As promised, my thoughts on Jiang Wen's Let the Bullets Fly. Enjoy.
Let the Bullets Fly
Directed by Jiang Wen, starring Chow Yun-fat, Jiang Wen, Ge You and Carina Lau.
As a conman (Ge) and his wife (Lau) travel through the countryside, they are attacked by a wanted man (Jiang) and his group of bandits. To save their lives, the couple makes a deal with the bandit leader to allow him in on their next con: pretending to be governor and governess of an affluent town. The bandit agrees to the proposal, provided he plays governor.
Once they arrive at (the supposedly ripe for the taking) Goose Town, they run into a couple of problems. Firstly, most of the town is poor; secondly, the reason for their financial state is local Godfather Huang (Chow). The bandits must play an intricate game of intrigue with Huang and his men in order to secure their goal.
Jiang Wen's Let the Bullets Fly is an Eastern Western. Like an good Western, there is plenty of gunplay, as well as pretty clear cut good and bad guys. For anyone that knows anything about Hong Kong or Chinese cinema, it goes without saying that the acting is excellent. For those that don't know about either of those cinemas, the acting is excellent. So, too, is the direction.
Jiang's film is a great blend of action and comedy, as well as hidden meanings within nearly every line and act that unfolds onscreen. Whether it be a comment on society, his home country, cinema or something else is up for interpretation; however, the underlying meanings never weigh the film down. For discerning film fans, there is plenty to engage, and, for the casual film goer, it's a really exciting film.
So, in case it isn't already obvious, Let the Bullets Fly is something I highly recommend.
26 August, 2011
25 August, 2011
Something to Look Forward To-night
This time it is an abbreviated post about a film I'm looking forward to seeing. The film: Jiang Wen's Let the Bullets Fly. I actually have this film sitting at home and will be watching it tonight, so check back for my thoughts on it sometime tomorrow.
Jiang Wen's Let the Bullets Fly
Starring Chow Yun-fat, Jiang Wen, Ge You and Carina Lau.
The newest film from "Sixth Generation" Chinese Director Jiang Wen is an action-comedy. As if the fact that Jiang directed it isn't enough, Let the Bullets Fly stars Jiang, as well as heavyweights from Hong Kong in Chow Yun-fat and Carina Lau, and from China, Ge You. With a talented cast and a top notch director, Let the Bullets Fly is something to be excited about sight-unseen.
Jiang Wen's Filmography:
In the Heat of the Sun
Devils on the Doorstep
The Sun Also Rises
Let the Bullets Fly
Jiang Wen's Let the Bullets Fly
Starring Chow Yun-fat, Jiang Wen, Ge You and Carina Lau.
The newest film from "Sixth Generation" Chinese Director Jiang Wen is an action-comedy. As if the fact that Jiang directed it isn't enough, Let the Bullets Fly stars Jiang, as well as heavyweights from Hong Kong in Chow Yun-fat and Carina Lau, and from China, Ge You. With a talented cast and a top notch director, Let the Bullets Fly is something to be excited about sight-unseen.
Jiang Wen's Filmography:
In the Heat of the Sun
Devils on the Doorstep
The Sun Also Rises
Let the Bullets Fly
23 August, 2011
What's What
Here is another post about films I'm looking forward to seeing. This time it's two films from the same person, American Director Matthew Leutwyler. The films: The River Why and Answers to Nothing.
Back in October of 2008 I wrote my first post about films I look forward to seeing. One of those films was The River Why. Here's what I posted:
"The River Why
Directed by Matthew Leutwyler (Road Kill, This Space Between Us, Dead & Breakfast, Unearthed), starring people.
What it is:
The latest film from Matthew Leutwyler, based on the acclaimed novel The River Why.
Why I'm excited:
Matthew Leutwyler is one of my favorite directors, and directed one of my favorite films, This Space Between Us. Since making that film, he went on to make the excellent horror comedy Dead & Breakfast, and the less than spectacular horror flick Unearthed. I've been waiting for Leutwyler to return to the director chair with an intelligent, thoughtful film for years. While Leutwyler is an incredibly gifted filmmaker that has created two brilliant films, I think the best of his work has yet to be made, and I believe that he has the ability to become one of the greatest directors of our time."
----Back in 0'11, it hasn't seen anything beyond festivals and a very limited theatrical release. The film stars Zach Gilford, Amber Heard, Kathleen Quinlan and William Hurt. I've been waiting, rather impatiently, to see those actors in The River Why for nearly three years. Finally, the wait is nearly over. On November 8TH of this year, it will be released on Blu-ray and DVD. For me, November 8TH can't come soon enough.
