When you think of movies that are loaded Chinabased, what comes to mind? Is it an intense story about revenge, a horror movie with a lot of suspense, or a crime thriller that isn’t afraid to take you to the darkest places? Or maybe it’s a comedy about a man who has to deal with his ex-wife’s new boyfriend?
Chasing Ghosts
Chasing Ghosts is one of those movies that is too small to be truly remarkable. It isn’t as good as it wants to be, but it is a hoot nonetheless. The one-hour family friendly flick isn’t for the faint of heart, but it makes for a delightful afternoon spent with the kids. If you’re into ghouls and goblins, you’re in for a treat.
One of the film’s many virtues is its Apple product placement. That’s a win in its own right, but the company also plays a role in the movie’s most dazzling occurrence, namely the climactic video clip of a funeral. So the film strays far enough from the stoic monochrome world of the late 90s to provide a bit of color to the proceedings.
Do Revenge
Do Revenge is an homage to ’90s teen movies. It’s also an original Netflix film. Those who know their teen flicks can tell what to expect: dark comedy, an espionage plot, and a twist. But there are also a lot of hidden details.
Do Revenge is loosely inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1951 movie Strangers on a Train, and it is also a remake of the 1994 cult classic Clueless. Both films center on a group of teens – a queen bee scholarship student (Camila Mendes) and an outcast (Maya Hawke) – who team up to take down their bullies.
Do Revenge is a biting, if overlong, good time. The 118-minute film stars a cast of TV and movie stars. However, it fails to hit its stride in the last act.
A Jazzman’s Blues
A Jazzman’s Blues is a Netflix original that combines elements of a period drama and romantic tragedy. The film is set in 1940s rural Georgia and follows the story of two young lovers, Bayou and Leanne. Their love is forbidden by their parents.
The film stars Solea Pfeiffer and Joshua Boone. It was written by Tyler Perry and directed by Perry. In addition to its star power, the movie has a solid score composed by Aaron Zigman. This soundtrack helps elevate the film.
The film is a period piece about love in a hostile environment. But it also tackles themes of race, egotism, and addiction. With a runtime of two and a half hours, the story is not short on content.
A Jazzman’s Blues has an R rating in the US. That means it will appeal to a wide audience. However, the story is heavy on tropes and sentimentality.
Toxic
Toxic films can range from the mainstream to the niche. For example, a movie like Gone Girl might not have a blockbuster opening weekend, but it’s a movie that has a lot of heart. Similarly, a film like The Holiday has some problematic elements that can’t be ignored. In other words, the movie is not for the faint of heart. However, if you can overlook the cheesy gimmicks, you’ll find that it has plenty of wit and whimsy.
One of the movie’s more interesting concepts is its protagonist’s obsession with a newfound sex. As the chemistry between the pair starts to heat up, their relationship becomes more akin to a love match than a sexual conquest. This may be because the film is set in a time and place that is not conducive to such behavior, but it’s also possible that some women have some of these fantasies in spades.
Tatjana Krstevski’s “The Load”
Tatjana Krstevski’s The Load (Teret) is a film that is based on real events that occurred during the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. It follows a truck driver named Vlada as he is assigned to carry a mysterious cargo to Belgrade. During the trip, he encounters a bridal couple, a young runaway Paja, and a mechanic.
Tatjana Krstevski is a member of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers and has received numerous awards for her work. She is currently the head of the Cinematography Department at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her films have been shown at international art festivals and film festivals across the world.
Tatjana Krstevski’s cinematography for The Load is incredibly effective. The film features lengthy non-verbal takes that create a mood. While there is not a lot of action, the scenes are often eerily tense.