Floating World - Rotten Tomatoes

Floating World

Floating World is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this publication only count toward the Tomatometer when written by the following Tomatometer-approved critic(s): Dustin Chang
Rating
Title/Year
Author
1
All Light, Everywhere (2021)

Dustin Chang

Always mindful about racist American history, Anthony connects the dots to expose the uneasy relationship among technology, commerce, race and power dynamics of the eyes of the beholder. And it's a fascinating one.
Posted Jan 26, 2022
2
Niagara (1953)

Dustin Chang

Technicolor is stunning, so as the set design. Rose's prolonged, almost silent murder scene is as good as it gets and puts most stylish giallos to shame.
Posted Jan 26, 2022
3
Expedition Content (2020)

Dustin Chang

At times tender and jarring in others, Expedition Content is a wondrous aural experience to be had.
Posted Jan 26, 2022
4
Happening (2021)

Dustin Chang

Clear eyed Vartolomei's performance is something of a miracle here as a young woman with her whole promising future tittering on the cliff because of the legality of a simple medical procedure to her body, her own body(!)
Posted Jan 26, 2022
5
The Tale of King Crab (Re granchio) (2021)

Dustin Chang

he Tale of King Crab is an adventure in more ways than one. Silli's craggy face with his smooth, clear voice guides us through the most unlikely places.
Posted Jan 26, 2022
6
August In The Water (1995)

Dustin Chang

Mixing New Age spirituality, animism, astrophysics and advancement in technology, Gakuryu Ishii's trippy 90's relic, the film can be seen as the quintessential film for vaporwave.
Posted Jan 8, 2022
7
Silence (2017)

Dustin Chang

Silence is a somber film full of stellar performances. It reminds me of Scorsese's Kundun, in terms of theme and scale. I just wish he does more of these films instead of gangster flicks.
Posted Jan 8, 2022
8
Edvard Munch (1976)

Dustin Chang

Peter Watkins's Edvard Munch plays out like how Kurt Vonnegut laying out time. The tumultuous time in late 19th century Europe is displayed in the background, giving the film much needed context behind Munch's often disturbing art.
Posted Jan 8, 2022
9
Benedetta (2021)

Dustin Chang

As a film, Benedetta is not subliminal enough to be taken seriously, nor scintillating or flirty enough even for Verehoven standards.
Posted Dec 1, 2021
10
Titane (2021)

Dustin Chang

Ducournau is a new breed of filmmaker who isn't afraid of breaking conventions. With Larrain's Ema early this year, Titane is one of the most exhilarating films I've seen this year.
Posted Oct 4, 2021
11
Malcolm X (1992)

Dustin Chang

The power of X's speeches delivered with such finesse by Washington is the main draw here. His firey Black Nationalist rhetoric might have been too harsh in criticizing the powers that be, but you can't ignore the stings of truth in his words.
Posted Jul 25, 2021
12
Krabi, 2562 (2019)

Dustin Chang

Rivers and Suwichakornpong are less interested who is exploiting who, but the delicate dance that is human existence between real and imagined world both in physical and spiritual sense.
Posted Jul 25, 2021
13
Fauna (2020)

Dustin Chang

Pereda shifts the narrative to concentrate on narrative within the narrative, enacting a pulpy book Gabino was reading. Pereda toys with the stereotypical roles in these scenarios from countless narco shows that dominate and perpetuate Mexican roles...
Posted Jul 25, 2021
14
Uncut Gems (2019)

Dustin Chang

I gotta admit, now I am in full Safdie Bros. team. It took me this long to see Uncut Gems but I am convinced that the Safdies will save American cinema.
Posted Jul 25, 2021
15
Raw (2017)

Dustin Chang

Mixing not so subtle metaphors of cannibal and carnal, Ducournau charges ahead like a juggernaut, one gross incidents after another with the similar energy that is usually reserved for macho directors (Gaspar Nöe comes to mind).
Posted Jul 25, 2021
16
Short Vacation (2021)

Dustin Chang

The film in its short running time, 114 minutes, captures so much natural greatness. It also makes us feel very nostalgic about the childhood, its endless possibilities and portentials and a sense of wonder. One of the best films I've seen this year.
Posted Jul 25, 2021
17
The Beautiful Person (La Belle Personne) (2008)

