Tag Archives: movie review

33 POSTCARDS – Review

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Wishing you were here.

 

Writer/director Pauline Chan‘s 33 Postcards is a film with a poignant narrative that doesn’t waste any time getting to the heart of the story. Mei Mei (Zhu Lin) was dropped off at a Chinese orphanage at a young age. For years, she had a pen-pal and sponsor Dean (Guy Pearce). Mei Mei fantasized about being welcomed in the home of her sponsoring parent and live with his family in their home by the ocean. Mei Mei, with a strong desire to be part of something more than her family of teen orphans–she wanted to belong to a culture and lifestyle which she believed only exists with her sponsor family. Mei Mei will soon find out that her years long fantasies were nothing more than unrestricted realities.

Mei Mei, now sixteen, along with some of the girls at her orphanage has come to Australia as part of a choir group. Mei Mei seized this as an opportunity to meet with her long-time distant family but is surprised when she finds out that Dean was living a fantasy all his own: through his postcards to Mei Mei, he told her that he was a forest ranger charged with protecting endangered animals. With his wife and two kids, they enjoyed weekends by the ocean and hoped that one day she would come there and see them–to be part of his family. However, Dean is actually in prison serving time for manslaughter. Written to Mei Mei in his postcards were part of his own invention of desire to be a husband and father, living in a home by the ocean.

Even though Mei Mei come to realize that everything she thought she knew about Dean and his family is a lie. She still pursues a familiar relationship with him. Dean, realizing that Mei Mei won’t just go away–and through the suggestion of his case worker Barbara (Claudia Karvan),  that his distant financial and emotional support of Mei Mei may prove as a favorable outcome on Dean’s pending parole hearing. It is also during these complicated familiar adjustments that Mei Mei is somehow accidentally exposed to Dean’s former criminal past through Carl (Lincoln Lewis) and his father, crime boss Fletch (Terry Serio). Simultaneously, Miss Chen (Elaine Jin) tirelessly searches for Mei Mei–her sudden absence is causing trouble with Australia’s immigration.

33 Postcards is a good film about a naïve character learning about life’s harshest lesson–disappointment. Not only on the part of the film’s lead protagonist, Mei Mei–but also on the part of Dean. Both have to deal with harshness of their situation embarrassment. The film successively depicts these difficult transitions through their interactions with secondary character relationships with all vying for some aspect of the truth.

In the end, many mistakes were made and harsh lessons were learned; a natural part of human vulnerability.

Recommended. 

Artwork and supplementary materials courtesy of © 2013 Gravitas Media. All rights reserved.

BRANDED – Review

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BRANDED Ed Stoppard and Jeffrey Tambor in BRANDED, written and directed by Jamie Bradshaw and Alexander Doulerain. Photo Credit: Roadside Attractions

Break the code. Take back your mind.

Branded (2012) is a dystopian mystery/drama co-written and directed by Aleksandr Dulerayn and Jamie Bradshaw. As much as I refused to listen or read other critics’ reviews of this film, something in the back of my mind kept telling me that Branded couldn’t possibly be that bad. Unfortunately, it is. But before I get into that, I will admit that the concept for this film is brilliant, and it would have made for an interesting dystopian thriller, had there been an additional hand in writing the script–or in the hands of another director. The filmmakers seem to have had a tough time summarizing the film’s synopsis or plot into a viable feature. This delusional film had to have made those working in advertising squirm at the initial concept phase, perhaps thinking that the real truth about advertising was going to be front and center for all the world to see on the big screen–well, at least that’s what the advertising executives might have thought before actually seeing the film. So no worries there.

Imagine a young boy being struck by a lightning bolt sent from the heavens by a cow constellation granting him, later in life, the ability to dominate in the advertising world. Now, imagine, again, that the same cow star thingy visit him again as a man (Ed Stoppard) in a dream to tell him that he will allow him to see the advertising world for what it is–if he slaughtered/sacrificed “the red cow” and burn it to hell. After doing that, he had to take handfuls of the ashes of the burned cow, place the ashes in water, and douse himself in it. Thereafter, he was able to see these huge gelatinous demons that live on the back of consumers’ (people’s) necks and swell up, like a balloon whenever it wanted to eat a big, sloppy hamburger. No, kidding.

