Denmark 2006 Poster imdb
Details aftertheweddingmovie
Seen 2 December 2007
Decisions have to be made and we are in a quandary. How do we solve this dilemma? In this film, the main character had to make a choice. On hindsight, his final decision is not so much surrendering his ideals, but a win-win situation albeit with lots of heartaches and emotional baggage in tow.
Good ensemble and believable script puts above a notch over similarly themed films.
China 2006Poster and details seattlefilm
Seen 12 October 2007
We have a domineering father who has dreams of going back to Shanghai. He keeps a close watch on his daughter ever since she became close to a local boy. Some might say an obsessive watch. These two characters alone is worth the admission ticket.
The inner turmoil of the family is delicately set against the backdrop of the changes happening in the world at large. The change in the political climate is also reflected in the small hamlet and the consequences felt by the inhabitants. This has the incidental side effect on the social climate as depicted by the group of youngsters who want to build their own version of China.
Another plus point is the inclusion of songs by Teresa Teng and Boney M to reflect the mood of the decade. But the silences were also deftly put at the right moments to convey the emotional state of the characters.
Thailand 2007 Poster and details movieseer
Seen 12 August 2007
A tear jerker especially towards the end. Memory lost, new encounters, memory regained, love lost? That is the dilemma facing the two main characters. The pace is a bit slow in some parts as the director takes his time building up the scenes to its emotional peaks. Lovely soundtrack helps a lot. In the end, all of us have a choice and have to make that important decision. In this instance, the girl needs to know that the man loves her. Once she was assured, she is certain that together they will be able to manage any obstacles that come along the way.
Loved the teary scenes.
Thailand 2007 Poster and details sensasian
Seen 12 August 2007
Can a ghost from the past fall in love with a boy from the present? Yes, they can in this film. She is the spirit of the Thai musical instrument, perng mang while he is the destined player. We'll see how she saves him from many close encounters with the bad guys and how he in the end has to let her go to find her peace in the next world.
What is intriguing and a recurring theme is the sacrifices each of them made. She made hers when she was a young adolescent whereas he devoted himself to her the moment he set eyes on her. Sacrifices aplenty, a high price paid and a happy ending?
Maybe in the next life.
USA 2006
USA 2007
Portugal/France 2006
France 1967
Country France 1929
USA 2006
Turkey 2007An exploration of love between parents and their children, as well as love which comes unexpectedly. There are deaths which trigger deep seated emotions. The director manages to intersperse the events seamlessly. Of course the deaths had a deep impact on those affected. At first, there was anger and later acceptance that there is a reason behind the tragedy. The events bring those involved closer to the edge of heaven.
Thailand 2007Glimpses of the underbelly occupants of Bangkok. A male prostitute, a nurse who works on the graveyard shift and a struggling street peddler. We get snippets of their lives but no happy endings. Images, snatches of dialogue - that's what the audience see and hear. It might be the influence of MTV but there seems to be a lot of films using similar tactics in conveying their message. There are advantages as well as disadvantages in using this technique. It might not appeal to everyone.
Germany 2006
Taiwan 2007Spider lilies as a tattoo on a girl's arms and she herself is a tattooist sought after by her clientele for her expertise in the art. We also have a webcam girl who has links with the tattooist. Guilt and regrets are the main themes of the story. The flashbacks give the background to the story that unfolds. Along the way, we see love for family and lover going through its ups and downs. The happy moments seem so few compared to the prevalent heartaches. So many misunderstandings occur that jeopardise the relationship between the two main characters. Engrossing subject matter and well done. Not too sentimental.
Indonesia 2006
Iraq 2005
Israel 2007 Poster and details imdb
Seen 26 July 2007
An Israeli film which highlights the last days of an army team at Beaufort, a historical outpost in southern Lebanon. The outpost was secured by the Israelis earlier during their incursion into Lebanon. The location is very strategic as it is on a mountain top. The site has seen many battles since time immemorial. The fact that the Israelis gained a foothold there was a triumph for the nation but eventually they had to leave as peace negotiations were ongoing. But before they leave the army planned to destroy the outpost leaving no trace of human existence there.
The film focuses on the commander of the outpost and his team. The emotional struggles during the last few days are heightened as attacks continued from the Hizbullah. Political decisions had to be obeyed and sometimes the wait is more torturous than the actual fighting. Unnecessary deaths occur and the blame game is openly debated.
A quote from one of the fathers who lost his son at the outpost might summarise the feelings of a grieving parent. He said he failed in bringing up his son properly or else the son would still be alive. He does not blame the military or the politicians but himself. His son did not learn adequately the lessons of fear.
