Underworld - Awakening

USA 2012

Details imdb

Seen 29 April 2012

Two together, a force to behold

Ratings

IMDB 6.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 66% liked it

I am giving this a 7.0/10 because I wanted to watch Kate Beckinsale. A film franchise will always find it difficult to top the previous instalment unless the story line is exceptional and this particular update does not quite make it.

My impressions:

The child holds the power

A power unleashed, devastating

The child holds the key

A key that opens doors, possibilities

The child is still a child

A child that needs love, understanding, nurturing

The mother, from long ago

The mother, is now present

The mother, the protector

The mother, will always be there for the child

There are powers that want more

They will not stop pursuing

Searching, trying, the best that they can

They have ambitions, cravings

To have it all

Others are just spoils of the war

Dispensable, of no value

They want it all, with whatever means

Unless

Mother and child stops them

A Separation (Jodaeiye Nader az Simin)

Iran 2011

Details imdb

Seen 28 April 2012

Twists and turns, truths and lies

Ratings

IMDB 8.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 94% liked it

The premise might seem ordinary but played against the cultural and religious background of the protagonists, it becomes a captivating mixture of human emotions. Deserves a 9.0 out of 10

My impressions:

The separation was the starting point

Hard to accept

Nevertheless has to be done

Without considering the consequences

The chain of events that follow

Can either party be responsible

When others are involved

The complications

The knots

Become more entangled

The agony, going through the red tape

The bureaucracy

Always there to remind oneself

That what we face is insignificant

It is just one of many

Countless, faceless, nameless cases

With others facing the same situation

Even worse than ours

We try to come to terms

With the situation at hand

But life is not a simple case

Open and shut

It meanders along its way

Finding its own path

Dependent on those involved

Ghost Rider – Spirit of Vengeance

USA 2011

Details imdb

Seen 27 April 2012

The power in the next generation

Ratings

IMDB 4.7/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 33% liked it

I guess the film did not give a lasting impact on me, a let down. Sequels are difficult to make and we can't expect the latest in a series to be as captivating as the first, for that I'll give it a 5.0

My impressions:

Power that has been planted

In an unholy alliance

Is now awaiting

Its moment

The anointed time has come when

That power will be unleashed to the world

Unless the other side succeeds

In preventing this happening

The struggle and fight

Continues

Enter the Phoenix (大佬愛美麗)

Hong Kong 2004

Details lovehkfilm

Seen 26 April 2012

Switching roles, taking revenge

Ratings

IMDB 5.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 52% liked it

Watch it without any preconceived expectations and viewers should be entertained especially if not taken too seriously. It deserves a 7.0 when the ending climax showed a fighting scene typical of an action movie and in a way paying homage to the masters of the genre.

My impressions:

When you are a child

So many memories

Linger

Some seem etched in stone

Steadfast, determined to become a reality

Past events

Shape the present man

Past events

Moulds, builds, and makes him whole

But some past events

Has to remain in the past

Not forgotten but put to rest

In order for the present to continue

Into the future

In a better world (Hævnen)

Denmark 2010

Details Rotten Tomatoes

Seen 25 April 2012

A better world for whom?

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 85% liked it

Metacritic User Score 7.3/10

The themes might be familiar but the juxtaposition between the two societies highlights our similarities. The child actors deserve the highest accolades and help me decide on an 8.0 for this film.

My impressions:

Different worlds, different issues

But human emotions and reactions

Are the same

They are happy and sad

Feel the joy and pain

As any one can vouch

We are only human

Violence begets more violence

Would non violence have any role

In the continuing struggle

Between good and evil

The man tries

In the end his decision

Solves a problem

But will definitely ignite a new one

Can it ever end

This vicious circle

Venus

UK 2006

Details imdb

Seen 24 April 2012

The Goddess of Love touches a man

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 73% liked it

Metacritic User Score 7.3/10

The fact that Peter O'Toole and Vanessa Redgrave are in the film makes it deserving of an 8.0, helped no doubt by the repartee between some characters.

My impressions:

The pleasurable pursuit and enjoyment of life

All through the years

With nary a regret

Sees one wondering

Whether that was our true self

Then comes a different whiff of air

Not entirely unique in its own way

But it does give one another slant

To the past

And what today and the future will bring

How ever long or short that period may be

We know the end is near

We make time

To discover again

The other side

Stubborn are we

Defiant

That what we have done

In the name of pleasure

Was done with eyes open

No regrets

But acceptance

A life full of joy and laughter

Remembered by many

With fondness and sweet memories

Silence (Chinmoku)

Japan 1971

Details cdjapan

Seen 23 April 2012

Faith, its spread and defence

Ratings

IMDB 7.0/10

I would agree with a 7.0 since I was taken up by the film score, minimalist and very apt to the story line. The acting style might be considered stilted by some but others may say it is stylised.

