Aug 15 2008
Do you know that feeling you get after watching a powerful and meaningful movie that speaks to you? One that would leave a mark on your perspective and forever change you?
Rak haeng Sayam, or
The Love of Siam, is one such movie. Despite it being out for almost nine months, I have just heard about it from Chris when he visited last week. I briefly looked it up online and made the mistake of judging it as a cheesy teenage drama from its sappy looking poster, but the charmingly good-looking protagonists were enough to get me interested. Without much to lose, I decided to download the director's cut version, which is about thirty minutes longer than the original with a three hour running time, and give it a try. It was as much a pleasure as it was a curse to have watched this film. It hit something tender and lonely in me, and I have so deeply immersed in the story that I have already watched it three times in the past few days. I'm a sensitive and emotional person, but I don't remember when was the last time a film has made me cry.
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Jun 8 2008
I have been looking forward to seeing Prince Caspian as soon as I heard about its release date. I went to Shatin with my little sister and brother yesterday afternoon hoping to watch the movie but it was sold out, so we bought tickets for today’s showing instead. I still remember how much I’ve liked The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe despite its many symbolism and analogies to the bible. This one is pretty much the same in terms of biblical inspirations in its story. However, I think it’s a lot more powerful and entertaining.
Ben Barnes disappointed me as Prince Caspian though. He’s not quite up to the role I must say, especially with his lack of expressions and emotions. For me, the magic of the Narnia series still lies in the four Pevensies, Edmund in particular. Skandar Keynes did an amazing job given his limited screen time in this movie. His character certainly doesn’t have a big part in the story but he is very likable and charming with the few key scenes he has, not to mention Skandar Keynes has certainly grown up nicely *grin*. William Moseley is still gorgeous but his character, Peter, annoys me sometimes. I think to some extent his role and Edmund’s have somewhat switched in this second installment.
Prince Caspian is quite a bit darker than The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, perhaps because the children have grown and Narnia has lost many of its magical elements as the Telmarine invaded the world. However, I guess director Andrew Adamson tried to balance it out with more witty dialogues, which bring the story to a lighter note every once in a while. It certainly did feel like a roller coaster ride. Now I am really looking forward to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Perhaps I should get started on the books while enduring the long wait to 2010.
