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2008

Cherry Blossoms (Krischblüten – Hanami)  (2008)

Drama

Hannelore Elsner (Trudi), Elmar Wepper(Rudi), Aya Irizuki (Yu)

Trudi (Hannelore Elsner) and Rudi (Elmar Wepper) are an affectionate, long-married couple whose children have grown up and moved away. The marriage between Rudi and Trudi could have lasted longer, but Trudi learns that her husband is terminally ill… It is up to her to tell him or not. The doctor suggests that they do something together, perhaps something they were long planning to do.  Trudi has a wish, but she doesn’t tell her husband. She decides also not to tell her husband about the gravity of his illness and to follow the doctor's advice. She convinces Rudi to visit their children and grandchildren in Berlin, without mentioning why.
But once they arrive there, they realize that their children are so busy with their own lives that they have no time for their parents. They see this visit as a burden. The couple leave their children and go to the sea.
Then, suddenly and unexpectedly for both, Trudi dies. Rudi is devastated and has no idea what to do next. From his daughter's girlfriend he learns that Trudi's love for him had led her to forego the life that she had wanted to live. Maybe he had known a bit about her wishes, but never taken it serious? He begins to see her with new eyes and vows to make up for her ‘lost life’. As Trudi’s secret passion was Japan and the Japanese Butoh dance, Rudi visits his son Karl in Tokyo. He arrives there in the midst of the cherry blossom festival, a celebration of beauty and impermanence.
Rudi visits a park in Tokyo and meets a young Japanese woman named Yu (Aya Irizuki). She catches his eyes because she dances Butoh there every day.
Slowly Rudi finds out how to go on, with her help and support.
Then Rudi decides to fulfill a dream of his lost wife, to watch the mighty Mt. Fuji…
Cherry Blossoms is a lovely film about love and transiency, mortality.

A.W.

                                                                                                                                                                        

2007

A mighty heart (2007)

This is an intimate film. Basically a love story set in the political wreckage after the attack on the World Trade Center. The Jewish-American journalist, Daniel Pearl, was kidnapped in Pakistan in January of 2002. The violent act became an international scandal as the group that claimed responsibility for the crime demanded the liberation of prisoners from American detainee prison, Guantanamo Bay, in Cuba. It doesn't end well.
The film focuses on the efforts made by Mariane, the Pakistani police, the C.I.A. and the journalistic community throughout the search for Daniel. Knowing that this search is fruitless may leave the audience without hope but the dedication and fervor with which the case is attacked carries enough hope to inspire an overwhelming sympathy.
With the story beginning the day of Daniel Pearl's kidnapping, we get to know him through flashback or what others say about him. As Mariane Pearl, Angelina Jolie gives a remarkable, restrained performance. Her face is a mask and emotion is communicated almost exclusively through her eyes. The film opens with Mariane Pearl describing Karachi as the World's second largest city and her husband was trying to meet with one man…how impossible it must be to find a single person in such a large place.
Mariane is alone in this foreign country, Pakistan, searching for the most important person in her life. Knowing the odds are against her, holding on to hope becomes all the more complicated when she is surrounded by strangers, traffic and the sounds of incessant honking, cell phones and random farm animals. The chaos is absolutely inescapable. Still Mariane must remain calm. Jolie (Mariane) exhibits both outer strength and inner fragility at the same time. She is holding it together for Daniel, herself and their unborn child but Jolie's distant eyes and suddenly fidgeted demeanor suggest just how difficult maintaining all this composure truly is. Their love comes back to Mariane in flashes throughout her suffering. Insignificant moments like the last time they saw each other take on new meanings, making the loss feel larger while still reminding her what she is fighting to find.
 

Undergroundfilm 

http://www.undergroundfilm.com/

A digital film library, where you can watch almost three thousand movies. Short ones of 1 minute, but also films that last 1,5 hour. Real, sometimes interesting films.
There is also a Forum, to discuss film or scenarios.

