Le Concert (2009)

The conductor called for more cowbell

Hadn't enough of the "In soviet russia" jokes?

Want to see more broad national and ethnic stereotypes on film?

And perhaps you would like some Tchaikovsky while you're at it?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 24 March 2010.

How to train your dragon (2010)

The perfect picture for a Dragon for Dummies guide?

Viking boy meets dragon.

Viking boy falls in love with dragon.

The rest is history.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 24 March 2010.

City of Men (Cidade dos homens) (2007)

And daddy and his best friend make three

City of God: music video and gangland drama on acid, and muse for Royston Tan's 18.

Five years later, the boys are all grown up and back for more trouble.

What new stories do they have to tell of Rio's favellas?

Read my full review on Fridae, first published on 17 March 2010.

Confucius (孔子) (2010)

Survivors ready? Go!

Ever wondered about the real Confucius?

I mean, the extremist ideologue who was a threat to stability all across China.

Yes, the one who is constantly outwitted, outplayed and outlasted by his political opponents. All for your entertainment!

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 17 March 2010.

Kaiji (カイジ：人生逆転ゲーム) (2010)

This is the only thing that makes wage slavery bearableEver wondered if the rat race, capitalism, and work were just a trap?

Ever felt like you're still a wage slaves and modern serf at the end of the day?

Clearly, you're not taking enough of the opium of the masses!

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 17 March 2010

The Lovely Bones (2009)

Yes, Suzie: Heaven does look like a timepiece, jewellery, or automobile advert

What's left of a murder mystery if you know whodunnit in the first half hour?

What's left of a ghost story if the script isn't interested in retribution or redemption?

Hirokazu Kore-eda might have an idea, but does Peter Jackson have anything to offer besides CGI?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 17 March 2010.

The Book of Eli (2010)

In the post-apocalyptic future, everyone will still dress like runway models

Mad Max without the crazy cars? Six String Samurai without the camp?

Are the Hughes brothers off their rockers again or have they emerged stronger from the cinematic hell that was From Hell?

Should you watch this or is it reserved on perpetual loop for a circle of hell specially reserved for bad moviemakers?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 17 March 2010.

Japan Society, NY: Mad, bad, and dangerous to know

I'm not sure exactly how many readers I have in New York, but since I was asked:

20 March
Zatoichi on the Road
Scar Yosaburo

As the Japan Society puts it: The films star Shintaro Katsu and Raizo Ichikawa, respectively, each highlighting the unique skills of their stars, one brutish yet charming, the other suavely enigmatic.

(note: Scar Yosaburo is not available in the Singapore's DVD library at the Esplanade)

March 31 - April 18: Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to know

The Japan Society presents 13 rare films of actresses Ayako Wakao, Meiko Kaji and Mariko Okada. At the opposite end of the stereotype of docile Japanese women-heroic good mothers, chaste daughters and hardworking faithful wives-the three actresses embodied the transgression of limits, breaking rules, flouting norms and generally upsetting everyone.

Location:
Japan Society
333 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017

Crazy Heart (2009)

How many roads must a man walk down...

Is it true that this was just a remake of The Wrestler, but with a country singer?

Did Jeff Bridges really have a voice to pull off his character?

Does the music in the movie serve as a good compilation of country music?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 10 March 2010.

Yona Yona Penguin (よなよなペンギン) (2009)

And then she saw the zombie clown...

The Japanese normally don't bother with 3D animation. That's not a mistake since they've proved that they have the better imaginations, artists, and writers - so much so that Pixar is a wannabe Ghibli (see "Up").

But what happens when a veteran animator takes on 3D animation?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 10 March 2010.

Up in the air (2009)

But who was the one living vicariously?

Do you like to be an asshole?

Do you like to be paid to be an asshole?

Now for the clincher: do you like to be an asshole and travel around the world?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 3 March 2010.

The Last Station (2009)

Mmmm, they go so well with chianti...

You're Leo Tolstoy, the greatest Russian novelist of all time, and the founder of a religious movement.

You have an army of minions and admirers. And a wife who adores you.

You're all set to conquer the world. Right? Right?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 3 March 2010.