kwongers Reviews

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

Great movie - top notch voice acting, writing, and animation

[9/10 · 15 January 2024]

This is a great movie - well written with plenty of zingers, funny and heartfelt, superb voice acting (everyone but especially the turtles), gorgeous animation, and banger music.

There's a lot to praise and a lot of it already covered already but I just wanted to say again how much the animation rocks. Hand drawn and computer animated. But it evokes the wonderful claymation style of Aardman, the company that makes Shaun the Sheep, Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run. And that's a huge compliment!

There is not a single wasted scene. And even though the plot is predictable, it is executed very well. It is a very fun time at the movies. I truly don't get the negative reviews here.

The Bear: Fishes (2023) Season 2, Episode 6

Have not left a review in ages...

[10/10 · 15 August 2023]

... but I logged in to add in the the chorus of praise for this episode.

It's an hour long whereas the others are 30-40min. The whole episode felt like being in a pressure cooker. The show never The dialogue was so real and uncomfortable and it just built to an explosion at the end.

The main cast is fantastic but they also have some guest actors hitting it out of the park. It is really an Emmys highlight reel for all the actors involved.

I quite understand some of the lower reviews who say it's too much, too loud, over the top etc but I thought it was a pretty accurate representation of a chaotic holiday family dinner in a family that is extremely dysfunctional.

Gokusen (2002–2008)

Very Entertaining and Addictive J-Drama

[9/10 · 8 March 2007]

*minor spoilers*

"Gokusen" is about the young and idealistic Kumiko Yamaguchi (nicknamed "Yankumi") starting her first teaching job at Shirokin HS. Her class, 3-D, is apparently "the class from hell" (misfits, rebels, lazies, bullies, etc.); they are disrespectful and downright violent towards her. But she's actually the third generation heir of the Oedo yakuza family and therefore unfazed by their threats. This drama basically follows Yankumi as she earns the respect of her class by helping them become more than just delinquents. Although the story lines are somewhat formulaic and you can kind of predict what will happen, it's still a very enjoyable watch because all the characters are interesting, the acting is terrific, and the morals are inspiring. It also has plenty of good stuff to say about friendships and family.

In each episode, she helps a new and different student with their problems by either kicking ass or talking her way out of it. It's quite formulaic, but the stories are still entertaining. And often hilarious. One of my favorite stories was the one revolving around the Oguri Shun character, Uchiyama Haruhiko; his friends attempt to catch a purse-snatcher to clear his name. Yankumi dressing up as a naive schoolgirl and other hijinx occur. Other stories include helping a classmate get over a family death, beating up rival school gangs, high school romances, etc. Each incident unites the class even more.

Yukie Nakama acts very well, effectively capturing Yankumi's idealism, spunk, and tough-love. She's a riot in this show, often interrupting her students' discussions or kicking their asses. The only part that is off about her performance is the fight scenes are laughable, even though she's supposed to be a skilled fighter. There's even a humorous romantic sideplot for her; she battles with the other teachers for the handsome Detective Shinohara's attention, which often results in embarrassing and funny situations. The actors playing her family are also hilarious. And finally, the actors playing her 3-D students were really impressive, especially Jun Matsumoto. This was the first drama I've seen him in and he's terrific here playing the mysterious Sawada Shin. He's the only student that seems to suspect Yankumi is not your everyday teacher...and soon they're trading sarcastic quips and other hilarious barbs. For example, Yankumi: "Is that Keita's girlfriend? Is he going to as her out?" Shin: "Why are you here? Go away." etc. There are many good verbal barbs in this show.

Bottom line: Although a little formulaic, Gokusen succeeds because of its interesting characters and the wonderful actors playing them. Really enjoyable and addictive drama. I enjoyed every single episode, even if I knew what was going to happen, because it was just plain good television: great acting, good writing, and interesting characters.

9/10.

Orange Days (2004)

Terrific coming-of-age J-drama

[10/10 · 28 February 2007]

Orange Days is an excellent coming-of-age J-dorama about a group of students in their last year at college dealing with friendships, love, job prospects, and life in general. There's a main love story about a talented musician Sae (Kou Shibasaki) who has lost most of her hearing and the sweet guy Kai (Satoshi Tsumabuki) who tries to help her come to terms with it, while befriending and eventually falling in love with her. I love their relationship; it goes even beyond friendship and love. They understand each other instinctively. There are 11 episodes in the series, each one about an hour long. I watched the entire thing over about two days; that is how hooked I was. (That, and each episode practically ends with a cliffhanger. And that I am graduating from college this upcoming June and I can totally relate to lots of these scenarios!) One of the best J-doramas I've seen.

This is a great series about friendship. Kai, Sae, and the rest of their friends from a group, The Orange Society. They all learn sign language to be able to communicate better with Sae. And they do all the bonding things that graduating seniors usually do: they go camping, they go out and eat/drink with each other, etc. They do everything as if it is the last time they will all be together. One of the more touching moments in the movie was when they all get together and make pledges to the sunset in sign language (to be strong, to overcome fears, to protect the ones they love, etc.) - it's incredibly bittersweet. I myself am graduating from college this upcoming June. Man could I relate! Not just with the friendships, but also with all these insecurities: Where am I going in life? Where do I want to work? Do I want to be doing this for the rest of my life? What's my plan? etc.

Acting is A+. I've been a fan of Kou since her Battle Royale days and she's really very good in her role here as a deaf-mute. Different expressions pass across her face effortlessly. Satoshi was just as excellent as the sweet, caring, and handsome Kai. If there is ever a performance that could break your heart, it's this one. Finding someone like that in a lifetime is rare. Their relationship is something special; he doesn't really pity her --since she says she doesn't want to be pitied-- but they really understand each other. Like their souls are interconnected. Sounds lame, but it's true. Satoshi and Kou have amazing chemistry together. The actors playing their friends Akane, Shouhei, and Keita are also excellent. There's even a sweet subplot for their characters, and it's fun to watch the sweet "plain Jane" (Akane, who is very cute, not a plain Jane at all) and the "player" (Shouhei, who is much sweeter than his tough exterior would suggest) fall for each other. I said, "omg cuuute!" quite a few times while watching this show.

I studied Japanese last year, so it was fun to see what I could pick up from the show. I could make out lots of phrases and stuff, so that felt quite nice haha. Plus, you might even pick up some sign language; I know I did! All in all, an excellent J-dorama. One of the best I've watched. Great production value, terrific acting, great story lines, heartwarming. I laughed, I cried, I felt for all of the characters.

10/10

King of Beggars (1992)

Very Enjoyable Although The Ending Gets Sloppy

[8/10 · 14 February 2007]

*** minor spoilers *** I've seen most of Stephen Chow's movies and would rank "King Of Beggars" among his better works. I thought it was a really hilarious film, with a good plot and premise, although the ending feels a bit rushed and sloppy.

