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Reviews
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - Yuck !
The critics loved it ! Well the ones that were paid to, did.
What a pile of unadulterated, film luvvy, pretentious nonsense.
'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'.
I gave up two hours of a sunny afternoon to watch this rubbish.
(1) Tinker, with the plot.
(2) Tailor, it, to The Sun readership.
(3) Soldier, stand by your beds, for gore and titillation.
(4) Spy, I spy with my little eye, hyped-up %&£"*@?#.
I was wary, I have the BBC DVD. I have read the book two times and also have an audio book.
I wasn't ready for a luvvy dog's dinner.
I was prepared not to compare it with the brilliant BBC TV series or the book.
Perhaps my dislike for Swedish directors, put me off in the first place? Trendy views, of bare bums, butcher shop gore.
They tried their best to be different from the original.
Yes they tried, and tried my patience also.
I nearly walked out three times, the fat lady blocked my path.
Gary Oldman? An acting ghost ! They, the directors or producers, or whatever these punks like to call themselves, had a field day of pretension.
The BBC original got the facts spot on.
These punks messed with story, flashbacks more than a year on Vodka could produce. The BBC then, didn't have caged rooms where the 'opposition' couldn't listen in. Just, crappy, government offices in Cambridge Square. Which was how it was. Then they may have had a 'Faraday Cage' ? More likely they probably sat in the bathroom and ran the taps.
There was little, if at all, character development.
Smiley was a ghost that drifted in and out. Peter Guilem was a homosexual that Michael Jayston would get hot under the collar about. The excellent and important character of Jerry Westerby was buried in the poor script. John Hurt was John Hurt, they even had to make a gimmick out of his end.
The only character I liked was Ricky Tarr. They made a dog's dinner of this as well.
Hollywood produces soap-opera or blatant propaganda.
Or the so-called European Art-Film people produce this rubbish. I thought it reeked of English clichés. Perhaps it should have been called 'Carry On, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' ? The acting was not that good, it just had famous names.
Toby Esterhase, Bill Haydon ? Mere shadows.
Hyped up to the rafters.
I don't think there are any decent directors and writers, and it shows ! I hope the father Hasse Alfredson isn't as pretentious as the son? To conclude then : A great spy story, dragged down to the level of soap opera. Which is all about you get these days. Just gimmick and gore for the sake of it. Almost got a nerve to give the film that title. I could have done a better job after a trip to the pub. Subtle and intelligent, it definitely is not.
"How's Ann?" Alfredson plays light with some of the fundamental relationships in the story.He creates about as much atmosphere as a Bradford railway station. He would have trouble directing traffic on an empty street.
I expect Alfredson will be asked to guest direct, Coronation Street and Eastenders. That is his true forte. Alfredson's next two films will be:- 'Deep Dirty Raincoat' and 'The Trondheim Lawnmower Massacre'.
'The Trondheim Lawnmower Massacre' by Tomas Alfredson- a true coup de grace(gras) if there ever was one.
Do yourself a favour, avoid this trash, and save your money !
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Written on two levels
I saw this film at the Imax in Siam Paragon, Bangkok.
I took my son and a couple of friends, we all loved it.
The film critics back in the UK have given this film only an average rating, sad or what ? I expected it to be the usual thing I have taken my children to see over the years. I was in for a humorous and pleasant surprise.
I will not go over the detail described often enough in the user comments but I will add three of the things written for adults.
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. We call it 'The Present'." I like the play on words 'gift' and 'present'.
I think that phrase just about says it all ? Then there is the 'Scroll with Ten Secrets' - it turned out to be blank yet showed the reflection of the reader. Believe in what you do.
The Po the Panda's Dad(A bird !) Said,"There is no secret recipe, I just believe it is special when I am making the noodle soup." Profound indeed.
Unlike the UK film critics?
Orfeu (1999)
Dreadful Rubbish !
This is one of the worst films I have seen in a long time. The acting was so bad, a better job would have been done by employing a queue of people waiting for a bus ! The script is execrable, dreadful. The direction dire, don't allow the director to control traffic anywhere, there would be a pile up ! What illegal substance was the man on ? Perhaps he got next door's cat to do the work. It would have proved a better result.
