Day 171 - J. Edgar (American)

"The film opens with J. Edgar Hoover in his office during his later years. He asks that a writer, known as Agent Smith, be let in, so that he may tell the story of the origin of the FBI for the sake of the public. Hoover explains that the story begins in 1919, when A. Mitchell Palmer was Attorney General and Hoover's boss at the Justice Department. Palmer suffers an assassination attempt, but is unharmed when the bomb explodes earlier than intended. Hoover recalls that the police handling of the crime scene was primitive, and that it was that night that he recognized the importance of criminal science. Later, Hoover visits his mother, Anna Marie, and tells her that Palmer has put him in charge of a new anti-radical division, and that he has already begun compiling a list of suspected radicals"

Leonardo DiCaprio has grown as a actor, it is evident when I saw him play Hoover so well. He makes the character on screen seem so real that at times you may believe he was the real hoover if he wasn't Leo. Clint Eastwood's direction was great, he made the film and the characters actions flow nicely making everything seem genuine even the cross dressing scene. The other actors could have been better and I would like to praise the screenwriter Dustin Lance Black for making such an interesting script. I enjoyed the film and I recommend it to those that want to know more about the FBI's and Hoover's beginning as well a Clint Eastwood film.


3/5

Day 170 - Doomsday Book (Korean)

"It tells three unique stories of human self-destruction in the modern high-tech era, while displaying an alternative form of genuine humanity and compassion. A Brave New World is a political satire about a viral zombie outbreak; The Heavenly Creature philosophizes on whether a robot can achieve enlightenment; and in Happy Birthday a dysfunctional family bonds in the midst of an apocalypse"

An intelligent film that makes you question certain things in your life. It shows its worth with the characters they designed for these short stories that are so unique yet are quite similar to real life people and reflect modern society.
Its not my favorite film but I will suggest it to those that like thought-provoking films.

2/5

Day 169 - This Might Be the Place (European)

"Cheyenne (Sean Penn) is a wealthy former rock star, now bored and jaded in his 20 year retirement in Dublin. He retired after two of his teenaged fans committed suicide. He travels to New York to reconcile with his estranged father during his final hours, only to arrive too late. The reason he gives for not communicating with his father for 30 years was that his father rejected him when he put on glam-rock makeup at the age of 15. He reads his father's diary and learns about his father's persecution in Auschwitz at the hands of former SS Officer Alois Lange. He visits a professional Nazi-hunter named Mordecai who tells him that Lange is small fry."

It was pretty interesting to see Sean Penn play a character like this, you almost can't believe he did a role like this. This was a decent movie until it got more towards finding a former SS officer then it was slightly boring. There are so many problems in this film it might make your head spin. The film has a very slow place and a few interesting characters like Mary. I will suggest this film to those that like slow paced films and Sean Penn movies

2/5

Day 168 - Twixt (American/Belgium)

"The film follows Hall Baltimore (Val Kilmer), a down on his luck writer who specializes in novels based upon witch hunting.^[2] At a book signing he is approached by Sheriff Bobby LaGrange (Bruce Dern), an eccentric fan with two requests: that Hall read his latest work and that he also accompany him to the morgue to view the body of a recent murder victim, as Bobby believes that it would make for a great story. Hall reluctantly agrees and at the morgue he learns that the person was murdered by a serial killer. Despite offers from Bobby, Hall opts to not look at the victim's face. At the coffee shop he learns about a local hotel that once sheltered Edgar Allan Poe. This, along with the murders and various other odd features of the town, prompt Hall to announce to his wife that he wants to write a piece based upon the town."

Truly a piece of cr*p film by one of the best directors of the modern era. This was nothing consistent except for my boredom. Even though this film features Val Kilmer, he couldn't save this film from the shaky hands of Francis Ford Coppola. I really don't know why he is did this awful film. I won't suggest this film to anyone.



0/5

Day 167 - Floating City (Chinese/Hong Kong)

"The story of a self-made man in a vastly changing Hong Kong at the end of British Colonial rule."

The film tells a story of a self made man who really worked hard despite the ridicule he received for being half British and half Chinese. It is nice to see a film about a mixed man for a change and especially in a Chinese movie. I enjoyed this film somewhat but the other characters didn't seem to have real depth. I can tell they tried hard on this film but failed to make it truly successful. Hats off to Aaron Kwok who really shined during this movie.


2.5/5

Day 166 - No Boys, No Cry aka The Boat (Japanese)

"Hyung-gu, a young smuggler, was raised by his boss Bo-kyeong after his mother left him when he was six years old. Hyung-gu's boss asks him to work with a Japanese man named Toru; Toru needs the money to support his younger sister. Hyung-gu and Toru are forced to live on Hyung-gu's boat and kidnap a Korean woman named Ji-su, which leads to trouble."

A co-production between Japan and South Korea, not a completely boring production either. The filmed failed to be truly entertaining due to the poor camera directions and the type of film used. Not a whole lot happens in the film but it is nice to see the bond between the two main characters grow. I can't say that I am a fan of this film nor can I say that I enjoy the story. The script and plot are badly done with no real value to it. I enjoyed seeing common language mistakes between Japanese and Korea. For one instance Toru says yeoboseyo when he first meets Hyung-gu which is wrong because this version of hello is only used when talking on the phone. A lot of characters in the film don't seem too important, I feel like this wasn't really planned out well despite its 115 minute length. Though I enjoyed some of the aspects of the buddy film like the action scenes, the understanding parts and some of the family parts. Wished that this film could have been better.

2/5

Day 165 - Dance, Subaru! (Japanese)

"Subaru and her twin brother Kazuma share a dream in becoming ballet dancers, but their passion is discouraged by their father. After Kazuma's death from a hereditary illness, dancing became Subaru's only happiness and she yearns to lose herself in dance. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she runs into cabaret owner Isuzu, who recognizes the talent in Subaru and trains her in her nightspot.
But to become a professional ballerina, Subaru has to overcome harsher challenges than merely satisfying the cabaret drunkards. Spurred on by her rivaling dance companions, Subaru enters an international dance competition, to vie for recognition and a scholarship to any top ballet company in the world.
Subaru and her companions soon discover that there are more to compete than the championship, and tests of friendship, betrayal and self-worth come one after another. Gradually the youngsters learn about themselves as dancers, as persons and as friends. " -AsianWiki

Dance, Subaru could have been great but failed to due so because of the cliché of dancing movies. The beginning of the film was successful, it was entertaining and somewhat emotional. Then you get to the middle and it reminded me of a Step-Up reject with that hip hop scene and the stupid romance with the guy who doesn't know about classic dance. Yet, in the last half of the film it saved itself with stellar dance performances and true emotions and discovery of oneself. I wished they didn't have the failed romance in the film, it wasn't necessary to the plot whatsoever. I did enjoy all the actors performances especially the lead Meisa Kuroki who plays the teenage Subaru. I suggest this film to those that like Japanese films and inspiring films.

2.9/5