e-webb-669-130964 Reviews

The Life of Fish (2010)

mistakes and regrets

[8/10 · 30 May 2011]

I had never seen a Chilean film before the 'Life of Fish' was screened during a Spanish language film festival here in Perth, Western Australia.

I do not understand how MdIndeHond could find this film boring, I was mesmerised by its slow pace, the use of silence (there was almost no soundtrack), the constraint of filming the entire action within the confines of a house, the believable characters and dialogue and the utterly compelling acting.

'Life of Fish' may appeal more to older viewers than 20-somethings. I certainly am aware of missed opportunities in my own life and could relate to Andres dilemma.

If 'Life of Fish' is typical of the quality of Chilean film making then I shall certainly make an effort to see any other Chilean films that happen to reach 'the most isolated major city in the world'.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)

Please explain?

[3/10 · 1 July 2010]

What I do not understand about the Twilight furore is that, judging by billboards, the tabloids and 'Women's Magazines' would have us believe Pattinson and Stewert are an 'item', really 'in love', yet most critics comment that they have no on-screen chemistry and their acting together is unconvincing and 'hammy'. I've only seen 'Twilight', as an in-flight movie on the long-haul from HK to London, so not the best ambiance, and I found RP and KS totally unconvincing. RP seems genuinely to be a bad actor. 'Little Ashes' and 'Remember Me' both got terrible reviews. His acting was described as 'wooden'. He was OK as Cedric in HP4, but then it's a tiny part and he really only had to look good and be 'nice'. I've not seen KS in anything else, so cant judge her ability, but she seems to be equally wooden and limited. So, my question is: Can either RP or KS really act and what is all the fuss about? The story is some of the worst tripe I've ever struggled through - only because my students think the books are good and I needed to disillusion them.

The Hedgehog (2009)

A delightful, insightful comedy of manners

[7/10 · 30 April 2010]

I suppose if you have not read the book on which this film is based (L'elegance du herisson) you might be a little bewildered. I and the the jam-packed audience I saw it with in Fremantle, Western Australia, had. It is a delightful study of three 'outsider' personalities: a precocious teenage girl, a very unusual concierge and a Japanese gentleman. It probably resonates more if you know France, especially Paris; even Europe would do. I am now looking for it on DVD (at a reasonable price for Region 4) because it is a film I know I will watch again and again for its delicate study of 'la condition humaine' - the character studies are delightful. Don't be put off by earlier reviews. Leave your prejudices outside the cinema and sit back and enjoy a delicate, delightful study of three very non-American people observed in a very non-American way. If Australians can appreciate this film, it should appeal to anyone with sensibilities.

John Rabe (2009)

An important film about a little-known catastrophe

[7/10 · 30 April 2010]

John Rabe's story is important and probably merited its 'blockbuster' treatment. Rabe was the elected head of the international organisation that attempted to save the Nanjing Chinese from the appalling treatment they received at hands of their Japaense conquerors in 1937-8. The scale of the massacre, some 200,000-300,000 Chinese were killed, is still denied by many Japanese. These poor people were buried alive, beheaded in competitions, mown down by machine gun, burnt alive. The women were gang raped and, if they did not die as a result, sexually mutilated to ensure their deaths. The appalling behaviour of the Japanese troops in Nanjing is not sufficiently well known. By making a Hollywood-style 'blockbuster', the Germans have done the world a service. The film may be, indeed is, wrong in detail, but at least it may be seen by a wide audience who may then be tempted to find out more. In my opinion, this is a MUST SEE film because it addresses an appalling event that has been covered up for far too long.

North Face (2008)

a very realistic mountaineering experience

[8/10 · 23 February 2010]

I have to disagree with those who feel the story had been 'hollywoodised'. From what I have read about the disaster, it was portrayed fairly accurately. Andi was swept away by the avalanche, which also killed both Austrians, Toni died of cold suspended in midair. I did not think the Austrians were shown as bumbling or incompetent, nor did I think the other nationalities who chose not to climb were shown as cowards. It seemed to me that, of the lead characters the only one who was 'pro-Nazi' was the journalist. I didn't object to the love story because it was so low key. Maybe it happened, maybe it didn't. Does it matter? What mattered was the climb and that was filmed brilliantly. Having been to Kleine Scheidegg and Jungfraujoch, I think most of the long shots were actually filmed on the Eiger using mountaineering stunt doubles. The rest was possibly studio work. Whatever, the portrayal of the difficulties, given the gear they used, was very well done.