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briancham1994
My favourite genre is science fiction. I love films with mysteries, puzzles, non-linear timelines, time travel, visual imagination and anything that makes me think. I'm open-minded to watch all sorts of films though - I also love exploring new things!
My top three films are:
1) Minority Report (2002)
2) The Lion King (1994)
3) The Prestige (2006)
It has been my dream to contribute to the film industry. I also have a degree in Software Engineering and I have been pursuing the intersection of creativity and technology. Previously, I worked at the multi-national company Vista Entertainment Solutions that makes the software that runs most of the world's cinemas. My most recent success was developing part of Living Ticket, a worldwide cloud service that delivers digital contactless movie tickets to millions of cinemagoers every day.
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Medical movies for Ryan Lim-Yip
Questions for discussion: (not every question will be applicable to every film)
- How accurate or inaccurate is this film?
- What is it like to live as this character in a personal sense? Consider lifestyle, goals, society, emotions, etc.
- What would you do if you were their doctor?
- What does this say about the medical/pharmaceutical/psychiatric system?
- Comment on ethical issues, tough choices, social attitudes, patient-doctor conflicts.
Reviews
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
Compelling legal drama
This film stands alongside Twelve Angry Men as one of the paramount legal drama films of the 20th century. These films bear a significant risk as they rely mostly on dialogue with little action or interaction, even more than regular drama films. However, this film pulls it off with a compelling subject matter and masterful acting. All the characters inject a heavy amount of gravitas and emotion that really impart the burden of the trial and the legacy of the past.
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1992)
Epic adaptation with a muddled start
This film is a great adaptation of a much longer epic, methodically cutting down the content into a feature length film but still retaining a clear flow. The beginning suffers from this process, however, as there is too much reliance on narration and the character designs are too similar, which rushes the viewer through complex family relations too quickly. It took me a while to figure out exactly who was the brother of whom and what everyone's names were. However, after Sita gets abducted and Hanuman enters the story, the film becomes the epic it promises to be with a clear flowing story, fantastical magic and engaging battles.
Rashômon (1950)
Promising
This film started out promising but ended up anticlimactic. The narrative structure of the different tellings of the backstory was quite interesting. All the different perspectives are pitted against each other as we try to sift through each person's motivations. Yet these tellings don't really build up to anything, and we are left at the original position of "we still don't know whom to trust". Not to mention, the framing story was hackneyed with a contrived resolution about the good and evil of humanity. As the commoner says, I didn't come for a sermon, and especially not such a simplistic and disappointing one.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Outrageously energetic
This film is a very energetic ride through the life of Jordan Belfort, the amoral "wolf of Wall Street" who swindles investors to fuel his outrageous lifestyle. This is portrayed in a totally outrageous fashion, with no limits to the depravity of his thrills, yet this film is apparently toned down from his real life escapades. Leonardo DiCaprio does an excellent job at portraying this charismatic, energetic figure and the director does an excellent job at propelling the viewer along all the escapades and tragedies that Belfort goes through.
Nocturna (2007)
Not bad but not great
I love some things about this film. The overall storyline of the boy overcoming his fear of the dark was great. The visual design of the world and all the little creatures and workers that create "the night" were very imaginative. But there were a few things that let it down like the annoying personality of the protagonist and the rather repetitive plot that doesn't really go anywhere until near the end. I get what it's going for, but it wallows in its diversions too much to make the impact it wants to.
Quest for Camelot (1998)
A complete mess
This film's heart is in the right place, but the execution is a complete mess. It attempts to copy the Disney style at the time which would not be bad if they could actually pull it off. Instead, we see the result of "design by committee" as we see endless disparate elements barely connected together. There's an incompetent protagonist, lame songs, completely unexplained plot elements and strange deus ex machina. The only good parts to me were the blind warrior and the two-headed dragon. Nobody got character development but at least they were unique.
Paths of Glory (1957)
Beautifully shot war film
This film was far ahead of its time in terms of cinematography. The monochrome shots are bursting with intense details and dynamic movement resembling the newsreels of old. The use of tight shots in the trenches adds to the sense of claustrophobia and discomfort, while the wide shots in the luxurious palace add a horrifying contrast. The main highlight is the characters and their actors, who display a sense of stubbornness and idealism that ends up costing three soldiers their lives. This film is about the true horrors of war beyond the conflict.
Jûbê ninpûchô (1993)
Amazing action
This film had amazing action and animation ahead of its time. The animation style boasts harsh angles and chiaroscuro lighting to impart the brutality of the fiction world. The action is energetic with very creative villains (the demons) who have interesting special abilities. The overall plot unfolds slowly as we get to know more about the characters and the world. Overall a great watch - if you don't mind all the blood and villainy.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Heartbreaking
This film starts off with an infamously long wedding sequence and hunting trip, showing the raucous, cheerful, all-American protagonists. Their brotherhood in the small working-class town resonates with the audience, no doubt. This is all thrown asunder when they enlist in the Vietnam War, something they speak of as a mere patriotic chore. Once they are captured by the Viet Cong, the true nature of the war is revealed as they experience genuine fear, desperation and brutality far exceeding what they can handle. Each of the characters has their own reaction but they are clearly shattered and can never truly return to a normal life. By the time we get to the end, we have witnessed a heartbreaking destruction of the protagonists into shell-shocked husks. The most noteworthy parts of the film are the acting and the Russian roulette scenes which are extremely tense.
Escape from Sobibor (1987)
Bloody and impactful
This film has very direct blood and violence but it is never used in a distasteful way. The filmmakers have done a good job with the graphic scenes that also have an emotional impact. Compared to Schindler's List, this film has a more hopeful tone but it has the same amount of tension. There are so many characters shocked by the constant brutality of their situation but they decide to take action instead of resigning themselves. This film is gripping from beginning to end, with incredible tension and stakes.
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Truly, every frame is a painting
This film shows the tale of the eponymous Barry Lyndon, the antihero of Irish origins trying to make his way in the aristocracy. It's a truly epic film with a sprawling runtime and methodical pace. From the very beginning, we see his impulsive and tempestuous character running into deep conflict with everyone around him, a theme repeated many times in his life. Another big theme we encounter is Barry's opportunistic trickery, used to escape the army, scam gamblers out of money and suck the Lyndon estate dry. These are portrayed in lingering scenes that resemble paintings, showing the reactions and thoughts of everyone in a way that allows for visual contemplation.
Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
Why?
Why do I love this film and hate it at the same time? I've never had such conflicting feelings about a film. I love it because of the cute dog, optimistic yet realistic tone, the true bonds between the characters and the sheer loyalty involved. Yes, I did cry near the end. I hate it because of the blatant Hollywood emotional manipulation and the lack of any substantial plot. I simultaneously want to celebrate this as an 8/10 genuine heartwarmer (how I *feel*) and as a 3/10 artificial maudlin schlock fest (how I *think*). I've rated this a compromise that doesn't truly capture my reaction but I don't know what else to do.
Sayonara no asa ni yakusoku no hana o kazarô (2018)
Emotional fantasy
This film really surprised me, as it is much better than its verbose and nonsensical title would suggest. It follows the life of an immortal refugee, who has become mother to someone whose life will unfortunately not reach such great lengths. Despite the fantasy setting, this has a more personal tone with little of the heroics usually befitting the genre, although there are definitely exciting scenes. The relationship between the mother and son was nuanced and poignant. My only complaints are that the character designs are too similar and some scenes were presented in a rushed and unclear way (especially near the beginning when lots of terminology was introduced).
Schindler's List (1993)
Brutal
This film blew me away and left me breathless. Despite its three hour length, it totally drew me in and left me spellbound for the whole time. It is very violent and bloody but also very emotional. Spielberg is a master of emotion and this film puts the viewer through everything the characters are feeling - intense fear, desperation and tension. The technical aspects of the film are perfect and achieve a timeless and realistic feel as if the viewer were really there. This is one of the best films I have ever seen.
Kis Uykusu (2014)
Meditative drama
This film's drama is slow and meditative - a far cry from the soap operas that it constantly belittles. It centres on a remote Turkish village and the wealthy but reclusive patriarch who starts off with an outwardly principled appearance but turns out to be judgemental and destructive. The dynamics of the town slowly unravel and reveal a backstory that shows that things are not as idyllic as the pleasantries and scenery might suggest - the gap between the desperate and the wealthy, the lack of real love and the chronic dissatisfaction and longing for the past.
Kimi no suizô o tabetai (2018)
Slightly contrived tearjerker
This film hits all the right notes emotionally, telling the story of two high schoolers, one an asocial loner and the other an impulsive girl about to die. I thought, "I've seen this before." It's the typical "manic pixie dream girl" plot combined with the contrived terminal illness tearjerker plot. And I was right, but only partially. The depth of the characters and plot go beyond a typical plot, with interesting developments and backstories that deviate from stereotypes. It was still rather contrived and the ending dragged on but for the most part it accomplishes what it set out to, a surprisingly deep and heartfelt story about life and death.
Mandariinid (2013)
A film about our common humanity
This film is, on its surface, a war film showing a battle in the Caucasus mountains in 1992. However, as it goes on, we see that the war is simply a backdrop for the characters who have to put aside their differences and find their common humanity despite the conflict between their sides. It reminds me of the Korean film Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005) which had similar themes but was more comedic.
Gandahar (1987)
Underrated
This film had the potential to be a classic of science fiction if it weren't so obscure. It has a really retro feel in the hand-drawn animation, the synth music and cheesy voice acting. The strong point of the film is its very imaginative setting with all sorts of weird creatures and locales. You never know how things will turn out! The plot starts off as a straightforward robot invasion but it introduces some interesting mysteries that add some complexity. This film was/will be awesome!
Fainaru fantajî sebun adobento chirudoren (2005)
Excellent action, muddy plot
This film had the potential to be as great as the other Final Fantasy movie (The Spirits Within), in the 8/10 range. It has excellent design, cool fight scenes and lifelike animation. Very impressive for the time period. However, the plot is so muddled that I could not get invested. Who exactly is each character? How are they related? Where does everything take place? What parts are flashbacks and which are present? There actually is a real story underneath the chaotic action but you wouldn't be able to tell because of how messily it was presented.
Andrey Rublev (1966)
Theme-driven epic
This film has an unconventional narrative style, divided into smaller disconnected episodes with only a few characters in common. Although it is supposedly a biopic of Andrei Rublev himself, he has a surprisingly small role in the film. Instead, the backdrop of 15th century Russia is given more prominence. This film is less about characters and more about themes - mainly, the interaction of art, censorship and conflict.
Shichinin no samurai (1954)
Classic action epic
This film is a great early example of an action epic that was endlessly influential on the genre. Its impact can be felt in every era and continuing today. Although it is quite long, not a single shot or minute is wasted as every part of the film has significance. The world and acting are very lifelike, which immerses the viewer in a believable and nuanced era with desperate farmers and warriors, all with their own backgrounds and personalities. This is the strength of the film as the characters are never just obligatory archetypes. Each of the samurai is so distinct - a wise elder, an impassioned young man, a reckless glory seeker and more. This creates so many great scenarios as they try to defend the farmers, all with their own motivations and methods. There's no Hollywood heroics here - every conflict, whether physical or social, has to be resolved within the restrictions of their situation. From arming the peasants to abandoning the houses south of the river to family conflicts, the plight of the poor village is filled with constant tension and drama.
Doug's 1st Movie (1999)
Very basic but somehow engaging
This is a very "basic" kind of animated movie. It feels like an extended TV show episode with low stakes, lacklustre animation and nothing particularly exciting. In this way, it reminds me of the first Hey Arnold! movie. The characters are stupid, the events are meandering and the cutaway gags are long and distracting. The moral of the story is drowned out in contrived drama and bizarre and cliché antics. Yet somehow I was quite engaged with the emotional arc of the characters so I can't fault it too much.
Persona (1966)
Phantasmagorical
This film is an inscrutably vague and fantastical series of scenes that are too vague to allow any kind of stable interpretation. From the fractured montage at the beginning to the disconnected emotional outbursts, the field is completely open for a variety of readings from many perspectives. If I were still in university, this would be a gold mine of content. Who is the real protagonist, Elizabet or the nurse? What parts of their personalities merge? Most importantly, what do all of the scenes really mean? This is a cinematic Rorschach Test that will either inspire or frustrate.
Over the Moon (2020)
Extraordinaria
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first saw this film - Sony Pictures Animation's take on Chinese culture? I'm glad to say it paid off - it has amazing colourful animation, catchy songs and a fresh take on mythology. Some of the elements are clearly derived from Disney tropes but used in a new context for novel effect. The plot, I must say, is a bit thin and has room for improvement, especially the emotional parts of the film which were rushed.
WolfWalkers (2020)
Cartoon Saloon's best film
This is Cartoon Saloon's best film to date, honing all their skills exercised in The Secret of Kells onwards. It combines the storybook-style 2D animation, Irish mythological references, overbearing authority figures, city walls and (of course) wolf invasions. There are also other influences deftly woven into this film from Disney and Studio Ghibli. It follows a range of brilliantly distinct and animated characters through a visually evocative landscape with a tense, thrilling plot that will engage the viewer from beginning to end, with particular emphasis on the wolf sense scenes.