The Cloning, The Crusades, and the Tropical Malady

The Island (1/27/06)
Michael Bay

WARNING: MILD SPOILER ALERT!
I didn’t have a problem that the second half of the movie turned into a mindless action flick. The first half, which has gotten much praise from the critics for raising a moral question about cloning, was just there as an excuse for the special-effect extravaganza and well done action scenes. “The Island” seemed to be inspired to some degree by “The Matrix” and its sequels from the screenplay to the special-effect showcasing in the highway and high-rise chase scenes. 3 stars

Kingdom of Heaven (1/28/06)
Ridley Scott

It would have helped if my knowledge on the Crusades wasn’t so poor. As it turned out, it simply was about a bunch of crazy mofos killing each other in the name of religions. There are several ways you can direct this movie, make it into a deep religious film or make it a drama/action flick. Ridley Scott chose the later and did an excellent job in directing the spectacular battle scenes which didn’t have a feel of simulated video game like “Gladiator”. 3 stars

Tropical Malady (1/29/06)
Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Here’s a strong contender for the worst film of 2006. The first half of this film is pure cinema in that it goes about its story telling business without being distracted by the usual camera tricks, unnecessary dialogues, or misleading soundtracks. The relationship between the lovers was gradual, uncomplicated, and gentle. Yet, we sensed that there was something terribly wrong and dangerous lurking in the background. We knew this from the opening scene where a unit of soldiers posted for pictures in front of a dead body before carrying it away.

Then the movie made its turn for the worst when it decided to go beyond what it can (and should) do into the territory of experimented cinema. In about an hour period of the second half, the movie has managed to make almost no progress in the storytelling department.

Was there an underlined connection between hunting the shape-shifting beast in the second half and courting his lover in the fist half? Perhaps; I don’t know and I don’t really care. “Tropical Malady” had potential to become a great movie but bravely and foolishly decided to push the envelope and failed miserably. 1 ½ stars.

Note: Obviously, the critics disagreed with me. “Tropical Malady” won the Jury Prize (Cannes), Special Jury Prize (Indianapolis), and Critics Award (São Paulo).