Dustin Chang

Unlike the observation of a cafe owner, that teenage girls are as delicate as a glass. No matter what the circumstance, she is stronger than you and she can destroy you. Honoré too understands, about fleeting nature of love and its unfairness.
Posted Apr 12, 2021
18
Liverpool (2008)

Dustin Chang

Alonso is trying to find something, through each of his films. It might be something transcendental, a reflection of human nature, frailty, loneliness.... I am just mesmerized by all of it.
Posted Apr 12, 2021
19
Un Lac (2008)

Dustin Chang

Sound of whirring wind, river, rain, snow, breathing, footsteps, etc., are always present, accompanying the dark, grainy imagery and making Un Lac a living, pulsating entity, much like an injured horse in the film.
Posted Apr 12, 2021
20
Manjadikuru (2013)

Dustin Chang

Manjadikuru unfolds like a good memoir. The intricacy and eye for details by the first time director Anjali Menon, from her own experience growing up, are just extraordinary.
Posted Apr 12, 2021
21
The Exploding Girl (2010)

Dustin Chang

This economically done film belongs to Kazan- with a lot of tight close ups, we intimately get to observe Ivy, a rather introverted, unremarkable college girl.
Posted Apr 12, 2021
22
Hunger (2008)

Dustin Chang

Fassbender's portrayal of man of conviction is quite astonishing. Whether you agree with IRA's tactics to achieve their political aim, one can't take away Sands' conviction in his beliefs. And that's beautiful.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
23
Synecdoche, New York (2008)

Dustin Chang

Kaufman touches upon universal theme of loneliness and melancholy through the eyes of an obsessive artist who builds a replica of life on stage within the replica, within the replica, within the replica... with depth and intimacy.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
24
35 Rhums (35 Shots of Rum) (2008)

Dustin Chang

Said to be an homage to Ozu, 35 rhums comfortably slips in to the universality of human conditions. Paper lanterns in Germany, rice cookers in an African household in France are completely in harmony with their surroundings. It's a beautiful film.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
25
Watchmen (2009)

Dustin Chang

Snyder's tongue in cheek graphic novel adaptation gets the most of it right faithfully, from two dimensional feel of the imagery with new age-y primary color-palette to Alan Moore's cynical exploration of the ugly side of Humanity.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
26
Julia (2009)

Dustin Chang

The film keeps you on your toes as to where it is headed, breaking all the conventional cliché plotlines. And it's Swinton's finest hour since Deep End, as a conflicted, less than perfect small time crook finding her way.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
27
The Limits of Control (2009)

Dustin Chang

Only Jarmusch can get away with pretentious movie about art like this. Less hypnotic than Dead Man but infinitely more interesting than anything else he's done since, Limits of Control is more of an exercise in Jarmusch-ism.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
28
La Nana (The Maid) (2009)

Dustin Chang

The Maid features one of my favorite movie endings in recent years. Slice of life that is both touching and real.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
29
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)

Dustin Chang

Cage is in his top form. Under the firm hands of Herzog, his usual overacting comes across as funny and even endearing. Clocking at lean mean 2 hours, Port of Call New Orleans has no fat and is dry as a feather in its post-Katrina setting.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
30
Tokyo Sonata (Tokyo Sonata) (2009)

Dustin Chang

Kurosawa manages to hover right above all the stereotypical situations and makes it work with great editing, sound and intimate cinematography(by Akiko Ashizawa). And one of the most beautiful endings I've seen in movies in years.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
31
Kurôn wa kokyô o mezasu (The Clone Returns Home) (The Clone Returns to the Homeland) (2008)

Dustin Chang

There are creepy yet stunningly beautiful images as the ghosts materialize themselves as past meets present. Deeply moving and contemplative, The Clone Returns Home is one of the most stunning debut features in years.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
32
The Missing Person (2009)

Dustin Chang

The Missing Person says a lot about mutual understanding, fraternity in tragedy. It also says about that there will always be opportunities to make profits off of it.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
33
Regrets (Les regrets) (2009)

