artemiofranchi Reviews

Infernal Affairs (2002)

Hongkong face/off

[8/10 · 8 May 2003]

The very first time i heard about the plot, is was like WHOA!! It is one of those cleaver twist that i havent seen make into movie since face/off.

An undercover cop in triad, and an undercover triad as a cop. Tony Leung play the rookie cop send to join Hk triad as an undercover and the supposedly short assignment turns into a lifetime work. While Andy lau was the gangster sent to the police academy, and gradually becomes a high rating officer.

Acting wise it is very satisfying, considered this is not art house and not wong kar wai movie. i know Anthony wong and Eric tsang make lots of crap ( as tons of other talented Hk actors) but i always believe they are the real deal. In this movie they just prove it all. A solid performance in all department. maybe Sammy chen is a misscast, but she only appear about 10min, so it do no harm to this masterpiece. This is in no doubt the smartest movie come out of HK since Running out of time.

Ca-bau-kan (2002)

Surprisingly beautifull

[2 March 2003]

This is one of the highest rated Indonesian movie in recent year (or all time). Some said is was the first ever Indonesian movie to pass the first stage of Academy Award foreign language movie category selection. The story is supposedly a flashback of a Indonesian women adopted by a Dutch family live in Holland, she come back to Indonesia to find out everything about her biological parents. But the story line rather confusing, making audience cant really follow the flow of the story. not a good job in the editing room i would say. The main attraction in this picture is the art direction. the photography is surprisingly beautifull. I'm not sure about the budget but the way they create Indonesia in the early 30's till the 60's is amazing. I can't help but keep asking myself where did they find the old train. The acting is not spectacular but is above average. The film run too long and it make viewing boring in some part, but overall is was a decent piece of movie.

xXx (2002)

Rubbish in a glossy print

[27 February 2003]

A new generation Bond, new generation Arnold. called it anything but it was not more than just another big budget action flick with muscle lead actor and sexy sidekick try to save the world with the help of...SFX. nothing special with the plot, just some bad guy trying to do something bad to the world and our hero have to stop him (what else?). Vin Diesel acting is nothing special and the usually reliable Sam Jackson do nothing worth to help the movie. Even the SFX was an awfull one considered the budget and the effort (to make as many cash as possible)they out into it. Its a quite good bet if you want to impress your next door neighbour with your state of the art sound system. If not, just say Pass.

Half Past Dead (2002)

Long way past dead

[1/10 · 26 February 2003]

Every now and then some amateur will come out with a tired piece of action film making. this one is just so wrong I don't think i even need to comment about the plot, acting, script, camera work. because it have none!! If putting a muscle guy in cool leather jacket walking in slow-mo and throw in a funky rap song is the main ingredient of making a great action movie, then sayonara action movie!!

The Truth About Jane and Sam (1999)

unique and beautiful in its own way

[8/10 · 21 February 2003]

I always feel attracted to this film the first time it came out, there's something about the poster design that make me feel this is a "different" movie. But i didnt catch the film untill now. I'm not sure whether this will turn out to be just another crappy HK film or my feeling from the poster is true, the first 15min or so kinda draw me to believe the first. Another cheesy plot perform by the so-so actor direct by another wong kar wai wannabe, then it turn to a pretty solid performence and direction but just another cheesy romantic story, then slowly its just turn into this beautiful picture. Fan wong is definately putting an eye-catching performance and derek yee is in every way succesfull in sending out the message he intended. Now if you would excuse me, I'm going to buy the poster.

The Uninvited (2001)

beauty and the beast

[5/10 · 15 February 2003]

This is a breakthrough for Indonesia movie industry. Though it is not a very good movie in general standard, but for what it worth compare to all others Indonesia movie Jelangkung was able to breath a new life into movie making in indonesia. Looks like somebody finally realise that it take more than a knowledge of how to operate a camera to make a movie. But i have to say that the acting is trully awful,its just no excuse for casting such a unexperience (and untalented if i can say)young actors. plenty of boring and lame line. great cinematography and set design though. some of the shoot looks like it have been rip off (or inspire maybe?)from Blair witch project. It is a movie make by a combination of really talented people with people who clearly dont belong to the industry.