The Final Countdown

This past month and a half has been good i suppose. I caught up with my insatisable appetitie for films, read a couple of good books, graphic novels. Recorded our first demo which despite the disasterious results, it was a much needed wake up call and re-evaluation of our music. I mean who gets in right the first time? Those who did probably had to face up to the inevitable task of having to up the ante, which might result in some kind of mechanism backfiring due to the stress and expectations involved.

Arghh.... anyway the band's not doing much now with our beloved drummer having the time of his life smoking hash and snogging european babes while the four of us remain here in sunny and boring singapore anxiously awaiting for his grand return so we can indulge in that weekly habit of ours. On the band note, most of the new shit hasnt even been dissussed yet, mainly due to the fact that Mrgao has locked himself up in this laboratory of his and has refused to unlock the approximately 12 locks that reside on his drawbridge until the sudden enlightenment of several quality material. Failing which, he might transmorph into this green 'thing' complete with horns and paws, or otherwise known as 'The Incredible Sulk' and throw a well.... huge fit i guess. *shrugs* Till then, the band waits patiently for it's lords.

Well then, i think i've verved abit off track la. Was supposed to talk bout my recent interlectual conquests. Eh movies first yeah?

1. Nobody Knows - A Japanese story which stars a 14 year old kid who conicidentally beat Mr Tony Leung for the best actor at Cannes. Yeah, i know this had been paraphrased a couple of more times than often but itsabsolutely fitting considering his performance. This dude actually manages to carry almost the entire 2hours of the film and its no easy feat even for established professionals these days. The story is bout a single mum who unwittingly/unwillingly leaves her 4 kids to fend of for themselves, the focus then shifts to the survival of the 4 sibilings. Its abit draggy but the nice bits definitely more than makes up for it, with the suitcase sences particularly striking. All in all, a very watchable and touching show and as my bro, Chiameng, noted, great male actors are so much harder to find.

2. I Heart/Love Huckabees - An existantial comedy that pokes fun at alot of things, namely counsuelling, office politics, left-wing politics, the ying and yang, pretty much the universe and the ensuring chaos that one brings to himself. Stars Jason Shwarztman (the dude from Rushmore) and Jude Law (complete with an american accent, THIS u gotta see). 2 goofy, immensely likable characters who may seem different but are unfortunately more alike than they think they are. Amindst all that questioning and answering, this quirky film is deep. Not Deep Throat deep but deep, as in has depth.*geez*. So watch it with an open mind and who knows who u might find.

3. Good Will Hunting - Another existential one, except this one just breathtakingly, painstakingly good. As you all would have known, it gathered (i think) the Academy for best screenplay and best supporting actor. Now i know i've dissed the awards before but this film gave me hope that it still functions like its supposed to. *and when they finally finally give Martin Scorsese that coveted trophy, then i'll be a convert*Its a simple story about a young, arrogant, tormented yet frighteningly gifted individual (Will Hunting) whose struggles with choices and grapples with the law force him to confront his demons and eventually learn to respect his life and others. Matt Damon plays the lead with such conviction that you truely feel for him throughout, and Robin Williams is the steady hand that guides not only him out of his doudrums but also convince himself to look beyond the past. I cant gash enough about this one, you gotta watch it to believe it i guess? : ) Oh and erm Ben Affleck was pretty impressive as the good brother and friend in need, churning some much needed sense into Will at the crossroads of his life. (eh..in short he CAN act la)

4. Memento - If Batman Begins was your cup of tea, then Memento might prove to be a tricky one, even though its from the same director Christopher Nolan. The film unfolds itself backwards which is pretty innovative i say and the fact that the main actor suffers from short term memory lost which means that he cant make new memories even though he *sorta* remembers the past and he has to write things down to remind himself, makes the story intense and full of abrupt twists and turns. Its a neat thriller that involves cheating, lying, and (self) manipulation which dosent ties itself up nicely at the end, yet i felt strangely satisfied. Hmm.....

5. Shuan of The Dead - HEh heh heh. British film. (WOon ALert!) Its not a spoof but a paraody of most zombie films. Great, great fun. Has all the deadpan, dry british humour. The classic pinky and the brain pairing. A love story (gone wrong then corrected) thrown into the mix. Having said so, i have no bloody idea why it was banned or rather not screened in SINgapore in the first place. I mean there isnt any particular violent and disturbing sences, there wasnt any nudity nor sex, or was there a bloody picture of David Beckham. Eh? ok sorry one was abit off. Yeah, i mean people need to see funny shows like these. Geez.

6. La Mala Education : One bad turn deserves another - Possibly the finest male actor on the face of the Earth started in this. Who, you are asking? Why, its Gael Garcia Bernal*refer to a couple of preivous posts back* thats who. Anyway thats just imh(umblest)o, so if you disagree, i can't really say anything eh? A brilliant and beautifully shot film, with quite an extra ordinary story line to boot. Pedro Alamadovar is damn skilled. Bernal plays a boy who falls for another boy at their missionary school, but selfish head priest only wants him for himself and gets rid of the third party. Years later, the exiled boy has carved a name for himself in the world of film making when Bernal sudden shows up with a script that details his entire childhood experiences. Wat happens next is a mystery, an unrequited love story, redemption and revenge all processed into the final half, leaving an open ended finale which is really expected after all those surprises.

I think i'm really starting to have a think for spanish. i think its a pretty beautiful language and i might pick that up if i have the chance, who knows it might come in handy if i visit the Nou Camp or the Bernabu someday. heh.

Yeap. Anyhows, these are just some of the films i've watched over this period la. i cant possibly write down everything right? but some of the more memorable ones will definitely have a place in my film history. Taxi Driver, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind *the only one that i've watched twice and still wanna watch again* , Lost In Translation, Fight Club, ChungKing Express, Amorres Perros (Love's A Bitch), Trainsppotting, The Virgin Sucides, not to forget Batman Begins, and the epic Lord of the Rings and The Pianist as well. Eh i think there are loads more (i hope). i'm probably just writing this down so that i can at least remember some parts of them as i'm typing. Hah, the sweetness.