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Wai sing (2008)
The wonderful portrait of the young people
Is that true if Lawrence said it was hopeless in the shaggy estate like in the film. It can be true if we turn an blind eye to it. Ling Kit hated to hear the evil around him. He wanted to live in peace, especially when he see the evil at home. What a father he followed. A gambler would never blamed things on himself because it was his younger son that talked to him at the wrong time when he thought he would win a billion. The question is he could be a good father, right? I didn't think he would. He set up a bad example to his sons. Ling knew he was became a victims if he said his father was wrong. In Chinese society, they have to agree with their parents.
Moreover, his mother still keep the mouth shut. How can he start to complain about that? the younger one complained that it was late to say sorry but he did not know that earlier.
The misunderstanding and great expectations from us to others ruins everything one day. The destruction builds up because we live only by our beliefs, not the actually loving half of us all.
Youth is a bit of fool but sometimes I don't pity Hoi Kit because he was much deeply into "not wanna let you care" thing. He blamed Ling Kit on not stopping the abuse. He didn't know that it was putting his brother in dilemma soon.
All we have something not desired to let others know. It soon would become our problem because we believe we would hurt if we mentioned to others. It is foolish to think like that.
Lawrence made you think of things that you don't even wanted to think, especially in the time of entertainment. It is not a farce but a undeniable fact that you and I could witness every day. If the writers takes the wrong way, it would become a typical melodrama but now it goes so well and remarkable, the most important thing is the great cast, they make it a lively performance, without making it into just another film that pleased all.
I will recommend to those that in favor learning of human mind to see this masterpiece. It will be worthwhile if you dare to care more about the people around you, even though they seem to be cold actually. All they need is love, that is all.
Body of Lies (2008)
Leonardo leads them all!
The story is of different layers. I like it very much but it can be a big dull film for someone who looked for a energetic action flick! The plot is not easy to catch up, especially if you were a person that is weak in organizing things together. It is a jigsaw puzzle for you from the start. It is not single development. The writer introduced a few sub-plots in the story. That keeps you on the edge of the seat, especially every time when there seemed to be the final solution. It would begin another story. It forces you to put yourself onto the chessboard that you were a chess for two players, your supervisor and your so-called alliance. He have to be careful because both of them were not the one he could fully trust.
Everyone would fall easily into the role of Fred (Leonardo DiCaprio), we would hope that he would reach the truth shortly but then we all became puzzled by the clues Fred collected. We always wanted to picture the whole thing before the end of the show but actually we often failed because it was quite intrigued. Everyone is a cheat to others. All we said it is a compromise, or loyalty, will finally turn back to betrayal because all we concerned is the country. What we called "the patriotic party" were finally for their own sake. It is the dark side of our own.
It is a successful plot because it can be in all situations in daily life. It can happen everywhere we reached. The players can be around us and we never knew. We only would like to find out the truth but finally it was just a web of lies, you know. The reality show is on but nobody could keep away by proving themselves non-existence.
An intensive development and fine casting made it a perfect film for this year.
City of Ember (2008)
Not a piece for everyone
I like the idea that writer brought about in this story. There is all lies amongst the big world. Like suggested in THE VILLAGE (2004), they always meant there was dangers outside. It was in fact they were not ready to give themselves a try. They only believed in old values that taught by the older ones. Yes, we could learn from them but time changes everything. If we remain the same all the time, the danger was much clearer.
Like THE ISLAND, every plan looked perfect at the very beginning but soon it becomes chaotic because there will be defeats over them. We would try denying that because it is an utopia in our eyes. We turned blind to the naked truth.
The truth were told and forgotten. It is not a surprise if we did not talk about that anymore. We are not a machine that kept things clear.
The adventurous element is the first thing to be considered when the buffs choose that film. I like the art direction of this film because it really remind us that the world is no more a wonderful place if we remain the way we lived nowadays. It is a good lesson for all of us that we did not know the way to live greener. If we keep on our lifestyle, we all live in shaggy shelter in no time.