This film shows just how good the original, Black Orpheus, is. There is no need to refer to that masterpiece in case the mere mention of Orfeu might tarnish a great work.
I play in a Samba Bateria in Europe and have never been to Brasil so I was interested in the shots of Carnaval. The director seemed to have even taken away some of the magic of that event, so flat was his direction.
The drug dealer 'Lucinho' had the acting talent of a mannequin. He had obviously seen John Travolta in Pulp Fiction and tried to model his distinct lack of ability on Travolta. Well he couldn't even mimic Travolta. Orfeu was like a kid they had just pulled off the street who had been kicking a football about ten minutes earlier. They would have got a better cast if they had enrolled first year drama students in their first week of college; where their tutor was off sick and they had spent the first week in the canteen drinking coffee.
The dialogue and plot line was a joke. In fact this would be one of those films that is so bad while meant to be serious the audience end up falling about laughing. The director wanted to give the story or lack of it, a feeling of the film City of God; not guns and roses but guns and favelas.
A very attractive girl played 'Mira' perhaps the one redeeming feature of the film. Euridice acted like a Portuguese au-pair from up-country lost in Manchester.
The ending of the film was so dreadful I can't even bring myself to think about it. It should have been the director who was thrown off the side of a hill.
I noticed that some people from Los Angeles liked the film, perhaps they don't have any quality to measure the film against? Before I watched the film I looked on IMDb and saw that someone from the UK who has had a long interest in Brasil, complained about the film. Perhaps with this accurate appreciation, I should have avoided it; but as they say, you learn more from taking one really bad photograph than from twelve good ones.
300 (2006)
Hollywood - the propaganda arm of America and the New World Order !
Also (sprach) Zarathustra" - Thus spoke Zarathustra
- usually known in English as Zoroaster, the Persian prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism.
Today's letter from the Iranian Embassy echoes my long held belief that Hollywood is the propaganda arm of the USA and the so-called New World Order(their term not mine !). During the summer of 2002 I noticed lots of advertisements for Hollywood war films on the BTS.
My first and only conclusion; there is a war coming ! Hollywood is preparing the public mind set. The beginning of 2003 proved this to be correct. Weapons of Mass Propaganda; Hollywood. The Iraq War, or to put it in correct terms, the mass bombing of civilians followed by civil war.
Now the Iranian Embassy has written to The Nation about the War Cry = 300 ! Are they next in line for the Shock & War treatment ? It would certainly appear so.
Today's letter:-
'300''s depiction of Persia driven by 'vicious stereotypes'
The Iranian people are outraged by the movie "300", (which is) purportedly about an epic battle fought between the Persian and Greek armies in 480 BC, but which is full of deliberate distortions and derogatory depictions of ancient Persia. It is about the war between the Greek King Leonidas heading an army of 300 Spartans and the Persian Emperor Xerxes commanding an army of one million. It portrays Iranians as monsters rising from the heart of darkness to destroy Greek civilisation.
This insulting movie is being screened in some of the cinemas of Thailand. We are sure the wise and respectful people of the Kingdom already have found out the message of the movie, which actually is in line with the current concerted efforts by certain Western interest circles to systematically make the Iranian nation appear as demons.
While recognising that this is not a docudrama, and that it is a "fantasy" version of a historical past, it seems judicious to investigate why the film fails to convey a bare minimum of truth about Iranian history and indulges in inventing perverse, demonic images of Persians.
The movie is overtly racist, overflowing with vicious stereotypes of Persians as a dangerous, bestial force fatally threatening the civilised "free" world.
We feel that this movie not only has done a poor job painting the reality of the past, but also it has humiliated the Iranian culture and the reality of what Iran represented during that era.
Iranian history records celebration of life, light and love. Iranian civilisation from the beginning up until now respects all religions and beliefs.
The movie not only is trying to distort Iranian history and civilisation but also is aimed at distorting world history and shaking the foundations of human insight.
The movie is part of a comprehensive effort on the part of the West to launch a psychological war aimed at Iranian culture through Hollywood and other media.
The movie's efforts will be fruitless because values in Iranian culture and the Islamic Revolution are too strongly seated to be damaged by such plans.
Finally the Embassy of the Islamic republic of Iran has no doubt that the Thai people, keeping in mind the long history of more than 400 hundred years of cordial relations with Iran, are aware that the story of the movie is unrealistic and is a birth child of mental fancy of the author and producers.
