Well, it's been a month, but I kept my promise. Below you'll find my reviews for "2046" and "In the Mood For Love." I'm frantically working at cleaning out my inbox, because the Chicago International Film Festival is starting this weekend. I'll be seeing a lot of movies, so this site will be plenty busy. But before this Friday even hits, you can reasonably expect to see reviews for "Ken Park," "The Brothers Grimm" and "Golden Balls." Maybe another one if I'm really good. I'll keep you posted on all the festival happenings that I attend. So, keep coming back. The end of the year crunch starts now!



2046
Review by Jon Waterman

***

Mr. Chow is back. After the events of “In the Mood For Love” left him embittered, he began a life of decadence and womanizing. His days consist of writing articles for various magazines and creating all kinds of pulp fiction. His nights consist of making each new girl he meets his latest conquest. Enter Bai Ling, his neighbor across the hall. She is the most difficult challenge he’s encountered so far, but Mr. Chow is determined to break her. Both of them cautious and aware yet seem oblivious to what they really might mean to each other.

Even though it’s a sequel, it’s a pretty far departure from the first film. The cinematography still has some of the cryptic compositions, but this time it’s much more vibrant and, in my opinion, lively. It focuses more on the characters. However the set pieces look incredible and allow you to become fully immersed in the story much easier. That’s definitely a good thing, because the movie’s tempo doesn’t play through any faster
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++++++++++


In the Mood For Love
Review by Jon Waterman

**1/2

Mr. Chow moves into an apartment complex with his wife. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Chan moves in to another room with her husband. The two go about their daily lives and mostly keep to themselves. The landlord tries to get them out and socializing (especially cooped up Mrs. Chan, whose husband is away on business most of the time), but to no avail. Well, time passes and it appears that the two shy neighbors have something in common. Both have suspicions that their spouses are cheating on them. Slowly they start to build a friendship that grows stronger as they unravel the truth and then attempt to face it.

Acclaimed writer/director Kar Wai Wong (“Chungking Express”), brings us a completely unorthodox romantic tale. He toys with the audience’s emotions and with the timeline. The movie moves in chronological order, but does so in staggering steps. You’re rarely sure how much time has passed between two consecutive scenes.
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++++++++++


A Dirty Shame
Review by Jon Waterman

*

Baltimore is under attack. But it’s not through guns and violence or corrupt political practices. No, the city is being over-run by hypersexual misfits. Led by Ray Ray Perkins, this free love bunch is out there trying to convert people to the ways of perversion. The cult feels they are on the cusp of discovering a brand new sex act, which would lead them to a utopian existence. Enter Sylvia Stickles. As her name suggests, she’s something of a prude. That is, until she suffers a concussion. Now she’s one of them, and could quite possibly hold the key to the pink gate.

“A Dirty Shame” is an extremely appropriate title, because that’s the way I feel about the film. It’s a dirty shame that legendary shlock writer/director John Waters couldn’t deliver a better movie. I can’t help but think how much different and better this movie would be if Divine were still alive.
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