poppunkandskajew Reviews

The Fountain (2006)

Aranofsky's Piece is Gorgeous, but Selective

[10/10 · 27 November 2006]

The Fountain is the essence of film, it not only evokes emotions but it compels you to pay attention and learn. You can't say that about any other film. However, despite how good this film truly is, 8 out of 10 people will walk away perplexed, annoyed, or generally unhappy. This is because America is truly not meant for a film this complex. This is terrible, because The Fountain just leaks awe inspiring imagery. The Fountain will be hard to crack for most people, and the odds of it turning a profit is ludicrous. However, despite these things, this film is truly an alternative minded success in my mind, and I believe anyone with a brain in their head and an open mind will love The Fountain.

Lady Vengeance (2005)

Falling Action has never been so praiseworthy

[9/10 · 30 January 2006]

Park Chanwook made the perfect conclusion to a trilogy with Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. The three films work off each other beautifully, and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance is far from a disappointment.

The acting is top-notch, with cameos from Park Chanwook's first two films intermingling with new talent. The directing is superb, not quite eclipsing Sympathy for Mr Vengeance or Oldboy but coming quite close.

Park's directing style is solid and distinctive, he builds off earlier films and ideas to give an air of intensity surrounding the most innocent of scenes.

SFLV cuts back on the violence and focuses on personal turmoil, a welcome change from the beginning of his revenge trilogy. The only thing holding back from a perfect score is a slow ending, one which is necessary to bring the trilogy to a close but still slightly treading.

All in all, this film represents a master finishing his masterpiece, should be viewed by everyone, and works perfectly as a separate film and not a piece of a trilogy. Violence is minimal compared to Park's first two films, but is graphic.

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance is one of the few films that will make people cry not out of sadness but love.

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Miyazaki's Most Poignant Work

[8/10 · 16 June 2005]

While Miyazaki's other films may have more beauty and aesthetics, Princess Mononoke contains something special: Purpose. And a glorious purpose at that. Though slightly violent, Princess Mononoke teaches a valuable lesson to all children who watch it, and should be placed on a pedestal with other films like Requiem for a Dream. While some may scoff that films can't teach life lessons, Princess Mononoke stands out with its healthy, wholesome, and beautifully crafted message to our next generation. However, while the message deserves to be heard by all, and should be required viewing at schools, the film still has some imperfections. Though I am not usually a stickler, the love aspect and lack of solid good/evil is both a strength and a weakness. Too many decisions are left unexplained, and too many characters experience too many changes too fast. Regardless of its faults, Princess Mononoke is a beautifully constructed film, and should be required to be shown to all children.

Cinderella Man (2005)

Flawed yet lovable film

[7/10 · 5 June 2005]

To be perfectly honest, most of the theater applauded throughout the movie, and frankly I can see why. However, while it may please the general mob, Cinderella Man was flawed. Though it shows a very realistic and strong depiction of the depression, it goes over the top in attempting to draw emotion out of their poverty. And at 2 and a half hours, when an hour of it is devoted to "oh look at how poor everyone is it's the president's fault" you can't help but wonder if the studio is demanding some tear-jerking scenes. However, Russell Crowe delivers fantastic acting, blowing everyone else away, and the fight scenes are top-notch. You will love this movie, but it isn't perfect, and is sometimes over the top. However, this doesn't stop it from being the feel good movie of the year so far, and you will leave with a smile on your face and a bounce in your step. Advised for all ages, 7 out of 10, wouldn't see it again but a great first view.

Bad Education (2004)

Almodovar's most moving work

[9/10 · 25 May 2005]

First of all, the NC-17 rating is completely undeserved, there is indeed some homosexual sex in this film, but not nearly as graphic as they made it out to be, its a shame due to the rating this film was only art-house bound and did not receive the national recognition it should have. A beautiful film, one of my favorite screenplay's, both complex and simple on many levels. Beautifully acted, provocative, moving, and almost surreal. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and would recommend it for everyone that would appreciate it. Of Almodovar's works, this by far was the most moving, and rings especially true in these days.

The Green Butchers (2003)

Dark Comedy, but only a few laughs

[6/10 · 24 May 2005]

While being extremely well made, especially for a dutch movie, the Green Butchers lacks humor. However, it is a well made and worthwhile film, but with nothing special to offer. The acting is good, the plot is good, very reminiscent of Delicatessen, but without the cinematography, setting, or heart. It has some drug use and cursing so it is not a kids film, and the topic is dark enough so that I would advise people easily turned off by gore to avoid the Green Butchers. However, it was a treat to watch, not many quality Dutch films are available, but lacked the dark humor necessary to really keep this film completely afloat. A nice attempt, and with its bright spots, but I could put myself into this movie, and ended up observing it and not truly watching it.

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)

War movie with a heart

[9/10 · 24 May 2005]

Tae Guk Gi educated me about the Korean War. After saying that, I realize that this is a strange statement, since most war movies are happy-go-lucky representations of war that glorify fighting and dying as a noble cause. Thankfully, Tae Guk Gi kept far away from this attitude, and showed me the true side of war. Most war movies turn war into a game, something set, orderly, and noble. Tae Guk Gi shows the true chaos and damage war can cause, and does so brilliantly. The only war movie i've seen that transcends this one is Apocalypse Now, and I believe Tae Guk Gi to be one of my favorite Korean movies out. A great war picture, recommended for all audiences, some scenes of violence and gore but a family film at heart, brilliantly acted and thankfully keeps to the fact that war is indeed hell.

