Reviews written by EvelynZhang@...
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Little Miss Sunshine (VCD) (Hong Kong Version)
Little Miss Sunshine (VCD) (Hong Kong Version) VCD
(1)Our Price: US$9.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:June 6, 2007 Little Miss SunshineIn the spirit of the Osbournes and the Royal Tenenbaums, Little Miss Sunshine is about a dysfunctional family that conquers personal neuroses and pent-up frustrations to find out that, yes, family comes first. This lesson comes from a road trip, as everyone pours into a rickety van to take the baby of the house, Olive (played by a brilliant Abigail Breslin), to Litte Miss Sunshine, a child beauty pageant. And as personalities clash in the confined space of the vehicle, heartwarming laughs ensue as they learn to love one another.
It may not be the most original story, but the film moves breezily along because it's driven by a strong cast - Arkin won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, while Breslin was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The DVD extras come with commentary from the directors, as well as four alternative endings - including one that was thought up by Breslin, who is all of 10 years old. None of these tops the film's ending though, and none of the extras tops the film itself either.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Little Miss Sunshine (DVD) (US Version)
June 6, 2007 Little Miss SunshineIn the spirit of the Osbournes and ther Royal Tenenbaums, Little Miss Sunshine is about a dysfunctional family that conquers personal neuroses and pent-up frustrations to find out that, yes, family comes first. This lesson comes from a road trip, as everyone pours into a rickety van to take the baby of the house, Olive (played by a brilliant Abigail Breslin), to Litte Miss Sunshine, a child beauty pageant. And as personalities clash in the confined space of the vehicle, heartwarming laughs ensue as they learn to love one another.
It may not be the most original story, but the film moves breezily along because it's driven by a strong cast - Arkin won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, while Breslin was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The DVD extras come with commentary from the directors, as well as four alternative endings - including one that was thought up by Breslin, who is all of 10 years old. None of these tops the film's ending though, and none of the extras tops the film itself either.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Curse of the Golden Flower (UMD) (US Version)
Curse of the Golden Flower (UMD) (US Version) UMD, DVD Region 1
(1)Our Price: US$14.94Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:June 6, 2007 Curse Of The Golden FlowerMuch has been made of the heaving bosoms in this lavish Zhang Yimou production set in the Tang Dynasty. But like a lot of other moments in this over-elaborate film, it is simply too much. Not that the material is bad. The storyline of a royal family that is all regal dignity on the outside but rotting with discontent from within is cleverly layered, as more dirty secrets surface with the story and characters' progressions. But the epic battle scenes and the lush cinematography turn the film into an unfortunate parallel of the plot - it only looks good.
Furthermore, it is let down by a bad Chou-and-Chow combination. Chow the veteran plays the Emperor with an inexplicable grimace on his face, while Chou the newcomer... well, let's just say he hasn't progressed much from Initial D. So it's down to Gong, who renewed her partnership with old flame Zhang for the first time in 11 years for this film, to rescue the show. Her portrayal of the oppressed but vengeful Empress is by turns sympathetic and cruel, and she anchors the latter's plight, which is at the heart of the story, with admirable gravitas. The making-of is insightful, with Zhang hinting at the political overtones of the film. Too bad that's all you get - the additional interviews with Gong and Chow are mostly rehashed from this segment.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance aka: Chinjeolhan Geumjassi (Malaysia Version)
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance aka: Chinjeolhan Geumjassi (Malaysia Version) VCD
(1)Our Price: US$10.49Related promotions:June 6, 2007 Sympathy For Lady VengeanceThere is no denying that this movie looks visually stunning, with its mix of retro glamour and manga-noir fantasy. From the wallpaper to details like the peach-pink shade of a single marble (a significant prop in this storyline), director Park Chan Wook displays an unerring, Wong Kar Wai-like instinct for saturating his work with lines and colors so sensual they also make you swoon. The most obvious example of this is the red eye shadow rimming the eyes of leading lady Lee Young Ae, which gives her a cooler-than-thou air that is part ironic geisha and part avenging angel.
In a glib subversion of her virtuous Jewel In The Palace persona, Lee plays a woman released from prison after serving time for a crime she didn't commit. She then sets out to avenge herself, and, along the way, reclaims her long-lost daughter, Lee demonstrates her versatility well, playing various degrees of twisted, jaded, and remorseful with an understated elegance. Still, there is something troubling about the film's apparently feminist stance.
Despite the casual servings of stylished violence and black humour one has come to associate with Park,Sympathy For Lady Vengeance ultimately strikes one as a deeply conventional piece. Its protagonist, armed with a halo of maternal love, is never really tainted by the sins she commits, which are filmed with such a grosteque-comic air that one can scarcely take them seriously anyway. The final act of this movie, which involves a collective act of vigilante justice, is the apotheosis of the movie's facile wit - too clever by half and lacking in real emotional resonance. As far as kickass female avengers go, you would do better to stick with The Bride from Kill Bill.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance aka: Chinjeolhan Geumjassi Plus One Fine Spring Day (Hong Kong Version)
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance aka: Chinjeolhan Geumjassi Plus One Fine Spring Day (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(1)Our Price: US$21.99Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:June 6, 2007 Sympahty For Lady VengeanceThere is no denying that this movie looks visually stunning, with its mix of retro glamour and manga-noir fantasy. From the wallpaper to details like the peach-pink shade of a single marble (a significant prop in this storyline), director Park Chan Wook displays an unerring, Wong Kar Wai-like instinct for saturating his work with lines and colors so sensual they also make you swoon. The most obvious example of this is the red eye shadow rimming the eyes of leading lady Lee Young Ae, which gives her a cooler-than-thou air that is part ironic geisha and part avenging angel.
