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28th August 2009
Movies I've Seen Since May - Nice
This is sort of where I deposit all of those in the middle upper, which is why this list is soooo long. I mean seriously, you try not to watch something if you know you wouldn't enjoy it right?NICE, pretty good, worth watching:Calling Out Love in the Center of the World - Similar to Love Letter, which was one of my favorite movies of all time. Unfortunately, that was its downfall. It's somewhat similar and these Japanese movies always try to grab you in the most subtle way and send you bawling. This movie was predictable, but has a very delicate touch to its direction and translation of the mood. If you're the sentimental type, it'll tear you apart, but gently and gracefully.Sunset on Third Street - Such a cuuuute movie. It has that special Japanese touch of turning the ordinary into something pleasant for you to "awww" over. If you're looking for an uplifting movie with plenty of cute kids (that sounded wrong...), go for this one.Pursuit of Happiness - Pretty inspirational. I mean, ok, I know people are sick of these "inspirational" movies, but really, if you think about it, are you having such a rough time? Have you really gone to the bottom? The answer is probably no. And really, if you are not there, you have no excuse. There're plenty of people worse off than you are. Just get yourself up and keep going!Cape 7 - I think what touch me the most was the rough/tough friendships that people form when they are thrown into a situation where they have to work together closely to reach a common goal... and do well. When you get over the "I want to kill him/her/them" phase, you accept reality and start to find ways to work with these people, who are obviously in the same situation because they had a reason to be. It's similar to the Shounen spirit that I am a huge fan of, and I always am a sucker for that. My friend Jeremy had requested a translation of the title song The Southern Country, which I thought told the story of this movie perfectly.Departures - Ok, I thought this movie was Good, not OMG GOOD like everyone else. Perhaps I am just tired of the Japanese style? Everything flows really well in the movie, there's no awkward moment, no super huge surprises, lots of touching moments and revelatory dialogue... but for some reason, I think I've grown used to it. So therefore, even though there's nothing wrong with the movie itself (it's a very solid and touching movie), it got pushed down because it did not wow me in a special way.Slumdog Millionaire - Lots of people raved about this movie, plenty of people asked me whether or not my yellow scarf was inspired by this movie (answer would be no), but it didn't make it to the top of my list. I really enjoyed the younger parts, but when they got older, the movie hopelessly fell into the contrived category. The freshness was gone and enter the conventional doomed love storyline. However, I still give it much kudos for its creative storytelling and the actors were pretty good in their own ways.Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince - This was the most recent movie that I watched. I liked it, of course. There's no way they could change the fact that the books were awesome. However, the teenage angst sort of turned me off a little. Not in their existence, but in their indelicate portrayal. The pieces of love-[shape] were thrown in there without a plan and just seemed awkward in such a dark movie. Perhaps I'm asking too much. That's the general feeling I had about this movie, that many things were awkwardly put together, which really disrupted the flow of the movie. However, the parts with Dumbledore were pretty well directed. I actually may watch this again just for those parts. -
27th August 2009
Movies I've Seen Since May - Argh&Meh
I know for some of these movies are waaaaay old. But I just watched them recently so I’ll give them a short review anyway. Just some personal thoughts, so don’t flame me. I decided to group the argh and meh together because sometimes I can't quite decide and besides, I don't want to write that much about them.Oh, during the time when I was writing these posts I got lazy with the external links... so if you're interested, look them up yourself :DARGH, don’t bother or Meh, I didn't need to see it:Curse of the Golden Flower - Everyone and everything was wasted in this movie: Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li, my beloved Jay Chou, Liu Ye... and of course, Zhang Yimou. I cannot fathom what motivated Mr. Zhang to direct this movie. The storyline is from Leiyu (Thunderstorm 雷雨), which is a very famous play set in 1930's China (actually I played the character that was adapted into Chow Yun-Fat's Emperor in my college play - yep... the MAN). They adapted it into an ancient Chinese dynasty (Shu), which I personally thought spun