Japan 2007 Details bangkokfilm
Photo yidff
Seen 25 July 2007
Short films using clay animation from a group of Okinawans who want to depict their point of view of universal themes of love and hate. Most of the shorts have an underlying message of love – for humanity and the world we live in. There were quite a few with themes of beings from outer space making a visit to Earth. Maybe the film makers were looking for outside help as mankind has failed miserably in taking care of this place we call home. So far, this is the only place we can call home and at the rate we are destroying the fragile ecosystem, we might have to move on to a new address.
Shorts but long in meaning.
Indonesia 2007 Poster and details bangkokfilm
Seen 25 July 2007
A thriller of good versus evil with help from mystical forces. The three main characters lead quite different lives. A policeman, a reporter and a singer. But their lives are linked to each other as it is their fate to meet up one day. They encounter evil forces along the way who are trying their best to get a hidden treasure. There is an ominous feeling that those in power are hell bent in getting their way irrespective of the cost it takes. Nevertheless, there is a curse on the hidden treasure and many die along the way. There is also a hint of abnormal sexual orientation of one of the leading characters. But at least the sexual orientation of the character does not prevent him being a leader in the eternal battle against evil.
I just wished things were as simple, but the no- gooders seem to be winning in the real world at the moment.
Malaysia 2007 Poster and details chalanggai
Seen 25 July 2007
Simple premise. Girl wants to attend dance class and needs the money for this passion. The dancing bells, chalanggai,.makes its presence felt throughout the film. But girl has problems. Not well to do family, father deserting family, mother trying hard to make ends meet selling flowers, brother not that well off either, just helping at the neighbourhood car wash. The brother himself, has ambitions to better himself, saving some money to buy a motorcycle. But their daily lives seem to be on a downward spiral when the brother was involved in an accident and has to find other means to pay off the damages. Father comes onto the scene, bloodied. An occupational hazard. There is a bit of hope a few scenes later when brother realises he has to make a concerted effort to change his family's life. This turnaround came only after his best friend died.
A bare bones story but I guess it is reality.
UK 2007 Poster and details imdb
Seen 21 July 2007
I was confused a bit at the beginning since I have not followed the Harry Potter series diligently from the start. But as always, the gist of the film is the eternal struggle between good and evil. Throw in deceptions, misguided authority and a recurring theme of Harry Potter's past, we get an adequately enjoyable tale of courage and heroism despite the odds stacked against the hero. The special effects does convey the magical world of wizards to the audience. I did not get the gasping breath experience that I expected.
Bushi no ichibun (in Japanese)Poster and details moviexclusive
Seen 17 June 2007
This story is set during the samurai era in Japan. The hero, Mimura, a samurai in the employ of the local lord is also a food taster for his boss. Unfortunately, he became blind after eating a poisoned shell fish. We see how his wife, Kayo, tries to cope with the situation to the extent of sacrificing herself in the name of love. At the end, when Mimura knows the truth, his code of honor emboldens him to take his revenge.
I'm not sure whether the principles of love and honor is still applicable in the present times. We have become too preoccupied with the self that the ideals of days gone by seem so quaint and irrelevant.
Only time will tell whether love and honor prevail as worthwhile concepts in the future.
Thailand 2007Poster and details wikipedia
The word ploy can be a play on words in English but in Thai it is just a name. The girl of the film's title, Ploy is the catalyst or trigger to events in a relationship that has lost its lustre. As a contrast, the director also shows the intimately sexual, lascivious love making between a chambermaid and a bartender. There is a happy ending but the journey towards that end met a lot of obstacles. Determination and a realisation that what we already have is worth fighting for seems to be the message.
France 2005We are all passengers in this journey.
Japan 2006She has given herself to others without any expectation of a return. Heart warming, empowering message despite the downs that Matsuko suffered on numerous occasions throughout her life. Special mention must be recorded on the fantastic overall art direction. A delightful mish mash of the 1930s or 1940s musicals and the MTV style of a three minute music video.
Gloriously satisfying watch.
China 2006A farce with bumbling detectives and thieves. We don't get a laugh a minute film but instead human foibles and greed are highlighted. It can be a disturbing thought to realise that men are always in pursuit of material wealth. The end justifies the means. There was one character who uses the wealth in pursuit of love. In his case, more of the leery physical version of love.
In contrast the good guy's love for his girl friend seems so pure and innocent. The best of luck to them if they happen to be in the real world.
USA 2007
Malaysia 2006This is a story of a husband and his wife's lover search for the missing wife. We see from flashbacks how each of them met the girl. The husband seems so weak and meek when we see how the wife manages to have another relationship without any suspicions from the husband. The wife must have been very good in covering her tracks. The lover comes across as a loving person but I'm not sure whether he behaves the same way with his own family. I guess he did not neglect his role as the breadwinner and head of the family despite his affair with another woman.
