Confessions

Ratings: 8.2/10
Film Class: B+
Genre: Suspense Thriller (Japanese)

A grieving teacher who lost her daughter discovered that those responsible for her death are in her class. Spiking their milk packets with HIV, she develops a diabolical plan to bring justice to her daughter's murderers who are protected by the juvenile law in Japan.

One of the best Japanese films I've seen and it ranks top as the most artistic Japanese film I've laid eyes on. The trailer delivered an apt sense of what the film promises, and it turned out way better than my expectations. From the trailer, it felt like a non-serious serious movie, which threatens its acceptability to the general public. Light-hearted music incorporated into a serious movie about juvenile murders, the way I see it, it either makes a movie, or breaks it. In this case, it not only makes it but delivers an extraordinary feel to this seemingly solemn movie. This movie is proof of history in the making, it sets a whole new genre, a whole new class of screenplay.

The cinematography and the choreography were exceptional in bringing out the artistic mood of the storyline. I loved every minute of the film despite it being a dialogue driven movie, narrative style. Compared to the recently viewed Hollywood movie Limitless, the narration of the various characters' confessions were engaging and pleasantly disturbing.

The direction of the movie shifted towards multiple climaxes, defying convention and predictability. And the director was able to fully bring out the most forgivable aspect of an artistic film, absurdity amidst realism. It reminded me of the ending of Black Swan, where everything was still realistic until the very end, there was a drastic change in the perception of realism because the absurdity was merely a metaphoric depiction of what the protagonist was going through.

A mix of Eden Lake (juvenile crimes), Black Swan (artistic) and Death Note (Kira-like characters). The aptly melancholy and shrieking score, the occasional vintage-colored shots, the every once in a while establishing shots of the gloomy sky... everything was beautifully executed to enhance and bring out the mood of the movie. A great watch, a great experience and definitely a great movie to check out if you love deep and artistic movies.

Disturbing, thought-provoking and provocative Japanese movie which may "haunt" your senses for a long, long time...

Limitless

Ratings: 6.9/10
Film Class: B-
Genre: Suspense Thriller

A degenerating writer's life changes when his ex brother-in-law introduces to him a pill that is able to unlock 100% of his brain. The movie was exactly what you would expect from watching the trailer.

It doesn't guarantee a blockbuster movie experience, with the almost grainy-like cinematography, it feels like a lower budget movie. It reminded me of Push. However, there was a good storyline and a handful of interesting camera techniques incorporated. I have not seen that many "fast forward" scenes in a single movie. It gave a refreshing feeling into what the main lead might have encountered (which I believe was the director's intention) and how he's moving so quickly ahead of time.

This definitely isn't one of the best narrative-style like movie as well. The narration wasn't engaging (possibly Bradley Cooper's voice lacked the capacity to mesmerize his audience) and there were loads of unexplained events in the storyline. *spoilers ahead* There was no mention of whether what he did during the 72 hours he lost, and the ending was a gigantic cliffhanger. The definition of a cliffhanger isn't about the lack of explanation of an obvious scenario, but the absence of an explanation in a scenario with many possibilities.

I'm uncertain if that was the true intention of the director but because of the lack of revisitation, it made the movie irritatingly incomplete. The movie turned out as I had expected, no standing ovation, no applause, no gasping for breaths and no "wow"s in my head, just an "ok, wasn't a complete waste of time" kinda movie.

*major spoilers ahead* When the credits rolled, it almost made me think that the director was indirectly saying that taking drugs is good. Of course I don't think he meant that, but from the way things progressed, who wouldn't wanna stand in the protagonist's shoes? But, but... I liked one particular part of the movie. It created a interesting view on how the rich and powerful individuals up there got to where they were... because they were all dependent on that one miracle pill. There's possibly no such thing as true capabilities.

Bottomline, pretty good, nothing fantastic. Seen better.

Season of the Witch

Ratings: 7.0/10
Film Class: B
Genre: Action Thriller

Decent movie which flutters between the action thriller genre and the horror genre. Managed to sit through it without jumping up in my seat so the action thriller genre preveils. The movie plays with your expectations and throws a totally new direction towards the end. I'm fond of the storyline, as well as the castings.

Nicholas Cage and Ron Perlman make quite the exceptional duo, almost like the Ghost Rider meets Hellboy teaming up to battle against a common evil. Was an overall watchable movie about 2 outcast crusader knights escorting a priest, a swindler and a young wannabe knight to meet the monks of a faraway abbey. "Conveniently", their final destination is like most others movies such as the Lord of the Rings, tucked away amongst the most remote part of the country, filled with dark obstacles and life threatening encounters.

