BaggiesHouse Reviews

Hak yae (2006)

Tales Of The Unexpected Asian Style

[5/10 · 25 July 2006]

I don't exactly know why, but several times throughout this movie I got exactly the same feeling you do when you watch (if you ever did), tales of the unexpected.

Whether it was because of the sometimes thickly laid on "Twists" or whether it was just because of the fact that there were three short stories here as opposed to one feature length film, I can't quite put my finger on. To me, it seemed like three high budget episodes of a series rather than three short films.

From an effects point of view, the first and third were pretty well polished, though to be honest, none of them did anything that could be considered really "New" or different. They seem to rely on the old tried and tested techniques of Long black hair obscuring faces, apparitions emerging from puddles of water, or ghoulish figure approaching rapidly in a sort of "Jump Frame" animation. However, I must admit that the black hollowed out eyes used a few times do hit the mark.

However, it must be said that the sound effects and overall ambient noise was good throughout (Though could never match up to the standards of Kairo), very nice if you're hooked up to a DTS or Dolby Digital system. Ominous background rumbles, silence barring a single rolling marble, and other effective spot effects.

As for whether the shorts were indeed scary, well, there were sure a few times in the first that give you a little chill. The second seemed to lack in this department, as did the third.

For me however the third was also confusing, in a similar way to memento mori, you can sometimes loose track of which character is which as scenes cut quickly between the characters and also between past and present. This spoilt the third one for me but I will probably try to watch the third segment again, if only to try and figure out what the director meant you to see, even if not to figure out the intended mystery that once again twists at the end.

All in all, don't expect anything new or groundbreaking, or memorable stories that will stay with you after the credits roll. Though, if you accept that what you're in for is a set of acceptable "Episode" style short stories in the classic Asian horror Genre, then there are worse ways to spend your evening.

Now... Where did I put Three Extremes...

Threshold (2005–2006)

Above Average Sci-Fi but Networks beware

[7/10 · 25 March 2006]

Well, I've seen a fair bit of Sci-Fi, and to me this one weighed in at above average. I'd never say fantastic, but certainly above average.

The story was a twist on the Alien Invasion theme that has been done with other series such as "First Wave"... Anybody remember that? A probe from another planet comes to earth and "infects" a small group of people on a ship with an alien signal that over time re-writes their DNA code transforming them into Aliens with super human abilities (ala 4400). These "aliens" in human form have an overriding genetic urge to propagate this signal by whatever means necessary to endure the rest of the human race join them.

A top strategist and a select team of experts are employed by the government, under a plan called "Threshold" to counter this would be invasion.

So, why above average....

Well, first off, it does manage to give genuine creep effect in places. Some of the these moments are actually pretty effective in a way that is often so lacking in TV series. The show doesn't (didn't) shy away from a little graphic horror, which big TV networks often bawk at, especially if the show is designed to fit earlier timeslots. It was actually refreshing to see, but occasionally, admittedly, overdone as to be gratuitous.

The characters can come across as a little two dimensional, but to be fair to the series, perhaps it was never given time to expand and develop them. They did try later on in the series but earlier on it was difficult to empathise with a lot of characters due to this. Having said this, no one can disagree that the characters that were supposed to come across as dislikable, really did so. None of them would have won awards for individuality, but I feel that the could have been developed in time, with the possible exception of Brian Van Holdt's character, that I found annoying at times and a little stereotypical.

For me, it did seem to have a little "Cheese" factor in places. The Lettuce growing teeth springs immediately to mind. Which as mild comic relief in a well established series can work well (ala X-Files), but in a series that is attempting to get off the ground, such things can be dangerous as more serious and perhaps less forgiving Sci-Fi fans will be turned off by it. On one level the series came across as quite intelligent, but punctuating it with story's such as this spoiled the atmosphere in my opinion (And no, I wouldn't count myself as a hard-line Sci-FI fan).

On the story level, it did take the alien invasion theme and try to do something a little different and interesting with it, although every now and again, especially half way through the series, I got that distinct feeling of "The Invaders" at times, though it's difficult to say where, and not give story away to those that have not seen it.

