Elle

France 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 31 January 2017

Ratings

IMDB 7.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes 8/10

My impressions

How does one cope when something tragic happens to you? Physically, emotionally abused, disturbed.

In this case, the lady in question seems to take the unfamiliar path of letting the event pass by. She continues her life as if nothing of importance happened until further disturbances changes the situation.

During the same period her family’s past is catching up with her. Another hiccup in an ordinary life.

She must have considered all her options in trying to find a resolution. A decision that should put to rest all the past events.

You can feel the adrenalin pumping as that moment comes closer.

Twist and turns 

Dirty Romance

Deoti romansu (original title)

South Korea 2015

Details Hancinema

Seen 31 January 2017

Ratings

IMDB 5.9/10

My impressions

A man and a woman. A brother who is protective and cares for the sister even though it a trying task.

The couple have their shortcomings but an incident brought them closer. In the beginning, it was a one-sided affair, but circumstances changed the situation.

A look at how society accepts those at the periphery. Out of sight, out of mind, most probably.

In the end, love is the strong binding factor. It seems able to surmount all obstacles that came hurtling.

But is that true?

Diamond Island

Diamond Island

France Cambodia 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 30 January 2017

Ratings

IMDB 6.6/10

My impressions

A huge development project that will transform a part of the city into a vision of progress and modernity.

Faux pas architecture, with all its attendant grotesque design. Beautiful to some, but ugly beyond redemption for others.

This place witnesses the transformation of a boy from the village into a man. At first innocent, and eventually wise to the city’s ways. The accidental encounter with his elder brother brought a different perspective to his world view. In the end, he had to make decisions of which path to take.

A familiar theme of the rural urban migration scene.

The cat in the closet

Yi gui li de mao (Original title)

Taiwan 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 30 January 2017

My impressions

A death affects everyone. The way each of them handles that event is the focus of this film.

The mother who is the most affected is living in her own world That is her coping mechanism. But her behaviour puts a strain on the family relationship. How long will this last?

A gentle pace, lets the audience into the anguish, love lost and helplessness that engulfs the family.

Patience has its limits.

The Romantic Exiles

Los exiliados románticos (Original title)

Spain 2015

Details IMDB

Seen 30 January 2017

Ratings

IMDB 6.6/10

My impressions

A road trip. Remembering the past. Enjoying the moment.

Nothing earth shattering but friendship and love permeates the whole film.

Low key.

Mushroom

Los Hongos (Original title)

Columbia 2014

Details IMDB

Seen 29 January 2017

Ratings

IMDB 6.6/10

My impressions

Graffiti. Ugly, dirty, an eye sore to some, but to the artist, it is an outlet of expression. Within that space allotted to each or any space that they have chosen, beauty unfolds.

A friendship, a bond, going through the roughs and tumbles.

The pure, honest feelings for everyone to see, admire, or just of no consequence.

Whatever the reaction, they have made their mark.

2Night

Israel 2011

Details IMDB

Seen 29 January 2017

Ratings

IMDB 7.2/10

My impressions

Trying to find a parking space with the aim of spending the night together. You have got to be kidding, right? That is the premise of the story and it seems like an easy task.

A man and a woman. Different backgrounds and life experiences. They have the whole night to be closer to each other. But not in the privacy of a home. The parking problem puts paid to that dream.

Despite that, a story unfolds.

Love, hopefully will blossom.

Adama

France 2015

Details IMDB

Seen 29 January 2017

Ratings

IMDB 6.7/10

My impressions

A secluded village, safe from the turmoil of the outside world. Alas, youthful spirit and a sense of adventure beckons one of the young man. His younger brother follows suit and we have an adventure.

The bond between brothers, the atrocities of war, the unequal treatment of fellow men are all subjects on display.

A happy ending might be a given, but how the director pulls us along is a pleasure. Emotional roller coaster as well, since the sins of man is aplenty.

Sad in some parts, joy in others.

Fundamentally happy

Singapore 2015

Details IMDB

Seen 28 January 2017

Ratings

IMDB 6.7/10

My impressions

Has a 20-years lapse made memories more vivid or distorted. That might be the premise of the film.

Adapted from a stage play, it deals with paedophiles, religion, love and affection.

Would a loving touch be construed as a sexual advance towards an unsuspecting victim? A child will almost always look up to his elders for love and protection. Has that trust been abused?

Questions. Memories. Which version is true to the events.

The victim and the alleged perpetrator. Both need help to continue with their daily lives. Bringing a sense of normalcy back.

A delicate situation. If it is true, the guilty must be punished. But if the accused is not guilty, an innocent bears the consequences.

Tread with caution.

Where there is shade

De l'ombre il y a (original title)

France 2015

Details IMDB

Seen 28 January 2017

Ratings

IMDB 7.1/10

My impressions

An aging French cross dresser who calls Cambodia home. Mix that with drugs, child prostitution and the ongoing trials of those involved during the Khmer Rouge era.

He might seem ensconced in his own world but he has a heart. We can only wonder whether there is such a character in real life. Someone who transplants himself to another country, for whatever reason and trying to live as best as he can.

Then comes other characters in his life which disturbs his routine. How he handles that situation is the main theme.

The film depends a lot on the main character, and the lead actor does not disappoint. The child actress and the other supporting lend their poignant take on real life situations.

I do wish that some of the scenes especially those involving children did not happen. There is still a lot of work to be done before all the children will be able to live through their childhood years peacefully.

