a brilliant character study piece, with a rewarding finish.

4/5 stars
IMDB

The 40 Year Old Virgin by Judd Apatow (2005, USA)

2005-11-16T00:30:00.000+08:00

I love Steve Carell as much as the next goon, but I bought a little too much into the hype surrounding this film. It just didn't seem that inventive or original to me, which is fine since I wasn't really expecting much more than a "laugh-out-loud" sex romp, but it seems they wanted to go a little more than low-brow here, which ruined it for me. The cast was good but the jokes just doesn't seem to be that funny. I'm willing to give this film another chance though, since I found out that the waxing scene is actually real and the blood on Carell's shirt afterwards is actually his. Ouch.

3/5 stars
IMDB

A Wacky Switch by Yeon-won Jeong (2004, South Korea)

2005-11-16T00:25:00.000+08:00

Oh man, I love the soundtrack of this movie. It had everything, from 80's disco hits to slow rock tunes and shit. A few great scenes here and there, and I like the flow of the movie overall, even though I feel the whole gangster falling in love thing doesn't really work well for this comedy.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Mad Monk by Siu-Tung Ching / Johnny To (1993, Hong Kong)

2005-11-16T00:19:00.000+08:00

Pretty funny Stephen Chow throwaway comedy. Anthony Wong, Ng Man Tat and Maggie Cheung spices everything up, and a cast of familiar faces helped made this movie enjoyable. There was a few funny scenes, particularly the ones between Anthony and Maggie.

The cheap effects really defined a lot of Chow's early comedies. In fact I think it was an integral part of it, especially for the the two-parter 'A Chinese Odyssey' which is probably my favorite Chow comedy ever. It just adds an element of laid-backness, which combined with his slapstick performance and the unique tone of his comedies just add up to something really really wonderful.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Gozu by Takashi Miike (2003, Japan)

2005-11-16T00:13:00.000+08:00

Excellent film by Miike. I'm not sure whether he makes controversial stuff for the sake of being controversial, or that he truly believes in self-parody. He makes so many films a year it seems some of his films are parodies of each other.
Anyway, this was a great what-the-fuck movie you can watch for countless times, especially if you have friends over. It makes no sense but I think the adult birth ending means something, I just need to figure it out first.

4/5 stars
IMDB

A Tale of Two Sisters by Ji-woon Kim (2003, South Korea)

2005-11-16T00:05:00.000+08:00

Kim Ji-woon, a man with such talent and versatility. All of his films possess a certain charm and display of technical ability such that I feel the Korean film industry owes a lot of their success to this man. Of course he's just one of the more out of the others, but I don't feel like name-dropping here.

This was a mindfuck thriller. Comparisons can be drawn to M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense, but I felt this had an edge over Shyamalan's, especially since the twist was revealed halfway through. A second viewing will help tremendously to clear the doubts and many confusions in this movie, as well as help appreciate some of the subtle hints dropped throughout. Great acting, great plot, great direction and cinematography, not to mention the top-notch production values. Perhaps one the best Korean horror movies produced ever.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance by Chan-wook Park (2002, South Korea)

2005-11-15T23:58:00.000+08:00

This film just begs to be seen. It's so wonderfully-crafted by Park that you feel exactly what he wants you to feel. The acting is great all around, and Bae-Du Na was unbearably cute, so much so that the way her character died was a horrifying tragedy. I think Park achieved exactly what he wanted here. I actually find this more appealing than Oldboy, which seems to be more directed towards the masses despite the controversial theme.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Seven Swords by Hark Tsui (2005, Hong Kong)

2005-11-15T23:51:00.001+08:00

I was expecting a lot from this movie, since I heard from the local papers that it could be Tsui Hark's return to form ever since his less than glorifying career following his stint in Hollywood. Well I guess I was expecting a bit too much, because this movie was a huge letdown. Other than the first act, which had incredible pace, the rest of the story falls flat with no real sense of direction or character development. I felt no sense of pity or loss when one of them dies, even though I know the director was trying hard to make me feel otherwise. A few camera tricks and a bunch of high-profile actors can't save this from flopping.

2/5 stars
IMDB

Failan by Hae-sung Song (2001, South Korea)

2005-11-15T23:47:00.000+08:00

A heart-wrenching story. Choi Min-sik proves that he's a great actor even before Oldboy here, and Cecilia Cheung simply shines as the poor Chinese girl lost in a foreign country. The ending was painful, effective I would say. Korean melodramas don't get much better than this.

