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

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 10 Jun 2008, 00:18

Heroic Trio

6 out of 10

What an absolutely mad film. Anthony Wong was hilarious. You'd have no idea it's a Johnnie To film. Maggie Cheung in all that leather was "oh man" so lovely. Michelle Yeoh was nice too. Anita Mui was less attractive. All three performed well though.

I didn't particularly like the over the top violence and the cannibal babies wasn't necessary. The story is utter madness but I found myself enjoying it. The script is all over the place and makes little sense in places, the poor Universe subs didn't help.

Overall I enjoyed it but I've decided to sell/throw away my Universe DVD. I hear the sequel is dark and has none of the fun of the original. I'm not sure I can be bothered.

Mongol

8 out of 10

It's easy to see why it was nominated for an Oscar. It's a fantastic film but don't go in expecting wall to wall action it's more of an "Epic Drama" with moments of action, much of it brutal. I think Tigercage is being harsh on the action I thought it was decent. The film could've probably done with one more battle.

Mongol spends almost all of the running time showing us Ghengis Khan before he becomes Ghengis Khan.

It is a little hard to believe the man depicted in Mongol goes on to rule so many countries, he's a bit of a weakling for a good part of the film. Okay maybe not weak, but he doesn't come across as particularly tough. Khulan Chuluun (Ghengis Khan's wife) impresses.

The music and vistas are particularly impressive. I wonder how accurate it is, especially about the origins of his kids. It's one I'll get on BD.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 10 Jun 2008, 00:52

Wong really is wonderful in Heroic Trio. Fun film, yeah, but the sequel is better. It's got Takeshi Kaneshiro as Jesus.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 10 Jun 2008, 01:29

I'm not sure I'd say wonderful, his role is really bizarre to say the least and only in Hong Kong could a serious actor get away with it.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 10 Jun 2008, 04:11

bradavon wrote:You'd have no idea it's a Johnnie To film.

Although To gets sole directing credit it's as much a Ching Siu Tung film as his (Ching is credited as action director).

Maggie Cheung in all that leather was "oh man" so lovely. Michelle Yeoh was nice too. Anita Mui was less attractive.

Anita has amazing lips though. 8)

I didn't particularly like the over the top violence and the cannibal babies wasn't necessary.

It ain't PG-13 Spiderman fluff that's for sure.

I hear the sequel is dark and has none of the fun of the original. I'm not sure I can be bothered.

True enough. It's kinda heavy going. I much preferred the original, but you can never tell what you'll like without trying it.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 10 Jun 2008, 13:30

I much preferred the original as well, its much more fun What a mad film

. Executioners is too dark and bleak for its own good.
I agree the scene with the cannibal kids (where one wets himself) was unnecessary

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 10 Jun 2008, 15:17

Markgway wrote:True enough. It's kinda heavy going. I much preferred the original, but you can never tell what you'll like without trying it.

I liked Heroic Trio because it's madcap fun, decent enough action and most of all, the three leads have charisma but it's far from a great film. Oh and Maggie's black hot pants are just lovely

. It's really poorly made in places.

I don't think I can be bothered to buy The Executioners and downloads are likely to be shoddy quality.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 10 Jun 2008, 16:10

Maggie is gorgeous in the film

I really enjoyed it, fun fun fun!

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 10 Jun 2008, 18:58

Perfect Blue (Japan, 1998) – 4/5
Like most Satoshi Kon films, Perfect Blue mixes dreams, fantasy and reality. But the approach differs greatly from his later works. The story is about a pop star turned actress who stars losing her sense of reality when she leaves the bright and happy pop idol image behind and takes increasingly dark and exploitative roles in the movie industy. The film begins as a thriller but later turns into a brutal nightmare. Perfect Blue would be best described as crossover between Argento, Lynch and De Palma. The only notable weakness is that near the end there’s there’s maybe one or two U-turns too many. Not for those looking for bubblegum entertainment; this one will not only churn your stomach, but also require heavy brainwork during and after the film.

Rashomon (Japan, 1950) – 4/5
Very interesting examination of truth that tells four different versions of one crime. Each of them seem to have more or less truth in them, but none of them may be completely true. The acting is quite theatrical at times and may distract some viewers, but the screenplay is brilliant. The audince themself must decide what to believe.

btw, it was pure coincidence I watched two movies with such similar themes in a row.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 10 Jun 2008, 23:01

I'd love to see a live action remake of Perfect Blue directed by DePalma.

DangerousLeeHandsome · Post by **DangerousLeeHandsome** » 12 Jun 2008, 00:20

Invisible Target - 2.5/5
In terms of action, it delivers the goods. As a whole, its a bit disappointing. The movie takes itself too seriously and gets mighty preachy, on the verge of cheese. The story moves a a snail's pace and at a whopping 130 mins, its just too long. Cut out 20 mins and I would've given it a 3.5/5.

Planet of the Apes (2001) - 4/5
Pleasantly surpised! Very good movie. Much better than the original IMO.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Jun 2008, 03:33

DangerousLeeHandsome wrote:Planet of the Apes (2001) - 4/5
Pleasantly surpised! Very good movie. Much better than the original IMO.

It's okay but it's really just a soulless action film, very Non-Burton. The original is a classic and has way more depth, making statements about human natures ability to destroy itself. None of which is in the 2001 version.