Akbar Khodaei
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Bangkok
and to quote from another forum:-
Now call me obtuse, but American/British government have been trying to cause war over the last 4 years to get into Iran or as David Icke would say, problem-reaction-solution.
PROBLEM-how do we find a excuse to invade Iran ?? REACTION-send our monkeys into stray Iranian waters to get captured,thus invade Iran to save our boys from death. SOLUTION-war in Iran starts,America take control of Iran has planned. It don't take much working out now does it, even BUSH could think of this one,(only just mind). Posted by 'Bardo'
Casino Royale (2006)
Is this the end of the Bond Genre ?
Casino Royale ? 'Turkey Royale' more like ! Is this the end of the Bond Genre ? Pierce Brosnan was hoping to get another Bond picture, but 'they' didn't want him.
The film 'luvvies' had been scurrying around looking for a replacement but to no avail. Then one night at a night club, one of them took a fancy to one of the bouncers on the door. An ex-boxer who had fortunately done some acting; so 'they' offered him the part of the New Bond ! That is, of course, a fictitious assessment, but it might as well have been fact.
What on earth was the film about ? Flash bang wallop; the film starts with action after a song that even Britney Spears would turn down. Bond chases an African Olympian around a building site and learns the finer points of scaffolding and the building trade. Not a builder's bum in site ! Or maybe there was, a bloke called Bond ? As usual he kills a load of people.
Is this what is termed a plot-less film ? The scenes are tacked thoughtlessly together; there is no hint of character development, acting or story ? Daniel Craig really does look like a doorman at a local discotheque, with probably less personality.
To date, the Bond film I have liked the least was 'Moonraker'; this excuse for a big budget film was by far the worst.
This offering is neither Bond; nor spies, or an attempt at drama. Judi Dench must have wondered whether her lines were taken from the back of a Corn Flake packet ? As for Bond's script; you will get more humour from a constipated traffic warden.
I shall with the comment I began with:- "Is this the end of the Bond genre?"
Chica de Río (2001)
Don't confuse Salsa with Samba
"Who doesn't like Samba, you'd rather not meet
There's sick in the head,or lame in the feet"
Wrote Dorival Caymmi in 'Samba da Minha Terra'
It seems another punter doesn't know the difference between Salsa and Samba. The difference is the same as between Spanish and Portuguese.
I arrived at this film by accident. I had video taped it and promptly forgot about it. Then I tried to get through City of God and Favela Rising. I know City of God is well thought of but both films I found upsetting. Drugs, kids, killing, guns and gangsters. Enough of that!
As usual I was looking for some spare tape on my badly listed VHS tapes. I fast forwarded a bit, caught the end of another programme I had taped. Then suddenly my favourite Samba beat struck up ! It then alternated with a Northern British brass band. All done in early 1970's bright cartoon style. It was the rhythms that caught my attention. Then came the name of the film ...'The Girl from Rio' I was hooked !
The story of this film has already been recounted by previous posters along with the confusion of Salsa and Samba.
I must make a confession, I have been to Samba classes just like Raymond ran in the film. This may be one of the reasons I liked it, identification. Of course there were faults. How did Orlinda open the safe in Raymond's room, a nice big combination lock thing? Santos Dumont Airport was used, Raymond takes of in a Boeing 737 and lands in a MD-11. It would not be unusual to take off from Santos Dumont, land in Sao Paulo. Then get the flight to London. Yet does that matter, for the artistic continuity of the film the way it was done was good enough. How many people would know anyway ?
I was very envious of Raymond's trip to the Salgueiro Samba School and his girlfriend Orlinda(Vanessa Nunes).
When Orlinda appeared out of the crowd of Samba dancers to dance in front of Raymond, I was captivated.
The film was a fun piece of nonsense that I found very enjoyable. I loved the twist at the end. I loved the twist of Orlinda as she danced the Samba. So infectious, neither Robert or myself could stay still.
Strangely back in 1997 I wrote a story with basic similarities. Check out the link:- 'Sex is Great! If you can get it ?' http://www.geocities.com/cafebrasilia_2000/index5.html
The Merry Wives of Windsor (1982)
Weak Falstaff, terrible direction
Falstaff reminds me of a Civil Servant from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries three weeks before his retirement date !