I love the idea inspired in the story and worth trying at least once.
Bella (2006)
Simple but touching
I like the writer very much. He brings us back to the pure and simple life of the characters. Everyone was hard to say something. Like the leading man of the story. He loved Nina but he did not want to get misunderstood and then kept quiet of everything. Nina encouraged him to speak out. It is a good way to relieve from depression. We lacked confidence to believe it just happened to us. It is not our faults. Why did we bear it all by ourselves? Manny is money-minded... he only knew it would be a billion thing less important than making a profit for his restaurant. He fired a waitress who would be a mother. He was typical of a city guy, money and money, not anything else. In fact, he was blind to everyone by him.
Nina was depressed but she know every moment could be beautiful if one could see deeper. It is not hard but we often forget. Maybe just a blue sky or simple as a music coming from the corner can be the most beautiful thing if we dare to imagine! It can inspire me that love is the most beautiful. Life is beautiful to be if we could appreciate every little thing around us. It is not difficult but most of us would forget that for long.
I love the intention that the story brought about and so I here to recommend you Bella.
The Fog (2005)
the script has gone wrong actually
I don't like how the story was going, especially when it needed not to tell you much about the past at the very beginning because it weakened our curiosity to discover the truth when Elizabeth (Maggie Grace) found the old notebook in one of these houses on the island. If you had been told the biggest secret, the story will be less attractive.
However, if the audience don't know that at all, they would create a number of possibilities on what it was written in the notebook. At least, they could lead to different ending. That would turn them on too.
If the script goes wrong, even a master would never make it better. That's my point. And that also give a big minus to the film.
Mission: Impossible III (2006)
Just thought it wasn't good enough!
In my opinion, Mission Impossible III seems to be a bit good when J. J. Abrams tried to give a fresh setting on the storyboard. That make it look less uninteresting.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Tom Cruise, I just cannot say a word. From the beginning of the series, I have already got a sense that he was not the right one for the role of Ethan Hunt.
Also there is some points for you to notice: Firstly, the warehouse scene was unbelievable. Even the troop can save Lindsey, maybe she had been killed herself long before the rescue to avoid from further torture.
Secondly, being Davian was the most interesting part in the film but it was shown in the wrong way. If we don't notice the disappearance of Ethan Hunt, that may be funnier. It is because audience need a great surprise, not something they could notice so early.
Finally, the ending was too good to be true. I never believe Davian would got one question to ask Ethan, for that people always falls into curiosity. And Ethan would be that stubborn at all. The script had to make Ethan to be immortal. That's the last thing I feel unhappy about.
The misuse of top playwrights like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jonathan Rhys Meyer give a minus to the whole production.
Mostly, I bet the move should be at the right pace. You have to get somewhere to let people stop because it was going to be a 100% action flick.... but when Tom got it controlled, that would never be fulfilled. That's why it failed to up one level.
Samsara (2001)
The story that teach us much....
The film is full of religious wisdom. If you just go here for stardom, you will properly be disappointed.
SAMSARA is a lesson about life. A monk should be pure but I don't think he was mad, Besides meditation, he also needs some time to explore the real world. To see is to believe. Maybe he would get hurt but at least he had tried.
Is he wicked? It is unfair to say because we should let our heart pilot us. We should believe in ourselves because we can let go if we do not love it.
The remarkable quote...to satisfy all desires or to conquer one and the only? This seems to be a silly question.
However, nobody could answer it clearly because desires are different from time to time in our life. It was easy to say it was the last one but actually we looked for more because we were never be fulfilled. Agree?
The film carries wisdom that you should learn for life. Don't miss it.
The Scorpion King (2002)
I bet there would be ways to stream "The Mummy"
Remember in The Mummy Returns, the writer talked about the past and the present. The Scorpion King appeared was killed at the end of the story.