4/5 stars
IMDB

The Wig by Shin-yeon Won (2005, South Korea)

2005-11-15T23:42:00.000+08:00

Pretty average Korean horror stuff. The leading actress is really cute though. The plot gets a little too contrived towards the end, especially with the twists, but overall this movie has a few cool shots and some good scares.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Oil Storm by James Erskine (2005, UK/USA)

2005-11-15T23:32:00.000+08:00

This made-for-TV movie had portrayed some surprisingly similar chain of events that happened with the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina. However I didn't really bought into too much of the story, which is the chain of events that occured following the aftermath of the Hurricane Rita in this movie. It does stirs some legitimate thought in my head though and it's worth a watch in my eyes, especially in all the gloriousness of the HDTV version.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

The Longest Yard by Peter Segal (2005, USA)

2005-11-15T23:27:00.000+08:00

Trite, Hollywood garbage. My 5 bucks wasted are dearly missed.

1/5 stars
IMDB

Last Life in the Universe by Pen-ek Ratanaruang (2003, Thailand)

2005-11-15T23:11:00.000+08:00

There are so many superlatives I can use to describe this film, but I'll only use one - Breathtaking. Simply breathtaking. Every shot, every scene is so full of subtle details that sometimes I get afraid to blink because I was afraid I would miss something. The imagery and cinematography is excellent beyond words - Christopher Doyle at his best.
The on-screen chemistry between Asano Tadanobu and Sinitta Boonyasak is amazing. The moments of silence are powerful, and the emotional impact this film had on me when I first watched it was tremendous. I've since watched it about 2 or 3 times more, once in a theater. And each time it's still as breathtaking as the first time I watched it. Also this happens to be the first movie I watched which starred Asano Tadanobu.

4.5/5 stars
IMDB

Blood Brothers by Wong Ching-Po (Hong Kong)

2005-09-01T10:41:00.000+08:00

Very stylish, artsy, from a technical standpoint. The editing was superb. However the film suffers from an amateurish scriptwork. The twist doesn't have quite of the intended impact on me, and most of the film seems to drift along with no real direction. Also, the young actors couldn't seem to appear 'tough' enough; they looked too much like pretty boys to me.

I guess this is part of the Hong Kong 'new wave' of cinema where style matters more over substance, made popular by the Infernal Affairs Trilogy. It seems to appeal to the younger, less-focused crowd, and judging from the box office turnout, is turning more profitable lately. Another similar recent movie part of this 'new wave' is Divergence. I've been more doubtful towards anything from HK in general now, other than the 'classic' stuff like Ringo Lam/John Woo/Tsui Hark/Kar-Wai stuff. I think the industry there seems to be increasingly catering too much to mainstream appeal. The 'Twins' movies are an example of this.

3/5 stars
IMDB

The Boy Who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan by Phil Grabsky (UK)

2005-09-01T10:35:00.000+08:00

Beautifully-shot documentary, with lots of poignant imagery, and superbly edited. Phil Grabsky did a great job of maintaning the impartial tone of this film. I'm glad I don't have to live in a cave, ever.

IMDB

S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine by Rithy Panh (Cambodia / France)

2005-09-01T10:01:00.000+08:00

Slow, haunting documentary. The re-enactments were the best part, as the former S21 guards almost flawlessly acted out what they routinely did 30 years back. Watching a grown-up man cry from from recollections of the atrocities committed during a genocide wasn't easy either.

IMDB

Bungee Jumping of Their Own by Kim Dae-sung (South Korea)

2005-09-01T09:43:00.000+08:00

Another movie with Lee Eun-ju. Her character dies too. The melodramatic third act got me though. The intro was pretty normal stuff, but once the 'bungee jumping' of storyline goes, and the homosexual undertones set in, it was all smooth-sailing. Pretty good concept story on true love. Great sappy movie for couples.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Garden of Heaven by Lee Dong-hyeon (South Korea)

2005-09-01T09:28:00.000+08:00

Boring, predictable. What is it with Korean cinema and the melodramatic third act? It just didn't work for me this time. Nice soundtrack and cinematography otherwise. Lee Eun-ju's character died in this movie, a depressing reminder of her own suicide in the real world.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Perth: The Geylang Massacre by Djinn Ong (Singapore)

2005-09-01T09:19:00.000+08:00

Originality is an uncommon virtue these days, it seems. I couldn't understand the point of this movie, other than to rip-off Kubrick. The similarities were too common. It was like the director suddenly blacked out while writing the script and decided he had to do a remake of 'Taxi Driver' for Singapore, and a much sub-par one at that. The dialog wasn't bad, but Lim Kay Tong was the only credible actor here. The ending violence was almost worth the price of admission though. Oh man, nothing like seeing a theater full off annoying geriatrics silenced by copious amounts of blood.