There is a British TV series called 'Pie in the Sky' staring Richard Griffiths. It's about a fat chef who does occasional detective work. He is very similar to the character Griffiths portrays in the Merry Wives of Windsor, Sir John Falstaff. He finally found his forte, eating all the pies. However he does have a rather impressive CV. Sir John Falstaff should be more like a Robert Newton of Treasure Island fame rather than a pastry cook.
If you have ever heard the audio version with Anthony Quale as Falstaff and Dennis Hordern as Master Ford you will understand what a facile, badly directed and totally incorrect version this is.
Just because it has the letters BBC behind it does not always mean there is quality.
What I found irritating was the Somerset accents for most of the Principle characters. Windsor is a short barge ride up the Thames from Richmond Palace. Windsor Castle can be seen from Heathrow Airport, so why the West Country "ooo--arr" lads ? Perhaps the director was from Bristol ?
The costumes look so new and clean, whilst the moneyed members of the cast might look like this the others remind me of a lucky tramp who has just had free apparel from Savile Row.
Where is Falstaff growling for his quart of Sack ? Where is the lust and roguery of the fat pudding ?
Master Ford/Brook should not be portrayed as the limp character he is. Where's the anger of the cuckold?
Where's the 'she mercury' of Mistress Quickly.
Nym and Pistol have credibility.Judy Davis and Prunella Scales play Mistresses Page and Ford well enough, even with some humour.
It's as if the director was directing the Merry Wives yet thinking the context of a completely different play.
No, humour, no direction, no acting and no good. This is supposed to be a comedy but the cast act as if someone has made an inappropriate joke at a wedding! Mis-cast,misdirected and occasionally over acted. Why does Ben Kingsley act as if he is playing the part of Master Slender ? Frank-ly not Master Ford.
And how sped you ?
Very ill favourably Master Director, Very ill favourably.
Bring me a quart of Sack to get over this dead fish lying on a wet fish shop's slab.
The comments of "Deadly Dull" from Chicago has it spot on !
Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)
I stepped into a dream and awoke in a painting
This film is remarkable as it is as if one has just stepped into a painting.
Every scene is like a picture from a Dutch master. The colour and camera shots are superb. The 'eye of the holder' of the camera is sublime.
This is not a film essentially about Vermeer but one of his paintings- 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'
Some have complained there is not enough insight into Vermeer himself. The focus is on how a servant became a model for one of his most celebrated pictures. Little is known about the girl so we are taken by another's imagination as to how she may have become the model.
Vermeer was introverted and quiet. The acting of Scarlett Johanason said much about Griet and her life style with few words.
Now I understand Shakespeare's words from the 'Merry Wives of Windsor' -"half-stewed in grease like a Dutch dish." I could not believe the amount of lard that the cook smothered the ducks with before they were cooked ! I love this kind of small but effective detail as it says so much about the period.
Not until I looked at the deleted scenes that it became apparent that Vermeer died of the plague rather than a nasty dose of venereal disease?
I adore the music, I will try and get the CD of the soundtrack as soon as I can.
Alternative 3 (1977)
Alternative 3 - my experiences !
I well remember the alleged 'Science Report' of June 1977 about disappearing scientists and secret bases on the Moon.
At a UFO conference in a London hotel August 1979 (I met and had a chat with J.Allen Hynek) someone told me that the people who made that episode - Alternative 3 had a lot of trouble now finding work. Almost 'Black Listed' ?
Then a friend who's father was a senior engineer for the Royal Navy was asked by my friend about 'Alternative 3' - I was reading the Granada paperback at the time(sadly poorly written).
My friend's father hit the ceiling ! And shouted,"It's not that number anyway!"
Back in the early 1980's when 'La Thatcher' was in charge there was a girl in my local pub who bore a marked resemblance to 'Lady T'. I used to pull her leg about it as she pulled the pints. Chatting to her one day it transpired that she worked in a Financial Library in her day-time job. She was complaining about the snooty attitude of the highly qualified degree people who worked there. Anyway we somehow got chatting about 'Alternative 3' (too much beer on my part).
She said,"Alternative 3 sent a shudder right around the Financial Community. Whilst it was not completely true it closely paralleled the real thing. I shouldn't be telling you this because I have signed secrecy papers."