I really don't like the action flicks in this story. Chuck Russell (The director for BRIDE OF CHUCKY) did it around average and a film like this should never spend too much time on meaningless flicks.
The introduction of Cassandra is wonderful because it was about great betrayal.
I also think that the roles are very weak and comical. Perhaps Chuck just tries to make it talk of the town. That disappointed me by introducing a very heroic King.
Frankly, I think you'd better seen that at home, instead of wasting these few dollars in cinemas.
Rang-e khoda (1999)
Another film that need guidance...
THE COLOR OF PARADISE, from Iran again touches you deeply by the sincerity of the director. She told a simple story with wisdom that you never think it was too childish. The story is just about relationship between Mohammed and his dad. They went to two extremes at the beginning.
Father at first blamed everything on his blind son because he got a belief in mind that he had taken a wrong choice when Mohammed was born. Why should he only have a defective kid? Not like some other parents, they would have a healthy kid. He don't want everyone knew about Mohammed.... then locked him up. Is it fair to treat a kid like that? It show the selfishness of adults when they see something they had never expected to see. He believe his son hardly got along with a normal world. That's what he guessed. He just don't let him try it. Is it kind enough?
For Mohammed, she got a perfect mind that knew blind man could be eyeful if they got emotions and touch. It's all about life. We should trust our potent because we can do if we stand for our strong beliefs. agree?
If your kids is too young, you need to guide them because it is rather spiritual one.
Frankly, I think it's one of my favorite choices after WHERE THE HEART IS released in the same week (for Hong Kong Cinemas).
The Big Kahuna (1999)
I think it is better on stage.
It isn't a bad film... especially it gives you a open question at the end.
Maybe you think Larry, Phil and Bob are three men, but I see it as one. It is because the story discussed about life. When we were young, we will live on our own beliefs, just like Bob, believing himself to have a sound mind; Larry goes into his middle age crisis.... he feared he lost not only his job, but also his career. What Phil told Bob is right. There are so many we have done, would make us feel sorry later. And that's what a life really looked like. Success and failure....Life and Death... Believe or not. It's all up to you.
It is a very serious one, like another one setting its story in a realty agency outlet.
Peter helped so much to this story. His part reflects the bright side of human nature. Remember Larry, he just want to get what he called "big fish", without a clear and clever strategy. A business is a war. We can get our customers only if we do them a favor. right?
Perhaps the story mainly takes place in a suite. It gives me an impression it would have been made better in the form of drama.
My Grade: B-
The Kid (2000)
Bruce is a wonder cast here with the aid of Spencer.
THE KID just looks like PHENOMENON that you can see something more in the movie.
Remember in PHENOMENON, George (John T.) suddenly own a talent that he would learn things in no time but he felt getting isolated because he failed to reach what he expect. A life without love worths nothing.
This time, Jon tells us that we got a kid inside us. Maybe we had something that we just want it be away from us and so try to escape it. Like Russ, when he was young, his classmates looked down upon him. He lost his dignity. So he understood that and now felt relaxed. Let bygones be bygones. We must overcome the constraint and that can make us grow stronger. Life is short but we should live it brightly. That's a very impressive message brought by this film.
Maybe it is too difficult for a kid to read, as most of the users here expressed. Sometimes I think Disney would like to increase the range of audience. Yes, their target goes to children but this one needs parents to guide them at the movies. This kind of movie is good because adults may also find it interesting, without saying it just for fun (like DINOSAUR this summer).
Bruce is not "the last action hero", he looks fantastic in family dramas (NORTH and THE SIXTH SENSE) or best-selling black comedy THE WHOLE NINE YARDS, but not as John in DIE HARD series. Agree?
Frankly, it is a wonderful film during this summer. I strongly recommend you to see it with all my heart.
Grade: B-
The Patriot (2000)
It isn't so bad as what the Englishmen said.
Some say it encouraged Americanism. I disagree with them because it is about the war that seeks for independence. It is from the history event that had reviewed in script. If people go and seek independence, they must have feeling of belonging. Then, that helps them to grow their intention.
