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tkrombac
Reviews
Strings (2004)
Puppets like you've never seen them
For all those who say "I'm too old for puppet theater" I can only say "Think again".
The story might not be the most original (though it is leaps and bounds more complex and consistent than most of the actual blockbuster) but the directing and effects are simply beautiful.
The original part in the film is indeed that the puppets know of their strings and live and play with them. As another commenter says, the film does not try to hide the strings, but it does hide the puppeteers. Part of the mystery of the film is where the strings come from (and here you have several great shots and effects).
I can only recommend the film, but I doubt it will run in too many big cinemas (I saw it in the Edinburgh Filmhouse)...
Ong-Bak (2003)
Great martial arts film!
Ong Bak is the story of Thai boy who has to find the head of his villages god, which has been stolen by gangsters. In doing so he must leave his little village and go to Bangkok where he will have to deal with a whole criminal organization. And he will have to use his amazing Kickboxing skills and bust some serious ass!
The story is rather simple, although one might say it's probably more intricate than the latest James Bond movies. But boy, those stunts are amazing.
There's no "Hidden Tiger"-style combat here where people fly over rooftops, but only good old homegrown kickboxing. Think salto mortale backwards with kicking 3 guy simultaneously in the head during a jump.
I had seen the trailer before and knew I had to see this movie. And I witnessed some of the best choreography I've seen in the last few years.
My rating: 10/10