In The Last Emperor, director Bernardo Betolucci not only gives us a fascinating history lesson but also compelling human drama. It is the story of Pu Yi, who came to throne in 1908 at the age of 2. The performances are outstanding and the movie is spectacular in every way. The 3 hours fly by, and the audience is left feeling they have gotten to know a great country and sensitive, unusual an.
Don't go see The Last Emperor if you're expecting a history lesson. Bertolucci's epic about the rise and fall of Pu Yi is hardto follow and confusing at times. But he has done a remarkable job of portraying the Chinese culture, and he has captured China in stunningly beautiful images. There are some touching scenes, such as when the young Pu yi's nurse is taken from him.Unfortunately, the movie is toolong and tends to drag on times.
Bernardo Bertolucci is a talented director. Why he made The Last Emperor is a mystery. True, the scenery and customes are nice. But the main character is passive and dull. he simply watches his life go by. You'd expect a film which covers60 years of history to be exciting. But the 3 hours of The last Emperor drag on forever. At last the film is consistent-consistently boring.
(taken from: think smart bahasa Inggris)
Sunday 12 April 2009
The Last Emperor
Eden Lake
Good Points:
Impressive acting, perfect setting (in England!) and a very strong story that builds up throughout, Great Directing and builds up so much suspense... Overall a very well made film!
Bad Points: However I personally do not like the storyline...
General comments:
Eden Lake was possibly the most depressing film I've ever experienced.. I've never come away from a cinema with such a 'low - down' feeling. I wont give anything away, but basically the storyline is a man and women, deeply in love, go away on a break... some naughty teens start to cause some trouble with them and one thing leads onto another, ending up with a lot of torture, pain, loss and upset. But the aspect of the film that got me, which was clear, was Eden Lake was not actually a 'normal' horror... for example, I didn't find one part a 'on the edge of your seat' experience, or 'jumpy', or even scary... it was basically watching a prefect couple get completely ruined in such a twisted way... and then the film just ends with no uplift, just depressing in my opinion. Eden Lake is definitely not a film to go on and see on a first date, believe me! More of a film to watch before planning to kill yourself!
(taken from:www.reviewcentre.com)
Browniest, a Bite of Sweet Cake, a Bit of Love Story
Another Indonesian romantic drama feature film by a young and talented director, Hanung Bramantyo, will soon be released director, Hanung Bramantyo, will soon be released this year. Fans of Marcella Zalianty, Bucek Deep, and Arie Untung Kuncoro will be able to see their idol acting in the movie titled BROWNIES. The film is produced by SinemArt, which also produced:Mengejar Matahari".
The theme is simple; it's about love. Love-with its bittersweet story-becomes the highlight that enriches the movie plot. The reason is quite obvious, love theme always attracts more audience to com to the cinema.
Mel (Marcella Zalianty), a copywriter in an advertising agency, has a life that's focused on her job. Although Mel is engaged to Joe (Philip Yusuf), Didi (Renia)-her close friend-questions if Joe is really Mel's kind of guy. Later in the story, Mel finds out that Joe has been going out with another girl all this time. Then, Mel, meets Are (Bucek Deep), ayoung artist who writes, owns a bokstore, and makes browniest! Are even has a smal browniest shop that Mel loves to visit. Are's artistic attitude and Joe's betrayal have clearly affected Mel's life.
BROWNIES is the first Indonesian movie that is shot using Panasonic High Definition cameras, which results in a film that looks as if it's recorded on standard celluloid film, while squeezing production cost.
(taken from; C'nS magazine vol. 4 no. 27)
