This is a very leisurely paced movie – one that I wasn’t too excited about – but is a little gem. It’s another of these movies where not a lot actually happens, but there’s so much going on.
It’s a story about an old man, who late in life decides to learn to read. Living as he does in a remote part of the Amazon, the only books he can get his hands on are romance novels – hence the strange title.
The old man is an absolutely charming character who reads – and thinks – aloud. Rather that just read the books as you or I would, he contemplates every single line, trying to discover the deeper meaning to everything.
But the books are only a minor part of the plot. The real theme here is one of redemption and missed opportunities. And the old man is given a chance to set things straight.
It is a beautifully filmed, warm and funny movie, that if you stick with it’s meandering style, you will be rewarded.
Princess Mononoke
From Hayao Myazaki, the creator of Spirited Away, comes another amazing fable, set in a historic realm where the spirits still lived.
Using similar lush visuals as Spirited Away, and a storyline full of action, compassion and love, this is a genre-busting movie of the best kind. It’s also a protest against development at the cost of the environment. And possibly a little bit of an anti-war movie, such as Grave of the Fireflies was.
But more than just lush visuals and a great storyline, this is a movie that embraces the spirit world. Now this may set alarm bells off is some Christian minds, but look closely at the movie and you’ll see a lot of Christian parallels.
A word of warning though, never be fooled into thinking that animation is for kids, this is an action packed movie set in a time where evil must be fought head on.
Using similar lush visuals as Spirited Away, and a storyline full of action, compassion and love, this is a genre-busting movie of the best kind. It’s also a protest against development at the cost of the environment. And possibly a little bit of an anti-war movie, such as Grave of the Fireflies was.
But more than just lush visuals and a great storyline, this is a movie that embraces the spirit world. Now this may set alarm bells off is some Christian minds, but look closely at the movie and you’ll see a lot of Christian parallels.
A word of warning though, never be fooled into thinking that animation is for kids, this is an action packed movie set in a time where evil must be fought head on.
The Return Of The King | Extended Edition
The Return of the King was arguably the best instalment of Peter Jackson’s the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and with this in mind, the Extended Edition had a lot to live up to.
With an addition of 50 minuets of new or extended scenes flawlessly added into the extended DVD, it was almost like watching a totally different movie. Surprisingly it didn’t feel like it was almost an hour longer, if anything it felt like the time went by faster.
Even the ending, which was subject to the most of the films sparse criticism, didn’t seem as long – weather Jackson edited the ending, or if it just seemed shorter due to the added length of the movie, I’m not sure, but it was a fitting end to a great trilogy.
I wont spoil the movie by telling you exactly what makes up the extra time, there’s plenty of websites out there that can do that, what I will say is that the scenes added to the experience by telling more of the story.
The theatrical release of The Return of the King, was at times confusing and disjointed for a person such as my self, who hasn’t, and will never read the books. But throughout the Extended version I found myself thinking “Oh, so that’s what happened” or “Ah, so that’s the reason for that”. It was as I said before, like watching an entirely different movie.
And the scenes weren’t just a few extra lines of dialogue, the film felt more action packed, more compassionate, and gave the viewer more hope.
All in all, the extra 50 minuets is worth shelling out for the extended DVD, and I have yet to even contemplate watching the 2 discs of special features!
With an addition of 50 minuets of new or extended scenes flawlessly added into the extended DVD, it was almost like watching a totally different movie. Surprisingly it didn’t feel like it was almost an hour longer, if anything it felt like the time went by faster.
Even the ending, which was subject to the most of the films sparse criticism, didn’t seem as long – weather Jackson edited the ending, or if it just seemed shorter due to the added length of the movie, I’m not sure, but it was a fitting end to a great trilogy.
I wont spoil the movie by telling you exactly what makes up the extra time, there’s plenty of websites out there that can do that, what I will say is that the scenes added to the experience by telling more of the story.
The theatrical release of The Return of the King, was at times confusing and disjointed for a person such as my self, who hasn’t, and will never read the books. But throughout the Extended version I found myself thinking “Oh, so that’s what happened” or “Ah, so that’s the reason for that”. It was as I said before, like watching an entirely different movie.
And the scenes weren’t just a few extra lines of dialogue, the film felt more action packed, more compassionate, and gave the viewer more hope.
All in all, the extra 50 minuets is worth shelling out for the extended DVD, and I have yet to even contemplate watching the 2 discs of special features!
Step Into Liquid
Water. It’s a thing of deadly beauty.
There’s nothing that compares to it. The way it moves, the ever-changing randomness of it. The way it makes you feel when you’re in it. It’s amazing stuff.
Maybe it’s why surfers are such a fanatical bunch.
Now I’m no surfer, but I can appreciate their love of water, and I’m blown away by what they can do with just a surfboard and a wave.
