Mark's blog about the 2006 Melbourne International Film Festival.Saturday, July 29, 2006
FEARLESS
8/10
Fearless is a wushu film (that's martial arts) starring Jet Li. While I find most of Jet Li's american made films almost watchable, I've really enjoyed a lot of his Chinese made films. This one falls into the latter category and was excellently done. The story is based on Huo Yuan Jia who was the creator of a sports federation in China. The film was introduced by the director who claimed that this will be Jet's last wushu film (though not last action film). Highly recommended for fans of martial arts flicks.
UNITED 93
4/10
I'm rating a film here, and this film was just plain shoddy. I feel for the victims of the sept 11 attacks on the US and by no means belittle the impact that it had on the world in general, but really don't feel that this film was worth the time. It's a film about the 4th plane that landed in a field on Sept 11 and is based on what events they know along with filler where they're unsure. So far so good, but the execution was terrible. The entire thing is filmed as if it's a live action filming as it happened and the constant shaky handheld camera was enough to make me close my eyes for brief periods to avoid nausea. The acting was terrible - I don't know where they found these people but the only performance worthy of mention was the leader of the military command at NORAD - the rest just seemed like amateurs. Additionally, progression of the story was at times slow and repetitive. Several times we'd be shown one Air Traffic Control room in one location where they find a plane isn't responding, and then would have to sit and watch as the same information is repeated time and time again through the other control towers, etc. We (the audience) know the planes gone, so why do we need to watch the other characters in the film discover the facts time and time again? Anyway, the film's impact is great at times, but really, that's based on the horror of the event rather than any noticeable achievement by these filmmakers.
SARAH SILVERMAN: JESUS IS MAGIC
7/10
Pretty much a live stand-up show by this American comedienne with a few interlaced dream sequence/musical numbers for variety. Fine enough time to be had with several funny moments. She really targets the taboo though - I don't think any minority or sensitive subject was left untouched in this 72 minute film. I am in two minds about comedy of this type - jokes about subjects like religion/race/genocide/mass-starvation/rape/terrorism can be humourous and I laughed, but at the same time, I kind of wonder how necessary it is... It's just a personal decision for everyone to make I guess. So, if you're into offensive humour, check it out. If you're strongly against politically incorrect comedians avoid at all costs!
8/10
Fearless is a wushu film (that's martial arts) starring Jet Li. While I find most of Jet Li's american made films almost watchable, I've really enjoyed a lot of his Chinese made films. This one falls into the latter category and was excellently done. The story is based on Huo Yuan Jia who was the creator of a sports federation in China. The film was introduced by the director who claimed that this will be Jet's last wushu film (though not last action film). Highly recommended for fans of martial arts flicks.
UNITED 93
4/10
I'm rating a film here, and this film was just plain shoddy. I feel for the victims of the sept 11 attacks on the US and by no means belittle the impact that it had on the world in general, but really don't feel that this film was worth the time. It's a film about the 4th plane that landed in a field on Sept 11 and is based on what events they know along with filler where they're unsure. So far so good, but the execution was terrible. The entire thing is filmed as if it's a live action filming as it happened and the constant shaky handheld camera was enough to make me close my eyes for brief periods to avoid nausea. The acting was terrible - I don't know where they found these people but the only performance worthy of mention was the leader of the military command at NORAD - the rest just seemed like amateurs. Additionally, progression of the story was at times slow and repetitive. Several times we'd be shown one Air Traffic Control room in one location where they find a plane isn't responding, and then would have to sit and watch as the same information is repeated time and time again through the other control towers, etc. We (the audience) know the planes gone, so why do we need to watch the other characters in the film discover the facts time and time again? Anyway, the film's impact is great at times, but really, that's based on the horror of the event rather than any noticeable achievement by these filmmakers.
SARAH SILVERMAN: JESUS IS MAGIC
7/10
Pretty much a live stand-up show by this American comedienne with a few interlaced dream sequence/musical numbers for variety. Fine enough time to be had with several funny moments. She really targets the taboo though - I don't think any minority or sensitive subject was left untouched in this 72 minute film. I am in two minds about comedy of this type - jokes about subjects like religion/race/genocide/mass-starvation/rape/terrorism can be humourous and I laughed, but at the same time, I kind of wonder how necessary it is... It's just a personal decision for everyone to make I guess. So, if you're into offensive humour, check it out. If you're strongly against politically incorrect comedians avoid at all costs!
