The Tudors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Released Date: August 2007

Episodes: 10 (Season 1)

Genre: Drama, History, Romance, Sex (Sadly too much of it)

Rating: NC-16, can be squeezed down to a PG if extensive exclusions of sex scenes were to be taken. (Currently not airing in Singapore).

Ugly Betty Season 2

Date Released: 27 September 2007 – 22 May 2008

Episodes: 18

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Fashion, Family, Mystery, LGBT

Rating: Previously NC-16 (Singapore), but now it is most likely banned due to LGBT content.

Best Singaporean Documentary of 2008

Title: One Nation Under Lee

Year Released: 2008

Rated: Banned (Singapore), most likely a G (Overseas)

Genre: Documentary, Society, Singapore, Governance

Oldboy

Year Released: 2003

Rated: R21 (Singapore)

Genre: Neo-Noir, Mystery, Thriller

Oldboy was the breakthrough movie in South Korea in 2003. This movie is the second of the the trilogy of movies (The Vengence series) directed by Park Chan Wook. I got to know of this movie while surfing the net to find out more about the Korean singer/actress, Uhm Jung Hwa. She starred in the last movie of this trilogy titled “Sympathy with Lady Vengence”. What drove me to watch Oldboy was not only the taboo scenes of violence, like severing of tongue and inserting metal wires into the skin as DIY tattoos, but because the plot revolved round a simple basis, the vicious cycle hearsay and rumour development. Of course, this theme is reminiscent in Thomas Hardy’s tragic “Return of the Native”, Oldboy has taken this theme further, creating a breakthrough gore-thriller movie that puts Hollywood to shame.

Boku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru

Based on the manga by Kotomi Aoki, the story revolves around the love between twins Yori and Iku. The storyline differs from the anime version.

The story starts off when Iku mentions to her brother Yori how she should reply to a dating proposal. Yori then professes his love for her, asking her to choose, which she did. Later, as their relationship is found out, Yori is torn by his decision, realising that they do not have a future together, but unable to put their love aside. He attempts to forget about Iku by going out with someone else, but this in turn hurts her.

The story is told beautifully. There’re no ‘eeks’ feelings towards this incestuous relationship. Instead, we’re captivated by how innocently this two young people are in love with each other, we even forget for a moment that they’re twins.

The pace of the movie is quite laid-back. Long scenes of silence, with a smattering of dialogue. Huge pauses, scenes with little movement. Kinda makes it difficult to sit through for an impatient person like me. That’s why the beginning was…really kinda bland, with all the time given for the characters to develop.

We see an indecisive Yori, who can’t decide how to protect Iku from their relationship. He pulls Iku to him with his declaration of love, yet pushes her away fearing she might get hurt, then decides not to lie to himself about his feelings and chases after her again.

Iku, on the other hand, does not give a deep impression. Her character is simple…..just devotion to her twin brother. Instead, it is Tomoka, the girl whom Yori dates to forget Iku, which leaves a stronger impression. Her one-sided love towards Yori will never be reciprocated, yet she still chooses to force herself upon Yori. There is no happiness to a forced love, so what is she trying to achieve or fulfill?

The ending however, was unexpected…in the feelings that were brought out. The duo journey back to the field which holds much memories for them and find it destroyed. Iku burying the flower ring is a significant hint as to how the story will end. The field is destroyed, things that are past can’t be returned to.

Then we’re caught unawares in a light hearted moment, with the duo playing a childhood game. Suddenly the tragic moment arrives…

It is difficult to put into words why such a simple story with such simple characters is able to turn out so touching. Perhaps it’s the final scene…so much that is left unsaid, yet the scene is bursting with all the feelings that have been repressed throughout the entire show. It is really the end…

As the credits start to roll, my eyes start tearing up. Crystal Kay’s voice singing the ending theme…the sense of hopelessness, despair….yet beneath…the knowing that life must still go on…

A simple story, simple characters, simple dialogue….sit down and watch it without any expectations. Sometimes we have return to the simple things to discover how touching life can be.