Although "Mesrine: Public Enemy #1" (Mesrine: L’ennemi public n°1 | France/Canada/Italy 2008 | in French | 133 min.) is the second film of French director Jean-François Richet‘s epic crime drama about Jacques Mesrine, following "Mesrine: Killer Instinct," it is a wise decision to rename the film from its original title "Mesrine: Part 2 – Public Enemy #1," because it can certainly stands alone perfectly by itself. You do not have to watch "Mesrine: Killer Instinct" in order to grasp the dramatic happenings in "Mesrine: Public Enemy #1," however, it helps to understand Jacques Mesrine.
After Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel) reaches his "public enemy #1" status, he seems enjoy the fame and attention, and continues to carry out stunning episodes of bank robberies and prison escapes. He begins to characterize himself as a revolutionary and writes memoirs to advocate his anti-authority belief. Even being locked up in a maximum security prison, he is able to team up with another prisoner François Besse (Mathieu Amalric) and to remain at large. The finally cops realize that the only way to get rid of him is to kill him, brutally in 1979, as the opening scenes of both films.
"Mesrine: Public Enemy #1" is much more focused compared to "Mesrine: Killer Instinct," and a better crime drama. It is intense and captivating throughout. It is quite obvious that the film glorifies Mesrine’s crime career and sympathizes his violent death. Once again, Vincent Cassel is brilliant playing this notorious yet legendary gangster.
Despite the fact that the film is still a long way to go to reach the same level as "The Godfather," it tells amazing stories about a maverick gangster that you have not heard much before this film.
"Mesrine: Public Enemy #1" opens on Friday, September 3, 2010 at Bay Area theaters.
http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/y7gIy4H-nU0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&ap=%2526fmt%3d18
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It is an undeniable fact that outlaws and criminals sometimes do get their fame in the society and the attention from the public. Perhaps it is due to their stories usually are outrageous, notorious, barbaric, mysterious, rebellious, entertaining, and anything but ordinary. Or perhaps their stories might satisfy the fantasy for many who want to be one of those criminals, but never have the guts, cruelty, or intelligence to act upon it. Their stories continue to be told in books, on televisions, and in films. As a result, many of them have become household names. For example, Jesse James, Al Capone, John Dillinger, just to name a few. Now, a French name is joining the crowd—meet Jacques Mesrine.
Based on Jacques Mesrine‘s autobiography, French director Jean-François Richet‘s crime film "Mesrine: Killer Instinct" (L’instinct de mort | France/Canada/Italy 2008 | in French | 113 min.) introduces Jacques Mesrine to the audience as "a man of a thousand faces."
After his service in French Army during Algerian War, Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel) returns to Paris in 1959. He immediately teams up with gangsters and mafias and begins his heist career, and starts to get in and out of prison. His wife leaves him with his young children after he sticks a gun in her mouth and yells at her: "Between you and my friends, I choose my friends."
After he and his mistress Jeanne Schneider (Cécile De France) kidnap a millionaire, he is back to the prison and tortured, and miraculously escapes. Gradually, he reaches to the status as law enforcement’s "Public Enemy No. 1."
Although Vincent Cassel gives a memorable performance as Mesrine, he does not generate the charisma as Johnny Depp playing John Dillinger in "Public Enemies," and his ’70s-gay-men’s mustache does not help either.
The film chronicles Mesrine’s crimes in as-it-happens fashion and presents a man with multiple personalities, if not with thousand faces. One minute he can be a devoted loving father, the next minute he appears to be a monster. He is neither a heroic anti-authority figure, nor a hardcore terrifying mafia as in "Goodfellas." At times, you might wonder if you are watching "COPS" on TV.
Yet, you will hardly be bored watching Mesrine’s crimes in this film. You might cheer for him when he comes back to the prison to take revenge. After all, he is not somebody you see in your everyday life, and probably you want to keep it that way as well.
The sequel of "Mesrine: Killer Instinct" is "Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1," what else?
"Mesrine: Killer Instinct" opens on Friday, August 27, 2010 at Bay Area theaters.
http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/GDSekGDUHHE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&ap=%2526fmt%3d18
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If you were the best ballet dancer in China back in 30 years ago, how much would you be willing to sacrifice in order to stay in the United States? What if your sacrifice means giving up your home country forever and be separated from your family, perhaps also forever? This is not a hypothetical question, but the remarkable personal story of Chinese ballet dancer Li Chunxin (李存信).
Based on Li Chunxin‘s autobiography, Australian director Bruce Beresford‘s new film
"Mao’s Last Dancer" (Australia/USA 2009 | in English/Chinese | 117 min.) almost guarantees to move you into tears by Li’s incredible personal journey, terrifically played by three actors.