It didn't feel like a low budget movie because of the CG (though not fantastic but was decent) as well as the 2 main leads. In fact, I kinda liked the ending. Enjoyed how Nicholas Cage was able to get out of his seemingly hopeless situation despite all odds. And like most other Nicholas Cage movies... hmm... then again, I shan't spoil it for you. If you're a follower of his movies, you know what I mean. And this movie is no exception.

Recommended.

Eden Lake

Ratings: 8.0/10
Film Class: B-
Genre: Suspense Thriller

Eden Lake is possibly one of the most provocative and disturbing films I've seen. This doesn't really categorize as a slasher movie, but has elements of it. The gore wasn't extreme, and was kept to one particularly squeamish scene. There are many films of such genre, but not one whereby a group of kids are the ones doing the terrorizing. Kudos for this intense and mind-stretching film which defies convention and brings juvenile crimes to a level no movie has ever been before.

A couple's peaceful weekend retreat at Eden Lake is disrupted by a group of teenage kids. An unfortunate incident flared things up and pushes the limits of the juveniles. Though the ending wasn't entirely original, it was highly apt for such a movie. Its not an ending that may be well received by the general public, but its refreshing to witness harsh realities come to life on the big screens every once in a while.

Highly recommended, but prepare yourself for an intensely hardcore film that perpetually spikes that adrenaline level or yours. The story development and progression were unpredictable and I was gasping for air countless times throughout the movie. And the best part of it, it's not an exaggeration! Eden Lake really pulls you in and creates a comparable sense of fear and helplessness that the protagonists were experiencing. All of these could be due to cinematography, acting and scripting. But regardless of which it was, one or all, this movie is certain to be one of the most memorable suspense thriller because it outstandingly brings out the ugliness of human nature and ironically the beauty of nature all in a single package.

Stone

Ratings: 6.4/10
Film Class: B
Genre: Drama Thriller

An arsonist uses his wife to seduce and manipulate his parole officer in hope of getting him out of jail. The movie started with a disturbing tone, which set a misleading pace to the movie. The opening felt detached from the rest of the movie, but gave us a short insight into the background of the parole officer, Robert De Niro.

The casting was excellent, Edward Norton once again brings out a raw uncouth character since his role from American History X. This time, there's some "Zen-ness" in it. Robert De Niro never fails to deliver. Milla Jovovich made good as the eye candy in this dark film about deception, temptation and redemption. There's some twist in the storyline, and though the scripting wasn't fantastic, it was really nice seeing the cast in action.

Wasn't much climax in the movie, but it's a movie that will leave you thinking when the credits roll. An unconventional abstract film that isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Time Traveller: The Girl who Leapt Through Time

Ratings: 5.0/10
Film Class: B
Genre: Drama

A school girl, Akari leaps through time to find her mum's first love, believing that it was the only way to bring her mum out from her coma. Back in time, aided by another school boy Ryota to search for her mum's first love, she also experiences what it's like to fall in love.

I had hoped so long to catch this movie on DVD since I missed it in the theatres. Got it, watched it, and was utterly disappointed. Adapted from a manga series, the movie should have been of decent viewing. But it was just boring, confusing, and rather redundant. Didn't learn anything out of this movie, didn't receive any satisfaction from it and I didn't know why in the world was I even so hyped up about it in the first place.

The title and the poster are the most marketable items of this movie, the trailer would have shed insight into what this movie would have promised which I unfortunately didn't catch. Slow paced, weak script and story. Decent performance by the cast but it's barely enough to salvage this movie. Time wasted watching it and I shan't waste any more time on my reviews as well.

Devil

Ratings: 7.0/10
Film Class: B

Genre: Thriller

Five people stuck in an elavator turn on each other after realising that the devil is one of them and is slowly wiping them. From this movie, M. Night Shyamalan has shown that he still has got it in him... prolly not as a director but more as a writer. His past few movies haven't been the best of his works, but I think with Devil he has redeemed himself.

For one, you don't have to worry that it'll be boring after a while nor is it a cheap budget movie because it doesn't just span around in the elevator. There's other complementary scenes about various characters contributing to the storyline. The way the devil wipes out the passengers in the elevator is rather well thought of, the director was able to keep the suspense tight with each black out event and it becomes a much feared moment not just for the characters but for the audience as well.

Seat gripping, intense and an ending well worth waiting for. Though the acting wasn't fantastic, the story was able to atone for it. This isn't a horror scary movie just thriller scary so you don't have to garner that much courage to watch it. Isn't the best of films, but with time to spare, this is a movie not to be missed.