Les Misérables

3.5 Potatoes

"Les Misérables" (2012) by Tom Hooper was overall Okay.

Anne Hathaway was amazing and very impressive.
Hugh Jackman was not there 100%.
Russell Crow ... don't even bother.

Overall all the young casts were very talented and amazingly well acted:
Marius played by Eddie Redmeyne
Gavroche the little boy played by Daniel Huttlestone
and the little Cosette played by Isabelle Allen only had a small appearance but validated her existence.

It is a good holiday movie and a tearjerker. You can't go wrong with Victor Hugo.


Official Site: http://www.lesmiserablesfilm.com/

Synopsis: In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever. (IMDb)



USA: In Theaters Now

Woman in the Fifth

2.5 Potatoes

"Woman in the Fifth" (2012) - La Femme du Vème by Pawel Pawlikowski was just released here in Los Angeles. A film with Ethan Hawke and Kristine Scott Thomas didn't appeal to me at first. I didn't see any chemistry between them.
Then I saw the trailer. It did change my mind to see it (On Demand), the suspense story was
interesting but it was a okay film.

I recommend you to see it on demand or on DVD.

My last thought was... "So she was....?" and "Oh Ethan Hawke aged not so well".



Official Site: http://womaninthefifth-movie.com/


USA: In Theaters Now and Available on Demand.

"Headhunters" from Norway

3.5 Potatoes

"Headhunters" (2011) - Hodejegerne by Morten Tyldum, a crime thriller from Norway, is a must-see!


This film was released at AFI last year and now in theaters in LA. 
Stylish, gruesome, suspenseful and very intelligently written. There are a lot of
surprises throughout the film, some humors are not to miss.


I really enjoyed it. Oh by the way, the guy who plays Clas Greve,
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, is Ser Jaime Lannister from the HBO series "Game of Thrones" if you are wondering where you've seen him.

Synopsis: An accomplished headhunter risks everything to obtain a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary. (IMDb)

USA: In Theaters Now

Snow White and the Huntsman

2.5 Potatoes

I just saw the pre-screening of the "Snow White and the Huntsman" (2012) by Rupert Sanders. Stunningly beautiful cinematography, beautiful costume and Charlize Theron's witchy Queen were mesmerizing, yet tough chick Twilight Snow White... not so.
I thought the Huntsman needed some acting lesson but hey one of the Avengers of course can save anyone right? Sorry for the son of the Duke, Duke of the dude to be, couldn't be the magical prince from faraway land.

A bit confusing to watch, great poster.


USA: In theaters June 1st, 2012

"Welcome to the North" - Benvenuti al Nord

3.5 potatoes

Finally, finally, finally saw the remake of "Welcome to the Sticks" (2008) - Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis by my beloved Mr. Dany Boon. Nothing can be funnier than this. But I must say, I enjoyed it pretty much...

This first remake "Welcome to the North" (2012) - Benvenuti al Nord was created in Italian by Italian director Luca Miniero and was produced by Dany Boon.

The original film was very well respected in this remake, and it was intelligently arranged in the way to follow the culture and its custom well. For example the main character goes to North of France and encounters the sticks with thick accent, but in the Italian remake, the Neapolitan with thick accent goes to North, to Milan, and encounters the different culture and so on. All the necessities from the original film was well marinated into the remake.
I thought it was very well done.

Angela Finocchiaro's double cast in the film was hilarious!

Highly recommended. BUT make sure to watch the original first!!
By the way, finally the American remake will be released in 2013. FYI.

