redzon19 Reviews

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Rollo Tomasi, do you still remember?

[10/10 · 2 March 2011]

"Rollo Tomasi" is a name that anyone had seen this movie should remember for the rest of his life or at least be aware of the existence of the name, because this is the key to the spirit of this whole story. Due to the setting of this clue, there is no doubt one great movie had become a classic!

As a Taiwanese, I saw a lot of Hong Kong movies about police and gangsters while I was a child, and they were all very impressive. Therefore, the particularly genre has been promoted to such high levels in my mind that I can hardly be pleased. Fortunately, "L.A. Confidential" satisfies me not only with its thoughtful scenario, but also with several great actors' performances. More specifically, the story is not just about justice versus evil, there are also many elements such as passion, wisdom, greed, friendship and of course love which all made this movie more than fun to watch. In other words, you might feel angry at this moment, shocked latter, and finally moved by their insistence on doing the right things which made us believe there are still several police worth our trust.

Guy Pearce was one big surprise in the movie not because he played the leading role of the movie, but for his courage and wisdom, and most important of all, his slightly pride that caused admiration accompanied by hostility at the same time. Because the complexity he showed, we couldn't help but be deeply attracted, and that's when we built connections with the character inside the frame. Secondly, Kevin Spacey was not the one who would gain our trust at first, but no one ought to disagree with his contribution after the shocked "Rollo Tomasi" scene. Likewise, Russell Crowe twisted his role impressions only after his cooperation with Guy Pearce, but he really needed to adjust his tempers for his own sake. Such a crew made this great movie never out-of-date, not even after similar stories keep brainwashing our minds.

How lucky I am to see such a classical film. As a matter of fact, I haven't found one movie that reaches the same level as it did, at least not in the genre. Thus, I just have to repeat watching the film again and again, and I believe many people are doing the same thing I do.

Strangers on a Train (1951)

A black and white film, not a black and white world

[9/10 · 26 February 2011]

Alfred Hitchcock is one of the greatest directors all of time, and his films never die out not even one more century passes. "Strangers on a train" is one of those movies that still remain very remarkable nowadays. Thus, I always forget what's the age of his film while I watch it, and the dressing of the characters might be the only clue left for me to speculate.

Although this is a black and white film, there is no bothering to understand and appreciate the whole story. Meanwhile, I am obsessed with this paranoid character Bruno, who became Guy's nightmare ever since they met on a train. In the beginning, Guy was being polite to listen to his conspiracy to switch murders regarding killing people stand in their way. Not soon after Guy failed to divorce his wife, he actually think about Bruno's idea, but he never let that thought went deeper. However, crazy as Bruno was, he finished his job without hesitating, and it was time for Guy to do the same for him. As we can see, Guy was in a dilemma which he never actually did something to make him jump into such a difficult condition, in other words, he was completely innocent.

Misunderstanding is one of Hitchcock's favorite issues, for that given such harsh circumstances, people tends to bring their best or worst toward their problems. In the case, we saw the dignity of Guy and his unwilling to compromise with Bruno. Furthermore, the narrative methods of the movie made the audiences so nervous till the end, because the possibility for all of us to witness the danger and mistake that might happen to such a honorable person. Fortunately, the owner of the merry-go-round remembered everything, and destroyed the plan of Bruno to plant his murder on Guy. Most important of all, the scene at the merry-go-round was so thrilling which made the climax of the movie, thanks to the brilliant skills Hitchcock had demonstrated.

The film not only elaborates on humanity which is not just about right versus wrong, but also brings out different possibilities in human nature. That is to say, this is not a black and white world we live, so we absolutely cannot expect things to be that way.

District 9 (2009)

brilliant, charming and one big surprise in 2009

[9/10 · 25 February 2011]

What a brilliant way to make a science fiction film like this! There are so many interesting parts for me to discuss, and I will try not to miss anything. To be honest, I am impressed by both the content and the form, which is rare in such an alien film, but this is no doubt a surprise to me in a good way.