Videos on internet

Funny or not? On the website below you can watch several videos and decide whether they are funny or not. And vote, if you like...
http://www.funnyordie.com

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2006

2005

Lord of War (2005)   

Crime, drama

This is one of the better movies I've seen recently, primarily because of the ongoing commentary provided by Yuri Orlov (Nicholas Cage) on the dark business of gun running. The movie, which is supposedly based on the life of an actual gun runner, is brutally honest in its portrayal of the conscience lacking Orlov, the people he deals with, and the enormous suffering visited upon those at both ends of the weapons he sells. Not having a knowledge of the gun running business, I'm left wondering as to the accuracy of his observations, which he so sagely and 'matter a factly' dispenses, while with casual detachment and cold deliberation conducting the business of spreading evil. For those bent on seeing the positive side of life, it is probably not a movie you will wish to see, depicting as it does a multi-billion dollar international industry, supported by corrupt politicians, ambitious and morally bereft leaders, and an out of control military; all intent upon feathering their nests while spilling the blood of those they oppose, often their own people. It is not a pretty picture, describing an industry which thrives on greed, fear, cruelty, and violence. One is left hoping the portrayal is biased, and fearing it is not.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0399295/

anatta 

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Sin City ........... Drama (2005)

Jessica Alba/Bruce Willis/Rutger Hauer/Mickey Rourke/Michael Madsen

I know that I've said this before, but Sin City is one of those movies that has to be seen, and heard, to be fully appreciated. This applies to many movies, but doubly to this one. That's because much of it's beauty is in the way it is put on the screen, and in the dialogue and acting.
This is one story where I believe the movie would equal, if not surpass the book, simply because it is so visually rich.  When I say beauty I mean the method of  presentation; because 'beauty' is not an adjective many people would apply to this movie. The story, and city, are anything but beautiful; in fact ..... they're downright depressing, being as it were a tale (actually several tales) of murder, corruption, hate, anger, revenge, rape, treachery, and betrayal on a grand scale, with very few bright spots. But, as visually rich as it is, it is not as repulsive as it would have been had it been portrayed using the 'normal', full colour 'life like' methods of filming. And....... the amount of carnage and brutality is 'over the top'........ so one quickly realizes that he is not being presented with a story that is meant to be taken seriously, but only to entertain.  I found it to be a a fascinating cinematographic experience, well acted, with colourful dialogue, fitting the characters, and time period it portrays......... but that's another discussion. 

Link to movie   http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNjM5MzY4ODg=.html 

internet Movie Data Base review   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401792/fullcredits#cast 

Anatta

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2000 - 2005

Connie and Carla - Comedy 2004

This is an excellent comedy, about two entertainers who, in their attempt to elude criminals dawn the guises of drag queens, becoming an instant success in an a similarly oriented L.A. night club.
Connie (Nia Vardalos of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding') and Carla (Toni Collette of 'United States of Tara') are very convincing as drag queens. The movie centers around the problems they run into as woman pretending to be men, pretending to be women, and the fiasco that ensues when one of them discovers that she is in love with a straight male, Jeff - David Duchovny.
This is a theme which has been done several times, albeit usually by men pretending to be women, as in Tootsie and Mrs. Doubtfire.
But, what this movie lacks in depth of exploration into the male-female psyche, as in the two afore mentioned movies, especially Tootsie, it more than makes up for in its portrayal of the cross dressing culture, and some outstanding night club performances.

All in all, this is a very entertaining movie, artfully done, and very funny........ well worth watching.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0345074/

Anatta

Kill Bill (Volumes 1 and 2, 2003-2004)

Kill Bill is, in my opinion, Quentin Tarantino's finest effort to date. This is quite a recommendation for the director of such classics as 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Resevoir Dogs',  to mention a couple. Although somewhat fanciful in places, this double feature is not for the feint of heart; as the protagonist, and her abusers, hack their bloody way through each other's lives in their quest for justice, honour, and greed. The story has a strong martial arts/samurai flavour throughout, with the occasional lighter moment, charactized by Tarantino's typically dark humour. It is, in all, a work of art, illustrating this director's genius as an innovative story teller, and drawing upon several cinemagraphic methods to make a compelling tale of murder and revenge, that will hold the attention of both the thrill seeker, and the devout movie goer. The story opens in Texas with the slaughter of ........... no.. no.. no, that would be giving away the plot. It has an all star cast, who do an masterful job of bringing to life these unforgettable characters and their brutal way of life. Among them are: Uma Thurman - the vengeful bride, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Daryl Hannah, and David Carradine as 'Bill'. "
Anatta

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266697/

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Riverworld

Riverworld is both a movie (2003), and a series of 5 science fiction books, written between 1970 and 1983 by Philip Jose Farmer. The movie covers the first couple of books*.
I first read the series several years ago and liked it very much. The movie loosely follows the books, but falls sadly short, perhaps because few movies can evoke the use of one's imagination in the ways a book can; but also due to the fact that the acting is ho -hum, with the exception of Jonathan Cake, who plays Nero, and a couple of others. Many reviewers have taken exception to the choice of an American in the lead role, which deviates from the books; but given that it was made for an American audience, I find this understandable.