Adults. Some do not deserve to be called adults.

Wastelands

Tierra Yerma (original title)

Chile 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 28 January 2017

My impressions

The country side is a wasteland.

The heart can be a wasteland too. Devoid of feelings. Empty. Some might say it is in hibernation waiting for spring. Then it will blossom anew.

Sometimes the support and love from the family is just not enough to encourage that growth. The past experiences haunt every moment. Conflicting feelings surface. When it was not a wasteland in the beginning, it has become arid through those moments.

A powerful tale of love.

Tierra Yerma (Wastelands) - TRAILER English subtitles from Paprika Films on Vimeo.

The girl without hands

La jeune fille sans mains (original title)

France 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 27 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.3/10

My impressions

Through no fault of her own, a girl loses her hands. That starts a string of events that shows how wealth does not necessarily bring that happiness everyone longs for. How the evil streak exists to destroy everything in its way. Trying to pull down everyone to its level of hatred and vengeance.

There will always be barriers and struggles towards a happy ending.

A classic retold.

5 to 9

Japan, Singapore, China, Thailand 2015

Details Casa Asia Film Week 2016

Seen 26 January 2017

My impressions

Four short movies by four different directors from four different countries. The stories take place between 5 pm to 9 am, hence the title.

Relationships in all its hues and colours. In this instance, centred on the evening of the historic Brazil Germany match at World Cup 2014.

Short and sweet.

Self Made

Israel 2014

Details IMDB

Seen 26 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.1/10

My impressions

A fall while waking up from bed, starts the ball rolling for this look at relationships, not just between individuals but between different political perspectives.

Women play an important role here. They are aggressive, arrogant and could not care less sometimes but deep within there is that glimmer of hope that women hold the key to resolving a lot of issues. If only all of us could take a moment to reflect on how it feels to be on the other side of the fence.

We are of the same species after all.

Lingering thoughts.

Mrs.

Philippines 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 26 January 2017

My impressions

A matriarch and her maid. The two of them in the old house. The children scattered.

The differences between siblings and children has never changed her role as the matriarch and remain the family’s pillar of strength. This is despite her own struggles with the past.

The two main actresses gave a sterling performance.

A microcosm of family life.

Present Perfect

Thailand 2017

Details IMDB

Seen 25 January 2017

My impressions

Two men thrown into each other’s path in a foreign land. Two men with an emotional baggage. The time abroad is a time of reflection. Thinking. Reflecting.

The change in their past lives affects how they cope with the present.

The first encounter might have been accidental but eventually a bond develops.

But will it have a happy ending?

A light hearted look at friendship, love and its consequences.

My life as a zucchini

Ma vie de Courgette (original title)

France 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 25 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes 8.1/10

My impressions

A young boy is sent to a children’s home after his mother’s death due to an accident.

There were adjustments to be made at the beginning but eventually he settled in and found some semblance of peace. All the children had varying degrees of life changing experiences and that bonded them together.

That friendship faced many tests but the bond remained strong.

A heart-warming story. It is sad and unfortunate we do not know the fate of those who might not have had such good fortune. Those who escaped the system seems too few and far in between.

Tears and laughter. 

Elevator to the Gallows

Ascenseur pour l'échafaud (original title)

France 1958

Details IMDB

Seen 2 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes 8.1/10

My impressions

The dialogue might seem dated but has its merits in telling the story. The sequence of events that will eventually catch up with the main characters dovetailed smoothly.

An elaborate plan. Unfortunately, lady luck was not smiling on them.

Love was such a strong force in the whole story. It is ever present. In the end, the love will remain but it is at a high price

Will bitterness grow while apart from each other.

Only they would know.

The Red Turtle

La tortue rouge (original title)

France 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 24 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes 8.2/10

  

My impressions

Such an engaging love story. It might just be the imagination of a man stranded on an island. A fantasy A dream. But what a story. The despair of knowing you are alone, the joy of having someone else, the hardships and the beauty.

The soundtrack is haunting.

Mesmerising.

Thithi

India 2015

Details IMDB

Seen 24 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.8/10

My impressions

The scheme to get the inheritance left behind by the family patriarch does not go smoothly. There was a plan but alas, circumstances dictated otherwise.

Along the way, we see the lengths a person is willing to go through to get his hands on the wealth. His own father is not interested in pursuing his share of the fortune. The father has his own reasons.

But the son, has that wealth in mind. And he tries to get hold of it, by hook or by crook.

Human follies.

East Side Sushi

USA 2014

Details IMDB

Seen 24 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.2/10

Rotten Tomatoes 6.8/10

My impressions

A non-Japanese as a sushi chef. Blasphemy. Unheard of. A woman. Too ambitious for her own good.

She did persevere. She did not win all her battles but others realised that given the opportunity, she would make a great sushi chef.

Uplifting.

Live by night

USA 2016

Details IMDB

Seen 22 January 2017

Ratings from other sources

 IMDB 6.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes 5.3/10

My impressions

The journey of a small-time thief caught in the middle of the fight between warlords for territorial rights. The 1920s was the prohibition years and the black market a mint. There was always a demand for prohibited items and the supply will find ways to satisfy those customers.

Joe has a good heart and being in love makes him an angel compared to others in the same profession. Nevertheless, there comes a day when he had to be as ruthless and cold hearted as his enemies.

Being Joe exerts a heavy price.

Choices.