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A devastating meditation on the human cost of war, this animated tale follows Seita (Tsutomu Tatsumi), a teenager charged with the care of his younger sister, Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi), after an American firebombing during World War II separates the two children from their parents. Their tale of survival is as heartbreaking as it is true to life. The siblings rely completely on each other and struggle against all odds to stay together and stay alive.
I tried watching this beautifully crafted anti-war film about 4 years ago, but couldn't finish it! Not because it was bad in any way, but it really does pull on the emotional heartstrings, and not always in a good way. This is not the kind of film to watch if you're already in a depressed frame of mind; and likewise, if you're in a good mood don't be surprised if you end up the other way after watching this.
I watched it again a couple of nights ago, and this time I got to the very end, but OMG did I cry! And this film isn't just live on its anti-war message, but it looks at more personal feelings such family bonding, loyalty and the will to hang on to life against all odds!
Your emotions will be sorely tested, and it is advisable only to watch this film if you have a strong will to do so, as it will crush the stoniest of hearts into dust.
The directorial debut from filmmaker James Wan, this psychological thriller comes from the first screenplay by actor Leigh Whannell, who also stars. Whannell plays Adam, one of two men chained up in a mysterious chamber. The other, Dr. Gordon (Cary Elwes), like Adam, has no idea how either of them got there. Neither of them are led to feel optimistic by the man lying between them dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Together, Adam and Dr. Gordon attempt to piece together what has happened to them and who the sadistic madman behind their imprisonment is.
Possibly the granddaddy of all "torture-porn" films, and certainly captured the imagination of the public as it became an immense box-office hit on its release in 2004, winning over $100 million on just a $2 million budget.
However, when you sweep away the smart editing and the gruesome torture scenes , you are reminded of the need for a good logical story, and this film doesn't have it! And neither is it particularly engaging, probably because both lead characters are not at all sympathetic or redeeming. And as a consequence I really couldn't have cared if they lived or died. And it's because of that lack of character empathy that makes this film shallow and pointless.
The only highlight was the ending, but having said that I could see that coming almost from the beginning.
This particular saw lacks teeth.
2/5
Last edited by Just Zola; 02-24-2018 at 12:32 PM..
"Game Night" Jason Bateman, Rachael McAdams
Funny in spots but after the Douglas shooting some of the pretend shootings were not so funny--maybe effected my grade
6/10
Kyle Chandlar has tough time finding a product
Nice to see Michael C Hall in unexpected role
Some plot parts just didn't fit...
"Game Night" Jason Bateman, Rachael McAdams
Funny in spots but after the Douglas shooting some of the pretend shootings were not so funny--maybe effected my grade
6/10
Kyle Chandlar has tough time finding a product
Nice to see Michael C Hall in unexpected role
Some plot parts just didn't fit...
Michael C. Hall is the biggest waste of talent I've ever seen, in terms of Hollywood.
His acting range is surreal, played complete opposite characters in Six Feet Under and Dexter.
He's able to change his appearance massively just by choosing a different facial expression.
He'd win a bunch of Oscars if he was given high profile roles.
M. Emmett Walsh plays Visser, an unscrupulous private eye hired by Texas bar owner Marty (Dan Hedaya) to murder Marty's faithless wife Abby (Frances McDormand) and her paramour, Ray (John Getz), one of Marty's employees. But Visser is no more up-front with Marty than with anyone else; he makes some slight modifications of the original plan so that it better serves his own best interests
A truly remarkable entry for the Coen brothers, with film noir references throughout! The relatively unknown cast back then, do an exceptional job turning a routine story into something rather more unsettling and disturbing. M. Emmett Walsh, in particular, is outstanding here as the untrustworthy private detective, and seems to revel being the underhand slime-ball from beginning to end.
I also enjoyed Frances McDormand's slightly naive, slightly waifish performance who really comes into her own during the final stanza.
My favourite quote is right at the very start with Emmett Walsh's cynical soliloquy:-
Quote:
Now in Russia, they got it mapped out so that everyone pulls for everyone else-- that's the theory, anyway. But what I know about is Texas...And down here... you're on your own.
A good entertaining film
4/5
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