the blog: tag= movies

A moment to breathe

Date: 8/12/2008 05:42:00 PM [permalink]
Author: yahooza
Entry: Subversion, our code repository, is currently down, giving yours truly a chance to write some. It's been pretty hectic (in a wonderfully fun kinda way) at Raptr. Lots of work which will soon reveal itself shortly ....

I've wanted to write about the Dark Knight since seeing the stunning film weeks back. I'm a thinker of the 'grey', the cross-section of polarizing entities, that which provokes critical thought, rebuttle and careful listening. It's very easy to embrace the black and white, accepting the firm beliefs of those who stand by "I am such, like my colleagues" rather than putting a conscious effort to understand the debate.

That's where the film made me ponder the hero and villain dynamic: Batman, the vigilante creature who decides to tap the cell phones of all of Gotham (see Bush and his Patriot Act policy) for the greater good or the Joker, the master of chaos who tempts the city's citizens w/ ethical dillemmas, provoking thought and questioning themselves. I loved the Joker, not only for Nolan's portrayal of the infamous villain but because of who is: the anarchist who wished to break the status quo, to question self-being and not just being the arch-criminal, robbing banks, holding politicians hostage and painfully balancing the hero / villain levers. If I had to become a super-villain, I'd model m'self against Nolan's Joker =)

In the end, the Batman understands that Gotham City needed its polar forces and becomes the villain to uphold the upstanding and heroic legacy of the fallen Harvey Dent. It's sad that 2.5 hours of conflict and city upheaval lead back to the same black and white portrait: always a "good", offset by the "bad".
Labels: batman, film, movies, philosophy
Comments: 3 +add yours

Finding good things.

Date: 6/11/2008 11:57:00 PM [permalink]
Author: yahooza
Entry: I hadn't heard of The Air I Breathe, an emotional, artsy-farsy indie starring the likes of Andy Garcia, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Forest Whitaker, Brendan Fraser and Kevin Bacon (cameos from John Cho and Kelly Hu), written and directed by Jieho Lee.
A drama based on an ancient Chinese proverb that breaks life down into four emotional cornerstones: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. A businessman bets his life on a horse race; a gangster sees the future; a pop star (Gellar) falls prey to a crime boss; a doctor must save the love of his life.
I really enjoyed the slow-paced Haggis-esque narrative, delving into four separate, yet interconnected, story arcs. It is intense—even for me—as emotions hit their peaks and ugly dips; however, for me, there was something missing. A lesson or a message in redemption or salvation, that I felt was ignored, especially from this genre film. Nonetheless, it's worth the rental.

I've also been into 100 Bullets, a comic series about the opportunity for retribution. What if you were offered the chance to seek justice, one hundred untraceable slugs—absolute, no-frills vindication— and the path to achieve it? The stories center around the right and wrong, challenging the reader's moral compass, painting life and the world as much grayer than the absolutes that human beings cling by.

The art is very dark and gritty, similar to Frank Miller's Sin City. The narrative, of course, follows suit: lots of four-letter words and violence. That's always a thumbs-up for me ;)

So two good bits to discover, The Air I Breathe and 100 Bullets. Do it, do it =)
Labels: comics, film, movies, sarahmichellegellar
Comments: 0 +add yours

No country for apathy

Date: 1/12/2008 11:05:00 PM [permalink]
Author: yahooza
Entry: I can't get No Country for Old Men outta m' head. Super storytelling and fantastic soundtrack— there wasn't any music to augment the tale. Stories seem more realistic w/ out background music. the main gunfight, midway through Michael Mann's movie Heat is another fine example. The medium focuses on the storytelling and is not just a music video of jump shots and pop music.

The bad guy is fuckin' scary, reminiscent of the antagonist from Serenity, the Operative, who dutifully fulfills his job, regardless of ethics. Both characters believed in their principles and their duty for the common goal.

I read somewhere on the interwebs that one of the themes in the Coens' movie is fate and chance, personified by the aforementioned bad guy. That bad guy is the grim repear sans the black robe and sickle, and when you meet him, it's not by coincidence. That's why he qualifies some of his murders, sometimes offering an act of 'chance'—the coin-flipping scene from the trailer—for his soon-to-be victims to escape. His voice, demeanor and choice of weapons makes him the creepiest villain (if he is one) I've seen since Hannibal Lector from Silence of the Lambs.

Fate. chance. I am in doubt and can't formulate a clear stance about either. I do believe in moments of chance, the "right" time, when pathes cross and opportunity unfolds. A person need to be aware and recognize those happenings and act upon 'em. I'm not talking about a "chance in a lifetime" but rather those weekly or monthly events that can steer one's life towards greener pastures. But what about the times that one cross paths that is a non-win situation? Run. Those aren't opportunities, they are traps. Run.

I'm more of science guy, though I do believe in some mystic spiritualism. Fate and destiny do apply somehow in m' life and I do believe in that shit in some way, though I can't qualify how that can be .... I can understand the two sides, but I can't accept both. Weird.

So, next time, when you see that window, jump into it. You may not get another chance. Unless, of course, you know you're on the 40th floor.

--

Also:
http://cineoctoboo.com/index.php/2007/12/17/no-country/
Labels: coenbrothers, film, movies
Comments: 1 +add yours

Too dark.

Date: 1/03/2008 09:52:00 PM [permalink]
Author: yahooza
Entry: Watch Night at the Golden Eagle .... a very dark, ugly film. Zero redemption, no forgiveness .... Vinnie Jone's character is disgusting. Ewww.
Labels: film, movies
Comments: 0 +add yours

'07 films I gotta watch in '08

Date

1/01/2008 07:46:00 PM [permalink]

Author

yahooza

Entry

Must, must see.

Sweeney Todd
Lust, Caution
Southland Tales
There Will Be Blood
I'm a Cyborg, but That's OK
No Country for Old Men
Charlie Wilson's War
Michael Clayton
Juno

Labels: film, movies

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I die for original films.

Date: 12/25/2007 11:21:00 PM [permalink]
Author: yahooza
Entry: I enjoyed Monsoon Wedding (a Jamie reco), another great East-meets-West film, blending tradition and the more new-gen Western culture. There's a lot of classical music mixed w/ modern beats .... Hindi techno? Hee hee =)

I am always touched by art about family, friends, bonds and the spirit of living. If I had been the father (spoiler), I would have made that bastard eat his teeth. hoping he would need to fish 'em out of his defecation like kernels of corn. Ohhh geez, how I digress....

Seriously, watch it. A great film by Mira Nair.

What a beautiful film. Beautiful.
Labels: flim, movies
Comments: 0 +add yours

Topten Films

Date

10/17/2007 07:01:00 PM [permalink]

Author

yahooza

Entry

Fight Club
Heat
Office Space
Goodfellas
True Romance
Trainspotting
the Crow
Cruel Intentions
Chungking Express
Lock, Stock and Two smokin' barrels

Labels: film, goodfilms, movies, topten

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0 +add yours

the blog: tag= movies

A moment to breathe

Finding good things.

No country for apathy

Too dark.

'07 films I gotta watch in '08

I die for original films.

Topten Films

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