Pacific Ramadan

Departures

'DEPARTURES'

Directed by: Yujiro Takita
Written by: Kundo Koyama
Cast: Masahiro Motoki , Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kimiko Yo, Ryoko Hirosue

Mentality has proven if it's an Oscar winning movie, it'll sure be boring as hell. Depends on your kind of hell, action packed bullet flying exploding bombs movie lately is a hellish' ride for some because of it's a lame Hollywood cliché and it's time for a fresh change. That's why western is turning their attention to the east, not for the sword slashing martial art movie but a movie with everyday reality.

I won't deny this year Oscar foreign language category winner 'Departures' is a beautifully composed movie, with music score that depends heavily on cello and wide shot of countryside; TOO beautiful maybe but director Yujiro Takita made it a universally appealing. At first glance, you might get fooled by thinking it's about ritual of Japanese culture but actually its universal ritual of handling the deceased.

Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki), a hardworking husband is a professional cellist who loses his job when his orchestra goes bankrupt. He and his wife, Mika (Ryoko Hirosue) was forced to move back to his hometown in the Japanese countryside and into his late mother's house. Daigo is slightly haunted by a blurry childhood memories; the whereabouts of Daigo’s father, who walked out on the family when Daigo was a young boy, are unknown. Seeking employment, he responds to a help-wanted ad. The headline reads "Departures," he assumes the position has something to do with the traveling agency. Surprised and shocked but in dire need for a job, Daigo gives the job a try by assisting Mr. Sasaki (Tsutomu Yamazaki) who is in the business of preparing dead bodies for burial. When Mika founds out, she couldn't accept that Daigo will have to work with corpses forever and later leaves him.

The movie dealt on the simple taboo, working with the dead. Call it 'sueh', scary or filthy, in reality somebody has to do it. Ask yourself: If you die, you want your body to be rotten and unattended? Daigo childhood friend felt uneasy and told him to find a better job. Later, he met Daigo again when there is a death in his family. It's not about the process; it not about the work but it's about bringing comfort to distraught families. The dramatic tension works well between Daigo and Mika, Daigo choices to stay or leave the departure business and the closure he needed for his dad. There are two scenes that I really love: the first one is when Daigo discovers there is a death season and the second scene when Sasaki said he can handle all religious death ritual. Mr. Sasaki assistant Yuriko Kamimura, (Kimiko Yo) turn out to be a very lovable character, she portrayed emotions in an unexpected way. Twice she played with Daigo feelings but she couldn’t handle hers when she told the story about her children and actor Kimiko Yo expression gave an astounding acting compared to Masahiro Motoki or Tsutomu Yamazaki and should receive an award.

The story is predictable, no spoiler here but at the climax of the movie, I've watched the same usage of object to remind the dead in another Japanese movie 'Angel's Egg'. It's nothing but it lessen the impact for me, luckily with well written story and great actors gives strength for viewers to enjoy 'Departures'. Most people cover grief with anger and loss with fear. Takita use this foundation for the movie. People tends have negatives thought to what they couldn't understand or handle. The same goes for the moviegoers out there, do not judge an Oscar winning film before watching it.

P.S: Wait till the ending credit, one word... superb

~ESK

After School

'AFTER SCHOOL'
Directed by: Kenji Uchida
Written by: Kenji Uchida
Cast: Yo Oizumi, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Masato Sakai, Takako Tokiwa

