Category — Movies

The Guitar (2008)

I have a new, absolute, favorite movie.  It played at the Starz Denver Film Festival a couple days ago.  It premiered only a couple weeks ago November 7, 2008 Sunshine Theatre, New York. The story evolves around a woman who is diagnosed with cancer and has but a little time left to live. Almost everything that can go wrong at that moment in her life does. Work, relationships, health… what is left. That is what the movie follows, and it is a beautiful story. And it all comes down to a familiar question… what in life is really valuable.

There are certain things that happen in a life that may, or may not, change everything.  It all depends on what you learn from them.  I don’t feel like telling a story about me, or a story about this movie.  It is well worth seeing.

I had to laugh, the guitar craving she had is something I have had.  And this film might just have pushed me over the edge of crazy enough to buy it.  Anyone have any recommendations on whether to buy used or new or helpful tips?  Once you see the movie you will know the exact model I want.

If you can do it, I recommend going to see the movie without watching the trailer below. See it as I did, with only a vague idea but no visual on what the movie will be. Or if you need to know a little more to be persuaded see the link below or visit the web site above.

Either way, life is short.  Don’t waste it.

Peter Gibbons: …Do you ever watch ‘Kung Fu’?
Joanna: I love ‘Kung Fu’.
Peter Gibbons: Channel 39.
Joanna: Totally.

You probably recognize these lines from the classic cult hit “Office Space”. If you don’t recognize it please just play along.

For those of you who do remember this scene you also probably remember that instant connection, the spark, the magic in Joanne’s (Jennifer Aniston) eyes the moment Peter’s character uttured those fateful words “Kung Fu”. The reaction was so great the scene could have been filmed in slow motion with “Kuuuuung Fuuuuu” and her eyes fluttering open with joyous rapture.  Hey, to some this genre is just too dang fun and we have no qualms saying it.

Well WAHOO!!!  Head to the theater and get ready for a fast paced, well thought out, creative, thrill ride Muay Thai Fighting style.

If you are a fan of Martial Arts and Kung Fu and have been waiting for something worth seeing after years of blight, your wishes have been granted with thisThai Martial Arts Film “Chocolate“.  The film is in the Alternative film lineup within the Starz Denver Film Festival. Last night’s screening was the true test of how good the film was.  The audience cheered the start of the film following an enthusiastic intro describing briefly what we were about it see… the story of an autistic girl with a special talent for learning how to deliver martial arts smackdown.  And hold onto your seats, the premise and plot were great and the martial arts were incredible.  The actress, Yanin “Jeeja” Wismitanant is the real deal with years of Muay Thai training (5 years we were told) just in preparation for this role.  It showed, and the film was done with the old school and sometimes painful method of no wires and no cgi.

The best endorsement for the movie was what I heard around me (and coming from me) during the flick.  With some of the best action punches/kicks/hits the audience reacted with their “Oooohs” and their “Ahhhhs”, their flinches and winces, their enthusiastic roars and their hearty laughter as Jeeja’s character develops, seeks her justice, and we actually care.

I love Film Festivals for just this reason.  I love to be introduced to non mainstream films in sometimes obscure genres that just never make the big screen…. but are so so good.

Chocolate is directed by Prachya Pinkaew, who also was behind Ong-Bak, Born to Fight and Tom Yum Goong.

Grade:  A-  and A+ if you love Kung Fu Movies

Last night was the famous “Big Night” in the Denver Starz Film Festival lineup. Last year the movie selection was Juno which went on to make some major numbers in the box office and earned Screenwriter Diablo Cody an Oscar. The year the film selected, “Slumdog Millionaire” was presented as the next dynamo. The question is… will it be?

I have to admit I loved it. I am not sure if it will get an Oscar for screenwriting (not that it won’t) but I can say that the scenes of India, mostly it’s raw underbelly, are spectacular. The problem I have with most movie reviews is that they give too much away. I was once told that the best way to see a film is with as little advance information as possible. Don’t watch the trailers (maybe you already clicked on the link above), don’t read the detailed reviews. Just go and experience it yourself and form your own opinions. But in reality most people need to at least learn enough to know what films to see.

This movie is one to see. But you might have to search to find another screening. Which reminds me to thank the folks at Starz Film Society for putting together such a great festival.