Author: Alex Cole

Directed by Yuicho Sato and starring Japanese idol group Arashi; Saigo No Yakusoku is more of a TV drama than a feature film, but remains an entertaining piece that holds your attention for the full running time, th a steady build up, and enough twists and turns to keep you entertained. Though the plot line is a little ‘far-fetched’ you can’t help but find yourself rooting for the characters, both bad and good. With strong introductions for all and enough individual personality to get you attached, writer Shigeki Kaneko has done a great job designed and preparing their protagonists.

Idol group Arashi won’t be well known to those who don’t have a keen interest in Japanese culture or J-pop. More eagle eyed film viewers may be familiar with Kazunari Ninomiya due to his magnificent role in Clint Eastwood’s Letters from Iwo Jima, but for most this would be your first introduction to their exploits. Whilst most cringe at the thought of pop-stars becoming actors, especially when they also sing the theme-tune; but once again Arashi don’t embarrass themselves and give some strong performances, though the style of Japanese drama may not lend itself, to say, winning an Oscar.

This is classic example of Japanese TV drama; complete with extended pauses, flawless melodrama and enough motivational speeches to fill philosophy textbook. Saigo No Yakusoku is great fun, and although released six years ago, this is a great gateway into Japanese TV drama for any fan of film.

Watch it!

Detailing the personal and professional struggles of Hengdian World Studio’s movie extras; I Am Somebody focus on aspiring migrant actor Peng (Wan Guopeng) as he pursues his dream, armed with only hard work and a yearning to learn. As he attempts to learn his new profession we follow him in life and love as he meets those who occupy his new world and their hardships become his reality.

A moving and beautiful, but horribly bittersweet drama, I Am Somebody is the perfect depiction of the life of a movie extra. Starring genuine members of Hengdian World Studios ‘s army of extras I Am Somebody is ripe with insider knowledge and is a triumph in realism mixed with fiction and provides its hard working cast members with a real opportunity to show off their talents. A smattering of A list Hong Kong industry members makes this film flow more easily, but it is the story of those who occupy the credit reel with tales of their hopes and dreams that are the real stars of this film.

The beauty of the love between Peng and Ting (Wang Ting) is simple and pure. It’s difficult not to rout for Peng as he tries to win her over and as he and others try desperately to break the movie industry. The endless list of Hengdianers are remarkably unique, each with their own important and inspiring story, some heart-warming and some heartbreaking. Whether inspired by the extras themselves or simply inspired by life in Hengdian, Tung-Shing Yee (Writer and Director) has created beautiful characters that populate a beautiful setting.

Though it’s individuality may be it’s downfall, with limited appeal to a mainstream audience both in China and worldwide, I Am Somebody is undoubtedly an undiscovered gem. This film will be loved by drama, lovers, comedy lovers and is fantastic for any curious about the life of an actor in ANY part of the world. I Am Somebody i sure to be on my must-watch list of 2015, if not of all time.

You can see the trailer for I Am Somebody below.

Guild, grief and shame battle passion, love and lust as tarnished lovers Holly (Roxy Bugler) and Matthew (Kemal Yildrim) build a love/hate triangle that culminates in an ongoing battle that destroys both of them.

Completely psychological and often pornographic, Malady is an artistic portrayal of the growth and destruction of a loving relationship built out of grief and need. Director Jack James uses powerful and off-colour cinematography to tell his story; clearly a son of slow cinema and reminiscent of Tsai Ming-Liang, (though nowhere near as daringly boring) James utilises longing glances and focused eyes instead of dialogue for most of this feature. Dialogue is in fact very much in the minority and probably takes us less of Malady’s running time than does gratuitous sex. Whilst I’m not against sex scenes in cinema, even ones as graphic as Malady, they work best when they explore a character’s passion and lust, but when they’re so constant and visual they become tiring and wasteful. I understand what James was trying to portray in the sense that it was lust that held them together, but it felt rather like an artist who’s over-played his hand and was now just rubbing his perceived ‘boldness’ in the face of the audience.

