Time Of The Wolf

Flaws: I can’t believe I sat through 109 minutes of movie hell. This movie is set ‘Post apocalypse ‘France. However, after watching the movie, I don’t recall  the apocolyspe ever being mentioned. Infact, it doesn’t really explain why the people are left without food, water, shelter etc. Maybe I missed something in the  “English Subtitles”. This traggic scenario sucks major popcorn balls!  I also found it hard to stomach the visual of the one hundred, none bathed humans, cramped together, inside of a railroad depo.. in the middle of nowhere!  What year was this supposedly taken place?  ( I hated the rural area concept, more then anything.)

None of the main characters made  much sense to me. All they ever seem to do throughout the film was argue  or accuse one another of  being a thief.  ( In almost ever scene there was shouting.) Waay too much conflict in this film…made me wanna burn the disc!  The little boy ” Ben” with the frequent nose bleeds could’ve been cut out of the film all together. I notice that French films always consist of  one or more characters acting out in  lewd behavior. ( Ben is naked and attempting suicide – he is rescued by a middle age man, that  nestle him down to the ground.) That was just a tad bit much for me.  There was also a lot of talk of prostitution, sex for water,..there was even a couple that found time for sex,  while being surrounded by a horde of homeless people! Disturbing!

Highlights:  When the kid with the bandage hand is about to get busted for stealing a goat. Of course he has to stab the goat in the neck to keep it silent.  The killing of the horse looked all to real,…how they pulled the special effects off for that shot, I would like to know!?

I suggest watching this movie if you’re laying in a hospital bed. Surely a person would feel  lucky, after watching this depressing film.

I give ” Time Of The Wolf “  1*

Blood Brothers

Flaws:  This film takes place in the 1930’s, in Shanghai China. My only dislike with this movie would be the  “Hollywood”  glamour girls, club scenes. Did Hollywood really have that much of an impact on China in the 1930’s ? Maybe the makers of the film had the “Shanghailanders” in mind, during the making of the movie. ( Shanghailanders- White Russians and the Jews, that fled the Soviet Union during  1920- 1930 and took up residence in Shanghai.)   I also had a hard time keeping up with the main characters, the cam seemed to bounce from one scene to the next, without giving the viewer the chance to connect with any of the characters. I kept getting confused with fung, Hu, Jack, and Kang. Who is who?!  If I didn’t know anybetter, it kinda seemed as if the director ” John Woo” was more interested in capturing  stunning images of the Actors and nature, more so then developing intriguing characters. 

Highlights:  Without giving too  much away, I believe it’s when one of the brothers turn on the other. How heartbreaking this scene becomes!  I found it interesting that movie tries it’s damnest to become so “Americanized.”  A few of the fight scenes will get a chuckle out of anyone that has a sense of humor. For minute there I felt as if I was watching  “The Wild Wild West meets ” American Gansta ” on the big screen/flat screen.  Lu lu character was most entertaining, I’m sure most men will find themselves intoxicated by her beauty. Even though she plays the typical Asian trophy girl, she does add a little suave to this melodrama.

 

If you’re into asian films “Blood Brothers”  is worth watching. It drags in the beginning, but somehow manages to keep the viewer interested in the plot of the story.

 I give it *** stars.  It’s a  movie rental after all… and goes well with chinese food!

 

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Flaws: This movie was way too long, with not enough drama to hold your attention. I found myself ” Ironically” drifting off in thoughts about a gun man , walking into the theater to shoot sleeping movie goers. I notice a lot of elderly people seem to enjoy the movie more so then the young. ( Infact, a lot of the twenty something walked out, half way through the movie.)

Highlights: This movie will leave you feeling better about dying! I’m one of those people that overly consume myself with the fear of dying  “too death!”  Pitt comes up with some great quotes, that will make you think about life,  and what we’re  actually doing with our time on earth.

Brad Pitt is one sexy ass white man!  Now that I got that out of the way, this movie wasn’t all that great or bad. The casting was pretty clever, all though I hate the negro nanny roles in hollywood. ( The typical kind hearted,gutsy, … servant with an  IN YOUR FACE attitude.”) The white audience seemed to enjoy Taraji P. Henson ‘ Queenie’ character. I on the otherhand, had to suck up witnessing  miss Henson re-developing her childish  Baby Boy character, intertwined with some sort of a throw back niggress nanny role.

A few questions I have about the movie…I didn’t understand why no one seemed to question why Pitts character was aging backwards!  I know it’s just a movie, but unexplained conditions kinda iggs me with hollywood.  Someone should’ve at least sent Pitt to a doctor a few good times.

What importance did the old man being struck by lighting seven times have in the movie? I know it must’ve had some purpose, besides making the wheezing old couple sitting directly behind me, laughing their wrinkled lil asses off. I’m not even sure if they showed the seventh hit before the movie finished…did he die by getting hit by lighting? I guess it was perhapes used to represent life is nothing  more then chance…idk?

Could anyone  explain to me the purpose of the negro nurses, going back and fourth in scenes, with semi 411 information on the pending hurricane? Was this some kind of ‘apologetic’ subliminal message to black folks in the NO? ( Via Hollywood) 

I did however love the cinematography…I actually felt as if I was there with Benjamin, feeling the ocean spraying against my face! I also dugg the old New Orleans scenes.  I use to always wonder what the vibes were like for blacks during slavery, and the roaring twenties. Um, being that I came across so many black historical sites, with amazing stories attached to them,.. during one of my trips to the Cajun flavored city.

Last but not least…how in the heck did they get Pitts head on such a an old, feeble, tiny body?  If it was all done with movie magics, whom ever was behind the digital display did a wonderful job!

  I give this movie 4 stars. It’s worth seeing if you fear death as much as I do or have a lot of time to kill on your hands!

Anyhu..That’s my two cents and a movie ticket!