infinito2345 Reviews

Sonatine (1993)

Welcome to a new genre of movie making

[10/10 · 26 January 2007]

Well first of all kitano started a new genre of movie making with sonatine…….I would like to propose a takeshi kitano trilogy to anyone new to his movies……First would be violent cop(directed in 1989)…….then comes sonatine(directed in 1993)…then comes hana-bi(directed in 1997)……..Well the greatness about kitano's movies is that they show the state of his mind…they are truly personal…..violent cop being his earliest effort is very raw……hana-bi being a later effort was extremely well polished and complete…but sonatine was directed at a time when kitano was contemplating suicide……It shows the disturbed state of his mind…..It is like a modern version of Samuel Beckett's "waiting for Godot"….minimalistic dialog philosophical long shots and bursts of violence…….I think it depicts the state of a mind driven to an edge......You watch this movie when you are happy you perceive it differently…you watch it when you are sad you will perceive it differently…….It remains in your memory long after the final scene……..It is a visceral experimentation with a subject which movies rarely touch, suicide…………It is kitano at his best and according to me the one of the greatest movies of the nineties……And the background track from Joe hisashi mesmerizing……..All in all if someone cannot appreciate this movie then they it means they cannot appreciate art……..Their minds are so consumed by the commercial formulaic jargon(manufactured emotions and exaggerated relationships) coming out of the stables of large film industries like :- Hollywood, hong Kong(martial arts wi-fi flicks) etc. that they cannot appreciate true gems like this one…….

Finally this movie was a commercial failure in Japan (even Japanese themselves find it hard to appreciate Kitano)……..But when it was shown to famous French film critic Alain Delon , He was taken aback by kitano's acting and is quoted to have said :- "what's THAT? [...], this is not an actor [...], he only got three facial expressions and he almost doesn't talk on top of this". At the same time he was both fascinated and puzzled by this new genre of movie making. Finally In 1995, Sonatine entered the 13th Festival Du Film Policier De Cognac (Thriller Film Festival of Cognac) in France, where it was critically acclaimed and got some recognition it truly deserved…….

I would give this movie a ten on ten……thank you……..

A History of Violence (2005)

Not my kind of movie ...but I still give it 10

[10/10 · 13 May 2006]

Violence and emotion never get along together...... The one complaint i have is that viggo mortenson is depicted to be a superhuman being who seems to even dodge bullets and mutilate people.... Maybe they could have depicted the scenes in a more realistic manner.... Also I don' mind excessive violence(i really loved kill bill).But i was not able to sympathize with Mortenson's character.I mean i couldn't understand if he was good or evil...he seemed to be a little of both.... Or maybe that is where the greatness of the film lies..i think you can decide for yourself...

It is a fast paced and entertaining movie..but it is too short to form any solid character sketches.Also the sex scenes were completely unnecessary...they seemed to be put to simply attract the audience....

For example look at taxi driver...there we can sympathize with de niro's character and the cause for violence is justified...but here causes are blurred and characters are blurred....

Highly recommended for entertainment and performances.....But the film seems to lack something...a soul.

Or what i mean to say is if the film depicted reality then i think i am better of dead.It left me disturbed.

Jarhead (2005)

great premise...but could have been much better

[7/10 · 27 April 2006]

I had an opportunity to read the novel "jarhead:the marine chronicles" ....while in the novel the complete psychological breakdown of anthony swafford is depicted in a brutally realistic manner,The film omits most of these portions.It abruptly stops at a certain point and leaves a lot to be desired.It starts off in a very promising fashion and holds your interest for about ninety minutes but slacks off towards the end.Somehow i was slightly disappointed.....

However maybe by fine tuning it a little bit more sam mendes could have created a masterpiece surpassing apocalypse now....His previous venture American beauty is a masterpiece of all sorts.....

Even though the movie does not have long drawn out battle scenes like saving private ryan or taegukgi....it does manage to deliver the psychological punch with it's use of visceral profanity and realistic depiction of the lives of marines....

But i would not even think of putting it alongside great war movies like full metal jacket,platoon,deer hunter,SPR,taegukgi etc......

And i was pleasantly surprised with jack gyllenhal's performance..he is one actor we should watch out for.

All in all recommended viewing for great cinematography,visuals and realism..but there is something lacking,The film will leave you asking for more...it falls short of the expectations which it sets for itself....