Step Into Liquid is more that just a surfing documentary – it’s about a passion that over comes all prejudices and pre-conceptions.
It’s never about the size, though surfing 66ft waves 100miles offshore sure looks like fun, its about getting up and having fun. It’s about doing something you love, not because you have to, but because you want to.
Step Into Liquid takes us on a journey from the obvious locations such as Hawaii’s North Shore, to the coast of Ireland, when 3 American Irish lads venture every year, to run a surf school, just south of the Northern border for Catholic and Protestant kids.
It’s a visually stimulating feel good movie about life.
There’s nothing that compares to it. The way it moves, the ever-changing randomness of it. The way it makes you feel when you’re in it. It’s amazing stuff.
Maybe it’s why surfers are such a fanatical bunch.
Now I’m no surfer, but I can appreciate their love of water, and I’m blown away by what they can do with just a surfboard and a wave.
Step Into Liquid is more that just a surfing documentary – it’s about a passion that over comes all prejudices and pre-conceptions.
It’s never about the size, though surfing 66ft waves 100miles offshore sure looks like fun, its about getting up and having fun. It’s about doing something you love, not because you have to, but because you want to.
Step Into Liquid takes us on a journey from the obvious locations such as Hawaii’s North Shore, to the coast of Ireland, when 3 American Irish lads venture every year, to run a surf school, just south of the Northern border for Catholic and Protestant kids.
It’s a visually stimulating feel good movie about life.
Joint Security Area
When two North Korean soldiers are killed whilst on duty in the Joint Security Area, a Swiss Military Officer Major Spohie Jang is bought in to ease tensions and discover what actually happened.
With two conflicting reports and evidence that doesn’t stack up, Sophie soon realises that neither report is true.
Through a series of flashbacks we gradually start to unravel the mystery as Sophie digs deeper into the surprising events that lead up to the tragic incident.
Intelligent and thought provoking, Joint Security Area touches on the human side to the division of Korea, but proves that ultimately only tragedy can come from division.
Joint Security Area is a warm, funny but ultimately tragic story of an unlikely friendship.
With two conflicting reports and evidence that doesn’t stack up, Sophie soon realises that neither report is true.
Through a series of flashbacks we gradually start to unravel the mystery as Sophie digs deeper into the surprising events that lead up to the tragic incident.
Intelligent and thought provoking, Joint Security Area touches on the human side to the division of Korea, but proves that ultimately only tragedy can come from division.
Joint Security Area is a warm, funny but ultimately tragic story of an unlikely friendship.
Noi The Albino
Noi The Albino is a coming of age movie with a difference; It’s Icelandic.
Trapped in a white walled prison that is his little village in the remote North of Iceland, Noi is bored and frustrated. He wants more to life, and he takes out his frustrations on his teacher.
This is a movie full of beautiful moments – my favourite is when Noi sends a Dictaphone to school to record the lesson so he doesn’t ‘need’ to be there – but all these moments are downplayed by the superb acting of Tomas Lemarquis, who’s portrayal of Noi is one of apathy towards a world that is too small for him.
Noi is a genius that no one recognises, even his girlfriend doesn’t want to know him when he finally has the courage to up and leave. And this is typical of what Noi faces.
The movie moves along at its own pace, twisting and turning slowly as if on an icy road, but this journey has a darkly comic twist that you won’t see coming.
Superb acting with an interesting plot will keep you transfixed.
Trapped in a white walled prison that is his little village in the remote North of Iceland, Noi is bored and frustrated. He wants more to life, and he takes out his frustrations on his teacher.
This is a movie full of beautiful moments – my favourite is when Noi sends a Dictaphone to school to record the lesson so he doesn’t ‘need’ to be there – but all these moments are downplayed by the superb acting of Tomas Lemarquis, who’s portrayal of Noi is one of apathy towards a world that is too small for him.
Noi is a genius that no one recognises, even his girlfriend doesn’t want to know him when he finally has the courage to up and leave. And this is typical of what Noi faces.
The movie moves along at its own pace, twisting and turning slowly as if on an icy road, but this journey has a darkly comic twist that you won’t see coming.
Superb acting with an interesting plot will keep you transfixed.
Emile
Emile is the story of a man, who late in his life seeks redemption from the family he abandoned.
The story is told through a mixture of the present and the past, with the past being shown through a series of dreams and hallucinations. These dreams in particular have a stunning dreamy visual theme.
The way the story line cuts back and forth is initially confusing, but as you begin to understand Emile’s mind, and as Emile begins to understand what he has done, the story flows to a fairly predictable end.
Though predictable in it’s finishing the story weaves through a theme that we all struggle with: our own identity. Ultimately the movie only leaves us with questions, instead of the usual Hollywood feel good solutions.
This is a well written and superbly acted (Ian McKellen does an awesome job in the lead role) movie that will keep you transfixed till the very end.
With a rental release in March 05, this is one to watch out for.
The story is told through a mixture of the present and the past, with the past being shown through a series of dreams and hallucinations. These dreams in particular have a stunning dreamy visual theme.
The way the story line cuts back and forth is initially confusing, but as you begin to understand Emile’s mind, and as Emile begins to understand what he has done, the story flows to a fairly predictable end.
Though predictable in it’s finishing the story weaves through a theme that we all struggle with: our own identity. Ultimately the movie only leaves us with questions, instead of the usual Hollywood feel good solutions.
This is a well written and superbly acted (Ian McKellen does an awesome job in the lead role) movie that will keep you transfixed till the very end.
With a rental release in March 05, this is one to watch out for.
Girl With A Pearl Earring
Girl With A Pearl Earring is set in 17th Century Holland, based on a historical novel that looks behind Johannes Vermeer’s most famous painting.
It’s an expressive movie that forces you to watch it intently – for on the surface nothing much actually happens in this movie.
But go deeper, and there is a wealth of activity.
In a society where wealth and class are everything Scarlett Johansson’s character Griet is from a poor family and is sent to work as a maid for the Vermeer’s.
Innocent and submissive, Griet does nothing wrong, yet manages to alienate herself from everyone but Johannes, who sees not only a deep beauty, but also extraordinary artistic talent in this young girl.
Flirting on the edge of infidelity no lines are crossed, but cracks in an already troubled marriage come to the surface, and when Johannes’ rich benefactor demands that he paint a secret portrait of Griet, things come to a head.
This is one of the most visually stimulating and well acted movies I have seen. Scarlett’s ability to portray innocence, while at the same time portraying something msuch deeper behind her eyes is truly amazing, and Colin Firth gives an unexpected good performance as Johannes.
It’s an expressive movie that forces you to watch it intently – for on the surface nothing much actually happens in this movie.
But go deeper, and there is a wealth of activity.
In a society where wealth and class are everything Scarlett Johansson’s character Griet is from a poor family and is sent to work as a maid for the Vermeer’s.
Innocent and submissive, Griet does nothing wrong, yet manages to alienate herself from everyone but Johannes, who sees not only a deep beauty, but also extraordinary artistic talent in this young girl.
Flirting on the edge of infidelity no lines are crossed, but cracks in an already troubled marriage come to the surface, and when Johannes’ rich benefactor demands that he paint a secret portrait of Griet, things come to a head.
This is one of the most visually stimulating and well acted movies I have seen. Scarlett’s ability to portray innocence, while at the same time portraying something msuch deeper behind her eyes is truly amazing, and Colin Firth gives an unexpected good performance as Johannes.
Open City
Open City is apparently considered Roberto Rossellini’s greatest work. With this being my first look at classic Italian cinema, I can’t comment on this.
What I can say is that this is a wonderfully passionate tale of a humbly heroic priest (humbly heroic seems contradictory, but you’ll know what I mean if you see this DVD) who puts his life on the line to help others in need.
Filmed shortly after the Nazi’s left Italy, shot on scavenged ends of film; Open City has a feel of authenticity through its documentary look. The quality of the film, and the seemingly sparse subtitles are remarkably easy to get used to, especially as the visual story telling never leaves you in doubt as to what’s going on.
Even with the slight propaganda feel, this remarkable tale of the struggles of occupation, is summed up by the priest’s best lines:
“Oh, it’s not difficult to die well. The difficult thing is to live right.”
Delivered in his almost joyous manner that typified his warm and loving character and gave the movie it’s air of hope.
Superb viewing, popcorn not required!
What I can say is that this is a wonderfully passionate tale of a humbly heroic priest (humbly heroic seems contradictory, but you’ll know what I mean if you see this DVD) who puts his life on the line to help others in need.
Filmed shortly after the Nazi’s left Italy, shot on scavenged ends of film; Open City has a feel of authenticity through its documentary look. The quality of the film, and the seemingly sparse subtitles are remarkably easy to get used to, especially as the visual story telling never leaves you in doubt as to what’s going on.
Even with the slight propaganda feel, this remarkable tale of the struggles of occupation, is summed up by the priest’s best lines:
“Oh, it’s not difficult to die well. The difficult thing is to live right.”
Delivered in his almost joyous manner that typified his warm and loving character and gave the movie it’s air of hope.
Superb viewing, popcorn not required!
DVD format war?
The giants are taking sides to decide the future of DVD.
And so soon, with DVD only just establishing itself in many homes?
Read more here.
And so soon, with DVD only just establishing itself in many homes?
Read more here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
