What Have You Just Seen... Marks Out of 5

[HungFist]

Keep in mind it's Stallone we're talking about here. Unhuman, inhuman, inhumane, monstrous... none of them goes too far off, I think

[gasteropod]

I don't think there really is a word called unhuman.

All you have to do is go on dictionary.com to see that it is indeed a word. I don't like that word though, it sounds wrong.

[bradavon]

Actually I did have a look on there hence why I said "really a word"

You can in theory add un to the start of anything to reverse it's meaning. In this case inhuman is the right way to spell it. You could for example say unappropriate but it would be bad English (not unappropriate actually exists).

I think we should put it with "gotten" and "guesstimate" which according to the American English Dictionary.com exist but certainly aren't examples of good ways to speak or write/type the English language.

[grim_tales]

Life on Mars: S1 E5 and 6: 5/5

Overall both excellent episodes.

[Knetan]

hey,

Magic Boy 4/5
As with his debut When Beckham Met Owen, Adam Wong continues to delight in the simplest of ways with yet another spin on the coming of age story. This time it's not a young boy trying to fit into his shell but teenagers coming to terms with maturity. A maturity arguably must come with equal doses wisdom and carefree optimism, as embodied respectively by the magicians played by Tsui Tin-yau and Anjo Leung (a real life magician apprentice). Which one will their love interest Kate Yeung chose? Produced by Eric Tsang.

Fury Of King Boxer 3.5/5
Ding Sin-Saai got in trouble with his subsequent Everlasting Glory by focusing on historical facts heavily, creating boredom in the process. Here he uses important times but only as the backdrop for several epic battles with Jimmy Wang Yu at center. Fine entertainment.

Split Of The Spirit 3/5
A ghost-revenge story helped along by being quite well-made and featuring unexpected gore at points. The finale is too ambitious and ruined by the lack of an special effects budget.

[Markgway]

I appreciate someone pointing out when I say something that makes no sense (grammar wise). It's a bit hard to learn if no one ever tells you what you're doing wrong...

Thanks. T'was with good intentions.

EDIT: Superhuman was what you were looking for.

http://www.cs.chalmers.se/~hallgren/wget.cgi?superhuman

To me: Inhuman means lacking human qualities (ie. if you were a cyborg) whereas inhumane emphasises cruelty (ie. if you were a nasty bastard who tortures cats).

And btw, I'm Finnish, not finished

Oops. Sorry.

[grim_tales]

The Bootleg Beatles (gig) - 5/5

Excellent stuff. Slightly different from last years gig (a few songs were different), but still great. All the classics were there (sadly, no Yesterday) though yes, we all sang to Yellow Sumbarine, stamped to Get Back and sang/clapped to Hey Jude and Hello, Goodbye.
The band had good banter and cracked jokes that were really pretty funny, like when "John" started busking to Oasis (Wonderwall) and we even finished the song for him, to which he responded "Bloody tribute bands"

[Knetan]

hey,

American Commando 2 - Hunting Express - 1.5/5
IFD does not strike again as any movie excluding ninjas, Richard Harrison or Stuart Smith have a tough time....however cut & pasted together it is (unless it's called Kickboxer From Hell that is). This merging of gwailo footage from Hong Kong and the original Japanese source (that looks like equally poor filmmaking) only interests via the usual hilarious dubbing, the way IFD tries to make the films interact and the "interesting" gwailo acting.

Ghoul Sex Squad 1.5/5
A hopping vampire hardcore porn flick. Turns kinda of outrageous and disturbing as our priest is basically performing necrophilia at one point. Also, after a vampire on the loose has sex with a human woman we get a taste of the effect of that sexual encounter as blood sprays out of her....you know. Director also made a flick called Mind Fuck.

The Four Invincible 3.5/5
A Crippled Avengers clone but damn entertaining nonetheless as Ku Feng trains a mute, a blind fortune teller and an amputee to fight back.

