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Infernal Affairs
Hong Kong, Andrew Lau and Alan Mak

Well, let's start the thread with what is, quite simply, one of the best movies to come out of Asia, ever. Set in Hong Kong and following the parallel lives of Ming and Yan, one of whom (Ming) is a mole for the Triads in the Police department, the other his direct opposite. The film plays on the duality of this relationship very well, although the characters do not meet for much of the film, instead catching only glimpses of one another, as they are charged with hunting each other down. The plot is fantastic, and keeps you guessing right up until the end. Watching it, I couldn't help but think of Death Note, which is a good reference point considering the secrecy of the police department and elaborate conspiracies. However, don't let that dissuade you, because it's nowhere as cheesy as an anime, having garnered many positive comparisons to The Godfather and Heat. Unlike American films though, Infernal Affairs does not rely on swearing and action (look the Scoresse's remake of IA The Departed if you want that kind of fodder). Instead we find an intelligent thriller that can have our hearts pounding with a ringing phone, not a booming pistol.
[10/10]
princess lolifoxxx

I've been waiting for a thread like this to pop up...

___________¡Viva La Cobra!
___________Cobra Starship

My friend got me into Cobra upon the release of their first album. I had asked for the second album for Hanukkah. But my mother refused because she was repulsed by the song titles the new album features, However, after heavy badgering, she gave in last week and let me buy it with my Target gift card.

Now having it, I decided to give it a good listen. Just like their first album, Cobra Starship is a blend of techno and alternative-rock. ¡Viva La Cobra! is littered in catchy music that will not leave your head. Ever. This can be good. But when you are singing "Prostitution is the Oldest Profession (And I, dear madame, am a professional)" in Math, there can be problems. Some of the songs make Gabe's voice seem whiny and boring, which drives me insane. I think the best songs were their singles, Guilty Pleasure and The City is at War. But they have some other really good ones on the CD that aren't singles as well.

But it lacks nothing that you would want in an album. It's fun, the songs sound separate from each other, and you can feel the positive energy in every song. And in personal bias, I can't stand music that depresses me.

It's not an album for everyone. If you don't like the synthetic sound or music that infects your brain and won't go away, subtract two points. If you aren't big on energetic songs or are looking for music to provide as background music while doing work, then subtract three points. However if you liked their first album and singles, or just worship the Fueled by Ramen label in general, then you can add a few stars.

All in all: Sure it's from Pete Wentz's label. But it's not your typical Fallout Boy support band.

Recommended Audience: I'd give this a 13+ mark. Maybe higher, depending on tastes. The songs have lyrics that contain adult themes such as sex, drugs and mafia members killing people with pies [don't ask. Watch the video for "The City is at War"]. The songs also contain a lot of cursing. It's hard to get through a song of their without hearing the 'F-bomb'.

___________[8/10]
___________Imoto Lehcar

Juno
2007
Directed by Jason Reitman

Well well, what do we have here? It's odd to see an independent film get so much attention. I live in a small town; so naturally, when indie films come to our theater, it certainly is a treat. And it's a treat I don't dare pass up.

I enjoyed Juno, even though some of the humor felt a little forced. This was a problem only in the fact that is was supposed to be a comedy. The first part of the film sort of bored me stiff. The characters fit into a archetype mold and just had me rolling my eyes. This was probably why it surprised me when they broke past these molds and the moving had me near tears in the end.

The acting was done well. Ellen Page certainly did deserve the nomination for best actress. She was frighteningly talented. The other parts were both well-picked and well-played. But I believe that Miss Page was really the only memorable performance in this piece.

The film was well-written after the first few minutes. A film with a premise such as Juno's could only go two ways: a classic, witty and heartwarming film about real life or a lifetime movie on the big screen. Thankfully for the audience, the theaters that show it, and my six dollar ticket, it was not the second. It was not melodramatic and overly-jarring, like I was afraid it would be. It did not pound things into your head to make you feel sorry for the leading lady. It simply came with the characters.

The theme was strong but not overbearing. It was not anti-abortion or anything of that like. It was more a coming-of-age and self-discovery film. Which is always nice to see when done well.

I've saved this paragraph for last: the soundtrack. Oh lord the soundtrack. When the movie was over, I caught my friend saying: "At least the movie was better than the soundtrack." This only goes to show how either "hate-it-or-love-it" that soundtrack is, because immediately after the movie I drove out to the mall and bought it. It is packed with indie music that really just speaks with the film. If you don't like indie music with quirky, "pseudo-folk-music" lyrics and sounds, odds are, you won't be too huge on the film.

All in all: It's not a movie for everyone, but it sure is pretty darn close. If you can only see a movie if it has hardcore violence and non-stop action, skip this title. If you are hardcore against indie titles because they bore you stiff or some other weird reason, skip this as well. Otherwise, I'd recommend to anyone.

Recommended Audience: I think this is a film for everyone over thirteen. It may be a great scare for anyone below that mark too. I just think a lot of the humor and a lot of the themes may escape anyone ten or below. There was some cursing, but nothing to bad. They dropped the word "s**t" a lot. I heard "b***h" and "a**" a few times. And the "f-word" only once. [Can you tell that I'm sensitive to the "f-word"?]

[8.5/10]
Imoto Lehcar