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

[thelostdragon]

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (Japan / UK, 1983) – 4/5

One of the most disappointing films to me.

[HungFist]

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (Japan / UK, 1983) – 4/5

One of the most disappointing films to me.

How so?

[thelostdragon]

To me it was just boring. And I usually like films that other people might consider boring.

[Markgway]

City of Life and Death ****

Expertly made telling of the 'Rape of Nanjing'.
Less graphic than Black Sun, but harrowing all the same.
Stark B&W photography reminiscent of Schindler's List.

[HungFist]

To me it was just boring. And I usually like films that other people might consider boring.

I thought there was a great psychologial tension between the characters. The kiss between Bowie and Sakamoto especially is a grand moment. The only part that didn't work for me was the flashbacks, although the cinematography was great there, too.

City of Life and Death ****

I had a chance to see this, but skipped it cause I was too afraid it would be sappy melodrama...

[Markgway]

I had a chance to see this, but skipped it cause I was too afraid it would be sappy melodrama...

It's not melodramatic, emotion is raw and real. You should see it.

[HungFist]

Dark Love: Rape (Japan, 2008) – 2.5/5
The world is a strange place, but certain things could only come from Japan. Dark Love: Rape is a curiosity for its casting alone. Rape thrillers have been seen before, but very few of them star Office Kitano comedian Dankan and gravure idol Yuu Tejima. The latter means the heroine’s majorly sized assets are miraculously kept hidden from the viewer throughout the film – with iron chains, if not otherwise. Bare skin isn’t lacking otherwise, though, with Dankan banging his way through a wide selection of random victims. The film is a cheap production, but director Katsuya Matsumura shows skill. He keeps things moving swiftly, and compensates the low production values with stylish cinematography and effective use of music.

Raigyo (Japan, 1997) – 2/5
Takahisa Zeze’s semi-take off from the pink genre is a partly fascinating but largely flat art house film. River, swamp, and a love hotel provide the setting for a storyline filled with dying fishes and unpleasant characters. The film feels somewhat naturalistic, but the characters remain distant. There are, however, some atmospheric parts and harshly beautiful images. Zeze later directed a similar but clearly superior film A Gap in the Skin (2004).

[HungFist]

Kaiji: Gambling Apocalypse (Japan, 2009) - 3.5/5
Anime goes live action with brains, and lack of them. Gambling films is one of coolest genres, especially when it’s about life and death. Acting worse than usual here Tatsuya Fujiwara stars as the accidental gambler hero set against high class pricks. Death Note co-star and super-coolie-cutie Ken’ichi Matsuyama walks across too, but has no gambling scenes, sadly. Solid blockheaded teen-fun with a fit soundtrack and a helluva final duel. Manga/anime roots shine through especially in the beer drinking scenes.

New York Undercover Cop (Japan, 1993) – 3/5
First Scene: a crook gets shot by the one armed killer from The Fugitive (1993). First in the hand, then in the leg, once in the stomach, and finally in the head. Director Toru Murakawa knows what he’s doing. New York Undercover Cop is Toei’s piece of the American cop film genre. Murakawa delivers solid action and accurate racial descriptions. The blacks are deceitful beasts, the latinos traitorous bastards, the Chinese hassle with triads, and Mira Sorvino invites a homeless Asian man as night guest. The rest of the casting is casting is strong as well. Tony Sirico takes turns cursing and killing people, HK mofo Conan Lee throws in a couple of kung fu kicks, and title character Tooru Nakamura struggles with criminals and the English language alike. Believability is nowhere to be found. The homeless undercover cop deals automatic weapons to his boss with no questions asked. “Based on true story”. Sure. Which part?

[Killer Meteor]

Bruce's Fingers 1.5/5

Another lame Bruce Le starring vehicle,this guy has all the charisma of an eggplant.centred around the search for Bruce Lee's finger kung fu book,the most entertaining thing about watching some of these movies iss to watch decent level stars slumming it (in this one,for example we have Chan Wai Man,Lo Lieh & Nora Miao )

I quite enjoy this one, its good for a laugh!

[saltysam]

Bruce's Fingers 1.5/5

Another lame Bruce Le starring vehicle,this guy has all the charisma of an eggplant.centred around the search for Bruce Lee's finger kung fu book,the most entertaining thing about watching some of these movies iss to watch decent level stars slumming it (in this one,for example we have Chan Wai Man,Lo Lieh & Nora Miao )

I quite enjoy this one, its good for a laugh!

I was always of that opinion but i think my affection for the Bruceploitation genre is waning badly as i rewatch them.Most of them viewed today are crapfests.maybe i'm just getting old

Dragon Dies Hard 1/5

Poor early Bruce Li/Ho Chung Tao effort.Li plays a guy called Stone who pretends to be Bruce's ghost to scare off the guys who killed him.Lung Fei,as usual shows up for the climax.

Bruce Li In New Guinea 1/5

The excellent Chen Sing embarrassingly dresses up as the Snake King to face off against Bruce Li in this feeble effort.

[HungFist]

Burning Paradise (HK, 1994) - 3.5/5
Ringo Lam’s Fong Sai Yuk film begins like any mid 90’s martial arts comedy, but makes a radical turn after the first 15 minutes. Lam’s Red Lotus Temple is a hell on earth, where Shaolin monks are being enslaved and killed night and day. The atmospheric and extremely violent kung fu tale comes close to turning into a horror movie. Aside some clumsiness in the opening scenes, the blood soaked film mainly suffers from the lack of bare skin. In a movie as graphic and ruthless as this, it feels downright ridiculous the female slaves lose body parts but never their clothes – not in a way that would be visible to the camera at least.