My impressions:

Men of faith

Journey to the far corners of the world

Spreading their beliefs

To the so-called pagans

Who have their own beliefs

Their faith is such

That they are wiling to go through hardships and persecution

But is there a limit to what they are willing to go through

They might be strong willed

They might believe in miracles

They might turn the other cheek

But what about the others

Suffering, slowly

There are also surprises

In a land far away from home

Unexpected

Unbelievable

But true

It does happen

In the name of survival

Evil (Ondskan)

Sweden 2003

Details imdb

Seen 22 April 2012

The latent evil kept in control

Ratings

IMDB Audience 7.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 85% liked it

I give it an 8/10 as I like the story line and pacing.

My impressions:

When one goes through life being punished

Without justification

The resolve gets stronger

To show that we can

We can rise above that animal instinct

And not resort to revenge

Foes do not know the existence of

Those suppressed feelings

Hidden inside

Waiting

A friend, a love

They are the only ones who try to understand

That you are special

The young might seem the perfect victim

Not retaliating

Meek, trying to blend

Since rules govern the conduct

Of everyone in that environment

But of course there comes a time

When one has to make stand

And put a stop

To the madness

On their own terms

Not

No one knows about Persian cats (Kasi az gorbehaye irani khabar nadareh)

Iran 2009

Details imdb

Seen 21 April 2012

The unseen music scene in Iran

Music, films, the arts

Need permits

Follow stipulated regulations

Before being allowed

In public

What avenues are there for those not within the accepted

Go underground

Go abroad

Both need cunning

A never-ending

Cat and mouse game with those in power

Lots of faith and belief is needed

In yourself and

In others who may or may not really help

A doggedly stubborn streak helps

A fighting spirit helps

Lots of money helps

But in the end

Circumstances might thwart

All plans

Uprise (A Zona)

Portugal 2008

Details  ica

Seen 20 April 2012

The life cycle

Dark and light

Death and birth

A continuum

In between we laugh, we cry

We form relationships

Whether fleeting moments

Or life long commitments

It is still a journey

From that first day we we born

Until the final rites come along

A man tries to make sense of these

Contemplates, ponders

Numerous silence permeates

The noise unbearable

Only reactions

The dark envelopes him again

Until the next morning

Chronically Unfeasible (Cronicamente Inviável)

Brazil 2000

Details cduniverse

Seen 19 April 2012

A country divided

Is there any hope with the present conditions

Prevalent, the norm in all parts of society

Even those with a social conscience

Seems to be led astray

Do gooders who turn a blind eye

To the reality

People who say they have a good heart

Blinded to the reality

Those who are supposedly charitable

Unwilling to acknowledge the unpleasant depths of the reality

The chasm is so wide

Will it be ever be narrowed

The answer lies with the people themselves

The workers, the oppressed

They have to stand up and fight the good fight

But it is not an easy fight

The present system has been there for a long time

Entrenched ways even if unfair

Seems acceptable

Society is immune

They just watch and see

Without lifting a finger

To the atrocities, the differences

That occur in their midst

Reality is an illusion

They see only what they want to see

Believing all is well

In the land of milk and honey

Of Gods and Men (Des hommes et des dieux)

France 2010

Details cinecraze

Seen 18 April 2012

Choices has to be made

It was all peace and quiet

Good neighbours

Looking out for each other

Until one day

A group had a different idea

Their views were dissimilar

Which they wanted to impose on others too

Even those of the same faith

Using aggressive methods

In support of their beliefs

There were some

On the opposite side

Who were also adamant

That their views are the correct ones

Then the fighting and struggle between the two begins

Trying their best to outdoing and compete against each other

Trying to win

Desperately

The hearts and minds of the people

Meanwhile

The neighbourhood is caught in between

Malaysian Gods

Malaysia 2009

Details dahuangpictures

Seen 17 April 2012

Leaders and followers, the lives that are touched

A minority juxtaposed

Against a major event

Does the event have any relevance to the group

Their aspirations, dreams and reality

It might not seem so

But the event did trigger a ripple

A life changing event

That had never been dreamed of before

Happened

The consequence is still felt after so many years

There are changes

Too little and too slow for some

Changes need time

But time gone can never be recovered

The time has to be now

The method of change might have to be revised

Fine tuned

In order for the aim and ambition

To be a success

In the meantime

Keep on moving

Parallel Life (Pyeong-haeng-i-ron)

South Korea 2010

Details hancinema

Seen 16 April 2012

Is it just an assumption?

