1minutefilmreview

Besieged City

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:08:00 +0000

Director - Lawrence Lau

Genre - Drama

Hong Kong movies don't often surprise us. There are numerous times when we are burnt by scripts with no soul starring the most talented actors. 'Besieged City' is directed by Lawrence Lau who also did 'My Name Is Fame' which we rather liked as well starring Lau Ching Wan. This movie here had no stars yet it made a huge impact on us. The story is basically about a kid who got into trouble and drags his older brother into the mess. Suspected of killing the girlfriend of a triad leader he himself is injured badly, ending up in the hospital. His older brother is being sought by the triad in order to retrieve some drugs they claimed was taken from them by his sibling. Intrigue ensues when we try to figure out what actually happened along with the protagonists of the movie. The cast is mostly young unknown actors which is quite refreshing since we grew up with the mugs of every popular Hong Kong actor who ever lived etched into our skulls. The language used here is also vulgar and 'street', enhancing the experience for us because HK scripts can be very safe and predictable. Artsy and without the safe protective banality of the country's commercial aspirations, this movie will help you reconsider what Cantonese cinema means.

4.5 STARS!

All about Besieged City

A Simple Life

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:16:00 +0000

Director - Ann Hui

Genre - Drama

Ann Hui's film is quite classy and masterful. It feels like a waft of soothing breeze, a warm embrace of motherly love and a renewed appreciation for life all rolled into one. If that isn't a stroke of classy filmmaking, what is? Another great feature of this picture is the effortless, obvious chemistry between Deannie Yip and Andy Lau. Their closeness in real life is well known with Yip being a godmother of sorts to Lau. This close relationship they share translates very well on the screen and we believe their loves for each other. Yip plays a maid (Tao Jie) to Roger (Lau) who is now old and unable to provide her loyal service to the family. She checks herself into an old folks' home but Roger is still very worried for her, visiting and accompanying her whenever he gets the chance. Tao Jie's stay in the senior's home is not all that rosy and she is taken advantage of sometimes because of her good nature, but she carries on and Roger's visits give her the strength to live. Ann Hui's direction gives so much without showing everything, her restraint in not painting Tao Jie's character as pitiful lets Tao Jie appear gracefully strong-willed, a woman who dedicated her whole life to a family that is not her own yet never had any regrets. From her we learn the true meaning of sacrifice, as we believed Roger understood in the end as well. That is the real meaning of the movie. Sacrifice. We take back what we said in the beginning. Ann Hui's latest isn't just quite masterful, it is an elegant depiction of life on earth as seen through the eyes of someone who treasured life no matter what came her way.

5 STARS!

All about A Simple Life

Tai Chi Zero

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 17:48:00 +0000

Director - Stephen Fung

Genre - Action/Drama

Bad Hong Kong movies on a shoestring budget is at least forgivable in part because of its financial constraints. Not a good reason on the whole for we have seen perfectly fine films produced with very little. Now here comes this big, move out of the way action blockbuster with budget bursting out of the seams (apparently this is only the 1st part of a trilogy). Fell flat on its huge-headed piped up dreams as far as we're concerned! Stephen Fung's the director in question and we are swearing off him as we speak. The script has it that a young man with a horn-like growth on his head turns into a mean fighting machine when said growth is pressed----Editors note: Our reviewers have left this review incomplete. Efforts to change their minds had been futile, with them yelling something about dumb arcade style direction and calling for Stephen Fung's exile from filmmaking. Well, at least Stephen was professional. He COMPLETED his bad film!

