tartan_skirt's Movies > Movie reviews by tartan_skirt

Wristcutters: A Love Story review

Posted : 9 months, 1 week ago on 12 February 2009 05:02 (A review of Wristcutters: A Love Story)

Wristcutters: A Love Story is a little fantasy/road-trip adventure with a story akin, but not too similar, to The Wizard of Oz, set in an afterlife reserved for only those who kill themselves. I found it a charming piece of work, and I was pleasantly surprised by the appearance of Tom Waits and the use of Gogol Bordello's music as piece of the background story. The use of generally unknown/less-known actors works very nicely and I found the performances of each rather well done. True, the story is a tad predictable most of the time. But this isn't really too much of an issue for me as the film is carried out very well overall and I think it actually helps the simplicity of the work as a whole to not try to surprise the viewers with something that just wouldn't fit.

One last thing though: Keep in mind that you really need to view this as a fantasy work (like The Wizard of Oz) rather than a religious concept of a form of purgatory, as this helps to get the mood of the film right. Its actually rather light-hearted for being a film about suicide. ;) Enjoy.

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I enjoyed it

Posted : 1 year, 4 months ago on 9 July 2008 12:54 (A review of Ye yan)

This film is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, using the play as a basic framework with enough big changes to make it its own whilst still holding familiarity to the original idea. The main characters are almost all there, apart from the ghost and Horatio, the latter working out fine especially as he could have easily turned into a sidekick figure in the scheme of things.

Moving away from the origins of the story, the cinematics were rather impressive. The fight and dance scenes were very well choreographed and articulated throughout, adding an artistic touch to a brutal story. The sets successfully helped provide the film with an aesthetic aspect also, especially seen in not only the physical scenery (just take a look at the cityscape at the coronation ceremony) but the lighting and colours too.

Overall I rather liked the adaptation of the Western classic. A very aesthetically pleasing film with awesome fight scenes that don’t overpower the film itself, providing a good balance. My only qualm was the very end, as the question hangs in the viewer’s mind: Who? But if this is the only problem I had with the film then that’s a good thing really. I recommend this movie to fans of Asian cinema and anyone curious to see how the Hamlet adaptation went. Its worth a watch.

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A let down

Posted : 1 year, 4 months ago on 9 July 2008 12:48 (A review of Wassup Rockers)

Watching this movie I felt rather disappointed with Larry Clark and not entirely sure what he was doing, or try to do, rather. Wassup Rockers pales in comparison to both Kids and Bully (and I hope Ken Park also, which I have yet to watch at the time of writing this review), seeming much more strained and dull.

In short, the film consists of a rather uninteresting storyline which picks up more and more forced scenarios. I kept thinking to myself, ok, when is the real story actually going to begin? And it never did. The only reason I would say this was actually worth watching is in comparison with his other works, otherwise I think this was a very average production, not at all up to Clark's usual standards.

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Only Yesterday review

Posted : 2 years, 1 month ago on 29 September 2007 02:26 (A review of Only Yesterday)

Only Yesterday (Omohide poro poro) is quite a mature anime aimed at the josei audience (females from late teenage years to later), according to Wikipedia. It has a very heartfelt story that isn't usually found in animated form, but Studio Ghibli adds its own touch of magic to it without straying from reality.

Unlike many other Ghibli films, this one isn't really for kids. It deals with more mature ideas that wouldn't necesarily be unsuitable for children, but they may not find it that interesting. Long periods of silence in the dialogue also highlight this, but for an older viewer it is a lovely piece of film.

A wonderful film from Ghibli, unlike much of their other films from both before and after. A definite watch for fans to see what the Studio is capable outside of fantasy.

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Urgh... terrible.

Posted : 2 years, 2 months ago on 12 September 2007 07:16 (A review of Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde)

**Slight spoilers**

It has been quite some time since I last watched the first Legally Blonde film, but I think I actually enjoyed it at the time. I’m not sure what I would think now, but I know that this sequel thoroughly sucked. I attempted to watch this last year but I actually turned it off half way through because it was so bad. I only decided to give it another chance because a) I don’t like watching half a film and b) it was on.

Utterly idiotic and ridiculous. The characters are terribly thought out, as is the storyline and much else about it. Does Sid the doorman actually ever mind the door? He seems to have an awful lot of time to waste helping Elle pick flowers or hunt politicians. The female judge was also just stupid with her “change” after the hair salon encounter with Elle transformed her so completely and shockingly instantly.

