Chungwai

Straight to the points: - I didn't see any reason for "frequent" close- ups on every single scene...! My stomach almost couldn't hold it...

I am assuming that the "home video" feeling was intentional, but it just didn't work at all when the close- ups were not even stable (yes, very shaky indeed)! - Some of the subplots were unnecessary... the story overall was a bit "soapy", though I felt the warmth and "on your face" family and friendship love... - Overall, Monsoon Wedding really felt like a documentary of upper class India.

It would have been a great documentary of upper- class Indian wedding with such beautiful art direction, set design, costumes, and brilliant Indian music... And these were the reasons why I stayed for the entire movie.

The Royal Tenenbaums is no doubt one of the best movies I've seen recently. Fascinated by the screenplay, photography, and his direction, and I'm absolutely speechless and stunned with the entire cast and their witty performances ("Pagoda" is so wacky!) However, I have to admit that the costumes and scenic designs did not match the year?! I was very confused as I really assumed the story happened in the late 70's New York "suburbs" until the very end of the movie! Even the props (ie. Margot's cigarettes) don't look modern at all?! Maybe that's intentional, but first of all, what does the 70's look got to do with the characters and the relation to the story? And why does everything else (the bus, the ship, the streets, and even the Lindbergh Hotel) also look so 70's? Shouldn't there be more varieties in order to better distinct the characters' personalities and styles? The only style that stood out was Owen Wilson's outfit (obviously), yet it is still unable to take my mind back to the present times. Generally speaking, the costumes are slightly overstated (do they all have to dress exactly like how they dressed when they were kids; not to mention Chas's sons' outfits...?!) My very last question, if the 70's look is really intentional, why does Chas's (Stiller) apt look so modern?! The art direction is very misleading, and it is a pity.

Now, I wonder if Rushmore is also about the present times?!