The 'promise' of 340 million yuan (Chinese dollar) turns out to be CGI, CGI, CGI. Kind of hard to believe that Kaige Chen would want to make a film like this. Many of Kaige Chen's former fans are probably appalled and disappointed. As for me, I bought the ticket for sheer entertainment, spectacles, and visual delight. Plus I like Nicholas Tse and Cecilia Cheung (and they're finally married, hurray!). I know the plot is weak, but that's fine with me. Just maintain an open mind, and see how 340 million yuan was lavishly spent- the film certainly contains magnificent spectacles, and the costume and makeup are eerie but beautiful. The film is pure fantasy; don't let logic ruin your viewing experience. To appreciate this film, you can't take it too seriously. And don't compare it with previous works of Kaige Chen... just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Sin City
(2005)
Labyrinth of sin and madness
13 December 2006
Run for your life in this labyrinth of sin and madness, only to realize that there's no way out. This is a savage jungle where humans have turned ravenous beasts, feeding on the flesh and blood of their fellow creatures, and even in death you die a violent and merciless one. Yes, welcome to HELL. In it cops are corrupted, politicians crooked, God and religion dead. You live a nightmarish zombie existence and there is no redemption. Killing is survival.
I know this will not be my favorite film but still it completely blew my mind. Co-directing the film himself, Frank Miller has brought his own graphic novel onto screen alive and with style. There's really nothing quite like it before, the closest I can think of is Natural Born Killers. But NBK is outrageous, flashy, and ostentatious while Sin City is dark, broody, and lyrical, with a touch of 'noir' feel, though both are extremely violent, absurd, and crazy. The plot consists of three stories intertwined and runs coherently. I don't care much about the plot though; the style is all i live for. Style is in itself true art, and this film nailed it, it's beautifully done.
I hadn't read any synopsis or reviews of this film before watching it- I love to watch films this way cos it always gives me delightful surprises. Not aware of the cast except Bruce Willis and Jessica Alba, I was amazed by several minor but impressive performances- Elijah Wood as the nerdy-looking but chilling cannibal (can you imagine that? THink about him in Lord of the Rings!) and Devon Aoki (Yes! the half American half Japanese Chanel top model!) as the lovely mute angel-whore-swords-woman, Miho. Initially i thought that Quentin Tarantino must have been responsible for Miho's sword fight scenes, cos the scenes immediately reminded me of his Kill Bill, but later someone else corrected me that QT directed instead the car conversation scene.
Watching this film in the theater is awesome. Words can't really convey the sensation, you have to go watch it yourself.
This film is not for everyone- if you don't like QT-styled/influenced films or you can't take exaggerated, gruesome violence (body parts chopped off and flying away or beaten to a pulp) or you can't maintain a playful, detached mindset, then this film is NOT for you.
I know this will not be my favorite film but still it completely blew my mind. Co-directing the film himself, Frank Miller has brought his own graphic novel onto screen alive and with style. There's really nothing quite like it before, the closest I can think of is Natural Born Killers. But NBK is outrageous, flashy, and ostentatious while Sin City is dark, broody, and lyrical, with a touch of 'noir' feel, though both are extremely violent, absurd, and crazy. The plot consists of three stories intertwined and runs coherently. I don't care much about the plot though; the style is all i live for. Style is in itself true art, and this film nailed it, it's beautifully done.
I hadn't read any synopsis or reviews of this film before watching it- I love to watch films this way cos it always gives me delightful surprises. Not aware of the cast except Bruce Willis and Jessica Alba, I was amazed by several minor but impressive performances- Elijah Wood as the nerdy-looking but chilling cannibal (can you imagine that? THink about him in Lord of the Rings!) and Devon Aoki (Yes! the half American half Japanese Chanel top model!) as the lovely mute angel-whore-swords-woman, Miho. Initially i thought that Quentin Tarantino must have been responsible for Miho's sword fight scenes, cos the scenes immediately reminded me of his Kill Bill, but later someone else corrected me that QT directed instead the car conversation scene.
Watching this film in the theater is awesome. Words can't really convey the sensation, you have to go watch it yourself.
This film is not for everyone- if you don't like QT-styled/influenced films or you can't take exaggerated, gruesome violence (body parts chopped off and flying away or beaten to a pulp) or you can't maintain a playful, detached mindset, then this film is NOT for you.