Interesting ?
Orfeu Negro (1959)
Listen to the beat but can you stay in your seat ?
I tried to stay in my seat but the Samba beat kept making me want to get to my feet.
Well I am biased as I play in a Samba bateria.
"Onions, Onions, Onions ?"
They bring a tear to the eye but only at the end of the film.
Somebody has used the term Latin American Pop sound describing Bossa Nova !
Bossa Nova pop ? Where's Britney Spears.
A further comment I read was that Bossa Nova had been the cornerstone of Latin American music for many years
Latin American ? Não ! Brazilian ! Many years before Black Orpheus ???
I didn't think Messrs Jobim, de Morais and Gilberto were that old ?
A Brazilian who did not like the film has commented that to depict the lives of the poor in the favelas as carefree and happy as inaccurate ?
Surely they must have some dignity even in poverty? Surely they must smile sometimes?
Tragedy and Saudade. Tristeza and Tragedy. Of course there is tragedy the film is based on a Greek play.
Too much tragedy and the film would not have any balance, it would be too dark. Too dark in the Brazilian sunshine. It is Carnaval, a time to sing and dance and forget the tragedy of poverty and the favelas.
It is Carnaval and Samba rules. If you don't like the "Feijoada" and Samba of Brasil go out for a McDonalds. Throw away the burger and eat the box you wont know the difference, real food is not for you, or real music.
To quote Dorival Caymmi:- "Who does not like Samba you'd rather not meet "There's sick in the head or lame in the feet."
A great film, a film that introduced Bossa Nova and Samba to a World with shoes made of lead.
Listen to the beat can you stay in your seat ? Onions ? Is that a tear I see in your eye for two tragic lovers serenaded by soulful music ?
Sink the Bismarck! (1960)
"Have they sunk any convoys ?"
Admiral Lutjens: "Lindemann, we are still the most powerful Battleship afloat, and if the English attack us we shall blow them out of the water !"
Later after H.M.S Hood.
Admiral Lutjens: " Do you know what will happen when Admiral Raeder reports the sinking of the Hood ? The Fuehrer will smile and everyone else will smile, and then a few moments later he will turn to Raeder with a scowl - What about the convoys Raeder ? Have they sunk any convoys ?"
The anti-aircraft guns on the Bismark were set to expect the minimum attack speed of an aircraft to be 80 knots. The Fairey Swordfish(stringbag) attacked at 75 knots. Whoops that torpedo dropped from a Swordfish has just jammed my rudder. End of an era. Just like the Italian 'pretty' ships at Taranto.
Sometime in the future a torpedo on the bottom of the sea with a passive computer progamme will listen for perhaps the Super Aircraft Carrier U.S.S Carl Vinson. When it recognises the cavitation will become active and launch itself at the rudder and screws. A mighty aircraft carrier will have no propulsion or steering.
End of an Era.
If there is another Naval War(Heaven forbid)on this scale it is likely to be fought with submarines ?
War of the Worlds (2005)
Fascinating Jim but not as we know it ?
Captain's log stardate 2548. We appear to have hit a time portal and are viewing the Earth in the year 2005. Spock is observing some film making from his magnification consul.
"Captain they seem to be making a film about alien invasion. The aliens have already been on earth for eons and yet are dying of disease. Quite illogical as they would have acclimatised during that time, also illogical is the selective way some of the earth electronics have ceased to function. Cars have stopped working but the ancient cam-corders operate?
The plot seems to revolve around a dysfunctional family. The father quite illogically seems to be trying to deal with family personal issues whilst the rest of humanity are blasted to pieces! It seems more of what they used to term 'Soap-Opera' than an adventure Science Fiction picture."
Sounds like an amateurish 'B' film Mr Spock what about the original references?
"Captain the story is based on a book from the early 20th Century Science Fiction writer H.G. Wells. There was a film made in the early 1950's. Then the invaders came from Mars and their Spaceships embedded themselves in the land. This version has the Space ships in the Earth for eons, ready to be activated."
So why then Spock did they not plan the invasion a hundred years earlier when there would have been less people and science?
"Good question Captain. I might add that the director of the film has been trying to educate the masses as to the existence of 'Alien' life forms over a number of years prior to 2005."
