30.3.06
Tokyo Raiders 東京攻略
Tokyo Raiders – 2000
Starts off well. Some fun moments involving golf clubs and a computer mouse. Lin's cutie girls are nice. A good looking cast who provide superior style. The plot is boring and the twists unable to impress. I'm getting weary already of cop and gangster films where guys in suits run around every now and again, doing flying kicks and shit. A big nothing special. 3/10
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War – 2004
The fictional story of two brothers, Jin-Seok and Jin-Tae (Dong-Kun Jang), forced to fight for their country during the Korean War (1950-53). A war often overlooked, but actually it involved quite a few countries. The Chinese and Russians supported the Communist North, while the US, UK and others supported the South. The UN was used as a shield to avoid a declaration of war by the US and others. This war was known for its atrocities: many civilians/prisoners were killed by communist forces and southern forces.
Jin-Tae becomes obsessed with gaining renown and medals in order to gain the right to have his beloved brother sent home to their struggling family. He becomes over-protective, and then as the film gets deeper Jin-Tae becomes warped by war, and a new obsession begins. The brothers aspect of the story is very good, but the many battle scenes offer little we have not seen before; pretty much a standard war film. However, this film was highly successful in South Korea and is definitely worth a look. 6.5/10
Jin-Tae becomes obsessed with gaining renown and medals in order to gain the right to have his beloved brother sent home to their struggling family. He becomes over-protective, and then as the film gets deeper Jin-Tae becomes warped by war, and a new obsession begins. The brothers aspect of the story is very good, but the many battle scenes offer little we have not seen before; pretty much a standard war film. However, this film was highly successful in South Korea and is definitely worth a look. 6.5/10
24.3.06
Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek – 2005
Another shocking horror film with the standard you had such a good chance to kill him right then moment. But, I know, if I was in a similar situation fear would dictate my actions rendering me useless when it comes to making sure the madman is dead. NO frickin way! I would crush that man's head to mush with anything remotely heavy, while he is down/unconscious, to ensure my own continuation.
It's a gripping film set in the Outback of Australia where we follow three friends on a road trip who fall into the cruel hands of Mick Taylor – an extremely memorable performance by an Australian actor called John Jarratt. What makes this film extra horrid is that you really get to know and like the characters before the blood spills. The directing is impressive. The location is well chosen, with some damn nice shots. The tension and desperation just about perfect. It is sort of based on true events, but no individual event is specified. Be warned the violence pretty much crosses a line. 6.5/10
It's a gripping film set in the Outback of Australia where we follow three friends on a road trip who fall into the cruel hands of Mick Taylor – an extremely memorable performance by an Australian actor called John Jarratt. What makes this film extra horrid is that you really get to know and like the characters before the blood spills. The directing is impressive. The location is well chosen, with some damn nice shots. The tension and desperation just about perfect. It is sort of based on true events, but no individual event is specified. Be warned the violence pretty much crosses a line. 6.5/10
Ben: I think it'd be cool, you get to go from place to place saying things like 'that's not a knife - this is a knife'.
18.3.06
The Jacket
The Jacket – 2005
I have noticed I am being very generous with my review ratings. I should be more harsh, but then I realised I have this amazing almost super-human ability to find the good films. I only ever buy great films, renting them first to check if they are worthy of my hard-earned green. In conclusion, I'm great.
This is a great film. It's about a Gulf War veteran who has returned to America with amnesia, after being shot in the head by a child. He ends up getting arrested for a murder he never carried out and placed in an asylum. He receives unusual experimental treatment that gives him lucid visions of the future, where he meets a pretty but run-down girl played by Keira Knightley (lovely small boobs which you get to see... whoooo yeah... one for the team!). It would seem these visions are really him transporting into the future in some way but don't let that bother you – just enjoy the God damn film, dammit. He also finds out from these visions that he is gonna die within a few days back in the asylum, and he must try to discover why. The plot is engrossing, constantly revealing more. I loved the atmosphere supported by good music and the use of colours. The directing is flawless.
The lead is played by Adrien Brody. I've seen him in The Pianist and The Village. I really warmed to him in the former, and this fine performance elevates him to the top of my list of fave actors. He really shows his character's struggle to keep a check on reality and the effects of amnesia and claustrophobia.
Keira did a fine job too with a completely convincing American accent and lovely boobs... sorry. Seriously, though, I do think she has a lot of potential. I hope she steers away from too much mainstream stuff where she will not be given the chance to show what she is capable of. Ya know, when she got naked in The Hole... she was just 16!
Look out for Daniel Craig who plays a crazy guy at the asylum. I did not recognise him at first. Kris Kristofferson (Dr Becker) and Jennifer Jason Leigh (Dr Lorenson) are notable too. 7/10 dammit.
17.3.06
The Killing Fields
The Killing Fields – 1984
In my continuing quest to learn the whole history of the World I deliberately rented this film which I hoped would give some insight into Cambodia. It did. This film can be slow and dull especially if, like most people, you know nothing of Cambodia. This film becomes that more amazing when you realise one of the leads, Haing S. Ngor, has lead a similar life to the character (Dith Pran) he portrays very well in this film.