The Matador (2005)

Surprisingly original...insanely twisted and funny

[8/10 · 27 April 2006]

A strangely compelling movie which will keep you hooked on for it's entire length.A fantastically improbable performance from pierce brosnan who manages to give a comic twist to the character of a die hard hit-man.The chemistry between him and Greg kinnear reminded me so much of the chemistry between billy crystal and de niro in analyze this.

Thje scene where brosnan talks about swapping wives was one of the funniest scenes i have ever scene.I always think that most Hollywood movies are formulaic and too predictable,but this one manages to avoid these pitfalls and comes up with some fresh and original content.

I am a person who gets offended easily and i did get occasionally offended by the heavy use of profanity.This is the only complaint i have about this movie.

The movie is sick,twisted,touching and funny at the same time. All in all definitely a movie worth watching..excellent cinematography,great performances,and above all original....overall the movie delivers.

Once Upon a Time in High School: The Spirit of Jeet Kune Do (2004)

Combining drama and martial arts

[9/10 · 23 March 2006]

I felt this movie was awesome.People described it as the experience faced by highscoolers during the military regime days of south Korea but for me it was different.It seemed like a well sketched out story spiced up with some really good and brutally realistic martial art seqences.The transformation undergone by every character is depicted realistically.It is a story of friendship,first love,betrayal and revenge.And the final scene on the roof with nanchakus tops it all...a brilliantly realistic close combat scene...you can watch the entire movie just for that one scene.Excellent performances throughout."spirit of jeet kune do" is a winner all the way.

P.S. By the way am i the only non-korean seeing and reviewing all of the great south korean films like taegukgi,marathon,failan etc.I would be happy if this movie gets a broader international release,at least to American audiences.

Marathon (2005)

A Beautiful Dream Called Life

[10/10 · 17 March 2006]

Well this is a movie about personal struggle of a mother and her son who is diagnosed with autism.I mean i am tired of seeing all these meaningless romantic comedies which are churned out these days.This movie simply the story of these two persons and how they navigate through their lives against all odds.It evokes the deepest of your emotions with it's brutal honesty and simplicity.It is about a disabled person who runs to find meaning in his life.It is a story of the triumph of human spirit.I am really surprised that they make movies like these anymore.I definitely assure you that watching this movie will change your life.A brilliant masterpiece about the indomitable human spirit.Fantastic performances from all the cast.Compelling and powerful.Highly recommended.

P.S. I truly broke down after seeing this movie.I sobbed my heart out and felt strangely happy about it afterwards.

A Family (2004)

tender and beautiful

[9/10 · 12 March 2006]

The film explores the tender and beautiful relationship between a father and his daughter.I Have only heard about family ties in Korea.They must be really strong.I didn't find it as powerful as failan but nevertheless it had a tremendous depth beneath the surface.The background music excellently complemented the emotional scenes.I was left with a strange happy glow in my heart after watching the movie.After watching few korean movies,I am really beginning to develop genuine respect for the values which they cherish in their society.

Korean movie makers are making excellent movies which are realistic,well directed,excellent photography,cinematography and editing.Even acting seems to be on par with Hollywood.

I will be really happy if movies like these are released and screened worldwide.They truly deserve it.

Please do see :- "taegukgi" and "failan" if you want me to recommend other great korean movies.

Failan (2001)

A droplet of love........in a lifetime of hatred

[10/10 · 28 December 2005]

Let me start by saying that this is the most touching film i have ever seen.I am from India and i have seen quite a few korean films like taegukgi,3-iron etc. But this is absolutely th most emotionally compelling film i have ever seen.

The film is the story of kang-jae(portrayed brilliantly by Min-sik Choi).He is a seedy gangster who has no concern for others and is even despised by his own minions in his gang.While his friend grows up to be the leader of the gang he continues to remain a low-level gangster.

Failan(a touching role by cecilia cheung) is an immigrant from china who finds out that her relatives have left Korea.She is forced to marry kang-jae to stay in Korea.She never gets to see kang-jae and ultimately dies of a disease.

The greatest achievement of this movie lies in portraying the love story between two persons who never meet each other.kang-jae sees failan's photo for the first time after her death and he starts reading her letters.In her letters he senses her humanity and respect for him.He finds a small window of peace in an eternity of darkness.

This paragraph may be a spoiler but my review would be incomplete without it.The final scene in which kang-jae is strangulated while watching a video of Failan singing taken while she was alive just crushed my heart.It is the most beautiful and piognant scene which will continue to linger in my mind for a long time to come.