The premise of the Riverworld is that all the people who have ever died (on earth), are reborn in another world, on the banks of this gigantic river, which presumably goes for millions of miles. The controllers of this world provide the basic needs to all the inhabitants through stations set up for dispensing food etc. No one knows what their agenda is.

The books (and movie) follow a band of these travelers as they go along the river, some searching for answers, some seeking to dominate, some just trying to survive. As you may have guessed, the river population is make up of bands of peoples from all times, cultures, and societies, not necessarily grouped together in any particular fashion. As such, strife and violence are the order of the day. Everyone is thrown into a fight for survival. Of course, one runs across many famous people from  history, and even prehistory.
It's a fascinating, and imaginative study of human nature, to which a two hour movie (series pilot*) could only aspire to wetting one's interest ..... a task that it does not accomplish, in my opinion. If the movie has one redeeming quality it's the scenery.
The shots are breathtaking.  One site (http://www.xs4all.nl/~rnuninga/PJFriverw.htm*) claims that the movie was filmed in New Zealand. Of course .... no one really dies on the river. Those who appear to, are simply reborn in another place.
I highly recommend the books.
P.S. I understand that the movie industry is scheduled to release another incarnation of Riverworld this year (2010).   

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310952/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverworld

Anatta

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High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story - 2003 docudrama

This is an excellent movie, dramatizing the life of Stu Ungar*, considered to be one of, if not the best, poker players ever to have lived.
The movie starts around 1960 in New York city, with an exploration of young Ungar's poor relationship to his father, and good relationship to the local crime boss ...... Vincent (Michael Nouri), who likes 'the kid'. In time Stu becomes involved on the periphery of 'the family's' business as a potential money maker, demonstrating both his exception ability to play cards, and an irritating arrogance. Unfortunately ....... Stu has a taste for cheap women, drugs, and the race track; three vices that, despite 'the family's' attempts, get him into many problems, the least of which is not his debt to the mob.
At first glance, this movie appears to be no more than another of the standard Mafioso flicks. However, one soon becomes aware of its depth, presenting as it were, an insightful study into the nature of a destructive personality.
The characters are believable and colourful, especially Stu (Michael Imperioli), a brilliant card player, obsessed with gambling, but seriously deficient in the areas of social behaviour, relationships, and common sense. The movie chronicles Stu's rise to stardom as the numero uno poker player in America, and ....... well ................. get it, and find out for yourself.
Other notable performances are delivered by Steve Schirippa who plays his body guard and friend, Renee Faia who plays Stu's wife, and Richard Cowl who plays the crime family's head.
Anatta

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

This movie is set in modern times America. It's about professor John Nash (Russel Crowe), who suffers from schizophrenia. Dr. Nash, a brilliant mathematician, starts to imagine the presence of other people, principally a CIA agent named Parcher (Ed Harris) who recruits him to break a secret soviet code hidden in newspaper and magazine articles. Of course, this delusion disrupts Nash's entire life and consumes him. The movie focuses on how he deals with this 'curse', how he comes to recognize it, and the methods he uses to, if not overcome, learn to live with it in some semblance of normality, and eventually receive a Nobel Prize . Having little knowledge of schizophrenia, I have no idea how well the movie portrays this disease, which from my understanding inflicts it's victims in various manifestations. This is a character study. Russel Crowe is very believable, and displays his versatility as an actor, this being a very different character from the one he played in Gladiator, for which he is probably best known. The movie is based on a book, by the same name, by Sylvia Nasar. 
Anatta

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Beautiful_Mind  (film)

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Moulin Rouge* (2001)

