Reviews

Finally watched it last night. Instead, I got a film that quickly grew on me as the body count mounted (hence the Englsh title). An earlier reviewer said it was like Fargo, but I would add a touch of an absurd Kill Bill body count. At the end of the film I was laughing out loud. A great dark comedy.

despite good efforts by the actors. El Commandante tries to rise above a poorly written script. It felt as if some writers said, hey, let's write a story that takes place on an island or other ideal setting. That way they could have a vacation. And after a few drinks, they tried not to put much effort into the script. They invited a cast who didn't know what was happening. The cast read the script. They rebelled. They they trapped all the actors on the island. Then the writers fish poisoned them until they agreed to complete the picture. They then all went with the Garcia Brothers to the Mambo Cafe. Sorry, Reuben, I'm pretty sure that that is what happened.

This was the companion piece to The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Liberation. I preferred it. First, I am a softy on grading films on Buddhism. This "Way of Life" had no cheesy special effects and used no obvious actors. It looked at the death of an old man in a village in Ladakh, has early footage of the Dalai Lama and a (somewhat) recent interview. Perhaps the best bit was the street interview with local citizens who, unlike most Westerners, are very accepting of death and suffering. Ram Dass and others share their ideas for use of the book in the West. I enjoyed the Tibetan Book of the Dead being read at a Western hospice. Again, a bit basic, but a good introductory piece. The Ladakh scenery, homes, etc. were fascinating when the film plodded along.

This has the feel of those Mystic Fire videos, which may bother some of you.

It is a companion piece to the Tibetan Book of the Dead, a Way of Life, which I liked better. The short film centers around the too early death of a 40 something young man, returned to his family from a long journey and stricken with an unknown illness.

I think this might be an interesting introduction to the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Nice visuals of Ladakh. Was not impressed by the special effects, but the little boy/monk and the mentor monk have a good interaction. Leonard Cohen's voice good, as usual. I may have been generous at seven stars, but I have a soft spot in my heart for Buddhist films.