Asian Cinema

I thought the story was was good, but i didn't care for the special effects.

"What I do not give, you must never take by force."

Talk about a dysfunctional family. No one is innocent in this family feud, which is full of lies and deceit. Though it's nothing I haven't seen before, it offers an interesting, yet confusing story and bright visuals.

"Wanna die? Drink coffee! "

The story is cute, and the script mildly mean-spirited, but it's all in good fun. It's got some great one-liners. See above*. I also liked the girl's spontaneity and the guy's unwillingness to keep her happy. It's entertaining from start to finish.

A decent political drama with a romantic side. Believe me when I say this is one bloody film. The director goes for sheer shock value in the opening scene with lots of bloodshed, violence and dismantled body parts. However, this doesn't lend anything to the rest of the story. And what about this so-called super female assassin? She's only vaguely introduced and her character remains underdeveloped, which is a shame. The rest of the film plays out like it should with the good cops chasing the bad guys but always being a step behind and then following up with a "twist" that can be seen miles away.

For a short anime made by one man on his PC, this was pretty darn good. great animation.

Set in modern day Ho Chi Minh City, "Cyclo" is the study of survival among three young individuals - Cyclo, Sister, and Poet. It's wonderfully refreshing, and you won't be able to take your eyes off the screen.

The characters are nameless. It is not their names that define them, but their actions. Cyclo (a rickshaw) is 18 years old, and living in a poor neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He's a rickshaw driver, with little knowledge on life. Pretty soon his rickshaw is stolen and under his boss' instructions, he's forced into petty crime to pay back his debts. His life spirals downward as each passing crime jolts him into a more ravenous lifestyle.

Cyclo's older sister, beautiful and naive, is worn by the long hours of work in the restaurant. She reluctantly turns to prostituting herself under the watchful eye of a gangster named Poet (Tony Leung), who pimps her out to men craving abnormal fetishes.

Lastly, there is Poet. He's been in the business of crime a long time. Head honcho of Cyclo's gang, he's never seen without a cigarette drooping from his lips. He becomes transfixed by Sister, despite the fact that he is her pimp. It is tragic to see how their relationship unfolds.

Anh Hung Tran's expressionistic vision offers minimal dialogue, but a wonderful cascade of colors that symbolize violence, blood, defiance, and offers insights into the impurities of one's soul. A definite recommendation.

Forget the American version (The Lake House), the original is much better. A slow burn, quiet and thought provoking.