Kevin's Watch

Posted: **Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:26 am**

Has anyone else seen his film yet?

Mongol

It's the first in a planned trilogy on Ghengis Khan, and this one covers his life until the unification of Mongolia. Directed by the Russian Sergei Bodrov, and starring the excellent Japanese actor Asano Tadanobu (who some may know as Kakihara in Ichi the Killer).

I quite liked it. Visually stunning, and rich in atmosphere. Told very simply, and thankfully bereft of any deliberate cinematographic showiness. It is, at times, hampered by a few disjointed scenes, and a couple rushed developments. Overal, though, very good, and well worth seeing.

Nice and violent too. The style of violence in the film very much reminded me of Conan the Barbarian, actually.

Posted: **Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:44 pm**

Looks pretty cool. Only playing at the artsy theaters in my area; no wonder I missed seeing this coming. Will have to check it out.

Posted: **Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:45 pm**

...hmm...

(may qualify as Pantheon Third Age research for me)

Posted: **Mon Jun 23, 2008 7:48 pm**

I was looking forward to it, but now I can't find it showing anywhere

Posted: **Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:34 am**

Yeah, the fate of world cinema. It'll play for a month or so in the indie chains, while Harry Potter and the Cash Cow of ad Nauseum will run for six months

Actually, Mongol was quite packed out when I saw it, which was good to see.

Posted: **Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:11 pm**

Saw this a while back. Had to go to a 12.30am showing by myself. Strangely it's hard to find someone that wants to go see a foreign language film that finishes at 3 on a thursday morning. Was very good, though.

Posted: **Sat Aug 23, 2008 10:30 pm**

I actually did see this at the local indie film theatre near campus. I liked it. Very enjoyable. It's like a Mongolian Braveheart.-jay

Posted: **Sat Dec 13, 2008 11:14 pm**

I'm 3/4 the way through and really loving this movie...

Posted: **Sun Dec 14, 2008 2:38 am**

Well don't stop now, go back and finish it!

Posted: **Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:09 pm**

I'm trying but a 3 year old and life got in the way, wanted to finish it Sat night, but Fargo had just started to play on TV and we got mesmerized...and Sunday's NBF (nothing but football)...so will try to finish tonight.

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:22 am**

Very, very good, awesome!

Spoiler

I wish the forming of his army after his escape was fleshed out more, but it's implied...

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:48 am**

danlo wrote:Very, very good, awesome!
Spoiler
I wish the forming of his army after his escape was fleshed out more, but it's implied...

Glad you liked it. Asanobu was great as always. There was quite a few plot points like the one you mentioned which were rushed, that was probably the one which they really should have given a bit more detail to. Still, overall, a pretty good epic.

Posted: **Sat Feb 21, 2009 6:36 am**

I pulled it up from www.ovguide.com but it's a version without english subtitles, so I can't watch it-seemed good though.

Posted: **Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:54 pm**

Watched it anyway. Amazing visuals, good axtion, story seemed a little wanting, but the pace was good. Not understanding the dialogue really emphasized other parts of the movie, especially the facial acting, emotional tone... generally the more nuanced parts of filming. Glad you recommended it, tx.