Foreign

The Black Book is quite a difficult film to review. After the bleak, harrowing realism of Schindler's List, and films like The Pianist, it's slightly disorientating to see a story about the Nazi occupation of Europe (and the treatment of the jews) that sets out to be so... well, entertaining.

This story of a beautiful jewish girl who escapes the massacre of her family by the Germans only to fall in love with one of their high ranking SS Officers is told with passion and pace. Clarice Houten is extremely charismatic and endearing as the central character, a jew who has to survive in occupied Holland towards the end of the war - but she seems just a little too upbeat, sassy, confident and optimistic most of the time, given the traumatic events she encounters.

Complicated and exciting plot with many rapid turns and surprises, breaks the mould with few holds barred and a sometimes a little graphic. The intensity of war and the Jewish plight is conveyed with passion, compassion and reality from both sides of the fence. My only gripe would be that everybody in this film looked so healthy... but then, I suppose asking actors to starve themselves would be an idea too far.

The fact this film was not even nominated for the best foreign language film at the 2007 Oscars is a travesty.

From the outset you know you are watching something different than your run of the mill shock horror. An intelligent and super twisted spin on a revenge movie that keeps you hooked as you'll be desperate to find out why the main character was imprisoned for 15 years. A dense, dark, devastatingly sad story of incest, revenge and love. Bleak, yet hauntingly beautiful and powerfully acted, the story line never tires throughout the film and grips you from start to finish. The second in the vengeance trilogy and perhaps the most well known - fine as a stand alone. An extraordinary and original film.

A must see movie. Pay attention Tarantino...

This film is why the Asian film industry make some of the best films in the world. Not really a horror in the traditional sense, it doesn't scare you its not that kind of film, its more of a study of what women go through to please men, so if you want something different give it a try. The dumpling preparation scenes are beautiful to watch until you realise the content of the final ingredient. This original quirky and darkly entertaining film really held my attention - visually interesting and sometimes erotic and humourous - it ultimately shocked and dealt with deeper issues of ageing and attraction.

Sold into slavery by her parents as a child, Sayuri (Ziyi Zhang, in a stunning performance) is resigned to a life of hardship and abuse. Raised amongst geishas, including the bitter Hatsumomo (a delectably vile Gong Li), Sayuri dreams of their educated and venerated lifestyle. When an unexpected benefactor (a scene-stealing Michelle Yeoh) comes looking for Sayuri, the frightened girl begins her long and arduous training to become a geisha. During this time, Sayuri rises to power, commanding the attention of every man she meets, enraging Hatsumomo further. Nevertheless, all the adoration in the land can't help satisfy Sayuri's love for the one person, The Chairman (Ken Watanabe), who was kind to her while she was a frightened little girl.


Based on the best-selling book of the same title, 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is quite simply, superb! Chinese actors playing Japanese characters is irrelevant. They do an excellent job and are perfectly cast. It has atmosphere and class which is sadly lacking in many films these days. Don't be put off by people who insist on comparing the book to the film. The film is an interpretation of the book, not an exact copy. Go and see it and make up your own mind. Meticulously produced and detailed, 'Geisha' is a feast for the eyes, but icy to the touch. I loved it!

This film uses simple subtitles only when needed as the expressive quality of the childrens' faces especialy the lead boy is astonishing. The scene is set in a large, busy residential state kindergarten with only two appearances of any parents.

Suddenly dropped off by his father, Qiang whose boisterous ways and bed-wetting upset the school's natural order. The 4 year old boy knows nothing of toilet-training and other regimented routines, and is initiated firmly by the female staff with the resulting bewilderment of the child and his eventual rebellion and isolation. The film's colour is sensitive in contrast to a political regime being imposed on the very young children. At times relentless its without aggression, more like a dream, its captivating. Some good shots and clever cinematography, and well matched soundtrack, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it if you're having a night off from the kids, lol!

'The Page Turner' is a revenge film, but much more subtle than, say 'Single White Female or 'The Hand that Rocks the Cradle' which deal with similar themes.

A budding young pianist's hopes are dashed when she is unfairly treated by an examiner. Her reaction is extreme and what follows is the basis of the film. In real life, what happened during this examination is almost impossible (I'm a pianist, so I know). Even if one accepts that such a thing could happen, the story continues along an equally far-fetched route. Yes, the tension does build well, the music is good and the acting not bad. But there is a highly implausible element near the end, with sex rearing it's ugly head as usual (because this is after all a French film, and even if it doesn't make sense, there has to be a bit of sex thrown in for good measure).

There are also a number of elements in her revenge over the family which do rely on a suspension of disbelief which unfortunately undermines the overall impression of the film. Having said that, if you are prepared to go along with these, it is an enjoyable movie to watch as long as you don't ask too many questions.

Sheer brilliance... based on the Manga series of the same name, Death Note is a deliciously twisty, thrilling and well made movie. My exuberence is due to the fact I hadn't heard of or read manga or even seen the anime prior to watching this, which I guess isn't necessary a bad thing!

Light, the films main protagonist, receives a note book with which he can bestow death upon anyone simply by writing their name in its pages, he transforms himself into Kira, the ultimate anti hero by eliminating many of Japan's criminals.

the cgi death god character is very good, although I may have seen better - and with Light's taste for murder spiralling out of control, he becomes embroiled in a titanic battle of wits against the enigmatic master detective, L. A brilliant character and easily my favourite - he's quirky, has substance, depth and character, I'm a fan already, lol!

The characters are interesting from the start and the storyline, compelling and clever. Just when you think you've picked out a plot hole they're neatly explained and reasoned away in a nice neat package. Congrats to the writers and director for making the transition from Manga/Comic to film successful. By the way... the sequel is even better, if that's at all possible. Definitely one for my collection. Sheer brilliance.