Sometimes communism dosen't kill people in violent revoutions. Sometimes it kills them by slowly crushing their sprits and dreams to dust until there is nothing left. That's Xiu Xiu the Sent Down Girl. This film takes place during one of the sad chapters in China's Cultural revolution known as the Down to the Countryside Movement, when a whole generation of children were sent out from the eastern cites to live and work in the western countryside. It is a tragic motion picture with tragic characters but it's a very affecting film.
With all I did this last weekend, I also managed to watch Takashi Miike ‘s Great Yokai War. Luckily, I’m a little familiar with Japanese monsters or I might have been a little lost. I found the traditional, mythological creatures (like the Rokurokubi, and the Kappa) a real hoot but the new techie monsters weren’t that interesting. It's a kid’s film so maybe I can’t be too hard on it. I bet I'd have a whole different view if I were about 10. The Great Yokai War never takes it's self too seriously so that's a big plus. The makeup is fantastic and the effects are wonderful as they're not all CG. If you want weird, wild monsters check it out.
Last Tango in Paris is one of those shocking must see films that until recently I hadn’t gotten around to viewing. Well, I just watched it today… …although it was only the R rather than the NC-17 version. Is it the great film everyone says it is? Hell, don’t know, I’m just a simple guy and not attuned to the subtle aspects of art but I do see how it could have been both scandalous and a breakthrough for 1972 especially since it stars Marlon Brando. Regardless of what you might think of the film and its infamous butter scene, it has some of the best lines of any script I’ve ever come across.
Paul “If you look close, you’ll find me hiding behind my zipper”
Paul “Even if a husband lives 200 hundred fucking years, he'll never discover his wife's true nature. I may be able to understand the secrets of the universe, but... I'll never understand the truth about you. Never.”
Jeanne “What are we doing here?” Paul “Let's just say we're taking a flying fuck at a rolling donut.”
Paul “Anyway, to make a long, dull story even duller, I come from a time when a guy like me used to come into a joint like this and pick up a young chick like you and... call her a 'bimbo'.”
Paul “I could dance forever! Oh, my hemorrhoid.”
Jeanne: “Let's drink a toast to our life in the hotel.” Paul: “No fuck all that! Hey listen! Let's drink a toast to our life in the country.” Jeanne “You're a nature lover? You didn't tell me that.” Paul: “Oh, for chrissa-, I'm nature boy. Can't you see me with the cows and the chickenshit all over me? Huh?” Jeanne “Oh, that's right. To the cows!” Paul: “Cow.” Jeanne “I will be your cow too.” Paul “I get to milk you twice a day. How about that?”
Great stuff huh?
I think this scene kinda sums the whole film up for me (and for the love of god, it's definitely not work safe):
Remember ladies if a guy asks you to cut only two of your fingernails you know what he wants.
