Bullets 'n' Babes

SO CLOSE (2002)

Much better then I was expecting, a lot of fun, with great action and a witty script. Plus it's got Yasuaki Kurata and the "Close to you" song!

7/10

Agree Ivan!

Those girls are all incredible in it too. I gave it 7.5/10 and i miss that era of HK film...seems really old now!!

luckystars wrote:Agree Ivan!

Those girls are all incredible in it too. I gave it 7.5/10 and i miss that era of HK film...seems really old now!!

I loved that film when i watched it a few years ago and it got a bonus point for having Shu Qi in it

Bullet In The Head - 5/5
- Why I haven't watched this before now I'll never know. Simon Yam was seriously cool.

Keibetsu (Japan, 2011) – 3/5
Ryuichi Hiroki returns to gritty slice of life – with sweetheart Anne Suzuki (Hana & Alice) starring! But the attempt is only half successful. Adapted from an original story by Kenji Nakagami ‘the lovers on the run’ (gambler punk and pole dancer) tale spends too much time on countryside themes – not the area of excellence for urban loneliness director Hiroki. He fares much better in the film’s neon-lit Tokyo segments. The cinematography, while impressive at times, also doesn’t gain the level of intimacy that is found in some of the director’s best movies. Anne Suzuki, however, is quite excellent – she has improved notably since her teen years and handles a 10 minutes single shot drama sequence without difficulties. Oh, and she goes topless quite a few times. Should be mentioned.
- in more detail: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=6147

Laputa – Castle in the Sky (Japan, 1986) – 3.5/5
Miyazaki’s animation classic – adorable in parts, but running a bit overtime at two hours. The opening scenes are lovely, but the middle part could do some tightening. Miyazaki’s ecological message is handled much better this time than in the up-your-throat Nausicaä.

Helldriver (Japan, 2010) - (3.5 + 4.5) / 2 = 4/5
Explained here: http://sketchesofcinema.wordpress.com/2 ... ver-again/

So Close is good fun. It's no keeper but it doesn't outstay it's welcome and knows what it is, and how to do it.

I've still not seen my BITH HKL PE.

HungFist wrote:
Laputa – Castle in the Sky (Japan, 1986) – 3.5/5
Miyazaki’s animation classic – adorable in parts, but running a bit overtime at two hours. The opening scenes are lovely, but the middle part could do some tightening. Miyazaki’s ecological message is handled much better this time than in the up-your-throat Nausicaä.

I actually liked Nausicaa better than Castle in the Sky. Castle in the Sky is good as well, but I never really cared for the characters or what was going on.

bradavon wrote: I've still not seen my BITH HKL PE.

I've only seen it on VHS (MIHK), but it's a great movie.

Magnificent Warriors - 2.5/5

The Iron-Fisted Monk - 3/5

Love the sig Keung!^^

I'm going to try and squeeze a few more on there after some resizing/cropping.

Keung wrote:Magnificent Warriors - 2.5/5

The Iron-Fisted Monk - 3/5

Really enjoyed The Magnificent Warriors. Great performances by Yeoh, Derek Yee, and Richard Ng (funny as always).

I enjoy MW too - it's a fun ride, and free of obnoxious comedy. My only problem is that it casts old school kung fu greats Hwang Jang Lee and Lo Meng, then gives them nothing to do.

+1 for Magnificent Warriors

The German DVD is excellent.

IRON FISTED MONK is for the most part a very good film, but those rape scenes are so disgusting, I found myself siding with the BBFC!

LEGEND OF THE OVERFIEND (1989)

Even though I watched this in the edited US version, I still found it extremely unplesant - which I guess is the point. Great demons design and some good humour it must be said, but I can't see myself watching this again any time soon - 6/10

Ivan Drago wrote:IRON FISTED MONK is for the most part a very good film, but those rape scenes are so disgusting, I found myself siding with the BBFC!

I've seen much worse. I think the real problem is Dean Shek. His presence appears to add a misguided comic slant. But with the girl committing suicide afterward it's clear the filmmakers are condemning the act itself. Sammo's lack of experience as a dramatic filmmaker is shown in these scenes but I don't agree with them being cut.... unless anyone here felt they encouraged rape?

I wasn't even aware of any cuts. The rape scenes were unnecessarily long though. How much was taken out exactly? I watched the HKL DVD.

Dean Shek is more disgusting than rape scenes

Dean Shek is a legend. His career marred by people always associating him with his annoying character (and horrendous voice) in the Jackie Chan Seasonal films.

I thought the rape scenes in IFM were just too graphic - we don't need to see that much of Fung Hark On!

Dean Shek - aside from WARRIORS TWO, and his early grotesque roles in Shaw films, I don't really have a problem with him. His roles in the Jackie Seasonal films are fine, and he's often the sole saving grace of many an crummy indie.

Why do I not recall anything out of ordinary in Iron Fisted Monk? The Fox dvd is uncut, right?

Keung wrote:I The rape scenes were unnecessarily long though. How much was taken out exactly? I watched the HKL DVD.

1:16 via BBFC cuts.

luckystars wrote:Dean Shek is a legend. His career marred by people always associating him with his annoying character (and horrendous voice) in the Jackie Chan Seasonal films.

He always plays that character. If you look up annoyingly unfunny comic relief in an encyclopedia you'll find a picture of a gurning Shek.

Ivan Drago wrote:I thought the rape scenes in IFM were just too graphic - we don't need to see that much of Fung Hark On!

It's not like his wang was on display.

HungFist wrote:Why do I not recall anything out of ordinary in Iron Fisted Monk? The Fox dvd is uncut, right?

Yes... and it has mono... and a better image...

Markgway wrote:

HungFist wrote:Why do I not recall anything out of ordinary in Iron Fisted Monk? The Fox dvd is uncut, right?

Yes... and it has mono... and a better image...

Yep, I have it (and have watched it, that's why I was asking)

Rumble in the Bronx (Hong Kong, 1995) – 2.5/5
Thunderbolt (Hong Kong, 1995) – 2.5/5
First Strike (Hong Kong, 1996) – 2/5
Mr. Nice Guy (Hong Kong, 1997) – 2/5

Four disappointing Jackie films that hardly differ from straight to video productions. None of them are more than a pale shadow of the old school Jackie, and all of them, with the exception of First Strike, suffer from excessive brutal violence that doesn’t blend in well.

Rumble in the Bronx, while not the best of the poor bunch, remains the only one with a classic action scene: the ending is memorable. Thunderbolt is perhaps the most enjoyable one with its race car theme. The racing scenes, however, are ridiculous demolition derby filled with fast-motion and miraculous recoveries. First Strike is the poorest one – a demonstration of terrible editing and (lack of) pacing. Miramax's Mickey Mouse cut is actually superior to the Hong Kong version for at least improving the technical quality a bit. Mr. Nice Guy, the cheapest looking production of all four, has a nice title, but that’s pretty much it. Why director Sammo Hung would put so much brutal violence and jerky slow motion into a Jackie film is anyone’s guess.

HungFist wrote:Miramax's Mickey Mouse cut is actually superior to the Hong Kong version for at least improving the technical quality a bit.

How does it do that? I always wanted to see the HK cut but since there was never a decent release I gave up.