[Markgway]

American Commando 2 - Hunting Express - 1.5/5
Ghoul Sex Squad 1.5/5

I salute you.

[Knetan]

hey,

no you don't.

[Markgway]

You watch the films I wouldn't.

[saltysam]

Transporter 2 blu-ray 3/5

Not as good as the first but great fun and a nice transfer.this french import contains the extended cut and is Region-free despite the region B logo on the case.

Hitman Unrated blu-ray 3/5

Not a great movie by a any means but a very entertaining one,it moves like a train from start to finish.the extremely thin plot is just a hook to showcase a series of action setpieces. i thought Timothy Olyphant was good as agent 47 but Dougray Scott looks bored throughout as the interpol guy on his tail.tested and it's region locked A.

[bradavon]

I thought Transporter 2 was better, the storyline in Transporter was just awful. It's no shakes in Part 2 but at least they made an effort. Neither are keepers.

[saltysam]

the storyline in Transporter was just awful.

i don't watch these movies for their storylines-if i want to see a story-led film i'll go watch There will be blood or something !

Neither are keepers.

you forgot to add the imo

[HungFist]

Neither are keepers.

you forgot to add the imo

imo would've been unnecessary. It's obvious from the content that a post like that was only meant as a personal opinion. And if it wasn't, then the one who said it is an idiot... and why would anyone care about what an idiot says / thinks?

Sars Wars (Thailand, 2004) – 1,5/5
Hip and cool horror comedy for the Charlie’s Angels remake generation. Just what you’d expect. A couple of funny scenes have found their way into the movie, though. I also liked the songs during the “romantic” scenes. Minor bonus from the Thai schoolgirl, too, even if a Japanese one would have lead to a higher rating.

[bradavon]

i don't watch these movies for their storylines-if i want to see a story-led film i'll go watch There will be blood or something

I watch all films at least partly for the storyline. Without one you may as well watch an action documentary. Without the story, acting etc... you cannot care about the action when it does happen, at least I cannot.

Besides even by action standards it's poor. Die Hard it is not, it's not even Equilibrium levels.

you forgot to add the imo

This is the film reviews thread, isn't that a given?

imo would've been unnecessary. It's obvious from the content that a post like that was only meant as a personal opinion. And if it wasn't, then the one who said it is an idiot... and why would anyone care about what an idiot says / thinks?

Thanks. I think

Minor bonus from the Thai schoolgirl, too, even if a Japanese one would have lead to a higher rating.

What do you mean here?

[bradavon]

My Blueberry Nights

A Strong - 7 out of 10

Ow the first review on Bullets. For those who don't know this is the latest Wong Kar-Wai film.

The first 20-25 minutes it definitely feels and looks like the take away segment of Chungking Express (except it's in a café) but once that's over My Blueberry Nights is definitely it's own beast, which as it happens is about as long as it took to get used to all the Western faces. I do agree with Yi that WKW is such an Asian director and it takes some getting used to seeing him work with non-Asian faces.

Except for the two people over a coffee table element the story is otherwise very different, and goes in different directions.

It does thematically if not literally share things in common with Chungking Express at times but that's okay as it feels different enough and when you're just getting enough of it other story elements are introduced to change things.

The look is very WKW with lots of bright colours, the screen is always vibrantly lit with bright greens, yellows, blues etc... As expected it looks marvellous. It also feels like a WKW movie which is a relief.

For someone whose never acted before Norah Jones comes across as a natural. I was very impressed, it's no Cate Blanchett (the role doesn't ask it to be) but considering this is Norah's first role I was impressed. In contrast Jude Law is his usual annoying self. I'm sure he was told to over annunciate every word which got annoying. I don't think it's his normal English accent as it sounded fake, which is bizarre when he is English. Rachel Weisz is also decent too.

There is lots of music and as expected the soundtrack by Norah Jones, a well known jazz singer (whose name I forget) and also Ry Cooder was just sublime. I think I might buy the soundtrack CD.

