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Reviews
Only God Forgives (2013)
Spoiler! Ryan failed me and so did the movie
The following review come from an ex film student who currently lives in Bangkok, the main setting of the movie. There is no subtler way to describe this B-grade film noir than "a waste of time".
Most people flocks to the cinema for this movie clandestinely to see Ryan Gosling. To most of Gosling fans surprise and maybe himself, his acting cannot save the movie from sinking. in fact, he got drown together with the dim-lit movie. He doesn't have any good lines, not a good single fighting scene. The eye-catching violent scene in the trailer where we saw him dragging a guy in the floor by his jaw was terribly woven into the story.
But Ryan is not alone. It seems like his cohorts share the same confusion within the too simplistic storyline which was trying to hard to become sophisticated and exotic. YayaYing, rising local star after her debut in Jandara remake, present in Cannes this year to promote the movie, failed to match her performance in the Thai erotic classic. Her character was actually questionable in terms of relevancy. It built nothing into the main story of Ryan's revenge for his brother and was too shallow to develop into romance. It was too hefty a task to act shrewd in a too thin story
The final drawback come from the oft-repeated effort to build Bangkok as an exotic Asian city. Being an expat living in the city for almost 2 years, i know a fake representation when i see one. The attempt was decent in terms of art direction, but it was not authentic in terms of reality. Maybe the director was trying to hard to make this B-grade script into a David Lynch master piece
Furious 6 (2013)
A classic Alpha Male movie
If you're sick of soulless excessive violent movies, Hollywood got a way to keep you calm as that's the reason why franchise like Fast & Furious keep coming back, each time better. I can say, to me, this is the BEST of all.
For once, we can see past the impression that Fast& Furious is just a car movie, it's about family, loyalty and on-the-road romances. On the last part, remember how we're madly drawn towards Letty & Dominic or Brian& Mia love stories. It's the action that glue all the high packed emotions together, making FF a complete platform of emotions
Secondly, Vin Diesel proves himself an irreplaceable asset to the franchise. Simply put, without him, the movie by and large will loose it magic. He deliver a solid walking tall alpha men stereotype that stands out from others. He can fight, He can lead, He can race. There is something about his voice that set him apart. It's beyond words.
Last but definitely not least, Fast & Furious always got a moment that you walk away from the cinema and can't help talking about it. In this one, that's the moment when DOminic catches Letty when she's falling out of the tank. he catches her, in slow motion of course, w/o being sure if there's another car to bounce off. He was just there for her literally.
and whatever it is, Letty's bitchy look and attitude always screams sexiness
With just these reasons, I can say Fast & Furious have made their way to a Hollywood signature franchise
The Great Gatsby (2013)
the most romantic love story since Romeo & Juliet
As Leo fan, who believes currently Hollywood are left with him and Ryan Gosling as two giant romantic heroes, I found Great Gatsby the best love story ever told after Romeo & Juliet. Hardcore fan of the book might disagree but it was how the movie's approach comes down to, the come back of Gatsby for the woman he loves and his emotional ride through out the course of events to win her back.