Ah, what can I say about Moulin Rouge. It is a classic love story, taking place in France around the turn of the Century; and as such is heavily influenced with the bohemian ideals of French revolution (justice, beauty, freedom, truth, and above all else - love).  The setting is a dance hall, of the period. As such, it is a spectacular orgy of sight and sound, which never fails to bring tears to my eyes, because of it's universal appeal to all who have known deep, profound, pure love. It's two main characters, Satine (the beautiful courtesan - Nicole Kidman) and Christian (a writer - Ewan McGregor) fall deeply deeply in love; a love which is severely tested by a mean spirited Duke - Richard Roxburgh, and the ugly realities of life. There are many memorable dance scenes. The costumes and sets are lavish and extravagant, the music - unforgettable, beginning with the song 'Nature Boy', which beautifully sets the tone and theme for the story**. I could say much more, but one must experience it. Despite all this, the movie never made it big at the box office. A fact, that this writer, finds difficult to explain. I highly recommend it.
Anatta
 
* http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203009/

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Reindeer Games  - Drama/Intrigue (2000)

Director: John Frankenheimer

With: Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise, Charlize Theron, Denis Farina

Despite it's many poor reviews, I found this movie quite entertaining, largely for the very reason that many of it's critics poo-poo it..... namely .. it's plot, and it's 'bigger than life' characters.
It begins in prison, where Rudy (Ben Affleck) and his cell mate Nick are commiserating about what they're going to do upon their release in a couple of days. Nick is showing Rudy pictures of his girlfriend, Ashley (Charlize Theron), who will be waiting for him outside the prison walls. Unfortunately, this happy union is not to be, since shortly after their discussion Nick is murdered by another inmate who believes that Nick has betrayed him.
Now..... since Ashley has never seen Nick, Rudy decides to assume Nick's identity, and have some fun with her before revealing who he is, or actually ...... is not.
Unfortunately for Rudy, assuming Nick's identity turns out not to be such a good idea, as he is soon to find out after meeting Gabriel (Gary Sinise), Ashley's brother, a small time hood, with a mean streak, a sadistic nature, and a bad temper, who will stop at nothing,  including murder, to get his way.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Rudy is probably the most honest person among this band of deceivers and liars.
Intrigue and deception are the order of the day.

........ anatta

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0184858/

Please send your comments regarding this, or any other review.... to cedars@live.nl
They will be posted below the review you are commenting on.

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Wonder Boys (2000)

Michael Douglas delivers one of his most compelling performances as Grady Tripp, a disheveled, perpetually adolescent English professor amiably coasting toward a mid-life crisis. On the inaugural day of his university's literary festival, Grady's third wife leaves him and his mistress, university chancellor Sara Gaskell , announces that she's pregnant with their child. Her husband Walter , the self-absorbed chair of the English department, suspects nothing, but with a baby on the way scandal looms just over the horizon. To further complicate matters, Grady's reckless editor Terry Crabtree, desperate to revive his flaccid career, flies in from New York to pick up the manuscript for Grady's seven-years-in-the-making follow-up to his critically acclaimed first book -- but at 2612 pages, it remains far from finished. As if that weren't enough to keep him reeling, Grady soon becomes an unwilling accomplice to a canine homicide and the heist of a rare jacket once worn by Marilyn Monroe, both committed by his brightest student -- the languid, slightly pathological James Leer. Dressed in a ratty pink bathrobe and driving a stolen car with a dead dog in the trunk, Grady must now find a way to return Marilyn's coat, write the great American novel, nurture James's literary talents, discourage the advances of an amorous co-ed, avoid the wrath of a petite James Brown look-alike, and reconcile with Sara...all before the weekend is over.
Focusing more on the development of its main character, which is brilliantly executed by Douglas, "Wonder Boys" is a film that tends to meander quite a bit, as it isn't always obvious how things will develop, since many of the standard story clichés don't apply here. Good, but not great, this is a subtle character study that may appeal to many, but is definitely not the type of film for those moviegoers who like their stories straight up.

