L'Ennemi Intime is a good attempt at portraying the Algerian War and its complexities. It is undoubtedly a gritty movie, with grittier colors, and even grittier characters... I came feeling gritty myself, and uneasy, which means that in my case the film did have a certain impact. However, the story-that of an idealistic lieutenant facing the realities of war and his reaction-was, in my opinion, weak. Filmed mostly from the French soldiers' point of view, the film was too simplistic and predictable, and its characters are unidimensional and bland, and ultimately unconvincing. The only difference in this film is that it is about the Algerian War. Whereas it is not your average hero-triumphs war movie, it is your average innocent-discovers-horror war movie. It is not as deep and good as Chronique des Annees de Braise, and is miles from the provocatively brilliant, and highly-recommended Bataille d'Alger.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Unleashed
(2005)
Drama, not an action movie
12 May 2005
Unleashed is the touching story of Danny (Jet Li) who as a young boy was brought harshly by a loanshark (Bob Hoskins) and was trained to kill once his dog collar is removed. Although Danny was brought up as a dog, he is human, and through the intervention of music and the care and love of a blind piano tuner (Morgan Freeman), and his stepdaughter (Kerry Condon), Danny discovers another side of life.
Unleashed is not an action movie. There certainly are some spectacular fight scenes, but the emphasis is put on the relationship between Morgan Freeman and his stepdaughter, and Jet Li, and on the development of Danny's "humanity". Danny yearns for more than just killing; he discovers music and is saved by it. Music also plays a key role in his self-discovery as it awakens long-lost memories of his childhood.
For the first time, the audience are treated to Jet Li's true acting capabilities. Jet Li seems genuine and earnest--perhaps this is because the actor openly acknowledges that this film is close to his heart: as a Buddhist, Jet Li is against violence, and this film portrays the fight between humanity and violence.
This drama is a surprising break from usual martial arts movies. The fact that the number of action scenes is limited is counter-balanced by Yuen Wo Ping's masterful choreography; do not expect a fight-fest. Do however expect an unpretentious touching story featuring good actors with a few spectacular action scenes.
Unleashed is not an action movie. There certainly are some spectacular fight scenes, but the emphasis is put on the relationship between Morgan Freeman and his stepdaughter, and Jet Li, and on the development of Danny's "humanity". Danny yearns for more than just killing; he discovers music and is saved by it. Music also plays a key role in his self-discovery as it awakens long-lost memories of his childhood.
For the first time, the audience are treated to Jet Li's true acting capabilities. Jet Li seems genuine and earnest--perhaps this is because the actor openly acknowledges that this film is close to his heart: as a Buddhist, Jet Li is against violence, and this film portrays the fight between humanity and violence.
This drama is a surprising break from usual martial arts movies. The fact that the number of action scenes is limited is counter-balanced by Yuen Wo Ping's masterful choreography; do not expect a fight-fest. Do however expect an unpretentious touching story featuring good actors with a few spectacular action scenes.
The Opium War
(1997)
A fairly accurate depiction of the origins of the Opium War
27 April 2005
The Opium War is an historical event that heralded the beginning of the end for the Qing Dynasty and the Chinese Empire as a whole. However, despite its name, the roots of Opium War do not only lie in the drug or its addiction. Opium, corruption, mismanagement, and a gross underestimate of the West's projection power are only some of the many complex reasons that led to the First Opium War.
In Yapian Zhanzheng (Opium War), historical events are depicted in a fairly accurate manner, concentrating on the main facts and events. Different aspects of the situation are presented: the Emperor's dilemmas, British/Western interests, Commissioner Lin's character, the opium merchant, the corrupt officials, etc... The film however lacks depth and emotion. The viewer is kept on the outside, and cannot identify with any character, bar young He who is forced into the story so as to add a human dimension to the story.
From a historical perspective, the film also tends to simplify certain aspects of the situation. One would think that there only were half a dozen merchants in Canton, and that the whole war was caused by Captain Elliott. The power of merchants and their trade is briefly mentioned, but only incidentally, as are power politics at the Imperial Court and at Parliament, internal turmoil, national and international political strategy, and many other factors that led to the War.
Overall, viewing of this film is recommended to gain a overview of major events; certain scenes are also quite spectacular. But do not watch for an in-depth historical analysis or representation of the Opium War.
