Last Life in the Universe
Directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. We're introduced to an obsessive compulsive, librarian named Kenji, who resides in Thailand. Then there's Noi, a Thai native and a quixotic woman of questionable nature. The two meet & they interact through broken versions of the opposite's language (Kenji's Japanese speak versus Noi's Thai speak) and simplified English. It's a very conventional premise, Hollywood's over-milked genre, two opposites gravitating towards one another. Pen-Ek Ratanaruang conveys that element in such a surreal way, you'll wonder why he's not more widely known. Cinematography is done by Christopher Doyle; anything his camera touches becomes ethereal. (and sexy)
The Fountain
I've been familiar with Darren Aronofsky's work since his first film, Pi. (Pi came
prior to another mainstream Hollywood film that also included schizophrenic mathematicians) His next film, Requiem for a Dream, became a cult classic and my personal 1.5 hr reminder of why I'm glad I've never taken drugs. (but have known to write drug-induced sounding rant)
Mid 2006, the trailers peppered the net with its visual eye-candy and an assumed premise of either time-travel or immortality. On the 4th of December, that same year, (it was colder than penguin nipples) I purchased my tickets and entered an almost-empty screening room. (3 of the 5 being film bouncers)
What's the film like? Just look at the poster! Look at it! I'm not an expert on aesthetics, I can't explain why this appeals to me. But, believe me when I say this: if my tear ducts were still functioning, I would've been crying manly tears.
It's an artsy film. When I mean artsy, I don't mean take-a-shit-on-the-canvas-and-call-it-art artsy. If you enjoyed the eclectic nature of Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction', Wong Kar Wai-esque cinematography and Camus existentialism, I still won't guarantee that you'll enjoy this film. Too Hollywood to be considered art-house, too art-house to be considered Hollywood. I love this film, just the same.
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Aronofsky is currently working on a wrestling film staring Nicholas Cage. I believe in the guy's talent, I mean, it's there. I just have to stop my mind from screaming SELLOUT. Oh darn it.
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