There is a risk in both the simplicity and the historical context of any snapshot of modern life. Focusing on simple people in a specific place and time can create a myopic view of life that conflates mundanity with meaning. It can falsely lionize the “common man” without ever discovering deeper truths that extend beyond the specifics. Yi Yi overcomes those risks through Edward Yang’s deep humanism and relenting honesty. There is another risk, however, that can defeat even the…
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Crazy Thunder Road 1980
Japan in the 1980s: Journeying Through the Lost Decade of Japanese Cinema
It's a real neon joy ride, fuck you man, take it or leave it, kill me before I kill you, death to us all, ride til' you drop, burn the streets, brothers forever kind of gang banging, shit stomping, screaming into the void movie.
Absurdly well shot, the movie is all sass and gas. The first half is full of stunning neon bars and night riding captured in…
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Waking Ned 1998
A rare comedy that does everything right: engaging plot, great jokes, some lovely scenery, amazing music and a prefect cast. It is wholesome without becoming cloying.
Order of Merit: Picture, Screenplay, Actor (Bannen), Supporting Actor (Kelly), Ensemble, Editing, Musical Score
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Galaxy Quest 1999
It's just funny and entertaining from start to finish. And that cast!
Order of Merit: Picture, Screenplay, Supporting Actor (Rickman, Colantoni), Supporting Actress (Weaver), Ensemble, Production Design, Musical Score, Makeup, Sound Effects
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Ikiru 1952
The Criterion Challenge 2022 - Week 1
Ikiru is a movie of questions—demanding, drunken, didactic questions. They ask: why did this man do what he did? How does facing death change us? What can we do to make a difference in the world? What does it take to light the spark in a life without meaning? But while many of those questions lead to moving answers they are very obvious with most being stated outright by the characters in their…
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Center Stage 1991
It is March 8, 1935, and Ruan Lingyu is penning her suicide note. It is 1991 and Maggie Cheung is speaking to a camera about how she will never kill herself. It is 1926 and 16-year-old Ruan Lingyu takes an acting job to make ends meet. It is 2015 and 50 year old Maggie Cheung has not been seen in public for a year since a humiliating rock concert performance. It is 1934 and Ruan Lingyu is the biggest movie…
