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Reviews
El laberinto del fauno (2006)
Visually Amazing
Pan's Labyrinth is one of the most artistic films I have seen in a while. The art direction is amazing, with sets and effects that are astonishing. However, while the look of the film is gorgeous it holds a very dark story.
Pan's Labyrinth is about a young girl named Ofelia who is living with her mother and her stepfather who is a Captain in the Spanish Civil War. The brutality of this war is never masked and introduced to us from the beginning of the film. Ofelia is a child that does not deal with the brutality but instead goes into a magical world where she must deal with its own brutality.
This film has the most amazing visual effects that blend right into the film. Unlike most CGI, the effects in this film blend right into the story instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. The effects are done so well that they add to the visual aesthetic.
The story itself is very well done by combining the magical world with the real one, even color scheme remains the same allowing for both worlds to seamlessly blend into each other. Although the story does deal with a magical world it is obviously not for children and has been described as an adult fairy tale. This is exactly what this film is. With adult themes and detailed violence this film is meant for a mature audience.
Another part of this film that is interesting is that it takes a brutal moment in history and shows it through not only the eyes of an imaginative child, but parallels it with the world Ofelia is sucked into. While there is history in this film no knowledge of the Spanish Civil War is needed since a narrator explains the war at the beginning of the film. While in most films this can be a misplaced mistake, but in Pan's Labyrinth it fits very nicely. Overall this film is an visually amazing while also succeeding at telling a very captivating story.
Inu to watashi no 10 no yakusoku (2008)
Overdone and Overrated
This film is best described as a tearjerker. This film tires everything known to get the audience to shed a few tears, and the best way to do this is through an animal. A well- trained Golden Retriever is the animal of choice. The story develops around a girl named Akira and her dog Socks. Akira's mother makes her promise 10 different things to Socks, which is more of an acknowledgment of what Akira needs to do to raise Socks. While the title suggests this film is about a girl's relationship with her dog, it really develops into Akira's story about growing up.
While Socks is a well-trained dog that follows the commands he is the only interesting one to watch. Everything else in the film seems over exaggerated from the acting to the situations that arise. The film tries so hard to make you cry that it seems to have forgotten all about the basic aesthetics. In an attempt to create a specific mood the story gets jumbled and lost. From a story about a dog and its master it becomes a love story. The ending seems out of place, focusing on the romantic side instead of the relationship between Akira and Socks.
If you have seen a film that is about a pet and its owner, then you have already seen this film. Everything is predictable, and especially the ending. This story about the cute dog and the owner, that cares more about them than the dog, has been done and is very overrated. The only point of this film is to try to make you cry, and while it may succeed in that objective, the film seems to have lost the story. Scenes seem to appear for the sake of a tear instead of their importance to the plot. While having an emotional reaction to a film can be good, if emotion is only achieved through certain scenes and not the entire film, it is a waste of time, which is exactly what this film is.
Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922)
Nothing beats the original
It seems that the popular theme in Hollywood be it in film or television is the lure of the vampire. With shows like "True Blood" and the cult teen film like "Twilight" the obsession with vampires is growing. However, when talking about vampire film nothing beats the original vampire film Nosferatu.
Nosferatu is based on Bram Stroker's "Dracula" and takes the horrifying novel and turns it into a terrifying film. This is the basis behind all vampire films and also even horror films in general. One of the most famous and interesting effects is the use of shadows.
Most horror films play with the use of shadows which is most popularly introduced in Nosferatu the last scene when Count Orlok walks up the stairs and at first you see his shadow is one of the most popular scenes in this film and for good reason. The shadow in the stairwell is famous not only for aesthetic purposes but also it is a truly horrifying scene. By not seeing the monster you truly get the suspense given in a film, especially one that is silent.
In recent horror films Hollywood has depended on a soundtrack to create the mood, but when we look back and watch good silent films like Nosferatu we can see how visually a film can be just as frightening as a Hollywood film with a soundtrack and sometimes the silent films can be even more petrifying. With the use of shadows and make-up Nosferatu is the classic vampire. Every vampire film or show has used some form of Nosferatu as a defining point and as a creative reference.
It is good to look back at these classic films and see what makes them so archetypal. Nosferatu can even be described as the beginning of the horror genre. Through tense visual sequences and odd behavior of Orlok Nosferatu is captivating. This film is a must see for any film-goer, especially anyone interested in the lure of vampires.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
A disturbing masterpiece
Despite the fact that this movie came out over 30 years ago it still manages to impact its audiences. If a film has the ability to impact an audience beyond its time there is no doubt that something must be good about his film to be able to relate to so many various generations. In an era where teen and college rebellions were at their peak this film takes that concept and builds its plot around this concept. While at its peak in the 1970s teen rebellion will happen in every generation, which helps allow future generations to identify themselves with Alex.
