Visual Feast: Painted Skin

Painted Skin: 2008: +-: Action/ Romance:  I heard a lot of great things about this movie from other movie buffs, and I was really surprised just how good this movie was.  As of late, I have been somewhat ambivalent toward the movies I've been watching and didn't even want to review any.  I forgot that sometimes you need to step away from the crowd to find the movies worth watching. Once I started to watch it, I dove right into it.

 
Don't worry, the water's just right!

Since this is a foreign film with subtitles, its authenticity is heightened and I found myself hardly noticing the captions as I almost knew what was going on.  This happens rarely and demonstrates excellent cohesion between the on screen action and the plot development.  It's hard to explain but once you watch it you will definitely get the idea.  It wouldn't have been nearly as polished if there were English overdubbing.


You think you know what's going on without reading the subtitles?

Gordon Chan has a huge following and now I know why.  Painted Skin had just the right amount of plot twists, action, romance, and symbolism to get you hooked right away.  The action is pronounced because it happens almost by accident in the movie and never seems forced.  The final fight was superb and definitely worth watching the movie.   


The action in the movie was never forced.

There is a lot of water symbolism in the movie as well as symbolism between mercurial life and the after life.  Without giving away too much of the movie, the main interplay is between demons and humans who both envy each other.  During a solar eclipse, one can become the other.


Water played a huge symbol in the movie as rebirth.

The special effects were outstanding and I was actually so impressed by a few of the scenes that I had to rewind the movie a few times.  Overall, I watched the movie about 3 times.  The demons were done with such striking beauty that it was almost uncanny.  


This scene with the mother demon was incredible.

After awhile, I caught myself just watching the movie and not trying to analyze it or think too much about it.  It was a fantasy world that drew you in and played with your head, much like the characters in the movie get enraptured in their own events.  


This movie definitely puts you in another world.

Comparing this to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon would prove pointless because this is more of a philosophical piece rather than martial arts with some romance included.  If I had to compare them though, I would say this movie is better, but in a different way.  It just had more balance and seemed more on an epic scale.  


This is not Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon!

At the end of the movie, you are completely satisfied and there isn't that empty feeling that is sometimes felt when a movie isn't completely finished.  Every detail was obsessed over in this movie and it shows.  My favorite scenes are when the main female role fights the mother demon and the final fight scene which was very well done.  Again, I just watched this movie and didn't really feel like critiquing it.  


Just watch the movie and save the critiques for another time!

Definitely catch this movie if you can, it's a hard one to get a hold of and was on Netflix for only a few days.  90%

A Blast from the Past: Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice: 1988: ++: Comedy:  This was on television the other night and I decided to watch it to relive some of its humor.  At the height of Tim Burton's career, Beetlejuice, or Betelgeuse, is a highly original and creative movie about the supernatural and their encounter with a bio-exorcist.  A couple recently died and much to their dismay, their house is being invaded by super yuppies from Manhattan.  Now that's a plot line!


Invasion of the super yuppies!

If you've seen it, which is very likely, watch it again.  If you haven't, don't miss out on this one.  Everything from the music to the scenery, lighting, casting, etc. are all outstanding and there are very few movies like this one.  There are many stand out scenes but one of my favorites is when Barbara and Adam (played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) are in the Netherworld awaiting further instructions from their case worker.


Darn, there's always a line..

Winona Ryder, who appears in Edward Sissorhands, puts on a great performance as a brooding, goth girl who hates just about everything and wants to live in darkness.  She plays a big role in the movie but I won't give it away as it lends to some of it's charm.


The two sides of Winona, dark as Lydia and the beauty queen in Sissorhands

It definitely appeared that Tim Burton liked Winona because he featured her in two, or maybe more, prominent films he directed.  I always wondered about her career.  I also often compared her to Christina Ricci because they were both in the approximate same era and played key roles in movies that were sometimes off the beaten track.  

 
Somewhat similar actresses take very different paths.

Maybe it was the whole shoplifting thing that Winona got into. After that incident, you didn't hear much from her at all and took a "hiatus".  A few films here and there and one with Woody Allen I believe, but it seems like that took a huge toll on her career which is a shame because she was a capable actress.  It seems pretty ridiculous for just $5,500 worth of jewelry.  Maybe the judge wasn't a film buff.


Maybe those items fell into her bag?

You can't talk about Beetlejuice without mentioning Michael Keaton, who basically took over the movie.  Essentially every scene he's in draws a laugh and makes you really get into the movie. This is the type of performance that makes a career or type casts you.  


Beetlejuice enjoying the finer things in life!

One of my favorite parts is when he touches the dead lady's leg while her torso is on the other side.  I also liked when he goes through his credentials such as living through the plague, attending Harvard Business School, and watching The Exorcist over 100 times, "and it keeps getting funnier".


Always the perennial gentleman, Beetlejuice has a one track mind.


Step on up, it's always a party when Beetlejuice is around.

Another scene that is a cult classic is the Belefonte Banana Boat Song, and it's pretty catchy I must admit.  Aside from that, Danny Elfman gives us his usual orchestral gloom but it sets the mood perfectly.  This really marked the time when Burton and Elfman were making amazing films that were way ahead of their times.  I think that Burton was heavily influenced by Kubrick and this movie demonstrates this a few times with the sets and angles. 


The possession scene was one of the more memorable parts of the movie.


Perhaps an ode to Kubrick?

The movie was a huge success financially and critically and won Academy Awards for special effects and makeup and rightfully so. It was a tour de force in many regards.  There aren't a lot of derogatory things to be said about it.  Rumor has it that Sammy Davis Jr was supposed to be Beetlejuice.  I can hardly imagine that. There isn't one dull moment in the movie and it's still completely watchable even after all this time!  I can't believe I forgot to review this classic! 


Beetlejuice boasted some excellent special effects for it's time!

It's tricky to find this movie, as it's not on Netflix and is shown rarely on TV, so you might have to order it.  You won't regret it though and then watch Edward Sissorhands for the full treatment!  92%  Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!


You call this a party?



Oh, and bring back Winona!!