weidong Reviews

Little Otik (2000)

maybe not only the animation fairy story

[19 August 2003]

It's really a worth to touch the work by Svankmajer, who is absolutely strange to Chinese buff, even some so-called hard-core fans. As a Czech "underground" director, the information he brought us may only be understandable by the socialize country's audiences. The repression on human personality, the exploitation in personal freedom and the desperation to the future of human-rights. Unlike earlier works, little otik didn't give us political deconstruction, but the seemingly animation fairy story. Is this means director's submission to commercial market or the Hollywood buffs? not at all, I see the view of Master has turned to alienation of contemporary human relationship. The indifference on the children by parents, selfish of the neighbourhood, cruel competition between person, which do result in the reappearance of the Devil. Maybe the roots of it is the inhuman social system on the earth. So called socialism!

Joint Security Area (2000)

really a good sign of reunification

[11 December 2001]

It's really by chance for me to got this film to see, but it make me gain much more than expectation. Though I still haven't got know the nomination on Berlin film prize when I found it, but the subject related in this film draw me attention, seemed sensitive to me¡ª¡ªa China's buffer. When the movie played for half hour, I just consider it as a well-intimated Hollywood Work due to it's tense and suspend mood. However, the end absolutely proved my misjudgement. "JSA" is indeed a masterpiece, at lease among the same type movies, political or war. It make me immediately think the same masterpiece, Kusturica's "Underground". Maybe it can compare with it, because of the common affection about the humanism on the people amid the cruel war. The courage of the Director is really admirable, since the vivid character and imprejudice on North Korea soldier built and depict by a South Korea Director, it's impossible to achieve it if author has no profoundly understand to the history background and great sympathy to compatriot.

Likewise, the movie make me recall many thing about South Korea, like the campaign against to Japan's whitewash about crime in WWII, government's Sunshine policy on the relation with North Korea, and so on. All this things absolutely prove a sort of quality embed in Korea which probably is the lack in Contemporary Chinese. Anyway, I sincerely bless Korea, though I don't believe in Jesus, but I still like to say " God save Korea, the day of reunification will be soon" .

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Last work not swan song, even turn audience into erotic-viewer

[7 September 2001]

It is two years ago that I firstly saw this work, when I got the version of DVD, then immediately saw it again. To my disappointed, after more than two hours, All that leave in my mind are nothing but soft-porn, entire film make me fell suspicious, even disturbing. Masterpiece or excellent art-film is always worth seeing again, but this is exception. Though the sex-related plot is the element of the theme, it¡¯s pitying that director over-used it, as a result, audience are impelled to be the erotic-viewer. Rely on the 60¡¯s and 70¡¯s work like 2001 and Orange clock, Kubrick has been regarded as one of the most particular world-class director, but his last work didn¡¯t become the swan song. Perhaps the conspiracy of the producer and American film-produced-system resulted in this inferior work. In a word, depressing¡­

Kids Return (1996)

excellent too!!!

[30 July 1999]

Takeshi doesn't make me disappoint again. This type is very rare to him, but he did it well. It confirmed his high level of controlling kinds of types. The character act very naturally and the living individuality affect me deeply. Comparable with his former works, it will adjoin you more. The boxing scene is stunning. The friendship of characters is unforgettable. Here I must be honor of Jô Hisaishi(the composer of this music), because it's important parts of Takeshi's work. The music is exciting and moving. Anyway it is a very meaningful movie about youth. This work attract me to look for others of Takeshi. Because I know it's my favorite directors in Japan besides Kurosawa.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)

excellent except director

[26 June 1999]

I believe some common director can do this work. Of course, he needs these so excellent crew and original writing include Unbearable Lightness Of Being -- the best great novel of Milan Kundera; cinematography --Sven Nykvist which worked in Bergman's virgin spring; cast -- the best actress Binoche; soundtrack -- the nice piano works of Janacek. I agree the crew is very good but "the film is director's film" instead of crew's. Furthermore not the literature.

Wherever You Are... (1988)

uncommon war movie

[24 June 1999]

Zanussi presented a picture of war II with special angle. And you needn't look for the reason why the character be mad. It is a symbolism about the war. The pained feeling of war even exceed the Spielberg's Schindler's List. The war make human bitter until crazy. The actress's performance is sparkling and evokes our conscience. It is an outstanding war movie.

Crash (1996)

I respect him...

[22 June 1999]

If you can't accept CRASH, I think you may not understand modernism. If you think it nothing but full of sex and violate, I consider you are segmentary. Although Cronenberg is not my best favorite, I respect him and thank for his work(same as David Lynch). Cronenberg widens the expressionist style of movie and challenge the extremity. The acting of casts are all excellent. There is no trace of acting at all. It's offbeat.

Beyond the Clouds (1995)

fineness,undermeaning...

[22 June 1999]

This is a work of Antonioni I first touch. But I know I have been in love with his movie profoundly. In essence, this is an absolutely Antonioni's work, extremely fineness images, bloom with poetry, even every chip can be made a fine photo. (include the pretty nude image). I can't find so beautiful scenes in the other directors'. I think someone shouldn't dislikes this work unless he is a carper. If someone felt can't get a clue, I consider he makes a same mistake resemble the audiences in 1960's cannes. We shouldn't appreciate a modern film with traditional ideal. Finally I want to be in honor of him deeply.

Underground (1995)

moving movie, respectable nation

[4 June 1999]

Underground can capture your most sensitive part, familiar with Kurosawa's red beard. The comedy element make me think of Chaplin's work. Underground give me a chance to understand Yugoslavia and deeply symphony this nation. It's respectable,like Czech and hungarian,puny but filled with wisdom and strong character. The end scene of the film is unforgettable. Kusturica's work really embody the great meaning of the movie.