(10271,1798,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1164122820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','APT (9:56) (2006 / Korean)','Courtesy of MovieXclusive.com\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nIts 9:56 p.m. and Sejin (Ko So-young) once again notices the lights in the apartment building across from hers going bonkers for that precious few seconds. She needs to warn somebody, anybody who might actually believe her this time. She knows someone is going die.\r\n\r\nNow, its a crying shame when a comparatively intriguing premise comes along but is strewn away by its helmer midway through for generically mustered scare gags. Fright auteur Ahn Byung-ki has kept his eerie, clean visuals going since 2002s horror hit Phone and even while 9:56 (or more commonly known as APT) is strongly attuned to his style, its starting to look stale and recycled by current standards. He fuses Rear Window with Ju-On in an attempt to revitalise an ailing genre but ends up tangling himself in the usual trappings of strange shower antics, longhaired ghouls that creak inexplicably and shadowy figures flighting across opaque windows. And with an entire body of work dedicated to this genre, youd think practice would have made perfect by now.\r\n\r\nA prevailing theme of loneliness drapes the films heavy atmosphere. Adapted from a graphic novel, it does give a decent attempt at characterisation that started out promising but once again, gets abandoned when the temptation of clichd scare tactics becomes too overwhelming in its final third. Most disappointing of the lot is its protagonist, Sejin who looked to have a backbone that might as well have been literally stripped from her as she gradually transforms into yet another expressionless scream-queen already forgotten in the annals of K-horror. This undercurrent of sadness and taboo pushing could have very well been used throughout the film to dig into some truly dark and disturbing psychological depths but ends up taking a backseat to hackneyed genre elements.\r\n\r\nEven when all is said, Ahn still constructs a richly striking scene in his key shots. Rich vibrant colours popping out in clean, washed out interiors show a keen eye for intrigue that unfortunately builds to disappointingly unoriginal denouements. And its beat perfect sequences in predictability suit the sort of suspense that audiences have grown to innately prepare themselves for.\r\n\r\nThe jig is up. No doubt, Ahns talent in this genre has been realised but he needs to reinvent himself soon to stay viable in the changing face of Asian horror. A great step would be expounding on his encroachment into human misery as an entre into terror and to leave the longhaired ghouls behind forever.\r\n\r\n2/5','845d23ffa7e8ee20bacdf4d8eb75bef7',0,'','qFL6oWaX',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10272,1799,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1163975220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','3 Needles (2005) (Canada)','Courtesy of MovieXclusive and the trailer\'s in the link.\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nSimultaneously opening in various countries on December 1st (World AIDS Day), 3 Needles is once indie-darling Thom Fitzgeralds ode to the unheard voices of those affected by the disease, spanning the furthest recesses of the world to the vibrant, cosmopolitan cities we live in. A loose interconnection within its 3 vignettes holds together its remarkably ambitious scope but falters in its execution of the worlds-apart narrative that feels forced and histrionic more often than it should.\r\n\r\nConvincing performances from (arguably) the leads in Chloe Sevigny and Lucy Liu make their segments stronger than it really is and gives the film much needed credence in the face of implausibly heavy-handed storytelling. From the enigmatic opening of a coming-of-age tribal ritual to a church in Montreal, a foreboding and often suffocating atmosphere drapes the rest of the film. And while dense and convoluted, it sputters along its 2-hour runtime by clumsily crosscutting between its segments with only Olympia Dukakiss unevenly toned and ominous narration serving to alternate between observations, presages, and teasingly fills in the ellipses in the unfocused narrative.\r\n\r\nIn the most pervasive of its stories, Sevigny is a novice nun sent to a coastal African settlement to bring them to God. By far the films most ruthless segment, she not only faces a daunting crisis that the disease causes but the indifference of the scarce Western influence in the face of ludicrous tribal superstitions and the culture barriers that stand between humanitarian efforts. The rest of its stories include Liu playing a heavily pregnant blood-collector that goes on a guilt trip when she realises her part in a villages epidemic and Shawn Ashmore as a porn-actor in Montreal who does the unthinkable to survive in an urban jungle. And soon after desperation is bargaining and each of its trio of stories has its characters in bad situations making worse decisions. They sell their souls for glimmers of false hope that lead to a nun losing sight of her faith, a family destroyed and a mothers sacrifice. \r\n\r\nCriminally underrated and disfigured by its own directors cuts and edits, Ashmores enveloping scenario in downtown Montreal is different and more relatable in its scope of a life-ending disease than it is compared to the rural simplicity of life in large parts of Africa and China. It zooms into the microcosm of suffering by a family (that includes the ever reliable Stockard Channing) that suddenly has to deal with a spectre of AIDS compared with the other scenarios that just constantly struggle to carry the weight of the world on its shoulders. And while brazenly manipulating emotions as its trolls from one mishap to another, it seems so determined to recount the worst of true-life sob stories from the world that it ends up leaving one cold and unnerved in its impotent melodramas.\r\n\r\nAIDS does not get a mention in this morality tale but its umbrella-term of the disease is ostensibly the backdrop of its characters deep regrets and indolent denials of realities. Fitzgerald (from his well-received debut, The Hanging Garden and oddly humourous docudrama, Beefcake) is by no means an inept director, but seems hampered and frustrated by his own inability to achieve his goals with his sprawling parables. He eventually resorts to posturing within the films very excellent production values and very admirable efforts in handling the subject matter.\r\n\r\n3/5\r\n\r\nFinal word: Gorgeously vivid production values, and great performances level the films misguided attempts at tragic storytelling.','c8f175266c4f069322f0ae9a73ec2573',0,'','df3w15qv',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10273,1800,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1138446060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Le Grand Voyage (2004) (France/Morocco)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Ismal Ferroukhi\r\nCast: Nicolas Cazal, Mohamed Majd\r\n\r\nAt the Venice Film Festival 2004, it won the Best First Feature Film award .\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.legrandvoyage.co.uk/\r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n-- most commendable is how well the film conveys the relationship between the son and the father ... so believable and yet, complex (i.e., what human beings are really like) ... there is so much tension and disagreement between the two ... BUT also, so much love and feelings for each other ... the cast carried their roles well ...\r\n-- despite the film being about a roadtrip from France to Mecca, be assured that it is not at all boring ... \"interesting\" events do happen (credibly) and the audience is made to feel along ... in the end, everyone learned something ... the son ... the father ... and definitely the audience!\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nRecommended, esp. if you like films that describe human relationships very well.','237571904d7e35f6853fd56ec1acbbec',0,'','qvUBk0AM',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10274,1800,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1163861340,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Le Grand Voyage (2004) (France/Morocco)','A sublime experience and one that illustrates several factors very well:\r\n\r\nThe generation gap in general.\r\n\r\nThe difference in religious and moral beliefs between an immigrant and his offspring who was born and raised in a multi-religious society.\r\n\r\nDespite the fact that they start off on this epic journey not really knowing or understanding much about each other, there is a huge amount of respect particularly from the son towards his father, there are many times where he keeps quiet rather than starting a blazing row, in turn the father who at first appears very rigid in his views shows a great deal of tolerance towards his son.\r\n\r\nIt also shows that older people don\'t always know best, the father makes a huge error of judgement but the son stays quiet and good natured about it.\r\n\r\nThe love between father and son which really shines through at the end.\r\n\r\nThere are a couple of fantastical elements to the tale, some of which totally eluded any understanding (from myself) and a couple of dream sequences which were far easier to decipher.\r\n\r\nVery different in tone to my expectations and one that should go down very well with most audiences. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev\r\n\r\nR2 dvd released by Parasol Peccadillo who are better known for being specialists within the gay/lesbian market.\r\n\r\nA good range of extras are included as including interviews etc.','c72eb5bb3b978c8abfb6749e60356887',0,'','Xhq8Sebm',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10275,1800,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1164001560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Le Grand Voyage (2004) (France/Morocco)','hi\r\n\r\nglad that u like the film','e9e00c629beb16de3fc994d402b498f8',0,'','48GWcX7i',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10276,1801,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161139620,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Woman on the Beach','Seen at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)\r\nWOMAN ON THE BEACH (Haebyoniu yoin)\r\n\r\nDirected by Hong Sang-soo (2006)\r\n\r\nA film director with writer\'s block leaves the city of Seoul to finish his script at a Korean seaside resort. An entanglement with two women, however, reveals his inner confusion and forces him to confront his self-defeating behavior. Hong Sang-soo\'s latest, Woman on the Beach, is a comedy drama about love and the complications that develop in relationships when one partner is less than candid with the other. Like the films of Eric Rohmer, Woman on the Beach is simple on the surface yet explores a deeper layer of complexity in human relationships that is insightful and revealing.\r\n\r\nAs the film opens, director Joong-rae (Kim Seung-woo) travels to Shinduri Beach on Korea\'s West Coast hoping to renew his inspiration. He brings along his production designer Chang-wook (Kim Tae-woo) and Chang-wook\'s girl friend Moon-sook (Ko Hyeon-geong), a composer of popular songs. It becomes clear almost immediately that Moon-sook is enamored with the director and the two soon sneak away from Chang-wook and find an empty hotel room where they exchange vows of love. On the surface, she is a strong, independent woman, while Joon-rae gives the appearance of a calm and confident artist, yet both are rebounding from previous relationships and are very vulnerable. \r\n\r\nWhen the morning comes, Joong-rae\'s warm emotions of the previous night have turned chilly. Unable to confront the feelings that reminded him of his failed marriage, he feigns anxiety and asks to be driven back to the city, leaving a phone message for Moon-sook. When he returns to the seaside after a few days, on the pretense of asking for an interview for his film, he meets Sun-hee (Song Seon-mi) who resembles Moon-sook. They spend the afternoon and night together, exchanging vows of affection, similar to those given to Moon-sook. \r\n\r\nWhen Moon-sook comes looking for him in a drunken rage, however, he has to confront his deceptions and the tangled web he was woven. Woman on the Beach is a thoroughly engaging film with sparkling dialogue, complex characters, and outstanding performances from the lead actors. If it leaves us with a touch of sadness about people\'s inability to connect, it also leaves us smiling about their resilience and capacity for joy. Though Hong\'s characters are flawed, we identify with their weakness because they are all too human and may even reflect our own failings.\r\n\r\nGRADE: A','8a99ec998234926b855d7d2a25720619',0,'','T5Abc4Zf',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10277,1801,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161141000,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Woman on the Beach','For a second I thought you were talking about Renoir\'s film. Haven\'t even heard of this one, but hopefully it\'ll come along here soon.','c9ad8f1b0619e60d78b4ecc5203c96f1',0,'','gW7UYTDB',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10278,1801,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161143520,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Woman on the Beach','Boy, Howard, you really get to see all of these wonderful films. Wish I could join you. \r\nI can\'t wait for the next Berlin Film Festival. I\'ve been watching very little films since May already, something that hasn\'t happened in more than six years. And now I\'m itching for a movie-marathon. I guess I won\'t have your discipline, and will be sitting the whole day at the theater again. \r\n\r\nBtw, I still haven\'t seen any films by Hong Sang-soo. They are very very hard to track down here in Germany. I remember a retrospective of his work being shown in Stuttgart two year\'s ago, but I didn\'t know much about him at that point and missed the screening of one film I wanted to attend. Too bad.','b1fea696a160e91f9a0f74be5ba1760d',0,'','tEzWQnwb',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10279,1801,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161173460,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Woman on the Beach','You do appear to have been able to have seen some terrific films lately Howard, thanks for all your efforts and giving us the chance to read about films that will probably never get a theatrical release here. At least we can keep an eye out for the dvds which (certainly in the UK) will have to be imported.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','a48c4d82fcfb49b8556bf2cb7c23cf94',0,'','gQ5ljZ27',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10280,1801,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1163926620,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Woman on the Beach','The Korean Region-3/NTSC DVD from BitWin is now available with English subs.','baf3656089a7ebbb68e0dcd245d9e323',0,'','sV5xSCwN',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10281,1801,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1163929740,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Woman on the Beach','I was very fortunate to be able to see about 10 films at this years Vancouver Film Festival, only because I had a media pass and felt physically up for it. It is not a matter of discipline but simply not being able to see more than one film a day. Even seeing a film on consecutive days was a stretch for me. \r\n\r\nHong Sang-soo is a very interesting director and I hope you will be able to track down some of his efforts.\r\n\r\nHoward','a8c6c6c1814c27ac384784c226ecc644',0,'','d3BTSNQw',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10282,1801,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1163929860,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Woman on the Beach','Thanks for your kind comments. It is a great pleasure for me to be able to write about films. Hope you will have a chance to see some of them.\r\n\r\nHoward','30bc1e42b1e8faee7ac95fe70aa01f85',0,'','o9Tem6Ff',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10283,1802,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1120994820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices) (2004) (Mexico)','Director: Luis Mandoki\r\nCast: Carlos Padilla\r\n\r\nI watched the movie at Sonoma Valley Film Festival 2005\r\n\r\nThis movie was Mexicos official submission for the Oscar. \r\nThe official website is here:\r\nwww.vocesinocentes.com/\r\n\r\nIt is based on the true life story of screenwriter Oscar Torres! It is about the civil war in El Salvador in the 80s which caused about 75,000 deaths, 8000 disappearances, and nearly 1 million exiles. The US government helped equip and train the Salvadoran army and provided over 1 billion dollars in aid.\r\n\r\nHence, I am not sure if Americans, the people of Salvador, and the audience will see a different movie and feel differently about the movie.\r\n\r\nAs the movie depicts the war from an eleven-year-old boy\'s perspective, critics and audience should be more forgiving for any bias stand against the army, and more in favor of the guerillas. However, there are some scenes where the director tries to balance off that depiction: \r\n(i) the mother remarked that the gunshots could have been from the army or guerillas, it does not matter who the shots are from, innocents are killed.\r\n(ii) the guerillas also put the children at risk when they sought refuge in schools, etc.\r\n(iii) recruiting children was not only commited by the army, but also by the guerillas. \r\nIn essence, the director is not trying to depict both sides of the story, but from an eleven-year-old boy\'s perspective.\r\n\r\nWhat I like?\r\n-- It has a good mix of fun and laughter (as children try to live their normal day life of what children typically do) as well as shock and tears (as children try to survive their \"normal\" day life of what civil war is about).\r\n-- It is a simple story without trying to be too cryptic or too philosophical about rights and wrongs of any political agenda. More essentially, it is NOT just a story about El Salvador, but about many other similar wars that try to recruit children (e.g., Colombia, etc). Presently, there are MANY children who are serving the army around the world! \r\n-- There are lots of daily details (or younger days details) that the audience would reminisce about ... being parents ... being children ... etc \r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nOverall, I think it is an excellent movie! \r\n\r\n\r\nAt the end of the movie, there were some audiences from Salvador who felt very impacted by the movie.\r\n\r\nQ&A with Oscar Torres:\r\n\r\nQ: Are the cast professional actors? And are they Mexican? \r\nA: The cast are primarily Mexican except for the mother (a Chilean). Noteworthy, the main protagonist, Chava (Carlos Padilla Lenero), is not a professional actor.\r\n\r\nQ: Why the movie ...? \r\nA: Initially, he only wanted to write something about the banned political folk song, but the director wanted him to tell his story ... He was hesistant but he finally did ... When he wanted to use the nickname about his sister and the jokes about her, his sister thought for a few days before consenting with a condition: He had to change her name ... hiaks hiaks \r\n\r\nQ: Where did he meet up with his dad, etc? \r\nA: In LA. He also studied in America. His mother, sister and 1 brother attended the screening! Apparently, he has 2 younger brothers. The movie simplify it to 1.\r\n\r\nQ: Did he manage to find out what happened to his girlfriend? \r\n* possible spoilers *\r\nA: She did survive the civil war. She is now married with a kid.\r\n* end of spoilers *\r\n\r\nQ: Why did the army or guerilla recruit children of 12? \r\nA: There were no adult male left. Initially, the age would be 15. As the years go by, it became 12. And even 8 or 9.\r\n\r\nQ: Distribution issues ... \r\nA: It is doing well worldwide (by Lions Gate and ...) except in America, where they are still trying to convince Sony Classics and/or New Market. The screenwriter jokingly/seriously appealed to the audience to help write to these companies to help distribute in America. \r\nHmmm ... any takers from this forum ...?\r\n\r\nQ: What do you think about America\'s role in this civil war? \r\nA: He informed that a lot of audience has asked, \"Do you hate America?\" He did not answer directly. He only highlighted that the information at the end of the movie is rather factual. He also tried to explain why Americans became involved, when the issues became portrayed as communism and the fight for freedom.\r\n\r\nThat\'s all that I can recall.\r\n\r\nOnce again, an excellent movie!','8db66ccca179d7ec05ac4644016a80d6',0,'','p8kdjFnU',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10284,1802,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1128925320,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices) (2004) (Mexico)','\r\nFinally US is distributing it ...\r\nThe trailer ...\r\nclick','af7ef001d638349efeafebe4a242bd4c',0,'','lh20si8q',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10285,1802,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155862080,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices) (2004) (Mexico)','Caught it this afternoon, a film with its heart in the right place and one that is aimed squarely at showing that no matter which side is right or wrong (if either), the true victims of any war are the innocents caught in the middle. The pain is multiplied when you\'re talking about civil war because communities, families and friends are torn apart on opposing sides. \r\n\r\nChild soldiers, forced to take up arms at ages where they should still be in their mothers arms are an unfortunately all too common sight in recent years in Africa and as this film ably demonstrates in El Salvador. Voces Inocentes tells the story of an eleven year old dreading his twelth birthday, he knows that the army will come and forcefully (if neccessary) enlist him, the rebels do not force children to join, they just put themselves forward as the only hope of rescue from the army (though of course it pretty much adds upto the same thing).\r\n\r\nThe film is incredibly effective at giving a good impression of what it would be like to be caught in the crossfire as the Government troops and rebels battle it out through the streets of the shanty towns even to the point where a firefight rages through the local school and church. It also shows how children adapt to situations (generally far better than adults are able to) and still find time to play and have a little fun.\r\n\r\nI left the screening feeling that I\'d seen a good film but not one that should have really got to me in some way, I felt it was a little too slick at times, too many completely unneccessary Hollywood style moments. This was based on a true story and I think it would have made a more convincing and moving film if they had stuck closer to the truth. It could by all means be true but the scene where a couple of the boys are executed felt far too contrived especially with the way our protagonist was saved at the last millisecond.\r\n\r\nOverall then, good intentions, a deserving story but to my jaded eye a little too slick. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','d5dfe886e61a20b18a4a9c90d40d93ea',0,'','tHL7eqjk',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10286,1802,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155893940,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices) (2004) (Mexico)','i still recall that \"Hollywood\" scene/or shld i say very \"dramatic\" scene ...\r\n\r\nglad that you watched it ... in a theater? or DVD?\r\nanyway, now you can identify with the quiz better ... ha ha ha','ad1e4c9594485ebac8100b053df8c670',0,'','0DLqxJpC',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10287,1802,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155906600,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices) (2004) (Mexico)','I saw it in the cinema, on the last day of its one week run, I only wish I\'d taken my youngest son, he\'d have appreciated it.\r\n\r\nIt isn\'t that long since I saw Shooting Dogs and that almost certainly detracted from my feelings for Voces Inocentes, again a civil war, again based on a true story and again a few moments that were too polished but overall it had a greater affect on me. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','2bf021e8d064494a9f6958de4d7ccd78',0,'','2E1Fgy0P',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10288,1802,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155962580,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices) (2004) (Mexico)','Did you write a review on Shooting Dogs? \r\nwhere is it?\r\n\r\nI have watched it in April too. But becos there have been abt 3 movies on Rwanda over these two years, I have procrastinated my review.\r\n\r\nhiaks hiaks ...\r\n\r\nPS: if you have read my review, I hinted that Innocent Voices can be more for kids (a bit like Zozo). I do like the choreography of the opening \"rain scene\" and the actual \"rain scene\" (later) ... i.e., the quiz scene ...','c0a771a4f24d951aa39ceb3c56d1356a',0,'','J4LuY6RM',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10289,1802,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156090980,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices) (2004) (Mexico)','I didn\'t write a review for Shooting Dogs because it\'ll be a while before anyone else gets the chance to see it. I do have the dvd so can easily write up some notes if there\'s any interest.\r\n\r\nVoces Inocentes should do well but it hasn\'t had the hype that films such as City of God received so it\'ll probably sink without trace. Unusually for me I went to an evening screening and it was virtually empty.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nPS: The admin has deleted all the empty spaces (i.e., lots of return keys)','1d376a00574c429852b3e9b64123ae73',0,'','Z6QVgwCu',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10290,1802,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156134480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices) (2004) (Mexico)','do write a review ... * hiaks hiaks *\r\ni guess the film is making its festival rounds ...\r\n\r\nfor those who have watched all the 3 films ... \r\nyou may even like to critic all 3 ...\r\n\r\n* spare me ... escape ... run * ... ha ha ha','0eb84b6db63c071dc52fac69bb2308ee',0,'','MUQhe47u',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10291,1802,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1163863800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices) (2004) (Mexico)','The R2 dvd was released recently by Universal Pictures and is very dissapointing, sure the picture transfer is okay but only stereo sound, burnt in subs and a complete lack of extras apart from a trailer?\r\n\r\nNot really good enough and smacks of money grabbing, these days very few films are released on single layer dvds but this is one of them.\r\n\r\nShame on you Universal Pictures , even small independents put this dvd to shame.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','14d0e86d1c3f963d2ee865d3d8279cce',0,'','q6fSy9uJ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10292,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121295780,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Yes its got to be done, most people are aware of the recent overload of horror films from Asia. Japan was the instigator of this trend, the success of Ringu and its sequel, prequel and the seemingly endless remakes guaranteed a flood of similar films from almost every Asian country.\r\n\r\nJapan has been creating horror films for a very long time, the classic Onibaba, totally different from the current crop still stands out as an exercise in terror, unfortunately Japan is also responsible for some of the worst horror films ever made and well be covering the extremely well done to the terrifyingly awful and everything in-between.\r\n\r\nBe prepared for honest comments, if a film is bad, youll know about it, likewise if a film stands head and shoulders above the others, itll receive the praise its due. \r\n\r\nINDEX\r\n\r\nBattle Heater: Kotatsu - 1990\r\n\r\nBattlefield Baseball - 2003\r\n\r\nDark Tales of Japan - 2005\r\n\r\nDark Water - 2002 review from Arsaib4\r\n\r\nForbidden Siren - 2006 comments by justindeimen \r\n\r\nA Frightful School Horror - 2001\r\n\r\nGhost Story of Yotsuya - 1959 comment by A.\r\n\r\nGoke, Body Snatcher from Hell - 1968\r\n\r\nHiruko the Goblin - 1990\r\n\r\nInfection - 2004\r\n\r\nIsola - 2000 \r\n\r\nJu-on (The Grudge) - 2003 \r\n\r\nJunk - 2000 \r\n\r\nKwaidan - tbc\r\n\r\nOnibaba - 1964\r\n\r\nPremonition 2004 \r\n\r\nPulse (Kairo) - 2001 comments by arsaib4 - listed here as it is regarded as a horror film. \r\n\r\nRing - 1998 \r\n\r\nShikoku - 1999 \r\n\r\nThe Suicide Manual - 2003\r\n\r\nTokyo Psycho - 2004 \r\n\r\nUzumaki - 2000\r\n\r\nWild Zero - 2000 \r\n\r\nStill to come.\r\n\r\nAre you scared yet? You should be.............. >: \r\n\r\nFor other sections of Japanese Journals, please use the links\r\n\r\n1.General\r\n\r\n2. Kurosawa, Ozu & Mizoguchi - The Classics\r\n\r\n3. Kitano, Tsukamoto & Miike - The Modern Cult Directors\r\n\r\n4. Anime\r\n\r\n5. Horror & Ghost Stories\r\n\r\n6. Jidaigeki (Chambara)\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','6a0e0923744f07c56477306302dc8fcb',0,'','dLfyEGPX',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10293,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121296320,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Ju-on (2003) The Grudge\r\n\r\nDirected by Takashi Shimizu\r\n\r\nStarring Megumi Okina, Yuya Ozeki\r\n\r\nOne of the more original and therefore one of the most imitated horror films to come out of Japan and the whole of South East Asia in recent years. The horror (The Grudge) spreads from person to person like a disease but is formed from the emotional residue of the victim(s) of attacks of extreme rage, each person who enters the abode holding The Grudge becomes its victim and so it spreads.\r\n\r\nIn terms of storyline we are presented with a series of chapters/episodes each bearing the name of the next victim, the timeline jumps all over the place from present to past back to the present and now and again, past and present collide. It is difficult to sort out exactly where you are but often youll hear the same telephone conversation but from different sides of the phone, dont make too much effort trying to place everything in its correct order, by the end of the film all the pieces will have fallen into place.\r\n\r\nThe ghouls or bearers of The Grudge a young boy named Toshio and his mother were pretty unique though other films have been quick to incorporate bits and pieces of their qualities, the creepy noise and movement of the mother and the cat like Toshio make a collectively terrifying duo, certainly not the sort you would want to bump into in the middle of the night. \r\n\r\nCreepy, yes! Scary, certainly at times, the sound can be grotesque and is/was quite unique. Dont go looking too hard for a lot of sense, people at times react in a way that seems at odds with the way the majority of us would, but if they didnt we wouldnt have this film would we.\r\n\r\nJu-on will not please those who like plenty of gore, but it does have enough chills and thrills to satisfy most people. \r\n\r\nThis was actually the third film to bear the name, the previous two went straight to video, no doubt after the success of this and the US remake(s) they will be released on DVD at some point.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev. \r\n\r\nBBFC rated 15','cb9a6e6e38828cf6668d76dae8d59e0d',0,'','enJ58frG',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10294,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121452440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Uzumaki (2000)\r\n\r\nDirected by Higuchinsky\r\n\r\nStarring Eriko Hatsune, Fhi Fan\r\n\r\nA manga adaptation with some really inventive ideas in terms of storyline and visual flair.\r\n\r\nKirie lives in a small town in Japan and relates the story; srange things are at hand! people are acting in the most peculiar way. Kiries boyfriends father is obsessed with spirals and has made a vast collection of every spiral pattern he can find, he spends hours filming snails just to record the spiral shells but thats only the tip of the iceberg because soon bizarre events and violent deaths start occurring. What is the significance of the spiral, why is everyone becoming obsessed with them and who on earth cast the actors?\r\n\r\nAll the visual originality of Tim Burton and a story full of bizarre Lynch(ian) twists, this film should be a classic but unfortunately it isnt. The soundtrack is at times excellent adding to the heady atmosphere but there are times when it is twee making you feel like youre watching a film for 5 year olds. \r\n\r\nThe acting, the lead actress is just about passable but the lead actor is so wooden he wouldnt notice if you hammered a nail into him, as for the others, a few are fine but some would embarrass a pantomime with their over the top hammy performances. \r\n\r\nRecommended for originality and the visual design, shame about the acting\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 18 Why?','52f1190aa029637d5ac6a2af528f4e75',0,'','XNCPyMou',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10295,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121556600,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Ringu (1998 ) Ring\r\n\r\nDirected by Hideo Nakata\r\n\r\nStarring Miki Nakatani, Nanako Matsushima, Hiroyuki Sanada\r\n\r\nThe success of this film is the reason we have and are being constantly bombarded by hordes of mediocre (at best) horror films from Asian countries for the last few years.\r\n\r\nBasically its an urban legend about a mysterious videotape causing those who watch it to die a week later. It doesnt sound too promising but it is in a class of its own and stands head and shoulders above its imitators. Even though Id seen it several times over the last few years I thought Id better refresh myself with it and see how I felt after seeing so many other Asian horror films and Im glad I did.\r\n\r\nEverything must have been perfect when Nakata made this, the story although sounding quite ordinary takes some well-timed twists and turns and is very well conceived. The editing is excellent, the actors are terrific and the mood is one of mounting tension and dread. \r\n\r\nWhat starts off as a typical teens dying in disturbing ways becomes far more crucial when its twisted onto a single mother and then even worse onto her only child, a brilliant way to put fear into all the mothers in the audience. Nothing is given away until right toward the end, like Alien and Jaws before it, youll catch glimpses but the true horror is left lurking till the last moment and despite (or maybe because of) the low tech and low budget it works!\r\n\r\nIf you only see one modern Asian horror film, Ring should be the one.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 15','d8e8a610a608e70e30d673e941027ded',0,'','JiBpUlvA',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10296,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121916120,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Kaidan aka Kwaidan (1964) Ghost Story\r\n\r\nDirected by Masaki Kobayashi\r\n\r\nAs this is made up of four episodes, Ill list the main actors and comment on each separately.\r\n\r\nBlack Hair.\r\n\r\nStarring Rentaro Mikuni, Michiyo Aratama\r\n\r\nAn outside view of a gray building, weather beaten and generally worse for wear, a slow rhythmic beat starts up as a narrator tells us how the husband who is a Samurai is leaving his wife and home to find a better position. He casts his wife aside and tells her in no uncertain terms that she is to blame for their poor state in life.\r\n\r\nThe Samurai remarries, not for love but to attain power and position, his new wife is selfish, pompous and callous, she never fails to remind him how beneficial it was to him that they married, eventually after sending her back to her family and fulfilling his obligations he decides to return to his first wife whom he regrets leaving.\r\n\r\nBack at his old home everything looks exactly the same, his wife is there as beautiful and loving as ever but something isn\'t right.............!\r\n\r\nA moralistic tale, in life you should get your priorities right, there are things more important than money, power and status, also it is seldom true that \"the grass is greener on the other side\".\r\n\r\nSnow Woman.\r\nStarring Tatsuya Nakadai, Keiko Kishi\r\n\r\nFather and son (Nokichi) take shelter from a blizzard only for the father to fall foul of a yukionna (Snow ghost or demon) she sucks the life out of him but spares the son making him vow never to tell anyone, the cost of breaking the promise; his life! \r\n\r\nA long time later Nokichi meets and marries a beautiful woman, life is happy for the couple and they have several children, but one day as he looks at his wife he is reminded of the events of that night, she asks what\'s wrong and without thinking he tells her the whole story!\r\n\r\nAbsolutely stunning artistically, reminiscent of the surreal work of Dali or Kurosawas Dreams, this whole section is done using sets which adds to the theatricality of it and allows for the amazing visuals, again the sound also plays an important part, eerie and creepy, slow and melancholy. \r\n\r\nHoichi the Earless.\r\n\r\nStarring Katsuo Nakamura, Takashi Shimura\r\n\r\nThe longest and most vivid episode, \r\n\r\nTo be continued. Trev.','094ef9ee067a4611e33389db122a3fb8',0,'','4DdMVqYA',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10297,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122530820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Dark Water (2002) [Take One]\r\n\r\nDirected by Japanese horror master Hideo Nakata, Dark Water (Honogurai mizu no soko kara Ive no idea why the Japanese title is so long thus supporting Bill Murrays wonderment of the language in Lost in Translation), pretty much falls in line with Nakatas previous films, namely Ringu (199 and Ringu 2 (1999). (He also directed The Ring Two (2005) and wrote the English language remake of Dark Water called Dark Water but lets not confuse matters.) Stories involving mothers and their prepubertal daughters have become a trademark of East-Asian horror, and this is no different; although, in an attempt to elevate the material, Nakata has tried to incorporate some social commentary. Yoshimi Matsubara (Kuroki Hitomi) has recently gotten a divorce from her husband (Fumiyo Kohinata) but shes still involved in a custody battle over their 6-year-old daughter, Ikuko (Rio Kanno). Due to Ikukos age, Yoshimi is at an advantage despite her husbands best efforts, but she needs to stabilize her life, and in order to do so, shes moved into a new apartment even though it seems like a less than ideal place. Initially, things seem to be okay until Yoshimi gets dogged by hallucinations of a young girl in a yellow raincoat with her red lunch bag which may have a connection to her past. Also, the ceiling of the apartment starts to drip through the ever widening stain. For long stretches, Dark Water feels like a minimalist relationship drama so many genre fans are bound to be disappointed. It certainly doesnt help that this film, which was released to much success in Japan 3-years-ago, has taken this long to reach our shores. The problem being that this material has mutated into so many shapes that for many itll be hard to tell between the original and a copy. Alls not lost though. Nakata stages a couple of remarkable sequences in the final third of the film including one in an apartment besieged by water. Production values are top notch, but the film couldve benefited from a better leading performer. Ultimately, Nakata also falters by revealing someone who was making more of an impression otherwise.','6d51d304762c52dd56407c8ce09aef6a',0,'','YX5bmPHs',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10298,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122672900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Re: Dark Water.\r\n\r\nGood review arsaib4, I felt the original was let down by too much exposure to poor fx during the lift sequence towards the end although I can\'t say I had a problem with any of the performances, it is quite a few notches above the remake which may as well signpost everything as it treats its audience as simpletons. \r\n\r\nI have and will post my comments on the remake as soon as our PC has been sorted out (nasty little viral problem at the moment).\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','61509abef296b38d742a026e31a5432f',0,'','mFNWbC8B',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10299,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122749040,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Thanks, Trev. I was afraid that maybe I underrated the film but it sounds like you\'ve also noticed a few flaws. Looking forward to your review.','4207d8cd9f2fe69a287b10e776a5e2b5',0,'','VAhxPUET',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10300,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1125140880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Tky densetsu: ugomeku machi no kyki (2004) Tokyo Psycho\r\n\r\nDirected by Ataru Oikawa\r\n\r\nMain cast - Seiji Chihara, Sachiko Kokubu\r\n\r\nThis film is supposedly based on a true case. A woman starts receiving strange letters, not so much threatening in their content but by the fact that theyre little bits held together by piano wire. At a school reunion she is reminded about strange circumstances that tie in with the letters, disturbing things happen to her friends until the nut who sent the initial letter reveals himself.\r\n\r\nI thought Id seen quite a few bad films, whether bad acting, plot, pacing, direction, editing, lighting, script, camerawork, sound, whatever. This film fails in every category, believe me it is a horror, not just for the weak story but for everything to do with the film, definitely one of the worst films I have ever seen! \r\n\r\nDO NOT WASTE YOUR PRECIOUS TIME OR MONEY ON THIS FILM.\r\n\r\nAnd remember, because I will, this is from the director of Tomie.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 15','33c7d9449202687cf8700ce9ba86cc10',0,'','jsNbDn9Y',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10301,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1133666100,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Jisatsu Manyuaru (2003) The Suicide Manual\r\n\r\nDirected by Osamu Fukutani\r\n\r\nStarring Kenji Mizuhashi, Chisato Morishita\r\n\r\nThis is an ultra low budget film thats a variation on the Sixth Sense. Thats pretty much it except!\r\n\r\nSuicide, what a topic of discussion especially when talking about Asian countries and Japan in particular. The basis of this film is an actual book that can be bought legitimately in Japan, The Complete Suicide Manual; this book gives the pros and cons of various types of suicide and even suggests good places to do it. I honestly couldnt imagine this book would be published in many if any other countries and shows the vast cultural difference between our various societies.\r\n\r\nThe majority of the film goes through this manuals ideas, hanging, carbon monoxide poisoning, jumping from heights (or one that seems to be prevalent in Japan) in front of trains plus many other methods. It also illustrates the growing culture of websites and groups associated with suicide; these are far scarier than the actual story and in a way quite depressing. The film itself is of quite a poor quality being filmed on video, little use has been made of lighting or any other method to enhance the picture and it appears quite flat.\r\n\r\nThe acting is okay at best and hammy at worst but this film is important to attain some understanding of the suicide culture in Asia. Since the financial crash in the late nineties, the suicide rate has increased dramatically, in 2003 alone there were 34, 427 confirmed deaths by suicide in Japan, an unbelievable figure!\r\n\r\nBack to the film itself, it is a barely adequate ghost story that touches on a subject that is devastating, the fact that it uses The Complete Suicide Manual as its basis and contains disturbing images, some deeply disturbing just makes me wonder what the directors intentions were, exploitation or exploration? \r\n\r\nIf the subject upsets you then avoid this film, it does give an insight into something most of us will never (luckily) contemplate or understand but what could have been interesting ends up being just another albeit fairly low quality horror film.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev\r\n\r\nFor a contemplative look at the after effects of suicide I would recommend Kore\'eda\'s \"Maborosi\" or \"Distance\" which broaches the aftermath of group suicide.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 18 (for obvious reasons).\r\n\r\nR2 Pal dvd available from Screen Entertainment.','26b7669081c1d1109de34f7558ffe1f0',0,'','xYBUVkmy',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10302,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1140288660,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell (196 Kyuketsuki Gokemidoro\r\n\r\nDirected by Hajime Sato\r\n\r\nStarring Tomomi Sato, Teruo Yoshida\r\n\r\nSo bad its good!\r\n\r\nEd Wood would have been proud of this film, as inept as his own Plan 9 from Outer Space while trying to deliver a similar message to The Day the Earth Stood Still, genuine B Movie Sci-fi/horror junk, with all the accompanying bad acting, cheesy sound and visual effects.\r\n\r\nAn aircraft carrying a politician, an arms dealer and his wife, a young American widow and an assortment of other passengers including a suicide bomber crashes in the middle of nowhere after a close encounter with a UFO. One of the passengers (an assassin) takes a stewardess hostage and decides to make his own way from the crash scene. Unfortunately he stumbles across the flying saucer which has landed and he\'s drawn in, a grey blob like alien enters his brain and takes control of him. Under the influence of the aliens, he\'s directed to suck the blood of the other survivors. Why (as if a reason is needed) simply because humans are nothing more than warmongers so the aliens have decided to destroy us before we destroy ourselves? \r\n\r\nMeanwhile back on the aircraft, the politician is being more than a little friendly with the arms dealers wife, the arms dealer must know what\'s happening as he\'s lurking in the background, obviously something shady is going on here. The surviving pilot tries to rally everyone together and keep their spirits up which considering the circumstances and the passengers is damn hard work.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, the passengers are killed one by one either by the alien controlled assassin or by their own stupidity till only two are left, they escape only to clash into a series of clich B Movie endings.\r\n\r\nThe story is complete tat; the passengers are picked for very obvious and relevant reasons. The politician and arms dealer are hand in glove, one needing a contract to supply a war being fought for no other reasons than power and profit while the other is looking for a big backhander plus some time with the others wife to push the deal through government. \r\n\r\nThe American widow carries a framed photo of her deceased husband, Japanese style with a black ribbon, he was obviously a soldier who has died in Vietnam, during the film she screams about how his face was literally melted by napalm, needless to say it doesn\'t take too long before she\'s joined him on the other side. The film is interspersed with staccato edited images from Vietnam, shots of US troops, Viet troops and women and children, harsh and brutal, they seem totally out of place within the context of this schlock B Movie.\r\n\r\nInteresting use of colour, terrible special effects (especially the plane crash), overwrought acting and overused storyline. Absolute tosh, only recommended to those who enjoy really ineptly made sci-fi/horror B Movies.\r\n\r\nDespite the fact that this is a junk movie, some of the conversations between the passengers are just as relevant today as they were then, a war for profit, arms dealers and corrupt politicians conspiring together and suicide bombings, somethings never change. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 12\r\n\r\nR2 Pal dvd available from Artsmagic. Couldnt find any R1 info (arent you lucky)','3369b05c135c79d400fc7a19087166ac',0,'','eclkrg5Y',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10303,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142091240,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Dark Tales of Japan (2005)\r\n\r\nDirected by Norio Tsuruta, Takashi Shimizu and others\r\n\r\nA collection of five short stories all shot on digital video and made for TV under the moniker of J Horror.\r\n\r\n1. Spiderwoman - typical urban myth with a very flat look, poor standards of filming and acting and horrendous CGI at the end. \r\n\r\n2. Crevices - are you afraid of gaps, cracks or crevices? No! A luckily short episode with again pathetically poor performances and production standards.\r\n\r\n3. The Sacrifice - at last something half decent, this appears to draw from myth and folklore to give it an edge over the others, performances range from fine to wooden but theres just not enough time to develop the story properly.\r\n\r\n4. Blonde Kwaiden Another really weak pointless episode, childish special FX.\r\n\r\n5. Presentiment like The Sacrifice this could be developed into something good, original and interesting, just not enough.\r\n\r\nAll the stories are strung together by some strange old woman on a bus who asks anyone if they want to hear a scary story, really original huh!\r\n\r\nSo in all honesty, avoid it like the plague, overall it is utter crap.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev\r\n\r\nBBFC rated (laughably) 15; I wouldnt worry about letting a 12 year old watch this (except its garbage).\r\n\r\nR2 Pal dvd released by Anchor Bay (A company that should know better).','341331143d4109548f4dad1f3a025680',0,'','tUL0uvhj',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10304,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1143636900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Still to come...... \r\n\r\nAnother Heaven\r\nThe Discarnates\r\nEvil Dead Trap\r\nGrudge 2\r\nKuroneko\r\nPyrokinesis\r\nRing 0\r\nRing 2\r\nSchool Day of the Dead (Yes that is a genuine film title!)\r\nWild Zero\r\n\r\nand more, and more, and ...........................................................................................','3ab451964f82a6e77a45e75d9343d172',0,'','SusPUALi',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10305,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1145728440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Shikoku (1999) \r\n\r\nDirected by Shunichi Nagasaki\r\n\r\nStarring Yui Natsukawa (Distance, Zatoichi), Chiaki Kuriyama (Battle Royale, Kill Bill), Michitaka Tsutsui\r\n\r\nLabelled as a horror but actually a nicely filmed romantic drama (albeit with traditional ghost story attached) revolving around friendship, love, death and the rich Shinto-Buddhist environment of Shikoku.\r\n\r\nFor those who may not know, Shikoku is the smallest of the four main islands that make up Japan, its name can have two meanings, either four countries or land of the dead, the second certainly comes into play for this film. \r\n\r\nHinako, Fumiya and Sayori were all born on the island of Shikoku and were very close friends until Hinako had to leave with her family for Tokyo. Many years later she returns to the island and seeks out her old friends only to find that fate has been cruel to Sayori.\r\n\r\nAfter finding Fumiya, their old friendship is re-kindled and slowly develops into romance but there is a third party involved, the ever lingering spirit of Sayori. She had a deep relationship with Fumiya before she died at the tender age of 16 and still hasnt let go of that love. \r\n\r\nHinako discovers that Sayoris mother (who is a high priestess) has been making a yearly pilgrimage around the 88 temples of the island since the death of her daughter; this has deep significance especially considering she has been making the pilgrimage in reverse, one more time and there could be deep repercussions for the whole island. \r\n\r\nCan Hinako and Fumiya prevent the mother from completing her pilgrimage or will Shikoku become (as its name implies) the land of the dead.\r\n\r\nYou can see the influence of Ringu on this film although its far more traditional in its construction, the island and villages are very attractive as are the cast. Yui Natsukawa looks far too young to be playing Hinako, a character in her early thirties (although she was actually that age herself). Chiaki Kuriyama plays the role of Sayori with a degree of subtlety (in a pre-Battle Royale role); her distinctive looks and obligatory long hair make her ideal as the ghostly figure.\r\n\r\nThere isnt a great deal of depth to the story but it just about hangs together, the rich tapestry of Shinto-Buddhism related to the island of Shikoku certainly adds more than a degree of interest.\r\n\r\nNot recommended for gore-hounds or fans of shock type horror but if you prefer the more subtle ghost films of yore, theres a good chance youll enjoy Shikoku.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 15\r\n\r\nR2 Pal dvd released by Ventura, extras amount to a short Behind the Scenes and interviews with the director and main cast.','69ac281179d45caa49fa7bdced7979d0',0,'','QXBkhdg9',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10306,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151465460,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Premonition (2004) Yogen aka J-Horror Theater Vol. 2\r\n\r\nDirected by Norio Tsuruta\r\n\r\nStarring Hiroshi Mikami (Tokyo Decadence), Noriko Sakai (Ju-on: The Grudge 2)\r\n\r\nGroundhog Day of the Dead.\r\n\r\nIll admit I was expecting this to be awful, thankfully it wasnt and in certain respects it was quite good though not exactly scary. Based on the cult manga Newspaper Of Terror, the story follows a husband and wife who split up after a tragic accident robs them of their only child. The husband blames himself because he believes he foresaw the event through a newspaper article that described the accident and he did nothing about it.\r\n\r\nReunited through a series of events including finding proof that others have the same type of premonitions, sometimes driving them to madness, the couple decide to make another go of their marriage. But, through another newspaper report, the man foresees a train crash and amongst the names of the dead is his wife! Despite everything hes learnt about these premonitions and how they have been decreed by fate, he decides to change the future and pulls his wife from the train.\r\n\r\nBy saving her life he has forfeited his own, taken from his mortal existence and revisiting scenes from the near past, each altered due to his crossing fate, he eventually ends at the start. This segment brings to mind Groundhog Day because he will relive the accident that took his daughter until he can figure out how he can change events and save the childs life.\r\n\r\nIn many ways this is similar to other recent Asian horrors but there is a strong air of Karma and Buddhism to it as well. The performances are generally fine, none of them really stand out (excluding the overworked bug eyed approach of Hiroshi Mikami) but they all gel together well. As far as the effects are concerned, theyre a mix of old school masks and make-up which work well and cgi, which ranges from good to awful. The DTS soundtrack adds a lot to the film, throwing effects all over the place creating an eerie atmosphere. The stereo and Dolby 5.1 tracks are fine as well.\r\n\r\nOverall then, a lot better than I was expecting, could have improved some of the special effects, (especially when you see what can be done with a minuscule budget ala Shinya Tsukamotos \"Vital\"). A thoughtful story with at least a little basis in reality and pretty good performances.\r\n\r\nI should mention one scene that is typical of the sort of bad directing you get in many horror films. \r\n\r\nThe wife gets in her car but it won\'t start, leaving her car she grabs her bags and belongings and the camera zooms in on the mobile phone she\'s left behind (obviously important point!). The husband, desperately trying to contact her rings the mobile. Switch to train station, the wife fumbles in her bag realising she doesn\'t have her phone, zoom in again to the mobile phone, ringing unanswered on the car seat.\r\n\r\nI found this sequence to be ineptly handled, it\'s obvious she\'s left the phone behind without the initial zoom, as it is also obvious that nobody can answer the phone. Showing her fumbling through her bag and especially the repeat zoom of the phone in the car are just excessively laboured and pointless. \r\n\r\nRecommended as a rental if you enjoy a decent horror film but are a little fed up of the tortured soul with long flowing black hair returning from the grave to reap revenge type of Asian horror.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 12 though for some reason the dvd carries an 18 rating?\r\n\r\nCheers Trev\r\n\r\nR2 dvd released by Tartan video. The picture quality is good considering the low budget, excellent sound tracks, particularly the DTS.\r\n\r\nA surprising amount of extras including:\r\n\r\nBehind the scenes - Around 40 minutes long, which takes a fairly in-depth, look at several scenes.\r\nA separate feature on the use of digital effects.\r\nCast and crew interviews, 6 altogether.\r\nPress conference and original trailer.\r\n\r\nOf course there are trailers for other current and future releases as well.','923b9bfca77c34e887c320de6f4ca562',0,'','psdqwACk',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10307,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153398900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Junk (2000) - Junk: Shiry-gari\r\n\r\nDirected by Atsushi Muroga\r\n\r\nStarring Natsuki Ozawa, Kaori Shimamura\r\n\r\nJunk by name and as disposable as junk by nature.\r\n\r\nThe US army are carrying out experiments in a deserted factory outside of Tokyo; the purpose is to bring life back to the dead using a green liquid (reminiscent of Re-Animator). The experiment works but not as intended, a woman is brought back from the dead but as a flesh eating zombie (surprise surprise!).\r\n\r\nA gang rob a jewellers and co-ordinate to meet at a deserted factory with the potential buyers of their haul. While waiting at the destination one of them is attacked and bitten, leaving him for dead the others panic and run out of the building, straight into the arms of the buyers. The second gang have no intention of paying for the Jewels, in typical style they draw their weapons, killing another of the robbers before chasing the surviving members back into the factory.\r\n\r\nA special squad from the US army arrive at the factory, their sole intention is to blow it up destroying the zombies and any evidence of the experiments. They are surprised when they hear a woman screaming so split up, one to set the self destruct, the other to check if there is anyone still alive.\r\n\r\nWading through the zombies isnt too difficult when you know how to kill them but the last creation wasnt a normal one, she was a zombie that could think and reason, a super zombie that could move as fast (if not faster) than a normal human. The story revolves around the rescue of the one surviving gang member (another fled the scene), destroying the super zombie (who has a very nasty habit of re-appearing when you think she\'s been destroyed) and blowing up the factory. Needless to say, itll take a sacrifice or two to get the job done and the ending is left open to allow a sequel. \r\n\r\nVery straight average zombie flick, most comparable with Romeros films but without the social commentary or dark humour. Effects wise, this is truly old school and stands up well against other films, zombies chewing intestines etc. I cant say theres any real reason to see the film, its just gross out entertainment that feels more American in style than Japanese, still if you love zombie flicks this won\'t let you down. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 18\r\n\r\nR2 dvd released by Artsmagic','2e6974b9395eeee04a79432a70184336',0,'','gEcamrf8',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10308,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153485600,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','A Frightful School Horror (2001) Kyoufu Gakuen aka Terror School\r\n\r\nDirected by Yamaguchi Makoto\r\n\r\nThe title is, lets say a little deceptiveThe film is made up of three short stories, all set in schools on the last day of the summer break. The acting at times is frightful but unfortunately the stories arent, also I cant imagine anyone finding the film horrific, unless theyre around five years old! As you can see, school is the only word that actually fits within the title, Spooky School Tales would be far more fitting in my opinion.\r\n\r\n1. The Newcomer from Hell\r\n\r\nAgain an awfully deceptive title, three girls hang around their Junior school on the last day of summer break hoping to see the new kid, one of them catches sight of an elusive girl who constantly disappears whenever the others arrive. She manages (eventually) to follow her to a storage room that is strictly out of bounds to pupils and spends the day playing with her, but things are never what they seem and she ends up having a probably fatal accident in the storage room. Clearly the other girl is the lonely ghost of a pupil who had died in the same room sometime in the past, and now she has a permanent playmate. \r\n\r\n2. The Cursed Science Room\r\n\r\nThree girls spend their last day of their holiday practising for the school swimming team, the sight of a tiny frog freaks them out leading one of them to relate the tale of The Cursed Science Room. This story revolves around three girls investigating a science room where another pupil was supposedly murdered and had her face removed. Fact and fiction blur as the same actresses are used to play out the roles in the story and the ones in the pool. In the end the fantasy leaks into the reality, as one of the girls appears to see something strange in the pool. \r\n\r\n3. The Crucified Girl\r\n\r\nWhere do they get these titles? A quick note on this last spooky tale because I feel it depends on your knowledge of Japanese mythology surrounding crows particularly dead ones. Another group of High School girls spend their last day of summer break practising dance, the sight of a dead crow upsets one of the girls and this leads to series of bizarre occurrences for her and several other girls. No crucifixion though! \r\n\r\nOverall\r\n\r\nThe camera is used to add effects to what is undoubtedly a very low budget enterprise, from the very soft focus first episode to the deliberate blur and strange angles of the others, apart from that there is very little in the way of effects, mainly fake blood.\r\n\r\nThe acting. In the first episode the acting is fine, mainly because its young children doing what comes naturally, running, playing and generally being themselves. The second and third stories suffer through stiff performances, you feel the cast were picked because they were attractive and either good at swimming or dance, not because they could act!\r\n\r\nThe film comes across as a Japanese version of Goosebumps or Are You Afraid of the Dark which would work fine for a young mainly female audience, but according to the dvd this shouldnt be viewed by anyone under the age of 18? Sounds like a marketing scam to me.\r\n\r\nRecommended? Not in the slightest, only slightly better than compilations like Dark Tales of Japan.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nNo BBFC rating and despite the box, Id rate it as PG.\r\n\r\nDvd distributed by Winson, a Hong Kong based distributor.','b45044686054c4615580236c02ea2dbd',0,'','kWpYAnoN',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10309,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153829940,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Infection (2004) Kansen\r\n\r\nDirected by Masayuki Ochiai\r\n\r\nStarring Mari Hoshino, Tae Kimura, Yoko Maki\r\n\r\nA run down hospital, a disgruntled and sometimes inept staff, an accidental death, an emergency admission with an unknown infection. Could this be the makings for a good film?\r\n\r\nAn inept director, a couple of actors incapable of acting, an attempt at a clever plot that is so badly paced you would have more fun attempting to shave with a cheese grater, oh and dont forget some really awful special effects. \r\n\r\nBefore watching the film I checked over some of the cast interviews, one in particular said he was reprising a role hed played in a T.V. version but wasnt too sure how good his performance was in the film. Well I can happily confirm that his acting was absolutely dire (along with the majority of the cast).\r\n\r\nI guess somebody has watched von Triers Kingdom and maybe a few too many episodes of the X-Files, whatever the cause theres no excuse for this steaming lump of bile. Theres certainly no reason why drivel like this gets released on dvd while a terrific number of far better Japanese films are left to rot.\r\n\r\nAs a final point, this is No.1 in a series called J-Horror and I did wonder why Tartan released it after releasing No.2 which was Premonition. Now I know why, if I had seen Infection first, theres very little chance I would have made the effort to see Premonition which although by no means a great movie, is far superior to this.\r\n\r\nRecommended? About as recommended as eating frozen broccoli or sharing your bath with an electric toaster. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 15 (yet the dvd carries an 18 rating?) questionable marketing by Tartan again?\r\n\r\nA bilious volume of extras including\r\n\r\nAround 8 cast & crew interviews (good way to apportion blame).\r\nBehind the scenes (learn how to direct a shot, badly!)\r\nAnd quite a few other little bits and pieces.\r\n\r\nThe most horrifying thing about Infection is that someone out-there is actually going to part with his or her hard earned cash for it.','99ee888f7d672cca2746d0ab392dec00',0,'','E74LPDN1',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10310,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153866960,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','So, it\'s another stinker. Seems that J-Horror is really producing a lot of em... Hope you get to see some decent horror in the near future.','80a7871a91eb2b9352a00592d9cbeab4',0,'','AcUhCsfM',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10311,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153870380,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','I\'d be more than happy if I could prevent one person from buying any of the bad films, Tartan should be ashamed of some of the absolute crap they\'re releasing, maybe it wouldn\'t be so bad if they were at a decent price but 20 G.B.P a time, never ever worth it.\r\n\r\nTo be fair, the packaging is very good and the discs come with a cartload of extras but, and this is for all distributors, a crap film is a crap film and nothing will change that.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','11d8282e826c5cdf58c1dfc622d2327b',0,'','T3gAkHxK',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10312,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154819880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Battle Heater: Kotatsu (1990) \r\n\r\nDirected by Jji Iida\r\n\r\nStarring Akira Emoto, Yasuko Tomita\r\n\r\nA horribly inept comedy horror involving a possessed Kotatsu heater taking revenge primarily on the band/gang that threaten its owner and then on virtually anyone and everyone it comes into contact with.\r\n\r\nThe premise is ridiculous, the film lacks any form of decent direction, Jji Iida (aka George Iida) is certainly not renowned for the quality of his films and this certainly wont help to raise his esteem as a director.\r\n\r\nAppalling performances from the majority of the cast, I felt sorry for Yasuko Tomita (Kitchen) in particular, she really deserves better than this. Stupid story, lousy effects, as already noted pathetic directing. Basically another film that didnt deserve to see the light of day nevermind a UK release when there are so many good films out there.\r\n\r\nThe one decent part is the scene involving an old couple who have obviously had enough and have arranged their own deaths including their funeral arrangements, not so much funny but actually quite sad and moving. At least until a huge electric jolt brings them back to life.\r\n\r\nOther than that, the only interesting point is learning about kotatsu heaters which are very traditional to the Japanese, to learn more about these follow this link. \r\n\r\nThe film itself is utter tripe, far more painful than having skewers run through your tongue. Avoid at all costs unless you are a masochist.