Delicatessen (1991)

A beautiful film, pleasure for eyes and ears

[9/10 · 22 May 2005]

When I saw this film the first time (A harrowing experience to even find it) I had already seen Jeunet and Caro's other masterpiece, City of Lost Children. I had very high hopes for Delicatessen, and it payed off grandly. Delicatessen is an enriching experience with its gorgeous scenery, fabulous costumes, and bleak atmosphere. It very much reminds me of a darker Brazil, and the effect was throughout the entire movie. The cinematography was top-notch, the acting was superb, brilliant story-line, and there are many scenes I would recommend for film teachers to show to their students. All in all, this movie is not for everyone, since it is very dark and I can only see people who truly love french films or darker films to enjoy this. However, it is a work of art, 9 out of 10, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

Layer Cake (2004)

Lovingly directed, but no Guy Ritchie

[8/10 · 19 May 2005]

Vaughn, taking the step from producer to director, does a fantastic job with Layer Cake. However, though Vaughn did excite, Daniel Craig is the real star here. The man who SHOULD be the new Bond, Craig turns in a top-notch performance, and his suave attitude and physique bring to mind Steve McQueen, one of my favorite actors. However, Vaughn takes the directing a bit too seriously, and Layer Cake never really takes off the way Lock Stock and Snatch did behind Guy Ritchie, but while this is a slight criticism I loved the movie otherwise. I would recommend this movie for anyone who appreciates gangster movies, and this lovingly crafted plot would make anyone proud. Quality adapted screenplay, not too much violence or language to really upset anyone, but I would not recommend this movie for people who have a hard time with accents as a couple near me did. Some might want to wait for the DVD so they can put on the subtitles, but an enjoyable experience if I've ever seen one, and a chance to see a rising star begin his ascendancy. 8 out of 10, lost two stars for the directing.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002)

Horror doesn't always have to be bad

[9/10 · 19 May 2005]

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, a work by one of my favorite new directors, was a very different movie then what i originally expected. Having seen Oldboy, I was expecting a much different film. However, Chanwook Park pleasantly surprised me with the first part of his revenge trilogy. The plot line is brutal, but the visceral appeal of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance lies in the motives. Nothing is random, everything is explained, and the viewer can understand why every action is called for. However, this is a brutal movie. The action is tough, the dialogue minimal, with no quick cuts or mindful music. That being said, it is never grotesque and the gore never gets to be too much. The visual images in this movie will stay with you for days, and the cinematography is flawless. I would recommend this movie for fans of the horror genre looking for an exciting new film, and people that do not watch horror movies because they are usually pointless works in gore. Few if any criticisms, the lack of music works both for and against the film, as I found myself sometimes shifting away from the screen. 9 out of 10, highly recommended, but brutal.

Berserk (1997–1998)

Most powerful animation I've ever seen

[6 May 2005]

I am not by any means a huge anime fan, and have only finished a few series before this one (Bebop, Eva, Trigun, Hellsing). However, Berserk changed my entire attitude towards animation. Brilliantly written, insanely intriguing character development, and while some say the ending is too abrupt, I believe that it was one of the most powerful and poignant finishes to a series i've seen. Very few series actually leave the viewer wishing they could find a way to see the next season, and Berserk does so brilliantly. However, this is not for the faint of heart, I would definitely not advise this for children under 13, since it contains graphic everything. Can't find any faults except there is no season after this one, and would suggest it to anyone trying to discover new anime.

Primer (2004)

Only for intelligent film-watchers

[8/10 · 6 May 2005]

While an enjoyable film, Primer sets the stage for many hypothetical and unanswerable questions. This is neither a strength or weakness, but Primer is most sound in its time-traveling. While I am a huge fan of cerebral films, Primer represented one of the most confusing on first viewing. This is close to David Lynch standards for plot complexity, but after a night of thought and a second viewing the following day, Primer tied together brilliantly. When viewing the movie over again, the time and effort put into the plot is astounding, and pays off at the end. This is by far the most realistic time travel movie I have ever seen, and with such a small budget this is not only an exciting science fiction; it also embodies the perfection of amateur film-making, and should be a model to work towards. An enjoyable inspiration, but not for everyone.

Oldboy (2003)

Description of Oldboy

[10/10 · 3 April 2005]

I've seen thousands of movies that supposedly "shock" and "disgust" the moviegoer, but Oldboy took this to a new level. Rather then using gore or gratuitous sex or violence to "shock" me this very intelligent thriller used an entirely different method. Needless to say this is a movie I will never forget as long as I live, and it represents something that not only kept me in rapt attention and thoroughly entertained, it opened up my eyes to the abilities of the human emotional spectrum and turned my stomach as to the depths of humanity. A movie I would recommend for everyone to see, just because of the time spent after it is finished reflecting upon ones self. People who do not like this movie do not understand it, and Oldboy deserves to be placed on a pedestal above any other movie attempting to serve up the same kind of action or drama. Ten stars, exceptional film, any faults are minor and covered by the charisma of the actors and brilliance of the cinematographer. Recommended for all, even the weak of heart, since a masterpiece can be appreciated by all.