Nonetheless, Malady remains one of the most poignant and ‘real’ performances I’ve seen for a long time. The relationship built between Holly and Matthew is not picturesque, it’s not Hollywood, but it is truly believable. These are broken people, who are searching for something, anything that might bring them happiness, but instead they’re lead to grief once more and the gritty, unfocused cinematography used by James captures this perfectly.

If you like artistic cinema then both Malady and Jack James are both worth checking out. But if you prefer to be excited and hooked, or…dialogue, then Malady is not for you. You’ll never forget you’ve watched it, but you won’t likely ever watch it again.

Few films have ever managed to capture and recreate the imagery of childhood imagination, let alone put it so beautifully onto film. Incorporating pirates, skeletons and monsters, The Goonies is the journey every child (and some adults) wished, and still wish, they could experience with their friends. Infallible and immortal, The Goonies: 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition improves on what was a perfect film with crisp images and perfect tones.

For the uninitiated (shame on you), this 1985 classic is both a story of childhood loss and adventure. As two brothers Brand (Josh Brolin and Mikey (Sean Astin) fight to save their family’s house and struggle to face that this they be their last adventure with their friends, they embark on a epic journey with their pals Mouth (Corey Feldman), Chink (Jeff Cohen and Data (Jonathan Ke Quan) following a mysterious treasure map to what they hope is salvation. Joined on their journey by a variety of characters throughout , they must content with criminal family the Fratellis, booby traps, and the infamous pirate ‘One-Eyed Willie’ as they try to save their family.

Not only bringing The Goonies to life on stunning blu-ray, the 30th anniversary edition is packed with extras. Coming with priceless merchandise outlining lost scenes and the truth behind some of the most iconic scenes in the film, the collector’s edition also comes complete with a Making of the Goonies’ featurette packed full of enlightening interviews with cast and crew as well as commentary from the director Richard Donner and the cast. Most excitingly it comes a true blast of 80’s as we’re treated to Cyndi Lauper’s Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough music video which has about as much cheese as anyone can possibly handle. The extras are good and an interesting addition for true Goonies fans but honestly has little value for those who just enjoy the film for what it is. The collector’s cards are certainly a lot more interesting for the fair weather fan, but think hard before you invest the money in this; it’s something you have to truly want to be worth it.

A cult-classic, this 30 year old EPIC has lost none of its charm and The Goonies 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition certainly does it justice. Seeing the film on blu-ray is well worth it, but think hard before buying the collector’s edition, but if you are a die-hard fan, it’s worth it!

Offering a one off insight into the mind of a film-maker; Brazilian director Walter Salle provides a unique window into the world and culture that provide the perspective and inspiration for trailblazing and politically progressive Chinese director Jia Zhangke.

Jia Zhangke is not a household name by any means, not even in his native China, Indeed, many of his films have been banned from being shown at all. Providing vital reflections on the transformation of Chinese society, politics and the Cultural Revolution Jia Zhangke is a transformative filmmaker. Jia Zhangke: A Guy from Fenyang is an invitation into the mind of this filmmaker and we’re taken on a journey through his back catalogue and his inspirations in what is a superb documentary.

Intelligent, restrained and affectionate; Walter Salle’s documentary could not be more different to the usual driven, intentioned and purposeful documentaries that dominate our screens. A Guy From Fenyang has none of the smug egotistical self-congratulation that often permeate from the usual portrayals of film directors and instead feels like you’ve been invited down the pub with Jia Zhangke and you’ve just happened to start chatting about his career. There are the unavoidable mentions of the brilliance of his art, but they feel genuine and unscripted. It doesn’t feel like this is the bulk or purpose of the piece. They feel much more organic than that, they feel real and inspiring. Walk Salle has done a fantastic job directing this film and the editing skills of Joana Collier have contributed to a beautiful piece. We see no inference to any questions directed towards Ji Zhangke and whilst some other participants are clearly being interviewed. Jia himself is simply giving us a tour of his home-town, his inspiration, his muse. Interceded with portions of his creations, there is a casual and comfortable pace to this film and I challenge anyone not to google Platform (2000) or Jia Zhangke once the film is done.

This is undoubtedly worth a watch. With interesting points for those who both know and don’t know the work of Jia Zhangke (I didn’t!), this is a valuable use of 90 mins and I wholeheartedly recommend it.