edward_tan Reviews

2046 (2004)

Unimpressed

[6/10 · 22 March 2005]

Being an avid fan of Wong Kar Wei, I must say that I'm really disappointed with this offering. Very much style over substance and overly long, 2046 could do with a bit more story telling.

None of the stories seem very interesting and one might surmise that Wong has dried up on ideas. The performances were good and the film is visually stunning (as with all works by Chris Doyle). However, it just doesn't move you as much as his previous works. And though there's always some suspicion in previous films of some link or reference to an earlier film (usually Days of Being Wild), this is the only offering where the references are less than subtle.

I'm sure this film will still impress newcomers but for those who have followed him the last 15 years, it's best to lower your expectations.

Johnny To (another HK director) once said that Wong wasn't doing anything new in his films. With 2046, I'm inclined to agree.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Over Rated

[7/10 · 25 November 2002]

Read so much about this film that it was inevitable that I be let down by high expectations. It's good but not great. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more had I watched it when I was younger. Much like what Hal Hartley had over me when I was a teen but not now.

Anyhow, the soundtrack was a great throw back to the mid `80s. And there's this great version of Mad World (Tears for Fears) right at the end. But then again, it isn't great like the Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack.

Mediterraneo (1991)

Watch it and then go for a holiday

[10/10 · 24 February 2002]

A beautiful movie that addresses life's simple pleasures.

Marooned on an island, this band of soldiers are left with nothing to do and no war to fight. They mull around waiting for their apparent "call up" while soaking up along the Mediterranean. As their thoughts of war wane, they begin to explore the meaning of life.

With minimal dialogue, the juxtaposition between death (war) and life (the sea) is remarkably achieved through brilliant cinematography. With the sea as a backdrop, we are asked to question our existence and deduce our priorities.

This film will make you go for a holiday!

Mayonnaise (1999)

Poignant and Insightful

[9/10 · 26 November 2001]

Tightly scripted Korean movie with a wonderful insight into family relationships. Fine direction with powerful performances from the cast, especially the mother who can draw both sympathy and annoyance from the audience.

This film tears away the usual Hollywood gloss concerning Mother & Daughter relationships, presenting an introspective and meditative look at real situations and everyday family life.

Brilliant.

House on Haunted Hill (1999)

The Plot Sucks but the Lighting was Good

[6/10 · 19 March 2001]

The House On Haunted Hill has a terrible storyline filled with dumb gags, poor characterisation and a bad ending. But who watches a horror film for the story? C'mon, get real.

What it does accompolish is its innovative use of lighting and, dare I say it, camera movement. It really does give you a sense that the house is alive. Of course there are images that make us scream Se7en or Hellraiser but the show, I feel, does succeed on its own merits.

Go watch it on a dark gloomy day and don't expect to be scared stiff, just entertained.

Love Go Go (1997)

For Real

[9/10 · 28 February 2001]

This show is definitely a MUST SEE for those who are sick and tired of Hollywood crap. The story is ordinary but it's told in earnest, something that has largely been lacking in movies today.

The story revolves around the lives of lonely people, their interaction with society and their subsequent actions. With brilliant direction, the actors come alive, painting credible desires and universal fears.

The audience is able to empathise with the characters and hence, share in their pain and embrace their dreams.

Fleeing by Night (2000)

Not an Art Film

[7/10 · 22 February 2001]

The film is well made and does have several moments that are very cinematic. However, it should not be trumpeted as an Art film just because it presents an alternative lifestyle. If the characters were straight, we would be looking at a normal love story.

I think this point is important because 2 other films came to mind as I was watching Ye Ben, namely Happy Together and In the Mood for Love. Both films were directed by Wong Kar Wai. It is when you contrast Ye Ben to Wong's films that you realise what is Art and what is not. In Happy Together, you could have a straight relationship and the movie would still be considered an Art film. This is supported by In the Mood for Love.

But Art aside, Ye Ben can stand on its own merits.

Bayside Shakedown (1998)

Directionless

[4/10 · 28 November 2000]

What is this show trying to say? Action, Horror, Romance, Culture Clashes, Loyalty, the old and the new etc. I know it's wrong to pigeonhole something but really, this show suffers from a lack of focus. Done properly, it would have carried some merit. But what I saw was just slipshod film-making. The ending was so over sentimentalised that it was barf-inducing. Terrible.

I Dreamed of Africa (2000)

Boring

[3/10 · 28 November 2000]

First of all, I would like to say that I have no problems with slow shows. And this movie does not fail because of that. It fails because of its predictability and absence of plot. Nothing is interesting and nothing could stop me from walking out after an hour and a half.

The Five Senses (1999)

Interesting Plot That's Well Executed

[7/10 · 28 April 2000]

Films like these are in vogue - a well thought out plot involving an interesting cast of characters that are connected in some way. Some similar films include Pulp Fiction, The Ice Storm, Happiness and of course, the newly crowned American Beauty.

