Best wishes for whatever holiday(s) you may or may not choose to celebrate.
Check back next week for new posts.
23 December, 2008
16 December, 2008
Needs Answered
This time: Host & Guest, Our America, and Farewell to Harry.
Host & Guest
Directed by Shin Dong-Il, starring Kim Jae-rok and Kang Ji-Hwan.
Ho-jun (Kim) is an out-of-work film professor who is barely holding the last shreds of his life together. Having been left by his wife and son, Ho-jun is adjusting to life in his new world, a world that seemingly has it in for him. From his inability to interact with others, to his unending frustrations with his new apartment, Ho-jun's life is less than ideal. Along his downward spiral into self-pity, Ho-jun meets Gye-sang (Kang), a lonely man pushing the "Words of Truth". The two soon become friends, and save one another through their friendship.
Shin's tale of loneliness charms with it's simplicity. Both lead actors handle the drama and dry comedic elements of the film well. As an entertaining film about the power of friendship, Host & Guest manages to affect. A great, touching film, that is definitely worth a look.
Our America
Directed by Ernet R. Dickerson, starring Josh Charles, Roderick Pannell, and Brandon Hammond.
Based on a true story, Our America is a telefilm about two young men living in the ghetto, and their attempt to make it a better place. Like the NPR program it was based on, Our America is engaging and thought provoking. With great performances from the leads, this is a well produced docu-drama that highlights the determination of a few good people and their decision to do the right thing to better a community.
Farewell to Harry
Directed by Garrett Bennett, starring Joe Flanigan and William Hall, Jr.
A young writer moves back to his hometown to find the inspiration he needs to write "The Great American Novel". Once back home, he befriends an old drunk whose story is as good as the ones he tells. As the two men look for what is missing in their respective lives, they discover the importance of friendship.
Farewell to Harry possesses oodles of charm rolled up into an endearing tale of friendship. Though it is a touching story, Farewell to Harry isn't just dramatic. The friendship of the characters allows for plenty of laughs from Flanigan and Hall, Jr., who give terrific performances and share good onscreen chemistry, lending an air of honesty to the proceedings. While it may be a mushy film that leaves one feeling like giving a hug to a friend, the fact that it makes a person feel, makes Farewell to Harry a good film.
Host & Guest
Directed by Shin Dong-Il, starring Kim Jae-rok and Kang Ji-Hwan.
Ho-jun (Kim) is an out-of-work film professor who is barely holding the last shreds of his life together. Having been left by his wife and son, Ho-jun is adjusting to life in his new world, a world that seemingly has it in for him. From his inability to interact with others, to his unending frustrations with his new apartment, Ho-jun's life is less than ideal. Along his downward spiral into self-pity, Ho-jun meets Gye-sang (Kang), a lonely man pushing the "Words of Truth". The two soon become friends, and save one another through their friendship.
Shin's tale of loneliness charms with it's simplicity. Both lead actors handle the drama and dry comedic elements of the film well. As an entertaining film about the power of friendship, Host & Guest manages to affect. A great, touching film, that is definitely worth a look.
Our America
Directed by Ernet R. Dickerson, starring Josh Charles, Roderick Pannell, and Brandon Hammond.
Based on a true story, Our America is a telefilm about two young men living in the ghetto, and their attempt to make it a better place. Like the NPR program it was based on, Our America is engaging and thought provoking. With great performances from the leads, this is a well produced docu-drama that highlights the determination of a few good people and their decision to do the right thing to better a community.
Farewell to Harry
Directed by Garrett Bennett, starring Joe Flanigan and William Hall, Jr.
A young writer moves back to his hometown to find the inspiration he needs to write "The Great American Novel". Once back home, he befriends an old drunk whose story is as good as the ones he tells. As the two men look for what is missing in their respective lives, they discover the importance of friendship.