First of all, Leo together with main cast offered their superb performance. Even "superb" seems like an understatement as Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton pulled their career best acting indeed. Leo, despite the mark of time, turn maturity into one of his strengths, on top of sweet smile, haunting blue eyes and irresistible charms. His performance reminds me of himself in a series of previous titles like Titanic's poor Jack, Romeo& Juliet's madly in love Romeo and mostly Catch me if you can's Frank the world class con artist. In short, Leo managed to pull off a powerful combination of the all three characters with maturity and intensity The other amazing thing about the story was how it make you feel towards the other character in the love triangle. I myself walk away feeling for both Tom & Daisy and understand how things end the way it ended. Having said that i believe Joel Edgerton (Tom) was incredible in delivering a alpha male character throughout especially in challenging situations like the head-to-head sequence with Gatsby or the way he deals with his mistress being exposed. Also, Daisy by Carey was so lovely innocent and fragile that when she made the choice, whatever it is, you feel for her If there's anything that might have pulled the movie back was the camera movement and some of the soundtrack. The opening was a bit too fast with frequent flying camera angles that make me feel very sick. I understand the idea could be showing audience the size and awesomeness of the environment where the film is set, but it was really overused. Then the music was not felt 1920s. We can easily recognize hip hop, disco beats all over the place, which kind of feel off and disconnect viewer with the story. However, Lana De Rey's Young & Beautiful is out of this world wonderful. It reaches out to the story and heighten every sense of connection we have with Jay & Daisy All in all, Great Gatsby is a beautifully made drama, with astounding performances and glamorous design. It brought me the feeling of watching Romeo & Juliet in the set of Moulin Rouge
Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout 2012 (2012)
every film student should watch this
Before I watch this 2012 version, i have a biased impression that it will just be like any other "how-to" Youtube video out there, only with better lighting and camera-work. five minutes into the movie, i know i could not be more wrong. As much as this is an edited reality show of a camera blind test, it is a drama in itself where we can see real people, legends in cinematography talks about their experience, what define them as a D.O.P and what it takes to make good motion pictures.
I believe the series benefit both who seeks technical answer for the efficiency of the wide ranges of camera participating in the contest and those who opt for a behind the scene documentary.
For technical buff, you might find the result seem to flatter budget camera as we can see minimum gap versus professional ones with the extra help from DOP and lighting modification. However, when it comes to forbidding light situation, professional cameras like Alexa prove their signature standard in providing fine detail in dark background
For a casual movie viewer, you might strongly connect with all the DOP's heartfelt sharing. What they all have in common is the undying desire to keep learning the trick and the perfect shot for them is and always will be the next one.
In short, a profoundly made TV series for aspiring filmmaker or movie buff
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Beautiful romance
As a rookie to the franchise of Oz,I find the rendition this year very exciting and in the genre of romantic adventure rather than a family, kid type. The acting by the main actor and both female leads are at the top, especially Michelle Wiliam.
Michelle really turns the little flick into her own love story. She was never a princess typecast but in her debut in the role she redefines how a princess should be. She is just so lovely and sexy at the same time. You would be amazed to see how she could be so versatile in her acting and portrayal of character. I was in love with Michelle ever since Dawson's Creek, admire her excellence performance in Blue Valentine and now a nice surprise in the Oz.
Haven't watched the classic one yet, but could affirmatively believe this one would not be any less entertaining
The Last Stand (2013)
Arnold joins the list of evergreen Hollywood action heroes with this phenomenal comeback
It's a shame for Hollywood in the last decade not being able to introduce a new action star that reach the level of Tom Cruise in MI, Bruce Willis in Die Hard, Stallon in Rambo or Arnold in Terminator. Watching the action movies in 2012 and early 2013 including Taken2, Jack Reacher, and now The Last Stand, just reminds me how challenging that mission is, especially when all these above mentioned stars show nothing but their excellency and even better charms on stage like time never pass by
In this movie, Arnold plays an old sheriff in a small town which is about to receive an escaping drug lord on his way back to Mexico. Despite all the skepticism before the movie, Arnold just makes it all feel so real. He is there not trying to act tough and pretend he is still young like in the 80s or invincible. He applies the hero quality he always had and seasons it with wisdom. In one sequence when he throws himself into the coffee shop door, he wakes up and say "I feel old" lol
While the story does not sell on its complexity, it does sell Arnold very well with this signature shot gun skills and unique wrestling techniques. These are also the best moments of the film.
Arnold truly brings this nice little film its deserving success and one of the most entertaining action flicks of the year together with Taken 2 or Jack Reacher, all played by middle aged superstars.
Maybe Hollywood got stuck finding new heroes for us, or maybe we're just lucky still able to see our beloved superstars at their best.