Picture perfect family

At the cusp of greater glory

Seems as if nothing will derail

The journey to fame and fortune

But is fate playing a role

Or is it just coincidence

The lives are jumbled up, messed about

He is determined

He will not be a victim

His family will be safe

He will try to find the answer

He is stubborn and a fighter

He wants to prove that the theory is not applicable

The theory seems so convenient

Explaining what has happened

Predicting what will happen

But will the lives follow

Or will they go another way

Dogtooth (Kynodontas)

Greece 2009

Details sutterhj

Seen 15 April 2012

A family as an allegory of a nation

It seem such a perfect family

On the surface

Parents who love them

In their own way of course

Children well-behaved

Almost robotic

All tip-top

According to plan

Unfortunately there are outside forces

Unintentionally intruding

Disturbing the harmony built painstakingly throughout the years

Remedial action has to be taken

Or else harmony will not be seen again

In the perfect family

The crack in the armour has crept in

Waiting for the right moment

When that happens

Where will it end

Still

A perfect family?

301, 302

South Korea 1995

Details imdb

Seen 14 April 2012

Food, cooking, passion, a fiery mix

Obsession or passion

The food becomes the centre point

For one it is a labour of love

For another it reminds of love lost

The two meet

One tries to help

The other can't accept it

The two are caught in the past

Whereas

The past does not remain in the past

It continues its journey

Into the present

The consequence

The food becomes the focal point again

Each tries her best

Urging the other

Rejecting the other

Until they come to a compromise

A solution

Where food reigns supreme

Delicious, delectable, dangerous

Outside the law (Hor la loi)

France 2010

Details imdb

Seen 13 April 2012

The tumultous journey of freedom fighters

They lost their land

That was the beginning

They lost each other during the years ensuing

Then they reunited

They are different

In character and temperament

Survival and the future

That was the main concerns

While idealism and dreams that seem unreachable

Will always be there

One uses his street smarts

One uses his strength

One uses his intellect

Different approaches but the blood in their veins

Are from the same source and beginning

Caught up in the bigger picture

They will try to follow their intended destiny

Making a mark

Leaving a legacy

So that their land becomes free

Born into brothels

USA 2004

Details imdb

Seen 12 April 2012

Is there hope for children in the red light district area?

An outsider tries to help

The children of an area

Shunned by the officials

The children stigmatised

By the fact that they are living in the brothels

Children are children wherever they are

Always hungry for attention, kindness

Some have it, others don't

Some may escape their fate

Others are destined to stay

The outsiders try

Despite the odds

To help, to give hope

The battle is not a total lost

But any lost

Is painful to bear

The triumphs are few and far between

Those must be celebrated and

We must strive and work harder so that there will be more

Celebrations

The children

Have we failed them?

Confessions (Kokuhaku)

Japan 2010

Details imdb

Seen 11 April 2012

Dark, troubling confessions gives insight into events that unfold

The series of confessions

Reveals the kept secrets

The obvious

That only we know

Many would say life is to be savoured

That is the common perception

But what if

Life has not been what it is touted to be

When life is not as expected

Shouldn't we take control

And make life more worthwhile

According to our mould

Some may feel the life of others are of no concern

Until they touch your own life

Then a decision has to be made

For better or worse

So that life is not wasted

On those who do not deserve that opportunity

Snow (Snijeg)

Bosnia 2008

Details  mamafilm

Seen 10 April 2012

A village comes to terms with its past and future in the post war years

Can we ever forget the past

When we are the so-called lucky survivors

When our everyday lives are reminders of what happened to loved ones

The uncertainty of their fate

The never diminishing dream that miracles can happen

We carry on in our quest to be independent

Despite the hardships and barriers that come along

Despite the temptations of a so-called better life

Despite the prodding of others

Despite the doubts of our decision

Standing firm against the odds

Not wavering

Discovering the fate of our loved ones

Signals a catharsis

An acceptance of what happened

The time has come for a new beginning

Marked by the first snow fall

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

USA 2011

Details wikipedia

Seen 9 April 2012

This American production managed to stand on its own with a different emphasis and approach from the Swedish version