Once thing to take into consideration when looking at A Clockwork Orange is that this film was based off a book. Because of this there is the inevitable question of which is better. However, in this case it does not matter if you read the book because the film is spectacular enough on its own.
It is amazing how this film can take songs as Beethoven's 5th symphony and "Sing in the Rain" and turning them into the most disturbing things you will ever hear. By placing these innocent songs with a controversial visual makes the songs and scenes that much more disturbing.
Malcolm McDowell's performance as Alex is captivating by taking a character with villain attributes and turning him into someone that the audience can relate to and sympathize with. Not only is McDowell's performance captivating, but also so is the make-up and costumes. Each gang has their signature outfit that would seem out of place even in the film. Showing that these gangs are even more outside of the society's norms.
A Clockwork Orange remains a must see film even past the time it came out. Allowing current audiences to enjoy the social exploration that this movie conveys. While some scenes can be a shock this film's ability to take the crude and ruthless and turn them into the protagonists makes A Clockwork Orange worth seeing.
Shall we dansu? (1996)
Nothing beats the original
This is the original Shall We Dansu, a Japanese film that takes a look at the society around it and the shameful act of dancing. It is considered out of the society's norms to dance, whether it is in a studio or at home, especially ballroom dancing. This is exactly what the main character Shohei Sugiyama is looking for to break from his mundane life. While the topic of the film is better understood with the knowledge of Japanese culture it is still hilarious to watch while still maintaining its heart-felt plot.
Shall We Dansu has a very serious plot of a man trying to break from his daily routine, but also adds in a slew of comedy through gags and dialog. Some scenes are laugh out loud while others just give a chuckle to break up tension. However, this is a very funny film with a very interesting story line.
The one thing to be aware of is that this is the original Japanese version. There has been a more recent Hollywood version that falls very short in comparison. The Hollywood version was a flop and took an amazing movie and turned it into a pointless waste of time. Do not see the remake; instead look at this original film, which is able to captivate humor and drama all in the same moment.
The most important thing to understand about this film is that in this Japanese society it is taboo to dance. If you try to place this film outside of that context, like how the remake attempted, it loses everything that makes this film worth seeing. While analyzing society, and the norms of that society, Shall We Dansu is a captivating experience that mixes humor with drama to allow for an entertaining film experience.
Batoru rowaiaru (2000)
Could there be any more gore and blood?
Anyone family with the Japanese animation culture knows this film. However, this does not justify the grotesque concept and graphically visual nature of this film. The concept of Battle Royale is that a 9h grade class is sent to an island for an all out kill or be killed contest in order keep the outside teen population from rebelling. Each student is handed one weapon, some more useful than others, and told that if there is more than one person alive at the end of the game they all will die. In order to survive this is a truly kill or be killed sadistic game.
While blood and violence seems to be the popular craze when it comes to horror and thriller films, Battle Royale takes this to a whole new level. With graphic scenes that are inappropriate and have no purpose in the overall plot this film shows the blood and gore just for the sake of blood and gore. This allows certain death scenes to be comical because of the outlandish and lavished nature of the macabre situations.
Even though some of the death scenes are creative there is no depth to the characters. What you see is what you get. There is no back-story, or even development throughout the film. The characters that survive show no changes from when they started off as normal 9th graders. This makes the film hard to take seriously and the plot gets lost within the violence.
This film takes an interesting look at being able to contain rebellion through violence, yet does not expand on this idea. Instead of focusing on the effects that the characters' actions have, the focus is on the actions themselves. While there are a few flashbacks this does not engage the audience the character's previous live. This forces the audience to little attachments to the characters, making them all expendable and allowing the audience to detach from the film.
Mononoke-hime (1997)
A Japanese animation that breaks the traditional styles of anime
For those that are not fans of anime this is one of the few Japanese animations that is worth seeing. Princess Mononoke is not the typical Japanese animation where facial features are over exaggerated and the characters over react to the slightest events. This film brings a fresh look at 2D animation and the artistic capabilities that creative minds can bring to an animated feature.
The style of this film is no doubt one of the most creative pieces of art. However, this film goes beyond the artwork and creates an epic tale that analyzes society and the negative impact of progress. There is a war between the developed world and the natural one. Through creative outlets this film is able to tell this story that is effective and creative at the same time.
The details in the animation pull audiences into a world of color and vividness. Characters seem to come alive and pop out from the background. While the film has some real world attributes to the animation, the creativity of the animals and their habitats make this imaginary world so captivating.
There is no doubt that the artwork is astonishing, but being able to tell a story of such a magnitude, while keeping audience entertained throughout is something that is very difficult, but Miyazaki is able to successfully accomplish. The story is entertaining from start to finish and the characters have a depth to them that is rarely found in anime.
