Paradise Now & One Nite in Mongkok

Paradise Now is a pretty good film, but the scenes of propaganda, whether intentional or just an attempt to accurately portray what would occur in the case, really annoyed me. Plus, I really had a problem feeling any sympathy for people who would eventually kill a lot of Israelis. I have no sympathy for those who would blow themselves up in the misguided idea that that was their only recourse. As monstrous as violence is, there is never an excuse, on either side for it. Perpetuating the cycle is just as bad as starting it. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it, at least until something comes along to prove that violence solves anything.

One Nite in Mongkok is a good thriller, but what makes it definitely worth seeing is the added subtext of the reintegration of Hong Kong into China. The depressing view is that the poor rural folks are all screwed because the big city will chew them up and spit them out. Not unlike a lot of other films about rural people going to the big city, whether it be in America or China, or any other country. The movie has some good choreography, and actually is not nearly as flashy as I was expecting. The quick opening car chase is very restrained, the violence is shot very matter-of-factly. The problem is that based on everything in it, there was no other way to end the film than the ending. Pretty damn bleak. Reminds me of Comrades: Almost a Love Story, except that there isn't Maggie Cheung looking good at the middle of it. Just the almost as attractive, but not nearly as good of an actress in Cecilia. Just makes me bitter. I need to see Clean now. And one quick note on this movie. Why the hell does it have to be spelled Nite? All that does is make it more difficult for people who don't know that it's Nite to search for it.