whyhow111 Reviews

Apocalypto (2006)

Mr Gibson has done the world a good service. But it is not complete.

[12 August 2012]

This film is not historically correct. But it is essentially true. Mr Gibson has shown us the cruelty we are capable of committing against fellow human-beings. The characters may be Mayans or whatever, but the evil is within each of us. Mr Gibson has the rarely gift of a propagandist. He created an alien world full of caricatures, good and evil, but familiar to all of us. His mistake is to believe that we have the solution. We, good Christians, responsible for atrocities just as great as the fictional characters in this film. We, with blood on our hands. I enjoyed the movie. I sympathize with the man. I pity his mistakes. I will strive to be a better man.

The Deer Hunter (1978)

a movie without redeeming value

[1/10 · 17 March 2011]

watching this in 2011, this movie aged very poorly. the fact that it was so well received in the 70's, is a telling indictment of American society of that time. some people think it is a honest portrait of small town American live. It is not. It's a caricature of small town America. Just like it's a caricature of men, of masculinity and of human beings in general. Masculinity is the central theme of this movie. but despite its macho pretension, this movie doesn't depict real men or real masculinity. the director is obviously a hater of men, specifically working class men. this movie trivializes their lives, their desires, their courage and their contribution to our society. a despicable movie made by a despicable human being.

Farewell My Concubine (1993)

Powerful story, but the director doesn't deliver.

[6/10 · 6 July 2010]

I'm not a fan of Chen Kaige. Most of his films are either too melodramatic or big on concept but fail to deliver on the human level. He knows his craft, is hugely ambitious, but there is something missing in his soul.

It would help the viewers to know something about the historic background of this film. Google Chu-Han Contention, Xiang Yu (the king/hegemon), Battle of Gaixia. May help to know a bit about the more recent events in modern Chinese history such as the Cultural Revolution too, but that's not at the heart of the story.

The best developed character is of course Dieyi. Based on the traditional Chinese role of the tragic heroine, with the additional complexity of gender confusion. not very appealing, despite hitting all right notes of the traditional femininity, unless you got yellow fever. Xiaolou, the king who is not really a king, like Xiang Yu, strong but unable to control his fate. the easiest character to relate to. Juxian is not well developed, the king's horse? Yuang is potentially interesting character, well acted, but again not developed enough.

It is Chen Kaige's best movie I've watched. Worth watching, but ultimately not as satisfying as the more straight-forward and honest movie by other fifth generation Chinese directors. I would watch Hong gao liang over this any day.

Better Luck Tomorrow (2002)

Asian Exploitation Film

[1/10 · 29 May 2005]

Formulaic MTv script with some Asian stereotypes thrown in. The thing about stereotypes is that positives ones dehumanize just as much as the negatives ones. The only funny bit about this movie are the many plot parallels with Boyz n the Hood. almost fell on my ass laughing when I heard the comment about the dead body. I don't know if they are intentional, or just another symptom of the lack of imagination. I wouldn't support films like this with my money. There are better film about Asian American lives out there. After making billions with stereotypes of black Americans, some MTv executives must've thought they could try the formula with the Asian community.