Although this is a pure science fiction, the form appears to be a documentary film. All the events are recorded on camera, and so are the interviews of people participated in the subject or not. On the other hand, the director leaves no arguments in debating whether the story is true or otherwise, and that is one good way to make it almost real. However, I don't think this documentary form is just meant to mislead the audiences, I suppose, moreover, the narrative method is ironic contrast of people who only care about themselves and believe in things they want to believe. As we can see, the nature of human beings is nothing superior to the aliens, yet we regard ourselves as victims while some of us keep hunting them down. No wonder there are so many science fiction films describe that mankind will eventually be destroyed by ourselves if we still being so greedy and selfish.

Wikus was the leader of the moving project in the beginning, but he soon got infected and arrested by their own people for experimental test. After escaping from the experimental center, he had no choice but to hide in his alien friend's house he disrespected for the most of the time. Then, the turning point is when Wikus was convinced that he could be cured if he helped his friend to get on that floating boat, and there is somehow a way for everything to return to normal. As a matter of fact, this was not so shocking how the story evolved, for that we already knew the ambition of the people who wanted to wipe out all the aliens and the determination to fulfill their ambition. At the end, we ought to be impressed by the heroic behavior Wikus did to help his friend get on the flying saucer and watched it's launching.

I kind of sense that the story is not simply describe the war between mankind and the aliens, moreover, this is a metaphor which suggests human beings always have trouble tolerating those who don't resemble us, and that is not just the case in the history.

In Bruges (2008)

what a charming and sentimental killer!

[8/10 · 23 February 2011]

Bruges is a city full of middle-aged buildings in Belgium, and that makes this place a wonderful choice for sight-seeing. However, Ray might not agree with that since he keeps describing this place as a xx hole, and that's how the story begins…

Two professional killers in Bruges, with no one to kill and no mission to accomplish, which gives the most desperate condition you can imagine for a professional killer. The scenario is full of black humor that makes the story almost like a fairy tale, while there is obvious no happy ending of the story. The most ironic thing is their over reacted behavior toward the accidental killing of the little girl considering the jobs they do is about killing all the time. Somehow, it becomes unbearable when it comes to the little girl, for what? Maybe it's their remaining conscience or the so-called self-esteem. This is just weird to see such sentimental professional killers, but funny parts like Ken saved Ray from suicide the time he was supposed to kill him clearly described that all of them are not traditional killers, but with merciful heart.

Colin Farrell's best achievement in acting, the lovely accent, incurably sentimental and great sense of humor made this extremely bizarre character, yet adorable! How strange that a professional killer appears so charming and compassionate, and even stranger is that we all buy it after he actually finished his first assassination. As to Brendan Gleeson, all the jokes and funny stuff wouldn't be so convincing if it's not for him, and the jumping scene, especially the jumping scene, is when he stands out in the movie and makes unforgettable impressions to the audiences. Last but not least, Ralf Fiennes plays his role like he always did, struggling between friendship and morality, not to mention his unshakable dignity for being a professional killer. There is just too much fun to watch all the chemistry and jokes they have made.

The most touching scene is no doubt the time when Ken jumped off the tower to warn Ray about his danger, which made the most serious chapter of the story and leaves no debate about the reality. In other words, it just states that this is not joking for god's sake!

The Thing (1982)

excellent special effects and outstanding original score

[9/10 · 17 February 2011]

This film is always a top choice when it comes to the list of classical horrors or horrors of science fiction. After watching it, I kind of realize the reason why it could get so much praise, and I totally agree with that this film is a classic.

First thing I noticed in the movie is the special effects which appeared so vivid that can absolutely beat most horrors of science fiction nowadays. Not like some horrors of science fiction, this movie demonstrated excellent qualities not only for its achievements in special effects but also in the outstanding acting and directing. In addition, the sound effects blew my mind as well. As we all know, sound effects play extremely important roles in horrors, and this movie did it in a simple way with straight and simple melody, yet remains in our head for a very long time after we saw this movie. With excellent special effects and sound effects accompanied by outstanding acting and directing, I can't find any reason that this movie shouldn't be a classic.

