2008 Film Reviews: Tony Leung Smiles!
May. 28th, 2009 09:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kateelliottTo clarify: these are films I watched in 2008, not necessarily films released in 2008. I'm just catching up. In fact, this is the second to last post for 2008 films.
Our Mutual Friend
Over time, I have had to conclude that Dickens is just not my thing. This is well done in the usual British style, but I scarcely can recall anything about it except that it featured scenes of the underbelly of Victorian London. Oh, and the young female lead from MI-5 (aka Spooks) plays the secondary female lead, the underclass beauty.
As opposed to
Cranford, based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novel,
which I adored. And which my spouse, patiently sitting down to watch the first episode with me on the couch to keep me company, watched all the way through, all the episodes, as well, so you know that between the production, acting, writing, and the all important source material, someone was doing something right. NOTHING HAPPENS in this miniseries set in the mid 19th century. But everything happens. Life happens. Change comes to the English village of Cranford, slowly, on little cat feet, and we get to know a varied set of characters in a way that allows us to understand them, care for them, dislike them, respect them, hope for their success, or mourn at their deaths. I would watch it again.
Central Station
This story, set in Brazil, of a retired and rather misanthropic schoolteacher who ends up involved in restoring an abandoned boy to his family could be a sentimental mess, but I thought the filmmakers and in particular the actress who plays the lead avoided the pitfalls inherent in the situation. The story focuses on the human need for connection, and what it means to feel connected to others, to strangers, to humanity. The ending is bittersweet but satisfying. There are many fine details and moments about the country and culture of Brazil. I found this to be a very good film. Oh, and it passes the Bechdel Test.
Snatch
Jason Statham (love him!). Brad Pitt (incomprehensible! and really really funny!) Guy Ritchie (directing), and a passel of low life characters, violence, and dark humor. The set up is a bit long and convoluted, although that’s part of its charm, and although I can’t be absolutely sure since I'm relying on my rather hazy memory, I’m pretty darn sure the film does not remotely pass the Bechdel Test. But the pay off is, in a darkly violent comedic way, very satisfying. Also, it follows the all important film rule: the best looking man in the film wins (well, okay, except when he doesn't, but in this kind of film, he usually does). I liked it, lots.
Chungking Express
Tony Leung smiles! And, yes, his smile is devastating, so be still my heart. Two stories (the first is a strange but compelling tale with Takeshi Kaneshiro and Brigitte Lin), linked by the Chungking Express (the local equivalent of a fast food restaurant, kind of). Not really a comedy, definitely not a tragedy. These are more like two slice of life stories, woven together. The second, with Tony Leung and Faye Wong, is rather sweet. And, seriously, Tony Leung strips down to his underwear *and* he smiles. What greater recommendation do you need, people?
Our Mutual Friend
Over time, I have had to conclude that Dickens is just not my thing. This is well done in the usual British style, but I scarcely can recall anything about it except that it featured scenes of the underbelly of Victorian London. Oh, and the young female lead from MI-5 (aka Spooks) plays the secondary female lead, the underclass beauty.
As opposed to
Cranford, based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novel,
which I adored. And which my spouse, patiently sitting down to watch the first episode with me on the couch to keep me company, watched all the way through, all the episodes, as well, so you know that between the production, acting, writing, and the all important source material, someone was doing something right. NOTHING HAPPENS in this miniseries set in the mid 19th century. But everything happens. Life happens. Change comes to the English village of Cranford, slowly, on little cat feet, and we get to know a varied set of characters in a way that allows us to understand them, care for them, dislike them, respect them, hope for their success, or mourn at their deaths. I would watch it again.
Central Station
This story, set in Brazil, of a retired and rather misanthropic schoolteacher who ends up involved in restoring an abandoned boy to his family could be a sentimental mess, but I thought the filmmakers and in particular the actress who plays the lead avoided the pitfalls inherent in the situation. The story focuses on the human need for connection, and what it means to feel connected to others, to strangers, to humanity. The ending is bittersweet but satisfying. There are many fine details and moments about the country and culture of Brazil. I found this to be a very good film. Oh, and it passes the Bechdel Test.
Snatch
Jason Statham (love him!). Brad Pitt (incomprehensible! and really really funny!) Guy Ritchie (directing), and a passel of low life characters, violence, and dark humor. The set up is a bit long and convoluted, although that’s part of its charm, and although I can’t be absolutely sure since I'm relying on my rather hazy memory, I’m pretty darn sure the film does not remotely pass the Bechdel Test. But the pay off is, in a darkly violent comedic way, very satisfying. Also, it follows the all important film rule: the best looking man in the film wins (well, okay, except when he doesn't, but in this kind of film, he usually does). I liked it, lots.
Chungking Express
Tony Leung smiles! And, yes, his smile is devastating, so be still my heart. Two stories (the first is a strange but compelling tale with Takeshi Kaneshiro and Brigitte Lin), linked by the Chungking Express (the local equivalent of a fast food restaurant, kind of). Not really a comedy, definitely not a tragedy. These are more like two slice of life stories, woven together. The second, with Tony Leung and Faye Wong, is rather sweet. And, seriously, Tony Leung strips down to his underwear *and* he smiles. What greater recommendation do you need, people?