Nordwand (Germany, 2008)

'Nordwand' may not be a very well known film outside of Europe and it even isn't outside of Germany but I should say it doesn't deserve that. The film deals about the climbing of the Eiger (Switzerland) in 1936 where an olympic medal could be won.

Sometimes the film follows a bit too much the paved roads in telling a story but it still is an enormous thrill to watch it. Beautiful scenery, great acting and a really exciting story will make you feel like you really watched an interesting film... and that is true!

I Saw the Devil while meeting people

Today Korean's revenge movie 'I Saw the Devil' became for sale in the dvd-shops in the Netherlands. I rushed to the shop and before I knew it I was in a deep conversation with another customer about Korean revenge movies and the actor Choi Min Sik. Isn't that one the beauties in life? You can find people with the same preferences everywhere and you don't have search for them.

Now the only thing I still have to do is watch the movie, heard great things about it!! Someone seen it already?

The Fall (India, 2006)

The fall, by director Tarsem Singh, is know for its innovative story which almost is like a dream sequence and its beautiful scenes. Here are a few pictures of the mysterious film that everyone just has to watch. What seems like a childrens fairy tale becomes darker and more serious along the way; fantasy and reality no longer seem to be separated anymore. In fact its pure magic, a story about a girl who meets a stranger in a hospital. He will tell her stories about five heroes as long as she smuggles morphine to him.... but those heroes somehow are connected to her own life.
You will be hypnotized by the use and effect of colours, frames and storytelling.

The Banquet / Ye Yan (China, 2006)

Brilliant Chinese adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet. If the story can't satisfy you, surely the beautiful scenes, enchanting music (Lang Lang plays the piano) and gorgeous Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun will!

Just let yourself go with the subtle flow of love, betrayal and murder and before you realize it you seem to be a part of this film and bever want it to end. The music is almost hypnotic, the dances are as well and the choreography of the fighting is art.

City of Life and Death / Nanjing!, Nanjing! (China, 2009)

City of Life and Death tells about the massacre of Nanking. the former capitakl city of China was in december in 1937 invaded by Japanese forces and in a few months (february 1938) they killed more than 200.000 chinese soldiers and civilians. It is called the massacre of Nanking because of the cuelties of the Japanese armies. Tens of thousands women were raped and children were murdered.

This horrible event still hurts the souls of the Chinese and that is why it is remarkable suddenly they seem to be a bit more open and show their wounds. The film is completely shot in black and white and this is the best way to capture this dark period. Performances are outstanding (though the foreign actors don't convince at all....)

When you don't know anything about it, the film can be a bit difficult to understand. Suddenly a German called 'John Rabe' appears and in the end almostevery chinese cries because he leaves the city. Why? Because John Rabe saved approximately 200.000 Chinese civilians by creating a safety zone. His diaries are published 20 or 30 years ago.

Are all Japanese monsters? In the eyes of the elder Chinese this is often the problem, but for the first time in history this films shows a kind of less sympathetic Japanese soldier who is having doubts about the killings. In the Chinese cinema's this was accompanied by applause...

City of Life and Death is a strong film about Nanking, which will weigh heavy on the heart, some scenes are horrific but it never turns into gore.

Mulan (China, 2009)

Well, to start, the movie isn’t as good as it possibly could have been. The start is just weak and it slowly gets better but never reaches the ‘wow’ factor. For example, the helmets look like they are made out of plastic, the harasses as well and how can Mulan become a general in such a short period?

The drama is okay but cliché, some scenes are cinematographically beautiful and some are horrible, it seems like the film is an unfinished production. Is it all that bad?? Not at all, the film can be surely be enjoyed, however it is just sad because Director Jingle Ma could have done a better job.

One last point of criticism (which is hilarious), why was Zhao Wei (or Vicky Zhao, whatever you like.... 'A Time to Love') casted as Mulan? Sure, she is a good actress and she is beautiful, but that is the problem. She is so stunning that not even for a second you would mistake her for a man.

Matrimony, The / Xin Zhong You Gui (China, 2007)

The Matrimony is an intriguing and very dramatic love story with horror elements, but don't be mistaken it is far more a drama than a horror. The world which the director creates is a very powerful one, with beautifully shot images, a wonderful use of colors and a story that will draw you in.

Well maybe the story isn't too innovative, but it is executed in a good way (which makes it an effective tragic love story) with strong performances of Leon Lai, Rene Liu and Fan Bingbing.

If you look for drama, love and a little bit of horror with scenes that are dazzling of its beauty.... the Matrimony is yours to watch!

