Hugo 15:40

Director: Martin Scorsese (2011) Starring: Asa Butterfield, Ben Kingsley, Chloe Grace Moretz, Emily Mortimer, Christopher Lee and Jude Law (briefly but sweetly).

No screenshots for this one. I rented the DVD through RedBox to watch this one rather than the usual streaming... and all my screenshots came up blank, it was expected. 

But this film is one to see AND for $1.23 a day rental... you should just go do it, go get it, now. 

I particularly liked it because it brought up George Melies. He was a French illusionist and filmmaker famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest days of cinema. In short, he created the world's first "Science Fiction" film, really.

There's a link to it.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbGd_240ynk 

Here's a list of the movies he made.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0617588/

Also, found this cute video online :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXwGN2uSsn0

I liked the fact that a movie was made about Melies in such a manner. Complemented his image of what we know. There have been documentaries, I'm sure. But the way this movie progressed combined with the beautiful Paris scenery and imaginative, playful CGI made this movie not only informational but true to the very story it told. 

I mean, that's what Melies was about! Special effects, fun and dreams! 

To make a movie about him or with him in it in any way and not include one of those elements would be disappointing. But Scorsese did a good damn job. Johnny Depp also produced this... and with the look and feel of the rich colors and lighting, complex yet simple scenes and cozy images... It almost seemed right to see Johnny Depp's name in the credits. 

I really do like Johnny Depp and his creative eye.
I was surprised to see Scorsese directed this one. The knowledge I have of him is from his very different types of films. But no complaints on this one Martin! 

On a deeper note... I personally found myself choked up with tears during several scenes. The basis of finding ones "purpose" in life is something I always think about during the moments in my day where I can gaze off for a few seconds in between all the stressors. Who doesn't wonder about their purpose here? But we all have a purpose, of course. 

I guess I've been thinking of this quite heavily... purposes and meanings of lives. Fish Story is another movie of similar metaphor and I suppose, in some small way, every movie is... 

The little things that connect us in this life are something I'll always appreciate. Of the enormity there is littleness. Tiny fibers that catch us all in the intricate web of life! *sigh*

Anywho... I'm beginning to drift off here.

I also want to mention how much I enjoyed the dream scene in Hugo. When you watch it and connect the dots, it should bring about a slight chuckle and kudos to the cleverness.

I remembered the title and seeing a trailer for it in 2011 but didn't hear much of it afterward. It is sad to say that a film like this may fly right under peoples radar or just go unnoticed. 

At first, I thought this was a children's movie and it could well possibly be one! It seems a bit too deep though; silent films, homeless children, etc.

I didn't grow up with parents and although I had my Grandmother, I can imagine the conscience thought alone is overwhelming but to see on screen, an inspector with a giant Doberman searching for ne'er-do-wells ready to send you off to the orphanage or whatever, is straight scary! 

But then again... TinTin called itself a children's film...

ANYWAY. 
Still a good film to watch. It's magical seeing footage of Melies old films. 

Like I said, can't go wrong with a rental for $1 and change per 24 hours.  

Fish Story 15:53

Director: Yoshihiro Nakamura (2009) 

Starring: Gaku Hamada, Atsushi Ito, Kengo Kora, Vincent Giry (Short appearance) 

Randomly came across this movie on Netflix. As I began watching it, I had NO clue what was going on. I kept watching for the simple fact that during this comet crisis... a record store

 was open haha.

That's probably where I'd be in that scenario. Jammin' till I die. 

That or... depending on different variables, I'd be underground somewhere haha

 The 3 people in the record store all begin to talk about this 1 record, this 1 song. 

Fish Story by Gekirin... an old punk rock band that formed in the 70's before the disseverance and popularization of the Sex Pistols. 

Gekirin is a fictional band. Haven't found any evidence proving otherwise.

Maybe they're not, though. Who knows... 

I don't... 

I bet you don't either. 

The original title movie came with the subtitle saying something like

"Music will save the world" which quotes from the movie. 

This movie is also based on a book written by Isaka Kotaro.

20 fucking 12 ... another thing I just don't know about. 

Nor do I believe it, but I don't believe much other than what I feel that's true.

 There's a crazy meteor coming to destroy the world. It will hit near Japan causing major tidal waves that will have the country underwater in minutes. 

I enjoyed the realism. What if this will happen come December? What if it won't...

It was comforting to find a movie about a song that changes the course of the world.

To hear a song that in some small way could possibly change the course of my life, if even for that very small moment.

Like check this, I'm listening to a song, that makes me feel super happy... my mood affects someone else, so that changes their mood... their course of actions...

Domino effect all the way. All because of one song... 

One minute of helping a stranger pick up their fallen bags... or holding the door open for a woman with a smile on her face but her day is going terrible. 

That 1 small act of kindness... or that 1 thing you do differently, that change of mind, that small action. It can go on and on. It happens, you know.

Or at least, that's how I think. I can't speak for others.

I like to see how I think being put into a visual aspect. It's always enjoyable.

