Tha way to BC (Photo taken in Hong Kong, Mar2009)
Caption: I always walk to Cinematheque from my parents home in Waterfront, from . It’s funny to see the differences between a luxury residential area to one of the old districts in Kowloon.
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Movies I have seen this year so far (aslo see yesterday’s entry):
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button [****]
I didn’t want to watch this movie at first because I know how it’s going to end. I’m glad I didn’t miss it. The story was well said and not too surreal. To me, Benjamie’s uniqueness (he grew younger when everyone else grew old) was like other disabilities we might have. He could still feel and see the world. He could also be loved or to love.
Brad Pitt did well. I think he acted better under the makeup than his original handsome face. Nevertheless, Brad , I mean Benjamin was really handsome when he grew “young”, many of the audience (both male and female) gasped in admiration of his look when he was on his yacht (you know which scene I am referring to if you have watched the movie).
Cate Blanchett was wonderful as always. She danced beautifully. I feel sorry she didn’t get the Oscar nomination.
6. Marley and Me [***]
A pet movie. A good weekend movie.
7. Seven Pounds [**] (potential spoiler)
Sad sad sad story. I don’t really approve of Ben Thomson’s (Will Smith) “death wish. He killed his wife and 5 other in a car accident. He was in despair and lost his strength to live. Later he came up with a plan to die. He spotted out some strangers that were very ill and needed organ transplant. He paid them visits and assessed them. He finally killed himself in order to donate his heart to the girl he just had sex with.
This movie reminds me of the fairy tale Happy Prince (The statue of the prince collapsed after he gave out all his jewelery to the poor), but Thomson’s actions were not noble at all. He was playing God by choosing who he thought might deserve to be helped. He just wanted to justify his suicide by giving these “gifts” (his body parts) to his brother and other strangers. He forced people to receive these gifts because they won’t say no when their lives were in danger. It’s a very typical attitude of rich people when they do charity, only Thomson’s choice was ultimate. He actually made the people he helped as his suicide accomplices. I don’t think anyone of them would be grateful if they knew what Thomson would do to himself.
I actually don’t mind Will Smith playing action hero. I like him making people happy instead of being a tragic hero who thinks he has all the world on his shoulder.
8. Doubt [****]
The truth isn’t that important when one’s so blindly believe in something or him/herself. Sister Aloysius Beauvier’s (Meryl Streep) doubt was so overwhelming so she couldn’t believe in otherwise, even there was no proof to back her doubt. A battle with only one person fighting can be very exhausting.
The tension between Sister Beauvier and Father Brendan Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) was well played by both the actor and actress. The director did a good job at the details such as the gestures and body movements, which helped to illustrate the personalities of the characters.