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 12\r\n\r\nR2 dvd released by Artsmagic','a055abed45d1342c4bb8031682ff1d76',0,'','gcyCJYEK',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10313,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155726780,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Wild Zero (2000) \r\n\r\nDirected by Tetsuro Takeuchi\r\n\r\nStarring Guitar Wolf, Masashi End\r\n\r\nWorst Movie Ever Made would have been quite a fitting tagline for Wild Zero especially since its readily comparable with Edward D. Wood Jrs. Plan 9 from Outer Space yet like that infamous piece of junk Wild Zero is a big hit on the cult circuit.\r\n\r\nSo what do you get for your money? \r\n\r\nHundreds of wobbly yellow UFOs surrounding the Earth, a cast that couldnt act their way out of a paper bag, transsexual love, a gang boss running round in what appear to be Hot Pants, you need to have lived through the 70s to remember them. \r\n\r\nOf course you also get Rock nRoll in the form of ultra loud Japanese garage band Guitar Wolf and millions of zombies complete with the prerequisite exploding heads. \r\n\r\nI have to wonder if the point of the film was to create something so horrendously bad! No effort has gone into creating anything that could possibly be misconstrued as a plot. It seems to merely be a celebration of a group that are proud of being the loudest in the world. Guitar Wolf, loud and proud, flaming microphones, flaming motor cycles, flaming everything, with the sound that could be readily compared with Motorhead on a bad day but an image that goes even further back to 50s America, definitely a strong James Dean influence going on.\r\n\r\nSo whos gonna save the Earth from the zombies and the UFOs? whos gonna make everything right? whos gonna scream Rock nRoll throughout the film? Do I really need to tell you?\r\n\r\nWhy is this such a big cult hit then? Well part of it has to be because it is such a phenomenally bad film, but another plus point is that apparently on the US dvd, there is a built in drinking game, the rules of which are:\r\n\r\nYou have a drink whenever -\r\n1. Someone says/yells ROCK N\' ROLL!!!!!! \r\n2. Something shoots fire/explodes \r\n3. Someone combs their hair \r\n4. Someone in the movie drinks \r\n5. A zombie\'s head explodes \r\n\r\nI couldnt imagine anyone getting through the film at that rate, even if it was just someone combing their hair.\r\n\r\nSo one to avoid unless youre in the mood for a trashy night with your mates and fancy the challenge of a suicidal drinking game.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 18\r\n\r\nR2 dvd released by Artsmagic.\r\nR1 dvd released by Synapse With drinking game.','ff60e8f2ee88d008974aed8993870edf',0,'','7mpU6yqL',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10314,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155873600,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Sounds like finally a Japanese Horror film I\'d like to see. \r\nI will try to check it out.\r\nThanks for the fun review, and the posting of the drinking game. Maybe I should try this with some of my friends. \r\nActually I missed a concert by Guitar Wolf some years ago they had here in germany. Too bad, as I would\'ve loved to hear the loudes Japanese Lock\'n\'Loll Band. And their outfits looked very kinky.','c57a7b2990b2104dd03e8818126f4732',0,'','wcykS0m9',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10315,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155874680,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Don\'t blame me if your liver packs up A, it looks like a one way trip to me. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','73b8df7943e1ba59fbb37e8b5f0f3029',0,'','KN8SqwY5',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10316,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155877080,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Maybe I can get four or five of them together, and we\'ll all share the chores. Who knows, maybe it\'s the purpose of the film to be so drunk halway through it, that you turn up the volume to the max and actually start enjoying the film, maybe even reenact some of its scenes.','4b59e470446fda5ade9fe51aced8bd47',0,'','3RVN4KAu',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10317,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161267060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Isola (2000) Isola: Tajuu jinkaku shjo\r\n\r\nDirected by Toshiyuki Mizutani\r\n\r\nStarring Yoshino Kimura, Y Kurosawa, Susumu Terajima\r\n\r\nA film with a lot of promise that is let down by heading into all too familiar territory.\r\n\r\nDedicated to the people of Kobe after the earthquake in 95 and indeed effectively using this natural disaster as the setting for the story, \r\n\r\nA girl (Yukari) with the unwanted ability to read minds travels to Kobe to help with relief work, during her time there she becomes involved with another troubled soul, a school girl (Chihiro/Isola etc), suffering with mpd (multi-personality disorder). Strange things are happening for which there is no logical explanation but people are dying and others are blaming Chihiro.\r\n\r\nEven more complications arise when they learn that a scientist died during an experiment on \'out of body experiences\' at the time of the quake. Apparently the experiment had been a success so although the body had been killed, the spirit had remained but had found a new host, the most accessible one available, Chihiro.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately an interesting premise collapses in on itself and takes the easy route even stealing the ending from The Exorcist; it is a shame because you feel something really deep and interesting could have been done with the characters.\r\n\r\nUgetsu Monogatari is referred to several times during the story but Isola certainly doesn\'t live up to comparison with this literary and film classic.\r\n\r\nThe actual sets are pretty convincing of the wreckage after a quake plus the relief efforts, the cast are fine, indeed a few faces are very familiar plus theres the odd cameo. It\'s just a shame that it falls into the category of could have been because it truly could have been so much better rather than just adequate.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 15\r\n\r\nR2 dvd released by Ventura with a really terrible cover, in fact the cover has put me off from seeing this for years.','e4a629b6850dcba0262abe58e00239de',0,'','5nQxlURp',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10318,1803,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1163291220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Japanese Journals Horror & Ghost Stories','Battlefield Baseball (2003) Jigoku kshien\r\n\r\nDirected by Yudai Yamaguchi\r\n\r\nStarring Tak Sakaguchi, Atsushi Ito, Hideo Sakaki\r\n\r\nOne of the silliest movies to come out of Japan in recent years, it comes across as a mix of Shaolin Soccer meets Happiness of the Katakuris though it\'s not as good as either of those movies.\r\n\r\nJubei is a new student at Seido High, despite the fact that he is an excellent baseball player he refuses to join the school team. It takes the literal massacre of the team by Gedo High, a real bunch of animals to make him face up to his past and realise his potential as a team player.\r\n\r\nSo what have you got? A really daft plot, very low budget special effects, constant reincarnation as well as a helping hand from the deceased, silly (and badly sung) songs and mediocre performances.\r\n\r\nThis is the type of film (along with the likes of Wild Zero) that will get a core of fervent diehard fans, it will remain a cult film and is unlikely to appeal to the mainstream. What it does have, once you get past the mindless story is a good sense of humour, everytime I was about to give up on it I found something to laugh out loud about and this kept me hanging on right to the cheesy end.\r\n\r\nItll never win awards, it is absolutely stupid but it is also dumb entertainment. Ideal for an evening with a couple of drinks and a few mates.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nNo BBFC rating but suitable for over 15s.','d6e38f82a74616f2289969defd6cc59c',0,'','elHBLP0Q',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10319,1804,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160613840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Any recommendations - German films?','Hi,\r\nwe are gonna have a German film fest,\r\ngiven that i will be away (again), i can only catch a few ...\r\n\r\nany comments of these films?\r\nwhich has to be watched?\r\n\r\nif you need the German titles ... \r\nclick here\r\nwww.goethe.de/ins/sg/prj/...nindex.htm\r\n\r\n- And if they haven\'t passed away\r\n- Barefoot\r\n- Belgrad Backspin\r\n- Between the Lines\r\n- Crossing the Bridge\r\n- Elementary Particles\r\n- Free Will, The\r\n- Frozen Angels\r\n- Happy as One\r\n- Into Great Silence\r\n- Lucy\r\n- Mein Bruder - We\'ll meet again\r\n- No Sweat\r\n- Nothing Ventured\r\n- Red Cockatoo, The \r\n- Requiem\r\n- Rhythm is it!\r\n- Running on Empty\r\n- Summer in Berlin\r\n- Tough Enough\r\n- Wedding Factory, The\r\n- Windows on Monday','292b6993d89035723345217f0955d8d9',0,'','1AnfMEbq',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10320,1804,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160627580,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Any recommendations - German films?','Very interesting lineup. The Goethe institute seems to be improving a bit with the selection of german films they are showing. \r\n\r\nMy recommendations:\r\nLucy\r\nNothing Ventured\r\nRhythm is it!\r\nSummer in Berlin\r\nWindows on Monday\r\n\r\nIf you watch only these five films, you will get a good idea of the quality and the different approaches of current german cinema.\r\n\r\nAnd you probably also can\'t go wrong with these three:\r\nThe Free Will\r\nFrozen Angels\r\nInto great Silence\r\n\r\nAnd if they haven\'t passed away\r\nCan\'t tell you much on that one. I think it\'s the last part of a long documentary series on german people from a particular town that strated some 30 years ago, and had more than ten entries. Haven\'t seen any of them, because I wasn\'t (and am still not) interested. Would be interesting to read a foreigner\'s review though. \r\n\r\nBarefoot\r\nEntertaining romantic comedy about a guy without orientation in his life who falls in love with a mental patient. Mediocre, but I found it charming. If you want to be entertained.\r\n\r\nCrossing the Bridge\r\nDocumentary on music scene in Turkey by Fatih Akin (\"Head-on\"). Heard and read very good things about it. It is said to take a similar approach like Wenders Buena Vista Social Club (1999). Should be interesting if you\'re into music.\r\n\r\nElementary Particles\r\nNew film by eccentric filmmaker Oskar Roehler, it is said to be his most mainstream, though that probably doesn\'t mean much in his case. Critics were mixed, I can\'t say anything about it. Should have good performances though. Ah, it\'s an adaptation of the Houllebeq novel, but with a different aproach/moral.\r\n\r\nThe Free Will\r\nSadly I also haven\'t seen this one myself. But I recommend it for you to watch, anyway. Features two of the best younger german actors, Sabine Timoteo and Jrgen Vogel. Vogel plays a rapist who is released after several years from a mental hospital and tries to find a way back to normal life. But it doesn\'t work. It is said to be very dark and bleak.\r\nI would like to read a review on it by you, hengcs. \r\n\r\nFrozen Angels\r\nHave this on Video, but not watched yet. About scientific ways of conceiving children, this should be very interesting! You probably should consider watching it.\r\n\r\nHappy as One\r\nWatched this on the Berlin Film Festival. Independent film about people trying to connect with each other. I didn\'t like it, but it might be interesting for others. \r\n\r\nInto Great Silence\r\nHaven\'t seen, but a review of another film by Groning is here, where arsaib also posted some info on this one. Recommended\r\n\r\nLucy\r\n17 year old Mother struggles with her child and her life. Recommended. My comments can be found here (you have to scroll down to the short comments).\r\n\r\nNothing Ventured\r\nOne of the more recent films by great german Filmmaker Harun Farocki. Two parties trying to make a deal with each other, this is a documentary a la Hitchcock. Says much about the workings of our money oriented society. Watch this!\r\n\r\nRed Cockatoo, The\r\nNew film by Dominik Graf, one of the better german directors, about german youth before the completion of the Berlin Wall in 1961. Should be very interesting. Review of another film by him is here.\r\n\r\nRequiem\r\nNew film by talented german director Hans Christian-Schmid that won dozens of awards and was praised by the critics over the world. Not recommended by me, though. My review is here.\r\n\r\nRhythm is it!\r\nDocumentary about a school, were children are motivated by professional dance teachers to gain the confidence to perform \"Le sacre du printemps\" on stage. Great inspirational film, was one of the best in 2004, imo. Watch it, I\'m sure you\'ll enjoy it. \r\nToo bad I haven\'t written any comments on it.\r\n\r\nSummer in Berlin\r\nVery good film by one of the best german filmmakers, Andreas Dresen. Two women in their mid 30s are struggling with everyday life in Berlin. Trying to find a job and a place in life, what both have is ultimately each other. Entertaining and profound. Rated it 70/100. Go see it, I\'m sure you\'l like it hengcs.\r\n\r\nTough Enough\r\nControversial german film about a young kid who gets beaten up in school and tries to stand up against a brutal environment. Liked by critics and audiences alike, it is said to take a realist approach to its topic. Probably worth watching.\r\n\r\nWindows on Monday\r\nVery honest and difficult film about relationships in germany with people in their 20s/30s. Has some humor, but you definitely won\'t be entertained in the usual sense. Pretty bleak, but that\'s what I probably consider the hope and future of german cinema. Recommended. You can read my thoughts here (scroll down to the short comments).','3f5b3d3110e9c6539fb9500c963a5c98',0,'','y7DeGkBq',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10321,1804,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160643780,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Any recommendations - German films?','hey thnks\r\n\r\n(1) apparently, Windows on monday and rhythm is it clashed!\r\nand they both have only 1 screening?\r\nwhich would u recommend?\r\n\r\n(2) is it okay if i miss lucy? the ratings at imdb seems very poor ... a too artsy film?!\r\n\r\nPS: by the way, i have always been very appreciative of the effort to bring in foreign films in Singapore ... ... i just thought they shld have also brought in \"The Lives Of Others\" ... * hee hee *','df2a740933d74d9a99524101f006fd93',0,'','aCfQVDpw',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10322,1804,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160700720,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Any recommendations - German films?','(1)\r\nPuh, difficult question. Rhythm is it! is an uplifting documentary, and Windows on Monday is pretty heavy stuff. I would say, it depends on your mood.\r\n\r\n(2)\r\nThe rating at imdb probably seems poor, because it is difficult to connect emotinally to the film. It is very much shot like a documentary, with little dialogue. Could be too artsy, but then you shouldn\'t watch Windows on Monday at all. \r\nPS: I gave Lucy initially only a 58/100 ratingk, which is still good, but pretty low. Maybe the film isn\'t very successful as a film, but it has so many interesting elements and will probably leave you thinking for days about (german) society and human interactions. It challenges a lot of notions in a rather casual non-shocking way - this may also be a problem with audiences - but then you should have been there when Windows on Monday was screened. Probably 90% of the audience was clueless.','fe7c40c53551e4b70ad12718e4f6473c',0,'','lKHuQLqf',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10323,1804,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160702940,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Any recommendations - German films?','\" Summer in Berlin\r\nVery good film by one of the best german filmmakers, Andreas Dresen. Two women in their mid 30s are struggling with everyday life in Berlin. Trying to find a job and a place in life, what both have is ultimately each other. Entertaining and profound. \"\r\n\r\nI agree; it\'s a good film.\r\n\r\nI\'ll be watching Requiem very soon.','14fc12391cd191200b86a39ec42dee87',0,'','41ujK06h',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10324,1804,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160703480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Any recommendations - German films?','\r\nI\'ll be waiting for your comments.\r\nAnd I hope hengcs also finds some time for a review on the films he enjoyed the most.','24df696e8e258f1bb20001a2bf7e2c02',0,'','d6l7GUHf',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10325,1804,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1162750320,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Any recommendations - German films?','got the tickets today for Rhythm Has It ...\r\nbut couldn\'t be there ...\r\nso wasted a ticket ... sigh\r\n\r\nhave watched The Free Will and Requiem ...\r\nwill write the reviews some other day (2 weeks later) ...\r\ncos will be away from the computer ... hiaks hiaks','9dce69bd47f428b3af7ae3c0084fd4e6',0,'','XMS5g8rs',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10326,1804,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1162982820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Any recommendations - German films?','Requiem. I was extremely impressed by the economy of the screenplay and editing, especially given the film\'s subject matter. Sandra Hller fully deserves all the awards she\'s received; I thought she was magnificent. After Lichter and now Requiem, Hans-Christian Schmid deserves to be considered among the most talented German filmmakers working today.','78a3e44eaebd8579f32cf4c395684786',0,'','DRA5VnSt',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10327,1805,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1162558680,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Pedro Almodvar\'s Bad Education (Spain / 2004)','[An old post]\r\n\r\nInternal and external identity changes provide the fuel for Pedro Almodvar\'s Bad Education (La Mala Educacin). If in the opening sequence, an aspiring actor named Ignacio (Gael Garca Bernal), who prefers to be called ngel, clamors to play the part of a transvestite named Zahara in the film within the film which is based on his script \"la visita\" and chronicles the experiences he had with his friend Enrique (Fele Martnez) while at school, then at the end, Ignacio, or was it ngel, is Juan, who just happens to be Ignacios brother. But that\'s not all. Throughout the film, many \"visits\" take place between various characters, allowing one\'s standing in front of the other to be challenged before it\'s negotiated. All are driven by their own desires, and thats what puts them in danger.\r\n\r\nAlmodvar has extensively spoken about his love for \"film noir,\" so it\'s not surprising to see it being employed alongside his own strengths. However, how much he truly understands the subtle textures of this genre is still an open question. For example, the walls of the apartment where his \"characters\" reside may not reveal much about the lives of the inhabitants, but Almodvar cant help it, and goes for the overkill, though, as usual, he doesn\'t forget to decorate them likes a drags face. Also, he has his \"characters\" catching a noir in the theater in order to kill time, who afterwards discuss the similarities between the film and their own lives. Its playful at first, but gets a little tiresome after a while. Though nothing takes away from his formal techniques: the quick cutaway of Juan (Bernal) from outside his apartment window is just as brilliantly executed as the panning shot around the swimming pool which ends with Ignacio (Bernal again) standing under water. \r\n\r\nThe film is partly set around the time of Francos suffocating regime, which allows Almodvar to compare and contrast between the before and after. If the church and the politics associated with it repressed growth, then cinema enlightened and liberated the minds. In other words, cinema is a religion itself --as it does what a religion should-- and Bad Education is out to adjudicate. But, to his credit, Almodvar doesn\'t simply wallow in his strong personal feelings about the abuse that many suffered through. Instead of showcasing the acts to win audience sympathy, he has focused his film on the aftermath, and how affected the lives of everyone involved became. He has a unique talent of illuminating the darkest of storylines and he has done the same here.\r\n\r\nGael Garca Bernal as Ignacio/Juan/Zahara is phenomenal. Most will probably get a kick out of him as Zahara, the transvestite; for me hes best as Juan, who starts out as a naivet but slowly turns the screws on Mr. Berenguer (the priest). Fele Martnez as the director (Almodvar\'s surrogate?) is also very good. However, the film could\'ve done without Javier Cmara\'s Pequito (transvestite/ Zaharas best friend), as many of the lines are recycled from the directors previous work and dont quite apply here. While Bad Education is a lesser film than Almodvar\'s previous two, All About My Mother (1999) and Talk to Her (2002), it\'s on par with his mid-90s work, even though it\'s a bit more polished and carries much more of a mass-appeal.\r\n\r\n_________________________\r\n\r\n*Available on DVD in the U.S. (Sony) / U.K. (Fox) / Spain','7d6d3efaeef6ca61fc37bf141afafe81',0,'','H6C9QNrU',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10328,1805,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1162750380,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Pedro Almodvar\'s Bad Education (Spain / 2004)','i used to have a long review for this ...\r\nwondering whether it still exists anywhere ... ha ha ha\r\nrecall my mentioning of liking the \"original\" title ... etc','4cbad5b42c8cac3ceacddb674b65a93c',0,'','JxobPUXz',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10329,1805,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1162947120,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Pedro Almodvar\'s Bad Education (Spain / 2004)','Getting to finally see this film I had my expectations somewhere in the middle. I was not going to expect any director to reach the heights of Almodovar in Talk to Her, but I saw enough positive responses to the film to certainly be intrigued. The multi-layered dimensions of the film make it arguably Almodovar\'s most complicated work. There are numerous parallels to Hitchcock\'s Vertigo, and the film within a film, within a film recalls Atom Egoyan\'s brilliant multi-dimensional Ararat. The acting throughout was quite good, and Almodovar\'s over the top seriocomic style works well here. Being familiar with his previous work you can appreciate it fairly easily, and this has some of the lighter touches that some of his earlier films shared. I most recall Law of Desire as far as his previous work is concerned.','da89f05e6a10245e7b7fa08be126bfab',0,'','qb1Qzu69',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10330,1806,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1125884580,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','36 Quai des Orfvres (2004) (France)','Director: Olivier Marchal\r\nCast: Daniel Auteuil, Grard Depardieu\r\n\r\nThis show had 8 nominations for the Csar Awards, and I think it was a box office hit in France too!\r\n\r\nI will write my reviews soon ... cos I have too much things to clear after 2 weeks of absence ... hee hee ... Maybe others who have watched it could write their review too ... \r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nHey, I actually find the show very excellent!\r\nGo watch for the well paced \"thriller\" and \"violence\". Although it is rather plot driven, the ENTIRE cast carried their roles very well. The show is rather mainstream, but worth my time ...','1c04ad63377187abc03c0c8171b709dc',0,'','o9Hkwb8F',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10331,1806,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1126449480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: 36 Quai des Orfvres (2004) (France)','I know this is getting released on DVD in the UK soon, I\'ll have to wait till then before I can comment.\r\n\r\nHengcs, did you see it in the cinema or on DVD?\r\n\r\nCheers Trev','53f9b82255513aeff75e16cce7073282',0,'','Cj2tQKna',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10332,1806,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1126588920,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: 36 Quai des Orfvres (2004) (France)','\r\nI watched it in a cinema.','e8293dfcda1f85a859a485f4d0c858cc',0,'','Plx0sub4',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10333,1806,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161822180,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: 36 Quai des Orfvres (2004) (France)','Whatever happened to that review hengcs (yeah!.... like I\'m perfect) \r\n\r\nAn enjoyable well made albeit pretty commercial police drama with more than an element of truth to it, shame they had to tag on a happy ending though.\r\n\r\nGood central performances as you would expect and very well paced, the dvd includes an English dub that sounds like they got the cast from something like Lock, Stock etc to do it after a session in the pub. but I suppose it\'ll attract the type of audience that wouldn\'t normally watch a French film.\r\n\r\nIs it worthy of its comparison to Heat? I\'m not really sure as it\'s a long time since I\'ve seen it but I suppose the use of two of France\'s most well known actors was bound to draw that sort of comparison plus the action scenes but obviously the stories are totally different.\r\n\r\nWorth seeing but I\'d like to have seen more of the French judicial procedure as it is so different from that of the UK.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','de4393339f430bc234447db98d0ca9ba',0,'','ZKwsok0Q',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10334,1807,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160682780,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Exiled (2006 / Hong Kong) (Johnnie To)','Courtesy of MovieXclusive.com\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nWhat an interesting double bill this would be with The Departed. As opposed to that films approach of visceral, unflinching violence, Johnnie To brings a sophisticated chic to battles in his newest thriller, Exiled. To is fast becoming the most dependable Asian director in this genre today, after coming off a string of acclaimed hits with the complex and purposeful Election films. This could seem a return to a style that first garnered him critical attention and gifted him the nickname of Hong Kongs Sergio Leone.\r\n\r\nWith the handover to China looming just a year away, reverberations are being felt throughout the Macau underworld. Theres a strong need for scores to be settled and feasting eyes of the mobs from the nearby territories are directed at the southern island. With this political realignment as a backdrop, To urges an intrinsic race against time as old friends and old enemies take their places in order to topple impending gangland regimes and secure their final paydays. Like dmod dinosaurs trapped in a world of lawlessness, friends sharing the same childhood are pitted against each other, silently contemplating their options in midst of divided loyalties as the clock ticks down.\r\n\r\nThese steely-eyed men, with determined and hardened exteriors each hide a sentimentality that does not go unnoticed. The film does not make any apologies for their line of work, nor does it give excuses or consolations for the acts theyve committed. But you dont need to like them in order to root for them. Their reticent features and certain resignation to the twilight of their era are telling enough of their fates.\r\n\r\nIndeed Tos films have a distinct style about them that is closely reminiscent of the classic Westerns. And what To consistently does well is to elevate his gangster films into that genre, infusing various tropes of powerful, silent scenes that resound so much more than pertinent patter ever could and especially harping back to the honour that the films main men live and die by. With the cacophony of chaos, the symphony of the score and the solemnest of silence, To pays tribute to the power of sound in his movie. His gun battles are so highly stylised and removed from reality that one cant help but be spellbound by the graceful velocity of his cameras movement and the visual gambits undertaken. Theres strong symbolism engraved to his shots as plot devices and early introductions seem to foreshadow events and theres a strong authenticity with the refreshing Euro-Asian Macau territories with Tos use of Portuguese music and the decadence of its setting.\r\n\r\nReassembling the principle cast of one of his biggest hits, The Mission, To has designs on the already established camaraderie that his actors enjoy. And that very solidarity is crucial to pull off the most intense moments in Exiled, especially the masterclass opening scenes of reunion. As this is not a sequel or prequel to The Mission, its different characters pull off the dry comedy and ensemble stunts admirably and it slowly becomes the core of the films accentuated sentiments. Johnnie Tos imposing style is on full force here, unrelenting excitement from the get-go that culminates in a tour de force finale.\r\n\r\n4/5','4b3c8a95af6ebc0379338efe993e95f3',0,'','DFY0wJlH',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10335,1807,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160682840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Exiled (2006 / Hong Kong) (Johnnie To)','Anyone catch this at the TIFF?','bebec6dcd4baa7f6efdbba76a2d57578',0,'','u0vc8nws',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10336,1807,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160718540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Exiled (2006 / Hong Kong) (Johnnie To)','I will be catching it in Singapore ... hiaks hiaks ...\r\nActually, I think a number of them here are \"fans\" of Johnnie ... cf. Breaking News, One Nite in Mongkok, etc ...\r\n\r\nPS: Hi, did you catch any films from French ff, EU film fest, Japanese ff, and the German ff? dont ask me why they cramp everything in these two months ... ha ha ha','5b1f2fd6d4cdd472743bbba5069a6378',0,'','4kcmuHGd',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10337,1807,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161586440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Exiled (2006 / Hong Kong) (Johnnie To)','wow ... I have finally watched the film ...\r\n\r\nThe Chinese title of the film is \"Fang Zhu\" (but if you were to observe the poster again, the two chinese characters were separated by a dot\") ... such that the title is even more interesting ... \r\n\r\n\"fang\" is to release (i.e., let go) ...\r\n\"zhu\" is to chase (i.e., go after) ...\r\n\"fang zhu\" is to exile ...\r\n\r\nyup ... the story is about releasing, chasing and exile ... it provides a complex understanding of human characters as we contemplate/struggle with regards to these decisions ...\r\n\r\nMy conclusion is simply ... a film that wins by \"style\" and \"music/soundtrack\" ... i enjoy the choreography/art direction ... but i have to admit that it does not provide enough emotional engagement to empathize with each of the characters (despite the great cast) ....','6d68992ed4cfd6cdb972d10c4d26fea1',0,'','2JzyCYWo',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10338,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1131352200,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','\r\nDirector: Christian Carion\r\nCast: Diane Kruger, Benno Frmann, Guillaume Canet, Gary Lewis, Dany Boon, Daniel Brhl, Lucas Belvaux, Bernard Le Coq, Alex Ferns\r\n\r\nIt is France\'s submission to Oscar 2006!\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nwww.merrychristmas-themovie.com/\r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n\r\n-- It has such a great theme ...\r\n(i) that peace is so valuable\r\n(ii) that all of us are so different and yet so similar in many ways ... in humanity ... in our relationships ... to the ones we love ... to the ones we lost ... in songs, culture, sports, etc\r\n\r\n-- This was how I felt throughout the film ... without watching any trailer and without reading the synopsis ...\r\n\r\nThe opening scene is great ... then we are transported into 1914 ... the war has broken out ... the characters are introduced ... and there are lots of sad/depressed facial expressions ... however, the audience have not totally identify and feel for the characters yet ... without enough background to the lives of these characters and the people they miss, i wonder if it will be gripping ... but be patient ... to my great Surprise, instead of sad moments, the film has a lot of comical moments ... and yet when we laugh, we feel sad too (a tough job for any film to do) ... AND suddenly, the turning point sets in ... the \"letter scenes\" ... i am appalled ... oh no ... i am drawn in ... and for the last 30 minutes or so, when the gravity and consequences of their act set in ... most audience will feel very sad (or at least, be mixed with emotions) by the end ...\r\n\r\n-- Technically speaking\r\n... The entire cast is great! \r\n... There are a few great (and thought provoking) lines ...\r\n\r\n-- Are there any weaknesses? there are, but i shant be picky ... e.g., lip sync the opera ... anyway, audience who do not feel for the film may be attributed to their disbelief of what actually happened that Christmas eve ... and the huge amount of comical moments ...\r\n\r\n-- As an ending note, although one might initially laugh at the incredulity/absurdity of what happens ... IT DID HAPPEN ... the film was inspired by actual events ... wow ... ... at the end, the film is dedicated to the fraternization which happened on that Christmas eve ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nHighly recommended ...\r\n\r\nRegardless of its nomination, which i think it definitely will ... go watch it! ... simply because of its wonderful theme ...','363195f2d340a20e9357ed91f1ffd5b5',0,'','WEVLq2h1',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10339,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1131357540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','\r\nI wish to add that it is a deceptively simple film \r\n\r\nIt does have depth ...\r\n\r\nThe official website at Cannes 2005\r\nclick\r\n\r\nThe release dates are as follows:\r\nclick\r\n\r\nPS: For US, I think its wide release depends on whether it gets nominated for Golden Globe or the Oscar','00032248b1ad3643303fc1b007f91a2c',0,'','ptaNc6MG',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10340,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1135513140,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','\r\n\r\nI watched it again today.','6e7f7f73f8b2e0ed17caef72b5e06fa4',0,'','uR8JiasC',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10341,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1143367620,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','Not as enthusiastic of the film as you. Just seemed to overly safe to me. I will say however that WWI is a particular field of interest to me, and certainly a lot less covered in film. The cast was good however, and it was enjoyable.','e53347e934079858310e6f77533da067',0,'','H4hMBmeN',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10342,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151916420,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','originally posted by wpqx\r\n\r\nJoyeux Noel (2005)\r\n\r\nI thought there was a thread for this, but I guess not. Saw this film in the theater shortly before it was taken out. It was the type of typically safe film that seems to get Academy attention, at least in the FF department. It was enjoyable, as most of these sentimental films are, but nevertheless you couldn\'t help but feel how safe it was. The cast was quite good, and I did enjoy the majority of it, but almost too peaceful and serene. There have been many more brutal films about the war, and if this film would have had a harsher introduction the humanitarian aspect could have been more effective.\r\n\r\nGrade B -','f8c06a78fa55afdb90bad8d22a0120df',0,'','TwrBELgS',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10343,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152279180,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','There is nothing tinsel-cheery or laugh-out-loud funny about Merry Christmas, which is based on reports of a cease-fire on Christmas Eve of 1914 when World War I was being waged at the Western Front. Various German, French and British soldiers left their rifles in their trenches and franternised with each other in the spirit of Christmas. Unsubstantiated reports also document several other contingents of military personnel consorting with their foes during the Yuletide season. One of the more curious accounts of this truce even included references to a football match between these soldiers aside from the singing and mingling outside of their trenches where the fallen soldiers of the war still lay frozen and decayed.\r\n\r\nStraight from writer-director Christian Carions own emotional attachment to World War I, which was cultivated as he had grown up in one of those German-occupied French territories where great battalions had met, this film pays homage to the soldiers and to their families that fought and experienced the ravages of the first Great War. It is also Frances official entry for the Foreign Language Film Oscar for 2006 when it opened domestically with 1 of the countrys best box-office openings in recent history.\r\n\r\nRevolving around 7 main characters from different backgrounds and allegiances, the film makes these characters the representation of the soldiers of the nation that they hail from. Very much an ensemble cast, it consists of Diane Kruger, who plays a famous Danish soprano. She fights all odds to be in the frontlines with the one she loves, a German tenor (Benno Frmann) who was called up when the war begun months ago. Rounding off the German camp is Lieutenant Horstmayer (Daniel Brhl), the man in-charge whos rigid in his command of the trench. Hes an emblematic soldier who respects determination above all else. As most Christmas films demand, he becomes the character who goes through the biggest change as we discover his backstory and his ambivalence to the occupation of Paris.\r\n\r\nRounding of the rest of the main characters are the Scottish priest cum medic (Gary Lewis) whos drafted along with the rest of his parish when war was declared; themerry christmas 2 company is led by Lieutenant Gordon (Alex Ferns). The French contingent includes Lieutenant Audebert, brilliantly portrayed by Frances leading actor, Guillaume Canet, and the Lieutenants orderly and the films main comic relief, Dany Boon.\r\n\r\nThe brainchild of Carions for almost 3 years after his debut success with The Girl from Paris, Merry Christmas manages to be as poignant in its description of camaraderie and love as its brutal in its dispiction of wars effects in a soldiers life and callous government officials who send young men with families off to war with no hesitation. This isnt just a holiday movie that warms hearts to the sounds of the bagpipe or the soul-piercing allure of the opera, as the film doesnt hold back in its criticisms of war and governments that participate in them. Throughout the movie, we see the injustice that soldiers are put through even by their superior officers. Its made even more depressing when we see them finding solace and a momentary respite from the urgency of war in the company of their enemies.\r\n\r\nEach element of Christmas is also represented through each of the nation thats entrenched, seperated by a field of dead soldiers and a frozen mire of mud. Music is offered by the German camp through its opera singers, prayer and cheer is contributed by the Scots while the French extends their hand with, what else but, food, namely chocolates and champagne. An armistice is called as each commanding officer from the each ditch agrees to a 2-day cease-fire, agreeing that the war will not be won during Christmas. The gathering of the troops in no-mans land where their dead lay and exploded shrapnel is scattered, doesnt just end at the merriment of drinking as each soldier realises that they are no different from the adversaries they have been aiming at for months as they start exchanging addresses. The message is clear as we understand that the soldiers are fighting for something, not against something else.\r\n\r\nEach characters own insecurites about the war are revealed through conversations with one another as we find out that the tenor and soprano are at odds. The tenor feels obligated to stay with his regiment while she wants to run away with him to the Dutch border to start anew. We also see the French lieutenants anxiety about his pregnant wife and the Scottish priests struggles with his faith as his sees those around him fall with no mercy even from their superiors. Finally we see the ghosts of the past around them literally buried as graves are dug in unison for the fallen on Christmas morningmerry christmas 4\r\n\r\nAs aptly put by the Scots in the film, The war can wait, but the war wont wait for us, the aftermath from the nights festivities are cut short when the Germans paratoopers start dropping shells on enemy trenches. Fortunately, its a Christmas movie and we see each infantry unit taking turns in sheltering their respective nations targets in their own trench. However, this doesnt end at the frontlines as each nations government and their superior officers discover this act through readings of personal letters. They label the events of the night as high treason among the troops and they deplore the lack of gravitas in the manner in which Christmas was celebrated. Each of the involved units is disbanded and each superior officer makes sure that theres no love lost between troops as they are indoctrinated again on the subject of the evils of the enemy. The scene is similar to the movies opening when 3 boys of different nationalities recite the warcry of their nations in a classroom.\r\n\r\nGuillaume Canets Audebert is the most sympathetic character in the entire film. When first introduced, he looks adoringly at his wifes photograph just before leading his men into war. As he loses his wallet along with the photograph, he also loses his faith in the war and his drive for what he was fighting for. Wanting to know if he has a son or daughter, he finally manages to put his agony to rest through a favour from his German counterpart.\r\n\r\nAlthough laced with ancillary moments of humour after the the films slow build-up to the frontlines, it borders on contrived and fantastical storytelling as the rapid change of heart and loathing for orders to stay vigilant are ignored. While it is a melodrama with a primary function to warm hearts during the holiday season, its also a war film which unfortunately pulls punches at the end to ensure a happy ending for most of its characters.\r\n\r\nWith French cinema serving up another movie set in the toils of war since last years A Very Long Engagement, and once again doing it superbly as the message it conveys will be clear for anyone from any country to recognise. This film will be a timeless addition to the holiday cinema fare. Even if the movie offends a few moviegoers who might see this as a grotesque misrepresentation of war, it does exactly the opposite as it pays tribute to the soldiers in 1914 that managed to carry out a miraculous act in that instance when sanity prevailed over the chaos of war.\r\n\r\nRating: 4 out of 5 stars\r\n\r\nJustin Deimen\r\n\r\n-------------------------\r\n\r\nIn hindsight (and through the awesomeness of DVDs), I feel that the film could have been more poignant at the midway mark when the soldiers were bonding and less emphasis should have been given the German tenor and soprano. Although sweet, they took almost a quarter of screentime to build up to their respective storylines. I would have loved to get to know more about the Scottish perspective as well as Audebert\'s life pre-war.','1fd25b9dd2c74185bfe754917bcd079c',0,'','f4NmxqYZ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10344,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152421140,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','Thanks for the very nice in-depth review. After hengcs\' and your extremely positive reaction to it I might give the film a chance in the future. Before that, judging by some other reviews, I thought it was a rather comical euro-pudding failure.\r\nAnd a warm welcome aboard also! Two guys from Singapore!','f79db0e0cc7f771627dfd603e795c0ca',0,'','i8ZDSNcU',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10345,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152478740,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','Thanks for the warm welcome \r\n\r\nI won\'t say its a stinging representation of the first great war. But what it is, is actually a uplifting look at the human condition during these hardened times. Soldiers are never fighting against something but always for something.','9b9adff2c21236d3887b7604e0f48b50',0,'','6WtHvrNF',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10346,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152478800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','So in that respect, its actually padded with a less than harsh reality of war.','55fb2f89251b441567250f0adf632476',0,'','hoKPwB6N',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10347,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152484440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','I still say it was an overly safe, sanitized friendly Euro film trying to make money in America.','e8e2849f615d89bcca9bf99589f31a22',0,'','eHh2QE4v',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10348,1808,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152557820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Merry Christmas (Joyeux Nol) (2005) (France)','No doubt it is. No one can question that. What was impressive was how well done it was in the end. Not hokey at all as most Christmas films have the tendency to be.','419f7d46a645d2c9819cc4e3b09a288f',0,'','LEvJ19hb',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10349,1809,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161135360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Les Triplettes de Belleville','\r\nLes Triplettes de Belleville\r\nBelleville Rendez-vous (2002 / France, Belgium, Canada, UK / Sylvain Chomet)\r\n\r\n\r\nIt is always a difficult task, making a film with little or no dialogue. But having no dialogue doesnt mean having no sound. If we take a film by Sharunas Bartas who likes to use this approach, in Koridorius much of the action is focused on images. But the tissue that usually keeps everything together and provides new clues is the sound. Similarly, the sound-design in Alexander Sokurov\'s evocation of 19th century russian literature in his Tikhiye stranitsy (1993) is equally important as the image. And while there is some dialogue in it, a lot of it is reduced to an incomprehensible mumble, a soundscape of whispering dialogue that serves to remind the viewer of the thousand pages of written words this film is paying hommage to. \r\n\r\nThe incomprehensible is also one of the main themes in the films of Jacques Tati. Les Triplettes de Belleville is inspired by his genius. If we take Tati\'s Playtime from 1967, we have a protagonist who is struggling with his surroundings, with modern technology, and the everyday life it implies. A man of the past, he is stuck in a technological present he doesn\'t understand. But like Buster Keaton, another likeminded comedian from the silent era, he never gives up, using the world around him to his own means, in order not to be abused himself. Like Tati, Les Triplettes de Belleville is often wickedly funny while keeping a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. And like Tati, director Sylvain Chomet gives a brilliant caricature of the progressively consumerist society and a superficial world where history is being rewritten. \r\n\r\nThe main storyline evolves around a french bicycle-racer and his portuguese step-grandmother. Complementing this disparate match is their dog. When our hero gets kidnapped during the Tour de France his caretaker embarks on a journey over the ocean to rescue her beloved from the french mafia. When she arrives on the shores of Belleville, she encounters the titles Triplettes, a group of three old ladies who were once famous stage performers. With their help and some luck, she is able to track down the hidingplace of the mafia and bring the film to a satisfying conclusion.\r\n\r\nEverything takes place in a world situated between fantasy and reality. The spaces and events are grounded in reality but have a sense of their own. Equally, the times are an undefinable mix of modern and old, situated somewhere in the 60s, seeming to spring from the creators imaginations as much as from our experienced reality. But these stylistics serve to reveal our own world through a magnifying glass, the mixture of alienation working very much like Tim Burton\'s Batman (1989). But if Batman was a cartoon that had come to reality, Les Triplettes de Belleville prove to be the opposite. A challenging animated film for grown-ups that takes the medium of animation seriously and uses its possibilities to create a world of its own. Thus it also creatively challenges our perceptions of the possible and the beautiful. The disrespect towards the plot, and the importance of atmosphere and the moment over the whole are also making it hard to grasp. Situated somewhere between the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Bill Plympton, the film is nevertheless entirely original, and any reference it uses is made an advantage.\r\n\r\nLike mentioned above, the sounddesign of the film deserves as much attention as the animation, and the best moments in the film happen when the two choreographies meet. Seamlessly merging 3-D animation and CGI with traditional one-dimensional drawings, the music by Benot Charest is also a delightful mixture of past tunes and present beats, and the way it is used for the whole film by creators and created alike makes for one of the most satisfying audio-visual cinematic experiences of recent years. When everyday objects like newspapers, tires and a vacuum cleaner become musical instruments, dynamite a necessary means of survival, and the subconscious feelings of a dog get explored in hilariously absurd dream-sequences you know there is something special going on.','88e22f02f0f172cb297627c2e6f4f02a',0,'','d6NVp1M4',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10350,1809,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161172860,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Les Triplettes de Belleville','Good to see so much praise for the use of sound A, the way it has been used plus the overall lack of dialogue has made this a truly international film that is suitable for the fairly young as well as adults.\r\n\r\nI only regret the fact that I didn\'t see it in the cinema but the trailer made it look like one of Disney\'s lesser efforts, which in hindsight, is a terrible comparison. I was also put off initially by the very obvious cgi but it actually works well within the context of the film, if that makes me a hypocrit considering my comments on other films then so be it. \r\n\r\nMy only complaint would be that it finishes far too quickly, some animations go on far too long or are too repetitive but Les Triplettes de Belleville or Belleville Rendez-vous as it was released in the UK could have done with an extra 10 minutes or so rather than the very sudden conclusion.\r\n\r\nHave you seen any more of Chomet\'s work? I have a video of the excellent \"La Vieille Dame et les Pigeons\" tucked away somewhere and remember the criticisms for its portrayal of American tourists but all I will say is \"If the cap fits\".\r\n\r\nLooking forward to his future efforts and just hope he maintains his own unique style and humour.\r\n\r\nTartan video are due to release a 2 disc collectors edition this month, it has already been put back once but hopefully they\'ll add enough to make it a worthwhile purchase, they didn\'t really help themselves by giving copies of the film away with the Sunday Times newspaper a few weeks ago.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','945346fdc956a7d6df36bddcc820173e',0,'','nHYaBoDK',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10351,1809,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161220140,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Les Triplettes de Belleville','I agree, that a lot of it seems rushed at times, but I think this will wear of with further viewings. I wouldn\'t have no problem with it going on longer, though. \r\nThe sound-design (and the music) is really remarkable. I love the scene where Champion and Mme. Souza are eating while their dog is waitinbg to get served. I think it\'s something like five minutes of observation and perfect sound. \r\n\r\nI haven\'t seen anything else by Chomet, but would like to see La Vieille Dame et les Pigeons. Hope he stays true to himself in the future, as the interview I saw of him makes him appear like a true artist. Hopefully he\'ll evolve in a positive way and get the opportunity to make even better films in the future. \r\n\r\nAlso worth mentioning is the fact that he \"Belleville Rendez-Vous\" doesn\'t use the usual pop-culture references to entertain the older audience but has something genuine to say about our society. \r\nThis doesn\'t necessary make it superior to films like \"Finding Nemo\" or the better Disney\'s, but it\'s far more adult. \r\nI\'d maybe even put him on a level with Miyazaki, because of the ambiguity of his \"message\" and his original style, but we\'ll have to see if that will really turn out this way with subsequent works.','3236e975dfead24061d8d93391bb6bd0',0,'','r92pnfv3',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10352,1810,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160482080,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','The Young Lieutenant (Le Petit Lieutenant) (2005) (France)','\r\n\r\nThe film garnered the Best Actress in Csar Awards 2006 .\r\n\r\nI have watched it ... will comment tomorrow ...','f9162b4a5b56971ceb8d0802df99dfd3',0,'','f92RVji0',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10353,1810,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160706480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: The Young Lieutenant (Le Petit Lieutenant) (2005) (France)','so, what do you say hengcs?','0b1e1114256d9ee7e9a51add6d23286c',0,'','iH3sG8yY',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10354,1810,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160990880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: The Young Lieutenant (Le Petit Lieutenant) (2005) (France)','Director: Xavier Beauvois\r\nCast: Nathalie Baye, Jalil Lespert \r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nwww.cinemaguild.com/lepetitlieutenant/\r\n\r\nSynopsis:\r\nUpon graduation at the police force, a young police office opted for a post in Paris, in the hope of some actions and achievements. However, life there is not what he expected ... how would he end? ...\r\n\r\nMy thoughts:\r\n\r\n-- Okay, I went in not knowing what the film was about ... and from the title, and the beginning of the film, I wasn\'t expecting the film to opt for \"this direction/approach\". For those expecting a thriller, or something exciting about crime stories, you will be disappointed ... oops, this has just reminded me of The Beat That My Heart Skipped ... the accolades are not for its \"thrilling\" pace, but an appreciation of its characterization ... Likewise, The Young Lieutenant is not about solving the crime ... Instead, the audience likens the main protagonist (all ready and prepared for a life full of \"actions/thrills\") ... but reality is often different ... as the film showed you what typical daily lives in the force is about ... and even when there is a crime, it is not all about excitement and thrills ... however, there is \"some excitement\" nearer the end ... \r\n\r\n-- What really gets across are its characters, as one identifies with the male protagonist and female protagoinist ... the chemistry between them ... their lives ... their vulnerabaility and their protectiveness, etc ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nRecommended, only because of its cast and its choice of a different portrayal of police life (i.e., more in line with realism) ... but because of that, it might fail to capture audience who expects an adrenalin driven plot ...','a0887df1b491bbc01686cb9d2bf29eb1',0,'','LPSYzx8b',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10355,1811,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1143954720,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha (2005) (South Africa)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Mark Dornford-May\r\nCast: Pauline Malefane, Andile Tshoni\r\n\r\nIt garnered the Best Film in Berlin Film Festival 2005 \r\n\r\nThe official site\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.u-carmen.com/\r\n\r\nAs requested, I have rewritten my review ...\r\n\r\n\r\nSynopsis\r\nThe story (as well as the songs) parallels Bizet\'s opera \"Carmen\", except that it is set in Khayelitsha of Cape Town, and sung in Xhosa. The female protagonist, Carmen, worked in a cigarette factory, with her Don Jos being a policeman. While others were supposedly crazy over her, she was only determined to seduce this policeman who showed little interest in her initially, but instead concentrated on reading his bible ... The story proceeds on with plots revolving around love, betrayal, and revenge ... \r\n\r\nSome thoughts\r\n\r\n-- Anyone who watches the film will not deny the powerful singing by the female lead, Pauline Malefane. Not only is this new rendition very well performed, it also has an African flavor ... The rest of the cast (by the theatre company, Dimpho Di Kopane lyric theatre company) and singing should also be credited ...\r\n\r\n-- Another thing that most audience will remember is likely the beginning scene, whereby the director focuses on the female protagonist\'s utterly expressionless face ... and keeps zooming in ... with interesting voice over about what beauty is ... and several interesting lines ... hmmm, with all the justifications, i think the director is also trying to buy over any audience who may not believe/understand why many people are supposed to fall in love with this female lead ... at the end of zooming in, it is interesting where the director takes one, as you will realize/remark, \"hey, it makes sense for her not to move\" ... ha ha, i won\'t give that away ... in summary, the opening sequences are particularly strong ...\r\n\r\n-- Hmmm, the take is also interesting because it looks more real than choreographed Hollywood or Broadway musicals ... with well synchronized dancing/singing/acting/costumes etc ... This film seems closer to \"normal life\" (except people keep singing) ... hee hee\r\n\r\n-- In terms of casting, the main actress does a good job, with more credits to her singing ... although her acting makes the film feel down to earth and believable, she carries her role rather differently from what many might have gotten accustomed to ... i.e., a more proactive and seductive/sensuous Italian version ... Forgive me, but I think the casting/acting of the male lead was not compelling ... this leads to my next point ...\r\n\r\nWhat could be better ...\r\n\r\n-- As the essence of the film is about love and betrayal, I thought there was little chemistry or even sparks between the two main protagonists ... i wonder if the audience would really be convinced by their relationship and really understand why she is so attracted to him ... or the bond (if any) between the two ... sorry ...\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nRecommended. \r\nGo for the singing ... and to some extent, the new African \"take\" ... which does not have too much of Hollywood\'s or Broadway\'s \"choreography\" ... hee hee','e7dc4ea88d526326782bf870f6aa786d',0,'','cysWXiLa',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10356,1811,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160987460,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha (2005) (South Africa)','Since it is so difficult to get the film,\r\nyou may like to know it is distributed in Singapore (i.e., legally) \r\n\r\nwww.comstar.sg/new/catalo...e_no=00276\r\n\r\nMaybe the distributor should thank me for helping to promote them ... * just joking * ... ha ha ha ... \r\n\r\nPS: Just trying to help local companies out ... given their effort in distributing these films ...','90d4a089052c83225433134855822eaa',0,'','08WeuXRP',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10357,1811,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161091200,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha (2005) (South Africa)','It has also been released in the UK by Tartan Video, unfortunately I still haven\'t seen it yet. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','fd851f27c96c6997ae523472d8097bc5',0,'','kwg2uVLp',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10358,1811,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161108900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha (2005) (South Africa)','And it has also been released in Germany in a nicely packaged edition. My local library holds a copy of it, but since I\'ll be moving this week, I don\'t know when I\'ll get the opportunity to see it.','39e7745c1a6931bab176a42d4e20d3e1',0,'','PnBGWZD5',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10359,1811,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161108960,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha (2005) (South Africa)','And it has also been released in Germany in a nicely packaged edition. My local library holds a copy of it, but since I\'ll be moving this week, I don\'t know when I\'ll get the opportunity to see it. \r\n\r\nWell, the film won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. That should have gotten them enough distribution deals I think, so that the film should be available in quite a lot of countries...','7a99e162a5d48bc1ac6b84a331aaa633',0,'','uqPlVk6h',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10360,1812,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118109480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','House of flying daggers (Zhang Yimou / China / 2004)','Shi mian mai fu House of flying daggers ( Zhang Yimou / China, Hong Kong / 2004 )\r\n\r\nThe first scenes of \"House of flying daggers\" seem to suggest an \"old school\" martial arts film, as we are thrown into an ancient chinese brothel, in which the male protagonist is searching for a female assassin, presumably the main attraction of the house, a blind dancer. There is plenty of beautiful photograpy and costume design as the viewer gets to see three great choreographies, first of a dance, than of a game, and finally of a fight between the assasin and a royal guard. There is little dialogue, which is mostly banal, and not only the setting is gorgeous, but also the actors.\r\nAlthough there are hints of the following events, and the three main protagonists with their relations to each other are presented, the viewer isnt yet prepared for the events that will follow, overpowered by the eye-candy that is presented to him not only visually, but also accustically. The game scene, which is too complex to explain to western viewers unfamiliar with this kind of exercise (sufficient to say it involves beans, drums, and a quite remarkable dress), the viewer is put in the blind girls place, concentrating on every sound caused by movement.\r\n\r\nHis latest feature finds chinese director Zhang Yimou at the height of his power, having in the past achieved both critical acclaim and economic success inside and outside of his country. House of flying daggers seems to be an attempt of globalisation, by which I mean that the film tries to cater to a wide audience through high production values and a seemingly cliched presentation of a melodramatic love story, combining actionscenes for the male and lovescenes for the female part of the audience, underlined by an orchestral score, and with three asian superstars. Combined seem the most commercial factors from Asia and the Western World also in a huge international advertising campaign, which had the desired effect and swept the masses into cinemas all over the world.\r\nBut Zhangs ambitions were also artistic ones, and he enriches the film through commenting on cuurent global issues like terrorism, patriarchism and the repression of women, and the threat that springs from all ideologies which forget about the people and follow a the end justifies the means policy.\r\nBut in the midst of these issues Zhangs main concern is a universal love story, and unbelievable as it may seem he succeeds with all of it, giving the viewer one of the best cinematic experiences he is to encounter this year.\r\n\r\nThe prologue of the film which ends with the fictitious rescue of the heroine Mei (played by Zhang Ziyi) through the male protagonist Jin(Takeshi Kaneshiro), has some subtle foreshadowing of the issues that will be dealt with in the following, though.\r\nAs Jin is ordered to find out the truth about Mei the blind dancer by his Boss Leo (Andy Lau), who will later bcome his antagonist, he responds that he will have a good time in the brothel, falsly assuming an easy task. So the first thing we get to see is him sitting in the middle of a huge circular hall, already heavily drunk and surrounded by concubines. After calling for the houses newest attraction, he tells Mei that she will be taken outside if she succeeds to entertain him, telling her that after a successful performance she will also have the honor to @#%$ him, and after witnessing her dance he tries to rape her. Though this is a staged attempt in order to succeed with the plan devised by his Boss, the viewer isnt so sure if Jin is entirely acting rational. Suddenly in rushes Leo with other royal guards pretending to install order to the chaos, but he decides not to arrest Mei, if she shows him her remarkable abbilities through a game in which she must follow the movements of objects only through sound. During this second performance, Mei attacks Leo with a sword, and an extended fight sequence follows in which we also get to see Meis talent to handle weapons, though she hasnt a chance to win against the superior soldier, who shows his arrogance in a scene where he abandons his weapons to fight Meis sword with only his fists he succeeds.\r\nThe audience is presented a patriarchal society through a male point of view, in which women are objects of sexual desire, the weaker sex that has to be rescued, and can only find happiness in the arms of a man. For being raped the woman is punished along with her persecuter, and when she tries to rebel this is only a futile effort against a superior opponent. The motive of the rape is repeated two times, and on both occassions Mei must be rescued without weapons she seems powerless. \r\nThe condescending view of women can also be seen in a scene where Jin makes a compliment to Mei, when he says that in the future he will order his concubines to dress like her, and even more through conversations between Mei and Leo, where he repeatedly states his wishes to possess her. His idea of love seems to be based on ownership, and when he kills her at the end of the film, he states that he had to do it because of her betrayal of their love. Only when Mei frees herself out of societys limitations through losing her virginity, there is a glimpse of hope, and though she states that she wants to be free as the wind, she doesnt survive. \r\nNevertheless when facing her death she succeeds in forcing the male leads to rethink their positions, and the audience is challenged to accept that women have the right to a free will, and the necessity for both men and women in giving up role models of victim and perpetrator. \r\n\r\nWhat follows after the escape of Mei and Jin, is a complex investigation of the state of the battle of the sexes, during which the characters switch their identity many times, appearing at times as rebels and at others as royal warriors. The viewer finds out that Leo and Mei know each other, Leo and Jin love Mei, while she cant decide on one, and there are so many plot twists, that the viewer doesnt know the true emotions of the characters until the last scene of the film. \r\nThe film deals with identity, as everyone turns out to be someone else than he appeared, but rather than answering these questions, even the characters themselves dont know who they are, and they have a long way to go until they discover that identity can only be found within oneself, and not in the outside world through applying clothes or ideologies. Freedom comes only through self discovery not self denial, and the characters in the film only become human when they become individuals at the end of the film, acting on their own emotions, and not following the orders of their groups.