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slowdriplizard
Reviews
Gui tu lie che (2009)
Interesting film, but where is the other half of the story?
I just watched this film tonight, and deeply appreciated the coverage of a topic that shows stunningly the huge dichotomy between poor farm life and big city slum life as it is lived by so many in China.
However, I was disappointed to see that there is absolutely not footage of the school that so tormented Qin, the main character! Why in the world didn't the filmmakers include such a critical piece of Qin's experience? Were no cameras allowed? If so, an explanation in the film would be helpful in getting the audience to really understand her story. But then, knowing how much China likes to sensor foreign journalism it would not surprise me if this part of the story was barred from being mentioned at all. This is quite a shame, because it really caused a well-made documentary to fall flat.
Due to this, I found the ending to be anti-climactic. I was left not knowing where Qin will end up or what really drove her internally. Nor did I learn how any of the main characters gained better self-understanding or changed from the experience. In other words, nice coverage of a subject that is somewhat obscure to Westerners, but only a one-dimensional portrayal.
Black Swan (2010)
A movie about pirates would have been better.
Big disappointment!! I thought this was going to be about pirates but instead I get a girl in her 20's who pretends to be a ballerina and sleeps in a bedroom designed for an 11-year-old girl.
Left 20 minutes into the film, and looking at the other reviews it doesn't seem like I missed much. The cast was also terribly boring, I had much trouble being able to tell one character from the other since they were all so unremarkable. Oh yeah, and the jumpy camera work while Nina was walking made me nauseous. Definitely NOT an art film by any stretch of the term. The Academy Award has lost its meaning, I am afraid.
Midgets vs. Mascots (2009)
I expected more from a movie titled, "Midgets Vs. Mascots"
I was not so much offended by the content as the mere fact that this movie exists. Upon the untimely demise of Gary Coleman, I made a point to seek out his most recent work. This happened to be, "Midgets Vs. Mascots." Given a movie that had three montages, and possibly Gary Coleman's penis (authenticity disputed), one would assume this would be a blockbuster hit.
Typically a movie contains a plot, character development, and engaging storyline while Midgets Vs. Mascots breaks all the rules by adding TWO urinal scenes. The movie is not so much humorous as it is puzzling. Who does this movie appeal to? Not those who like Borat. It felt like watching a porn, but it wasn't hot...