" Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone."

Oldboy

This uniquely original film is about an everyday father and husband, Dae-su Oh (Min-sik Choi) who is imprisoned for 15 years without any explanation. When he is released he is given 5 days to discover the reason for his imprisonment. As Dae-su Oh comes closer to uncovering the truth he is befriended by a young woman, Mi-do (Hye-jeong Kang). When Dae-su Oh comes face to face with his kidnapper Woo-jin Lee (Ji-tae Yu) he is told that if he succeeds in finding out the truth he will kill himself but if he fails Mi-do will be killed. As Dae-su Oh attempts to uncover the motive for his imprisonment he struggles to balance his lust for revenge and vengeance with his new found love for Mi-do.

Korean director Chan-wook Park has certainly created an original film. Park has boldly created a film that is incredibly powerful, intense and at time very disturbing. The film is based on the Japanese manga "Oldboy" by Nobuaki Minegishi and Garon Tsuchiya with a complex plot that is rich with revenge, romance and mystery. Oldboy was very well received when it was released winning the Grand Prix (chosen by the jury of the festival) at the Cannes Film Festival, which was lead by president of the jury Quentin Tarantino in 2004. Since then the film has remained a must see film for cinema lovers.

I understand why this film has gained such a strong following and I urge people to go and see the movie, yet I caution viewers as the film is hard to watch. The film explores intense themes both psychologically, physically and most importantly emotionally that would be very confronting for some viewers. This is a film that caused me to turn away from the screen on a few occasions with the more graphic and unforgettable scenes including the eating of a live octopus (which was done in real life by the actor), watching a man cut his tongue with a pair of scissors and the famous hallway scene where a hammer is used very successfully as a weapon. The film includes complex themes such as incest and scenes of brutal torture that are certainly confronting for the viewer.

The film has an almost disjointed feel to it at times as scenes are paused, waiting to come to life. It is as if each scene has been meticulously staged by Park with the actors merely props in the narrative. Park achieves success in bringing the complex plot together, with each scene and character having a crucial role in the finished puzzle. Park has not wasted a single shot and there is no doubt that this is a film showcasing quality film-making. Min-sik Choi also has to be acknowledged for his riveting performance, his delivery is intense and captivating throughout the film. The character of Dae-su Oh is portrayed not as a bad man but as a very unlikeable man, Choi had the challenging job to create a character that exhibited ferocious violence yet at the same time achieve a degree of compassion and sympathy from the viewer.

The film is hard to follow at times as it is essentially a convoluted mystery. The plot remains unexpected throughout as little snippets of information are revealed as Dae-su Oh begins to uncover the truth he realises that the motivation for his capture involves his past. I kept waiting for a big reveal to come that would tie everything up when I was confronted by even more mystery and complexity. The conclusion eventually erupts onto the screen and I was left shocked and disturbed. There are certain films that just stay with you and Oldboy is certainly one of them, as I reflect on the film I am reminded of the powerful and violent scenes which the film is known for yet my overwhelming feeling towards the film is that it is a truly tragic story.

This is a challenging film that that may move you emotionally, will probably disturb you but will no doubt capture your interest. Oldboy is a film that will haunt you long after the credits have finished and for whatever reason you remember this film there is no doubt that the film is memorable.

" Everyone is a con man "

Dog Day Afternoon

Three young men set to rob a bank but as soon as they start things start to go wrong. It begins with one of the robbers bailing on the robbery after realising he cant do it leaving the other two men, Sonny (Al Pacino) and Sal (John Cazale) to deal with the escalating situation alone. The film is appropriately titled as things quickly go from bad to worse as the men find out that there is basically no money to steal as the vault was emptied earlier that day. Before the duo can leave with their measly reward the entire police force of Brooklyn arrives and surrounds the bank, swiftly followed by bus loads of reporters turning what was meant to be a simple bank robbery into a media circus.

The brilliant aspect to this film is that it is based on real events and once you see the film you realise that situations like these are too unbelievable to be anything but true. This film is not a conventional heist movie where the viewer is exposed to clever strategies and intelligent plans instead this film is about how two men got in well over their heads and how they tried to bargain their way to safety. I can't help but feel as if this is a forgotten film and doesn't have the reputation that it deserves. This is an excellent heist film and showcases one of Pacino's best performances yet he will always be remembered for other films such as The Godfather and Scarface.

