Jakarta Undercover

Indonesia 2007

Details  21cineplex

Seen 23 June 2008

In the face, gritty thriller, that is what the audience gets. It is more than that, a microcosm of the Jakarta underbelly. The nightlife, the people who populate that time of day, these gems dominate.

Vicky who works as an exotic dancer in one of the numerous hot night spots in the city is entangled in a life or death situation when her younger brother unwittingly witnesses a death. Almost the entire movie takes place at night except for the last ten minutes of the story.

Good script, acting, direction and soundtrack combine to make the movie a nail biting experience. We root for Vicky and just can't wait to see how she'll escape her pursuers.

The subtext on the little people juxtaposed against those in power is strewn throughout the movie. The marginalised, the common people are everywhere. They might have the numbers but the power is still in the hands of the few. But in this instance, friendship, love and determination carried the day.

A superb effort from all involved.

Antonio's Secret

Philippines 2007

Details  imageout

Seen 20 June 2008

A sexual act between an adult and a minor is still considered rape according to the law in the Philippines. I'm quite certain it is the same in other countries too. In this movie about a fifteen year old boy, Antonio, his search for his true sexual identity leads to tragedy. A boy brought almost single handedly by his mother, Tere.

Tere is a nurse at the local government clinic while Antonio's father has been away for the past seven years working in Dubai. The story unfolds further when Antonio's uncle, Jon, moves in temporarily while waiting for his legal papers to go abroad.

The need for sexual gratification seems at the core of the main characters' lives. But, as we can see, we need more than that, a need for compassion and understanding. Alas, we can't always get what we want.

 

Butterfly

Indonesia 2007

Details  dvdasian

Seen 14 June 2008

It seems a trend to have one character having a terminal illness and see how others rally around the cause célèbre. In this case, three close friends, a guy and two girls embark on a journey of discovery. They travel along a road, a path, which is not so straight and does not lead to the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Instead, we have self revelations of each character's inner feelings, strengths and weaknesses. The movie depends in a large part on the script and the three main actors. They do not disappoint. It might be a melodrama and certified tear jerker but we get to see a different angle of the universal themes of love, friendship, commitment and betrayal.

The target audience must have been the MTV generation as the camera work, art direction and soundtrack typifies the music videos favoured by this age group.

Bukan Bintang Biasa

Indonesia 2007

Details  bbbthemovie

Seen 13 June 2008

A lighthearted look at teenage love and budding friendship. The movie starts with the break off of two lovers, both known to be popular with the opposite sex. The next step is the – I try to make my-ex-lover jealous- phase. So we get the other friends involved in a  bitter sweet comedy of errors.

We also get to see assumptions being misconstrued which then leads to a lovers' tiff. There is also the anonymity of the chat rooms and its consequences. Added to all this, there is a boy who is a die hard devotee of the main girl in the movie.

There is a happy ending befitting a teenage flick.

Kangen

Indonesia 30 August 2007

Details  thesupermovie

Seen 10 June 2008

Gosh, love is all powerful. In this instance, love turned a haughty, thinks the world revolves around her brat to a loving, melt in the mouth girl. Alas, tragedy struck in the middle of this love soap opera. Then the audience gets to see how the girl copes with the loss. Of course, there is an obligatory happy ending of sorts, but not before we see how the heroine finds something deep within her in order to carry on with her life.

The young good looking actors were made for their roles. Nothing spectacular in terms of script, acting or direction but adequate to convey the message that life must go on. 

When Beckham Met Owen

Hong Kong 2004

Details hkflix

Seen 8 June 2008

Friendship between two boys who share a love for football, hence their namesakes, David Beckham and Michael Owen. This coming of age movie is light hearted but has some revelations on single parenthood, the camaraderie between close friends as well as tears and laughter. All part of the growing up process.

The young actors played their roles with exuberance. That helped a lot in bringing forth the topic of friendship while growing up and discovering oneself emotionally, intellectually and sexually.

A good effort.

Pantasya

Philippines 2007

Details dvdasian

Seen 15 May 2008

Five sexual fantasies. Each starts with a voice over detailing the feelings of the protagonist. The narrative continues to give insight into the emotional make up of the characters involved and reaches a peak when the fantasy nears its climax. There seems to be a common thread of strangers meeting each other and unknowingly progressing into a physical relationship. Alas, it is all a fantasy.