Farewell to Harry possesses oodles of charm rolled up into an endearing tale of friendship. Though it is a touching story, Farewell to Harry isn't just dramatic. The friendship of the characters allows for plenty of laughs from Flanigan and Hall, Jr., who give terrific performances and share good onscreen chemistry, lending an air of honesty to the proceedings. While it may be a mushy film that leaves one feeling like giving a hug to a friend, the fact that it makes a person feel, makes Farewell to Harry a good film.
Where It's At
This time: The big-budget Hollywood remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still, low-budget horror flick Silent Night, Deadly Night, Hong Kong action-fest Executioners, and French drama Irma Vep.
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Directed by Scott Derrickson, starring Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Jaden Smith, Kathy Bates, John Cleese, and Kyle Chandler.
If you don't know what The Day the Earth Stood Still is about, google it. And, feel ashamed, very ashamed.
Scott Derrickson's remake of the classic sci-fi flick lays the preservation of our planet on thick. The need to take care of our home is the focal point of the story, and the understated action allows that to take meaning. Unfortunately, the understated action may be too low-key for many viewers. Keanu Reeves' performance as intergalactic conservationist Klaatu is solid, as are the performances of the rest of the cast. For a remake centered on saving the environment, Derrickson's The Day the Earth Stood Still manages to stand on it's own two feet as decent entertainment.
Silent Night, Deadly Night
Crap with a capital C. Directed by, written by, and starring no one anyone has heard of before or since.
A man kills people while dressed as Santa Claus. Cheezy, poorly filmed, and horribly acted, Silent Night, Deadly Night is just plain bad. Other than the unintentional laughs elicited from the overwhelmingly large amount of cheeziness, Silen Night, Deadly Night is a waste of time.
Executioners
Directed by Johnnie To and Ching Siu-Tung, starring Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui, Maggie Cheung, Damian Lau, Anthony Wong, Lau Ching-Wan, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Paul Chun.
In a post-apocalyptic world, a corrupt few have come into power by controlling the flow of fresh water. Amidst political power struggles, three super women come together to save the world.
Super cheezy, Executioners is a sequel to The Heroic Trio, which starred the three leading ladies, and was also directed by Johnnie To. For their second go-round, they've upped the drama, and the need for the viewer to suspend their disbelief. Fantastical sequences and contrived situations make up the majority of Executioners, which is grounded only by To's style, melded with Ching's action direction, and the talent of the cast. Executioners isn't a great film by any means, but the overwrought drama coupled with well done action and acting, make it worth a look.
Irma Vep
Directed by Oliver Assayas, starring Maggie Cheung, Jean-Pierre Léaud, and Nathalie Richard.
A washed-up French director tries to resurrect his career with a remake of the French silent film serial Les vampires. During filming, the director (Léaud) faces unbearable strain to his ego and mental health, while his lead actress Maggie Cheung (Cheung) has to deal with an irritable director and an emotional costume designer (Richard), both of which have designs on her.
Assayas' Irma Vep provides a neat look at the world of filmmaking. Hong Kong Actress Maggie Cheung plays a fictionalized version of herself, caught up in the insanity of a film production so weighed down with the crew's egoes that it is collasping in on itself. With top notch acting, and assured direction, Irma Vep is interesting both for how it portrays the filmmaking process, and how it comments on French Cinema. In short, Irma Vep is a good film.
Next time:
Host & Guest
Our America
Farewell to Harry
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Directed by Scott Derrickson, starring Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Jaden Smith, Kathy Bates, John Cleese, and Kyle Chandler.
If you don't know what The Day the Earth Stood Still is about, google it. And, feel ashamed, very ashamed.
Scott Derrickson's remake of the classic sci-fi flick lays the preservation of our planet on thick. The need to take care of our home is the focal point of the story, and the understated action allows that to take meaning. Unfortunately, the understated action may be too low-key for many viewers. Keanu Reeves' performance as intergalactic conservationist Klaatu is solid, as are the performances of the rest of the cast. For a remake centered on saving the environment, Derrickson's The Day the Earth Stood Still manages to stand on it's own two feet as decent entertainment.
