My Blueberry Nights - Latest Wong Kar-Wai Movie

[bradavon]

My Blueberry Nights

A Strong - 7 out of 10

Ow the first review on Bullets.

The first 20-25 minutes it definitely feels and looks like the take away segment of Chungking Express (except it's in a café) but once that's over My Blueberry Nights is definitely it's own beast, which as it happens is about as long as it took to get used to all the Western faces. I do agree with Yi that WKW is such an Asian director and it takes some getting used to seeing him work with non-Asian faces.

Except for the two people over a coffee table element the story is otherwise very different, and goes in different directions.

It does thematically if not literally share things in common with Chungking Express at times but that's okay as it feels different enough and when you're just getting enough of it other story elements are introduced to change things.

The look is very WKW with lots of bright colours, the screen is always vibrantly lit with bright greens, yellows, blues etc... As expected it looks marvellous. It also feels like a WKW movie which is a relief.

For someone whose never acted before Norah Jones comes across as a natural. I was very impressed, it's no Cate Blanchett (the role doesn't ask it to be) but considering this is Norah's first role I was impressed. In contrast Jude Law is his usual annoying self. I'm sure he was told to over annunciate every word which got annoying. I don't think it's his normal English accent as it sounded fake, which is bizarre when he is English. Rachel Weisz is also decent too.

There is lots of music and as expected the soundtrack by Norah Jones, a well known jazz singer (whose name I forget) and also Ry Cooder was just sublime. I think I might buy the soundtrack CD.

I'd not really noticed it before but my god Norah Jones is a beautiful woman, a real woman too!

I was pleased to see Wong Kar-Wai's name was spelt Wong Kar Wai in the films credits. Don't go in expecting another ground breaking film in the vein of "In the Mood for Love" or "2046" (which I think both moved cinema forward) and you'll be fine. All in all a pleasant surprise.

I'll buy the DVD or HD Disc (if one comes) but won't get the HK DVD as I've made that mistake before.

[Yi-Long]

Actually, I'm not that negative on movies. It's the bullshit surrounding movies, and especially when they get cut, dubbed, etc, that get my panties in a twist.
But when I watch a movie I usually enjoy it, unless it really is a bad movie or has bad acting in it.

[EvaUnit02]

I think that's the third DVD Eva is referring too.

I was referring to the Taiwanese LE, which looks to be a port of the HK LE. The only thing that the R4 is good for is a fueling a fire, same shit transfer as the R2UK.

[bradavon]

The only thing that the R4 is good for is a fueling a fire, same shit transfer as the R2UK.

Oh right thanks. So the only DVD worth owning then is actually the R1 SE, right?

The LE's cost way too much to even consider. It's a shame the As Tears Go By/Days of Being Wild 2 Disc Remastered Korean DVD doesn't have English subs. which is odd when the other one does.

Actually, I'm not that negative on movies.

I just don't think you'll like My Blueberry Nights. It feels Asian in the sense it's a WKW film but otherwise doesn't feel Asian.

[EvaUnit02]

The only thing that the R4 is good for is a fueling a fire, same shit transfer as the R2UK.

Oh right thanks. So the only DVD worth owning then is actually the R1 SE, right?

The LE's cost way too much to even consider.

Exactly, unless you're Richard Branson.

[bradavon]

Thanks.

I've been looking into the Days of Being Wild HK SE (there is also an As Tears Go By HK SE too). I may give that a go if I end up liking it after re-watching it.

I cannot find any capture comparisons between the R1 and HK SE though. In fact I can barely find anything on the HK SE period. I know it only has DTS or DD5.1, which makes me wary but I hear the 5.1 on the Korean Remastered Chungking Express/Fallen Angels DVDs are very good so you never know.

[bradavon]

I've just checked out the trailer I posted.

It's rubbish quality and doesn't convey the colour scheme displayed throughout in the slightest, it actually makes it "look" dreary when My Blueberry Nights certainly doesn't look dreary.

[Shingster]

Happy Together doesnt have a decent DVD release, so that's an excuse.

Crap DVD release only is no excuse to avoid a film altogether.

[bradavon]

Crap DVD release only is no excuse to avoid a film altogether.

And even then it could be endured. I managed to watch Ashes of Time despite it's atrocious DVD.

[Markgway]

Thanks. I've been looking into the Days of Being Wild HK SE (there is also an As Tears Go By HK SE too). I may give that a go if I end up liking it after re-watching it.

The SE is no better than the original Mega Star release.

[bradavon]

How do you know? Any links? I don't doubt you but would like to see/read more about it.

[Markgway]

There was a comparison when it came out.... I wish I could remember details but the consensus was that the new release wasn't any better than the original (in fact it may have been worse). Maybe someone has a link for you or knows where to find a comp?

[bradavon]

I was going to risk it and see for myself but considering I already had doubts and I'd never be able to shift it I'm happy to take your word for it, thanks.

Although I'd definitely like to see it.

If so it sounds like the R1 is still the way to go. It does only have DD2.0 which is frankly more than fine for such a film. The Tartan DVDs are too risky and I believe are only in Cantonese in the box set with ITMFL anyway.

According to the DVD Beaver comparison the DOBW version in the box set is a new transfer to the one sold separately, and is the best yet. Strangely the R1 seems to zap all the green out:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompar ... ngwild.htm

[Markgway]

The Tartan (Box) version has the best image, but is less tinted (green) than the Mega Star. The Tartan (Box) does appear to have original Cantonese mono (it just says 2.0), which is obviously better than MS' 5.1 only, but I'm not buying a box set, so I guess I'll have to make do until Tartan reissue DOBW as a stand alone.

[bradavon]

I think they all have the original Mono/Stereo (whatever is applicable) or a 5.1 remix, i.e - No Mono to Stereo remix. As you know DD2.0 can be Stereo or Mono depending how it's Mixed.

But I'm not buying a box set, so I guess I'll have to make do until Tartan reissue DOBW as a stand alone.

I wouldn't, especially as it also includes 2046, which is an acceptable release but gets in the way. I'm sure the corrected version is only in the box set, which came a few months later. If you see it in a shop both DOBW and As Tears Go By also have a commentary, not on the separate releases.

Make do with what? The R1 is fine. Unless a "proper" remastered version (i.e - like the Korean Remastered jobs which are staggeringly better) comes and not a two-bit remastered job I doubt I'd bother.

[bradavon]

I cannot believe I'm the only one who has seen this/has any interest in seeing this My Blueberry Nights.

It's decent, so what if it doesn't have any Asians in it.

[EvaUnit02]

I cannot believe I'm the only one who has seen this/has any interest in seeing this My Blueberry Nights.

Jesus Christ, just because there's no one replies doesn't mean that there's no interest. People will likely discuss it once they've seen it. There's also BnB'ers who rarely go to the cinemas and whom prefer DVDs, such as Mark.

It's decent, so what if it doesn't have any Asians in it.

Where the fuck did that comment come from?

EDIT: Ah, Yi. Heh, he comes off like a more articulate version of Romero on many occasions.

[EvaUnit02]

There's also BnB'ers who rarely go to the cinemas and whom prefer DVDs, such as Mark.

It's been out on DVD since the 15th of Feb.

You said it best:-

I'll buy the DVD or HD Disc (if one comes) but won't get the HK DVD as I've made that mistake before.

After the disaster that was the HK release of 2046, I'm not going near the HK DVD.

[Markgway]

Make do with what?

Original Mega Star.

[Markgway]

I didn't like Happy Together because Leslie Cheung was a whiny knob and frankly I wouldn't have liked the movie any better had he been played by a she. I admit I don't like watching gay 'intimacy' but there's not too much in HT to be fair. If LD doesn't fancy it then that's up to him. I only watched it for review purposes myself...

[bradavon]

Original Mega Star.

I'm sure that's one of the worst DOBW DVDs. It only has 5.1 but poor subs too. Both of which also affect the SE.

[Markgway]

That's why I said 'make do'.

[Markgway]

Ah I see. The R1 is better though. It's the only version with Cantonese DD2.0 outside of the Tartan Box set. The picture quality is fine too.

The image is better on the Mega Star so it would be a trade off for Kino's mono track. Since there's no new music or foley it's not worth the bother. I'd rather keep the Mega Star until a more definitive edition comes along (ie. Tartan Box version as a stand alone).

[EvaUnit02]

I "think" we've established no one else is interesting in seeing My Blueberry Nights at the cinema.

I am, I probably won't get an opportunity until July when the annual Auckland Film Fest is held.

[bradavon]

Cool. July crikey that's late. Aren't they giving it a general release?

The image is better on the Mega Star so it would be a trade off for Kino's mono track.

I presume you mean the tinting? It is weird it's missing from the R1. I used to own the Mega Star but the subs annoyed me and so did the 5.1 a little. I ended up selling it as I wanted the WKW box set anyway.

Personally I think overall the R1 is better but clearly both are about the same.