The Road Home Chinese(2000)

This is one of my top ten favorites. It's a simple story of how a man's parents met and fell in love, but it's also one of the best films I've seen. The acting, photography, and setting work together to create a memorable movie. Be sure to watch it in the orignal Chinese with English subtitles to get the full effect.

From the very start of this movie, it will draw you into the intimacy of the most private thoughts of the characters. There are thoughts about life, death, love, loss and loneliness. The contrast of the black-and-white present with the ecstatic color flashback scenes of the past are so sharp, it is almost emotionally overwhelming.

Zang Yimou successfully captures what it's really like to fall in love for the first time through his use of cinematography, unparalleled attention to detail, and, as always, a strong cast . Unlike most romance movies, there is no love-making in this film. There is no kissing. The characters show their love through little things that we often take for granted: preparing food, giving small yet meaningful gifts, and other gestures. Like most of Zhang Yimou's films, there is relatively little music, however, the music that is there is perfect. A mesmerizing story of love and loss based on Bao Shi's novel: "Rememberance,".

The story of the romance between 18-year-old Zhao Di (Zhang Ziyi from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon plays the young Di) and Luo Changyu is the focus of the movie. They are perhaps in love from the moment their eyes meet. In a world of arranged marriages, this freedom to love is unique. Di has her heart set on Luo from the minute she sees him. She pursues him like an shy animal hunting in the forest. She views him from afar and slowly works her way into his heart.

You will want to cry because this movie is so incredibly beautiful. It is beautiful in its simplicity. Director Zhang Yimou has made one of the most beautiful movies you will ever see. The music by Bao San fills any space you would possible have to draw a breath and escape from being absolutely captured by every scene.

I will gladly read subtitles for a movie this good. I dont want to tell you all the detail because I dont want to give everythingf away. There are hardly words to tell you how this movie absolutely enchanted me. 10 stars would not be enough.

City Of God Review

In Brazil there are 120 million people. 50% of them are under 21. 28 million of them live below the lowest standards set by the International Children's Rights Agency of the United Nations. Last year 7,000 boys from 12- to 22-years old died in shootings. This is the background for the disturbing Brazilian film, City of God, directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. City of God is a "favela" (government housing project) on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro where the Brazilian government dumped undesirables and homeless in the 1960s. The film is based on real events described in a novel by Paulo Lins, who lived in the project for thirty years and spent ten years researching the events. It is an unsparing portrait of a sociopathic generation, where manhood is determined by who can kill the most. When a child is ridiculed for being too young to join one of the gangs, he replies, "I smoke, I snort. I've killed and robbed. I'm a man."

The film’s title is very ironic. This is a not a blessed city, its the city God forgot. Some say that the name of the favela refers to the fact that most of these young men get to see God quicker than anyone else. For survival, there are only two choices: kill or be killed, become part of the crime element or be consumed by it. L’il Ze chooses the first option, rising to the ranks of gang leader. Rocket opts instead for the second, becoming a photographer, and documenting the hell that L’il Ze supports.

Not only are the characters in City of God absolutely fascinating, and also very endearing, but also convincingly acted by groups of young and unknown actors. The stories are well-told, and at times, funny, and at others, brutally shocking.

The cinematic style of the film gives a nod to Tarantino, with some clever time-jumping, freeze-framing, and texts indicating another chapter of the film.

Easily one of the best movies of the the decade. I believe this is one of the most powerful, and truly realistic stories, that can truly show the hardships of reality, and the decisions given to people, and how they choose to accept different opportunities. All the of the characters are wonderfully developed and all have their own identity to add to the message of the film. The locations in which the film was shot are almost a character unto themselves and I left wanting to see more of this slum of Rio de Janiero.

***** Great Movie Dont miss it

See this link for info on the slums in the movie. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/15/1047583738542.html