Haeundae, Joe Versus The Volcano

Haeundae (2009) Directed and written by Yun Jae Gyun.
It is a disaster film and the special effects were good. Koreans have a knack for melodrama (at least as far as I'm concerned) I planned on being entertained by the over melodramatic scenes (disaster films are not really faves of mine) but I have found myself crying towards the end (I blame Sol Kung Gu, a good actor even when in a not so age appropriate role)

Joe Versus The Volcano (1990) Directed and written by John Patrick Shanley.
I remember liking this film way back and I enjoyed it again at this second viewing. I understand why the box office was not very good though (despite the lead actors being Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan).
I also watched a big chunk of Kate and Leopold which I didn't like when I first saw it but felt more at ease with it this time around (Meg Ryan's lip job was obvious and not in a good way though) and I never think Hugh Jackman is a good romantic lead (good in a film like Australia but again not as a romantic lead).

Rock On! Ali ile Ramazan - End, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest

Rock On! (2008) Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, written by Farhan Akthar, Pubali Chaudhuri Abhishek Kapoor.
I liked it more than I thought I would. Even shed tears during some scenes. Decent film.

I have finished Ali ile Ramazan and very glad that I did, do not plan on checking that one out again soon.

And finally the last of the Salander series (as I call them), The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest. It is sad to know that the writer is dead since the first two novels were of my own heart and I'm really into the third one which starts right where the second one ended.

Closer, Six Suspects - End, Ali ile Ramazan

Closer (2004) Directed by Mike Nicholls, written by Patrik Marber (from his own play).
I don't know how many times I have seen this film but I like it just the same each time. It is not hard to wonder why though since I love Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts, think Clive Owen a brilliant actor and both he and Jude Law are very easy on the eyes.
Lots of close up shots of the actors, everyone looking really natural (no botox or such enhancements) it is a good film about relationships and breakups.

I have finished Six Suspects, enjoyed it very much and started Ali ile Ramazan (can be translated as 'Ali with Ramazan' I suppose) It tells the story of two men who grew up at an orphanage (one of them sexually abused by the director, the other witnessed his mother killing his father and then commit suicide). Written by one of my favorite novelists Perihan Magden, this novel is good but certainly not a very enjoyable read. And not because of the profanity or the sex scenes but because it is so sad. Our pov is Ramazan who is a whore but he loves his boyfriend very much and tries a way out. Ali is more damaged, addicted to paint thinner and whatever pill he can get his hands on, he is slowly giving up hanging on to life despite the fact that he loves Ramazan just as much. It is a very sad tale and I know that it will not end well since this is fiction based on real life. Ms. Magden read the story on page three of the newspaper and decided to write a novel.

Bend It Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham (2002) Directed by Gurinder Chadha, written by Gurinder Chadha, Guljit Bindra, Paul Mayeda Berges

I remember loving this film the first time I saw it but I didn't like it as much in this viewing. It is still a nice film but didn't leave that emotional impact.

De Dana Dan, Sliding Doors and still Six Suspects

De Dana Dan (2009) Directed by Priyadarshan and written by Rajasenan
I thought I wouldn't like this one but the second half won me over. I love farce and this was done very good. The lead actors Akshay and Sunil were old for the parts.

Sliding Doors (1998) Directed and written by Peter Howitt.
I liked it a bit less at this second viewing but still it is a nice rom-dram.

Six Suspects is good and entertaining and sometimes brilliant but I'm not in love with it.

Avatar, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall-End, Six Suspects

Last night I watched
Avatar (2009) Directed and written by James Cameron.
I liked it very very much. James Cameron tells good stories and it was visually amazing too (again Mr.Cameron knows how to do things right)

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall has ended and it was good to the last drop. Maybe I like it more than I would have because it is a religious book and I'm a religious person. I don't know. It was good though.

Now I started Six Suspects written by Vikas Swarup (whose Slumdog Millionaire was a good read) and it started very well, I hope it keeps that way :)

IRIS - End, Vengeance and still The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (I'm enjoying it a lot)

I have finished IRIS and it was strange that I was distanced from the drama as it went forward in story. It ended predictably and the only time I shed tears was when N.Korean assassin confessed her love for our hero - to her superior.
It was not an emotional drama and the action scenes ended up being the only good things in it. And I do think that secondary guy is more handsome than our hero.

Vengeance (2009) Directed by Johnnie To, written by Wai Ka Fai .
I love this due and I did enjoy the film despite the fact that I had seen all before. Johnnie To is a master. The opening scene I knew that the bullet will come out of the key hole and blew his brains out but I was startled none the less. Go To!