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IO (2019)
Deserves better reviews, Quiet, Reflective, Quality film
I'm really bummed that so many people need more out of a film, I thought the writers and actors did a very good job of capturing the subtle nature of naivety that comes with isolation and youth. I think many people felt robbed of a full story arc because they didn't get an action packed cataclysm to start the movie and the ending is very soft and quiet. I really felt almost like I was watching a film similar to Melancholia (which I loved) with very limited dialogue and more emotion than conflict. I was home sick for the day, definitely a fine way to burn a couple hours. Average quality film, not campy or terribly predictable at all.
The Trader (2018)
Understand Rural Georgia
This humble gem gets 5/10 for its provocative scenes and honest interactions in an otherwise plotless film. I've granted two more stars because, without question, it has some of the best cinematography of genuine facial expressions showing the wonder and excitement of children and the callous apathy of elderly peasants that I will likely ever see. In agreement with other reviewers I found this documentary to be very ambiguous with no clear reason or message. The film plays upon two main stories: first, a few days in the life of a merchant trader from the capital city of Tbilisi, and second the daily hardships of poor rural farmers who's wealth and currency consists solely of potatoes. For a nation that most of the world pays sparse attention to, this brief look into the activities of Georgian citizenry inspired me personally to consider people in a part of the world I know embarrassingly little about. Would highly recommend if you have a contemplative half-hour to burn.
Stasis (2017)
Just no... Interesting plot, sub-par acting, terrible lines
I thought several of the actors had brilliant moments, but the decent moments were repeatedly clouded by actors who played very flat or unnecessarily emotion into their lines. I'd love to see this script rewritten but it is one of the poorest I've seen run.
I thought the worst aspects of the film were Eva insisting "everything is going to be fine" every night before leaving her beau, her mother's manic and somewhat overplayed outbursts followed by apologies in her next appearance at least 3 times, and multiple unresolved plot lines that left me wondering how the script moved forward without addressing what we'd just seen.
It reminded me of Tank Girl (which I actually enjoy) and seemed similarly disjointed, but it also was entirely overdramatic while trying to stay serious which didn't play well at all. If you want to get really drunk and navigate plot holes, this is the film for you.
Three out of ten because it could only be worse if all acting was terrible and the plot was less interesting.
Did Jesus Die? (2003)
Addresses hard questions within Christianity without discounting the faith~
If you're a fan of religious studies or just interested in an overview of some of the historical references and questions regarding what happened after Jesus was nailed to the cross, this quality documentary presents various scientific and historical evidence to speculate on a number of theories regarding Christ's life after crucifixion. By first showing how historical texts (including original gospels) give ample room for him to have survived the ordeal, and addressing some of the pitfalls of assuming that he did, this documentary goes on to explain various traditions and stories of Christ's life after the cross. Before the film's end, viewers are taken from the south of France to hear theories of the Knights Templar and traditions of Catharism, all the way to Kashmir in India where some minor groups maintain that Christ may have died in a Buddhist monastery. Overall this documentary is not overtly spiritual, but not anti-religious. I think it's good for people with scientific and inquiring minds interested in learning more theories about the latter half of the new testament.
The Long Search: The Land of the Disappearing Buddha (1977)
Overview of Japanese Buddhism, leaves more questions than answers...
In this TV documentary, Ronald Eyre goes around Japan seeking the "Disappearing Buddha" by highlighting the often confusing duality of most Buddhist thinking. While the documentary does a passable job of introducing some very basic aspects of various Japanese Buddhist sects, what it mostly ends up achieving is walking circles around how strange the answers Eyre receives to basically unanswerable questions are (i.e. "What/who is the Buddha?"). I felt it wasn't a total miss as things such as Zen swordplay, calligraphy, and tea ceremony are beautifully filmed and presented. Also the integration of Buddhism and Shinto into daily life is well explained. I think the biggest failure of this documentary however, is that it fails to clearly acknowledge that most Japanese Buddhism hinges on the idea that Buddhist thought and nature is something that can't be explained verbally and is only understood through experience.
I started this film hoping to gain interesting insights in to zen thinking, but I was ultimately disappointed by a very foreign approach that led me to wonder if the writers ever really intended to answer questions or wanted instead to leave viewers puzzling over strange and oriental thinking. Leaving more questions than answers is occasionally acceptable, but here it seems opportunities to explain are deliberately ignored. Disconnected and unfinished thoughts throughout the film lead me to rate it below average.
Inner Worlds, Outer Worlds (2012)
Kooky hippie delight, serves valid and interesting ideas in a bad way.
As a professional scientist and also somebody who meditates frequently, I have deep appreciation for the scientifically sound benefits of things like meditation, the ways that mathematics can seem to dictate nature, and reflections on historical belief systems. I've also put extensive study and deep respect into learning about eastern philosophy. Importantly, I also place great great value on scrutiny of facts and hard evidence. For my scientific self I found this movie highly disappointing because it took perfectly beautiful facts about mathematics, nature, and the universe, and built them up to make unwarranted and unprovable statements about the secret true nature of things. It over and over again tried to take pseudo-scientific conjectures and present them as scientific facts.
I'll concede I found some points and ideas, especially in the first part, very mind expanding and helpful for thinking about my place in the cosmos. But, I fear this film may do more harm then good when it comes to opening peoples minds to alternative thinking mechanisms. The narrator claims that people need to "stop thinking" about things loudly implying that blind faith needs to be put into eastern medicine and philosophy. I believe this completely halts the objective importance of examining things at tangible face value. While it may be nice to give your mind away to some deep spiritual feelings you may hold or experience, it's important to remember that a lack of objective external critiques and evaluation is what leads to problems in most modern religious thinking.
In short, if you self-identify as a hippie, interested in aligning chakras and the sound of the universe, then drink this up... But don't delude yourself into believing this is all hard fact.
If you're more of an analytical mind, this film will come across as exceedingly kooky and mildly religious. Not the greatest things. But it still holds a few gems that even a scientific mind can use to expand its worldview.
Nekoli chopyong (1986)
The most emotional public service announcement I've ever seen.
A Traffic Controller on Crossroads has a few amusing moments while not holding much relevance for an international audience. Traffic captain "Un Suk" works to gain confidence in her decisions to call out bad drivers, even when she worries she might be treating them too harshly. Eventually, she realizes that maintaining traffic safety is more important than any hard feelings the drivers might hold. Similarly the affable food truck driver "Gyong Chan" comes to realize that the traffic controllers really do care more about safety than just giving out fines, and that he misjudged their character.
As my first film out of North Korea this gained points for sheer curiosity. Very typical aspects of Asian hospitality and tense interpersonal interaction pepper this over-dramatic work. The story arc feels shallow but treads along a healthy line between socialist PSA and entertaining misadventures of a traffic cop and those she fines. Side plots involving an impending marriage engagement and Un Suk's prior involvement with rhythmic gymnastics never appear to flush out.
I would recommend this film primarily as a curiosity. I chose it with no special recommendation because I thought the title sounded outlandish. I was really surprised by the lack of overt socialist themes which likely is a result of my lack of familiarity with the genre. I am inclined to believe this film represents nothing special among DPRK work but it certainly provides a dramatic look at the life of a traffic controller.