Tuesday, December 31, 2013

only god forgives (2013). directed by nicolas winding refn.


first of all, viewers must know that refn doesn't do regular hollywood stuff. this film lasted for 1 hour 25 minutes, and i feel like i was dreaming the entire time. it's surreal, shot in colours not found in harsh real life but that doesn't mean the dream is any less violent. i recalled david lynch in particular. the movie follows ryan gosling, as the drug dealer in the seedy muay thai hole in bangkok. he seems emotionless, lacking the will to do anything - to confront his mother's insult, to avenge his brother's death, to fight against the police who his hunting him down. perhaps it is his reaction to an environment of extremes - it's better not to feel anything in order to remain unaffected. 

Monday, December 30, 2013

safe (2012). directed by boaz yakin.


a little like leon: the professional (1994) but there are only so much similarities that can be compared. while it is a pleasure to watch jason statham beat people to a pulp, but he is not as expressive as jean reno, so the movie feels kind of - robot like. 

insidious: chapter 2 (2013). directed by james wan.


it was genuinely scary at the beginning, and then it turned violent and cartoon-ish in the middle and towards the end. may be that's the point. 

12 years a slave (2013). directed by steve mcqueen.


because slavery is a theme relevant at all times. a must watch. 

at times i am reminded of beautiful shots often found in terrence malick films, in a good way. 

the hobbit: the desolation of smaug (2013). directed by peter jackson.


i feel the film is all about form with little substance. it's fine film making, but it's a bit light.