Opal Dream (2006)

This blog post will be a little different than some of the others because it is going to require some reading. I found this cool study guide for the film published by the San Francisco Film Society. It has lots of background info on the film, the actors, and the filmmakers as well as questions to help you think about the film in new ways.

So, for this post, I want you to open up the study guide. Start by skimming through the entire thing to get a sense of what all is in there. Then, focus in and read one, two, or maybe even three sections that appeal to you (or just read the whole thing) then answer all of the following questions:

• What did you learn from the study guide that helped you appreciate this film more? Explain? How did the study guide help you think about the film in new ways?
• What did you learn from the film, from the study guide, or from extra research you've done in connection with the film about Australia? Why is this knowledge valuable?

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

This is the first of Baz Luhrmann's Red Curtain Trilogy (which also included Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge). These three films are not united by plot but rather by the following characteristics:

1. The audience knows the ending from the beginning.
2. There is a theatrical element of some kind.
3. There is a heavy emphasis on art and form.
4. There are elements that remind us that the world we are seeing is not real.
5. Related to the above, the films can be described by the term "fantastical realism".

It is important to remember that Strictly Ballroom was the first of the Red Curtain trilogy films (and Luhrmann's very first feature ever) so he didn't yet know that he was going to make a trilogy that would follow those rules. For that reason, this film might not follow them as strictly as the latter two Red Curtain films ... or maybe it does.

So, for your blog post today, you only have to do one thing: write about how well the film adheres to each of the five elements of the Red Curtain trilogy mentioned above. Refer to specific moments or attributes of the film to make your point. Or, if you feel the film does not do one of those five things very well, write about that and back up your opinion with instances from the film.

Princess Mononoke (1997)

So, this 132 minute masterpiece is like the Star Wars of anime. I love it because it is just so epic!

OK, now I want you to read the quote from Miyazaki (who directed this film): http://imgur.com/gallery/60fev

After reading that quote, please answer both of the following questions:

- How does what happens in Princess Mononoke relate to the quote I had you link to above? Do you agree what Miyazaki says in the quote? Why? How does that quote help you better understand what is happening in this film?

- What did you think of the dubbing of this film? Usually, Disney puts a lot of money and time into casting and directing the voice acting of Miyazaki's films. Do you think they did a good job with this one or would you rather we had watched it with subtitles? Explain.

Castaway On the Moon (2009)

I hope you enjoyed this film which I sometimes describe as "Korean Tom Hanks in the City". JK. I really appreciated this film for its cinematography, humor, non-conventional storyline and characters, and serious yet whimsical tone. It really worked for me. I am curious to know how it worked for you. Please answer two of the following questions:

- What is the theme of this film? Explain.

- Did you enjoy this film or not? Explain.

- How would this film be different if it were made in the U.S.?

- What did you learn about Korean culture by watching the film? What questions about Korean culture did it raise?

- What was the dilemma of each of the two main characters? How did their dilemmas relate to each other? What is the filmmaking trying to say by putting these two dilemmas side-by-side?

After Life (2009)

Well, I hope that you all enjoyed After Life. It can be a little slow at times (with lots of music-less scenes of people talking about the meaning of life and what not) but I personally found it to be a real gem of a movie. Answer two of the following questions:

- How did what we saw in the film relate to what we learned about some of the traditional Japanese views of the afterlife?

- What memory would you choose?

- What do you feel is the theme of this film? Explain.

- Also, the film mentioned the "Great Earthquake" a lot so you could do some research and what exactly that is and report on it in your response.

Alright ... COMMENT!

New Police Story (2004)

All right, all you rapscallions,

You were privileged to experience some wonderful kung fu cinema this week.  I'm a very jealous man, because that is one of my favorite genres of film.  Ever.

You just watched New Police Story.  Now, I have heard that Mr. Chan has attempted serious films with serious stories before, but until this film, I had never seen one.  Much like Bollywood films, Hong Kong cinema is known for throwing action, comedy, romance, and all sorts of zaniness in its movies.  And, they are indeed zany.  I mean, Mr. Vampire anyone?  There are more reasons than I know for why this is I'm sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if, similar to the Indian film culture, people in Hong Kong wanted - and thoroughly enjoyed - getting a bit of every genre for the price of one ticket.  And, one of the funniest guys in Hong Kong has always been Jackie Chan.

Why do you think this film, a 2004 release, was more serious?  Was it Jackie Chan getting up there in years, he's no spring chicken anymore (although you wouldn't guess that sometimes, the dude is still as agile as heck), and wanting to show the world he is a serious actor?  Was it because Americans, who typically have less of a liking towards mega-genre-mixing movies, are now starting to see more and more films from Hong Kong in their theaters?  Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was monumental in bringing Hong Kong cinema to mainstream audiences.  The film came out in 2000, four years before this one.  Do think that has anything to do with it?  

This is interesting to me.  The film had, in places, a very Dark Knight vibe, with the scary masks worn by the evil dudes...

Yet, this film came out four years before The Dark Knight (2008).  Initially watching it, my gut feeling was how much it was trying to mimic that movie, but upon realizing it came out first... was Nolan trying to mimic Hong Kong cinema?  Maybe the pendulum swings both ways?  Maybe, as the world gets closer and closer together, thanks to the internet and more and more theaters showing international films, maybe we're just all borrowing from each other all the time.  Which is cool.  

Anyway, your questions:

Did you like this film?  Why or why not?  Did you like it more or less than Iron Monkey?  It's a different movie, different fighting style, different time period.  Which did you like more?  Why?

All around, what is your opinion of Hong Kong cinema so far?  And, what is your personal opinion as to why this film had a more serious edge than most Jackie Chan films?   

BRITISH CINEMA:Some Important Filmmakers & Film Studios

IMPORTANT BRITISH FILMMAKERS
Alfred Hitchcock
 North by Northwest (1959), Vertigo (1958), Psycho (1960), Rebecca (1940), Rear Window (1954)
Charlie Chaplin
 The Kid (1921), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), & The Great Dictator (1940)
Michael Powell
 The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), Black Narcissus (1947), & The Red Shoes (1948)
David Lean
 The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and Oliver Twist (1948).

CURRENT BRITISH FILMMAKERS
Ridley Scott
Edgar Wright
Danny Boyle

IMPORTANT BRITISH FILM STUDIOS
Ealing Studios
Elstree Studios
Pinewood Studios
Shepperton Studios

Iron Monkey (1993)

I hope you enjoyed Iron Monkey for all it's Hong Kong gender-blending and awesome fight scenes. I hope it was also a pleasurable adventure in other-culture exploration that helped you become a better world citizen.

Please answer two of the following questions:

• In your humble (or not so humble) opinion, what is the theme of Iron Monkey. Provide three examples from the film that illustrate this theme.
• How did what you've learned in this class about Hong Kong cinema and Hong Kong in general help you to appreciate this film more?
• Since watching the film, what additional cultural research have you done that has helped you appreciate the film more? Please share it with us for the benefit of all.
• How did this film help you become a better world citizen?