What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 25 May 2009, 11:02

Sukeban Deka III: Romance of the Ninja Girls (Japan, 1986-1987) – 4,5/5
Toei and Fuji TV do the impossible; they successfully respond of the challenge set by the preceding two shows. In Sukeban Deka III ninja girls walk in school uniform and battle masked assasins on the streets of modern Tokyo. Supercute country sukeban Yui (Yui Kazama) joins her sisters Yuma (Yama Nakamura) and Yuka (Yuka Onishi) in an epic battle against evil. With yet another pitch perfect soundtrack, exciting fight scenes – Onishi’s shuriken & crane style kung fu combination is a jaw dropper – and fascinating ninja mythics, Sukeban Deka III comes close to being the best of the all three shows. Unfortunately the screenwriters’ heavy urge to re-imagine the Star Wars trilogy during the last 10 episodes leads to some stumbling. Nevertheless, despite this small setback Sukeban Deka III is an unforgettable and completely unique piece of television history.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 27 May 2009, 18:13

CHOCOLATE

If you liked ONG BAK this is more of the same. An autistic teenager (Yanin Vismitanda) beats the shit out of a lot of people to raise funds for her Cancer-stricken mother. The girl is damn good at fighting and clearly the ideal female counterpart to Tony Jaa. The story and drama are passable but this is really all about the action. I notice that the girl (who looks a good bit younger than her 24 years) is referred to in publicity as Jeeja. Is that a nickname?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 27 May 2009, 18:23

Likely her Thai nickname. 99.9% of Thai people are better known by a nickname. It's a cultural thing.

My best Thai fried, I know her name but have never used it. My other friends I don't even know what their real name is. No one uses them. Which is why Thai names "appear" to be really short but actually they're all nicknames. Their actual name is likely to be super long.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 27 May 2009, 18:42

bradavon wrote:Their actual name is likely to be super long.

Like... Markhas Asupergiantpenis

It's worth noting re. Chocolate that the depiction of disablilites is decidely non-PC. Have TWO handicapped children (not sure what the boy suffers from) brutally fighting each other is a bit tough to take.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 27 May 2009, 18:55

bradavon wrote: My best Thai fried

Did she put some cream on it?

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 27 May 2009, 19:33

Markgway wrote:It's worth noting re. Chocolate that the depiction of disablilites is decidely non-PC. Have TWO handicapped children (not sure what the boy suffers from) brutally fighting each other is a bit tough to take.

'CRIPPLE FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 27 May 2009, 22:30

Markgway wrote:Like... Markhas Asupergiantpenis

My best friend's surname has 14 characters. Probably even more in Thai script.

Markgway wrote:It's worth noting re. Chocolate that the depiction of disablilites is decidely non-PC. Have TWO handicapped children (not sure what the boy suffers from) brutally fighting each other is a bit tough to take.

So they're real not fake disabilities but even so, agreed. I bet it's a "lost in translation" in-joke. I can see the Thais finding this funny.

romerojpg wrote:Did she put some cream on it?

Oops

. As that's pretty witty I'll laugh along too.

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 27 May 2009, 23:31

Markgway wrote:It's worth noting re. Chocolate that the depiction of disablilites is decidely non-PC.

Is it as crass as Eric Tsang portraying Alzheimers in Metade Fumaca? Always makes me laugh that one!

I think the most non-pc thing I've seen in Asian cinema might be the "who's the better blackman" argument in Don't' Give a Damn!

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 28 May 2009, 08:32

I seem to recall Metade Fumaca being a good film. I'll need to revisit it sometime.

Obviously Jeeja is not really autistic. No idea about the boy but I'd assume he's faking his character's symptoms (lots of shaking and jerky movements).

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 28 May 2009, 11:48

Markgway wrote:I seem to recall Metade Fumaca being a good film. I'll need to revisit it sometime.