I don't want to sleep alone

Taiwan/France/Austria 2006

Details fortissimo

Seen 14 May 2008

An act of kindness grows into that desire to have another human close to oneself. In this version, compassion knows no bounds when given whole heartedly. Tenderness and seeds of love grow ever stronger as days pass by. Unfortunately, there is a third person. There is anger and anguish, as well as the fear of losing an anchor, something familiar in your life. A compromise is brokered and acceptance results in the end.

Parallel to this we see the longing for the recovery of a loved one stricken or condemned to a life of an invalid. The recovery would not only help the incapacitated object but signals a release from a life doomed to a mundane routine existence. The longing for that human touch manifested itself one night when one's physical desires wins over the logical and thinking part of ourselves.

Each scene is abundant with imagery and laden with layers of emotion. A mattress has a key role in this story. The anchor to all the goings-on.

Another delightful offering from Tsau Ming Liang.

Colonel Redl

Hungary/Austria/West Germany
1985

Details answers

Seen 12 May 2008

A peasant boy’s journey through military cadet school until the time he is in the service of the emperor where he succeeds to the higher echelons of the military. He does not realise that he is just a pawn in the bigger scheme of things. Throughout his life, his determination to go up the ranks knows no equal. Unfortunately, that strength of character would also contribute to his downfall.

The intrigue and back stabbing seems like a normal event during those days. But I’m sure it still happens now.

Enthralling.

Y tu mama tambien

Mexico 2001

Details imdb

Seen 11 May 2008

Two boys and a woman. The three share a road trip that reveal inner secrets that change the dynamics of the boys' friendship with each other while the woman has her own reasons for joining the boys. In the end, we see acceptance albeit reluctantly of the truths that had unfolded.

The audience would not have a dull moment watching this movie. The director's steady hand cajoles the main actors to bring out their best in their portrayal of each character. Fast paced, with scenes or rural Mexico juxtaposed against the inner circle of the ruling elite.

Enlightening.

Stray Cats

Philippines 2005

Details netflix

Seen 8 May 2008

The movie tagline is everybody needs a home. The characters in the movie also lament that the stray cats have a habit of leaving even when you shower them with love. A metaphor of their own lives.

We get to know Martha, an independent career woman who seems so weak in her love relationship with Steve. She has a neighbour, Boyet, a gay romance novel writer with an adopted son, Jojo and also a lover, Dom.

The men that Martha and Boyet love seem always to take them for granted. The story goes through the familiar expected scenes of lovers' tiffs and making up. But we have the added twist of the friendship between Marta and Boyet.

The story reaches another level of expectancy when Martha discovers that she is pregnant. Then emotional chaos engulfs the two main characters, The ending might be too pat for some, but it does give hope to the two to carry on with their lives. Into the sunset without the burden of the stray cats.

Apa Khabar Orang Kampung

Malaysia 2007

Details dahuangpictures

Seen 5 May 2008

What do we have here? A group of traitors or patriots? This group of men and women fought for the nation's independence but their contributions towards that goal will never be acknowledged publicly. Instead, they had to wage an armed struggle against the ruling government. Has it been a fight in vain?

The interviews with the remnants of the Malayan Communist Party members, who in this case are mostly Malays gives a different perspective of Malaysia's journey towards independence.

They are not a threat anymore, so why are their presence unwelcomed? Maybe some can still remember the horrors of the insurgency years. Those are facts but we must leave that emotional baggage behind.

This group of people are part and parcel of the nation's history. To deny their contributions would be a disservice not only to those concerned but for future generations who deserve to be told the whole unadulterated picture.

Udon

Japan 2006

Details cdjapan

Seen 1 May 2008

Poignant in some parts, a homecoming and a revelation. A son who returns home to find his niche in life. He, the independent type who wants to break away from the folds of tradition and the limitations of a small town. Along the way, he finds kindred spirits and at the end manages to come to terms with his father's outlook on life.

High spirited with a fair amount of slapstick, gems of dialogoue scattered here and there makes this movie watchable.

Below the light hearted treatment, there is a deeper understanding of human nature. The pull and push factor of belonging and wanting to prove yourself.

Ayat Ayat Cinta

Indonesia 2008

Details ayatayatcintathemovie

Seen 30 April 2008

Soap opera. Melodrama. Overboard in some parts. But the basis is the Islamic way of life. How the religion is synonymous with all that is good in humanity.

In this case, the choices a man has to make. Different kinds of love from different women. How he copes, how the women copes.

