Oldboy (2003) - Chan-wook Park

This was a present from a friend for my birthday. (You'll never guess what film studies students buy each other.) I wouldn't say I'm not a fan of foreign films, I just don't think they're shown enough at local cinemas, and therefore I haven't seen as many of them as I have seen, like, the big Hollywood ones.
Anyway, this was a really good film. I thought the main antagonist (Ji-tae Yu) gave the best performance, and made the bad guy seem more human, particularly towards the end, which was obviously helped by the use of the director's flashbacks.
Aside from being a little slow and repetitive in places, it was a really good film, that dealt really well with a taboo subject. Without using spoilers, I feel it gave a new sort of vibe or feeling to the subject, giving everyone's norm and morals a good shake. Obviously, without seeing the film, you won't know what I'm talking about. So, go rent a copy, or buy it from that store that's closing down; I'm sure it won't be too expensive.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - Wes Anderson

I'm a big fan of Wes Anderson. I have seen most of his films, and own them on DVD. I was genuinely gutted when this one wasn't released to mainstream cinema. I had no way of getting to the ones that were showing it, so I was really happy when I got it for my birthday yesterday from my girlfriend. (NB It was my birthday yesterday, by the way.)
It was amazing. It is perhaps my second favourite Wes Anderson film, after Darjeeling Limited (2007). The only problem I had, was the lack of Owen Wilson. It doesn't feel like a Wes Anderson film without him in it. Even the Jason Schwartzman part seemed more like a cameo, than a full part. Oh well, it was still a brilliant film, and the kids will hopefully go on to become big stars, or at least Anderson collaborators. I read rumours on the internet that Anderson was already considering a sequel with the Sam character going to war in Vietnam, as he was the appropriate age, but whether that comes off or not is a different story. I think that'd be the first Wes Anderson sequel and war film.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★