Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

"Wills are for dying people. You've got to be strong"

Billed as "the South Korean Saving Private Ryan," this film is considered a great war film (on par with it's American counterpart). While this film will affect you on multiple layers, it is helpful to have at least a slight understanding of the history/culture of Korea.

This is the story of two brothers. In Korea the most valuable relationship is the patra lineage: the relationships between men (in this case, brothers). Jin-tae (Jang) is the oldest and spends his days working as a cobbler to support his family and allow his younger brother, Jin-seok (Won) to go to school. Jin-seok is the families hope and future. The brothers enjoy life until the Korean War. Both are drafted into the military which causes their patra lineage to fall into conflict (how will the family live on if both are killed?).

Unlike most war films which focus on the greater good achieved by the war, this film focuses on the relationships, specifically between the brothers. They interact with other soldiers, but these men fade into the background and while you may remember their stories, you won't remember their names. Ultimately the film questions why Korea was at war, aren't both North & South Korea the same people? (it is difficult to distinguish between the two sides). The relationship between the brothers is more important to them than protecting their nation. Their enemy is the depersonalized masses (the Japanese).

Notice the low camera angles (waist level or lower) which presents an intimate perspective. These angles are situated within a 90 degree axis: the shots are within 30 degrees of each other Also, pay attention to the placement of characters in each shot: the brothers will be in the main focus of the shot while the other characters (especially the women) are in the peripherals of the shot (never seen in a frontal perspective, always side or back).

--: the camera angles and cinematography is amazing, the battle scenes are gory, and the emotions are raw...you will feel drained by the end of the film
RECOMMENDED: this is an excellent film, although it may be difficult to find, it is completely worth while

The Brotherhood of War [Tae Guk Gi] (2004) 140-148 min
Rating: R for strong graphic sequences of war violence
Director: Je-gyu Kang
Starring: Dong-Kun Jang as Jin-tae
Bin Won as Jin-seok
Eun-ju Lee as Young-shin
Hyeong-jin Kong as Yong-man
Yeong-ran Lee as Mother

Big Fish

"A man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him, and in that way he becomes immortal."

A good storyteller is someone you can sit and listen to for hours at a time and who spins their tales in a believeable way, because regardless how true they are, the teller believes them (and makes you believe them). But how do you truly know a storyteller, and how much of their tales are real?
Will (Crudup) has spent his entire life listening to his father's larger-than-life stories, but he doesn't want to hear stories, he wants the truth. His relationship with his father, Edward (Finney) is strained, neither party willing to change: Will wants the truth and Edward wants the stories. As Will explains in a voiceover "In telling the story of my father's life, it's impossible to separate fact from fiction, the man from the myth. The best I can do is to tell it the way he told me. It doesn't always make sense and most of it never happened... but that's what kind of story this is. "

Edward is the ultimate storyteller, and maintains that his stories are the truth. His life is told in a series of flashbacks illustrating his stories (this younger Edward is McGregor): the quiet town of Spectre, working at the circus, meeting his wife, etc. But Edward himself is fading, dying of cancer. Will and his wife Josephine (Cotillard) go to his parents house to reconcile with his father, and ultimately learn the truth behind the stories. Keeping the peace is Sandra (Lange) Will's mother who deeply loves Edward.

Sometimes Edward tells the stories, sometimes they are told by others...but they always have the same style and odd ending. In the stories there is The Witch (Carter) who has an eye that if you look into it tells you how you will die, and the twins Ping and Ting (Tai sisters) who have joined (literally) from the hips down (they share a waist and legs). And Norther Wilson (Buscemi) the poet and Karl the Giant (McGrory) who travels with Edward. At the circus is Amos (DeVito) the ringmaster and his right-hand clown Mr. Soggybottom (Roy).

The film looks amazing: the flashbacks are rich with color (lots of reds and blues) while the present is a bit drab (almost saying Edward is the color in their lives) also look for lots of references to fish and water. The story is well done: the flashbacks are fantasy without going over the top while the present still keeps you smiling. What is the truth? Well, you have to watch to find that out!

Dude, it's quotable: Edward is a storyteller and his stories are funny and quotable, along with some one-liners along the way (the best scene is the final story...I wrote a paper on it...there is sooo much to talk about and look at, it is amazing!)
Rent it multiple time: You cannot fully appreciate the film only seeing it once...and even a second viewing doesn't show the full depth of the film. It is an amazing story and a rich visual pallet.