"Welcome to the Sticks"

Synopsis (ENG): Alberto e Mattia live marital crisis. Silvia doesn't like Milan because of its pollution and she accuses Alberto to be an egoist. In the meantime, Mattia lives with his wife Maria and his son Edinson into his mother's house. Despite himself, he goes to work in Milan. The impact of the Neapolitan on this city is terrible but slowly, the prejudices begin to disappear. (Los Angeles Italia Film Festival)

Synopsis (IT): In Benvenuti al Nord, Alberto e Mattia, sono in crisi con le rispettive mogli. Silvia detesta Milano a causa delle polveri sottili e dell'ozono troposferico e accusa Alberto di pensare solo al lavoro e poco a lei. Intanto Mattia, il solito irresponsabile, vive con la moglie Maria e il figlio Edinson a casa della madre, lavora poco e proprio non riesce a pronunciare la parola "mutuo". Mattia suo malgrado finirà a lavorare a Milano, incastrato dall'ingenuità dei suoi amici che lo affidano alle cure di Alberto. L'impatto del napoletano con la città sarà terribile: partito con un giubbotto fendinebbia il povero Mattia finirà col rovinare la sua vita e quella dell'amico Alberto. Ma, piano piano, i pregiudizi inizieranno a sciogliersi... (Comingsoon.it)


Official Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQKJvLexYEE


USA: Not Available JUST Yet

"In Darkness"

3 Potatoes

One of this year's Oscar Foreign Language Film Nominees "In Darkness" (2011) by Agnieszka Holland is based on true story. This is not the first time she made a film based on true story, one of her acclaimed film "Europa Europa" (1990) was the winner of the Golden Globes Foreign Language Film back in 1992 and was nominated for the Oscar Best Screen Play for the same year.

This film "In Darkness" has amazing casts; Polish actor Robert Wieckiewics, German actor Benno Fürmann, German actress Maria Schrader and many more.
Yet something was missing from the film in my opinion, I felt that the story was scattered around and it wasn't solid.

"Europa Europa" was much deeper and stronger film that still remains in my memory clearly.

Does this film has a Oscar quality? The story Yes. The film.. not so.




Synopsis: A dramatization of one man's rescue of Jewish refugees in the Nazi-occupied Polish city of Lvov. (IMDb)


Official site & Trailer: http://www.sonyclassics.com/indarkness/


USA: In Theater Now

"Norwegian Wood"

2.5 Potatoes

I just saw a sneak preview of the much anticipated film "Norwegian Wood" (2010) by Tran Anh Hung, French-Vietnamese director, and base on the novel by Haruki Murakami. None of his novels are never made into film and this was the first one.

This film was filmed in Japanese with some known and talented Japanese actors: Kenichi Matsuyama for one, he is known for playing the character "L" in the film "Death Note: L Change the World" (2008), young yet very talented and became a father of a baby with actress Koyuki (Last Samurai) a few days ago.
I was also surprised how great the young model Kiko Mizuhara was. BRAVO for her.

The film starts very very slow. On top of that, Rinko Kikuchi is not a great choice for this film.
In my opinion, she got her recognition showing her crotch and explicit sex scenes, nothing to do with her acting ability. She doesn't even have an aura. She has no training, no experience in acting before she got the part of the film "Babel" (2006). Her voice is horrible, the way she speaks is horrible. It is about time for directors to realize she is no good. PLEASE!

I also wondered always that when the director films in foreign dialogues, how does he or she knows if the dialogue was spoken the way the director wishes?? Isn't that hard to direct if you don't know the language? I think it was also the negative point in this film, that both side of actors and director weren't using their talent to the max... well, that is only my opinion.

I would give 3.5 Potatoes if the main female character wasn't Rinko.


Synopsis: Tokyo, the late 1960s... Students around the world are uniting to overthrow the establishment and Toru Watanabe's personal life is similarly in tumult. At heart, he is deeply devoted to his first love, Naoko, a beautiful and introspective young woman. But their complex bond has been forged by the tragic death of their best friend years before. Watanabe lives with the influence of death everywhere. That is, until Midori, a girl who is everything that Naoko is not - outgoing, vivacious, supremely self-confident - marches into his life and Watanabe must choose between his past and his future. (Official Site)



Official Site & Trailer: http://www.norwegianwoodmovie.com/

USA: In Theater Jan 27, 2012 (LA)

一月ドラマ「ハングリー」JP DRAMA

1 Potato or less for the rip off...

So I started to catch up with the January starts of the JP drama...