\r\nThough the royal soldiers are all men, while the rebels appear to be women only, the opponents act with the same set of rules, have the same goals, and apply the same morals in achieving them. But in order to bring a change to society, Zhang Yimou suggests that one has to break free from these restrictions, and while the characters dont succed ( one of the last shots is of the royal army marching to battle the rebels), the audience is expected to learn from them, and avoid the same mistakes. \r\nReal emancipation is a tricky business, and both sexes can begin with the process, when they have accepted each other as equals, and the same means are available to both. Though the film ends with this premise, it also tells us that only true love may be powerful enough to actually bring a change in society, a change that hopefully blossoms after the film, while the film remains unchangable.\r\nAn extension of fiction into reality that is very much needed.\r\n\r\n***3/4 / **** (16.02.2005)','6f732c23e02e88178af8ffa93a447c6e',0,'','7iYyQBv6',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10361,1812,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118176080,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: House of flying daggers (Zhang Yimou / China / 2004)','Truly a remarkable film in my opinion. Rarely is there a Zhang film I don\'t love though. This one is a perfect companion piece to Hero, and in my opinion I view them as two parts of the same whole, perhaps there may even be a third martial arts film from Zhang to comprise a wonderful trilogy, but I shouldn\'t get greedy. This picture was beautiful in every way, from Zhang Ziyi to the cinematography, to the love story, and the majestic fighting scenes, it is certainly one of the best looking films to come out in a long time, if not ever.\r\n\r\nStill can\'t get used to your 3/4 ratings though.','6fc691b4a934e50888ec0ecbd83e118f',0,'','nqhu9yE2',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10362,1812,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118251500,1,0,1,1,1,1,'mikevan9','Re: House of flying daggers (Zhang Yimou / China / 2004)','Someday, I\'ll have to see Hero again because I didn\'t really connect with it the first time. It was impressive and all, I guess, and I don\'t want to get into all the reasons it missed me. (One, though: I kept thinking all twists seemed to be for, well, twist sake. Especially because, at the end, turns out they were all just wrong: China is to be united.)\r\n\r\nBut I may have to check it out again, because I thought House of Flying Daggers was pretty damn terrific. The twisting plot was a better fit because it had greater emotional impact. The more we learned about the characters, the more they deepened. The twists seemed organic. (And, really, our entry point in HOFD is Takeshi Kaneshiro\'s emotinally accessible Jin. I could never really get into Jet Li.) \r\n\r\nOne more thing: Visually, of course, HOFD is impressive, but sound has a great deal to do with its success. That bamboo scene works in part because of the way Zhang uses the rustling of the treetops and the whilsting of the bamboo sticks. A lesser director would have overdone it. Zhang hits it just right here.','589c30f3dc97a4fd68e4fe0bb9fb85da',0,'','Rmy7whzS',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10363,1812,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118345220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: House of flying daggers (Zhang Yimou / China / 2004)','I think Hero was even better than House of flying daggers (more philosophical depth - not that hofd hasn\'t enough), and I like these two most of the 5 yimou films I\' ve seen till now. He\'s a really remarkable director.','ca0c25777707b239c97d1ef0fafaa17a',0,'','bHxMf7RC',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10364,1812,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160775120,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: House of flying daggers (Zhang Yimou / China / 2004)','\r\nOriginally posted by MikLosk on 10/13/06\r\n\r\nHouse of Flying Daggers is one more experiment of the alive classic of Chinese cinema Zhang Yimou in genre wuxia-pian, that is often inaccurately called martial arts cinema. Quasihistorical space as a scene of action, saturated with emotions melodramatical plot about love and revenge, a lot of fighting scenes and famous \"flights\" - these are the main features of this genre.\r\n\r\nZhang Yimou made in 2003 Hero - the most high-budget ($30 million) and simultaneously the most commercially succesful film in Chinese cinema history. Only year passed between shooting of Hero and House of Flying Daggers. But thousand yaers of Chinese history separated them. Their aesthetics differ much more.\r\n\r\nHero is set in III century AC, in the epoch of the Chinese state system formation. It was epos like Nibelungen, where Titans, supermen acted. Nobility of these heroes, their thoughts purity, peace of mind near the Death were epic, divinely perfect. Visual constituent of the movie, where every emotion was corresponded with some colour, was so fantastically beautiful, that it was really hard to see, because mere mortal can\'t stand divine perfection. Hero is arguably the highest achievement of fantasy type of wuxia-pian. \r\n\r\nHouse of Flying Daggers: 859 AD, decline of Tan dinasty - the Golden Age of the Celestial Empire. China is enveloped with disturbances, the government is corrupt, police is impotent. Leo and Jin develop plan of catch of two leaders of secret anti-government organisation called \"House of Flying Daggers\". \r\n\r\nThe film is a story of three days journey of heroes, which are looking for a secret organisation. This journey became an upbringing of their senses. The plot combines elements of melodrama, detective and historical action movie, and is composed so masterfully that every scene makes you reconsider the previous ones. The film is about a triumph of love. It is a story about what people can endow to save their love. Actually it\'s a love story, the most beatiful and powerful love story of this decade.\r\n\r\n9/10','0e105dda3f6c10858499842ec84d73f5',0,'','LlE6R3dH',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10365,1812,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160978940,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: House of flying daggers (Zhang Yimou / China / 2004)','wow ... Mikosk gave it a 9?','37867085f9574fabcebe37781a717938',0,'','kpHJVT1F',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10366,1812,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1161059400,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: House of flying daggers (Zhang Yimou / China / 2004)','Yes. It seems like we are in complete agreement, so that we have two 9s for the film already.','1fbd9cc1231c7790cf6a81863e54a3b2',0,'','8Kn9xTmH',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10367,1813,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160984820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Mother of Mine (ideist parhain) (2005) (Finland)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Klaus Hr\r\nCast: Topi Majaniemi, Maria Lundqvist, Marjaana Maijala, Michael Nyqvist, Esko Salminen, Aino-Maija Tikkanen\r\n\r\nThis film was submitted by Finland to Oscar 2006 .\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.motherofmine.com/\r\n\r\nSynopsis:\r\nThe story revolves around a kid who was sent by his Finnish mother during WWII to the neutral Sweden. It traced how unwilling he was to leave, and ended in a family (with a \"new\" mother that never seemed to really like him ...) ... and upon his return to his Finnish mother, did not like to talk about the war; but as an adult now, he wanted to talk about it ... was it to make his Finnish mother guilty? \r\n\r\nMy thoughts:\r\n\r\n-- I would like to highlight two noteworthy aspects ...\r\n\r\n(i) the complexity of human relationships ... although the topic of war and kids have been too frequently visited, this film does stir your emotions, especially towards the end ... although i cannot claim that it is high key throughout, or it has many surprises, i have to qualify that patience and sitting through till the end does pay off ... \r\n\r\non reflection (when the credits roll), one begins to wonder about several issues in life ...\r\ne.g., do adults really know what kids want? are their interests always being attended to?\r\ne.g., do we always assume we know what happened? do we get to see the other side of the story?\r\ne.g., do we have a heart to accept? do we have a heart to forgive?\r\netc\r\n\r\nIn essence, humanity is rather complex ...\r\n\r\n(ii) the technique ... i am not sure if any other reviews have discussed abt this ... but i thought it was rather significant ... \r\n\r\nunlike most films whereby the present is filmed in color and the past in black and white, this film adopted the opposite approach ... the present is featured in black and white whie the past is filmed in color ... while some people may attribute it simply to the fact that most of the plot is about the past (hence, it may be more pleasant to have that in color), i chose to \"interprete\" it otherwise, even if it was not the director\'s intention ... (recall we discussing abt commending the director for efforts which was not intentional?! hee hee) ... \r\n\r\ni chose to understand it as ... hey, the past could be colorful if we take a relook at it and understand it differently ... moreover, arent childhood days the most colorful and memorable? hee hee ... and as we grow into adults, things become more gray (hues of black and white) ... and maybe even more plain ...\r\n\r\nit would be interesting if any of you could find an article/interview abt this ... or if you happened to have a Q&A with the director ...\r\n\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nHighly recommended ... but do not expect a \"typical war\" film ... it is all about understanding humans, and a great cast ...','646478acf36b83fa0c4d5d09a92b267a',0,'','vxLPgsyp',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10368,1814,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160517180,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Les Amants rguliers, Regular Lovers (2005) (France)','Les Amants rguliers, Regular Lovers (2005) \r\n\r\nDirected by Philippe Garrel\r\n\r\nStarring Louis Garrel, Clotilde Hesme\r\n\r\nSad to say it was a wasted three hours, all the style of a sixties French movie, authenticity in the look of everything from clothing, hairstyles, decor etc but emotionally stone cold dead! It didn\'t grab me in any way at all in fact it felt like a three hour sketch parodying the worst aspects and indulgences of the Nouvelle Vague. You can\'t make a successful film just by name dropping other directors and imitating sequences from their films, a certain dance moment for one. \r\n\r\nI would judge that the feel of the film was of paramount importance to the director, 4:3 screen ratio, credits listed at the beginning, purely monochromatic film, add scratches and at times fuzzy sound to give it that authentic sixties vibe but did they really need to incorporate pure white subtitles? Great idea, just like the first dvd release of La Haine, the subs were totally illegible for the majority of the film, sometimes common sense needs to prevail!\r\n\r\nAnyway, sorry to admit that I found the characters and plot utterly un-engaging, I was hoping for a lot more than this, if the running time had been halved it may have resulted in a far better film and viewing experience.\r\n\r\nOne good thing though, it did make me want to watch some good films from that period so I\'ll probably be revisiting some early Godard and Truffaut amongst others, even Bertolucci\'s \"The Dreamers\" which of course also starred Louis Garrel whom I\'ve just realised is the directors son seems more appealing at the moment. \r\n\r\nGreat style, no substance. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nDistributed by Artificial Eye in the UK.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 18 - because of the level of drug use.','86c2cc0fd290a985c11706d91fe38537',0,'','lkjr8Yfu',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10369,1814,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160553060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Les Amants rguliers, Regular Lovers (2005) (France)','\r\n\r\nHey, I have also JUST watched it in the French Film Festival ...\r\n\r\n\r\nInterestingly, our English title was translated to \"Everyday Lovers\" (at least on the brochure, cant recall in the film) ... dont ask me why ...\r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n\r\n-- When i read some \"ratings/reviews\" of this film before doing my selection, i was pretty curious why some people reckon it a masterpiece while others call it a total bore ... finally i understood ...\r\n\r\n-- filmed in black and white, it is basically a film that goes for \"style\" and the \"feel/mood\" as opposed to any actual plot ... and when there was a plot (e.g., the rebel, etc), it was filmed too \"plainly\" (like real life, with little exciting soundtrack to pound your adrenalin) ... \r\n\r\nso, for a 3 hr film, it can be VERY \"trying\" for some, esp. if it is screened at 9.30 pm! ... to be honest, in the theater i was at, out of abt 120-130 people that day, abt 30 or so walked out half way ... sigh ... i endured through ... i have to admit that i only like the ENDING ... not becos it has ended *laugh * ... but becos it was pretty depressing ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nA very divisive film indeed ... either you like it a lot or you hate it ... watch it at your perils ... i presume people who love it are either the very artsy people, or the elderly French who have been through those times, and could identify with the period and the mood ...','a9f9b0b3a265a18e9dc086665af2f525',0,'','xNpePY2m',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10370,1814,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160564460,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Les Amants rguliers, Regular Lovers (2005) (France)','It certainly tried to capture a little of the magic from quite a few of the classic films from that period, it did manage to capture the effortless way that people can fall in and out of love at the prospect of something better. \r\n\r\nUnfortunately though it was a totally disengaging experience for me and one I will not be repeating for a long time (if ever). \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','54d273f5f871a04f4a4ded38797db023',0,'','d23KlnyV',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10371,1814,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160979240,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Les Amants rguliers, Regular Lovers (2005) (France)','Hi,\r\nFor those who are not aware, this film has garnered the Best Director and Outstanding Technical Contribution at Venice Film Festival 2005 .','09375a6853642be59da1e443ce9ec919',0,'','YnXp3HKM',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10372,1815,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158846840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','La science des rves (Michel Gondry / France / 2005)','Just watched the trailer for Michel Gondry\'s second new film this year, and it looks beautiful. I haven\'t seen such an interesting trailer for a long time. I never was a fan of Gael garcia Bernal, but in this he seems perfect. Same goes for Charlotte Gainsbourg. I can\'t wait to see this. Looks like a dream come true, and if it is anywhere as good as Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHere\'s the link to the official US-trailer:\r\n\r\nus.imdb.com/title/tt0354899/trailers-screenplay-E28007-10-2','78b33c774d4cb1fd7665a2e9995885fd',0,'','HkfjotSY',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10373,1815,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1159091340,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: La science des rves (Michel Gondry / France / 2005)','It came out in the U.S. on the 22nd. Can\'t wait to see it!','1aad58e93ad64bda7c5dfc12777b42fe',0,'','t1uRcvTB',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10374,1815,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160890680,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: La science des rves (Michel Gondry / France / 2005)','Due to a huge coincidence I ended up watching \"Science of Sleep\" today. The good thing was that I watched it, as I still feel intoxicated by it. The bad part was that it was mostly dubbed in german. \r\n\r\nThe film itself was nowhere as good as the trailer, but still very much worth watching. Gondry throws you into an extremely subjective perspective by the protagonist Stephane (Gael Garcia Bernal) that feels closest in its pathological state and the complete blurring of dreams and reality to Dito Tsintsadze\'s masterfull Schussangst \"Gun-shy\" (2002). Though nowhere as focused as Tsintsadze\'s attempt, Gondry takes a more positive approach to his character\'s immaturity and his unability to deal with everyday reality. Without hiding the negative effects of Stephane\'s daydreaming on him and his surroundings, Gondry\'s strength lies in the fact that he defines this as a positive trait that should be cherished despite all of its shortcomings. Thus the ending of the film, while remaining almost as ambivalent as in \"Gun-shy\", can nevertheless be seen as an antithesis to it, and you will probably leave the theater in an uplifted mood, with one eye sad and the other one happy. \r\nThe weak points of the film usually lie in the script, as it seemed more like an improvisation, and the same can be said to some extent for the direction which never really delves into the extremes presented. In this way it feels a bit like the fluffy clouds presented in the film. It will keep you warm and aloof, but the shocking reality which accompanies it will be only a distant echo. The acting wasn\'t particularly great either considering the potential of the roles, because the characters weren\'t fully developed, as the film often didn\'t move forward. When it stagnated in some self-indulgent scenes, the actors tried their best to pull it out of it. Too bad Gondry wasn\'t particularly interested in this. More into the tmosphere and \"feel\" of a situation than the actual direction of it, this proves to be Gondry\'s biggest strength and weakness at the same time. Thus he remains in a state much like his protagonist, where indecision leads to moments of apathy, interrupted through sudden bursts of inspiration.\r\nAlso worth mentioning is that almost all of the supporting characters seemed at least as interesting as the lead. Though they resembled rough sketches more than actual persons, Gondry\'s dialogue made them come to a life that is fitting for the perception of Stephane. \r\n\r\nSo far, out of the four I\'ve seen, this is the weakest film by Gondry, but after Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind probably my second favorite. I absolutely loved a lot of the ideas presented, and I could perfectly identify with the protagonist who could be the twin brother of Denis Levant in Carax\' Mauvais sang (1986). Overall a decent portrayal of a pathological person that will probably satisfy the public, but artistically leaves some things to be desired.\r\nBut go and see it for yourself.\r\n\r\n67/100','347d3dda193aad67e25138217440a287',0,'','rCfB9EJn',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10375,1815,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1211855520,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: La science des rves (Michel Gondry / France / 2005)','Finally saw it and would pretty much agree with all of A\'s comments. It had enormous potential but got a little self indulgent and didn\'t seem to ever really buckle down and settle in. Certainly plenty to admire and I certainly love the lo-fi nature of the effects which keeps the film cleverly innocent throughout. I liked both the leads but felt that much more could have been done with their characters.','0ac5adc155a197456f7b9e235e5c8961',0,'','jhQ7n24W',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10376,1816,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121117880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','My Summer of Love (2004) (UK)','Director: Pawel Pawlikowski\r\nCast: Nathalie Press, Emily Blunt, Paddy Considine\r\n\r\nThe official website is here \r\nwww.mysummeroflove.co.uk\r\n\r\nAt the British Academy Film Awards 2005, the film was awarded Outstanding British Film of the Year \r\nsee\r\nwww.bafta.org/film/announce.htm \r\n\r\nWhat I like?\r\n-- The film (esp. its message) is not as simple as it seems, and is rather complex and open to different interpretations! At the end of the movie, I believe different audience will walk away with a different understanding of what the film is trying to convey or what the ending means \r\n\r\nYet, this possibility of multiple interpretations may cause audience to dismiss it simply as a story about two girls in love (or are they really in love?!). Worse of all, a few may even construe it as a mockery of religion (but is it really?!).\r\n\r\nOn a deeper thought,\r\ne.g., the film can be about coming of age, or loss and discovery\r\ne.g., it can be about patriarchy at different level (God, father, and brother)\r\ne.g., it can be about control versus freedom (at the physical, mental and spiritual levels), or power versus helplessness \r\ne.g., it can be about religion\r\ne.g., it can be about good versus evil\r\ne.g., it can even be about reality/truth versus fantasy/imaginations/lies/ beliefs etc\r\n\r\n-- Oh yes, I like the main theme song too the one with the whistling wow \r\nI believe it is La Foule by Edith Piaf.\r\n-- Also, I like the dry sense of humor in the movie \r\nwell, what can I say \r\n-- One of the best scenes:\r\nthe scene where the female protagonist impersonates evil \r\nyou will not forget that scene *evil grin*\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nI actually recommend the film and would encourage interpretation of its message and ending!\r\n\r\nOnce again, some people may dismiss it simply as a movie about lesbians or religion but I would like to believe there is something more am I crediting the film too much?! Hee hee','e0f9da1f5075cf73ce80b218ad0cab8f',0,'','cYGxorw2',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10377,1816,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121368800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: My Summer of Love (2004) (UK)','In the opening scene of My Summer of Love, we witness a teenager, Mona (Nathalie Press), incessantly drawing on her rough-textured bedroom wall which in many ways resembles her own freckled skin (imagine a very young Sissy Spacek). Were not exactly sure whose picture it is, but its probably not of her mother who\'s recently died but Mona treats it rather matter-of-factly, or her brother, Phil (Paddy Considine), an ex-con who has recently gotten out of prison as a Christian evangelicalist, much to her chagrin. So, it is probably herself, a trapped soul in the reclusive and self-sufficient West Yorkshire town, which she perhaps serves up with the thick and square outer frame of the picture. Mona now lives with her brother who is in the process of turning their old pub into a plain prayer meeting spot for the locals, and hes convinced that his sister is being gripped by the devil and she needs help.\r\n\r\nHelp for Mona arrives in a different shape, though. One afternoon, as shes laying on grass by the roadside after being tired of pushing her motorless bike, she encounters a brunette beauty looking down on her. The charting of their socio-economic differences couldnt be any more persuasive here. Surrounded by timeless milieu, the scene resembles something which couldve easily taken place a couple of centuries ago with a princess and a commoner. The well-cultured and intelligent brunette, Tamsin (Emily Blunt), who is, in fact, on a white horse may not be a princess but she certainly lives like one in a sprawling mansion. They introduce themselves while realizing how much they need each other in their lives. Needless to say, it doesnt take very long for the two to become extremely close to each other. Tamsin informs Mona about her sister who has recently died while introducing her extravagant lifestyle and influences, including Nietzsche (\"God is dead\" she says, much to Monas delight), Freud, and French classical singer/icon dith Piaf (who, according to Tamsin, committed a few crimes of passion). \r\n\r\nMy Summer of Love is the third feature directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, someone with a strong background as a documentarian. Born in Poland, but he has spent much of his life in the U.K. so it\'s surprising to see that theres nothing remotely \"British\" about his filmmaking (although it could be said that his 2000 feature, Last Resort, had a Loachian authority to it). In My Summer of Love, Pawlikowskis eye for the naturalistic settings is keen enough to remind a viewer of what a Terrence Malick land looks like. Hes a visual storyteller, no doubt about it, so instead of relying on narrative markers he swiftly changes the mood and tone with his framing devices while abstractly concentrating on, say, running water (near Monas favorite rock), or a Jesus\' cross atop a hill (a project undertaken by Phil to cement his beliefs.) On the other hand, his evocative score done by Alison Goldstepp not only features Mozart and the mournfulness of the aforementioned Piaf, but also Asha Bhonsle, blithely crooning a 70s style hippie number titled \"Hare Rama Hare Krishna.\"\r\n\r\nThe film is a loose adaptation of Helen Crosss novel which is said to be a denser piece. My Summer of Love is \"light,\" but its lyricism is textured, while the impressionistic narrative only deepens the more one is willing to ponder it. It could be argued that Pawlikowski fails to bring a strong third angle to his tale which couldve possibly help thrust the tension on a couple of occasions. Although, he did stage a great sequence where ones sexuality which is inherent goes up against another\'s beliefs which are acquired and it\'s no match. He has certainly gotten strong performances from the entire cast. Considines Phil is underwritten but he brings a strong emotional front; thankfully the director doesnt use him as a cop-out in anyway. Nathalie Press possesses a right amount of vulnerability and toughness for her role. But the breakout performance here comes from Emily Blunt. Her cat-like sensuality and cunningness is at once subtle and it serves its proper purpose once the role playing starts. However, Pawlikowski isnt a Neil LaBute-type, so he avoids the narcissism and doesnt try to go down the path which these kind of films usually end up taking, and ultimately makes the right decision: the power is shared.','f8ffcecf7acd89be5a54036d643d6184',0,'','YiCKpcrB',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10378,1816,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1123704660,1,0,1,1,1,1,'kookook','Re: My Summer of Love (2004) (UK)','I caught a screening of \"My Summer of Love\" the other night, and i was pretty impressed. It was kinda nice to see a female romance on the big screen!!! But besides the interesting plot, the music was good too. There were some new songs by Goldfrapp which were great. I think the soundtrack is due out on July 21st, so it should be something to hear!!!!','402af5c2c43180211c0a52efe5caf3b6',0,'','3w2moHAC',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10379,1816,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160771160,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: My Summer of Love (2004) (UK)','Courtesy of www.moviexclusive.com/review/mysummeroflove/mysummeroflove.htm\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nIts a cruel summer indeed. My Summer of Love stands as almost a scornful swipe against its title. Writer-director Pawel Pawlikowski shows the impudence of being that age when romance is almost as grave as life and death and important enough to be swept away in a tide of hormones and irrationality. In a small idyllic village, just north of England, a snapshot of an intoxicating and sultry femme relationship between a nave native and a worldly, cultured out-of-towner starts to bloom just as the hillside flowers start to.\r\n\r\nSeductive and sensual, Pawlikowskis naturalist tones and earthy colours complement the summers languorous transience. Class warfare, religious transgressions and misandry bubble below the surface but strong performances from each of its main cast give a trenchant sense of knowing of painful adolescence to the film during a fateful event of a young girls life.\r\n\r\nGravelly voiced, booze-guzzling young Mona (Nathalie Press) craves for a distraction this season. Her brother, Phil (Paddy Considine) is an ex-convict, born-again Christian seeking emotional refuge in the towns sect of charismatic Christians. When we first meet him, he drains the bottles of alcohol, intent on making their bar a new haven for his religious congregations. Naturally, Mona spends more time with the girl she met during a balmy afternoon on the grassy knolls. Almost chivalrously plucking her out of the dense reality she faces during the summer, Tamsin (Emily Blunt) strides up to her on a white horse and introduces her to a different life.\r\n\r\nWe dont know every detail in their lives, except what they tell us. But behind their silence and pensive smiles, they hide their fair share of hurt. Having nothing in common except plenty of time, contempt for the lack of parental figures and a growing curiosity of each other, they give themselves to the heat of the moment. Perhaps they are drawn together by default, as we dont see anyone their age about town. It just goes to show how self-contained their world is when they are together. The hypnotic relationship breezes by with no concept of time. Only when outside factors start to come knocking do these girls find out how tenuous their ad hoc affair actually is.\r\n\r\nPhils eventual involvement is unsettling, in a good way. Although a mere bystander to the girls, he proves to be the most intriguing character. Considine strikes an unnerving balance between brute and a man in deep denial, often grounding the films buoyant mood. He anchors himself to Mona, both realising they only have one another and just as afraid being alone. Phil finds himself drawn towards religion as Mona finds herself drifting towards Tamsin.\r\n\r\nBlunt is remarkably restraint as the boarding school troublemaker and wayward patrician. Defiantly decadent in her conceit, Tamsin deigns about the neighbourhood with Mona. In a loose assembly of scenes showing their activities during the summer, theres a sense of discovery within the physical and emotional blossoming of Mona. Her inward struggles and resignation to a life paved with banalities and dull expectations are slowly put on the backburner whenever shes with the girl she knows can never stay with her. A hypnotic film. Not so much about growing up, as it is about living young.\r\n\r\n4/5','9962747523b670e817be77a1a11aa327',0,'','RrQ0SC45',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10380,1817,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160380740,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Kan Shang Qu Hen Mei (Little Red Flowers) (2006) (China)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Zhang Yuan\r\nCast: Dong Bo Wen, Ning Yuan Yuan\r\n\r\nThe film garnered C.I.C.A.E. Award at Berlin International Film Festival 2006 .\r\n\r\n\r\nSynopsis:\r\nBased on a novel of the same title by Wang Shuo, it relates the story of a kid\'s rebellious life in a kindergarten. However, to those who read between the lines, there are some political undertones, as it highlights issues of conformity, individualism/collectivism, etc ...\r\n\r\nNote: You may know another of Wang Shuo\'s novel being adapted, it is In the Heat of the Sun (Yang Guang Can Lan De Ri Zi).\r\n\r\nPS:\r\n\r\n(i) Personally, I prefer the Chinese title. It is loosely translated to ... \"When you look at it, it seems so beautiful\" ... IMHO, the Chinese phrase could also capture a dual meaning -- that it is only nice \"superficially\" ... at least it is better than \"Little Red Flowers\" ... \r\n\r\n(ii) In a different China poster, it depicts the kid flying in the sky, the caption reads \"zhe shi jie you gao gao zai shang de gui ju, ye you zi you ben fang de ling hun\" ... suggesting that \"although there are always higher authority and constraints (i.e., rules), there will always exist the unbounded/unrestrained human spirits ... \" \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMy thoughts:\r\n\r\n-- It is one of those films that adults and kids will look at it differently. And when an adult reviews the film, I believe there is already some slight \"bias\" ... becos the story/the scenes/the symbolism do matter ... and for a few audiences, they may be appalled by the amount of nudity (common for that period, that location, and that age) ... just like the \"doctor\'s game\" that the kids play ... and frankly, it seems to be a film targeted at adults rather than the kids ...\r\n\r\n-- Most noteworthy, to me, was the ending ... \r\n* spoiler * ... the kid finally decided to escape and run away ... but guess what he saw outside ... he saw this smart looking group of adults marching in pride, each with a big red flower abreast ... at the end, the kid finally lies asleep on the rock ... * end of spoiler * ...\r\nit could have so many interpretations ... \r\n... (a) let\'s be at \"peace\" with all these ... no matter how we try to change the world ... we just can\'t ... it depicts the reality of life, that at times, despite one\'s effort, everything returns back to square one ...\r\n... (b) we are all often too worn out by all these, we simply need a rest ...\r\n... (c) at the end of it all, we may not be liberated in physique, but how abt in \"soul\" (either when we DREAM in our rest/sleep or when we die) ...\r\n... (d) that in the adult world, the kids are often overlooked and forgotten ...\r\n\r\n-- In the film, it also reveals the irony in life ...\r\n... (a) that despite our lament of these conformity, we do try to abide by the rules ...\r\n... (b) that depsite us \"laughing\" at the incentives/system, we are also culprits who try all means to gain recognition/reward ...\r\n... (c) that despite our press for rules, we are also the ones to bend it ... esp. for politically reasons ... so, it is HUMAN who dictates ... \r\n... (d) that what seems like \"correct/appropriate\" in the adults\' world may not be as relevant in the kids\' world ...\r\netc\r\n\r\n-- Despite all these \"depth\" in the film (which I believe is what helped the film win the awards), some audience may find the story/editing not \"absorbing/compelling\" enough ... to me, that was the main weakness of the film (if at all) ... to some extent, one may feel that the film is kind of long (even though it is not, in terms of minutes) ...\r\n\r\n-- Nonetheless, go watch for the performance of the kid!\r\n\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nRecommended. Go for its duality of meaning and the main protagonist! ... but be warned that the story is not too absorbing (feeling kind of long at times) ...','80d309060ea6ccf3c6584d2e3331b770',0,'','f9jpDuS4',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10381,1817,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160706060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Kan Shang Qu Hen Mei (Little Red Flowers) (2006) (China)','I saw this at the Berlin Film Festival, and it is one of the best films of the year imo.\r\n\r\nI actually like the title Little red Flowers, as it sounds so safe and nice before you watch the film, but after the experience is over, you see it in a different light. \r\nDo you know if this film was allowed to be shown in China, hengcs? I would suspect such an effort to be banned, as I thought it was a direct attack on authorities of all sorts. I found the \"meandering\" you mention to be actually a plus. The direction was imo so assured that it had no problems adressing a wide variety of issues and breaking out of the narrow \"genre\" concept which it at first established. Breaking some \"rules\" of established narrative filmmaking and storytelling continuity felt like part of the message to me. \r\nI hope this gets into regular distribution, but I agree that it isn\'t a children\'s film and shouldn\'t be marketed as such. \r\nI also found the screenplay and story to be excellent and had no problems with the shifts and ellipses. I think it helped that some things remain unexplained. I agree the actors are great.\r\n\r\nDefinitely a must see.\r\n\r\nBtw, have you seen any other films by Zhang Yuan, hengcs? \r\nI only have his Erzi (1996) on VHS, for which he won the Tiger award and the FIPRESCI prize at Rotterdam, but which I didn\'t find absorbing enough. Maybe I should revisit it.','3bd2829c32549132fb0d36c9e226e098',0,'','xXeMUjmA',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10382,1817,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160719320,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Kan Shang Qu Hen Mei (Little Red Flowers) (2006) (China)','Hi\r\n\r\nLittle Red Flowers is allowed to be screened in China (after all, the book is allowed) ... \r\n\r\nI have also watched his East Palace West Palace ... a controversial film ... anyway, it was one of the earlier films starring \"Hu Jun\" ... he is now very well known ... \r\n\r\nI have gotten the DVD for Lv Cha, but I have not watched them ... As for Erzi (Sons) and Beijing Bastard, that time I did try to get the DVDs, but later the website email to say they are out of stock, Seventeen Years is out on DVD too ... maybe i will try to get them again ...','599ba02e6683b16515d835ae1b325cb0',0,'','7Y6H1A5t',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10383,1818,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160568480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Info needed for small Latino festival','We have a three day festival of Latino cinema coming up and just wondered if anyone could advise on any of the films.\r\n\r\nEl Destino No Tiene Favoritos (Destiny Has No Favourites) - Alvaro Velarde (2003)\r\n\r\nIluminados por el Fuego (Blessed by Fire) - Tristn Bauer (2005)\r\n\r\nPlay - Alicia Scherson (2005)\r\n\r\nMi Mejor Enemigo (My Best Enemy) - Alex Bowen (2005)\r\n\r\nLa Ultima Cena (The Last Supper) - Toms Gutirrez Alea (1976). I\'m pretty sure I\'ve seen this before.\r\n\r\nEn la Cama - Matas Bize (2005)\r\n\r\nGuantanamera - Toms Gutirrez Alea (1995). Again I\'m pretty sure I\'ve already seen it.\r\n\r\nYsgol Trelew - Russel Isaac (2006) A short concerning the attempts to build a Welsh-medium school in Trelew, Patagonia.\r\n\r\nMujeres Infieles (Unfaithful Women) - Rodrigo Ortuzar (2004)\r\n\r\nLa Suerta est Echada (The Die is Cast) - Sebastin Borensztein (2005)\r\n\r\nHavana Blues - Benito Zambrano (2005)\r\n\r\nThey are also screening Nine Queens which I\'ve seen a couple of times and rather tenuously linked Nacho Libre.\r\n\r\nAny opinions would be welcome.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','884457fb829c2b3d7b744e03f1dda0fa',0,'','KnVuEL4j',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10384,1818,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160709060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Info needed for small Latino festival','Can\'t really help you with this one. \r\nI\' have only heard of Zambrano\'s HaBana Blues and wanted to see it myself. I believe it won a lot of awards and the audience also liked it very much.','9ffd274dbf8b0442b5f472a45586c9e2',0,'','JiAVcZmb',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10385,1818,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160718420,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Info needed for small Latino festival','Me too ... heard none abt them ...\r\n\r\nwhat i usually do is then surf the web a bit, or even imdb.com, but becos i hate spoilers (despite how minor), i will just read the last para or so ... to decide ... ha ha ha','8e4c01f99c6cb6d076692f57c8a957d5',0,'','r7gRzuBd',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10386,1819,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1159259580,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Milarepa','Seen at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)\r\nMILAREPA\r\n\r\nDirected by Neten Chokling (2006)\r\n\r\n\"If you lose all differentiation between yourselves and others, fit to serve others you will be.\"- Milarepa\r\n\r\nMilarepa, the first feature by Neten Chokling Rinpoche, tells the story of the formative years of Milarepa, an 11th century Tibetan poet and mystic and his journey from seeking revenge to enlightenment. Set in the magnificent Spiti Valley close to the border between India and Tibet, the film has spectacular cinematography and convincing performances from a cast that includes Jamyang Lodro, the obstreperous football-obsessed youngster in The Cup as Thopaga, the young Milarepa. The cast and crew also include monks from the Pema Ewam Choegar Gyurmeling Monastery in India and Tibet of which Chokling Rinpoche is the spiritual head. In the process of making the film, Chokling took in some 40 destitute young boys, many of them orphans, and used his film to help feed, house, and care for the boys. \r\n. \r\nMilarepa (1052-1135) is one of the most widely known Tibetan Saints. According to a blessing Milarepa uttered towards the end of his life, anyone who but hears the name Milarepa even once attracts an instant blessing and will not take rebirth in a lower state of existence during seven consecutive lifetimes. In Part One of Chokling Rinpoche\'s biography, Thopaga, which means delightful to hear, grows up in a happy and prosperous environment. His father is wealthy in relation to the other villagers and the family lives in a large stone house consisting of three stories held in place by a large central pillar and supporting columns. \r\n\r\nWhen his father, Mila-Dorje-Senge, is near death, he calls the family together to inform them that he has placed his entire estate in the care of Thopaga\'s Uncle Gyalsten (Gonpo) and Aunt Peydon (Tsamchoe) until Milarepa was grown and married to Zesay, his arranged partner. Happiness and wealth is not to be for Milarepa, however, as his Aunt and Uncle divide the estate between them and force Milarepa and his mother Kargyen (Kelsang Chukie Tethong) and sister Peta to work in the fields. The family, once the envy of the village, now become objects of derision. \r\n\r\nUsing Thopaga (Milarepa) as an instrument of revenge, his mother sells some property to raise money to send the young boy to study with Lama Yongten Troygal (Orgyen Tobgyal), known to be adept in the arts of sorcery and black magic. Using sorcery learned from masters, he exacts revenge on his Aunt and Uncle by producing a storm that brings death and destruction to his own people, but it is a Pyrrhic victory and leaves Thopaga in a state of remorse for his evil deeds. His transformation from revenge seeker to inspired saint will be the subject of the second part of the series, scheduled for release in 2009.\r\n\r\nMilarepa has all the entertainment value of The Cup and Travellers and Magicians, plus it is filled with Buddhist spiritual teaching that is never heavy-handed. As Chokling Rinpoche states, \"His (Milarepa) story shows that the path to enlightenment is accessible to all and can be anyones aspiration and realization\". Choklings production company, Shining Moon Productions, is now showing the film in festivals, a series of benefit screenings hosted by Sharon Stone, and limited commercial engagements. A DVD release is scheduled for November. After recovery of the film costs, Neten Chokling has pledged to use proceeds for the benefit of his orphans and monks. Highly recommended.\r\n\r\nGRADE A-','10b39d715c98b4ed5ef2758959154eb1',0,'','PSWBznFQ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10387,1819,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160511540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Milarepa','Saw this listed at a film festival, but didn\'t watch it because of the fact that a \"spiritual leader\" directed it and I expected it to be preachy and not very artistic.\r\nAs your review suggests otherwise, I\'ll try to catch it on DVD.','e5cb12e6ebd76e8f86983e26bda19f1b',0,'','GpdDAT95',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10388,1819,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160513040,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Milarepa','I found it very worthwhile but I am inclined to support the philosophy expounded in the film, so I might not be the best judge. If you enjoyed The Cup or Travelers and Magicians, however, chances are you will like this one. Both of them were also directed by a spiritual leader.','6d7878c3fcf95586f6e143349543c1ad',0,'','oQZ96rld',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10389,1819,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160706780,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Milarepa','Haven\'t seen those two either. \r\nI mean. I don\'t have anything against spiritual leaders making a film. But usually, debut features or films by newcomers are lacking in the technical/artistic department despite all the efforts (or money) put in a film.','b4af8e69f2cd6af1dbdee8a72871fabe',0,'','rtq5Buv6',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10390,1820,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160564040,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','The Ax (Le Couperet) (France) (2005)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Costa-Gavras\r\nCast: \r\n\r\nSynopsis:\r\nBased on the novel The Ax, the film basically follows the \"killing spree\" of a married man who had been retrenched and had difficulty finding a job ... his victims were those he deemed likely competitors ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nRecommended ... i enjoyed it ...\r\nIf you are not into film festival kind of films, this is a very commercial and mainstream film ...','45c5d06e79fdd12e054054ee96b61da4',0,'','Wj4dT3fw',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10391,1821,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160049660,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Time to Leave - Le Temps qui reste (2005/ France)','Time to Leave (2005) Le Temps qui reste\r\n\r\nDirected by Franois Ozon\r\n\r\nStarring Melvil Poupaud, Jeanne Moreau, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi\r\n\r\nBefore reading my comments I have to admit that in a way I have explored this type of scenario myself which led me to believe that this was a very personal journey for the director (a point that was confirmed in an interview on the dvd). This may have affected my overall judgement of the film but I have the feeling that it may touch many others in the same way. \r\n\r\nRomain, a young Parisian fashion photographer collapses during a shoot, after medical tests he is given the news that he is riddled with cancer and without treatment he\'ll have around three months to live. Upon hearing that his chances of recovery are less than 5% he decides to forego any treatment and live out his remaining time in his own way.\r\n\r\nHe doesn\'t inform his immediate family though they notice a difference in his attitude during a family lunch, not that surprising really as most of the conversations revolve around future events, events that Romain knows he\'ll never see. Rather than telling his lover the truth, Romain just tells him he\'s bored of the relationship and it\'s over, the obvious point and connection between the family and lover is that he doesn\'t want them to have to live with the knowledge and therefore pain of his impending demise.\r\n\r\nA road trip to his Grandmother does at least offer a safety valve for his mixed emotions, when she asks why he has told her but nobody else, he remarks that at her age she\'s pretty much in the same position, death could come knocking at any time. It is here with his Grandmother that he can liberally shed tears, it is also here that he starts reminiscing about his childhood days and his now strained relationship with his sister. \r\n\r\nOn returning to Paris Romain hopes for one more lliason with his lover but is turned down, such is the cost for with-holding the truth. He goes to a church but this just brings back more memories from his childhood. After receiving a letter from his sister they have a form of reconcilliation, at least he feels that he has made his peace with her. On a hot summer\'s day he heads one last time to beach, enjoys a swim and just lays in the glow of the sun.\r\n\r\nThroughout the film, the one constant is the camera that Romain carries with him, he continually takes photos of friends, family and general shots of life carrying on around him while he is decaying inside, this is also reflected in the last scene as life carries on with, or without him.\r\n\r\nThere is much left unsaid, what caused the rift between Romain and his sister? Plus several other smaller things, it\'s actually a good thing there are things left unclarified leaving points to ponder after the film.\r\n\r\nThe film does take on a slightly fanciful mode involving Valeria Bruni Tedeschi\'s character and her husband, but I think this is a very personal project for the director, a sort of \"what if\" type story, this little bit of (presumably) self indulgence doesn\'t harm the film in the slightest. \r\n\r\nTime to Leave has been rated 18 in the UK, the reason is for a fairly strong gay sex scene which fits completely within the overall structure of the story and shows the bond between Romain and his lover.\r\n\r\nAn excellent soliloquy on life, love and death, a film that sprung to mind for comparison was \"Christmas in August\" but it\'s only the overall theme that bears similarity, they are both very good films though.\r\n\r\nCertaiinly Ozon\'s best film since Under the Sand, in my opinion it is probably his best film so far. Highly recommended but be aware of the strong sex scene.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 18\r\n\r\nExcellent R2 dvd released by Artificial Eye with a stack of extras including: \r\n\r\nmaking of,\r\ndeleted scenes,\r\ninterviews.','48478120db676978aa22577568e2e71c',0,'','EhrFjeVH',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10392,1821,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160116260,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Time to Leave - Le Temps qui reste (2005/ France)','Good review. You seem certain that this film represents a comeback for Ozon after the rather disappointing 5x2. I\'ll try to watch it shortly.','186934cb276b2cf18c9847ff3e8d89b0',0,'','7Ez25iwq',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10393,1822,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1159999800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','The Host & Memories of Murder (Bong Joon-ho)','Seen at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)\r\nTHE HOST (Gwoemul)\r\n\r\nDirected by Bong Joon-ho (2006)\r\n\r\nKoreas top-grossing film of all time The Host (the original Korean title is \"Creature\") is a monster movie with a difference. Seen by ten million people during the first three weeks of its Korean release, the film directed by Bong Joon-ho (Memories of Murder), combines genre-typical special effects with family drama, comedy, and political satire. Heroism in the film belongs not to a super hero but to a slightly dysfunctional working class family that bands together when it counts to battle a mutant tadpole that has abducted a member of the family. The film has a pricey $10 million US price tag but made record sales at Cannes and has multiple studios bidding for the remake rights.\r\n\r\nSet in Seoul, the Park family operates a snack food stand near the Han River selling squid, candy and beer to picnickers at the beach. Slow-witted Kang-Du (Kang-ho Song) works the counter when he\'s not sleeping or irritating his father Hie-bong (Byun Hie-bong). He is devoted to his teenage daughter Hyun-seo (Ah-sung Ko) and is saving up coins to buy her a new cell phone. The Park family also includes his sister Nam-ju (Bae Doo-na), a world-class archer, and his brother Nam-il (Park Hae-il) who is well educated but hasn\'t found a job and doesn\'t seem to be looking very hard. \r\n\r\nThe fun starts when a US Army scientist orders his Korean assistant to pour gallons of deadly formaldehyde down the drain and into the Han River. A few years later, fishermen see an odd-looking tadpole but let it go on its way. Big mistake. Enhanced by special effects developed by a San Francisco outfit, The Orphanage FX house, the cute little tadpole soon becomes a monster fish the size of a truck that threatens the community. Spoiling a perfectly good summer afternoon, it comes out of the river to capture and kill hordes of innocent bystanders. The creature has no designs for world conquest. It is just hungry and eats whatever or whoever is available for lunch. When the monster captures Kang-du\'s daughter Hyun-seo, the family decides that they alone can save her.\r\n\r\nTheir rescue attempt is complicated, however, by the fact that the government seeks to contain a deadly virus that is supposedly arising from contact with the monster and snatches Kang-du to put him through some gruesome-looking tests. Joon-ho uses this scenario to take some digs at authority: the Korean government\'s inappropriate response, the servile media, and the country\'s lack of ability to provide basic needs for its citizens. Not to be spared is the American government which attempts to destroy the monster that they created by their military presence, by drowning the area in a chemical called Agent Yellow (suggesting Agent Orange used in the Vietnam War).\r\n\r\nThere are plenty of thrills and scary moments as the family must extricate itself from the oppressive government agents and zero in on the location where Hyun-seo is being held. Some of the best scenes are depictions of Hyun-seo\'s escape attempts from a sewer beneath a bridge with a young orphan. One might imagine different subtexts to explain the film: fear of the monster that lies within us, the dangers of pollution, our inherent distrust of government, a Western-type arrogance that would rather create lies about a nonexistent virus than face up to reality. Whatever one you decide on will work. The bottom line, however, is that The Host is a scary monster movie that is well crafted and highly entertaining and has a compelling human factor that is both comic and tragic. \r\n\r\nGRADE: A-\r\n\r\nMEMORIES OF MURDER (Salinui Chueoek)\r\n\r\nDirected by Bong Joon-ho (2003)\r\n\r\nBased on an actual series of murders in South Korea between the years 1986 and 1991, Bong Joon-ho\'s Memories of Murder is a well performed, thought-provoking film about the investigation into Korea\'s first serial killings. The film, which combines bleak reality with dark comedy, is less about the actual crimes than about the emotional toll it took on the police officers investigating the case. \r\n\r\nThe film opens in 1986 when South Korea was still under the control of a repressive military dictatorship. A woman\'s body is found in Gyunggi province in a drainage pipe in a rural area outside of Seoul, raped and strangled by her own stockings. The crime scene is chaotic. Reporters and spectators mill about and a tractor rides over the area destroying footprints and other potential evidence. Local police officers Park Doo-man (Song Kang-ho) and his aggressive partner, Cho Yong-ku (Kim Roe-ha) are in charge of the investigation but are joined later by a volunteer from Seoul, detective Seo Tae-yoon (Kim Sang-kyung). \r\n\r\nThe police, however, are preoccupied with protest demonstrations against the government, and do not put the necessary manpower and resources into a proper investigation. A rivalry soon develops between the intuitive Park and the cerebral Seo. Park claims that he can detect a killer by simply looking into a suspect\'s eyes. Seo is more rational and scientific but both overlook crucial evidence and both do not hesitate to brutalize suspects. Although they force confessions from Baek Kwang-ho (Park No-shik), a retarded man, and a man who masturbates at the crime scene, they know that the confessions will not stand up in court. Showing signs of desperation, they torture an eyewitness to the murders to the point where he tries to escape and is run over by a passing train. \r\n\r\nEventually the detectives locate a suspect who admits that he requested a song heard on the radio each night a murder has been committed, but not a shred of evidence is ever found. After they beat him, he tells the police, People know you torture innocent people.... Youll never victimize me. Memories of Murder presents a powerfully haunting picture of a society so inured to violence and repression that a serial killer is a minor annoyance. As more strangled women are found, a sense of sadness and frustration begins to settle on the investigation and it becomes obvious that the police force is not prepared either by education or methodology to achieve results until the society it operates in can be purged of its authoritarian past. \r\n\r\nGRADE: A-\r\n\r\nPS: \r\nHi Howard, \r\npardon me for amending your original title \"Two\" to \"The Host\" and \"Memories of Murder\", cos for a moment, I thought there was such a movie known as \"Two\" ... ... I hope you don\'t mind. \r\nhengcs','4ef6654878b233472e9a55db845a891b',0,'','6ulWsfyR',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10394,1822,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160026560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: The Host & Memories of Murder (Bong Joon-ho)','The Host\r\nI have watched The Host recently. \r\nI like it, but I thought a large portion of it has to be credited to the \"sound effect\" in the theater ... ha ha ha ... As usual, I seldom like the \"comic/exaggerated acting scenes\" in the beginning ...\r\n\r\nMemories of Murder\r\nI recommend this film to a lot of people. Apart from the things you have mentioned, I want to say it has one of the better \"ending\" ... though some people may hate the \"ending\" ... the \"ending\" has so much food for thoughts ...','dfa1ab257cc06d326a0239a8b5ceea21',0,'','Abt4k65o',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10395,1822,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160028480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: The Host & Memories of Murder (Bong Joon-ho)','The Host is full of high energy and you have to be in the mood for it, which I was. You can\'t take it too seriously but it does have some subtle political messages.\r\n\r\nspoilers\r\nMemories of Murder was great but, not knowing the actual story, I was hoping the killer would be found, so I guess I was disappointed in the ending.','6f0023ace9f4c0806c03f6e667f91939',0,'','5mUKiwSq',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10396,1822,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1160038560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: The Host & Memories of Murder (Bong Joon-ho)','* major spoilers *\r\n\r\nThe ending has several messages ... i.e., apart from being in line with actual events ...\r\n\r\n(1) people always like to assume they \"know\" ... and in a way or another, they force the impression upon others (e.g., the audience) ... they make it \"happen\" (e.g., the interrogation, etc) ... it is only at the end that we start wondering if we \"assume\" too often that we \"know\" ... \r\n\r\n(2) i also like the fact that it mirrors reality; after all, a lot of answers in life are never known, no matter how much we try ... so why shld this be an exception ...\r\n\r\n(3) finally when the inspector looks at the audience through the \"drain\" ... the director is also suggesting, \"hey, any of you could be guilty\" ... and/or ... \"hey, the murderer is still out there in the audience\" ...','4897913560ef207c4926e0ec4ad0bfaf',0,'','69YNPAhq',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10397,1823,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1159017660,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Imagine Me & You (2005) (UK)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Ol Parker\r\nCast: Piper Perabo, Lena Headey, Matthew Goode, Darren Boyd\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www2.foxsearchlight.com/imaginemeandyou/\r\n\r\nSynopsis\r\nWhat happens when a newly wed bride falls for another woman?\r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n\r\n-- Although it is not one of those movies that will wow you away ... I have to say that the director/script writer/actors did a good job in trying to provide depth/complexity to the characters/situations (such that it becomes much more credible than most other films) ... the film manages to depict dilemmas, that decisions are never easy, the complexity of relationship, etc ... after all, real life is complicated ...\r\n\r\n-- i also want to add that the relationship between the old couple (i.e., parents) are well crafted too ... they make it even more credible ... \r\n\r\n-- two speeches to note\r\n(i) particularly the line by the husband (when he chose to leave ...)\r\n(ii) the father\'s advice to his daughter (somewhen near the end) ... wow ... very \"food for thought\" ... \r\n\r\n-- if i need to nitpick, it may be the ending ... a bit too Hollywood ...\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nCan watch ... only because the characters are given depth/complexity ...\r\n\r\nPS: wow ... i never know that there is a \"flower/plant\" to suggest breakup ...','c052c9e0b4be6937f9a7d1c642f84f51',0,'','5kbaxo3R',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10398,1824,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156135560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Sex And Philosophy (2005) (Tajikistan)','Director: Mohsen Makhmalbaf\r\nCast: Daler Nazarov\r\n\r\nThe film was Tajikistan\'s submission to Oscar 2006!\r\n\r\nI recall this film because I spent some time searching for its poster to be posted in this forum ... \r\n\r\nI cant believe this ... Singapore will be screening the film ... (not in a film festival but commercial screening ... wow ... thnks The PictureHouse ...) \r\n\r\nPS: The review will be here in mid September …','80fc328502ad69148c86eeca782d9a24',0,'','53nemXEy',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10399,1824,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156146540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Sex And Philosophy (2005) (Tajikistan)','Wow, I can\'t believe this either! I think that the film didn\'t have an official release anywhere...\r\nI would really love to see it. Former fundamentalist Makhmalbaf involved with \"western\" topics would surely make for an interesting watch. This man has definitely gone through a lot of changes since his first cinematic efforts in the early 80s. \r\nWill be awaiting your review hengcs.','b7a20e731f8eb25348f4782c47114204',0,'','o486ySrk',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10400,1824,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1159013820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Sex And Philosophy (2005) (Tajikistan)','Went twice ...\r\nfirst time, there was no more screening that night ...\r\nsecond time, too early ... waited 3 hrs before the screening ...\r\n\r\nSex And Philosophy (2005) (Tajikistan)\r\n\r\nDirector: Mohsen Makhmalbaf\r\nCast: Daler Nazarov\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nwww.makhmalbaf.com/movies.php?m=49\r\n\r\nSynopsis\r\nA man who is celebrating his 40th birthday summoned his 4 lovers simultaneously ... what was his intention? how would the 4 women react? and how would the film end? \r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n\r\n-- Unlike many films, the opening scene and ending scene are \"well coordinated\" ... ... but what really imprints are (i) the art direction/well choreographed scenes and (ii) the \"philosophy\" of love and life (regardless of your personal opinion) ... in a way, each of the affair is also symbolic of something ... \r\ne.g., \"heavenly\" \"first\" love vs \"earthly love\"\r\ne.g., and when the last woman also summoned 4 men, we see the contrast in societal reaction ...\r\netc\r\n\r\n-- the tradeoff, however, is that some scenes/dialogues may seem too contrived/pretentious (for depicting real life scenarios) and too \"choreographed\" ... but hey, I guess if you want to \"like\" this film, you have to appreciate that the style and message(s) are supposed to supercede the quest for authentic portrayal ...\r\n\r\nConclusion ...\r\nRecommended for two groups of people\r\n(i) if you are going for the art direction/choreography ... or music, you will like the film; \r\n(ii) if you like to be philosophical about love and life, this is the film for you ... of course you may choose to agree or disagree with the director\'s viewpoint ...','a421956da1eb9f36191d38ea0ff90875',0,'','AWen2KUT',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10401,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1130795160,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Three Times, the new HHH','THREE TIMES (Ziu hao de shi guang)\r\n\r\nDirected by Hou Hsiao-hsien (2005)\r\n\r\nThree Times, the latest film from Taiwanese master Hou Hsiao-hsien is a lyrical, sensuous, but disappointing collection of three love stories set in 1911, 1966, and 2005. Marvelously performed by Shu Qi (Millennium Mambo) and Chang Chen, the film is both a retrospective of Hou\'s earlier work, a historical study of a culture, and a cogent statement about how social limitations affect each person\'s ability to relate. The message, however, that social restraints and modern technology hampers our ability to connect with one another is hardly new and, though depicted via Hou\'s gorgeous minimalism, was not enough to allow me to become emotionally involved with the characters.\r\n\r\nUtilizing a traditional three-act structure, the mood of the film shifts from one time period to the other but the position of the women remains significant. The first segment is set in 1966 and is titled \"A Time for Love\". Uncharacteristically, Hou uses pop songs as background to the episode involving a chance encounter between Chen, an on-leave soldier and May, a young woman who works at various pool halls in different Taiwanese towns. The songs, repeated throughout the segment in the style of Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, are the Platters 1959 version of the thirties love song \"Smoke Gets in your Eyes\" and the 1968 hit by Aphrodite\'s Child \"Rain and Tears\". Chen becomes attracted to May after returning to visit a previous pool girl to whom he had written love letters while away in service. \r\n\r\nBoth watch each other carefully across smoky pool tables but are forced to leave and the remainder of the segment follows Chen as he attempts to track May in local pool halls across Taiwan. Though the first act contains some poetic moments of mutual attraction, it is mostly teasing in its elusiveness. May and Chen rarely speak and when they do, it is mostly about snooker. Nonetheless, Hou creates an atmosphere of tension as the lovers, perhaps like Taiwan itself at this time, must choose between remaining comfortable in their status quo or taking risks to engender more intriguing possibilities.\r\n\r\nSet in 1911, act two, \"A Time for Freedom\", takes place in a concubine reminiscent of Hou\'s beautiful but claustrophobic Flowers of Shanghai. This 35-minute segment contains no dialogue, simply intertitles as in silent films and a tinkling piano in the background. Hou\'s ostensible reason for using this device is that he was unable to recreate the Taiwanese spoken language of the period. Though this is understandable, I doubt if many would have noticed and the absence of dialogue for that long a period of time comes across as an affectation. In this section, the two lovers from the first segment are now reprieved as master and concubine. The master is a political activist who writes articles promoting independence and provides financial help to a concubine pupil to allow her to achieve the status of companion. \r\n\r\nUnfortunately, he does not address the issue his concubine is most concerned about - her own personal freedom, and he remains indifferent as she expresses her longings, again perhaps reflecting the political idea that Taiwan was not capable of independence at this time. The final chapter brings us to the modern world of freeways, cellphones, and text messaging. Named \"A Time for Youth\", the title of this segment is steeped in irony. No longer a subtext, the lack of communication fostered by modern technology reminds us of previous films by the director that eloquently conveyed the apathetic self-indulgence of modern Taiwanese youth, Goodbye South, Goodbye and Millennium Mambo. Unlike Goodbye South, Goodbye, which employed colored filters to highlight the garishness of modern Taipei, however, the city in the current film is now dark and foreboding. \r\n\r\nThe characters are a photographer, his girlfriend, a rock singer, and her own female lover. The singer is torn between these two lovers and I was frustrated by the intrusion of the female lover who acts as a brake on a fulfilling possibility between the two main protagonists, promised in the opening two segments. Though most likely true to the director\'s intentions, the final section feels artificial and cold and Three Times, while bearing flashes of Hou\'s brilliance, comes across as a cinematic exercise, an appealing concept that is ultimately unsatisfying.