While the style of each one is different, what keeps the viewer in check is the story. In 5 Senses, J. Podeswa manages to weave the representation of each function with a character and how this applies to their work, their friends and so on. There is no basic premise here and like most Art-house productions, there does not appear to be a clear indication of where the film is heading. There is the sub plot of a missing girl, which somehow seems to bind the main cast together. But the film is not really in need of anything like that and in no way does it fall short of maintaining viewer amusement.

Well acted, well scripted and well shot. Obviously, Podeswa is a talent to watch.

Bleeder (1999)

Fascinating Study of Human Relationships

[8/10 · 16 April 2000]

Detractors may highlight the unnecessary violence in this stylish piece of film-making. But pay them no attention. N. Refn's 2nd feature is cutting it pretty close when it comes to assessing life's terrible lessons.

Using almost the same cast as he did in his debut (Pusher), Bleeder tells the story of how a father-to-be deals with his impending fate. It addresses his current state of mind, his readjustment of values and how all this would adversely affect the people around him. The violence is necessary as the characters emanate from the streets and one can only infer, from the several scenes, that the neighbourhood is rough and littered with gangs and racial tension.

There is also a secondary story about the budding relationship between a video store clerk and a well-read waitress which is as sweet as it is subtle. It's interesting to note that their tastes in videos and books are pretty gritty as well.

Gemini (1999)

Brilliant Cinematography

[7/10 · 12 April 2000]

Beautiful camera work from the director of Tokyo Fist and Bullet Ballet. Shows that he has come a long way from his small budget days. Plot gets a little predictable midway through which is ironic as you would expect a little more ingenuity from the director who brought us Tetsuo.

Humanity (1999)

Smalltown Blues

[6/10 · 12 April 2000]

What's this about quiet small towns that so capture the curiosity and imagination of film-makers. Here we have another study by the director of the Life of Jesus (which incidentally is about a small town too)which shows, from the surface, how a Police Superintendant copes with the brutal rape and murder of a young girl. With this as a background, the film proceeds to show the aimlessness in the protanganist's life and his relationships with the people around him.

While the pace of the film is slow, you do get a feeling that such an approach is necessary. As such, you get many long shots. You also get shots that are very upfront and will no doubt make many in the audience feel uneasy.

There will be many different comments about the show. I heard some French guys coming out of the cinema and lauding it as "Pure Cinema" while others have complained that it was pretentious. For me, I thought it was boring.

Ulysses' Gaze (1995)

Not for the politically ignorant

[5/10 · 12 April 2000]

If you possess only superficial knowledge of the Balkan tragedy, this 3 hour show might prove too much to bear. The pace is slow and certain shots may just be a tad too indulgent, for example the transportation of Lenin. After watching this, I'm glad Underground by Emir Kusturica won the Golden Palm.

Hakuchi: The Innocent (1999)

Isolation

[7/10 · 6 April 2000]

I think that many movies coming out from Japan deal with the topic of isolation and this is just one of the examples. Told from the perspective of an individual whose view of film runs contrary to his day job, this film uses an unknown time and an unknown war as a backdrop. The plot weaves through the many characters he meets - his colleagues, bosses and neighbours. It has several surreal moments especially at the end. There are also parts which I have absolutely no idea what's going on. But that's what makes it interesting.

Between Your Legs (1999)

Everybody's got a secret

[8/10 · 6 April 2000]

You never know what you're going to expect when you watch this quirky Spanish flick. There are some obvious moments that are (Pedro) Almodavar and some are (Julio) Medem, which should come as no surprise as the actors in this show have worked with the above directors. Sex, suspense, comedy, drama - it's all here rolled into one. An engaging film that leaves you smiling after you come out of the cinema.

Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl (1998)

HIP MALE FANTASY

[9/10 · 6 April 2000]

Didn't think much while I was watching the show but the images and themes have come back strongly after. Yes, Sharkskin Man is a movie that I have not been able to get out of my mind. Part comedy, part Action-Adventure, part Fashion Parade, this film boasts of an incredibly hip cast with strong (in a subtle way) performances from the 2 leads. A highly entertaining movie that is as bizarre (if you've been watching commercial movies all your life) as it is romantic. Yes, ROMANTIC.

Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Mike Leigh is a Genius

[8/10 · 6 April 2000]

This is, as close as it gets, a musical - I don't really like musicals. But like All That Jazz back in the '70s, this movie takes the boring (well it is to me) theme and makes it incredibly watchable. Visually stunning, immensely colourful and far out witty (though the Classical language gets a bit tough at times for Non Brits). Kudos to Leigh.

Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989)

Entertaining

[6/10 · 7 February 2000]

Saw this without knowing what to expect and after watching it, I thought it was about the problems faced by foreign film makers in America. Then I read somewhere that the show was actually describing something rather political and so now I am totally confused.

Still, I find the show largely entertaining and very amusing. The story is about this Rock and Roll Band, the Leningrad Cowboys and how they head to America in search of fame and fortune. What happens is pretty predictable but the quirks and eccentric cast help to propel the camp to a higher level.