Fish Story being one of those films. 

Makes you believe in those little acts of heroism, plus some.

It's so exceptionally done. 

It bounces back and forth between 4 different times. 

All times connected by 1 thing.

I really liked the band, though. Trying to come out onto the scene with a new style of music (at that time) and not really being accepted for it. At one point, they sit together by what seems to be a city river below the street level and they talk about what they are doing... where are they going.

There are tons of time where I feel quite lost in where I am going and if what I am doing (although I'm doing what I love) will others love it like I do? 

Will they get out of it what I do? Imagine what I do while seeing/listening? 

Probably not, because everyone is different, shaped by their experiences.

It happens similarly for this band... as well as other bands out there, I'm sure.

I like to think that although what I'm doing may seem inferior and unimportant and having no effect on anyone else or anything... that maybe when I'm long perished, something I've done will reach someone... and change their life in some small way.

Just as other pieces of art by others have touched me and changed my life. 

Maybe it will happen... I can't be sure that it will. Nothing is sure in this life. 

That is the reason why I enjoyed this film so much. I felt a connection with the characters in every scene. I've thought the same things, been a bit confused and unsure at times. Hoping something will turn out or just doing things for the hell of it, not caring if it affects anyone else but those in the moment with me. 

( BY THE WAY - Kengo Kora is super attractive... I'd watch it again just to see his face.)

Thinking of life in a more Physics based way, of course something I do will change 1 thing, some way or another. It would be cool to be around to see it happen... Something changing on a macro level. 

FISH STORY is really great. I've been ranting on about my inner thoughts that probably don't make much sense. You should watch the movie, maybe you'd start feeling like I do.

Maybe you feel that way already.

Maybe not. Still... you should watch the film. 

Maybe my ranting would all make some sense after haha. 

On top of that, the ending of the film is marvelous. Ties together so well it leaves you with a fuzzy feeling in your stomach and a knot in your throat that you just want to run outside and scream to the sky... like the guys above are doing :)

I don't know about you, but I definitely want to do something, leave something behind that makes a difference on this earth. Something that shows my once existence. That I wasn't just a mass of particles that melted into the earth after some odd amount of years. 

So in a way, this movie was a bit inspirational. In the whole self-esteem department. 

The fact of not being so sure about where I'm heading, but if I keep doing what I love, maybe it will turn out to something later on past my generation.

Maybe it won't... I really can't say.

Along with the cast being good actors, and the plot and sequencing moving along flawlessly despite the jumps in time eras, the message is wonderful. 

For a music lover like myself, I do secretly think that a song can touch someone and make a difference.

Which is why I jump at the chance to show my music on my iPod to anyone who would listen.

So watch FISH STORY if you have time, which I recommend you make time. 

Before 2012 comes along and we all die haha, just kidding.

That shit won't happen.

BUT MAYBE...

lol na. 

Man From Nowhere 00:02

Director Jeong-beom Lee (2010) Starring Bin Won, Thanayong Wongtrakul and Sae-ron Kim

Man from freaking nowhere... damn.

Damn you Bin Won and your striking good looks that have now made any other man inadequate and unattractive in my eyes, forever.

Anyway. This film kicks ass and the reason I'm writing it about it is because....

http://www.imdb.com/news/ni24219959/

http://www.allkpop.com/2012/03/hollywood-to-remake-man-from-nowhere

http://news.yahoo.com/dimension-remaking-korean-hit-man-nowhere-033258832.html

http://www.movieweb.com/news/the-man-from-nowhere-remake-set-up-at-dimension-films

http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2012/03/10/korean-film-the-man-from-nowhere-to-get-american-remake/

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/dimension-films-remaking-korean-hit-man-nowhere-36089

-- I know Bin Won... I can't believe it either. 

Don't worry.. you're irreplaceable.--

Also, http://themovieblog.com/ talks nicely of it and gives a sweet character analysis. 

I just dislike their cocky subtitle... there are no "correct" opinions. But I appreciate your attempt at humor themovieblog... if there was one. 

lawlz

Ok, let's begin shall we?

Cha Tae-sik (Bin Won) is a pawn shop owner who keeps to himself. He runs the pawn shop right outside his actual apartment, literally, right outside the door. In the beginning scenes, we don't know much about him. This girl that lives in the building Jeong So-mi (Sae-ron Kim) seems to be his only friend. 

It's a seemingly pointless moment before we are introduced to Tae-sik, that the camera focuses on this bucket of white flowers. It could be a transition into a purer part of the story, followed up by a pure-hearted protagonist. Who knows?

I've connected these flowers with something that comes to the surface about Tae-sik later in the film; could be wrong though. 

Darn... this is one of those movies where I just don't want to give too much away... but it's so hard not to! I love this film. 

It's not like it's even a fresh idea?

I mean, after discussing this with a friend he brought up the fact that the story is similar to "Man on Fire", and I noticed that... it had it's differences but... yes it was similar.

hmmm.... 

