Bullets 'n' Babes

bradavon wrote:

HungFist wrote:Like I said, maybe by your limited standards.

Sorry I forgot your middle name was god . I watch DVDs/BDs too btw.

That's what I mean. You don't watch 20 year old VHS transfers of films that have never been remastered. You don't watch old 16 or 35 mm cinema prints that are (literally) about the fall appart.

The HK Video transfer for the Version Longue is solid dvd quality - several official dvd releases even feature a worse transfer. When you say "rough as old boots" I'm thinking about something like this:

The Ballad of Narayama (1983) - 3.5/5

Good, but one of the least exciting Imamura film I've seen so far.

@ Hung: I call that unwatchable. There are plenty of other films to watch, not to have the need to endure "that". I have watched 20 year old VHS tapes, who hasn't?

bradavon wrote:I have watched 20 year old VHS tapes, who hasn't?

yeah, 20 years ago when they were brand new, right

But yeah, the caps I posted are pretty much unwatcable. Thankfully no longer an issue, since the R2J is sitting in my shelf.

gasteropod wrote:The Ballad of Narayama (1983) - 3.5/5

Good, but one of the least exciting Imamura film I've seen so far.

Which ones have you seen? I've only seen the ones that were on TV a few years ago... Vengeance is Mine, Zegen, Eijanaika, History of Postwar Japan as Told by a Bar Hostess, and Intentions of Murder

HungFist wrote:Which ones have you seen? I've only seen the ones that were on TV a few years ago... Vengeance is Mine, Zegen, Eijanaika, History of Postwar Japan as Told by a Bar Hostess, and Intentions of Murder

I own:
Stolen Desire (3/5)
Pigs & Battleships (4/5)
A Man Vanishes (4/5)
Profound Desires of the Gods (4.5/5)
Vengeance Is Mine (4.5/5)
The Ballad of Narayama (3.5/5)

Will be purchasing The Eel and The Insect Woman when they come out.

A Better Tomorrow (2010) - 3/5
Flashier and louder than the original but completely lacking in style and substance. Otherwise, the story is exactly the same. They even use one of Joseph Koo's iconic cues from the original. The shootouts are sorta cool.

Shaolin - 4/5
A big surprise! This movie is a total blast! I didnt think Benny Chan had it in him to make a film this competent. Congrats to Benny!

Little Big Soldier - 4/5
Viewing for a third time, Im reaffirmed that this is Jackie's best film in atleast 10 yrs. A great film and a great performace from Jackie!

HungFist wrote:yeah, 20 years ago when they were brand new, right

I watched Blade Runner theatrical cut in 4:3 P&S VHS a few years back, if that counts.

Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance (2009) - 2/5

I didn't enjoy this, it was one of those sequels where things were happening but I sure as hell didn't care. I'd still stop just short of calling it a bad film though so I'm rating it 'weak'.

DangerousLeeHandsome wrote:Shaolin - 4/5
A big surprise! This movie is a total blast! I didnt think Benny Chan had it in him to make a film this competent. Congrats to Benny!

Did you watch his debut film 'A Moment of Romance'? That one is quite strong.

Salaam LD
How're things?

Quadrophenia 2/5 Hadn't seen this in years and found it rather dated.Phil Daniels as a mod is an annoying lead.

Enter The Ninja 2/5 Early 80's cannon ninja entry starring Franco Nero and his stunt double (Mike Stone) as the unbeatable white ninja.It wouldn't be a ninja movie without Sho Kosugi, Christopher George chews the scenery well "Mr Parker! i want my black ninja and i want him now!" it's not very good but it's passable enough.

DangerousLeeHandsome wrote:
Little Big Soldier - 4/5
Viewing for a third time, Im reaffirmed that this is Jackie's best film in atleast 10 yrs. A great film and a great performace from Jackie!

I watched this last night. Great stuff! - 4/5

grim_tales wrote:Salaam LD
How're things?

Hey buddy,
all's well, just a bit busy these days. You?

Sometimes not too bad, sometimes a bit sad Going on a drama group now

grim_tales wrote:Sometimes not too bad, sometimes a bit sad (

get yourself laid

Gallants (2010) - 5/5

Teddy Robin was hilarious, fighting was great, cute female co-star, nice soundtrack. I can't say enough about this film.

Tokyo Raiders (2000) - 3.5/5

I haven't seen this for a long time. I bought the VCD when it originally came out. Very enjoyable flick. Tony Leung, great as always.

Keung wrote:Gallants (2010) - 5/5

The worst film of 2010, as far as I recall.

Really? I thought it was quite...refreshing.

"HK cinema raped for the MTV generation" was my first comment after is stopped throwing up up, I think...

2010 Bottom 5
1. Gallants
2. The Unjust
3. Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
4. Gantz (Part 1)
5. Ancient Dogoo Girl Festival

2010 Top 10
1. Kyojima 3rd Street Sumida City
2. Reindeerspotting
3. Heaven's Story
4. Armadillo
5. Sketches of Kaitan City
6. Cold Fish
7. Alien vs. Ninja
8. Boys on the Run
9. Rubbers ou onna
10. Shirome

Special Mention
- Finisterrae
- A Serbian Film
- Dream Home
- Kaboom

Carmen 1945 (Japan, 1988) – 2/5
Underwhelming Gate of Flesh adaptation, directed by the late Hideo Gosha during his women-cinema period. It’s a solid effort in technical terms, but struggles to differentiate from the various other adaptations, including the magnificent 1964 Seijun Suzuki film. Gosha’s main input is the more realistic, bitchy female characters that don’t necessarily serve the cinematic aspect of the pic, but ought to please a few realism seeking viewers nevertheless. Yakuza stars Tsunehiko Watase and Jinpachi Nezu co-star.

The Executioner (Japan, 1974) – 3.5/5
Teruo Ishii was a born maniac, and a downright terrorist when forced to take directing gigs against his will. The Executioner falls into the latter category. Toei Studios wanted another karate actioner in the vein of The Street Fighter, Ishii delivered a mentally insane mercenary action comedy. It’s not one of Chiba’s action highlights (especially with Yasuaki Kurata stealing the spotlight), but it is one of his ugliest, most brutal and downright offending movies. The heroes are sadists and perverts, and the bad guys... well, the same but even worse. Humor is plenty and constantly sexist, body parts are ripped off, and most cast members are ugly enough to be modern art masterpieces. A nice movie despite some restless camerawork - and so popular Toei had Ishii direct a sequel, too.

Is there any English friendly DVD of The Executioner, Hung?

Yes, Adness released both films remastered on R1 years ago. Very cheap, too:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A1INAS
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A1INA8/

I like the sequel even better than the first one.

HungFist wrote:"HK cinema raped for the MTV generation" was my first comment after is stopped throwing up up, I think...

2010 Bottom 5
1. Gallants
2. The Unjust
3. Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
4. Gantz (Part 1)
5. Ancient Dogoo Girl Festival

I agree about Galants...it was "low budget bad/horrible rambling story" 1.5/5

Detective Dee was a very good watch though! Quality film 4/5

I actually liked Gallants. Not great, not bad, but just entertaining. Didn't like the male lead though, but the old guy was really really funny.

Yi-Long wrote:Didn't like the male lead though

Wong Yau-Nam

but the old guy was really really funny.

There's a few 'old guys' in there (not that I've seen the film yet myself).

Which one are you referring to?