City of Life and Death

Movie: City of Life and Death

Genre: historical dramatization

Synopsis: This is a dramatization of the 1937 occupation of the Chinese city of Nanjing by the Japanese Imperial Army.  The word “occupy” is really to mild a word to describe what the Japanese did.  They rounded up all Chinese soldiers left in the city and summarily executed them.  They would tie people to light posts and leave them to die.  Chinese women were forced to work “Comfort Tents” for the Japanese – which is a polite way of saying they were forced to provide sex for any soldiers who wanted it.  The movie allows us to see things from the perspective of some Japanese soldiers – some of who were horrified by what they did – as well as through the eyes of the Chinese.

My two cents: I have read a lot about the Rape of Nanjing and was a little apprehensive that the movie would be overly graphic.  While the movie manages to make clear some of the atrocities committed by the Japanese, it does not over-due it.  I think it is important to see movies like this every now and then to remind us of just how savagely people have behaved in war.  I am not trying to be anti-Japanese, but the Japanese government has had a tendency to not own up to their actions in World War II.  If a war movie included the things the Japanese did to the Chinese – both soldiers and civilians – in Nanjing would it at least an “R” rating.  The lives of the Chinese in Nanjing were so desperate that, as one Japanese soldier put it “it is easier to die than to survive”.

Bottom line: I cannot say that I enjoyed this movie . . .  the events depicted were far too horrendous.  But I will say that I am glad I saw it.

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Movie: 3 Backyards

Movie: 3 Backyards

Genre: drama

Synopsis: This movie follows three people from a suburban Long Island during the course of a single day. John (Elias Koteas) and his wife (Kathryn Erbe) have been having problems, culminating in a serious argument.  When John’s business flight is cancelled, he tells no one and takes an odd day off. Peggy (Edie Falco) is excited when an popular actress (Embeth Davidtz) who has rented a nearby house asks her to give her a ride to the ferry.  Peggy is hoping to bond with the actress.  Things don’t quite work out. Christina (Rachel Resheff) sneaks into her mother’s room before school and tries on some jewelry.  When a jewelry malfunction causes her to miss the school bus, Christine walks to school via shortcuts that take her through some woods and several backyards.  She happens across a very disturbing scene – which she fortunately does not understand.

My two cents: I probably would not have taken a chance on this were it not for the presence of Edie Falco and Kathryn Erbe.  I was always amazed at how quickly Nurse Jackie managed to put Carmela Soprano behind her.  It took about 5 minutes for Peggy to make me forget all about Nurse Jackie.  This movie is a hard one to summarize.  All three stories were interesting in their own way. All three stories ended with me scratching my head in puzzlement.  Usually this annoys me, but it did not really bother me in this movie.

Bottom line: if you are looking for a lot of action or for a straightforward storyline, you might not like this.  If you don’t mind some meandering and a “slice of life” type of movie, give this a shot.

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