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Reviews
Academania! (2007)
A bit of magical caring catches an entrenched professor unaware
This little wordless gem combines a poke at old-school academia with a nod to the value of a little joy in our lives. The script is without dialog so it can be enjoyed across cultures and by anyone who usually has to rely on captions. The original score is a treasure, replacing the dialogue with beautifully voiced instruments.
The atmosphere of magical realism is realized in the details--the writing is not any particular language, the behavior of the students is exaggerated, some lighting effects are not possible in real life. These details create the charm and establish a consistently delightful tone very quickly.
Filmed at a university, the lead actors are professional but the students are actual students.
Low on budget but long on charm!
Sarangeui bulsachak (2019)
Best serial drama ever
I can't stop rewatching this and thinking about the characters. I just started watching K dramas after a long time as a fan of Indian cinema. CLOY is amazing, far surpassing my expectations. The script, acting, cinematography, costumes and settings are all exquisitely detailed. Everything rings true, even things that are meant to be humorous. If you are sick of the pointless cruelty, inanity, fake sentimentalism, and violence that tend to be the stuff of Hollywood and you long to fall in love with characters who are complex and believable then do yourself a favor and invest your hours in this extraordinary drama. Yes there are parts that are contrived but all in the service of good storytelling. The acting, particularly between the leads, sizzles. Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin, who apparently are an item in real life, calibrate this love story with depth and finesse. I hope they won't be seduced by Hollywood-it doesn't deserve them! I am always on the lookout for high quality films and television from around the world. Few other works have involved me so deeply. And the soundtrack deserves special mention as well. Just a great experience!
Yeh Ballet (2020)
This is an absolute gem of storytelling!
With a deft screenwriting hand, an impeccable eye for authentic detail, an ear for an exquisite soundtrack and sure-footed direction of the dance sequences, Sooni Taraporevala has bestowed this gift of a film to audiences within the reach of Netflix. I never tire of rewatching this inspirational story. When you need your faith in the world restored, watch Yeh Ballet. It's impact is all the richer being based closely on a true story. The breakout performances by Manish Chauhan and Achintya Bose are beautifully supported by the full cast, including gorgeous nuanced performances by veteran actors.
Puzzle (2018)
Excellent portrait of a woman's mid-life transformation
Some critics say Agnes is inconsistent as a character but that would be the point. This is a slow film by commercial standards but it allows us to witness an internal transition from the outside. All the characters warrant some empathy and all receive it in through the excellent performances. David Denman had a special challenge and succeeded making Louie someone other than a stereotype. But as a big fan of Irrfan Khan, I eagerly awaited his scenes and was not disappointed even as the script became thin. Was Agnes erratic? Of course--she is a woman dealing with internal conflict in an entirely new way. Who wouldn't be?