ryuakamrvengeance Reviews

The Idiots (1998)

Terrible

[4/10 · 6 December 2007]

Firstly, I cannot stand films that openly use hand-held "documentary" style cameras, they look terrible, shake and lose focus all the time. I generally want my films to look like films NOT like documentaries, and the supposed theory that hand held camera work makes things look more real is just not true, in fact it works towards the opposite. Shaky camera work and poor focus exemplify the fact that it is a film.

The film itself is fairly poor, and tries to demonstrate ideas of "non-conformity" by promoting the "inner-idiot", and it simply doesn't work. I find it ironic that this film preaches that social constructs are wrong when the character Stoffer creates one himself by enforcing the world of the "idiot". It seems to me that this film has set out to be controversial for the sake of being controversial, and really just ends up looking tasteless and grotesque.

Also, Lars Von Trier, who helped come up with the Dogma 95 movement breaks his own "vow of chastity" in a number of ways, proving that he is "the idiot". Don't waste your time on this trash

Zidane, un portrait du 21e siècle (2006)

not great, but intriguing

[6/10 · 12 November 2007]

Let me start of by saying this isn't a film for people who don't appreciate football. If you don't like football, then this film isn't for you. Yes, it is also an art film with exceptional cinematography, but to fully understand the nature of the film, and the nature and grace of Zinedine Zidane you must at least have some interest in football.

To many, including myself, Zinedine Zidane is the nearest specimen to a perfect footballer ever seen. He has everything needed to play the beautiful game; grace, intelligence, imagination and technique. So a film about the greatest footballer of modern times couldn't go by my unnoticed. The film is far from conventional, and at times completely hypnotic, as Zidane says himself, his memories of matches are fragmented and this could easily apply to this film. It is like a mirage of images, like watching a dream. Although clips of the match on TV keep it within reality, the numerous shots of "Zizou" on the pitch are completely surreal.

To understand this film beyond its cinematography, you must, as I said appreciate football. The subtle touches of the ball; the interaction with his fellow teammates, Raul, Roberto Carlos; the very way he moves around the field could not be significant unless you understand the very nature of Zidane. The film captures the intimate moments of despair and victory and of Zidanes very thoughts. The world and mind of Zidane is brought to the viewer in an empathetic way not seen in most films. For the ninety minutes or so, we shadow Zidane, we are even Zidane.

But despite all this, the film is significantly flawed. I am probably not the first to say at times you feel completely bored, and are tired of Zidane just walking around. You feel this might have been a good idea if they hadn't of chose to show ALL 90 minutes. But they do, and at times it is completely tedious. You eventually ask yourself if you are watching the same clips on a loop, the shots are so repetitive. Granted the "second half" is a lot better, as it is eventful and Zidane comes to life for better and for worse. Though you can't help feel you just wasted 90 minutes of your life.

As a fanatic follower of football, this film just about keeps me interested, so God help anyone who wants to watch this AND is not interested in football.

The Pianist (2002)

Surprisingly Good

[9/10 · 16 October 2007]

When I first watched this film, my mind was quick to compare the film to Spielbergs "Schindlers List" as many other viewers have probably done also, but then the film took an unexpected twist, which changed my perception and comparisons entirely.

As Szpilman and his family were walking to the train (taking them to certain death) I though to myself "not another concentration camp movie, how predictable" but how wrong I was. Just as Szpilman was saved, so was the movie, as it became an original, unique insight into the "Ghetto" that I had never seen before.

Rather then take an obvious route and show the depression of the "Death" Camps, Polanski takes a different path, a path of isolation, desperation, and a will to survive. One shot that sticks out in my mind, is after Szpilman is saved and walks through the deserted city, (a bit like Cilian Murphy in 28 days later).

Szpilman does all he can to remain alive, and sometimes you do worry for him, as when he drops the bricks, or is caught with the food sack, and throughout the film you are forever thinking about whether or not he will make it; he must come close to death about 10 times! The scene towards the end, as he plays piano for the German officer, was one of the most moving and powerful scenes I can think to remember, and it is worth watching the film just for that scene alone.

Overall, a very similar, but equally different experience to Schindlers list, but nevertheless, just as brilliant

In My Father's Den (2004)

Engrossing film making

[10/10 · 25 June 2007]

One of the true gems of cinema and a must see for all fans of world cinema. Mathew McFadyen is absolutely terrific as "Paul", and displays a real talent and understanding of the character. Newcomer Emily Barclay is also brilliant, playing the naiive, but refreshing "Celia".

It is one of those films that keeps you guessing all the way through, and will give a handful of twists at the end for you to revere and reminisce on as you look back on the fantastic 120 minutes we have just witnessed.

There is some excellent directing on show from Brad McGann and shows off the beautiful New Zealand landscape, without covering it head to toe in Orcs. He plays with the narrative to create a compelling, engrossing story, that never looks tired weak or pretentious, and shows that thrillers don't all have to be hi-tech Clancy-like over ambitious renditions of the same tired clichés.

Miranda Otto seems strangely misplaced in this film, and never seems totally in control of her character, but despite that this film is near flawless and shows a different side to film making, one that comes directly from true film lovers and not penned down by some Hollywood writing monkeys.