It is a good film, it's just Eric Tsang's acting in the closing scene is the most crude portrayal of Alzheimers you'll ever see, he plays it almost as broad as Jackie plays dementia at the end of Drunken Master II.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 31 May 2009, 11:19

Sukeban Deka: The Movie (Japan, 1987) – 3/5
It's ironic that Sukeban Deka's movie versions have been widely distributed in the west, while the TV shows - that are essential for understanding the films - have never been brought outside Asia. On the other hand, yo-yo armed schoolgirls that are never thoroughly introduced to the viewer should offer an enjoyably confusing experience for new viewers. The film brings together the cast of the second series (Minamino, Yoshizawa and Sagara) and adds Yui Asaka from the third series. Unfortunately the supporting characters are heavily under-used, the potentially delicius Minamino-Asaka comparison is ignored, and even Sagara's hair is wrong. Nevertheless, seeing the old cast tother again is a lot of fun, as are the numerous references and the new super yo-yo. Sukeban Deka: The Movie doesn’t compare well against the iconic – even epic – television shows, but it's an enjoyable over-the-top film on its own.

Sukeban Deka: Counter-Attack of the Kazama Sisters (Japan, 1988) – 4/5
Hideo Nakata's second try at Sukeban Deka silver screen adaptation is an unexpected success. Taking place after the end of the third season, the film takes a completely new direction. Sukeban Deka activity has been closed down and replaced with special forces armed with razor blade yo-yo's... Counter-Attack of the Kazama Sisters is much darker than any of the adventures before it – rather ironic considering Asaka is the most adorable of the three sukeban deka's – being both violent and displaying a close future vision that even reminds of Paul Verhoeven's sci-fi movies. Compared to the first film Kazama Sisters is better focused, less over-the-top and notaby punchier. Hiroyuki Nagato's extended role also comes as a positive surprise as this is one of the few times we get to see him outside of his office.

Yo-Yo Girl Cop (Japan, 2006) – 2/5
The original Sukeban Deka was made in a time when idols could act and sing. Kenta Fukasaku's new film stars Aya Matsuura, who does act and sing - and has released a great foot massage video - but doesn't convince as Asamiya Saki one bit. Rather, her performance is unintentionally funny and enjoyable. The same applies to director Fukasaku, except that his 'million cuts with slowmotion, flashbacks and a random black and white image' - directing is not quite as funny. The yo-yo action is mostly in cgi, falling far behind Yui Asaka's genuine yo-yo art in excitement. However, the new film is not entirely without merits. Against all odds the great Hiroyuki Nagato is not dead but back and looking exactly the same as he did 20 years ago. Yuki Saito also pays a brief visit, and Riki Takeuchi gives a likable performance, although that's partly because most actors surrounding him make even small acting talent shine.

Clean yourself of Fukasaku memories with a clip from SDIII:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuFu3Dte-1I&fmt=18

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 31 May 2009, 11:34

Haha I liked the glitter stuff she threw at them at the end

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 05 Jun 2009, 08:10

Ring (Japan, 1998) – 4/5
Rewatch and this turned out brilliant. Terrific atmosphere, visuals and cast. The flaws – dull ending voice over that underestimates the viewer, and some cheap tricks – can easily be overlooked.

Ring 2 (Japan, 1999) – 2/5
Rather unsuccesful and silly follow up that does however feature a terrific score.

Ring 0 (Japan, 2000) – 1,5/5
Very tiresome and predictable closing instalment. A couple of decent actors and one effective Carrie-scene only manage to keep some minor interest up.

Kairo (Japan, 2001) – 2,5/5
Second time around and Kurosawa’s poor and understating use of music didn't feel quite as distracting anymore. The beginning fares worst, but once the characters have been introduced the film does turn rather interesting. The gray visual look is great.

Ju-on (Japan, 2000) – 2/5
The first one of Takashi Shimizu’s endless Ju-on movies, made for video distribution. Occasionally scary and featuring Chiaki Kuriyama, but ultimately not very interesting.

