TheMovieCritic_83
Joined Jun 2007
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TheMovieCritic_83's rating
Takashi Miike's 'Audition', is a film that begins like a drama, with tinges of romance, and gradually turns to absolute terror. If you aren't familiar with the directors work, this should give you an idea of what to expect...and should warn you that his films are not for everyone! Shigeharu Aoyama is a widower approaching middle age, whose son one day comments that he should re-marry (as it's been 7 years after the death of his first wife). He talks to a fellow friend in the movie business who comes up with an idea of holding an audition. The intention is for him to observe selected women, and choose one to eventually marry. Before the audition even occurs, he browses through the applicants and decides on Asami Yamazaki, a pretty, petite young woman who appears to have wisdom and understanding beyond her years.
As things move along though, something doesn't seem quite right about Asami. Her references and contacts don't seem to check out, and Shigeharu's friend who organized the audition, makes it clear that he doesn't like something about her. Through shots of her sitting alone with her head down in her apartment, and a mysterious sack tied up in the room with her, it's clear to the audience that things will take a turn for the worst...and they most certainly do!
Takashi Miike is unquestionably a talented and very skilled director. The film is characterized by dimly lit scenes, a minimal soundtrack, and an eerie atmosphere. One of the highlights is a scene down the staircase leading to a bar that Asami supposedly works out. It's creepy and unsettling. Even early scenes in the film, well before the horror starts, seem foreboding.
This is definitely not a mindless slasher film. 'Audition' is strong in all areas. It has intellect, character definition, atmosphere, and a well written script. The earlier scenes are quite slow moving, and will probably test the patience of some viewers. However, this only increases the tension, and that was exactly the director's intent.
The final scenes of 'Audition' are brutal and sadistic to say the least, yet somehow do not come across as excessive or exploitative. Either way, it's something that viewers probably should be aware of beforehand.
If the film deserves any criticism, it would be towards the end during the dream / nightmare sequences. I love ambiguity in films, however, I thought in this case, it let the film down somewhat. But aside from that minor quibble, this is an intelligent, horrific, yet stylish film. You may not want to see it twice, but it's hard to deny it's power.
As things move along though, something doesn't seem quite right about Asami. Her references and contacts don't seem to check out, and Shigeharu's friend who organized the audition, makes it clear that he doesn't like something about her. Through shots of her sitting alone with her head down in her apartment, and a mysterious sack tied up in the room with her, it's clear to the audience that things will take a turn for the worst...and they most certainly do!
Takashi Miike is unquestionably a talented and very skilled director. The film is characterized by dimly lit scenes, a minimal soundtrack, and an eerie atmosphere. One of the highlights is a scene down the staircase leading to a bar that Asami supposedly works out. It's creepy and unsettling. Even early scenes in the film, well before the horror starts, seem foreboding.
This is definitely not a mindless slasher film. 'Audition' is strong in all areas. It has intellect, character definition, atmosphere, and a well written script. The earlier scenes are quite slow moving, and will probably test the patience of some viewers. However, this only increases the tension, and that was exactly the director's intent.
The final scenes of 'Audition' are brutal and sadistic to say the least, yet somehow do not come across as excessive or exploitative. Either way, it's something that viewers probably should be aware of beforehand.
If the film deserves any criticism, it would be towards the end during the dream / nightmare sequences. I love ambiguity in films, however, I thought in this case, it let the film down somewhat. But aside from that minor quibble, this is an intelligent, horrific, yet stylish film. You may not want to see it twice, but it's hard to deny it's power.
Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert are the stars of Frank Capra's legendary romantic comedy, 'It Happened One Night'. Decades later, the film still feels fresh, has lost none of its charm and is a pleasure to watch.
After the opening credits (accompanied by some appealing theme music), we are introduced to Claudette Colbert's character of Ellie Andrews. She has locked herself in her room on a boat which belongs to her over-bearing father. He is threatening to annul her very recent marriage to 'King' Westley because he disapproves of him. After an argument develops, she jumps ship and swims for the shore, with the intent of going straight to New York to meet up with her new husband. While taking a bus trip to reach her destination, she encounters Peter Warne (played by Clark Gable), a newspaper reporter who eventually recognises her after seeing a front page story of her as a runaway. After he threatens to turn her in unless she stays with him in order to give him headline news, she reluctantly makes the cross country trip with him. Things don't always go to plan, which allow some humorous scenes, and there is an attraction that develops between the two. The question then, is who will she end up with by the time the film ends?
