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

[HungFist]

LoveDeath (Japan, 2006) – 1,5/5
Ryuhei Kitamura’s so called return to roots is True Romance set in Japan. Suffering from nerve wrecking supporting characters and lacking in that style that brought the director to fame, it’s no surprise this mess of a film was ignored by most international distributors. Numerous cameos, ranging from Riki Takeuchi to Yinling the Erotic Terrorist aka Yinling of Joytoy attempt to spice it up with mixed results. Lead couple Shinji Takeda and singer NorA – two lovers on the run from yakuza and corrupt cops - are as convincing as NorA artist name. The film was shot with modest budget – hence the advertising tagline of Kitamura returning to his origins – but with unaffected film stock ; the epic runs massive 159 minutes. Partly due to the circus display sort of nature of the film, it does manage hold up till the end – in theory at least. There’s occasional success with humor and atmospheric shots of lovers cruising through the mad world in red Corvette, but the American… sorry, Japanese dream, is brought to a quick end by the noisy cast and embarrassing dialogue.

RoboGeisha (Japan, 2009) – 2/5
Noboru Iguchi knows how to create hype. The Machine Girl was a cult classic before anyone had seen it, and RoboGeisha received 700 000 trailer views in youtube. What went beyond most international cult film fans, is that RoboGeisha is not a splatter epic but a PG-12 movie. Iguchi and special effects designer Yoshihiro Nishimura have replaced gore with noisy and childish humor and massive CGI effects, only leaving in a handful of computer generated blood spurts (which did earn the film a ridiculously high 18 rating in the UK). The film’s stylistic shortcomings are compensated to some effect with desirable insane imagination. Most of the cast fails to make an impression, including evil Tengu girls Asami and Cay Izumi, although Naoto Takenaka and Demo Tanaka give enjoyable supporting performances. Nevertheless, Iguchi’s robotic geisha wars is an undeniable disappointment.

[HungFist]

Female Ninja Magic: 100 Trampled Flowers (Japan, 1974) – 1/5
Here Chusei Sone, a talented Nikkatsu director responsible some terrific movies such as Red Classroom, demonstrates how not to make a female ninja movie. It has the right ingredients – Iga vs. Koga, ninja vs. one legged samurai, ninja with clothes vs. ninja without clothes (ok, actually neither had clothes) – but the outcome is underwhelming. There isn’t much action outside bed, and what little there is never manages to excite. Some scenes make the viewers scratch his head, but these moments are too few and far between. Junko Miyashi is the film’s strongest asset; she looks exceptionally beautiful here. It’s mostly because of her hair.

High Kick Girl (Japan, 2009) – 2.5/5
"She is more than just a cute high school girl. She is a master of Karate!" High Kick Girl delivers what it promises. Idols on wires are out, High Kick Girl is a vehicle for its 17 year old lead, Rina Takeda, who, like most of the film’s cast, is a real life karate practitioner. Director Fuyuhiko Nishi attempts to deliver a relatively authentic karate-movie with no wires, special effects, or other gimmicks, such as proper storyline. The intention is good – with teen girl karate being first rate entertainment by theory alone – but the execution falls a bit short. Having already captured bucket loads of excellent action, the director has lessened the film’s punch in post production with an overuse of slow motion and replays – essentially every highlight is seen twice. Nevertheless, despite its constant cinematic clumsiness it must be admitted the film is, in many places, a lot of fun. Its merits are not based on cinematic achievements but rather on displaying realistic karate. And to some extent, school uniform. Everyone can make their own conclusion based that that.
- full review here

[HungFist]

Evil Dead Trap (Japan, 1988) – 3.5/5
A small legend of Japanese horror cinema, Evil Dead Trap remains Toshiharu Ikeda most famous film. Ikeda started his career in the pink genre. Many of his Nikkatsu features were compromises, but clearly displayed the director’s technical skill. Evil Dead Trap is Ikeda without pink restraints; a highly energetic genre film based on one of Takashi Ishii’s less sophisticated screenplays. The English title makes a reference to The Evil Dead, but Ikeda’s films is more than that; the camerawork is obvious Raimi, the gore bows to Fulci, and the electrifying soundtrack could easily be a Goblin score from a Argento film. A plastic copy Evil Dead Trap isn’t; the director clearly understands his idols and continues their spirit – although admittedly without too much own vision.

[luckystars]

Days of Being Wild (Tartan WKW Boxset)

Beautiful film with beautiful performances. 4.5/5

[Yi-Long]

Days of Being Wild (Tartan WKW Boxset)

Beautiful film with beautiful performances. 4.5/5

Pretty much my absolute favourite film of all-time. Stunning performance by Leslie Cheung.

If anyone ever decides to cut that movie up to give us a 'new version', I will dedicate my life to hunt that person down and gut him like a fish!

[gasteropod]

Joyû-rei (1996) aka Don't Look Up: 3.5/5

Finally got to see this Hideo Nakata feature length debut, and wahey it's pretty much as good as his other horror films! I'd give it 4/5 but at the end I was kinda left wanting more, although that could be seen as a good thing.

[HungFist]

Violated Angels (Japan, 1967) – 2/5
Koji Wakamatsu's uneven artsploitation film comes shot with content, but features stylish opening and truly beautiful ending.
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... 87#p140187

Detective Story (Japan, 1982) - 3/5
The opening instalment in Tetsuya Takeda's belowed drama/comedy/action series best remembered for its imaginative weapons use. Beware the hanger nunchucu!
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... &start=179

The Master of Shiatsu (Japan, 1989) - 3/5
Sogo Ishii's 12 minute visual trip into human psyche... and shiatsu massage.