There is another review below, by Anatta

Senses of Cinema

Senses of Cinema is an online journal devoted to the serious and eclectic discussion of cinema. It contects 2007 World Poll, features, Australian Cinema, festival reports, great directors, etc.

http://www.sensesofcinema.com 

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1990 - 2000

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1975 - 1990

Bar Fly  (1987)  drama

Starring Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway

Those of you who have seen 'The Wrestler' will be familiar with Mickey Rourke. Faye Dunaway, of course, is probably most well known for her role as Bonnie Parker, the ill fated other half of Bonnie and Clyde, in the movie by the same name. 
The first time I saw this movie, a few years back, I was taken with Rourke's portrayal of the main character, Henri Chinaski, an inveterate drunk, who likes everyone except Eddie, one of the bartenders in the saloon that Henri frequents. The intense dislike these two men have for each other often ends with them facing off outside the bar, in order to prove who is the better man - in more colloquial terms .... 'a pissing match'. This delights all of the patrons who follow them outside and place bets on who will win 'this' round. The other majour theme in the movie, besides Henri's eternal drunkness, is his relationship with Wanda (Faye Dunaway), another inveterate drunk, who will go to almost any lengths for a drink. (You'll have to see the movie to find out what I mean.)  These two hit it off right from the start, being cut from the same cloth, but the relationship is rocky. However ..... love prevails.... or ....... is it love? You decide.
As I mentioned, my first viewing of this movie was rather favourable, but on second look it seems to lack something. The acting is good, the situations are what one would expect from people in these circumstances, the sets are realistic, most of the characters are believable, but .... not the two main characters, Henri and Wanda. Henri just doesn't cut it as a down and out ruby. He's far to philosophical, too aware. The same applies to Wanda, although to a lesser degree, who looks more like a society sophisticate having a bad hair day, than the chronic drunk she's supposed to portray.
Perhaps the most memorable scenes in the movie, is when one of the bar's, shall we say 'service providers', describes in vivid detail why the service she provides to her male customers, in the bar's washroom ........ is second to none.  

I invite you to watch the movie here........ http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XODQ4OTUxMTI=.html and let us know what you think.
Just send your comments to Aly at cedars@live.nl and they will be posted below my review.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

For those who need more information.......... here's a link to the IMDB review  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092618/  

........ anatta

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Apocalypse now (1979)

A well-known movie, one you should watch, if you haven’t seen it yet. It’s my favorite movie of all time!
It’s a real masterpiece of American cinema, with beautiful ‘pictures’.
The film mixes brutal realism with fantasy. A film of a modern war, with strange scenes in it. The music plays an important role, because it is a practical part of the scene, playing from speakers or radios. But that’s not all, of course, that wouldn’t make it to a good movie.
Although it seems to be a war movie, in my opinion that's not all. It’s also a study of man, although it is about the war in Vietnam as well.
Challenging to watch, and open-ended, which makes the movie not accessible to everyone. Nevertheless it is a very interesting one, that gives room to your own conclusions, interpretations and explanations…

1950 - 1975

The Party (1968)

(starring Peter Sellers, directed by Blake Edwards)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063415/

This is one of those classics that endures. And like all classics, it is timeless, even though it's setting is not. Of all the Peter Sellers movies, this is my favourite. It is a social commentary and comedy combined, just as was "Dr. Strangelove". This is a considerable feat, the marriage of social commentary and comedy, without sacrificing the latter in order to accomplish the former; but Blake Edwards manages to do it skillfully. However, unlike Dr. Strangelove, the protagonist is not a buffoon, but a simple honest, well meaning, if not somewhat naive actor. This movie beautifully illustrates Sellers great talent as a comedian, touching as it does on the transcultural bonds of respect and friendship that can form between two people from entirely different backgrounds, in a humorous, yet sensitive manner. There are many very funny moments, but the opening scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_JWywDqgRs is possibly the funniest scene in any movie.  (I have seen only one other movie that rivals it for humour - The Flim-Flam Man, starring George C. Scott. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061678/)

In the movie, Sellers plays a newly immigrated actor (from India), whose honesty and naivety, are constantly getting him into trouble with the super hip, glamorous Hollywood movie makers. By mistake, he is sent an invitation to a party at one of the movie mogul's mansions. What ensues, is pandemonium.
Anatta
 

until 1950

Japanese cinema      

Everything about Japanese cinema: http://www.midnighteye.com

                             


We invite everybody who visits this site, to send us your suggestions according to films, exhibitions, theatrical or dance performances or other cultural manifestations:
 

cedars@live.nl

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