Even with a plot that is enjoyable and characters that are interesting, this film is worth seeing if just for the animation. It is a nice refreshment to see an anime that has a fully developed story and animation that is not over exaggerated but instead is detail oriented. Overall this is an animation that adults will enjoy without having to be a fan of Japanese anime.
13 Tzameti (2005)
An Unsuspecting Thriller
When starting off this film seems to be a normal French film. We first see Sebastian with his poverty stricken family and his mundane job as a roofer. While this seems to be a normal French drama, it soon takes a disturbing turn into a fascinating thriller. This film grabs and holds on to you, causing a heart stopping reaction throughout the film.
This is one of the best thrill rides that I have experienced, and the filming style adds to this thriller. While the film is modern it is shot in black and white, and does not diminish the experience, but actually enhances it. This film is not about the blood and gore, but about a story that shocks you to the core.
Every twist and turn in this film is done with such finesse and none of it seems unnatural. While in an extraordinary situation this film portrays it as a normal occurrence, which makes this film that much more disturbing. There is nothing special about Sebastian, if anything he is just your average Joe, but he is forced into a very terrifying world. This adds to the film because if an ordinary person like Sebastian can get caught in the situation that takes place, what is stopping it from happening from the rest of us.
Another part of this film that entrances you is the sound track. While waiting for the light to turn on you hear nothing, which makes it that more terrifying. There is no use of violins to exaggerate the tension. The tension is there on its own, and by not adding a musical score to these scenes it makes them that more real and thus more terrifying.
Bakkudansâzu! (2006)
Not Another Dance Movie
Here we go again, another dance film that tries to get audiences as hyped about a- typical dancing as the actors. This film follows two girls Arai Miyu and Saiki Yoshiki as they pursue a career in dance. Miyu and Yoshiki get kicked out of high school for dancing at a club and soon find an outside club where they could dance despite their age. Soon the girls get recruited by a scout and become "The Backdancers" (a backup dance group for pop sensation Yuri). Miyu, Yoshiki, and the other members Tomoe and Ai get abandoned by Yuri and are soon without a career. The story follows these girls as they try to survive on their own as a dance group.
This film has been done before and seems to rip directly from other dance films. "The Backdancers" seems to scream "Step Up" and "Stomp the Yard." Every cliché about dance and breaking into the industry is overdone in this film. However, this film is missing several things.
One of them is a care for the characters. We see the girls in for only a brief moment outside of them dancing. There is no time to establish a relationship between the audience and the characters. While interesting plot points occur, such as a strained mother-daughter relationship and a missing father, none of these points get developed to their full potential.
By just briefly introducing these developments, they seem pointless. More time should have been spent on the characters and their relationship instead of on the actual dancing. Instead this film tries to be like popular Hollywood dance films and fall very short. This film becomes strictly about watching women dancing to hip-hop music for over an hour. The story is absent and what plot is there is brief and underdeveloped. This film had the potential to tell an interesting story, but fell shot, and instead becomes an uninteresting dance film that had been done before.
El orfanato (2007)
A recent horror film done well
All I have to say is it is about time. It has been so long since a good horror film has been and The Orphanage is one of the few films to finally succeed. Recently a horror film is about how much blood and gore can be crammed into a 2-hour time slot. There is no mystery, nothing to be terrified about. Instead these films are meant to startle and disgust you. That is not horror. What happened to the films that just had a scary plot and did not depend of the gross and grotesque?
This is exactly wait The Orphanage is, a scary plot that leaves behind all the gore and blood and depends strictly on its story. The Orphanage is about a woman named Laura who returns to the orphanage where she grew up with her son and her husband to open it once again. The story heightens when her son Simon disappears after making a new imaginary friend.
Instead of relying on a CGI created bad guy, The Orphanage uses live action and an interesting plot to engulf the audience in its story. This is a nice refresher to other horror films. This film actually cares about the characters and their development. We see how Laura tries to deal with the loss of her child, while trying to figure out the mysteries behind Simon's invisible friend Tomas. Laura's journey is just as interesting as the mystery behind Simon's disappearance.
This film has everything that one could hope for in a good horror film. The soundtrack also assists the film in its supernatural feel, but the film is not dependent on the music alone. Through well-developed characters and plot The Orphanage is one of the best-done horror films in a long time.
While this horror film is not like most Hollywood horrors that allow you to sit back, turn off your brain, and watch the typical shock factors, The Orphanage forces you to think and drags you into the supernatural world that Laura has also been sucked into. This is one of the best horror films in a long time and I strongly recommend it.
