Stolen Life 17:02

Director: Shaohong Li

Writer: Yiao Limei (2005?) Starring: Xun Zhou & Wu Jun

I recognized Xun Zhou on the cover of the film, which is what enticed me to watch this. I saw Beijing Bicycle a few years back and now I'm craving to re-watch it. 

This film is just the type I enjoy watching. 

(as morbid as that sounds)

Life rarely  has happy endings and I hate when films put that artificial sunshine on the big screen. I mean, they are nice to watch for a "feel good" film, but they show no depth... unlike this one.

Quiet and reserved Yan-ni gets admitted to college

She is 1 step ahead to bettering her future.

Or so it seems, she reveals that that is not the case early on in the film.

I found it very interesting how they chose to have both Yan-ni & Muyu wear the same black beanies. 

It brought them together and separated them from the rest of the characters in the film. Which was intended, I'm sure. 

I felt happy for the moments watching them interact. Watch what he does for her in the beginning. It was so sweet, so inviting. I still clung to the words her character said earlier. I pitted my stomach, awaiting the disappointment. The music, the colors, the tone all impend something bad will indeed happen.

The first sign is when Yan-ni tracks down Muyu and finds a nasty surprise. 

Muyus character in the beginning, you'd almost fall in love with him. His sincerity, but his mystery hooks you but it's also what keeps you from fully trusting his character.

OH MAN. I was sooooo frustrated with this film. I want to really spill all the dirty details but it's not the same as watching the film and finding out for yourself. Challenging yourself to see if you realize what's going on before it all unravels. 

Of course, I've never been to China. I have only films and photos and word of mouth to paint a picture in my mind. This film gives a darker insight on China... the world other than the fluorescents and neon lights of the nights, the busy streets, the bicycles, schoolyards and the religion. The underground communities, filled with the working class and migrants (I assume) 

When you are introduced here, a darkness seems to cloud you. You are completely involved with Yan-ni and Muyu... and the underground. 

I suppose it's not a SPOILER because some summaries of this film tell you that Yan-ni becomes pregnant and ends up dropping out of school. That being said.......... we move on. 

There is a scene where Yan-ni and Muyu decide upon each other; They admit their feelings for one another and snuggle into their new "home". The scene right after, both of them are NOT wearing the black knit hats anymore. 

I first thought of it as... They have opened up to each other. The hats were almost a defense, a guard, a veil. Now they are not afraid, so they veils fall and that almost hints at a certain trust they not share. 

Oh how I jumped to conclusions. One could say that is the symbolism of the black beanies.

After Yan-ni has her baby, she is shown (below) with the hat back on.

Now this changed my perspective. The black beanie could represent a humanity, a realness. Or it could represent the clouded illusions we fill our heads with. the illusions that keep us from facing things that might hurt us. It could mean that now with the hat back on... Yan-ni realizes who she is again, or who she was. She is afraid now, she need comfort and protection... like we would return to the fetal position when terrified and confused, Yan-ni fetal position is the hat 

Could be. 

Or it could mean absolutely nothing at all. 

However, as Yan-ni retreats into there black hat, Muyu does not. 

That is also something that raises questions in my mind. Perhaps the "new" Muyu is here to stay... perhaps he no longer needs to hide himself, or retain modesty? Now he has lured his prey into his domain. His character's body language and speech begin to change, subtly. 

After passing through the events you'll begin to put pieces together.

Yan-ni finds work and with this work, a new responsibility. Again the beanie is removed. Yan-ni's hair is different. More mature. At this point, the most important twist is revealed to us. I would like to say it's the climax of the film. It might not the climax, it's a bit late coming in the film, but it was a very influential scene... especially for Yan-ni

I noticed throughout the film, the saturation drains quite a bit from the beginning to the end. 

Until the color is restored in the ending scene. Along with the music and scenery, the colors and contrasts grab you and yank you into the storyline. I couldn't take my eyes off. 