That brings us to the second Matthew Leutwyler film of 2011, Answers to Nothing. As luck would have it, Answers to Nothing will reportedly see a nationwide theatrical released on December 2ND, less than a month after The River Why comes out on home video. The film is about the intertwining of lives during a search for a missing child. Answers to Nothing stars Dane Cook, Elizabeth Mitchell, Julie Benz, Barbara Hershey, Zach Gilford, Erik Palladino, Kali Hawk and Miranda Bailey. Needless to say, I'm excited about the last two months of this year.
Matthew Leutwyler's Filmography:
Road Kill
This Space Between Us
Dead & Breakfast
Unleashed
The River Why
Answers to Nothing
Back in October of 2008 I wrote my first post about films I look forward to seeing. One of those films was The River Why. Here's what I posted:
"The River Why
Directed by Matthew Leutwyler (Road Kill, This Space Between Us, Dead & Breakfast, Unearthed), starring people.
What it is:
The latest film from Matthew Leutwyler, based on the acclaimed novel The River Why.
Why I'm excited:
Matthew Leutwyler is one of my favorite directors, and directed one of my favorite films, This Space Between Us. Since making that film, he went on to make the excellent horror comedy Dead & Breakfast, and the less than spectacular horror flick Unearthed. I've been waiting for Leutwyler to return to the director chair with an intelligent, thoughtful film for years. While Leutwyler is an incredibly gifted filmmaker that has created two brilliant films, I think the best of his work has yet to be made, and I believe that he has the ability to become one of the greatest directors of our time."
----Back in 0'11, it hasn't seen anything beyond festivals and a very limited theatrical release. The film stars Zach Gilford, Amber Heard, Kathleen Quinlan and William Hurt. I've been waiting, rather impatiently, to see those actors in The River Why for nearly three years. Finally, the wait is nearly over. On November 8TH of this year, it will be released on Blu-ray and DVD. For me, November 8TH can't come soon enough.
That brings us to the second Matthew Leutwyler film of 2011, Answers to Nothing. As luck would have it, Answers to Nothing will reportedly see a nationwide theatrical released on December 2ND, less than a month after The River Why comes out on home video. The film is about the intertwining of lives during a search for a missing child. Answers to Nothing stars Dane Cook, Elizabeth Mitchell, Julie Benz, Barbara Hershey, Zach Gilford, Erik Palladino, Kali Hawk and Miranda Bailey. Needless to say, I'm excited about the last two months of this year.
Matthew Leutwyler's Filmography:
Road Kill
This Space Between Us
Dead & Breakfast
Unleashed
The River Why
Answers to Nothing
21 August, 2011
Fright Night
Here are my thoughts on the remake of Fright Night. Though it isn't a film that relies on surprise, and anyone who has seen the original already knows the story, I'll try to be spoiler free since it is a new release. Here goes:
Fright Night
Directed by Craig Gillespie, starring Antony Yelchin, Colin Farell, David Tennant and Imogen Poots.
Charlie Brewster (Yelchin) is a normal teenager trying to make it through high school. In order to get Amy (Poots), the girl of his dreams, Charlie has shunned his nerdy childhood habits and friends. Everything is fine in the little world he's created until an old friend goes missing, and another claims Charlie's new neighbor Jerry (Farell) is to blame, because Jerry is a vampire.
Charlie dismisses the notion that a vampire moved in next door, but begins to suspect something isn't right when his seemingly paranoid friend turns up missing. Brewster soon learns the truth and enlists the aide of Peter Vincent (Tennant), Vampire Slayer, to combat the evil that has infested his town.
Kind of a bland description, but there are some things in Fright Night best seen, rather than read. Suffice it to say, Fright Night is good. While pacing issues and Antony Yelchin's flatness as Charlie Brewster hold the film back from being the greatest film ever, Fright Night does have some aces up its proverbial sleeve. Those aces: Colin Farell, David Tennant, humor and Imogen Poots.
Farell makes for a super cool vampire, so much so I almost rooted for Jerry the Vampire. What keeps the good guys in a favorable light is Tennant's extremely entertaining version Vegas Showman/Vampire Slayer Peter Vincent. Tennant's just-under over-the-top performance is riotously funny.