Big Fish (2003) 125 min
Rating: PG-13 for a fight scene, some images of nudity and a suggestive reference.
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Ewan McGregor as Young Edward Bloom
Albert Finney as Edward Bloom
Billy Crudup as Will Bloom
Jessica Lange as Sandra Bloom
Helena Bonham Carter as Jenny/The Witch
Alison Lohman as Young Sandra (Templeton) Bloom
Robert Guillaume as Dr. Bennett
Marion Cotillard as Josephine
Matthew McGrory as Karl the Giant
Steve Buscemi as Norther Winslow
Ada Tai as Ping
Arlene Tai as Ting
Danny DeVito as Amos Calloway
Deep Roy as Mr. Soggybottom

Tristan & Isolde

"How many have you loved before me?"

"None."
"And after me?"
"None."

When I saw the previews for this film I had my doubts...they said it was the precursor to Romeo & Juliet, thus it would be crap (since filmmakers don't seem to understand the play...or cast it well, but I digress), but I was wrong.

Tristan (Franco) is English. As a child he lost his father when the Irish raided their village, and he (like many of his friends) HATES the Irish. He was raised by Lord Marke (Sewell) an English ruler. Marke treated Tristan as his own son, causing a deep jealous with his nephew Merlot (Cavill), although the boys are best friends. Together they are trying to unite England and repel the Irish. After a battle with the Irish Tristan is believed dead (he was poisoned...and is still, barely, alive), and is placed in a boat to float to a watery grave. He is found by Isolde (Myles) the daughter of the Irish king. She nurses him back to healthy and, predictably, they fall in love.

After regaining his strength (and the Irish learn he is in the area) he returns to his friends although not forgetting Isolde (who he believes is a peasant girl). The Irish king holds a tournament offering his daughter's hand in marriage to the winner, and Tristan vows to win her for Lord Marke (a marriage that would unite the two countries and prevent a war).

The nice thing about this film is that it doesn't make the characters into cliches. Tristan and Isolde genuinely love each other, but cannot be together. They are not completely wrapped up in themselves and know that their love, if they continue to see each other, would mean the destruction of peace...and of Lord Marke. So they try to not love each other...which is easier said than done. Unknown to the lovers, they are battling a group of determined Irish (and a few bitter English lords), led by Isolde's father King Donnchadh (O'Hara), who want nothing more than to destroy Lord Marke. It's pretty intense and you will go through a range of emotions.

Rent it once: yes, it is a romance, but it isn't one of those cheesy craptastic romances...it has a little depth to it (and James Franco keeps your attention)
--: it's not perfect

Tristan & Isolde (2006) 125 min
Rating: PG-13 for intense battle sequences and some sexuality.
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Starring: James Franco as Tristan
Sophia Myles as Isolde
Rufus Sewell as Lord Marke
David O'Hara as King Donnchadh
Henry Cavill as Merlot

The Break-Up

"It's not about doing the things you love, it's about doing things with the one you love!"

This film has received bad reviews (and word of mouth), but I blame the way it was marketed. It's considered a romantic comedy and the previews on tv made it look funny...romantic comedy my ass! This film is about the deterioration of a relationship...NOT A ROMANTIC COMEDY!

The film begins at a baseball game. Gary (Vaughn) notices Brooke (Aniston) and finds ways to interact with her during the game (which is weird since there are about 4 people seated between them, and she's on a date), but they are obviously attracted to each other. As the credits roll they are in a serious relationship and decorating their condo, but that is not what the film is about (hence the title). Gary is a Chicago tour guide for the family-run company Three Brothers Tours which he runs with his brothers: perverted Lupus (Hauser) and neurotic Dennis (Vincent D'Onofrio). And Brooke works in an art gallery.

Their relationship begins to go sour at a family dinner. Gary doesn't help set-up, and they have a fight in front of the family...they essentially break-up that evening... Both are upset, but both want to retain their condo. They try to play each other to get what they want (and at times they try to preserve their relationship). Trying to help the situation is Brooke's best friend Addie (Adams), boss Marilyn Dean (Davis), and quirky assistant Christopher (Long). On his side are his brothers, best friend bordering on psycho Johnny O (Favreau) and mutual friend/realtor Riggleman (Bateman). And just plain funny is Brooke's brother Richard (John Michael Higgins) who randomly breaks into song (and royally pisses off Gary). Check out the alternate ending on the DVD (and listen to the second song on the closing credits...it's Richard singing, lol).

Not to give away the ending, but this film plays more to reality. Most films begin with the couple finding one-another and the story is them trying to begin a relationship. After they have the relationship the film ends. What about life after the fairytale? "The Break-Up" shows life after the relationship has started...and the mystery is over. How do you live with the other person?

--: I wouldn't say this is an essential film...but I enjoyed it. I know film is supposed to be an escape and this film is too realistic to appeal to some people, but I believe it is worthwhile, as long as you know it isn't a romantic comedy!
--: Also, there are funny moments in the film, but there are also moments that are cringe-worthy (you feel bad for the characters), it is a range of emotions...but honestly I like it!