0 STAR!

All about Tai Chi Zero

Nightmare Detective

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 17:37:00 +0000

Director - Shin'ya Tsukamoto

Genre - Fantasy/Horror/Thriller

Eat your shorts 'Death Note'! This picture here trumps the 'Death Note' by a mile. Where 'Death Note' was an exercise in being unnecessarily convoluted and dreary, this manga adapted creation by Shin'ya Tsukamoto shows its class by being one hell of a satisfying detective story. Its uniqueness lies in the protagonist's character who we believe is the most reluctant, unwilling anti hero in the history of cinema. One look at him and you wouldn't think this is the guy who would save the world. In fact, you wouldn't even think he'd be capable of much of anything because all he wants to do throughout the film is to kill himself! Yet, he is blessed (or cursed as he says) with the power to enter other's nightmares. The story involves a spate of suicides which doesn't seem to be as clear cut as it appears. The nightmare detective is roped in to help figure out what actually happened, putting his own life in danger. There are elements of artistic streak here which jump out at you like a shocking nightmare, making you aware without a doubt that this isn't your usual detective picture. Tsukamoto has taken the genre and made a sort of hybrid monster out of putting his artistic, indie filmmaking slant into the mix. Like his 'Tetsuo, The Iron Man', this is highly one of a kind. Can't wait to watch part 2.

4.5 STARS!

All about Nightmare Detective

21 Jump Street

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:33:00 +0000

Director - Phil Lord & Chris Miller

Genre - Action/Comedy/Crime

Took us by complete and utter dismay this. We thought it would fall flat on its knees but it did not and we're glad we caught it. Most recent remakes of 80s movies are ugly roadkills so you can't actually blame us for thinking so, alright? Remember 'The A Team'? Anyway, the laughs here come hard and fast which is just the way we like our comedy. And our women. Hah. Just a little joke there. Awkward? Okay we'll move right along. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill play two police officers who fumble more than they rumble. They are taken off the streets and sent to a high school where they are tasked with infiltrating a drug dealing gang. The humor when these two become students are priceless, with plenty of laugh-out-loud hijinks and slapstick. It helps that the two leads are charming too. The story has very little to do with the 80s TV series and the leads are never as cool here as Johnny Depp was when he did the series. In fact, Tatum and Hill are downright silly which we think probably helped the movie considerably because it is hard to top Depp's coolness in the series (back then he was the bomb. Well at least he wasn't wearing pink like Don Johnson in 'Miami Vice'!). Enjoy.

3.5 STARS!

All about 21 Jump Street

My Name Is Fame

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:32:00 +0000

Director - Lawrence Lau

Genre - Comedy/Drama

Lau Ching Wan plays a washed up actor in this rare gem from Hong Kong's Lawrence Lau. Bad tempered and opinionated, his character rubs up everyone in the industry the wrong way, resulting in him not being called up for work. He is almost at the point of calling it quits when a young ingenue from the Mainland sees his skills in acting and wants him to teach her the traits. Reluctant at first, he slowly falls for her. Does he become a better man and a better actor? Is Wong Jing bad director? You know the answer. The pleasure in watching this is Lau Ching Wan's acting as a self obsessed arrogant know-it-all actor who believes in his craft no matter what. He is an actor who rises above shitty material and refuses to compromise. We appreciate such an actor and we feel his pain in the dog eat dog world of HK filmmaking where beauty and youth sells.The other plus here is the inside jokes about the industry, the wheeling and dealing of how it actually works. A couple of stars appear too like Ekin Cheng, Lai Yiu Cheung and Ann Hui to name a few. Good HK movies are as hard to find as a decent Jason Statham movie nowadays. Make sure you find the time to discover this.

4 STARS!

All about My Name Is Fame

Ted

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:01:00 +0000

Director - Seth MacFarlane

Genre - Comedy/Fantasy

Creator of 'Family Guy' Seth MacFarlane directs his first non-animated feature length movie and hits it straight out of the ballpark. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis but the real star here is a talking teddy bear named Ted. Foul-mouthed and with a filthy mind, this soft toy come to life isn't a companion you would want around your kids. Yet, MacFarlane has given him such a cuddly, adorable physique you can't help but fall madly in love with him. Fans of Stewie in 'Family Guy' will know what we mean. The script is fairly simple. A lonely kid without friends wishes for his teddy bear to come to life and gets exactly what he wanted. The problem starts when he becomes an adult (played by Wahlberg) as his over-dependence on the friendship with Ted is viewed as unusual, especially by his girlfriend (Kunis) who feels sidestepped. This is a picture you wouldn't want your children to watch though, as the script is quite profane. So, don't give in to their cries no matter how cute and cuddly they think Ted is.