The woman in the centre of this triangle is the head honcho, someone with a strong personality. She knows what she wants and proceeds to the next step without any qualms. Most probably a life with just one person does not satisfy her inner self. Different people at different times would give a different impact on a person. When that feeling of fulfillment disappears, it is time to move on. She is brave enough to acknowledge that emotional longing and need and act on it, whereas a lot of us are more than willing to stay the course despite the obvious heartaches that follow.
The three main actors did a good job in conveying their characters unique qualities. A very even paced story. No major flare-ups and very civilised. Maybe there is even an indirect comic, not exactly funny but amusing take on the husband's character. I could not help smiling when the husband acknowledges that he could not drive and the lover had to drive the car when they went on their search for the love of their lives.
But love conquers all, right? It does not discriminate.
Malaysia 2007What exactly do we do? In this film, the two main characters see others, the man even acknowledges that he slept with another girl. When the girl asked who is this other woman, he refuses to tell. They get into a fight. But the man swears that he will always love the girl but both are unsure what the future will bring.
As this is supposedly an arty-farty film, the pace would be excruciatingly painfully slow for some viewers. Of course, the art direction is picture postcard perfect in some scenes., The cinematographer managed to capture that desolate, lonely, abandoned feeling of lovers who have just had a fight.
The actors need not emote that much. Blank looks and a far away gaze convey that emptiness, hopelessness feeling within oneself. They are supposedly two lovers but they have to grapple with the uncertainty of the future. No one can guarantee a fairy tale, happily ever after ending. That can be achieved only through sheer hard work and determination.
Malaysia 2007 Poster and details redfilms
Seen 8 April 2007
The first few shots bowled me over. The audience sees the cinematographer's sure hand in capturing the beauty of ordinary inanimate objects. Shadows, varying shades of gray, specks of colour and the brightness of the day. Excellent art direction. But what about the story itself.
Some may find the pace excruciatingly slow. The film has a simple story line which focuses on two sons' different approaches in making money out of their ancestral home. The father himself seems resigned to his fate of being ignored. The father only comes into the picture forcefully when one of the sons made a fundamental mistake. The son takes for granted that his big city experience would save the day and misuses the father's trust.
Malaysia 2007 Poster and details malaysia.movies.yahoo.com
Seen 24 March 2007
Surprisingly enjoyable thriller. I did not expect much from a new director but was pleased that I went to watch the film. I was especially impressed by the camera work and art direction. That in itself held me spellbound throughout the almost two hour long film. Acting wise, Deanna Yusuf and Natasha Hudson who had the most screen time did well. They were ably supported by the other cast members. The focus tend to be on the women and the men had minor roles. Sometimes the dialogue sounds stilted but otherwise a good first effort.
Malaysia 2006
USA 2006Not a dull moment. Tight editing, good songs and an engaging story makes this musical an examplary representative of the genre. Of course, the fact that the story is loosely based on the phenomenally successful trio, the Supremes, adds to the pull factor. Jennifer Hudson as the talented Effie White who is sidelined for the more glamorous Deena Jones (played by Beyonce Knowles) does steal the limelight, notwithstanding the capable leads. I'm not sure Ms Hudson will be able to expand her acting career in a similar meaty role in future. She is truth be told, is a full bodied woman and might not find opportunities forthcoming even with an Oscar win as compared to someone with Beyonce's looks and figure. Nevertheless, she would certainly have a fine career as a singer as there is depth and soul in her voice.
Good entertainment value.
Thailand 2005This is a gentle coming of age saga. Four years spent in the wilderness of southern Thailand, working in a tin mine. Of course this was not the protagonist’s first choice but his failure at school pushed him to this god forsaken place. The story unfolds slowly, taking its own sweet time to show the audience each facet of the hero’s life at the tin mine. The good ensemble acting and script takes us through the ups and downs of working in a tin mine at the turn of the twentieth century. There were even a few scenes where the actors spoke in Malay, and in Kelantanese dialect. The realistic depiction of those involved in the tin mining industry makes the film different from the usual love and horror stories from Thailand.
Some may not like the slow pace but with patience, we can see some gems.
Spain 2005
USA 2006Fun, poignant. Any production with Cameron Diaz or Kate Winslett is worth investigating and having the two of them together in a film is an added bonus. This is a simple story of love lost and found again. The highs and lows of that roller coaster feelings of affection and attraction towards another person is explored. There is also the side story of Kate's character who finds friendship with her neighbour. The camaraderie between the lovers, friends and family comes through during some witty dialogue. I cried a few times during scenes involving Ms Diaz and Jude Law. Some parts were very corny and manages to pull the right strings in me. Good end to 2006.