The movie starts with a beautiful childhood memory that leads to a breakfast scene with a pregnant woman and a salaryman. He eats, then runs of to work in a Porsche. From there, the traditional Japanese plot went haywire but the story will be put in pieces of jigsaw puzzle, enough to make the audience got restless.
Kimura (Masato Sakai), the salaryman went missing after running of with a mysterious women. Miki (Tomoko Tabata) gives birth in a mad rush situation to hospital but Kimura can't be contacted and his responsibility falls to the shoulder of school gym instructor Jinno (Yo Oizumi), Kimura's friends since childhood. A coworker takes a picture of Kimura taking a beautiful woman to a hotel. The photo makes it way to the corporate ladder and his company executives hire a porn shop owner/private detective, Shimazaki (Kuranosuke Sasaki) to find Kimura for unknown reasons. Shimizaki finds Jinno, showed him the photo and Jinho agrees to help out the investigation to find Kimura.
Clue after clue was given to the audience which were peeled of slowly but in an acceptable pace. I'm not fimiliar with director/writer Kenji Uchida works (or forgot I've watched it before coz the title 'Stranger Of Mine ' is very fimiliar) works but impressed with his tricky storyline using multiple viewpoints and non linear structure. Uchida clever aproach is he didn't try to challange viewer mind by making things complicated and later giving a long, boring explaination. Infact, he invite the viewer to experience the situation and examine the evidence themselves. He manipulates but never make the audience felt stupid when he reach the story deconstructing point.
If this a typical Hong Kong/Korean/Japan movie, with the appearance of police squad, Yakuza mobsters, detectives and innocent bystander in a restaurant, I'll guarantee they will be a bloodbath in a final gun vs. katana showdown. Uchida manage to succesfully change the extremely tense situation into comedic ending. Some might find 'After School' boring but for me, it have an original twisted story that is good enough to make Hollywood filmakers thinking of a remake but then again, they will make a poor quality remake and give the original version a bad name.

~ESK

How To Become Myself

HOW TO BECOME MYSELF

Directed by: Jun Ichikawa
Writen by: Kaori Mado (novel)
Cast: Riko Narumi, Atsuko Maeda

Instead of story revolving around Mat Rempit or Bohsia and other local clichés, why not try youth drama that involves identities, school problems and family issues? This is more down to earth teenager dilemmas which could be watched and understood by all audience. This is what ‘How To Become Myself’ excels at the silver screen.

Based on a novel by 30-year-old Kaori Mado, tells the tale of two girls faced with that typical adolescent choice: fit in or be cast out. Juri is an attractive high school student but not the most popular girl in class, the title belongs to Hinako Hanada. There’s a fine line drawn when audience was introduced to the school outcast Kubota Manami. She empathizes with both of those students but didn’t attempt to communicate with them, it’s that feeling we have in school: if I talk with the outcast, people will find me ‘uncool’ but I’m not good enough to talk with the popular. Hinako suddenly falls from grace and becomes shunned an object for bullying. On the last day at school, Juri and Hinako have a brief chat in the library but viewers can felt the distance as they were separated by tables.

The two girls go their separate ways because they attend different high schools. Juri faced problems when her parents frequently quarrel, while Hinako became depressed at having to move to another school. Juri trying to write for her first high school novel but draws to a blank and was advised by her teacher to create lies since that is fiction writing is. Juri sends a well-wishing text message to Hinako (but it was pronounce e-mail on subtitles) and Juri pretends he didn’t know who’s the sender. Juri apologize but Hinako can’t resist writing back and later depend on every Juri’s messages as her guide to her everyday life. They’re messages become the story of Juri’s novel ‘The Story Of Hina & Kotori’. Unknowingly Juri helps re-build Hinako confidence but until what point? This is where to Kaori Mado beautifully plays with her reader: who’s actually living in a happy and joyful life and who’s actually fantasies to have one? Which of the girls is having the identity crisis?

The only problem with ‘How To Become Myself’ is it’s slow pacing and as the first movie to watch at Japan Film Festival marathon, I need to drink Red Bull to keep awake before next movie. Director Jun Ichikawa also gives an arty variety to some scene with extreme close-up to show emotion, split screen to create distance and fade to black every time to show their sms reply. A human brain couldn’t take too many fade to black on the big screen, which for me more to flickers and this technique somehow really annoying.

Back to the earlier clichés I mentioned, there is no romance, no sex, no drugs, no violence, no terminal illness and no lesbian kiss scene between the girls to make this movie a success. This is a fine example of a bully victim cry for help and if you read school bully reports in newspaper, a friend is still an effective way to help the victim to ease the pain or being suicidal. I’m not giving out public service announcement but this is an effective way to make a teen film pure and simple by using two girls and their hand phones.