As for the story, all that matters is to convince the audiences of things that happened to the characters. Thanks to the atmosphere establishing by the crew, I thought it was really convincing to me. The suspicions among the members reflect humanity, and most important of all, it offers pleasure for the audiences to speculate the real infected. After all, it's more interesting to guess than to know in advance, especially in such a horror of science fiction. Infection from outer space became a popular theme ever since, but no one will forget to mention this film when talking about horrors of science fiction.

In short, this film is no doubt a milestone for horrors of science fiction, and I certainly won't forget the melody for years!

The Killing (1956)

Still stands out in the industry today!

[8/10 · 16 February 2011]

The Killing was Stanley Kubrick's first successful full-length-film, and not soon did he begin his legendary career which was unprecedented ever since then.

Multiple narrative lines is one of the advantages of the film. Frankly speaking, this is not the first time this narrative technique being used in movies, but they are nothing like this, which composed of different point of views by everyone participated in the robbery. Not according to ordinary time order, the omniscient narrator leads us to co-construct the plan with Johnny Clay step by step, and the robbery only began after we finally depict the whole story.

Uncertainty and Greedy are two main issues in this robbery, and both of them implied Sherry the most likely spoiler. As a matter of fact, she actually met our expectation and got everyone except Johnny killed. Therefore, the robbery became the killing without anyone alive to spend the money, and how ironic is that? Unfortunately, the last chance to walk away with the money, Johnny, was too stupid to be busted at the airport for his lacking of patience and the obvious behavior as a criminal. However, I seriously doubt that the director will make the same ending if he got the chance to do it again.

Like most films Stanley Kubrick made, The Killing demonstrated many skills and techniques in film making, but most important of all, it also possessed penetrating observations in humanity. The case in this film is between Sherry and her husband, and each time they chatted, the madness and greedy is so prominent and direct that I just can't help wondering why her husband won't leave her. However, things happened for a reason, maybe the human nature suggests that one should never love someone who is easy to get, and always admire those who are hard to chase.

Though the movie is made in 1956, it still stands out in the industry today. Stanley Kubrick did not make too many movies, but each one gets extremely high evaluation, and that just makes Stanley Kubrick one of the greatest directors of all time.

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Sweet and cute, definitely unforgettable!

[10/10 · 14 February 2011]

This is a beautiful story, presented by some crazy ideas and events that are unlikely to happen in normal life. However, normal is hard to define, especially after watching this movie, I just can't help wondering who is normal and who is insane?

Funny thing is that even everyone in town know the fact of the real girl which isn't real at all, they are still kind enough to fake it the whole way. Maybe the girl didn't just exist in Lars's heart, but also lived in all those who seek for comfort and understanding which seemed to be everyone. Nevertheless, they just don't have the courage to listen from within, and let the voice guide them to find true happiness.

The funeral hold for the real girl is also redemption for all people in town. Like the priest said, this fictional girl helped all of them in some way. Take the relationship for instance, Lars and his brother and sister-in-law finally get to know one another better. As the whole town, they had experienced the most wonderful and lovely time by helping Lars with his deficiency and co-construct his fantasy. In the end, everyone becomes part of the beautiful misunderstanding, and some offer love and joy while others benefit from it. Therefore, one shall feel touched even though the absurd ideas are all over the movie, because life is not always as normal as you thought.

Ryan Gosling is definitely a rising star, based on all the good movies he had joined, not to mention the unique quality in his acting and the temperament of solitude penetrating from his eyes. With good looking face and insistence on that only fine scripts should be considered, I kind of looking forward to each upcoming production he's participated.

The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)

Definitely one of the best movies in 2009

[10/10 · 9 January 2011]

In scripts, the movie contains so many issues and none of those made less impact on me. Secondly, for the technique of camera work and the atmosphere the film created, I assure you the movie is definitely one of the best movies in 2009, and maybe one of the best of all time!

