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Reviews
Arrugas (2011)
Nice story and well done, but the tone is a bit strange and somewhat flat
I saw this in the HK European Union Film festival, and thought it was a nice story, very well done but for some reason, the tone is a bit flat. It seems to want to make it "suspenseful" with what goes on "upstairs", and attempts to shock the audience although the answer was already given away in the first 5 min.
It's a story that is universal, when the kid decide to send their burdensome grandparents to a home since they could no longer cope with looking after them. In comes Emilio, an ex-bank worker who refuses to see reality, and the quirky Argentinian Miguel who helped bring a bit more comical relief.
While it started well, with the introduction of an interesting array of characters, it fell a little flat along the way as it didn't seem to know where it wanted to go with all these personalities. In the end, they redeemed the confusion by explaining a little the story behind some characters, and then a half-hearted attempt to bring drama into the movie that ended tragically and too quickly to make any notable impact... and then Emilio becomes a vegetable. Then suddenly you're introduced to the foul mouth paraplegic squatter whose presence is like a red herring...
If you're into a film that is full of action and coups, this unfortunately doesn't cut it. It's just melancholic, nothing more. Animation is well done, and the story rounded enough, but at the end, it's another story about grandparents left in old people's homes... it has been done to death in a way. The final credit song was a nice touch, sung by a real life woman (they said 101 years old?) in one of the homes, with ironic lyrics and slightly foul language! Overall, it's just well done, nothing more.
Hidden Soldier (2010)
Suspenseful, Provocative and an Interesting Twist
I had the opportunity to see this short film when I was invited by friends to see the screening at Cine Capitol on Gran Via, Madrid for the Cortogenia Festival. It was a mind blowing experience, lots of spectacular effects which one can only imagine how a low budget film can achieve, and it reminds me a bit of Saving Private Ryan as it promoted a similar atmosphere. It also has a psychological twist that makes you think about dysfunctional families and the effects on children.
What I found interesting is the conversation we had afterwards about this short film that really shows a strong love/hate reaction. Some thought that it was preaching the message of video game violence, while I myself see more that it is about the parental problems at home that led the child to react at the end. All in all, provocative and really gets you thinking and it definitely is quite spectacular for a short film level.
Shark in Venice (2008)
Incredible
Oh my god... I'm lost for words.. it was that good!!! I wish they just use the funds to grant aspiring film makers who can make a better film with less than a grand! That would've been much more productive than making this comedy piece. Oh wait, it's meant to be a thriller? Anyways, it seems that words are coming back to me again, omg... wait a second.. those nipples!!! I'm lost for words again!!! --edit-- I can't even publish this with less than 10 lines, but what if it doesn't need 10 lines to describe it? Anyways, I'm just going to rattle about the amazing acting, dying, facial expressions, CGI shark that happens to bite everyone else and kills them but for some reason Baldwin is invincible.. super healing powers. wow... wait, why is Laura's blouse just as see-through as Baldwin's??? is this meant to attract more audience?? I can see her nipples too through the bra! nipples! eek! OK enough --edit--
Dârin wa gaikokujin (2010)
Very enjoyable film especially for those who can emphasise
Although this film is not one with fantastic lines nor acting, it is very endearing to see the cultural differences and awkwardness between the west and the east. This is what makes this a nice, enjoyable film. The style is using a manga theme to explain the situations (and ironically to pair with the main character's profession as an aspiring manga artist), although towards the 2nd half this was dropped and forgotten, which is a shame in my opinion.
The Americans may not be as believable (as other critics have said), but I must say, it's not far from the truth. In Japan, it is incredible to see how many American men who take advantage of the submissive culture and interest from Japanese girls, and they don't even bother to learn Japanese. The wedding scene with Tony defending Saori when her parents put her down- it was a very nice touch of the cultural difference where it's seen to be rude if you praise your children. Then the opposition against the interracial relationship is an issue very real, parents are scared that the difference in culture is too great and could end up hurting their daughter.
The ending may be a little bit curt, but the point came through. The mother and daughter bonding, when the mother revealed that it's normal to be different in a relationship, even between 2 Japanese. It's more important to follow your heart, so Saori rushes off to find Tony in LA, rehearsing English to use when she meets the family. Only to be greeted by an opened minded family in open arms who rehearsed Japanese to greet her.
Perhaps for an American or other Caucasians watching this movie the scenes about the differences could be silly, but in actual fact, that's how we view it. Watch with an open mind and you'll see it's not pretentious at all, it's simply a recount of an experience a Japanese had in this situation through their eyes. It didn't once show the view of Tony, it was all the view of Saori.
Don't expect great cinematography and lines from this movie, but for those who can emphasise with the situation or even those who want to understand, it's a nice warm and fuzzy movie which will leave you with a smile at the end.
The Prestige (2006)
Clever, dark, haunting and competition to its deadliest..
