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anhtran76
Reviews
Âm muu giày gót nhon (2013)
A wonderful breakout movie for Vietnamese cinema and a breakout performance by Kathy Uyen and cast
Full disclosure: I was lucky enough to see the grand opening of Am Muu Giay Got Nhon alongside the cast and crew, a few of whom I call my friends.
In a nutshell, I was completely blown away by how amazing this movie is. This didn't feel like a "Vietnamese" produced movie, though Vietnam cinema has gone a long way in the past few years. The visual quality of the film truly felt like a mainstream Hollywood production. From the moment the film opens to the final scene, you feel as though you've been whisked away to a major motion picture set.
The story reminded of a of amalgamation of French Kiss meets Sex in the City meets the Devil Wears Prada, but done with a fun Vietnamese overtone. However, instead of being a cookie cutter storyline with a typical ending, the story arch really takes you on a roller coaster ride. I honestly didn't know what the outcome of the story was going to be until it unveiled itself in the very end. Overall, this is an utterly enjoyable film that is extremely relatable if you're Asian, but anyone in any country can enjoy it.
I believe the real life aftermath of this film is what's really exciting. To me, this movie is reminiscent of the actors from Mystic Pizza. An iconic movie with great a ensemble cast, which became the launch points for so many huge careers. Mark my words in a decade; this movie will be Vietnam's Mystic Pizza.
First time actor, Petey Majik reminded us of a young Vincent D'Onofrio. My understanding is that this is Petey's first acting role ever, but I assure you that this will not be his last. His performance embodied the acting chops of someone who has been on the silver screen for quite some time and I think audiences will enjoy seeing him in films to come.
Phuong Mai and YaYa Truong Nhi are both known for their modeling careers and their professional personas clearly came out in the movie to help carry that sense of authenticity. Phuong Mai was the perfect contrast to YaYa in terms of character personalities, but instead of being these one-dimensional caricatures, they had real depth that was embodied in their performance.
Truc Diem, who is also a model and who has done some acting in the past had an exceptionally poignant performance. She wasn't just a pretty face, who helped contrast Kathy's character Anne. Rather, she was this soulful beauty, struggling with her own love for a more limited life versus the allure of a big city with a big city man. With looks like Truc Diem, its very hard to pull off this role, but she does it with grace and I think a lot of young Vietnamese women will be able to sympathize with her.
And finally, the crème de la crème – Kathy Uyen. This is a clearly a breakout role for Kathy who truly showed that she has the ability to carry a major film. Her performance was on point in just about every single scene. She was funny, witty, crazy and most importantly she drew the audience into her own neurosis to the point that we could empathize with her craziness at the end. Even though Pretty Women marked the arrival of Julia Roberts as the powerful mainstream blockbuster carrying actress, it was her roots in Mystic Pizza that people remember the most. I'm sure within the next few years Kathy Uyen will find that blockbuster role in another movie, but I think people will always remember her as the sexy, fast-talking and quirky Viet Kieu, who won over the hearts of millions in Am Muu Giay Got Nhon.
Additional disclosure: There's an 72% chance I also have a crush on one of the cast members.
The Warrior's Way (2010)
Just a terrible movie overall
There must be a 1000 paid people who have posted positive things on the cinematography and beauty of this movie. In short, you're all wrong. This movie was a complete waste of what could have been something interesting. The trailer for this movie was by far better than the movie itself. In the trailer, I thought this was going to be some kind of Ninja Scroll meets Trigun meets Kate Bosworth. However, all we got was computer generated crap.
The action was absolutely terrible. There were no smooth sequences where you actually believed the character could do any of things he was supposed to be able to do. The initial duo at the beginning against the greatest swordsman ever had no flair, no drama and no beauty. The sword fight against his clansman and the master at the end again fell completely flat. If you came into this movie thinking that maybe the acting will suck and you'll get tons of good action sequences, think again.
Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Great concept terrible execution
SPOILER ALERTS:
This movie could have been so good if they didn't do everything so half- ass.
The problem I have with these types of movies is that it looks cool until you get to the end and realize how unrealistic the ending was. I could have believed that Butler set the whole thing in motion, but what I can't believe is his walking in and out of jail. If all of these people were dying and supposedly he was responsible for all of it and people knew he was responsible for all of it, wouldn't they just put a camera in his isolation cell to watch his every move 24 hours a day.
Plus, what lessons other than vengeance do we actually learn from his actions. He's trying to take down the system and change it, but no moral lesson will come of this. Jamie Foxx doesn't really learn his lesson at the end of the day when he tricks Butler at the end.
They should have thought this through in more detail and made the justice system much more difficult to beat.
Life or Something Like It (2002)
something to think about at least
Shore, the concept behind this movie is overplayed. Live each day as though it were your last. Follow your heart. Love wins in the end. Never trust a baseball player. And always always trust a homeless prophet.
Despite, these routine story lines, there was enough enough fun feel good moments in the movie to keep it going. The Rolling Stones bit was great and the big interview at the end really gets you up off your seat.
The best part of this movie is that it gives you something to think about at the end. My girlfriend and I had a philosophical discussion about her job and her life afterwards. She's doing well economically as an investment banker, but her hours suck and she doesn't really get to live. Her passion is in fashion and movies, so why doesn't she quit her job. In 20 years, will she look back at her 20s and ask what happened to her youth and to her life. Is she living her life to the fullest or is she living a path that she had dreamt up years ago or even is she living a life her parents put out for her. Life can seem too short at times when you're much older, so follow Angelina, find a homeless prophit, get drunk and rearrange your life for the better.
Feardotcom (2002)
I wasted my life twice
I wasted my life once watching this movie because there was nothing else on TV. Then, my Canadian roommate made me suffer through this movie again while I was doing my work in front of the TV. There goes 3 solid hours of my life. This has to be one of the worst movies of all time. Nothing makes sense whatsoever. PLEASE, even if you're a fan of terrible movies, fear this one, it will just make you angry.