Basic plot: Chow plays "So Chan", the very spoiled son of the governor of Canton. He meets a courtesan, Yu-Shang, who tells him she will only have him if he becomes a great kung-fu master. Inspired, So Chan signs up for a "Kung Fu Scholar" tournament, but certain events lead to him being banished and sentenced by the emperor to be a homeless beggar. Chow is particular adept at playing characters who fall from great height only to rise up again, and this is what he does here. When Yu-Shang is kidnapped by a corrupt official in the emperor's cabinet, So Chan attempts to learn kung fu seriously to rescue Yu-Shang.

This is a very funny movie, featuring more of Chow's "moleitau" (nonsense) humor. One of the funniest scenes in the movie is So Chan learning the "sleeping disciple" stance, where he dozes off in between throwing punches and kicks! That really is as funny as it sounds. The fight scenes in this movie are quite good as well. Chow has some martial arts training (due to his admiration of Bruce Lee) and he's really quite convincing in his fight scenes. It's also a nice coming-of-age movie, especially when we see how So Chan deals with his guilt and embarrassment of having fallen to such low depths.

My only problem with the movie is that the ending feels a little rushed. But it still ends conclusively and it's a great ride throughout. This was one of the biggest box office winners in HK when it came out in 1992. It was a very enjoyable film. 8/10

Fight Back to School (1991)

One of Stephen Chow's best films

[10/10 · 7 January 2007]

One of the best Stephen Chow movies. Although it lacks the polish and CGI of his latest efforts, "Shaolin Soccer" and "Kung Fu Hustle," this movie is still hugely entertaining and essential viewing, especially if you like Chow's special brand of "moleitau" (nonsense humor).

Chow plays Star Chow, a cop who goes undercover as a student in order to find a missing gun. He is understandably annoyed, shouting at his senior, "I wanted to be a cop so I didn't have to go to school anymore!" He gets to display a huge range of hilarious, ticked-off expressions. Plot is thin, but who cares: after all, this movie is just a stage for Chow to show off his impeccable comic timing, slapstick, and nonsense humor. The familiar supporting cast is also strong.

Chow has to deal with a myriad of things as an undercover at school: professors that throw chalkboard erasers at him, student gangs and cliques, homework, tests, girls, etc. This is great comic material and Chow rises to the occasion admirably. There's a hilarious scene where he cheats on his Chinese history test by calling up the police station and asking the chief to give him the answers. Other hilarious scenes include him failing to turn in his homework and being subject to public humiliation, fitting in with his classmates, dealing with an absent-minded science professor, and developing a crush on one of his teachers.

Compared the "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Shaolin Soccer," this movie is less accessible to Western audiences because of the abundance of verbal comedy. It is still a very funny movie with tons of slapstick, but it's even funnier if you understand Cantonese because a lot of the comedy comes from Cantonese slang and Chow's intonation. However, I've shown this movie to friends who don't understand Cantonese at all and they have all loved it.

Bottom line: One of Chow's best. This movie is a good example of why audiences love Chow and why he was one of the biggest HK box-office draws in the 90s (he still is a big box office draw). He oozes winning charisma and charm. Laugh-out-loud funny. Highly recommended.

Red Eye (2005)

Well-acted, intelligent, thoroughly enjoyable thriller

[10/10 · 21 August 2005]

Wes Craven's latest offering is also his best, imo (better than "Scream"). "Red Eye" is taut, tense, and terrific, clocking in at a lean 85 minutes. It is engaging throughout – I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, despite most of the movie taking place on a cramped airplane. Very well-acted, smartly-written, and thrilling throughout, "Red Eye" is the perfect summer movie. (It's also a great date movie, because it's fun to have someone to grab onto during some on the scenes.) Lisa Reisert (terrifically played by Rachel McAdams) is waiting around to catch a much-delayed red-eye flight to Miami, to see her father and return to work as a hotel manager after her grandmother's funeral. She meets Jackson Rippner (an excellent Cillian Murphy), who, at first, is very charming, but later reveals his sinister plans for Lisa – if she doesn't comply with his instructions to make some hotel rearrangements, he will have someone kill her dad.

The movie is well-written - infused with black humor, wry observations of airplane travel (annoying/rude passengers, loud kids, etc.), and even an added dimension to Lisa and Jackson's relationship (I don't know – I thought there was something more to the cat and mouse thing, but my friends disagree with me).

Besides the terrific writing, it is also a testament to the acting skills of McAdams and Murphy that they were so terrorized of/terrorizing to each other, since they are seated within a few inches of each other for most of the movie. McAdams is awesome, effectively capturing the intelligence, charm, and strength of her character. She is really blossoming into a major actress. Murphy is just as awesome; he radiates intense creepiness and a weird kind of charm. He and McAdams have amazing chemistry together, effectively playing off each other's strengths and weaknesses. (On a vain note, they are really hot together on screen – and I'd love to see them in a real romantic comedy or another thriller as good as this one.)

In a summer of big, dumb blockbusters, "Red Eye" is a welcome and pleasant surprise. Out of the many movies I've seen this year, this one had the best audience participation, which was half the fun. Don't miss this winner! 9.5/10

Bewitched (2005)

Sometimes enjoyable, but doesn't work as a whole

[5/10 · 8 July 2005]

First, a disclaimer: I've never seen an episode of "Bewitched" and I can't compare this movie to the show. I am reviewing the movie as it stands alone. That said, "Bewitched" is sometimes charming and entertaining, but it cannot sustain the conceit throughout its running time.

Nicole Kidman plays Isabelle Bigolo, a witch who is trying to live a normal life (i.e. get by without using her magic), and who gets the role of Samantha on a "Bewitched" remake. Will Ferrell is Jack White, an egotistic, has-been actor who is trying to break back into the biz with a role as Darren. The running joke in the film is that life imitates art: Isabelle and the unknowing mortal Jack fall in love, just as Samantha and the knowing mortal Darren fall in love on the show. The problem with this film is that it can't sustain this idea and subsequently suffers from pacing problems after establishing this idea. The movie then becomes episodic, and while some of these episodes are charming (Isabelle and Jack's dinner date, Isabelle's talk with her father, the filming of the TV show), they feel too disconnected. The episodic structure of the movie therefore doesn't help the movie in terms of plot, but it does provide opportunity for good acting performances.

Kidman is absolutely delightful in this movie: cheery, light, and charming. She can do the nose-twitch very well (although I obviously cannot compare it to Elizabeth Montgomery's, as I have never seen Bewitched the TV series) and is extremely likable as Samantha. She seems entirely relaxed in her role and wisely knows not to take herself or the movie seriously. Ferrell is his usual (somewhat) funny self, although he tends to stretch those laughs until his antics/histrionics aren't funny anymore. Michael Caine is excellent and lovable as ever as Samantha's dad – a caddish Cassanova of sorts. His ability to infuse wit, humor, charm, and childlike vigor (at the age of 72!) into his role is amusing and loads of fun to watch.

