Oldboy

Managed to get a copy that works. Still uber-stylish but vacuous overall. I kinda liked the usage of incest and the sensitivity towards it and in some ways, how the film is condoning it but it still feels like a gimmick for the film. The only sequence that was really all that gripping was the re-tracing memories scene where the character roams around the same place where the incident took place. A nice way to show how a person remembers. On the whole, bypassed by Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is almost all aspects, from the emotional overtones to the general aspect of the vengeance itself. Not such a bad place to start with Park Chan Wook although the sex scenes are rendered unerotic and sterile after the revelation.

Help!

I used to really love this as a kid and was very sad when it was about to end each time I saw it. Fortunately I still love it as an adult and the goofy and zany fun of this doesn't really dwindle with time. Add to the fact it has great songs as well. Where else can you watch a promo for "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" and "I need you" anyway? Kinda stilted subject matter, redundant with the same kind of racial stereotypes that I feel is the inspiration behind Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which is basically the same topic albeit done semi-seriously.

Also the interviews about Dick Lester being the father of MTV rings a bit hollow, what about the "Jailhouse Rock" song-and-dance sequences? Otherwise, the restoration is beautiful, complete with an expose on the techniques. The special features aren't all that great, as most actors have passed on and Macca/Ringo didn't participate in the reminiscence. I feel "A Hard Day's Night" is the better movie, as that had an effortless charm and concentrated solely on the Fab Four with not much of a plot. Still, who can doubt Ringo's acting skills? He's brilliant. Next up - Magical Mystery Tour and Let It Be (both of which I haven't watched).