Author Archives: leen

About leen

I am by no means a critic by credential, but I'd like to think I have good judgment when it comes to looking for pecularities and oddities in books, music, and films. I am especially fond of all things out of the ordinary and nonconventional. Palao'an CHamoru yu', born and raised on the island where "kicking back" sufficiently describes our lifestyle.

The Secret Life of Bees (DVD)

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Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees tells an incredibly brave and daring story of a 14-year-old Lily who flees from her home to find solace and sanctuary in the home of another family miles and miles away. The story – set to motion picture by Director Gina Prince-Bythewood - features a stunning cast and a very warm setting.

 

Set in 1964, Lily (played by Dakota Fanning) longs to know more about her dead mother and relies solely on only a few of her mother’s possessions since her father refuses to indulge her curiosity. Among these belongings was a picture of a Black Madonna with an inscription that said, “Tiburon SC.” This picture led Lily on a journey that would soon teach her a multitude of lessons about her life and the times she lived in.

 

This movie touches the heart in many ways. I was glued to the screen the entire time and wished that I had first read the book. The meaning behind the story is very easy to understand but is also quite entertaining to watch in film. With a cast, featuring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, and Dakota Fanning, you can’t go wrong.

Gran Torino (DVD)

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I love Clint Eastwood movies. I may not have watched all of them yet, but I’m sure that I will some time soon get the chance to. His selection of screenplays seems very careful and very insightful. His movies usually start off lukewarm without any foretelling of what’s about to ensue. And although some of my friends find it difficult to stick to the storyline until it reaches its climax, I think it’s rather testy of my patience making it all the more entertaining. Gran Torino surprised me several times and is a movie that I think serves more than one purpose.

Written by David Johannson & Nick Schenk, the story starts off with a couple of sons who mock their grumpy father, Walt Kowalski, at their mother’s funeral. And as you continue watching, you get some sort of understanding as to why they mocked him and why he’s such a grouch.

Apparently, Kowalski’s Korean war experience fed his prejudice about Hispanics, Blacks, and especially Asians. Unfortunately for him, he was probably one of the last few white people left in his neighborhood, which over the years grew to be occupied by several Hmong immigrants–whom he otherwise referred to as “Gooks.”

A twist of events somehow transforms Kowalski’s mentality and brings him to befriend his next-door neighbors, Thao (Bee Vang) and Sue (Ahney Her), who happen to be Hmong. The friendship somehow grows into a kinship that leads the characters to paths of unexpected changes.

A must-see for those who dig a little deeper and are interested in what’s going on beyond your front door, this movie is quite touching and intriguing.

Where the Wild Things Are (Theaters)

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What a disappointment! I was probably 7 or 8 when I first read this book, and I remember letting my imagination take me to new heights with what I would do if I were among “the wild.” So when my 5-year-old son enthusiastically reached for this book, I was excited about reading it to him. Obviously, when the movie’s trailers were released, my boy was really looking forward to October 16th.

This movie is depressing, somewhat morbid, and a little intimidating for children. The book had me thinking that Max was sort of forced into another world by his own imagination after being unruly and for misbehaving towards his mother. The movie tends to dig a lot deeper into emotional and psychological realms where little kids may have a tough time receiving the message or the point of the story.

In one scene, Max sees a pile of bones and asks the Wild Things, “Were those other kings”?

He certainly supposed that other naughty children had come to this strange new land, but the thought of them being killed and eaten by the monsters was way off my preconceived notion about the movie. I thought that scene was a little too bizarre for my son to understand.

Quite the contrast from what I concluded about the book, this movie takes at least 3 stars for its costumery, its characters, and its sets. But I wouldn’t bet on children (younger than 10) enjoying it very much. I do, however, love the soundtrack.