Like the original horror-comedy from the 80's, Fright Night is more comedy than horror. The humor provided, mostly, by Tennant's character is essential to Fright Night. Without it, the film would be a bland pseudo-horror remake. However, Marti Nixon's script balances the horror and comedy terrifically. The other piece to the puzzle is Imogen Poots. Every horror film has a hot chick in it, but Poots can act.
Pacing and a wooden lead character aside, the only real problem with Fright Night is the 3D part. Like any other 3D flick, very few elements are in 3D. The only added dimension throughout the entire film is the look of a bit of depth within the scenes. Beyond that only a handful of silly looking elements are actually 3D.
So, save a few bucks by seeing Fright Night in 2D. Or, give in to gimmick and see it in 3D. Either way, go see Fright Night.
Fright Night
Directed by Craig Gillespie, starring Antony Yelchin, Colin Farell, David Tennant and Imogen Poots.
Charlie Brewster (Yelchin) is a normal teenager trying to make it through high school. In order to get Amy (Poots), the girl of his dreams, Charlie has shunned his nerdy childhood habits and friends. Everything is fine in the little world he's created until an old friend goes missing, and another claims Charlie's new neighbor Jerry (Farell) is to blame, because Jerry is a vampire.
Charlie dismisses the notion that a vampire moved in next door, but begins to suspect something isn't right when his seemingly paranoid friend turns up missing. Brewster soon learns the truth and enlists the aide of Peter Vincent (Tennant), Vampire Slayer, to combat the evil that has infested his town.
Kind of a bland description, but there are some things in Fright Night best seen, rather than read. Suffice it to say, Fright Night is good. While pacing issues and Antony Yelchin's flatness as Charlie Brewster hold the film back from being the greatest film ever, Fright Night does have some aces up its proverbial sleeve. Those aces: Colin Farell, David Tennant, humor and Imogen Poots.
Farell makes for a super cool vampire, so much so I almost rooted for Jerry the Vampire. What keeps the good guys in a favorable light is Tennant's extremely entertaining version Vegas Showman/Vampire Slayer Peter Vincent. Tennant's just-under over-the-top performance is riotously funny.
Like the original horror-comedy from the 80's, Fright Night is more comedy than horror. The humor provided, mostly, by Tennant's character is essential to Fright Night. Without it, the film would be a bland pseudo-horror remake. However, Marti Nixon's script balances the horror and comedy terrifically. The other piece to the puzzle is Imogen Poots. Every horror film has a hot chick in it, but Poots can act.
Pacing and a wooden lead character aside, the only real problem with Fright Night is the 3D part. Like any other 3D flick, very few elements are in 3D. The only added dimension throughout the entire film is the look of a bit of depth within the scenes. Beyond that only a handful of silly looking elements are actually 3D.
So, save a few bucks by seeing Fright Night in 2D. Or, give in to gimmick and see it in 3D. Either way, go see Fright Night.
20 August, 2011
Crazy Eyes
House
Directed by Obayashi Nobuhiko, starring Ikegami Kimiko, Jinbo Miki, Oba Kumiko, Matsubara Ai, Sato Mieko, Tanaka Eriko, Miyako Masayo, Ozaki Kiyohiko, and Minamida Yoko.
Just prior to their Summer Break, best friends Gorgeous (Ikegami) and Fantasy (Kumiko) talk about their vacation plans. Gorgeous is planning on spending time with her father, while Fantasy and their group of friends are going on a training vacation with one of their teachers, Mr. Togo (Ozaki). When both plans fall through, Gorgeous suggests they all go to visit her aunt in the country.
The journey allows the stock personalities of each member of the group shine through. Accompanying Gorgeous and Fantasy are Kung Fu (Jinbo), Prof (Matsubara), Mac a.k.a Fatty (Sato), Melody (Tanaka), Sweet (Miyako) and Gorgeous's cat. Everything is fine and dandy, replete with cringeworthy upbeat music and sight gags, until the gang arrives at Gorgeous's aunt's mansion. Once there, they are greeted by Auntie, a wheelchair bound older woman with a very peculiar personality.
As the girls get to know Auntie, she and Gorgeous's cat become increasingly odd. When Mac goes missing, Fantasy begins to grow suspicious of Auntie's suspicious behavior. The group, seemingly oblivious to the strange happenings, discount Fantasy's claims out of hand, while Auntie begins to taunt her.