I would only recommend this movie for fans of the actors/actresses involved and for people who don't mind the episodic nature (and somewhat poor pacing) of this movie. The movie can be delightful at times, but not enough times and not consistently. (For lighter – and better – Nicole Kidman fare, I would check out "Stepford Wives," which was enjoyable and solid entertainment throughout.)

About a Boy (2002)

Hugh Grant shines; great coming-of-age movie; bloody hilarious and touching at the same time

[10/10 · 17 June 2005]

In the wonderfully entertaining "About A Boy," Hugh Grant shucks everything that made him famous nearly a decade earlier in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" (the floppy hair, the stuttering, etc.) and ends up giving his best performance to date. He plays Will, a wealthy, happily unemployed, commitment-phobic cad (slightly less insidious than Daniel Cleaver of "Bridget Jones's Diary") whose newest ploy is to date single mothers because they are easier to dump. However, he meets Marcus (Nicholas Hoult), the son of a somewhat suicidal mother (Toni Colette), and realizes that he cannot continue living his life so shallowly.

This film was based on Nick Hornby's wonderful book of the same name and retains much of the wit and touching humor. The early scenes depicting Will's "full," but spiritually empty, life are particularly amusing, with Will dividing the day up into units of time and spending these units on "web-based research" (finding pics of supermodels with see-through tops), "exercise" (shooting pool), grooming, and the like. Grant makes his character irresponsible, but remains enormously likable throughout the film. This is important because we start to identify with him, and understand his fears of commitment and helplessness behind his outward superficiality. His mannerisms—Grant's specialty, I think—are v. entertaining to watch; the selfishness, hurt, anger, recognition and more pass across his face effortlessly. The other cast members– Nicholas Hoult, Toni Colette, and Rachel Weisz – are also v. good in their supporting roles and play off each other well.

The film doesn't follow the book too closely, however, but does one-up on the book by wisely emphasizing some parts that the book downplays. For example, Rachel (played by Rachel Weisz) only appears for a few pages in the book, but has much more presence in the movie. Through the Rachel character, we see how Will's relationship with her is different from his past shallow ones, and we realize that he is growing up. Also, the movie is filled with great one-liners and sharp, witty dialogue that never feels forced. The movie also employs voice-over function (Will's) very nicely; for example, in one serious scene, Will follows the ambulance to the hospital, looking rather serious, but in his voice-over he says. "It was all terrible, just terrible. But driving fast behind the ambulance was fantastic." The character would never say that out loud, but it provides comic relief and the assurance that he is, indeed, very shallow.

The strength of "About a Boy" is in the simplicity and power of its scenes. Not one scene is wasted; each one tells us a wealth about the characters and leads to Will's self-discovery. That, along with Hugh Grant's delightful performance, and backed by a great score from Badly Drawn Boy, make "About A Boy" one of the most delightful, entertaining, and touching movies I've seen. It's a great feel-good movie. Highly recommended, especially to Hugh Grant fans, or anyone who has ever empathized or sympathized with Will and his situation. One of my favorites. 10/10.

Umberto D. (1952)

The best of the Italian neo-realist films

[10/10 · 16 June 2005]

Vittorio DeSica's wonderful "Umberto D" was one of the last films of the Italian neo-realism movement and by far its best one. It is also one of my favorite movies ever. The movie's premise is simple: it is a slice of the life of a poor lonely pensioner, Umberto. Throughout the movie, we see Umberto struggle to find money to pay rent to his horrible landlady, love his dog Flike, and deal with the loneliness and disillusionment of the postwar era.

"Umberto D" is a character-driven film. It works very well because of its sharp observations on loneliness and poignant gestures. The gestures evoke powerful feelings without necessitating dialogue. Many of the scenes, even the ones that do not necessarily advance the plot, are hypnotically beautiful in their simplicity. Take, for example, a beautiful scene where Umberto finally needs to beg for money but cannot physically bring himself to do it. He extends his palm up, but when a passer-by stops to give him money, Umberto quickly flips his hand over, as if testing for rain. The film is full of these small gestures that quietly emphasize the desperate loneliness and poignancy of Umberto's situation.

The acting in this film is absolutely superb. Carlo Battisti, despite having never acted before, is wonderful as the titular character; his face is a fascinating blend of stubborn dignity and weariness of life. Maria Pia-Casilio, who plays the maid, is just as good as evoking life's loneliness and quiet desperation. The supporting cast is also very strong.

One of the very few criticisms I have heard of this film is that it is too sentimental and borderline sappy. While some scenes with Umberto and his dog Flike are sentimental, never is it "too" sentimental. DeSica knows how far he can push his film without making it sappy, and he wisely shows it as it is. Nothing feels forced. The subject material itself and the simplicity in which it is presented will bring tears. (If you don't cry in this movie, you need to have your heart professionally de-thawed.) But "Umberto D" is never dumbed down into sappiness and clichéd corniness. It is a very powerful film.

"Umberto D" is the masterpiece of the Italian neo-realist era. It's a rather bleak and very realistic movie, but it makes some fascinating commentary on the human condition, specifically the loneliness we face. Highly, highly recommended. 10/10.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

V. entertaining – great chemistry between the leads; funny one-liners; best when it tends more toward comedy than action

[9/10 · 11 June 2005]

I went into this movie expecting to be entertained, and I was – very much so. "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" works very well because of the amazing chemistry between the two leads, the ridiculously good-looking Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The film opens with John (Pitt) and Jane (Jolie) Smith in marriage counseling, and apparently, the magic has gone out of their marriage, probably because they can't speak truthfully about their jobs. They don't know that they are both skilled assassins, but when they are hired to do a hit on each other, the truth unravels. The plot is rather brainless, but I realized about ten minutes into the movie that I really didn't care.

The first part of the film is more enjoyable and successful than the second part, mainly because it's fun to watch the Smiths not realize the truth about each other and then dance on eggshells around each other when they think they know the truth. The dialogue is witty, and filled with great one-liners and double entendres. Take, for example, when John and Jane return home for dinner after trying to kill each other, and John says, in response to Jane's question of why he has returned early from his so-called business trip, "I missed you." She replies, matter-of-factly, "I missed you, too." The movie is often very funny, although most laughs come from when they're doing generic couple stuff (like seeing a counselor, eating dinner at home, brushing their teeth, etc.).

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith" relies mostly on the chemistry between Pitt and Jolie, and they have that in spades. The sex appeal literally explodes off the screen, and I wish the film spent more time laboring over the couple-stuff they do and not so much the explosions and action. Jolie has never looked better or more hypnotically beautiful than in this movie, and it's pretty obvious why Pitt's character falls for her almost instantly. I also thought that Jolie was great at making her Jane Smith character a real person; she brings a quiet poignancy to the role. As John Smith, Pitt is wickedly funny and excellent. He gets all the best lines. In the hands of a lesser actor, his lines would sometimes seem corny, but Pitt makes his character believable and extremely likable. The supporting characters (played by Adam Brody, Kerry Washington, and Vince Vaughn) seem a bit wasted, but this is, after all, the Brad and Angelina show.

