OCEAN'S THIRTEEN. I wanted to hate each of these movies – cuz ya know, they put a bunch of hunky guys in one flick and watch the box office go through the roof. But they've all won me over cuz they do have charisma together, they're fun, and I love the low-tech campy visual style (the music helps). It's right in line with the other two; then again, I never had a problem with Twelve like some people did.
OLDBOY. Every time I talk about this film I end up sounding like a drooling fanboy, but it’s just fuckin great, everything about it. It’s a double-revenge tragedy with a twist so sick I’m grinning as I type this. There are images within that you’ll keep for the rest of your life, heart-wrenching performances, fantastic action, and stylized visuals. I’d better not see an American remake of this; the Korean is fine as-is. Any Tarantino fan could start his collection of extreme Asian cinema with this one (most all Tartan releases are excellent). Watch with subtitles, not a dub.
ONCE. Fell in love immediately. A lo-fi almost-romantic musical set in Dublin that's not the least bit cheesy while having about 2/3 of the entire story told through song (the reason to see this). It was obvious the actors were doing their own musical performances, but I couldn't wait to get to the credits to find out who'd written all these gorgeous songs. And then it turns out that they're actually by the two leads, which completely blew me away. They decided to get musicians to act instead of vice-versa, and it's extremely natural. The soundtrack's been in heavy rotation ever since, and humbled me with songwriter's envy. Hell, this stuff would humble Damien Rice or David Gray.
THE ONION MOVIE. I'd been warned repeatedly of its terribleness, but still couldn't resist. It actually has a lot of really funny moments, especially the recurring slutty/chaste pop-diva satire, and isn't afraid to offend (in the spirit of its paper namesake), but is held together with duct tape. It's no Kentucky Fried Movie, though it treads the same sketch-comedy non-sequitur ground.
THE ORPHANAGE. A great film. Classic, even. Just the way all the shots are framed, the camera moves, etc. Stellar 5.1 sound also. Great atmosphere, some scary moments, and a satisfying ending. I will say I'm tired of the creepy-kid horror movie genre, though.
I wanted to hate each of these movies – cuz ya know, they put a bunch of hunky guys in one flick and watch the box office go through the roof. But they've all won me over cuz they do have charisma together, they're fun, and I love the low-tech campy visual style (the music helps). It's right in line with the other two; then again, I never had a problem with Twelve like some people did.
Every time I talk about this film I end up sounding like a drooling fanboy, but it’s just fuckin great, everything about it. It’s a double-revenge tragedy with a twist so sick I’m grinning as I type this. There are images within that you’ll keep for the rest of your life, heart-wrenching performances, fantastic action, and stylized visuals. I’d better not see an American remake of this; the Korean is fine as-is. Any Tarantino fan could start his collection of extreme Asian cinema with this one (most all Tartan releases are excellent). Watch with subtitles, not a dub.
Fell in love immediately. A lo-fi almost-romantic musical set in Dublin that's not the least bit cheesy while having about 2/3 of the entire story told through song (the reason to see this). It was obvious the actors were doing their own musical performances, but I couldn't wait to get to the credits to find out who'd written all these gorgeous songs. And then it turns out that they're actually by the two leads, which completely blew me away. They decided to get musicians to act instead of vice-versa, and it's extremely natural. The soundtrack's been in heavy rotation ever since, and humbled me with songwriter's envy. Hell, this stuff would humble Damien Rice or David Gray.
I'd been warned repeatedly of its terribleness, but still couldn't resist. It actually has a lot of really funny moments, especially the recurring slutty/chaste pop-diva satire, and isn't afraid to offend (in the spirit of its paper namesake), but is held together with duct tape. It's no Kentucky Fried Movie, though it treads the same sketch-comedy non-sequitur ground.