Lilja 4ever (2002) ***1/2

Lilja 4ever(Lilja 4ever, 2002) is a story about broken dreams, broken hearts, and finally broken bodies.



For a 16-year girl, life is supposed to be filled with Justin Timberlake's songs and puppy love. However, the 16-year-old Lilja did not have such kind of luck. I wonder whether it is crude to state that freedom usually comes at the price of poverty, and not to mention rotten human nature ensuing poverty and related social problems.

The director/writer Lukas Moodysson has done a decent job. Some may criticize that the story has exacerbated the ideology of good-evil dichotomy of the world. But, what if this dichotomy is simply the way it is in some places where we may be lucky enough to stay away from forever?

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JUNO (2007) ***1/2

JUNO is a canning story. I can't help comparing it with "Little Miss Sunshine", as many people did. However, their similar styles didn't put them in the same class of works. "Little Miss Sunshine" might set out to make you laugh on a series of mishaps, but you have to deal with your own afterthoughts; but, "JUNO" seemingly intended to make you feel good for "everything-is-gonna-be-alright" cliche, almost.

JUNO is a likable movie, but I wonder whether that is because of its tons of witty charms. Before you have a chance to ponder upon how their relationships were intertwined with each other and how the conflicts could be resolved, the happy ending is already in the corner.

Anyway, at least watching Ellen Page portray such a lovely while unlucky character is still a pleasant thing.

No Country for Old Men (2008) ***1/2

Hard to argue whether No Country for Old Men really deserved the Oscar's best picture award.

The reasons why some critics hailed this latest Coen brothers' work were mixed. But the commonality of all the praises is the well-crafted and non-stereotypic style of making a thriller. However, could we expect to get more from this movie, other than styles and skills?

This movie certainly reminds us a lot of Coens' movie Fargo, another thriller set in a remote small town covered by snow in Minnesota. This time, the cold-blood killing occurred in Texas, near the border of Mexico. The filmmakers seemed to show little interest in dissecting the psychological complexities of the villains. Killings were just so real in these two movies as no dramatic prelude or music was attached. After all, violence speaks louder when the surroundings are quieter.

Anything else? I am afraid not.