Girl, Interrupted
(1999)
Original novel much better than film
13 December 2006
The film is totally bland, silly, uninteresting, and going nowhere. I started yawning after 10 minutes. The original novel (by Susanna Kaysen) has always been my favorite book and this film version is just awful. I'm so disappointed, the film lacks the substance, maturity, and especially the dark humor displayed in the novel. And I don't really think Winona Ryder is the suitable person to play the heroine. The problem i see with Winona Ryder as an actress is that she's always 'Winona Ryder' no matter which film she appears in, she doesn't seem to me to be able to blend herself into the character. Angelina Jolie gives a much more powerful performance, but still, that doesn't help. THe film is just lame. Do yourself a favor and don't watch the film; go read the book instead.
My Tutor Friend
(2003)
Real action-romance-comedy: Feel young again!
7 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I first came across 'My Tutor Friend' accidentally one or two years ago while TV surfing. Prior to that, I'd never watched any Korean films before in my whole life, so MTF was really the first Korean film I've ever watched. And- what a delightful surprise! I was thoroughly amused from the beginning to end, and had a great time laughing. Its comic style is quite different from those of the Hong Kong comic films (which I've been to used to all my life and hence tired of as well), breathing fresh air into my humdrum film viewing experience. I thought there're quite a few scenes and tricks in MTF that are pretty hilarious, witty, and original too.
I watched MTF the second time a few days ago, and having watched it once already, the surprise/comic effect on me kind of mitigated. That has, however, by no means affected negatively my opinion of the film. Instead, something else came through this time- it moved me- the story about how two young, seemingly 'enemies' who're utterly incompatible get thrown together, and how they gradually resolve their differences and start caring for each other without realizing the feelings themselves, reminds me of the long gone high school days. To me, Su Wan and Ji Hoon ARE actually compatible as they both have something that is pure and genuine inside them, a quality that separates them from people like say, Ji Hoon's sassy girlfriend.
The film is divided into two distinct parts- the 1st part deals with the 'fight' between Su Wan and Ji Hoon, and is more violent and faster in pace. After Ji Hoon gets a pass in his final examination and Su Wan dances the (in Ji Hoon's opinion) provocative dance, things start to change. The pace slows down and... Ji Hoon suddenly realizes he cares for Su Wan more than he could ever imagine. So the 2nd part deals with the development of their mutual feelings, leading of course to a happy ending accompanied by a final showdown with the gang boss.
Just one last comment. I find this to be a bit unbelievable- the fact that a 21-year-old self-proclaimed 'bad boy' would feel embarrassed being almost naked in front of the girl he bullies and loses his 'cool' is just a little... odd. I guess that shows that Ji Hoon is just a boy pure at heart and isn't really what his appearance seems. Btw, Kwong San Woo (Ji Hoon) DOES have a sexy body and perfect figure! ;-)
MTF is definitely on my list of top 10 favorite films of all time.
I watched MTF the second time a few days ago, and having watched it once already, the surprise/comic effect on me kind of mitigated. That has, however, by no means affected negatively my opinion of the film. Instead, something else came through this time- it moved me- the story about how two young, seemingly 'enemies' who're utterly incompatible get thrown together, and how they gradually resolve their differences and start caring for each other without realizing the feelings themselves, reminds me of the long gone high school days. To me, Su Wan and Ji Hoon ARE actually compatible as they both have something that is pure and genuine inside them, a quality that separates them from people like say, Ji Hoon's sassy girlfriend.
The film is divided into two distinct parts- the 1st part deals with the 'fight' between Su Wan and Ji Hoon, and is more violent and faster in pace. After Ji Hoon gets a pass in his final examination and Su Wan dances the (in Ji Hoon's opinion) provocative dance, things start to change. The pace slows down and... Ji Hoon suddenly realizes he cares for Su Wan more than he could ever imagine. So the 2nd part deals with the development of their mutual feelings, leading of course to a happy ending accompanied by a final showdown with the gang boss.
Just one last comment. I find this to be a bit unbelievable- the fact that a 21-year-old self-proclaimed 'bad boy' would feel embarrassed being almost naked in front of the girl he bullies and loses his 'cool' is just a little... odd. I guess that shows that Ji Hoon is just a boy pure at heart and isn't really what his appearance seems. Btw, Kwong San Woo (Ji Hoon) DOES have a sexy body and perfect figure! ;-)
MTF is definitely on my list of top 10 favorite films of all time.
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