The love between Benjamin and Irene is easy to sense, and it's maybe easier to guess the results when they finally meet again. Nonetheless, the way they pushed each other away was still heart breaking, not to mention the difficulties they had gone through together. Fortunately, when Benjamin finally solved the mystery after visiting the husband, he also gained his courage to move on with Irene regardless of their situation. It's beautiful but sad to say that it is never too late to show your love if you think the beloved is worthwhile for the risk!

I totally agree with the theory about passion that Sandoval mentioned, they wouldn't catch Gomez if it was not for the theory of passion. Besides, I myself am a mania of movies and tennis, and sometimes it's even kind of obsessive not to miss one good movie or any big game in tennis. Though the criminal was convicted, he still got away from the prison, and that led so many problems ever since.

Death penalty has been argued for decades, yet there comes nowhere near the conclusion. How to define the best punishment for the sinners is not something to work out in short time, but the movie definitely gave a certain way to think about. Gomez was sign for the corruption of the generation in Argentina, or maybe in the world, but it's important to always leave rooms for discussion. With all the controversial history, such an extremely method the husband did is too shock for the audiences to neglect the necessity of the abolishment of the death penalty.

Is it true that secrets can be revealed in one's eyes? I'll say I agree in a certain degree since I always thought that I can tell if someone is a good person from their looks, especially in their eyes. As the saying goes, the eyes are the windows of the mind, so be careful if you don't want others to find out what you are hiding for!

Memento (2000)

Classic in film made, unforgettable in story told

[10/10 · 7 January 2011]

Classic in film made, unforgettable in story told. It's normal if you don't get the point at first time watching it, but if you do, besides that you're smart, I would totally vote for the excellent achievement the director did.

This is a text book in film editing, and for those who wants to break ordinary time line, there is no better demonstration than this. Compared with Pulp Fiction or Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind which are both great movies of all time, the model that Memento established was more than its art of editing. Since this is a mystery movie, there won't be as much pleasure if we see the movie too clearly! Therefore, the complicated way of film editing really leveled up the unsolved problems which made the audiences wonder all the time until the end.

In fact, the process to reason the story is parallel to the missing part of each chapter which was played backwards, and with the disease the male leading role had, every flash moment before the missing parts make the audiences go through the same experiences as the male leading role did. The ambition is not satisfied with only one narrative method, so there appeared two different time lines in the movie which are separated by their colors. As the movie approached the end, two time lines came to an intersection, and the mystery was finally solved at that time. The most genius and impressive point is that at the forwards narrative time line, the leading actor mainly talked about the past story and that really confused the audiences about the real story that was going on!

Not only the form of the movie impressed me, but also the humanity that occurred after things he had gone through and the problem he had to deal with. How to live a life without knowing anything happened to you? Maybe the best way is to ignore the fact and create one for your own sake like the role did. Sometimes, it is more dangerous to know than to forget!

The Elephant Man (1980)

Keep in faith and try hard to be a better man

[8/10 · 6 January 2011]

Although this movie was made in 1980, the color and atmosphere seemed to be way before the 80s. At that time, some argued about the preservation of the color film, so there came up with a few black and white films such as The Elephant Man. Fortunately, the black and white film fitted the story very well since it was based on a true case in the early 20s, thus the way it showed was just like the director wanted to present.

This is not a horror film, yet it is filled with scary moments which are those when people showed their evil spirits over the innocent elephant man. Curiosity is one thing, but to tease someone despite their dignity and misery is not what a human being should do. However, things like these happened all the time in real life, and sadly there is nothing we can do about it. Thus, to maintain our merciful and compassionate heart is so important that we might accidentally become the accomplices once we are not careful enough.

John Hurt and Antony Hopkins are the best parts in the movie, the way they acted made it so convincingly that they built firm friendship after knowing each other and learned from each other indeed. Due to my personal preference, I have to say Antony Hopkins is like the most elegant actor besides Daniel Day-Lewis in the generation. On the opposite, I don't like the way other characters performed, because dramatic acting is just not fit in the movie. Last but not least, best scene was the escape from his owner in circus, helped by other deformities made the most ironic impact in humanity.