3.5 STARS!

All about Ted

The Dark Knight Rises

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:01:00 +0000

Director - Christopher Nolan

Genre - Action/Crime/Drama

The success of a Superhero franchise goes hand in hand with how badass his arch-enemy is. Heath Ledger's portrayal of Joker was unpredictable and dangerously off the charts. Here, Batsy's numero uno nemesis is replaced regrettably with a far less worthy one, with the most mundane name in the history of bad guys to boot - Bane. Why not name the guy Smith or Thompson? Anyhow, we are faced here with the question whether we want to or not of how it would have been had Ledger lived. It is in the back of our minds throughout the movie. For Christ's sake, if Bruce Wayne goes into hiding from the entire world we would expect the person who eventually lures him out to be much meaner than Bane who is nothing but a huge hunk of lumber with the strength of 10 Hulk Hogans. Well then, why not just get 10 Hulk Hogans? At least the Joker had a brain and it wasn't all about pitting triceps against biceps. We applaud Nolan for doing a different take on the Superhero genre with its operatic tone and admittedly moving ending but alas, Ledger was missed sorely. And it was too long.

3 STARS!

All about The Dark Knight Rises

That Girl in Yellow Boots

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:36:00 +0000

Director - Anurag Kashyap

Genre - Thriller/Drama/Mystery

You know you're witnessing the work of a truly gifted director when every shot feels fresh to your eyes, every turn of the plot feels new. Kalki Koechlin (the lead) wrote the script for this movie with her husband Anurag Kashyap (director). Raw and filled with a kind of playfulness only a filmmaker who loves cinema to death could bring to life, this film is undeniable proof that if the heart is in the right place, the sincerity of the art will not disappoint. A sort of mystery/thriller/drama, the story weaved and curved in ways delighted us as we took in the beauty of Koechlin's naturalistic performance. The director's evident fun in creating a piece of cinema that is unlike any that we've ever seen thrilled us totally too. If Kashyap is the future of Indian cinema it is looking brighter than ever to us.

4.5 STARS!

All about That Girl in Yellow Boots

Bob Le Flambeur

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Director - Jean-Pierre Melville

Genre - Crime/Drama

Paced at a leisurely, sort of nonchalant rhythm (as most French films are), this picture by Jean-Pierre Melville didn't impress us as much as one of Godard's. Lacking star power and running on a story absent of bite, everything fell on the cinematic signature of Melville. His use of music matched with the memorable scenes he created was enough to make this a favorable experience. A high-roller in the mob tries to conduct a heist at a casino but as with most things in life, a gamble of any kind doesn't guarantee success and everything begins to fall apart. Quite a classy one, this.

3.5 STARS!

All about Bob Le Flambeur

Shame

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:48:00 +0000

Director - Steve McQueen

Genre - Drama

Michael Fassbender plays an advertising executive with big commitment issues. He is also addicted to pornography and sex, his overpowering need to hump everything in his way hindering his ability to have a serious relationship. There are also indications that he actually lusts after his own sister (Carey Mulligan), which further showcases what a fucked up individual this guy is. All through the movie, we're wondering why we should even care about a chiseled, well paid pervert. We really shouldn't, but Fassbender is such a fine actor of his generation that he made it alright. He made it hard for us to hate him and go, "Come off it now, you look good enough to eat, shagging loads of hot women...and you're depressed?". Ultimately, 'Shame' is about how these blessed people can actually screw up so much, just like the rest of us. Look at how Charlie Sheen had been behaving lately and you'll know what we mean. You won't find the conventional hero who discovers redemption in this film. What you get is the ugliness of a person, warts and all, displayed in all its human fallacy. The fact that he looks good enough to eat doesn't matter. When the soul is rotten, it eats away at everything you've got.

