The Great – The Good, The Bad, The Weird

I had put off writing about ‘The Good, The Bad, The Weird’ (‘좋은놈,나쁜놈,이상한놈’, or ‘놈놈놈’ for short) for some time now for a few reasons. The first one is that I wanted to have a better understanding of the director’s style and thought process. Kim Jee-woon (김지운) is arguably one of the finer directors in world cinema today, and not just because he had the balls and temerity to make this film. Having had a closer look at his films, I have to say that as a director, he is one who is not scared of crossing genres and trying out new things. At the same time, there is also a very unique sense to his film, something that I don’t see in other film. I’ll get to this soon enough.

Can you believe it if I told you the fact that I haven’t seen the first film is the other reason?

The Malay and Malaysian Films – Where Are We? (part 1)

Malay films have been produced for almost 80 years, and it can be said that the time has come for Malay films to truly become Malaysian films. The problem, however, lies with the very definition of the term ‘Malaysian film’. In trying to define this, further questions can be raised: what will happen to Malay films? Will Chinese- and Tamil-language films made in Malaysia also need to be defined as Malaysian films? Or is the reverse is true?

These questions have been raised extensively by the new generation of Malaysian filmmakers and filmgoers. This paper will consider the issues at hand, and the complex questions that needs answering when it comes to Malaysian films. It will also give several different viewpoints, with the hope that this can kick start a dialogue and constructive discussion to further understand the shape and image of Malaysian films, for the sake of its own development, as well as the future of national art and film appreciation.

A Whole New World – Budak Kelantan

I bought the DVD of ‘Budak Kelantan’ almost as immediately as I saw it. Almost, because it was perhaps the second time I saw it adorning the shelves of Speedy Video. But even then it must be considered as something out of the ordinary, because I tend to debate a fair amount, internally, as to whether such investments would be worth the money I’d pay for it. Sure, it wasn’t particularly expensive, but I also consider what the other goods I could have bought with that same money. I believe, if I recall it correctly, that it’s called comparative goods.

Ah, A Levels Economics is but an age away.

Lightweight – Seven Pounds

Trying. That’s the word that kept jumping to my mind as I watched Will Smith’s latest effort, ‘Seven Pounds’. It is made by the same team that brought to you the sappy-but-in-a-good-way flick, ‘Pursuit of Happyness’. That particular effort managed to garner an Oscar nomination for Big Will, but I fear that perhaps as an actor, he has become to big for his own good. In way, it’s kinda like Tom Cruise, who delivered a great performance in Oliver Stone’s ‘Born on the 4th of July’. Ever since then, though, I’ve yet to truly see him sink his teeth into another meaty role. Of course, one could also argue that he could only truly play the roles offered to him, but perhaps he’s also enjoying being the hero.

I know I would. Enjoy being the hero, that is.

Fuyoh! – Ong Bak 2

When you enter the cinema, it is imperative that you remove all that you can from your memory of the first ‘Ong Bak’ film. A big part of that reason is because plot-wise, the film has almost nothing to do with the first one. In many ways, it is very confusingly titled; it suggests that there is a clear lineage between this and the first one. Nevertheless, after having seen it, we urge you to try your best to temper that particular part of your expectation down. It serves more as a prequel, a setting for the entry of Tony Jaa, rather than anything else. If anything, even the term ‘prequel’ should be taken as lightly as possible.

Done that? Purged it from your mind? Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, because there is plenty worth watching and waiting for in this film.

Milky Way – Milk

gay  (gā) 
adj.   gay·er, gay·est

1. Of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex.
2. Showing or characterized by cheerfulness and lighthearted excitement; merry.
3. Bright or lively, especially in color: a gay, sunny room.
4. Given to social pleasures.
5. Dissolute; licentious.

n.  

1. A person whose sexual orientation is to persons of the same sex.
2. A man whose sexual orientation is to men: an alliance of gays and lesbians.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.

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