Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Old Boy (Oldeuboi)

South Korea 2003


Details IMDB
Seen 16 June 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.4/10


After being kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must find his captor in 5 days.






My ratings 8.0/10

My impressions:

The old wound festers until the right time arrives when all will be revealed. The wound might heal but scars remain as a reminder of what happened in the past. Was it worth the time and effort to wait for that day. Others are involved just because of that one incident in the past. That past is entrenched in the soul and the mind works to avenge itself.

Mesmerising.




Sunday, June 15, 2014

Pleasure Factory (Kuaile gongchang)

Singapore 2007


Details wikipedia
Seen 14 June 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 5.4/10


The lives of pleasure seekers and pleasure providers intertwine one night in Singapore's red light district.






My ratings 6.0/10

My impressions:

The give and take in the pleasure dome. A microcosm of the society at large. Each has their own reasons going to the area. Each wants that moment of happiness, if possible to prolong it. How often will that come true. And others affected by your decision, will they be the same.



Friday, June 13, 2014

The Year of Living Vicariously

Malaysia 2005


Details IMDB
Seen 12 June 2014

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.3/10


A documentary made during the making of a feature film.


My ratings 7.0/10

My impressions:

Thoughts and opinions of the cast and crew of the film is the subject of the documentary. Many topics and questions are asked. Some even shared folk tales they remembered. All these against the backdrop of the goings-on during filming of a feature on an activiist during the 1960s.

The documentary and feature film coincidentally was filmed during the same time as the campaign for the first directly elected president of Indonesia. There was much hope of a better future for the nation. As a few respondents mentioned, the journey to reach that goal might take longer than expected given the entrenched system of the past. It is still a work in progress.


Sunday, June 01, 2014

Film Socialisme

Switzerland 2010


Details IMDB
Seen 31 May 2014

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 5.8/10


Legendary director Jean-Luc Godard returns to the screen with Film Socialisme, a magisterial essay on the decline of European Civilization 



 


My ratings 6.0/10

My impressions:

The cinematography, juxtaposition of images and quotes, invites the audience into the mind of the director. The past will always have an effect on the present. Questions are asked to justify why certain decisions were made. Have past actions brought the results desired.

More and more questions surface. The answer is still uncertain.