The last aired episode added several new dynamics to the show, and could have taken it on to better things, giving it a more individual and unusual story thread, however, sadly, it was already too late for the show, the decisions had been made.

I had been silly enough not to check to see the status of the series before I embarked upon watching it, and to say I was disappointed when I found after watching the 13th episode that there we in fact no more, would be an understatement. Not necessarily because I thought that the series was exceptional and deserved to run forever, but because I had invested many good hours getting into the story and trying to understand the characters.

Networks are there to make money and we can't forget that but they seem so happy and willing to drop a show in it's first or second series if it's not spinning bucks from near inception. They know there will always be another 100 hopeful would-be shows in the wings, and one of those may make more cash.

However that having been said, it's *grossly* unfair and unethical towards the audience that "support" these networks by watching, to drop a series half way through a story, and not even allow it to come to any sort of conclusion.

If this trend continues I, and I suspect many others like me, will become too nervous to start watching a series in case it too doesn't spin enough cash, and gets dropped before it has really begun.

I get into the mood where I want to wait until I know it's got ratings, a second series, some backing, and a future before I invest time in watching. However, over time this is surely going to end up being self defeating both for the networks and the fans that never were, as series after series will suffer in its first season with people afraid to buy into it, for fear of an unfinished story. From there ratings in first series will go down while people wait to see if it's a success or not, and so many future series that could go on to great things, and incidentally, make good money, will get canned before they have had a proper chance to flourish and fulfil their potential. There are many successful series of past years that would never have succeeded had the Network execs of today been making the calls.

In short, it *is* worth a watch as long as you don't get disappointed when you only see the first half of a film...

K.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Beware of the bunny

[10/10 · 14 March 2006]

Firstly, I have to say it's my No. 1 movie of all time.

Donnie Darko has that *something* about it that makes it a truly great movie but what...

A dysfunctional teenager played by Jake Gyllenhaal (Subsequently of Brokeback mountain) gets sucked into a surreal life trip, driven by a strange character in a six foot bunny outfit. Due to Donnie's psychological condition, rather than being phased, he greets the surreal with a level of matter of fact acceptance that a more balanced character would not. The Bunny informs Donnie that in 28 Days, ... the world will end. From here, the plot unfolds, introducing us to a wealth of rich characters that all interact and combine to shape the final outcome of the movie in a myriad of subtle ways.

This film, from first time writer/director Richard Kelly blends a refreshing combination of non-stereotypical characters with an absorbing and intelligent storyline. While doing so however, the pace is mostly spot on with perhaps only the hotel scene really coming across as slow.

The retro 80s soundtrack is well chosen, especially as it has gone on record that the choice of music was constrained by budget in some places. On top of this, the instrumental scores fit beautifully... The most notable examples come when Donnie embarks on the various tasks he "has" to complete. Of special note is when Donnie sits in the cinema talking to the rabbit. This is a fantastically dark scene combining atmospheric visuals with a haunting instrumental.

The "Mad World" track, both words and score, over the final scenes of the film works so well, you could almost believe it was written for the film, were it not for Tears For Fears original version released many years before.

An element of light comedic moments punctuate the darker undercurrent of the film. These however, never spoil the overall ambiance of the film as they mostly come in the form of sharp script and are executed well by the characters, never becoming overbearing.

Perhaps the most enthralling aspect of this film comes on subsequent viewings. You can view the movie once, enjoy the soundtrack, the effective though not lavish visuals, the clean well defined characters and the 'superficial' story. After this viewing however, you're left hungry by the questions of what certain scenes meant, why characters did what they did and said what they said. This to me, is what makes it truly great. You go back again, and on the second viewing you understand some more, see things you never noticed the first time, and start to piece together a much deeper, more complex story. You see now, how actions and consequences inter-relate.

Once you think you understand Donnie Darko, then I'd suggest looking at the forums here on IMDb, or look up one of the many fan sites for it on the internet and see how close you are to others interpretation of the story... It can be quite enlightening, and chances are... you'll want to watch it again, and again.

I for one can't wait for his next project, Southland Tales.