This one I just saw "Hungry" (2012) was a disappointment to me...
It is a total rip off of a German movie "Soul Kitchen" (2009) by Fatih Akin. I liked this movie a lot but the whole story line and even the movie set is pretty identical.

Seriously, can't you get your own original story???

Shame on you "Hungry"!!!!!

SOUL KITCHEN: In Hamburg, German-Greek chef Zinos unknowingly disturbs the peace in his locals-only restaurant by hiring a more talented chef. (IMDb)

OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.soul-kitchen-film.com/

SOUL KITCHEN: DVD AVAILABLE

"A Separation"

3 Potatoes

Happy New Year everyone! Hope I can blog more often this year!

Today, I finally saw the ending of the film "A Separation" (2011) - Jodaeiye Nader az Simin by Asghar Farhadi. I saw this film at the AFI Fest back in November but we had to leave early to catch another film... typical schedule conflict at the film festival...

Anyway, the story went very differently than how I expected. But I liked it, it was well done and well executed. I love his films mainly because he portrays their everyday life well: how people still struggle between the modern life and the old cultural life. The famous actress Leila Hatami, a daughter of the legendary Iranian director Ali Hatami, plays a small yet an important role. And the performance of both Sareh Bayat who plays the caretaker and Sarina Farhadi who plays the daughter are amazing.

I appreciated his last film "About Elly" (2009) - Darbareye Elly more, but both films are highly recommended!


Official Site & Trailer: http://www.sonyclassics.com/aseparation/


USA: In Theater NOW / Limited Time Release

"Café de Flore" my AFI Fav.

4 Potatoes

Here is my favorite of all at the AFI Fest this year, though I couldn't see as many films as I wished to see, I am glad to see something very powerful.

"Café de Flore" (2011) by Jean-Marc Vallée, starring Vanessa Paradis, is a film which focuses on two different events at the two different periods of times which somewhat relates to one another.

Unfortunately I missed the first 10 minutes due to the festival schedule change. But it was okay at the end, as it was a slow start. I read at the festival guide that this film was sort of after-the-fact film to the director's 2005 film "C.R.A.Z.Y." (2005). I see that. But this film stands by itself. It was very intense toward the end and the two stories from the two separate periods merged well together. I really loved how the story turned out.

Also Vanessa Paradis was amazing in this film, she was a good actress in the past, but she  now became a great actress. I hope she will receive a nomination for the Oscar 2012.

Highly Recommended.

Official Site & Trailer: http://www.cafedeflorelefilm.com/


Synopsis (FR): Il n’est pas facile de dire adieu à ceux qu’on aime; pour y parvenir, il faut parfois toute une vie - ou deux.
Entre le Paris des années 1960 et le Montréal d’aujourd’hui se déploie une vaste histoire d’amour aux accents épiques, à la fois sombre et lumineuse, troublante et malgré tout pleine d’espoir. Film teinté de fantastique, baigné d’une lumière parfois presque surnaturelle, Café de Flore raconte les destins croisés de Jacqueline une jeune Parisienne mère d’un enfant unique, d’Antoine un DJ montréalais ainsi que des femmes qui l’entourent. Ce qui les relie : l’amour, troublant, maladroit, imparfait et inachevé... humain.


