My movie watching's not been going too well the past couple of months.

Today, I caught Hard Candy, and I'm confused. I've since trawled the IMDB boards and clearly this film polarises opinions. But I'm confused, cause I can't quite make up my mind about it. On the one hand, it's dark, indie, thoughtful, somewhat open to debate. On the other hand, it does seem like psychotic trash and both leads need serious psychological help (perhaps the whole point's to generate moral controversy, huh). So I can't shake the feeling that the film's manipulating the audience to believe that the film is worthy of analysis when it's maybe - just - plain warped for its own sake.

OK, it's slightly less disturbing now I've read that the guy's not actually castrated (I've bad ears and missed a crucial line!). I should have realised it sooner though.

The only sure thing is Ellen Page's incredible performance. A curious mix of Portman precociousness and Spacek weirdness (the Carrie type). We will see more from her, surely. I think this might be the best performance from a young actress since Scarlett in Lost In Translation.

Anyway, don't catch it if you're not a hardcore movie fan or hardcore movie fan wannabe. Otherwise, feel free to discuss it with yours truly.

P.S. Just caught Il Mare too! Beautiful, beautiful cinematography (I bet the Hollywood version is fugly :x) Seems to have the same paradox as Lakehouse (as told by yh) though? But, all is fine - there are so many different interpretations of the effects of time travel. And if you accept a magical mailbox, then anything is possible.