My main problem with the film is the excessive (and often plodding) action scenes. While it is fun to watch Pitt and Jolie look sexy while doing cool stunts, it gets tiring pretty quickly. This is the primary reason that the last thirty minutes or so of the film aren't as witty or entertaining as the earlier moments in the film. I think the movie could have been improved if there were less physical explosions and mindless action and more of the explosive chemistry in the quieter scenes between Pitt and Jolie.

Despite its flaws, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" is a wonderful way to spend two hours at the theatre. I plan on seeing in again at the theatres. Not a movie for anyone demanding a real plot or serious depth, but a must-see for everyone else! 8.5/10.

Troy (2004)

Rather disappointing – dry dialogue, some terrible casting, screws over Homer's story, visually unexciting

[5/10 · 10 June 2005]

People who have never read Homer's classic story may not be miffed, but as an ardent admirer of the play, I found the movie unfulfilling, unexciting, somewhat dull, and marred by inconsistencies, terrible acting, and bland dialogue. Also, the movie completely alters the nature of several death scenes (or eliminates the death scenes altogether), which will bother people who enjoy the play. The movie focuses much more on Achilles and his own troubles/relationships than it does on Helen and the war fought for her.

Casting Helen of Troy is pretty tricky, especially when people will have such high expectations of her beauty. Diane Kruger, while pretty, failed to meet my expectations as a woman of enough captivating beauty and personality to launch ten thousand ships. Her bland acting and monotone delivery makes her even more unattractive, and I could feel nothing between her and Paris. Orlando Bloom looks the part of Paris – young, naïve, pretty-boy – but his acting is nearly as bad as Kruger's. He is totally unconvincing in all of his scenes. Other supporting characters, like Hector (Eric Bana), King Priam (Peter O'Toole), and Odysseus (Sean Bean), are excellent in their few scenes, saving the movie from being a complete dud. Also, much commotion has been made of Brad Pitt's naked behind, and it's a very nice-looking one, but frankly, I am a bit scornful of his performance as Achilles. He certainly looks the part, but I can't believe how corny he made his lines sound! This is too bad, because Pitt is normally a pretty great actor.

However, the corniness of his delivery may be partially blamed on the terrible dialogue. A line like "Immortality! Seize it, it's yours!" is only one of the few very bad, cheesy lines in this movie, and the movie consequently plays out too soap-opera-ish and too…superficial. There is none of the human pathos (with the exception of Peter O'Toole's scene) that is present in abundance in Homer's story. The movie is also visually unexciting. The CGI is overblown and uninteresting; it looks so artificial and grandiose that, instead of being "epic", it looks rushed and childish. To the movie's credit, though, there are some good fight scenes, notably the one between Achilles and Hector. It is also probably the best because real actors are employed, not computer-generated troops.

Worth a rental, I suppose, but don't expect too much. And probably don't watch it if you are a fan of Homer's books. 5/10.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

great character study and a masterful actors' showcase

[10/10 · 18 May 2005]

Sidney Lumet's "Dog Day Afternoon" is one of the most highly enjoyable and wildly funny movies I've ever seen - smart, sharp, complex, witty (and often quotable) dialogue, and superbly acted. Al Pacino stars as Sonny, an optimistic loser who decides to hold up a bank with his friend Sal (played by the late, great John Cazale) to get money for his lover Leon's sex-change operation.

The film is only worked around a few sequences, and may seem overlong to some, but it works excellently because it is held together by the fantastic acting. Al Pacino is astounding as Sonny, and his work here even eclipses the excellent work he did as Michael Corleone in "The Godfather" (and that's saying something, because I adore that movie and his portrayal). Pacino has the facial tics and the energy and the wide-eyed optimism down pat, and his performance is extremely engaging and entertaining. Take, for example, his scene where he rouses up the crowd against the police by chanting, "Attica! Attica! Put your f---ing guns down!" A lesser actor would have made it insipid, but Pacino makes it oddly poignant and hilarious at the same time. (And he was robbed of his Oscar for his role.) The late John Cazale is also superb as Sal, the dopey-eyed follower, the quiet laid-back calm to Pacino's maniacal energy. It's a less flashier role, but Cazale still brings on all the laughs, especially in his deadpan delivery of the line, "Sonny, they're saying there are two homosexuals in here...I'm not a homosexual."

Frank Pierson won an Oscar for his script for a reason - the dialogue is hilarious, sharp, and witty. Many of the lines in this movie are extremely quotable (and you can check some of them out under "memorable quotes"). This is intelligent writing, in the sense that you will laugh and be moved at the same time.

Great movie! It belongs in your VHS or DVD collection. 10/10

Go (2001)

sweet movie with a good message

[7/10 · 9 April 2005]

I liked this movie, although I didn't love it. The film centers on the prejudice experienced by a Korean teenager living in Japan; he doesn't fit in with Koreans or the Japanese. But he utters many times in the film, "This is my love story," and while he does have a love interest, it is a rather small part. I liked how this film looked at the different tensions of race, life, and love.

The acting was pretty great. The lead actor was very convincing as the teenager who is conflicted between two identities. He overacted the last scene, but there is this one very beautiful scene where he just sits and talks to a police officer. It's pretty awesome: very simple and beautiful. Kou Shibasaki as his love interest is pretty good as well, and she won the Japanese equivalent of the Oscar for her role in this. She makes the most of the relatively short amount of screen time she has, and we can see why the main character would fall in love with her.

Not the best Japanese movie I've ever seen, but still pretty good. Worth your while. 7/10

Dry Wood Fierce Fire (2002)

v. sweet, enjoyable rom com

[9/10 · 24 January 2005]

With a name like "Dry Wood, Fierce Fire", it doesn't exactly pull you in, but this is a romantic comedy worth seeing. It is formulaic but well-executed, with some funny scenes and great performances. The basic plot concerns Alice, a rather eccentric person, who meets and instantly likes Ryan. The two become good friends, but Ryan likes another girl, Michelle, and asks Alice to help him win her heart. Alice agrees, and their friendship grows until it can't possibly be JUST a friendship anymore.

Miriam Yeung is good as Alice, effectively conveying her eccentricities. Sometimes she comes across as annoying, but most of the time, we can relate with her. Alice is a girl who isn't particularly attractive, but has a wonderful heart, and is willing to suppress her own feelings for a guy just to be around him. It's sweet. Louis Koo is WONDERFUL as Ryan. I love how we first meet him: he's walking up the stairs in slo-mo, looking all handsome and macho. He reaches the top of the stairs, takes two steps, and faints. A co-worker looks at him and says (something to the effect of), "Oh, he's fainted again. He was coming up the stairs so slowly, I knew something was wrong." These little effects work wonderfully. THis is the first Louis Koo movie I've seen, and I think he has perfect comedic timing. He's so cute, too.

