Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have someone else’s eyes? In this case, the fear is unimaginable.
After spending her entire young life blind, Mann finally receives the gift of sight from a cornea transplant. However, her ‘new’ world is a very different and terrifying place. Dark strangers appear from no-where, only appear to her, and she is haunted by a reoccurring dream. Unable to cope she seeks the help of her doctor, where a potential relationship is promising. The story then moves from hectic Hong Kong to the depths of Thailand’s jungles to uncover the mystery.
This suspenseful horror/thriller is the most recent success of the Pang brothers. Having produced several other films (Bangkok Dangerous and One Take Only) this is perhaps the most well crafted. Tense and haunting, your attention is not lost for even a moment.
With only a few minor problems, this is still an edge-in-your-seat-fest. The brothers have masterfully captured sheer terror. But, there are many beautiful everyday moments as Mann manages to adapt to her world. Exciting, touching and simply a brilliant piece of work. It has all the hallmarks of a mega-budget Hollywood film, but retains an intelligence which does not belittle its audience. What makes this an even more enjoyable film are the little details which even after a dozen viewings you can still spot something new.
Visually stimulating with plenty of scare factor; a must see.
4 stars (By the Pang Brothers - Hong Kong/Thailand) Review for part 2 coming soon.
LES FUGITIFS On Sale 16th August from Madman DVDs!!!
Only minutes after being released from prison, Lucas, a reformed bank robber (Gerard Depardieu) visits a bank where he’s inevitably involved in a hold-up by a bungling thief (Pierre Richard) who takes him hostage. With the police convinced Lucas had some role in the robbery, the two are on the run along with the thief’s young mute daughter. While avoiding detection by the police, the trio develop an uncanny relationship.
A personal favourite, this is pure French farce at its best! The Depardieu-Richard duo is a knockout as the perfectly matched odd-ball couple. It’s impossible not to laugh at this witty masterpiece with a touch of heart to provide a very satisfying and delightful experience. Hilarious mad-capped fun!
STREET FIGHTER: ALPHA GENERATIONS On Sale Now from Madman DVDs!!! In the lead up to the next chapter of the Street Fighter series, we find Ryu, Ken, Gouki and Sakura meet again. Ryu returns to pay his respects to his deceased mentor, Master Gouken. However, Ryu is tormented with the need to avenge his mentor’s death. Struggling to become a true martial arts master, Ryu will use his street fighting skills and resort to the evil power of the Dark Hadou.
Vivid animation with a sufficient mix of action and narrative. This directorial debut by Ikuo Kuwana, veteran animator of works like NEON GENESIS EVANGELION and BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE, captures the essence of what constitutes a Street Fighter adventure.
From the Oscar nominated creators of City of God, comes a new nine-part series which follows the lives of two teenagers Larajinha and Acerola as they deal with poverty and the notorious drug trade on Brazil’s cruel streets.
The use of local actors and straight forward storytelling provides a truly gritty reality of an unjust world.
The magic of Hayao Miyazaki shines again. Set in wartime, Sophie is a young hat maker whose life is turned upside down by the vain Witch of the Waste who casts a spell turning Sophie into a 90 year old woman. Embarking on an uncertain journey, Sophie stumbles upon Howl’s moving castle where the real adventure begins.
If you loved Spirited Away, prepare to be delighted by Howl’s Moving Castle.
KOKODA The Kokoda track changes the lives of all those who hike it. Finally, there’s a film to honor those who made it significant.
World War II, New Guinea 1942, Australia fears invasion by the Japanese. With the enemy moving fast, there is little choice but to use members from the 39th battalion to protect the base of Isurava on the Kokoda Trail. But these are ‘chocos’; soldiers who built roads in the mushy, chocolate mud of the wildness; not trained to fight. Nevertheless, they trek into the thick jungle ill-equipped, separated and the merciless enemy lurking …
If you have a connection to Kokoda, such as a grandfather who fought or walked the trail, you will find this quite inspiring. However, someone lacking a personal connection may not know how to interpret the experience. Co-writer and director Alister Grierson was inspired after his brother walked the trail, feeling it was necessary to tell the story of these ‘chocolate men’ who went unrecognised.