Epitaph

Stunning filmposter of the 2007 Korean film 'Epitaph'! This film isn't very well known but it is not a bad one. The story is rather interesting but you have to pay a lot of attention or you will miss the plot.

Water

Water is a rather interesting Canadian/Indian production about the horrible position that Indian widows are in (the untouchables).
Though it is a heavy subject, the director never chooses for too much drama which makes the film never weigh too heavy on the heart but at the same time, you will understand the ridiculousness of some laws of society.
The combination of great acting, beautiful scenes and the traditional Indian music makes it a highly recommendable film to watch.

China Daily's best Chinese films of 2009

China Daily made a list of the best Chinese films of 2009 in their eyes:

1: A simple Noodle Story - The new film of Zhang Yimou, a comedy this time

2: The Message - This one seems pretty interesting, a spy movie which is called one of the most refined movies this year. It is about Chinese resistance against Japanese agression. Zhou Xun is the star is the star of this film.

3: Cow - The story revolves around a cow, a gift from a European country, and how it has an unexpected impact on different people, including Japanese soldiers.

4: Overheard - written and directed by writers who were behind Infernal Affairs. Three wiretappers at the Hong Kong commercial crime investigation bureau find out about a listed company trying to manipulate the stock market.

5: Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf - Chinese animation, wondering what that could be....

6: Crazy Racer - a funny movie about 10 induviduals and their lifes which are interwoven with one another

7: The Founding of a Republic - Historical film which a huge and magnificent cast: Zhang Ziyi, Jet Li, Jackie Chan and also with Chen Kaige and Feng Xiaogang.

8: The City of Life and Death - About the massacre of Nanjing...very dramatic film which seems to be more realistic than the German film 'John Rabe'.

9: Night and Fog - A middle-aged Hongkonger marries a young mainland beauty with a shady past.

10: Bodyguards and Assassins - Action/Costume flick which finds a good combination between

drama and action.

Best Film of 2009 by Meinte

The question is ofcourse 'What is the best film of 2009'? Well I have seen a lot and there were quite a few good ones. Keira Knightley starred in 'The Duchess', she was present in every scene. Clint Eastwood did it again with Gran Torino, there probably is no one else who can play a grumpy old man as he does. There was Distict 9, the South-African film which was a science-fiction one but at the same time a interesting story about the Apartheid. The first half was a bit more interesting than the second part though, when it all exploded in action.

In the animation sector there was Japanese 'Ponyo by the living master Hiyao Miyazaki, a enchanting (bit childish) story about a fish who wanted to become human.

Second best was probably a French/South-Korean co-production 'A Brand new Life' which is about a girl who is being left at a catholic orphanage by her dad. This film is just fantastisc, the young girl acted wonderful, she seems to be capable of showing many emotions already.

Last but not least.... the best film of 2009 is 'Let the Right One In'! A Swedish film about the loneliness of a 12 year old boy. It all changes when he meets a interesting but Mysterious girl...she doesn't seem to be human. The cinematography is great, it all takes place in a snowy world were daily life and horror seems to be intertwined.

Amour à Tair / A Love to Hide (France, 2005)

‘A Love to Hide’ is a less known anti-war film, but nonetheless a very powerful one. It shows the fate which had the homosexual had to suffer, they also were transported to transition camps, work camps and concentration camps.
A French movie which was released back in 2005 and probably the first time this subject was getting attention in France. In WW2 there were laws against homosexuals, they were ill and had to be reformed. After the war ended the laws against them weren’t abandoned. It was 1981 when finally they were accepted in society.

Jean (Jérémie Renier) lives in Paris and wants to help his friend Sarah Morgenstern. He brings her to his friend Philippe’s place and for a while they live kind of happily together though Sarah has a hard time accepting the fact Jean loves Philippe more than herself. Jean’s brother Jacques has always been the black sheep of the family and when he discovers about Jean’s sexuality he makes a plan to regain the trust of especially his father. Jacques collaborates and makes a deal that will put Jena in a jail for one day. But, it horribly goes wrong and Jean is deported.

A strong and powerful film, by director Christian Faure, about love, hatred and the cruelty of war.

46th Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan

During the Golden Horse Awards 2009 in Taiwan a film about Nanjing (again) won some prizes! Though it is a bit strange: Wasn't Florian Gallenberger (John Rabe) told that he couldn't make a movie about the massacre because there could only be one film about this subject? First we had 'City of Life and Death' and now 'The Message'. Believe me, there are more to follow!

Fan Bingbing wins the award for leading actress in 'The Message'.

