Thoughts: Based upon a novel by Dennis Lehane, two young Boston detectives are investigating a young girl’s disappearance which leads to deeper issues for them personally and professionally. Casey Affleck did a great job and I quite like him as an actor compared to his brother. However, I can’t say the same for Michelle Monaghan. She seems out of her element here with amazing actors like Morgan Freeman, Amy Ryan and Ed Harris. The entire film had a Mystic River vibe to it and I have to give Ben Affleck some credit. His direction wasn’t terrible and I can see him doing more work; just please no more acting.
(M) Leben Der Anderen, Das (The Lives of Others). (Florian Henckel von Donneersmarck, 2006) Grade: A-
Thoughts: Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Muhe) is a wiretapping expert with the Stasi (East German Secret Police) during the mid-Eighties who is assigned to monitor Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch), a play writer with views against the totalitarian state. Over the course of listening to Georg and his girlfriend Christa-Maria Sieland (Martian Gedeck), Wiesler begins to question his own loyalties to his government and what his life is all about. The Lives of Others won best foreign film this year and deservedly so. It was a fascinating look into East Germany from a more honest perspective. It is tragic that the lead actor Ulrich Muhe died this past year because he was a very strong actor.
(M) Finishing the Game: The Search for a New Bruce Lee. (Justin Lin, 2007) Grade: B-
Thoughts: This mockumentary follows various actors as they try to become the next Bruce Lee. After Bruce Lee’s shocking death fans were left stunned and studios were left with 12 minutes of footage for his last film The Game of Death. With a new young director and his bossy, aggressive casting director, various potential Bruce Lee candidates fight for the role. I liked that Justin Lin took on this project. It was on a smaller budget and you could tell it was more a labor of love and that the cast had a great time making it. The entire cast was wonderful but it was great to see Dustin Nguyen again. If the name is not familiar think back to 21 Jump Street and Officer Harry Truman Loki.
(M) Yin Ji Kau (Rogue). (Stanley Kwan, 1987) Grade: C
Thoughts: A cheesy romance/ ghost movie starring Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung, two of the biggest stars in Hong Kong at the time. I have to admit I didn’t love the movie but it is definitely a classic in Hong Kong cinema. So sad that both Anita and Leslie died in the same year, 2003.
Movie Count: 106
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