On the scenes that show Ryan and Alice's friendship growing are so sweet. They shop for furniture and a necklace together, they paint Ryan's apartment together, etc. With some smart writing and wonderful performances, this is a movie you should definitely pick up.

Battle Royale (2000)

EXCELLENT – a mind-blowing exposition of teenage angst

[10/10 · 19 July 2004]

This is, hands down, the BEST MOVIE COMING OUT OF JAPAN IN YEARS. As a reviewer who read the book first and loved it, I had high expectations for this movie and it did not let me down. Here's a quick plot summary: the Japanese government is in chaos. The adults are afraid the youth, who are apparently uncontrollable and boycott school. Therefore, the government institutes 'Battle Royale', a program designed to rein in the youth. A ninth-grade class is randomly selected each year, sent to a deserted island, supplied with weapons, and forced to kill each other until there is one survivor.

I would have thought it difficult for a movie to track all 42 kids. In the book, this is fine since the book is 600+ pages. But this also works very well in the movie since the director somehow gives almost all the characters substantial screen time and v. memorable scenes. He doesn't cut any character short. And even the short scenes have real poignancy. Therefore, we remember almost all the characters, what they did, and how they died.

THE ACTING IS SUPERB. The kids in this movie are played by actors between 15-20 years old. With the exception of one or two, the actors were v. believable and conveyed all the teenage angst, suspicion, hatred, rage, love, goodness, and all the other goodies in the book. Just to mention a few standouts: ERI ISHIKAWA (Yukie Utsumi) is the best actress, best-looking girl, and my favorite in this entire movie. She's perfect as the class representative who tries to calm everyone down but ends up feeling the same suspicion that is doing her classmates in. Her lighthouse scene is the most memorable scene in the film, and in my opinion, one of the best scenes in the history of cinema; just watch her face…aahhhh, that is perfect acting… TAKESHI "BEAT" KITANO (Kitano) is the perfect combination of menace and sympathy as the teacher who sends the kids to their deaths and reads out the names of the dead with phrases like, 'Here is your list of goners! Only 3 dead. You're slacking off, I'm disappointed with you!' I love how emotions can flicker on and off his face; at one point, he can be scary and mean and terrible as hell; at other times, we feel sorry for him! TATSUYA FUJIWARA (Shuya Nanahara) and AKI MAEDA (Noriko Nakagawa) are fantastic as the couple we root for. Aki Maeda, especially, looks adorable in the movie and conveys innocence and purity so well. TARO YAMAMOTO (Shogo Kawada) is one of my fave characters in this movie and is the best bad-ass I've seen in movies for a while. He looks simultaneously tough and soft, which gives him an interesting complex. MASANOBU ANDO (Kazuo Kiriyama) and KOU SHIBASAKI (Mitsuko Souma) are deliciously wicked as the class's two crazy/wild ones, the two that are consciously going out to kill their classmates without remorse. And, on a vain note, SOUSUKE TAKAOKA, who plays the sweet and caring Hiroki Sugimura, is a major hottie.

The DIALOGUE in this movie, like the book, is sometimes cringe-worthy (you know, like, 'Damn! I survived, thanks to my excellent bulletproof vest!!'). However, because it is usually delivered perfectly and on target, I hardly noticed it. (It may also be because the actors were speaking Japanese and I was only reading subtitles because I can't understand Japanese.) Although I did like the book better than the movie (tells you how good the book was since I think the movie is FANTASTIC), there are some moments in the movie that outshine even the book because of the acting and the way the dialogue is delivered. For example, Yukie's LIGHTHOUSE SCENE is much better in the movie than it is in the book. I love the way their voices become delirious and the way their anger escalates (it's nearly palpable!).

Also, the setting is well-done, too. There are a lot of neutral and cool colors like whites, grays, and cool blues that set the mood and provide a contrast for all the bright red blood. That reminds me: this movie has, like the book, been criticized as VIOLENT EXPLOITATION. That is understandable since the movie shows young classmates killing each other in messy, realistic ways, some willfully and some out of fear. The movie is v. bloody and v. violent and sometimes gratuitous. I normally don't like violence, I don't like blood and guts and gore flying everywhere. I really hate those 'Halloween' and 'Freddy' and 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' type movies because blood spills needlessly and in an excessive/stupid way. But 'Battle Royale' is different. The violence will sometimes make your stomach turn, but you'll think, that's the only way it could have been done.

And lastly, I have to praise the way CLASSICAL MUSIC is used in this movie. It's done in a v. artsy way that makes you think about the horrible things you've seen and make sense out of it, and I loved it. The use of Mozart and Giuseppe Verdi's 'DIES IRAE (REQUIEM MASS)' in the opening sequence is especially incredible. It practically lets you know that you're in for a wild, thought-provoking, horrific, unique, and exciting ride. Also, MASAMICHI AMANO (the composer) did a great job on the original music in 'Battle Royale.' I've listened to most of the soundtrack and think every one I've listened to has real poignancy and feeling. The way it is used in the film is even better; it brings even more meaning to what the kids are feeling and what they are doing.

This is an INCREDIBLE movie - a mind-blowing exposition of the minds of teenagers and a fantastic exercise of style. I LOVED this movie. After watching it, you will be thinking about it for days; all the scenes of teenage angst will not leave your mind too easily. I give it my highest recommendation...go watch it right now!!

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Best comic-book movie ever

[10/10 · 1 July 2004]

Ok, saw `Spider-Man 2' today….and absolutely, absolutely LOVED it. Hands down, the best comic-book movie I've ever seen, and that's saying a lot since I HATED the first Spider-Man. Go see this movie, people!! `Spider-Man 2' is everything the first one wasn't (in my opinion) – funny, charming, intelligent, witty, moving, dramatic, well-written, and well-acted.

Yay for the acting!! Although Kirsten Dunst is still annoying, I have to concede she was rather good in this movie. And actually, I'm starting to warm up to Tobey Maguire; he's excellent as Spidey. He captures all the pain and frustration and responsibility of being Spider-Man…am v.v. impressed! Alfred Molina (Dr. Octopus) rocks so much more than the Green Goblin because the screenplay makes him a much more sympathetic character. And James Franco is superb. He is perfect as Harry Osborn. You remember that he still thinks Spidey killed his father, the Green Goblin. Franco is the perfect mixture of menace and friendship, and he's fascinating to watch.

While the acting is very, very good, the key to the movie's success is definitely the screenplay, which (thankfully) was partially written by Michael Chabon, who wrote `The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay' and who knows what comic-book movies are supposed to be like. `Spider-Man 2' details Spidey's fight with Dr. Octopus, but it's also about Spidey growing into his own person, accepting his fate as a superhero, coming to terms with Mary Jane… Unlike `DareDevil' and `Spider-Man 1', we actually associate with superhero/geek in this movie. This is not a freak-of-the-week; this is a real person. There's one particularly moving scene (my favorite scene, actually) in the movie (on a train…nice touch) when they unmask Spidey and someone says, `He's just a kid. He can't be much older than my son.' I even cried a little for Peter Parker, for his being stepped on when he was the Spider-Man, you know?

Everything else – the music, the CGI, the action scenes, the cinematography, costume design – is PERFECT. The music was the only thing I liked about the first one, and it is developed even further here, in a good way (you go, Danny Elfman!!) I was also one of those people who thought the CGI of the first one sucked, but the CGI in this movie is awesome. Dr. Octopus, especially, is incredible; the octopus legs sound so ridiculous, but they look really cool on the big screen. Maybe it is because I liked this movie about ten thousand times better than the first one, but I thought the action sequences were crazy good!

There is just way too much to praise about this movie. I can even celebrate the opening credits (rather pathetic, I know) for recapping the entire first movie in comic-book drawings (v.v. nice touch). Even the movie poster is one of the best I've seen in a really long time. It's a great movie...go see it, everyone!! Easily a 10/10.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

easily the best movie so far in the series

[10/10 · 1 July 2004]

"Azkaban" was VERY impressive...I loved it. Of course, it wasn't as good as the book, and the 3rd book is my absolute favorite in the series. But still, enchanting and wonderful all the same. (I can't believe what Roger Ebert wrote in his review; he wrote some crazy stuff about this 3rd movie not being as good as the first two. I disagree completely; this 3rd movie is easily the best. Lots of heart.) Mind you, it will probably be difficult to follow if you haven't read the book, but if you have, this is what the movies are supposed to be about.

Great, impressive acting in this movie, from all the adult actors (props especially to the new people Emma Thompson (Trelawney), David Thewlis (Lupin) and the always wonderful Gary Oldman (Sirius Black)...they were great) and surprisingly from all the kid actors too. I think Hermione and Harry are hot; whereas they were kids in the first two movies, they are turning into physically beautiful/handsome teens. Ron was good as always and is responsible for some of the funniest moments in the film. What I also liked about this movie was that a lot of it dealt with the kids going through puberty and their fears/pains of being 13. It was very sexually-loaded...there are some scenes between Hermione and Ron and Harry that are incredible to watch, not because I'm a kinky person, but because it was so beautiful.

The look and feel of this movie are also wonderful. The setting (using cooler, blue and gray shades) and cinematography are totally awesome...it's a darker, scarier Harry Potter world, but still with a lot of charm. This movie is also far funnier than the other two, even though it deals with a lot more serious stuff. Also impressive: the CGI was neato. There's this cool thing that the Whomping Willow does that jockeys at the use of the CGI. (And a lot of it looks real...there's none of the fakey, used-car salesman kind of thing that they used in "Troy" with those terrible CGI armies.)

In short, "Azkaban" ROCKS!!!! It's a wonderful movie and you should see it at least once on the big screen. Nothing short of magical. 10/10, definitely.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

In one word – WOW!!!!

[10/10 · 25 April 2004]

This is an incredible movie – smart, witty, sexy, sharp, and beautiful all at the same time. There are some gripes about this story not having a story, which is totally not true. The plot revolves around The Bride (a superb Uma Thurman), who was shot and left for dead during her wedding. `Kill Bill' tracks her revenge on two of the five assassins: Vernita Green (Vivica Fox) and O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu, who totally redeems herself for her two mindless `Charlie's Angels' movies). I concede that so far, it looks like a revenge movie; however, I haven't seen Volume 2 yet, which develops the story even more and fleshes out its characters.

Still, even if Volume 1 just shows Uma Thurman getting her revenge on her assassins, it's a great film. Quentin Tarantino, a master of technique, uses his knowledge of 1970s Shaw Brothers Hong Kong kung-fu movies to create a beautiful work of art. It isn't meant to be realistic; it's meant to be extraordinary. The fight scenes are over-the-top and the fruit-punch blood spurts like geysers but this movie isn't really `violent,' per say. It's so unrealistic (in a good way) that it's ironic, satirical, and funny. Tarantino's style pokes fun at, celebrates, and transcends the kung-fu movies. His writing is also often quirky, colorful, funny, and sometimes dead serious. It's a lovely combination.

If you want more examples of Tarantino's total dedication to his work, look at where he chooses to set his scenes and what kind of music he picks. Just because the movie is violent doesn't mean that Tarantino doesn't have a sense of beauty. He knows what he's doing, and one only needs to look at his use of an elegant, quiet, snow-covered garden for O-Ren Ishii and the Bride's final fight. There is also an incredibly moving and exciting anime sequence in the movie. Also, the use of the MUSIC is absolutely incredible, and one of my favorite aspects of this movie. I can't say enough good things about it. In one scene where O-Ren is being driven to the restaurant, the trumpets in the background music perfectly match the light that passes on O-Ren's face. Everything is timed so perfectly. Music is so important to this movie; you'll feel your adrenaline go right up just hearing it. It's really that good.

There is great acting in this movie…I can't think of a single character that didn't intrigue me. To single a few of them out, though: Uma Thurman gives an amazing performance. I loved how she could alternate from being funny, sexy, serious, charming, and deadly so easily… She kicks major butt in this movie, but she isn't exactly just a stereotypical, generic, tough action girl. There's a real brain and a real heart behind her character. Also, Lucy Liu (O-Ren Ishii) is so good in this movie, I personally think Tarantino should make another movie just about her. She is a character so rich and so complex, it would be a travesty to just call her only a `villain' or `The Bride's adversary.' And besides, some of the best scenes in `Kill Bill' featured O-Ren Ishii and her posse. My personal favorite character in `Kill Bill' has got to be Gogo Yubari (Chiaki Kuriyama), O-Ren's teenage bodyguard. Kuriyama plays Gogo with fun menace…I loved the fact that she was young, beautiful, and crazy. Just watch her in the few scenes she has…she just oozes coolness. It's that combination of the school-girl outfit, smallish stature, youngish face, long straight black hair, and beautiful deadly eyes that is just awesome. Suffice to say, I also think Tarantino should make another movie about Gogo, too. Heck…most of the main characters are so awesome and complex that Tarantino could make another movie out of any of them.

`Kill Bill' is one entertaining, beautiful, smart, exciting visual bonanza. Don't pay too much attention to the people who gripe about the lack of story and excessive violence. Whatever it may be, Tarantino has presented pure storytelling at its finest. It's now one of my favorite movies ever. I loved it very, very, very much. 10/10

A Tale of Two Cities (1980 TV Movie)

Convincing and very enjoyable historical fiction

[10/10 · 25 April 2004]

First things first: I have to say I have never read Charles Dicken's book, but after seeing this movie, I'll be stopping by the state library to pick it up. This is a GREAT movie - enjoyable, moving, and historically convincing. (My history teacher made us watch it to see what the French Revolution (especially the Reign of Terror) was like.)

