Saturday, March 26, 2011

Berta's Motives

The story is about a young girl's coming of age when she became friends with a neighbour who claimed to be a widow.

This reminded me of Edward Yang’s “Expectation” episode in “In Our Time” made one year prior to this film. Wonder if the director was influenced by it?

Internet Movie Database Link

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Rango

This is an animation about how a chameleon became a hero for a small town in the desert by accident.

Liked the action sequences and how the protagonist searched for his purpose in life! A little disappointed that they didn't really put the water into good use in the end though.

Internet Movie Database Link

Sunday, March 13, 2011

A Brighter Summer Day

The story is loosely based on the first juvenile murder case in Taiwan that happened in 1961. Students joined gangs to have a sense of belonging and the secret police were arresting people who were suspected to be communists.

Liked the nice songs, the detailed depiction of the life in Taiwan back in the early sixties and the theme of finding one's identity and purpose in life! The three sisters of Zhang Zhen all looked quite pretty!

Internet Movie Database Link

Friday, March 11, 2011

Taipei Story

The story is about how a couple who knew each other from young slowly drifted apart.

Liked the scenes that showcased the cityscape of Taiwan and how Ah Lung treated his old friends and his father-in-law! The Japanese advertisements and the historical footage of Taiwan playing baseball in America were also interesting!

Internet Movie Database Link

Saturday, March 05, 2011

The Winter of 1905

The story is about a Chinese student, Li Shutong, who studied art, music and drama in Japan in 1905. His friend was a revolutionary who wanted to overthrow the Qing dynasty.

The Japanese girlfriend of the Chinese student looked very pretty but his acting was a bit wooden.

Friday, March 04, 2011

In Our Time

The film consists of four short stories: "Little Dragon Head" about a young boy with a toy dragon, "Expectation" about a young girl's yearning for love, "The Jumping Frog" about college life and "Say Your Name" about one day in the life of a couple.

Liked the dream sequences and the song in "Little Dragon Head"! The teenage girl in "Expectation" acted very well, the competition was exciting in "The Jumping Frog" and "Say Your Name" was funny!

Internet Movie Database Link