Light up!
22/10/2006
Another lazy weekend. Managed to catch a few movies, though.
The Departed
I’m definitely disappointed with this remake. I’ve thought about it, and taken into account that the cultural references in the original Hong Kong version won’t translate well, but still the Hollywood version doesn’t cut it. Very disapppointing for a Martin Scorsese film.
Comparing the two films, you can kinda draw your own cultural conclusions – like how in the US division of labour is so intense that you have two American actors filling the role of one Hong Kong character = the Marky Mark + Martin Sheen combination that was Anthony Wong.
My biggest peeve is the exaggeration. How Jack Nicholson has to be the biggest baddest baddie on earth, while Martin Sheen would be the pristine cop, ad nauseum. Just like how everything in the world is black or white, nothing in between. Perhaps them Americans can’t handle nuances.
Well, looks to me if you’ve watched the Hong Kong version of the movie and really liked it, then you don’t want to watch The Departed. But if you’ve not and you’re a big fan of the whole “the long arm of justice is going to get you anyway” and the whole American special formula feel-good movies – you’ll like this.
The Banquet
I kinda liked it a lot better than all the other recent Chinese Colour fests – Hero or House of Flying Daggers. It’s quite complex, and I like how the action is paced like the movie. Floating, floating, floating.
Apart from the fact that Zhang Ziyi and Daniel Wu were in it, it was a pretty good movie. Even ZZY didn’t really annoy so much. It was Daniel Wu who was sticking out like a sore thumb, with his wooden melancholy, and just one expression.
Curse of the Golden Flower might be hotly anticipated by some, but I’m holding my breath since it’s another Zhang Yimou movie. It’s bound to be beautiful, but his last couple of beautiful movies weren’t anything more than that.
Was looking forward to The Prestige – Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, what’s not to like? – but Andy kinda panned it, so I guess I can shelve that till they show it on tv.
Next up: Casino Royale, then!