Marebito (Japan, 2004) – 3.5/5
Best known for his miserable Ju-on films, Takashi Shimizu is, in fact, capable of making good films. Marebito is probably his best. Shinya Tsukamoto stars as a news cinematographer searching for the ultimate fear to free his soul - and probably take his life. He records everything with his video camera. Director Shimizu, who shot the film on digital and mainly handheld, essentially the same as his protagonist. This gives Marebito a true video camera movie identity. A fascinating, grisly beautiful horror movie unsuitable for mainstream audiences.

[Markgway]

blood soaked film mainly suffers from the lack of bare skin

That's your big complaint?

[HungFist]

blood soaked film mainly suffers from the lack of bare skin

That's your big complaint?

Yep. It made some scenes feel a bit too silly and illogical.

Might not stand out for a Brit so much. You guys take a shower with your clothes on, don't you?

[Markgway]

Yep. It made some scenes feel a bit too silly and illogical.

You're 'silly and illogical' but we like you anyways...

You guys take a shower with your clothes on, don't you?

Only until it's time to have a wank.

[Yi-Long]

My biggest complaint with Burning Paradise is that, for a martial arts movie, it has surprisingly few martial arts scenes, and the endfight is kinda ridiculous.

The lead, Willie Chi, is absolutely excellent as the young and brash Fong Sai Yuk.

Oh, and personally I don't really need my movies to have 'skin'.

[HungFist]

Yep. It made some scenes feel a bit too silly and illogical.

You're 'silly and illogical' but we like you anyways...

[Yi-Long]

Yep. It made some scenes feel a bit too silly and illogical.

You're 'silly and illogical' but we like you anyways...

You'd like him more if he'd show some skin, though...

[Markgway]

You'd like him more if he'd show some skin, though...

How about a Bullets members' members thread?

[HungFist]

You'd like him more if he'd show some skin, though...

How about a Bullets members' members thread?

Be careful what you say. Brad is still here

[bradavon]

Burning Paradise (HK, 1994) - 3.5/5
the blood soaked film mainly suffers from the lack of bare skin. In a movie as graphic and ruthless as this, it feels downright ridiculous the female slaves lose body parts but never their clothes – not in a way that would be visible to the camera at least.

That would surely just be gratuitous?

If nudity has a place fine, like say a sex scene and of course if there's a hot nude woman on screen I'll always look but it doesn't mean it's needed. And no Brits don't shower with our clothes on, you're again getting us confused with Americans.

Be careful what you say. Brad is still here

Keep me out of it.

[HungFist]

That would surely just be gratuitous?

It's a blood bath temple where a bunch of horny sadists enslave women and occasionally rip their heads off after raping them. Not to mention all the other gratuitous violence. The fact that there's no nudity visible is all too obviously because the filmmakers go to Austin Power lengths in hiding it.

And no Brits don't shower with our clothes on, you're again getting us confused with Americans.

joke, joke. And aimed at Mark, because he has a sense of humor.

But the reference was to Brits also having a nudity allergy as compared to most of the mainland Europe. I don't suppose you have full frontal nudity on daytime TV?

[Markgway]

You'd like him more if he'd show some skin, though...

How about a Bullets members' members thread?

Be careful what you say. Brad is still here

Brad is no doubt taking a snapshot of his todger this very moment.

I don't suppose you have full frontal nudity on daytime TV?

Sadly, no. Mind you... breakfast TV would never be the same if the news was read by an old dear with her tits hanging out.

[bradavon]

The fact that there's no nudity visible is all too obviously because the filmmakers go to Austin Power lengths in hiding it.

Fair enough then.

But the reference was to Brits also having a nudity allergy as compared to most of the mainland Europe.

Funny. I could've sworn Europe was a continent with over 30 countries, each with their own opinions on nudity and sensibilities. I guess not.

I don't suppose you have full frontal nudity on daytime TV?

Everyone is a naturist in Finland? WOW!

[HungFist]

But the reference was to Brits also having a nudity allergy as compared to most of the mainland Europe.

Funny. I could've sworn Europe was a continent with over 30 countries, each with their own opinions on nudity and sensibilities. I guess not.

Funny. I could've sworn I just said most, not all. Wait, I did. (as an aswer to what you meant)

I never claimed different European countries didn't have different opinions on the topic. You came up with that. (as an answer to what you wrote)

I don't suppose you have full frontal nudity on daytime TV?

Everyone is a naturist in Finland? WOW!

Only for a shot time each year. It's too cold for the rest of the time. Of course, at home everyone's running a around with their balls hanging out, but that doesn't count cause other people can't see it.

[Markgway]

I wonder if nudist families have more problems with incest?

One sunny afternoon you're playing a harmless game of tennis when that thought pops into your head:
'Damn, I never realised what a great body my sister has.'
As much as you try you can't get the image of your sister's curves glistening with sweat out of your mind.
She bends over to pick up the ball and shows her--
*schwing*
'Is everything OK, Brother Hung? You look flustered' (in Finnish)
'Just a slight stiffness coming on... in the shoulder"
Oh dear!