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Primal Fear (1996)
An eye opening and jaw dropping story that surprises many of us
An eye opening and jaw dropping story that surprises many of us
I watched this movie quite some time ago and have only decided to review it now because of the recent events. It is such a stunning film that totally surpasses all of our ordinary thinking. And it is such a great show that depicts the reality, and probably the laughable reality of the so-called liberal world, collectively known as western countries.
The plot itself makes many dumbfounded. The real murderer ingeniously faked his mental health issues to walk free from a potential capital punishment. It was done so perfectly that even his lawyer got blindsided, so much so that he chose to exit the courtroom from the rear door to shun away from media by turning what would have otherwise been a very strong boost to his credentials to an embarrassment shunning escape.
Looking back from now I really enjoy the revealing nature of this movie as it tells a very real story, perhaps in an ironic sense. It reveals how laughable, abusable and exploitable the western legal system is in the pretense of human rights and liberty. Almost anyone who commits a crime, no matter how serious, can use mental illness as a shield in exchange for a more lenient sentence. Such things happen way too often. As a person from an Asian background who has lived in a western country for over two decades and hence is able to see the pros and cons of each system, I must say I increasingly despise this system, although I'm not defending those systems in Asian countries. The so-called inclusive and democratic western system is so soft and powerless that it fails to distinguish good from evil and right from wrong. When a villain is to be sentenced there will be various bodies who argue for a second chance, be it human rights groups or religious organizations. More whimsically there will be all kind of weird bodies like prison chaplaincy that looks after the convicted's "wellbeing", ensuring their "rights" are protected. My question for these people is- what second chance are you talking about? If it's just about theft or vandalism then you deserve a second chance, but not in a murder's case. How can you get a second chance while giving the victim a death sentence and their family a life sentence? How dare you deprive someone of their life? How dare you? It is purely laughable and outrightly hypocritical.
Capital punishment is a very effective deterrent provided it is used sparingly and rigorously. The threshold must be extremely high and conviction must be beyond reasonable doubt. I'm not promoting a killing spree like China but it simply shouldn't be taken off the books altogether. In my view Singapore strikes a very careful balance.
Acting is superior. Edward Norton and Richard Gere are a formidable duo in this show. Gere had been well known before this film but it is really a come out show for Norton who rose to fame after this movie.
In the end the movie leaves us with a very bitter feeling that crime does not always get punished and justice does not always prevail. Bad people do walk away unscathed - at times. It just reveals this uncomfortable truth. Very sad but nothing we can do. Blame the system but no one can change it or wants to change it. Sometimes I wish we could go back to those western movies where you can clean up the street with a gun.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
A perfect combination of war and romance movie - ending could have been happier though.
A perfect combination of war and romance movie - ending could have been happier though.
I did not believe I had the passion to write another movie review while dealing with a barrage of middle age crises until I rewatched this film just now. It was a sensation at the time of release mimicking Harry Potter(2001) and Titanic (1997) but over time critiques have built up and I feel this film is unfairly blamed and severely underrated. Hence it has been felt that I have an onus to clear its name.
The plot is beautiful in that it weaves romance into a war story. You don't find many shows with both components, do you? I am somehow a war movie fanatic and have always loved Saving Private Ryan (1998), Fury (2014), Hacksaw Ridge (2016) and probably more recently 1917 (2019) and Midway (2019). But they are mostly about fighting without much romance involved. Pearl Harbor (2001) somehow breaks this pattern and offers a new perspective. Love triangle is probably the most tangible conflict that pushes the story forward, even though I don't precisely like this kind of story.
Cinematography is excellent and fighting is intense. The attack on Pearl Harbor and the counterattack on Tokyo are all filmed with highly sophisticated cinematographic effect. The beauty of Pearl Harbor sunset has been magnified multiple times by the camera lens. Even the courting scenes are so sweet that they deserve many giggles. This movie did achieve top notch artistic performance.
I always say no great movie can be accomplished without great actors. Acting is superb. Multiple Hollywood A listers like Ben Affleck and Alec Baldwin have undoubtedly increased the weighting of the show. Josh Hartnett is somehow a quiet achiever given his less high profile compared with the former two. Yet his acting is second to none. His unassuming boy face is an appeal.
Location is usually the last but not least thing I mention in my reviews. New York, Washington and Pearl Harbor are all great places for this type of filming. The counterattack on the Japanese soil, known as Doolittle Raid, strikes a remarkable resemblance to the scene in Midway (2019).
In all aspects I believe Pearl Harbor (2001) is an excellent film that deserves high rating. I'm not exactly sure where the cynicism and criticism come from. Perhaps people expect too much. Yes it is propaganda and I don't deny that. The Americans like to do that. So do the Chinese. But movies are all about soft power projection, let alone war movies. However, why can't we just focus on the movie itself and ask the following questions.
Is the story and event something that interests you?
Does it achieve impressive cinematographic effects?
Do you like the cast and crew?
Does the movie leave you something to relish post-viewing?
My answer is yes to all above. Even a day after the show the scenes are still playing in my head. I'm just hopelessly and relentlessly a cinephile. I must say I was hoping for a happier ending though. The fact that Danny (Josh Hartnett) died somehow saddens me. But maybe this is the best possible outcome to end a love triangle. Politics is about finding middle ground.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
A classic film whose cuteness my heart can't handle
A classic film whose cuteness my heart can't handle
Eerily after quoting the name of Dorothy (Privately Doss's wife) in my review of Hacksaw Ridge (2016) this film was broadcast on TV the following day whose protagonist's name is also Dorothy. The Wizard of Oz (1939), what a classic and nostalgic, sweet and cute movie in the old days, so much so that my heart almost couldn't handle it. It is just so gentle, soothing and comforting. No wonder it scores a staggering 8.1 on IMDb rating more than 8 decades after its release.
The plot is very simple and straightforward compared to its same year peer Gone with the Wind (1939). Yet what melts my heart is the fantasy themes and cute characters that appear in this film. From family members of Dorothy Gale to Auntie Em, to roadside friends like Scarecrow and the Tin Man, and to supporting roles of Glinda the good witch to the Munchkins, each character is depicted so vividly in a fantasy way.
Cinematography is amplified through the beautiful scenes in this show, many of which include idyllic farmlands, vibrant yellow brick road and wizard style houses. It is such a cute show that suits all ages, all genders and all cultures.
What serves as a bonus is its musical genre. Theme song Over the Rainbow, together with a few episodes like We're Off to See the Wizard, Follow the Yellow Brick Road and If I only Had the Nerve has become household names.
Acting is superb. Judy Garland was such a talented actress and singer whose life was both epitomized and tragic. She was only in her teens when she casted this movie. What a prodigy she was! It was only through her mini biography on IMDb that I knew she died at a young age due to drug overdose. She certainly had a condensed but glamorous life.
And once again, as an old school, nostalgic and conservative person, I find this classic film too hard to miss, although it was released quite a few decades before my birth. The Wizard of Oz (1939), a film that has ascended parallel to my beloved The Sound of the Music (1965), is a must-see.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
A wartime biography that has topped all its peers
A wartime biography that has topped all its peers
I always say all good movies are worth at least a second watching and this show has proved to be one of them. On a Friday evening while I was anxiously waiting for my medical result I was afforded this wonderful war movie as a good distraction.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016) - what a visually stunning and emotionally touching movie. Its stubbornly high score of 8.1 on IMDb is well earned for a reason.
The plot is immensely intriguing just to start with. A conscientious objector who refused to touch a gun, yes A gun, in the US army in WWII had managed to save 75 compatriots' and even a few enemies' lives by being a medic. Dodging rains of bullets, faking rounds of deaths and smartly using ropes to lower down the injured to the safe ground, that is all he did to get his job done. He did all this by his faith and by God's Grace, according to himself. While I understand IMDb is not a platform for any sort of religious expression it is evident that his God gave him the strength, courage and probably the grace to do what an average person can't even imagine., let alone accomplish.
Fighting scenes are intense and gore is raw, which is a big wow factor for me to give it 10/10. Picking up a dead body as a shied , faking death by covering oneself with a dead body as a buffer to prevent bayonet penetration, firing flame to burn off enemies while being blasted away as a result of gas tank explosion are all raw and gruesome scenes that this movie casts, so much so that it paints a highly vivid picture of the war nature.
Cast and crew are amazing with a few A-listers. Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington and Luke Bracey are all well known actors. What impressed me most is Garfield's acting skills. Not only does he act well the Amazing Spider-Man series, he also casts successfully in a wartime movie like this. Particularly noteworthy is his ability to shed real tears, something not many actors can do. He must be really engaged in the plot and be able to sympathize and empathize. The protagonist's wife's name Dorothy is also something I am fond of. Oh Dorothy , what a lovely, traditional and classic English name which immediately prompts my fond memory of The Wizard of Oz (1939) where the protagonist had exactly the same name.
Perhaps what prompted me to write this review is the closing scene which caught my eyes in both of my viewings. When the stretcher lowers down an injured Private Doss from Hacksaw Ridge to the lower safe camp ground, the camera all of a sudden changes its filming angle from top down to bottom up, which creates a perception or illusion of ascendency to heaven. In my view such a scene is designed to echo the protagonist's faith.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016) - a wartime film has probably topped my other favorite Saving Private Ryan (1998) given its true historical accuracy. I do favor true stories!
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Re-watched and re-reviewed
To be quite honest I did not believe I could watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy twice, not that I don't like it. On the contrary it's one of the films that strike me the most. Only problem is that each episode runtime is well over 3 hours and that stretches over 4 hours if you count the TV commercials in, which means an enjoyable movie has become a huge commitment as well as a physical challenge. However, given I was in New Zealand a couple of months ago for a second time and Hobbiton and Wetashop were part of that journey, I have been inspired to watch this show again and re-review it.
LOTR - what an all-age, all-gender and all-culture silver screen sensation for its generation! From storyline to metaphor, costume to makeup, background to scenery, sound to music, cast to crew, cinematography to acting, there's not a single box it doesn't tick.
Storyline has rugged layers (often interpreted as conflicts) which movies rely on. A journey to Mount Mordor is fraught with dangers, perils and treachery. All these are amplified by each and single character's struggle and pain, which are finally overcome by love, trust, courage, determination, friendship and companionship.
Seasoned and accomplished actors have undoubtedly demonstrated those traits. Elijah Wood, Sean Austin, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Sean Bean, Hugo Weaving and many others have all played an exceptional role in living their characters, so much so that the strong cast in LOTR trilogy has made its The Hobbit trilogy sequel a lackluster.
Costume and makeup are well toned in that they fit perfectly with the characters. Women's dresses, men's armors, cookware and even the cute lembas bread all resemble those in ancient Roman Empire times. The acoustics of its sound and music and the grandeur in fighting scenes are simply breathtaking, striking a remarkable resemblance to Troy (2004), making it literally a legendary ancient war movie.
As usual I would like to touch on the metaphor of each movie simply because good films should always do more than just describing the story. They need to convey the underlying message. Human's greed and craving for power is demonstrated throughout, not just by the evil spirit but also by those with a good heart. After all we live in a real world full of deceit and temptations. Yet it is those characters like courage, determination, caring and compassion that see us through. A lot of people say Samwise Gamgee is the unsung hero and I totally agree with that. His unfailing loyalty and faithfulness to his friend Frodo Baggins unchallenged bring a tear or two to his audiences. He just has an adorable chubby face I want to pinch - in a fond way of course.
Once again I must mention the filming locations that inspired me to re-watch and re-review this show. I want to give special thanks to Hobbiton Movie Set Tours for showing me the cute Hobbit village. The Hobbit houses, the hills, the trees, the grasses, the bridge, and the water mill are all fondly reflected in the movie. That is probably one of the reasons for traveling the world to stamp those filming locations. One goof I must point out though - in the closing scene when Samwise Gamgee walks back to his house with his family, the actor actually bends down over the door frame because the hobbit houses are quite low while the actors are in real size...
The Queen (2006)
Worthy of watching
When this film was aired on TV in September last year I had a strong desire to watch it. However, given we were all in mourning of the loss of Her Majesty I somehow felt it would be too heart wrenching to watch the life story of a late Queen. Now 4 months later I finally got the chance when it was aired again this weekend. The Queen (2006), what a revealing biography for a snapshot of very short period of the Queen's life around Princess Diana's death!
Plot is simple given it is almost a biography, nature of which is buttressed by unredacted news images and the then-live coverage of many of the events at the time. While one should not always trust the entire content of a movie or even a documentary, this film largely tells the story.
Many scenes are intense and confronting, which is not hard to imagine. The disagreement between the Queen and the Prime Minister, the conversation between the Queen and Prince Philip, even the inside struggle within the Queen herself are performed upfront. The British public at the time was criticizing the Queen for treating the funeral as a private matter. Yet I have every reason to believe that she, as a sovereign of the United Kingdom and the broader commonwealth, had her own reckoning. This was demonstrated in her quiet moment stuck in Balmoral outskirts when her car broke down. The tears she ran clearly revealed her sorrow and stress.
The then prime minister Tony Blair's reaction is also cast vividly. His forthright response to the media and firm but polite advice to the Queen were riveting. After all we all have to agree that it is not an easy job to be a public figure, be it a politician or a monarch.
Characters are demonstrated reasonably well. I particularly like Prince Philip's bluntness. He was just known for that - in a fond way I should say. Dame Helen Mirren was slightly overacted in that the Queen's demeanor wasn't fully defined, while Michael Sheen was mildly underacted given Tony Blair was a much more assertive character. Costume and makeup aren't entirely up to scratch as those two characters don't exactly mimic the real figures in the real world.
Overall it is still a worthy film to watch. The relatively short span of the event timeline enables you to focus on the funeral itself rather than flicking your eyes quickly to comprehend what scene is for what event.
The royal family's life is always an interesting one.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
An elaborately made film with touching stories
An elaborately made film with touching stories
I must apologize for skipping the first series in 2009 of this film before watching its sequel. Fortunately the story isn't too hard to figure out except that Quaritch the villain was in a human form in the first series. Avatar: The way of Water (2022) - what a blockbusting movie for this year, so much so that I would draw a parallel to my all time favorite The Lord of the Rings trilogy in both themes and genres.
I compare Avatar to LOTR because both films are fantasy, adventure and action in genre. They are not about human stories. Yet human sentiment is intrinsically woven into the story.
The storyline is simple but touching. An avatar tribe, in fact an avatar family, is fighting for its very own survival by moving to another tribe to gain their trust and help. Such story has abundant resemblance in the human world, be it refugee movement or aboriginal land rights. Yet it needs to undergo tremendous ordeals and overcome hurdles to make this happen, in which love, compassion, trust, courage, friendship and companionship definitely have played a very critical role.
Fighting scene is intense, which qualifies this show as an action movie. Advanced military hardware like warplanes and whale hunting equipment and primitive tribal weapons such as arrows and spears form stark contrast between the technological gaps between two species. Yet it is smart fighting on top of hard fighting that sees the seemingly disadvantaged avatars turn the tables. All this exemplifies the superb cinematography I want to lay out next.
It is not hard to figure out cinematography has everything to do with cinema by applying etymology, which in this movie simply catches your eyes, holds your breath, blows your mind, and drops your jaw. The fighting scenes, the landscape, the water thumping and particularly the underwater scenes carry great cinematic effects, so much so that I was quietly pleased to have paid a few extra dollars for a 3D upgrade. It is indeed a production that must be watched in 3D.
Perhaps one of my unique likes is the depiction of avatar emotions. Their ear movements say a lot about them - upright when angry, and flopping down when sad. All carry the features of cartoon characters, which melts my heart.
Acting skills have been demonstrated beyond those fighting scenes. Sam Worthington is a great action actor who has performed in multiple action movies such as Clash of the Titan (2010). There are many soft moments that guarantee a tear or two. Even when the movie was finished I could hear one of the teenage girls in the front row say "my tears haven't dried yet." Yes you have every reason not to come out of the cinema with dry eyes. The closing scene is particularly a good example. In flashback Jake the father and tribal leader was shedding tears when he saw his son catch a fish and the son asked him why he was crying. Oh there are many reasons for that, aren't there? Tears for victory, tears for survival, tears for loss of one son, and tears for another son's growing up, whatever it is, you name it.
American Sniper (2014)
A true hero of gallantry and nobleness
A true hero of gallantry and nobleness
I have long heard of this awe inspiring and award winning film. Having only got the chance to watch fraction of the movie on Air Canada flight from Vancouver to Sydney I'm glad I finally watched the whole episode thanks to its casting on free-to-air TV. Initially it looked just like another great fictional patriotic American war movie such as my other favorite Fury (2014) that tries to project the US soft power. However, thanks to the closing credit I got to learn that it was based on a true story. American Sniper (2014), what a film of great success in all aspects!
Based on the true story of the US SEALs members, the plot is absolutely jaw dropping as well as mind blowing as it flashes back the scenes where US troops was facing real threat and danger in Iraq. The fighting scenes were so tense and real - tense as you have to hold your breath without knowing who gets killed in the next second, and real in that it looks exactly the same as those footages reported in news. You have to end up admiring the entire crew from direction, costume and makeup to sound mixing and special effects.
The protagonist's personal life is also well depicted. Love, romance, difference and conflict with his family are cast vividly and vibrantly. Dilemma of serving his country and building his family is abundantly evident throughout the entire show. Bradley Cooper is such an accomplished actor. First knowing him from A Star Is Born (2018) I find him possess great acting skills as well as incredibly masculine look. This is another example of great movies making great actors and great actors accomplishing great movies.
The surprising ending has somehow caught me off guard. Obviously without knowing the true story itself anyone would assume it's a happy ending. The sniper goes home after surviving four perilous military tours overseas and reunites with his family and starts a new life. Most movies would wrap up shortly upon this exhilarating and uplifting moment. The prolonged at-home filming somehow gives me an ominous feeling that something might happen. No director would waste his own, his team's or the audience's time on happy-fluffy peaceful post-conflict scenes without suggesting something imminent. And my worst fear is eventually realized in the closing credit that Chris Kyle was shot dead in Texas by the PTSD veteran he was trying to help. My heart sinks, my thought saddens and my mood sours upon this result. Sorrow, sadness, sarcasm, anger and resentment filled my heart just like a botched cooking with mismatched and misfitted sauces and spices. How can life go so wrong for an elite soldier who survived brutal wars from overseas to die at home? How can his death be caused by exactly the same act and his bread and butter - shooting? And how can this true hero be shot by the person close to him rather than his deadly enemies? Life is quite often a joke, isn't it? No soldiers should have to die on their home soil, just as no parents should watch their children die. The shocking result prompted me to immediately scramble internet for the stories and I'm still unreeling and unwinding from the aftermath, which might suggest how much a movie fan I am - I always inadvertently get immersed into movies and assume I am part of the plot.
American Sniper (2014) - an all-time great story dedicated to an all-time true hero Chris Kyle, a man with gallantry and nobleness.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
A sumptuous spiritual banquet just as well as an abundant visual feast
A sumptuous spiritual banquet just as well as an abundant visual feast
Before watching this movie I somehow realized it was a bit underrated given its inspiring plot summary on IMDb and all the big actress names and that was proved even more of the case after watching it.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003), what a mind inspiring, thought provoking as well as eye pleasing film. From plot to acting, costume to makeup, sound to background it is absolutely an all-female hit movie. The plot is an interesting one. A prestigious liberal art college which was not sufficiently liberal in the eyes of a modern female instructor witnesses its students' traditional values to move on the more progressive spectrum. The protagonist has definitely opened the eyes of many spoilt students with ties in high places. She does this by breaking the walls of traditional teaching which is bound by syllabus.
Thought provocation is the soul of any drama without which the show is no better than a dead storybook. This movie is particularly thought provoking in that the protagonist has challenged the perceived roles that many women are born to fill, which draws a remarkable resemblance to The Iron Lady (2011) where a young Thatcher told her husband that women are not born to do house chores like washing up. They have every reason to pursue their own dreams, which goes down well with some independent minded modern women but less so with women with traditional values. Whichever the case is, professional women are not in short supply in the modern society, be it women artists, entrepreneurs or politicians. "You can do both (career and marriage)," said Watson (Julia Roberts) to one of her students Joan (Julia Stiles). The protagonist's persona is awe inspiring to many. Most women long to have a good husband and start their own families, which is nothing wrong. Yet there are those who dare to be different, who aim to bring a change, and who strive to succeed. To achieve this they have to overcome their physical weakness compared to men and exert tremendous mental strength. Isn't that inspirational to many of us?
Conflicts are the engines of any movie, which are forcefully demonstrated from start to finish. Disagreement in teaching style between lecturer and President, collision between instructor and students, argument among fellow students and even confrontation between women students and their partners are stripped quite bare in an artistic manner, so much so that it makes seemingly bickering conflicts an enjoyable art show.
The scenes are another wow factor that catches my eyes. Nostalgic college dormitory, green and leafy campus, posh wedding ceremony and lavish party scenes are all eye candies for a good movie like this. Costume and makeup are impeccably crafted throughout this show. It is particularly nostalgic to see traditional suits and dresses on party scenes, which is a far cry from the casual fashion trend today. Filming locations are also carefully calibrated to cater to the historical and cultural backdrops of such genre. East coast of the US is indeed very rich in culture.
Yet again I wouldn't have watched this show without all the big names in acting which simply is superb. Julia Roberts, what a household name, from Pretty Woman (1990) to Wonder (2017), just to name a few, she has made countless awe-inspiring movies. No wonder she is among the top female cast in Hollywood. Along the list are Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, all of whom are blockbusting actresses. They interact so well that it has dismissed my fear of watching a bitchy all-women motion picture.
The closing credit is also a great wrap up with Watson's students chasing her on bikes when she left for her next teaching contract in Europe and Watson sitting in the cab shedding a tear or two. Happy tears or sad tears, or perhaps a bit of both? It's up to your own imagination. The wall (of thinking) is broken by Watson.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Top gun pilots, top rate movies
Top gun pilots, top rate movies
Timing couldn't be more appropriate for me to watch this 2022 sequel today - exactly one week after I watched the original release Top Gun (1986). And let me tell you something. You need the background knowledge of the 1986 episode for a compete and thorough understanding of the sequel. Rarely is a sequel as good as its original release due to tapering viewers' sentiment which in many cases is an unfortunate reality. Yet this movie has broken the curse.
There you go. Top Gun: Maverick (2022). What a group of top guns! And what a series of top rate movies! To an old school 70er like myself, the 2022 session is a long anticipated and much needed extension of the 1986 nostalgia. To me it's almost a remake of the 1986 Top Gun in many ways. The opening credit is exactly the same which provides a very good flashback of the old series. Interpersonal relationship in this sequel dreadfully and eerily mimics those in the 1986 release. The intimate relationship between Maverick and the woman, the rivalry between the two best trainee pilots Rooster and Hangman, are nothing short of a remake and reflection of how various characters interacted in the 1986 Top Gun.
What surprises me is that the 1986 Top Gun only earned itself an acceptable 6.9, a far cry from 8.6 for its 2022 sequel. My take is that the Maverick session has more combat scenes than its predecessor, which makes it easier to attract young viewers. Still it strikes the right balance between its more drama genre and the fighting scenes. After all it is meant to depict the career and personal lives of naval pilots. Hence fighting must take a secondary place.
Scenes and themes are multilayered and sophisticated. There are a good mix of tense yet upbeat, uplifting while emotional scenes. Argument breaks out between fellow trainees. Disagreement ensues between commander and officer. Flashback reverts back to deceased father and his successive pilot son. Mind twists between protecting deceased mate's son and fulfilling his career aspirations. All are naturally, logically, coherently, organically and consistently woven together and permeate into each other. It is indeed a great deal of information to process.
No movie review is complete without making reference to its cast and crew. Acting is another masterpiece in this film. As I have applauded Tom Cruise in many of my previous reviews, I must say it is tremendously good to see him make a comeback to this sequel. Can you believe that? It's been 36 years since his debut in this movie, which leaves me wondering what has taken so long to release this sequel. Time has changed and people have moved on, only that it is the same Tom. Despite multiple signs of aging, he looks more mature and seasoned in 2022 than his 1986 image. Well, he must be as he has built up his acting skills over this many years. Noteworthy to say is that this show has a good mix of newcomers and establishment actors. Miles Teller and Glen Powell are Hollywood's rising stars. I somehow favor Powell as I can see huge potentials in him. His confident yet arguably cocky face places him well in elite roles such as NASA astronaut in Hidden Figures (2016) and the rich businessman in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018), as well as Hangman the elite pilot in this show.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022), what a modern day classic film! Come back and have a revisit in 20 years time and I can assure you it still stands. Top Gun, top movie! You can quote me!
Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
Another classic prison movie reminiscent of The Shaw Shank Redemption (1994)
Another classic prison movie reminiscent of The Shaw Shank Redemption (1994)
Saw this title on TV guide quite a few times but never watched it until tonight. I wasn't particularly an Eastwood fan as I find his movies a bit weird in terms of both topics and genres. However, given I had nothing better to do tonight why not gave it a go? And I'm glad to find out it has surprised me in a good way.
Escape from Alcatraz (1979), what a nerve-wracking, breath-taking, mind-blowing and eye-opening movie. From plot to acting, costume to makeup, sound to background, it draws a remarkable resemblance to its sister classic The Shawshank Redemption (1994), although the latter is probably noticeably more famous and visibly more highly rated. It is always suspenseful to watch those prison breaking films. The techniques inmates use for escape are absolutely riveting, quoting the word "riveted" when Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood) described how the ventilation bars were connected to the prison ceiling. What this show is dwarfed by its compatriot The Shawshank Redemption (1994) is, in my view, is that the escape techniques are revealed to viewers in a chronological order instead of a flashback (reverse chronological order), which leaves less suspense to audiences. Nevertheless it doesn't disqualify from a classic prison movie.
Acting is classic and superb. Albeit not with too much deviation from a standard classic, it fully meets my expectations. Location is a no brainer given it's more of a biography in San Francisco. This somehow makes me regret to skip the Alcatraz visit when I was in San Francisco 8 years ago.
Overall this movie is an all-time great. And it definitely promotes Alcatraz and the broader San Francisco's image as an international travel destination. Well done.
Top Gun (1986)
A typical and classical 80s Cruise movie
A typical and classical 80s Cruise movie
Wow it is hard to believe that it was my first time to watch this classical 80s show by Cruise. And timing couldn't be better for this viewing - exactly a week before our local church organizes a group visit for its sequel Top Gun: Maverick (2022). This viewing will definitely give me very good background knowledge for the sequel.
This show is such an 80s classic that everything in it has a time stamp, be it plot, acting, music, background, costumes and makeup. The storyline isn't very layered but it is quite telling of the navy Air Force elite pilot's career and personal life at the time. I watched it more as a classic rather than expecting much intricacy. There are many classic songs and people's faces including their hairstyle look so typically 80s, which is a far cry from modern days in 2022. Landscape in San Diego, too, was absolutely amazing for the time. But it is exactly this nostalgia that gets me to love it. Cruise is such a great actor with unrivaled look and superb acting skills. No wonder he is one of the highest paid actors in the world. Yet in this movie his young and rookie face makes him stand out from many of his later sophisticated films.
All in all I would class Top Gun (1986) together with Rain Man (1988) as must see classics by Cruise in the 1980s. And believe it or not, I was actually talking to Cruise in person last night in my dream. How hopelessly and helplessly a movie-prone cinephile I am!
The Iron Lady (2011)
More mesmerizing than a documentary and more comprehensive than Wikipedia
More mesmerizing than a documentary and more comprehensive than Wikipedia
On a surprisingly tired Saturday evening I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to watch anything heavy until TV guide told me that this movie was on. Initially I was a bit skeptical of this show as IMDb rating is barely just acceptable - a mere 6.4/10. But given politics is always my interest I decided to give it a go and I'm glad to find out that this is an underrated film.
The storyline is succinct and fast moving, from a young Thatcher at her university age, fast forwarding to a rookie politician in her early political career, with most heavily elaborated details in her heyday as the country's top, to a retired and probably tired Thatcher in her final years. At first glance the story looks flat without many big scenes, which may be partially the reason why it receives such mediocre rating. But in my view it sits perfectly with the genre. After all it's a biography and people want to watch the true story without getting too much fanfare.
This movie is highly depicting and revealing. The Iron Lady is a politician I often hear of but don't have much direct knowledge of as my era is quite some time behind her political quietening. While I can see she is a highly controversial and deeply divisive political figure in that even her death continued to divide the nation (noting that when her hearse was driven on London street many people turned their back on her coffin), she is also a person of strength, resolve, commitment, and conviction. As the former Australian prime minister John Howard said, politics is about convictions. It's not just about being in government.
Many scenes in this film are well abstracted from Thatcher's life events, be it her union bashing at Westminster, IRA bombing escape from Grand Hotel, declaration of Falklands Island war, push for poll tax and eventually her ousting from her own Conservative Party. All these stories are organically woven together like those pearls on her favorite necklace. And all these scenes are flashed back and forth with an elderly and declining Thatcher who from time to time has dementia and hallucinations. Such scenes make you think we are all the same on the last leg of our journeys although we had quite different paths at various stages in life.
Acting is superb while no-frills, which again suits perfectly with its biographical genre. Meryl Streep is such a Queen of Queens on the silver screen in that her versatility in vastly different roles, be it The Bridges of Madison County (1995) or The Devil Wears Prada (2006). She definitely has not been typecast and can pull off any character.
The British cultural context is also deeply fascinating and heavily intriguing. The whole cinematography is so British themed that I was reluctant to move my eyes away from any section of this movie. Oh England, what a classy and sophisticated place. It is indeed rich in history and culture. Even its language has far reaching resonance in every corner of the earth!
Oh the Iron Lady , either the movie or the real person, is thought provoking and mind blowing. Great movie and wonderful story.
Interstellar (2014)
Perfect combination of science and humanities
After its being rated as one of my former colleague's all-time favorite movie, I took this recommendation to go through this movie. To be quite honest I wasn't quite sure if I could review a sci-fi as I'm more of a drama critic. But given its high rating on IMDb I have decided to give it a go.
The science element of this film is beyond many people's understanding. After all how much does an average person know about Einstein's theory of relativity and how many people can comprehend quantum? But I guess it's the artistic effect side that warrants some review. The plot is absolutely riveting in that it tells stories in multiple dimensions and across multiple time zones. You do need some creative mind to go through all these complexities. It is just as relentlessly futuristic as brutally imaginative.
The diversity of background music is absolutely amazing. Each episode has its own rhythms. Some are sobering while others are exhilarating which fit immaculately to the plot on the spot.
Movies rely on conflicts which are again demonstrated throughout this show. The argument between father and daughter, the confrontation between brother and sister, and the combat between astronauts play a role in stirring up the sentiment and pushing the plot forward. Juxtaposition is another success of this film. The almost simultaneous filming of life and death fight on Mann's Planet (between Copper and Mann) and hysterical bickering on the earth (between Tom and Murph) make you admire the director's talent.
I also must point out that despite its very heavy sci-fi component the emotional touch of this show shall never be discounted. The hope and belief of family reunion, no matter how remote it may seem in this context, is something that will definitely bring you a tear or two. I was particularly moved when Murph tells her "younger" father to look for Brand as no parents should watch their children die.
Once again cast and crew are an essential part of my movie reviews as I believe without them the film is just as good as a lifeless paper book. Hollywood A listers loom extremely large throughout. Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain are all familiar faces on the silver screen. In particular I have gained more understanding of Chastain's acting skills after likening her performance in this movie with Celia Foote on The Help (2011). What a great actress she is!
Interstellar (2014) - what a great movie that connects science and humanity!
1917 (2019)
A war movie that has a long-lasting mental impact
A war movie that has a long-lasting mental impact
Similar to a smart buyer who usually checks the product review before placing his order, a cautious viewer like me always checks the IMDb rating before determining the worthiness of a movie before watching. Based on the high rating I have decided to proceed with this show. And initially contrary to many positive reviews I had my own reservation. The visual effect is quite mediocre to me, compared to those war blockbusters such as Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Fury (2014). There is hardly any bombing, shooting, fighting and killing throughout, not that I am a lover of such scenes but that I believe there are essential elements for a war masterpiece.
Yet after replaying those scenes in my mind post-viewing the story seems to unfold. It is actually a very tense and indeed intense war movie. Albeit lacking (perhaps deliberately lacking to make a difference) those blockbusting visual effects the seemingly plain scenes actually tell you how two lance corporals are rushing to the frontline to deliver a very pressing and vital command from military top. As some other reviewers say, not a single minute is wasted by focusing the camera lens on the protagonists. In my opinion the lack of fighting is sometimes a suggestion of fighting because it keep you holding your breath while trying to figure out what happens in the next minute. It is a quiet horror just as A Quiet Place (2018) and A Quiet Place Part II (2020). No word needs to be spoken and no horror needs to be manifested to keep the audience guessing. This is probably where this movie succeeds.
Although quiet in many ways there is no shortage of emotions in this film. Love, kindness, generosity, companionship, horror, desperation, bravery, gallantry, and above all humanity are all in ample supply. Dragging your comrade from rubbles, holding your mate's hand in his dying moment, attempting to save the enemy from a crashing plane, leaving behind a romantic affair to carry on duty, and sending a dead soldier's message to his family are all exemplary of all war movies. I am particularly touched by the reaction of Lieutenant Joseph Blake (starred by Richard Madden) upon hearing his brother's death. Apparently holding back his sorrow he thanked Schofield's delivery of the message and stuck to his post. Isn't this what professional military personnel do?
There is also no excessive artistic performance, only for it to be kept at an essential level. The conversations in this movie are kept at a minimum to make way for real actions. From the briefing of the task to the completion of the duty, all you hear is brief, such as "can you do it?" or "your message is received ". Although seeming a bit boring in a movie context it is actually quite telling of a real war scenario where you don't have time to say anything other than conveying the command.
Lack of A listers may be a lacklustre for this film. Yet as some other reviewers have mentioned we get a long list of establishment (Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Richard Madden) and newcomer British actors (Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay). Gee... I cheated! Let's hope these newcomers will make a breakthrough in their career through this great movie.
To wrap up 1917 (2019) is an all great war movie, one of a kind indeed! Even a day after viewing, those scenes and dialogues are still playing in my mind. I am truly a cinephile.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
A marvel by Marvel
Immensely enjoyed this marvelous movie by Marvel with special thanks to NSW government's Discover NSW voucher. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), what a stunt and what a show that suits people of all ages. It is so visually striking, synoptically intriguing and emotionally attaching.
Visual effects of its action genre are vividly expressed in various fights and stunts throughout this movie. Intriguing synopsis includes but is not limited to the unfolding of the spell and the multiple layers of the portals. Needless to say the emotional discharge reaches a new high when Peter Parker says goodbye to his dying aunt May and much loved girlfriend for the sake of public good.
Cast and crew are always a much anticipated aspect of any Marvel movie. This cast is particularly strong, full of A-listers. Tom Holland, Jamie Foxx, Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire. It is particularly surprising (in a good way) to see the reappearance of three Spider-Men, past and present, as well as precedent and current villains. It is such a heartwarming reunion of the Spider-Man family. I honestly love all three Spider-Man actors. Holland has such a cute teenager face despite being in his mid-20s. He just doesn't look his age. Zendaya is a pretty woman too. Besides the chubby boy Jacob Batalon is lovable. All three teenage characters really express their teenage traits at a maximum.
The filming location is also a sensation. New York, an alpha city in this globe, stands out so well. It undoubtedly invoked the memory of my 2015 trip to this city. Well I guess most people get to know New York from movies due to its many world class landmarks.
Well done Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). You truly deserve many accolades. I am sure you will fare well in your numerous sequels. Bring it on!
High Crimes (2002)
Crimes in high places as the name suggests
Before watching this movie I did not believe I could review thrillers. I'm more of a pensive Englishman who would like to linger on thought-provoking dramas that wrench my heart or enlighten my eyes. But this show has changed my whole game.
High Crimes (2002), what a thriller and what a mystery as its genre suggested by IMDb. It is so dumbfounding, jaw-dropping, nerve-wracking and mind-blowing, so much so that it matches Primal Fear (1996). The utterly unexpected ending sends many people's including my head spinning. You thought you had uncovered a plot only to find out that it is just another part of a broader plot. You kill your targets to avoid being killed by those targets only to find out that you are a target yourself by another party. The different layers conspiracy are so convoluted that when the story unfolds you will find it's the government behind scene that is ultimately planning all these acts. No wonder it is named High Crimes because these are crimes committed by people in high places. In the end you kind of feel sad that every victim is just a spare part in the gigantic state apparatus.
The cast and crew also make this show a success. Ashley Judd wasn't too well known to me until I watched her other crime movie Double Jeopardy (1999) a week ago. She definitely gets the right acting vibe. Jim Caviezel, although fairly unknown to me if you could forgive my ignorance, plays very well in his role. Needless to say Morgan Freeman, the acting king on the silver screen. What a heavyweight cast!
In the end I would like draw a comparison between High Crimes (2002) and Primal Fear (1996) given their largely ironic finding and ending - you acquit someone who should not be acquitted, you plead not guilty for the guilty, and you fight for someone who will fight you in the end. Well I guess that how thrillers work.
Double Jeopardy (1999)
An underrated surreal thriller
I watched this movie a second time with last time starting half way through. Glad to have watched the whole episode this time. It is such an underrated movie. In my view it well deserves 8/10. Be it the plot, the scene, the acting and characters it deserves a much better rating. Yes the plot is a bit far-fetched. So is every other movie. You can't be too serious about the logical coherence of movies. Otherwise they won't be movies. They will be presented as news. I find it quite entertaining and suspenseful. The 2 points it fells short of 10 can be attributed to the inconsistency raised by other reviewers. Nevertheless, I think 8/10 is a fair rating.
The Aviator (2004)
A beautifully yet accurately crafted biography of a once tycoon
A beautifully yet accurately crafted biography of a once tycoon
It is hard to believe that only after 17 years from its debut that I got the chance to watch this famous movie. The IMDb high rating is not wasted after I watched this show. Be it plot, scenes, costume or cast this film is a sensation.
The plot catches my eye although I was born after Howard Hughes died. Thanks to this revealing biographical movie I finally get to know an epoch making legend like this. It is hard to imagine that a business tycoon with oil drilling background had such diverse interests in other areas like film making and aviation. He was indeed a talent who not only lived his life by ration but probably more by passion. Live your life to the fullest. Isn't that what we say every day and hadn't this been vividly realized by Hughes?
This movie also has captured many other important life details of Hughes. The fanfare he received, the romance he encountered and the planes he designed concertedly give a fuller picture of his personal as well as professional life, many of which have been artistically portrayed by the talented crew. Many scenes are liked by me. The mirthful party scenes, the fine dining scenes and the high flying scenes are all something I enjoy watching as a finer person. Needless to say the costume is an absolute hit, which isn't hard to explain why it achieved the Best Achievement in Costume Design in the Academy Awards.
And just to be consistent with my other reviews I must remark on the cast. It would be hard and almost inconceivable for this movie to win multiple Oscar rewards together with many other accolades without the double shot - Hollywood A listers like Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett. The simple truth is - great movies accomplish great actors and great actors achieve great movies. In particular this movie has convinced me of my DiCaprio's superb acting skills. Yes he has made many other great movies such as Titanic (1997), Catch Me If You Can (2002), Gangs of New York (2002) and perhaps equally important Inception (2010) just to name a few. But I am particularly impressed with his acting in this film which is something I can't explain. Maybe I love this story too much. Cate Blanchett, as we all know, has achieved many awards too.
Altogether from start to finish, plot to scene, and cast to crew The Aviator (2004) is a must see which you will regret not seeing once you see it.
No Time to Die (2021)
A fascinating and breathtaking killing sensation
This film is sufficient to see me killing people who try to kill me all night in the dream. At some stage there were even killing dreams within dreams bearing a remarkable resemblance to the dream layer in Inception (2010). Well done - another epic action and thriller movie!
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
Typically Australian melodramatic, conveniently black humorous yet pragmatically awareness raising
Typically Australian melodramatic, conveniently black humorous yet pragmatically awareness raising
To be honest I watched this show a few times before but it's probably the first time I finished the whole episode. After all on a Covid lockdown Saturday night what other better things do I have to do? And despite previous neutral to negative feeling towards this movie this time I actually find it a hit, a sensation and even a bit of touch not only because of the many hilarious scenes or vibrant music, but the awareness raised for people with non-binary sexual orientations, a group that has been long living in the shadow, a cohort that has long been loathed by the mainstream society and a subculture that has been buried in the everyday hype.
Drag queens are not very attractive forms of people by many of our standards. Yet they exist just as any other human beings. Whilst being a taboo in various cultures, politics and religions as it is almost certain to open a can of worms such people are still ordinary people like you and me who deserve kindness and respect. This movies reveals many of the hatred and discrimination they experience especially in the outback. Passersby's refusal to help when their bus breaks downs, audience's indifference to their performance in the pub and near bashing by locals in the town reveal nothing but the disdain and resentment they suffer. It is also revealing that some of them, despite being homosexual, came from some form of heterosexual relationship before. It is 2021 and we all have been told to exercise tolerance and inclusiveness. While it is best to leave this matter to individuals' own interpretations, this movie at least reveals some of the little known facts that might become an eye opener to us.
Apart from the topic itself there are many vibrantly colorful songs in the show which are an appeal to a musical fan like me. Many of them, like I Will survive , Go West and Finally Scene, have become classic or household songs.
Cast and crew are another highlight. Hugo Weaving is an absolute talent with vast versatility in roles he acts, be it The Lord of the Rings trilogy, V for Vendetta (2005) or Dressmaker (2015). His British compatriot Guy Pearce makes a perfect acting partner due to this duo's flamboyant acting in the show. The outback backdrop in the heartland of Australia with red rocks and crystal clear sky clearly makes this show a draw card to many who haven't had the chance to visit this beautiful country.
Just before I wrap up, can I please use the anecdotal timing for this show which was watched by me the day after my company held a Wear It Purple Day? What a coincidence.
All in all I believe this movie proves to be a great show due to its artistic features as well as its revealing content. I'm sure no matter what perspective you look at it from there's gotta be something that amazes you.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Visually excruciating, mentally harrowing yet factually revealing
Visually excruciating, mentally harrowing yet factually revealing
As my pseudonym suggests I am purportedly a pensive Englishman who loves thought-provoking genres such as biography and this film proves to be an absolute hit.
The storyline is fascinating and mesmerizing. The importance of substance over form is expressed vividly in the biography of Solomon Northup which reveals the horrid nature of his own experience of living in captivity and definitely similar ones for many other people in his cohort. Flashing back two centuries ago the movie depicts a very dark period in American history of slave trade. Black lives did not matter. In fact they were not even persons but properties which were breakable, destroyable, disposable and tradable at their masters' pleasure. The many excruciating scenes of torturing, lashing, raping, stabbing and hanging are well conveyed in this show. Slave gets stabbed and dumped into the river, servants get whipped for "disobeying" their masters and maid gets raped to help discharge her master's libido. None of these scenes is speakable, credible, imaginable, comprehensible or expressible in the 21st century. Yet they were harsh realities in those old days.
The story makes it natural to associate with many other similar films such as The Butler (2013) where we witness the unlawful shooting of a black worker on his master's cotton farm in the opening scene. The Civil War has largely eliminated slave trade yet some residual toxin remains today. The United States is undoubtedly a great nation which has corrected and is still correcting itself from past wrongs but I still believe it has a long way to go and a lot to do to live up to that reputation.
The audio expression of this show is just as interesting as its visual effects. The movie is largely voiced over by a narrator with impeccable pronunciation and intonation, which clearly reminds the audience of this film's biographical nature. The words are so carefully and literarily crafted that it has become such a joy to just listen to. I'd actually be quite pleased to close my eyes and visualize the scenes in the movie while listening to the beautiful accent of the voiceover.
The acting skills of the cast are another major contributor to its success. Chiwetol Ejofer is such an amazing African British actor who has accomplished so many great movies. He is just as good at emotion as his motion. The despair of living in incarceration, the agony of being beaten and the joy of reuniting with his family are all evident on his versatile acting faces. Michael Fassbender is another highlight. Not only does he push the cruelty of the slave master to a new level but also he manifests the despair of an unhappy marriage very evidently. His shedding tears after raping the slave girl Patsey clearly serves as strong evidence of a strained relationship with his wife. And it is obviously good to see another Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt although his role is largely underplayed.
All in all it 12 Years a Slave (2013) is made a huge success not only in its story, art and cast but its relevance and significance that are still carried on in today's world. Civil rights still have a long way to go.
A Quiet Place Part II (2020)
Extremely eerie
Watched this part II in cinema today thanks to NSW government's Discovery voucher after watching the first episode on free-to-air TV last night. Timing is great as my memory is still fresh. Extremely eerie and scary, be it audio, visual or psychological. Great plot, wonderful cast and crew and amazing technology. Even now when birds squawk over my head I feel some kind of freaky creature might jump over. I do not dare to be loud even hours after watching it.
Inception (2010)
Lasting personal impact
Had nightmares all night last night probably as a hangover from this film . Not sure how and why. It was a long time since I last watched it. In my dreams a multitude of people's dreams were hacked into by a small number of rogues, thieves or manipulators. They (the people) all turned on each other. I was so fast asleep that at some stage I realized it was a manipulation and I even knew who the manipulators were but was too weak to fight them off. And I knew it was only as easy to bust the virtual bad people in my mind as waking up but I couldn't wake up. I must be really tired last night. At some stage I did have a partial wake up but as the movie plays there are multiple layers of dreams so even if I busted one layer some other layers ensued. Until the pee woke me up in the morning then I realized it was time for the toilet so the dream I completely went away. How ridiculous!
Nomadland (2020)
A bit overrated yet quite revealing
Thanks to NSW government's dining and discovering vouchers I eventually get to enjoy this Academy Award winning movie in cinemas after a good few years. And in admiration of its winning three of the heaviest Oscar titles I have to say it is a very revealing although somehow overrated film that depicts the almost subterranean and invisible population in our world.
Nomads, together with the homeless, are no new concept in our community. We either see them or hear of them in various ways, via different channels and by any means. Yet we know so little about their lives. It is all too easy to assume that they are problematic people who don't work hard to afford to live in concrete buildings. Yet this movie proves otherwise. A lot of them are decent but probably different people from us, maybe a bit eccentric - to use a word from Fern's sister in the show. It is through this film that I come to understand that going nomadic is in some way, to some extent and by some degree by choice. The fact that Fern (Frances McDormand) not once but twice rejects the offer of staying home permanently with her sister and a former fellow nomad proves so. It is fair to say that we are all creatures of habit and once we get used to one pattern it is very hard to adjust to the other especially when you reach a later age. What strikes me is that Fern cannot sleep well on a real bed inside a house and eventually sneaks into her van and feels secure in her own comfort zone.
The mental health problems among nomads are an area of concern too. This population, cut off from the mainstream society, undoubtedly develops loneliness, helplessness, fear and anxiety. Dying cancer patient Swankie's conversation with Fern and fellow nomad Bob's revelation of his suicidal son serve as strong arguments. Yet nomads develop some kind of bond among them. Support yourself and help one another. Goodbyes are not final. That's what I have learned. We may bump each other again sometime down the track, and somewhere down the road.
With all the goodness mentioned above this show, however, lacks A-listers, which could have been a lackluster. Yet McDormand manages to up the ante, which proves to be a success. She particularly focuses on challenging figures such as Fern in this film and Mildred in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017).
Having said that this film comes nowhere close to winning such big awards due to its inert plot and flat story. Artistic features of this film are kept at a bare minimum, which gives the feeling of flying no-frills Jetstar instead of full service Qantas. And I agree with other reviewers that this is somehow a boring movie. As a person of Chinese background I was somehow caught off guard that Chinese born Chloe Zhao won the Best Director which set high expectations on this show. And this finally proves to be a bit of disappointment.
Perhaps we should focus on the positive note on this overrated film and wish the nomads well. The uninspiring ending script somehow reveals the soul of this movie. That is, "Dedicated to people who had to depart. See you down the road." Yes stay safe fellas.
Just before I wrap up, the melancholy did linger around for quite some time in my mind just like a black coffee whose bitter taste stays on the tongue even after being sipped. Perhaps this is where the success of this movie lies in.