The way the apes move is much better in the 2001 version though, but otherwise it's not in the same ball pack of quality. I'm no fan of Heston the man but he had oodles of Charisma, something Mark Wahlberg has none of (except in The Departed). My butt cheeks would have more screen presence than Mark Wahlberg.

It's still a shame a 2001 sequel was never made

.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 12 Jun 2008, 09:12

Hanzo The Razor: The Snare - 3/5

Some of this film is good fun, I liked the swordplay (which is a bit like the Lone Wolf + Cub films) and funky 70's soundtrack, but the exploitation aspects of the film, such as the torture of women, leave a bad taste in the mouth

In one scene it gets odd though - Hanzo beats his d*ck and then humps a sack of rice for God's sake?!

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 12 Jun 2008, 09:46

grim_tales wrote:Hanzo The Razor: The Snare - 3/5

Some of this film is good fun, I liked the swordplay (which is a bit like the Lone Wolf + Cub films) and funky 70's soundtrack, but the exploitation aspects of the film, such as the torture of women, leave a bad taste in the mouth

Zatoichi torturing a nun, how can you not love that scene???

grim_tales wrote: In one scene it gets odd though - Hanzo beats his d*ck and then humps a sack of rice for God's sake?!

Well, it's his interrogation instrument, he needs to train it

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 12 Jun 2008, 10:01

I can't love that scene with the nun Hung because it's unpleasant, even though the nun is bad

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 12 Jun 2008, 11:00

well, it's not really the idea that if the character is bad your supposed to enjoy seeing her tortured

Secret Chronicle: Prostitute Torture Hell (Japan, 1973) – 2/5
There’s no denying Noboru Tanaka was one of the better Japanese directors of the 70’s. From a technical point of view he’d be almost sure to deliver quality film each time. But he also had a tendency for these distant, dialogue loaded dramas that always seem to score with the critics (A Woman Called Abe Sada being another example). Some visual sequences are impressive, though.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 12 Jun 2008, 11:17

But you said you love the scene?

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 12 Jun 2008, 11:21

grim_tales wrote:In one scene it gets odd though - Hanzo beats his d*ck and then humps a sack of rice for God's sake?!

Have you not seen the first film?

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 12 Jun 2008, 12:32

grim_tales wrote:But you said you love the scene?

yeah, because it's a fun over the top scene that forces you to ask yourself "am I really seeing this? Is that really Zatoichi there raping, no interrogating, a nun?". It's not too different from films like Braindead.

But it's been several years since I saw the film so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about anymore... I need to watch the trilogy again some day. From what I recall the 1st and 3rd are good (***), but the second is excellent (****).

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 12 Jun 2008, 16:54

Just think how different The Sound of Music would have been with a little nun raping?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 12 Jun 2008, 17:35

Shingster wrote:
grim_tales wrote:In one scene it gets odd though - Hanzo beats his d*ck and then humps a sack of rice for God's sake?!
Have you not seen the first film?

Yes, I have seen the 1st movie

And Hung, thanks. I didnt know the actor who played Zatoichi in the 60's movies (?) also played Hanzo.
Braindead is a comedy and none of it is played seriously. However in the torture scene the nun is in obvious pain and its pretty nasty. I certainly wasnt laughing.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 12 Jun 2008, 17:40

Markgway wrote:Just think how different The Sound of Music would have been with a little nun raping?

Maybe a good film

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 12 Jun 2008, 17:46

romerojpg wrote:
Markgway wrote:Just think how different The Sound of Music would have been with a little nun raping?
Maybe a good film

Only if the nun was evil

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 12 Jun 2008, 18:00

And she was a naked Japanese samurai warrior, wanting revenge.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 13 Jun 2008, 01:30

How do you solve a problem like Maria?

Rape the bitch!

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 13 Jun 2008, 22:17

Laundy (Japan, 2001) – 2/5
This debut by director Junichi Mori could be a moderately entertaining dorama feature if the sceenplay didn’t have some fatal flaws. The story of a mentally challenged young man (Yosuke Kubozuka) and an older girl (Koyuki) who’s trying to get over her shoplifter past is kinda sweet in a very superficial way, but every 25 minutes the characters do the stupidest thing imaginable... which even more frustrating because every time you could see it coming a mile away. The film is also over-long; 126 minutes. I watched it in three parts over three days, and every time I found myself somewhat entertained till the inevitable stupid twist came. So, it works in pieces if you can forgive those bad scenes and enjoy this kind of naive drama, but I’m not sure I could survive it at one sitting.

Rape! 13th Hour (Japan, 1977) – 3,5/5
Serial rapist takes a student while being chased by a homosexual gang whose leader had become a victim of his. Yasuharu Hasebe continues to explore his favourite theme, which is a sudden change (to worse) in a ordinary person. Rape! 13th Hour is hardly happy go lucky entertainment, in fact even the studio themself thought they had gone too far this time. It is however a thought provoking and extremely slick thriller. Hasebe’s usual classical soundtrack works up to the perfection at times. The finale is rather surprising and unexpected... and ultraviolent. Metaphors for the state of the 1970’s movie industry (and society in general) are not hard to find, even if the director himself denies them.