Silent Night, Deadly Night
Crap with a capital C. Directed by, written by, and starring no one anyone has heard of before or since.
A man kills people while dressed as Santa Claus. Cheezy, poorly filmed, and horribly acted, Silent Night, Deadly Night is just plain bad. Other than the unintentional laughs elicited from the overwhelmingly large amount of cheeziness, Silen Night, Deadly Night is a waste of time.
Executioners
Directed by Johnnie To and Ching Siu-Tung, starring Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui, Maggie Cheung, Damian Lau, Anthony Wong, Lau Ching-Wan, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Paul Chun.
In a post-apocalyptic world, a corrupt few have come into power by controlling the flow of fresh water. Amidst political power struggles, three super women come together to save the world.
Super cheezy, Executioners is a sequel to The Heroic Trio, which starred the three leading ladies, and was also directed by Johnnie To. For their second go-round, they've upped the drama, and the need for the viewer to suspend their disbelief. Fantastical sequences and contrived situations make up the majority of Executioners, which is grounded only by To's style, melded with Ching's action direction, and the talent of the cast. Executioners isn't a great film by any means, but the overwrought drama coupled with well done action and acting, make it worth a look.
Irma Vep
Directed by Oliver Assayas, starring Maggie Cheung, Jean-Pierre Léaud, and Nathalie Richard.
A washed-up French director tries to resurrect his career with a remake of the French silent film serial Les vampires. During filming, the director (Léaud) faces unbearable strain to his ego and mental health, while his lead actress Maggie Cheung (Cheung) has to deal with an irritable director and an emotional costume designer (Richard), both of which have designs on her.
Assayas' Irma Vep provides a neat look at the world of filmmaking. Hong Kong Actress Maggie Cheung plays a fictionalized version of herself, caught up in the insanity of a film production so weighed down with the crew's egoes that it is collasping in on itself. With top notch acting, and assured direction, Irma Vep is interesting both for how it portrays the filmmaking process, and how it comments on French Cinema. In short, Irma Vep is a good film.
Next time:
Host & Guest
Our America
Farewell to Harry
15 December, 2008
It's Just An Illusion
Pierrot le fou
Directed and written by Jean-Luc Godard, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, and Anna Karina.
Ferdinand Griffon (Belmondo) is unhappily married with two kids. While contemplating what to do with his life, he becomes reacquainted with an old girlfriend, Marianne Renoir (Karina). The two decide to run away together, and go on a months long journey. On their journey, the two deal with feelings of love and hate toward each other and themselves.
Godard's postmodern tale is filled with vibrant colors and pop culture references. Godard's direction fits the frentic nature of the story, as do Belmondo and Karina's performances. As demanding and engaging as the facets of life, culture, and love that it comments on, Peirrot le fou is a fine film.
Toby Dammit
Directed by and co-written by Federico Fellini, starring Terrence Stamp.
Toby Dammit is an English actor that is quickly slipping into his own hell. Haunted by the visage of his inner demons personified, Dammit tries to dull his senses with alcohol, which causes a decline in his professional demand. When promised a Ferarri for appearing in a production in Italy, Dammit rushes head-first into a dream-like battle with himself.
Fellini's segment Toby Dammit from the Poe adaptation omnibus Histoires extraordinaires (aka Spirits of the Dead) is incredible. Fellini's use of the character's inner turmoil as the driving force of the story allows one to delve into the nightmarish tale. Stamp's portrayal of a washed-up actor that seals his own fate is terrific. A fantastical and intriguing film from the Italian Cinema maestro.
Next time:
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Silent Night, Deadly Night
Executioners
Irma Vep
Directed and written by Jean-Luc Godard, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, and Anna Karina.