A bevy of oddities, including Kung Fu having to fight flying flaming logs of wood, follow as the group slowly comes to the realization that something isn't quite right. One by one, the girls get picked off amidst Scooby-Doo-esque chase scenes by the now outwardly evil Auntie. Her special relationship with the cat is revealed to be one of demonic origin, and their plan is to eat the souls of the virgin girls to sate Auntie's living but soulless body's vengeance over lost love.
House is not good cinema. Director Obayashi was allowed to make House any way he wanted, and it is painfully obvious. That being said, the wacky self-indulgeance does make for a very enjoyable experience. Laughs, intentional and otherwise, are easy to find. The ridiculousness of just about everything in the film makes it perfect for viewing with a group of friends and a healthy amount of alcohol.
Next time: My thoughts on the remake of Fright Night.
Directed by Obayashi Nobuhiko, starring Ikegami Kimiko, Jinbo Miki, Oba Kumiko, Matsubara Ai, Sato Mieko, Tanaka Eriko, Miyako Masayo, Ozaki Kiyohiko, and Minamida Yoko.
Just prior to their Summer Break, best friends Gorgeous (Ikegami) and Fantasy (Kumiko) talk about their vacation plans. Gorgeous is planning on spending time with her father, while Fantasy and their group of friends are going on a training vacation with one of their teachers, Mr. Togo (Ozaki). When both plans fall through, Gorgeous suggests they all go to visit her aunt in the country.
The journey allows the stock personalities of each member of the group shine through. Accompanying Gorgeous and Fantasy are Kung Fu (Jinbo), Prof (Matsubara), Mac a.k.a Fatty (Sato), Melody (Tanaka), Sweet (Miyako) and Gorgeous's cat. Everything is fine and dandy, replete with cringeworthy upbeat music and sight gags, until the gang arrives at Gorgeous's aunt's mansion. Once there, they are greeted by Auntie, a wheelchair bound older woman with a very peculiar personality.
As the girls get to know Auntie, she and Gorgeous's cat become increasingly odd. When Mac goes missing, Fantasy begins to grow suspicious of Auntie's suspicious behavior. The group, seemingly oblivious to the strange happenings, discount Fantasy's claims out of hand, while Auntie begins to taunt her.
A bevy of oddities, including Kung Fu having to fight flying flaming logs of wood, follow as the group slowly comes to the realization that something isn't quite right. One by one, the girls get picked off amidst Scooby-Doo-esque chase scenes by the now outwardly evil Auntie. Her special relationship with the cat is revealed to be one of demonic origin, and their plan is to eat the souls of the virgin girls to sate Auntie's living but soulless body's vengeance over lost love.
House is not good cinema. Director Obayashi was allowed to make House any way he wanted, and it is painfully obvious. That being said, the wacky self-indulgeance does make for a very enjoyable experience. Laughs, intentional and otherwise, are easy to find. The ridiculousness of just about everything in the film makes it perfect for viewing with a group of friends and a healthy amount of alcohol.
Next time: My thoughts on the remake of Fright Night.
My Ongoing Education
Here's another double dose of upcoming films I want to see, with slight descriptions of Kim Ki-duk's Arirang and Manoel de Oliveira's The Strange Case of Angelica.
Kim Ki-duk's Arirang
One of the world's most interesting filmmakers, South Korean Director Kim Ki-duk faced inner turmoil following the filming of his last film, Dream. During the production of Dream, Actress Lee Na-young nearly died while filming a scene where her character attempts suicide by hanging. The resulting emotions caused the director to look inward; not making another film until he found the "cure" for his problems with Arirang, an experimental documentary about his filmmaking career.
I find the cause for Kim's newest film to be mightily interesting. That a director could become all but crippled by his emotions toward his films, and then find his way back to making films by creating a documentary of those feelings, is an intriguing idea. To be able to view such a film should be a treat.
Kim Ki-duk's Filmography:
Crocodile
Wild Animals
Birdcage Inn
The Isle
Real Fiction
Address Unknown
Bad Guy
The Coast Guard
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...And Spring
Samaritan Girl
3-iron
The Bow
Time
Breath
Dream
Arirang
Manoel de Oliveira's The Strange Case of Angelica
Director Manoel de Oliveira's newest film is a supernatural love story. The film tells the tale of a photographer that falls in love with the visage of a woman recently deceased. ...And that is both all I know, and all I need to know.
I was a bit late to the Oliveira bandwagon. The director had made dozens of films over his career, one that has now reached a span of 80 years, by the time I saw my first Oliveira film Eccentricities of a Blonde Haired Girl. After watching the film, I found in the special features section of the dvd a seven minute preview of The Strange Case of Angelica. Ever since, I'm a fan.