part of the plot out of place. So the main thing I got out of it was - excessiveness (acting, luxury, etc.).The Day the Earth Stopped - Keanu Reeves. Period.Twilight - I know I'll get flamed by little fangirls of this book/movie, but I don't care. I spent most of the movie with my head on my forehead thinking: dude, can this dialogue be more contrived? It also erased any desire I ever had (which was very little) to read the book.CJ7 - I don't know what Stephen Chow was thinking, but I barely made it through this movie. It was... ok, cute, but there really was just no plot! I mean, it's not like Stephen Chow usually has a plot, but this one just plainly didn't involve any thinking and wasn't even funny!Curious Case of Benjamin Button - I think someone told me it was Forest Gump backwards... yea... that pretty much summarizes it. The plot would've been touching if I wasn't expecting it. But I guess it's worth watching at least once if only for the idea itself - someone growing backwards. Unfortunately I had to run the movie 3-4 times before I was able to catch all of it... I kept on falling asleep. >_<Sigh... but I made it through these. So now it's time to work our way up the goodness ladder... -
15th June 2009
霜花店 Frozen Flower
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="225" caption="霜花店 Frozen Flower"]
[/caption]The film A Frozen Flower (I will disregard how unpoetic this sounds), which was released in South Korea in 2008, was recommended to me by a good friend of mine. Since I liked the King and the Clown and thought this to be along the same vein, I went ahead and started it. Note, started it (did not finish it).Jo In-sung... I don't understand why people consider him one of the most beautiful men in S. Korea. Ok, yes, he's good looking, but... pretty? Beautiful? Anyway, different taste. Ju Jin-mo's acting blew me away. A Tony Leung see-everything-in-his-eyes-don't-you-dare-blink style actor that really looks good on screen. Nice combination of looks and talent. The only female main character Song Ji-hyo... dude, are facial expressions so difficult?My main complaint is the PLOT! I'm all for pretty eyecandy, but I am not a fan of tagging something as a "struggle with ones homosexuality" but when you watch the film you start wondering if you're watching an AV movie... there's a slight issue. I don't even know how so much sexual content was allowed onto the big screen in Korea. Not that I care, I made it through Lust*Caution (which... I shall refrain from commenting on). But really, more artfully done would have been nice. You don't need to rotate 10 different position to demonstrate that the two were craving each other physically.In general, I have issues with movies that have too much skin for too little effect. Skin is fine. But skin for the sake of skin is simply not my taste and when I have to make it through 20+ minutes of it... *yawn* What a waste of a potentially beautiful lyrical film and a lovely title.I saw ads for this movie all over HK when I was there... I wonder how it did.
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2nd June 2009
L. G. Spock (& my secret (?) obsessions)
After much deliberation with some friends, I decided to rename my netbook to L.G. Spock. No relation to LG (the Korean brand). It actually stands for L (Death Note), Galileo (Masaharu Fukuyama version), and of course, Mr. Spock (mostly the Zachery Quinto version, but I like the character in general). Despite the fact that I may be viewed as a super dork after my current decision, I am comfortable with my dorkiness and am willing to receive any contrary opinions. I'll just ignore them. xDLately it's just been an intense display of dorkiness on my end as well as a discovery of dorkiness in my friends. We were hailing each other with "live long and prosper" signs over dinner at a Chinese restaurant. I figured, might as well go all the way!All three of these characters that my netbook is named after have characteristics in common:
1) Actions based on reason and logical calculations
2) Poker-faced emotionless demeanor
3) Incredibly nerdy/dorkyThere is a very specific reason I became so obsessed with Spock... and it has less to do with how good he was in the movie than with one of my long time secret obsessions. I'll write that in my article about the movie itself... which... will come sometime. >_<[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="383" caption="My Netbook's Namesakes* (and current desktop)"][/caption]
Although knowing me, I'll probably end up shortening his (yes my netbook is a "he", ahem) name to "L" or "Spocky" or "GG" or the like... >_<
*Namesake, as defined in the OED, can be used both for the name giver and the name receiver (yes, I like the OED).
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4th April 2009
Vidocq (French w/ Chinese subtitles)
I knew I shouldn't have tried to watch a French film....