One thing I learned from the movie is that there are all kinds of people in the world, and you can't decide what others should do, the best way is just to keep in faith and try hard to be a better man.

Undertow (2009)

A story about love and forgiveness

[9/10 · 29 December 2010]

I haven't seen such a touching gay movie since Brokeback Mountain. The movie contains so many issues, yet it could still cover them all and touch the deepest emotions in my heart. The depiction of each character is so profound that you can't help feeling the way they experienced.

Everyone is selfish when it comes to love, and so was Miguel. After he found the way how his wife and Santiago could coexist, he decided not to salvage the body and let Santiago rest in peace. He wanted Santiago to exist just for him, without the risk their relationship to be discovered. But not soon after the rumor of the painting ran wild in the village, his ideal pattern of coexistence vanished! In substitution, here comes the suspicion along with the despite from the so-called innocent village. Miguel's wife is just an ordinary woman who couldn't accept the fact that her husband was screwing other man, but the courage and tolerance she maintained is quite extraordinary. Love is the only way to get through this kind of grief. It's true for Miguel for that the loss of his lover and the courage to admit the rumor. On the other hand, it's also true for Miguel's wife who had to raise her child under this circumstance, not to mention the pressure and gossip she had to put up with.

Masculinity is always a main concept in gay movies. Therefore, Miguel had to struggle with his identification like most conservative gay did. In some way, Santiago is not just his lover, but also the desire of freedom which he had been longed for decades. When Miguel made up his mind to fulfill Santiago's last wish no matter what it costs, the determination and courage he showed really made me weep. No doubt that's the moment he found his own freedom and became a true macho!

Tragedy is when love no longer existed, so I would rather say this movie is about love and forgiveness. For those who has been struggled for their identification, this is a must see movie. Furthermore, for those who be the reason some have to struggle for anything, this is definitely a movie you can' t miss!

A Single Man (2009)

As beautiful as it could be!

[9/10 · 26 December 2010]

The movie is just as beautiful as it could be! All characters are good looking, and the costume and make-up along with the smooth camera work, not to mention the original score which is breathtaking, none of these are effortless!

The whole story travels back and forth the fact that Colin Firth's partner was killed in a car accident, and those moments when the beloved was still alive seemed to appear in every corner at any given time. Colin planned to commit suicide after the day he went through all unfinished business had to be solved. However, one student broke into his plan and reminded him of life experience which aroused the desire and passion inside his broken heart. Though the movie ends with an accidental tragedy, I can still appreciate the hope that Colin sees within his eyes, and that's one big comfort I get from the movie.

Julianne Moore is one of the best actresses in the world. Though she didn't show quite much, she gave the deepest impression at once. The best scene was there at the table when Julianne told the story as following… Then they both burst into laughter, and that's really hilarious!

(Julianne: The other day at the car wash, a young man looked me up and down, and asked me, if I was a nature blond? Colin: What did you say? Julianne: I looked him straight in the eyes and i said, well let's just say, if I stood on my head, it will be a nature brunette with a lovely breath Colin: You didn't! Julianne: I did!)

I have to admit that I am not so satisfied with the way how it ends, but I guess that's just one possibility life could be…. Fragile as life is, you can still live an energetic and passionate one!

The Man from Earth (2007)

A talented script makes a classical film

[10/10 · 20 December 2010]

There are moments when I finished a movie and came up with a thought, wow! The Man from Earth is one of those moments. This is a classical science-fiction film which all happened in a living room, and that should thanks for the wonderfully talented script.

Like I said, this is a science-fiction film, but you won't find any computer animation or any other science fiction related scenes in it, because all they do is nothing but talking and debating in a regular living room throughout the movie, yet it can still make you feel like watching a pure science-fiction film, and how's that? Everyone should watch the movie and find out for yourself.

Of course some people might disagree with me, and regard the movie as a religious film. I believe that is another way to describe the film. Nonetheless, I sure appreciate the enthusiasm and tension that this film brought me, which let me believe that, with a great story, you won't need any special effects to make a film successful at all.