Click an image to enlarge

Lest I forget that the film is also a love story; Abby Gibbons (Leelee Sobieski) is Misha’s (Stoppard) love interest and does nothing to make this film any more interesting. Jeffrey Tambor as Bob Gibbons–a manipulative corporate advertising executive does nothing more than get in the way. His brief role in the film was wasted screen time. Lest we forget Max von Sydow is the marketing guru, responsible for starting the advertising war of brand creatures. Sydow also made brief appearances in the film as well, all without added significance.

I must say this again–the concept for this film is brilliant. I did enjoy watching the special effects, the monsters, and checking out the ads spread all over Moscow. It is unmistakable that we are all subconsciously affected by media advertising. There is no denying that. The film does attempt, unsuccessfully, to lift the veil of human over-consumption and brand manipulation. There is some real truth to the film’s message–but it failed on delivery.

It could have been so much more.

Such a pity.

Source Branded Movie

Review in Brief: Sea Level – Review

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SEA LEVEL, LIONSGATE

This is no Finding Nemo.

Sea Level (SeeFood (2011)) is a mildly entertaining animated film with intent on being ecocentric feature. Not to be confused with Finding Nemo. Even though Sea Level equipped with passively adorable 3D undersea and land creatures, the poor story and character development renders the entire film nearly not watchable. The film centers around a Pup, a bamboo shark pups, discovers egg sacs within his reef while he was playing with his other “fish” friends. Human poachers shows up out of nowhere and steals the eggs. The adventure begins when Pup decides to rescue the stolen sacs. Sounds interesting enough, however, the main problem with this animated film are inconsistencies in the story. Characters are introduced are not explained, and plot buildups that are immediately dropped. Let’s just chalk this film up to nothing more than a B-rated animated action film that is haphazardly strung together so much so that it is a comedy.

What is the setting for Sea Level? The characters themselves, although their animation renders are of good quality, aren’t very dynamic and are easily forgettable. Murray and Spin the Stingray (Jay Sheldon) had some sort of an undisclosed agreement that wasn’t explained, but it appeared as if it wasn’t good for the rest of the inhabitants in the sea.  Another thing that went unexplained was how on earth Pup was able to breathe on land. As an eco film, there were only random cuts to a factory that dumps waste–without intervention–but the crabs enjoyed. Hence, the environmental message was nil.

The voice acting and dialogue aren’t exactly what you would consider appropriate for a children’s film. The film overall features some rather dark content–freshly harvested shark fins dripping blood (film is rated PG). A character named Fatman (Chi-Ren Choong) is verbally abusive to his two sons, and even hinted at him being physically abusive.

Sea Level is a confusing animated feature. Finding Nemo is the much better choice.

Sea Level DVD Special Features include:

  • Behind the Scenes
  • Sculpture Design
  • Concept Art
  • Trailer Gallery
  • Widescreen Presentation
  • English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
  • Optional English and Spanish Subtitles

Source Silver Ant

Lee Chang-dong ‘Oasis’ – Review

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Lee Chang-dong OASIS, 2003

Fate helped bring them together; family fought to keep them apart.

Lee Chang-dong‘s Oasis is another one of those remarkable Korean romance dramas that excel in its portrayal of triumph over difficult circumstances. Chang-dong is known for his poignant and emotional dramas that are brilliant character stories. His films possess humanistic qualities and especially when it concerns matters of the heart. This is one of those films (see also Poetry, Secret Sunshine). In this film we have two people who are practically rendered powerless mostly due to their physical and mental limitations. Oasis is an amorous tale that involves two seemingly abandoned individuals who would otherwise be destined to a lifetime of isolation, if not for that one often forgotten happenstance, fate.