Ju-on: The Grudge (Japan, 2003) – 1/5
Shimizu’s third Ju-on film, the first one for theatrical distribution. Same concept as before, but atmosphere and any interesting elements are now completely gone.

Ju-on: The Grudge 2 (Japan, 2003) – 1/5
The fourth Ju-on film by Shimizu, and not even his last. More of the same and certainly not any better made. There are more recommendable ways to spend 90 minutes with Nori-P.

Dark Water (Japan, 2002) – 3,5/5
When at his best, Nakata is a damn good director. Dark Water comes close to being brilliant, but hampers a bit in scenes where Nakara tries to give the horror a more physical (visible) form. Other than that, the film is excellent.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 05 Jun 2009, 10:30

Crikey that's some run of Japanese horror.

Ringu is so brilliant, the ending still scares the shit out of me. How do mean the voice over is dull? Is that the one right at te end, just before the credits? I thought Ringu 0 was better than Ringu 2, both work well enough for me.

Have you seen the Japanese You Tube clip where Sadako comes out of the TV and little school girls are so scarred? It's hilarious.

You should check out the American Ring 2. Ring 1 is rubbish but Ring 2 (made by Nakata) except for one dodgy CGI scene is actually very good. It's better than Ringu 2 and Ringu 0.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 05 Jun 2009, 10:58

bradavon wrote:Crikey that's some run of Japanese horror

All because that damn Ring turned out so good that had to confirm my old views on the genre :x

bradavon wrote:How do mean the voice over is dull?

The girl explaining that you have show the video to another person get rid of the curse... It's like the director thinks we're all idiots and didn't get it after Sanada's death.

bradavon wrote:Have you seen the Japanese You Tube clip where Sadako comes out of the TV and little school girls are so scarred?

Nope

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 05 Jun 2009, 11:37

Who the hell is Sanada?

. It's Sadako but thanks.

Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ney8Sl9R00

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 05 Jun 2009, 14:32

bradavon wrote:Who the hell is Sanada? . It's Sadako but thanks.

bradavon wrote: Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ney8Sl9R00

Thanks

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 05 Jun 2009, 17:40

Ah, him. It's been ages since I've seen it.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 05 Jun 2009, 18:04

Doki-Doki (Japan/USA, 2003) - 4/5
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=5154

Journey to Japan (Japan, 1973) - 2/5
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... &start=331

The Wolves (Japan, 1971) - 3,5/5
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... 3&start=32

bradavon wrote:Ah, him.

Ah, one of the most famous Japanese actors of all time

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 05 Jun 2009, 22:03

HungFist wrote:
bradavon wrote:Ah, him.
Ah, one of the most famous Japanese actors of all time

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 05 Jun 2009, 23:57

Hiroyuki Sanada. Henry to his mates.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 08 Jun 2009, 07:28

Drunken Master Commentary: 4/5

Quite interesting to listen to but the commentators said some weird stuff, since when was Phantom Menace a martial arts movie?!

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 08 Jun 2009, 16:01

The Accidental Spy BD 3/5

One of Jackie's better latter day efforts arrives on a very nice looking BD. The DTS track on this is one of the loudest i've heard in ages.One small irritation is that the film contains a fair bit of english dialogue,so you either have to keep turning the subs on and off or just leave them on throughout.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 08 Jun 2009, 16:45

grim_tales wrote:Drunken Master Commentary: 4/5

Quite interesting to listen to but the commentators said some weird stuff, since when was Phantom Menace a martial arts movie?!

Both commentators are total fools in general

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 08 Jun 2009, 16:59

They also said Iron Monkey was a Wong-Fei-Hung movie, strictly I dont think it is, even though WFH's father features in it. And as for that bullshit about American directors being crap at shooting fight scenes because they only saw MA movies in full-screen? No, they're just crap