Yes, I think Roland is a wrong person to direct THE PATRIOT because he is just a man eligible to make some unreal scientific fiction. He spoiled the movie, especially when comparing with Mel Gibson, because he tried hard to imitate BRAVE HEART but Roland can't get his soul. The situation just like what Robert had done on WHAT LIES BENEATH.
It gets the point that parents should sometimes let their children do something wrong and then demonstrate them the mistakes (of course, if they try to commit a crime, we should stop them). Like Gabriel, he is a nice guy that saved the foes...he should knew that. His kindness led him to this mistake. He was politically correct because life is indeed precious. Why didn't he go and save these wounded soldiers? He don't see how bad the consequences would be beforehand. Benjamin never stopped Gabriel because he had done the right thing, but at a wrong moment.
And as we always quote, "like father, like son", it is true. It is because we all had been young and careless. Our fathers have been the same. They also neglect advice and learn from mistakes afterwards. Yes, parents try their best to protect their kids but sometimes acceptable mistakes should be made to help them to see the real world.
Yes, fathers are much considerate because what they decided will probably affect the whole family.
However, a young man would bear a greater risk because he could just live on his own, without the responsibilities from his own family (I mean his own marriage). That's why he could be quick-tempered and childish.
Susan is the most remarkable part in the film even if she just appeared only for a few minutes. That illustrated what a little kid expected from its parents. They hope to beloved. Like Susan, she got provoked with Benjamin because he always spent his days in battles, without talking with her. That widened the gap between them. Fortunately, she finally understood him and broke the barriers.
Maybe the history is being rewritten but I think THE PATRIOT was a great family drama, with plenty of human nature that you should not have missed.
What Lies Beneath (2000)
Just a film that imitates Hitchcock
Remember the story told by Norman (Harrison Ford), that imitates the plot of "Psycho", of which Norman killed Marion and let the car fall into the lake. Coincident? I don't think so. I would rather like to get that erased because it is a psychological thriller. Obvious plot makes it less attractive.
Robert also imitates "Rear Window", that explores man's curiosity but that time, the spy was Claire. She always kept an eye on her new neighbor, Warren and Mary. (In "Rear Window", Jeffrey doesn't hear some strange voice... I mean the call from unfamiliar spirit. He just saw someone acting awfully behind the curtains.) She began to believe that it was a murder next door to them. That caused illusions to her.
It is more than "Diabolic" (title, in English), the one with almost the same plot. It contains not only a revenge, but also a seem-to-be unbelievable story by a nervous wife. She cooked up with a ghost story but you would believe because it comes to you so real, without doubts. You will show compassion to her because you believe it was not worthwhile to let her live in terror. You don't know there was the truth till the end of the movie.
I am not going to spoil it even though it starred two most favorite Hollywood stars. It got cliche in the development. Like if you like to say someone beyond suspicion, you must have real grounds. That's just what a woman thought. It is dangerous.
However, that unnecessarily mentioned here. We should keep it quiet. It is because it is the sub-plot of the story. We should put it in second place.
In short, I think "What Lies Beneath" is just above average for that the screenplay writer should shorten the story in order to make it look more tense and breathless.
Grade: C+
Gods and Monsters (1998)
At least, it is the best of Hollywood features.
I have viewed this film. I think Brendan Fraser played very well here. Apart from "With Honors", he finally make another serious film. The topic is sensitive. For some actors, they may easily spoil it. Thanks Ian, he leads in a sound way that made his opposite (i.e. Brendan) had a good sense of his part.
However, Edmund Kay, the journalist and Hannah (Lynn), the maid were the most outstanding ones. The former appeared just for a few minutes but he would surely steal you to see him acting while Lynn knew the way she could truly show off her nervous thoughts.
That's the most important point why I will strongly recommend you to see the film.
Of course, the plot is wonderful, too. Don't you think so?
-- Dave Duncan