~ESK

Dance, Subaru!'

'DANCE, SUBARU!'
Directed by: Lee Chi-Ngai
Cast: Meisa Kuroki, Ara, Yûta Hiraoka, Toshio Kakei, Momoi Kaori, Yuta Hiraoka

I was in a confusing mood while entering the cinema to watch this movie. In a remarkable twist of fate from my own mistake, I had to cancel a dinner date in one of the MidValley restaurant right before the movie. It took me sometime to get my focus back on the screen. The first thing that cross my mind upon seeing the movie poster is what's the last dance flicks that I saw or try very hard to forget? The only title came to mind is 'Take The Lead', actually 'Sayang You Can Dance' did also but that's the kind of movie I try to erase from my mind. Japanese movie poster sometimes really misleading, so my first impression is I'll be watching leng luis with hot bods dancing on screen. Yes, it's true but 'Dance, Subaru!' have more than I've expected.

Adapted from the best selling manga by Masahito Soda, Subaru and her twin brother Kazuma share a dream to become a professional ballet dancer. Unfortunately, Kazuma succumbs to hereditary illness and Subaru continues pursuing her dream. She accidentally meet cabaret owner Isuzu (Momoi Kaori), a retired ballerina, who recognises her talent and trains her. However, Subaru always got discouraged by her father who wanted her to have conventional education. With much of convincing from her classmate Mana (Sano Miku) and influence from a Korean-American dancer Liz Park (Ara), Subaru enters an international dance competition for a scholarship to any top ballet company in the world. You can see the cute and adorable factor from the child actors which can dance more better than the adult Subaru and every time the black cat make its appearance. One more thing, the child actor gives a powerful expression compared to the blank stare that Meisa Kuroki sometimes gives. The story is beautifully constructed and easy to digest but the Hong Kong director Lee Chi Ngai takes a lot of time to built up some scene. When he reaches the climax, it's not special anymore. For example the scene where Subaru tries to feel the space around her using her senses (there's a term in the movie but I couldn't remember): from the point Subaru paint her glasses with a marker, then went into a sudden dance trance in a hip hop club, Liz pull her out to give her advice, she tried again, the slow mo with lighting effect started and finally we understand what the climax of the scene is all about. I got lost after she got into the dance trance as the rest of the scene got draggy.
The plot of buddy dancer turn to enemy was the most interesting of all but they’re afraid to develop more on the romance between Subaru and Kohei (Yuta Hiraoka), possibly because of time constraint. In technical, we usually exposed by Hollywood dance flick with overhead shot, fast track shot, and tight camera shot of the dancer body movement but none of that is being use here. Director Lee use a basic camera shot on most of the final competition dance scene and surprisingly, it works since it gives more classical look.

The dance routine by Meisa Kuroki is not perfect but after reading an article that she only took four months of intense ballet training at the same time have to master hip-hop, contemporary and bolero, she got my respect for pulling off a believable performance. 'Dance, Subaru!' is filled with drama, tragedy, inspiration, motivation and most importantly passion to fulfill a destiny. Well, it manages to ease the pain of the earlier failed date attempt and somehow motivate me to give it a second try. Hehehe.

~ESK

'Blood: The Last Vampire'

'BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE'
Directed by: Chris Nahon

Written by: Kenji Kamiyama, Katsuya Terada

Cast: Gianna Jun, Allison Miller, Masiela Lusha, JJ Feild, Koyuki, Yasuaki Kurata, Liam Cunningham

First of all, I want to congratulate Sony Pictures for organising a successful fan screening which was attended by hundreds of local monsters and vampires. Which leads to a photo of me that was uploaded on FB with bloody face holding a sword, muffin and a small cup of coffee beside a beautiful lady. The next few days, I receive couple of sms/messenger asking who the lovely lady is and can I introduce her to them. No freakin' way man! Vampire don't share contact number, only victims. Now back to the review...