This is a film which deserves its status. Not only is it a wonderful, feel-good movie, it is great in all aspects of cinema, and has hardly dated a bit. The films energy and performances from all the cast keep the film from feeling stale, even after more than 70 years. The script is cleverly written with some truly laugh-out-loud moments. What makes this film even more remarkable, is the fact that few people involved in it, with the exception of Frank Capra, had much faith in it. Even the stars of the film, particularly Claudette Colbert, were unenthusiastic to say the least. Thankfully though, the film turned out incredibly well.
'It Happened One Night' also has a place in cinematic history for being the first film to win all 5 Oscars in the main categories, an achievement that was not equalled until 1975's 'One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest'. Some viewers today remark at how unlikely it would be for a romantic comedy these days to receive such an honour. That being said, it's not a film that is going to be forgotten any time soon, and it certainly should be seen.
After the opening credits (accompanied by some appealing theme music), we are introduced to Claudette Colbert's character of Ellie Andrews. She has locked herself in her room on a boat which belongs to her over-bearing father. He is threatening to annul her very recent marriage to 'King' Westley because he disapproves of him. After an argument develops, she jumps ship and swims for the shore, with the intent of going straight to New York to meet up with her new husband. While taking a bus trip to reach her destination, she encounters Peter Warne (played by Clark Gable), a newspaper reporter who eventually recognises her after seeing a front page story of her as a runaway. After he threatens to turn her in unless she stays with him in order to give him headline news, she reluctantly makes the cross country trip with him. Things don't always go to plan, which allow some humorous scenes, and there is an attraction that develops between the two. The question then, is who will she end up with by the time the film ends?
This is a film which deserves its status. Not only is it a wonderful, feel-good movie, it is great in all aspects of cinema, and has hardly dated a bit. The films energy and performances from all the cast keep the film from feeling stale, even after more than 70 years. The script is cleverly written with some truly laugh-out-loud moments. What makes this film even more remarkable, is the fact that few people involved in it, with the exception of Frank Capra, had much faith in it. Even the stars of the film, particularly Claudette Colbert, were unenthusiastic to say the least. Thankfully though, the film turned out incredibly well.
'It Happened One Night' also has a place in cinematic history for being the first film to win all 5 Oscars in the main categories, an achievement that was not equalled until 1975's 'One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest'. Some viewers today remark at how unlikely it would be for a romantic comedy these days to receive such an honour. That being said, it's not a film that is going to be forgotten any time soon, and it certainly should be seen.
Jim Jarmusch's star-studded, black & white 'Coffee and Cigarettes', is a series of short films that study human interaction. The film literally involves nothing more than a string of celebrities, sitting down (generally at cafés), drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes and making conversation.
Anyone who has seen anything from Jim Jarmusch will be well aware of the unconventional and quirky style that he uses. It may put some viewers off, but there are always audiences that relish when a director steps outside of the mainstream and does something completely different. The films may not make it big at the box-office, but they are a testament to the directors love for art.
From the above description, it's pretty clear that this will not be a film that everybody will embrace. As with most indie and art house films, it will mostly appeal to a specialised audience. Some viewers will certainly be put off by the lengthy sequences of dialogue, and the occasional aimless feel that the film has. This does, however, seem to be the point. The film is purely an observation of life.
Even though not all of the films sequences are on the same level, it doesn't affect the film too much overall. All scenes are punctuated with amusing moments and humour, and the black & white cinematography looks and feels great. Jim Jarmusch has captured the quiet, aimless and sometimes awkward moments that occur in peoples daily lives wonderfully. The cast (including Cate Blanchett, Iggy Pop, Steve Buscemi, Bill Murray and Alfred Molina) are all great, and the acting (needless to say) is of a high standard. The film is certainly worth viewing, but will unfortunately never have mass appeal.
Anyone who has seen anything from Jim Jarmusch will be well aware of the unconventional and quirky style that he uses. It may put some viewers off, but there are always audiences that relish when a director steps outside of the mainstream and does something completely different. The films may not make it big at the box-office, but they are a testament to the directors love for art.
From the above description, it's pretty clear that this will not be a film that everybody will embrace. As with most indie and art house films, it will mostly appeal to a specialised audience. Some viewers will certainly be put off by the lengthy sequences of dialogue, and the occasional aimless feel that the film has. This does, however, seem to be the point. The film is purely an observation of life.
Even though not all of the films sequences are on the same level, it doesn't affect the film too much overall. All scenes are punctuated with amusing moments and humour, and the black & white cinematography looks and feels great. Jim Jarmusch has captured the quiet, aimless and sometimes awkward moments that occur in peoples daily lives wonderfully. The cast (including Cate Blanchett, Iggy Pop, Steve Buscemi, Bill Murray and Alfred Molina) are all great, and the acting (needless to say) is of a high standard. The film is certainly worth viewing, but will unfortunately never have mass appeal.