'Patience and sincerity: That is Islam.' - a quote from the movie. But I have this uneasy feeling that the women folk seems to have more than their fair share of sacrifices. Women are expected to have the patience and sincerity without a second doubt compared to the more flexible approach for men.

Is this nature or nurture. I'm not sure.

Juno

USA 2007

Details foxsearchlight

Seen 29 April 2008

A serious subject, teenage pregnancy seen through the pregnant mother's eyes. In this case, the unexpected pregnancy is handled with love, affection and strong family support. The whole town seems to be tolerant of this event, which helps the months pass by without any untoward incident. The baby is to be given away to a childless couple and we would have a fairy tale ending.

Not quite everyone lives happily ever after. There are obstacles along the way. But the main character, the unwed mother is the focal point of the movie and Ellen Page who played her was made for the role.

The subject matter might not find favour in less enlightened communities and the movie might not reach them. What a pity. Unwanted teenage pregnancies are an increasing trend and a more humane approach towards the issue would help both mother and child. This movie shows one way.

The Photograph

Indonesia 2007

Details thephotographmovie

Seen 25 April 2008

Leave it to the Indonesians to lift a simple story line to a different level of expectation, emotion laden work of love. Each scene seems pregnant with the deeper feelings of each main character. An old photographer who lives in the past. A young mother who has to live in the present and thinking of the future.

The two meet and it is their slowly evolving relationship which captures the imagination. The main actors gave depth to their portrayal of the conflict within each of us. Letting go of the past does not mean we forget, living in the present and looking forward to a future does not negate the past.

The silent moments were gems.

Failan

South Korea 2001

Details imdb

Seen 8 April 2008

A different kind of love story. A Chinese girl who becomes the wife of a gangster on paper so as to legitimise her stay in South Korea. She has never seen her 'husband' except for a photograph. The story focuses on the husband's life in the early part of the film. Fail an, the girl, comes into the picture only about half way through. Then we get flashbacks, on both lives.

A girl, working hard to survive in a foreign land. A man, the ant worker for the neighbourhood gangster. How their lives intertwined in unexpected ways.

The love that develops is unique, to say the least. The girl did try to see the husband, but circumstances prevented that meeting. She, nevertheless, continues to carry the flame, the torch of love. This is pure love, born out of necessity, but over time developed into a genuine regard for the 'spouse'. The gangster himself, with his soft hearted true self, is touched by the gestures from the wife.

It has a happy ending in an unconventional way. They will meet in the end but in a different world altogether.

Mala Noche

USA 1985

Details janusfilms

Seen 6 April 2008

Walt's love for Johnny, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, brings an unexpected dimension to his humdrum ordinary life as a shopkeeper. The physical attraction for Johnny is never consummated. But Walt did sleep with Roberto, Johnny's friend, whereas Johnny is more comfortable with Walt when they are with others. In particular, Roberto becomes the missing piece in a triangle.

Even though Walt is in love with Johnny, the way he takes care of Roberto belies that feeling. But even the relationship with Roberto seems to be on unequal terms. In the end, tragedy struck the triumvirate.

Walt lives another day to face his demons in his own way.

Yours Emotionally

UK 2006

Details yoursemotionally

Seen 5 April 2008

Another movie on lost love. In this instance, Ravi goes to India with a friend to sample the pleasures of the flesh at a gathering for gay men. The event is organised by a local who welcomes everyone to the love abode. Ravi falls for Mani but as circumstances reveal later, Mani has to follow the dictates of his culture. The director takes snippets of each issue that evolved.

The cultural differences in coming to terms with same sex relationships, the limits of a friendship when jealousy rears its head, the survival of a long term relationship between two men while staying put in a conservative society such as India, the realisation that love not just requires but demands sacrifices.

Wedding Wars

USA 2006

Details amazon

Seen 16 February 2008

Light hearted take on the issue of legalisation of same sex marriages. A gay wedding planner, Shel, is helping his brother's wedding to the incumbent governor's daughter. Things come to a head when the governor issues a statement that he favours the normal man and woman union in a marriage. Shel goes on strike as he feels that marriages should also be extended to same sex couples and the rest of the film shows how he gains support throughout the country for his stand.

This is a dream sequence in a way. I doubt the whole gay community and their supporters would go on strike nationwide in support of legalising same sex marriages. That is still a long way away.

But the stronger relationship at the end between the gay brother and the rest of his family might ring true. For what it is worth, family ties are thicker than water.