(Movie) Why so complicated? A look at Fallen Angels

This film was recommended by Paz (pazvsstuff.blogspot.co.uk) Thanks Paz! 

After last week's review of Chungking Express, I made a friend in Paz and she looked over the review. Naturally, her response was that we can't be friends, but she was obviously kidding, otherwise I wouldn't be doing the review she recommended. 

The question is, did this movie redeem Wong Kar-Wai in my eyes?

Let's review!

Story/Dialogue: Like its predecessor, Fallen Angels is set into two parts. The first story follows a hitman who gets his jobs from a woman who cleans his house. She has a crush on him but he can't reciprocate, as he ends up with a blonde. This leads us into the second story, where she finds out about 'Blondie' and we're introduced to a mute escaped convict who is hiding out with his father. For work, he breaks into other people's businesses and treats it as his own, often physically forcing people to buy his wares. 

The story in this sequel (In a lot of ways, that's what Fallen Angels is,) is a lot more cohesive and it tends to jump back and forth between the characters, which is something I really appreciated. When I get involved with a film, I like knowing who my characters are in the beginning and why I should care about them. Though the ex-con was introduced later, he was introduced in a subtle fashion and woven into the narrative a lot better than the characters in the previous movie. 

I found the characters likeable, if somewhat ridiculous (Perhaps that's why I liked them,) and found the story a lot more engaging than Chungking. Though it has a few references to the first movie, it could be classed as a stand alone if you've never seen Chungking Express. 

Cinematography: Wong Kar-Wai's handheld style feels a lot better in this story, giving us a fly on the wall perspective and letting us look at people from angles that we'd never consider. This gives the shot an out of place look, which shows our character's discomfort in some instances, or makes them feel small in others.

There was a scene filmed an ice cream truck which I found funny as there were people packed in like sardines and you could practically feel the discomfort of the tight space.

I also really enjoyed the film's shots on the roads. Sometimes it'd up or lower the frame rate, depending on the atmosphere and it worked really well in terms of story.

Audio: The tracks of this film really set the atmosphere. From jaunty, jazzy beats to distant sounds of nightclubs, you always got the feel of Hong Kong nightlife. Even its pockets of people listening to individual tracks that didn't feel as though fit in actually worked out well to represent how a person feels in the midst of their experiences. 

The subs were well written, and easily understood.

Overall: Yet again I was pleasantly surprised this week. Fallen Angels ended up being a lot better than I expected. There was a lot more structure to the story and it was a lot easier to follow. While in some cases the acting was a bit ridiculous and the narration kind of bugged me, (Though it was necessary for the mute,) overall, this movie was a delight to watch. 

5 Stars.

(Movie) Concrete Jungle...a look at Chungking Express

Thanks to Maia (uzuyucky.tumblr.com) for the recommendation

I think in terms of the movies that I've seen, this is the first one that I really struggled with watching. Understand that it has nothing to do with the fact that it's foreign, but the fact that it's an unconventional story.

As a writer who loves character driven story, it was really difficult for me to get a proper grasp of the story. Thank goodness for Wikipedia, am I right?

In any case, let's review!

Story/Dialogue: This film contains two stories. The first is about a cop by the name of He Qiwu, who had his ex break up with him on April Fool's day chasing a woman for a platonic relationship. They meet and spend time with each other before he takes her to a hotel so she can sleep. The woman in question happens to be a smuggler and shoots the drug baron who screwed her over the next day. She then wishes him a happy birthday via message from the hotel that they stayed at, which leads into the second story.

Faye Wong works at the takeout shop that He Qiwu and another cop, designation 663 frequent on their beat.
663 is dealing with a breakup of his own with a flight attendant and the more time he spends at the takeout spot, Faye ends up liking him. Later on the stewardess comes by to give the cop his spare keys to his apartment. Faye uses the key to break into his room and try and improve 663's life. Eventually he figures out she's breaking into his apartment and asks her on a date. She doesn't show and 663 finds out that she's gone to California as a final move before settling down.
She returns to find the takeaway shop is now owned by 663, who is renovating the takeaway shop into a restaurant. They exchange words and there's mention of a boarding pass she drew him a year ago. She writes him a new one and asks him where he wants to go. He replies that he'll go wherever she suggests. The movie finishes there.

