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tomohara
Reviews
Amal (2007)
"Slumdog" cousin stand on its own as fully valuable
As I watched Amal, I thought "This is two films which won't please Indians because both present the beggar child as working for some slumlord."I fully expected rags to riches would win out as in Slumdog; but no, something special and unexpected here. Amal is a lovely film, rich photography, wonderful subtle acting, suspense, love, moral values,great yarn. A rich hotelier, disillusioned by morals of family,colleagues and other service providers goes vagabond in search of the 'honest person" The one he finds is a humble autorickshaw driver. His decision to endow Amal upon his death leads to a great story.
A Mighty Heart (2007)
What happened in Karachi Pakistan to journalist, Daniel Pearl, as experienced and documented by his wife, played by Angelina Jolie
I'm watching this movie and I keep wondering how come I don't care more for this man. At first I blame the director and writer. After 30 minutes, I'm not interested in any further investment of my time in this DVD. I'm spending more time on this review.
Fictional movies establish characters and help the audience relate to them. Movies based on true life especially kidnap films like this one and Proof of Life do not, perhaps limited by real events.
So who can I relate to? Mrs. Pearl. Here I encounter a very beautiful woman, with hair arranged for a prom, who speaks with a strange accent and whose primary personality trait for the first hour is doggedness. Why should I care?
I recommend the film for its setting. I might never get to Karachi
The Ten (2007)
In the movie, THE TEN, the narrator introduces ten dramatizations where
After having viewed this stinker, I can say 'Renter beware!' The jacket indicated a positive 'Thumbs Up' from the TV reviewers. What a mislead.
I recall really laughing only once and can't pinpoint what scene sparked that laugh. I think it arose in the skit around the 4th commandment
Many scenes were less funny than uncomfortable, The first commandment stretch went on far too long. On a parachuting excursion with friends, an excited guy jumps without his chute, survives his free fall but buries his lower body in the earth from which he can't be extricated without death and somehow inspires people, has a TV show, enjoys adulation and is abandoned as fickle world moves on. Anything funny? No!
We all break the commandments. We're human. Sometimes what we do can be amusing, laughable, poignant, sad. What THE TEN captures is when our sins are stupid or abasing of self and others. I guess that captures SIN well, but it's not side-splitting comedy.
Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
Photos can be Powerful. War is hell. Do I care about these Characters? No!
I found very valuable and valid, the idea that a photograph can win or lose a war (win or lose the people's support for a war). Great parallel was drawn between the effects of the flag raising photo and the photo of the South Vietnamese officer assassinating a kneeling and bound enemy. That insight was delivered very near the start of this film.
Then I was shocked and moved by the presentation of the horrors of this battle (Starts with the ships having no time to rescue the man overboard) Very well done.
But after that I never was able to care for the characters. Was it me? Or did this movie fail?
Barrio Cuba (2005)
Havana Barrio residents deal with universal challenges
We saw this film at April's Reel World Film Festival in Toronto having visited Havana in mid-March. Three unconnected stories of universal challenges for several Havana barrio residents. Strong characters deal with loneliness, unrequited December-July love, and family's support needs; mother's death in delivery,father's flight and despair,grandma's device to bolster abandoned son's self-esteem;passionate married couple deal with conception and stillbirth, grandparent's expectations, brother's family's emigration to US. Great editing and photography. Several interesting bits contrasted our Cuban experience (Part of our stay was in an all-inclusive resort) - In film some characters disparage fellow Cubans for seeking the tourist's tips and another mourns his lost grocery store business. Some resentment or jealousy, some distress with change, but more generally, accommodation and acceptance.