Reviews: Adam's Apples and Singapore Dreaming

Well, as much as I'd like to hit each one of these films in greater detail - hopefully I'll have that opportunity in the near future - my schedule of late has been such that I simply haven't had the time. That said they've been burning a hole here on my desk and I've been waiting to post comments on them for a while now.

FWIW, I don't expect to be handing out too many low ratings for the films that show up here simply because I try to be a little picky in my purchases. Similarly, I may not feel like writing a review for every single movie I see. I'll admit to getting burned on blind buys based on reviews from some of the other sites I've mentioned previously, but those are few and far between and hopefully I'll get a chance to address them soon too.

For starters:

"Adam's Apples"

This Danish comedy by Anders Thomas Jensen is an excellent and admittedly extremely dark take on the book of Job. Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen) is a priest with a life filled with pain and misfortune. His take on things is to ignore everything that happens to him and just claim that it's all a result of the Devil testing him because people aren't evil. His counterpoint is Adam (Ulrich Thomsen) a neo-Nazi sent to Ivan's church to complete his community service. Adam is frustrated by Ivan's refusal to accept the truth behind his circumstances. When given a choice of a task to complete before his service is up, Adam chooses to bake an apple pie ("cake" in my subtitles) from the apples on the tree in the church yard. Almost from the beginning, it appears that failure is imminent as birds begin to eat the apples. Meanwhile, he has to contend with the other community service residents, his fellow neo-Nazi gang members, and Ivan, as he learns about the meaning of faith and belief.

I enjoyed this movie a lot overall. It provides a lot to think about on several levels although I can't recommend it to everyone due to the strong language and violence in several scenes. On a metaphysical level, it provides an interesting view of the story of Job (Ivan) -- is he actually being tested by the Devil or punished by God, or is he just unlucky? The redemption of Adam is shown really well in several scenes as well -- Ivan provides a good witness in his life, although I can't say much for his preaching skills. I haven't seen any other films by Jensen though so I can't compare the spiritual content here with anything else he's done. It's certainly deeper in this sense than most of the other European films I've seen lately (and certainly the Danish ones).

8/10

The DVD I viewed is the Singaporean R3 version available online from MovieXclusive. It's sad to say that this film is not out on DVD in the US or UK even though the film came out back in 2005. The English subtitles were excellent although there were a couple spoken sentences that didn't receive subtitling -- an issue I've seen before on Singaporean releases, although I can't comment on how common it is. The Danish track is available in 2.0 or 5.1 DD and sounds excellent -- check out the storm scene in particular. The only extra however is the trailer.

If you choose to use this e-tailer, be warned -- I do recommend them for excellent selection and service, but the shipping is a little high to the US and you're best off picking up 5 or more DVDs at one time.

"Singapore Dreaming"

My primary experience with Singaporean films until now has been primarily commercial comedies such as those by Jack Neo ("I Not Stupid", "Home Run"). While they are excellent films and bring back a certain nostalgia for someone who grew up in SE Asia, they're not necessarily the same as the mature filmmaking styles that I'm trying to find in the area as well. Although there have been a number of other good movies released from Singapore, it's been very difficult until now to find good DVD releases of them (barring actually going to Singapore). Thankfully MovieXclusive did open their store - linked above - and I was able to pick up this new film as well as several older ones I hope to watch soon.

Not as dark as "Adam's Apples" but still not a happy comedy as such, "Singapore Dreaming" takes a good look at the little island nation and what it takes to get ahead there -- as well as all the hot topic issues that have arisen over the past few years. Traffic, foreign maids, US degrees and public urination all get equal time in a very poignant family focused story. It's also a good picture of how money can cause more problems than it fixes.

7/10

The DVD here is excellent as well. There are a few additional extra features here including a "making of" section and some deleted scenes. Good DD 5.1 in "Singlish" with English subtitles. Don't look for this one in Amazon too soon either.

New Links

I've started updating the page by adding some new links.

To start at the bottom, Ender's Game author and fellow Greensboro, NC native Orson Scott Card has an excellent site of essays that is unfortunately being updated rather sporadically lately. I highly recommend checking out his World Watch page at The Ornery American. I can't say that I necessarily agree with all his positions nor would I expect the same from him, but I will say that he's one of the few Democrats with whom I share a rather distinctive view on US foreign policy.

