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mike-1871
Reviews
Zen Man (2006)
An Amazing Film!
Zen Man is an intelligent, perceptive and deeply moving film. It is also one of pure enjoyment. Director Sang H. Kim uses a group of gifted actors who are able to find true human emotion in a story that could have been a simple action film, but looks too deeply and evokes too much honest pain. Kim himself plays the Zen-master Han, a man more crippled by guilt than physical injury. There is an unmistakable uniqueness about Kim's performance. His quiet intensity reveals a man shaped by life as lived, by remembered events, fears and feelings, friends and enemies. It is a richly played role by a film-maker at the top of his game. Kim is surrounded by characters of dark intensity, each suffering from abiding anxiety. Antonio's character is heightened by his rage, while June and Priscilla quietly suffer the unavoidable pain of love lost. Zen Man is a wonderful juxtaposition of breathtaking action, difficult questions, and a truly inspired soundtrack. That it takes such a warm and uncompromising look at a modern family with real concerns renders it storytelling at its finest.
The Lord of the Rings (1978)
Fantastic Piece of Filmaking
Disney had the rights for years, but did nothing with them. Kubrick tried and failed. John Boorman even built sets, but he fared no better. This is what film-historians remember before Peter Jackosn Made the 3 greatest films of all time. Yet in 1978, a relatively unknown X-rated animator was able to put Tolkien's classic tale to film. Backed by producer Sault Zantz (THE English PATIENT), Ralph Bakshi was able to create an amazingly real and faithful production of THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Despised by Hollywood Mega Studio's, Bakshi was attacked for his use of Rotoscoping (tracing live people for action scenes). While this technique makes Bakshi's Middle Earth a complete delight, his budget was soon pulled and so only half a movie was ever made. Yet what a half it is. Grand in scope, beautifully drawn, and terrifying at every turn, Bakshi will be remembered for this achievement well into the millennium.