May you find exposure to movies here that that you would not have otherwise and the inspiration to watch one or two of them. Feel free to comment, subscribe, or help educate the Invisible Children through the social vibe link on the right.
Bajo Aguas Tranquilas - Beneath Still Waters
Spain (2005)
Starring: Michael McKell, Raquel Merono, Charlotte Salt
Beneath still waters was...
There were some parts where you could tell some great imagination came into play during the script writing. There were some parts that were kind of, semi, maybe partially a little creepy. That's about it. By the time this movie was over with I felt like it was a complete waste of time. If you are snowed in with no alcohol, no internet, a pen, a dvd player, and a TV that get's no network channels, and this DVD - take the pen and use the DVD as a surface for some artistic outlet and doodle on it.
Strigoi
UK
2009
Starring: Constantin Barbulescu, camelia Maxim, and Catalin Paraschiv
I have to give it up for originality. I was expecting something that didn't wow me too much, something that wasn't really exceptional, and that is exactly what I got. I actually thought it was a Romanian movie till I did the research on it. With that said, it is a vampire movie and maybe it's vampire lore somewhere that they behave in the manner depicted in the movie. If not then these vampires are completely different then those I've grown old with on film. There is some humor in this movie that's kinda funny. There are also a lot of things that just don't seem to connect properly, but hey I still gave it the length of the movie. It was enjoyable on some level, and probably what I'd recommend as a stormy Sunday afternoon flick.
Jeon Woo-chi
2009
South Korea
Starring: Su-jeong Lim, Yun-seok Kim, Dong-won Kang
Jeon Woo-chi was a whole lot of fun to watch. This movie is a fusion of fantasy, adventure, action, humor, and deities.
Jeon Woo-chi is about a wizard, Wooji, who is grand in all aspects except that of the reality painted in the movie; his character is acting inside of acting. He is a jester, adventurer, a wizard, wise, and a prankster. His character makes the movie.
This movie is another from South Korea that explorers time travel and integrates it into the movie. In Jeon Woo-chi the part of the movie takes place in the distant past and part in some time that resembles our present.
The way magic is used in this movie is a new portrayal of the subject to me. This movie uses Taoist magic consisting of charms or spells written on pieces of paper which are only good once as best as I can tell. The use of Taoist magic is a fitting compliment to the gods that are portrayed in the movie.
I have to say I enjoy what I call outlandish outfits used in many of the period movies of South Korea. They make me smile.
All in all I had a great time watching this movie; it was fun, a good laugh, entertaining, and presented some really unique CGI/magic. If you're into the fantasy martial arts genre this is a movie for you.
Quote: "I am a wizard. What is a wizard you ask? A ruler of the winds, a bringer of the rain on dry lands, who leaps through space and governs the world with a swift blade, but handles that sword like a gentle flower. A wizard's duty is to aid the helpless. The head is where all decay begins!"
Aragami
2003
Japan
Starring: Takao Ohsawa, Massaya Kato, Kanae Uotani
Have you ever seen a movie that takes place in 1 room? This whole movie takes place inside a remote mountain temple. You will certainly not have a problem following the cast in this movie. There are only 3 main characters and 1 or 2 others.
Aragami, for those sword and weapon loving martial arts fans, is a movie that one should see. I don't recall it being overly impressive, however, the story is decent - even though it can be understood very early on in the movie. It's a movie I wouldn't rush out and try to buy, but it's a nice reserve when you just feel like a little action with few other complications. Check it out. Alcohol plays a funny part in this movie too.
Quote: Now this liquor is from a land called Russia. They call it vodka. It's pretty strong.
Ip Man
2008
Hong Kong
Staring: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Siu-Wong Fan
Ip Man is an awesome movie! If you're a martial arts fan all the of the Ip Man trillogy really are must see movies. Donnie Yen pulls of some of the smoothest bone crunching, jaw dislocating moves I've seen in a movie in years. This movie will certainly go down in the annals of martial arts movies as one of the greatest.
Ip Man was a teacher to many world renown martial artists; one of the most famous was Bruce Lee. This movie is a semi-biographical account of Ip Man's life prior to teaching Wing Chun in Hong Kong. From the annoying sessions of being challenged in front of his wife, to kicking ass all the way up the local Japanese command during their occupation in Foshan Ip Map is nonstop action done with some class. This movie is not to be missed!!
Quote: "Good Kung Fu does not depend on age or sex, but on how well you fight. You will understand in a bit."
Heer Ranjha: A True Love Story
Punjab
2009
Starring: Neeru Bajwa & Gurchet Chitrakar
Heer Ranjha is a true love story from Punjab. The story is said to be over 300 years old. Heer and Ranjha have a mausoleum shrine in Jhang that is visited by lovers to this day. Every year to date in this town there is a festival thrown in their honor.
This movie follows the story of this couple dubbed the Romeo and Juliet of the east whose story of love, dedication, pain, and loss has spanned hundreds of years. The legend of these lovers has only grown in recent years; their story epitomizes what every hopeless romantic dreams regardless of the centuries that have passed.
I do not remember the dance sequences in this movie because they were all overshadowed by the depth of the story. The cinematography in this movie wasn't super spectacular. I think the movie was made to carry a small anti-drug message as well; it is the first Bollywood movie that I have seen where they mentioned marijuana and opium then portrayed those who smoked it as slow and dimwitted. All in all for the story alone this movie is a must see. Again Bollywood has brought us an epic love story that will make your heart yearn and tears fall; this movie is well worth its time.