To move into more thematic territory, I recommend DVD Aficionado as a useful cataloging site -- though it's definitely tailored more towards collectors in the UK or US. I'm afraid that my site as listed is missing a considerable number of thoroughly legitimate titles that I've picked up online from different regions and does not as such present a complete view of my tastes. Unfortunately although the layout and convenience in a program like DVD Profiler is also extremely simple while remaining aesthetically pleasing, it still features a number of missing titles and/or images (though not always the same ones as DVDAF). As a collector and user of both programs though I highly recommend both -- though it is worth mentioning that while the free version of DVD Profiler is nice, I personally prefer the enhanced image quality of the premium version, especially because I've had to leave all my DVD cases in storage in the US while I'm overseas -- mainly for space reasons.

Jumping to the review sites, although DVD Savant is attached to DVD Talk's main section, I mention him specifically for his focus on older films - often with personal anecdotes of memorable viewings which are extremely interesting. His reviews are also worth reading for the veritable encyclopedia of filmmaking references and namedropping that show up on a regular basis. Very often I will find myself following links through 2, 3 or even more of his reviews at one time tracing back references to other films -- all the while making notes on my list of future films to check out when I have the chance.

The Gline is another site featuring reviews on a fairly wide variety of films. While not all the movies reviewed there are to my taste, I always enjoy reading Gline's detailed, well thought out posts.

Finally (for this edition) is Twitch. I still haven't checked out their forums, but I load the page on a daily basis to look for new announcements of films coming out, trailers to download, and reviews of films -- though most ones featured here are foreign, and more than a few will never even play in US theaters (and sadly never arrive on DVD in the US either).

I'd say that outside of films I've watched in the theaters and since ordered on DVD or older action films that I've seen before, the vast majority of my recent purchases in the past few years can be traced back to reviews, and in some cases just articles or news postings on these three sites. I highly recommend all of them for intelligent writing, broad interests and good technical knowledge. Although I don't have the knowledge or experience to start dropping names and references nearly as well as any of them, I do hope to put out some good reviews as well -- and hopefully get the drop on them for a few films ;p

Back from the dead

It took a while, but I finally got around to resurrecting this site. It does help that they've put in a new format, particularly for conducting personal redesigns - especially for those of us on tight schedules without the time to dig through our limited html repertoires.

Quick wrapup - I redeployed to Ft. Drum in July 06 and PCS'd to Seoul, South Korea Dec. 06. I'll probably be here for another year or so.

This site will continue to play host to some random ramblings, but I also hope to tailor it a little closer to my personal hobbies and interests (especially given that they're much more interesting to write about than anything I do at work).

Look for new links, reviews and other things in the near future.

Periodic Update

Well, things are going pretty well at the moment, not least is the fact that I'm currently on R&R leave. It's a nice chance for a break, time to relax, catch up on movies, some PC gaming, etc.

Still not a whole lot to say about anything else that's going on. I've got my opinions and thoughts on lots of different issues and situations here, it's just a matter of what's appropriate to post on or even to discuss while I'm in the military.

Oh well, here're some photos from the past few months.

Current Situation

Two and a half months since the last update and nary an excuse to show for it. We had a reasonable (if exceptionally crowded) flight from NY to Kuwait via Shannon, Ireland (have to make it back there sometime). Describing Ft. Drum in my opening post as the frozen wasteland at the base of Dante’s Hell was certainly an apt comparison and still stands, but Kuwait in all it’s barren glory certainly matches the typical western archetype of the infernal regions. Blazing sun morning to night, no shade anywhere outside of a building, and aside from a few small grasses I saw at the firing range, not a plant to be seen around the post.

We didn’t do too much there other than get acclimatized. Unfortunately, acclimatization seemed to include going to the firing ranges an awful lot. Wearing all that gear (shown earlier) and trudging through ankle deep sand at 120+ doesn’t do the body good – that’s all I’m going to say.

Soon enough however, we were crammed sardine style on another flight to Baghdad (possible photos to follow). The arrival was not too bad however, and it was a relief to find that Iraq has an actual climate – even the occasional cloudy day. I hear tell that they actually get a couple of rain showers in December. I’ll keep you posted on this development.

We took over from the previous unit without any real issues, sending an LA guard unit back to the remains of Katrina. My hopes and prayers go with those guys – out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Two months of routine is working pretty well right now. 12 hours a day, 1900-0700 – the night shift. You start developing habits, good and bad. After most of a month slacking, trying to get adjusted, I have my off-shift schedule down pretty well, including workouts after I finish my shift on most days. That and a movie or hour ½ of xbox normally ties up most of my non-sleeping time. Only a couple of actual days off since I arrived and none since Sept, but at least I’ve been given a few extra hours here and there. My MSG keeps me squared away.

Not too much reading done lately, but as my schedule has developed, I think I’ll be able to work in considerably more in the near future. Nothing big since I finished Quicksilver by Neal “Cryptonomicon” Stephenson in Kuwait. I’m really looking forward to digging out my Charles Williams novels pretty soon and starting them again.

The distraction keeping me from real reading right now is largely from studying for the board. On the first I go up for promotion to SGT. Looking forward to it, although it’s my first one. I was supposed to have gone before the board this summer for “soldier of the month” but never had the chance so it’s still a new experience, although I have gotten a little practice from some folks thankfully. Kinda weird how it’s not just what you know – appearance and bearing counts for as much or even more in some circumstances. Professionalism sure doesn’t hurt in any business.

Updates to follow.

Travel Time

I have no idea why it's taken me this long to get around to posting again. In truth, I think it's partly because I created this page to function primarily as an updater once I got deployed and I didn't have as much use for it in between. I've had delusions of eloquence and thoughts about using it to post reviews and other things but the limitations of the software and design don't allow for as much as I'd like. This next year may prove a good time to try building a site from scratch, but we'll see.

Sometime in the next few weeks I'll be heading over to the big sandbox. Hopefully I'll be able to post updates on my personal situation considerably more often. Beyond that subject however, you'll be better off checking the papers and TV for your information because it's not my place to stick it up here.

In the meantime, since it's been so long, I've got a few recent photos to put up -- though with my luck they'll end up above this post ;p

A Long Break

Well, this is what happens when you're gone for over a month. One little deployment and your schedule gets all messed up. Not that it was perfect before I left, but I definitely need to work on getting something regular. Perhaps regular posts on certain days of the week.

It was a short deployment. Just one month at the Joint Readiness Training Center (aka JRTC) in warm, sunny Fort Polk, Louisiana. Coming from Ft. Drum at the end of February, this place was heaven. Reminded me of what I'd been missing lately.

It was a good training schedule. It gave me a good opportunity to practice for "real" using the skills I'd learned in a field environment. I have a pretty good sense of what I'll be doing once I head overseas. Of course because they have such a short period to train with here, they pack it full -- each day in "the box" is roughly equivalent to a week or more (from recent events I'd say considerably more now) of real-time.

I did get the chance to get some more reading done, although not as much as I was hoping. 12 hour shifts keep you pretty busy and before and after the events, there was lots of packing, unpacking and additional training to handle. Still, I may try and get some little reviews done soon. I've started reading these old pulp reprints by certain authors and I've got to say that they are a pretty interesting change from a lot of what's being published currently.

All the same, I do plan on doing some other reviews sooner or later as well -- dvds, etc. We'll see.

I lied (sort of)

Oh well, so much for my much vaunted updates, photos, etc. happening before the next little training escapade. I'm leaving tomorrow for a month -- someplace much warmer thank heavens.

Almost certainly no posts for a month or so. When I get back however, I vow that sometime in the month of April there will be photos -- from last year and hopefully this next trip. Also a movie review/dvd comparison. Maybe even a book review. And definitely more quotes. Woohoo. I hope that whet someone's appetite.