Jong-du (Kyung-gu Sol) is a societal misfit. A social reject. He’s fidgety and inappropriate. The guy is just not quite right in the head, and he was just released from prison for serving time for manslaughter–which wasn’t his crime to start with. He stumbles about the streets in Korea trying to find a way to contact his family. While he was in prison they conveniently changed homes–in case he were to ever to be released. He finds them eventually and haphazardly while back in police custody. Jong-du isn’t the most romantic by the looks of him–but beneath that awkward exterior, lies the heart of a true hero.

Gong-ju (So-ri Moon) also a social isolate. She has cerebral palsy and is unable to leave her home on her own. Her brother and his pregnant wife used to live in the same apartment until a subsidy was approved for a better one. One more handicap efficient and without Gong-ju. She’s only allowed to visit the new apartment when the social workers visit. After that, she is returned to live in their old apartment, with a neighbor checking in on her twice daily. The rest of the time she spent alone until one day Jong-du shows up with a basket of fruit. Their initial meeting started off slow and tedious. Jong-du inappropriately fondles her and leaves. Days later, surprisingly, she phones and asks him to come and visit with her again.

Have you really loved someone?

OASIS, Lee Chang-dong, 2003

The two of them hit it off, and soon Jong-du takes her out of her disheveled apartment, and into the busy streets of Korea to see the world as he sees it. They are happy, and whether or not they know it by now, are in love. But there is a problem–both families reject their relationship. How can two people already individuality shunned by society ever hope to find happiness when their own families objects to their relationship? Of course, there are negative aspects about the film that weren’t copesetic–the exaggerated scenes where the families announced their disdain regarding the relationship. Partially due to a concern about who would care for these two people with special needs, and the brutal way Jong-du older brother condescends and beat him for being “not as smart” as the rest of them.

The superbly positive thing about the film, the believable acting performances by Kyung-gu Sol and So-ri Moon–both make this film that much more special as an inspiring transgressive story. There are moments in the film where Jong-du isn’t confined by her handicap and due to love, and is able to see herself dance and communicate with Jong-du, just like normal people. It is in these moments that hit you dead and center, and if you don’t like the idea that two physically and mentally challenged people are in fact able to find love, well, that’s just your problem, isn’t it?

Highly recommended.

Source Han Cinema

The Turkey – Review

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Anna Margarita Albelo, THE TURKEY - MUBI

Time for dinner?

Anna Margarita Albelo‘s The Turkey (2008) may be a tribute to the unsatisfied housewife; a woman who selflessly cared for children and her spouse for decades and receives no appreciation or thanks in return. Unrewarded labor isn’t without its consequences, though, and Hélène, may decide to remove the system of convenience that surrounds her altogether. Famed French singer Sheila stars as Hélène Beaurignac, a rich stay at home mother celebrating her birthday with a vengeful twist.

She lives in a stunning, spacious house, in a perfect neighborhood, thanks to her successful husband. Despite living a life of luxury, she is unhappy–she has given countless years of her life to satisfying her family who now only sees her as an annoying aging woman. Rosa, their maid, and neighbor Francine are the only two who remembered her birthday, and were kind enough to give her gifts. During a heated exercising session, a talk show surrounding the topic of under appreciated female spouses airs and Hélène is inspired by the message. With Rosa’s help, she plans a birthday feast her overindulgent and spoiled family will never forget.

The Turkey is comedic with a surprising gross-out at the ending. I imagine that maybe there is one person who could can sympathize with Shelia’s under appreciated character–even if they are not in a similar situation. The ending is a blast and the robust dialogue and interactions between Hélène and her family are realistic and resolve with humorous flavor! Rosa and Hélène seem to have a good friendship aside from being the family servant. The film doesn’t have all the fanfare of a major production, but The Turkey is a delightful short film that encompasses all the basics of a good flick in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee.

Recommended

Source Mubi