The first news that caught my attention on this film is when Korean sweetheart Jeon Ji-hyun ('My Sassy Girl') changed her name to Gianna. Since she's well known by her original name, I'm not sure if it's a wise move or it's a sign of bad luck. Let me introduce you to the newest Hollywood hybrid attempt of Japan+Korea+U.S.

Adapted from the 2001 anime cult hit developed by Mamoru Oshii, 'Blood: The Last Vampire' opens in 1970s Tokyo. Saya (Gianna), born to a human father and a vampire mother has been raised by Kato (Kurata) to kill Onigen (Koyuki), an evil bloodsuckers. Saya who's actually 400 years old but look 16, becomes a vampire hunter with the guidance of a senior agent (Cunningham) leading an entourage of Men In Black to clean up after her mess. Every step she took, every vampire she kills draws her closer to Onigen. After a secret society called Council gives info that Yokota U.S. Airbase need a little cleansing, Saya enrolls at the precinct's school and rescues Alice (Miller), the general daughter from vampy bullies. The story unfolds as more and more evil monster emerges which makes you think if all U.S. Airbase around the world facing the same threat which is far more worst than terrorist attack.

'Blood: The Last Vampire' is a straight forward action film, too straight forward till you won't have to think much of it 5 second after the ending credits rolls. Chris Nahon lacks of experience can be seen clearly while Chris Chow's screenplay attempts to make it feel oldschool just turn to be outdated. The used of fast cuts, close ups, and time-lapse/slow motion is not to give an arty look for a certain scene but only to cover up what they couldn't achieve. The endless numbers of vampire wouldn't impress viewer if they got simply chopped of without a fight. The rooftop scene looks to cartoonish (or maybe they purposely want it to be cartoonish) and I don't want to comment about the CGI. The stylize blood spurts probably to lessen the impact of graphic violence but somehow turn out to be a bloodfest worse than '300'.

The story simply goes down the hill right after the army truck went down the hill. You'll start thinking, is this a dream sequence or is it real? The thin plot getting thinner than a piece of capathi and you felt that the final third of the film seemed like it was a rushed job. Since Saya and Onigen is Japanese, why didn't they do the final battle in Japanese language as a tribute to the anime? Also, it would help end Koyuki suffer badly on her English diction. Like Allison Miller need to understand whatever their saying, since her bad acting wasn't helping either.

The only scene that I love is in the second set of fighting in the forest. Corey Yuen and Chris Nahon successfully make it into a classic martial art scene with a bit of Kurusawa's element. Yasuaki Kurata was a huge crossover action star in the 70's, so this pays homage to his beautiful fighting style which still looks impressively good for his age. I still didn't have the chance to watch the animated version of 'Blood: The Last Vampire' so it's hard to make a direct comparison. If my review sounded all bad, you don't have to worry. As I conduct small interviews after watching the movie, younger generation of viewer aged 18-20 loves this film. Maybe it has a different impact to the fresh blood moviegoers compared to this 400 years old vampire... I meant reviewer.

~ESK

State Of Play

STATE OF PLAY

Directed by: Kevin Macdonald.

Screenplay by: Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilroy & Billy Ray based on original TV series by Paul Abbott

Cast: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels

“To print or not to print...” the words which will haunt every journalist and editor. Personally, I've worked as a journalist/writer/photographer for more than 4 years and every photo that I took, every question that I asked and every word that I wrote will be my responsibility. One simple example: If I'm still working in a magazine and doing a movie review, I will be forced by my editor to write good stuff even the movie sucks just satisfy to the film distributor. By doing that, I'll be lying to readers who'll buy the magazine and going to buy tickets to watch the movie. What a moral dilemma huh? That's why I could connect with Cal McCaffrey character immediately and yes, i tottaly agree with a sign on the editor's table telling 'Never Trust an Editor'.