Manoel de Oliveira's (Selected) Filmography:
Belle Toujours
Eccentricities of A Blonde Haired Girl
The Strange Case of Angelica
A couple more posts about films I'm looking forward to seeing are forthcoming; as well as posts about Japanese Director Obayashi Nobuhiko's experimental horror film House, and the newly released remake of Fright Night.
Kim Ki-duk's Arirang
One of the world's most interesting filmmakers, South Korean Director Kim Ki-duk faced inner turmoil following the filming of his last film, Dream. During the production of Dream, Actress Lee Na-young nearly died while filming a scene where her character attempts suicide by hanging. The resulting emotions caused the director to look inward; not making another film until he found the "cure" for his problems with Arirang, an experimental documentary about his filmmaking career.
I find the cause for Kim's newest film to be mightily interesting. That a director could become all but crippled by his emotions toward his films, and then find his way back to making films by creating a documentary of those feelings, is an intriguing idea. To be able to view such a film should be a treat.
Kim Ki-duk's Filmography:
Crocodile
Wild Animals
Birdcage Inn
The Isle
Real Fiction
Address Unknown
Bad Guy
The Coast Guard
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...And Spring
Samaritan Girl
3-iron
The Bow
Time
Breath
Dream
Arirang
Manoel de Oliveira's The Strange Case of Angelica
Director Manoel de Oliveira's newest film is a supernatural love story. The film tells the tale of a photographer that falls in love with the visage of a woman recently deceased. ...And that is both all I know, and all I need to know.
I was a bit late to the Oliveira bandwagon. The director had made dozens of films over his career, one that has now reached a span of 80 years, by the time I saw my first Oliveira film Eccentricities of a Blonde Haired Girl. After watching the film, I found in the special features section of the dvd a seven minute preview of The Strange Case of Angelica. Ever since, I'm a fan.
Manoel de Oliveira's (Selected) Filmography:
Belle Toujours
Eccentricities of A Blonde Haired Girl
The Strange Case of Angelica
A couple more posts about films I'm looking forward to seeing are forthcoming; as well as posts about Japanese Director Obayashi Nobuhiko's experimental horror film House, and the newly released remake of Fright Night.
18 August, 2011
Dreams too Lively
Time for a shorter, double feature, post about two South Korean films:
Come Rain, Come Shine and The Unjust.
Come Rain, Come Shine
Directed by Lee Yoon-ki, starring Lim Soo-jung, Hyun Bin, with a cameo by Ha Jung-woo.
Having reached the marital point of no return, a younger couple decides to part ways. On their final day together, they are reminded of the past, and look toward a future apart.
South Korean Auteur Lee Yoon-ki's latest film, Come Rain, Come Shine, is most excellent. I could go on and on about it, but I'm a Lee fan, so my opinion is biased. However, of all the films I've seen (thousands, literally) Lee's are among the best. His films Come Rain, Come Shine and My Dear Enemy are the most wonderfully depressing films about failed relationships, and excellent films, period.
Lee Yoon-ki's Filmography:
This Charming Girl
Love Talk
Ad-Lib Night
My Dear Enemy
Come Rain, Come Shine
-Well, now that I've done almost nothing except mention the greatness of Lee's films, I think it's time to mention almost nothing about another excellent South Korean film:
The Unjust
Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, starring Hwang Jung-min, Ryoo Seung-bum and Yu Hae-jin.
Hwang and Ryoo star as a detective and public prosecutor on opposite sides of a corrupt attempt to bring a serial killer the justice. While citizens live in fear and anger of the killer's string of rapes and murders, the two defenders of justice use any means available to close the case, as long as it futhers their respective careers. When their goals put them at odds, their lives and careers are threatened, as well as the lives of those around them.
Ryoo's latest film is an amazingly dark look at greed and morality. The actors are top notch and give terrific performances as greedy bastards that get lost in their own ambition. The dark tone and content makes for a film that can't be referred to as enjoyable, but is nonetheless excellent.
Ryoo Seung-wan's Filmography:
Die Bad
No Blood No Tears
Arahan
Crying Fist
The City of Violence
Dachimawa Lee
The Unjust
That's it for my abbreviated thoughts...this time.
Come Rain, Come Shine and The Unjust.
Come Rain, Come Shine
Directed by Lee Yoon-ki, starring Lim Soo-jung, Hyun Bin, with a cameo by Ha Jung-woo.
Having reached the marital point of no return, a younger couple decides to part ways. On their final day together, they are reminded of the past, and look toward a future apart.
South Korean Auteur Lee Yoon-ki's latest film, Come Rain, Come Shine, is most excellent. I could go on and on about it, but I'm a Lee fan, so my opinion is biased. However, of all the films I've seen (thousands, literally) Lee's are among the best. His films Come Rain, Come Shine and My Dear Enemy are the most wonderfully depressing films about failed relationships, and excellent films, period.
Lee Yoon-ki's Filmography:
This Charming Girl
Love Talk
Ad-Lib Night
My Dear Enemy
Come Rain, Come Shine
-Well, now that I've done almost nothing except mention the greatness of Lee's films, I think it's time to mention almost nothing about another excellent South Korean film:
The Unjust
Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, starring Hwang Jung-min, Ryoo Seung-bum and Yu Hae-jin.
Hwang and Ryoo star as a detective and public prosecutor on opposite sides of a corrupt attempt to bring a serial killer the justice. While citizens live in fear and anger of the killer's string of rapes and murders, the two defenders of justice use any means available to close the case, as long as it futhers their respective careers. When their goals put them at odds, their lives and careers are threatened, as well as the lives of those around them.
Ryoo's latest film is an amazingly dark look at greed and morality. The actors are top notch and give terrific performances as greedy bastards that get lost in their own ambition. The dark tone and content makes for a film that can't be referred to as enjoyable, but is nonetheless excellent.
Ryoo Seung-wan's Filmography:
Die Bad
No Blood No Tears
Arahan
Crying Fist
The City of Violence
Dachimawa Lee
The Unjust
That's it for my abbreviated thoughts...this time.
08 August, 2011
Unbound
It's time for another new post; already. This time, Danish Director Ole Bornedal's Deliver Us From Evil. It took two years for it to be released on DVD in the U.S., but it was worth the wait.
Deliver Us From Evil
Directed & Written by Ole Bornedal; starring Lasse Rimmer, Lene Nystrøm and Jens Anderson.
Johannes and Pernille live pleasantly in an idyllic Danish town. They have two perfect children, and seemingly perfect lives. However, something unspoken has come between them, causing a slight friction that belies their happiness. Fate and Johannes' drunken louse of a brother, Lars, decide to shake things the hell up when Lars' actions turn the town into a mob. The unspoken issues of love and hate hidden within Johannes, his family, and the town, come to the forefront in a rage of violence that forces all to look into the face of evil.
Ole Bornedal's Deliver Us From Evil is masterful. The Danish auteur's psychological thriller is as thought provoking and enthralling a film as I've seen in a long time. The characters, and actors portraying them, deftly show the immoral acts that allow the evil to seep into the film's town. A slow crawl builds throughout the film, until an incredible third act in which a heavy influence of German Expressionism pulls the characters and events to an all too believable head, and an intriguing conclusion.
Ole Bornedal's Filmography:
Nattevagten
Nightwatch
I Am Dina
The Substitute
Just Another Love Story
Deliver Us From Evil
Deliver Us From Evil
Directed & Written by Ole Bornedal; starring Lasse Rimmer, Lene Nystrøm and Jens Anderson.
Johannes and Pernille live pleasantly in an idyllic Danish town. They have two perfect children, and seemingly perfect lives. However, something unspoken has come between them, causing a slight friction that belies their happiness. Fate and Johannes' drunken louse of a brother, Lars, decide to shake things the hell up when Lars' actions turn the town into a mob. The unspoken issues of love and hate hidden within Johannes, his family, and the town, come to the forefront in a rage of violence that forces all to look into the face of evil.
Ole Bornedal's Deliver Us From Evil is masterful. The Danish auteur's psychological thriller is as thought provoking and enthralling a film as I've seen in a long time. The characters, and actors portraying them, deftly show the immoral acts that allow the evil to seep into the film's town. A slow crawl builds throughout the film, until an incredible third act in which a heavy influence of German Expressionism pulls the characters and events to an all too believable head, and an intriguing conclusion.
Ole Bornedal's Filmography:
Nattevagten
Nightwatch
I Am Dina
The Substitute
Just Another Love Story
Deliver Us From Evil
06 August, 2011
It's Terrific!
