During the Japanese occupation of Shanghai in WWII, Wong gets asked to act in a political play. When the group realizes they want to make a greater impact, they set up a plan to assassinate the Japanese collaborator Yee. Using her acting abilities, Wong has to go extremely far to satisfy his needs and keep him unsuspicious. But how far is too far for her?
The Cast
The Trailer
Worth the Popcorn?
Taking a break from all the Hollywood fanfare, Ang Lee is back in his homeland to bring us another intense drama. Through the eyes of a young woman, he shows us nothing can be done without feelings. You can be the best actress around, but if you go in too deep, you will get sucked in. Setting this story during the Japanese occupation in WWII must have been a brave choice too. While he could have easily chosen a Hollywood blockbuster instead.
During the movie Ang Lee masterly skates on the line of friendship, sacrifice, betrayal and lust. Not only displayed flawlessly by actress Wei Tang, but even more so by actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai (2046). The only downside to this is, that the story needs a good hour to really develop. So take something to read with you if you're not up to that.
Cocaine Cowboys shows us the invasion of the Colombian drugs cartel in Miami. Transforming the scene with all their violence and different tactics. The story is told by the people that lived it and have or might still be paying their dues. They tell us how they changed Miami into the drugs and murder capital of the US.
The Cast
The Trailer
Worth the Popcorn?
Drug money, if this is a fascinating subject to you, there's no question you will like this documentary. In some ways, the story is brought in a pop cultural way, in the atmosphere of the 80's Miami. But the movie never judges. And doesn't give an opinion about the man that almost grinningly tells us how he used to cap people -- now living his glorious life in prison.
The director gives a real impression of what these times must have been like. Showing how a big part of Miami's skyline was build with drug money. And with much success, since he is getting ready to release his next film: Cocaine Cowboys II.
High-school teacher Dan struggles with his past, his ideals and all his inner thoughts about life. In the classroom he is mostly a man of great passion, staying far away from the boring history lectures. But outside, he looks to escape his mental pain with drugs.
One day, one if his students catches him doing drugs in the bathroom at school. Not judging him, they start to build up a relationship. But because of Dan’s own addiction, he isn’t the best role model to keep the student from making her own wrong choices.
The Cast
The Trailer
Worth the Popcorn?
Half Nelson. Is it the craftsmanship of Ryan Fleck or Ryan Gosling? I guess we should say Ryan Fleck, he's the director and co-writer after all. But if it wasn't for Ryan Gosling, I'm not sure if we would be talking about this movie. He gives such a passionate and touching performance.
On the other side though, would we be talking about Gosling if it wasn't for this story? A very real and emotional journey. It's sad, while inspiring. And a political comment, without being preachy -- or preaching at all. But it also shows some problems are just too complex. And we shouldn't always be looking for a plain right or wrong.
Because Amelie’s parents mistakenly thought she had a serious heart defect, she was brought up overly protective and never had a normal live. She rarely had any contact with people and therefore Amelie created her own world of love and fantasy. As an adult she moves to Paris, where she finds a box that belongs to the former occupant of her room. The box is filled with childhood memories and this is when she decides to make her fantasies a reality. She is about to change the lives of the people around her, in a very peculiar way.
The Cast
The Trailer
Worth the Popcorn?
'Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain' (French title) is a combination of originality. First, we have the magic of director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, with his own unforgettable visual style and storytelling – and with some help of cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel. Then, there's the story itself, full of quirks and charm. And lastly, Audrey Tautou, so genuine, funny, sweet and romantic. And with a pair of eyes you will recognize for the rest of your life. With two of those, you could probably pull off anything. But although Amelie might have grown up like a naive little girl, the movie itself certainly is not.
It's not every day you see a movie where everything falls together so perfectly. Lets not forget the incredible soundtrack while we're at it. If you will see only one French movie in your whole life, this should be the one. A overdose of positivity you cannot miss out on.