'State of Play', a Hollywood adaptation of the six-part BBC series that first broadcast in 2003 starts with the murder of a young male and a pizza deliveryman at back alleys of Washington DC. Cal McCaffrey (Crowe) a crime reporter at the Washington Globe investigates those two deaths later found out his old college pal Stephen Collins (Affleck), now a Congressman who lost an intern name Sonia Baker that died in a mysterious accident, broke down in tears infront of dozen of media in a public hearing. This sparks a media frenzy on Collins secret affair with Sonia which will jeopardize his career. Della Frye (Rachel McAdams) a young and ambitious tries to persuade Cal to give infos on his college pal got patronise by him for being a blogger not a real journalist. All three death was connected to a military contractor company. McCaffrey and Collins lives is in danger if the secret reach the public. Della teams up with McCaffrey to uncover the conspiracy but could they publish the truth even if they've found it?

The cast is simply superb; Crowe's a lone character who'll find the news he wanted whatever the concequences might be. McAdams as the young and rebelious reporter trying to withstand Cal's attitude. Jason Bateman as the quirky and funny cocaine fixer and Helen Mirren as the comanding editor who wanted every breaking news will be printed on her newspaper. As for Ben Affleck, i suggest he find another job because he's getting worst at acting. If the part goes to his best friend Matt Damon, the politician character will be more believable!

Director Kevin Macdonald and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto did a wonderful job in some pivotal scene. While waiting for his wife to arrive to join him for a press conference to make a public apology on his affair with Sonia Baker, Affleck character was shot in an awkward position down a staircase looking up when his wife arrive with a bodyguard. The lighting, the shadow and the angle of the shot told the audience that he's guilty of his wrong doing and desperately asking forgiveness from his wife. The scene snaps at the first question he asks his wife upon her arrival. What a superb moment! Another beautifully crafted scene is when Cal confronts Rep. George Fergus (Jeff Daniels) starting at the ballet background of 'Peter and the Wolf' until they end the conversation between the line of pillars.

'State of Play' is a dark conspiracy thriller which embarks upon a normal unthinkable circumstances. Compared to other web of lies film that make you snores halfway through the movie because of it's complicated storytelling, 'State of Play' keep the viewer on the edge of their seats and got involve with the guessing game until the very end. Most important element at the final part of the movie, there is no grand revelation to the mystery as it was put in a subtle way but it's still to grip you at the end. The script was briliantly done without making the twist of plot into a sudden surprise for the audience.

~ESK

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

PAUL BLART: MALL COP

Directed by: Steve Carr

Written by: Kevin James, Nick Bakay

Cast: Kevin James, Jayma Mays, Keir O'Donnell, Peter Gerety, Bobby Cannavale, Adam Ferrara

Many complaint that there is not enough comedy film around, for me there is not enough funny comedy film. Is there such a thing as a genius clever comedy or a dumb comedy? Depends on your choice, some might enjoy parody, I don't; some might enjoy slapstick, I do. If you want a complicated comedy 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop' is not your cup of tea but if you want a simple fun, this is a movie for the whole family.

Paul Blart (Kevin James) is a single, suburban dad whose despite of his size suffers lack of sugar in his blood (hypoglycemia). Because of his medical setback, Blart failed the test to become a police and tries to make ends meet as a security officer at a New Jersey mall. He took his job seriously compared to the other mall officer. While he gain respect from some of the stall owner around the mall, a rude pen salesman Stuart (Stephen Rannazzisi) likes to humiliate Blart every time they met. His family tries to find a suitable girlfriend for him but Blart have a crush on a new wig kiosk girl Amy (Jayma Mays). When a heist forced the mall to shut sown, Blart become the security officer that will save the day.

Direct storyline and simple plot right? Nobody asked you to enter the cinema with a rocket scientist brain with high expectation to enjoy a comedy. What do you expect; it's an Adam Sandler movie. It has same old slapstick or stupid humor and still I laugh or at least chuckle at it. The director plays with the mall environment to the fullest: window displays, CCTV, video arcade, mall announcement, sports shop, and air vent to name a few. If you like to ‘lepak’ at malls while growing up, it does bring back memories. Some moments surprise me involves few romantic scene, one of it is the Segway ride to the parking lot with Amy. There's is also family value with his daughter Maya (Raini Rodriguez) and the ending credit have a sweet touch for the whole movie but I wont give any spoiler away.