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
The way Phantom of the Opera should be
This is yet another example of how the classic still remains the best. The Phantom of the Opera is film that has been redone countless times. However, the silent one still seems to be the best. This is the only version that seems to captivate the true horror and thrill that this story has to offer.
This is the classic tale of an opera house that is said to be haunted. The phantom of the opera is also the leading lady's tutor. Christine Daae is a new singer that is getting lessons from the very talented phantom. Christine believes that her dead father has sent the phantom to her. This is a tale of love and mystery that cannot be told enough.
Now when thinking about The Phantom of the Opera the first thought in most people's mind is the musical. Unfortunately, the musical completely deletes the horror aspect and makes this strictly a love story. The thrill of the phantom is what defines this movie as the classic horror that it is.
The most terrifying scene by far is when the phantom reveals who he is and takes off his mask. The make-up done on Lon Chaney is spectacular. When looking at his face, you want to look away but you can do nothing but stare. The face is so distorted that the phantom is truly grotesque and you can understand why he wears his mask. Unlike other remakes, when this is revealed the phantom may have some make-up but nothing is as horrifying as the original phantom.
It is a shame that this silent film and interesting story seems to have been butchered through remake after remake. This is the classic tale of the phantom of the opera and is a chilling one, even by today's standards. Instead of relying on CGI and graphic visuals it is nice to look back at classic cinema and see how it all started. It is even more amazing when a silent film can still scare and captivate its audience. If you want to watch the story of the phantom there is no better visual than this original silent film.
Saint Ralph (2004)
Finally a worthwhile sports film!
This film is a captivating coming of age story about a young boy named Ralph and his search for a miracle so that his mother will come out of her coma. Ralph is a boy trying to figure his place in life while getting into embarrassing situations that all preteens and teens can relate to.
While Ralph's mother is hospitalized she slips into a coma and the nurse tells Ralph that it would take a miracle for his mother to recover. This sends Ralph on his journey in search for a miracle. He soon finds it when he is told that it would be a miracle for anyone from his cross-country team to win the Boston marathon. Ralph's purpose then becomes to train and win the Boston marathon.
Ralph's naive behavior is endearing and is one of the main reasons why you cheer for him throughout his struggle. While faced with being the awkward kid in his class and someone every just pokes fun at Ralph learns and grows into a character filled with depth.
This may seem like any other sports film where you follow the underdog, it is done in such a unique way, that you are aching to see the outcome. Witt is placed throughout the film through dialog and situations, which allow the film's serious undertone to vanish, even if for a few seconds.
One of the details that I love about this film is the use of the saints. The film is broken down into different chapters, which are titled by the saint that they represent, such as the saint of fire prevention. This detail becomes more humorous the second time the film is seen.
Even though the religious aspect is a little in your face, it is necessary to the film. You are able to sympathize with Ralph, who is trying to understand religion and his place in the world, by better understanding the religious and political pressures that the priests are forcing onto young Ralph.
This is one of the few sports films that is not just about the sport. In fact, the sport has very little to do with the film. The film is mainly about Ralph and the lessons he learns growing up his town, which allows this sports film to reach a deeper level that can be enjoyed by sports lovers and non-sports lovers alike.
Tegami (2006)
Enjoyable film for all audiences
Tegami is an interesting story about two brothers and their relationship. Naotaka Takeshima is the younger brother of Takashi Takeshima, who is convicted of murder. While the murder was accidental, Takashi kills an elderly woman, and is caught and placed in jail. In this society just being related to a criminal is enough for people to convict you as well. This is exactly what Naotaka has to deal with in the film Tegami. Throughout the film we see how Naotaka gets judged and discriminated against in his work as well as his personal life. Tegami also explores the brotherly relationship between Naotoka and Takashi and the strains that incarceration can cause.
Tegami brings up interesting social issues while also telling a captivating story. From start to finish there is always something worthwhile on the screen. The performances throughout are extremely well done. Every character seems to have a story to tell. In this film everything comes together so smoothly.
Another interesting part of this movie is that the subtle attributes of the background music, that is usually ignored in other films, is so well placed that it enhances the mood and adds more depth to scenes. This is especially true in the last scene. The music enhances the mood that is created by the last scene and makes this scene more captivating to watch.
While the film is a drama there is comedy placed throughout. While Naotaka is trying to salvage his life, despite what might happen to his incarcerated brother, Naotaka is also an aspiring stand-up comedian. The comedy is very subtle but is allows the break from the serious mood that would be overwhelming, especially in the final scene.
Overall this film is entertaining from start to finish. With enjoyable performances and a captivating story this makes this film a nice entertainment. Tegami allows for all kinds of audiences to enjoy it. The style of Tegami does not depend on the knowledge of Japanese style films, instead it can be enjoyed by all audiences.