asurasuria-1 Reviews

Live and Become (2005)

please support this wonderful film!

[8/10 · 8 October 2006]

OK, so i may have some gripes with it artistically, but when you consider the fact that this is one of the first feature films dealing with the migration of Ethiopian Jews to Israel made by people who actually lived through the experience, those factors become less important. This film has spirit, and that is hard to come by these days. It's imperfections, I think, lie in the fact that this story has been kept under wraps for so long and it was difficult for the filmmakers to know where to begin. It touches on most of the major issues that refugees face in Israel, and is a strong and inspiring beginning to opening up this experience to further filmic treatment. Word has it that the distributors are currently trying to get enough viewer-ship for this film to reach New York and LA, so please support this film! It is an experience not to be missed.

V for Vendetta (2005)

Great Ideas via Hollywood Inc.

[6/10 · 3 September 2006]

Is this film Hollywood? Yes. The shot structure is rather characteristic of plot-driven Hollywood style and all the traditional elements are there. But, I'm willing to forgive the subtle romantic subplot, the classic one-liners, and the lack of confidence in the viewer for a sufficient grasp of complexity and praise it for its daring. This film is a play on the parody of our times, and is, by all means, worth seeing. Do they drive the "message" in too deep, yes. Several of the senseless melodramatic elements (especially towards the end) could have been omitted, leaving something that would make a much greater impact. (Watching this film you can clearly see how the Hollywood formula was slapped on it with little regard to maintaining the integrity and intensity of the script.) Anyhow, I applaud the Wachowski brothers for approaching a construct of American issues with a nazistic/communistic sensibility that could have only been gained through generational experience of both Eastern Europe and the US. In short, go see this film, and don't be afraid to take bathroom breaks after the first half.