Just watched CJ7 and would you believe, I cried all the way through it. And I'm still tearing up thinking about it. Call me emo if you will but I was far from gloomy when I put the disc on, and I am still not actually sad. I'm just very moved. VERY moved. Much more than I expected to be. This film is gorgeous, emotional and funny.
Xu Jiao, the young actress who plays his son, is incredible. A gifted natural actress and comedian. You get the funny feeling watching her that she is much smarter than everyone around her, even Mr Chiau...which is really cute. She really broke my heart and I'm sure she's going to be a huge star. I usually hate kid actors but every single kid in this film was a great character. In fact every actor did a great job, as you'd expect, even the flower vase. And even the cgi Magic Alien Dog was adorable! That I did not expect. I got quite upset when they were beating it up...my favourite bit is when they get it do the standard Chow acting test...you know...rapid fire expressions... house burned down, won the lottery, doggie died, one after the other. Hahahaha! That really pushed the cgi envelope. Its expressions were incredibly real and affecting, for such an unreal creature.
Mr Chiau himself is subdued but as beautiful as always. I think he has done a very honorable thing making this movie even if he has sold a bunch of fluffy toys in the process. He has chosen integrity over cheap glory and vain stardom and reaffirmed his position as the defender of the under dog, the champion of the poor and down trodden.
God, I am crying again. I wonder if this effect is common with this movie. I almost never cry at fictional cinema. WTF? Maybe it was the scenes of the skyscraper construction site where he is a coolie, the dizzying views, the terrible grueling endless labor. Watching Stephen live such a hard life is emotional. And also I think a lot of his childhood hurts have been expressed here. The horrible teacher, and the bullying class mates. It all feels very personal in a way. Even the love of the Alien Magic Dog, is really for his own Bull Dog.
And it wasn't at all moralizing. His touch is as light and
deft and humane as ever. It was funny sweet and sad. I laughed almost
as much as I cried, sometimes both at the same time, which was a weird experience.
I think anyone who loves their pet will cry, and anyone who loves their dad, and anyone who has ever been a child.
Wah!
five stars plus
and the final scene...
:DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!
P.S. It's all about Loving The Alien
^___^
Didn't think this would last long enough to post, but it's still here so I have to spam it everywhere.
Watch it!
Go to YT and watch it there in high quality while you still can.
Hiroto has the kind of fringe my mother used to give me when I was 7, halfway up his forehead. It never suited me, but it looks strangely good on him. Very Cro-Magnon! ;p He's is in full manic gurning mode too...in fact they have packed every single one of their trademark moves and emotions into this PV.
And Marcys haircut, which at first I thought was vandalism, actually adds to his boyishness I think. Their silhouettes are very dramatically used in this video. Its subtle and perfect in its depiction of both them and the song. Which is awesome. I love that song!
*dances*
I think レッツゴー宇宙 Lets Go Uchuu is even better though, even if it is hella short...that guitar sound is awesome.
Found this interview very interesting too.
"It is not easy to bring the images out and make them into paintings. Like a mother trying to deliver a baby, I have to help those formless images struggling to gain form. It is a pleasure, and at the same time, it is a pain. They try to come out every day, giving me no choice but to become a painter."
Mediocritie in Love Rejected
by Thomas Carew
Give me more love, or more disdaine;
The Torrid or the frozen Zone,
Bring equal ease unto my paine;
The temperate affords me none:
Either extreame, of love, or hate,
Is sweeter than a calme estate.
Give me a storm; if it be love,
Like Danae in that golden showre
I swimme in pleasure if it prove
Disdaine, that torrent will devoure
My Vulture-hopes; and he's possest
Of heaven, that's but from Hell releast:
Then crowne my joyes, or cure my paine;
Give me more love, or more disdain.
@
Don't ask me what metaphysical poetry has to do with Kings Beach.
Nothing :p
When I grow up I'm going to write poetry.
Well I already do, but it's too lame to post ;p