By the end, you'll want to murder this prick. I can't help but love the ending. Like I said, It makes you sick to your stomach when you find out the truth in this film and the truth about Muyu.

 I adore films such as thing one, though. The plot and the sequence of events all come crashing, smacking you in the face with reality. It's also very sad, because things like this happen. It mentions in the opening titles it's based on true events and I wouldn't be surprised if it were. 

What got me was the ending scene. (below) She's in what looks to be a nursery or a playroom. She's speaking to someone, and she begins to cry. Mentions her child. Who is she talking to, the host is never shown. 

Perhaps she was telling this person the entire story that we have just seen through her memories. It's definitely a film exposing the evils that every woman fears.

I think young girls should watch this, maybe they would get a grip on the truths of pregnancies and what happens if your not careful and rush into things with a man whom you barely know. 

I know women are foolish at times, and in the search of love and acceptance, we disregard the facts. There are plenty of "Yan-ni's" out there. 

Sheng si jie - I want my life back. 

Cashback 00:00

Director: Sean Ellis (2006) Starring: Sean Biggerstaff & Emilia Fox

If it wasn't the cover of this film, which happens to be a beautiful topless woman with a skirt hiked up, that caught my eye, it was... well... just the cover actually. I had seen this a year ago and just now watching it again, still lingers the same appreciation and fuzzy-warm feeling I got when I first watched it.

And now as I write, the voice in my head is speaking with a British accent.

I've always been a bit artistic in my view on the world around me and Biggerstaff's character Ben is the carbon copy thinker of myself. I immediately fell in love with him at the very first sentence spoken. 

The movie begins with poor Ben and his girlfriend Suzie breaking up.

This image is just hilarious, had to add it in here. Their break-up being SEMI-important because it triggers Ben's insomnia. Thus the story really begins. 

Ben = Artist .. Women = Muse

an artist without his muse = sleepless nights. 

Ben begins the search to find a muse for his work

The absence of this beautiful image in Ben's life may cause him to have sleepless nights. So with an extra 8 hours to spare he decides to pick up a job at the local supermarket. 

For the longest, I referred to the market in my mind as Salisbury's instead of Sainsburys. 

Thought that was note-worthy. 

Anyway I reaaaaally don't want to summarize because then, why would you watch it?! Instead I'll entice you with some lovely screenshots and some relative sentences about them. 

VAGUE RELATIVE SENTENCES. 

What always sticks in my mind about this movie and whenever someone asks me a question about art, this movie and the lines are usually floating around at the tip of my tongue. But of course, who I am to use others work as my own :) so I reference instead. 

He mentions a woman who dreams of having an affair with an artist because she feels that the artist, unlike her husband, really SEES her... Sees her flaws, her wrinkles, her lines and freckles and cherishes it... savors it and emphasizes it because he appreciates all these "flaws" as all a part of her combined self and who she is. 

Beautiful.

The human body is one of great awe. I too like to appreciate the little things on peoples bodies that tells me more of a story then anything their mouth can put together. The cold hard facts, the undeniable truth lies on the surface of the skin as well as in the tiniest pores and lines. The body is a indeed a temple. 

From birth to our final days--our story is written out in wrinkles and sun spots.

As well as this being an artsy romantic movie, it has its laughs and funny moments. 

Another point I really enjoyed as something I can relate to.

The monotony of each day, the silence of boredom being broken with a joke or a stunt at work

I feel it kept the movie from being so snobby and in a way humbled its approach to the audience. Actually, I shouldn't say that because I think the cover and title don't mislead the art community or sway them in the least bit. 

I know I didn't expect this to be such an artistic film XD

It is definitely a deep, artistic movie but it tells a story of an everyday someone, a student working an 8 hour minimum wage job, and bullshits with the co-workers. Who also contains an artistic mind and passionate dialogue. 

