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Carandiru (2003)
Prisoners as humans
We have a tendency here in the United States to homoginize prisoners with grey or orange jumpsuits, given them a number, and put them into a regimented lifestyle outside of society. By doing this we forget that they are too human as we are. Carandiru is literally a world within a world. Full of its own characters. All aware of but able to be a part of an outside world.
In this world, there is not direct control from state imposed leader. The prisoners find their own leaders and make their own rules.
So, this is Carandiru, a Detention Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was built to house no more than 3000 inmates, but at its peak held over 7000. This film is based on the story told by a doctor who, every monday, went to the prison to provide free medical care. In October of 1992, a riot broke out. The police were called in. In the aftermath, 111 prisoners were dead. That the simple history.
The story is almost in told in 2 parts, the first about the prisoners, and about life in the prison. The second part is the storming of the prison by the police. Although it flows pretty well, the feel and sytle of the film seem to change in the second half. No longer is it about the characters, but what is happening to the prison on a whole. The characters become bystanders.
The film portrays the characters as they are. They are not judged for what they have done. They are just shown for who they are. The doctor, who in a sense tells this story, made a point not to pass judgement for what they did.
Overall, the film is incredible. When i saw the film, the director was avialable afterwards to answer questions of the audience. He provided some interesting insight to how the film was made, and the world of Carandiru. In December of 2002, after all the inmates were tranfered, Carandiru was demolished. That is the final sequence of the film. 9/10
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
movie where lots of things blow up (including the plot)
I was dissapponited by the return of the ternimator, but then i really wasnt expecting a good movie. I guess it delivered on that point.
I look for more than action in movies i watch, something to engage my mind on another level. Sadly most movies these days dont do that. Its easier to go by the textbook and make $300 million.
There was some attempt at bringing up what life meant to a machine, but it didnt get far.
This movie is also good at conviently forgetting what happens when an innocent person is killed.
Cinimatically, the only cool shots came in the last couple minutes of film.
And really, please dont make a T4 even though you left it wide open for one. It was over in T2.
Ritânâ (2002)
Some cool stuff but could of been better. (Maybe spoilers)
Lets see, i heard about this movie before it was released in japan. I didnt know what to expect. But it turn out alright. However its hard pressed to be considered any better than most other action films.
The plot is simple, ID4 on a small scale with someone from the future around to help. Mixed in is a conflict between the male lead and the triad boss, and a bit of a love story between the 2 main characters (though she is a bit young (about 15 or 16) so it might be considered more a father daughter relationship.)
To me some of the action sequences didnt flow as well as you might find in other movies such as the Matrix. But they did to some cool stunts using a time shifting device. Of course a must in action movies, cool explosions.
Overall, i liked the movie, but i dont consider it a great movie. i dont know what its chances are to be released in the states, probably none. If you want to see the movie, and dont have the $40-50 for a japanese DVD, you can get the region 3 disc for $10-15 from sensasian.com
Ying xiong (2002)
Kung Foo + Rashamon + Cool Cinematagrahy + Beautiful Music Hero
I've been waiting to see this movie since i first heard about it last year. i certainly was not disappointed. There are many things i like about this film. Its story, visuals, and music. The only thing that really didnt impress me is the acting.
Lets start with the good things. The kung foo was beautifly stylized much like that in crouching tiger, hidden dragon. A bit unrealistic but it certainly makes beautiful eye candy. The story was good, epic style, and told in a simlar fashion to the akira kurusawa movie rashamon. The story's love threads certainly make some scenes with high emotion. Music, is simply beautiful. It lend and ear to the epic feel of this movie but also calms it down and makes it surreal. is mostly in the background. But its brought into the chess house fighting scene.
The thing that impressed me most is the visual style. Most of the film was recolored or desaturated to fit the mood of that particlar scene. Many of the fight scenes have cg or other visual elements adding to its beauty. I love the part where the leaves change to rose petals marking the death of one of the characters.
i cant say anything bad about this film.. i liked it too much..
Anyway... Mirmax will be releaseing it to the big screen in the US this coming november. If you cant wait. Just look around for it.
Shanghai Knights (2003)
kung foo with a Hollywood polish
I saw this movie at a preview screening. What i can say about it, it just like the first one. It does pretty well at action and comedy but don't expect more than that. Jackie Chan really doesn't act and the story is really simple. Father gets killed. Son and daughter avenge father. They save england and china from a conspircy. They attempt to make the story more believable by sticking in some historical characters. It gets some laughs but thats it.
Anyway if your looking for mindless entertainment. This movie meets the mark, but don't expect more.