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The Fountain is the essence of film, it not only evokes emotions but it compels you to pay attention and learn. You can't say that about any other film. However, despite how good this film truly is, 8 out of 10 people will walk away perplexed, annoyed, or generally unhappy. This is because America is truly not meant for a film this complex. This is terrible, because The Fountain just leaks awe inspiring imagery. The Fountain will be hard to crack for most people, and the odds of it turning a profit is ludicrous. However, despite these things, this film is truly an alternative minded success in my mind, and I believe anyone with a brain in their head and an open mind will love The Fountain.

Park Chanwook made the perfect conclusion to a trilogy with Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. The three films work off each other beautifully, and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance is far from a disappointment.

The acting is top-notch, with cameos from Park Chanwook's first two films intermingling with new talent. The directing is superb, not quite eclipsing Sympathy for Mr Vengeance or Oldboy but coming quite close.

Park's directing style is solid and distinctive, he builds off earlier films and ideas to give an air of intensity surrounding the most innocent of scenes.

SFLV cuts back on the violence and focuses on personal turmoil, a welcome change from the beginning of his revenge trilogy. The only thing holding back from a perfect score is a slow ending, one which is necessary to bring the trilogy to a close but still slightly treading.

All in all, this film represents a master finishing his masterpiece, should be viewed by everyone, and works perfectly as a separate film and not a piece of a trilogy. Violence is minimal compared to Park's first two films, but is graphic.

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance is one of the few films that will make people cry not out of sadness but love.

While Miyazaki's other films may have more beauty and aesthetics, Princess Mononoke contains something special: Purpose. And a glorious purpose at that. Though slightly violent, Princess Mononoke teaches a valuable lesson to all children who watch it, and should be placed on a pedestal with other films like Requiem for a Dream. While some may scoff that films can't teach life lessons, Princess Mononoke stands out with its healthy, wholesome, and beautifully crafted message to our next generation. However, while the message deserves to be heard by all, and should be required viewing at schools, the film still has some imperfections. Though I am not usually a stickler, the love aspect and lack of solid good/evil is both a strength and a weakness. Too many decisions are left unexplained, and too many characters experience too many changes too fast. Regardless of its faults, Princess Mononoke is a beautifully constructed film, and should be required to be shown to all children.