\r\n\r\nGRADE: B','b9a46587c77341cd3e9602e4dbb0134b',0,'','GaMpVb8D',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10402,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1130925900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','\r\nHere is an official website\r\nwww.ocean-films.com/threetimes','3bf5ee0b9f44887afc0e1897d19c63dd',0,'','mF6wk8fK',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10403,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1144231740,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','[Note: Three Times was originally seen last year at the Toronto film festival; this review was posted in the appropriate festival thread on 10/07/05.]\r\n\r\n_______________________\r\n*A 2006 U.S. Release* \r\n\r\n***possible spoilers***\r\n\r\nA haunting and hypnotic journey encapsulating time, memory and space, Three Times (Zui hao de shi guang), the latest chef-d\'oeuvre from Taiwanese master Hou Hsiao-hsien, is a film which ultimately travels straight-to-the-heart. Comprised of three segments spread across time, it stars Hous muse Shu Qi and Wong Kar Wais regular Chang Chen as lovers who return in each segment with different identities facing a different set of rules established by history and society. \r\n\r\nNothing bounds the opening sequence, however, one which is destined to go down as one of the greatest moments from the master: As The Platters \"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes\" fills the auditory senses, the fluid, sumptuous images of DP Mark Lee Ping-bin capture the visuals, simply leaving one in a state of awe. From the green baize of the snooker table reflecing in the skin of the participants (including our protagonists) quietly playing what theyre about to play across time, to the hazy Nouvelle Vague ambiance, its simply breathtaking to watch. One could obviously tell the time-period from the details, and it isnt long that Hou begins his first segment in the same frame 1966 to be exact, with the title, \"A Time for Love.\" Here, Shu Qi plays May, a pool-hall hostess who eventually gets the attention of Chen (Chang Chen), a soldier and a regular visitor of the parlors. But the duo lose touch after Chen gets called in for service and May has to move to another town for a job. \r\n\r\nWhile overall, Hou has tried to underplay the political angle to Three Times, it\'s quite prominent. In this particular segment, its hard not to notice the constant physical displacement of his characters, something that brings to mind the Cultural Revolution of the mid-60\'s which had similar effects. There are numerous shots of Chang traveling to and fro across the harbor for his service, and at one point he even goes from one small town to another in search of his love. For this section, Hous Dust in the Wind (1986) also comes to mind, and a whiff of The Time to Live and the Time to Die (1985) is hard to miss. But \"A Time for Love\" is primarily an ode to the directors days of youth; hes said that he was in love with the music of that era, something that becomes obvious with his repeated use of Aphrodites Childs \"Rain and Tears,\" most effectively as the segment beautifully culminates near a railway station, another place Hou is well familiar with.\r\n\r\nThe second segment, \"A Time for Freedom,\" one which will lead most viewers familiar with Hou\'s work to point to his 1998 masterpiece Flowers of Shanghai, is possibly even more political. Set in 1911 at a brothel, not unlike the one from the former, this segment recalls the time of Japanese occupation of Hous homeland. Chang plays a liberal diplomat trying to convey his ideas to the masses against the control. Here, Chang is a regular at the brothel since he\'s the master of a concubine simply named Shu (Shu Qi). Like any concubine, Shus ultimate dream is to become married, or at least be set free by her married master, someone who truly believes in freedom, but its hard to tell if this patriot actually understands the sorrow of his own muse.\r\n\r\nHou has shot the segment like a silent film, with intertitles. (Hou has said that this wasn\'t an aesthetical choice but rather a practical one since the subtleties of the language spoken during that time period are extremely difficult to learn.) Only the musical pieces that accompany the visitors at the dinners are heard, and pointedly express the inner turmoil Shu goes through while she performs. \"A Time for Freedom\" is perhaps the most devastating segment of the three, thanks in part to DP Mark Lee who once again does wonders, this time in restrictive physical and emotional space.\r\n\r\nAnd then, in an instant, we watch Chang flying down a noisy Taipei highway on his motorcycle with Shu on his back. This is, after all, \"A Time for Youth,\" in the present day Taiwanese capital. Disorientation begins early and it stays till the very end. Shu Qi plays Jing, an epileptic singer who has someone else besides the man in her life played by, once again, Chang Chen, a photographer in this segment. \r\n\r\nHou enters \"Millennium Mambo\" territory here with neon lights, exquisite interior designs, and a general emotive coldness. He has said that he shot an hour of this segment and Id be very interested in that. The underlying mystery in this piece is often jarred by sudden shifts, but that may have been the point. Nevertheless, in the throes of a haunting melody, Hou ultimately takes us back on the road of life whose uncertainty can only lead us to brace ourselves, and hold on tight to the ones we love.\r\n\r\nGrade: A\r\n\r\n_____________________\r\n\r\nTHREE TIMES premiered at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival (in-competition). The film will be released in the U.S. by IFC - On Demand on April 26th.','c40b8951fea3548889dbb1742a048e1c',0,'','e4wP0mLE',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10404,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1144564920,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','The Taiwanese DVD, which includes English subs, is now available. A cheaper HK DVD (also featuring Eng subs) is another option.','ff047807f2413e1df881dce2a6b7e99f',0,'','cFPChQt7',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10405,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1145857140,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','Man, arsaib your review was really breathtaking. If the film is anywhere close to it, I will pronbably end up watching it repeatedly. \r\nYour review just brought up beautiful pictures of the film in my mind. Thanks a lot!','e4dc82f475e4d9689acc9030a942494d',0,'','chBVvlso',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10406,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151300340,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','The US DVD is being released on September 26.','e7964c85c54d190e52b0182333c896e6',0,'','kVK5AR3d',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10407,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151306280,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','I know, but what happened to your plans of visiting the Music Box? \r\n\r\nThanks to digital-projection-technology, Three Times will even play in a black-hole called Buffalo. I\'ve already seen it twice, but I just might go watch it three more times.','1d850c41f0877dcf6e14bb955a1e6818',0,'','aMckRKZE',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10408,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151308920,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','I still might, the only problem is this week its playing, and this week so are the @#%$ Cubs, so parking will cost $20 at the cheapest. Still might give it a shot, asked two people who will probably say \"no\" to join me, but I have Wednesday night off, and I think the Cubs are playing in the early afternoon, so it might be doable.','404c06233aa170500a8540ec7e621586',0,'','rEpJR80b',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10409,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151646180,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','Well updates for all. Three Times theatrical run was ending today, in fact as I\'m typing this the last show is running. I decided to say @#%$ sleep today, and went down to Wrigleyville. I got there nice and insanely early so parking wouldn\'t be an issue. I parked near the Music box, and walked the few blocks to Wrigley Field where I found a relatively nice overpriced scalper selling tickets. I bought one, and hung around the area for a little while until the game. The game was a disappointment (as almost every Cubs game has been lately), but afterwards I wandered off to Southport Ave to get me some Cold Stone ice cream and hit on the ice cream scooper until it was time for the movie to start. After finishing my ice cream I wandered down Southport to the Music Box complete with a few too many markings from my ice cream on me. I was amazed to find that the Music Box actually has a \"cheap\" show. So instead of the $9.25 ass raping I was expecting, it was about an $8.25 ass raping, which left my anus feeling much less violated.\r\n\r\nSo anyways seeing the film in this wonderful theater is always a pleasure. The last time I went I was put in theater two which looks like a storage closet converted into a movie theater. This was on screen one however, and the place is quite spectacular. Unfortunately since I had slept about 3 hours this week it was getting hard to keep my eyes open. This was only a problem during the second segment of the film, so therefore I feel incapable of offering any great criticism on this part which I thought was the weakest. The film began in absolutely perfect fashion. The first story was absolutely touching, and its filled with a personal sense of nostalgia, and I thought the close up of the two lovers holding hands was perhaps the most heartfelt moment in all of Hou\'s work. With films of this nature though its usually difficult for three acts to all measure up, and I don\'t think the other two did. The last seemed unoriginal to me, and something that had been done a little better by Tsai Ming Liang in nearly all of his films. I\'m glad I did get a chance to see it in a theater though, and I can say one positive thing about the last segment. For once a movie where a scene takes place at a bar/club the music was deafening. I\'m sick of people talking without raising their voices while a band is playing in the background.','832bdd14ad6c007cbe8e038993382e5f',0,'','lwDNT6ie',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10410,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151649900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','I\'m extremely glad that you decided to go down there. And thanks for providing us with, ahem, the blow-by-blow account.\r\n\r\nAs for the film, I think you would appreciate the second segment a bit more later on, especially because you\'re a big Flowers of Shanghai fan. Good point about the music/club scene.','5521702c4ef75d772e4eb335c638fa50',0,'','Ch9qv7ka',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10411,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151668380,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','Perhaps that\'s why I was initially disappointed with it. It seemed similar to Flowers of Shanghai, but not as visually striking. I\'ll admit that it was still interesting, but I loved how Flowers was shot with much more intricate and longer takes. For whatever reasons Hou likes to admit, the fact of making it a silent segment is still something of a gimmick, but one I think pays off eventually.','ea6f344fb9783d2139eb5dae05b4d76e',0,'','s5tAlPCf',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10412,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151917560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','ha ha ...\r\n\r\nmy guilty confession ... i was also very very very tired when i first watched it in a cinema ... i dozed off (despite my great effort to keep awake) during the third story ...\r\n\r\nbut guess what, the director earned more money because i went to watch it again in the cinema the second time ... hiaks hiaks ...\r\n\r\nin sum, \r\n\r\nBOTH times, i like the first story and the song best ... ha ha ha ... the mood is just right ...\r\n\r\nas for the second story, i just thought it is well scripted ... with impt parallels and messages ...\r\n\r\nas for the third story, i just thought it tries too hard ...\r\n\r\noverall, recommended.','bbed05fd165fbe31e12e1ca55a3c4071',0,'','PAcLrmz3',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10413,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158896160,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','Beautiful film but unfortunately I suffered the same fate as one or two others, a combination of a heavy meal beforehand, two+ hours sat in a small cinema with no air conditioning add the lilting piano music during the second section and you can guess what happened. A couple of seconds here and there were all that were needed to make me lose track of where the story was going. \r\n\r\nI\'m so ashamed.............................. \r\n\r\nI will catch it again on dvd asap.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','ca781fb71a02d13838b1b93fc09ce20b',0,'','GMcJmEPd',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10414,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158902520,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','I hope you do -- Artificial-Eye is releasing it on Nov 13th, with a quote from Jim Jarmusch on the cover! Not sure what the extras will be. As wpqx mentioned earlier, the U.S. DVD is coming out next week. The French DVD is already available, and it reportedly features English subs.','80d5d861c94041e1372fb5b802c032d2',0,'','8j0z3URX',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10415,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158903360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','And the Asian DVDs are available (usually with English subtitles)','b604f385fdedf8cfc7cce232da70d9ac',0,'','SBk6cvVr',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10416,1825,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1221674880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'tzarine','Re: Three Times, the new HHH','the 2nd segment felt like a rehash of flowers of shanghai and the 3rd was KMART wannabe WKW. \r\n\r\nDisappointing stuff from HHH.','4b8fbe5709bd8a182de8308b140134a8',0,'','S1ZtzgUW',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10417,1826,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158787200,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Lower City (Cidade Baixa) (2005) (Brazil)','Director: Srgio Machado\r\nCast: Lzaro Ramos, Wagner Moura, Alice Braga\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nwww.lowercitymovie.com/\r\n\r\nsome simple comments\r\n\r\nwhat is good?\r\n- it looks real\r\n- the cast did a credible job\r\n\r\nwhat is bad?\r\n- it is not very engaging ... be it plot or pacing or characterization ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nExpected something better ... it is just an okay film ... it did not wow me away ...','12730b77cb0f6b4bac9d31edb3c4ea89',0,'','3SCl4q8h',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10418,1826,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158799980,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Lower City (Cidade Baixa) (2005) (Brazil)','I\'ve had a copy of this lying around for a while, I\'ll have to dig it out and see if there\'s anything worthwhile to add to Hengcs\'s brief comments.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','644880ccd06407cb38d205767bc91583',0,'','VQmH2a7T',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10419,1826,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158857580,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Lower City (Cidade Baixa) (2005) (Brazil)','sounds great ...\r\ni think justin has watched it ...','6299184ac4440eb5b870e14b11ec43c4',0,'','S17cH5lu',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10420,1827,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158744900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'MikLosk','Giorgino (Laurent Boutonnat, France, 1994)','Neglected Masterpiece\r\n\r\nThe film begins with kid\'s close-up: a boy\'s smiling and pulling faces for the main hero. In 5 minutes his father will die. The picture is set in France, 1918, in the world without men. All men either perished or lost on the fields of WWI battles. Only oldmen, women and kids survived.\r\n\r\nGiorgio (Jeff Dahlgren) returns from the battle-front poisoned with german gas and suffocated with asthma. The only thing in the world is important for him: ten kids in the orphan\'s home where he worked before the war. But children are evacuated in a far mountain village. And he\'s going there with big package of fruit-drops. There is a forgotten sweet taste of quiet childhood in this package. These fruit-drops are the only bright point in the movie among snow desert and dim light of interiors. Giorgio\'s going to find lost peace of the old world but gets into a fearful tale without happy end.\r\n\r\nIn the village they say: \"Children perished long ago. Catherine drowned them in a bog.\" Catherine (Mylene Farmer) says that children drowned saving themselves from the wolves but nobody believes her: wolves don\'t live there...\r\n\r\nThere are not much such amazing, convincing and magic worlds among landscapes of world cinema as the world created by Boutonnat in Giorgino. It\'s a film about childhood(not sunny and happy), about the lost childhood of the world. Childish face of the hero bears imprint of confusion of the things that happens with this world: innocence is lost, illusions are broken, childhood is passing away. It\'s not only about Giorgio - it\'s about the whole world. \r\n\r\nTo retell the plot is senseless: the story is in the telling. Dramatically and visually perfect, emotionally powerful, this movie affects me so much! Its transcendental insight reminds me Roeg\'s Don\'t Look Now. Giorgino is much more perfect. Maybe it\'s the greatest movie ever made because it allows us to come close to the edge of the world, to the bound between us and mysterious...\r\n10/10','1e2defa10c7ec32ffd8b4e939fffef27',0,'','cbWfq6Vk',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10421,1827,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158768780,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Giorgino (Laurent Boutonnat, France, 1994)','Thanks for mentioning the movie. I\'ve never heard about it, but it sounds intriguing. Imdb doesn\'t give much info on it either.\r\nWhere did you watch this Mik?','a681c6eeea3757c8632267988c2cce53',0,'','tLx92FM1',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10422,1827,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158787020,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Giorgino (Laurent Boutonnat, France, 1994)','wow ...\r\nnow, can someone search for the DVD?\r\nha ha ha','44eb4eb98766e9794cdd417f222f13bb',0,'','T0lDbAGK',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10423,1827,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158831060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'MikLosk','Re: Giorgino (Laurent Boutonnat, France, 1994)','I saw it on my friend\'s VHS. I\'m not sure if it\'s available on DVD. The film failed in distribution and now is almost forgotten. There are only several fans who recorded it from TV once. My friend is one of them. Very pity that such a flawless masterpiece is unknown and unavailable for cinema lovers.','33e7d57d961f787b5758e4476c98f805',0,'','SvjZd0Gn',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10424,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1150963260,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','\r\n\r\nThe most highly anticipated Chinese film this year (will be screened in September).\r\n\r\nDirector: Feng Xiao Gang\r\nCast: Zhang Ziyi, Ge You, Zhou Xun, Daniel Wu, Wang Xiao Ming\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://ent.sina.com.cn/yeyan.html\r\nhttp://www.thebanquetthemovie.com/\r\n\r\nI have finally gotten to see the trailer on a big screen, \r\nand it needs to be so ... because of the DETAILS and cinematography ... WOW ...\r\n\r\nBut if you are too eager, here is a trailer\r\n(it might NOT appear good because details are lost in the poor resolution)\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAa0ip1czjc&search=the%20banquet%20trailer\r\n\r\nI even suspect it will represent China in Oscar 2007.\r\nhee hee','4ba55f748308cce65211e5aeaff9c979',0,'','9QifsT2y',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10425,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1150972920,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...................................looks a little familiar and all too similar to a few other films doesn\'t it!\r\n\r\nIs this the only type of film we will see being distributed from China from now on? Still at least it doesn\'t look like some sort of reject John Carpenter b-movie as Seven Swords did.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','57cb1b2dd753be34b2efd1acac9424d7',0,'','N2ovn3Ds',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10426,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151283120,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','I think hengcs is anticipating it because of Ms. Ziyi Zhang. \r\n\r\nBtw, what other films do you have in mind, Trev? I didn\'t like Seven Swords very much, but what surprised me the most was its poor production values.','905bdd84d7ae8d6e5d841089adae55dd',0,'','H5ujPAbi',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10427,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151290800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','The trailer reminded me of Hero, HoFD, CTHD and all the other costume epics. Maybe hengcs can way lay those thoughts once he\'s seen the film.\r\n\r\nIt is a shame to see Zhang Ziyi pretty well typecast, I\'m sure a little variation in her roles would do her the world of good as it has done for Maggie Cheung and Gong Li. Still at least she hasn\'t taken a role in a Hollywood movie that\'s a rehash of a lame 80\'s T.V. series yet unlike one of the actresses listed above. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','d65ea7047aad825028c8a106a582278f',0,'','FLw9untN',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10428,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151307420,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','No, she hasn\'t, but she was in Rush Hour 2.','53092b0577209a8e08f8f8ad7c13e0ed',0,'','iDTtcR3F',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10429,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151337000,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','Touch.........................','d0582b87098f0675d9ec5de38661c347',0,'','W3iuN18F',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10430,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151422260,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','Am I reading critisicm of Miami Vice? \r\nSeriously, I\'d go and watch anything directed by Michael Mann (after my re-re-re-..viewing of Heat recently). As a director, this guy is a genius. The trailor looked pretty stylish, but had some good camera work. We will see.','4586dd83278d7da8ca55a5c1c46b429b',0,'','ZBseXyfP',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10431,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151446560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','I admire both Mann and Farrell quite a bit, so I\'ll definitely check out Miami Vice. I wasn\'t overly impressed by Collateral, but Mann\'s employment of Hi-Def DV was sublime.','c5dbc6b5201cd269705eb029eaa3e955',0,'','Sg1p7XRT',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10432,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151918160,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','Quote trevor, \" Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...................................looks a little familiar and all too similar to a few other films doesn\'t it!Is this the only type of film we will see being distributed from China from now on? Still at least it doesn\'t look like some sort of reject John Carpenter b-movie as Seven Swords did.\r\n\r\nWhat to do ... they are big budget films ... ha ha ... and they do appeal to mainstream audience and the teenagers better (compared to some artsy films like The World, Shanghai Dreams, etc) ... \r\n\r\nWell, i will catch the film regardless, ha ha ha ... for me, every film deserves a chance ... anyway, most Chinese directors would like to film a \"martial arts\" films some time in their career (after all, many Chinese grew up \"believing\" in them ... i.e., kind of period drama/historically grounded at times) ... \r\n\r\nso, we are all wondering if the director Feng Xiao Gang can direct/create a more compelling story ... hee hee\r\n\r\nQuote arsaib4,\"I think hengcs is anticipating it because of Ms. Ziyi Zhang.\"\r\n\r\nI think she can act ... but I am not crazy over her ... ha ha ha\r\n\r\nQuote trevor826, \" The trailer reminded me of Hero, HoFD, CTHD and all the other costume epics. ...\"\r\n\r\nha ha ha ... they all look alike, dont they? ... so it will be the story that makes the difference ... ha ha ha','12d2002f2078e2819b6fce9f3c922136',0,'','glHUM9Sx',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10433,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151934240,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','I do hope you\'re right hengcs and it\'s probably unfair of me to make comparisons this early, I\'ll certainly give it a chance. For me it\'s not so much that it\'s a costume epic, maybe a better comparation would be the similarity between a lot of Western action films and how they\'ve been influenced by \"The Matrix\". I think CTHD and especially Hero have had a major influence on how the action scenes are presented in this type of film plus the increased use of cgi doesn\'t help in giving a film that unique touch.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','46128b252618249460574518a201990e',0,'','CaFZDsny',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10434,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152276960,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','Hi\r\nyou will be \"upset\" to know that the other film in contention for Oscar is also a \"period\" film ... ha ha ha\r\n\r\n* drum roll *\r\n\r\nCurse of the Golden Flower (2006)\r\n\r\nDirector: Zhang Yi Mou\r\nCast: Jay Chou, Chow Yun Fatt, Gong Li, Liu Ye \r\n\r\nThe official website in English is not ready yet ... \r\nwill keep you people informed ...','e455bf810df1935ec26dc8b6cb1738cd',0,'','n4T3tyxb',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10435,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152529500,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','All I can say is:\r\n\r\nRaise the Red Lantern (1991)\r\nJu Dou (1990)\r\n\r\nAre two of my favourite films ever! Both period dramas, both directed by Zhang Yi Mou and both starring Gong Li.\r\n\r\nI think my expectations for Curse of the Golden Flower (2006) will probably be far too high.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','9b557180349686d7ad53bc0b111431a4',0,'','Tb04MysR',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10436,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158534420,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','I have finally watched it','9ba1c4fe443bfb96500a09ce2c6c37f3',0,'','4b9n10Co',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10437,1828,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158789480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: The Banquet (Ye Yan) (2006)','some simple comments ...\r\n\r\nby now, most of you would have heard ... it is loosely based on the story of Hamlet, albeit set in China ... \r\nand also, the emphasis is on the \"queen\" rather than the \"prince\" ...\r\n\r\nwhat is good?\r\n- definitely the visuals (i.e.,\"art direction\", \"costume\", and \"set design\") and sound (i.e., sountrack) ... wow ...\r\n\r\n- the last 30 min or so, one would be interested to know how it ends ... and the ending scene ... you wont guess it ... \r\n\r\nwhat could be better?\r\n- maybe becos there is \"more style\" than \"characterization\", it is not as emotionally engaging as one hopes for (except near the end) ...\r\n\r\n- hmmm, although it is set in china, there are some elements that make it less oriental and more foreign ...\r\n\r\n- nothing personal, but i am not sure if Zhang Ziyi carries the role well (if you look at each scene separately, she does look the part ... however, if you try to appreciate how the character is \"complicated\" in her relationship/situation so as to survive, it doesn\'t come across as a coherent portrayal); instead, i thought Gong Li may have done a better job ...\r\n\r\nconclusion:\r\nrecommended (esp for a commercial film) ...','97151bceb36aab9e123d0ad4fdd01601',0,'','MkLjXtyV',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10438,1829,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158447960,1,0,1,1,1,1,'Ericktubil','Philippine Entry to 2007 Oscars','Hey guys. Last Sept 8 , was the announcement of Philippine entry to the Oscars. The winning film is \"The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros \" . Personally, I would have prefereed the movie \"The Bet Collector \" . \r\n\r\nHere is the news courtesy of Philippine Inquirer\r\n\r\n_______________________________________________\r\n\r\nBy Bayani San Diego Jr.\r\nInquirer\r\nLast updated 00:42am (Mla time) 09/08/2006\r\n\r\nPublished on Page F1 of the September 8, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer \r\n\r\nITS FINAL AND OFFICIAL.\r\n\r\nThe Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) has chosen an indie movie, ufo Pictures Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros ( The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros ) as the Philippine entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 79th Oscar Awards set in February next year in Los Angeles.\r\n\r\nThe news was confirmed by FAP secretary-general Leo Martinez and National Artist for Film Eddie Romero.\r\n\r\nRomeros 1976 film Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon ( How we were then, How are you now? ) was the countrys first entry to the Oscars.\r\n\r\nThe Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which hands out the Oscars, used to work with Romero in the annual selection. He has since turned over the responsibility to the FAP.\r\n\r\nDouble time\r\n\r\nRomero and Martinez said a screening committee was formed to ensure an RP entry. Last year, the FAP came under fire for failing to field one.\r\n\r\nBoots Anson-Roa, a member of the FAP Board of Governors, told Inquirer Entertainment that the committee had worked double time to beat the Oscar deadline set on Oct. 2.\r\n\r\nThe committee, chaired by Romero, consisted of FAP members Pablo S. Gomez, Jose N. Carreon, Johnny Delgado, William Mayo and George Estregan Jr.\r\n\r\nRomero confirmed that Maximo had come up against another indie digital film, MLR Films Kubrador.( Bet Collector ) \r\n\r\nPerhaps what spelled the difference for Maximo was that its a moving, human story, and has won a lot of awards abroad, said Romero.\r\n\r\nAccording to ufo Pictures producer Raymond Lee, Maximo has won 12 international awards and joined 35 international film festivals. Locally, it has won 12 trophies, including top plums in the critics (Urian) and movie press (Star) awards.\r\n\r\nIts biggest international awards are from film fests held in Montreal, Singapore and Canary Islands. It received the Best Gay/Lesbian Feature trophy at the Berlin International Film Festival, beating Oscar contenders Capote and Breakfast on Pluto. It also topped the Berlinale Kinderfilmfest.\r\n\r\nSundance sojourn\r\n\r\nMoreover, Maximo earned the distinction of being the first homegrown feature to compete in the World Cinema section of the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and was the opening film in the 35th New Directors/New Films program presented by the Museum of Modern Art and Lincoln Center in New York.\r\n\r\n(Kubrador has won awards in the Moscow and Osian Cinefan (India) film fests. It has been invited to 17 film feststhe latest of which is Toronto, where another Filipino film, Centerstages Twilight Dancers, is also participating.)\r\n\r\nAll the entries will be screened in LA. Last year, a record 58 countries competed for only five slots in the Best Foreign Language Film category that was eventually won by Tsotsi from South Africa.\r\n\r\nThe Philippines has never made it to the top five.\r\n\r\nTony Gloria, president of Unitel Pictures, the US distributor of Maximo, vowed that his company would pull out all stops to improve the films chances in the Oscar race.\r\n\r\n________________________________________________','3da2caf3c679088beae4d98e44f055c9',0,'','9LN3FKqY',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10439,1829,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158467100,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Philippine Entry to 2007 Oscars','Thanks for the news, Ericktubil.\r\n\r\nCould you please say a few words about The Bet Collector?','f80ca3e220fba630398a71b1ead939f2',0,'','Dy51ctFN',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10440,1829,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158528240,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Philippine Entry to 2007 Oscars','Thanks Ericktubil. \r\nIt\'s good to get some info on how the Phillipines choose their entry for the Academy Awards. Seems similar to some other countries, though. \r\nOne thing which would interest me. Do you know if Lav Diaz\' \"Evolution of a Filipino Family\" (2005) was ever considered for an entry, or how it was generally received in the Phillipines?','2a0d1e980b39d23bce711fe3cd69fb3c',0,'','wmMhSvYo',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10441,1829,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158535680,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Philippine Entry to 2007 Oscars','thnks for the info …','db2f240d1b87352dab80e50b3fb01000',0,'','ZvDzRT10',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10442,1829,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158654480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'Ericktubil','Re: Philippine Entry to 2007 Oscars','Kubrador ( Bet Collector )\r\n\r\nThis movie tells the story of Amy (played by Gina Pareno, who happens to be one of the greatest actresses in the Philippines), a housewife who lives in poverty and who tries to earn additional income by being a bet collector for a very popular but illegal number gambling game in the Philippines called \"Jueteng\". The story reflects on the country\'s social problems, the government and police\'s involvement in protecting the games, and the churches dependence on gambling for financial support . \r\nThe movie takes us with Amy on her journeys towards some frustrations , troubles and joys while she goes along collecting bets among her impoverished neighborhood ..','a85f25fc75bd9f279d208445739b8de0',0,'','7Ad4jG5n',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10443,1829,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158657540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Philippine Entry to 2007 Oscars','Sounds fascinating. Please let us know when (or if) the film becomes available on DVD. Thanks again!','66beb1c52114aa713e1d21735f65e36f',0,'','eRNoQnFw',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10444,1829,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158756840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'smurfrevolt','Re: Philippine Entry to 2007 Oscars','Interestingly enough, my screenwriting teacher is connected to that film. I think he was the consultant or the teacher of the screenwriter, and he would often show us the storyline as a sample in class. I never got to see the film here, although it was shown in a lot of festivals abroad. Typical of the cinemas here to pull out a film which doesn\'t earn that much. It\'s sad how people here would prefer the latest crap from Hollywood than an actual good film like this. oh well.','8cd3730549017e3346b87a6d41151fde',0,'','hUvlwgMB',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10445,1829,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158790260,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Philippine Entry to 2007 Oscars','Hi arsaib4,\r\nmaybe you could catch the film in London ...\r\nhiaks hiaks\r\n\r\nwww.lff.org.uk/films_deta...FilmID=946','6cce60de73d9d2525941d6ec9bf05f97',0,'','mM7Ti9QC',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10494,1831,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158176220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'peppajaa','Cabeza de Vaca (1991)','Cabeza de Vaca, an amazing film directed by Nicolas Echevarria, about the Spanish explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, who in the early 16th century landed on the shores of So. Florida, was captured and enslaved by the local Indians along with three or four of his shipmates, and eventually melded with his captors, was mentored by the shaman of the tribe and became a healer himself. The film was taken from a written account of de Vaca\'s eight years of captivity. \r\n\r\nThe film is striking in the unfolding of de Vaca\'s immersion into a new culture and the impact on his future. Please check out this website for more. The film is difficult to find. I borrowed it through interlibrary loan from a local library, and eventually bought it from an online vendor.\r\n\r\nwww.lehigh.edu/~ineng/pag...title.html\r\n\r\nPeppa Jaa','84680cfe6ae58d7208b304e7bff671dc',0,'','i4l6f2Fb',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10495,1831,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158200520,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Cabeza de Vaca (1991)','Thanks, peppajaa. Will keep an eye out for it.','2ffa7df7f5057140f9b4fe1046e6dc2b',0,'','n0MJu1EX',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10496,1831,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1158526500,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Cabeza de Vaca (1991)','I\'m usually not into historical films, but this one sounds very interesting. \r\nAnd thanks for the link to the website which looks very interesting. If only more films would get such an amount of (academic?) attention...\r\nIf I get to see the film, this will definitely be helpful.','9596138578bd6bd2bb8212928a4c5ffb',0,'','i0pB5l9H',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10497,1832,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1157629920,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Crnicas (2004 / Ecuador)','Crnicas \r\n\r\n\r\nAs I watched the opening 10 minutes of this film with budding fascination, a maniacal lynching sequence and a torrid depiction of Ecuador starts to take shape. Slowly the set pieces are positioned amidst the self-possessed ethos of the crowd, with Manolo Bonilla (John Leguizamo) being the sidestepping knight along side his gutsy rook, Ivan Suarez (Jose Maria Yazpik) who rushes headlong into the mob on a mere command, while their queen, Marisa Iturralde (Leonor Watling) is being kept out of harm\'s way by the men. But this television crew is in essence, just pawns to the machinations of the news medias escalating demands.\r\n\r\nBonilla dithers on the sidelines until he finally intervenes. All Im reminded of is the tragic circumstances surrounding the award winning South African photojournalist, Kevin Carter when he snapped the Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of a emaciated Sudanese girl being descended upon by a ravenous vulture. He later described himself as yet another vulture, a predator in the midst of suffering. Crnicas is a depressingly cynical look at the state of affairs in a third-world nation and the ersatz concerns that the foreign news media shows in order to exploit its people. Everything that is done carries with it the terrible feeling of ulteriorities as a faux smile and a warm handshake (sometimes tucked in with a bit of cash) manipulates situations and opens doors that should have stayed closed. It is very much an unforgiving indictment on the news media and its dogged pursuit of a ratings goldmine.\r\n\r\nThreading on the same lines as Network, it crosses its fictitious coverage with a compelling thriller involving the Monstruo de Babahoyo (Monster of Babahoyo), a serial killer who has raped and murdered over a 150 young children. Bonilla, a self-involved tabloid television reporter and his crew belong to a Spanish language news network stationed in Miami that airs throughout Latin America. He walks about with a swagger, signing autographs and stays on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to turn on the spotlight. But hes not a hack by any sense of the word. He understands that duplicity is an asset in his line of work, a tool to dig out the information he needs. In this case, he wants to uncover the identity of the Monster for a scoop of a lifetime and potentially his own show. Leguizamo gives the best performance of the cast in his understated portrayal of a well-worn reporter haunted by his guilt and questioning the price of his celebrity. And thats saying plenty considering that every performance in this Foreign Oscar submission by Ecuador is worth its own weight in dramatic gold.\r\n\r\nWith the backdrop of rampant institutional corruption and those only too willing to exploit it, it paints a harsh and gritty landscape of living in a country of poverty and injustice where everyone has slippery fingers when it comes to the truth. Its further amplified with a strong sense of visual authenticity, which does not accentuate the grungy dwelling areas, the shantytown slums and frenzied lawlessness of communal disagreements, but instead captures it with an unattached verite style technique.\r\n\r\nDirector Sebastin Cordro peels back the layers of verisimilitude to slowly reveal the grim, unsettling actualities of his thriller. It shocks and daringly pushes the boundaries of audiences in some ghastly scenes. He constantly pounds us with the ethical dilemmas of journalism such as the validity and protection of sources, the emotional involvement with subjects and brokering of deals that have more to do personal gain than journalistic integrity. The more complicit that Bonilla and his crew become, the more they lose of their conscience. The throwaway lines in particular, divulges much about the inner workings of television journalism and network politics. The conversations between subject and interviewer pose the most perplexity and intrigue, as their insinuations and silence reveal more than words ever could.\r\n\r\n4/5\r\n\r\nJustin Deimen','b454ad3d1316bf2466111dc1a947e291',0,'','lN8hT2Jp',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10498,1832,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1157653140,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Crnicas (2004 / Ecuador)','Sounds very unsettling. Where did you watch the film Justin? Has it received distribution in Singapore, or were you at a film festival?','79701052b674502679a2dfef19ece0af',0,'','mf0Fbz1t',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10499,1832,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1157655240,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Crnicas (2004 / Ecuador)','I watched it initially at the San Francisco Film Fest last year but got a better grasp at the film last night on DVD. It was astoundingly well crafted, I didn\'t notice the depth of detail the first time round and I finally watched the alternate ending that I heard so much about. Needless to say the original was far inferior and over the top compared to the ending that was decided upon.','e50c41fda78eaa7cb6dab7c32a08f983',0,'','xANCvb3o',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10500,1832,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1157687220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Crnicas (2004 / Ecuador)','I have watched it at San Francisco last year too.\r\nHmmm ... I thought we have a review somewhere on this board ...\r\nhiaks hiaks ...','e73cd749d0ee0f1613267ba932e4d781',0,'','uAYZ2B1k',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10501,1833,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154989140,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Ghost Game (Thailand / 2006)','\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nThe premise of Ghost Game is quite straightforward and is an unusual spin on the age-old story of daring people to enter seemingly haunted houses. 11 contestants enter into a reality television programme that will pay out the highest amount in Thai game-show history (5 million Baht) to the contestant that endures the longest in an apparently haunted torture camp. But as usual, the best laid plans never goes the way it should as they find that the ghosts are far more violent than they had expected.\r\n\r\nMired in controversy when it was first released in Thailand, the films setting closely resembled (by name and representation) Cambodias infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where the Khmer Rouge tortured and killed countless dissidents. The Ghost Game producers built the set in Thailand after requests to use the actually museum were denied. Boycotts were called when it was released, leading to a Cambodian ban on the feature while Thai-Cambodian relations hit an all-time low despite the filmmakers apologies and a disclaimer at the start of the film. Unfortunately, due to these problems, there seems to be a substantial amount of scenes referencing the Khmer people that were edited out, which ended up marring the quality of the final cut quite significantly.\r\n\r\nGhost Game somewhat resembles the 2003 Norwegian scare fest, Villmark which had the same idea of a survival-reality television programme choosing contestants to travel deep into the Norwegian woods, encountering evils both plain and unseen. While that film took time to build on the characters, Ghost Game had no such intentions. Right off the bat, with no back-stories revealed about the contestants, were introduced to them in the midst of travelling to the house of horrors. With 11 contestants excluding the crew of the reality series, thats a whole lot of characters to keep track off, each apparently from disparate walks of life.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, the film does not do so well to keep up with any of them, leading to incomplete and highly confusing sequences of storytelling. Coupled with their frightened cardboard representations that never evolve throughout the film and youve got no reason at all to care about any one of them. Although there seems to be a concerted effort to try to evoke human drama from the desperation of strangers trapped together, la the Saw franchise, it hardly comes off as anything other than petulance. Even when the performers dont really have to do with their undemanding roles, aside from screaming and arguing, their amateurism is quite apparent.\r\n\r\nTechnically, the Ghost Game could have ended up decent if not for a number of glaring flaws. While the initial suspense started out well with its clever use of handheld shots, it failed to carry over to the rest of the film once the scares got into full swing especially as scenes started to drag on too long with very little pay-offs. The patchy control over the script and lack of creativity seems to have driven a nail into its coffin when it becomes obvious at the end that its helmers chucked in as many scare tactics and ghostly behaviours as possible. Although grasping with issues carrying immense gravitas like the proverbial ghosts of Cambodias horrid past, its quite regrettable that it unintentionally presents itself as a comedy of errors. \r\n\r\n1/5','0dd61186c9a7414013a70cf0b2995702',0,'','TWXnSzBA',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10502,1834,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1115473020,1,0,1,1,1,1,'MikLosk','Les Temps qui changent/Changing Times (France, 2004)','Participator of the 55th Berlin International Film Festival, this new film by famous French director Andre Techine (I Don\'t Kiss, Le Crime) with legendary Catherine Deneuve (should I mention all her great roles? ) and Gerard Depardieu, hasn\'t deserved even mention at the closing ceremony, despite the obvious weakness of the festival program. \r\n\r\nThe film tells about the engineer (Depardieu) who arrived to Marocco as a observer of the new business-centre building. But the real aim of his travelling is to find his first love (Deneuve) who is married to moor, which is much younger than her (and therefore unfaithful to her). She sees her son-homosexual too rarely, works at the local radio station, and her life isn\'t too joyful. The engineer tries to make her remember their happy days, but she don\'t want to restore or even remember past life and drives him away.\r\n\r\nTechine depicts melancholy with dreadful colours of digged soil - Depardieu\'s hero have to overcome building sites and digged out places. Urbanist athmosphere of The Tangiers (the place where film is set) can\'t help making be depressed every its inhabitan (and even viewers I should say). But it\'s the only felicitous point of the movie. Feebleness of script writers (the director is among them) is obvious - the film is extremely boring! There are no distinct psychological portraits of heroes - they are so trivial! - Deneuve and Depardieu have nothing to play. Moreover, there is no activity - the whole mediation. Ok, we know that there are great films made of the meditation and athmosphere, but the athmosphere of this film is SO depressed and monotonous and the whole film is so shallow that I\'ve almost fallen asleep... Oh, and allusions to the great Casablanca are out of place I think!\r\n\r\nSo, the movie dissappointed me very much despite my great admiring of Deneuve and I cannot but agree with BIFF jury!\r\n2/10','0bb2ca6f765c77cb9d617427454bb803',0,'','4bfQWqS9',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10503,1835,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1157358600,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Hei Bai Dao (On The Edge) (Hong Kong) (2006)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Herman Yau\r\nCast: Nick Cheung, Anthong Wong, Francis Ng, Rain Li\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.ontheedgethemovie.com/\r\n\r\nSynopsis:\r\nThe film revolves around the days after an undercover cop has successfully completed his mission to get the head of the rookie captured. Officially back into his duty as a \"normal\" cop, how would he survive the suspicions of his peers and how would he face the gang he has just betrayed ...\r\n\r\nMy thoughts:\r\n\r\n-- Because the genre/topic has been frequently visited by Hong Kong films, the director has a daunting task ... how can he make it different from the others?! how can he make it memorable?! Fortunately, he is blessed with a good cast ... all the 3 men are pretty well known in Hong Kong cinema (as \"actors\" rather than \"idols\") ... hee hee ... unfortunately, there is not enough in the script to let you \"like/hate\" them ...\r\n\r\n-- in terms of style/technique, the film is injected with tons of flashbacks; there is a conscientious effort in the transit/edit (so, commendable!) ... \r\n\r\nas for the story, pardon me, i thought the initial half was average to above average, but not a \"wow\" ... i.e., you will not be bored but neither will you be kept on the toe ... fortunately, near the end, it got better ... at least there are some scenes that will grip the audience (incl. a rather violent scene) ... also worthy of mention, none of the characters are totally good or evil ... nowadays, most directors/script writers are \"careful\" in crafting good characters who have a negative side (albeit minor) and bad characters with a positive side (so that you will be less harsh or more forgiving) ... so, commendable! ...\r\n\r\nthe typical themes covered incl: trust and betrayal; friends and foes; love and romance; family and brotherhood; etc \r\n\r\n-- in the ending notes, it reiterated the fact that most \"undercover cops\" would not survive more than 3 years when they are back as \"normal\" cops ... reality is always harsh ... sigh ... \r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nAbove average. To me, it only got better near the end ... I am slightly tougher on the film (probably because many of us have watched this genre/topic too often in Hong Kong cinema, such that it is difficult to have a breakthrough) ... \r\n\r\nwell, if audience are captivated or if audience are touched, what else can a director ask for?\r\n\r\nPS: I think a few minutes have been censored (due to excessive violence)','ac383ec19ba6acc0a641f60cf7ffb6ca',0,'','RqaiuxlK',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10504,1835,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1157481900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Hei Bai Dao (On The Edge) (Hong Kong) (2006)','allow me to repeat here ...\r\n\r\njustind wrote: \r\nI\'m intrigued heng. \r\nBut at the same time your brief recounting of the plot shows some similarities to Infernal Affairs. \r\n\r\nHi\r\n\r\nIt is very different from Infernal Affairs \r\n\r\n-- Infernal Affairs focuses on the current life of an \"undercover cop\" and an \"undercover rookie\" ... \r\n\r\n-- On the Edge does not focus on the undercover cop\'s life ... but rather the \"post mortem\" (i.e., how is he supposed to \"live\" after his mission is completed) ... how would he face his \"new\" colleagues in the police force ... and how would he face his \"old\" \"friends\"/partners in crime (whom he has just betrayed) ... also, there is no undercover rookie ... \r\n\r\n\r\n-- If there is any \"similarity\", it has to be the lack of focus on the female characters ... ha ha ha ...','95447da48051a3913e011bd1a1a747ec',0,'','AhJ6tCKH',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10505,1836,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153921680,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Singapore Dreaming (Singapore / 2006)','\r\n\r\nSynopsis:\r\n\r\nThis is a poignant, yet darkly humorous story about a typical Singaporean family coming to grips with their aspirations. It weaves a layered and moving tale about a family dealing with loss, ambition and the search for what really matters in life.\r\n\r\nMovie Review:\r\n\r\nColin Goh will always be synonymous with talking @#%$. The author/lawyer/cartoonist had turned filmmaker with his debut feature with the love-it-or-hate-it Talking @#%$: The Movie. Satire is the name of the game when discussing Goh. He founded Singapores foremost satirical website (Talkingcock.com), expanded it into CDs, a movie and a dictionary defining Singapores colourful patois. He (with the co-direction of his wife) has finally added another notch to his belt with Singapore Dreaming, which first bowed as the curtain raiser for this years Singapore International Film Festival and is now gearing up for its island-wide commercial release.\r\n\r\nOne thing you can be sure of is that this film is no dud. In fact, its one of the most richly textured, amusing and expressively lyrical pieces of filmmaking that I have yet seen. It is deceptively astute in its construction of a typically extended Singaporean household. Its a remarkable and cogent portrayal of family politics by its cast, grounded in emotion and realism. The film should be a significantly different experience for a local compared to a foreigner when viewed, as its more an observation for those who have not lived through the system their entire lives. As a local, however, you feel like youre on the inside looking out. It just means that much more.....\r\n\r\n\r\nContinued at \r\n\r\nwww.moviexclusive.com/review/singaporedreaming/singaporedreaming.htm\r\n\r\n-------------------------------\r\n\r\nI don\'t think a lot of auds outside the South East Asian region will get to see this gem. It captures Singapore living to a tee. If you ever wondered how Singaporeans live, this is probably the most truest film that you can possibly see. One of my favourites this year. As a Singaporean, I can not help but feel how personal this is. \r\n\r\nI\'m sure its reached some festivals abroad, I just can\'t remember which.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a clip:\r\n\r\nwww.youtube.com/watch?v=sTd1AiLplp4&mode=related&search=','4d8918c7aea62f80c1e2423878c906be',0,'','qePyYF6s',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10506,1836,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153978500,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Singapore Dreaming (Singapore / 2006)','hi\r\nglad to see you posting actively.\r\n* if only i have more time *\r\n\r\nanyway, i have wanted to watch the film during SIFF\r\nbut they did not sell the tickets on the first day ...\r\nthey promised to call me when it went on sale ...\r\nbut they never did ...\r\nbut the time i realized, all tickets were kind of sold out ...\r\nsigh ...\r\n\r\nSo, did you like this better than 4:30?\r\n\r\nPS: did you watch Love Story? or The Art of Flirting?\r\n\r\nI watched them during SIFF.\r\n\r\nLove Story was above average (quite commendable in terms of \"art direction\" and \"cryptic messages\" ... but after a while, the \"directing effort\" got too \"conscientious\"/ and \"contrived\"/ and tiring ...)\r\n\r\nThe Art of Flirting ... i was \"convinced\" into watching it from sgfilm.com ... but frankly ... i would rather not comment on it ... i think it should remain as a \"short\" ... it would have been better ... it was also true that several people walked out after a while ...','0f8ee4c147ebdcb4f32e5f2e0e02da5a',0,'','xEVKS1mj',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10507,1836,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154117640,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Singapore Dreaming (Singapore / 2006)','Shame you didn\'t get to see it and about the demand for SIF tix. Would be one of the reason why I didn\'t fly back to Singapore soon enough to attend, knowing I might not have been able to attend screenings I wanted.\r\n\r\nI saw Love Story. Didn\'t like it but admired it for most part.\r\n\r\nKet me post the review in abit.','10d701b30a595127af1b25a035eea9e3',0,'','VZhXnm9R',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10508,1836,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155865620,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Singapore Dreaming (Singapore / 2006)','@Justin\r\n\r\nYour review starts promising, and I\'d like to read more of it, but sadly the link doesn\'t work...\r\nMaybe you could post them complete n the future, or is there an issue with copyright?','abfb7a8fc60a23f862a67daa7934748d',0,'','ktnhjFsV',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10509,1836,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155894480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Singapore Dreaming (Singapore / 2006)','Hi A,\r\nI clicked both links and they worked ...\r\n\r\nIf I am correct, I think there is just an \"ethical\" rather than \"copyright\" issue (I may be wrong though). I think Moviexclusive.com (in Singapore) has tied up with some theaters locally to offer FREE premier screenings to those who are willing to write reviews for them. Hence, it is only ethical that the reviews are posted there \"kind of exclusively\". But who knows, maybe justin can say more ...\r\n\r\nAnyway, I agree justin is helping with posting lots of reviews ... \r\nto justin, \r\nI think members of this board do appreciate your reviews ...\r\n* hear them clapping *\r\n\r\nIf only I have more time ... I have been missing a lot of reviews from the film festival which I have attended some mths ago and I have NOT watched any film recently (despite the tons of good movies screening in Singapore) ... for those wondering why singapore features so many different films (i.e., the \"turnover\" of films is often fast) ... becos singaporeans are amongst the highest movie goers in the world ... and becos the population is little, they have to change the films more often ... ha ha ha\r\n\r\nPS: I have just gotten a free ticket to watch LEMMING ...','7fb3f90aff964b97d70058bd6a754c99',0,'','Yf7MlAhn',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10510,1836,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155899880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Singapore Dreaming (Singapore / 2006)','Hi A, I\'ll try to post a couple of them in full and some not in full, just to mix things up abit. Tell me if the link doesn\'t work for you though. Do try again when you can, its a film that I\'ve enjoyed thoroughly and just oozes social commentary in a way that isn\'t so pretentiously heavy-handed.\r\n\r\nheng, I\'ll be catching Lemming as well, but not sure if its a different date from yours. If it isn\'t, I\'ll catch up with you at the screening. Check out the Chai-Lai Angels thing I did, will you be going for any of the Sawadee Film Fest?','f0cde61b1c45875e62867a0418fb0f70',0,'','cGA0h2CE',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10511,1836,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155930060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Singapore Dreaming (Singapore / 2006)','The link is working now . Maybe it was just a temporary problem.\r\nHeh, if I would get free screenings, that would certainly make me write more. But I doubt that I\'d keep such a high quality if I\'d be reviewing regularly.','1ac06d569fa38d9be0e77d4f703276c9',0,'','cr14H73k',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10512,1836,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155931200,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Singapore Dreaming (Singapore / 2006)','It\'s really not about the free screenings, though it does make it easier and makes viewing much more pleasant when you aren\'t sitting in the middle of 2 coughing/chewing/boisterous patrons at a public screening on the first day of its opening. It\'s just a good way to get your opinions out at the end of the day, especially if you\'ve something to say.','83e6dc4e9bc6a38e288e034ab140974b',0,'','hxfY856s',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10513,1836,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156055640,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Singapore Dreaming (Singapore / 2006)','Wuote justin,\"heng, Check out the Chai-Lai Angels thing I did, will you be going for any of the Sawadee Film Fest? \"\r\n\r\nI am kind of busy these few months ...\r\nso i am giving it a miss ...\r\notherwise, i will be more diligent in my reviews ...\r\nha ha ha','3c915472254a31c20579e6e34cc82dd5',0,'','YU1HD3cK',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10514,1836,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1157359800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Singapore Dreaming (Singapore / 2006)','The official website\r\nsee\r\nwww.singaporedreaming.com/\r\n\r\nThe trailer \r\nwww.singaporedreaming.com/trailer.htm\r\n\r\nThe teasers\r\nwww.singaporedreaming.com/downloads1.htm\r\n\r\nOther clips\r\nwww.singaporedreaming.com/clips.htm\r\n\r\nMy 1 cent worth:\r\n\r\nFor the first 30 min or so, I wasn\'t exactly sure why critics and those who have watched during the film fest like the film ... to me, it was initially just okay ... save for the fact that it is very \"singaporean\", and there are a few familiar \"incidents/jokes\" that we can identify with ... but to me, it really looks like another TV series ... \r\n\r\nFortunately, as the film proceeds (i.e., last 1.5 hr or so), i have to agree that it becomes \"depressingly\" nice ... there are a few scenes that will make you sad ... and think ...\r\n\r\ni am also glad that the directors do not seek to resolve everything ... although i think the ending is still \"kind of happy\" rather than sad ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\n\r\nOverall, recommended ... only because it touches on several issues of being singaporeans that many can relate to ... \r\n\r\nsomehow, i still think that it could be better ... as of now, it still feels like a lot of \"very familiar bits and pieces of jokes/incidents\" pieced together to become a coherent story ... a story about different people within the family ... \r\n\r\nsomehow, my gut feel is ...\r\n- mainstream moviegoers are going to prefer \"I NOT STUPID\" and \"I NOT STUPID TOO\" ...\r\n- artsy audience are going to prefer 4:30 ...','16db1b926f7673c70a9d28270ac55ce3',0,'','H9TbSsDG',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10515,1837,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1157309160,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Forbidden Siren (2006 / Japan)','\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nYukihiko Tsutsumi\'s \"Forbidden Siren is based on Sonys Forbidden Siren series for the Playstation2 and was released in Japan to coincide with the launch of its sequel, the eponymic Siren 2. The premise closely follows the very footsteps laid by the game without digressing a whole lot. Roughly resembling a disturbing bedtime story to keep rumbustious children in check, it spans a generation of sinister, shadowy events from 1976 to present day Japan. Set entirely in the desolate island-village of Yamajima, it hides a dark and evil history. The inhabitants of the island were terrorised and eradicated, except for a solitary man who was driven to madness, convinced that he has seen evil in its purest form.\r\n\r\nFast forward 30 years later and we see a whole new set of villagers taking up the reins. A writer, Shinichi (Reo Morimoto) hopes a change of surroundings will be beneficial to his family. So he optimistically packs up and relocates his grown daughter, Yuki (Yui Ichikawa), and his young and sickly son, Hideo (Jun Nishiyama) to Yamajima. Yuki, fiercely protective of her brother, does not welcome the change when she finds that her menacing neighbours do not seem pleased with the foreign invasion. Aside from the friendly Dr. Minamida (Naoki Tanaka), the new family does not interact much with the people on the island. The story truly kicks up when a neighbour warns Yuki to never leave her house alone at night, never go up to the tower on the hill and never under any circumstances, leave her house when she hears the siren.\r\n\r\nForbidden Siren, perhaps unsurprisingly, has the look and feel of a horror videogame. It depends largely on its ghastly atmospheric qualities, which excels in contrast to the rest of its production values. With its very dark and uninviting environment, it sets the stage to turn this remote island paradise right into hell on earth just as easily as day turning into night. It draws certain parallels with Silent Hill, another game-based film translation that had more or less the same team working on both the original Silent Hill game and the first Forbidden Siren game. It combines a fair bit of the recently revived and oft-used horror elements such as its large baroque sets, themes of estrangement and pianissimo hints of foreboding to the heart-pounding screeches of shock. Giving credit to the director, there are some smidgens of flair in its execution to bring across the claustrophobia and xenophobia that could have just as easily been charted with hackneyed chase scenarios that would have been par for the course.\r\n\r\nEven with its perfunctory main performers, the films detracting aspect would be the ghouls. While understandably working within a budget and given the relative difficulty in interpreting them for the big screen from the animations of a game, they come across as harmless and terribly unthreatening. But they hold the key to the mystery of the island, which the film constantly clues us in on. Save for certain contrivances, the mystery works well within its internal logic that could have you hearing the wails of the siren even after leaving the cinema.\r\n\r\n2/5','e4e4473e9b8b0422676121b48e2fa516',0,'','v3MXcUEW',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10516,1838,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1150449660,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Viva Cuba (2005) (Cuba)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti\r\nCast: Jorge Milo, Mal Tarrau Broche\r\n\r\nThis film was the official submission by Cuba to Oscar 2006.\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.vivacubamovie.com/\r\n\r\nSynopsis\r\nThe film revolves around two kids who are good friends from diverse family backgrounds, with mothers who are \"enemies\". As the girl\'s mother intend to move overseas, the kids embark on a journey to prevent it from happening ...