3 STARS!

All about Shame

Black Friday

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:08:00 +0000

Director - Anurag Kashyap

Genre - Crime/History

Nothing gives us more pleasure than the discovery of a talented director. Anurag Kashyap was only made known to us recently but his impact on what little we know about India and the future of its filmmaking is huge. Kashyap we feel is and will be the game changer who will rejuvenate the sometimes stagnant (for us) path of Indian cinema. He directs in ways which not only leap out of what the rest of his countrymen are doing, his direction is even more accomplished and groundbreaking than many of his more famous peers in other countries. 'Black Friday' is about the Bombay bombings, a very dark and for many, painful day in India's history. The story takes shape when the police are shown using whatever means necessary to bring these heinous criminals to book. We learn later why the Muslims did what they did, how both sides lost their minds and took to arms, amplifying their differences to the edge of unreasonability and of no return. Through it all, Kashyap held a steady hand and gave us the most exhilarating arthouse/action/historical ride. Cinema needs more mavericks like Kashyap. The sanity of the serious moviegoers is at stake.

4.5 STARS!

All about Black Friday

Gandu

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:53:00 +0000

Director - Kaushik Mukherjee aka Q

Genre - Drama

This small but explosive film from the director known as Q changes everything we've ever deduced about Indian cinema. Blunt, provocative and with a tip of the hat towards arthouse cool, it is a movie which will confound and outrage those who are weened on the soothing confines of Bollywood. Featuring the life of a self-taught rapper with a talent so obvious to the viewer but remained undiscovered by and large throughout the film, the joy of watching this boy's life is in the feeling of being privy to something illicit and without the knowledge of those around us. This is its exclusive gift to us. Take it or leave it. 'Gandu' doesn't compromise. The director even put his own wife in a highly explicit scene here so we gather he is very much like the lead too, someone who suffers a great deal for his art and doesn't take the easy way out. Much of Bollywood subscribe to taking the well-traveled path. We're glad Q is an adventurer in his filmmaking spirit.

4.5 STARS!

All about Gandu

Loves of a Blonde

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Director - Milos Forman

Genre - Comedy/Romance/Drama

Delightfully sweet and funny movie directed by Milos Forman. The tale is about a naive factory girl named Andula and her dalliances with the opposite sex.The actress who played Andula has one of the sweetest, purest faces we've ever seen on the screen. And if you like her and how she reminds you of a first encounter with love, the film takes on an entirely different feel. You will experience nostalgia, a longing for that girl who got away and a sudden surge of everything sugary and hopeful. That was what we got out of the picture. Without even trying, it managed to bring forth so many reactions in the mind. Made with probably very little money but the end result? Priceless. Not only is this an inspiration to indie filmmakers everywhere, it is a wake up call to makers of bad cinema from 1965.

4 STARS!

All about Loves of a Blonde

Hachi: A Dog's Tale

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Director - Lasse Hallström

Genre - Drama/Family

This is a lesson in love and we are forever indebted to this canine 'Hachiko' named after the figure eight (8) in Japanese for teaching it to us. Based on a true story which occurred in Japan circa 1920's, this little film starring Richard Gere (an actor who steadfastly refuse to be washed up) crept up on us and took us by complete surprise. We tried to withstand its powerful grip on our emotions but it was futile. Tissues and handkerchiefs weren't even enough to stem the tide of what this did to us. We had to find someone to talk to immediately after. Might even have to start a small support group with those who are similarly affected so we can pull through. Any of you out there? Please? We need HELP.

~In loving memory of Kangoo~

4 STARS!

All about Hachi: A Dog's Tale

Moneyball

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:17:00 +0000

Director - Bennett Miller

Genre - Biography/Drama/Sport

Based on a real story, Brad Pitt is the 'adapt or you die' General Manager of Oakland Athletics, a baseball team with very little spending money. Going up against teams with deeper pockets and losing badly, he puts all his trust on a math wizard and the rest, as they say, is history. The movie doesn't really tread on unfamiliar grounds. The 'us against them' theme has been a part of American cinema for a long time. Films based on sports, especially those centered on actual events get made regularly because the drama on these exciting games are already so pronounced there isn't really any need to make anything up. Half the battle in creating a credible and fascinating story has already been won. You would think that with such meaty material to work with, the director could have taken more risks though. There weren't any scenes which would put this on an exclusive list of classics like 'The Natural' or 'Field of Dreams'. Philip Seymour Hoffman was completely under-utilized too in a thankless role. Brad Pitt did his job well but we've seen better from him. Still, if you don't think of the missed opportunities, this is quite a winner.