In Yapian Zhanzheng (Opium War), historical events are depicted in a fairly accurate manner, concentrating on the main facts and events. Different aspects of the situation are presented: the Emperor's dilemmas, British/Western interests, Commissioner Lin's character, the opium merchant, the corrupt officials, etc... The film however lacks depth and emotion. The viewer is kept on the outside, and cannot identify with any character, bar young He who is forced into the story so as to add a human dimension to the story.
From a historical perspective, the film also tends to simplify certain aspects of the situation. One would think that there only were half a dozen merchants in Canton, and that the whole war was caused by Captain Elliott. The power of merchants and their trade is briefly mentioned, but only incidentally, as are power politics at the Imperial Court and at Parliament, internal turmoil, national and international political strategy, and many other factors that led to the War.
Overall, viewing of this film is recommended to gain a overview of major events; certain scenes are also quite spectacular. But do not watch for an in-depth historical analysis or representation of the Opium War.
Danny Leiner redeems himself with a refreshing comedy.
18 July 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Regular sidekicks John Cho and Kal Penn take over the spotlight in a refreshing comedy that tackles issues of ethnicity and racial stereotypes while still maintaining a high score on the laugh-a-minute counter.
The movie combines "below the belt" jokes and social commentaries, in a kind of Office Space meets American Pie meets Road Trip adventure.
*Possible Spoilers*
Two pot-head roommates, a Korean-American investment banker and an Indian-American med school applicant, decide, after getting the "munchies", that what they need to "hit the spot" is a White Castle feast. They then embark on a New Jersey-wide adventure during which they meet, among others, "Extreme Sports Punks", their neighbors (two Jewish pot-heads, one of whom is played by Eddie Kaye Thomas--American Pie's Finch), a disgruntled White-Castle-loving Burger Shack employee (played by Anthony Anderson), a "wife sharing" auto mechanic named Freakshow (played by an unrecognizable Christopher Meloni of Law & Order SVU fame), a racist abusive disturbed cop, and many other delightful characters... including a sex-crazed "NPH" (Neil Patrick Harris, playing himself).
While containing the usual teen comedy gross out elements (cf. Dude Where's My Car, Van Wilder, American Pie, etc...), "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" adds a new dimension to the usual comedy. Stereotypes are now reversed, and white Americans are now the sidekicks. Some scenes are fairly bitter sweet, and actually achieve a surprisingly more "intellectual", or more "ethnic-oriented" overtone. Some of the jokes will be better understood by the Asian viewer, others by New Jersey inhabitants, while many will appeal to all viewers.
All in all, thumbs up to director Danny Leiner who, in this reviewer's humble opinion, has redeemed himself (cf. Dude Where's My Car). Although still part of mainstream comedy, "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" is closer to a Kevin Smith movie than an American Pie. It will be interesting to see if this movie is the first of a trend of comedies featuring Asian Americans as the main protagonists.
The movie combines "below the belt" jokes and social commentaries, in a kind of Office Space meets American Pie meets Road Trip adventure.
*Possible Spoilers*
Two pot-head roommates, a Korean-American investment banker and an Indian-American med school applicant, decide, after getting the "munchies", that what they need to "hit the spot" is a White Castle feast. They then embark on a New Jersey-wide adventure during which they meet, among others, "Extreme Sports Punks", their neighbors (two Jewish pot-heads, one of whom is played by Eddie Kaye Thomas--American Pie's Finch), a disgruntled White-Castle-loving Burger Shack employee (played by Anthony Anderson), a "wife sharing" auto mechanic named Freakshow (played by an unrecognizable Christopher Meloni of Law & Order SVU fame), a racist abusive disturbed cop, and many other delightful characters... including a sex-crazed "NPH" (Neil Patrick Harris, playing himself).
While containing the usual teen comedy gross out elements (cf. Dude Where's My Car, Van Wilder, American Pie, etc...), "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" adds a new dimension to the usual comedy. Stereotypes are now reversed, and white Americans are now the sidekicks. Some scenes are fairly bitter sweet, and actually achieve a surprisingly more "intellectual", or more "ethnic-oriented" overtone. Some of the jokes will be better understood by the Asian viewer, others by New Jersey inhabitants, while many will appeal to all viewers.
All in all, thumbs up to director Danny Leiner who, in this reviewer's humble opinion, has redeemed himself (cf. Dude Where's My Car). Although still part of mainstream comedy, "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" is closer to a Kevin Smith movie than an American Pie. It will be interesting to see if this movie is the first of a trend of comedies featuring Asian Americans as the main protagonists.
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