In 1972, China is sinking deep in the tragic Cultural Revolution. In a poor village in Shangdong, 11-year-old Li Chunxin (Huang Wen Bin) is hand picked by a team lead by Mao‘s wife Jiang Qing, who is in charge of cultural affairs. He is to be trained to be a ballet dancer. He leaves his mom (Joan Chen 陈冲) and dad (Wang Shuangbao 王双宝) and comes to Beijing to start his unbearably hard training. A few years later, Li Cunxin (Guo Chengwu 郭承武) becomes an excellent dancer and performs propaganda plays for Jiang Qing and the party elites.
In 1981, Li Cunxin (Cao Chi 曹驰) comes to Houston Ballet for a three month long cultural exchange program. He is shocked by the tremendous cultural differences first but quickly is drawn into this new world. He wants to stay longer but his request is refused by the Chinese government. He rushes into marrying his new American girlfriend Elizabeth Mackey (Amanda Schull) in order to stay in the US. His defect becomes headline story that affects the US-Sino relation. Although he is allowed to stay in the US, but his Chinese citizenship is stripped away and he is banned from visiting his family in China.
The film walks a fine line between telling a deeply moving story about family and a display of anti-communist propaganda. The film would have failed miserably if it bashes China as Li’s aggressor or enemy, although there are moments the film almost slips into that direction. Luckily, the film mostly centers on Li’s emotional struggle in his difficult decisions during his teenager years and the time of his defect.
Besides the rich story, the film is beautifully shot with great performances and elegant ballet dance. However, the costume design is a regretful eyesore whenever the Chinese are dressed in the film. They are completely out of the place and show creator’s poor knowledge about Chinese history. For example, hardly anybody wears Chairman Mao‘s head-pin on their clothes in the ’80s, but Li Chunxin faithfully wears one when he comes to the US.
The film also shies away from examining the true motivation of Li’s defect. Based on the event, Li’s defect and marriage make him an opportunist, not an artist with respectful integrity and strong character.
Li Cunxin might have been picked up as Mao’s last dancer, but he no longer dances for Mao. When he dances, he dances for his family, and that is precisely why this film touches its audience profoundly, regardless what opinion one might have about Li’s defection and integrity.
"Mao’s Last Dancer" opens on Friday, August 20, 2010 at Bay Area theaters.
http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/OkgqA_fxas8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&ap=%2526fmt%3d18
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Besides a violent computer game, what else can draw a teenage boy’s attention during the crowded summer blockbuster season? How about some loud motorcycles, pretty women, massive tattoos, and a lot guns, knives, explosions? Still not enough? Let’s throw in a bunch tough talking and looking guys, led by the Rambo—:Sylvester Stallone. That is exactly the recipe for the action film "The Expendables" (USA 2010 | 103 min.).
For a frozen TV dinner like this with those typical guns and violence ingredients, there is really no need of concern for any nutrition value in the meal, because if you do, you will be completely disappointed.
Therefore, there is no need to describe the plot in this blood soaked, action packed, non-stop exploding film. All you need to know is that Barney (Sylvester Stallone) leads a team of mercenaries to a small island in South America. Their mission is to overthrow a government that is controlled by an ex-CIA officer. However, after he meets the government head’s daughter, his mission becomes to save her life.
In the film trailer, a tough guy is shooting a machine gun from an airplane, without even hair on his head. Guess what he puts on before he rides his motorcycles? A helmet! Now you get an idea about the film’s logic level.
If you go to see this movie, you know you are not looking for an amazing story or in-dept characters. It is all about the mindless glorious action sequences. Luckily, the film does deliver it, even not all the time.
There are plenty big name actors in this film, including Jet Li (李连杰). While some others’ appearances stir a few chuckles, Jet Li’s character is utterly offensive to Asians. The martial art master either is beaten up, or talks "funny" emphasizing how small he is. It is one of the worst displays of stereotyping Asians in recent films. It is a shame for Jet Li even to consider to play a role like this.
"The Expendables" opens on Friday, August 13, 2010 at Bay Area theaters.
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It is time for boyish-looking Paul Dano to hire a new agent, because he has been repeating himself and playing similar characters. In this new comedy "The Extra Man" (USA 2010 | 108 min.), Paul Dano plays almost the same character as in "The Good Heart" last year. His character is still shy, awkward, soft-spoken, needing a place to stay, and dealing with a crazy old man under the same roof. The only difference is that this time, his character has a new hobby: cross-dressing.
Based on a novel by Jonathan Ames, the film tells a story about three oddballs living in an old New York apartment, if it were not their cellphones, the story would have been mistaken as in the ’50s or the ’60s.
Louis (Paul Dano) loses his teaching job and moves to New York City to pursue a new life. When he met the eccentric and slick Henry (Kevin Kline), who has been working as "an extra man" to escort older wealthy women. Henry’s estranged mechanic Gershon (John C. Reilly), whose long hair makes him look like homeless, lives downstairs. He occasionally joins Louis and Henry to make the odd couple’s daily routines even more bizarre.
The film tries hard to be funny, but hardly succeeds. It awkwardly hustles together three individuals who have completely different personalities, except all lonely, hoping for some magical moments to happen. Those moments never come.
Although three talented actors are casted in the leading roles, they cannot change the fate of these dreadful characters. Kevin Kline never stops talking like Bill Murray and moving like Robin Williams. Paul Dano constantly mumbles like, well, Paul Dano. Unlike the frequent annoying voiceover, John C. Reilly is mute for the most part in the film. Actually, that is pretty funny, especially with the long hair.
New York is a big city that has all walks of life and all sorts of characters. Even so, these characters in the film seem too odd to this city. Indeed, they are extra men to the City, and to each other.
"The Extra Man" opens on Friday, August 13, 2010 at Bay Area theaters.
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If a group of people from all walks of lives suddenly sit together and can hold a concert as an orchestra, they are either from a fairy tale that only can be read next to a child’s bed, or they have the power to create miracle. Well, that is precisely the story in a French comedy "The Concert" (Le Concert | France 2010 | in French and Russian | 107 min.).
Thirty years ago in the Communist era, a young conductor Andreï Filipov (Aleksei Guskov) is kicked out the (fictional) prestigious Bolshoi Orchestra, because he refuses to get rid of all the Jewish musicians. His musician colleagues move on to driving ambulances, making porn flicks, or patrolling flea markets. Andreï becomes a janitor to clean the Bolshoi Theater.
One day, while cleaning the office, he runs across a last-minute invitation for Bolshoi Orchestra to play at Salle Pleyel, perhaps the most famous concert hall in Paris. What Andreï does next is truly preposterous.
He puts together a "bolshoi" (большой means "grand" in Russian) scheme that nobody can believe even after plenty of vodka—he summons his old pals to pretend the Bolshoi Orchestra; flies the entire flock from Moscow to Paris with forged passports and visa; drinks and parties all night; then plays Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the famous Russian born French violinist Anne-Marie Jacquet (Mélanie Laurent), without any rehearsal. Don’t you feel lucky that he is not making a bomb?
Besides the implausible plot, the repeated tacky stereotypes about Russian, Jew, gypsies, and the Communists are never funny, but only show film’s petty efforts to beg for a comic moment.
However, what is remarkable is that the film is able to divert your attention away from the far-fetched plot to the beautiful classical music. From Mozart to Mahler, from Tchaikovsky to Khachaturian, the terrific soundtrack makes you sympathize these musicians. You want them to succeed, and you want the magic to happen.
The only magic in this film is the music. Everything else is pure illusion.
"The Concert" opens on Friday, August 6, 2010 at Bay Area theaters.
http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/7hQU9loqDxo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&ap=%2526fmt%3d18
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A dozen years ago, write/director Todd Solondz created a few unforgettably miserable characters in his shockingly uncompromising, wickedly funny, and profoundly fascinating master piece "Happiness."
Some of these miserable characters came back in Solondz’s highly anticipated "Life During Wartime" (USA 2009 | 98 min.). In this new film, these characters go on with their lives to "forget and forgive," but they have little luck in searching for a way out of their misery.
"Life During Wartime" is a quasi sequel of the must-see "Happiness," and it has a few amusing references to its predecessor. However, it can utterly stand alone by itself. Although this film is funny, sharp, and full of Solondz’s trademark black humor dialogues, it has a mellower tone compared to "Happiness." In addition, Solondz chooses a complete different cast to play these characters, and they are not quite the same any more, even their lives of ten years ago can be easily traced in this film.
The film opens with a painfully funny scene when Joy (Shirley Henderson) tries to break off from her perversive husband Allen (Michael K. Williams). Then, she visits her sister Trish (Allison Janney) in Florida, while she is constantly haunted by her deceased ex-boyfriend Andy (Paul Reubens). After her pedophile husband Bill (Ciarán Hinds) is in prison, Trish is trying to build a new life by dating Harvey (Michael Lerner), under the close watch from her curious young son Timmy (Dylan Riley Snyder).
Trish has been telling Timmy that his father Bill is dead. Of course, Bill is not. He is actually released from prison and pays a surprise visit to his elder son Billy (Chris Marquette), after a brief encounter with a lonely woman Jacqueline (Charlotte Rampling) he met in a hotel.
This brief scrappy description of the plot only indicates how eventful the film is and how many humorous conversations it contains. Nobody writes razor-sharp dialogues like Todd Solondz. He brilliantly injects social and political commentaries into his characters’ matter-of-fact yet provocative speeches. He feeds his characters with the most outrageous and quotable lines. Then he directs the actors to speak with maximum sincerity and in a complete earnest manner, which is precisely how he creates those comic moments in his film. He is a master at manipulating his audience to make them laugh aloud as well as feel unease at the same time.
If "Happiness" is about unhappy people, "Life During Wartime" reinforce the fact that their lives are not getting any better, in a very funny way.
"Life During Wartime" opens on Friday, August 6, 2010 at Bay Area theaters.
http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/vdKkqU73CoU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&ap=%2526fmt%3d18
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Silky Tofu, 味道好极了! 