The Cambodian Civil War was something beyond belief. Its origin lies with the Viet Cong who were being pushed deeper into Cambodia, by American and Southern Vietnamese forces. The Americans simply continued their bombing campaign inside Cambodia. The leader of Cambodia, Prince Sihanouk, did little in the interest of neutrality. The Viet Cong and the extreme, xenophobic and Maoist Khmer Rouge group (one of the most violent regimes of the 20th century) in Cambodia joined forces. Soon, an American-supported coup took place removing Sihanouk. A new leader (Nol), pro-Western and against Communism, was able to take action against the Khmer Rouge resulting in the civil war. Prince Sihanouk joined with the Khmer Rouge, already supported by North Vietnam and China. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge eventually captured the capital Phnom Penh and Nol fled. Nol had failed, even with American support. The Khmer Rouge Communist regime, under Pol Pot, went on to perform atrocious acts including the Killing Fields. Many were killed, especially those showing intelligence like doctors and teachers. Hospitals and schools were closed. Banking, religion and private property abolished. Almost 2 million died because of their insane ideology.
The film is about an American Journalist Sydney Schanberg and his Cambodian assistant Dith Pran who are covering the civil war. When most the Americans leave, Dith Pran manages to send his family to America but stays with the Sydney due to friendship. But Sydney is also finally forced to leave as the country is closed up by the Khmer Rouge and Pran must stay, much to Sydney's dismay. We then see the horror through Pran's eyes as he tries his best to survive, so that he can see his family again and his good friend Sydney in America. John Malkovich has a part in this, which is interesting because he also starred in Empire of the Sun, another East Asian-based historical movie. A shocking and interesting film, but a demanding watch. 7/10
Most depressingly, the actor who played Pran was shot dead in his home in the US by some scumbag street gang. They wanted his locket containing a picture of his wife. It is thought he refused and died for it. During the civil war he hid the fact he was a doctor to survive. He survived through hell, just to be shot dead by kids in 1996.
"Here, only the silent survive"
11.3.06
Rurôni Kenshin: Ishin shishi e no Requiem (Samurai X: The Motion Picture) るろうに剣心
Rurôni Kenshin: Ishin shishi e no Requiem (Samurai X: The Motion Picture) – 1997
Made before Trust and Betrayal (reviewed below) this is the film of the anime series. I have not seen the series and so was completely unfamiliar with the characters around Kenshin. The small comedy elements surprised me, after the darkness of Trust and Betrayal. The background story involving the other assassin is an excellent foundation and sets up the troubled character Shigure nicely. A deep story to delve into and the some emotional moments. Saito is back too, though not as I expected. Oh, and the Brits make a rather boring appearance, since it is based during the Meiji period when foreigner scum were starting to become common around Yokohama and other ports.
I know The British have the coolest history ever, though I'm sure the Japanese would never agree to that:) I have to admit the more I read into Japanese history, the more enthralled I become. I will judge which is the most interesting when and if the day comes when I have read a hundred books on each.
It's a good film. It is time for Kenshin to take up his sword again, but he cannot kill. 7/10
Du Shen (God of Gamblers) 賭神
Du Shen (God of Gamblers) – 1989
A comedy/drama romp starring Andy Lau (House of Flying Daggers and Infernal affairs) and Yun-Fat Chow (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and eventually Pirates of the Carribean 3). Both amazing Hong Kong stars with many films under their expensive belts. The well-built and tall Chow can really switch between silly comedy and serious cool guy with fantastic ease. It's about a chocolate-loving legendary gambler with supreme skill (Ko Chun played by Chow) who ends up taking a nasty fall and losing his memories. The fall also leaves him with the mind of a child. Knife, played by Lau, is responsible for the accident and looks after the injured Ko Chun. Once Knife realises what Ko Chun is capable of, they go on a gambling fest with the ultimate showdown. Dragon is very cool too. A fun film. 6.5/10
5.3.06
The Woodsman
The Woodsman – 2004
Interesting idea for a film: a film about a paedophile (Walter) who returns to his hometown after 12 years behind bars. Must be tough and this film enlightens us as to what it must feel like for these hated individuals. Kevin Bacon is exceptional as Walter and is worthy of extra attention after this. It's a film that studies an individual in detail much like The Machinist, One Hour Photo, Cast Away and The Pianist. They tend to make for fascinating viewing, as long as the actor is good enough to take the weight. Mos Def is worth watching closely too – a very good cop performance. 6.5/10
4.3.06
Samurai X: Truth and Betrayal
Samurai X: Truth and Betrayal – 1999 (This is a prelude)
The compelling story of Kenshin and Tomoe. Kenshin Himura is a young assassin working for the rising emporer-supporting clans, who kills Tomoe's soon to have been husband – with a rather nasty sword through the neck. Tomoe knows this and agrees to spend time with Kenshin as a spy to help bring down the anti-shogunate group lead by Katsurasan, who employed young Kenshin. Only, she falls in love with Kenshin.Like 'When the Last Sword was Drawn', real historical characters feature prominently in this prelude to a popular TV series. Even if you are familiar with recent Japanese history, this is not an easy film to follow and some may be put off by the excessive use of blood. However, this is remarkable, powerful and beautiful anime, with a wonderful score and intense animation. Do avoid the always shite English dubbing. 8/10