 

But what I love about Asian films, besides the attractive casts, are the characters personalities and specifically how they are acted out. (e.g. saying very little but saying enough). Very different to recent American films, where I find it to be more verbalizing and less imagery. 

I like to be left on the waters edge, not thrown into the lake. 

If you have seen "Man on Fire" then you can probably figure out how "Man From Nowhere" plays out.

BUT... YOU'RE WRONG. 

*sigh* so tempted to post the many screenshots I've taken of this kick-ass film, but I mustn't

I am trying to post the cool, but still, less-relevant-than-other shots.

See the movie, and hurry! Before Dimension Films massacres it... just as Hollywood has massacred other foreign films :( 

*cough* Wicker Park, The Uninvited, Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Original Sin, Mirrors, Vanilla Sky, Criminal, Sigaw, Nikita, BANGKOK DANGEROUS *cough*.

hahaha... I should stop.

THOUGH, props to Hollywood for doing "Brothers" really well in my opinion... and another movie, but the name escapes me right now. 

kay... Back to Bin Won :)

Super great movie and smoothly executed. It's a long film, pretty much 2 hours.

But luckily, it's 2 hours of pure Korean sweetness. There's twists all over this movie, so make sure you wear your no-slip sneakers.

The scenes are disturbing, chilling and they keep you on your toes from the minute the actions really takes off right to the very last minute of the ending scene. 

I've read that this film grossed $45.-- something million in Korea and I'm glad it was recognized and was so successful. Bin Won's acting was really incredible. 

I also read that he did a lot of his own stunts? haha 

I HOPE that's true... just makes him better in my eyes...

and every other man increasingly inadequate. 

aww, just kidding dudes! It's ok. We can't all be Bin Won...

- hug! - 

watch the mooooovie!

Mad Detective 12:58

Directors Johhnie To, Ka-Fai Wai (2007) Starring Andy On & Ching Wan Lau

Wow.... Just wow. 

For anyone who thoroughly enjoys multiple personality disorder and/or movies about it

This movie wiggles on the top of my list next to Cybil, Fight Club and Secret Window

Except viewed from a police standpoint (interesting)

Anyway. We open up the movie when Ho (Andy On) is on his first day at the police station.

He walks in to Detective Bun (Ching Wan Lau) slicing a pig.

I figured I'd leave the subtitles on here to explain the scene a bit lol

Classic ---- if you want to catch a criminal, think like a criminal or in this case, the victim too XD

This movie is full of hints which is good because the way the hints are dispersed doesn't lose you as a viewer and keeps you on the edge enough to be able to think for yourself too

Bun gets fired from the force after cutting of his ear and giving it to his Chief 

(Van Gogh? haha)

There's an important scene, but if you don't pay attention you might miss it. I did, until I watched it again to get more screen shots. 

I liked this film a lot. I like movies about multiple personalities because being a person that is full of contradictions, like myself, sometimes I feel I have other personalities. 

Except I'm aware of them. 

Could be I'm just super moody. Who knows. 

For a moment it's like, who the hell are these creepy people whistling simultaneously. 

I almost thought they were going to break into a Bollywood song segment.

The film progresses a bit slowly, but each scene is crucial. 

There are a few times where the scenes jump and I'm thrown off a bit.

I think that's done purposely, to add to the whole, multiple effect. 

Multiple scenes of personalities seeing different things at either the same or different times?

Did you follow that? I almost lost myself haha. Anyway...

! POSSIBLY A BIT OF A SPOILER !

While Ho is buried in one scene, Bun and Chi Wai have a moment together

a subtle clue comes up when Chi Wai (covered in dirt) says

"I've been lost here for a long time"

I almost took this as this is Chi Wai's good part of his personality, or his true person that was lost during the incident of Detective Wongs disappearance. So now, Chi Wai is being controlled by his other (bad) personalities. 

Bun ultimately decided to bury himself.

I won't mention anymore though :)

This scene, with this boy is also really important.

I MEAN EVERY SCENE IS IMPORTANT... SHIT.

Anyway... I was touched here. 

Kind of thought of a few times where I was scared of confused and it almost seemed as if all my adult knowledge and experience flew out the window and I just wanted to curl up on the floor and bite my nails or something. 

Saying that kind of reminds me of the movie Sybil, for those who haven't seen it, you should see it. If you ever take PSYCH 101 in college, you'll hear mention of that movie.

Possibly mention of a book called When Rabbit Howls too. 

The camera angles in the last scene are great. 

I approve, very much of this freakin cinematography. 

This movie is really good... I mean it's super hard not to just blurt out all the details of the film. My post is sort of short because I don't want to slip up and give too much away. 

Old Mexican Standoff here... HONG KONG style... lol 

I will say one last thing... I've read other reviews of this movie and THIS woman is NOT the same woman that is a part of the 7 personalities of Chi Wai (you racists haha) 

She is a completely different person

But who she is in correlation to the film and the characters, I won't say. 
You must watch!

 The ending is amazing... 

Hopefully you will decide to watch this film because it is one that is definitely underrated

(or at least over here in America). 

Enjoy!