Apocalypse now This is a story of one squad in Vietnam war. Colonel Kurtz, who used to be a great commander, governs his own empire in deep jangle and against the U.S. army. Captain Willard and his squad are send to assassinate him. They keep on the way in the miserable battle field. We cannot deny that this is one of Coppola's masterpieces and I'm sure it will be forever as a great Vietnam war film. He describes the madness, which seems to be unique to Vietnam war. Everyone and everything has madness in Vietnam in those days. We can view such element in every single scene, especially the ending. It is so shocking and crazy, but probably we expected it since the story started. Also this is the irony of the madness of the U.S. Military action.
Reviews
15 Reviews
The Shining
(1980)
The best madness
21 December 2015
A family stay in a hotel, which is located in the depth of a mountain, as the caretaker for the winter. The father is a writer and tries to finish his work during the stay. The son has something special gift which is called shining; he perceives spiritual things. They enjoy the stay at first, but gradually the father goes mad. It's related to the miserable murder happened at the hotel before. I'm sure that no one could act the madness except for Jack Nicholson. Just small his behavior makes us scared. This is the deferent point from other horror movies in America. Kubrick creates the best madness without monsters and zombies. Also I guess this film has similar but different atmosphere from J horror films. We can see both of them show human's or ghost's curse, but in this film something beyond the curse is described and Jack Nicholson creates that point. We see the madness, but does it come from only the apparition of the hotel? Is there no relation to his loneliness or pain?
Léon: The Professional
(1994)
Love
21 December 2015
A hit man, Leon, lives alone, working hard under an Italian mafia. One day he saves a girl, Mathilda, who lives in next room in the same apartment. Her father steals drag which belongs to a drag gang and it is found by a narcotics agent. The agents kill the family all, even a youngest brother. Fortunately Mathilda is not home at that moment, but she loses her family, left alone. She doesn't have anyone that she counts on except for Leon. She begs Leon to teach how to use guns for taking avenge. Firstly he refuses it, but he cannot forsake her and starts to educate Mathilda to be a hit man. It's very beautiful that the fusion of Leon's loneliness and Mathilda's one. Their love is too complicated to tell clearly; its style is different from the love of couple, friend and family. However I'm sure that both of them found something treasure through the time they spent together. Gary Oldman acted one of the biggest villain in the movie history. I guess this film would not succeed in like now without him.
Big
(1988)
Big
21 December 2015
A boy, Josh, wishes to be an adult at a magic box in an amusement park. Next morning, he finds himself that he becomes big but no one can recognize him except for Billy, a friend of him. Until getting the magic box and back to child, Josh goes to New York and starts to work at a toy company. He succeeds in the work, because he is a child and knows what children like. He falls in love with a female coworker, but he is just a child. Very very young Tom Hunks, anyway he is a great actor since young. We grow up and forgot being childish in good meanings. We, adults, forgot being pure and enjoy every moment. We used to dream of becoming big, but are we what we dreamed in childhood?
Infernal Affairs
(2002)
I can't breathe...
13 September 2015
This is a story about two young guys. One is a police officer and he infiltrates a mafia. Other is a member of the mafia but works as a police officer. Both of them have done well and tried to get helpful information, hiding their identity for several years. However, because of an affair, police and the mafia notice there are spies in each organization... The heart beating doesn't stop. The story develops in good rhythm. Audiences can't take our eyes off. This film doesn't devote too much visual effect, that's good. The scenario is perfect and we can enjoy this high quality thriller. The Departed is also good but I like this better.
Once
(I) (2007)
Beautiful but sad melody
13 September 2015
On a street, one man sings favorite songs in the daytime, but at night he sings his original songs. At one night one girl gets interested in him. She can't afford to buy a piano even she is also a musician. It's because she came from Czech and brings up her child without her husband. They become friends and begin to compose songs together. He asks her to make their demo tapes. Gradually they falls in love. The camera work like home video and the sad melody match the atmosphere of Dublin. Audiences feel sad and painful from their songs. However when the film ends, we feel happy. It's wonderful and so beautiful film. I would like to listen to their songs in rainy or cloudy day.
Chungking Express
(1994)
Crazy but not unusual
13 September 2015
This film is composed of two love stories. A young police officer walks around the city because he can't accept that his girlfriend has gone. At the same time a lady who sells drags is deceived by carriers and tries to find them out. The police officer sees her and falls in love. One different police officer has just broken up with his girlfriend, who works as a cabin attendant. A sales girl in a food stand, which he always comes to, falls in love with him and tries to have him notice her love. I enjoyed its unique atmosphere and the visual. The sales girl is so crazy but we can't stop cheer up her. The content is right, not so sweet. Good love romance.
Blade Runner
(1982)
This is it!
