Movie Review: Once

This movie seemed to be shot with no pre-conceptualized idea on what the story is about or how it will be presented in a film. It seemed like someone just picked up a video camera, ask random strangers to act; and that's it. Which is exactly what made it so amazingly real. So real, that even if it is a musical, it doesn't seem like it was a musical at all. There were no impromptu dance acts or song numbers. The songs sung in the movie are how they are meant to be sung in the real world. Like how you and me would sing it in a proper place; like in your room, in my living area, or in your head while walking alone at night from somewhere.

The cameras were obviously handheld and they shot it on location with real random people as backgrounds or extras. You will notice in some scenes that there are people in the background that looks at the camera with a big question mark on their faces. The technique used in this movie like blending in with the random crowd, made it more real and raw, as if you were spying on the two characters. The character's name weren't even mentioned at all in the movie. What troubled me while watching it were the dialogues, the actors were Irish and sometimes they were hard to understand, harder than the British accent.

The songs are nice, so nice that if you listen to the songs carefully while watching the movie you will definitely be stirred and will be able to dig more deeper in the character's story. The lyric's of the songs are light and easy to the ears, no deciphering of any kind to understand their meaning or message. As you watch the movie, you can tell when the singing will happen. It can be on the streets because one character is a street singer, but aside from there you can definitely tell when another song number will occur. It's real, because anyone can do it, anyone can relate on how they sing and how they act, think, and interact with one another. Okay not everyone, because only real life musicians will be able to truly relate to any of the characters. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful movie that most can relate to taking away the singing parts.

No heavy drama in this movie, no heavy acting either, no conflict, no barrier, no antagonist. Perhaps there were conflicts or conflict but it was the story itself, unfolding. This movie is like a peek into a story of a guy meets girl and how things go, literally. The guy gets to know the girl, guy gets to know the family, girl and guy gets to know each other more, etc, etc. Typical girl and guy gets to know each other story, but wait, there' more; this is not your ordinary love story movie. There are no mushy scenes, no kisses, no intimacy, no love scenes, no giggly moments, but definitely it made me smile. This movie does not have the mushy-giggle factor of most romantic movies or chick flicks have. Songs in this film are brilliantly written and soulful. Everything in this movie is just so subtle, so ordinarily made, but definitely this is not an ordinary flick that you will watch only once.
 
                            

2046, a movie review

This is the second time I have watched this movie since I was in college. It was quite odd at first and I have to watch it again this time to finally get what this movie is all about.

I just finished watching the movie, so I thought to write about it before I watch the next movie on my playlist, supposedly Pan's Labyrinth, but I think I want to watch Dancer in the Dark instead. It's an original VCD copy... So I am yet to find out what's the quality going to be like when played on my TV. I had problems in the past playing VCD's on my TV. They are either blurry or the screen won't entirely fit the monitor. Anyway, back to the movie...

There is one very noticeable aspect on how Wong Kar Wai (director) focuses on the scenes. The subject on most scenes are not centered at all, he has either half of the screen filled with blank and dark spaces or some background of sort. The subjects are either at the far right or far left of the screen... He does this on very emotional scenes. probably to let the audience focus more on the emotions and on the actor rather than on the vivid background or setting. The story is all about love, finding it, ignoring, and breaking it. The protagonist or the main character who is a writer, was sometimes also the antagonist... Well, towards one particular character anyway, who was so crazy inlove with him, but he just simply can't fall inlove for her. Wherein, comes some additional characters (more women) into the story. All of whom he has feelings for, but they never did for him. The story is full of heartaches. It also shows how broken a seemingly strong person can be when love comes in to his life. The character escapes from his reality into the novel he is writing, involuntary incorporating the people in his real life to his novel.

The movie is visually exhilarating, with some photography techniques used that I don't know what they are called of. The plot is depressing, and the actors are good and well known, good looking and skinny. Makes me want to be more skinny. The movie might be dragging for people who wants a lot of sex, action, or some ubber romantic scenes... It has sex, but no romance, no action. It is not a chick flick either. But if you want visuals, good cinematography, a depressing plot, a creative setting and you want to wonder so many "whats" along the movie... Then you will love this one. As I watched along, I couldn't help myself but to continuously wonder what were the characters thinking.... But I was able to feel the emotions all throughout the movie.

That's all. Off to my next movie... Fight Club. I've taken Pans Labyrinth of my list.

Fight Club... One of my favorite movies I will never get tired of watching... If you like politics, communism, and if you have angst against the world... You better watch this film. It has a few lessons to learn about, something to think after watching it.


Posted on Facebook: Monday, July 27, 2009 at 11:27pm

My Top 10s: Most favorite movies of all time.

I have a lot of favorite movies. Ironically, I am not a movie type of guy, at all! I rarely like to go out and watch the latest movies, or watch movies, period. To the few movies that catches my interest, one thing important to me is cinematography, then the plot and acting.

So here are 10 of just some of my most favorite movies, with 1 liner comments from yours truly.

Casshern

A story about war, love, hate, and revenge; a movie of visual feasts of colors and moods.

2046

A colorful sci-fi drama of characters with broken hearts and broken lives.

Bangkok Love Story

Love knows no boundaries, and transcends through time, undying.

Cape No. 7

A light, feel good movie to warm your heart, make you smile and feel mushy inside.

Trainspotting

A movie about heroine addicts and the choices they make.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

An extraordinary drama about two brothers; this movie broke my cold wall between me and my younger brother. I can relate so much to this movie.

Dancer in the Dark

You will love your mother more after watching this film. Warning: this movie is very depressing.

Letters from Iwo Jima

I never appreciated such talent and drama in a war movie until I have watched this film.

House of Flying Daggers

How far will you go for love, how will you fight for it?

Across the Universe

A feel good musical that will leave you singing to the songs of the Beatles.