Change Your Image
tom neal
Reviews
Jacky (2000)
harrowing portrait of a young member of the Chinese community in Holland
This movie develops slowly but give it a chance.
It focuses on a young Chinese guy, Jacky, in the Netherlands (Eindhoven) who is pretty much still under his mother's wings. His family arrange a marriage and ChiChi comes over. He is not ready for a marriage and the poor girl is left by herself most of the time. His indirection in life is reflected by his family and friends: his obnoxious brother, the gay singer who makes a pass at him, the tourist guide. The ending is abrupt but appropriate.
Holland never looked so small and cold to me. Harrowing.
Sudba cheloveka (1959)
suffering?
This first directorial effort from actor Bondarchuk (mainly known for his monumental War and Peace) shouldn't have starred the director. His ruddy countenance didn't convince me one bit he suffered through all the mishaps in his life during the Great War. Furthermore I found it very hard to believe the Germans went to so much effort to save the lives of these Untermenschen. There were good performances though and it is shot beautifully.
Watch instead Come and See (Idi i Smotri) for a shattering experience of the Great War.
Dead or Alive: Hanzaisha (1999)
dogs and tubs
Watch out, this one is not for the squeamish AND those without a sense of humour. The first five minutes are the biggest roller coaster ride I've experienced in a long, long while and left me breathless. What follows is a mix of heroic bloodshed, Yakuza-flics and manga in the flesh. The ending left me laughing way into my eighth drink. Not as creepy as his Audition, but way more fun.
8MM (1999)
prostitute
Oh my, now I understand what Sean Penn was talking about. And how this cliche ridden movie got written by the same man who penned Seven is beyond me. The only good thing about this one is Joaquin Phoenix. The rest of the cast is seriously overacting, Cage on top. Please go see Hardcore instead.