Almost Buddhist - 戲‧論

★★★★☆ The film’s got a right title because it is breathtakingly terrifying throughout, and a bit shocking and nauseous at certain points, like the opening which drops you kind of a hint at how it’s going to end. Still it’s not like you think it is. And that’s more or less of a disappointment to me after all. Other than that, ‘Don’t Breathe’ definitely has what it takes, a simple claustrophobic setup, a nerve-racking score, a seemingly normal but pretty sick man and his vicious dog, a focused story of plot twists, to be, I guess, the scariest film of the year! Three burglars enter a blind old man’s house to steal his fortune, thinking it’s going to be an easy catch since the man’s living there alone, plus he’s old and blind, but it turns out to be the worst of their nightmares ever. The film literally holds your breath right from the moment these guys enter the house till it ends. It’s got a very simple but rather depressing setup, and it wastes no time to get you inside the tr...

Who: Passenger Where: British What: Folk/Rock When: 2014 I’ve been drowning in Passenger’s songs lately. Passenger is not a band. It’s just this one English singer-songwriter who’s got a great voice, and capable of making lyrics that tell stories and allow you to simmer down and feel as a human being! His music’s truly a comfort for those like me living in a city full of annoying noises most of the time. He left school at a very young age, and started off as a nobody but a busker on streets, and now has made his way to stardom, performing in stadiums in front of thousands of people. Still he writes songs true to his heart, and doesn’t care if they make it to the chart. Not everyone has the courage like he did to be determined to leave the comfort zone and stick to his dreams. Maybe we all need to drop the fear for being failed and hurt again so that we can get through the shadows and discover what’s probably more beautiful ahead! ‘Whispers’ is one of Passenger’s albums tha...

★★★☆☆ ‘The Sea Of Trees’ is not so worthless and terrible like those critics suggest in fact, especially if you consider it a fairy tale, rather than some sort of real-life melancholy, that essentially hints at the need of faith in dealing with grief, guilt, remorse, self-condemnation, whatever you call it that gets you hell as you think you’re the reason for losing someone or something you love and adore! Negative reviews are however, right about the score that appears to be odd and weird, totally unfit for the poignant imagery. And the story paces a bit slow with some of the flashbacks that seem rather redundant and pointless. Naomi Watts is attractive as ever but in the film she’s kind of a waste. In general, I’m fine with the film itself, and more than fine with Matthew McConaughey’s convincing performance. Watching him play is, honestly, a sensational experience indeed. Like I said, if you take it as a fairy tale, it’ll make more sense to you, and may even be able to move...