Fortunately or unfortunately he doesn't seem to be aware of Vulcans, only the 'greys' and other 'bug-like' creatures?
"Precisely Captain."
Tell me Spock what is the 2005 state of the Hollywood film industry?
"My computers indicate it is full of remakes of earlier films and film versions of popular TV series a few years before. The actors lack charisma and the industry is run by agents, lawyers and accountants. There appears to be no indication of creative activity. There is however quite an active 'old-boys' network."
Your prognosis Spock what is your prognosis?
"The future does not look good as the industry appears mired in has-beens and 'B' class wannabees."
Interesting Spock, interesting. I always wondered why that successful industry instead of going the 'Way of the West' went 'East'.
2046 (2004)
Has the train left the station or are they on strike again ?
I was drinking wine when I first watched my DVD of 2046. I thought what are all these 'Mickey-Mouse' philosophies about relationships ?
Didn't like it..........................but on another day ----
I gave the film another spin. Perhaps watching it sober might help? Then I wouldn't keep saying ,"What's a young Clark Gable doing in a Chinese film ?"
How do you like your brilliantine ? Shaken not stirred ?
A couple of lines from the film:-
"It is difficult to make a living from writing."
"I do it just for fun."
Now that strikes a chord !
I suppose the situation could be changed around? :-
Zi Yi: "It is difficult to make a living from hooking ?(Shagging)
Leung : " I do it just for fun!"
Strikes another chord ? I must stop being facetious.
All that sex going on and nobody saying, "How was it for you babee?"
Mr Chow(Leung) has obviously never been married ? Doesn't he know that shagging gets boring after a while. A bit like brushing teeth.
Talking of striking chords, how about making love to the Android Cabin attendant ? Perhaps her name is 'Starfish' ? Just lie there and think of the battery, or the integrated circuit?
Is the train to the future a story from Mr Chow ? Should he have stuck to writing martial-arts stories or was it erotic ones ?
If Dr Who appeared would he help the story along? Or even the odd Dalek to liven up the proceedings. I did not know that Androids could cry? Daleks can't cry because if they did they'd go rusty !
1,000,000,000,000 hours later.
Don't you think it is amazing how much free entertainment can be had with such thin hotel walls? I love the way they bend to the rhythm ! Never stayed in a place like that.
1,000,000 hours later.
The walls in the restaurant. Where were the cockroaches ? Walls like that always have cockroaches ! Very unrealistic.
1,000 hours later.
I think with a few changes here and there the film would have made a great comedy picture. Eh Mr Tony, or Mr Clark - Gable ?
I am facetious, the film 2046 is pretentious ?
Well I did like the music...............................
Tasogare Seibei (2002)
It has all been said already
The end brought a tear to my eye.
Sentimental old fool ?
A wonderful film.
As has been said, none of the characteristic sword play and leaping through the air.
None of the scenes of pseudo emotion that some modern Chinese films contain(probably for the Western market).
An honest film with an honest story.
Previous posters have without doubt added more eloquent appreciations.
Earlier I made comments about the film 'Hero' and how much I disliked it.
The Twilight Samurai for me is as good as 'Hero' is bad!
All art is subjective but I am sure that this film has touched many ?
Ying xiong (2002)
Shock & Bore Execrable
Shocked and Bored !
Montage or Pastiche ? Pistaccios to it ! Eye candy with no plot.
I will not show this film to my family, I would be dis-honoured I would lose face ! Beautiful settings and historical settings are not enough to make a film. Or a good one anyway? The eye of the camera has replaced the grey matter of the mind. Big battle scene with loads of arrows so what ? My name is Robin, I can pull an English 'Long-Bow'. The arrows scene was pathetic !
Only my love for Zhang Zi Yi sustained me through this arrant nonsense.
Mystical/Oriental covers a multitude of sins. The sins are poor acting, no characterisations, no story, NO HERO !
Tripe & Onions !
How many on this web site have said beautiful or wonderful ?
The effect of hashish and cocaine knows no boundaries ?
Put the brain in gear !
Do not be seduced by the pseudo-Sino film sets.
This is rubbish !
To show this to my family I would lose respect, face & honour !
Pathetic !
There is no such thing as a mysterious unfathomable Oriental mind ? Pull out your wallet and count out a few large notes and you will find the depth of the alleged Oriental mystique.
