Archive for the ‘Films’ Category
Written by Amy on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 ( Start discussion ) | 
(2) | Share This!
DGenerateFilms has translated an essay by director Jia Zhangke with some interesting ideas, as well as some others that I don’t particularly agree with… but maybe it’s one of those things lost in translation.
In a few years, young people throughout Asia will probably sing the same song, be attracted to the same clothes; girls will wear the same makeup and carry the same handbag. What kind of world is this turning into? It is precisely in this cultural environment that only independent films that remain committed to the depiction of local culture can provide some cultural diversity.
That’s an interesting statement, considering I have been talking about the exact opposite. I often talk how there will never be a “definite” 2000’s or 10-19’s list like we had in the 90s, because the internet has opened this gate with floods of information regarding anything… including music, films and overall entertainment. You don’t need to listen to what the record companies send to the radios, or watch what networks believe to be quality television or pay for a movie a distributor thinks you should be watching.
What the essay seems to be referring to is the vapid teenage kids who won’t bother researching and finding out about something that won’t be fed through distributors. I mean, you can’t even rely on what MySpace suggests any longer. LOL
Also… Amateur Cinema? With all the technology and all the quality cinematographers out there, even the most low-budget film can look okay. I’m sorry, but an image alone can speak a thousand words. That’s all I’m saying. I may be a “production value” girl, and I can appreciate costume, and art direction, but I also always give more importance to storyline and overall mood of the film. It shouldn’t matter if it’s “amateur” or a big-budget production.
Don’t give me Amateur Cinema, give me quality Independent Cinema.
Filed under: Chinese, English, Films, Japanese, Korean, Rants
Tags: independent
Written by Amy on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 ( Start discussion ) | (4) | Share This!
The film is based on an award-winning novel written by rookie author and housewife Kanae Minato. Actress Takako Matsu (K-20, Villon’s Wife) plays a dedicated teacher at a junior high school who’s young daughter is found brutally murdered. Believing two of her own students are responsible, she decides to leave the school, but not before a final chilling confession to her class in which she informs them that she’s already enacted her plan for vengeance.
Watch the trailer via Nippon Cinema.
Filed under: Books, English, Films, Japanese, Sharing, Stills, Trailers
Tags: japanese film, kokuhaku, masaki okada, nippon cinema, tetsuya nakashima
Written by Amy on Friday, March 12th, 2010 ( 2 responses ) | (7) | Share This!
Awards Daily’s poll is currently going on.
I’m giddy to find out my Top 4 films of 2010 are in the Top10 xD though that could change. Of course, I’m giddy about Inception… why? Nolan + DiCaprio + Marion Cotillard + Ellen Page + Ken Watanabe + Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Hi, there. I’m already there.
Black Swan? Aronofsky + Natalie Portman? I’m sold with that.
The Kids Are All Right? Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Mark Ruffalo and Mia Wasikowska?
Blue Valentine? Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams~ Are you kidding?
You can vote for your fave here.
The other films I’m looking forward this 2010?
Hesher, Rabbit Hole, The Killer Inside Me, Norwegian Wood, and Contracorriente (Undertow).
Filed under: English, Films, Sharing
Tags: annette bening, black swan, blue valentine, christopher nolan, ellen page, hesher, inception, joseph gordon-levitt, julianne moore, marion cotillard, mark ruffalo, mia wasikowska, michelle williams, natalie portman, ryan gosling
Written by Amy on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 ( Start discussion ) | (2) | Share This!
Well guys~ it was fun… I guess.
it was very interesting to see who was really gonna win.
A lot of people I know ended up as satisfied as they could have with the winners, though I know of one or two who weren’t, which is funny seeing as how inconsistent their opinions are.
Anyway, the Award Season updates is gone now, until it begins again this December. In the meantime, this were the last 10 posts of the season.
Filed under: English, Films, Sharing
Tags: academy awards, awards, bafta awards, british academy of film and television arts, independent spirit awards, predictions, short, winners
Written by Amy on Monday, March 8th, 2010 ( 6 responses ) | (8) | Share This!
Talk about Oscar History in the making.
It is amazing that has taken over 80 years to even consider a female director a serious contender for the Best Director category… let alone to actually see her win.
*edit*
“I hope I’m the first of many,” Bigelow said. “I’d love to just think of myself as a filmmaker, and I long for the day when a modifier can be a moot point. But I’m ever grateful if I can inspire some young, intrepid, tenacious male or female filmmakers and have them feel that the impossible is possible.”
*end of edit*
Of course I have dreamed of being the first female director when I was 14 [I wore a pink dress in my dream, very unlike Amy... or was that a nightmare?], though I have detoured from that dream somewhat, it is still amazing to see Bigelow picking up such an honor. I can only imagine what this means for so many other little girls who dream to make films… like I once did, to see a woman being named Best Director.
What it means to them seeing the photo of Bigelow holding that Oscar with such fierceness. It’s just every Girl Power [another shameless Spice Girls mention here] supporter’s dream. It tells you it is possible. It is awesome. Even though I was personally supporting Inglourious Basterds and Tarantino, it is still incredible to think that Kathryn Bigelow was the favorite during the race. A female director was THE favorite to win.
Even that’s a first.
In an industry where many of the stars are women, but so many of them are exploited as just “that pretty actress to look at”, an industry where women turn 35 and are already considered “too old” or where sex appeal is a must. Luckily things seem to be changing… even if it’s in small degrees. With a wonderful Meryl Streep, vibrant at 60 years old, critical acclaim and mass-appeal. Moreover, add to that the many female screenwriters from the last 2 or 3 or 5 years like Terri Tatchell (from VFS!) who co-adapted District 9, or Nancy Oliver who wrote Lars and the Real Girl, or Diablo Cody (I know some of you hate her) for Juno, or Tamara Jenkins who wrote and directed The Savages… and don’t forget Miranda July who wrote and directed Me and You and Everyone We Know.
It is indeed looking pretty good for women in Hollywood.
Now, let’s only hope it is a change in the way they make films and not just a trend that will fade away in… let’s say 5 years, and that we don’t have to wait eight decades for another female director to be seriously considered for Best Director ever again.
Also, hello!? Male directors and their muses~ I love you guys. Without you, there will be no strong female characters on the big screen.
Filed under: English, Films, Sharing, Snapshots
Tags: academy awards, diablo cody, district 9, juno, lars and the real girl, meryl streep, oscar, oscar history, quotes