I'll leave you fine folks with this little quote of the week to tide you over (who am I kidding):

"He knows a hero when he sees one. Too few characters out there, flying around like that, saving old girls like me. And Lord knows, kids like Henry need a hero. Courageous, self-sacrificing people. Setting examples for all of us. Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them, cheer them, scream their names. And years later, they'll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them how to hold on a second longer. I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams."
-- Aunt May ("Spider-Man 2")

What is a Just War pt 2

Well, just today, I received some links to further articles on the topic -- these ones coming from more contemporary writers (than the ones referenced in the other article) -- that interestingly enough lead to the same conclusion as the article I posted previously.

Here's one from World Magazine originally written in 1999 in reference to Kosovo and since revised for the current situation

The second one is by theologian John Piper and gives a very good breakdown based on interpretation of a number of Bible passages including many from the Gospels.

Quote of the Week

A little more of Gilbert Keith Chesterton's wit and wisdom this week:

"The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking; he can ruin himself with gambling. If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog."

I hope to have a few more updates this week. I have some more photos in mind (as I mentioned last week), as well as some possible reviews and updates to previous posts. I may as well get some content in while I have a chance since I probably won't be able to update for the entire month of March.

What is a Just War?

Unfortunately, I don’t believe that I currently possess the necessary objectivity to answer this question. My choice of occupation at present, temporary though it is, would seemingly negate my ability to remedy this conundrum for the duration. Nevertheless, I do wish to learn more about the subject at hand.

Admittedly, my experience with this topic is limited despite my literary, theological and military leanings. I do recall reading passages from Augustine and Aquinas, but those were largely excerpts from reading assignments in college. Only now am I actually taking the time to try working through the complete (if abridged) City of God as I find the time – more often than not during field exercises.

At the same time, the magazine First Things has just placed on their website an article that I first read in their print magazine a couple of months ago on this specific issue. It presents a very interesting, balanced, relevant view on the subject and makes for fascinating reading. At the moment, I’m particularly interested in following up on some of the (to me) lesser known thinkers quoted, cited and referenced in the article. If anyone can suggest key works on or featuring Just War theory by William Ames, Hugo Grotius, or more recently Paul Ramsey and Michael Walzer, I’d appreciate it. (I realize the irony involved in this question since I already linked to amazon.com, but humor me – I like personal recommendations)

Further Updates

Well, those photos I published earlier were from our recent training exercise near Harrisburg, PA -- as referenced in my very first post. I may stick a few more up in the next few days after I check up on some stuff.

I may try posting a little movie review later this week. We'll see. It's taking me longer than I would have liked to get this site up the way I like it.

I also have some older photos from when I was in Arizona last year for AIT. I'll stick some of them up later this week.

Quote of the Week.

Prof. Farnsworth: "Hey, unless this is a nude love-in, get the hell off my property!"
Hippie: "You can't own property man."
Prof. Farnsworth: "I can, but that's because I'm not a penniless hippie."

-- Futurama episode "The Problem with Popplers"

Quote of the Week

"Progress is Providence without God. That is, it is a theory that everything has always perpetually gone right by accident. It is a sort of atheistic optimism, based on an everlasting coincidence far more miraculous than a miracle." -- G.K. Chesterton

This is a little feature I've been thinking about for awhile. I'm not certain that the site format allows much else, though I need to sit down and explore it a little. This first quote is also one of many featured at The American Chesterton Society, and you'll probably see quite a bit more from there -- I really enjoy the man's writing.

I'll probably post some mini-reviews for books and movies as I come across them. I'll have some links up to other review sites that I enjoy, but I need the writing practice as well.

It's a start -- of sorts.

Understandably many folks may associate different places to which they've traveled with Hell -- that is to say, the nether regions, following a strictly Dantean cosmology. If this is assumed to be true, then Ft. Drum, NY must certainly be the 9th Circle -- at least during this dismal season. While I have yet to come across the frozen souls of Judas, Brutus and Alger Hiss, I have run across (and over) numerous poor souls buried to various degrees within the icy grasp of this fell place.

You may think me exaggerating, but any garrison based in such a locale where the weather experienced on a twice daily walk from the barracks to the dining facility causes one to reminisce about the previous two weeks in the field, which featured (among other regularities): temperatures consistently below freezing, winds gusting up to 50MPH, and poorly heated tents -- will not be held in high esteem by some people.