Video Game High School (2012)
A seriously good indie teen movie
I never thought i'd run into an amazing teen movie as good as High School Musical or American Pie. To my shock and awe this piece of work proves me wrong and gives out a strong statement that indie movie is not lame. To add to the gravity of the challenges, this movie is going toward sci-fi zone, with no knock-out hot chicks, no nudity at all. You'll never believe how great it is until you really watch it
First off, the visual effects were cleverly used to yield effective impact. it was not built with an aim to wow you but to help build characters and a game-like environment. The effects despite being very simple come out really fluent and succeed to illustrate an exciting real time game world
Second, the lead girls are too cute, they don't need to undress for you to adore them. They were nicely casted as "first love" babes that you want to teleport back in time to see them again.
Last but not least, the movie/series host a very nice philosophy that was carefully woven into the story lines and amplify the sympathy with its characters
Overall, this is a must watch for those who want to have a quick travel to down high school memory lane
Side by Side (2012)
An exciting cinema history session
As a film student or just a movie lovers, you rarely got a chance to connect with cinema history, or meet with famous people in the industry who set the standard and created the masterpieces. This documentary gives it all in a friendly story telling mode that could benefit both professionals or just any random viewers
As much as it is about digital, it's equally about how cinema develop and what it would be like in the future. The documentary points out an interesting finding that it's the professionals, not the technology that drives the storytelling art forward. Each and every of them offer their best performance and artistry via the choice of techniques they made.
It's fantastic to see how filmmakers form different groups of opinions and stay faithful to it. While the film did not intend to come to any conclusion about future of cinema in digital or old style film, it clearly set up a basic understanding about filmmaking as a painstakingly process that require endless decision making based on personal visual creative interpretation.
A nice to watch movie for film students, especially those are fans of David Lynch, James Cameroon or George Lucas, the main speakers
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
spoiler alert! Do not let your son growing up without watching this!!!
While i still think this might not surpass the LOTR franchise, i do believe Peter Jackson once again drive home an epic male journey in his unique style. You'll find yourself connected to a lot of male struggles throughout this movie, some subtle, some obvious, some even make you cry On one hand, you got the Hobbit who never leave his nest, enjoy his books rather than road trip. He thought he had got his life figured out, but the reality is he has been living in a giant doubt about himself, once he hopes to find the answer in the trip On the other, we got the Dwarf King living in anger seeking vengeance over his father's death. Among these two guys' challenges, we got to witness great friendship and sacrifice one could offer another in time of despair
I did not really pay attention to the movie in the first 10 minute or so because i thought the set up was boring and some home i jump to early conclusion that this is just a feast of the eyes no more, and another Narnia movie..but as it progresses to the scene where all the dwarfs soldiers sit silently in front of the fireplace singing a sad tune..I know I'm watching a masterpiece
The Words (2012)
under-performance guaranteed
If you look forward to seeing this movie because of Bradley Cooper, Dennis Quaid, or Olivia, honestly The Words is not their best performance, if not their worst. However, it's mostly because the script did not create a strong enough platform for them to deliver powerful delivery
Despite the intense feeling suggested by the trailer, the movie kind of drags you along the way without any real highly emotional moments. Its idea of including three stories into one movie is ambitious but then each of the story does not have gravity of its own to really stand out. Despite its name "The words", there was none philosophy coming out strong or artistically enough to make it a class A drama.
Bradley finds himself in a similar role in Limitless while he plays a struggling young man who questions his identity in vain. However, He just doesn't seem desperate enough
Meanwhile, the role of Dennis and Olivia is quite plain and somewhat redundant. What's really hard to watch is their absolutely weird chemistry on screen. Olivia looks like she just survive a failed plastic surgery and Dennis acts like Harrison Ford in a wheelchair. They both look too old and lackluster
I expected a lot from this movie, hoping it will bring about a sophisticated story with well-kept twists and turns but there were none of that!