It's hardly a secret that I'm a "director man". It's kind of like a "breast man" or an "ass man," except that it has nothing to do with objectifying women or looking at their parts. I do have actors/actresses and genres that I prefer, but the main draw to a film for me is who directed it. So, in keeping with the previous post (and, most likely, the forthcoming "films I'm looking forward to seeing" posts) I'm mostly going to go on and on about the directors of the films. The films this time: Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive and Na Hong-jin's The Yellow Sea. Enjoy.
Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive
Danish Director & Writer Nicolas Winding Refn's newest feature, Drive, is a neo-noir that stars Ryan Gosling as a stutman-by-day and wheelman-by-night. Of course, there is more to the plot than simply that. Those details, however, can be found elsewhere, or by watching the film during its September 16 theatrical release.
Refn's previous films are all excellent, and the fact that he has chosen to make a second feature in the U.S. (his first being Fear X) is awesome. With Drive nearing release, he has already begun work on his next feature, Only God Forgives, and is scheduled to follow that with the remake of Logan's Run. Shew, he's a busy director. I hope he brought a snack, provided he has the time to eat it.
Nicolas Winding Refn's Filmography:
Pusher
Bleeder
Fear X
Pusher II: With Blood on My Hands
Pusher III: I'm the Angel of Death
Bronson
Valhalla Rising
Drive
Only God Forgives (2012)
Na Hong-jin's The Yellow Sea
Way before everything that has happened since happened, back in the year 2008, Na Hong-jin made a film. That film was The Chaser. For those that aren't in the know, The Chaser is an excellent serial killer neo-noir/thriller. It proved to be a hugely successful film financially and critically, and launched Director Na into the spotlight. Just a few short years later, Na is back with The Yellow Sea.
Also back, are Na's leads from The Chaser, Kim Yoon-seok & Ha Jung-woo. The difference from Na's debut feature (other than it being a different film) is that the roles for the characters played by Kim and Ha have been reversed. In The Chaser, Ha played the villain being chased by Kim; in The Yellow Sea, it's the other way 'round.
Regardless of which actor is playing good vs. bad, Na's second feature should be an exciting thriller. Which is probably why I'm excited.
Na Hong-jin's Filmography:
The Chaser
The Yellow Sea
Wow; not even a week into August and there are already two posts up. It could be a post-filled month. Check back soon for more.
Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive
Danish Director & Writer Nicolas Winding Refn's newest feature, Drive, is a neo-noir that stars Ryan Gosling as a stutman-by-day and wheelman-by-night. Of course, there is more to the plot than simply that. Those details, however, can be found elsewhere, or by watching the film during its September 16 theatrical release.
Refn's previous films are all excellent, and the fact that he has chosen to make a second feature in the U.S. (his first being Fear X) is awesome. With Drive nearing release, he has already begun work on his next feature, Only God Forgives, and is scheduled to follow that with the remake of Logan's Run. Shew, he's a busy director. I hope he brought a snack, provided he has the time to eat it.
Nicolas Winding Refn's Filmography:
Pusher
Bleeder
Fear X
Pusher II: With Blood on My Hands
Pusher III: I'm the Angel of Death
Bronson
Valhalla Rising
Drive
Only God Forgives (2012)
Na Hong-jin's The Yellow Sea
Way before everything that has happened since happened, back in the year 2008, Na Hong-jin made a film. That film was The Chaser. For those that aren't in the know, The Chaser is an excellent serial killer neo-noir/thriller. It proved to be a hugely successful film financially and critically, and launched Director Na into the spotlight. Just a few short years later, Na is back with The Yellow Sea.
Also back, are Na's leads from The Chaser, Kim Yoon-seok & Ha Jung-woo. The difference from Na's debut feature (other than it being a different film) is that the roles for the characters played by Kim and Ha have been reversed. In The Chaser, Ha played the villain being chased by Kim; in The Yellow Sea, it's the other way 'round.
Regardless of which actor is playing good vs. bad, Na's second feature should be an exciting thriller. Which is probably why I'm excited.
Na Hong-jin's Filmography:
The Chaser
The Yellow Sea
Wow; not even a week into August and there are already two posts up. It could be a post-filled month. Check back soon for more.
04 August, 2011
Feeling Mighty Fine
Post Roland Garros, Wimbledon, a very exciting FIFA Women's World Cup, the first half of the new series of Doctor Who and sleep...the time for rabid film watching returns. While I'm catching up on films sitting on the shelf collecting dust, I'll be offering up a list of films I'm looking forward to seeing. This time, Hong Sangsoo's The Day He Arrives and Wong Kar-wai's The Grandmasters.
