Sorry portnoy, but I gotta disagree with your recommendation. I felt the film was well-wrought but ultimately very manipulative and unwilling to commit to any ideological position (or even offer any true psychological insight) regarding the issues it raises. I admired the handheld camerawork and the lead performance, but I thought it had even less to say than Santosh Sivan's 1999 The Terrorist.
I agree with you on Ten Canoes; thanks for the other recommendations.
Film Festival Circuit 2006
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Doug Cummings
- Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2004 6:48 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Contact:
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brunosh
- Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:47 am
- Location: London
Although it pains me to say it when I think of how much I loved Horse Thief, I'm afraid that I'm another who was disappointed by The Go Master. It seemed to me to be an ultra-conventional living treasure biopic, dripping with sepia-toned beauty, refinement, restraint and reverence, tip-toeing through potentially controversial Japan-China waters and generally lacking both edge and oomph. I was entertained during the first 20 minutes by the guy in the seat next to me chomping happily through a crinkly bagful of nuts which probably didn't help my appreciation, but then he got up and left, and I spent the rest of the film trying unsuccessfully to find a satirical subtext. Verdict: worthy, i.e. dull (not something I have ever felt about any of Hou's films, incidentally). I'm glad others got more out of it than I did and wish we'd got Summer Palace at the London Film Festival instead.
I really envy any of you guys able to get a second bite at some of the 2006 festival cherries, having not got to see enough of them in London. Quixotic has got to be essential viewing judging by some of the vitriolic reviews, verging on death threats, from punters here.
I really envy any of you guys able to get a second bite at some of the 2006 festival cherries, having not got to see enough of them in London. Quixotic has got to be essential viewing judging by some of the vitriolic reviews, verging on death threats, from punters here.
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a.khan
- Joined: Sat May 20, 2006 7:28 am
- Location: Los Angeles
Catch a Fire (Noyce, 2006)
I was really taken by this nimble political thriller/drama from the dependable Philip Noyce. It's damn good storytelling, never depreciating into a simplistic message movie.nredding2 wrote:Very Good
Catch a Fire
Derek Luke's performance is very endearing, while Tim Robbins' ruthless yet tolerable bastard character is an acting masterclass. (I'd have nominated these guys for awards immediately.) Also thought that the cinematography was stunning, terrific visual compositions, all in service to the story.
I'm pasting a review I wrote for my movie blog incase anyone's interested
Catch a Fire