3.5 STARS!

All about Moneyball

The Iron Giant

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 14:52:00 +0000

Director - Brad Bird

Genre - Animation/Action/Adventure

It is hard to pinpoint the exact moment when animation broke out of its box and became so much more. Japanese anime artists with their wildly inventive ways and Pixar with their technology know how and plain good storytelling have certainly pushed the envelope. 'The Iron Giant' stands proudly with the best of cinema, its grasp of human emotions and courage in direction as good as if not better than most films using real actors and real locations. A strong anti-violence message is prevalent in the script too, showing mankind's tendency for war rather than peace in all its ugliness. Brad Bird didn't just direct an animated feature here. For us, he actually performed a miracle of sorts. He made us old geezers feel hopeful and willing to believe again.

5 STARS!

All about The Iron Giant

I Shot Jesse James

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:23:00 +0000

Director - Samuel Fuller

Genre - Drama/Western/Romance

Directed by Samuel Fuller, this Western is not cut from the same cloth as those of its era. Robert Ford is portrayed here as a man forever living in the shadow of notorious bank robber Jesse James. After killing his leader and friend, Bob becomes even more haunted by the man, his memory of Jesse's death at his hands and those who saw him as a cowardly swine eating away at him day by day. It is Robert Ford's state of mind which we are offered the front row seats to and it is a tragedy that he himself created, having sealed his own fate with that shooting. Fuller's film was made decades before "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" starring Casey Affleck. We prefer the new update but bear in mind, this was done aeons ago, and Fuller's script still pack a mean punch.

3 STARS!

All about I Shot Jesse James

The Tree of Life

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:45:00 +0000

Director - Terrence Malick

Genre - Drama

Unreasonably inaccessible movie from notoriously rebellious filmmaker Terrence Malick. Apart from the magically stunning cinematography which has to be seen to be believed, the entire film confounded us and we struggled to understand what the hack Malick was trying to do. Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain excelled in their roles playing parents who are in deep pain after the loss of a son, but the insertions of unrelated scenes in the film poisoned the well of their performances considerably. These random scenes would make any unsuspecting person walking into the movie halfway thinking that they were watching a National Geographic special. Sean Penn's dialogue in this was like two words! He must've thought this was the easiest paycheck he'd ever gotten. We don't like our cinema experiences to be so vague we can't even decipher them. '2001: A Space Odyssey' wasn't a walk in the park but you can figure it out eventually. 'The Tree of Life' is the dreaded picture film school students will be asked about during their final exam. "What is Terrence Malick's 'The Tree of Life' about? Give your answer in not less than 2,000 words". Nobody likes to be put on the spot like that. Cinema should inspire and let our dreams sprout wings, not cut our flights of fancy short by bullying us in to submission.

2 STARS!

All about The Tree of Life

Sling Blade

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:57:00 +0000

Director - Billy Bob Thornton

Genre - Drama

As dirt cheap financed independent movies go, this is as good as it gets. Billy Bob Thornton's turn in the director's chair is a stroke of quiet genius, bidding its time with a story which on the surface looks like nothing but is in fact packed full of multi-layered themes. Thornton plays a well meaning simpleton with a heavy past. When he befriends a kid who sees him only as the sweet and kind man he tries so hard to be, a bond of trust and reliance form between the two. Unable to forgive or turn a blind eye to the injustices in society, the calm and peace he sought in life gives way to a darker force, lunging him ever closer to the same grave mistake he made a long time ago. Thornton's acting here is nothing short of remarkable for his 360° transformation as well as his dedication which was put into, come up with such a one of a kind character. What Tarantino did with 'Reservoir Dogs', Thornton matched that with his passion for acting and of finding the truth in human weaknesses. Whilst Tarantino tantalized us with his spitfire dialogue, Thornton did it with eliciting strong performances from his actors and in particular himself. Without any aid of prosthetic, his carefully constructed morphing into this unrecognizable character will put to shame actors who scrape by with their SAG cards. It may not have cemented Thornton as a turn of the century auteur like what 'Citizen Kane' did for Orson Welles, yet in its own small way, this movie will outlive the sum of its modest parts.