Meinte's Daily Film Fact #4 - Eihi Shiina

Japanese actress Eihi shiina is famous for her rather 'special' choice of films to play in. Not only did she star in cult classic Audition (1999) as the girl who took acupuncture horror to a new level, she also starred in the absolute gore movies 'Tokyo Gore Police' and 'Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl'. It's one way to get known...... but she has something which makes her perfect for these kind of roles.

Meinte's Daily Film Fact #3

In John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) the kids watch the movie 'The Thing From Another World' (1951). John Carpenter made a remake of this film: The Thing (1982) which turned into a great classic.

Meinte's Daily Film Fact #2 (Nanking)

Chinese film ‘City of Life and Death’ won the award for best film at the filmfestival of San Sebastian. This will not the only film which tells about the massacre of Nanking this year. Florian Gallenberger’s ‘John Rabe’ deals about the good German of Nanking, though this movie almost wouldn’t have been made. The director was told by the Chinese Communist Party (mysterious phone call) he could not make a film about this (still) difficult/painful subject because there could only be one film about it. Gallenberger met an old Chinese man who lived for all his life in Nanking, talking to this man who expereinced the horror Gallenberger realized he had to make the movie.
Zhang Yimou also wants to make a movie about Nanking. ‘Thirteen Girls of Jinling City’ is about 13 prostitutes who sacrificed their lives to save a group of convent girls in Nanjing during the massacre of Nanjing in 1937. Rumor says he changed his mind and that because of the recession he wants to make a less dark production.

Mulan (China, 2010)

Set for 2010, the live action film 'Mulan' will have its premiere. Mulan is famous for its Disney adaptation and is an epic story about a girl who figths to defend her father. But, it always be an old Chinese tale about brave and if I am not mistaken, in the '50's there already has been a Chinese film about the story.

For a long time there were rumours that Ziyi Zhang and Takeshi Kitato would star along eachother but reality seems different. Zhao Wei (A Time to Love, Red Cliff) will be Mulan, a very interesting idea.

Just have to wait for this adventurous and dramatic love story.

Scarlet Sails / Alye Parusa (Soviet Union, 1961)

Scarlet Sails is a production of the Soviet-Union from 1961. It is a charming film about romance, alomst like a fairytale. Though the acting is very theatrical and overdone, after watching this movie you will find your heart to be warm. The story of a gril who is waiting for her prince to rescue her is not really innovating, but we talk about 1961 here and it really accomplishes its mission. It is funny to see that the film contains many influences of the classical Russian ballet.

The scenery is sometimes beautiful, especially the thundering waves are superbly shot!

Nana (Japan, 2005)

The manga of Nana was so hugely famous in Japan, a complete hype, that it couldn't take long before a film would be made about it. And yes, in this film you can see its popularity. It is a bit too poppy in my opinion. But don't misunderstand me, by all means it is not a bad movie.
The story is pretty simple, but Asians have the ability to create a fantastic film out of a not too complex story. It is in the way how they present the movie and cleverly add some emotion on specific times.

But the absolute best of this movie is Aoi Miyazaki. When she appears on screen it is like everything else fades away. She truly possesses the power to overwhelm you with her presence. Yes, she is stunningly beautiful but don't forget her acting is to a very high level as well, she really is the character she plays and that is very rare, I think she is a great actress. The chemistry between Aoi Miyazaki and Mika Nakashima is beautiful, together they really add so much power to the scenes.



Maybe Nana is not the best movie, probably it could have become a real interesting film in the hands of director Shunji Iwai. Immediately I had to think of Hana to Arisu (Hana & Alice) when I saw Nana. But, 'Nana' has been made for a huge audience and they screem for this poppy-look.

Cherry Blossoms - Hanami (Germany, 2008)

In this period of the cherry blossoms which movie could better be watched than one about cherry blossoms?



Cherry blossoms reminds us of love and romance but it also remnds of decay and death, cause when they are there and fill the world with their beauty the next moment you realize they withered, they are gone again. It is a perfect symbol for life and cherish this short period while you are there, and experience the beauty of this world. Maybe sometimes beauty is hard to find but it always is there, just around the corner. When you can't seem to find it only means you have to look for it another day and another...until the time has come and the first flower bloom.s

Well this film is about an elderly man who tries to live with the death of his wife. He never really understood her, why did she like this weird Japanese butoh-dance? He travels to Japan to look for his wife, maybe he can find her in this shadow dance? This is a small German film, but a true masterpiece of emotion and remorse. Never stop believing in your dreams, it's never too late.

Dance with the film and understand a little bit more why we should cherish the fact we are humans in this world, but most of all to see the cherry blossoms.