I Come With the Rain (2008)

A failed attempt at renovating in the way of writing and presenting a film. The story was shattered into many pieces, loosely related and makes no sense. The pieces couldn't connect to make a puzzle. There was an idea somewhere. Over-identifying with murderers and psychopaths was interesting enough to make up the whole film. Supernatural healing power had potentials but the way both were presented had nothing. Much less the part about the gangster obsessed with his girlfriend.

Lee Byung Hun was beautiful as ever with his perfect body and flawless English. He brought as much as he could out of the character. His eyes carried the obsessiveness of it. But that was all to it.
Kimura Takyua looked so much like Kim Nam Gil at moments he stuck in my memory.

Cinematography was .. well.. awful.
Rock music was everywhere all the time. Some great songs played.
Anyhow, a total waste of time and talents.

Lees verder

Disturbingly Intriguing

Yes, that's how I would describe this; disturbingly intriguing.

I might be alone in saying this but I actually enjoyed this film. The casting was excellent, the characters were all disturbing and gritty in different ways, the atmosphere was dark but interesting, the soundtrack gave it a unique feel, and the acting from the main characters was really, really good.

The low score and bad reviews probably come from its confusing message. Usually there's a clear message in a film so people can understand what they're watching. At first you think you're watching a regular old investigative mystery, but it takes a turn real quick and ends up becomming a blend of supernatural, philosophical, and religious ambiguity. I feel like I'm supposed to be asking myself questions while watching this, but I don't know what ones lol. Confusion like that will never be well-received by an audience. It's unfortunate because this was actually a pretty good movie.
The romantic storyline between Shitao, Lili, and Su Dong Po was the most interesting part for me. I wish they had gone even further with that and spent more screen time with them.

Cast:
Lee Byung Hun can't be tamed. He's absolutely perfect here despite the writers doing him dirty by giving him an underdeveloped character to work with. Elias Koteas was born to play a serial killer. Seriously, he's got the perfect voice and facial expressions, or lack there of. And then there's Takuya Kimura. He had the most confusing character of all, and yet managed to give a great performance.

Watch this at your own risk of being either highly disturbed or highly disappointed. Just don't try to understand it too much and you might end up appreciating it; confusion, gore, religious symbolism and all.

Lees verder