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="230" caption="Vidocq"][/caption]I've never claimed to be cultured. In fact, many of my friends know I stay away from artsy fartsy places... and the same goes for movies. French movies are tricky. On the one hand, they tend to be artsy by definition, but there are also beauties like Amélie and some years ago I watched District B13 and was blown away by the action and art direction. Besides, the movie was about Vidocq and I'm a real sucker for detectives and mysteries in general (that's why I'm *so* looking forward to this) so I bit the bullet and watched the movie.I'll skip the background since there've been complaints about my posts being too long...The visuals are amazing and undoubtedly French. The movie reeked of glamorous decadence from minute one and the rich revolving colors are a feast for the eyes (though for my motion-sickness challenged self it was a bit disorienting). The voluptuous ladies and gorgeous costumes made a definitive point about the stark contrast between the culture (high society) and the political/actual situation at the time, one of the most turbulent moments in French history.But the plot... GEEZ... I'm a big fan of everything coming together nicely, but not when everything falls into place a little *too* easily. And...*spoiler alert*... I don't see the point of getting a bunch of people killed to lure the culprit to you when you KNOW who the murderer is!I understand that the movie needs to go on... and if it wasn't quite set up the way it was, then we wouldn't have even had a movie. But I think what turned me off the most is the fact that there's supernatural powers involved. I'm not against using superpowers. In fact, I'm a huge fan. But it takes all the fun out of the mystery part if you find out at the end that there was no scientifically coherent way to explain the event and so they went the easy way out and explained it all by this masterful plot that involves the ancient Chinese superstition of using young virgins to feed your own vitality (and no, this isn't a joke, the dude was actually successful) - WHA?!*/spoiler alert*There's a saying in Chinese, 掛羊頭賣狗肉. False advertising (literally hanging a lamb's head while selling dog meat - barf). I loved Sherlock Holmes because for all his mysterious ways, there's always a very logical answer to seemingly impossible questions. Even for things like Iron Man and Hulk, they use somewhat plausible explanations for their respective sources of power. This was all lacking in the movie. Loose ends were NOT tied up and honestly, there was not much suspense in the whole thing and this was a mystery movie! Puh. Never trust hype.
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23rd March 2009
Who's Watching the Watchmen
*spoiler alert * *spoiler alert * *spoiler alert * If you really didn’t want any spoilers you shouldn’t be on this page *spoiler alert * *spoiler alert * *spoiler alert *
Ok, so I finally decided to go see Watchmen. I’ve heard a lot of views from people who really liked it or who really disliked it… mostly people I know didn’t like it. But since I read the comic just so I can actually go see it and know what’s going on, I wasn’t going to quit without trying… so I gave it a chance.First of all I’m going to let it out of my system: *fangirl prancing around and chanting* Billy Crudup Rorschach Billy Crudup Rorschach Billy Crudup Rorschach Billy Crudup Rorschach~~~*turns back to normal (?) mode*Needless to stress, I was very much pleasantly surprised by this film.So I’ve realized that NYT isn’t the ideal spot to get a decent movie review, but my exposure and time are both limited and I really didn’t feel like going rottentomatoes. Here was a snippet from the review that worried me, A.O. Scott:“Indeed, the ideal viewer — or reviewer, as the case may be — of the “Watchmen” movie would probably be a mid-’80s college sophomore with a smattering of Nietzsche, an extensive record collection and a comic-book nerd for a roommate.”
Cast:
Ok, granted I had my share of Nietzsche (and yes, a roommie who was an English major with an extensive music collection though I admit I was the comic book nerd), but that doesn’t mean I want to sit through 2 ½ hours of Nietzsche. I find Nietzsche and Machiavelli both fascinating and an often refreshing break from the mass of post modern societal fragmentation theorists - but in limited doses because I find that most interesting philosophies tend to be depressing ones. I avoided reading most of the other reviews because I find myself disagreeing with them mostly and don’t intend on turning my review into one to rebuke all of the other reviews out there. My review is only to speak my own views. Comic book devotees and nay sayers need not respond (read). I’m perfectly fine with you hating me in your own heads.