The Break-Up (2006) 105 min
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, some nudity and language
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Vince Vaughn as Gary
Jennifer Aniston as Brooke
Joey Lauren Adams as Addie
Cole Hauser as Lupus
Jon Favreau as Johnny
Jason Bateman as Riggleman
Judy Davis as Marilyn Dean
Justin Long as Christopher

King Kong

"And lo, the beast looked upon the face of beauty, and beauty stayed his hand. And from that day forward, he was as one dead."

O Peter Jackson...
Having never seen the original "King Kong" (1933) I can only speak to this film (and not the way it relates to its predecessor). The basic plot is that it is the Great Depression and it is hard to find work in theater (or film)...but that does not stop director Carl Denham (Black) who is working on his latest film. Carl comes into possession of a map to an uncharted island, and hires a ship to take him and his crew to this island. His replacement leading lady is Ann Darrow (Watts), a vaudeville actress who has fallen on hard times, and his leading man is Bruce Baxter (Kyle Chandler) a well-known heroic figure in films. Forced to leave town in a hurry Carl is forced to shanghai his written Jack Driscoll (Brody), a popular playwright. With the colorful crew they journey to find this island while Jack and Ann fall in love. After a minor crash the characters leave the ship and explore the islands. Ann is separated from the group and the locals try to sacrifice her to Kong (a large gorilla). The remainder of the movie is the men trying to find her (and her trying to escape) while battling the peculiarities of the island. I won't go into details, but a good number of people die...and there are some gross scenes.

Overall this was an impressive film...Peter Jackson's obsession turned reality (the man loves King Kong). I see him paralleled in the character of Carl: both men directing 'epics' with an obsession for Kong. While I can appreciate the work that went into this film (Kong is amazing, along with the various other creatures) the picture itself is uber-sentimental. And honestly, the film runs over 3 hours...it could definetly be shorter. Approximately the first hour is setting up the characters, which works, but ultimately the pacing of the film is slow and drawn out. Especially the time after they return to New York...it is unnecessarily long which completely removes the viewer from the film.

I appreciated the dimensions to Kong...normally you think of King Kong as the big ape who attacks planes from the Empire State building, and he does that, BUT Jackson gave him a personality which comes alive throughout the film (usually when he is with Ann) and it makes you understand why Ann grows attached to him. Also, like his previous triology (LOTR) Jackson employed Andy Serkis to act as Kong. Serkis was the voice and stand-in for Gollum, and though he has a real part in the film, he was the stand-in for Kong so the cast would have something to react to/with. You WILL get sucked into this film...maybe not all of it, and you may still mock it (I did at times), but you can appreciate the love of the director for this story.

HINT: Listen to Carl & Jack on the ship when they work on the script, it parallels the action which will come later. Also when First Mate Hayes (Parke) and Jimmy (Bell) discuss the novel "Heart of Darkness" there are some clues about different characters and reveals some of the upcoming plot. Surprisingly Jack Black could play a serious role, and though he becomes a tad crazy towards the end you believe it...good job!

Rent it once: King Kong in general is supposed to be a classic...and it's Peter Jackson, so it wouldn't hurt to look at it once
--: it's not the best film I've ever seen...but it's not the worst. This film has received a variety of reviews so you may already have an opinion about it, but I think it's worth the 3 hours (and if not...watch the ending b/c it's pretty intense, plus it's the part EVERYONE knows)

King Kong (2005) 187 min
Rating: PG-13 for frightening adventure violence and some disturbing images.
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Naomi Watts as Ann Darrow
Jack Black as Carl Denham
Adrien Brody as Jack Driscoll
Thomas Kretschmann as Capt Englehorn
Colin Hanks as Preston
Andy Serkis as Kong/Lumpy
Evan Parke as Hayes
Jamie Bell as Jimmy

The Truman Show

"We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented."

What is the ultimate reality television show? What if the characters do not realize they are on television (or that their world is not real)? Striving to create the "ultimate" reality experience, "The Truman Show" has been taping the life of Truman Burbank (Carrey) since he was born. The "world" he lives in has over 5,000 cameras: household appliances, his car radio (and the backseat of the car), and the buttons of his costars. Truman lives life in a 50's style sitcom (like "Leave it to Beaver" or "I Love Lucy"). Everyday he greets his neighbors "Good morning, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!" and drives to town to work in his office. Everyone in his life is an actor...including his parents and wife. The whole town is scheduled to interact with Truman at the same times each day, the traffic and interactions are planned so the director/creator of the show, Christof (Harris) can control Truman's life.