The only funny part of the entire film was one line uttered by a very minor character. “Your dogs are gay.” Enough said.

That was an hour and a half of my life that I will never get back..

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Better than I thought

Posted : 2 years, 2 months ago on 12 September 2007 07:13 (A review of Big Nothing)

I quite liked Big Nothing. I expected more of a straight comedy, having heard very little about it, but it was more of a black-comedy/action with elements of murder mystery thrown in. Quite a nice blend when you see it.

As for the actors, I think the casting was well done, though seeing Simon Pegg play an American was a bit weird. David Schwimmer also made a good attempt of a non-Ross role, but with an attachment lasting so long you can’t help but be reminded of it every now and then. I think that Pegg brought to the film something akin to that of Spaced or (the later) Hot Fuzz, so it is not only Schwimmer’s character association that shows at times.

The storyline generally worked quite well for me, turning more into a murder mystery into the latter half of the film. I’m not entirely sure why it has such a low mark, but each to their own I suppose.

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American Pop

Posted : 2 years, 2 months ago on 12 September 2007 07:04 (A review of American Pop)

This being my third venture into Bakshi's work, and the first non-fantasy film that I have watched, I have to say that his style is growing on me. There is something in his use of rotoscoping coupled with more adult themes and storylines that I find interesting. His characters are at times grotesquely real, especially in American Pop.

American Pop follows four generations of men, in succession, amongst the tumult of war and music (and other elements) in their own lives and times. Of this shaky family line we follow up to the culmination of the dream of the first - to sing professionally – and as the name suggests, the progression of American Pop and pop culture over the decades.

A great film and another wonderful work from Ralph Bakshi. It was sort of a lost cinematic classic for me and I am glad I discovered it for myself.

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Daft Punk musical

Posted : 2 years, 4 months ago on 16 July 2007 02:08 (A review of Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem)

**Contains spoilers**

I'm not really a fan of Daft Punk's music, and since this was basically just one of their albums with animated illustration forming a story, this wasn't exactly something I would normally go for, but I just like to see interesting animation in general and my boyfriend likes the music, so we watched it.

One thing I can say is that the music videos finally make sense after seeing this. I had only ever seen the first and fourth songs on TV ("One More Time" and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" respectively) and even though the style was interesting, I had been thoroughly confused and thus a little put-off from wanting to watch them again. Seeing this film actually gives them a link and everything fits properly, albeit with a slightly odd storyline. The plot in general is quite good but at times I couldn't help snapping back to reality and scratching my head at the sheer absurdity of some sections (such as the taking over the world/Mozart and other musicians actually alien parts).

I've always thought the animation style was quite interesting but never have I considered it real anime (though I suppose it should be considered as such). It has a flair of individuality, and a departure from the generic anime style is always nice.

Anyway, to round off: If you like the music of Daft Punk, watch it as that is what it is (this is why I gave it a 6 as I am not really a fan). If you like sci-fi animation you also might like it. Otherwise it is completely up to you and your likes/dislikes.

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Wonderful fantasy, suitable for family v

Posted : 2 years, 4 months ago on 10 July 2007 07:48 (A review of The Cat Returns)

As far as my understanding goes, The Cat Returns is a sort-of-sequel/spin-off to an earlier Studio Ghibli film called Whisper of the Heart, which I have yet to see but now want to.

It is a lovely little film which I think would sit well with another, though much earlier, Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro as they are both very much family fantasy films that have wonderful stories. I loved the characters in this and recommend the Japanese voice cast with English subtitles as even though I have not heard the English cast, the originals fit very well indeed.

A great film, recommended for anime and Ghibli fans and a good introduction for children into the genre.

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Jengcheon - The Restless

Posted : 2 years, 4 months ago on 29 June 2007 03:02 (A review of The Restless)

**May contain spoilers**

I quite liked this Korean fantasy-action film. It has some good action sequences and a nice storyline. I didn't think that Tae-hee Kim was the best person to have in the female lead though. She just looked half-startled most of the time and a tad too childish for the role. I could have sworn that I had seen her in something before (like a comedy), but alas, nothing. I just thought the role could have been suited a little bit better for someone else, but she does put in an alright performance.

As for special effects there were quite a few very well done, but the odd one just stood out to me as being a little bit out-of-place-looking. For instance, the attack using the flower petals just looked a little naff. However, I did like the sort of burning/disintegration effects.

A good film, but it could have been a bit better. It definitely has the feel of Musa and Bichunmoo to it but with a fantasy twist, so if you're a fan of those you should check this out.

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