Like this film as shallow as the thickness of the said bank note.
Dire ! HMV I want the money back I paid for this CD.
-No wait a minute I will buy a few pirate copies in Bangkok for a pittance.
Kurasawa please don't turn in your grave it will be a wasted effort.
Look for better scripts in a Kindergarten.
****In plain English what the FCUK was that about ?****
Annoyed customer from the Secret Samurai Society.
Shi mian mai fu (2004)
I enjoyed the film but there is one part I am really not sure about.
When the tale arrived at the 'House of the Flying Daggers' with all the women in green costume I expected mystery and intrigue to focus on the 'women in green' - but it didn't ?
The film took off into to a fight between two blokes over a girl.
It was for me as if the story teller or the director had suddenly run out of ideas and relied on the tried and tested fight scene over a girl. Almost 'soap-opera' script.
This was a big disappointment for me because up to that time I had been really enjoying the film. Would the 'House of the Flying Daggers' come into contact with Imperial troops? Would somebody be betrayed ? Would somebody be playing the role of a double agent? Would there be any twists and turns to the plot? No, just a punch-up ! Filmed in a beautiful Ukrainian National park because it was cheaper.
Sometimes books and films that start really well have a poor ending. This did for me.
The Aviator (2004)
"I got six turnin' n four burnin !"
Said the pilot of a B-36 Peacemaker atomic bomber. From that reference you can guess I am as keen on Aviation as Mr Hughes was, but without the talent and the quirks?
I think enough film experts here have been eloquent enough about the film's shortcomings but I will however add my own.
"I got six turnin' n four burnin !" Six props & four jets.
How much we saw of the Hughes inner soul turnin' & burnin' I am not sure? Di Caprio the boy is a good enough actor but not for this part. However much he tries he will still come across as a boy.
The Hughes story would be a long one in any film. I thought that Kate Blanchet was excellent as Katharine Hepburn. I doubt whether many will agree but I felt there was a 'soap opera' element to this film. More so than the soap Hughes used on his hands. He was a character of complexes and yet there must have been depth. Talent to for designing aircraft and a visionary in some areas. As pointed out by other posters it never really became apparent why ? His mother touching him in the bath as a child I think is really a superficial and even trendy piece of filming ? Hughes obviously loved aviation and he did some extraordinary things in his early days. The 'Spruce Goose' his Hercules flying boat would have been underpowered and the flying boat era had come to an end and Hughes realised this whether or not this came out in the film is a debatable point? Again as other people have pointed out why so little about the man's decline and isolation. It did take up a large portion of his time on this earth.
I am biased but I would have liked the film to be taken more from an aviation point of view and less about the relationships - but relationships sell films. Talking of which I have read in an aviation book that Hughes had a long term homosexual relationship with Carey Grant ! Who, what when .......er I'll read that bit again! Yes, I was surprised but the book(I have forgotten the reference)did not substantiate the claim. The author just wrote it if it was a known fact ?
Over-hyped with the wrong actor(don't ask me who I'd choose)Howard Hughes is as difficult subject to make a film about as he was difficult in real life.
Lost Horizon (1937)
A wide range of views ?
Reading the comments about Lost Horizon there are differing views on this film. The majority seem to like it but the detractors forget the film was made in 1937. The dark clouds of war were gathering in Europe and the Japanese were in China. The 'Rape of Nanking' a Far-Eastern 'Holocaust' was just months away. A wished for safe haven away from reality is not surprising.
**** The gawking of the callow youth from one comment and his "HA HA HA" comments ....? Well he will go far ! To the toilet at the end of the corridor as he escapes the classroom for a cigarette. The strong Christian view put a Biblical spin on it? He is always 'RIGHT' after all ! He has the book to refer to ?*****
Enchanting with a few mistakes but what film doesn't contain mistakes ? Is the film relevant to today ? Just as much perhaps, even more so with the advent of the worship of materialism,money and dependency on drug taking to get a high. It is possible to get a 'High' in Shangri-La too.
Likely based on 'The Legend of Shambhalla' there might be a search for Shangri-La in all of us. Nothing is ever certain in this World and you never know Shambhalla/Shangri-La might just exist ? A classic film in its own way.