5 STARS!

All about Sling Blade

M

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:37:00 +0000

Director - Fritz Lang

Genre - Film-Noir/Thriller

'M' is one of those films which gets under your skin. Not in a creepy or unusual way but rather it is so memorable you can't think about anything else except this film for days and days. Fritz Lang made this classy masterpiece about a serial killer who got the whole city up in arms including the mob with such care towards detail and originality it is hard to top. For anything made at that time and recent times as well. The ending will make you sit up and wonder, "What? This was made so far back?". Daring and groundbreaking for its era, this classic is an ageless and important viewing experience for lovers of cinema. Don't wait. Put that crap ('Green Lantern' is it?) away and get 'M' for Masterpiece.

5 STARS!

All about M

My Magic

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:54:00 +0000

Director - Eric Khoo

Genre - Drama

As indie films go, this here doesn't disappoint. What we didn't really like though is the too sentimental feel which crops up often in the movie. Arguably, Eric Khoo has always had this problem, but in this one, it is somehow more pronounced. If it had gone darker, a more original work would have taken shape. When a downtrodden magician with a demanding beer belly takes on a dangerous job to support his son, events begin to unfold which may bring them both closer than ever before or separate them for eternity. We like the natural acting and real magic (the lead is a magician in real life), but as we've mentioned, it could do with less 'aaawww.....'. Still, the sum of good far outweighs the bad.

3 STARS!

All about My Magic

3

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:09:00 +0000

Director - Tom Tykwer

Genre - Comedy/Drama/Romance

Directed by 'Run Lola Run's Tom Tykwer, this movie lets you in on the lives of three adults who don't adhere to the rules of a conventional relationship. There are repercussions when you don't have a set of values or principles when in love. Anything goes is for the animals. The characters in this engaging story extoll the fun of being open to sexual awakenings regardless of the consequences. For those of you who lead safe and straight lives, it may come as a jolt to your sensibilities. For us, we liked the humor in the unlikeliest of places, the dramatics of love taken out of context so much so it became comical and not at all romantic. In short, it became primal, base and repugnant. So those of you who are still holding hands and locking lips with saccharine affection, stay far away.

4 STARS!

All about 3

Oasis

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:01:00 +0000

Director - Lee Chang-Dong

Genre - Drama/Romance

A unique and unusual experience awaits anyone who stumbles upon this picture. The unlikeliest of romance occurs when an ex-convict falls for a special needs girl. Frowned on by society, we witness how their enclosed world is so much more purer and untainted by hypocrisy compared to the outside world. Moon So-Ri the lead actress was so spot on in her portrayal we thought at first that she was indeed a special needs person in real life. This performance is just phenomenal. Not many actresses would be as courageous and as unselfconscious about their looks as her. We declare her one of the best actresses we've ever encountered based on this emotionally draining and physically taxing performance. It is the kind of acting which doesn't just move you, it shakes you to your inner core and takes you out of your comfort zone. This is our first introduction to director Lee Chang-Dong. We're confident this master of filmmaking has a lot more to offer and we're sure this student-teacher relationship will continue to bloom beautifully. The memory of this movie has ingrained itself deep in the corners of our minds marked arthouse masterclass.

5 STARS!

All about Oasis

All Good Things

noreply@blogger.com (1minutefilmreview) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:04:00 +0000

Director - Andrew Jarecki

Genre - Crime/Drama/Mystery

Based on a true story, this movie stars Ryan Gosling (as the son of a very wealthy man) who may or may not have a hand in the disappearance of his wife, played by Kirsten Dunst. While it is always compelling to watch Gosling, this just didn't do anything for us. The direction was unimaginative and almost put us to sleep if not for Gosling's turn as a man with a hidden mental condition. Playing the wife who takes the brunt of this winning personality, Dunst doesn't surprise us much with her role. Heck, Jennifer Lopez could've played the part. The battered wife isn't a character most of us come up with when we're bantering about commendable female characters. Anyway, the cliches run deep in this made for TV-like film and we're not shocked at all why it is largely ignored by the critics and public.

2.5 STARS!

All about All Good Things