Synopsis (ENG): Healing a broken heart isn't easy. Sometimes it takes a lifetime...or two. 
Cafe de Flore is a love story about people separated by time and place but connected in profound and mysterious ways. Atmospheric, fantastical, tragic and hopeful, the film chronicles the parallel fates of Jacqueline, a young mother with a disabled son in 1960s Paris, and Antoine, a recently-divorced, successful DJ in present day Montreal. What binds the two stories together is love - euphoric, obsessive, tragic, youthful, timeless love. Antoine, early 40s, seems to have it all: a thriving career, two beautiful daughters, partner Rose, with whom he is passionately in love. However, nothing is perfect and Antoine's ex-wife Carole remains devastated by their recent separation. Heartbroken, her sense of self has been shattered and her hold on reality has been gradually slipping away. Her dreams are haunted by two recurrent figures - Jacqueline, a young woman, and Laurent, her Down Syndrome - afflicted son - but the reason for their visits to her subconscious, and their meaning continue to elude her. We find Jacqueline and Laurent in 1960s Paris. Abandoned by her husband, Jacqueline sacrifices everything to care for her son. From the moment Laurent is born she promises herself to give him a "normal" life full of happiness. For years she fulfills that promise, joining herself at the hip to her son and watching over his every waking moment. One day at school Laurent befriends Véronique, another Down Syndrome child, forever changing things between mother and son. Carole, meanwhile, is still attempting to unravel the mystery of Jacqueline and Laurent. She sees them not only in her dreams but in her waking life too. Tormented by hallucinations, Carole attempts to suppress them with medication and illicit drugs before seeking out the help of a spiritual guide who leads her to believe that Jacqueline and Laurent are previous incarnations of her and Antoine who are attempting to send her a warning. When she senses Jacqueline and Laurents story could end tragically, Carole realizes she will have to choose a different path. In that moment, she has to decide whether the agony of heartbreak is too much to bear or if she can let go of her pain and move on with her life. The title "Cafe de Flore" refers not to the famous Boulevard St-Germain café, but to a musical theme running through the film that connects the characters in 1960s Paris to those in present-day Montreal. Blending smooth electro beats with the retro sounds of big band strings and horns, the music sets the tone for a story about love in its many forms. - Jean-Marc Vallée (IMDb)




USA: Release Date Unknown

"Pina" 3D - Wim Wenders' latest

4 Potatoes

Last night Wim Wender introduced us the completely "new way" to enjoy 3D.
His latest film "Pina" (2011) a documentary/performing art film about the choreographer
Pina Bausch.

This could be the totally new way of enjoying stage/theater production also. It makes you feel like you are sitting on the front raw of the theater watching the performing art. So real.
Wim Wenders said "...3D was the only way to film dance...". He was so right.

Wim Wenders & Pina

Not only this documentary stunned me by the new discovery, it is also perfect in quality: location choices, music, editing and length of film.

Highly recommended.


Official Site & Trailer: http://www.pina-film.de/en/

More about Pina Bausch: http://www.pina-bausch.de/en/pina_bausch/index.php




USA: In Theater December 23rd, 2011


Germany's Official Submission for the Oscar 2012: Foreign Language Film

Luc Besson "The Lady"

3.5 Potatoes

Luc Besson's latest film "The Lady" (2011) was finally premiered at
the AFI Fest 2011 tonight. I waited for this movie to be released for a long time, not only the subject was fascinating, but he hasn't directed a live-action movie in a long time!

Actually I remember reading some interview about 5 years ago (I am sorry I can't quote it because I don't remember where I read it...), him saying he will retire from directing after "Angel A" (2006) and focus on producing... Well he did "the Arthur and the Invisibles" (2006-2010) series after that but they were not live-action.

Anyway, sadly I could only give 3.5 Potatoes.
First of all, I think he lost his touch for creating his style... He was at the festival in person and he said "This is the most important film of my life". But I disagreed as an audience.
YES the subject was very important to speak about, but Aung San Suu Kyi's life and achievement can't be explained in 2 hours, unless it is well edited.
And it starts very slow and get intense in the middle and it sucks you in. Knowing what she really went through, it was very heart breaking and tearful.
But the reality hits you and makes you wonder how convincing Michelle Yeoh's Burmese was... (She acted in 2 languages: UK English and Burmese).

At the end, it wasn't just perfect...

And one last thing, Luc Besson's usual soundtrack composer Eric Serra, you weren't at your best either.

Synopsis: The story of pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi and the academic and writer Michael Aris; a true story of love set against political turmoil. (IMDb)




USA: In Theater December 2, 2011

AROUND THE WORLD IN 14 FILMS

FOREIGN FILM FESTIVALS ARE HERE!

There are many foreign film festivals around this season and I have a few recommendations.

Today's recommendation is "Around the World in 14 Films" if you are in Berlin, Germany area.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 14 FILMS

DATE: November 25th - December 3rd, 2011

PLACE: BABYLON Kino, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 30, Berlin-Mitte

PRICE: $ (0-10)   

FOR MORE INFO VISIT THEM on FACEBOOK

WHAT: Every year in the beginning of december the International Filmfestival AROUND THE WORLD IN 14 FILMS brings together 14 extraordinary independent films from 14 regions around the world, to show and share with Berlin's discerning cinema public. From South America to Africa, through different parts of Europe to the Near East, through the Middle East and Central Asia to parts of the Far East, and on to North and Central America: 14 films representing 14 different, personal, artistic visions of 14 areas of the world.

Each of the 14 films will be presented by another leading German cinema director, who will introduce both the film and the international director (if he is in attendance), and then moderate a discussion with the audience and the director immediately after the film.
Already shown and praised at various international film festivals such as Cannes, Rotterdam, Locarno and Venice, most of them are yet still without German distribution, these films have been all but unavailable to audiences in Berlin. (Around the World in 14 Films)

"Drive" with Ryan Gosling

3.5 Potatoes

I just saw the new film "Drive" (2011) by Nicolas Winding Refn. No expectation nor knowledge about it before I went to the screening. Only one thing I knew about this film was that the director won the Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

Surprisingly, I really liked it. The movie had a touch of the 80's cheesiness and I also thought the film was somewhat influenced by Claude Lelouch's "Roman de Gare" (2007), especially the driving scenes and the music which goes along with them. But that didn't bother me really. I thought the film was well executed and Ryan Gosling is an actor that truly can act without dialogues.

Highly Recommended.


Synopsis: A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong. (IMDb)




USA: In Theater Everywhere on Friday 09/16/2011

"The Debt"

2 Potatoes

The film "The Debt" (2011) by John Madden had an early release to gain the box office. Was it successful? Well for me not, at least...
The story of Mossad was very interesting but they made Mossad like weeping puppy compare to how the film "Munich" (2005) by Steven Spielberg portrayed it...

Unfortunately it was very under directed.


Dear Madam Helen Mirren,

You are not really a Femme Fatale, please stay as a Queen if you can.

Sincerely yours,
Operation Couch Potato aka Femme Fatale wanna be

Synopsis: The espionage thriller begins in 1997, as shocking news reaches retired Mossad secret agents Rachel (Helen Mirren) and Stefan (Tom Wilkinson) about their former colleague David (Ciarán Hinds). All three have been venerated for decades by their country because of the mission that they undertook back in 1966, when the trio (portrayed, respectively, by Jessica Chastain, Marton Csokas, and Sam Worthington) tracked down Nazi war criminal Vogel (Jesper Christensen) in East Berlin. At great risk, and at considerable personal cost, the team's mission was accomplished - or was it? The suspense builds in and across two different time periods, with startling action and surprising revelations.


Official Website & Trailer: http://www.focusfeatures.com/the_debt/


USA: In Theaters Now, BUT recommended on DVD...

"Love Crime"

2.5 Potatoes

The final film of Alain Corneau "Love Crime" - Crime d'Amour (2010) with Kristine Scott Thomas and Ludivine Sagnier is finally released in Los Angeles this weekend.

It is just typical backstubbing movie, women, competition, just like any other day in Los Angeles... The music was horrible, that really distracted me from concentrating on the film. And I thought it didn't show the best quality of Ludivine Sagnier either... very unfortunate.

I liked the one-sheet though...


