Left Luggage (2 koffers vol)

Netherlands 1998

Details imdb

Seen 3 May 2012

The past is ever present

Ratings

IMDB 7.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 88% liked it

This gentle tale of memories of the past and how it shapes the present gets a 7.0/10 from me. I was attracted to see this film since it had Isabella Rossellini in the list of actors and she does not disappoint. There are no major flare-ups in the story and instead we have more thoughtful moments.

My impressions:

It is always love that plays a part

In our lives

In bad times and good times

It is ever present

Love

Love for your family

That will always come to mind

Even if you can't stand the sight of each other

That bond is there

There is no escape

Then you find love in other forms

Little steps at first

Until the bond becomes stronger

The joy and anticipation

Of each day

Is heightened

By the thoughts

That you will meet

That someone you love

But we will never know

How long it will last

Karmen Gei (Karmen Geï )

Senegal 2001

Details afrikblog

Seen 2 May 2012

Love has to be set free

Ratings

IMDB 6.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 13% wants to see it

I give this film an 8.0/10 just for the main actor. Anyone who takes the role of Carmen has to embody that strong but vulnerable woman and her magnetism shines through. The music score is something else, just spoken words in some parts and full of life in others.

My impressions:

Love is simple

Love is complicated

As how we want it to be

Unless we let love engulf ourselves

Enslaved

Trapped in its clutches

Then there is no escape

Love in its many forms

Flits from tree to tree

Branch to branch

A free bird

Beholden to no one

But freedom has a price

Walk on water (Lalekhet Al HaMayim)

Israel 2004

Details imdb

Seen 1 May 2012

Hatred be gone, be at peace with yourself

Ratings

IMDB 7.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 85% liked it

It takes time to let go of all the past baggage and discover what is more important in your life. Life is complicated as it is and this film gets a 7.5/10 for highlighting the challenges one faces in different situations.

My impressions:

Trained to kill

Life does not mean much

But when it touches yourself

Then you feel the pain

Even though you try to hide

Even though you try to forget

It still haunts you

A new perspective

Comes along

Opening up old wounds

Do you deny the past

Embrace the present

Drop everything

All the beliefs

All the history

No

It cannot be that simple

Irreversible (Irréversible)

France 2002

Details imdb

Seen 30 April 2012

Time can heal, it can also destroy

Ratings

IMDB 7.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 80% liked it

The film maker's approach to this film puts you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what actually happened. That in itself deserves an 8.0/10 and no doubt helped by the main actors as well as the cinematography.

My impressions:

Love as usual play an important role

In the lives of many

A beautiful girl

Intelligent, in control of her destiny

Everything seems to fall in place

The future seems so bright

Full of promises

Good things

To be enjoyed, savoured

Until one day

The sequence of events

Changed the course of destiny

When man at his lowest ebb

Degenerates

To that animal instinct

Devouring

Destroying

For no apparent reason

Once the deed has been done

It cannot be undone

Not in this lifetime

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