This was one AMAZING cast. I was quite concerned about Rorschach, since he was my favorite character and WHO the heck was that that they chose to play him!? Ok, so my fears were proven irrelevant since Mr. Haley portrayed my dear Rorschach so wonderfully, including (thanks J) at the final scene, when he knew what was about to happen to him, there was a careful mingling of fear, desperation, and resolution in his face and voice. Meticulously done, like the much of rest of the movie (gotta give Mr. Snyder oodles of credit for that). My heart fluttered every time he carried out one of his brutal retaliations – it was so HIM!As for Dr. M, every time he spoke my heart went all buttery and I screamed “Ashitaka!” silently. Yes, my acquaintance with Mr. Crudup as an actor has most been more associated with his voice. And whaddya know, this is precisely how he “appeared” for most of the movie. Dr. M isn't the most interesting character. Who has the patience to hear him go on and on about how time works for us is irrelevant to him and how our lives are really insignificant when put in the cosmic scope? But at least listening to Mr. Crudup made it sound pleasant! Some people complained that Goode’s Ozy wasn’t charismatic enough to carry the role of the villain. I admit. The one part that I found less than satisfactory was that Ozy’s background was all but completely left out, leaving the audience perhaps a tad bit baffled as to his motivation and inspiration. The Alexander the Great reference was briefly mentioned and his past was effectively blank.Music:
The score was excellent, and I don’t care what people say - the soundtrack is amazing. I’m not a fan of American 50-80’s music. Heck, I’d be hard pressed to find a 2000’s song that I can sing properly. However, whenever I am not familiar with the music itself I concentrate on the mood that the music evokes in me. I cannot claim to be much of a music critic, but I am somewhat sensitive to moods and voices/sounds by profession and personal inclinations. The songs that were included in the soundtrack just matched the whole “worn and time-weathered heroes in their sunset age” mood perfectly. They have half abandoned their ties to the real word but can’t help but continue to be immersed in and dragged along by the glories of the past and ideologies they once held (still hold), that plus the careful reconstruction of an alternate 80’s reality America setting mixed-in so well!Storyline/adaptation:
No matter which way you look at it, if you’re a fair person you have to say that this was probably more faithful to the original comic than anyone thought possible. The comic itself suffers from the lack of linear storytelling/narration (unlike other superhero comics), which I know drove a lot of people away from ever completing it. The same issue exists in the movie, but if the viewer can suspend his need for someone to latch onto emotionally, I think the movie works fine.I know most fans are probably horrified at the missing giant-squid-from-space-but-really-Ozy’s-pet-project (pun intended) bit. Maybe I’m just not as attached to the comic as most people. I really don’t care much for the audience bursting into laughter (or claps and hoots, depending on which side you’re on) when the final scene rolls around. Having Dr. M as a perpetual global threat isn’t that hard to fathom (he’s leaving the galaxy anyway so he couldn’t care less) and really, even though we’re in post-Cold War era, do people really think the threat of Nuclear explosions/wars isn’t in the back of everyone’s heads? Why do you think we need a majority of the “diplomacy” in the world and does anyone remember the whole reason for the Iraqi war (*hint* WMD * hint *)? I ADMIT, I am curious about the squid myself, but I think I prefer the Dr. M switchover at least for the big screen. I had wondered before the movie how they would treat this part and I did notice the parts where Dr. M mentions working with Ozy on some new energy project (trying to create some relevance to present day world?). It’s interesting how they drew everything together at the end.I have to say I wasn’t a fan of some of the dialogue they added. For example, at the end, when Sally says to Laurie: I don’t hate him because he gave me you (something to that effect). I mean, c’mon, that just totally took away from the irony of her whole twisted tale. I can’t decide whether or not I like Veidt rebuilding everything, but I guess that fits in to the overall theme of irony.As for the lack of relevance to our present day world that Mr. Scott bemoaned, well, this is a COMIC BOOK and we’re in an ALTERNATE reality… or do we lack even the imagination to temporarily suspend our versions of the world now?Direction:
OMG! The art direction was spectacular! Ok, I know the stop-freezeframe-fastforward gimmick has been overused since its famous Matrix induction onto movie screens, but I personally just think that if something works well then why not use it. Who cares if it’s been used X amount of times? It’s not like we don’t recycle everything else “creative”. The montage at the beginning with accompanied the credits I liked for sheer stylistic reasons. I don’t see what the issue is with Dr. M not having any clothes on. It was in the comic and if people get all squeamish about seeing human genitals (already carefully blurred by an airy blue aura), the problem is in their own heads and it’s also their fault for bringing their kids to the theater assuming this is just any other “comic book” movie.Rorschach and the Comedian both die for the same reason – to keep the plan a secret. But they also die in way fitting of the life they lived: the Comedian in the heart of the gutter he had chosen to mock, and Rorschach in the most extreme of landscapes where there is only one color – since for him there was only one way to live. It was a proper end for someone who would never compromise. His life was defined by his sense of righteousness, and be it right or wrong, at least he was consistent and true to himself. That in itself is admirable. An interesting detail was added to draw a link between the two deaths (one begins and the other ends the film): the dropping happy face pin, and Rorschach’s falling hat. Rorschach’s blood creating a Rorschach inkblot on the snow – striking white and red, poignant and harrowing, was one of the added scenes in the movie that really struck a cord in me.So… yes I liked the movie.Well, I’d like to mention at the very end that the three seconds featuring Gambit in the Wolverine preview before the movie also made the little fangirl in me squeal happily (don’t give me any c*** about him not really having any purpose!). Yes, I’m easy to please.
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Sze K. Aka Chan's Posterous
歸去，也無風雨也無晴。
Walking the Fool's Journey.79316 ViewsTwitterFacebook -
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