A must see for all film lovers, whether or not you are appreciative of world cinema, a brilliant lesson to all aspiring filmmakers, that sometimes a great story is all you need.

Night Watch (2004)

This could have been better

[7/10 · 9 March 2007]

This film had the makings of a modern masterpiece, but unfortunately failed to live up to its early promise. With a good, original concept, an imaginative, contemporary director and some brilliant special effects, where did this all go wrong? The main problems are all too obvious, with the plot taking most of the heat. The further into the film we get the more confusing and unintentionally ambiguous the film becomes. It doesn't take time to explain whats going on, rushing into set pieces and forgetting the audience. And what results is many seemingly irrelevant scenes, as you try to fathom the whats and whens.

The production value begins to tell after a while, and results in poor looking shots and backgrounds, which is a shame, because the cinematography and special effects are effectively good throughout the film. Bekmambetov is clearly a talented director, with visionary technical prowess. You just think that with a little more funding this could have been a lot better.

Saying all that, there are a lot of good points to this film. Konstantin Khabensky does a good job portraying the main protagonist, Anton. Again, the director comes up with some imaginative shots and sequences. I won't give away the ending, but lets just say that it's different and goes against similar clichéd Hollywood offerings. Though for all its bad points, this film has many positives and is worth a viewing.

Braindead (1992)

Sick but hilarious

[9/10 · 8 March 2007]

Not many films make me laugh, and don't get me wrong, I do have a sense humour. But this film had me in fits! The humour is in a way quite gross and "sick" but also clever and original, such as the internal organs trying to kill Lionel and the punk zombie using his own legs as walking sticks. This film is as funny as it is gory and gruesome, which in a weird kind of way can only be seen as a compliment. Jackson does a brilliant job, a far-cry from his later LOTR and Kong films, but shows he has a wicked sense of humour and an eye for visual comedy. This film easily outshines and outsmarts the recent Shaun of the Dead, so anyone who is thinking of seeing that, watch Braindead instead, and you will be guaranteed laughs!

Oldboy (2003)

One step ahead of America

[9/10 · 7 March 2007]

Oldboy takes a hammer and "batters" its American equivalents, leaving them as pulped as a chewed up squid. Park Chan Wook displays what America misses with his ultra-stylish, ultra-violent thriller. Why watch Ben Affleck fail spectacularly to summon any displayable talent, when Min sik Choi serves up a memorable role as the disturbed, vengeful Dae Su Oh, in the second of the Vengeance trilogy. Park skillfully creates a compelling plot that will have you guessing through the entire film, up until the final shocking revelation. The Cinematography expertly done by Jeong-hun Jeong, who also worked on the follow up to this film, Chinjeolhan geumjassi. Everything about this film is done in style and panache and creates a memorable experience, and has many memorable scenes.

Many people accuse this film of being "unrealistic". These people forget that this a film, not a documentary. No one complains About Star Wars being unrealistic, and rightly so. Films have a right to stretch out reality, don't forget the reason it does this is to be entertaining.

Although the film has strong violence of a graphic nature, I advise you to watch it, if only to broaden your perspectives of world and Asian cinema.

The Godfather (1972)

Good, but not that good

[8/10 · 7 March 2007]

Let me start by saying that I didn't particularly enjoy the Godfather. I found the film too slow paced, and James Caan was extremely irritable. Vito took FOREVER to recover, and when he did he choked it not long later.

Saying that, I respect the film and Coppola on the effort and technical prowess on show. Al Pacino is brilliant, if a little predictable, while Robert Duvall steals the spotlight if you ask me, with a truly masterful performance.

The final scene will always be remembered, and for good reason, its artistically genius, but I won'y give it away.

This film isn't for everyone, so don't worry if you think you oughta enjoy it just because it's ranked number 1 in the top 250. Just remember that films are always about opinion, and there can never be justifiable official "Greatest Movie", so if you don't like it fine, don't let other people hound you down just because they insist that it's the perfect film, because as far as I'm concerned, there can never be a perfect film.

As Peter Griffin once said, "It insists upon itself Louis".

Memento (2000)

Filmaking at its most innovative

[10/10 · 7 March 2007]

Films are so often fed to us with a large spoon. Producers don't give the public much credit, and watching some films they must think we are retarded. So it's nice to see someone giving us a cinematic challenge. Thank you Christopher Nolan for this unique piece of film making and not considering us as intellectually redundant. The film is by my standards (which are pretty cynical I'm told) a modern masterpiece. Everything about this film is delivered in great detail, from the colour schemes to the cinematography. Nolan gets the structure spot on, if he twists it too much, it becomes wrapped up in so many layers it becomes uninjectable, too little and it becomes pointless and weak. The characters are brilliantly written, even if the dialogue at times is a little pretentious. Pearce and Pantoliano are both excellent and Carie Ann Moss is annoying, which is a shame, but excusable. I would advise anyone who wants to see a truly compelling, unpredictable, thought provoking film to see this, because it is worthy of the top 10 films ever made. And plus, it is far better then The Godfather:Part 2.