In a live interview Christof claims that if Truman wanted to leave they would not be able to stop him, but everything about the show is programmed to keep Truman in. He is afraid of water (as a boy he was in a boat during a storm and lost his father), and tends to believe the various complications that keep him on the island. Trying to keep Truman in-line is his wife, Meryl (Linney) who claims to be a nurse and advertises the products they use (like a commercial), his best friend Marlon (Emmerich) who stocks vending machines and claims he would never lie to Truman (even though these lines are told to him by Christof as he delivers them), and his manipulative mother (Taylor) who makes Truman feel guilty. The only person who truly cares for Truman is Sylvia (McElhone) a former extra from the show who fell in love with Truman (and vice-versa). Sylvia's show name was Lauren, and she was not supposed to interrupt the plan to have Meryl become Truman's wife, and is kicked off the show after trying to explain the truth to Truman.

As Truman begins looking at his world, he notices strange things...such as one of the lighting fixtures which falls from the sky, and begins to discover the truth. Will he ever escape? And moreover should he? Intercut with the show are the people watching the film...people who leave the television on all night and watch Truman sleep, have paraphernalia from the show, and schedule their lives around Truman's schedule (there's also a Truman's Bar). As the most recognizable face should he be able to leave the show?

The film asks, "what if?" and provides a commentary on real life. And with reality television become more popular, should we have shows like Truman's? We have the technology to do so, but should we?

Dude it's quotable: it's not the typical comedy Carrey is known to do, but he proves why recent films have cast in dramatic roles...there are some classic lines and funny moments
Rent it multiple times: you definetly won't catch everything the first time through...I own the film and I still find new things to talk about!

The Truman Show (1998) 103 min
Rating: PG for thematic elements & mild language
Director: Peter Weir
Starring: Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank
Laura Linney as Meryl Burbank
Noah Emmerich as Marlon
Natascha McElhone as Lauren/Sylvia
Holland Taylor as Truman's mother
Ed Harris as Christof

Thank You For Smoking

"Michael Jordan plays ball. Charles Manson kills people. I talk. Everyone has a talent."

What do you call a person who campaigns for questionable causes? Normally a lobbyist, but in the film Thank You for Smoking this person is Nick Naylor (Eckhart). Naylor is a lobbyist for Big Tobacco: he's good looking, charismatic, and can talk circles around the competition. The opening scene of the film explains him: he is a guest on a talk show, while the other guests are greeted with applause, he is practically booed off the stage. A teen boy (who is bald) dying of cancer is seated next to Naylor, who not only manages to win over the audience he also redirects the blame. And although you personally may disagree with his stance on tobacco, you cannot help but cheer for Naylor.

He says "My job requires a certain...moral flexibility" so when he is not working he spends time with others who share his burden. They call themselves the Merchants of Death (MOD): Polly (Bello) for alcohol and Bobby Jay (Koechner) for firearms, and spend their evenings discussing what kills the most people. His moralities are tested when he is sent (by the company) to pay-off Lorne (Elliott) a former Marlboro man to stop bad-mouthing tobacco. Naylor gives Lorne a sizeable amount of money and explains to him what to do with the money.

Opposing Naylor is Senator Finistirre (Macy) from Vermont who proudly displays his various bottles of maple syrup and wants to put a skull and crossbones on cigarette packaging. Also blocking Naylor's success is Heather (Holmes...horrible, such alliteration) the reporter writing about Naylor. They begin seeing each other and she learns more about the tobacco industry than she should.

This film makes you think...none of the characters ever actually smoke (although a few do hold cigarettes), instead focusing on lobbyists, advertising, and people who "spin" stories. It is a witty, thoughtful satire, going to the heart of the matter instead of focusing on gross-out humor or minor story-lines that don't work. The hits keep coming, although the ending is a cop-out, and the characters were well chosen (apparently Reitman, the director, wrote letters to all the cast members explaining why they would be perfect for the part he wanted them for...and they all agreed). Check out excellent performances all-around, but especially Eckhart...wow!

Dude, it's quotable: it may not always be appropriate, but there are some good one-liners
Rent it once: it's a worth-while film, just be aware that there are a few sex scenes (its unnecessary, but not completely overdone) and some foul language, but overall I recommend this film!

Thank You for Smoking (2006) 92 min
Rating: R for language and sexual content
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Aaron Eckhart as Nick Naylor
William H. Macy as Senator Finistirre
Maria Bello as Polly Bailey
David Koechner as Bobby Jay Bliss
Katie Holmes as Heather Holloway
J.K. Simmons as BR
Sam Elliott as Lorne Lutch
Robert Duvall as Captain
Rob Lowe as Jeff Megall
Cameron Bright as Joey Naylor