Hong Sangsoo's The Day He Arrives
South Korean Director & Writer Hong Sangsoo is the most important working director. His films are reminiscent of the late French Director Eric Rohmer, while retaining a unique style, and South Korean feel. His latest completed film (he already has another, untitled, film in production) The Day He Arrives saw initial release at the Cannes Film Festival. Look for it on Korean dvd sometime later this year.
If you (yes, you) haven't seen any of Hong's films, you should. To employ hyperbole, he is perhaps on par with the five greatest directors in the history of cinema. Those five: Kurosawa Akira, Eric Rohmer, Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles.
Hong Sangsoo's Filmography:
The Day a Pig Fell into the Well
The Power of Kangwon Province
Virgin Stripped Bare By Her Bachelors
On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate
Woman is the Future of Man
Tale of Cinema
Woman on the Beach
Night And Day
Like You Know It All
Hahaha
Oki's Movie
The Day He Arrives
Wong Kar-wai's The Grandmasters
Hong Kong Director & Writer Wong Kar-wai is one of the finest film directors in Hong Kong, and the world. Ever since his poorly received previous film, My Blueberry Nights, the interet has been buzzing with anticipation for Wong's dramatic Biopic of Wing Chun Master Ip Man. Finally, it has been reported that the film, The Grandmasters, is all but ready for release.
The film stars long-time Wong collaborator Tony Leung Chiu-wai as Master Ip Man. While Hong Kong has recently seen three action-oriented films about the legendary Wing Chun Master (Ip Man, Ip Man 2, & the semi-prequel The Legend is Born: Ip Man), Wong's film should prove to be less aggrandizing, and more dramatic. One should see this film upon its eventual release because it's a Wong Kar-wai film about Ip Man starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai. For those that don't know, that is about as exciting as a film can get.
Wong Kar-wai's Filmography:
As Tears Go By
Days of Being Wild
Ashes of Time
Chungking Express
Fallen Angels
Happy Together
In the Mood for Love
2046
Eros: The Hand (anthology)
My Blueberry Nights
Ashes of Time: Redux
The Grandmasters
That's it for now. Check back regularly for the next four posts (two films each) of films I'm looking forward to seeing. I may slip in a post or two about films I have seen, as well.
Hong Sangsoo's The Day He Arrives
South Korean Director & Writer Hong Sangsoo is the most important working director. His films are reminiscent of the late French Director Eric Rohmer, while retaining a unique style, and South Korean feel. His latest completed film (he already has another, untitled, film in production) The Day He Arrives saw initial release at the Cannes Film Festival. Look for it on Korean dvd sometime later this year.
If you (yes, you) haven't seen any of Hong's films, you should. To employ hyperbole, he is perhaps on par with the five greatest directors in the history of cinema. Those five: Kurosawa Akira, Eric Rohmer, Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles.
Hong Sangsoo's Filmography:
The Day a Pig Fell into the Well
The Power of Kangwon Province
Virgin Stripped Bare By Her Bachelors
On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate
Woman is the Future of Man
Tale of Cinema
Woman on the Beach
Night And Day
Like You Know It All
Hahaha
Oki's Movie
The Day He Arrives
Wong Kar-wai's The Grandmasters
Hong Kong Director & Writer Wong Kar-wai is one of the finest film directors in Hong Kong, and the world. Ever since his poorly received previous film, My Blueberry Nights, the interet has been buzzing with anticipation for Wong's dramatic Biopic of Wing Chun Master Ip Man. Finally, it has been reported that the film, The Grandmasters, is all but ready for release.
The film stars long-time Wong collaborator Tony Leung Chiu-wai as Master Ip Man. While Hong Kong has recently seen three action-oriented films about the legendary Wing Chun Master (Ip Man, Ip Man 2, & the semi-prequel The Legend is Born: Ip Man), Wong's film should prove to be less aggrandizing, and more dramatic. One should see this film upon its eventual release because it's a Wong Kar-wai film about Ip Man starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai. For those that don't know, that is about as exciting as a film can get.
Wong Kar-wai's Filmography:
As Tears Go By
Days of Being Wild
Ashes of Time
Chungking Express
Fallen Angels
Happy Together
In the Mood for Love
2046
Eros: The Hand (anthology)
My Blueberry Nights
Ashes of Time: Redux
The Grandmasters
That's it for now. Check back regularly for the next four posts (two films each) of films I'm looking forward to seeing. I may slip in a post or two about films I have seen, as well.
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