\r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n\r\n-- The film begins with the children playing a game of war (and peace) ... ha ... while it can be construed as simply a children\'s game (so as to pave the way for a boy vs girl antagonism), I do think that it can also be perceived as a hint to \"war and peace\" at the individual level, the family level and national level ... \r\n... at the individual level, the film will make you chuckle at those good young days ... i believe all of us would recall how guys and gals used to argue/quarrel with each other ... this is always fun to watch, given that when they grow old, they learn to like and marry each other ...\r\n... at the family level, the contrast is very apparent (becos the film revolves around two families whereby the mothers are at loggerheads (due to societal\'s discrimination by status) but the two kids are very good friends ... the irony sets in later, when the mothers learn to be friends, but the children become enemies ...)\r\n... at the national level, it is less apparent but i do believe that the setting of the story, the background of the two families, and the girl\'s family intention to move abroad (in contrast to the directors\' beautiful depiction of Cuba) provide hint of the message at the national level ...\r\n\r\n-- The director\'s effort in \"art direction\" is very apparent (and commendable) as some of the shots are very well taken or choreographed ... Likewise, his effort in \"contrasts\" are also very stark ... he literally lay the scenes next to each other or intermix them such that any audience will immediately notice the irony/opposites/contrasts ... it can be good (becos the message gets across clearly) or it may be bad (becos it is kind of blatant/too intentional) ...\r\n\r\n-- In terms of casting, I think the young cast did a decent job ... As for the adult cast, we have to understand that it is a comedy/drama, so some of the expressions may be slightly exaggerated ...\r\n\r\n-- Finally, some people may be delighted by the occasional \"non real\" (i.e., digitized images) while others might find it jarring to a \"drama\" ... nonetheless, it is all about kids and their world ... so be more forgiving ...\r\n\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nAbove average. \r\nA light hearted film that has a nice Cuban music and good overall message about friendship ... \r\n\r\nAlso, I guess audience will be talking about how the film ends ...\r\nWant to know how the film ends? Watch it ...\r\nhee hee','9e42221a07c20c5908471b6724755f93',0,'','iXUnqGts',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10517,1838,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1150533720,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Viva Cuba (2005) (Cuba)','Did you watch this film at a film festival?','7f2570471cd094ff7d2c11ce8a947a22',0,'','YSc7bHdB',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10518,1838,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1150610220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Viva Cuba (2005) (Cuba)','yup.\r\nthe Singapore Cuban Film Festival.','077e68c823a85ed3968658fb9d52b45a',0,'','kNLvh94e',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10519,1838,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152267360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Viva Cuba (2005) (Cuba)','Here\'s my review on it. \r\n\r\nHaving only seen a handful of Cuban films in my day, I was starting to get familiar with the heavy-handed approach that wielded together both the narrative and its requisite reflection on Cuban politics. However, with Viva Cuba I was surprised to find a relatively low-key and touching portrayal of a group that has been largely ignored by its native filmmakers. Its about the current Cuban exodus that is observed through the eyes of 2 children.\r\n\r\nWhile acclaimed in the festival circuit, it most notably won the Grand Prix at Cannes for the best childrens fare and was Cubas official submission to the Academy Awards last year. Helmed by Juan Carlos Cremata, a successful Cuban director with a controversial past, Viva Cuba is less an indictment of flawed USA-Cuban relations than it is about the lives of its characters, the duo of Malu (Mal Tarrau Broche) and Jorgito (Jorge Milo). They are 11-year-old classmates and best friends at the brink of their burgeoning adolescence who are being kept apart by their families. Jorgito comes from a poor, working class background with strong roots in the Cuban communist revolution while Malus family is staunchly Catholic, well-off and relentlessly bourgeois.\r\n\r\nAs circumstances unfold for Malu starting with her grandmother passing away, her mother makes a decision to immigrate to the US to marry her boyfriend. Unwilling to give up her life in Cuba and her friendship with Jorgito, Malu resolutely makes up her mind to travel to the other end of Cuba to convince her estranged father to refuse signing the obligatory papers for her impending migration.\r\n\r\nFundamentally, its a sincere ode to a simple time in everyones lives, when nothing was impossible with the innocence and sincerity of youth. The director stoops down to the level of the young protagonists, seeing everything as they do with the crystal-clear ingenuousness in which the film is handled makes this a very accessible and has a universal film.\r\n\r\nAlthough it does not hit you over the head with its political messages, the atmosphere is heavy with topical issues such as immigration, segregation and what it means to have personal liberties. The localised issues are used as a backdrop for the 2 friends to balance their own developing perceptions of life against the reality they live in. The polarising dimensions of Cuba are evident in the families the children belong to with each having a strong, disparate political leaning and opinions of how the country should be run.\r\n\r\nIf there was an aspect of the film that was more potent and lively than its wholly convincing and precocious leads, it would be its cinematography. Showing the countrys pastoral imagery and landscapes that have been largely unseen in motion pictures could have put most travelogues to shame.\r\n\r\nWhen the comedy of situations starts to come to the fore (during their journey), it shows an ardent sense of humour in Crematas young characters. As Malus own insecurities takes a more prominent role, Jorgitos role takes a turn from being her partner-in-crime to a confidant that would form the expected trajectory of his characters arc. As a childrens film, it is frank and honest with its ideas of the sociopolitical implications that Cubans face daily. Unfortunately, its short runtime seems just too fleeting especially when it dwells on its overly saccharine scenes that might hold little merit with adult audiences.\r\n\r\nThe cultural blockade in the country with its perennial opponent, the US, has an unseen but nonetheless significant impact in the lives of the Cuban children. The strive for the preservation of friendship and a unique way of life is the driving point of the film, showing the strong sense of loyalty and importance of companionship in childrens lives as well as in a larger Cuban collective. Often overshadowed by their counterparts in Spain, Mexico and Argentina, Cuban cinema is finally getting distributed in key markets and with that, the respect and attention that they rightly deserve. \r\n\r\n4/5\r\n\r\n-----------------\r\n\r\nI really hope this better distribution. I\'ve seen a handful of films from Cuba and thats still more than most people have and I would like to say that the country has more to offer than just cigars or a political fodder for comedians and pundits. Beautiful nation with beautiful people. \r\n\r\nI am most intrigued by the director\'s (Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti) experiences with the US government when he was younger, especially with his father. He has the eye and acumen to actually do something insightful and sharp enough with politic-centric filmmaking that could get the Cuban situation noticed by more people outside of South/North America.','08a8d57825f1e0c047b8f0b81af5039d',0,'','GaNeX9km',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10520,1838,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152271140,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Viva Cuba (2005) (Cuba)','hi,\r\nnice to see u here ...\r\nnow, i have less pressure to write reviews ... ha ha ha','a8693f32ff7b02205c0291baea491cc8',0,'','aSEFsXUG',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10521,1838,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152273360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Viva Cuba (2005) (Cuba)','hi heng \r\n\r\nread your really insightful look into 4:30 which i agreed with mostly. im really impressed a local filmmaker managed to cram that all in. hope it was on purpose','06a84bd037c656dc2dface157558d9fd',0,'','UkyXernZ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10522,1839,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154725020,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Crazy Stone (China / 2006)','China\'s top domestic grosser and part of FOCUS: First Cuts film series. Like Love Story, Rain Dogs, Shoe Fairy etc..\r\n\r\nI think this is the funniest yet in the series and possibly one of the best movies this year. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nA trio of inept grifters, an accomplished but unlucky cat burglar and a lustful louse of a photographer unwittingly find themselves tangled together in a messy heist for a precious jade pendant, discovered at the grounds of a floundering factory on the verge of being torn down. The only man standing in their way is a jaded (and constipated) ex-detective, Bao Shihong (Guo Tao) who moonlights as a security guard, dedicated to protect the pendant.\r\n\r\nWith the comic subtlety of a Stephen Chow effort and the frenzied pace of a psychedelic monkey, Ning Haos direction oozes reckless exuberance and is distinguished by a sharp visual intuitiveness and canny knack for accentuating physical comedy in his performers. In his latest film, Crazy Stone, Ning Hao brings the focus to mainland China - set in Chongqing, a bustling city with an effervescent and distinctive population. Its a welcome change of pace from his austere and halcyonian Mongolian Ping Pong, which rigorously strayed away from highfalutin city living.\r\n\r\nA high concept crime comedy, its chock-full of the requisite black comedy, violence and accidental mayhem that audiences have come to expect from caper-genre gems such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and Pulp Fiction. Relying heavily on complexities, coincidences, and confluences, it brings together disparate groups of characters with shared ambitions and builds a disjointed narrative that constantly revolves around a singular catalyst.\r\n\r\nIn this case, its the jade pendant thats going to be auctioned off to settle the factory owners (Chen Zhenghua) debts with a crooked property developer. Of course, the mobster developer needs the land in order to build a high-rise condominium, so he hires a professional thief to steal the guarded gemstone. Unfortunately, a crew of local hustlers (Liu Hua, Yue Xiaojun, Huang Bo) robs him when he lands and get wise to his assignment. They then prepare to pick up where he inadvertently left off. A wildcard in the form of the factory owners unscrupulous and self-absorbed son (Peng Bo) is introduced, mucking up the plans of all involved.\r\n\r\nThe itinerant and taut screenplay that switches between its subjects in the parallels of time and space reaches a farcical precision through its slick and witty dialogue that often digresses into bizarre and off-the-wall zingers. The humour is incredibly sharp and matter-of-fact, an esoteric representation of the colloquialisms and commonplace vernacular of mainland Chinese. The thick, impenetrable dialect can be a task but its comedy often amounts to slapstick and cheeky throwaway gags, especially in the case of the bandit trio, an obvious homage to the antics of the Three Stooges. These are definitely not the suave and elegant criminal masterminds of Oceans Eleven, they find themselves face down in the mud and grime more often than they manage to slip past unsuspecting guards and cleverly reversing the advantage.\r\n\r\nSynthesizing the approaches of experimental edits and innovative camera techniques, the films aggressive and capricious style is an amalgamation of derivative and flaunty exhibitions of colour and visual design. It might seem like an exercise in style over substance when it employs the use of technical edits and split screens to convey modal ideas where less can be considered more. Fortunately with its complicated yet effective plot finesse, which remains unyieldingly manic till the end, it is probably the FOCUS: First Cuts (FFC) film series best, if not the most memorable entry to date.\r\n\r\nIts 28-year-old director must already be primed for his next feature. With Crazy Stone being the highest grossing local film in China so far this year, it has certainly left an impression on moviegoers. No doubt due in part to a novel anti-piracy initiative, when its distributors released the film during a period where no foreign films were released in its cinemas. It was quickly followed up with the release of legitimate Region 6 DVDs tailored for local players, to dissuade bootleg copies. \r\n\r\n4/5','2ae9006ba3893387af8d994da7907049',0,'','j0y4XGtN',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10523,1840,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156221540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Lemming (2005) (France)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Dominik Moll\r\nCast: Laurent Lucas, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Charlotte Rampling, Andr Dussollier\r\n\r\nThe official site\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.diaphana.fr/fiche.php?pkfilms=131\r\n\r\nThis film opens the Cannes Film Festival 2005.\r\n\r\nSynopsis\r\nAfter inviting one\'s boss and wife to a dinner, the relationship between a young model couple faces challenges ...\r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n\r\n-- i guess most audience will leave the theater with much discussion/debate ... such as the significance of Lemmings (in this film) ... afterall, it is named the title ... how it parallels the character(s)/plot ... \r\n\r\n(i) e.g., are we just as suicidal in the way we think, behave, react, etc? (i.e., do people over react to situations? do we \"think\" too much of what has actually happened? do we aggravate the situation than necessary? etc) ... in other words, could life have been better if we are less susceptible ...\r\n\r\n(ii) e.g., can we re-live after death (either as supernatural beings or by possessing others) ... and how abt something down to earth, can we sprung back from a \"suicidal\" (catastrophic) event ... etc\r\n\r\n(iii) e.g., are they just some \"unwelcome guests\", who go ahead and destroy life/peace ... just like the boss and his wife ...\r\n\r\nas usual, some people will be delighted by the \"open\" interpretation (so that one can convince family and friends of their point of views); while some people will hate it (wondering if the film is all reality, some imagination, or includes the supernatural) ...\r\n\r\n-- technically ... great cast, all the 4 main characters acted well ... ... but i guess we have to mention Charlotte Rampling ... she will really haunt you with her presence ... scary ... you can tell from this movie poster ...\r\n\r\n-- also, what is a thriller without a great soundtrack ... it does create the desired atmosphere ... i doubt the film will be as thrilling and suspenseful without the soundtrack ...\r\n\r\n-- if you insist on a \"complaint\", the film may feel occasionally long, and for me, after the dinner scene, whereby Charlotte Rampling issued her warning, the \"predictability does set in ... you expect the perfect model couple to face challenges in their relationship ... history does repeat itself ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nRecommended (though I have to admit that the film feels occasionally long) ... if you like the film, it is really thrilling and suspenseful; if you dont, it can seem rather odd/weird ... at the end of the film, you are made to wonder if everything did happen ... or is a large portion of it just a figment of one\'s imagination ...','1b7463e7886326ce02b6b5e3de59fd32',0,'','vNxaTbol',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10524,1840,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156225140,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Lemming (2005) (France)','An interview with the director\r\nwww.bfi.org.uk/sightandso...ture/49282','c51aa0347f5459028e31d24b4e2cdf1c',0,'','pkCVDz3u',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10525,1840,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156515840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Lemming (2005) (France)','Review:\r\n\r\nLemming Review\r\n\r\nA childless, young upwardly mobile couple have recently moved into Bel Air, France after the breadwinner, Alain Getty (Laurent Lucas), is offered a prominent engineering post at a home automation development firm. His waifish plain-jane wife, Benedicte (Charlotte Gainsbourg), stays home to fix up the new house for their idyllic and promising futures together. On the other end of the age and marriage spectrum are Alains boss, Richard (Andre Dussollier) and his wife Alice Pollock (Charlotte Rampling) who are bitterly unhappy, jaded and loveless. \r\n\r\nRampling, who ages beautifully here, is the films undisputed ace in the hole. Alices dour disposition, invective barbs and countenance bears years of experience and portrays a failing resilience. She unsettles the characters and audience through sheer concentration in her eyes, fueled by sexual psychosis and misanthropic menace. She proves indispensable in Dominik Molls Lemming by embodying the essence of the films desire to be inscrutable, sinister and haunting.\r\n\r\nAfter a riled dinner invitation from the Gettys to the Pollocks, their conversance brings together unexpected revelations and nasty consequences for the young couple. Much like Mike Nichols classic 1966 meditation on adult relationships in Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, there is so much more to be said for what stays undisclosed than what is eventually revealed in this tense chamber piece when the worlds of these contrasting marriages collide. I would go amiss if I didnt offer up a caveat before anyone embarks on this film, since one should not go into this with preconceptions of the plot from mere synopsis and should shed presumptions about its utterly fluid and amorphous genre.\r\n\r\nAmbiguity is the main agenda when it comes to Lemming and is wide open to interpretations that correspond with its intrinsic logic. A supernatural, metaphysical appeal is absorbed into the reaching and mind-warping narrative that is telling of the impacts towards bourgeois ennui that are brought upon by sudden and unwelcome confrontations with the couples hidden and tacit insecurities. It never betrays the overwrought and complex buildup to its atmosphere of foreboding thats layered with a compellingly portentous and minimalist sound design brilliantly augmenting the ominous quality of its anxious interactions.\r\n\r\nRight at its core, Lemming is a tale of imaginative and capricious parallels that is executed with Lynchian bravura at its major highs but ends up tangling itself with structural knots during its manic lows. Apart from its digressions concerning supernatural connotations and over-the-top reactions, the overly patient and disquieting approach draws a certain semblance to Hanekes Cache in the structuring of quaint suburban lives dealing with intrusion and its subsequent disintegration of those lives. Eccentricies and composed sensibilities clash and constantly pound through the faade of marriage with its simmering betrayal and analogous coincidences. A lingering sense of melancholy fused with some searing and blackly comic humour (as life tends to encompass) backdrops the enigmatic lemming found in the Gettys sink pipes whose very inauspicious nature is a metaphor to the humans own emotional sandbags.\r\n\r\nThe pantomimic attempts at intrigue in the films latter half with an increased emphasis on shadowy representations leaves much to our imaginations, often leaving us alone in its translation. Ratiocinating the narrative through conventional means will lead nowhere as Moll constantly effleurages his riddle by adding on more questions than answers. Patience is indeed a virtue when it is attributed to this anticlimactic effort. It plays on different levels and added dimensions where a heuristic approach tends to tell more lies than truths. Lemming is a fine cinematic example of the nothingness of everything, the surrealistic picture of a descent into paranoia and resentment thats most engaging after the credits start to roll and Mama Cass starts to croon.\r\n\r\n4/5','bde9eeaee41cc929a2b5d778ddcf43a0',0,'','UncEQ7fg',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10526,1840,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156528980,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Lemming (2005) (France)','Interesting comments justindeimen, can\'t wait to see how the film stands up to them now.\r\n\r\nb.t.w. what did you do, eat a couple of dictionaries before collating your notes? \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','b60c2c35136717c35fd2753f9bc346e1',0,'','mRkZvSF6',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10527,1840,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156533540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Lemming (2005) (France)','No just tend to be overly discursive in reviews due to habit from classes I suppose.','7dab041b980e1c95c72e9b2e767d107e',0,'','h6CV48At',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10528,1840,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156816320,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Lemming (2005) (France)','Just received the order I placed with Amazon, but looks like hardcoded subtitles. Anyone see it through DVD?','14dd0645597c870a3f11d0d4d4a5ad2f',0,'','yR5pEjH6',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10529,1840,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156850700,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Lemming (2005) (France)','I do have a video copy of the film from the Artificial Eye dvd, thankfully it didn\'t have burnt in subs plus there were quite a few extras.\r\n\r\nI still haven\'t watched the film yet though. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','dabc7d0c951b6351a90bf1dca6b1373d',0,'','pcqd3wAH',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10530,1841,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156789980,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Rhapsody in August - Kurosawa','RHAPSODY IN AUGUST (Hachi-gatsu no kyshikyoku) \r\n\r\nDirected by Akira Kurosawa (1991)\r\n\r\nEquipped only with a blown out umbrella twisted into the shape of a flower, an old lady, like some ancient Samurai warrior, braves a blinding rainstorm to plea for ending the inhumanity of war. One of his most lyrical and poetic works, Akira Kurosawa\'s second to last film, Rhapsody in August is about four young Japanese teenagers who stay with their grandmother one summer near Nagasaki and learn about the atomic destruction of their city on August 9, 1945. The film is both a lament for the suffering caused by militarism and an outcry against the world\'s collective loss of memory. \r\n\r\nWhen the children visit their elderly grandmother, Kan (86-year old Sachiko Murase), she tells them that their grandfather died in the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, an event in their country\'s history that they know very little about. Concerned that the teenagers cannot understand the suffering that had occurred, and the possibility of such an event occurring again, Kan relates personal stories about her experience on that terrible day. Building bridges between generations through her stories, she is able to have the children look past the consumerist values instilled in them by their parents and discover both their countries heritage and the values in life that are most important. As the old woman tells each tale, the children are both curious and moved by their power and mysticism and visit the sites she describes in her stories. \r\n\r\nThey see the decaying remains of two old trees intertwined forever after a lightning storm. They visit the school yard where their grandfather died and see what is left of a jungle gym, now a pile of melted twisted metal that has become a memorial to those children and adults that suffered and died on that day. The film is haunted by Kan\'s attempt to cope with the emotional consequences of the bombing, an event that most are unable to remember, but that she is unable to forget. She tells the story of her younger brother, a painter, who could only paint eyes, specifically a large red eye, the \"eye of the flash\" that signaled the disaster in which 39,000 people were killed and an estimated 75,000 died years after.\r\n\r\nThe children\'s parents have gone to visit Kan\'s brother who emigrated tom Hawaii in 1920 to run a pineapple plantation and married a Caucasian American. One of ten brothers, Sujijiro, now in failing health, wants to see his sister before he dies but she is reluctant to go in spite of the urging of the children who drool over pictures of her brother\'s affluent surroundings. When the parents return from Hawaii, wishing to establish good relations with the wealthy Hawaiian family, they try to persuade Kan to go. When Clark (Richard Gere), Sujijiro\'s son, flies to Nagasaki, the parents are sure it is because he wants to end the proposed visit, resenting the implication that America caused his Uncle\'s death. \r\n\r\nWhen Clark arrives, however, the family discovers the opposite. Although Gere does not look the part of a Japanese-American, his warmth, sincerity, and passion for peace more than compensate and his time in the film is one of the highlights. He first expresses his remorse for his uncle\'s death in the bombing and visits the shrines in Nagasaki with the four children and their parents. Some critics say the film alludes only to the dropping of the atomic bomb and not to any of the events that preceded it, including the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. However, it is clearly Kurosawa\'s intention to dramatize the futility of war, not the wrongdoing of one country. \r\n\r\nIn a tender conversation with Kan, Clark apologizes for what he \"should\" have said but Kan repeatedly and simply responds, \"it\'s all right\", blame it on the war\", pointing out that many Americans as well as Japanese died in the fighting. Kan agrees to go to Hawaii but only after joining in a memorial service to the Nagasaki victims, repeating the mantra of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (Buddhist deity), \"Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha\" - \"gone, gone, everyone gone to the other shore\". One of the loveliest scenes in the film is the sight of a colony of ants climbing the stem of a rose bush, a final epiphany suggesting that amidst the destruction, beauty and hope survive.\r\n\r\nGRADE: A','e5686c9f7483e0ddc1ef36b30c9106b7',0,'','3h8s7xmT',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10531,1841,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156796700,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Rhapsody in August - Kurosawa','The image of the little woman with the huge umbrella, standing against the rain has always remained vividly in my mind. But to this day I didn\'t know what Rhapsody in August was actually about. I had read some negative criticism on it, but this single powerful image has stayed with me. Thanks to your inspiring review Howard, I have put the film on my \"to see\" list.','1325108cb8790422c0b53568d84e13c3',0,'','3zRpGikc',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10532,1841,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156797300,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Rhapsody in August - Kurosawa','Thanks for your kind words. It is a beautiful film which I saw twice in the same week and could watch it again today. I hope you will get a chance to see it.\r\n\r\nHoward','bf5630248e6d553aaec08976cf5a4c68',0,'','Nz3xWAC5',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10533,1841,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156816260,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Rhapsody in August - Kurosawa','Reviewed it for the japanese Journals thread, and I really don\'t agree with your rating, found this an uninspired, weak, and ultimately boring effort.','8f9b037c119092e88ccb56c19613d560',0,'','DE9bZLMX',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10534,1841,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156827960,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Rhapsody in August - Kurosawa','Thanks for sharing your feelings about the film. I would have to strongly disagree, however.','125ae2d581eb4ec66cc013a1b60d0d60',0,'','3w5Lpztf',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10535,1842,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1132802520,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Cold Showers (Douches Froides) (2005) (France)','\r\nDirector: Anthony Cordier\r\nCast: Johan Libereau, Salome Stevenin, Pierre Perrier\r\n\r\nThe film was selected for the Directors\' Fortnight in Cannes 2005. It traced 3 months\' of events in the male protagonist\'s life ... with several \"stories\" in parallel \r\ni.e., \r\n... about the lead\'s passion for judo (and the need to lose weight for the competition)\r\n... about his relationship with his girlfriend (and his new rich male friend)\r\n... and about his mother\'s ways of being thrifty (and the relationship between his parents) ...\r\n\r\nMy thoughts:\r\n-- The performance by the three lead were commendable ...\r\n-- Overall, the film felt very real, with comical scenes being at the same time sad (because it happened in real life) ... \r\n-- There were a few major themes ... \r\ne.g., about change ...\r\ne.g., about love and friendship ... about life being complex ... \r\ne.g., about the poor and the rich ...\r\n-- It has a very nice English song ...\r\n\r\nWhat could be better ...\r\n-- If at all, the plot could be tighter ... and let the pace pick up a little ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nAbove average ...\r\n\r\n\r\nQuestion & Answer \r\n(The director and the lead actress were there ...\r\nthe following is the gist of the questions asked, not in verbatim)\r\n\r\nQ: Is it autobiographical? \r\nA (by director): Like most directors, you want to do something you are familiar with in your first film. So, I did judo which I know a lot about. It is kind of autobiographical, but it really has stories about me, my cousins, people I know etc ...\r\n\r\nQ: What did you do to prepare for your role? \r\nA (by actress): Well, the director got the three of us together and asked us to watch Ken Park. As I am rather different, I also went to the schools to look at how teenagers dressed nowadays and behaved nowadays.\r\n\r\nA (by director): And I was reading all these teenagers\' magazines and wondered who read them. So, I also asked the actors/actresses to read them.\r\n\r\nQ: Did young people watch your film? How did they react to your film? \r\nA (by director): There were these few days of holidays in France where tickets were cheap and teenagers seized the opportunity to get tickets for movies. It was interesting to note that teenagers in France generally sided with the male protagonist and NOT the female character ...\r\n\r\n* hmmm ... thought provoking indeed ... *\r\n\r\nthat\'s all','7b5b453e32c6cc6ea7545f1661733eac',0,'','G7eF9Vca',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10536,1842,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1132913220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Cold Showers (Douches Froides) (2005) (France)','I traded my tickets to this film in Toronto for another which didn\'t turn out to be so good. A mistake, perhaps.','88f11e78e9653877ad2e679d08efda39',0,'','NLp72b0o',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10537,1842,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1132914540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Cold Showers (Douches Froides) (2005) (France)','\r\nI like the film BUT it did not blow me away ...','c9bac26702386bd0184831daa1d707cc',0,'','fFAZ7wjn',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10538,1842,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156228800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Cold Showers (Douches Froides) (2005) (France)','Douches Froides is a confident if unremarkable debut feature by Antony Cordier which deals with the notions of class, identity and sexuality in a restrained, Tchin-like manner.\r\n\r\n\"Overall, the film felt very real, with comical scenes being at the same time sad (because it happened in real life) ...\"\r\n\r\nI agree, hengcs.\r\n\r\nThe film is now available on DVD in the U.S.','ca79aa1f80d7fb28c3e3182a25b9dcee',0,'','aRm9sv4G',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10539,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155181440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'collectedsoul','Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','merged 2 threads by admin \r\ntitle edited by admin \r\noriginal title: door in the temple \r\n\r\nI just saw this film tonight...loved it, absolutely loved every moment. \r\nAnd wrote this immediately after: \r\n\r\nSpring, summer, fall, winter and spring was a fable pondering an idea I have encountered before in primary readings of Eastern philosophy. But what blows me away about this film is that this idea can be presented so beautifully and so convincingly in an art-form. Cinema is a legitimate medium of expression after all \r\n\r\nThe idea is that of mans inevitable sufferings in the world of desires, the world of civilization as we know it. The path to spiritual peace lies in a renunciation of the world of desires. One must be free from all attachments to be free from torments. This idea is truth, it is wisdom. \r\n\r\nBeing aware of this idea is one thing, but presenting it on screen in a manner that is so impactful as to convince is the work of wisdom and genius combined. Shot after shot of unsurpassable visual beauty punctuate simple but deeply meaningful allegorical fables. An education is contained in this film of astonishing brilliance. Pure inspiration and supreme artistic sensibility have found human form in Kim Ki-Duk.','cd7a4fe0911c35057cc7ac8852bddc63',0,'','WLaeY1DS',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10540,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1126431000,1,0,1,1,1,1,'shockmaster93','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','In \"Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring\", what does everyone think the meaning of the door in the temple is? I have my own idea after taking some Asian studies classes, but I\'d like to hear what you guys think. Everyone who has seen the movie seems to wonder about this particular facet of it.','1c187c132a09dc9a3ae8f762ba542be8',0,'','RKUZxMt7',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10541,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1126440780,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','Which door do you mean?\r\n\r\nThe one inside the temple itself where the pupil sleeps?\r\n\r\nIn my opinion all the doors have the same purpose, despite the lack of walls each is a cut off point. The one outside the temple seperates it from the outside world whereas the ones inside the temple are to seperate the living/sleeping areas from the actual prayer area. \r\n\r\nYou have to remember that Kim Ki-duk is not a buddhist and is only trying to interpret and understand.\r\n\r\nSo what is your interpretation?\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','a05fec8ac24fa24d73d151da9844da2a',0,'','gqh91YH6',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10542,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1126674180,1,0,1,1,1,1,'shockmaster93','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','My explanation might seem a bit difficult to grasp if you\'re not familiar with Buddhism, not that I\'m an expert or anything. At first I wasn\'t sure why there was a door inside the temple dividing the sleeping quarters from the rest of the place. I watched the film in my Korean & Japanese Religions class. The class was great, and one day while on the internet, I read about a collection of koans (paradoxical riddles, questions, dialogues meant to stop logical, one-way thinking and spark enlightenment) called \"The Gateless Gate.\" The gate is gateless because we\'ve already passed through it; we are already all Buddhas in Mahayana Buddhism but we just don\'t know it. Then I realized that there was no real purpose for having a door with no wall present; one could easily circumvent (correct word?) the door or gates, just like one can easily walk through a gate that is gateless. So, I think that the door in the temple and even the gates that divide the water from the land are there to urge us to tap into our \"Buddha nature\" and realize that nothing separates us from it. In general, no two things are separate from each other in the Law of Dependent Origination. So, in a sense, the presence of gates and doors in the movie is almost humorous, if this analysis is correct.\r\n\r\nAnyway, I hope that explanation makes some sense. My professor agreed with it. It was just sheer luck that I stumbled across the title \"The Gateless Gate\" and something clicked.\r\n\r\nI want to buy the film on dvd because I\'m dissatisfied with the downloadable versions which have no subtitles! haha','f380dbd7c4ba6ba6e3cb279bb79cd7cf',0,'','v4R3oSEM',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10543,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1126705020,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','\"I watched the film in my Korean & Japanese Religions class.\"\r\n\r\nI\'m surprised at this because the link between this film and buddhism is tenuous at best, sure the setting etc appear to be buddhist but as I said above, \"You have to remember that Kim Ki-duk is not a buddhist and is only trying to interpret and understand.\" \r\n\r\nKim Ki-duk is in fact catholic and there are certainly as many if not more aspects of the film that sway in that direction. Unless of course your religions class was representing the growth of the catholic church in asia over the more traditional religions including buddhism!\r\n\r\nYour interpretation may be correct but the only person who could answer that would be the director himself, interesting train of thought though.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the link to my brief comments on the film SSAW&S comments, they certainly don\'t add anything to this topic but just illustrate how I read the film.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev','e4e113acf8bc842c028d84918ddaab94',0,'','1vW4fk9s',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10544,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1126741560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'shockmaster93','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','I agree! I can see definite Catholic influence in the film. Overall, I thought it was a great movie and the only part I could\'ve done without was the shirtless martial arts exercises. I thought it was a little silly. I looked for Roger Ebert\'s review of the movie on the internet and was shocked that I couldn\'t find it!','48205607f4f043fb9bfc8626a76d10b6',0,'','mRFQ9lPh',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10545,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155186840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','Quite a few members here are fond of this film, and its director. We have an individual thread devoted to Kim Ki-duk\'s work that might interest you. Have you watched anything else from him?','2edac8af5b22a939826c05816a95f458',0,'','VB0kmj1X',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10546,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155198480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'jcdavies','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','Yes, it is beautiful. It owes a debt to Why did Bodhi-Dharma Leave for the East?, also Korean from 1988, which was a real labour of love and i thought if anything slightly stronger as a Buddhist meditation on life, nature etc','30299d3e9838362bc4d9453c2dfbefea',0,'','bDasQuWM',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10547,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155206940,1,0,1,1,1,1,'collectedsoul','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','arsaib: This was the first film of Kim Ki-Duk I saw. I do have a copy of 3-Iron. Will definitely try and acquire some more of his films...I read last night that he is entirely self-taught as a film-maker? And he dropped out of school so has no formal education...went to France, etc. - very interesting life he\'s led and one that seems totally at odds with the understanding that he has. \r\n\r\njcdavies: Thanks for the tip...looked up a review of it and it sounds interesting...there\'s so much to see and most of what is worth seeing is so difficult to find! Are there any other movies exploring the same idea?','d4bf70f0fd0728a3ecefdcaa47fd4611',0,'','2wkJdDoR',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10548,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155871380,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','Seems like I\'mn still the only one who doesn\'t like the film. This probably indicates i should watch it again.\r\nOverall I found it too didactic and preachy, but it could be that i don\'t share the films ideology. It\'s true that desires create suffering, but I think that the \"aim\" (if one could say that) of man in life is not to ignore desires or try to control them too much, but to see them as part of life itself, accept the suffering, and thus turn it into something else. Overcoming suffering in a confrontation that shows suffering as simply the other side of the medal, and as such a construct of our mind. \r\nBut I really should watch the film again more carefully...','8e1067fb93b89a99a8e556a37c381b69',0,'','cKFGaSfB',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10549,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155877200,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','I didn\'t dislike the film but I hardly thought it was a masterpiece, so don\'t feel too alone.','c88b6ec23853d6145ec0b16ed9c89468',0,'','BX1DLJwl',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10550,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155878820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','I must say I feel a little relieved now...','17aa1010515dfede4bff75ec275cfaf6',0,'','XHsiCDh6',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10551,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156063800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'collectedsoul','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','You guys are being unfair I think...this film is a legitimate masterpeice. Most Eastern philosophy is rooted in the ideas of eternal return, the cycle of suffering, denial of the sense-world to attain peace (nirvana), and so on. Now I may have my own opinions on these ideas, but I cannot deny that there is a great amount of wisdom at the heart of Eastern mysticism. And these ideas are borne out in beautiful guise in this movie.','c1bd7b1c16efa5f3a2c9851c4c62faa8',0,'','2KrtLNdj',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10552,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156145460,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','I have read some literature on eastern philosophy, and some authors from that region, and there are many different viewpoints (same as in western philosophy). I probably agree with you on this topic, and I think there is some wisdom in \"Spring. Summer, Fall..\", but the impression the film left me with was a cynical view of this cycle you are referring to. I simply see the world differently. As the philosophical take of the film was for me very expressed in it (it rather stood out from the beginning, and was presented in a didactic way) , it played a big part in my response to the film as a whole. \r\nI had read a lot on the film beforehand, and had expected something else. The visuals were beautiful at times, but were not as stunning as they appeared to many people. In places I found them a bit too repetitive and clichd, a bit exoticism for its own sake... And the direction by Ki-duk also wasn\'t to my liking, as I didn\'t think it subtle enough for this kind of story. There were far more ambiguities in Seom (2000), another film by him I\'ve seen, and which I enjoyed more.','a1c58e87642a967b030702e706deffa9',0,'','JLrV9FxB',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10553,1843,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1208086020,1,0,1,1,1,1,'sfdavide','Re: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring (Korea)','I think this is a masterpiece. I have seen many Kim films and have loved them all especially this one and Bin Jip, I do not know much about the religion to know how accurate it is just thought this was a great film','cbfea06cc6fbd59e7604ce67e88c3175',0,'','7P3aUThr',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10554,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1141685820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Tony Takitani','TONY TAKITANI\r\n\r\nDirected by Jun Ichikawa (2004)\r\n\r\n\"Shape without form, shade without colour, paralysed force, gesture without motion\" - T. S. Eliot\r\n\r\nTony Takitani is the Japanese \"man without qualities\", a modern reflection of alienation in a money-driven society. Based on the short story by Haruki Murakami, he is without strong family attachments, an \"outsider\" who is unable to fully give of himself to another person. Like the unnamed hero in Henri Barbusse\'s L\'Enfer, he has \"no genius, no mission to fulfill, no remarkable feelings to bestow\". It feels natural to him to be alone. To evoke Murakami\'s world of silence and serenity, Ichikawa fills the screen with blank spaces and uses only a simple theater stage with very few actors and little dialogue. The thoughts of the characters are conveyed only in low-toned voiceovers that, along with a decolorized palette and a dreamy piano score by Academy Award winner Ryuichi Sakamoto, establish a mood of solitude and melancholy. \r\n\r\nIssei Ogata who portrayed Emperor Hirohito in Sokurov\'s The Sun, plays both father Schozaburo Takitani and son while the elegant Rie Miyazawa is both Tony\'s wife Eiko Konuma and Hisako, an unemployed woman who Tony hires to work for him. Schozaburo was a jazz musician who went to China during World War II and was arrested and returned to Japan after the war. When the boy was born, he was given the American name of Tony on the suggestion of a friend. Tony grew up feeling lonely as his mother died when he was only two and his father was mostly out of town on tour. He developed his talent as a mechanical illustrator and enjoyed the work. By the time he was thirty-five he had managed to save a lot of money but he did not realize how lonely he was until he was almost forty. \r\n\r\nTony had never considered marriage, had never seen a need for it. Then without warning, he fell in love with Eiko (Miyazawa). The first thing he noticed about her was how she wore her clothes. In Murakami\'s words, \"there was something so wonderful about the way this girl dressed that it made a deep impression on him; indeed, one could even say it moved him. There were plenty of women around who dressed elegantly, and plenty more who dressed to impress, but this girl was different. Utterly different. She wore her clothes with such naturalness and grace that she could have been a bird that had enveloped itself in a special wind as it prepared to fly off to another world. He had never seen a woman wear her clothes with such apparent joy.\" Tony realized this was his only chance at marriage and insisted that she cancel her marriage plans with a younger man so she could marry her.\r\n\r\nTony now felt that his loneliness was over. Eiko, however, still felt an emptiness. She needed to buy more and more expensive clothes to maintain her self-image. She bought more clothes than she needed and admitted that it was an obsession that she was unable to control. Tony was so afraid of losing her and returning to his lonely existence that he did not ask her to stop shopping until her expanding wardrobe filled an entire room. Then he asked politely, \"I wish you would consider cutting back a little on the way you buy clothes,\" he said. \"It\'s not a question of money. I\'m not talking about that. I have no objection to your buying what you need, and it makes me happy to see you looking so pretty, but do you really need so many expensive dresses?\" \r\n\r\nEiko agrees but this decision leads to tragic consequences and loneliness seeps into him once again. Tony Takitani unfolds slowly, chapter by chapter as in a book, and one scene seems to blend laterally into another. The film is slow, darkly poetic, and almost surreal, yet it builds in power and emotional resonance until you are completely snared by its inner rhythm and left to quietly explore its implications -- when you are alone.\r\n\r\nGRADE: A\r\n\r\n\"The Gods were bored, so they created man. Adam was bored because he was alone, so Eve was created? Adam was bored alone, then Adam and Eve were bored together; then Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel were bored en famille, then the population of the world increased, and the people were bored en masse.\" - Soren Kierkegaard','f9b3511da4ef52c6f4399dd889062f9e',0,'','pr02P7nb',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10555,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142112840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tony Takitani','Hey, nice to see someone writing about the film. \r\nIt was one of my Top Ten films of 2004.\r\nThe two guys I saw it with both liked it, and we kept discussing the film for over an hour, as we had different interpretations of it.','00e7ed51a6300515983285ac38575e11',0,'','UW0LY8A1',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10556,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142115540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Tony Takitani','It\'s a very interesting film and I\'m glad you and your friends liked it. My son saw it at the 2004 Vancouver Film Festival and recommended it but I had to wait 1 1/2 years to see it.','09863a5ad72a3f7d1baabcab8ca0ce93',0,'','ksmeCPTb',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10557,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142197440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tony Takitani','Yes, it doesn\'t seem to have been shown much in cinemas internationally. Here in Germany little was written about it.\r\nI would like to see more of the director\'s work after this.\r\n\r\n*spoiler*\r\nWhat did you make of the ending, when he is calling the woman again with her picture in the hand?\r\nOne of my friends interpreted it as a sad ending, him being unable to overcome his enclosure, while I thought he was opening up, and this was one attempt that ,although failed will trigger others. Especially since he was burning some of his stuff before. I think he made a kind of \"peace\" with his past and is going into a new and better direction after all these events...\r\n*end spoiler*','fa62cd44e23fa91850312cfe3137e56c',0,'','Bl7E0UY8',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10558,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142210340,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Tony Takitani','I think while the film does end on an optimistic note, the overall mood is still dark and it seems that even that little note of optimism is contrary to Murakami\'s intent. I think his intent is that after the records were sold, Tony experienced how really alone he was. I still loved it, however.','a282fde689261e0490118d333fa0b51d',0,'','DYp4xJmn',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10559,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142212380,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tony Takitani','Agree with you, just felt this little optimism creep in at the end, and wonder if it was intentional by Jun Ichikawa. I think so, though with Murakami it might be the other way around. \r\nThe real challenge is either way always to do the things better in your life, and if people \"fail\" in art, for me its a reminder to try better...','b7115624dedd4515223783350d377d13',0,'','EyxCeSdV',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10560,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142333700,1,0,1,1,1,1,'madhuban','Re: Tony Takitani','Great review Howard! Makes me want to see the film now.\r\n\r\nM','651db7bb6609131fa578cb35a4966c33',0,'','XFiLBvUN',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10561,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142334240,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Tony Takitani','Thanks very much. I don\'t know where you are from but it is out on DVD in US and Canada. Hope you enjoy it.','25c7f43deaae90c0973f03909f4fa02d',0,'','ZGdTifeA',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10562,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142716980,1,0,1,1,1,1,'madhuban','Re: Tony Takitani','Hi Howard, I am from India. I think it will take some time for the film to get here. But I do keep taking notes from all the positive reviews on this message board, and am on the alert for those films. Will eventually get to see it, if only a year later.','112c6cccd66aa9c70ee909dcf814ff18',0,'','nhCNkxsB',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10563,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142718540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Tony Takitani','I know how you feel because even here in Canada, I often have to wait months for films to be released here after they have been shown in the States. Many European and Asian DVDs are never released in North American Region 1 versions.','42332ce8fccac95c7f884cf9935967cd',0,'','yDHuK4gt',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10564,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142728740,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tony Takitani','U.K release news - LINK.','d833754091870bc9f72ad246c1966a1d',0,'','6ApfUdr8',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10565,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142814360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'Unregistered(d)','Re: Tony Takitani','I know exactly how you feel too. At least these boards give us the chance to find out about these things. Its a shame that they don\'t get the exposure that they deserve though!','a2ad6c644c850b65b2f5cea14c7dd24e',0,'','PKXdhiWj',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10566,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153872180,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tony Takitani','Am I doomed to never see Tony Takitani?\r\n\r\nReleased on dvd in the UK this week and apparently with excellent extras, I was delighted to see that our local Blockbuster had it in to rent, after all despite the positive press it\'s always best to try before you buy.\r\n\r\nSo good news then especially when the shop has a brilliant offer on this week where any rental is only 99p which equals around $1.8.\r\n\r\nAs well as Tony Takitani, there were other new releases including \"L\'Enfant\", \"The Coastguard\" and the horrible \"Infection\" so I thought great! May as well make the most of the deal and took the boxes for all four to the counter. After around ten minutes I was on my way home with my choices except the one I was anticipating seeing the most, no Tony Takitani. Somehow they had managed to lose their copies, they had no doubt that they are in the store somewhere but nobody knows where!\r\n\r\nI went back today to see if any of the staff had found it, despite three of them looking through the whole selection, Tony Takitani has vanished into thin air. It wouldn\'t be so bad if any of the other rental stores had copies of it but Blockbuster is the only one that has bothered to stock it.\r\n\r\nWhy couldn\'t they have lost Infection instead?\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','30dabe0082a7435dde4b19b52fa65a80',0,'','HzNUBalD',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10567,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153874160,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Tony Takitani','You want to save the best for last. Take a look at what reason you may have for resisting seeing the film. Then simply up your intention and they will find it.\r\n\r\nHoward','16338e108a1a01e880d379d539df3d50',0,'','ebQutJ19',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10568,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153953900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tony Takitani','\r\nDon\'t raise your expectations too high, though, or you might get disappointed. \r\nBut it\'s still a masterpiece to me.','434c62ee95228f21c5e36a8e336fd9ae',0,'','1mjH9853',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10569,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153999620,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tony Takitani','One of the staff is into Japanese cinema so I\'ve been extolling TT\'s virtues to him in the hope that he\'ll double his efforts to find it, by the look on his face I think there\'s a fair chance it\'ll be located soon. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev','95dff204f4000d1985318da5c9de71ca',0,'','fFoQjyMC',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10570,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155821400,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tony Takitani','Well once again Howard has written a review that captures the film perfectly, I can only elaborate on what I\'ve said elsewhere. Even though I haven\'t read the short story this has been adapted from, Tony Takitani feels right, I have read a few other short stories by the same author Haruki Murakami all of which have had the same deftness of touch.\r\n\r\nTonys life is presented as a series of short tableaus, the screen moves from left to right between each set piece as we are presented with the next moment. Colour has been used carefully, filtered to various shades of grey for the most part but with the odd subtle gentle effects where needed. A quiet, gentle meandering piano soundtrack plays throughout with only the odd smooth lazy jazz interruptions at necessary points. \r\n\r\nThe acting is sublimely understated; the directing and editing are more than capable, stylish but only to the point of effectively telling the story. As with many of Murakamis stories, the underlying truths about modern Japanese culture flow gently through, leaving them feeling like wisps of smoke softly flowing then lingering in your mind.\r\n\r\nAn exquisite experience, a film that ably demonstrates that Japan is still producing some of the most talented filmmakers in the World.\r\n\r\nAlso the only film I can remember where the behind the scenes doc lasts almost as long as the feature.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev. \r\n\r\nR2 dvd released by Axiom, good quality but they need to do something re the burnt in subs.','7b3b75501ebc7b094dbc0134b76baaad',0,'','fxFYsa4L',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10571,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155862800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Tony Takitani','TONY TAKITANI by HARUKI MURAKAMI','d2718e305f3ede2843eb1f7e1872b12d',0,'','uirdvVhA',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10572,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155874380,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tony Takitani','Thanks arsaib4, very little has been changed from the source with just a little extra on the end to allow the possibility that just maybe things could change for Tony Takitani.\r\n\r\nHave you seen it yet?\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','f00c6e3917a4de5aacd1a14752ca7139',0,'','GseAx7vS',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10573,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155876900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tony Takitani','@arsaib\r\n\r\nThe link you posted, is that the short story by Murakami, i mean all of it. looks really short. If so I\'ll give it a read.','9a3fc2c52f9bd1eca3c6e8224129c77a',0,'','0TLBpEuf',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10574,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155879120,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Tony Takitani','Yup, it\'s a short one. \r\n\r\nI have seen Tony Takitani. I liked it but I remember thinking that it would\'ve worked better as a short. The mise-en-scne and the performance by Ogata however are wonderful indeed.','5ae37a617c3365ceee87ed04c3130dea',0,'','7bgwEfJx',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10575,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156055880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Tony Takitani','Nothing personal (and I have NOT watched the film), so I shant comment too much ... but I chanced upon a reviewer who gave it a 2 out of 5 ... maybe you agree, maybe you dont ...\r\n\r\nwww.moviexclusive.com/rev...kitani.htm','942907e05de6a59146400989ecaa9a53',0,'','Gq08At9j',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10576,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156073820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Tony Takitani','Well i don\'t agree with that reviewer, he\'s completely missed the point of the film. But hey, everyone\'s got an opinion.','c3d75c1e078547e2bc3c3976c6d09aa9',0,'','swvBKu8b',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10577,1844,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156091220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tony Takitani','The pacing and structure made it feel as though you were watching poetry in motion, my eldest son watched around 20 minutes before deciding it wasn\'t his type of film but I must say I was enveloped in it. \r\n\r\nI\'m sure being a fan of Murakami\'s writing helped in my appreciation of the film.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','d22c9561363c1b2a3980bf373f50cd79',0,'','Emx4pJlW',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10578,1845,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155839760,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Chai-Lai Angels: Dangerous Flowers (Thailand / 2006)','Opening the Sawadee Film Festival here in Singapore.\r\n\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nwww.moviexclusive.com/review/chailaiangels/chailaiangels.htm\r\n\r\n5 high-heeled Thai femmes are right smack at the centre of this brain-dead action comedy that is all flash, and stuff of lecherous pipe dreams. Quite obviously marketed as a Thai spoof of the Charlies Angels franchise, the main selling points are its bevy of girls. And their largely commendable assets. But of course, that includes their extensive weaponry. Although its more a take on McGs ditzy Angels than the late Aaron Spellings archetype, Chai-Lai Angels (or Dangerous Flowers) remains quintessentially Thai. Right down to its comedy and stinging colloquialisms that retains its vulgar but charming jab at Thai society.\r\n\r\nLotus, Rose, Poy-sian, Na-wua and Kulap are names of flowers (you can surmise its titular inspirations) and code-names for each of these alluring agents. Through their collective ambrosial delights, they are called Chai-Lai, which roughly translates to beautiful in the films native language. Each armed with a unique skill set, and a shared knack for teasing butt-thrusts that are usually followed up with an acrobatic assortment of ninja kicks, spins and Olympic-worthy (aided by wires of course) gyrations that Mary Lou Retton would turn green at. The quintet is assembled together by the cranially challenged, wig obsessed Somrak (this versions Bosley) played by Tom-Yum-Goong alum, Mom Jok Mok. And their mission? To recover the daughter of a Japanese tycoon who could possibly lead the way to a prized item.\r\n\r\nThe rudimentary premise is never its focus, unlike the comedic tropes in its over-the-top action sequences and insanely cheesy spread-eagle poses atop moving vehicles and contraptions that are almost always accompanied with precariously positioned towels and casually revealing swimsuits. They are action figure Barbies for men. Put them in enough titillating costumes and inane situations that tickle our fancies and youve got one of the most libido-driven drivel this side of Asia.\r\n\r\nThe films silly absurdist humour should draw in a few crowds, eager to repose and strip off realitys rigour and submit to the Angels (or Flowers as it were) slapstick gags and incessantly shallow claptrap. Its worth a chortle or two when illogical and preposterous characters show up, wielding guns with an unlimited amount of ammo as our harebrained heroines respond in kind. Its soft-core temptations and innuendos grow bolder as it progresses, which could have either appeared overly reaching or adequate for its comedic schtick. Thankfully, its the latter as the blazing and distracting gunfire dies down and its eccentric supporting characters finally get down to the business of actually being funny.\r\n\r\nThere are some neat camera shots of the citys skyline and tranquil rural areas that are intruded upon by its fleeting action sequences. There are also shots that are harried and too squeezed together to make sense of the scene while expressionless close-ups are unnecessarily used to mask budgetary constraints. Theres an infinitesimal air of transcendence about gender politics in this effort when the crimefighters battle off hordes of suited male minions. But thats easily glazed over when the gals waltz in with skimpy outfits and randomly flash their crotches at unsuspecting cronies.\r\n\r\n2/5\r\n\r\n(A passable action comedy that gets the blood pumping to the right places)','ddeb1ea70bcc4525a3e00329e16153a3',0,'','c3FlJyCX',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10579,1845,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156055760,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Chai-Lai Angels: Dangerous Flowers (Thailand / 2006)','Just curious.\r\nWas there any Q&A?\r\nWould you like to highlight some of those Q&A?','996a26ee419a7a6108e76ab989a47dd0',0,'','V834jBwz',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10580,1845,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156067400,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Chai-Lai Angels: Dangerous Flowers (Thailand / 2006)','Their English wasn\'t too good I reckon so I doubt there were much Q&As. MX has a profile on the three that did come round here though, probably mostly paraphrased.','dfa023ef17d90223e39aea21b58ca5a7',0,'','aiYhjtP6',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10581,1846,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1133160900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Don\'t Come Knocking (2005) (Germany)','\r\nDirector: Wim Wenders \r\nCast: Sam Shepard, Jessica Lange, Tim Roth, Gabriel Mann, Sarah Polley\r\n\r\nThe official website ...\r\nsee\r\nwww.dontcomeknocking.com/\r\nor\r\nwww.sonyclassics.com/dontcomeknocking/\r\n\r\nThe film made its debut at Cannes Film Festival 2005.\r\nNoteworthy, the entire film is in English.\r\n\r\n\r\nMy thoughts:\r\n-- Without reading any synopsis, I thought the film moves kind of leisurely for the first half an hour or so, but soon the audience will start figuring out where the story is heading ... and for the rest of the film, I credit the film for describing human relationships very well ... it is often \"complex\", \"complicated\", and \"confusing\" (i.e., for the characters) ...\r\n-- I also like the Western feel of the film and in particular, the song, \"Lonely Man\" ... wow ... \r\nNoteworthy, Earl (i.e., Gabriel Mann) does his own vocals! ... wow ... \r\n-- The cinematography is nice, and a few of the transitions between scenes are memorable ...\r\n\r\n-- Interestingly, the title of the film \"Don\'t Come Knocking\" is very apt with several levels of meaning ...\r\n... the film will zoom in onto a sign in the protagonist\'s trailer that reads \"Don\'t Come Knockin\' ... If The Trailer\'s Rockin\' \" (to highlight the protagonist\'s way of life ... and also, to lay the ground work for where the film is going)\r\n... Don\'t Come Knocking?! ... a rejection by the son of his father ...\r\n... Don\'t Come Knocking?! ... one is so happy but yet so sad to see a returning ex lover again ...\r\n... Don\'t Come Knocking?! ... need a place for solace? a parent has the door always open ...\r\n... Dont\' Come Knocking?! ... hey detective, trying too hard to locate the missing star?! ...\r\n... Dont\' Come Knocking?! ... hey audience, got a question or two?! ... trying to understand what the film is driving at? ... go figure out ...\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat could be better ...