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Reviews
My Josephine (2003)
A poetic film!
I watched this film from the DVD that comes with a screen writing book I bought from my local Kinokuniya bookstore.
It is my favorite amongst the films in the DVD.
The cinematography is superb.
The sound design and music is equally well crafted.
Above all, everything compliments the story perfectly.
It is a very simple but well-crafted story, and the film has a poetic touch to it, both visually and metaphorically.
It's a film you could watch over and over without getting bored.
If you can get a copy, I highly recommend you watch it.
It has to be 9 out of 10 for me!
4:30 (2005)
A different Royston film
This is by far my favourite Royston film, reason being that it's more contemplative than all his other films. It is also a film that I can relate more to, as compared to '15' and some of his shorts. I guess loneliness is a universal thing.
I like the minimal use of dialogue and music. This is the case of 'less is more', because it allows the viewer to experience what the two main characters are going through internally.
Personally, I would prefer not to have the boy humming the old Chinese song because it seems a little unrealistic. I just cannot imagine a primary school kid knowing or singing that song, even if it's set in another era. Maybe that's just me being picky again as I hold a high regard to Royston. He might has his reason though.
Other than that, it's a very realistic film. I can feel for the boy when he was forced to give up his journal, because that is the only thing that matters to him. By the time the film ends, I really worry for the boy and what is going to happen to him next. I hope his mother comes home soon.
Be with Me (2005)
Good, but flawed
I've watched all of Eric Khoo's films and I think this is one of his best. I like the way the stories are told, except that I think the 3 stories are somewhat 'forced' to connect with one another, especially the part where Jackie jumped and killed the fat guy instead. I can't help but keep feeling that is the way out for the writer to make the stories connect, which is not really necessary. But then again, I'm just being critical because it's an Eric Khoo's movie.
Apart from that, it's a nice effort!
Go get the DVD if you can, and just enjoy the film.
7 out of 10.