In a glib subversion of her virtuous Jewel In The Palace persona, Lee plays a woman released from prison after serving time for a crime she didn't commit. She then sets out to avenge herself, and, along the way, reclaims her long-lost daughter, Lee demonstrates her versatility well, playing various degrees of twisted, jaded, and remorseful with an understated elegance. Still, there is something troubling about the film's apparently feminist stance.
Despite the casual servings of stylished violence and black humour one has come to associate with Park, Sympathy For Lady Vengeance ultimately strikes one as a deeply conventional piece. Its protagonist, armed with a halo of maternal love, is never really tainted by the sins she commits, which are filmed with such a grosteque-comic air that one can scarcely take them seriously anyway. The final act of this movie, which involves a collective act of vigilante justice, is the apotheosis of the movie's facile wit - too clever by half and lacking in real emotional resonance. As far as kickass female avengers go, you would do better to stick with The Bride from Kill Bill.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Lady Vengeance (US Version)
Lady Vengeance (US Version) DVD Region 1
(2)Our Price: US$19.99Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:June 6, 2007 Sympathy For Lady VengeanceThere is no denying that this movie looks visually stunning, with its mix of retro glamour and manga-noir fantasy. From the wallpaper to details like the peach-pink shade of a single marble (a significant prop in this storyline), director Park Chan Wook displays an unerring, Wong Kar Wai-like instinct for saturating his work with lines and colors so sensual they also make you swoon. The most obvious example of this is the red eye shadow rimming the eyes of leading lady Lee Young Ae, which gives her a cooler-than-thou air that is part ironic geisha and part avenging angel.
In a glib subversion of her virtuous Jewel In The Palace persona, Lee plays a woman released from prison after serving time for a crime she didn't commit. She then sets out to avenge herself, and, along the way, reclaims her long-lost daughter, Lee demonstrates her versatility well, playing various degrees of twisted, jaded, and remorseful with an understated elegance. Still, there is something troubling about the film's apparently feminist stance.
Despite the casual servings of stylished violence and black humour one has come to associate with Park, Sympathy For Lady Vengeance ultimately strikes one as a deeply conventional piece. Its protagonist, armed with a halo of maternal love, is never really tainted by the sins she commits, which are filmed with such a grosteque-comic air that one can scarcely take them seriously anyway. The final act of this movie, which involves a collective act of vigilante justice, is the apotheosis of the movie's facile wit - too clever by half and lacking in real emotional resonance. As far as kickass female avengers go, you would do better to stick with The Bride from Kill Bill.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
The Lake House (Full Frame Edition) (US Version)
The Lake House (Full Frame Edition) (US Version) DVD Region 1
(1)Our Price: US$14.98Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:June 6, 2007 The Lake HouseThere are many thins to nitpick about in this film, from the wintry and dull Chicago backdrop to the dour supporting cast that collectively fails to make much of an impression. That said, the unabashedly romantic premise behind the movie will likely prove irresistible to those who like a big dose of True Love in their cinema. Sandra Bullock plays a doctor, who leaves a note for the next tenant when she moves out of the house by the lake. That tenant turns out to be an architect, played by Keanu Reeves, and the two start corresponding. Eventually, they find out that they somehow live two years apart - she's writing from the year 2006, while he's in 2004. If this inexplicable plot mechanism troubles you, it's best that you stay away from this movie.
Otherwise, Bullock and Reeves prove surprisingly moving as an old-school pair of pining lovers. Maybe it's some leftover fondness for the two from when they were in Speed, but they look pleasantly right together, the picture-perfect down-to-earth combination of cinematic True Love. The DVD special features include a number of deleted scenes, none of which is terribly interesting and, unfortunately, also no commentary from the screen couple.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (Blu-ray) (US Version)
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (Blu-ray) (US Version) Blu-ray, DVD Region 1
(1)Our Price: US$34.99Related promotions:June 6, 2007 Kiss Kiss, Bang BangIt's enormous fun to watch Robert Downey Jr. take centrestage in this witty mystery-comedy, instead of playing the quirky supporting role as he is often wont to do these days. He plays a small-time hoodlum, who accidentally finds himself in Hollywood, training for a role as a detective in a movie. Training him is a detective played by Val Kilmer, whose sense of humour as it is displayed in both the movie and the commentary soundtrack is a truly random, weirdly tuned instrument. Still, it's quite entertaining to see a former Batman being goofy, and Kilmer's offbeat rhythmn is the perfect complement to Downey's own jazzy syncopations. You rarely see an actor make a piece of dialogue his own as completely as Downey does, with his sardonic inflections and that wry twist to his expression like he's in on a joke which he's sure you're going to get in a minute.
Directed by Shane Black, the movie itself is the sort of mercurial genre-defying creature not often found in Hollywood. It has elements of the noir detective thriller, the buddy movie as well as the screwball comedy, which adds up to an enjoyable hybrid that keeps surprising you. The gag reel included among the special features isn't terribly funny, but the freewheeling commentary by Kilmer, Downey and Black makes up for that.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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