Part of the reason I wrote out the over arcing story is that there's no resolution, no real mystery. We, the audience are taking a peek into the window of these people's little worlds. When I say story in regards to Chungking express, I use the term loosely.

The dialogue is heavy with prose, with personifications of towels and apartments. Characters speak their minds, yet the plot doesn't move further when they say things.


Cinematography: The better part of this film is looking at crazy camera angles and wondering at their significance. Or whether there's any point to the closeups that Wong Kar Wai uses. With his use of stop motion and crazy jump cuts, he recreated the crazy Hong Kong atmosphere and made it visually overwhelming to watch.

There were nice beats where we focused on something for a few moments to allow our eyes to rest, but visually this film is one that you'd have to watch again and again to take it all in.

Audio: One song that features in this film frequently is California Dreamin' by the Mamas and the Papas, but interestingly, I was captivated by the Cantonese cover of Dreams by the Cranberries. This aside the film mainly consisted of smooth jazz, the kind you'd expect out of a Dick Tracy comic.


Overall: This movie has received fantastic reviews for those that it's touched upon. I liken it to Sarsaparilla. One of those things where you either like it or you don't.

What annoys me is that while I sort of see what Wong Kar Wai was going for, I found the movie dull. Perhaps I didn't get it, but I wasn't all that drawn in to the visual aspects because I couldn't keep track of the story.

While I respect the work put into it, I wasn't a fan.

3 stars.

(Movie)Little Things...a look at Amelie.

I'd heard the name, I'd seen the gifs, but nothing emotionally prepared me for this movie.

Amelie was released in 2001 and won many awards at film festivals. Let's see if we can't find out why.

Story/Dialogue: Amelie follows a protagonist of the same name through her home city as she interacts with the people in it. Known to be a dreamer, she tweaks the lives of those who are miserable to make them better.

Though, we all know that the kindest people are the ones who are reaching out for someone else to take notice. So who will take this dreamer's hand?

Amelie is a delightful character who reminds you of the brownies from old stories. They would clean your house so long as you treated them with kindness. Though they show her backstory of how she was exposed to so much death and pain, she faces it with a small smile and a can do attitude. Armed with her imagination and wit, it's impossible to not want the best for this well rounded young woman.

While each of the key players in this story get a small amount of time dedicated to them, you see how important it is as you see the community around Amelie change with her help.

While the story itself is immersive, some might find it difficult to keep track of everything. There are a lot of characters to pay attention to and every one of them is important to Amelie's development.

Cinematography: Did you know that Vincent Van Gogh used to eat yellow paint in the hopes that he'd be happy?

Amelie shows a lot more storytelling through visuals than any dialogue. The rich yellow filter in each scene makes you feel happier and take joy in the smaller details of the movie.

You'll notice that everything about this movie is soft. Soft lighting, soft speaking and soft camera movements. They make it easy for your eye to follow and indulge visually in this feast for the eyes.

During the character introductions, it feels as though Amelie had her hand on your back, guiding you quickly toward the other characters so as to introduce them, as you have many a name to remember. 

One final note is the blending of fantasy and reality. While the VFX are not fantastic, they reflect what's in Amelie's head well. Those moments where you wish you could be swallowed up by the ground or turn to water because you're so embarrassed. The suicidal fish was fantastically done, even though you know it's fake, it doesn't destroy your suspension of disbelief. 

Audio: The musical score that accompanies Amelie throughout her journey is reflective of the character. Sweet and mischievous. It times well with her walking and the woosh sounds when you're introduced to new characters are delightful. While the tracks weren't memorable, they reflected their characters well. 

Overall: Amelie is a feast for the eyes that takes you by the hand, sits you down and shows you how to look at life's little enjoyments. Steam coming off coffee of a morning, indistinct chatter at a cafe, hands going into grain, breaking the skin of pastry. All of these little things that people neglect to appreciate. 

It's a movie that you either love or don't understand. You can't just like this movie. It's not exactly possible. Plus once you finish it, you feel satisfied, the same way you do once you finish a filling, home-cooked meal

To quote John Green, you fall in love with it the same way you fall asleep. Slowly, then all at once.

This movie warrants a Ravensmark. Reserved for only the best movies, books and comics.

Thus ends this review.

Please feel free to recommend new movies, comics and books and share your thoughts in the comments!

Special thanks to Hannah (readingfreak.tumblr.com) for this recommendation.

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