This is on all accounts Pacino's film he takes control of the situation inside the bank and he meticulously tries to manipulate a way out. He is never made out to be a violent or aggressive character with his gun only for show. He even shows compassion with the hostages allowing them to ring their loved ones, have bathroom breaks, receive medical assistance and he even arranges for food to be delivered to them. Pacino is continually moving with his nervous energy and frantic eyes adding suspense to the film. Cazale on the other hand is the silent observer in the bank who has a much more threatening and unstable persona, yet he too is revealed to be just an ordinary man in an extraordinary situation. Cazale has a very familiar face yet he has only appeared in seven films as he tragically died in 1978 at the age of of 42. Even though he died at such a young age he has a very impressive resume appearing in The Godfather, The Godfather Part 2 and The Deer Hunter three films which are regarded as cinema classics.

The events in the bank are really quite comical as the two men display unconventional tactics and are evidently not stereotypical bank robbers. In fact you almost want them to succeed especially when Sonny chants "Attica! Attica!" referring to the Attica prison riot of 1971 where police used brutal force to control the uprising, causing the deaths of 39 people including 10 innocent correctional officers and employees. Sonny caused the building crowd to to cheer in support of him as they remembered the tragic events, seeing him almost as a hero.

The main events of the film unfold in the first 15 minutes and it is intriguing to see how the remaining three quarters of the film pan out. the film does drag out too long as Sonny and Sal try to manipulate their way to safety. The amazing director Sidney Lumet was no doubt trying to build suspense however it was a little unsuccessful in parts. Lumet was extremely clever in his direction as he basically had only one location to work with. Yet he was still successful in achieved a blend of drama, humour, tragedy and at times suspense when bringing this amazing story to life. It is a credit to the screen writing in the film to ensure the story is so engaging, most notable are the scenes where Sonny's motives for robbing the bank are revealed in a surprising turn of events. Being unfamiliar with the real life events I was unaware how the film would end, luckily the film had the dramatic ending that it deserved.

I couldn't help but feel sorry for Sonny and Sal and their tragically unsuccessful robbery attempt. The saddest part of the pairs campaign is that it was all for the heartbreaking sum of $1100. This is a film showcasing how not to rob a bank.

" Save Ferris "

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is a popular student who just wants to take it easy. Bueller hatches a well thought out plan to get a day off school, fooling his parents that he is sick whilst arousing the suspicion of his jealous sister and the dean of students Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones). Bueller manages to get his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) out of school and together with his best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) they set out for a memorable day off.


This 80's classic from writer/director John Hughes is a movie that you can watch again and again. It has gained something of a cult following due to its unforgettable characters, memorable quotes, and time less appeal. I had never seen the film before and was worried, as cult favourites often never live up to your expectations. Ferris Bueller on the other hand exceeded all of my expectations. The films of John Hughes such as Home Alone and The Breakfast Club have a certain nostalgic feel to them as he transports you back to your time at high school capturing the feeling adolescence angst, boredom and rebellion. The concept for this film is so simple; a self assured student takes a day off school and makes the most of it, yet the film is so effective earning its reputation as one of the best comedies of all time.

Broderick is an integral part of the movies success, his animated performance brings life to Ferris Bueller in what has become a truly memorable character.  Broderick showed so much potential back then yet he never really became a consistent actor, he will always be remembered for Ferris Bueller which is probably his finest performance. Jeffrey Jones is excellent as the stereotypically stern dean of students, who is adamant that Bueller is skipping school. Jones has excellent comic timing and embraces every scenario playing a similar character to Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern in Home Alone as he tries to catch Ferris in the act. There is also a very funny cameo like performance from Charlie Sheen as a drugged up criminal.

The film is as much about Cameron played by Alan Ruck as it is Ferris. Ruck provides the perfect portrayal of a teenager stuck in a miserable home life where his only stability comes from his rebellious and fearless best friend. Cameron's character transforms from a hypochondriac who is unable to prevent Ferris from taking his fathers priceless car, to a confident and determined character that is ready to face life. Cameron's character adds a meaningful element to the film making the film that more successful than if Ferris' best friend was a rebel like himself.

The film's plot runs on the same joke with Ferris and his friends nearly getting caught by Ed Rooney, his father, mother and sister. The joke is a good one though and allows for clever comedy. Perhaps one of the most pleasing aspects of the film is that they never do get caught. Despite the trio going too far (unless you live by Ferris Bueller's philosophy that one can never go too far)  the film ends the way the viewer wants it to, with Ferris having to face no consequences for his actions.

The film is memorable for so many reasons whether its Ferris Bueller's fashion sense consisting of leopard print vests and Hawaiian t-shirts, the Ferrari 250, the running joke of save Ferris that lives on in t-shirts and bumper stickers even today or the scene stealing parade with the performance of 'Twist and shout'.  For whatever reason you remember Ferris Bueller the memory is a good one. Ferris Bueller is rightfully a comedy classic that has been enjoyed by many for years and will be for years to come.