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Reviews
Survive Style 5+ (2004)
Weird and wonderful
By now we have grown accustomed to multiple story lines. Not only that, we seem to be expecting a bit more from these type of movies. Whenever a director starts on such a project, he knows it is going to be compared with the likes of PULP FICTION or 21 GRAMS. Unfair perhaps, but a challenge. SURVIVE STYLE 5+ is unique in the fact that it does not give the viewer time to compare. It is a roller-coaster ride from start to finish and there are only a few moments to catch your breath. Central figure is a man who is trying to kill his wife, but fails miserably and hires a foreign hit-man (Vinnie Jones). Then there's a happy family that visits a show from an arrogant hypnotist, a woman that has crazy commercial ideas and a bunch of friends that cause disaster wherever they go. They all cross paths off course, but not in a genius kind of way. Sekiguchi clearly made this film to entertain and in that it succeeds brilliantly. It is the most hilarious movie since THE BIG LEBOWSKY.
Bright Leaves (2003)
Back To My (tobacco)Roots!
A documentary full of selfpity in which the director gives us a look in his family history and their connection to the tobacco industry. It has it's funny moments but tends to drag a little. It helps if you've seen BRIGHT LEAF by Michael Curtiz, but how many people have?