13 September 2015
This is about the future. Human advanced into the universe and created "replicant" which is humanoid robot. Replicants do dangerous works as like slave. Their appearance is almost the same as human but they don't feel things basically. However gradually they come to have emotions and begin to riot against human. Some of them get in the earth. Blade Runner is a job finding out and destroying them. What is human being? What is life? What is love? We can think such questions through the eyes of replicants. Firstly I got the impression that they are really evil, but as the story develops, I changed my mind and realized they are not bad. They just want to live as usual. It's so sad and painful because they want but they can't do. The atmosphere of city, rainy and crowded, helps us feel plaintive. We can enjoy the unique atmosphere and the visuals.
Lady Vengeance
(2005)
Beautiful violent avenge
13 September 2015
Guem-ja was imprisoned for murder and kidnapping for several years. However she is not guilty person, just being framed to protect her child. She is known for her beauty and kindness, and gets closer to the true guilty person with helps of her friends. The way of developing story is really unique and interesting. Guam-ja is really beautiful and gentle, so we become to like her naturally and unconsciously. That's why we get chill and fear of her silent madness. Also Choi Min-sik is perfect, perfect villain. His every behavior and expression make us feel creepy. The atmosphere and the visual match their madness. Korean directors are good at describing human mad and anger.
Porcelain Unicorn
(2010)
Beautiful unicorn
19 July 2015
This is about a memory of one old man. We can imagine somewhere in Germany during World War II. Boys play in a deserted house. However, it is a shelter for one Jewish girl. She hides there alone. Accidentally one of the boys meets the girl. They spend absolutely different life. However, through a beautiful ceramic unicorn, they feel something special and share it. But the beautiful moment ends immediately. Because of the Nazis, they are separated soon. He has her escaping from the army of Nazis. They cannot meet again for long long time. The friendship between them is momentary but strong. Also beautiful, at the same time, painful.
What life is
19 July 2015
One man is being executed and thinking about his wife on a bridge. However, he succeeds in escaping in the river. He runs away again and again. At the same time, he feels energy and notices how beautiful life is. Always he stands in the borderline between dead and alive. Usually we don't see trees, the ground and insects carefully. In this film, these things are focused on. Even though it is black and white, we can feel energy and vitality from this film. Life is really strange, because we can feel it strangely in a situation that death is coming. After watching this film, we come to want to stay with our precious person.
Bara prata lite
(1997)
Dr. Lecter comes again!
19 July 2015
A lonely old man goes to his former workplace. Also he calls somebody at random, because he seeks a kind of relationship. However, he cannot control that desire. One woman visits him, and he cannot restrain himself any more. At first I was sorry for his loneliness. However, as the story developed, I felt fear of his madness. It's really creepy, but We cannot deny loneliness is really serious problem. Someday I might spend such life. Anyway, his acting is really excellent. He is to that role what Anthony Hopkins is to Dr. Lecter in "the Silence of the Lambs ". He acts the loneliness, at the same time, does the madness. I don't want to watch this movie again, but I will not forget it.
Stanley Pickle
(2010)
Dark fantasy
19 July 2015
One boy is a really good mechanic, but has never gone out of his home. He always gazes at a girl playing with a bird from his room. One day the bird dies and the girl makes a grave. He digs it out, fixes the bird and presents it to the girl, because he wants to make her happy and be a friend. However, she runs away and he thinks on what's wrong and what is "life"? This is very artistic. It's filmed in stop-motion way which suits the story. However, I cannot deny I felt kind of creepy. I can find the answer in this film. Anyway I like the view which is mix of the messy and the order, the colorful and the loneliness.
The Breakfast Club
(1985)
Children and adults can enjoy this film in different way
19 July 2015
Three boys and two girls come to their high school, even though it's Saturday because of some reasons. They are shut in the library and must write an essay. They are not friends and start fighting. However, through the communication in which they talk about their difficulties, they understand each other. This is about just one day. However, they grow up and confront their problems. It's really simple, but we don't get bored as their changes are described in good rhythm. Also I love its 80's atmosphere. I want to watch it again when I have a child. Maybe I can enjoy this film in different way. I'm looking forward to it.
Whacked
(II) (1998)
avenge
24 May 2015
In the beginning, I could not understand why New Yorkers are falling down, but finally everything become clear. The idea is really funny and unique. The guy may be avenged on New Yorkers for something. Why? It's very interesting and I cannot stop imagining the reasons. Why does he use golf balls? Why does he hit balls at random? Also, the story development and sound effects draw us in. No one talks, there are just sounds, but it makes easy to appreciate. This film is drawn lightly, but the contents are not light, but dark and serious. I saw anger and envy. Why did the director decide to make this film and what emotions made the director create this? If I could, I want to ask these questions.
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