Ferdinand Griffon (Belmondo) is unhappily married with two kids. While contemplating what to do with his life, he becomes reacquainted with an old girlfriend, Marianne Renoir (Karina). The two decide to run away together, and go on a months long journey. On their journey, the two deal with feelings of love and hate toward each other and themselves.
Godard's postmodern tale is filled with vibrant colors and pop culture references. Godard's direction fits the frentic nature of the story, as do Belmondo and Karina's performances. As demanding and engaging as the facets of life, culture, and love that it comments on, Peirrot le fou is a fine film.
Toby Dammit
Directed by and co-written by Federico Fellini, starring Terrence Stamp.
Toby Dammit is an English actor that is quickly slipping into his own hell. Haunted by the visage of his inner demons personified, Dammit tries to dull his senses with alcohol, which causes a decline in his professional demand. When promised a Ferarri for appearing in a production in Italy, Dammit rushes head-first into a dream-like battle with himself.
Fellini's segment Toby Dammit from the Poe adaptation omnibus Histoires extraordinaires (aka Spirits of the Dead) is incredible. Fellini's use of the character's inner turmoil as the driving force of the story allows one to delve into the nightmarish tale. Stamp's portrayal of a washed-up actor that seals his own fate is terrific. A fantastical and intriguing film from the Italian Cinema maestro.
Next time:
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Silent Night, Deadly Night
Executioners
Irma Vep
10 December, 2008
Best of Part II
In preparation for my list of what I consider the best films of 2008, I posted my thoughts on the best films of 2006 back in mid-November. Now, the time has come for my picks for the best films of 2007:
Once
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Lust, Caution
Exodus
Secret Sunshine
Lost in Beijing
Hooked On You
Mad Detective
The Most Distant Course
Black Book
No Country For Old Men
Knocked Up
Next time: Something else
Once
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Lust, Caution
Exodus
Secret Sunshine
Lost in Beijing
Hooked On You
Mad Detective
The Most Distant Course
Black Book
No Country For Old Men
Knocked Up
Next time: Something else
The Chosen One
The film that got the most requests was the South Korean romantic comedy 200 Pounds Beauty. Therefore, I watched what was referred to as "funny" and "kinda romantic".
200 Pounds Beauty
Directed by Kim Yong-hwa, starring Kim Ah-jong and Ju Jin-mo.
Han-na (Kim) has a successful singing career and throngs of adoring fans. She has what every popstar chaser dreams of. The only problem is, Han-na is overweight, and considered ugly, so adoration and popularity is given to a prettier, slimmer girl, for whom Han-na provides the talent.
While Han-na isn't terribly proud of her circumstances, she tries to make the best of them. She doesn't complain about a no-talent hack getting all the spotlight, and she actually goes out of her way to help others. Han-na also finds a little piece of happiness in her love for the man behind the curtain of the Milli Vanilli-esque musical act, her producer, Sang-jun (Ju).
However, all the optimisim in the world isn't enough, as Han-na is reminded of her outward appearance by her friend, addle-minded father, and collegues, causing her to take drastic steps to change who she is. And change she does. Han-na has a year filled with plastic surgeries and exercise that completely changes the way she looks.
Unfortunately, in seeking to make herself beautiful on the oustide, Han-na becomes ugly on the inside. Thinking she can have everything she ever wanted because she now has a slim body and pretty face, Han-na sets out to get the man and career she has dreamed of. Along the way, Han-na learns where beauty really comes from, and in the end, must decide what it is that matters to her most.
200 Pounds Beauty tackles a difficult subject and mostly succeeds at making a statement about how people perceive beauty. Underneath the standard romantic trappings and comedic asides, 200 Pounds Beauty subtly, by commercial film standards, tries to show the viewer that true happiness doesn't necessarily come with Barbie-like looks. When Han-na was considered fat and ugly, she had a good heart. Following her makeover, Han-na shows an ugly side, stepping on others to get ahead, and belittling them to quell her own insecurities.