\r\n-- I thought the pacing for the first half an hour could pick up a bit ... so that audience will be keen to know what happens next right from the beginning ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nThe last one hour or so is excellent in terms of describing human relationships ... \"complex\", \"complicated\", and \"confusing\" (i.e., for the characters) ... \r\ndefinitely a watch for those who like drama (as a genre) ...','feadb3c858ea1978154aa23192a3c606',0,'','64SqwtUL',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10582,1846,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154987220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Don\'t Come Knocking (2005) (Germany)','Nominee for Palme d\'Or at Cannes Film Festival 2005\r\n\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nSam Shepard co-writes and stars in Dont Come Knocking, where an aging Western star in a moment of alcohol-fueled realisation deserts the production of his latest film to search down his past in order find a new future. Howard Spence is the quintessential lone ranger, no place to call home and a drugstore cowboy at heart, dependent on booze and women to get him through his days. Blessed with a bevy of talented performers and a seasoned director/co-writer in Wim Wenders, the film doesnt quite live up to the expectations set with Shepard and Wenders last collaboration, Paris, Texas.\r\n\r\nIts very much the same sort of endeavour, but theyve lost their edge and the understanding of the painful realisations of lost glory and rediscovered pasts, which they had carefully constructed back then. While the truth of their storytelling might be wavering by contemporary standards, the message does not change in their latest effort. Unfortunately, an over-wrought and glaringly miscalculated script hinders the potential that this film had.\r\n\r\nCrafted with an awkward surrealism in the setting and its characters, Wenders puts together a effusively insincere and dreary account of an unsympathetic and constantly inebriated lothario whos motivation is never quite clear to anyone, especially to himself. Bogged down with a screenplay reeking of self-awareness and a discomfited atmosphere of pretension, its a stale study of male menopausal midlife crisis punctuated with obligatory regrets and the exaggerated interpretations of its remnants.......\r\n\r\nContinued at:\r\n\r\nwww.moviexclusive.com/review/don%27tcomeknocking/don%27tcomeknocking.htm\r\n\r\nIs this really a German film because of Wenders?','ce6d11721d2c1a8d5851056079333ec6',0,'','mBC51iet',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10583,1846,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155870360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Don\'t Come Knocking (2005) (Germany)','Nice review. \r\nSeems like Wenders is losing his way, like everybody is sayiing, but I haven\'t seen this film, or his last effort, so I can\'t make a comment. \r\nThe film definitely isn\'t german, though it was co-financed by a german production company. Probably The US are the best bet for country of origin.','03b3c036f16c1f451ab1ec53a373f906',0,'','G6jVtflQ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10584,1846,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156010400,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Don\'t Come Knocking (2005) (Germany)','Thanks A!\r\n\r\nWenders has a fond place in my DVD collection with both \"Paris, Texas\" and \"Wings of Desire\". Unfortunately, while those films were groundbreaking, this film seems like a blurry reflection of his approach. Just got a very \'been there, done that\' vibe from the film, which I found distressing for someone as talented as Wenders. Most the reviews I\'ve read had a tinge of regret in the tone and I don\'t wonder why at all.','183b92132c2686f5514682088bcaef9d',0,'','3ofs7dZ5',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10585,1846,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1156022220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Don\'t Come Knocking (2005) (Germany)','I have seen Paris, Texas last year, and it was one hell of an experience. One of the absolute best films ever, imho, it simply blew me away. Before this one I had only seen The Million Dollar Hotel (2000), The End of Violence (1997) and Buena Vista Social Club (1999). None of those three were on the same level, but I still enjoyed them very much. Haven\'t seen anything else, yet.','455e555a2b8e4677b1d118057524b758',0,'','cVEvRlUT',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10586,1847,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154378040,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Dumplings - Gaau Ji (Hong Kong)','Dumplings (2004) Gaau Ji\r\n\r\nDirected by Fruit Chan\r\n\r\nStarring Bai Ling, Miriam Yeung Chin Wah, Tony Leung Ka Fai\r\n\r\nA double review, the long and the short of it, a starter or main course, you decide!\r\n\r\nWhat would you do to stay looking and feeling young and beautiful? How far would you be willing to go?\r\n\r\nDumplings comes in two flavours, a 35 minute short in the Three Extremes collection and a 90+ minute feature film, both are good and there are enough little changes plus totally different endings to justify seeing them both. But beware! This film may put you off from eating Chinese dumplings ever again.\r\n\r\nExquisitely tasteless, Dumplings takes you to extremes, Mrs Li (or Lee), a former actress knows that her husband has an eye for the younger woman. She has put up with the knowledge that he has messed around but is concerned that one day hell leave her. She wants to recapture her youth and as such has learned about the mysterious Mei, a woman who creates dumplings that can seemingly stop the ageing process even turning the clock back.\r\n\r\nMei, a former doctor in Mainland China creates her special dumplings in her apartment, the cost is high but she is the living embodiment of the success of her product. After much hesitation Mrs Li eventually tries some of the dumplings wary of the contents, after the first visit she returns time and again for further helpings. Although she can see and feel a difference it isnt happening fast enough for her, she wants quicker results and is willing to pay whatever it takes. \r\n\r\nBy a stroke of luck (for Mei and Mrs Li) providence provides the highly prized ingredient (but at a very high cost to someone else), Mrs Li gobbles down the dumplings and is temporarily satiated. At a dinner party a while later, the guests comment on the rather strange smell emanating from (what they suspect is) the food, Mrs Li knows the cause of the smell and realises she has a nasty rash on her neck. Taking a bath she rings Mei to confront her with her condition, Mei tells her not to worry, everything will be fine but Mrs Li goes to see her doctor, he re-affirms that there is nothing to worry about, its all down to stress.\r\n\r\nComforted by the doctor, Mrs Li heads to Meis apartment only to see the police searching it, Mei has already left for China and.\r\n\r\nAs already noted the endings are different, Ive also omitted including details about the contents of the dumplings and had to cut down or leave out other information because of it.\r\n\r\nThe feature length version is far more fleshed out, you see far more of Mrs Lis husband and his latest young lover (which is dealt with very briefly in the shorter version). Obviously with near enough an hour extra, the longer version gives you so much more to sink your teeth into and overall feels more balanced yet it doesnt feel too long at any time. Both endings are quite disturbing though I guess for most, the ending on the shorter cut will be the most gruesome.\r\n\r\nI love the use of sound and facial close-ups in Dumplings, you almost feel as though youre trying to eat them yourself, the cast, especially the central pair are excellent and Bai Lings singing was a surprise.\r\n\r\nThe story plays on the desires of a lot of women to stay young and beautiful in an image conscious society and the lengths they will go to achieve their aims. It also plays on a major Chinese policy of recent times but to say any more would spoil the story.\r\n\r\nI like both versions but if I had to rate them Id say the feature wins over the short. Both are deliciously disturbing, you have been warned. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 18\r\n\r\nR2 dvd. Dumplings is available in feature length from Tartan with an exclusive interview with Bai Ling. Very good picture quality and excellent sound particularly DTS. Three Extremes will also be available from Tartan soon.\r\n\r\nI have R3 versions of both and they are of an excellent standard, both have DTS tracks and more surprisingly, the making ofs and other extras have English subtitles.','04c4c25593d657f660fed7f43520d40a',0,'','a2g4TNlj',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10587,1847,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154729040,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Dumplings - Gaau Ji (Hong Kong)','Watched this last night after finding the DVD tucked somewhere in the mess that\'s my house. Quite a trip, I especially like how unflinching it all was. You can definitely see the distinction in Asians handling this sort of psychological horror as opposed to Western influences.','ffe1842fd69a0e3e5602b65c6af8d957',0,'','T9oPnst4',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10588,1847,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154774760,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Dumplings - Gaau Ji (Hong Kong)','Chris Doyle\'s cinematographic style really comes out in the feature length version with the camera making the most of Mei\'s apartment in particular. As you point out, it is unflinching which only adds to the psychological horror of the story. This distinctly Asian film owes nothing in its style to Western horror at all but the quest for everlasting youth and beauty is one that has been the subject of many stories and films from all around the world. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','b8f77377a8690b25032436738746a813',0,'','dRrDjNY6',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10589,1847,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155869820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Dumplings - Gaau Ji (Hong Kong)','Well, I saw the film (longer version) at the cinema here in germany about a year ago. I already knew what it was about, and having seen and loved Fruit Chan\'s last film, I had high hopes for this one. \r\nUnfortunately I was quite bored by it, didn\'t find the story-line very engaging, and also wasn\'t disgusted or disturbed by any scenes. I find the plot really too thin, and the satire not complex enough in the issues it raises. It seemed quite predictable where the whole thing was going. I thought this would have been much better fitted for a 10/15 min. short, as it had imo overall too little substance. It felt like a Also, I didn\'t find the direction interesting, and the camerawork by Doyle was for me the most \"mainstream\" I have seen by him so far. If I hadn\'t known he was responsible for it, I wouldn\'t have guessed. \r\nAs a whole I found the movie above average. Watchable but also soon forgotten - in fact i can\'t recall many images from it anymore.\r\nMaybe it\'s just me, but the film told me just old news.','00777028431c7409408bb5d09adeba47',0,'','No0rasuM',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10590,1847,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155899820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Dumplings - Gaau Ji (Hong Kong)','Hell A!!......I\'d be seriously concerned if we agreed on every film. \r\n\r\nMy reviews or comments are purely my opinion and I certainly don\'t believe for one second that my thoughts and feelings are more valid than anyone elses, I remember we had a little digression about a certain French film not that long after I\'d joined the site and I\'m sure there are many films we wouldn\'t agree on, certainly makes life a little more interesting. \r\n\r\nAnyway just one point, re Chris Doyle, I was surprised, nay shocked (slight exaggeration there) at your remark but only because I found his work on \"Rabbit Proof Fence\" to be his most ordinary or mainstream.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','e8e2d6cd8da52cad2b1cf52285bbb51f',0,'','khieBXxH',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10591,1847,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155929700,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Dumplings - Gaau Ji (Hong Kong)','Don\'t worry, there will be more difference of opinions in the future \r\nIt\'s just that the regular visitors on this board seem to have very similar taste most of the time, so it\'s usually an interesting exception, if this isn\'t the case. But I\'m usually careful when writing about films I didn\'t like or found average, as every first viewing is always more of a starting point for me. \r\nThe camerawork by Doyle in this one was very good, just not as remarkable as in some of his other films (you need to see his recent work in Invisible Waves ).\r\nHaven\'t watched Rabbit-Proof fence as a whole, but from what I remember, I\'m shocked! Mr. Doyle, don\'t sell out to Hollywood (no offense Mr. Noyce)!','253d6849e01bd67162f93b4bffa29a07',0,'','V24vyrQa',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10592,1848,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155039300,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) Sinnui yauwan (HK)','A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) Sinnui yauwan\r\n\r\nDirected by Siu-Tung Ching\r\n\r\nStarring Leslie Cheung, Joey Wong, Ma Wu\r\n\r\nA romantic, comedy horror, this is traditional Hong Kong cinema at its finest.\r\n\r\nA kindly but bumbling tax collector arrives in town only to find his account book has been ruined by heavy rain, since he cant collect anything he seeks somewhere to stay overnight. The (not so) friendly locals direct him to a haunted temple, obviously with the hope that hell be taken care of by the ghosts and demons but things dont play out as they expect.\r\n\r\nWhat can you say, this is a wonderful slice of hokey fun and includes a demon with a tongue that goes on forever, a mad Taoist swordsman, beautiful spirits with long flowing robes that spin and fly with the greatest of ease. Not to mention the dehydrated corpses in the temple itself that come to life at night looking to satisfy their bloodlust, this film has it all and more in abundance.\r\n\r\nLeslie Cheung plays Ling Choi Sin the tax collector, a proverbial nice guy (luckily for him). The only reason he survives his encounters with the beautiful spirit, Lit Sin Seen (Joey Wong) is because despite her flirtations, he doesnt try to take advantage of her. Ma Wu is terrific fun as Yin Chek Hsia, a ghost destroying Taoist swordsman, he is trying to ensure that nobody else falls victim to the ghosts and demons, not so easy when a man and a spirit have fallen for each other.\r\n\r\nThe effects are old school and as such are splendid, from the wire work (which is just as good as you\'ll see in any recent films) to the stop motion animation which has a charm of its own. I have to mention some of the sound effects which are reminiscent of 80s computer/ arcade games such as Pac-man, these are quite bizarre at first but do not detract from the film. \r\n\r\nA Chinese Ghost Story is light, very entertaining and it is without a doubt a great example of Hong Kong cinema and traditional Chinese storytelling and theatre. A popcorn movie that has one simple aim and that is to entertain you, in that essence it certainly succeeds. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 15\r\nR2 dvd released by Hong Kong Legends.','f2b4d0c6e4b4c34ee89c2ed9135890c6',0,'','MJqPTNFn',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10593,1848,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155103560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) Sinnui yauwan (HK)','Hey,\r\nI am surprised you watched this film.\r\n\r\nIt is such a CLASSIC ...\r\n\r\none of the rare few films that make a \"ghost/spirit\" looks so good (at least in the 80s) ... such that after this film, the actress Joey Wong is always cast as a ghost/spirit ... hiaks hiaks ... and several try to emulate a similar \"art direction\" ...\r\n\r\nanyway, the two songs in the film are also very nice and meaningful ... i recall it winning Best song and Best score ...\r\n\r\noverall, to many Chinese who have watched the film, the film touches some chord ... about love and sacrifice ...','52899d9bda81ba46cab585cfca4b8319',0,'','nke1yAUL',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10594,1848,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155117000,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) Sinnui yauwan (HK)','hengcs, \r\n\r\nI\'m surprised that you\'re surprised that I watched A Chinese Ghost Story. \r\n\r\nI \'m glad you\'re surprised but why are you surprised? \r\n\r\nSince I \'m glad you\'re surprised, why am I surprised that you\'re surprised? \r\n\r\nWill this ridiculously inane form of questioning never end? \r\n\r\nI\'ll be the first to admit that most martial arts films bore me to death but this is far more than that, it is a great piece of traditional Chinese style theatre. I can only think of a few other 80\'s Hong Kong movies that I\'d rank with this and yes I\'d agree it is such a CLASSIC ....\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','1d4579b6c7357367b4d68394407b526d',0,'','CBiU6E7m',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10595,1848,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155870720,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) Sinnui yauwan (HK)','This film is actually available for renting at my local videostore. I\'ve heard that it\'s somewhat of a classic, but hadn\'t read anything particular about it, yet.\r\nMaybe I\'ll give it a try now.','6e615cd228bf68b5657f20b1e50583de',0,'','U6Wobcen',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10596,1848,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1155894960,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) Sinnui yauwan (HK)','This film also made the director \"Hsui Hark\" \"famous\" ...\r\n\r\nAnyway, answering trevor ...\r\nwell, it is a very Chinese kind of film ... there is the typical \"want to love but cannot love\" predicament ... and a relationship between a living mortal and a spirit (which is more common in Asia, rather than the west) ... and there is the \"joke/humor\" which westerners may/may not appreciate ... and of course there is the slight believe in reincarnation ... and to appreciate the film better, the two songs (i am not sure if they are subtitled) manages to stir the emotions very well becos they are meaningful ... if i have time, i will search and translate the lyrics ... but give me time ... HELP ... etc ...','875b1ea4d45ddff80a18f9203f91b2ad',0,'','ATGjhvbu',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10597,1849,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1143425520,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Films from Yugoslavia (1945 - 1990)','The purpose of this thread is to present and discuss films from Yugoslavia, that were made during the period the Socialist Republic existed. This includes films from Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and the autonomous regions of Kosovo and Vojvodina. \r\nIf you have seen any film from that region prior to 1945, please write down a few notes also! \r\n\r\nFeel free to contribute. \r\n\r\n\r\nINDEX: \r\n\r\ncomments on some shorts by Karpo Godina and Zelimir Zilnik','2541b2b5ee4e0deea03d172279d8805e',0,'','bm1oVLlK',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10598,1849,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1143459000,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Films from Yugoslavia (1945 - 1990)','Thanks for expanding and linking your earlier comments, A. I\'ll make sure that this post is part of the index.','40efa54538e7af98f091b58b2176516d',0,'','LiMBgl1K',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10599,1849,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1143678480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Films from Yugoslavia (1945 - 1990)','No problem, I\'m always happy if I find the time to cotribute something. I\'ll try to see mor Yugoslavian films from this period, so that this is just the beginning','6a7771a0e42b8d777fe7d8a26da8a55d',0,'','jTuZd6tV',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10600,1849,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1143750480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Films from Yugoslavia (1945 - 1990)','When I get to some more Makajevek films I\'ll be sure to give them a proper write up. Anybody know where you can get a copy of I Even Met Happy Gypsies?','f7a399225173999620409ee564d5c162',0,'','XFNjqMig',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10601,1849,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1147413360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Films from Yugoslavia (1945 - 1990)','Nah, seems to be difficult to get hold of. Overall the DVD landscape regarding Yogoslav films looks very barren. I wonder if I should check out some of the films without subtitles. maybe my serbio-croatian will be enough for some of them. With \"Do you remember Dolly Bell?\" i didn\'t have any serious problems, and it\'s a good way of polishing your skills. \r\nBut i usually want to catch every detail, hell I even watch english films with subtitles.','c634ee2613ab08ecffb8ff09b1466ab5',0,'','Ciuw46TY',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10602,1849,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1207215180,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Films from Yugoslavia (1945 - 1990)','Link updated.','7edddb4c40e3670540bad47c1ed953fe',0,'','1rTwNU90',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10603,1850,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154243220,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Dragon Tiger Gate (Long Hu Men) (2006) (HK)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Wilson Yip\r\nCast: Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue, Done Jie, Li Xiao Ran\r\n\r\nThe film is based on a comic.\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.dragontigergatemovie.com/index2.html\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nWell, watchable, esp. for the \"martial arts\" (choreographed by Donnie Yen). Predictably, the film will attract most teenagers and/or Chinese who simply like to watch martial arts films. I am not sure members of this board will be a fan of it though ... hee hee\r\n\r\nThere is the typical story about good versus bad, bond between brothers, love/romance and sacrifice.','d644cbc70e7ee680015a8fd85266120e',0,'','SjhPwfKR',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10604,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1133067660,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','\r\nDirector: Marc Rothemund\r\nCast: Julia Jentsch, Fabian Hinrichs, Gerald Alexander Held\r\n\r\nIn Berlin International Film Festival, it won the Best Director and Best Actress award.\r\n\r\nIt is Germany\'s Oscar submission for 2006.\r\n\r\nThe official website is here ...\r\nwww.sophiescholl-derfilm.de/\r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n-- Wow ... it will likely buy the audience over ... these 3 aspects are especially compelling ...\r\n(i) the story ... by itself, it is already excellent; moreover, it is based on real events (i.e., White Rose, a resistance group against the Nazis) ... the film manages to capture the undaunted spirit, the strength to stand by one\'s principles ... the willingness to die in order to protect one\'s family/friends ... also, it depicts woman with strength ...\r\n(ii) the ENTIRE cast is commendable ... ok, I know lots have been said about the female lead, so I shan\'t say anymore ... I will highlight the others instead, like the judge at the end (Andre Hennicke), wow, he is so domineering ... the interrogator (Alexander Held), a controlled performance ... or even the other female prisoner (Gerald Alexander Held) .... \r\n(iii) the soundtrack ... you really have to admire it for keeping the pace exciting and striking a melancholic mood at the right moments ...\r\n\r\nWhat could be better ...\r\n-- At one scene, there is a minor technical \"glitch\" ... i.e., the mike overhead was visible onscreen and was quickly moved offscreen again ... but let\'s be more forgiving ...\r\n-- You have to like the fact that the film focuses primarily on Sophie and not the rest of the group members ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nHighly recommended ... rather compelling drama ...\r\nI think it will likely make it to 1 of the 5 in Oscar ...','72c173071cc136ffeaec9edf1e458013',0,'','EyprSkDt',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10605,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1133121780,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','Because I had a busy week I waited till Thursday to see Sophie Scholl only to find it was cancelled, brilliant eh!\r\n\r\nGuess I\'ll have to wait for the dvd release.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','b24a80b17546ac2f1c10d068480e6b32',0,'','qUDZEFB9',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10606,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1133165520,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','\r\nOh no, it should be watched on a big screen.','b928456df018476b1bd43ba3340b8bfe',0,'','htNwGpXD',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10607,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1133398800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','Haven\'t seen it, as I\'m not very interested in the yearly fare of Third Reich Dramas/documentaries that pour out of Germany. And these kinds of Big-Budget prestige-productions leave me usually with a bitter aftertaste.\r\nBut maybe I\'ll give it a try, if you folks all like it...\r\nHaven\'t seen Napola or Downfall either, to mention two other of this year\'s \"Third Reich\"-offerings.','bb45c0ec6eaf2c6575f57e33f3624630',0,'','klmvPhw4',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10608,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1133410920,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','And these kinds of Big-Budget prestige-productions leave me usually with a bitter aftertaste.\r\n\r\nThat\'s exactly what I felt about Downfall. Many found it \"entertaining,\" though. Since Sokurov\'s film on Hitler called Moloch doesn\'t feature big, loud war sequences, no one cares about it.','ee881b3091e3fedbc04e79e6e9c2d879',0,'','sBlVCeFE',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10609,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1133417880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','Downfall. Many found it \"entertaining,\" \r\n\r\nThere must be some pretty strange people out there!\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','e2efb36628b1f87070c3ed489cdcd96a',0,'','AjnPHT5G',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10610,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1133432760,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','That\'s what I hear.','3100456259392a3c6edce948df1df813',0,'','Nd4rBiP9',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10611,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1146238380,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','Just finished watching Sophie Scholl, I thought the performances were good and the story powerful. Unlike Hengcs though, I can\'t say I was keen on the soundtrack, at times I felt it was grating and intrusive though it was more effective at other stages. I actually think it would have been better without a soundtrack just taking in the ambient noises instead.\r\n\r\nAnyway, although it\'s a good film I do wish that Germany would move away from making films about various aspects of WWII. It won\'t be forgotten, neither will the millions of needless deaths (of course we won\'t learn from it either). \r\n\r\nIf you look closely you can draw parallels with the disdain given to Germans who dared to speak out against Hitler and the war and people who are doing the same now in the USA and UK with the trouble in Iraq etc but I won\'t go any further into that as it\'ll just turn into another preachy lecture. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','4074e45ef52d37af0d51c4d7663003a7',0,'','heTmFDKQ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10612,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1146290820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','I passed on a screening of this film, even though I had heard good things about Jentsch\'s performance. Not sure when it\'ll be available on DVD here. How\'s the ICA DVD?','9065e5d5e383c508d8ee29b9be4a2b09',0,'','7eCpwr5a',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10613,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1146311820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','Julia Jentsch certainly pulled off a very good performance and like hengcs I was impressed by Andr Hennicke.\r\n\r\nAs for the dvd, ICA/Drakes Avenue are hardly known for the high quality of their releases and this is no different, sure it\'s adequate but it could (in my eyes should) have been so much better.\r\n\r\nBurnt in subtitles, stereo sound and zip in the way of extras. The picture quality is good but I don\'t know why they cant go the extra yard and produce a higher quality dvd. Extras could have included a look at the historical background, cast/crew interviews, making of doc or anything related to the film. Hopefully the US release will be better.\r\n\r\nI wouldn\'t complain so much about vfm but their products are the same standard price as other companies that do provide a higher quality value for money product.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','ef3a1d5ee59bb6fe1590cb5ba2397567',0,'','iCMH5vjT',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10614,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1146338280,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','Burnt in subtitles, stereo sound and zip in the way of extras.\r\n\r\nAre we back to stone age? Burnt in subs should be outlawed!','4f098d2758950ca2b51ef0cbb88d6956',0,'','DQ61CLf2',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10615,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1146419400,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','Burnt in subs should be outlawed!\r\n\r\nUnfortunately they\'re still very common here especially with companies like ICA/Drakes Avenue. Talking about subs though I recently rented a film that gave the option of having the subs on the actual film or under in the border, now that is a good practical idea and worked really well. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','75c88b99302581849bdd4148c0662699',0,'','eHKsRvwf',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10616,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1146427740,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','Burnt in subs should be indeed outlawed, but no subs at all is even worse. The German release of House of flying daggers has exactly that: the original language option without subs. \r\n\r\nI really love it when the susbs are actually \"under\" the picture. Should be common standard on widescreen films.','1a49b14591fd72431498e149764cf31a',0,'','J2QtqxWX',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10617,1851,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154118660,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) (Germany)','Just came back from the press preview and I am oddly ambivalent about this piece. I can naturally see why I loved it but I also wonder if its purpose might actually be redundant, I did agree that while the Germans are resurging with these WW2 films, they might also be abit too much to swallow.\r\n\r\nHere\'s the review, the rest of it is at the link in the bottom.\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nSophie Scholl: The Final Days might seem to many like a redundant exercise in the exaltation of morality and the conviction of the human spirit during Nazi Germany, given the wealth of sophisticated docudramas that have come out of Germany which surround that dark period in the worlds history. While it can be indulgent and to some extent even unnecessary, there is something to be said for the continued condemnation of the Nazi regime, especially by the Germans themselves. Something that Sophie Scholl (Julia Jentsch), her brother Hans (Fabian Hinrichs) and a friend, Christoph Probst (Florian Stetter) had given their lives for on February 22, 1943.\r\n\r\nDirector, Marc Rothemunds succinct and pointed description of the days leading up to their executions is an admirable and noble effort to recreate the legendary figure of Sophie Scholl, a member of the non-violent underground movement called The White Rose during Nazi Germany. She was one of the few who actively and publicly rallied against the war and its leaders during a time of rampant executions and persecutions for dissenters. Her youthful joie de vivre displayed in the opening scenes is quickly juxtaposed with her unrelenting activism when she rushes off to a White Rose meeting, which sets off the chain of events that led to her demise. Spanning just 5 days, what we get is the complete and evolved character of Sophie Scholl, showing why her consistent strength in character and formidable personality still resonates through Germany today. And at the crux of it all, Sophies resonating and powerful indictments of a totalitarian regime that she was accused of subverting...........\r\n\r\nContinued at\r\n\r\nwww.moviexclusive.com/review/sophiescholl/sophiescholl.htm','bfe7d4d6b1cf09dce89f7ca6c982a2c2',0,'','K2y4HCDq',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10618,1852,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1154118420,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Love Story (Singapore / 2006)','\r\n\r\nSynopsis :\r\n\r\nA theatre usher looks for love and finds it in a library book. A cop chases a killer only to wind up at the end of her own gun. A pulp-romance writer confuses fact with fiction and learns that true love comes only after a great loss. The stories that flows from this ebb of desire to find true love leads us various stories that will be amalgam of time, space, consequences and fact and fiction often are not easily identifiable.\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nAfter a fantastic induction with the offbeat feature Eating Air, local filmmaker and former movie critic, Kelvin Tong had followed up with the less than satisfying but extremely successful commercial horror film in The Maid. Hes now followed up on his cinematic repertoire with Love Story, a Focus Films venture that recently earned him a Best Director nod at this years Singapore International Film Festival.\r\n\r\nIn this incredibly surrealistic tableau of the blurring lines of reality and fiction, Allen Lin plays a pulp romance author struggling to envision his next novels heartbreaking romance story and increasingly resorts to meeting women at the local public library he visits in order to reap inspiration. Playing out episodically, the four women (Tracy Tan, Evelyn Tan, Erica Lee and Amanda Ling) are introduced as each of his books love interest with each ending up in a tragic way in his fiction and on screen. Needless to say, after each novel he moves on to the next woman in search of his muse, all the while trapped and lost in his own unspoken narrative..................\r\n\r\nContinued at\r\n\r\nwww.moviexclusive.com/review/lovestory/lovestory.htm\r\n\r\n-----------------------------------\r\n\r\nOnce again, not sure how its international opportunities are shaping up. It\'s kind of a new direction from Singaporean cinema, less heartfelt and relevant to the country\'s social landscape than its other native film. Reminded me of Fellini\'s ideas as a director in 8 and a Half but this time in a writer\'s world. Unfortunately its not as polished nor observant and its execution needs plenty of work. Still brave enough to have done it, it will surely annoy audiences looking for an easy narrative to follow.\r\n\r\nWhat can be said is its colours and cinematography were fantastic, its vividness and sharp visuals won Kelvin Tong, a ex-movie critic, a Best Director nod at the Singapore International Film Festival. There\'s hope for us yet boys and girls','365e7d2cc513327958f34746644be963',0,'','bPcNSpne',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10619,1853,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153919340,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Boy Eats Girl (Ireland / 2005)','\r\n\r\nReview:\r\n\r\nPart satire and part romantic-comedy, Boy Eats Girl should be looked upon as a homage to the classic 70s horror genre and not a poor effort at recreating the success of Shaun of the Dead. Hailing from Ireland, the movie takes plenty of liberties in its characters settings and mannerisms. Not wholly European as youd expect, but it works on most levels, just not so much on the humour however.\r\n\r\nNathan (David Leon) is the heartbroken teenager who accidentally kills himself after making the mistake of witnessing the love of his young teenage life, Jessica (Irish pop sensation Samantha Mumba) in a compromising situation with his schools Lothario. Nathans mother (Deirdre O\'Kane) finds his lifeless body in his room and remembers the handy book of resurrection spells that shed found just days earlier in the bowels of the church that she works at. \r\n\r\nAs easily as you can say beginners luck, she manages to bring back her son and gets him ready for the next day of school. Nathan starts to feel the effects of his zombification when he starts to feel impervious to pain and feels hungry all the time. His 2 pals, Henry and Diggs (Laurence Kinlan and Tadhg Murphy) who, at times, seem even less shiftless than their dead friend, get worried when they see Nathans disenchantment with Jessica vanish. \r\n\r\nAt the school disco, resident slut and girlfriend of the toughest jock in school, Cheryl (Sara James) propositions Nathan. Not exactly willing to do Nathans bidding, she ditches him. Unfortunately for Nathan, the jock boyfriend follows him as he stumbles on to the rugby pitch. Normally, this would be a cakewalk for bully-kind everywhere but Nathans newfound undead ability of super-strength makes it easy for him to overpower the jock. He finally gives in to temptation and takes a couple of deadly chunks out of him. Nathan runs home and is given the bare bones of his worsening condition by his mother who promptly locks him in the garage as she finds a cure. Things start to get a whole lot worse for him after last nights attack starts a chain reaction of killings, each spawning a more vicious version of Nathans condition. \r\n\r\nThe plot borrows heavily from a handful of movies, especially the 1993 cult classic, My Boyfriends Back with virtually the same sub-plot of unrequited love between the unfortunate undead and his high-school sweetheart. As most will use Shaun of the Dead as a touchstone in understanding the films comedy/gore tandem, its intended use of black comedy and detached humour falls short. \r\n\r\nThe backyard splatter that comes from fending off ravenous classmates and neighbours is refreshing to see and is done well. The violence and the reactions of the harried survivors are always tongue-in-cheek, which is satisfying, as the zombie horde never comes close to being scary, just downright silly. The flaying of skin and removal of limbs is a requisite in any good romp through a town full of undead. However, the gore starts off perfunctory, not exactly a good sign when it takes almost half the movie to get there.\r\n\r\nAs the film progresses to its climax, a visible shift in priorities takes place. Suddenly, the story stops and a zombie free-for-all takes place, courtesy of a pimped out tractor and surge of adrenaline from the heroine. As the movie is a relatively short enterprise, clocking in at about 77 minutes (including credits), it almost makes up for the lack of spilled blood and guts when the horror aspect of the film finally kicks in. \r\n\r\nMost satires take themselves too seriously at some point and Boy Eats Girl is no different. The romance between Nathan and Jessica felt too overdone in the beginning, leading to the most controversial scene in the movie that initially got it banned in its native Ireland. The attempted suicide scene was clumsy and awkward; not exactly an endorsement for depressed teenagers everywhere. \r\n\r\nThe film starts out slow, working out the set-up of the eventual suicide that triggers the rest of the plot, leaving just a third of the movie for bona fide zombie mayhem. Each transition is disjointed and rushed, especially the weak example of a deus ex machina during the last minutes of the film.\r\n\r\nThe 1-dimensional characters and unresolved storylines are indicative of the apathetic acting and lack of fleshed-out character development. Mumba does not show any signs of being a tough female character in the beginning, making a transformation into the movies heroine seem out of character. Leons Nathan seems too self-aware and confident to pull off being the angst-ridden chump who finds it hard to bring up his true feelings around Jessica.\r\n\r\nFrom start to end, its campy throwback to nonsensical horror-comedy masks its inability to find its feet and its problematic attempts at satire. Suffering from a painfully short running time and an overly brisk pacing at the end, Boy Eats Girl does not fulfill the potential it has. What it does achieve is a quick and harmless way to spend just over an hour when bored.\r\n\r\nRating: 2 out of 5 stars\r\n\r\nJustin Deimen','5917c5e5564ffb194cf2eb7fb496cf6c',0,'','xHS63Ym5',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10620,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1130305260,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','\r\nDirector: Andre Techine\r\nCast: Emmanuelle Bart, Gaspard Ulliel, Leprince-Ringuet, Clemence Meyer\r\n\r\nHmmm, I can\'t seem to locate arsaib4\'s review on this board. So, I have decided to start a new thread. I shall let arsaib4 write the synopsis ... hiaks hiaks ...\r\n\r\nApparently, the film is based on the French novel \"The Boy With Grey Eyes\" by Gilles Perrault.\r\n\r\nWhat I like ...\r\n-- In particular, I like the three major characters ... Emmanuelle Bart, Gaspard Ulliel, Leprince-Ringuet ... an excellent cast ...\r\n-- It is a character and relationship driven film ... despite that, there is some extent of plot driven too (as the audience tries to figure out who Yvan is ...)\r\n-- It has some issues for us to think about ... such as trust, love and life ... in various aspects and levels ... wow\r\n-- I also like the initial scenes when the music will suddenly halt when they depict scenes of war in black and white ...\r\n\r\nWhat may be problematic ...\r\n-- If you are going in expecting a film with lots of bombs and battles, you may be disappointed ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nHey, I actually like and recommend the film.','c2024dcabf9d8f384c6d3026a7d7e50b',0,'','YGaE5N3S',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10621,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1130394000,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','[Here\'s my old post]\r\n\r\nStrayed (Les gars) starts out with Odile (Emmanuelle Bart), a beautiful young widow, dodging German bombs on her way out of Paris along with her two young kids. The year is 1940 and the German occupation of France has begun. When an air-strike forces them to leave their car on the road, help comes unexpectedly in a form of a wily youngster named Yvan (Gaspard Ulliel), who\'s aware of the situation and has something to offer to the bourgeois family he\'s just saved: survival skills. After breaking into an abandoned house they try to resemble a makeshift family.\r\n\r\nSounds simple enough, but thats Tchin for you. The outside war is just an overture for him to isolate his characters and then map out their internal feelings for each other. Odile is initially leery of the uncivilized Yvan, and tries to regulate him using various methods not knowing that the situation at hand is causing her to gradually lose control herself. In the meantime, her older son Phillipe (Grgoire Leprince-Ringuet) starts seeing a father figure in Yvan who has helped them through this ordeal.\r\n\r\nAndr Tchin has always been a master at economically depicting the struggles of his characters whether they\'re about class, sexuality or simply survival, and as I mentioned earlier, especially in isolated settings. In his masterful 1984 effort Wild Reeds, it was the lonely dormitory which served as the site for his youth to activate their personal wars while the French/Algerian war raging on far from it; another prime example would be in Loin where the isolated route between the two continents served as a emotional hybrid for his two protagonists. \r\n\r\nTchin mentioned in an interview about the film that \"The war is present from the beginning of the film. It is the root of the story. It haunts the film. Archive images resurface. The characters are fleeing from this war, and its from the moment where they lose their bearings entirely that I felt ready to follow them in their adventure on film. The place they move into becomes a sort of desert island where they are like the first or the last or the only people on Earth. How will they manage to live together?\" \r\n\r\nStrayed premiered at the Cannes film festival in 2003 (in-competition). It went on to garner 4 Csar (French Oscar) nominations, including one for Claire Denis\' DP Agns Godard, who brilliantly creates a lush and calm look to the film which rightfully serves in contrast to its growing unrest. Andre Tchin has worked with Miss. Bart before; it was in the little seen Jembrasse Pas (I Dont Kiss), a film in which the filmmaker poetically explored the fragile psyche of his star just like he does in Strayed. And Bart is up to the challenge with her exquisitely nuanced performance.\r\n\r\nThe DVD of the film was released on November 23rd (2004) by Wellspring.','b3f06c1ac7ab17cfc7d337a6403b646a',0,'','nRgmSWtM',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10622,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151584800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','Strayed (2003) Les gars\r\n\r\nDirected by Andr Tchin (Rendez-vous, Alice et Martin)\r\n\r\nStarring Emmanuelle Bart (Histoire de Marie et Julien), Gaspard Ulliel (Un long dimanche de fianailles)\r\n\r\nStrayed (2003) Les gars\r\n\r\nDirected by Andr Tchin (Rendez-vous, Alice et Martin)\r\n\r\nStarring Emmanuelle Bart (Histoire de Marie et Julien), Gaspard Ulliel (Un long dimanche de fianailles)\r\n\r\nI cant say Strayed is a good film, it isnt, it is an excellent study of social interaction that is relayed in such a subtle manner that it will stay with you. They say a picture can paint a thousand words and that is true, with this film though its a case of a few words can paint a thousand pictures, a few words can change your whole perception of someone and can hit you with such a force and at times, such pain.\r\n\r\nIn a film of subtle interchanges, of barriers and masks, the few moments of utter open honesty remain as powerful points, that is why despite the similarities in situation between Strayed and Bon Voyage, it is Strayed that I know I will watch again and again down the years.\r\n\r\nThe plot is fairly simple and straightforward, a mother and her children flee Paris along with thousands of other families as the German army approaches. Due to a strafing attack by an enemy aircraft they have to abandon their car and are helped to safety by a young man who is also escaping. The rest of the film covers the period up until the armistice between France and Germany and the survival of this small group.\r\n\r\nThats just the framework that holds this film together.\r\n\r\nThe true story is about people, the masks worn, the barriers or walls we build to protect ourselves and others, the lies we need to tell and to believe to get through the harsher aspects of life, its also about love, trust and breaking down those barriers between us.\r\n\r\nOdile (Emmanuelle Beart) was a teacher in Paris, her two children are intelligent and have lead a pretty carefree existence, you could say theyve been spoiled. Her husband was killed very early in the war; a fact that her son knows but the truth has been masked from the much younger daughter. \r\n\r\nAfter the air attack on the refugee column, their lives are saved by a young man who pulls them away from the road into the cover of a nearby forest. He seems like a lively guy and is definitely more knowledgeable about surviving off the land. The children see a strength that can help them but to Odile, something isnt quite right and she feels very wary of him, a mistrust, a fear, part of which is because her strength as a parent, leader has diminished. The young man, Yvan is a survivor, a pathfinder, a hunter. Despite all her education she is lost and must depend on his feral knowledge.\r\n\r\nThrough Yvans skills the family find a house that can act as a temporary shelter away from the war but the film doesnt let you forget the situation that has been the driving force in bringing this small group together. Black and white shots of French troops in disarray are interspersed throughout the film, indeed the group is interrupted by the sudden arrival of two French soldiers retreating to the South but that is only a temporary intrusion.\r\n\r\nAs said earlier, the strength of Strayed is in the interaction of the characters and how much is left unsaid, but even the best script can succeed or fail by its delivery. The performances of the central characters are utterly absorbing; no melodramatics just beautifully acted allowing the story to suck you in and by the odd singular remark, the barriers, the masks slip allowing the truth to break free, no matter how fleetingly. \r\n\r\nSpecial mention should also be made of the lighting and camerawork, which struck me with their naturalness whether in the dimness of the house and the evening light or the colours and brightness of the countryside.\r\n\r\nYou may gather by my comments that I give Strayed a very strong recommendation, its not often that a film can touch you in such a way especially when the most intimate or subtlest of moments can, just by a few words grab you, twist your perceptions and stay with you.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 15.\r\n\r\nR2 dvd released by Soda Pictures, unfortunately the only extra is a trailer.','691ce6b8a622f4bf20c374fd4935cd29',0,'','lCNcqsBE',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10623,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151617980,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','Now I absolutely have to see this film! Thanks for your wonderfully enthusiastic take Trevor.\r\nHave added it to my exclusive \"to see\"- list. \r\nLike many more demanding films, this one hasn\'t found its way to german cinemas. But it had a run in Switzerland, and it was in a swiss film magazine were I first read a great review of it. The screenshots also looked beautiful. \r\nI just revisited the wonderful screenshots, hah..  \r\nThe best one is a magnificent shot of the for people fleeing through a field of wheat(?). And Gaspard Ulliel kissing Beart on the neck... \r\nNo wonder that the camerawork is great, as one of my favorite cinematographers did it: Agnes Godard!','35575633bcdd490848212dbc371d6095',0,'','S0jkrU7u',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10624,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151650920,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','\"its not often that a film can touch you in such a way especially when the most intimate or subtlest of moments can, just by a few words grab you, twist your perceptions and stay with you.\"\r\n\r\nVery nice. It\'s obvious that you appreciated it quite a bit. Thanks for the review.','f13387c47bf350657bf49dd5e585d10f',0,'','m9MJNDBZ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10625,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151666700,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','Just keep on recommending such wonderful films, this could easily have Strayed out of my sight due to the lack of attention it has received elsewhere.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','edec7bf0690f23f5d8ef9898840a22a8',0,'','Gz3D6baM',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10626,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151704500,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','Thanks for taking the time to watch it, which is all one could ask for. But I couldn\'t be happier about the fact that you liked it.','e3bbb56b417479640dd31d103450746b',0,'','vtNe83jm',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10627,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151917200,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','it is often a bet when we bought the tickets to watch a film ... not to mention the travelling time and the 2 hrs of screening time ... sometimes we win ... sometimes we dont ...\r\nhee hee','4dd0e971c018ec18dc8a2a1a7ebdb3fd',0,'','t7SbY6cL',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10628,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152052860,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','I was surprised at some of the mediocre professional reviews for Strayed, quite disappointing really. I\'ve never spent time in a chidrens home but I know that if this film was shown to a theatre full of people who had been institutionalised, by the time it had finished, the place would be a cascade of tears. \r\n\r\nThat\'s not even touching on Emmanuelle Beart\'s wonderful performance.\r\n\r\nNot sure which Andr Tchin film to see next though, Rendez-Vous or Les Roseaux sauvages.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','85e5fac78bc54c01895e7493ee4f376c',0,'','HVEgjnlF',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10629,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152062280,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','Tchin\'s films are extremely low-key, they rarely if ever attempt to overwhelm the viewer in a conventional sense. The ending of Strayed is devoid of exclamation points, one of the reasons why it\'s so affecting. \r\n\r\nBoth Rendez-vous and Les Roseaux sauvages are excellent. The former also contains a great performance from Binoche.','0dd244d3356db9a6a1a92ad793e5b4e5',0,'','GxhJy3ZW',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10630,1854,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152095400,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Strayed (Les gars) (2004) (France)','Thanks arsaib4, I think I\'ll go for Rendez-vous first. Hopefully I\'ll get the chance to see Loin sometime as well.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','54bbc232a0064b286774f3003c44a081',0,'','cNz0jy2a',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10631,1855,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152574260,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Cold Fever (1995) Iceland / Japan','Cold Fever (1995)\r\n\r\nDirected by Fririk r Fririksson\r\n\r\nStarring Masatoshi Nagase, Lili Taylor\r\n\r\nA young Japanese man (Hirata) has a golfing holiday set up in Hawaii but is asked by his grandfather (a cameo from Seijun Suzuki) to travel to Iceland to perform the burial rites for his parents who had died there seven years previously. Despite refusing to change his plans, fate takes a hand. while practising putting in his apartment one of the balls knocks the video remote starting a video of his parents sending him a message from Iceland. His conscience having got the better of him, he changes his plans and heads to Reykjavik.\r\n\r\nOnce there he faces a series of challenges and obstacles as he tries to make his way to the river where his parents died. First off hes confused with a troupe of tourists and is taken the wrong way, from there a taxi ride brings him no luck and he ends up hitching a ride on the back of an open lorry with a large group of Icelandic singers who keep bursting into song.\r\n\r\nHe buys a cheap car that proceeds to have problems in the middle of nowhere, luckily he finds help and after its been repaired he carries on. He picks up a young American couple but they turn out to be Bonnie & Clyde wannabes and once again hes left sans car, frozen cold and far from anywhere after they steal it.\r\n\r\nHirata ends up in a small town fairly near the river only to face further setbacks. Can the determination of the constantly happy and friendly Icelanders help him to achieve his goal? Will this long and arduous journey change him as a person?\r\n\r\nIt has to be said; the majority of the film feels like a long advertisement for the Icelandic tourist board, the wildness and beauty of the landscape and the happy, singing Icelanders who certainly know how to party only add to that feeling. \r\n\r\nThe American couple feel typecast based on peoples worst perceptions of them as tourists, loudmouthed, abrasive, argumentative, arrogant, talking down about their hosts and taking the mick out of Hirata (who has probably saved their miserable lives). I felt this was cheap stereotyping which is quite bizarre as the film was co-written by producer Jim Stark who I assume is American.\r\n\r\nQuirky characters, surreal moments and some decent to horrible Icelandic pop dont add up to a great film but this does the job of keeping you entertained for its fairly short running time. Id rather have seen more time spent on the last part of the trek than on some of the pointless plot devices but it certainly gives a good impression of the power and beauty of the Icelandic landscape.\r\n\r\nIn my opinion its worth seeing but certainly not essential viewing, a story of personal growth and achievement that is also slightly spiritual, overall a nice film.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 15\r\n\r\nR2 dvd available from Second Sight films, no extras and burnt in subs where needed.','dfc53dd807b21b05a68d4bb41b8befc9',0,'','R65U0BxT',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10632,1855,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153517820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Cold Fever (1995) Iceland / Japan','Saw this a few years ago on TV with subtitles. \r\nI agree with Trevor\'s review, though my own response was a bit more positive, because of some interesting formal aspects.\r\n\r\nMy overall impression:\r\n\"In my opinion its worth seeing but certainly not essential viewing, a story of personal growth and achievement that is also slightly spiritual, overall a nice film\"\r\nCan\'t put it better, Trev.','e78299e1d06e403a5b0858bf18aed798',0,'','vYsLWDTU',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10633,1856,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153461300,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','How Much Do You Love Me (Combien tu m\'aimes) (Italy/France)','\r\n\r\nHow Much Do You Love Me (Combien tu m\'aimes) (2005) (Italy/France)\r\n\r\nDirector: Bertrand Blier\r\nCast: Monica Bellucci, Bernard Campan, Grard Depardieu\r\n\r\nThe film has garnered the Best Director Award in Moscow Int\'l Film Festival\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.miff.ru/28/eng/press-center/1/\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.combientumaimes.com/\r\n\r\nSynopsis:\r\nA man who had just struck lottery entered a bar, offered a hooker money/allowance/living expenses in the hope that she would stay with him (until he became broke of course) ... will love flourish?! can love be bought?!\r\n\r\nMy thoughts:\r\n\r\n-- Initially, I was undecided over whether to watch the film or not ... IMDB gave it a miserable 5.4 (with 284 votes) ... However, with its win for Best Director in Moscow Intl Film Festival, I decided to watch it ... so, what is my verdict?!\r\n\r\nFor the beginning 1/3 of the film or so, I was not too impressed (it did not feel like a comedy (as marketed) ... also, the acting/expressions adopted were rather caricatures ...)\r\n\r\nHowever, I had to admit that if you had the patience to sit through, the film actually got better and better (for the next 2/3) ... \r\n... it was fantastic in terms of its dialogues and thought provoking lines ... rather philosophical indeed ...\r\n... also, i like the soundtrack (incl. jazz, Bellini, Pucinni, Rossini, Verdi, etc) ... Noteworthy, I esp. like the music featured at the bar and at the end credits ... wow ... what a mood it creates ... \r\n... also, there is great effort in art direction (the beginning, the bar shots, etc)\r\n\r\nNonetheless, I thought the last 5 to 10 minutes could be rather \"difficult\" to decipher/interpret for some ... what actually happened in the end ...\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nRecommended. \r\n\r\nIt is a film that will be very divisive; you either like it for being \"intelligent\", or you hate it for being \"slow\" or not \"funny\" enough ...','cad0e8414b0b35dd2f86a293848e86c3',0,'','BzTydx5l',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10634,1857,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1142890140,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Tsotsi','TSOTSI\r\n\r\nDirected by Gavin Hood (2005)\r\n\r\nUbuntu is a Bantu word for a traditional African concept that means a person becomes human through interaction with others or \"I am what I am because of who we all are\". The idea of Ubuntu is embraced by Gavin Hood\'s Tsotsi, winner of the 2005 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Based upon Athol Fugard\'s 1961 novel of the same name, the film focuses not on the sixties but on contemporary South Africa, a society twelve years removed from apartheid but still facing crime, poverty, AIDS, and a huge gap between rich and poor. The violence it depicts is an everyday aspect of life in parts of Johannesburg and Soweto today but Hood does not glamorize it or distract us with bright colors, jump cuts, or hand-held camera work in City of God fashion. Rather he uses muted sepia tones and a conventional style to paint the bleak atmosphere of the slums and enter the mind of its inhabitants.\r\n\r\nSupported by the energy and rhythm of South African Township music called Kwaito, Tsotsi immediately plunges us into a world of shantytowns, poverty, and cold-blooded crime. Tsotsi (Presley Chwenetagae) is a 19-year old reject, an orphaned hoodlum living in a slum across the river from the splendid high rise buildings of Johannesburg. In the \"Tsotsi-Taal\" language of the streets, Tsotsi stands for thug and we do not learn his real name for over half the film. Together with his fellow gang members, Butcher (Zenzo Ngqobe), Aap (Kenneth Nkose), and a teacher named Boston (Mothusi Magano), he roams the streets looking for robbery victims who often end up murdered. In one incident, the gang sticks an ice pick into the heart of a wealthy man on a Johannesburg subway for no reason other than that he was counting his money in public. \r\n\r\nWhen Boston vomits after the killing and questions Tsotsi about his understanding of the word decency and asks about his real name, the stone-faced hoodlum beats him brutally but the questions linger in the back of his mind. Out of control, he steals a Mercedes from a rich woman (Nambitha Mpumlwana), then shoots her in the stomach when she resists. When he discovers the woman\'s infant son in the back of the car, he is forced to deal with the questions about decency raised by Boston. He takes the baby home in a shopping bag and tries to care for it, creating a makeshift diaper out of old newspapers and feeding it from a can of condensed milk. Confronted with the responsibility of having to care for the baby, Tsotsi follows a young woman Miriam (Terry Pheto) to her home, then orders her at gunpoint to breast-feed the infant. \r\n\r\nShe is a widow who ekes out a living sewing and selling mobiles created out of glass. Very gradually, Tsotsi is touched by her humanity and begins to recover his own. There is no epiphany, no single moment of transformation, only the gradual emergence of one man\'s conscience and his belated awareness of the reality of kindness and the sanctity of life. The presence of the infant is the trigger for him to look at his own life. He remembers when his mother (Sindi Shambule) was dying of AIDS and his father (Israel Makoe) in a fit of rage kicked his barking dog, breaking its back as Tsotsi, (played in flashbacks by Benny Moshe) ran away to live in a cluster of drainpipes with abandoned children. \r\n\r\nPresley Chweneyagae delivers a luminous performance in his first role and his gradual redemption, shown mostly by gesture and facial expression, is totally convincing. His character is never idealized or romanticized and Hood carefully avoids the pitfalls of sentimentality. As the police search for the missing child, the baby\'s mother, paralyzed from the waist down, lies in a nearby hospital as Tsotsi returns to the baby\'s parents\' home with his gang for a burglary. Events, however, take a surprising turn, leading to the film\'s deeply moving conclusion that left the audience frozen in their seats for five minutes after the final credits, with many faces full of tears.\r\n\r\nGRADE: A','e4e2eeb2a84f39061b1a9126bb0cdde3',0,'','49kx7v6l',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10635,1857,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1143143400,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tsotsi','Just come back from seeing Tsotsi, I\'ll relay my thoughts later but would just like to say that the central performance was astounding.\r\n\r\nOkay, I\'ve tried to write my thoughts but to be honest Howard\'s comments have made such efforts on my part superfluous, he\'s really hit the nail on the head with this film.\r\n\r\nSo just as a short note, the films intent is to show the pivotol moment in the life of someone who (due to what I term as cause and effect but which again Howard has addressed far more succinctly) couldn\'t sink any lower in terms of humanity and decency. \r\n\r\nPresley Chweneyagae, what can you say! A real \"tour de force\" performance as the thug or Tsotsi, a real lurking sense of menace and danger, a small time gangleader with no scruples at all, a truly stunning performance.\r\n\r\nThe township feels right, everything feels right and even though when you break it down it\'s a fairly straightforward story (in terms of construction) that\'s the last thing you\'ll be thinking about as you\'re watching it.\r\n\r\nWhat a surprise to see a film as good as this win the Oscar for best Foreign language film, I\'m sure if this had been an American film, Presley Chweneyagae would have been in the running for best leading actor.\r\n\r\nTsotsi comes highly recommended, I think most if not all on this site would truly appreciate the film and the central performance in particular.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev','947b22b3e42ce97bfa3155bfce1961fa',0,'','qBuyrmPt',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10636,1857,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1143835680,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Tsotsi','I was extremely apprehensive seeing the film. I do not trust most Academy predictions, and lately they have been exceptionally bad with their Foreign Language choices. Having already seen fellow nominees Joyeux Noel and Fateless and not being overwhelmed by either, I had even less to hope for here. I was warned that the film was sentimental, and I guess it was with these ridiculously low expecations that I was able to appreciate the film. Likewise I wanted to write a proper review, but Howard pretty much says it better than I could. He\'s got his facts, and seems to have had the same reaction to it that I did. I recall some people being surprised at the films Oscar victory, but based on the three nominees I\'ve seen, I\'d say the right choice was made, even if the best foreign language films were again unnominated. First rate film, and the crowd wasn\'t exactly speechless after I saw it, because I was one of only four people there, but for once I wasn\'t the only person sitting through all of the credits. The soundtrack was also quite impressive, being relatively unfamiliar with South African music I was quite a fan, if this film did a little better, I could easily see an African music fad, which sort of happened when Paul Simon made Graceland.\r\n\r\nGrade A','462a32148424f71b61a2980f18727404',0,'','GcCRsS1Q',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10637,1857,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1145854740,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tsotsi','Thanks Howard, great review!\r\nI\'ll try to see the film.','c10278eeaedddd2a2927f7f294f07ce3',0,'','41ZJWtS5',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10638,1857,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1145992320,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Tsotsi','Thanks very much. Hope you can get to see it.','4cca13c5b013b06255bc19f6dba8102f',0,'','ruVEB5DH',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10639,1857,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153276080,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tsotsi','The dvd has just been released in the UK and is quite impressive, apart from the film itself which is thoroughly deserving of its Oscar win (for once), there\'s also a commentary plus a good selection of other extras.