BrokenNotesMusic's Reviews

2046 (2004)

5/10

7 May 2005

Warning: Spoilers

My thoughts on 2046 has always been rather hard to express. Part of me adores and loves this movie a lot, while another side of me actually kind of dislikes this movie when comparing it to other movies I've seen of his. This review will contain spoilers, so read with caution. According to a few reviews I've read, he apparently clashes all of his other movies with this one, and he tries to bring back the "charm" that was the success of In The Mood For Love. In a way it works, and at the same time the film loses some originality (even though it's Wong's original creation). While the film has a good style, it just hangs on the thought of "Oh, we've seen this before, can he do anything else?". I guess it's that thought that lurks inside me from really enjoying this movie to it's fullest.

But basically, if I were to judge this as a stand-alone, this is a simply stunning experience. The movie is mainly directed at people who enjoy art flicks and romance stories at a more slowed down pace. Tony Leung is breath-taking and sleek like he usually is in movies. At times I think I may have treated Zhang Ziyi a little unfairly, as I wanted to see more of Faye Wong on screen than her. However, this is a role different for Ziyi, and it seems she is able to play a mean, yet seducing type of character very easily. Nothing really to say about Takuya Kimura, Gong Li or Carina Lau, but they played their roles fine. Wasn't really that impressed with their performances to be entirely honest with you. Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, and Faye Wong in my opinion really brought this film to life. Faye Wong really put the extra bit of effort for her role, and even for the very first time did a sexual scene, but at least she didn't do anything nude like Zhang Ziyi of Carina Lau. Just a standard kissing/brief make-out scene with Takuya Kimura. I wouldn't want Faye to show her body off like that. Moving on to the original score, well, what a gem! The soundtrack was a worthy purchase for my collection. The Main Theme is simple, yet addictive. Hints to the In The Mood For Love soundtrack are also easily detectable throughout the music and it's no surprise Shigeru Umebayashi returns to do the music, along with various other artists who are featured.

All in all, if you love art or romance, this may be the movie you have been looking for. Consider 2046 a recommendation. Many Wong Kar-Wai fans have said that it is recommended you check out Days of Being Wild, and In The Mood For Love BEFORE you watch 2046 as things will make much more sense as opposed to watching the film by itself without seeing the others.

2 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Leaving Me, Loving You (2004)

8/10

What would you do for love?

30 September 2004

This film is directed by Wilson Yip, which stars Leon Lai (he also co-wrote the story for this film), and Faye Wong. This romantic drama was overall satisfying and enjoyable. However, it is at times confusing to follow what is going on exactly, and as well some of the events in the story seem to add nothing to the movie.

The story is interesting, and you can tell they were trying to do something different for this film. Faye Wong plays a party planner named Xin Xiaoyue who breaks up with an outpatient doctor Zhou Qian, which is played by Leon Lai. Trying to forget each other and continue on with their professions, they end up meeting again. Xiaoyue gets a job to plan a birthday party for an elderly rich man, and due to his health, she has to approve of all her plans by the family doctor. Zhou Qian just so happens to be the family doctor. Which begins the story of resealing their love and affection for each other.

The movie also shines in the art department. You've got beautiful scenery shots of Shanghai, and as well for Faye fans, you've got Faye Wong on screen. The music is also really well done for this movie, and the soundtrack is very appropriate for this film.

This movie is really a hit or miss for most people, but I happened to like it quite a lot. It'll gulp you into it's world and swallow you. Thumbs up.

5 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

PTU (2003)

10/10

Into the perilous night

30 September 2004

This is quite possibly one of my most favorite films ever. Johnnie To returns to the crime genre with a bang. Literally. Known for his "The Mission", Johnnie To takes us into the perilous night and folds us into his dark and rich world.

The story follows a band of police tactical units, who keep order in the streets of Hong Kong during the night. Lam Suet plays anti-crime detective officer Lo, a cop who's night is about to go upside down. He gets beaten up by your regular triad gang, and he wakes up to find his gun is missing. Risking his job and lives, he must find his gun before it does any damage. He gets help from Mike (Simon Yam) and his party, the PTU, to search for his gun until dawn. The characters themselves are not quite developed. However, these characters need no words or development when it comes to this film. Much like, "The Mission", development is not needed to express themselves throughout the film. The characters are simple enough for anybody to understand. The film's music is also really well done and fits the mood of "PTU" very well.

The effects used throughout the film are highly impressive. Johnnie To places us in some kind of magical world, painting Hong Kong in darkness and plays around in it like some kind of playground. The light on dark shots are very well done to say the least. Fans of the "Silent Hill" video games for example I think will definitely enjoy the scenery of the film.

Highly recommend this film to you. If you haven't seen any Johnnie To film yet, this would be a good place to start. If you liked this, chances are you'll also like his "The Mission" film as well.

16 out of 23 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Final Fantasy VIII (1999 Video Game)

9/10

A powerful masterpiece

22 September 2004

Squaresoft's (now Square-Enix) highly anticipated "Final Fantasy VIII" released in February of 1999 in Japan, and later in September 1999 for the United States and Europe. It got mixed reviews, but one thing is for certain, it definitely was a starting map for the way games are done today.

The first time I played this game, I was totally blown away. It's also become one of my most treasured and beloved games of all time. The romantic and emotional storytelling the game presents is superb, and will definitely leave its mark on you forever. This game is so incredible, that you might actually break into tears at the end.

Telling the story of lone wolf Squall Leonhart, who is looking forward to joining an elite military organization named SeeD. His life takes a drastic change when he meets the warm-hearted and gentle Rinoa Heartilly. However, this developing friendship is attacked when an evil sorceress named Edea gets involved into the lives of The World, with her own plans that could shift the balance of power everywhere. SeeD is dispatched to eliminate her, which is where Final Fantasy VIII begins.

Featuring music by the astonishing and refreshing Nobou Uematsu, which will simply blow you out of your shoes. Adding to the game's soundtrack is Faye Wong's "Eyes On Me", which holds a special place in my heart and is the song which got me into Faye's music. An underrated Final Fantasy game, in which deserves a big round of applause. Two big thumbs up.

11 out of 12 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Chungking Express (1994)

10/10

Do you like pineapple?

22 September 2004

From the mind of auteur filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai, comes a film told in the urban alienating streets of Hong Kong. This unique film is split into two separate stories which cross connect with each other in more ways than one.

The first story tells of lonely cop 223 (Takeshi Kaneshiro), who is obsessed with expiration dates. Suffering from a broken heart, he's giving his ex-love, May, one last chance. When his canned food expires, so does his love for May. Although on the eve of his birthday he meets a woman (Brigitte Lin), who is suffering from her own broken heart, whom he is able to share his pain with.

The second story tells of cop 663 (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai), who is suffering from romantic problems with an air hostess (Valerie Chow). He eases his pain by going to a small time deli express, and meets one of the expresses lovely exployees named Faye (Faye Wong).

A great, imaginative, and powerful film that should not be missed by anybody who is serious about movies. Boasting an excellent soundtrack by Frankie Chan and Roel A. Garcia, with songs featured by Canto-Pop queen Faye Wong, along with several other old time hits, just gives me more reasons to recommend this to you. Two huge thumbs up.

21 out of 36 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

BrokenNotesMusic

Reviews

Tell Your Friends

Recently Viewed