3/5 stars
IMDB

The Maid by Kelvin Tong (Singapore)

2005-09-01T08:58:00.000+08:00

I was suckered into watching this movie by the somewhat large marketing drive behind it. It wasn't bad if the ghosts actually looked like, well, ghosts. Instead we have some cheap CGI makeup. The first scare was good though, which involves a hand that came out of fucking nowhere. After that, it was back to the good old audio cues. The acting was decent at best, but the cinematography was good at some parts. The script sucked. I saw the twist from miles away.

I saw it on opening night so of course it was packed, and of course some assholes had to ruin it. Loud, pointless laughing by ignorant schoolgirls, bastards who had their phones ringing forever, AND actually answered it and made conversation for MINUTES. Hey, guess what fuckers? I didn't pay 10 bucks to listen to you assholes blabbering on the phone. Goddamnit.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Land of the Dead by George A. Romero (USA)

2005-09-01T08:44:00.000+08:00

I thought I should wait until I've watched a proper version before blogging this, but fuck it. I was quite pissed off when I watched this at the theater since they cut out or cut short all the good stuff, that is, the gore. Argh, censorship. I only realised about it after paying for the ticket.

Being a Romero movie, the camp was certainly there, and it is appreciated. The mood and cinematography was excellent. I'm not going into the subtext/social commentary since I'm not such a great fan of Romero and don't think I really understand most of that stuff anyway. Anthony Hopkins was awesome, and so was that guy who was in Spun, Leguizamo. Needs more brain-eating action.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

The Tai-Chi Master by Yuen Woo-ping (Hong Kong)

2005-09-01T08:04:00.000+08:00

Awesome fights. Yuen Woo-ping. Jet Li. Shaolin monks. Michelle Yeoh. Awesome fights. Michelle Yeoh.
It's been a while since I watched this, but that's what I remembered.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Forever Fever by Glenn Goei (Singapore)

2005-09-01T07:36:00.000+08:00

I have to admit, I never was a fan of disco, but this film almost managed to convince me disco was cool. Wait, who am I kidding? Disco sucks. John Travolta will always be cool though.

Aside from the low budget restraints and the weak love triangle element, it's amazing what a good screenplay, a bunch of old costumes and some transvestites could do to a film. The climax is almost as good as the one in Napoleon Dynamite. Adrian Pang delivers, with style.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Purple Butterfly by Ye Lou (China / France)

2005-08-02T08:30:00.000+08:00

I rented this thinking it was an action blockbuster starring Zhang Ziyi. I couldn't have been further away from the truth. What we have here is an artsy, exquisitely beautiful movie set in 30s Shanghai, with an almost cryptic plot. It portrays the political conflict of China and Japan back then from the personal lives of a handful of people that were actively involved from both sides. I've always been interested in China's history, (especially about Sino-Japanese stuff) and this movie gave a rather interesting perspective and some insight into it. The cinematography and technical camerawork is absolutely charming, matching the relatively slow pace very well. It's a real moody and depressing film, accented by the ubiquitous violet tinge on the picture. The big band music also compliments the film rather nicely at some parts. I was so immersed in the movie, it really felt I was in the time period.

There were a lot of great scenes, most without or have very little dialog. The acting was impressive since you can really feel what the characters were feeling or thinking. Their insecurities, fears, hopelessness of the situation. There was a really long scene where the camera was just panned up close on an actor's face, and at the end a tear streamed down his cheek. Even though it was just a simple scene, his face just screamed of tragic melancholy. The ending dance scene was just superb. An excellent work of art, this is what film is all about to me.

4/5 stars
IMDB

12 Storeys by Eric Khoo (Singapore)

2005-07-31T08:32:00.000+08:00

Truly a Singaporean film. A nice little movie full of socio-political commentary, focusing on the emotions and insecurities of residents of our island state. The low budget and lack of quality cinematography is compensated for by a great script. The main characters were all impressive in their performances. Chuan Yi Fong was the most outstanding of the lot though, playing the loud China bride with a dark background. Koh Boon Pin seems rather overdramatic at times, leading me to think that he's more suitable for theater work. That's just nitpicking though.

There were a lot of good scenes, where it's just nothing but still shots of long dialog. The music is simple yet haunting. Some parts did feel a little disjointed at times though, as if some stuff had been cut out or didn't get fully realised in the film. Watching the old commercials on TV from 1997 brought back moments of nostalgia, and that adds a bit of depth to the film. This is a remarkable film by Eric Khoo that remains relevant in current times.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB