Sakuran ...B+... the colours, the clothes, her counter-culture attitude, her ill-temper. Realizing the importance of not giving up on hopes, but questionable ending.
Tuya's Marriage ...B-... must admit I fell asleep through bits of the first half. Actress's performance was great, and you could feel her conflicted emotions and the harshness of reality. But I wasn't very touched.
Black Gold ...B+... like the message the movie carries. It's what a documentary should be. Coffee drinkers, especially those frequent Starbucks customers, should take note of the effects of their consumption behavior on individual coffee growers in Ethiopia. (see my earlier blog entry)Bobby ...B/B+... respectable directorial debut for Estevez, and what a star-studded cast (see my earlier blog entry)
Stranger than Fiction ...B+/A-... quirky movie, food for thoughts (see my other blog entry)
Dark Matter ...B-/B... tragedy played by 2 wonderful actors, but were they necessary? (see my other blog entry)
Destricted ...C-... ever felt like you're at the wrong place at the wrong time? I was looking at my friend mid-way through the movie, and asked why we are at a Governmet venue watching real PORN with 300 other movie-goers... maybe it was just an excuse to watch porn with a group of strangers? Sorry, a complete waste of time for me.
No Regret ...B-... Had a bit of expectation from a Korean film on a sensitive subject matter. Story is not that outstanding, and the twists are just a bit far-fetched. There are bits that are enjoyable, but overall it's a disappointment. (see my other blog entry)
The Go Master ...B-/B... A biographical account of a great Go player? I fell asleep in the first half of the movie, which also featured Sylvia Chang but I only saw her maybe ONCE throughout the movie. Just didn't see the greatness, or the point of his life that I could draw from or identify with. Maybe it was just to tell the life story of a great man living through difficult times during WWII? Identify crisis, disillusionment, simply... lost?
Like a Virgin ...A-... My absolute delight this year. The story of a chubby Korean boy determined to chase his dreams even if it meant facing and tackling family problems head on (literally). Inspiring story of being convinced of something, and doing something about it. GREAT performance by the actor, with many many funny scenes.
The Page Turner (La tourneuse de pages) ...B... A creepy movie about revenge. How far would you go to take revenge? So much so that you'd devote your youth doing so?
My Best Friend (Mon Meilleur Ami) ...A-... another delight, and it gives a good examination of how far, or how difficult for some to make friends, or to realize that friends are not far to find, just that we need to cherish them. Great performances by the two male leads. You will feel the warmth by the end of the movie. I was touched.
Four Minutes (Vier Minuten) ...B+... A very tense movie, very binding, and draws your attention throughout. Ill-fated love, war, Nazis, prodigy, molestation, prison brutality, and great music... somehow they all meld together and give us a very powerful story of anger, ugly secrets, marvel at Godsent talent. Also great performances by the two female leads.Klimt ...B-/C+... Was he crazy? or was he CRAZY? I fell asleep... again, and also did not understand what was going on.
For Your Consideration ...B-/C+... A slight disappointment.... Hollywood's joke on its own isn't that funny afterall... or maybe it just chose the wrong things to poke fun at? Boop jobs, face lifts, rumormills, not-so-funny show hosts, cheap talent managers, aspiring actors... So stereotypical, maybe it's real, but ... *yawn*
Overall I think I picked some really good ones this year, without major disappointments. Good to have finally run through both the Arts Festival and HKIFF now. Schedule is finally back to normal for now. Oh one more thing.... I don't understand why HK audience have to react to LOUDLY and a bit over-the-top. Was the joke REALLY that funny? And hello... the line hasn't been said in the dialogue yet and you're already laughing at the Chinese subtitles.... isn't that just a bit annoying?!
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