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September 19, 2004
Movies Again
And again, I note here the movies I saw because I've not found time for a pen and notebook yet.
Or perhaps it's just pure laziness.
1) The Motorcycle Diaries
-Caught this opening film at the ongoing Brazilian Film Festival. The first thing that struck me during the movie was the passion, the youth and the wonders of life that allowed the two guys in the story to go on a trip like that throughout South America. The wonderful cinematography was an absolute joy to watch and the humanizing of Che Guervera and an introductory insight on why he would become the revolutionary he was, was in the least, moving. However, I found it a lil too long but Gael García Bernal is very beautiful and a joy to watch on screen. The injustices of life was shown in too much of a fable-like manner by the director though and I thought, perhaps, the audience ought to be able to feel it on their own, and not spoon-fed.
2)A Taste of Tea
A preview of the upcoming Japanese Film Festival. I liked it for how quirky it was. However, never watch it at 9 in the morning with not enough sleep the night before. I was struggling to stay awake at some of the more draggy parts. I like how the movie dealt with the nuances of family life and brought out the less than ordinary aspects of a seemingly ordinary Japanese family. It's like a taste of tea really. Seeming bland on the surface but extremely flavourful when you sip and ponder upon it. And everyone knows I love my tea. :)
3)Breaking Up
Another movie from the Brazilian Film Fest. It strangely reminded me of Life of the Pretzel from the Israeli Film Fest last year. All that talk about relationships. I liked it enough for its conversation and constant references to Dostoevsky and Nietszche but it's just a little quirk of mine. Tended to be rambly and proved how ridiculously frivolous humans take relationships these days. The ending of perfect sweet soulmate-like love sickened me but that's just an acrimonious lainey speaking. Generally a rather good movie experience, though I wouldn't pay to watch it and I'm glad I didn't.
4)Possible Loves
I loved it! A movie of three different stories. It shows how life pans out to the unexpected. Would I rather lead my life, what would my alternatives be? Wouldn't I be curious to see what other choices I might have. The plot(s) was extremely bittersweet. A man was stood up 15 years ago by his sweetheart, Julia, and 15 years later he dreamt of her and runs into her again. But there, there were three possible lives he was leading. In one, he was stuck in a dull marriage with a good wife and has an affair with Julia after bumping into her. In another one, he had earlier married Julia but left her for his soccer buddy. In the last, he was mommy's boy who gets into disastrous relationships and finally meets Julia again, who turns out to be the love of his life.
The second story made me cry because Julia hurt so much. I like the movie alot partly because it wasn't the typical romantic love story. As much as love could be uplifting and wonderful, it can also hurt so bad and it might not necessarily turn out perfect. This movie showed that and only one ending turn out rather holly-woodish which was good for me.
Go watch it. And the Julia in the movie, an Ashley Judd- lookalike who is soooo beautiful.
5)Rosemary's Baby
A psychological thriller about a woman surrounded by Satan-worshippers and betrayed by the one closest to her. I love the movie for the New York backdrop and the marvellous pacing. It was suspenseful enough and done in a really classy manner. Polanski is one great director and I'm glad I finally plucked up the courage to watch this DVD. In fact, even my sister (who rarely have any patience for films) got engrossed in the 136-minute film and what pleased us more was the lack of any cheap-scares in the movie at all. Mia Farrow looked very pretty indeed and I can't wait to watch the other Polanski films. It was a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon
Posted by lainey at September 19, 2004 10:54 PM