~ESK

Fast And Furious

FAST AND FURIOUS
Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso
Directed by: Justin Lin
Written by: Chris Morgan

As I walk out of the cinema, I heard a statement: “Male viewer should be impressed by this movie”. Last time I check, I'm still a guy yet I find this new installment didn't do any justice to one of the most beloved and profitable franchises. TV3 screened the first two movies and when I watch it again, it's still look good and entertaining after all this years but my perception changed after watching the fourth installment.

In the new 'Fast And Furious', it’s been eight years since ex-con Dominic Toretto (Diesel) drove across the Mexican border, committing himself to a fugitive existence. Now, holed up in a beach shack in the Dominican Republic, and living on the run with the sole remnant of his past, Letty (Rodriguez), he tries to piece together a new life. When a tragic death of someone he loves brings him back to L.A., Dom reignites his feud with agent Brian O’Conner (Walker). As they are forced to confront a shared enemy, a drug kingpin who is flooding the U.S. with lethal product, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him and avenge the tragedy that he caused their small racing family to endure.

Fans of 2001's 'The Fast and the Furious' who grew up and hoping a better storyline but there's only little improvement to surprise them while younger viewer of '2 Fast 2 Furious' and 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift' have seen better effects and surprises in other racing themed movie. Character wise: moviegoers want more of the anti hero Dom, the renegade ex-cop Brian, the tough ladies comprising Letty and Mia. Romantic wise: moviegoers won't get enough of Dom/Letty and Brian/Mia relationship. Most of us left disappointed because both of characterization and romance wasn't construct properly to the fullest. Diesel and Rodriguez still have their original edge but Paul Walker lost it: he looked fresh, innocent, confused but lovable in 'The Fast and the Furious', matured & confident in '2 Fast 2 Furious' but turn out to be a little awkward in this one. John Ortiz and Laz Alonso who played the bad guys also don't have enough charisma.

I'm not against director Justin Lin but actually I forgive him during 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift' because it's in a totally different environment (Japan) and cast, so it's okay to try new stuff & make small mistakes. Lin actually impresses me in one scene of 'Tokyo Drift' where he put real drifting legend fishing as the two main actor training drift in the background. This is the little details that make the story special but no special details can be seen in 'Fast And Furious'. Writer Chris Morgan should handle this movie better while uphold the legacy that Gary Scott Thompson created.

I know it's hard to do a race movie (there is two malay race movie which try hard but went nowhere), and forgive my comparison to Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman's 'Days of Thunder' but in that movie, the race scene keep you at edge of your seat, the drama scene really touch your emotion and the romance make you fell in love with both of the character. Even Asian has done good racing movie, I watched 'Initial D' three times in the cinema and love every part of it! Kudos to director of photography, Amir Mokri did a good job capturing the mountainous countryside of the Dominican Republic and the tight scene of precision racing in the tunnel crawls across the floor of the Mexican desert. No worry, I guaranty it will be a box-office hit especially for teenager. I myself drove my car like crazy going back to office after the screening, as if an auto Proton car can race! Hahaha...

~ESK

Greetings!

I started this blog after receiving few request on my movie review. To tell you the truth, I thought nobody cares about my review all this while. For many years I've been writing reviews on Gate Of Anywnn forum, CinemaOnline forum, MySciFiFan forum, StarTrek.com.my forum, GempakStarz forum to name a few. Reviews that were print on magazine couldn't be salvage since I don't have the soft copy of it anymore. If you know me well, I really hate writing blogs or commenting on others as it will turn into a battlegrounds for individuals who couldn't respect my opinion or couldn't understands what a blog really mean. Give me some time to track back my movie reviews on all the forum threads before posting it back here. Anyway, hope you enjoy my reviews and don't take any of it personally.