I have seen Min-sik Choi in chihwaseon but this is his best performance to date.If any of you want to see a movie about life,a movie about the true beauty of life then watch this one.I you want to see a movie which touches the deepest layers of your heart then see this one.

A painting of hope on a canvass of hatred and despair................

My rating :- 10/10

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

One of the greatest war dramas of all time

[10/10 · 8 October 2005]

I had always been a great avid reader of the Japanese retreating struggle and the ultimate defeat of world war 2.I had read the user reviews and downloaded this movie from a bittorrent file.This is without doubt the most emotionally heartbreaking film of all time.The piognancy of the siblings struggle to survive the American bombings is elevated beautifully by an extraordinary background track.I had always read about kamikaze,kaiten and mass suicide attacks organized by Japanese in order to adapt to the superior allied firepower and wondered about the will of these amazing people(Japanese).After seeing this movie i realized that they were just victims of a cruel empire.They fought without hesitation for their emperor sacrificing their livelihood adopting extremist suicide tactics.But for what end.They were just driving themselves to extinction against an army with greater numerical and technical superiority for the sake of a meglomaniac(emperor hirohito).I have always been a great fan of anime like Naruto and FullMetalAlchemist,but they pale in comparison to the simplicity and directness of 'Hotaru no Haka'.An absolute masterpiece of an anime,A must see for anybody interested in seeing a different movie.This movie neither eulogises Americans nor Japanese.It just shows war from the viewpoint of a boy called setsuko.Just spare your time and watch this brutally honest film,I am damn sure you will not be disappointed.This movie is undoubtedly one of japan's greatest contributions to the movie industry.

Naruto (2002–2007)

The story of a true underdog ... Naruto

[10 July 2005]

well this is an amazing story based on the Japanese manga .... The characterizations are rich and the plot is excellently developed .... Though it may be slightly predictable ...and sometimes the comedy sucks ..... the fights and music tracks are quite awesome ..... this is the true story of an underdog...naruto ... recognized by no one and hated by everyone...for possessing no ninja skills and a demon fox trapped inside him ...... how he battles with his sheer will and determination against insurmountable odds to achieve a goal he set for himself is poignantly portrayed in the series ..... the series drags slightly in between but picks up pace and becomes heavily addictive later on ..... Maybe there is a naruto in all of us ...maybe there is a fighting spirit deep within us which can never be extinguished .. this wonderful Japanese anime is a tribute to this amazing attribute inherent in everyone of us .... it tells about friendship,loyalty,courage and unselfishness ... it tells about arrogance,deception and hatred .... it is a journey of varying emotions ... it is the story of a true underdog called naruto ..... don't miss this amazing anime ... i rate it 8.7/10

The Killing Fields (1984)

A movie about loyalty and inner strength

[9/10 · 18 June 2005]

I was surprised that this movie was taken in 1984 ..... It is a exquisitely poignant and beautiful movie about the survival of a single person during the khmer rouge riots in cambodia ..... highly recommended .... it will definitely touch your innermost emotions and feelings... very very realistic and only once so often do true gems like this one come .... great performances coupled with a fantastic storyline make this movie quite unique ....anyone absolutely anyone can appreciate this film ....Dont miss this one it is better than the over hyped schindler's list .....Dont miss it cause movies like this come rarely and they will remain etched in the memories forever ... a truly powerful movie .... highly recommended

American Beauty (1999)

Beautiful and Touching

[9/10 · 1 June 2005]

The movie is really great. I am a great fan of Kevin Spacey . He really gives an extraordinary performance as Lester Burnham. Annete Benning does an amazing job to do justice to a really complicated role . Also to be noted is the performance by wes bently. I have never seen this actor before in any other movie and his performance really moved me . He acted really well and his character in the movie is really heartwarming. In spite of being suppressed and hated by others for his geekiness only Jane(thora birch) understands the hidden compassion and character in him. Some of the dialougues and scenes in the movie are memorable and can be watched any number of times. Kevin spacey's exceptional performance guides this movie and makes it a true American masterpiece . The movie is really great because it showcases true human beings. It is not a feel good movie rather it is very realistic and at the end of the movie you will find your heart going out for lester burnham.The movie is very human and the movie is really beautiful.Please see this movie whether you like drama movies or not.It will make you cry and it will leave a warm glow in your heart.It is a movie about life.