Dustin Chang

With measured and effective Philip Glass's score and Nina Simone's Sinnerman bookending the film, this contemplation on regrets (in which most great literature/art is based upon) gets high marks from me.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
34
Altiplano (Fragments of Grace) (2010)

Dustin Chang

Set in otherworldly Andes backdrop, Altiplano is bravura filmmaking at its best- colors, music, camera movements and unforgettable images mixed in with myth and spirituality conjuring up emotions like no other.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
35
Alle Anderen (Everyone Else) (2010)

Dustin Chang

Simple in its aesthetics (heavily dependent upon two leads' actings) and brutally honest in its depiction, this 'relationship drama' rings very true to me. Very refreshing.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
36
The Runaways (2010)

Dustin Chang

Based on the memoir Neon Angel: The Cherie Currie Story and executive produced by Joan Jett, this all-girl rock band biopic hits all the right notes in all the right places.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
37
Dear Doctor (2009)

Dustin Chang

With pitch perfect stellar performances from everyone involved and gorgeous cinematography by Katsumi Yanagijima (Dolls, Battle Royal), Dear Doctor is a great, if not a little old-fashioned dramedy with a big heart.
Posted Mar 24, 2021
38
The Housemaid (2011)

Dustin Chang

Im saves the grotesquery of the wealthy to the last minute. But the build up (to the not so subtle climax and ending that can be read as slapdash) is so engaging and understated that it only amplifies the brilliance of Im's precision filmmaking.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
39
Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo (2009)

Dustin Chang

More of an anthropological essay than straight-up documentary, Beetle Queen shows the latest craze in Japanese culture.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
40
Non Ma Fille, Tu N'iras Pas Danser (Making Plans for Lena) (2010)

Dustin Chang

Chiara Mastroianni is nothing short of a revelation as a discombobulated mom of two, dealing with well meaning but nosy parents, sibling rivalry and her estranged husband whom she can't ever get over.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
41
Marwencol (2010)

Dustin Chang

Malmberg's documentary is tender and intimate. Horgancamp is never treated or seen as a freak but a genuine folk artist with great imagination.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
42
Black Swan (2010)

Dustin Chang

Black Swan is way over the top (not that his films were ever subtle) in saint/whore dichotomy with bombastic Swan Lake score. But it fits with visceral visuals creating internal chaos in the character.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
43
Winter's Bone (2010)

Dustin Chang

Debra Granik's depiction of the Ozarks is never patronizing nor sentimental. Winter's Bone is filled with the lives of the locals in great detail and presented with great care, nothing seems out of place.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
44
Never Let Me Go (2010)

Dustin Chang

It was Kazuo Ishiguro's appropriation of this hope with young love that really spoke to me when I read the book. And it's carried out beautifully here by Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
45
Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010)

Dustin Chang

It is a very well made, good archival material for street art movement, with a lot of humor: the guerrilla style, tag-and-run aesthetic brings a lot of funny, entertaining moments. It also questions the nature of art and art as commodity
Posted Mar 21, 2021
46
Film socialisme (2011)

Dustin Chang

Here Godard sees a giant cruise ship as a metaphor for Europe- decadent, crass, greedy people enjoying luxury largely serviced by non-European workers, sailing an uncharted territory surrounded by ominous, choppy water.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
47
White Material (2010)

Dustin Chang

White Material is not her most abstract film yet Denis still manages to keep the film absorbing and enigmatic without ever being didactic or boring. It's definitely headier and feels more substantial than her other works.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
48
Into The Abyss (2011)

Dustin Chang

With no traces of cynicism or sly wit, Into the Abyss is a particularly straightforward documentary. Thoroughly inquisitive and contemplative, Herzog seems to be saying enough is enough.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
49
La belle endormie (The Sleeping Beauty) (2011)

Dustin Chang

Breillat's second interpretation of the fairy tale trilogy (first Bluebeard and Beauty and the Beast planned), is much more playful and sumptuous (from production design to cinematography) than her previous efforts I've seen by her.
Posted Mar 21, 2021
50
Tabloid (2011)

Dustin Chang

In the age of Newscorp scandal and sensationalized murder trials, Joyce McKinney story seems fun and innocent. Morris is on top of his game and has never been any more entertaining than this.
Posted Mar 21, 2021