The introduction is fantastic – powerful, direct and establishes the possible fate of these men. However, from there on Kokoda feels disjointed, lacking the emotional punch it deserves. We know very little of the characters, it’s impossible to distinguish them as individuals.
While losing out on the human connection, Kokoda goes to great lengths to establish the physical environment: rain, mud and if you never knew what dysentery was you sure will afterwards.
Kokoda subtly highlights the significance of these men’s hallowing experiences and achievement instead of running into ‘true colours’ sympathy like so many war films. But Kokoda does instill a national ‘Anglo’ identity which feels somewhat oppressive to an Australian not of Anglo-Saxon descent, but still an Australian.
Despite these woes, Kokoda is part of our history.
TSOTSI Even in the hearts of thugs, there is some goodness.
Based on the novel by Athol Fugard, this adaptation sets present day Johannesburg and the life of Tsotsi (played by Presley Chweneyagae). During the day, Tsotsi and his gang target victims at the train station and mug them. One day, after killing a man for his wallet, the gang disbands and Tsotsi is left alone. While sheltering from the rain, he seizes an opportunity to steal a car from a wealthy woman. After shooting her and speeding off he discovers there’s a baby on board. Treating it as another swindle he takes the infant home to the slums on the outskirts of the city. Over the next six days, Tsotsi begins to feel something.
Tsotsi translates to ‘thug’, going to great lengths to live up to his name. For Tsotsi, this baby is the connection to his dark childhood. Tsotsi’s past is further explored when, unable to feed the child only condensed milk, he crashes into the life of Miriam (Terry Pheto), a young mother. She plays an essential part in opening Tsotsi’s heart.
Unfortunately, Tsotsi’s transformation towards humility is too hastily accelerated by director Gavin Hood. Tsotsi’s transformation is unbelievable, which is a shame because the film would have been more uplifting. The best performance is by Terry Pheto, not only very beautiful but her heart shines with so much love and compassion despite living in immerse poverty.
One of the wonderful attributes of recent African cinema is its aim to expose the problems of its homeland, yet remain touching. The whole world knows about AIDs and poverty in Africa from the news, but these films actually present us with a depiction of everyday life among these problems. One example is the sounds of ‘Kwaito’ style of hip-hop music which is very popular in these slums giving its inhabitants hope.
Initially, there is no sense of escape from this social-prison; however, it appears love can set us free.
ICE AGE 2: THE MELTDOWN With global warming such a hot topic it seemed natural for the creators of Ice Age to take their sequel to the next degree! Set in the melting world 20,000 years ago, we find Manny the woolly mammoth (Ray Romano), Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo) and Diego the saber-toothed tiger (Denis Leary) still together. However, they discover their world is liquefying and must move to higher ground. Along the way they come across Ellie (Queen Latifah) the last mammoth in the world, who thinks she’s a possum! She also has two ‘brothers’ Crash (Seann William Scott) and Eddie (Josh Peck), a pair of hyperactive, prankster possums. Despite this odd bunch of sorts they must travel together to survive.
Just like the original, Ice Age 2 has a great sense of wit, but the storyline is a bit mundane. This is a family road movie with extra characters thrown in without serving a meaningful purpose; only Ellie and her brothers eventually find their place providing a real energy boost. However, it is the increased screen time of Scrat, the prehistoric squirrel-rat, and his psychotic love affair with acorns that gives the film its outrageous laughs. His hapless and exhausting efforts to get his nut are very creative and hilariously funny.
The CGIs from Blue Sky Studios, the team who made Ice Age and Robots, have skillfully blended character development with the rapidly melting landscape. Ice Age 2 must be watched in a cinema to truly appreciate the sound effects and incredibly fine details of water and fur.
One of the saving graces of the Ice Age films are their limited uses of pop culture references that other animations, such as productions by Disney, use to death. There are only a few moments when you realise you’re actually watching a kids film.
THE EYE - Part 1