Rocky (1976)

A story about indomitable human spirit

[9/10 · 27 May 2005]

This is the story of a human spirit ... This is not a boxing movie ... This is a story not about winning but about going the distance ...... This is a story of survival against all odds ... This is the story of one Rocky Balboa an Italian stallion ... A fighter who according to his coach has a heart but no talent . So many times in life we give up due to self pity .... we think that what we have is not enough .... This is all bullshit ... we only need to try our level best and give our best shot ... in whichever profession or career you are in when up against insurmountable odds just go the distance even if u fall short of success it doesn't matter... u r still a winner ...... Rocky ends with this amazing moral ... Watching Sylvester stallone in this movie made me wonder if it is the same actor i saw in his later pathetic productions ..... This is his one and only good film the sequels to rocky are the same hollywoodish feel-good movies not really worth watching ... some of the moments and dialougues in the movie stuck to my heart and made me cry ....... Stallone give the performance of his lifetime as rocky balboa a man who is criticized by even his closest friends as a no good bum. The final boxing scene is very realistic ... the movie on the whole is very realistic ... this movie is about a true champion ... a core fighter at heart ..... it is the story of an underdog who lives his dream ... it is the story of a free spirit ...... embark on an emotional journey of a lifetime with stallone ...he didn't need to act in this movie he was just rocky .... A definite must see movie ... if you ever feel down and out in life watch this movie i guarantee u that it will change your life

Downfall (2004)

A German Masterpiece

[10/10 · 27 May 2005]

This movie is perfect ... Please watch it ... for everyone and everybody ... no idiotic hollywoodish emotions .... the movie is perfect.. no unnecessary scenes everything is precise and perfect ..... much superior to almost all Hollywood productions ...Bruno ganz gives a heart wrenchingly realistic performance as fuhrer in his last days ..... Most importantly this movie shows Germans as humans ... not as villains and persecutioners as reflected by many Hollywood productions ..... They were just humans under extraordinary circumstances trying to live out an extraordinary dream set forth by an extraordinary person ..... This movie shows Hitler as a human ... not as an inhuman butcher ... it shows his greatness .... and Bruno ganz definitely deserves an Oscar for his amazing performance ....

Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

Movie which just falls short of greatness

[7/10 · 17 May 2005]

It is a very realistic movie ... all the war scenes are realistic ..... The storyline is good and picturisation and cinematography are mind blowing ... it can even be compared to an art movie depicting the struggle for Jerusalem ..... somehow yet the movie seems void of any meaning .... ... mind u the movie fails where movies like taegukgi,saving private Ryan and platoon succeeded.... the characterization is there but the movie does not deliver any solid message .... gladiator also directed by ridley Scott delivers an everlasting message derived from an amazing performance by Russel crowe ... Orlando bloom is good ... not great ....the movie just shows a period of struggle realistically ... it fails to develop any solid story ...or deliver a message ... it is a feast for your eyes don't miss it ... but u will feel a sense of incompleteness and hollowness when the movie is over ... it is another of hollywoods's epics ... it falls short of greatness though... but don't miss it,It is a must add to your collection of war movies

Platoon (1986)

War Poetry At Its Best

[9/10 · 1 May 2005]

What a movie..... The background track of platoon will haunt me for the rest of my life ........ William Dafoe plays the role of his lifetime ...... The heart wrenching cry he gives in the end when his commander puts a bullet in his back is one of the greatest scenes u will ever get to see ...... he just lifts his hands up in the air and cries in a heartbreaking fashion.... Anyone can invest anything to just see this one moment in this movie..... The movie as a whole is brilliant ........ Berenger gives a marvellous performance as a ruthless soldier who sticks to his cause ... sheen gives another good performance as an ordinary soldier forced to live under extraordinary cicumstances.... All in all the war scenes really stand out as one of the best... In a way the movie is faster paced than saving private ryan and hece i felt slightly superior ...... I recommend this movie to anyone ... Watch it for william Dafoe ... Watch it for the scene which redefined war movies

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)

A Brilliant Masterpiece....

[10/10 · 29 April 2005]

What can I say about this movie....It just blew me off......This movie is not just a perfect war movie......It is triumph of humanity over war ..... And well the war scenes... they are just out of the world ... take my word for it... they are brilliant... the movie is far superior to Platoon or Saving private Ryan...... I have never seen Dong-kung Jang in a movie before but let me tell you ... he has given the greatest performance of his lifetime as Jin-Tae. every scene in this movie is brutally realistic... however it does get slightly hollywoodish at the end....Apart from this minor flaw it is two and a half hours of adrenalin pumping experience......It features some of the best close range combat scenes.....It covers the entire Korean war.....Recommended viewing .... superior to any other Hollywood war film i have seen