Synopsis: Ruthless executive Christine brings on Isabelle as her assistant, and she takes delight in toying with the young woman's innocence. But when the protégé's ideas become tempting enough for Christine to pass one as her own, she underestimates Isabelle's ambition and cunning -- and the ground is set for all out war. (IMDb)


Synopsis (FR): Dans le décor aseptisé des bureaux d’une puissante multinationale, deux femmes s’affrontent… La jeune Isabelle travaille sous les ordres de Christine, une femme de pouvoir qu’elle admire sans réserve. Convaincue de son ascendant sur sa protégée, Christine entraîne Isabelle dans un jeu trouble et pervers de séduction et de domination. 
Ce jeu dangereux va trop loin… jusqu’au point de non retour. (AlloCiné)

USA: In Theaters in N.Y. and Los Angeles
Also Available on VOD

"Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life"

3 Potatoes

For all the Serge Gainsbourg fans! This is a must see movie. "Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life" (2010) by Joanne Sfar. This was shown at COLCOA last year, and I was so surprised how much resemblance the actor Eric Elmosnino had to Gainsbourg.

It is purely fun and interesting, you would not regret it.










Official Site and Trailer: http://www.gainsbourgaheroiclife.com/

USA: In Limited Theaters / L.A. at NuArt 9/2-9/8/2011

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

3 Potatoes

Last night's screening was a double featured. After watching the film "E.T.", I also watched "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977) by Steven Spielberg. I didn't remember much of the film except the tune, and it was hard for me to follow the film at the beginning. Then slowly I got sucked in to it.

Still, it wasn't too memorable as "E.T.", but once again, it was very enjoyable to see it again on the big screen.



DVD Available Everywhere 

"E.T." come home!

5 Potatoes

I just saw "E.T." (1982) by Steven Spielberg again tonight, but on the big screen at Aero Theater. What an amazing film it is! This time it was a different cut, some new scene was added and some deleted, but the great quality was still there.

©1982 & 2002 - Universal Studios

Everyone is looking so young, especially Peter Coyote! And the amazing performance of the little Henry Thomas still touches your heart. He surely turned out to be a one fine actor. Not to mention, how big of a star Drew Barrymore became. Even though this film ruined her life in a way, she overcame the obstacle and became very successful and one of the most likable actress in Hollywood.

Did you know? Most of the grown ups' faces are not shown through out the film except the mother and Peter Coyote? Finally towards the end of the film, you will see some of the faces, inevitable I guess...

©1982 & 2002 - Universal Studios

I wish Spielberg didn't produce the film "Super 8" and made "E.T." now and after instead...

Oh the children's fantasy is the grown ups tearjerker!!!

P.S. There is a great behind scene on DVD, a footage from the casting scene with Henry Thomas. This is a must see, it blows your mind!



DVD Available Everywhere

"Betty" by Claude Chabrol

5 Potatoes

I am currently watching an amazing film by the late Claude Chabrol "Betty" (1992). I remember when this film came out in theater, I was still living in Paris. I watched it again a few times since then, and tonight it is still an amazing film.
And the song "Je voulais te dire que je t'attends" by Michel Jonasz is unforgettable.

It is so sad that the both Claude Chabrol and Marie Trintignant are no longer with us. Two amazing talented people one left us by age and another her life was ended by a selfish moron... her then boyfriend Bertrand Cantat, a lead singer from Noir Désir.

This film is Highly Recommended.


Synopsis: When Betty is caught en flagrante, her bourgeois in-laws and husband force a divorce settlement upon her and bar her from seeing her two daughters. She is rescued from an alcoholic stupor by Laure, a middle-aged woman who takes Betty to her hotel lodgings, extends friendship and care, and listens to her story. Laure's lover, Mario, the proprietor of the bar where Betty and Laure met, is first a friend, then Betty's next conquest. (IMDb)


Synopsis(FR): Betty, jeune femme alcoolique et paumée, réprouvée par son mari et sa famille, se réfugie dans le restaurant "Le Trou" où elle fait la connaissance de Laure, l'amante du patron Mario. Laure l'aide et devient une amie. Mais Betty envie sa tranquille assurance et l'amour qui la lie à son compagnon. Quand elle s'éprend à son tour de Mario, les choses basculent. Est-elle la victime de sa famille bourgeoise ou un monstre d'égoïsme inconscient ?... (AlloCiné)


USA: DVD Available
USA: Currently Showing on TV5 Monde (AUG)