Sort of appealing to men & women :) Hello Crowd Pleaser

Recommended this movie to a friend of mine as well... Hope they watch it. 

Total recommendation, it's a bit lengthy but absolutely worth it! It was hard for me not to go on tangents about parts of this movie but I really want to retain its mystery-- it's a must see! 

Rotten Tomatoes gave this a 2 out of 5 stars! -___-

Fuck Rotten Tomatoes, this a 5 if not 4 star film. 

The quote that sits on the bottom of the title on some versions of the movie/dvd/whatever is:

"Sometimes Love is Hiding Between the Seconds of your Life."

(just have to slow down enough to catch it.)

which is way better than "Sometimes Love Lets you Keep the Change"

pfffftt.... 

I'm confident in saying my approach to this post was shaped by my journalism class I had earlier today. Anyway... 

There is another movie, somewhat similar in context as this one that I hope to be watching soon! 

CIAO!

Chaos Theory 00:26

Director: Marcos Siega (2008) Starring: Ryan Reynolds & Emily Mortimer

Introducing Frank Allen. The story begins at the wedding of his daughter Jesse. The soon to be husband named Ed discovers some details about Jesse's whereabouts during a break-up on some odd date. With doubts of marriage, the soon-to-be groom tries to make an exit out through the kitchen. HELLO Mr. Allen lounging on a chair nearby. They sit down to have a little talk about Love.

I really did enjoy this movie. Reynolds Character as the organized, list-making & time efficent Frank Allen. Reynolds choice in characters sways from Van Wilder, Waiting, Adventureland, Buried, The Nines & well, this. He is quite a versatile actor. 

I enjoy the series of events in the movie. The chain reaction of 1 event opening up almost a pandoras box, or an unintentinal can of worms of following events. However, in this film--the chain of events are those of growth and discovery... For Frank Allen :)

What I liked the most about the movie was my ability to relate, not to me because my life has alway been disorganized, but for some close people around me. The desire to have everything in order and to stray from that path once and find themselves swirling through a mess of changes and revelations. They come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter how the past was written... or how things may be taken out of context...

There's a lot of things you just can't plan (or make lists for) so roll with the punches because you choose to shape the future once your thrown onto the beaten path. 

In Mr. Frank Allen's case... his perfect little life experienced a large hiccup. It took him quite a bit--actually, a majority of the movie to realize what was important to him. 

What I got from the film is that: Life is chaotic, no matter how we try to plan it out or organize it to our favor. Love, is thought to be one of the most chaotic things we encounter in life. However, it is actually the simplest thing. It is what slows down our lives enough so we finally enjoy every tender moment of it.

I also got some weird message... something about a life built upon lies is no life... but a life of lies is better than no life at all. Also a feeling that relates to the whole "home is where the heart is" but 'home' in this context is too specific for the feeling I was feeling. Like, The... lie is where... you make... the truth....

(?w?t?f) OK ANYWAY..... 

I don't want to discuss the movies plot whatsoever. Theres a few twists and turns, so its a map you have to route out yourself. (symbolically speaking)

Frank's Quote from the movie:

Ever heard of the Chaos Theory? It's a science.

It tries to determine underlying patterns
in chaotic systems:
 
Weather, ocean currents, blood flow,
that sort of thing.
  
Well, it turns out
that there are few things...
 
...more chaotic than the beat
of a human heart.
 
Speeding up, slowing down.
A pretty face, a flight of stairs.
 
It's always changing depending
on what's happening to us out there.
 
It's an erratic son of a bitch.

But underneath all of that bump-a-ta-bump
mess, there is, in fact, a pattern.
 
A truth.
  
And it's love.

The most important thing about love
is that we choose to give it...
 
...and we choose to receive it.
 
Making it the least random act
in the entire universe.
 
It transcends blood,
it transcends betrayal...

...and all the dirt that makes us human.

Soooo that quote kind of sums up my post here... CHAOS THEORY - DO WATCH.