August in the Water (Japan, 1995) - 4.5/5
Ishii's devastating, semi-apocalyptic new age masterpiece. Somewhat like Kurosawa's Kairo, but without ghosts, and 10 times better.



These and other Ishii films to be reviewed once I get through the Psychelic Years box set.

[luckystars]

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (R1 SE DVD, 1977)

Without realising watched the 'final' cut of the film, but having just checked up on the imdb...I would've missed some scenes had they not been there. Lucky me

Thought it was a wonderful yarn. Something that always put me to sleep as a kid

9/10

[Markgway]

Is this the Close Encounters directed by King Hu?

[saltysam]

Ong Bak 2 3/5

In name only follow up,this is more an historical effort. storyline is a little convoluted but Jaa in action is amazing, in the two stand out fight scenes he takes on virtually an entire village then there's the 20 minute finale.it's only half a film though so there's no real end to it. the blu-ray is a mixed bag,sometimes it looks amazing,other times a little soft. (usa release)

[HungFist]

Is this the Close Encounters directed by King Hu?

Sammo Hung would be a better quess

[luckystars]

Oops. No it's not

[grim_tales]

Shaolin Temple (1976): 4/5

It's a bit long maybe but a very good film, I enjoyed it, moreso than Blood Brothers I think (which is a good film also), there's plenty of action and the ending has Chang Cheh written all over it (ie its quite bloody).
Rather annoyingly, sometimes there is Chinese text on screen which doesn't get translated (people's names near the start) Is it important?

[Killer Meteor]

Shaolin Temple (1976): 4/5

It's a bit long maybe but a very good film, I enjoyed it, moreso than Blood Brothers I think (which is a good film also), there's plenty of action and the ending has Chang Cheh written all over it (ie its quite bloody).
Rather annoyingly, sometimes there is Chinese text on screen which doesn't get translated (people's names near the start) Is it important?

From memory, its just actors names.

[grim_tales]

Thanks There was some scrolling text as well before that.

[Markgway]

If you want any of the actors names translated post some screen caps.

[HungFist]

Paranoia Agent (Japan, 2004) – 2.5/5
Satoshi Kon’s anime series has a very strong start with interesting, seemingly unrelated stories that nevertheless appear to have some sort of connection. The style is close to Paprika and Perfect Blue, and Susumu Hirasawa’s soundtrack is immediately recognizable. Unfortunately the series runs out of steam due to being twice as long as it should be. In the beginning you’ll struggle to watch less than two episodes at one go. Later it’s the exact opposite, with repetitive episodes following each other.

Looks like BBFC butchered episode 8 (the suicide episode). Cut by 1 min 20 sec to achieve 18 rating. Lol. Rated 11 in Finland.

[Shingster]

Not the BBFC's best moment, the episode is extremely tame imo.

[Markgway]

"Cuts required (on potential harm grounds) to the sight of a child attempting to hang herself, and accompanying subtitles. Cuts in accordance with the Video Recordings Act 1984"

[HungFist]

I don't quite get the logic. Such scene (although it's pure comedy... the whole episode is about three people trying to kill themselves but always failing miserably) might indeed be harmful in a kids program, but this was rated 18 (ridiculous again) anyway. So who exactly are they trying to protect from bad influences?

[Markgway]

Does seem bizarre to cut that from an '18' to protect children but that's how the VRA works. They cut vertical wrist slashing for the same reason. Horizontal is absolutely fine. Apparently.

[saltysam]

Bodyguards & Assassins 3./5

Decent historical drama,a little slow but it picks up and the last hour or so is pretty exciting. The HK Blu-ray is Region Locked A.

[saltysam]

Opium & Kung Fu Master 3/5

Decent Shaw Bros movie is really a film of two halves..the first half fairly light hearted giving way to a much darker 2nd half .Some good action and Ti Lung & Chen Kuan Tai make for a good pairing. The BD looks great if a little overprocessed.

[HungFist]

Samurai Princess (Japan, 2008) – 2/5
Tokyo Gore Police writer Kengo Kaji's directorial debut is a low budget gore fest continuing the proud tradition of employing Japanese AV stars in splatter films. Adult entertainer Aino Kishi stars a vengeful beauty – neither samurai nor princess – chasing a villainous cyber punk body artist. Innocent girls are be torn apart and then reconstructed as androids - including Kishi's fellow genre sister Mihiro - all supported by Yoshihiro Nishimura's special effects work. Amateurish visual look, nonexistent financing and mad laughing faces serving as "cool cinema" all drag the pic down, but it does have its merits as well. At 80 minutes the film rarely drags, and the mix of fantasy, history and modern day comes with a couple of fun twists. Action is modest – none bothered to give Tak Sakaguchi a call – but the character gallery features one highlight. The feared guitar man of the deep forests is a character to remember. Kishi on the other hand, while not downright terrible, can keep on dreaming of Sora Aoi type career curve to mainstream fame.

[HungFist]

Sea Wolves (Hong Kong, 1991) – 2/5

"I meant to shoot him in the shoulder. But I missed and shot him in the head."

The 7th In the Line of Duty film is routine Hong Kong action from the early 90's. Being known as a 'girls kick ass' series, it's surprising Cynthia Khan has been made a supporting character in a storyline that follows Vietnamese refugees on a crash course with drug dealers. Simon Yam and Gary Chow play the leading roles. Somewhat entertaining film loses its grip near the end, and does not offer any memorable action scenes. Marginal recommendation for fans of the genre.