theOneliner.comMovie, Game and Video reviews at theOneliner.com - We are Godzilla, You are Japan.The Song of Sparrows (45) - Sweet and gentle comedy, and a great antidote to the image of Iran we are normally presented- June 20, 2008 An ostrich-farm worker loses his job just when he needs the money most, and starts working as a motorcycle taxi on the streets of Tehran. Working for the benefit of his family, the more money he makes, the more of the man his family love becomes lost. A morality tale inside a gentle comedy, it's enjoyable viewing with a strong central performance, and well worth checking out. (Full review at theOneliner.com)http://www.theoneliner.com/film707.html We Went To Wonderland (35) - Involving travelogue nee examination of an elder Chinese generation's view of the Western world.- June 20, 2008 Xiaolu Guo returns to the EIFF with a film less interesting and innovative than her excellent prior outing How Is Your Fish Today, but one that still has a fair degree of charm. Essentially following her parents around London and a trip to Rome as they visit from their homeland of China, this serves both as a charming insight into her parents experiences during the Cultural Revolution and also their views of the Western World. There is perhaps little of devastatingly original insights doled out.http://www.theoneliner.com/film706.html Crack Willow (05) - The movie equivalent of absolute zero.- June 20, 2008 Ooooh, how provocative and edgy! Those who have wisdom will by this point in their lives have realised that 'provocative and edgy' are PR synonyms for 'incomprehensible cobblers', and on that basis this is the most provocative and edgy film I've ever seen. 'Bravely' eschewing any sort of narrative, this rapidly devolves from a man coming to terms with the death of his parents into a complete mess of profane, vulgar and nonsensical vignettes that say nothing of any worth and serves only to...http://www.theoneliner.com/film705.html The Red Awn (45) - Minimalist rural Chinese relationship drama, broody, slow burning and well worth watching.- June 18, 2008 Brooding tale of a father (Yao Anlian) returning after a long absence in the city to his son (Lu Yulai) in a rural chinese village. Relationships are not so much strained as they are dissolved, but over the course of a summer spent harvesting around their rural area the reasons for their rift and partial acceptance of each other unfold. Unfold fairly slowly, it must be said, as this is neither the most eventful nor punchy film you'll ever see. Strong, near mute performances from the leads...http://www.theoneliner.com/film704.html The Appeared (25) - Well produced, well acted, ultimately not scary horror effort.- June 17, 2008 Brother sister duo Pablo (Javier Pereira) and Malena (Ruth Diaz) uncover a little more than they'd like to know about their family history as they are drawn into events of twenty years ago, in that largely inexplicable horror film sort of way. There are things to admire here, with strong acting performances and a strong guide from writer director Paco Cabezas that for the most part refuses to take the easy way out of making its jumpy bits. It's only a shame that it's not, in any real way,...http://www.theoneliner.com/film703.html |