\r\n\r\nThree music videos\r\n\'Making Of Tsotsi\' featurette\r\nDeleted scenes\r\nTrailer\r\nBonus documentary: \'Day In The Life Of Josias\'\r\nTwo alternative endings both of which I\'m glad weren\'t used\r\n\'The Storekeeper\' a short film from 1998.\r\n\r\nThe short and some of the other extras also have an optional commentary adding even more value. It\'s worth getting the dvd for the film alone but the extra features make this a very worthwhile package. \r\n\r\nShame there\'s no DTS track but I guess you can\'t have everything.\r\n\r\nThe R2 dvd has been released by Momentum Pictures and deserves to do very well.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','37029b807b9877a99a754e6fd9018702',0,'','0p6emT5v',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10640,1857,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153281840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Tsotsi','The DVD in the US has also been released this past week, but I\'m not sure what it features as far as extras. I do however agree with your Oscar assessment (as far as nominated films anyways).','88a52b42e4984e106b143c7d90dcdcef',0,'','LxbND19v',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10641,1857,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153293360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Tsotsi','i am waiting to watch on a BIG SCREEN\r\nhiaks hiaks','87d6c384c814c2e2bda49d783f5cc3f0',0,'','kY1cXPbL',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10642,1858,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121196300,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) (France)','\r\n\r\n\r\nDirector: Jacques Audiard\r\nCast: Romain Duris, Niels Arestrup\r\n\r\nThe official website is here \r\nhttp://www.wellspring.com/movies/movie.html?movie_id=63\r\n\r\nAt the Berlin International Film Festival 2005, it won the Silver Bear for Best Film Music .\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/2005/03_preistraeger_2005/03_Preistraeger_2005.html\r\n\r\nYes, the catchy title did tempt me to watch the film I want to know what it is all about Knowing me, I do not like to read synopsis (which will likely contain some spoilers, no matter how little). However, I notice the poster, and there are captions (from reviews) like thrilling suspenseful Alfred Hitchcock style etc So, in a way I prepare myself wrongly for the film ;( if only they have tried to sell it as a dramatic film which I think is more apt \r\n\r\nWhat is commendable?\r\n-- I have to agree that it is among the best films in terms of CHARACTER study wow! Yes, finally a character that is very real and complex \r\n\r\n-- I have to agree that the above is in part boosted by the outstanding performance of Romain Duris!\r\n-- Definitely the soundtrack (e.g., in violin), or if you like classical music (e.g., the piano), or if you prefer contemporary music (e.g., electro music)! \r\n-- It does try to achieve a lot (in terms of theme) hmmm but does it really succeed?\r\ne.g., It dealt with family, father and son, (deceased) mother and son\r\ne.g., It dealt with friendship and love, loyalty versus betrayal, etc\r\ne.g., It dealt with violence versus peace a new life versus an old a dream versus harsh reality work versus leisure (i.e., art/music) etc\r\n-- Overall, I am impressed with how AUTHENTIC and REAL the entire film comes across every scenario is so believable even though they may involve worrisome or frightening situations you can believe all these things do happen to this character wow \r\n\r\nWhat is problematic?\r\n-- The problem (if any) is the film does not really pick up for the pace of a thriller every time you think something will happen, nothing very much happens to follow through and sustain it ya, something does happen, but it is over too soon and not very thrilling kind of a let down \r\n\r\n* possible minor spoilers *\r\ne.g., in the beginning, they were carrying these bags of unknown squeaking creatures and the audience wondered what they were soon they scurried all over the floor some screams they left nothing else happened \r\ne.g., subsequently, the father asked the son to threaten the restaurant owner when he eventually did, he set fire in the struggle, he reached for a knife and it was at the owners throat then nothing happened \r\ne.g., his friends negotiated a different contract they argued again nothing happened \r\ne.g., his father requested him to get back at the Russian guy he finally located him and identified him the Russian guy went up to his room nothing happened \r\ne.g., before his big day at the piano audition, his friends woke him up in the middle of the night loud bangs on the door oh no would something happened to his hands? oh no did you guess it right I shant tell you anything \r\n* end of minor spoilers *\r\n\r\n-- In a way, the many minor subplots are fantastic in helping to understand his character, the mood swings, etc. However, as a whole, these many subplots and events might actually mask the main theme (if any) of the movie. Also, to a large extent, it affected the overall coherence and pacing of the movie \r\n\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nIf you are looking for a character study or a great performance by the lead, I say GO FOR IT! \r\n\r\nIf you are looking for a thriller hmm I would say, I am still thinking if it is indeed *really* a thriller \r\n\r\nP.S.: My friend actually considered the film strange and boring','ac09ae2a365dd04ef607bebaccb8f949',0,'','ULiAnrsD',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10643,1858,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1141279980,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) (France)','wow ... congrats on all its recent wins ...\r\n\r\nCesar - Best Film, etc ... (8 awards)\r\n\r\nLumiere - Best Film & Best Actor\r\n\r\nBAFTA - Best Foreign Film','81095361135d08684e1268d3e77e4c6c',0,'','56HKaxg7',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10644,1858,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153206480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) (France)','originally posted by justindeimen (7/17/06 10:07 am)\r\n\r\nHere\'s movieXclusive\'s review on it.\r\n\r\n-------------------------------\r\n\r\nSynopsis:\r\n\r\nA superb remake of James Toback\'s 1978 FINGERS finds a ne-\'er-do-well, who works with two scheming real estate men, decides to return to the playing the piano and envisions this to be a life-changing event. While struggling to regain his mastery of the piano, with a Vietnamese teacher, he is called upon by his partners to participate in shady deals and even help one of them cheat on his wife.\r\n\r\nMovie Review:\r\n\r\nA re-tooling, if you will, of James Tobacks avant-garde Fingers (197 which starred Harvey Keitel as Jimmy Fingers, a thug whos also a prodigiously gifted pianist torn between his conflicting worlds. This re-imagined take is given the European treatment. Replacing grit with style and intimidation with frisson, its still a dangerous ride through the seedy criminal underbelly of Paris. Seen entirely through the eyes of a singular character, an educated thug by the name of Thomas Seyr (Romain Duris), its a chamber piece of an individuals warring heart and mind.\r\n\r\nThe first time we see Thomas is during a conversation he has with his irked business associate who explicates his theory of the reversal of roles that fathers and sons inevitably share. Thomas distractedly listens, unaware of an impending change in his life. Quickly cutting to his job, were allowed to see the amorality and unscrupulousness that he is surrounded by, which serves him monetarily and later sexually. Were then introduced to his father (Niels Arestrup), and Thomas learns about his impending nuptials. Theres a discernable undercurrent of hostility in the affection he feels for his father. To understand Thomas, we have to know his past.....\r\n\r\nContinues at\r\n\r\nwww.moviexclusive.com/rev...kipped.htm\r\n\r\n----------\r\n\r\nThanks for reading my take on it. Audiard\'s most known from Read My Lips (2000) and Romain Duris from L\' Auberge Espagnole.','134bb83067fb05691180adf238d7ea40',0,'','68MdSrXF',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10645,1858,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153207320,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) (France)','thnks for contributing actively','75e70aa72155f9c46f171a804f9e5475',0,'','1zcwEZjl',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10646,1858,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1153226640,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) (France)','no prob','3587c780921b1641ae5b3ddbe3385011',0,'','c4fsk8vj',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10647,1859,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152285360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re-cycle (2006) (Hong Kong)','There is a universal truth about any film involving the Pang Brothers. It will have a cool and excitingly unconventional premise that will always find its detractors. Re-cycle will probably find its fair share of them as well. It has been billed as a meta-horror film that builds on the different realms of existence and the crossing of those barriers.\r\n\r\nBut thats not to say Re-cycle is particularly bad, but that it was a missed opportunity for the Pang Brothers to redefine the genre yet again given its weak script. They previously worked together on the critically lauded The Eye series and Bangkok Dangerous, which elevated them to fame among horror enthusiasts and showed off their immense talents to an awe-struck audience. With an eye (hehe) for horror, they garnered fans from across Asia and the West, each eagerly awaiting their next horror collaboration. As the Pang brothers are genre-centric filmmakers, you can always be assured of spine-chilling experiences. Re-cycle is no exception........\r\n\r\nContinued at www.moviexclusive.com/rev...ecycle.htm\r\n\r\n--------------------------------------\r\n\r\nIt\'s not a horror movie. Believe that. It\'s more along the lines of Neverending Story, Spirited Away and Alice in Wonderland - but all macabre and disturbing in a uniquely Pang Brothers style.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a twist at the end, very Shyamalan-esque. It doesn\'t dwell on the twist nor give you detailed explanations of how and why it is so. It\'s not going to please everyone who anticipated a scarefest and are disappointed with the visible shift in genres midway through the film.\r\n\r\nThe underlying messages are somewhat weak and not thought through as well as they should be. But take NOTHING away from the visual extravanganza that will unfold infront of you. All this on a relatively shoestring budget of USD5 million. When Stay Alive (www.imdb.com/title/tt0441796/) cost upwards of USD10 million, it really puts into perspective the strength of filmmakers who put their minds to something.','f76d0b3dc4523dc4bf95bad3fc26c540',0,'','FUb06QWP',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10648,1859,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152312060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Re-cycle (2006) (Hong Kong)','Just hope it\'s better than Oxide Pang\'s Ab-normal Beauty, great if a little too glossy build up only to collapse into a piece of contrived crud which had nothing to do with the central characters or story. As directors they appear to work better together than when apart, perhaps they should stick to directing joint productions.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev. \r\n\r\nP.S. Welcome to the site.','c79fe1ad6a9c83eac7a1d4209b0afd01',0,'','g4vZs3af',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10649,1859,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152478620,1,0,1,1,1,1,'justindeimen','Re: Re-cycle (2006) (Hong Kong)','Thanks \r\n\r\nThis movie is unlike any Pang Brothers movie. It\'s really a fantastical journey layered with some macabre aspects like zombies, ghouls and aborted fetuses.','cbb436230c2a10d46979d93f0899279e',0,'','czbvprjg',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10650,1860,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152409860,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Wilbur wants to kill himself (Lone Scherfig, Denmark, 2002)','\r\nWilbur wants to kill himself (2002 / Denmark, UK, France, Sweden)\r\nwritten & directed by Lone Scherfig\r\nco-written by Thomas Anders Jensen\r\ncinematography by Jrgen Johansson\r\n\r\nI saw this film initially when it was released theatrically in Germany in 2002 at the cinema, dubbed in german. It seemed like a rather light romantic comedy with some twists and memorable scenes.\r\nI recently picked up a DVD at my local library to watch it again, this time in its original language. Directed and written by danish filmmaker Lone Scherfig after her international breakthrough with the dogme film Italiensk for begyndere (2000), the film was shot in the english language as it takes place in Scotland with most of the actors being scottish. The script was also co-written by the multi-talented Anders Thomas Jensen (\"Open Hearts\", \"Mifune\", \"Brothers\", \"In China they eat Dogs\", \"Flickering Lights\").\r\nThough the movie seemed better the first time around, this time I enjoyed it more. Maybe this has something to do with the fact that I haven\'t been watching films regularly for over a month now, but it could also be the added experience of four more years of film-analysis. \r\n\r\nWilbur wants to kill himself is the programmatic title in a film where the traumatised protagonist is constantly trying to do exactly that. The film begins, like Aki Kaurismkis I hired a contract killer (1990), with Wilbur (Jamie Sives) trying to end his life in the kitchen of his small appartment. Like with all his other attempts during the film, he fails, and finds himself in a hospital where he is already aquainted with the stuff. We find out that he has a brother, Harbour (Adrian Rawlins), who has been trying to take care of him ever since their mother died when they where children. The first suicide attempt shown in the film can be read as a reaction to the death of the father which has happened shortly before our story begins, and is constantly referred to in the course of the film. Left alone with the inheritance of a huge library where the family used to live, the two brothers are now facing the double challenge of confronting themselves with their past (the family) and the future (their family\'s bookstore), if they want to solve their emotional and financial problems. The two brothers both have different strategies of avoiding an inspection of their lives, but when a widowed woman named Alice (played by Shirley Henderson) enters the picture, she and her daughter become a catalyst for the following events, which will forever change the lives of all involved. \r\n\r\nOverall, the movie hasn\'t really the dark edges Scherfig and Jensen would have liked it to have, and treats the personal tragedies of the people involved a bit too lightly. The direction is overtly superficial, with the richness of the script being the one thing that keeps the film together. The main characters, though complex, are given too little time to be developed, and the excellent cast seem to have had to rely more on their own experience than on any clear instructions by Scherfig. This creates a rather odd situation where sometimes the characters are playing next to each other, which adds a \"real\" touch at some moments, while it detracts from some dramatic scenes in others. \r\nNevertheless one must compliment the casting, because the actors all have perfect on-screen chemistry. Most remarkable is clearly danish superstar Mads Mikkelsen, who plays one of the many original side-characters, and adds to the film tremendously. His farther developed acting skills are evident in comparison to the inspired but rather stereotypical performances of the protagonists. Also great was Susan Vidler (Naked, Trainspotting) who managed again to express a lot in a small supporting role. \r\nThe problem with Scherfig\'s direction is that while she doesn\'t try to distinguish between the darker and lighter moments of the film, resulting in a humorous treatment of a lot of scenes, the direction at the same time overemphasises dramatic moments with a change of tone that is most reflected in the intruding score (though it\'s memorable and delicate in most of the other scenes), and the simpler camerawork, wich choses too many close-ups of the protagonists faces to achieve its emotional impact. At the same time, most of the important scenes are never given enough screentime to distinguish them properly from some unimportant events. The effect is that you get to know the characters, but like in real life, it\'s never quite enough. In itself such a strategy isn\'t a bad choice, but in this case it is evident that the direction is striving for a different result. Thus some elements of the film keep standing in the way of each other.\r\n\r\nOne inspired sequence at the wedding of Harbour and Alice, shows in one scene Wilbur and Sophie (Susan Vidler) shortly before they kiss, then cutting abruptly to another scene where Alice and Harbour complete their own. This is followed by Wilbur opening the door of a car for Alice and adressing her with Mrs. North. She replies with a teasing \"Thank you Mr. North\". \r\nIn this sequence the following events are hinted at, while the groundwork for the complicated relationship between Alice and Wilbur is established for the viewer. \r\nIn another sequence we follow Harbour shortly before his death walking through the hospital, when he passes Horst (Mads Mikkelsen) and Sophie who are having a tender moment in an adjoining room. We can hear their conversation linger on for a few seconds, while the camera follows Harbours attempt to reach the other side of the hall without stumbling over his own feet. The blooming of a love and the ending of a life are thus contrasted in a poignantly casual way.\r\nIt is too bad, that such scenes are rather the exception than the rule in a film that overall tries too hard to please the viewer. And even in its daring moments it is usualy not daring enough. In the end, Wilbur wants to kill himself comes of as one of the better examples of european co-productions, while nevertheless falling into most of the usual traps.\r\n\r\nRecommended for a romantic evening, or if you want to relax with an intelligent movie that will keep you in a good mood, but which doesn\'t require too much attention.\r\n\r\n__________________________________________________________\r\n\r\nI saw the film on a german DVD, which has good image and sound, and a lot of decent bonus material, but it should also be available in the US and the UK.\r\nPersonal rating is a fine 59 out of 100.','9e42570ba9335724b9d9877420484cd9',0,'','AidnoN7T',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10651,1860,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152444540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Wilbur wants to kill himself (Lone Scherfig, Denmark, 2002)','Good review A, I saw this when it was released and must admit I was disappointed as the film doesn\'t seem to know what direction it should take, at times a black comedy at other times a realist drama and then again a slightly soft though melancolic romance.\r\n\r\nI did watch it with my wife but whereas she found it entertaining at first, by the end of it she was bored. It\'s on her list of films to never see again.\r\n\r\nAlthough it means well, overall it fails to deliver, I think I\'ll have to give it another go but will see it with low expectations. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','dab515d7070efc2a3c423901927d10a6',0,'','myHduc6N',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10652,1860,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1152470460,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Wilbur wants to kill himself (Lone Scherfig, Denmark, 2002)','I actually liked the change of tone, and the range of the script, but as I mentioned in the review, I think the direction glosses over too much of the edges, trying to make everything flow smoothly, resulting in a mixture that isn\'t entirely enjoyable. \r\nThe black comedy could have been blacker, the relist scenes grittier, and the melancholy more profound. But maybe then it would have fallen entirely apart...\r\n\r\nI think you won\'t like it more the second time, as this doesn\'t seem to be a film that grows on you','0efd23bb21246b7663437e471d39b9e7',0,'','4VipL3To',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10653,1861,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118083200,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','La Nia Santa (The Holy Girl) (2004) (Argentina)','THE HOLY GIRL (La Nina Santa)\r\n\r\nDirected by Lucrecia Martel (2004)\r\n\r\n\"The Holy Girl is not about the confrontation between good and evil, but about the difficulties in distinguishing one from the other\" - Lucrecia Martel\r\n\r\nThe combination of budding adolescent sexuality and Catholic Sunday School sermonizing leads to confusion and trouble in Lucrecia Martel\'s remarkable second film The Holy Girl. Similar in style to Alain Cavalier\'s masterful Thrse, another film about religious fervor, The Holy Girl is an extremely intimate series of minimalist vignettes in which the story unfolds in glimpses and whispered conversations, in \"a slow reverie of quick moments\". As in Thrse, there is no approval or disapproval of behavior, only a snapshot of events that the viewer is left to interpret -- and it can be a challenge. \r\n\r\nSet in La Salta, the same small Northern Argentine town as Martel\'s first feature La Cinaga, the film takes place at a run down hotel that is hosting a medical convention of ear, nose, and throat doctors. The scene is a constant flux of people and movement and it is difficult at first to sort out the characters. Amalia (Maria Alch) is the sixteen-year old daughter of the hotel\'s manager Helena (Mercedes Moran) who is recently divorced and lives with her brother Freddy (Alejandro Urdapilleta). Helena suffers from an inner ear problem that is reflected in a discordant ringing noise that affects her relationship with the world around her.\r\n\r\nAs the film opens, Ins (Mia Maestro), a young Catholic teacher leads a group of girls in choir practice. \"What is it, Lord, you want of me?\" she sings. Overcome with emotion, tears well up in her eyes but Amalia and her friend Josefina (Julieta Zylberberg) merely whisper to each other about the teacher\'s alleged love affairs. The talk in class is about the student\'s \"mission\" and how they can recognize the signs that point to God\'s calling. Amalia thinks she sees a sign when a doctor attending the conference, Dr. Jano (Carlos Belloso) goes in for some sexual touching while she stands in a group listening to a performance on the Theremin, an instrument that is not touched, but is played by disturbing the surrounding air (perhaps the way adults ought to deal with adolescents). \r\n\r\nThe character\'s motivations are complex and defy easy categorizing. Jano is a family man with children but seems driven by sexual longings. Helena, still seething that her ex-husband has just fathered twins by his new wife, is attracted to Jano but her advances are not reciprocated and her relationship with Freddy has a hint of more than brotherly love. Josefina teases her young cousin but holds back from committing herself, yet fully engages in kissing with Amalia, though what it means to them is uncertain. Amalia thinks that her mission is to save Dr. Jano and seductively follows him around the hotel, even entering his room when he is not there. At first not relating Amalia\'s stalking to the incident in the crowd, Jano becomes fearful that his medical career will be jeopardized when he discovers her identity, but the die is cast and Amalia\'s casual relating the incident to Josefina leads to unintended results.\r\n\r\nThe Holy Girl is elusive and somewhat disorienting, yet it remains an extraordinary achievement, full of intensity and crackling tension, true to the way people act when they are dealing with feelings bubbling beneath the surface. The girls live in their own little world, oblivious to the havoc they have unleashed and it is Martel\'s brilliant direction that allows us to enter that world, and it is not always comfortable. What happens in the film may be inappropriate but it never seems perverse. We expect the characters to be either heroes or villains but Martel sees them only as flawed human beings. Like the knowing half-smile etched on Amalia\'s face, her universe is imbued with a mystery that simply observes rather than evaluates. If the ending does not provide us with immediate gratification, it may be because it respects that mystery.\r\n\r\nGRADE A-','07c8a6765fa083e030abb2bc6219b39e',0,'','QgS1olWE',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10654,1861,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1120864500,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: La Nia Santa (The Holy Girl) (2004) (Argentina)','I watched this at San Francisco International Film Festival.\r\n\r\nI presume I have set too high an expectation of the movie, so the movie only comes across as very good to excellent ... but NOT a big \"wow ...\" \r\n... I am not sure about others, but I find that having a controversial theme does not necessary equate with a \"must watch\" movie ... \r\n... It does have many good technics or potential ... but it may lose the audience with its pacing, vagueness and non resolution ... \r\n... However, the SAME approach can be perceived as ponderous, abstraction and reality ... hee hee\r\n\r\nWhat I like?\r\n-- The well depicted \"confusion\" of adolescence ... \r\ne.g., even at the end, it was unclear to the audience whether the teenage female protagonost did it out of love/desire or salvation for the doctor ...\r\n-- The concurrent power and vulnerability of any characteristic (be it sexual, roles, occupation, age, etc) ...\r\ne.g., is her sexuality power or vulnerability? \r\n-- The blur between good and evil, morality and immorality, etc etc etc ...\r\ne.g., is she a victim or a hero ...\r\n\r\n-- As usual, I always like this kind of ending ... an ending without closure ... ha ha ha ... some audience will hate it, but I do like it ... \r\n\r\nWhat may be problematic (to some)?\r\n-- It is quite slow/average paced ... so, some audience may lose their patience ...\r\n-- As mentioned, the ending has no closure ... so some audience will frown ...\r\n\r\nQ&A: (from my attendance at San Francisco International Film Festival)\r\n(the gist, not in verbatim)\r\n\r\nQ: Which directors or movies influence you? \r\nA: I am ashamed to say it, but I am not very conversant about movies ... so, I am not exactly influenced by any director\'s style ...\r\n\r\nQ: Is the movie faithful to the original *****? Has anything been edited out of the movie? \r\nA: It is pretty faithful to the script, any changes (which are few) are due to the budget ... If you are trying to ask about the ending ... nope ... I did not edit out any scenes ... it was scripted to end that way and nothing more was filmed ...\r\n* audience laughed *\r\n\r\nQ: What do you think happen in the end? \r\nA: Maybe after a few months, the scandal will get worse, maybe not ... I would rather let the audience decide for themselves ...\r\n\r\nQ: The movie credited Pedro and Agustin Almodvar, what is your relationship with them? Did they influence the film? \r\nA: It is difficult to find an investment in Argentina ... so I thought about it and decided to try Spain ... I sent them the script and fortunately, they liked it and decided to invest in it ...\r\n\r\nNope ... they pretty much left it to me to direct the film ...\r\n\r\nQ: How did you start on filming or this movie? \r\nA: I have a big family. When I was young, my father bought us a videocam, but at those times, it cost as much as a CAR!\r\n* audience laughed *\r\n\r\nSo, my father said who could know the workings of the videocam best would handle it. Guess what, I started taking the manual and memorizing it ...\r\n\r\nAs for the hotel, we used to visit it when I was young ...\r\n\r\nQ: You depicted a scene of the teenage girl * censored *? Would the American audience accept it? \r\nA: I do not think it is very explicitly depicted ... I think my other films have more explicit scenes ...\r\n\r\nIn sum: I would recommend it if you like controversial movies.\r\n\r\nBut it is done it a subtle and slow paced way ...','079d970c58b1e719452c9d1d86d2affa',0,'','9EJsHuxq',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10655,1861,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151277600,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: La Nia Santa (The Holy Girl) (2004) (Argentina)','Howard\'s review of this was a lot more descriptive than I could have offered, but I think we had somewhat similar reactions. I enjoyed the ending, but the film has a somewhat lazy pace and Martel doesn\'t seem too concerned about anything actually happening.','5401767dae24b2955b1c628f273595b7',0,'','njszehym',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10656,1861,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151914440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: La Nia Santa (The Holy Girl) (2004) (Argentina)','originally posted by wpqx\r\n\r\nThe Holy Girl (2004) - Lucrecia Martel\r\n\r\nHard to come up with anything to say about this film. Having not seen la Cienaga, I have no context for this within Martel\'s work. The film does have a wonderful quality of taking potential soap opera material and handling it in a very subtle way. The relationship between the two friends is great and they manage to have a unique and fascinating bond. I think this one might require some more deliberation.','7dd90f7b0e8a5c231b823fdf9abe679a',0,'','x4Mig26y',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10657,1862,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151882280,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Inner Senses (2002) Yee do hung gaan','Inner Senses (2002) Yee do hung gaan \r\n\r\nDirected by Chi-Leung Law (Koma)\r\n\r\nStarring Karena Lam, Leslie Cheung (Happy Together, Temptress Moon)\r\n\r\nAs soon as this film starts you get a sense of dj vu, a young woman Yan with a very creative imagination moves into a flat and is soon seeking help from a psychiatrist because she sees ghosts, very Sixth Sense. However her problems are sorted within the first fifty minutes as the psychologist forces her to face the demons from her past. This skilfully avoids ripping off either the aforementioned Sixth Sense or the Korean film A Tale of Two Sisters and is well done. \r\n\r\nAs the treatment has finished for Yan, she and the psychiatrist Jim are able to pursue the attraction and affection that has grown between them, this leads to a light fluffy section of soft focus images (a little twee but thankfully short). \r\n\r\nDealing with Yans case has brought back repressed memories for Jim, he starts seeing disturbing images and takes to sleepwalking. Yan reports these night-time habits to another psychiatrist who happens to be Jims best friend but he only starts to believe her (knowing her history) when she captures Jim in the act on a video camera. From then on Jim\'s repressed memories open up like a can of worms and take over his life, he appears to be haunted by a figure from his past. \r\n\r\nWhereas in the first section, Yans manifestations are ultimately proved to be psychological, the second section is far more vague and open to interpretation and this helps to create a more satisfying film overall. The final five minutes are a bit too gooey for me but I suppose the majority of the audience are happy with a sugary sweet ending.\r\n\r\nThe lead actors are very good although it is quite strange to see Leslie Cheung in this type of film. A suitably eerie atmosphere is built up when necessary and as usual with Asian horror films the sound is put to very good use. A clever story raises this above the average, as like both Sixth Sense and A Tale of Two Sisters, this is more than just a horror film.\r\n\r\nSadly this was Leslie Cheungs last film before his unfortunate suicide, it is even sadder when you watch Inner Senses and realise that a lot of the problems he discusses in his role were problems he was trying to deal with in real life.\r\n\r\nRecommended to fans of the more cerebral thriller/horror, not quite the match for A Tale of Two Sisters but certainly worth a look.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev\r\n\r\nBBFC rated 18\r\n\r\nR2 dvd due for release sometime soon from Tartan Video.','e507e5e48d7e69aab0a539531a7caa8f',0,'','lDQtAfow',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10658,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118000640,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Chungking Express (HK)','CHUNGKING EXPRESS (Chong qing sen lin) \r\n\r\nDirected by Wong Kar-Wai (1994)\r\n\r\n\"If memories could be canned, would they have an expiration date?\" - Cop 223\r\n\r\nHong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai\'s Chungking Express is a breathless tour de force that will leave you feeling exhilarated. Shot in the Kwaloon section of Hong Kong with a hand-held camera using impressionistic images, jump cuts, and stop-action camerawork, Wong vividly captures the kinetic energy of the city - its people, music, fast food cafes, and nightlife. Chungking Express is a quirky romantic comedy about chance encounters, lost opportunities, and the loneliness of city life where people never seem to communicate with each other directly. The film consists of two loosely connected stories involving different cops who have just broken up with their girlfriends. In the first sequence, most of the action takes place at a fast food stand called Chungking Express and little police-related activity is shown except for some choreographed shootouts. \r\n\r\nHe Zhiwu, Cop 223 (Takeshi Kaneshiro) tells himself at the beginning of April that he will wait thirty days for his girlfriend May to come back to him before seeking another relationship. In mourning, he eats only from cans that have an expiration date of May 1st, his birthday. On May 1st, he eats thirty cans of pineapple (her favorite food) and jogs so \"there will be no water left for tears\" but it doesn\'t bring May back. His only connection is with a sturdy blonde played by veteran actress Brigitte Lin wearing a platinum blond wig. Unknown to him, she is a heroin smuggler on the run after a failed drug deal. They meet and go to his apartment but she simply passes out and he decides to move on. In the second episode, another lovelorn cop known only as Cop 633 (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) is in love with a stewardess and buys her a Chefs Salad from the same food stand every day. \r\n\r\nWhen she dumps him after he brings her fish and chips, he becomes interested in Faye (Faye Wong), an endearingly goofy counter girl who works for her cousin at the same snack bar. Faye develops a crush on him and sneaks into his apartment when he\'s not there, rearranging his furniture, removing traces of his old girlfriend, decorating and cleaning while dancing around the house to the music of the Mamas and the Papas. Their relationship has a playful quality to it though they both maintain their distance. After she reappears after having been away for one year, she asks him where he wants to go and he replies \"Wherever you want to take me\". Chungking Express will take you wherever you want to go and it is a giddy ride -- full of style, substance, and self-reflective humor. In the hands of Wong Kar-Wai, alienation never seemed as much fun.\r\n\r\nGRADE: A','b0c7ee39c56eed539b465c320ef36350',0,'','v62SbAH9',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10659,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118007780,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','Way to get some reviews up, and a damn good film this one is. Not my personal favorite film from Wong, but still great.','b35f564398bae2bf9018a7c810a15e08',0,'','HCPr5Lzq',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10660,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118010300,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','I know it seems pretty egotistic but I just posted several reviews at trevor826s request.','6bac1174251a69429bafba898e395d8b',0,'','Ai3azJWP',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10661,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118012700,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','true I\'ll get to it as well, must have gotten the same message.','7855785b112e5b15bfc21779566bdcec',0,'','QREBr58b',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10662,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118027400,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','Thank\'s both of you, I did write individual messages to several people because we need your input to make this site as good as (if not better) than it was. By the way wpqx, what is your favourite WKW film?\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','0174a0968c40344a9b595fe73736aa5e',0,'','8hK4wEvU',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10663,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118076960,1,0,1,1,1,1,'mikevan9','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','I liked Chugking Express quite a bit too and was charmed by the Tony Leung/Faye Wong story. But I have to admit, seeing it recently, boy has Takeshi Kaneshiro come a long way. He was, I thought, overly mannered in this one (some of it, I understand, is intentional but I always bristle when playing young means you\'re, uh, \"goofy\"). However, he was terrific in House of Flying Daggers. No Tony Leung, mind you, but making big steps.','af706daf79cc5a28643ff8a5f84db00c',0,'','2VW1qwul',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10664,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118110260,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','I watched it recently for the first time, and while I liked it much, I don\'t think it\'s that great a film. Rated it *** / ****\r\nand Kar-Wai has definitely done better than that.\r\nThe four films I\'ve seen from him I would list as follows.\r\n1. Fallen Angels (Waaay the best).\r\n2. Days of being wild\r\n3. Chungking Express\r\n4. As Tears go by (Has some minor problems)','912bc8f846cef11322d2fd08560c7893',0,'','lQoyKP1h',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10665,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118252040,1,0,1,1,1,1,'mikevan9','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','I\'d have to find old posts, probably long gone, to jog my memory, but what was the verdict on 2046 in these parts? Saw it recently, and I know the main criticism is that it\'s confusing, but that didn\'t bother me much. I wouldn\'t expect anything else from Wong Kar-Wai, and thought Lueng\'s longing was effective.','c25c7c3053ca64740c2c8a030c7e4c6f',0,'','7xMUiws6',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10666,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118263380,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','For me 2046 was a culmination of all the films from WKW since Days of Being Wild, it\'s a visual orgasm after the foreplay of In the Mood for Love. I thought it was excellent and when it finished I wanted to see it again, my son who loves Chungking Express and really enjoyed In the Mood for Love hated it and swore he\'d never watch it again. \r\n\r\nHoward has reviewed 2046, hopefully he\'ll re-post it again.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','87f5f84768ebe6c304720c132526892e',0,'','USRB2eaM',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10667,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118271540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','I\'ve just reposted my review.','4ef683a439c79e7afc02cd4710cfbe9b',0,'','rpTWQqgy',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10668,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149070920,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','Just noticed my initial response, and I must say that after a second viewing I liked the film more. I also watched it with a friend who was completely new to Wong, and he absolutely loved it. And another friend from Peru whom I borrowed it, also said he liked it. Seems like a crowd pleaser.\r\n\r\nMy favorite scenes are the playful exchanges of passion between Tony Leung and his stewardess in his appartment, as well as Brigitte Lin\'s discovery of the bar-owner having something going on with the waitress, while the jukebox keeps playing that gorgeous tune. \r\nAnd Kaneshiro chasing a gangster at the beginning... \r\nDoyle\'s camera is simply breathtaking.\r\nOne of my favorites from `94, because of its simplicity and honesty in depicting emotions through a tragicomical set-up.\r\nBut I think I still prefer Fallen Angels \r\n\r\nSome time ago I gave my copy away to a friend for her birthday. Hmm, I\'d like to see both again sometime.','326d4a2c8bbea6f5b8741eb56d06d14d',0,'','E5SbghiP',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10669,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149071400,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','I \"think\" I have asked this before ...\r\nbut I would like to \"poll\" again (in this thread) since it is gone ...\r\n\r\nInterestingly, my friends and I like the \"second\" story with Tony Leong and Faye Wong better ... \r\n* oh yeah ... California dreaming ... *\r\n\r\nBut, it seems like a number of foreigners actually prefer the \"first story\" with Takeshi (i.e., the pineapple cans) ...\r\n\r\nWhat are your preferences?','4f63012a68d299afd99ba4e7b91536fa',0,'','cZeTJF9n',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10670,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149073140,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','I remember you asking before (and also some of the responses). How come it disappeared?\r\n\r\nI liked both stories equally, every time I saw the film. I also don\'t think they can be separated easily. Actually all of the stories (even the ones on the side - waitress, stewardess) are very similar, and simply reflect various sides of the same thing. \r\nLike the stories in \"Fallen Angels\" or \"Days of Being Wild\".','e64a46d1e9d34e1eaf1d68b4fe950cb9',0,'','gXHJyk0F',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10671,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149422460,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','Yes hengcs I remember replying to your original question. For me Faye Wong lights up the second tale and with its overall lighter tone it\'s my favourite part.\r\n\r\nChungking Express is still one of my all-time favourite films as well.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev','ccb75969a3ebd584e2544efdd4bc07e8',0,'','NU0HjJKq',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10672,1863,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151745840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'chard09','Re: Chungking Express (HK)','i love both stories, but i admit i enjoyed the second one as well. faye wong is irressistible. even her version of cranberries\' dreams is wooooooooooooooow, wooonderful. \r\n\r\ndays of being wild is also a personal favorite. shot here in the philippines, why am i not aware that time? hehe. the subtitles are inaccurate, though.\r\n\r\ngreat wong. great wong.','ce1384aad050d6d9c8c6cc98803adf8f',0,'','4KqreiUd',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10673,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122216540,1,0,1,1,1,1,'groom daniel','Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','I just saw this tonight. Really beautiful and understated. There\'s not much of a plot & it\'s only a tribute to Ozu in spirit, but it had a really gentle rhythm and I was enamoured with a number of small touches in it.','7105acdd3a6437614d17af1fabc47c55',0,'','cjlH3nx9',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10674,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122335040,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','Hey groom daniel,\r\nIt is nice to see you so often on the forum\r\n\r\nI think arsaib4 has watched the film on DVD too ...\r\nI am not so sure if the rest has watched it too ...','592063599fadca9673cc7ee52b3a4a5a',0,'','kehB2bHn',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10675,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122360300,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','Still not out here, too bad, I\'m pretty ignorant of Hou.','2814cf3b9cc8858071d0e0628cd8d48d',0,'','7KbevV0h',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10676,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122368160,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','I have Cafe Lumiere on disc but still haven\'t watched it yet. Will post when I do so.','a5c2dcc360da78ff0b0ad02d9577cf99',0,'','Ja6hUwBR',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10677,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122947880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','This will probably take long here in Germany, if it will be shown at all, as Hou isn\'t commercial enough even for the arthouse crowd, I guess.\r\nI have only seen one of His films \"Good Men Good Women\", two months ago, and it was breathtaking, lyrical, gorgeous, loveable, sad,... I loved it. There was in fact a scene from one of Ozu\'s film in it. \r\nLooking forward to this.','15871481819a42240881d4de66c63022',0,'','QeF1HLxl',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10678,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1130429940,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','\r\nHey arsaib4\r\nHave you watched it finally?','d7a7b02f47476a75120297f82c9355b7',0,'','XsGRUMp8',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10679,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1137464760,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','I can\'t believe this, I was so wrapped up with the \"Asian Invasion\" and \"Ghibli\" series on TV that I missed noticing that \"Cafe Lumiere\" is on every night this week on filmfour weekly. I\'m absolutely delighted and actually quite flabbergasted because as far as I know, it isn\'t available yet on dvd in the UK.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','b38509589763bee3429d16e01eccc8c3',0,'','bgrWneYT',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10680,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1137477360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','I can\'t believe that you missed it either. It is available on DVD in the U.K. (ICA), but the quality isn\'t supposed to be very good. If you buy a DVD, get the one from the U.S. because it also includes an hour long doc called \"metro lumiere\" featuring Hou in a good mood, a rarity.','766c1085d1cdda94cdffaefeae9dfafd',0,'','CmyZRibq',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10681,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1137510420,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','Thanks for the info arsaib4. I taped it last night and will hopefully watch it today, if I do go for the dvd it will definitely be the Wellspring region 1 release.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','cccedf2c749e65f120e4a51941beca9b',0,'','7jtYo9Cu',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10682,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1137636900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','Caf Lumire (2003) Kh jik\r\n\r\nDirected by Hou Hsiao-hsien\r\n\r\nMain cast Yo Hitoto, Tadanobu Asano (Vital, Maborosi)\r\n\r\nVery naturalistic performances in this homage to the work of master director Yasujiro Ozu. Covering familiar themes and situations and filmed in a similar way, there is very little in the way of plot and no form of resolution, in essence a study of life in modern Tokyo. \r\n\r\nThemes include familial relations and the generation gap; the major difference between generations in the films of Ozu was the encroaching Westernisation and loss of tradition. In Caf Lumiere the parents (part of the post-war salary man generation) are confronted with different issues. They visit their daughter Yoko who tells them shes pregnant and has absolutely no intention of marrying the father, shes very disorganised in her home life and never seems to have any money thinking nothing of borrowing anything and everything from her landlady (something her stepmother finds shameful and embarrassing).\r\n\r\nAs for the parents, the father doesnt seem able to communicate his feelings, not once does he try and discuss his daughter\'s situation despite her stepmother constantly pushing him to, she worries that they (on their meagre pensions) cannot afford to support Yoko and the baby. There is no discussion, no confrontation and therefore no resolution to this issue. \r\n\r\nAnother favourite feature of Ozus films is trains, thats one thing you certainly get a lot of with this film, trains and tram cars, constant travelling, the hustle and bustle of city life against the comparative peace and calmness of Yoko\'s friend, Hajimes bookstore. Hajime (Tadanobu Asano) is one of the few people that Yoko can talk to but even then, their conversations are stilted and sparse, she doesnt even mention her pregnancy till she feels unwell. \r\n\r\nYoko herself is researching a Taiwanese composer Jiang Wen-ye who lived in Tokyo in the 1930s and whose music makes up the majority of the soundtrack. The one time she appears totally relaxed and open is while talking to his widow and looking through old photos and notes. \r\n\r\nAs already noted, there is no resolution to any part of the film, life carries on, things remain unsaid and when you come down to it, such is life. \r\n\r\nA charming film that accentuates the diversity of old and new, of tradition and change and who knows, maybe just the type of film that Ozu would make were he alive today. \r\n\r\nIf you appreciate the work of Yasujiro Ozo and/or Hou Hsiao-hsien, you will almost certainly enjoy Cafe Lumiere. Personally, I\'ll be investing in the region 1 dvd just as soon as I can. \r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rating U\r\n\r\nR2 Pal dvd available from ICA Projects. R1 ntsc dvd available from Wellspring.','1bd2b9a47e08bbc2b014a5797279458a',0,'','rFLBpaRH',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10683,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151524320,1,0,1,1,1,1,'wpqx','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','Why arsaib never put his review here is beyond me, but get on that co-admin. Seeing how I only have one week to catch Three Times in the cinema (bastards), I figured it\'d be in my best interest to watch Cafe Lumiere in preparation, although I\'m not sure if the films have any similarities. The film isn\'t so explicitly linked to Ozu any more than any of Hou\'s films are. The camera moves a little too much to really be patterned after Ozu, but of course there are similarities. When people are in homes, they are almost invariably shot from a low camera and seen sitting down, of course a trademark of Ozu. I\'m still getting through all the bonus interviews.\r\n\r\nAs far as the story of the film went I thought I was missing something, then I realized that there wasn\'t really anything to miss. This isn\'t a \"plot\" driven film, just sort of a sampling of life. Trevor\'s comments cover it pretty well. Not quite as ambitious as some of Hou\'s earlier films, but just as heartfelt.','6306360c13e272c25603982eb01df6cf',0,'','FYXsumGv',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10684,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151526060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'Johndav','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','A marvellous review by Trevor. It\'s as quiet, gentle and delicate as you could ask for as an antidote to Hollywood explosions and rollercoaster pacing. And yes, it\'s beautiful; lovely feel for composition. David Bordwell thinks Hou has at least as much in common with Mizoguchi as with Ozu (do read his book Figures Traced in Light), mainly due to his mise-en-scene, and there are certainly differences in camera move and angle to Ozu, but Hou\'s overall feeling, atmosphere here surely have more in common with him than with Mizo (as you\'d expect from a tribute). I love its relaxed restraint; it doesn\'t force anything onto the viewer, takes its time, preserves a sense of mystery, no histrionics, and some very arresting shots in what may seem to many an unpromising environment (as with Ozu; the 2 directors could be described as urban poets i suppose, but neither would give themselves airs and graces). A delight, certainly among his best- i\'m also very keen on The Time to Live, Good Men Good Women, and City of Sadness. Looking forward to Three Times. \r\n\r\nIm Kwon-Taek the Korean director IS clearly strongly influenced by Mizoguchi (Hou apparently not), but i feel is quite a bit clumsier than Hou- Im does have an eye for scenery and colour, but at times his films cry out for a slightly more subtle approach, and then they might be something special. I say that without having seen his early Mandala (1981), which may surpass the later ones. Sorry, i\'ve gone off on a tangent again.','12b87535e815416173566330171b3429',0,'','4bwsizvY',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10685,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151544060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','This isn\'t a \"plot\" driven film, just sort of a sampling of life.\"\r\n\r\nThat\'s exactly right. \r\n\r\nIt\'s also interesting to note that Hou only delved into Ozu a few years ago; I believe the only Ozu effort he saw as a youngster was I Was Born, But....','af89895be70d7f3a886b99926a98874a',0,'','FjX8k4wg',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10686,1864,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151600700,1,0,1,1,1,1,'Johndav','Re: Cafe Lumiere, Hou Hsiao-Hsien','And yet he\'s long been compared to Ozu!','26c8964c25764f1c66d7647b8d91874d',0,'','GXLMJH2C',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10687,1865,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1120984980,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Jrme Bonnell\'s Le Chignon d\'Olga (France / 2002)','\r\n_____________________\r\n*A 2006 U.S. Release* \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nJrme Bonnell\'s debut feature, Le Chignon d\'Olga, has drawn comparisons with Eric Rohmers work and its not hard to see why: the overall sense of \"lightness,\" assured camera movements, nuanced emotions, naturalistic settings, etc. certainly evoke various aspects of the master -- and lets not forget the title, which reminds one of Rohmer\'s Le Genou de Claire (1970). Bonnell\'s film is set in a provincial town in Southern France during the month of August when most of France shuts down; however, for his characters, the desolateness is not merely physical, but emotional as well. The focus is on a family which has just lost its matriarch. In an attempt to fill this void, Julien (Hubert Benhamdine), a teenager who was once a promising pianist, becomes obsessed with a young bookstore clerk named Olga whose hair is always in a bun (\"chignon\"). He also shares a platonic bond with a slightly older Alice (Nathalie Boutefeu), who is constantly involved in troublesome relationships. Julien\'s young sister, Emma (Florence Loiret), is also having a tough time, not only with the loss, but also with attempts to discover her own sexuality. Meanwhile their father (Serge Riaboukine), a failing writer, is having to deal with sexual advances from an old friend. Their conversations together are hollow and ripe with pathos even though they try their best to extricate themselves, which is mostly with Charlie Chaplins The Circus (1928) constantly being playing on television.\r\n\r\nLe Chignon d\'Olga is full of small, intricate moments between various characters, as if they were trying to capture as much of each other as possible knowing full well that they\'ll eventually grow apart. This sense of purpose is partly what distinguishes the film from other works that deal with a certain loss. Bonnells doesnt succeed as well with his comedic attempts (especially the sequence in which Julien tries win over Olga), but he does manages to keep things fairly light. The title character, which according to the director was added in late, also isn\'t embedded properly, even though the final shot explicates her metaphorical being. But a little more than halfway through the film, Bonnell stages a remarkable sequence which convincingly displays the talents of this 20-something filmmaker: on an overcast day, Julien visits his mothers grave (perhaps for the first time) with Alice, and we simply observe their movements, nothing is said because nothing needs to be said and this more or less becomes the dramatic center for the film. Overall, the performances are first rate, but Nathalie Boutefeu stands out as she often seems to be gliding through the frame (almost a little like what Jeanne Balibar does so well). Le Chignon d\'Olga visits an emotional and psychological terrain which has been explored before, yet somehow the journey still feels fresh.\r\n\r\nGrade: B+\r\n__________________________\r\n\r\n*This much acclaimed film was released in France in 2002. Unfortunately, it wasn\'t released theatrically in the U.S. but a DVD is now available. \r\n\r\n*Artificial-Eye was the film\'s U.K. distributor.\r\n_______________________________\r\n\r\n[Edit] Added Grade/DVD info','10683555840ae13ccb9d2ff8abce425d',0,'','Dt7gfGBA',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10688,1865,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121188500,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Jrme Bonnell\'s Le Chignon d\'Olga (France / 2002)','Just watched the film again to refresh myself with it, in many ways it recalls Rohmers films and also reminded me of Broken Wings due to the grief factor, arsaib4\'s review is spot on which doesn\'t leave me with much to say. \r\n\r\nI liked the way that Olga was kept as \"That Obscure Object of Desire\" the untouchable perfection and lets face it, often in these cases it\'s best to leave these as fantasies as the reality can never live up to expectations.\r\n\r\nLe Chignon d\'Olga is a gentle film with moments that most of us will be able to connect with, it is a more than pleasant way to while away 90+ minutes and comes thoroughly recommended.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','1c900ddc7dca94b721a7fc3962581f7a',0,'','keroEHph',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10689,1865,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121217420,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Jrme Bonnell\'s Le Chignon d\'Olga (France / 2002)','Thanks, Trev. \r\n\r\nYou\'re right, it does feel very accessable. It\'s neither perfect nor daringly original, but the characters and the milieu seem perfect for a lazy afternoon, recalling Rohmer.','8e390d959bf2c0f520e3f9136006a713',0,'','feBL4gtF',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10690,1865,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1151530680,1,0,1,1,1,1,'Johndav','Re: Jrme Bonnell\'s Le Chignon d\'Olga (France / 2002)','I enjoyed it too; probably the most Rohmeresque film not by the great man himself (though another contender Before Sunset is better)','37e078bc4230a9e14d09667bc4c50fc1',0,'','uFEQjYiP',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10691,1866,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1150523160,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','The Road To Guantanamo (2006) (UK)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Michael Winterbottom, Mat Whitecross \r\nCast: Riz Ahmed, Farhad Harun, Arfan Usman, Shahid Iqbal\r\n\r\nIn the Berlin Film Festival, the film garnered the Best Director Award .\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.roadtoguantanamomovie.com/\r\n\r\nSynopsis\r\nThe film is a docudrama about four British Muslims who travelled to Pakistan but ended in Guantanamo.\r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n\r\n-- Movies with political themes and humanity issues (esp. based on real events) are often very controversial. As some political figures are depicted in the movie, both camps of thoughts will likely be divisive over the movie. How will it be perceived in United States and how will the rest of the world perceive it?\r\n\r\n** Instead of dwelling into the debate, I would comment the movie from moviegoers\' perspective.\r\n\r\n-- Overall, the soundtrack is very haunting (in the background) ... The first one third of the film may not be fast paced enough for some audience as it traces their trip to different places and these events do not actually drive the pace ... The second and third half depicting their captive and interrogation gets rather disturbing ... \r\n\r\n-- Technically, some scenes are grainy and not very clear because there are TV footages that are intermixed with the film. However, some are done on purpose ... so as to give a rather haunting atmosphere ...\r\n\r\n-- Overall, the movie does NOT melodramatized the events ... but portrayed these events rather disturbingly through interviews, narration and plain realistic depiction, BUT the effect is NOT plain ... \r\n\r\n-- For interview with the director\r\nhttp://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,401386,00.html\r\n\r\n-- For other critics\' comments\r\nhttp://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/road_to_guantanamo/\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nRecommended. \r\nA rather disturbing film ... \r\n\r\nPS: I am NOT sure if the Singapore version is censored in anyway. IMDB.com reflects a censorship but the movie time reflects 95 min. Maybe one of them is correct, maybe both are correct (i.e., if the censorship is less than 1 min). Regardless, the movie is still disturbing.','328afc55f7d1379e43176c18004c45ce',0,'','sD8k1ymA',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10692,1867,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1150182720,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','What\'s a Human Anyway (Insan Nedir Ki) (2004) (Turkey)','\r\n\r\nWhat\'s a Human Anyway (Insan Nedir Ki)\r\naka Mommy, Im Scared (Korkuyorum Anne) \r\n\r\nDirector: Reha Erdem\r\nCast: Turgay Aydin\r\n\r\nApparently, the working title was What\'s a Human Anyway (Insan Nedir Ki). But in Turkey, the distributor had asked for a new title and they finally decided on Mommy, Im Scared (Korkuyorum Anne). After watching the film, I concluded that the original title captures the essence of the film much better.\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.korkuyorumanne.com/\r\n\r\nSynopsis:\r\nThe film begins with a car accident, and a man in his 30s seem to lose memory ... did he or did he not lose memory? After all, it was known that he hated work and did not want to leave his parents to stay/survive alone ... At the same time, a robbery happened ... was he or was he not involved?\r\n\r\nMy thoughts:\r\n\r\n-- Belying the simple synopsis/plot, a lot of characters are actually involved. More thoughtfully, the director has identified and revolved the film around three interrelated male who represent the three turning point (transition) into man in Turkey. By doing so, he asked \"What Makes A Man?\"\r\n\r\nFurthermore, the film deals with the issues of memories (i.e., intelligence), health (i.e., alive) and heart (i.e., love) ... with conscientious depiction of human parts to ask \"What\'s a Human Anyway?\"\r\n\r\nAudience might even find a particular scene (with the placing of a heart into the body) most symbolic ... probably that\'s what matters most ...\r\n\r\n-- With regards to overall pacing, the numerous characters and subplots necessitate a 2 hour film. However, occasionally, one may feel that the film is getting kind of long ...\r\n\r\n-- With regards to casting, it is an ensemble effort. Given the comical take of the film, one has to forgive the occasional exaggerated expressions/acting. Expectedly, some humor is lost in translation ... The main lead was convincing. Somewhen in the film, audience would wonder if he had really lost his memory or was conning others ... \r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nRecommended. Don\'t expect it to be a philosophical film, but rather a family drama/comedy ...','6c612e0446edc638bd999464b8b33dc4',0,'','vyEbTamW',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10693,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122531180,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','\r\n\r\n***possible spoilers***\r\n\r\nThai wunderkind Apichatpong Weerasethakul (commonly referred to as \"Joe\"), who just happens to be one of the most unique and original filmmakers in the world today, recently stated: \"In the environment in Thailand, everything is mixed. We absorb everything. When you look at Thai food, or fashion, or architecture, its like we dont have any real identity.\" Same could be said for his work so farits a mixture of myth and reality, city and country, pop and tradition, personal and mysterious, linear and elliptical one could go on and on. For his latest film, the 2004 Cannes Special Jury prize winning Tropical Malady (Sud Pralat), Joe has borrowed a few elements from two of his key and most acclaimed films so far: Mysterious Objects at Noon (2000) and Blissfully Yours (2002). \r\n\r\nMysterious Objects is often referred to as an \"Exquisite Corpse,\" meaning that its surrealist storytelling technique involves various storylines contributed by many writers while being unaware of what the other has said. Seems like a disaster, right? Not with Joe; so instead, the film is blithely and carelessly capricious. While on the outside, it may seem like Malady doesnt follow the same routine, it constantly shifts identities internally. In Malady, however, Joe is able to stage those shifts while keeping narrative flow: a folk tale about greed is interrupted by a reference to a Thai version of \"Who Wants to be a Millionaire\"; a scene in a dilapidated roadside shack is followed by one in a high-tech \"western\" mall; a statue of Buddha is accompanied by Christmas music; often, scenes from remote countryside are contrasted with ones taking place at either a computer or a vet. lab.\r\n\r\nOn the other hand, Malady, as a whole, follows the two-part structure of Blissfully Yours. Title credits in both films appear at the midway point (in the new film they also show at the beginning). While in the former, the \"blissful\" passage takes place at the end, in the latter, its at the start. And that passage in Malady involves two men: a muscular soldier from the city, Keng (Banlop Kamnoi), whos assigned to jungle patrol, and his introverted country boyfriend, Tong (Sakda Kaewbuadee), who works at an ice factory. While on holiday, these two lovers spend time together devoid of any worries or caresmovies, dinners (some with Tongs family), games, sightseeing, etc. But we only watch them flirt without going any further. Seemingly, this is the most \"commercial\" Joe has ever been. Thai critic Kong Rithdee reported that in Thailand audiences went crazy over dialogues such as this: Keng: \"When I gave you The Clash cassette, I forgot to give you my heart. You can have it today... Here it is. Do you feel it? TONG: I\'m receiving it. I can feel it.\"\r\n\r\nAs the second \"half\" begins after the credit sequence, we find Keng in the middle of the jungle chasing the mysterious creature (a shaman?) which was said to be harming the local livestock. This is the where the film enters its mythical and some might even say spiritual dimension. If the second halfs title, \"A Spirit\'s Path,\" didnt convince you, then a talking baboon (thankfully subtitled) and an internally lit tree will. You wont see a more ravishing hour of film this yearguaranteed! Joes technical skills (both visual and aural) couldnt be maximized anymore than they are here in the darkest of nights in this dense environment. However, all along you cant help but think, \"What is going on?,\" while you also try to find some sort of a correlation between this and the first half. But after making you follow this imaginative chess match, Joe moves you with a rendering: \"I give you my spirit, my flesh, my memories. Every drop of my blood sings our song of happiness. Do you hear it?\"\r\n\r\nWe certainly hear it, and even feel it, but we arent as intellectually involved here as were throughout Blissfully Yours, a better, more important film in general. Although, this is not a done deal. The incomparable Chuck Stephens, whos based in Bangkok, warned us very early on about these shape-shifting films and their filmmakers (the \"sat pralats\") after basically introducing Joe and the other young Thai master, Pen-Ek-Ratanaruang (Last Life in the Universe [2003]), to the western world. I dont for a moment believe Joe in his soft-spoken manner claiming that this is a simple \"storybook\" telling. Why? The corpse in the opening sequence (or was it the ending? Did the corpse belong to someone \"Blissful\"?); the mockish 1000-watt smiles exchanged between various characters; Keng refusing to go through the \"hole\" on their trip together... and many, many more.