The author of this storyline must have the most disturbed and brilliant mind ever! This story may be sci-fi, however, the issues that we could relate to, is astonishingly in abundance. Take the core of the movie - competition of magicians. It is a reality that you must have the better trick to lure more customers. In this phase of competition, it is called healthy competition. As time passes, you move onto the next phase - resent. This is the phase where you begin to figure ideas to eliminate the competitor. Then comes the final phase - obsession. From healthy to obsessed. Obsession is the phase where you go beyond competitive elimination - which is now dangerous and life-threatening. Just like the 3 stages of magic which was the theme of the movie - The Pledge, The Turn, The Prestige. These issues, although depicted in a sci-fi way, is very true in reality. Humans compete for business. Humans begin to try damaging other people's business. Humans begin to assassinate other people so they could have their turf for their business. We live in a very twisted world, and this movie is no different.
You can see here, that this movie could be depicted and interpreted in many ways. Obsession could be seen as a disease, slowly gnawing your life away, leaving marks at each milestone it eats. Just like the missing finger of Borden, and the injured leg of Angier. It is full of meaning, similes, metaphors. This movie is not for the faint-hearted, and will blow your mind away. Every time you think about this movie, you seem to always think of something new, like I did with this comment above! I think this will be a classic, just like thrillers such as Seven. Dark, haunting and full of meanings.. the best psychological thriller of this era!
The Departed (2006)
Interesting, full of twists.. great for those who haven't seen Infernal Affairs, cringe-worthy for those who have...
This film is made into a movie of its own. Although based on Infernal Affairs (HK production), the story have been slightly altered perhaps to fit the culture of American street gangs. I do admit, there are many things I do not like about the film, being a fan of Infernal Affairs, it is more wishy-washy, and Jack Nicholson was... well.. not that wonderful. I read somewhere that apparently Jack Nicholson didn't even research for his role, so he just "naturally" played him.. so you can see, this character ended up being more of an "evil clown named IT", rather than the terrifying controlling leader of the mob. That really disappointed me, because characters in control (Chinese Triad bosses, Godfather, etc) are all very strong, controlling and more level-headed characters, whereas Jack Nicholson's character is more a clown than a boss. Another cringe-worthy scene is where they hired poor Cantonese speakers to act as triads from China (speaking Cantonese?? you mean they're from HK or Canton?). Any Cantonese speaker will cringe and laugh at how poorly they spoke Cantonese! I know that's not overly important for those who doesn't understand Cantonese.. but just makes the film more tacky.. you know... just unrealistic .. so it's tacky.
Leo DiCaprio was surprisingly good, hands down for his magnificent performance - a great mature comeback from his gone teen-heart-throb era.
Besides that, the story of course is brilliant. No one can deny or hate the story-line, as it is magnificent, unique, and clever both in the HK and the Hollywood version. My vote is given for the story line and Leo.
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
You either Love it or Hate it... and I loved it.... NOT
Exactly what I said - you either love it or hate it.. yes.. there are certain things that are funny, such as the "NOT" and the hotel scene with the naked men at each other... but otherwise, as a female, I found it overly distasteful. Even if women were a lower in the social hierarchy, I don't believe any culture could stoop so low to almost brand women as close to "prostitutes". Marrying any woman the man wants? That's absurd! I know its all a joke, but I find that kind distasteful and have gone too far. I have no sympathy for the character, rather, he's a disgrace to travelers who truly want to learn other cultures, and taken the whole "women" identity thing way too far. I think the movie would be better if the Borat character could create more sympathy, apathy.. not just toilet humour. Cheap humour with no substance. Go watch for cheap frill laughs.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Beautiful gripping realistic tale of a tragic hero, who'll leave you crying for more
Thanks to the Smith Family, I was able to see the pre-screening of this movie with my partner, and we were both absolutely surprised at how good this movie was! At first, my impression was that it will be mostly comedy, because of the type of movies Will Smith was in. Then I was skeptical because the description of the movie was something that sounded serious! But then, even as a serious character, Will Smith was a great actor alongside his side Jaden, which gave the whole "father-son" figure all the more real.
As a medical equipment salesman, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) barely made enough money to pay rent and support his family. The situation just gets worse, his wife (Thandie) leaves him, he struggles to take custody of his son (Jaden), then he got kicked out of his apartment, lived in a cheap motel, living off 23 bux, kicked out of the motel, then right into sleeping in the toilets at the train station. By that moment of the film, you'd be gripping and crying for this character, pondering if it's possible to get more worse than the worst. But then the theme of fatherhood and Chris' determination to provide for his son makes this character the most admirable and self-less man ever. He believed he could find happiness, and he believe he could do it. Even with all these obstacles, he takes one look at his son and he gets back on his feet to face the cruel world once more.
This is a story that'll leave you in awe, and fill you with hope, that you can do it, and make it, as long as you believe you can do it.