After reuniting with her father, Dr. Manette (they had been separated from each other for many years), Lucie Manette goes back to England, where she meets a handsome stranger, Charles Darnay. Darnay is really Charles Evremonde, a French aristocrat who disdains his vain and arrogant uncle and who runs away from France. They fall in love and marry. But there is an English lawyer, Sydney Carton, who also loves Lucie. When Darnay returns to France to save his servant, he is thrown into prison and besieged by all the foolishness and speculation of the French Revolution. I won't divulge any more of the story to you.but I have to say the ending is really, really great. It's so moving that I can't watch it without crying at least a little. (Yeah, I cried when we were watching it at school, and hopefully no one saw me.)

For others who know the story, I can't tell you if the movie lives up to the book, but I do think the movie is a very convincing depiction of what happened during the French Revolution. Madame DeFarge, one of the `revolutionaries' (ha!), embodies the spirit of the common people during the Revolution. She felt it was absolutely necessary to kill a lot of nobles, even if they were innocent and had done nothing wrong. In the court scenes, we see how unfair the French tribunals are; defendants are barely given the chance to speak and they are convicted on little evidence and a lot of speculation. (The film compares the French court to the English court, which is infinitely more just.) We see the so-called anti-Revolutionaries being marched to the guillotine.it's a very moving moment. The film works very well because it doesn't lose any part of the story or the historical background. They work very nicely together.

To single out someone for acting, I have to commend the talented Chris Sarandon, who played Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay. That must have been really hard to do, especially since Darnay gets everything he wants and Carton doesn't. It's great acting. However, Sarandon manages to stay on course and the results are wonderful. He manages to combine jealousy, love, and strength all in the same gaze.

A WONDERFUL film.it gets your anger going, pulls on your heartstrings, and keeps you perfectly enraptured through the entire running time. I loved this movie. 10/10

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

A movie I admired more than liked

[8/10 · 10 April 2004]

The plot is original: Joel finds out that Clementine has erased him from her memory. In revenge, he tries to have her erased from his memory, but then realizes he doesn't want to lose all the memories of her. The movie doesn't follow a chronological sequence; it is one of those movies where everything makes sense at the end. I usually like movies that keep me guessing till the end, but this isn't one of them. I mean, I liked it, but I didn't love it. It's a movie that I admire more than like.

I know people will disagree with me, but one of the reasons for my lukewarm approval of the movie is, simply, it tries too hard to be smart. Don't get me wrong, it is a smart movie with some terrific writing, but as the movie wore on, I sort of lost patience with it. For example, there are many scenes showing Joel and Clementine's relationship that are deliberate placed out of order. For the first hour or so, it worked for me because it was interesting, and I had never seen anything like it. But I felt some scenes just felt out of place…if you can understand the `humiliation' scene, please explain it to me.

Despite my reservations with the plot, I thought the movie was very well-acted. Jim Carrey gives a great, nuanced performance – sad, happy, tired. He looks very weathered in the movie and it works here. Kate Winslet also gives a great performance. Her impulsive, spunky Clementine is the perfect compliment to Carrey's despair. The supporting characters are also fantastic, particularly Tom Wilkinson as the doctor, and Elijah Wood and Mark Ruffalo as his assistants. I didn't like Kirsten Dunst, though; she irritated the hell out of me.

Don't let my opinions stop you from seeing this movie. It's one of those movies that you like a lot or you like a little. And, to its credit, it's the most original movie so far this year. The most enjoyable? Maybe not.

Ella Enchanted (2004)

Very enjoyable - funny, witty, smart, and definitely "enchanting"

[8/10 · 10 April 2004]

I have to agree with Roger Ebert (which I seldom do) on this one: `Ella Enchanted' is the best family film so far this year. I liked it a lot. The writing is smart and witty. The setting is stylistic without feeling plastic-y. The characters are daffy and very likable.

When she was a baby, Ella of Frell was given the `gift' (haha) of obedience by the fairy Lucinda. Ella must do exactly as she is told, all the time. As she grows older, her gift (curse, really) poses problems when her widowed father remarries a snotty, stuck-up woman. The woman has two stepdaughters who uncover Ella's secret gift and use it against her. Ella finally decides to go out to find Lucinda and make her take back her gift. Along the way, she campaigns for the rights of ogres, giants, and elves, and falls in love with a handsome prince.

A plot like that leaves a lot of room for adaptation to the big screen. Now, I haven't read the book (so I can't say if the movie `lives up' to the book) but I will say that the screenwriters did a terrific job. The script is often funny and very witty. (One of the funniest scenes is when Ella is in the giants' bar and reacting to their orders of `sing', `put some soul into it,' and `dance'.you don't want to miss this scene!) I also thought the pacing was excellent; I never felt bored and the movie lasted just the right amount of time. The look of this movie is also delightful, refreshing and easy on the eyes. Although everything is fairytale-like, from the buildings to the costumes, there is a sense of modernity that adds quirky style to the story.

Despite the excellent writing and style, a movie like this can't succeed if we don't like the heroine, Ella. Well, the movie does succeed wonderfully because Anne Hathaway, who plays Ella, is likable, intelligent, charming, and beautiful. She is luminous with a big, funny smile. Hathaway's sweetness is one of the reasons why we are so entertained by the movie. (Imagine if Hilary Duff, who is not likable, not charming, and not as beautiful, played Ella. We'd probably wouldn't feel any sympathy for a ditzy, verbally-challenged, Hilary Duff version of Ella, and the movie would probably be awful.)

Another reason this movie is so successful is its wealth of supporting characters. Prince Charmont (Hugh Dancy) is handsome, sweet, and also ver y likable. Dancy's chemistry with Hathaway is quite something to behold; these are two people so likable and sweet that we want very much for them to be together. Also adding to the delightful daffiness of the plot are Slannen the Elf (Aiden McArdle), Benny the Talking Book (Jimi Mistry), the evil Prince Edgar (Cary Elwes), his talking snake Heston, the household fairy Mandy (Minnie Driver), and Ella's two stepsisters Hattie and Olive. Although Hathaway is the clear star of the movie, the supporting characters add a real emotional depth to the story.

Music is also a pretty big part of this movie and it works to a large extent, jazzing the movie up and inspiring the characters. This is a really great movie; I think anyone - children and adults - would like it a lot. You'll have a ball.

Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Delightful, witty, and sexy – a TRIUMPH!

[10/10 · 10 February 2004]

As a huge fan of the books, I had incredibly high expectations of the movie. In order for the movie to work for me, it had to capture Bridget's plucky-heroine character and the hilarious-poignant emotions that are in the book. Needless to say, `Bridget Jones's Diary' the movie worked very, very, very well. Although Helen Fielding also wrote the screenplay (w/ Richard Curtis, very skilled with romantic comedies) and keeps the laughs coming, this movie could have fallen flat on its face. But it doesn't because one, the casting is absolutely divine and two, smartly builds on some elements the book downplays.

