Canoa

Mexico 1976

Details imdb

Seen 15 July 2012

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience  68% want to see it














My ratings 6.0/10
A group of employees from a university are mistaken for enemies of the people and get beaten up by the townspeople. This film is based on a real life event and looks at what influenced the people's behaviour.


My impressions:

It seems incomprehensible
That religion and base instincts
Becomes such a potent force

The priest, the administration
The culture
All in cahoots

The people
Innocent or cowed
Lambs to the slaughter

Those willing to go against the norm
Face the majority
Not given the benefit of the day
Virtually no chance of success

The perpetrators would
Never admit to their deeds
As it was a mob that took to the streets
They had the advantage in numbers
The power that wielded and
Struck the final blow

Guardami

Italy 1999

Details imdb

Seen 6 July 2012

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 5.9/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience  63% want to see it

My ratings 6.0/10

A porn actress faces the reality of being sick. Her own reaction to the fact and how others perceive her is the main theme of the film. Lots of graphic love-making scenes since the film is centred on someone from the sex entertainment industry.

My favourite quote from the film:

Will crying all day change anything?

My impressions:

She seems strong

In control

Until she discovers that she is not well

Acceptance or denial

Two responses

Normal

There are others

Facing the same situation

They know how it feels

Empathy

Not sympathy

Reality bites

Hard

Cold, bitter

Not knowing

What will happen

When will it be normal again

If that life is considered normal

When indeed

A Man and a Woman (Un homme et une femme)

France 1966

Details imdb

Seen 4 July 2012

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience 86% liked it











My ratings 8.0/10
A gentle love story like no other. Simple premise, lots of emphasis on the dialogue between the two main characters, talking about their past, present and but too saccharine sweet. I of course have fallen head over the heels with the lead actress, Anouk Aimee, her mere presence lights up the screen. The look. The haunting soundtrack by Francis Lai completes the experience.

My favourite quote from the film:
It's crazy to refuse happiness


My impressions:

Both have a past
Happy lives
Contented, with a bright future

Nothing seems daunting
All look rosy
But events take hold
Events change their course

Then they meet

A man and a woman

Not exactly empty
But open to possibilities
Waiting for the right person
Or the right moment
To fill in the void

To make life complete again

Boring Love (Seng Ped)

Thailand 2009

Details imdb

Seen 1 July 2012

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 3.6/10



















My ratings 6.0/10
A romantic comedy based on a series of posts published in a popular Thai website.

My favourite quote from the film:
If you want to go, just go on your own, why should you take my heart with you



My impressions:

An unwelcome attention
After a breakup
Does not seem to be a good start
To a relationship
Or even a friendship

The honesty was too much, too abrupt
Frank, direct, blunt
How do you take it all in
The situation becomes complicated
With the past making its presence

But can we hide
True feelings

Only when the other is not there
Only then do we miss his presence
Only then do we recall

That we must be honest
That we do feel for each other

Pixote (Pixote: A Lei do Mais Fraco)

Brazil 1981

Details imdb

Seen 1 July 2012

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Audience 90% liked it
















My ratings 7.0/10
The street children in Sao Paulo is the focus of this story and hopefully their lives have become better since the release of the film. Reality can be very grim.

My favourite quotes from the film:
Some business requires a little cheating


My impressions:

Can change ever be expected
When born into such conditions
Poor, unwanted, discriminated
Always the suspect

Even if given a chance
To improve
What are the odds of success

Circumstances dictate
The survival of the fittest
Or the most wily, cunning

Some follow
Some become leaders

To each a journey
To what end
No one knows

Young and Healthy As a Rose (Mlad i zdrav kao ruza)

Yugoslavia 1971

Details imdb

Seen 30 June 2012

Ratings from other sources
IMDB 7.0/10











My ratings 7.0/10
The punk era in Yugoslavia with anarchy and youth on a rampage. Well, it did not really happen but the film is in a way a precursor of the future of the country.


My impressions:

Youth, young and full of energy
Rebellious, pushing the limits
Not cowed by authority

The past is history
The present is theirs
The future is far away

The clash between youths and
The establishment
Coming to blows
Not seeing eye to eye
In the usual script
The bad guys will get his dues
In the end

But in reality
The victors might be
Someone else