Night Watch & Day Watch

 

Two films in one today. Based on the fantasy novels with some changes is the Night Watch and Day Watch films. Together they form an overarching story fantastical/political/action film about a supernatural underworld where you choose whether you follow the light or darkness who are currently in a truce. The Night Watch comprises of those who have chosen light who watch those who have chosen darkness. The Day Watch are those who have chosen darkness who police those who choose the light. Together these two agencies battle whilst strangely enough keeping a peace of sorts to prevent outright war. Nothing is quite as it seems and the films are rather twisty and confusing if you have not read the books. I'd give it a 2/5 if you haven't read the books and 4/5 if you have.

I couldn't find a trailer again so you get a short review with some clips which to be honest explains the film plot better than me.

Kamikaze Girls

Another film I started and got interrupted on. Ended up buying the DVD for and never regretted it.

 

This is a Japanese comedy about a small town girl, Momoko, who doesn't fit in. Momoko loves lolita fashion and her family is a mess. One day she meets another outcast - Ichigo. Ichigo is in a biker gang and she interrupts Momoko's life and eventually becomes her best (and only) friend. Recommended watching 4/5.

Couldn't get the trailer to link in properly so click here.

The Girl King

Went to watch this on my birthday with my mother - then got very embarrassed when lesbian sex started. With that out of the way let me get started on the film...

This is a historical drama about a reforming unmarried Swedish Queen alone on the throne at the time of religious upheaval between Protestants and Catholics. This sounds a lot like Elizabeth 1st but with an addition - hence my embarrassment because I didn't know that. The addition being in reality Queen Christina was suspected to be a lesbian, in the film they make this explicit. For some reason even though English was a second language for the actors they mainly spoke English some intonation was off a bit which was off-putting. Loved the outfits though. Overall I'd rate the film a 3/5.

Alag

 

This is the Bollywood musical version of Powder. Had some changes to the original. It was ok but not earth shattering. Have the feeling perhaps I should try a different Indian film at some point? Rated 2/5.

Kind of a trailer and doesn't have any subs - sorry.

Memories of Matsuko

 

A man tidies the very messy flat of an aunt he knew nothing about after her sudden death. During the process he learns a lot about this mysterious woman that was Matsuko and the circumstances, ups, downs and events of her life. In the process he also starts to get some ideas as to what lead to her death and gets some life to himself. Interesting and heart-warming it is also unfortunately far too long. 3/5.

No subs and an annoying partly blocked screen I'm afraid but all I could find!

Little Big Soldier

 Written by and starring Jackie Chan this Chinese film is another action-comedy flick about the two soldiers left standing at the end of a battle from opposing sides. One a rather cowardly peasant soldier played by Jackie Chan, the other a rather prideful warrior prince played by Leehom Wang - a new to me actor. When Chan's character attempts to kidnap the prince for his bounty the two end up as unlikely allies as things go to pot. I enjoyed it and it was a bargain at 75p at CEX. I'll give it a 3/5 because sometimes fight scenes can just be too long.

Also I couldn't find the trailer for this so you get Jackie Chan singing the theme song to clips from the film instead.

Run, Lola, Run

 

This is rather a cult film I expect you may have heard of already. Have to say I did enjoy watching it and seeing how little things changed the time line each time. If you haven't heard of the film before the basic summary is Lola's drug dealing boyfriend has lost a lot of money on the train and is in line to be killed by his boss if he doesn't get it in time.  Lola then runs against the clock trying to get the money and get it to her boyfriend in time. This rewinds and happens again and again with different consequences as Lola struggles against the clock. Recommended watching 4/5.

Fan made trailer for the film as I can't find the official one.

Let the Right One In

A horror film that was more psychological freaky that jumping freaky. Oskar is a lonely bullied boy who late one night meets a girl in the playground outside his apartment strangely immune to the cold and having a strange relationship with her "father". Meanwhile the bodies in the area are piling up mysteriously missing blood. The police are searching for suspects whilst the bullying of Oskar is getting worse. Things all come to a head in a shocking climax I did not expect. Recommended watching 4/5.

Couldn't find a trailer so here is a home made music video to film clips.