Renee Zellweger is absolutely perfect as Bridget Jones. She has always been one of my favorite actresses and here, she totally displays Bridget's pathetic cuteness. Zellweger gained weight for this role, too, so she looks adorably plump. It's very, very hard to not fall in love with her the moment you see her at her family's Christmas party or drinking alone at home or listening to sad, Celine Dion music. (You have a heart of stone if you aren't moved to laughs or tears or pity for her.) I can't imagine anyone else playing Bridget Jones. Zellweger fits the role because she is very much normal and approachable…we can relate to her.

As Daniel Cleaver (her caddish Cassanova lover/boss), Hugh Grant is smoldering and hilarious. (Ok, I might be a little biased because I've been in love with him for ages and ages, but you can't deny he is a great comedic actor.) There's no trace of his stuttering that we saw (and I loved) in `Four Weddings and a Funeral' or `Sense and Sensibility.' Grant morphs effortlessly into a cad that we all love to hate and all love to love. Yes, it's a paradox, but that is what Grant brings to his role. He makes being `bad' look so sexy. You can't take your eyes off him; he brings his own humor to his role. It's lovely, smoldering, and incredibly sexy.

Colin Firth is also a delight to watch onscreen as Mark Darcy (I think I might be in love with him, too). He is also sexy and smoldering, but not in the same wild, fiery way as Daniel Cleaver. Firth brings a very cute sweetness to his role. I don't know if it is his adorable face or his hair or the way he dresses or just the fact that he is a major sex symbol, but you can't help but fall in love with him the MOMENT you see him onscreen. There is also one very beautiful moment where he tells Bridget, `I like you very much…just the way you are.' It's incredibly romantic and, for me, ranks right up there with Tom Cruise's `You complete me' in `Jerry Maguire.' He also has rather explosive chemistry with Renee Zellweger, which is moving and sexy all at the same time. (And, of course, the author Helen Fielding used Colin Firth as the basis for Mark Darcy, so it all works out marvelously.)

I also mentioned that the movie smartly builds on some elements that the book downplays. Yes, there are certain parts of the movie that cannot be found in the book, but I'm still glad they put them in the movie. Most of what they added doesn't necessarily build on plot but it does add to the characters. I don't want to give anything away because it's rather hilarious what unfolds onscreen. The movie is filmed in an almost Ally McBeal type of way but it remains true to the sincerity, cuteness, and pathetic naivete that Bridget Jones embodies. There are no pretensions. It's an entirely wonderful film. 10/10

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

my favorite movie of 2003 - entertaining, lovely

[10/10 · 19 January 2004]

Undoubtedly one of the most entertaining, fun, rousing, and exciting adventure-movies of the year, `Pirates' is far better than you think it is. Basically, it is about a pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) who teams with Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) to rescue a maiden Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and seize back `The Black Pearl,' now captained by Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). The exact plot is rather difficult to explain but not difficult to understand. Even though it is based on a Disneyland ride and produced by Jerry `Kaboom!' Bruckheimer, `Pirates' succeeds because it's so full of charm, humor, wit, and absolutely terrific ensemble acting.

Almost every single existing review of this movie commends Johnny Depp for his funny, original, and wacky take on Captain Jack Sparrow. And that commendation is well deserved; Depp looks like he's having a lot of fun and he's inviting the audience to share it. His numerous and hilarious facial expressions are worth the price of admission alone! (He truly is one of the most talented and under-appreciated actors of today…he is totally awesome; I can't say enough good things about him.) Because Depp steals every single scene he is in, many critics haven't left room to write about a number of other really terrific performances in the movie. Geoffrey Rush is funny, over-the-top, and pitch-perfect as Captain Barbossa. There is one scene where Rush shines more radiantly than anyone else on the cast: when he is forcing Elizabeth and Captain Jack to walk the plank, Rush har-har-hars and swishes his sword and also has the funniest facial expressions. I also enjoyed the performance of Jack Davenport, as Commodore Norrington; he provided the perfect counterpart of the craziness of Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbossa. `Pirates' is clearly focused on character acting, which the director and screenwriters have obviously held to be of more importance than explosions and cannons and skewering of people (although there is lots of that too).

To comment (to PRAISE, actually) on a few other things, I think the screenwriters did a fine job of mixing wit and humor into almost every single line of this movie. Captain Jack and Barbossa clearly have the best lines and I can't remember a time where I laughed more in a movie. Also, the violence is tame and rather harmless; I appreciated that. There is nothing too graphic. The visual imagery is absolutely superb and the set design is fantastic; the costumes (especially the pirates costumes) were genuine-looking and looked really well on the actors. It's total eye-candy. And lastly, I can't say enough good things about the music. Klaus Bedelt's score is heroic, bold, and entirely memorable. The music accompanied the movie perfectly but still sounds perfectly marvelous even without the movie.

Everyone involved in the `Pirates' production ought to be incredibly proud for bringing such a magnificent adventure to the big screen. I can't wait until the sequel! `Pirates' is definitely my favorite movie of 2003.

The Last Samurai (2003)

one of the most moving movies of 2003

[10/10 · 19 January 2004]

I love this movie. It's a brilliant, well-made, moving epic. The movie focuses on a disgraced man, Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), who has nightmares about being ordered to kill innocent American Indians. He is enlisted to help train the `modern' Japanese army to fight against the samurai, who are in rebellion. In the time he spends with the samurai, learning from them, he learns something about honor and ultimately, about himself.

The storyline is fantastic, merging great action scenes with a moving story about a man's journey to find his honor. The battle scenes are convincing and exciting; one battle scene involving a surprise attack on the samurai had my heart going. Hans Zimmer's music is bold and original; sometimes the music alone brought me to tears. I haven't heard too much of his work before (it's a travesty, I know!) but I love his work here.

The acting is top-rate. Tom Cruise is superb as Nathan Algren, embodying the conflict, pain, anguish, and honor of his character. We feel his pain and understand why he eventually decides to fight with the samurai. (His performance is one of my favorites all year…he's a deserving contender for that Golden Globe.) And Ken Watanabe is phenomenal as Katsumoto, the leader of the samurai. He plays Katsumoto with a lot of grace and nobility, and I appreciated that. Watanabe is nominated for a supporting actor Golden Globe and SAG award and he totally deserves both of them. His portrayal of Katsumoto is bold, funny, and heartbreaking. Undeniably one of my favorite movies of the year and the one that touched my heart the most, `The Last Samurai' deserves many, many awards. It made me laugh, cry (a lot), and truly understand honor. (Props also to Tom Cruise and Koyuki (Taka) for creating one of the sexiest moments in the movies this year - without the actual sex.) 10/10