Evil knows no boundaries

Does not recognize friends or foe or even family

In this cauldron we have the two

The investigative reporter and the unconventional researcher

The two are outsiders, the best in their fields

Togther to solve a mystery

The family has secrets, deep secrets, hidden from the outside world

A world of transgressions

Despite the veneer of normalcy

Undercurrents, misery, unspoken deeds

How does someone escape from such a fate

With cunning and some help

The present has to put a closure to the past

The two outsiders are there to find the answer

While they themselves struggle to come to terms

With their own demons

They will do their best to shed light

On the dark past

Belukar

Malaysia 2010

Details  myac.asia

Seen 8 April 2012

Plus: Daphne Iking, Bront Palarae

Minus: Loose ends tied up too neatly

A man professes his love for the woman

The one and only woman that he desires

Promises his life even

Are those mere words

Or can it be proven

The twists and turns

The blows, the danger

He accepts it all

In the name of love

Cliches

There is more to it than meets the eye

All linked to the past

The lives of another from the past

Shaped what she is now

The past might be years ago

The present will close that episode

Her plan will succeed

With friends and lover in tow

A final closure is what she wants

Will it go according to plan?

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Luftslottet som sprängdes)

Sweden 2009

Details rottentomatoes

Seen 7 April 2012

Caught in the bigger scheme of intrigue and secrecy

A pawn

She suffered, through her childhood

Suffers still, through adulthood

Strong, determined, that is her only salvation

She was not the bad guy

More of the fall guy

And how far down they want her to fall

Fall into a bottomless pit

That is the plan

To let her fall and dissappear forever

Alas, she is one in a million

With abundant tenacity and fighting spirit

Never giving up

The enemy do not realise the strength of that girl

It will be a battle of wits and derring do

The fight will continue till the very end

The Girl Who Played with Fire (Flickan som lekte med elden)

Sweden 2009

Details  imdb

Seen 5 April 2012

A victim remembers

The guilty party remembers

Society forgets

Even after decades after the incident

Victim and attacker are still linked

She can't and will never forget that day

The gift of photograpic memory will not allow that advantage

He can't forget either

Scarred for life, a badge of honour

Of actions in the past

The present brings them together again

This time it will close a chapter

They have to confront their past lives

Beyond regret, remorse and other emotional baggage

So the future can be better

The girl with the dragon tattoo (Män som hatar kvinnor)

Sweden 2009

Details  imdb

Seen 4 April 2012

Two lives intertwined

A reporter, a researcher

A man, a woman

Everyone has secrets

And both join forces to uncover those secrets

What a journey, such a discovery

Through decades of deceit and untold depravity

Crimes in the name of power, hatred

Takes its toll on the weak, unknown, helpless victims

Perpetrators continue their game

Stalking, for the next to be sacrificed on the altar

Unknown to others the woman has a secret

A deep secret that records and remembers the injustice suffered

That experience made her what she is today

Tough, hard, strong but still vulnerable

Then the man comes along

Does she need that other person in her life

Sometimes, or all the times

Whatever the outcome

It has to be on her terms

Senjakala

Malaysia 2011

Details  movies.insing

Seen 22 March 2012

Dusk

The hours when daylight turns into nightfall

Not a good time to be outdoors

As there are other beings waiting to play

Children are thought to be indoors

As a precaution

That their playmates do not enter the realm of humans

But what can one do

When it is your destiny

To be a part of the other world

Through no fault of your own

And the time has come

That you take your place

Inherit the gift

Like it or not

It searches, it wants the rightful owner

To take over

A temporary abode is not what it wants

Patiently it waits until the time comes

Nasi Lemak 2.0

Malaysia 2011

Details en.wikipedia

Seen 13 January 2012

Rice, dominant in lives

Is it so hard to make it well

Yes and no

There are so many cooking styles

Different taste buds will give different answers

What is good to you, may not be to others

What is the secret

So the journey begins to find the ultimate

The ingredients that accompany the dish

The philosophy behind the dish

A quest that takes time and effort

In the end, it is not the individual parts that make it such

A dish to die for

It is the combination, all together in harmony

Just as in reality

A society has many parts, each unique in its own way

Together they are a force to be reckoned with

Apart, they are fragile and vulnerable

The choice is ours

Vikingland (Terra de Vikingos)

Spain 2011

Details nationalmediamuseum

Seen 12 November 2011

White, snow, ice, cold

Men working, ordinary lives

Mother nature, harsh, heartless

Men still work, despite the known environment

Camaraderie among fellow workers

Friendships made, bound toegther

In a harsh land

But there is laughter, fun and games

Working together, however mundane

Has its highlights

Known only to those who have the same experience