The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

Katniss Everdeen makes her way back to screen after the disastrous end to the Quarter Quell. She finds herself deep beneath the ground in District 13th with the rebels. Advised by the rebel President Coin and cajoled by her friends and advisers, she reluctantly agrees to become the face of the revolution. Thanks to being a movie you are spared the whiny inner dialog of Ms. Everdeen. But the movie makes up for that with its boring pacing and uneventful screenplay. A book that easily could have fit in a single movie is dragged across two films with no real reason other than greed. The only saving grace is that you got to see Philip Seymour Hoffman one more time.

Rating:: * +

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Empire of the sun

Christian Bale's finest performance, arguably, thus far - in his debut film as a 13 year old. To put a 13 year old through every scene of a film, through a range of emotions that even the best would struggle with and essentially carry a movie of scale, needs balls. Steven Spielberg manages to do so in 1987 - and with some fine photography & direction. 

Christian Bale plays Jim Graham, a young British boy who has grown up in the Shanghai expat bubble scene as WWII enters its end game. Loses his parents through a tragic turn of events and spends the next 4 years more than surviving through all kinds of John Malkovich type hooligans. 

Outstanding.

Rating: * * * +

The Flowers of War

Possibly the first Zhang Yimou movie that I have watched fully. "Possibly" because I think I headed for the exit while watching Hero or House of Flying Daggers. This unfortunately was a similar experience. Only thing that kept me going through this melodramatic, yet dumbed down, tragic story of WWII Nanking was to watch Christian Bale. Which was ore the disappointing - blame the fucking director.

Rating: * +

The Midnight After

The Chinese title's literal translation is "That midnight, I got on a red public light bus that headed from Mong Kok to Tai Po" and is based on a web novel called "Lost on a Red Mini Bus to Taipo". Given the titles one should expect to be in for a bizarre journey and you will not be disappointed. Seventeen passengers clamber on a bus which delivers them in to a post apocalyptic Hong Kong. Unsure as to what the hell is going on, you quickly get involved with characters as they try to unravel the situation they are in. You are treated to some over the top horror laced comedy that leaves you cringing and laughing. But as the final destination comes closer you realize that the plot is quite empty and disappointing. Or it is going to take some doing to get on the same wavelength as Fruit Chan.

Rating: * *

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You, the Living

Another one of those many vignettes films that are thrown together with a hope a central theme emerges. Few of the shorts are connected but as a whole they seem disparate as the director strides towards the overarching message which is the banality of human existence. Some of them are funny but with a hint of tragedy. There is a self centered middle aged woman, a disillusioned psychiatrist, an enamored rock star fan and a saxophone player to name a few of the inhabitants of this movie. Some interesting techniques are used where the actors speak directly to the camera like in a documentary as they relate their fears and dreams. As much as one would technically want to rave about this movie, the fact that it does not engage you fully just leaves you with a feeling of despondency. 

Rating: * +

Poster licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia.

Liar's Dice

A slow drawn out road movie that features a young mother, Kamal, and her daughter Manya, traveling to Shimla from their village called Chitkul in search of her husband. Enroute they meet Nawazuddin, a roughneck of dubious character who acts as their escort. A multi-layered film exploring the tense man woman relationship in rural India with a socio-political backdrop. Brilliant acting again by Mr. Siddiqui and a fine performance by Ms. Thapa. Directed by Geethu Mohandas of Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare fame, the movie is India's entry in to the 2015 Oscars. For a change a movie of quality has been picked. 

Rating: * * +

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Curse of the Golden Flower

An entirely fictional historical drama set in a court of a Chinese king is the target of Zhang Yimou's extravagance. At the time of release it was the most expensive Chinese film to be ever made, with Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li appraising the lead roles. A highly melodramatic story that features a royal family, incest and intrigue. But the plot is so obvious that the only thing that keeps you watching is the ethereal beauty of Gong Li and the elaborate costumes and sets. The only reason to subject yourself to this movie is if you are stuck on a plane with nothing to read.

Rating: * *

Poster via Wikipedia.

Breathless

Watching this movie can leave you breathless, as you follow Sang-Hoon and his violent temper. He is a loan shark with a tendency to beat people up at the slightest provocation. But as you venture in to his life you find a troubled man with goodness buried deep down inside. His past has filled him with so much darkness that for any kindness to bubble up is also disguised by some roughness. Another well done Korean drama that explores child abuse while flirting with loan sharking. Yes, only the Koreans could have come up with that combination.

Rating: * * +

Poster licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia.