“HOMECOMING” 歸來 (2014) CHINESE FILM REVIEW

 “HOMECOMING”  歸來 (2014)  

A ZHANG YIMOU Movie.

The REVIEW.

Yon call it a ZHANG YIMOU film, hence the furore, shouldn’t it be so?

I am not an avid follower of his big scale productions.

However, I do relish his less ambiguous works of the grassroots era and humbler as they were, they were the ones that really shone. At least for me.

In HOMECOMING I adore the simplicity and purity of the narrative form. ZHANG knows how to weave an arresting film into your heart.

He highlights the complexity the actors have to struggle with, displaying raw emotions and motives required of the screen characters. These elements are admirably harnessed. This is a difficult project to embark upon, given whatever period restrictions.

You can feel the presence of ZHANG YIMOU always, pulling us closer through the realm of history, making the journey poignant, substantial and real.

From this we know that he is still the master craftsman of the grassroots genre. And HOMECOMING is his film.

Let us start with an interesting insight:

 On 27th March, 2014,Taiwan born American film director ANG LEE was generous in showering praises for Chinese mainland  director ZHANG YIMOU.

ZHANG has temporarily shed his colossal scale image in his new film HOMECOMING 歸來. Never say never, I think.

The two filmmakers happily shared boisterous views on the highs and lows of gregarious film making, in a “talk shop manner”, courtesy of the New York University on March 27, 2014.

ZHANG pointed out that he has fallen back to his grassroots yard, as you can observe in his latest delivery.

This change may have been brought about by personal, creative or commercial reasons, because some of his latest huge budget films have tanked at the box office. Not a good sign, especially when there are scores of younger directors scrambling to break in.

This latest venture has been inspired by author Yang Geling’s novel “The Criminal Lu Yanshi”.

HOMECOMING bags an emotive love story that spans over seven decades of an upright man’s tortuous incarceration and a forceful separation from his family, during the madness of the Cultural Revolution.

In this film, you will be swarmed with the intense pacing of anguish, pain, rage and sorrow gushing through your veins as though you were there in every scene, living the situation.

My fellow colleague who was with me at this preview bawled. Big men don’t cry? Guess this notion is proven wrong now.

I can identify with writer Brian Jacques when he admonishes us to express ourselves: “Don’t be ashamed to weep, it’s right to grieve. Tears are only water, and flowers, trees and fruits cannot grow without water. But there must be sunlight also. A wounded heart will heal in time, and when it does, the memory and devotion of our beloved ones sealed inside will surface to welcome us.”

Metaphorically, HOMECOMING is one movie that resonates with the vivid colors of spring and the gloom of autumn, aside the superb acting of the two leads.

No spoilers to mar the plot? I will try.

COMING HOME reunites director ZHANG and actress GONG LI since their last collaboration on the opulent period piece Curse Of The Golden Flower (2006). And this time again, ZHANG still able to draw an award winning performance from his iconic muse.

Observe her confused reaction when the couple meets again for the first time in years.

When her husband (LU YAN SHI) did finally arrive home, her calm misdemeanor baffles everyone, in contrast to everyone’s expectations.

There is no joy, no embrace, just quiet contentment. The wife is in the throes of amnesia.

This is a tragedy of a family torn apart by the madness of the Cultural Revolution.

Extraordinarily, the tragic conclusion will definitely linger against a lilting piano piece, in the minds of the audience. long after they step out of the cinema.

Ending scene: The amnesiac wife strikes a lonesome figure, standing forlornly at the Station, waiting for the imaginary return of the husband.

RATING: 4 out of 5

Local Distributor :  GSC MOVIES

MOVIE REVIEW : TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES.

“TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES” (2014)

 FILM REVIEW

 So those naughty pizza-loving turtles are back, in full throttle. Depending on your age, you can excuse yourself by saying that you grew up watching the amazing turtles, after which you head for a meal at PIZZA HUT’s. Plus a helping of ORANGE CRUSH of course.

Producer MICHAEL BAY knows a trick or two about making promotional bucks from his TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION experience. He practically snared the entire China Market full of eager followers.

Now, these pizza chomping creatures are going to rake in millions of dollars in advertising dollars, courtesy of the film’s official PIZZA partner who will heap huge amounts to cash in.

Pause, and you will conclude three feature films in the Teenage Mutant Turtles trilogy. Which one is better?

This 2014 version is the third in tow, and it comes with a surprise explosion of the CGI splendor. The Director is JONATHAN LIEBESMAN.

For the turtles, their last big screen romp was seven years ago. Now, let’s move on with the encapsulated plot:

Movie opens on New York City. It is the home and cover-up for the misdeeds of the Foot Clan’s.

Beguiling Megan Fox takes on the role of April O’Neil, a naive reporter eager to prove her worth in salt to her bosses.

Out on solitary trip to uncover a scoop about the Foot Clan, she accidentally witnesses  a vicious attack by Foot soldiers against four shadowy figures. The four turn out to be our titular heroes the Ninja Turtles. And how does this come about?

These creature were once upon a time April’s teeny pets. They were part of a growing experiment conducted by April’s scientist father, alongside industry’s mogul Eric Sachs (William Fichtner). During a mysterious fire that cost her father his life, the young April set free the four turtles and a rat into the sewers. As the years roll on, the escapees grow into bipedal mutant creatures who observe the strict rules of the ninja.

The villain Sachs who has pledged to support the NYPD in their battle against the Foot Clan is thrilled to learn that the turtles are still alive for his own benefit. The reality is that the turtles’ blood contain a mutagen that every scientist is craving for.

You hear noisy battle cries of the good fighting the bad guys, destroying urban peace and scaring the hoot and holler out of the New Yorkers.

One remarkable scene is when the top of a high-rise building topples over with our heroes grappling on for dear life. 

Another major scene — a chase involving an 18-wheeler skids down a steep, snowy mountain as the turtles go sledding on their shells, choreographed in a complex, albeit heart-stomping way.

Finally, you’ll have to reckon with the scrumptious Pizza Hut pizzas and Orange Crush the turtles relish in the sewers — because the film will stop in its tracks to provide commercials for these products. More …..

 SPOILERS STOP HERE:

So do I enjoy this Movie?

Very much so.

It is a fun, silly, awesome, rollicking joy ride all the way!

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Local Distributor: UIP MALAYSIA

"JU-ON 3 : THE BEGINNING OF THE END" (2014) JAPANESE FILM REVIEW

 A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS?

IF SO, THEN THESE “TWISTED” VISUALS MIGHT WELL DELIVER THE MESSAGE.

These visuals are indecently scary, demented enough to evoke distaste and fear in the minds of the weak.

No, the movie doesn’t play nice, fair nor easy.

It is definitely old-school where the use of special effects is kept to a bare minimum.

To say the least,  “JU-ON 3″ is one profoundly disturbing film to boot.

 ” JU-ON 3 : THE BEGINNING OF THE END ” (2014) JAPANESE MOVIE REVIEW

For some inexplicable reasons, I’ve yet to establish a valid connection on the JU-ON series, from past to present.

Hence this Review presents an opportunity to level up on a non-comparative edge (as akin to the the old ones).

“Ju On 3: The Beginning Of The End” wastes no time in pushing viewers into the loop.

It sounds the gong that it is a horrific film of the macabre genre. If you have a faint heart, don’t see.

The ghastly boy ghost is still around to deliver shocks, to empower you with his sickly appearance.

He will trample upon the hapless albeit unfortunate visitors who visits his residence.

And curiosity kills the cat (proverbial saying).

His favorite trick is to twist his victims’ heads 360% around with a loud cracking click. As well as to “prise open” the human jaw by stretching the jaw upwards and mutilate the total jaw apart in an elongated manner. It is really disgusting.

For these sick pictures, please browse the visuals provided above.

We are told that this one  is the seventh film in the “Ju On” franchise.

If you are familiar with Japanese actors, here’s a neat line-up of Nozomi Sasaki (Yui Shouno), Kai Kobayashi (Toshio Saeki), Sho Aoyagi (Naoto Miyakoshi), and Reina Triendl (Nanami). They are here to be “bumped” off.

Some of these girls are really attractive.

 Let us have a brief rundown of the hideous plot:

In a peaceful residential area,three persons: a policeman, a child consultation officer and a local office staff assemble in front of a house with grim faces.

They discover the corpse of a murdered boy, dangling from a rope in a garbage-strewn room within the abode.

The boy has been dead for some time as the air is smacked of rotting flesh ordor.

Yui Ikuno (Nozomi Sasaki) is a teacher at an elementary school.

She is asked to take over Year 3 Class 3 following a sudden departure of their form teacher, Mr.Konishi.