The filmmakers should be lauded for any effort they put into challenging the public perception that physical beauty is all that matters. For Han-na's realization alone (that it is what a person has on the inside that counts) they should be given credit. That they managed that inside of an entertaining, if somewhat standard, romantic comedy is commendable.
200 Pounds Beauty isn't going to shatter stereotypes or make huge changes in society, but the mere fact that it presents it's subject matter in an endearing way that also entertains is enough to call it good. For a romantic comedy with a little bit of heart, 200 Pounds Beauty is a winner. One might say it's funny, and even kinda romantic.
Now, dear readers, what should I watch next?
200 Pounds Beauty
Directed by Kim Yong-hwa, starring Kim Ah-jong and Ju Jin-mo.
Han-na (Kim) has a successful singing career and throngs of adoring fans. She has what every popstar chaser dreams of. The only problem is, Han-na is overweight, and considered ugly, so adoration and popularity is given to a prettier, slimmer girl, for whom Han-na provides the talent.
While Han-na isn't terribly proud of her circumstances, she tries to make the best of them. She doesn't complain about a no-talent hack getting all the spotlight, and she actually goes out of her way to help others. Han-na also finds a little piece of happiness in her love for the man behind the curtain of the Milli Vanilli-esque musical act, her producer, Sang-jun (Ju).
However, all the optimisim in the world isn't enough, as Han-na is reminded of her outward appearance by her friend, addle-minded father, and collegues, causing her to take drastic steps to change who she is. And change she does. Han-na has a year filled with plastic surgeries and exercise that completely changes the way she looks.
Unfortunately, in seeking to make herself beautiful on the oustide, Han-na becomes ugly on the inside. Thinking she can have everything she ever wanted because she now has a slim body and pretty face, Han-na sets out to get the man and career she has dreamed of. Along the way, Han-na learns where beauty really comes from, and in the end, must decide what it is that matters to her most.
200 Pounds Beauty tackles a difficult subject and mostly succeeds at making a statement about how people perceive beauty. Underneath the standard romantic trappings and comedic asides, 200 Pounds Beauty subtly, by commercial film standards, tries to show the viewer that true happiness doesn't necessarily come with Barbie-like looks. When Han-na was considered fat and ugly, she had a good heart. Following her makeover, Han-na shows an ugly side, stepping on others to get ahead, and belittling them to quell her own insecurities.
The filmmakers should be lauded for any effort they put into challenging the public perception that physical beauty is all that matters. For Han-na's realization alone (that it is what a person has on the inside that counts) they should be given credit. That they managed that inside of an entertaining, if somewhat standard, romantic comedy is commendable.
200 Pounds Beauty isn't going to shatter stereotypes or make huge changes in society, but the mere fact that it presents it's subject matter in an endearing way that also entertains is enough to call it good. For a romantic comedy with a little bit of heart, 200 Pounds Beauty is a winner. One might say it's funny, and even kinda romantic.
Now, dear readers, what should I watch next?
09 December, 2008
What to Watch?
Today, Very and absolutley and extremely goes interactive. You have the opportunity to decide what I will watch tonight. From the following list of films, pick what you think I should view. The film that receives the most requests will be what I watch. Then, I will ramble on and on and on about it tomorrow. Happy Picking:
An Autumn's Tale
Tiramisu
Run Papa Run
Legend of the Wolf
Public Toilet
The Sorcerers
200 Pounds Beauty
Spirits of the Dead
Memories of Murder
Host & Guest
The Golem
Pierrot Le Fou
Request your pick via email (monkeytailor@gmail.com), myspace, or leave a comment here.
An Autumn's Tale
Tiramisu
Run Papa Run
Legend of the Wolf
Public Toilet
The Sorcerers
200 Pounds Beauty
Spirits of the Dead
Memories of Murder
Host & Guest
The Golem
Pierrot Le Fou
Request your pick via email (monkeytailor@gmail.com), myspace, or leave a comment here.
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