Mr. Nobody
2009
Starring: Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, and Diane Kruger
Mr. Nobody has a misleading title. For a while the title sounded kind of depressing, but don't let that scare you off; the movie is phenomenal in its own rights.
The movie continuously uses Schroedinger's Cat theory as a base for a temporal exposition that left me in awe. I am a fan of the movie on two parts. The first is because of a foundation of physics used through the movie and the second is the story itself. This in essence is another movie on life, but it portrays it in a very entertaining and easy to follow manner.
About all I can tell you without spoiling the movie is that it begins in the year 2092 and Nemo is the last mortal on earth.
Mr. Nobody received awards at the Catalonian, Stockholm, and Venice film festivals.
Guzaarish - The Petition (2010)
Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Aditya Roy
Guzaarish is a very deep movie. With the main character being a magician and the previews showing him doing shows I had went into the movie expecting a slightly lighter tone complete with epic magic shows; this was a false expectation.
The movie chronicles the struggles of a quadriplegic fighting for the court to allow him to end his life after being incapacitated for 14 years. Ethan (Hrithik Roshan) shocks many people with his petition. Some are supportive while others are not; Guzaarish reflects the struggle humanity has with the subject and tries to portray both sides while keeping the main character's desire for assisted suicide in the forefront.
Ethan's struggles remind us that each of us no matter our positions in life could end up in a similar fate. There are two quotes I will leave you with from the movie that I love
Life is always too short. But it is long enough, if you live fully every
Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love deeply. Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile
Like all the movies that I watch, this movie is not for everybody...but, if you have an inclination toward the topic I would certainly recommend it. I think it is a great movie.
Endhiran - Robot (2010) Tamil Starring: Rajnikanth, Aishwarya Rai, and Danny Denzongpa
Robot is reported to be the most expensive Indian film in history. I hope they gross a ton of money for it, their efforts do show!
Every American over the age of about 30 will see a touch of A.I., Terminator, and RoboCop in the background of this movie. Even so I still enjoyed this movie, granted my opinion is biased.. I just think Aishwarya Rai is gorgeous and I love her other films.
Endhiran begins with a man's life achievement about to come to fruition. This achievement is to create an advanced robot. The movie takes a few twists and turns that I did not quote expect; but, the plot was predictable through most of the movie; but it's saving grace was the humor that was incorporated into the movie as well. The end was quite satisfying and the journey through the movie was worth the time. As I personally expect with all movies Bollywood there were a few dance scenes. One of the songs sticks out in mind because it varies greatly from the traditional Bollywood type of music and is more reflective of a poppy trance almost. They were choreographed and coordinated well.
Endhiran has it's bases covered with all the makings of a good sci-fi flick and should do well around the world. While the love story in this movie isn't the typical epic (on a cosmic scale) that I am familiar with from Indian movies, it is still a very cute one. There are also some very stunning CGI in the movie. All in all, I watched it and enjoyed it; I do recommend this movie.
Samsara caught my interest because the movie is centered around a Buddhist monk who questions what he is doing meditating and praying all day. He questions what it is to be selfless and not have desires. When he asks his teacher directly one day the response is, "What is better? Satisfying one thousand desires or conquering just one?" Of course the movie does a good job defining the Buddhist concept of Samsara, the movie is aptly named.
Samsara surprised me as the movie went on. I was quite bored with the story at first and watched for the amazing scenery. After a while I found myself watching the story and not the scenery. In this movie the monk leaves his holy temple, falls in love, has an amazing impact on those around him, changes his life and that of many others. The movie is not fast paced nor is full of action. The love story of this movie is not one of timeless love, but instead one of a strong bond that may or may not be broken. The spiritual love story in this movie is one I am glad I did take the time to watch. There is one question asked at the beginning of this movie which is answered at the end: How does one keep a drop of water from drying up? The answer is so simple..
If anyone watches this and would like to discuss theories on what the ending means I would be more than happy to entertain that conversation. Do be warned that this movie contains some very sexually explicit scenes, I had to shut it off as my little brother ran through my house when I was watching it. In the end for me this movie was well worth watching. It is a little out of my typical genre selection, but amazing in so many ways. I also give props to the director for putting out such a well composed movie on a small budget; it is deserving of the AFI and Melbourne Film Festival awards.
Heaven's Soldier's, from Korea, is surrounded by quite a bit of speculation. This movie while produced by South Korea is viewed by much of the world as a plea for a unified Korea. This speculation might have been lost in translation, but I can understand how it might have been inferred.
After a super secret meeting between North & South Korea and a nuclear weapon is stolen. After some cosmic events this weapon is transported back in time by pure coincidence - along with a small group of special forces troops which were firing at each other prior to traveling through time.
One of the first people the team comes into contact with is a figure of extreme historical significance who instead of being the valiant conqueror/protector is a petty thief and beggar. The North Korean troops are deluded enough to believe that this great figure is part of the ruling line of their country while South Korea reinforces how that is impossible. From that point on there are many pokes at North Korea by the South Korean troops.
This movie was filmed fairly well. There are also many parts of the movie that made me laugh. The fights between the future troops and invading barbarians of the past were done well. There's one part of the movie, a scene where a claymore blows up that is a must see. Cheon Gun makes it in my list of to see movies as one of those you put a number on and wait for the day when you have plenty of time. It is entertaining and it does give some very slight insight into the relationship between the Koreas.