Yui has no experience as a teacher but willingly accepts the offer. On her first day of class, Yui notices an unoccupied desk in the classroom.

The desk belongs to Toshio Saeki (Kai Kobayashi).

The class register shows that he has been absent for 7 days. She learns from the Vice Principal that the previous teacher, Konishi, made a home visit but did not see the boy.

Shortly after, he resigned.

Determined, Yui decides to visit Toshio. She may be bold but she is courting trouble.

No spoilers here as the VISUALS have already shown you that “JU-ON 3 is made with brutal fascination and skill.

Go enjoy the movie from here.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5.

LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR:  GSC MOVIES

"THE TEACHER''S DIARY" (2014) THAI FILM REVIEW

THE lovey-dovey MOVIE POSTER

PLOY CHERMAN the Actress.

She slips effortlessly into the role of a plain Jane.

Or if you will, she can play the beguiling tempress.

Poster boy BIE (SUKRIT WISETKAEW) is not just a cute singer.

He can really act as well.

 THIS IS THE KICK-ASS MOVIE TRAILER

His STORY starts on this derelict ISLAND that’s devoid of total POWER and INTERNET communication.

This love-struck teacher reads “I MISS YOU SO MUCH” through a diary that unintentionally connects.

STUDYING is SO MUCH FUN when THE TEACHER demonstrates to the small class.

When DARKNESS falls, the NIGHT is seemingly long.

That’s where LONELINESS creeps in.

(Lady) “Is it POSSIBLE to LOVE without MEETING the other person?”

(Man) “I LOVE, I CHERISH and I will WAIT …”

SHE IS DEDICATED TO HER JOB

“THE TEACHER’S DIARY” (2014)

Thai Movie Review

Hey Baby, do you know what’s like to be lonely?

The year is 2012.

Song (SUKRIT WISETKAEW) is a cute hunk, an ex- wrestler who’s maimed by the physical  and emotional demands of his wrestling job and opts for a change. He accepts a one-year contract to teach in a “floating houseboat” moored alongside an enormous lake, amid the lush forestry of Chiangmai.

To his dismay, he has an odd intake of four naughty students for a start.

These brats give him a hard time, despite his patience and endurance to educate them.

One day Song stumbles upon  an illustrated diary belonging to Ann (PLOY CHERMAN), an attractive teacher who has taught the same class the term before him.

Reading page-by-page into the diary, he is fascinated by Ann’s regular goings-on. Most importantly, she is lonely too.

Nightfall after school can be boring and draggy. And leafing through Ann’s diary and penning his thoughts onto the book is the only pleasure that fertilizes Song’s mind and makes him forget about his extreme loneliness.

Of course, Ann has her fair share of frustrations and miseries when she was teaching the term before.

These she recounts in her illustrated diary. As time rolls on, Song finds himself falling in love with Ann though they have never met.

It is therefore natural that Song seeks Ann, yet when he eventually finds her, fate has it that she already has a boyfriend.

Both Ann and Song both are enduring unhappy relationships.

Song’s girlfriend is cheating on him.

Ann’s boyfriend is just another regular controlling jerk.

 We all know that it will be a matter of time when Ann and Song, having connected through the diary, sparks would be ignited, and they’d fall for each other.

Would this be the case?

In 2013, Ann returns to her old teaching job at the same rural houseboat.

She retrieves her diary only to find Song’s responses to her past entries.

Ann is clueless about the mysterious Song who has since resigned from this houseboat school.

Where is he is now?

For two lonely souls, this houseboat school is swarmed with lovey-dovey remembrances.

Admirably directed by NITHIWAT THARATORN,”THE TEACHER’S DIARY” is exuberantly funny with loads of poetic indulgences and tender moments.

This Reviewer loves it!

FOOTNOTES:

 The floating school based shown in the film is for real.

It’s called “Bann Ko Jatson School (Floating Classroom Branch)” at Li District, Lamphun Province in Northern Thailand.

The actress PLOY CHERMAN handles her role well, but it is BIE (SUKRIT WISETKAEW) who steals the thunder from her.

BIE has Chinese looks and if his management does a good job, he will soon have a stronghold of followers in Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan.

That, provided he brushes up his Mandarin skills.

 RATING: 4.5 out of 5 (for telling us that love is a many-splendored thing).

Local Distributor: GSC MOVIES