\r\n\r\nAwareness of political struggle between Thailand and Burma adds another whole dimension to Blissfully Yours, and here, as Joe once reported himself, the Thai government to this day claims that sex is harmful for human beings. Joe has embedded his message so deep that one might practically have to travel deep into the Thai forest to find some answers. So, it turns out that this Malady is Tropical and well have to wait a little while to find a cure.\r\n\r\n____________________\r\n\r\n*TROPICAL MALADY is available in the U.S. on DVD (Strand Releasing).','4bf25371f0cd0fbff8eb9e5bac44cce2',0,'','u7jqczwb',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10694,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122670500,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','Tropical Malady (Sud Pralad) (2004) (Thailand)\r\n\r\nDirector: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\r\nCast: Banlop Lomnoi, Tong\r\n\r\nIn Cannes Film Festival 2004, the movie garnered the Prix du Jury \r\nsee\r\nwww.festival-cannes.fr/pa...ition=2004\r\nsee also\r\nwww.festival-cannes.fr/fi...lm=4201593\r\n\r\nThe official website is here \r\nwww.kickthemachine.com/wo...alady.html\r\n\r\nWhat I like \r\n-- Definitely the second half of the film. In my humble opinion, it saved the entire film! After watching the first half, I was like, okay it was different there were a lot of subtlety and contrasts, but frankly, not every audience would be able to pick up the details. However, after watching the second half, it became apparent what the director was trying to do \r\n\r\nI would call it ambitious \r\nTo some people, the two stories might appear disjointed (i.e., they appeared like two shorts, a real story and a mythical story) \r\nTo some others, the two stories might be tangentially continuous (i.e., the first half about the soldier and his relationship, the second half about the soldiers search for the tiger that killed the livestock) \r\nBUT it could also be the two portrayal of the same story (i.e., both stories are two sides of the same coin)! It succeeded in its metaphoric interpretation \r\n\r\n-- In terms of cinematography, two scenes were particularly nice \r\ne.g., the tiger\r\ne.g. the tree with fireflies \r\n-- With regards to casting, I initially didnt think much of it. But in the second story, Banlop Lomnoi managed to carry the segment, it was nearly a one man show. In fact, the second story had no (or minimal) dialogues but it managed to keep the audience interested to know what was happening \r\n-- The message of the film:\r\nWhat is love and desire?\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat I thought could be better \r\n-- The transition between the first and second story was kind of abrupt (as though there was something wrong with the reel )\r\n-- There were quite a number of songs in the film (which may be of relevance). Like many films, the songs were not subtitled ...\r\n-- As I mentioned earlier, the film was ambitious. Not every audience would be able to recognize or appreciate ALL the details within the film (e.g., reality vs dream, life vs death, human vs spirits, east vs west, tradition vs modernization, etc). In fact, some might not even know what the director was driving at \r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\n-- I call it a deceptively simple film not a typical film so go watch! \r\nIf you do not understand, discuss with someone','0f4dd1348689c8e81bc2baa0ce51258c',0,'','pPtCT4vh',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10695,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122949020,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','Thanks for your interesting review Arsaib. Now I will definitely go and see this, as it sounds very unique.\r\nWanted to see blissfully yours for quite a while now, but still unavailable in Germany. maybe at some asian film festival...','61947dc4f7910fdfb6afb66654ac2ccc',0,'','NlVQpnY2',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10696,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1133400300,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','Saw it in Germany, as it is showing in theaters! \r\nAt first i didn\'t like the film too much, but it definitely grew on me. The film dragged on a bit too much imo, as Weerasethakul was repeating himself over and over it seemed. Like he thought the audience is too stupid to get the message, so let\'s say it again, and again, and again, with pauses to reflect in between. At least this was my impression. Didn\'t like the cinematography too much, and the soundtrack was at times horrible. The songs weren\'t subtitled here in Germany, too. The film also relied too much solely on its atmosphere that mostly gripped you, but which became a bit monotonous, especially with the second half.\r\nOverall a definite recommendation, although a bit more consistency on the directorial as well as the technical side would have helped. The acting was very good.','10b7fe9cd0419132f1026013f75caa50',0,'','ltXsc5rY',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10697,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148955480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','\r\nOriginally posted by Howard Schumann on 5/29/06 10:56 am \r\n\r\nTROPICAL MALADY (Sud Pralad)\r\n\r\nDirected by Apichatpong Weerasethakul(2004)\r\n\r\n\"Are you and I perchance caught up in a dream from which we have not yet awakened?\" - Chuang Tzu\r\n\r\nTropical Malady, the fourth feature by Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, is a film of astonishing lyric power that explores, in myth and reality, the nature of love. The film is divided between a conventional story of friendship between two men, and a mytho-poetic tale that takes the viewer into the middle of a dense Thai jungle. It is a strange and haunting tone poem that is as multi-layered as the forest in which it is filmed and may require repeated viewing to fully unravel. The opening story is about the tentative, playful relationship between Dong (Sakda Kaewbuadee), a shy young farmer who lives with his parents in the Thai countryside and Keng (Banlop Lomnoi), a soldier on furlough from the Thai army. The relationship has homoerotic undertones but they are suggested rather than openly acknowledged. \r\n\r\nTong is unsophisticated and appears uneasy in the relationship but never loses control, giving their friendship a charm and sweetness rarely depicted on screen, especially between members of the same sex. They go to a movie, participate in an exercise class, take a sick dog to a clinic, and visit an underground temple. Their relationship develops in simple gestures of affection. Keng gives Tong a Clash tape but later tells him that when he gave him the tape that he forgot to give him his heart. He places his hand on Tong\'s knee but the boy turns it into a mischievous game of squishing his hand with his other leg rather than acknowledging its sensual implications. Keng asks Tong if he can lay in his lap and Tong says \"no\", then a minute later, he changes that to \"no problem\". A scene in which Keng mouths Tong\'s hand after he had urinated and Tong returns the favor with equal passion advances the sexual nature of their relationship but it is not consummated. \r\n\r\nAs Keng leaves for the country to resume his duties, the screen goes blank and we are transported into a land of myth and time in which a folk tale is being narrated in a jungle setting. Called A Spirit\'s Path, the mood suddenly changes to dark and foreboding. A narrator tells us that a shaman has transformed himself into a tiger and is terrorizing the countryside that Keng is under orders to protect. The soldier\'s mission is to subdue the tiger (Tong) and release the spirit of a white cow. The lovers are now the hunter and the hunted. Running through the jungle with tattoos all over his body, Tong is a naked man who can shape-shift into an animal at will. As Keng hunts his elusive prey, he begins to lose his grounding in the normal constructs of reality and the framing of the jungle scenes create an atmosphere of brooding surreal intensity. \r\n\r\nStripped of the pretense we call civilization, on the border between two worlds, Keng\'s life unfolds in a desperate vision, suggesting that we are the both the dreamer and that which is being dreamt. He talks to animals, sees ghosts, and receives advice from a baboon who tells him The tiger trails you like a shadow. He is lonesome. Kill him to free him from his world, or let him devour you to enter his world. As the tiger perches on the branch of a tree staring at him, Keng knows that in order to save his life, he must be willing to sacrifice it. \"I give you my spirit, my flesh, and my memories\", he tells the tiger, and \"Every drop of my blood sings our song A song of happiness. There do you hear it? Beyond the shadow of illusion, Tropical Malady forces us to see in the dark. What begins with a wan smile ends in a fever of ecstasy.\r\n\r\nGRADE: A','defe7d00b39f0b4ef24dd6154a542e35',0,'','23R5LEMQ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10698,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148955840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','Ah, I\'d like to revisit this, as I probably haven\'t done it proper justice the first time around. Most of the hypnotic images still linger completely unharmed in my mind, so I can luckily play it over and over again, whenever I want. \r\nFeeling lovesick myself, i especially love the end were he kneels before the tiger to be devoured. \r\n\r\nA propos Weerasethakul,... his Blissfully yours will be shown on french/german TV channel ARTE soon, and I was wondering if any of you (welsh guys? ) could give me some info on the pal running time. I guess imdb lists the american...\r\nI hope it\'s uncut.','7490708f07a045647311855486791965',0,'','KCjr5clR',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10699,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148957460,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','I\'d be interested in your reaction to Blissfully Yours. Me and Trevor talked about its U.K DVD release recently; hopefully he\'ll also get a chance to watch it. Btw, the PAL running-time is 122 mins.','b0b88674147d580b2f2c306d34a1947b',0,'','jeH5oaVJ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10700,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148958720,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','Abt 2 or 3 mths ago, one of the cinemas here had a film festival which featured past works by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. So, I got to watch Blissfully Yours on a BIG screen ...\r\n\r\nAnyway, I did not read any synopsis prior to it ...\r\n\r\nHmmm ... I will write more abt it if i had the time ...','bf9dfdfdf20a5b548e6bed02c8404658',0,'','QD07TzEp',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10701,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148959200,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','Maybe you could open a thread on it hengcs, and be the first with a review? \r\nI followed arsaib\'s and Trevor\'s conversation about the UK release quite closely. \r\nThanks for the info! Will check, but I think 122 minutes it was... Whohoa! It\'s actually listed as 124 minutes! I guess that means it\'s uncut.  \r\nNow, let\'s cross fingers that I\'ll be at home, or at least be able to persuade someone to record it for me. \r\n\r\nIf I remember correctly arsaib mentioned \"Blissfully yours\" as Weerasethakul\'s masterpiece, so I hope for a rave review. \r\n\r\nOn a side-note, I\'m just listening to some great gypsy-influenced music from Djordje Balasevic. This guy is terrific, and I love the gypsies. But enough ass-licking','fdc6875766146a7e03b0175b5676240c',0,'','TQM2RGup',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10702,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149227520,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','Quote A, \"If I remember correctly arsaib mentioned \"Blissfully yours\" as Weerasethakul\'s masterpiece, so I hope for a rave review.\"\r\n\r\nthen it is better he wrote the review ...\r\ncos I am not overwhelmed by it ...\r\nhiaks hiaks','8cdf144c28cf282444102614de6bed86',0,'','kRneq3Qi',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10703,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149227820,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','Nothing better than two differing opinions. \r\nIf you write both something down, we will have the positive and negative traits as some see it. I think that would be pretty useful.','a087129a301b7ccd4b132fdebc5c7da4',0,'','28dLYuGT',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10704,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149228480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','I have referred to Blissfully Yours as Apichatpong\'s best film so far, though I wouldn\'t be against calling it a \"masterpiece.\" I\'ll try to watch it again soon in order to explain. Not sure why our \"easy going guy\" isn\'t overwhelmed by it.','85a4debb453c9bf326f9050e26cb758b',0,'','9gGKMczN',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10705,1868,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149446940,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Apichatpong Weerasethakul\'s Tropical Malady (Thailand/2004)','I\'m slightly surprised at hengcs reaction as well, I\'d love to read both of your opinions. As soon as I\'ve had the chance to watch \'Blissfully Yours\' properly (which will be a miracle after three weeks of no films) I\'ll add my thoughts.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','e7f29f412684f0e4ef6761248d81d5fa',0,'','gd7o5p3K',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10706,1869,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121288580,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Kong Que (Peacock) (2005) (China)','Director: Gu Changwei\r\nCast: Zhang Jingchu, Feng Li, Lu Yulai\r\n\r\nAt the Berlin International Film Festival 2005, it was awarded the Jury Grand Prix - Silver Bear \r\nsee\r\nwww.berlinale.de/en/archi..._2005.html\r\n\r\nThis is the directorial debut by Gu Chang Wei.\r\nHe was the cinematographer for various movies like \r\n- Red Sorghum\r\n- Farewell My Concubine\r\n- Devils on the Doorstep, etc \r\n\r\nBack to the movie ...\r\n\r\nThe story revolves around the 3 children of a China family in the 70s. In order not to give too much away, I will simply say the movie is segmented into 3 sets of narratives, as follows:\r\n-- The elder sister ... she would do anything in the hope of a better life ... would she succeed?\r\n-- The eldest brother ... he appeared to be a dimwit after some illness ... was he really dumb?\r\n-- The youngest brother ... he seemed repressed ... how would he be affected in life?\r\n\r\nIn essence, the movie is about life and destiny! It does not try to explain many events, but it will simply depict what happens next ... occasionally surprising the audience with unexpected sequences/events ... and that\'s it ... By doing so, the director keeps the movie concise and subtle. You either get it or you don\'t!\r\n\r\nWhat I like ...\r\nDeceptively simple, the director tries to convey a lot of messages: \r\n-- It hints at the abnormality amidst normality, and the normality amidst abnormality\r\n-- It depicts the beauty amidst ugliness, and the ugliness amidst beauty\r\n-- It relates the helplessness in hope, but also the hope in helplessness, etc\r\nIn this sense, I think it is pretty ambitious ...\r\n\r\nTechnically speaking, it is also commendable. People who have lived through the 70s will definitely appreciate the details of the movie. They will likely reminisce about those \"familiar\" things/events ... Although the director does not seek to make the scenes \"aesthetically\" colorful or beautiful, one can sense that every camera shot and lighting is dealt with caution.\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nThe movie seems to speak of stories that are so \"plain\" and \"simple\", but stories that we are so familiar with ... a life that seems plagued with helplessness, yet filled with dreams and hope ... LIFE GOES ON ... regardless ...\r\n\r\nMost interesting question:\r\nWhy is the movie called PEACOCK?\r\nIt is very apt, and open to many different interpretation ...\r\n\r\n\r\nTrivia: \r\nOriginally, an hour screen time is given to the story of each protagonist -- the elder sister, the eldest brother, and the youngest brother. However, given that this will make it a 3 hour movie, it is edited to a 144 min movie for Berlin and a 136 min for China (i.e., the version I watched). \r\n\r\nConsequently, the audience will likely feel that the last set of story (on the youngest brother) seems kind of rush and less compelling. A lot of things are unanswered ... Maybe someday, they will provide the unedited version.','80e9cd438ae9611e83e59f67a191de1c',0,'','FKei56VU',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10707,1869,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149497760,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Kong Que (Peacock) (2005) (China)','Peacock is now available on DVD (HK) with English subs. Click here.','ad6d2c8f5e1a75d9b6a524f35ff88df1',0,'','5XB12CEl',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10708,1870,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1132555680,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Harvie Krumpet (2003 - Australia)','Harvie Krumpet (2003)\r\n\r\nDirected by Adam Elliot\r\n\r\nSome are born great. Some achieve greatness. Some have greatness thrust upon themand then there are others\r\n\r\nThus we are welcomed into the life and world of Harvie Krumpet.\r\n\r\nBorn in Poland, the tale of Harvek Milos Krumpetzki, one of lifes underdogs is at times sad, tragic yet poignant and filled with an underlying humour and joy. \r\n\r\nDiagnosed with Tourette syndrome and educated at home by his somewhat nutty mother, Harvek wrote everything he learned in his book of FAKTS which he carries with him everywhere, even as an adult.\r\n\r\nTragedy strikes when his mother accidentally burns their house down then freezes to death with his father. Just as hes getting over this WWII starts and Harvek joins many other Polish migrants and heads for Australia. \r\n\r\nOnce in Australia, he changes his name to Harvie Krumpet, the film then follows his life through being hit by lightning, having a metal plate stuck in his head, suffering from testicular cancer, marriage etc etc.\r\n\r\nA twentytwo minute stop motion animation with a very different style to Wallace and Gromit, this is a wonderful film, bleak yet joyous, by far the best Ive seen from Adam Elliot and one Im sure hell find difficult to surpass.\r\n\r\nA definite recommendation and if you get hold of the dvd, youll probably be singing God is better than football long after the film has finished.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nBBFC rating 12\r\n\r\nRegion 2 Pal dvd available from Metrodome Distribution. Also available on Region 1 ntsc.','993b62add835f670547b6952889d07e4',0,'','LSAomqUi',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10709,1870,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1132636440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Harvie Krumpet (2003 - Australia)','Have ordered the DVD for christmas, as it also has his three other shorts on it. His \"Brother\" (1999) is one of my all-time favorite films. I\'m interested in what he does with color in Harvie Krumpet.','379326ac50592dcb605dbc925d7b8d09',0,'','6FPrbs1Q',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10710,1870,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1132807800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'gratefultiger','Re: Harvie Krumpet (2003 - Australia)','Yes Harvie is an aussie legend! \"sieze the day\"\r\nour aussie films are coming to a hopefully imporrtant phase Little Fish,The Propostion are 2 i would recommend.','19f800c7f23b4b3ccca346db7eb2ab34',0,'','V5UCmQXW',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10711,1870,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1132851180,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Harvie Krumpet (2003 - Australia)','I forgot to mention the dvd extras. All the shorts are on there plus a commentary and stills and other little bits and pieces. All in all a nice package at a reasonable price.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','99e236959cbd4be15e5af7ef848b3134',0,'','T7yaCVul',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10712,1870,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149072900,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Harvie Krumpet (2003 - Australia)','Bought the DVD in December, and (re)watched all of the films. \r\nI must say my opinion has changed a bit. I found the best film to be his masterful 1-minute short Human Behavioural Case Studies from 1996.\r\nAfter that Uncle and Cousin were also great, with Brother following close behind. But I had the feeling that his films got a bit less personal as he went along, with Cousin holding most of the truth.\r\nWhen i attended a screening of the trilogy along with harvie Krumpet at the International Animation Festival in Stuttgart last month, Elliot was present during the screening, and he and his producer were willing to answer many questions. He told quite a lot about his life and his films, and while it was great news to hear that he is working on a feature-length project for some time already, I was disappointed when i saw Harvie Crumpet\r\nTo me most of the magic was gone in a rather commercial undertaking that had tremendous problems with timing, as well as not much to say. I felt that Elliot wasn\'t being very honest, as I couldn\'t feel that he really connected with most of what he depicted. Worse, i even got the impression that he didn\'t know what he was trying to say or what exactly he was talking about in some scenes. The film was more \"comic\" than tragic, an evolution which can be traced from his first film onwards, and of which i disaprove. The voice-over also doesn\'t work to the films advantage, as it is never as imaginative as the images, though the images clearly emerged from it. His comments only confirmed my doubts, and I must say that his producer (nice as she may be) is probably the main responsible person for the shift of tone (and work ethics). I hope his new big project, for which they still need a lot of money won\'t be a compromise again. \r\nThe Producer stated that she was asking Elliot if he reall wanted to make these small b&w films for the rest of his life, and convinced him to go bigger. Imo a bad decision. \r\nI could go on writing really a lot, but as it is already late at night, I\'ll finish, so to not get more disappointed with the machinery of film-business.\r\nI just wish he returns to his very roots, and also claims back his full name. Hopefully someday I\'ll witness the ressurection of Adam Benjamin Elliot.','5d2e50803a71f72c8e9f8962cf39617b',0,'','MuXhx5U7',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10713,1871,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1135521480,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Blood And Bones (Chi To Hone) (2005) (Japan)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Yoichi Sai\r\nCast: Takeshi Kitano, Hirofumi Arai, Tomoko Tabata\r\n\r\nThis film is Japans submission to Oscar 2006.\r\nIn Japan, it has garnered numerous Japanese Academy awards and Kinema Junpo awards.\r\n\r\nIt is based on a prize winning semi-autobiographical novel by Yan Sogiru (Yang Sok Gil) \r\n\r\nFor more info (with trailers, awards, etc)\r\nclick\r\n\r\nAt the London Film Festival \r\nclick\r\n\r\nMy thoughts \r\n\r\n(i) I know many people are going to watch it mainly for Kitano ... but what really struck me was how realistic the film looked the rape and violence seemed so raw, genuine and elaborate that one just did not know to feel haunting?! depressing?! anguish?! ... in particular, I am unsure how females would feel after watching the film \r\n\r\nApart from these brutal scenes, two of the food scenes might not be easily palatable either (i.e., for some people), \r\n* minor spoiler *\r\ni.e., the scene depicting the slaughtering of a pig \r\ni.e., the eating of meat with maggots \r\n\r\n(ii) Now, to what everybody is talking about ... Kitano ... Yes, he is very convincing as the \"villain\" ... While some people will totally hate him, the film did portray his vulnerability and isolation as well (to gain sympathy?!) ... but some people might find it difficult to fully comprehend what drove him to behave in such extreme ways in other words, the film left much of the inference, explanation or justification to the audience themselves (either from events and actions featured or knowledge audience might have gained from experience, hearing, reading, understanding of another culture, etc) ... So, it is not surprising that some people might be unable to relate with the various characters/events ... e.g., those who cannot grasp the notion of male \"tyranny\" or female \"submissiveness\" (esp. in the olden days) \r\n\r\nNoteworthy, I think besides Kitano, the entire cast (esp. adult cast) did help to carry the film through ...\r\n\r\n(iii) By the way, the film is NOT just about the relationship between the narrator and the father ... but is filled with many events occurring over a period of 60 years so, while watching a film about a main character (i.e., the father), it also feels like watching an epic story (about a family) hence, characters are plentiful and relationships are complicated ... \r\n\r\nalthough marketed (often) as a story about Koreans living in Japan, I thought it told of a more \"universal\" story, i.e., it could happen to any household in any country ... unfortunately, issues related to Koreans living in Japan had to be largely \"inferred\", i.e., audience who did not have prior knowledge about the history of World War 2 or communism or the economic difference between Koreans in Japan and Japanese in Japan might have problems understanding some of the scenes/events that happened in the film \r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\nHighly recommended but be prepared for the tons of violence that are very realistic and credible and expectedly, a very depressing story \r\n\r\nPS: It is unfortunate that some audience laughed at the wrong parts','2cee5cd42e32d119ad89c36679cc4365',0,'','rh2kt5XA',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10714,1871,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1135638060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Blood And Bones (Chi To Hone) (2005) (Japan)','Saw the film this summer, but was disappointed as I expected much more after all the awards and rave reviews.\r\nKitano plays good, but he has done as good (and better) many times, so there`s nothing surprising about this. \r\nBesides it`s a pretty standard narrative epic, as I`ve seen many before.\r\nas hengcs pointed out, the film tells a universal story, but this was imo one of its weaknesses. You never connect much with the individual characters, because (besides Kitano) they aren`t given much importance. they are more types or figures that represent something the director wants to show, than actual persons. Too many clichees, and \"obviousness\" for me. I liked the beginning witht the young Kitano at the ship best. A marvellous scene that manges to say very much in just a few seconds. \r\nOverall too \"standard\" for me, but I liked it. Rating is a high **1/2 / ****','9173dc7e811aa5ff946524e0eb916274',0,'','sEC0Mf9H',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10715,1871,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1135693560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Blood And Bones (Chi To Hone) (2005) (Japan)','hi A,\r\n\r\ni guess most people\'s reaction after the film would be \"how could he be so violent ...\" \r\n... but most people would never comprehend why he behaved as such ...\r\n\r\ni guess the audience would just have to infer it themselves ... \r\n\r\nhi arsaib4,\r\n\r\ni recall that you posted someone\'s reviews on this movie ...\r\nthat was when i first knew abt the film ...\r\nwhich article was it?\r\n\r\nso, any chance of you catching the film?','5ce964f56eb23e7b52ea4d55fd347857',0,'','M7LlvfkR',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10716,1871,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1147771860,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Blood And Bones (Chi To Hone) (2005) (Japan)','Blood and Bones is now available on DVD with English subs. Click here.\r\n\r\nHopefully, I\'ll get a chance to watch it soon; will post my thoughts after I do so.','c701a7d1aa7bc517ec2c4b75ef845400',0,'','7wY24A6d',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10717,1871,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148776260,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Blood And Bones (Chi To Hone) (2005) (Japan)','Quote arsaib4,\"So you\'re not like Kim Shunpei from Blood and Bones?! \" (from another thread)\r\n\r\nwell, there r times where the director tries to reveal the \"better\" side of him ... \r\ne.g., when he tends to his sick wife ...','2e0d794ce863babe395c570e8c0d5057',0,'','Avmtp9xa',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10718,1871,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1149058980,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Blood And Bones (Chi To Hone) (2005) (Japan)','Overall, I was also slightly disappointed, especially considering how strong the first-half of the film truly was. Kitano was simply magnificent to watch, though, no matter how hideous his acts became. (Yes, hengcs, he tended to his sick wife but that doesn\'t make up for the rest, and also don\'t forget how that situation ended.) While I was glad that the director didn\'t attempt to justify Kim Shunpei\'s actions, it remained unclear what made him tick. Also, the narrator, his son, wasn\'t very close to him, so that was an odd choice. The period details were captured quite well, though the political angle seemed like a decoration. The film worked better as a personal story. So, like A, I believe that it\'s a good film, not a great one. (Tartan will release it in the U.S.)','f27857585fd0d403f22e334c8677b151',0,'','1ztg7vna',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10719,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121735880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Director: Tsai Ming Liang\r\nCast: Lee Kang Sheng, Chen Hsiang Chyi\r\n\r\nAt the Berlin International Film Festival 2005, it won the \r\n-- Silver Bear for An Outstanding Single Achievement , and\r\n-- Alfred-Bauer Prize \r\nsee\r\nwww.berlinale.de/en/archi..._2005.html\r\n\r\nIt was also awarded the FIPRESCI Prize (competitive section) .\r\n\r\nLike most of Tsais film, the simplicity of the storyline suggests that it is NOT plot driven, but rather character driven or even mood driven. In essence, the story involves two people who fell in love but did not know how to express themselves. Nonetheless, the film is rather thought provoking \r\n\r\nWhat I like \r\n-- The film is full of symbolisms, messages, and food for thoughts \r\ne.g., the use of images yup, you will see several clouds except actual clouds in the film but isnt everyone a cloud? We presume we can drift freely, but like clouds, we need the wind and what happens when two clouds collide?\r\ne.g., wow the metaphoric use of watermelon go watch \r\n* yup, you will never view watermelon the same way again ha ha ha * \r\n\r\ne.g., the setting against a hot summer drought and thirst symbolizing the drought/lack of love and the thirst/quest for love \r\ne.g., the age old question of love and s**: is there love in s**, does love require s**, is it love or lust? etc ...\r\n-- The songs in the musical interludes are actually rather classic and not crude (at least I used to think so), but the way they were interpreted and choreographed in the musical sequences was very comical indeed. \r\n* Hmmm merely for a good laugh? Or is life, love and s** simply laughable?! *\r\n-- The BEST scene in the movie \r\n* drum roll *\r\nin my very humble opinion, it is actually the LAST scene \r\noh, I know some people walked out of the theater, some people are going to grumble, some people are going to complain or feel disgusted \r\nBut frankly, if you think about the entire film, it is among the SADDEST scenes \r\n\r\nWhat may be problematic for some people \r\n-- Hmmm some people may feel offended by certain scenes, dismissing them as pornographic or crude. Like many controversial films, the line between art and pornography is really thin \r\n-- Like most of Tsais films, it is again long and slow, with few dialogues \r\n-- Like most of Tsais films, he uses the same cast (again?!) so, one may regard this as a continuation of the previous film What Time Is It There? \r\n* yup, there are some references to it * \r\nor if you do not like, regard this as a separate film \r\n\r\nFood for thought:\r\nBy leaving several things unexplained and ambiguous, the director has allowed audience to exercise their own interpretation and judgment. While some people may complain about the non closure or unexplained events, art film moviegoers seem to embrace it \r\n\r\nI have always wondered,\r\n-- is it easier and wiser for a director to leave things unexplained so that most audience would assume the director is interpreting the scenes like the way they do, thereby pleasing most instead of explaining what happens and disappointing audience with his/her own take \r\ne.g., what happened to the actress who made porn video \r\n* a different interpretation would deliver a slightly different message! *\r\n\r\nConclusion:\r\n-- I think it is an excellent film in terms of symbolism and messages\r\n-- However, one has to get used to the directors style of filming and certain explicit scenes \r\n\r\nNote: The DVD has English subtitles','4127b1f12cda0456ea51daf51a3bab4a',0,'','LdHFMcCW',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10720,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121736300,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','If I had had the opportunity to have been at this years Berlinale, and I could have seen only one film from all sections, it would have without any doubt been this one. I`m dying to see Tsai`s latest, and from what excerpts I`ve seen from the movie, it seems great to me \r\nWhere is the DVD available?\r\nCould you please post a link?','9810d836675baf9eb7b3231162c28f4c',0,'','levHk0WX',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10721,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121737320,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Here you go\r\nglobal.yesasia.com/en/Prd...s/did-106/','d4d29be054f4f216ecf25f0970e405f6',0,'','4fFaskVB',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10722,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121763240,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','\"wow the metaphoric use of watermelon go watch \r\n* yup, you will never view watermelon the same way again ha ha ha *\"\r\n\r\nThe second scene in the film is one of the most outlandish ever shot. I won\'t give it away but yes, it involves a watermelon. It\'s not possible for me from now on to eat a watermelon and not think of this film. If you guys recall, in most of Tsai\'s other films, there\'s a lot of rain. In The Wayward Cloud, Taipei is going through a drought.\r\n\r\n\"The songs in the musical interludes are actually rather classic and not crude (at least I used to think so), but the way they were interpreted and choreographed in the musical sequences was very comical indeed.\"\r\n\r\nThey were shot like Bollywood numbers, although I don\'t think I\'ve ever seen one involving a giant penis!\r\n\r\nAll I\'ll add for now is that the final sequence of the film will be talked about for years to come.','0d6a70093fc7045c2f46039b5ab02cdd',0,'','CzMUFE8j',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10723,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121891580,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Okay I\'m sold, I\'ve just sent off for the DVD. It sounds incredibly different from any of his other films, at least in terms of presentation.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','9a7ed06aafc411ca1259fb5836fb857d',0,'','5PpdXwHt',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10724,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121896560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','oh no ...\r\nwill we be slammed by watermelons if he doesn\'t like the film?\r\n* hurry ... run *\r\n\r\nas usual, \r\n-- never expect too much from the film and you will likely like it ...\r\n-- expect too much, you will likely be disappointed ...','a7f31dfb5be50ce5f9719112c99b821e',0,'','tryilF0a',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10725,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121900400,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Ok, i think I will wait for my videorental store to have it (probably in fall), and I\'ll try to lower my expectations until then. \r\nNah, it\'s really I\'m broke, and I can\'t afford buying things, though I must say I considered ordering it for a while...\r\nBut then, what will I eat?','50859cbab2ee9f0bf1c920e2c3e9eb37',0,'','LDkRmbpP',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10726,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121902560,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','I think Tsai is one of the few filmmakers in the world whose work can meet any expectations no matter how high they are. He\'s simply not capable of making a \"bad\" film. He\'ll continue to use the same actors, have similar set-ups, and that\'s why he\'s the possessor of one of the most consistent oeuvres in the history of cinema.','3a1a4a649acdcf867e45e4a08c70d69f',0,'','bVWBDiL7',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10727,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121905020,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','You\'re absolutely right with your observations.\r\nI also think that the director-actor relationship of Tsai ming-liang and lee kang-sheng has contributed much to the qualities of their films, and is one of the best creative relationships in film history.\r\nAnd after having seen Lee\'s \"The Missing\" which is the best film I\'ve seen this year (though it hasn\'t come to cinemas yet), I wonder who influenced who, as i think \"The Missing\" is at least as good as Tsai\'s films.','f3005a9a2f79d86066d2c6e76c1394cb',0,'','ln9JAgy0',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10728,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121913360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Hmmm ... pardon me if I am wrong ...\r\n\r\nBut Tsai\'s films tend to please only film festivals, critics, and maybe art film moviegoers ...\r\n\r\nIf I am correct, many (at least a substantial number) of Chinese mainstream moviegoers do not really like his films. That is why his films are usually not box office hits ... often they do not survive many screenings ...\r\n\r\nYup, you guess it, the same old complaints are:\r\n-- too long and too slow\r\n-- not much plot and not much dialogues\r\n-- same cast\r\n-- not sure what he is driving at, etc\r\n\r\nSorry ... I am just sharing what I observe in the Chinese community ...','b99696148430ad8863bb20e67523731a',0,'','lLHBAnoN',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10729,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121916960,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Well, mainstream film-goers in almost all countries don\'t like, or even know about, their true filmmakers. It\'s not just China. And as you know, there\'s no relation whatsoever between a film\'s b.0. success and its quality.','c4db127b9e713292aaba5d59bea00f35',0,'','xZ42GLdc',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10730,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1121946060,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Very true arsaib4, I\'m certainly guilty of this with the likes of Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, although the latter has made himself more appetizing to the general cinema goer in the UK with \"Ae Fond Kiss\", with these two it\'s a case of being faced with aspects of our own society that we would rather sweep under the carpet.\r\n\r\nI also made the same point when talking about the Zatoichi films and the fact that they were far more popular with the Japanese audiences than \r\nKurosawa\'s films were. \r\n\r\nAnyway after seeing \"What time is it There\", \"Vive L\'Amour\" and \"The River\" I can say I appreciate his work. Unless of course he\'s done a Moodysson (which I\'ll try and see on DVD)!\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','41c60c9e78ca44a0466557cdc790565e',0,'','MxtEZfjC',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10731,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122022380,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Speaking of Moodysson, we need to go into The Hole (pun intended), but I\'ll wait till you get back.','2f57bf1ea432d31c7ef1262f65971822',0,'','uF32tCQx',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10732,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122810120,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Okay I\'m back, still waiting for the Wayward Cloud to drift by, talking about melons though, what\'s the thing with Japanese and Watermelons on the beach?\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','9a100d3e1f37f55053642cefb024ae7c',0,'','AuH0ftSZ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10733,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1122950880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','On a quick scan to make sure the disc worked I was faced with The Watermelon. Oh my!\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','2b186f24c2e0d6734aa1648cd71ad356',0,'','JLcyzueh',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10734,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1123232940,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Didn\'t you make a post on Moodysson\'s film somewhere?','c88d9dacd0208ca3aed7449f6c139fd8',0,'','Bs8E3Vun',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10735,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1123262760,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Re: A Hole in my Heart.\r\n\r\nYes it was one that vanished along with most of our data, I remember saying that it was like being pumelled round the head with a sledge hammer and that I had to leave after about 30 mins because the incredibly loud use of white noise had given me a crashing headache.\r\n\r\nStill I bought the DVD yesterday for 5.00 so I\'ll be able to give it another go.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','7933edade3419212eb27406f193e1245',0,'','rmdTuigU',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10736,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1123783800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Okay I\'ve finally had the chance to watch it, I agree with most of hengcs comments but I don\'t see how anyone could regard it as pornographic, sure there are the scenes which obviously represent making a porn film but I\'ve seen more explicit nudity in some pop promos.\r\n\r\nCome to think of it, a few people are bound to think it\'s sick and pornographic without even seeing it!\r\n\r\nThe musical numbers, great idea like a cross between a Bollywood film and some Thai films. Strange film in some ways, very sad yet incredibly joyous, beautiful at times and gross at others, just goes to show how many different uses there are for Water Melons!\r\n\r\nThanks guys, great film for the more broad minded and those who like their films crammed full of metaphores.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','56f85b7a51c3c0ce860aa8237cff60b9',0,'','Z3Y1vgcP',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10737,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1123795380,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','\r\n*phew*\r\nluckily you like the film, otherwise we will be blamed for wasting your money ... \r\nha ha ha','d4e4bd45a78755cb145fe50c7f6d2286',0,'','73LT1rqy',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10738,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1123800360,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Yes I would have copied the Japanese, crossed the Atlantic and found a not so metaphorical use for a water melon and baseball bat(see Kikujiro).\r\n\r\nNo don\'t be daft, a couple of positive comments from the motley crew here is always a good recommendation.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','d1588941f80de2cee4cdb61cf61268b4',0,'','WUaZdVwt',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10739,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1123807920,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Your comments are a little too conservative. Perhaps you\'re still thinking the film through. I want to write about it detail but I don\'t think this is the right time since there\'s no indication of any distribution either here or in the U.K. I also look forward to your review','556067883809e57a4f0ba3c964f15ca3',0,'','yKvnsSMk',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10740,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1126366800,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Tian bian yi duo yun (2005) The Wayward Cloud - My Opinion.\r\n\r\nDirected by Ming-liang Tsai\r\n\r\nStarring Kang-sheng Lee, Shiang-chyi Chen\r\n\r\n*May contain spoilers*\r\n\r\nA film about love, loneliness, longing and sex.\r\n\r\nHsiao-Kang is an actor in porn films, sex is a job and has ceased being a pleasure for him, what he needs is love, genuine love that doesnt necessitate sex.\r\n\r\nShiang-chyi on the other hand is lonely for love and the intimacy of sex, her path crosses with Hsiao-Kangs several times until a quite sweet point where the silence is broken and recognition of each other (from the earlier film What Time Is It There?) is confirmed.\r\n\r\nThey share time together but Hsiao-Kang isnt interested in getting into a sexual relationship whereas Shiang-chyi appears very willing to give herself to him. Things change when she opens the lift (elevator) one-day to find a girl sprawled on the floor, totally whacked out, probably from drugs. The girl is a porn actress from Japan and before she knows it, Shiang-chyi is helping to drag her limp body to a flat where the porn shoot is taking place. Its here that she discovers what Hsiao-Kang does for a living, its also where the film has its most controversial scenes!\r\n\r\nThe film is full of metaphors, some very clearly defined, Watermelons for sex and lust, not just one aspect of sex but many. From the substitution of half a watermelon for female genitals, through the juice and pulp as offerings of sex, to the use of a whole melon as a substitute baby.\r\n\r\nWater on the other hand equates to love and hope, Taipei, maybe the whole world suffers from a lack of genuine love as opposed to sex which like watermelons can be bought and sold as a commodity. Taipei itself is going through a drought reflecting the lack of love and the loneliness of most of its inhabitants; there is a key moment (sic) where love breaks through bringing with it a trickle of water and hope.\r\n\r\nThe title The Wayward Cloud in my opinion represents the characters, each listlessly drifting in their own direction until by chance they might bump into another creating rain and a ray of hope. \r\n\r\nThe film is also interspersed with a number of scenes choreographed and mimed to Chinese popular songs from the 60s, these illustrate how the most innocent sounding songs can actually be full of innuendo and double entendre. I thought the idea to put these throughout the film was pure genius, from the girls dancing around the statue of Chiang Kai-shek surrounded by overblown phallic and yonic plants to the routine set in a large public toilet, tacky, cheesy, camp and brilliant. \r\n\r\nSo overall what message does the film hold? Porn is cold, uninvolving, machine like and unemotional but not just porn, sex without love is almost as bad. Love is the saving grace for us and although the two can and do mix, you shouldnt substitute, equate or confuse one with the other. \r\n\r\nI enjoyed the film but obviously there are moments that have the intention of making you feel uncomfortable (and so they should), definitely only for a mature and fairly broadminded audience, well worth seeing in my opinion.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.\r\n\r\nNo BBFC rating but definitely 18.\r\n\r\nRegion 3 DVD available from several retailers.','d5644aa7bd694cceef22f56d937fb434',0,'','YqX8JLGu',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10741,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1137987840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'Johndav','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Hengs\' lead off covers a lot, and i understand the caveats.\r\n\r\nI\'m a bit worried about hyperbole at this early stage and for a film that might seem to have similarities with Takashi Miike\'s much siller and probably more crowd-pleasing outrages- but this may be one of the few utterly brilliant films of the modern era (by which i suppose i mean the current generation). And i\'m a bit of an old-fashioned middle-aged classicist! I\'ll be interested to see what the critic Tony Rayns makes of it, cos he sometimes champions provocative films that strike me as dumb + shallow or pretentious, not at all the socially perceptive + piercing masterpieces he makes out (e.g Miike\'s Visitor Q he considers \"devastating\" social critique and he also raves over Jang Soon-Woo tedious Lies). \r\n\r\nI like the review, Trev. Interesting point about water, which in the River- the first Tsai film i saw- seemed to me vaguely menacing + constricting, like a circling anaconda; no doubt a very personal Freudian reaction . \r\n\r\nAnd now it seems my imaginary anaconda raises its head into.. a giant dancing penis.\r\n\r\nDemy,Almodovar, Fellini meet Tati, Godard, Antonioni, Akerman, Miike, Oshima (Ai No Corrida\'s egg now a watermelon)..\r\n\r\nTsai takes a range of well-worn styles, themes (yes, impersonal loveless sex, social alienation, angst, the failings of this materialist age and its futile obsessions) references (including to his own work) and genres, opens them out into a unique original mix. It\'s elegant, witty, beautiful, vibrant, joyful, cold, languid, painful and sensational\r\n\r\nI may be reading too much into the social meanings- what of the attitudes to gender?- there\'s still a lot to sink in. Anyway, i\'m really taken with his visual style. I find his use of space, silence + sound, as well as his sense of time, very interesting, and he has an eye for arresting, deceptively clever compositions that remain in the mind, despite quite unpromising or mundane settings.','a7735c98626dc0b08dba0b5b399d1783',0,'','GyxEnBZu',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10742,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1138335420,1,0,1,1,1,1,'arsaib4','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Sorry, guys, been busy lately so haven\'t had a chance to contribute. Here\'s what I wrote about the film.\r\n\r\nCommunication, or lack thereof, has been one of the key motifs of Taiwanese master Tsai Ming-liangs oeuvre so far. And a sequence early on in his latest feature, The Wayward Cloud (Tian bian yi duo yun), only confirms that fact: As we watch Hsiao-kang (Lee Kang-sheng), last seen auditioning for a porno in Tsais short The Skywalk is Gone (2002), having kinky sex with a voluptuous woman during which he stuffs large pieces of watermelon in her mouth (an act that resonates with the films harrowing final-shot), Tsai cuts to his other protagonist, Shiang-chyi (Chen Shiang-chyi), who is back from Paris (with her suitcase) and now works at a museum, listening to a broadcast proclaiming that watermelons have now become the new symbols of love among residents. It turns out that Hsiao-kang was indeed shooting for a porn film in an apartment right above Shiang-chyis.\r\n\r\nTsais perpetually depopulated Taipei, a metaphor for his characters loneliness, is now experiencing a draughthence the watermelons. The draught symbolizes a lack of love, or a soul, which Tsai believes results from human beings abusing themselves. As Trevor brilliantly stated, \"Porn is cold, uninvolving, machine like and unemotional but not just porn, sex without love is almost as bad. Love is the saving grace for us and although the two can and do mix, you shouldnt substitute, equate or confuse one with the other.\" Tsai has repeatedly voiced his opinion regarding how porn stars use and abuse their bodies, and then how they are thrown away upon arrival of new flesh.\r\n\r\nBut the approach employed by Tsai in The Wayward Cloud isnt distanced or cold. Indeed, much like his earlier feature The Hole (1998), the filmmaker enlivens his latest with kitschy musical numbers referencing Mandarin pop-songs of the 50s and the 60s. More importantly, however, they vividly project the inner feelings of his characters: one features Hsiao-kang declaring his loneliness; another has an aging porn star claiming a lack of soul; and yet another has our protagonists switching sexual identities. (The film also features numerous droll, comedic moments -- the best of whom involves Hsiao-kangs Japanese porn-partner (Sumomo Yozakura) losing the cap of the bottle inside of her while she was pleasuring herself with it, resulting in a frantic search.) After watching this film, one gets a feeling that Tsai, an avid follower of European Cinema, wouldnt approve of the paths recently treaded by the likes of Breillat, Haneke, or Chreau to explore sexuality in our post-modern world.\r\n\r\nThe Wayward Cloud is one of Tsais most lucid films. But since, for the most part, Tsai doesnt allow for moment-to-moment contemplation, its possible that its virtues might get counted against him. At the Berlin film festival, where the film had its world premiere, Tsai reportedly clarified his personal stance as being pro-erotic, but anti-pornography. The latter is quite obvious from the film, and the way Tsai, for the first time, fetishizes the tender body of Shiang-chyi (something I wish he wouldve done more of), it becomes apparent what he meant by the former. Having said that, the aforementioned final-shot is a powerful off-kilter moment thats bound to leave a few doubts.\r\n\r\nHowever, amidst ubiquitous alienation and the cumshots, the film features sublimely beautiful moments involving our protagonists -- who only share one line of dialogue: \"Are you still selling watches?\" Thats what Shiang-chyi asks Hsiao-kang after finding him. (It refers to his occupation in Tsais previous feature What Time Is It There? [2001].) In one scene, as Hsiao-kang takes a bath in the buildings water tank, the result produces bubbles from Shiang-chyis faucet that eventually make their way into her room while she sleeps. Another involves the former pulling the latter under the table, but even though Shiang-chyis is practically ready to be devoured by him, all he does is fall asleep. And in one of the most moving sequences that Tsai has ever shot, Shiang-chyi takes charge and starts to make love to Hsiao-kang, ironically in the porn section of a video-store, but as she readies to take him in her mouth, Hsiao-kang pulls her up and hugs her. Hes simply no longer capable of distinguishing between love, sex, and his mechanical acts.\r\n\r\nToronto and Beijing based writer Shelly Kraicer, an authority on East Asian cinema, stated at the festival that \"Tsai Ming-liangs is one of the very few filmmakers working today whose films can change our world,\" adding that, \"This is not mere hyperbole....\" I wouldnt think that it was, because theyve certainly changed mine.','039cf89e16cc57c743cbb3aec7ab2b57',0,'','MdTLeXvs',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10743,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1138995840,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','I have still only seen excerpts from the movie, but the one that prompted me that I must see the film (besides being a fan of Tsai) was the passionate scene in the porn store.\r\nYour comments sound all very intriguing!\r\nWhere could I get the short \"The Skywalk is gone\" btw?\r\nI\'d like to watch it before \"The Wayward Cloud\".','ef4f9f706e4cc94b82b770c62c14a1a2',0,'','vcupnWYA',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10744,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1139005440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'trevor826','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','I can\'t remember which film it was but arsaib4 did mention it was a bonus feature, maybe with the dvd for \"What Time is it There\".\r\n\r\nI\'m sure he\'ll let you know.\r\n\r\nCheers Trev.','1b51e5cb95fb8f82c51cdc5f8a2e5fdf',0,'','JlrTgH8n',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10745,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148275200,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','Hi to all\r\n\r\nA very well written article in FIPRESCI\'s UNDERCURRENT first issue ...\r\n\r\n* Disclaimer\r\n(1) Some screen caps may be controversial (NC16, M18 or R21 ratings needed), read at your own discretion\r\n(2) Some writeups and screen caps may give the story/ending away, again read at your own discretion\r\n* \r\n\r\nwww.fipresci.org/undercur...jiwara.htm\r\n\r\nMy thoughts\r\n\r\n-- Definitely well written ... BUT sometimes, I do wonder if critics/audience at times read too much into some techniques/scenes and over credit the director (i.e., he/she does not have that in mind when he/she made the film) ... it is great that critics/audience have many interpretations, but should we credit the director when we read too much into it?! ...','d07cd0a35c5b796d4a9b4ea5095a10b0',0,'','DEopYTd7',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10746,1872,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148350440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'A','Re: Tian Bian Yi Duo Yun (The Wayward Cloud) (2005) (Taiwan)','I think we should always draw the line between what we think the director intended, and what we think the film is saying. For me, what the director intended is mostly irrelevant as I usually focus on the product itself. It can be of course interesting at times, but I have the feeling that too many people interchange the director and the film, which is a bad thing imo. But in the end it\'s difficult to know what the director wanted to express, unless you ask him. I found out many times how little some directors intended, and how much more complex the film was. But again, usually it is the other way around. \r\nIf only most films were as good as their director\'s wanted them to be...','68c80bab3329abc2e6ca22400ed6f8de',0,'','rqoZwVyg',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10747,1873,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148291880,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','And If Tomorrow (E se domani ...) (Italy) (2005)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Giovanni La Parola\r\nCast: Luca Bizzarri, Paolo Kessisoglu, Sabrina Impacciatore\r\n\r\nThe official website\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.esedomani.it/\r\n\r\nSynopsis\r\nInspired by a true story ...\r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n\r\nConclusion','41e0bd8a2a5a9a4bca6d4b6ac81cf463',0,'','74PtsRhB',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10748,1874,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148292720,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Stolen Childhood (Certi bambini) (Italy) (2004)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Andrea Frazzi, Antonio Frazzi\r\nCast: Gianluca Di Gennaro, Carmine Recano, Arturo Paglia\r\n\r\nThe film has two English titles\r\n- Stolen Childhood\r\n- A Children\'s Story\r\n\r\nIn European Film Awards 2004 , the film garnered European Discovery of the Year.\r\n\r\nSynopsis\r\nAdapted from the novel written by Diego De Silva, the film relates the story of a kid who is living with his grandmother in Naples. Onboard a subway, flashbacks are used to explain the life of this kid (incl. his love and his friends) and what has happened prior ... Gradually, the audience begins to figure out that it is unlikely the simple soccer game that he tells his grandmother that he is going to ...\r\n\r\nMy thoughts\r\n\r\n-- I like the opening scene (incl. the \"climb\" and esp. the \"road crossing\") ... it is well choreographed and executed ... and it does pave the way for the film ... a climb into the adult world, and the perils of taking a wrong step in life ...\r\n\r\n-- The ending will leave you in thoughts ... who\'s to blame ... is the main protagonist and other kids victims of society?! ... or are they to blame as well?! ... the harsh reality of life ... everything is often \"gray\" ... what is good and bad ... often, life is being \"lived\" as a matter-of-fact-ly ... regardless, life goes on ...\r\n\r\n-- In terms of casting, some of the supporting cast are commendable ...\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nRecommended.\r\n\r\nPS: But should I credit the book or the film?! hee hee','88135635941e290ea794a398da8f3138',0,'','hN9tYQMp',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10749,1875,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1147141080,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Look Both Ways (2005) (Australia)','\r\n\r\nDirector: Sarah Watt\r\nCast: Justine Clarke, William McInnes, Anthony Hayes, Daniela Farinacci\r\n\r\nThe official site\r\nsee\r\nhttp://www.lookbothways.com.au/\r\n\r\nSynopsis\r\nThe story is set in Adelaide (Australia) over a weekend, with several people\'s life crossing one another ... \r\ne.g., the relationship between Meryl and Nick (the former has returned from her father\'s death, the latter is pre-empting death)\r\ne.g., the career/relationship of Nick and Andy (partners in news reporting)\r\netc\r\n\r\nMy thoughts ...\r\n\r\n- Given that the director is an animator, I have to agree that her use of art/animation amidst the film is rather well done and interesting ... however, some people may feel that the animation is kind of morbid and dark (with the female protagonist visualizing all the horrible accidents that could probably happen and death) ... to them, these animations may kind of \"spoil\" the reality of a film depicting life/drama ...\r\n\r\n- Also remarkable is her dealing with the subject matter. Despite its morbid theme revolving around death, it is actually about living ... Quite a difficult topic to deal with, yet the film is peppered with both humor and tears, laughter and sadness, surprises and \"predictability\" ... you guess the ending, dont you?! hee hee ...\r\n\r\n- To me and probably some people, it may be a very well written script (with a number of food for thoughts). However, to other people, it may be slightly contrived/manipulative in the sense that there are too many coincidences (with the people somehow related and crossing one another\'s path within such a short time frame) ... Whatever the case is, I think one should be more forgiving ... after all, given a 2 hour film, with so many characters, and so many events happening, some things simply have to compromise ...\r\n\r\n- Finally, I like the soundtrack too.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nRecommended.','9cdc8f023fafd0daea0ae8468c0a3591',0,'','EKUk7GrQ',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10750,1875,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1147165260,1,0,1,1,1,1,'Anasazie','Re: Look Both Ways (2005) (Australia)','Quote:However, to other people, it may be slightly contrived/manipulative in the sense that there are too many coincidences (with the people somehow related and crossing one another\'s path within such a short time frame) ...\r\n\r\nAs i\'m sure you\'ve gathered, that\'s where i sit. This approach his be done many times before and many times much better. It\'s just unrealistic, people aren\'t linked in that way. Aside from the bad dialogue, wooden acting and clunky use of music, there wasn\'t enough animation, which was the only decent idea.','e18efd4397e2482094260695c04812e4',0,'','lPHekWw3',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10751,1875,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1147765440,1,0,1,1,1,1,'hengcs','Re: Look Both Ways (2005) (Australia)','Hmmm ...\r\n\r\nan article in FIPRESCI\r\n\r\nwww.fipresci.org/festival..._keder.htm','994887ceb775bc17de0194642d9ea3f9',0,'','SXWgJY2f',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10752,1875,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1148025780,1,0,1,1,1,1,'Anasazie','Re: Look Both Ways (2005) (Australia)','Is some critic supposed to give me a different opinion? I\'m not really sure why you posted that? Because a few critics like a film that means it\'s undeniably good?','1212abc1c1fc81cbcb131c93e49b5916',0,'','VXW0RYuK',1,0,'',0,0,0),(10753,1876,3,1,0,'69.120.114.47',1118083320,1,0,1,1,1,1,'howardschumann(d)','Haibane Renmie (2002) (Japan)','HAIBANE RENMEI\r\n\r\nDirected by Tomokazu Tokoro (2002)\r\n\r\nThe best-kept secret in the world of Japanese animation is Tomokazu Tokoro\'s Haibane Renmei, a thought provoking and very moving 13-part 2002 TV series that is part fantasy, part coming-of-age story, and part religious allegory. Haibane Renmie is a creation of Yoshitoshi ABe who designed the characters for Serial Experiments Lain and inspired the science fiction series NieA_7. The story is very simple, yet it is full of understated poetry and rich meaning that can be enjoyed by people of all ages (but may be too dark for children under the age of ten).\r\n\r\nThe story is inspired by Haruki Murakami\'s novel Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World in which a man suddenly appears without memory of a previous life in a strange village surrounded by a high wall and ends up working in the library, replacing another who simply disappears. Set in a village called Glie, angel-like people with wings and halos called Haibane or \"charcoal feathers\" live alongside humans in the town, also surrounded by impenetrable walls. The laws are made by a council called the Haibane Renmie who decreed that the Haibane cannot own anything new, cannot go outside the wall and are forbidden to even touch it. Only the Toga, mysterious masked men who provide for and protect the Haibane, can leave the town. \r\n\r\nThe Haibane live in an abandoned building called Old Home and have no memory of a previous life, only a vague recollection of a dream they had inside the cocoon in which they were hatched fully-grown. Others live in the Waste Factory and are said to be \"rowdy\". Every so often, without warning, one of the Haibane disappears beyond the wall to an uncertain destination. This is the \"day of flight\" that is the fate of all Haibane except those that are \"sin-bound\" and must remain in darkness. As the series begins, a girl dreams of falling and, when she emerges from her giant cocoon, is named \"Rakka\" for falling. The early episodes deal with Rakka\'s arrival and adjustment to life as a Haibane. \r\n\r\nRakka\'s best friend is Reki who takes care of the younger children and is very protective of Rakka, caring for her when her wings emerge. Reki\'s name means \"stones\" because in her dream she was walking on a path of stones. Rakka goes with each of the Haibane to their jobs to see where she would best fit in. Other characters include Nemu who works at the library, Kuu, a boyish-looking girl who is the youngest of the group, Kana, also a tomboy, and Hikari who works at a bakery. Halfway through the series, Rakka must deal with an unexpected loss of a member of the group who has taken flight. Rakka\'s wings begin to turn black and both she and Reki are haunted by incomplete memories of their cocoon dreams and recollections of committing harm to others.\r\n\r\nAs the plot slowly unravels, both Reki and Rakka must overcome their feelings of inadequacy before they can move on and the atmosphere often becomes heavy and foreboding. Timeless questions are raised and left for us to ponder, yet the story has the simplicity of a children\'s book with a sense of mystery and awe about our place in the universe. Is this an allegory of our own after-life or is it about our waking life where no one knows for certain where they have come from and where they are going? \r\n\r\nAlthough the story line about sin and salvation strike a more conventional note, to the credit of the authors, they have emphasized personal responsibility and the need for us to take charge of our own lives. Haibane Renmie has just the right combination of magic and realism, and the visuals are beautiful to experience. With a lovely musical score, characters you can identify with, and a story that builds to a moving conclusion, Haibane Renmie is the best animated film I have seen.\r\n\r\nGRADE: A','c2568fb44976d9278ec097870c2cde63',0,'','a3FRzJqC',1,0,'',0,0,0),