I'd not really noticed it before but my god Norah Jones is a beautiful woman, a real woman too!

I was pleased to see Wong Kar-Wai's name was spelt Wong Kar Wai in the films credits. Don't go in expecting another ground breaking film in the vein of "In the Mood for Love" or "2046" (which I think both moved cinema forward) and you'll be fine. All in all a pleasant surprise.

I'll buy the DVD or HD Disc (if one comes) but won't get the HK DVD as I've made that mistake before.

[HungFist]

imo would've been unnecessary. It's obvious from the content that a post like that was only meant as a personal opinion. And if it wasn't, then the one who said it is an idiot... and why would anyone care about what an idiot says / thinks?

Thanks. I think

Minor bonus from the Thai schoolgirl, too, even if a Japanese one would have lead to a higher rating.

What do you mean here?

If there had been a hot japanese schoolgirl I might have given the film 2/5.

The End of the Affair (UK / USA, 1999) – 2,5/5
Another childhood favourite fails to impress anymore. The war time set story of jealousy based on a novel by Graham Greene is technically well made but ultimately a bit underwhelming. The themes are good but the screenplay could be better. Acting isn't bad, though, and Stephen Rea gives a very good performance in a supporting role.

The White Dragon (Hong Kong, 2004) – 2/5
SPL director Wilson Yip’s modern wuxia comedy isn’t a terrible movie, just a hard one to get very excited about. The action is neither terrible nor great, just like almost everything about the movie. Leading lady Cecilia Cheung is a bit boring, but Francis Ng has his moments.

Naked Island (Japan, 1960) – 2,5/5
95 minutes without dialogue or storyline. I can imagine how painful this could be for someone who doesn’t like slow movies and isn’t interested in the essence of Japan. The music however is beautiful, and the longer the movie gets the more captivating it becomes. Still, not the most exiting one and half hours in my life, but an interesting experience nevertheless. Abandoning plot driven storytelling is always a respectable move, too.

Sukiyaki Western Django (Japan, 2007) – 3/5
Takashi Miikes’s sukiyaki western is not a remake of the Sergio Corbucci original but has a slight connection to it. The new age eastern suffers from some irritating flaws such as unnecessary playing with colours and contrast, but manages to entertain as a whole. Shot fully in English the dialogue spoken by the Japanese cast can prove challenging to understand at times, but it’s not as bad as some people would let you understand. At 120 min the film feels long but not necessarily in a bad way. Nevertheless, the first 60 minutes could do with some tweaking as not all scenes are entirely successful. The second half is more enjoyable and also packs a very stylish finale. The new Djago theme is excellent but only used at the very end of the film (which is for a reason, though). On Miike’s career Django marks another mainstream effort, although there’s a handful of scenes that remind you of who exactly is sitting behind the camera.

[Shingster]

In contrast Jude Law is his usual annoying self. I'm sure he was told to over annunciate every word which got annoying. I don't think it's his normal English accent as it sounded fake, which is bizarre when he is English.

Typical Southerner, can't recognise a northern accent when you hear one! IIRC from the trailer he's putting on a Mancunian accent.

[thelostdragon]

The White Dragon (Hong Kong, 2004) – 2/5
Leading lady Cecilia Cheung is a bit boring...

She can't be showing her beaver in every single video that is being made of her.

Naked Island (Japan, 1960) – 2,5/5
95 minutes without dialogue or storyline.

WTF? I have it laying around here for over a year and didn't manage to watch it, yet. Guess that review of yours won't rush me either to do so anytime soon.

Sukiyaki Western Django (Japan, 2007) – 3/5

I'm so looking forward to this. Has a HK DVD been announced, yet?

[HungFist]

Sukiyaki Western Django (Japan, 2007) – 3/5

I'm so looking forward to this. Has a HK DVD been announced, yet?

Not as far as I know.

[bradavon]

If there had been a hot japanese schoolgirl I might have given the film 2/5.

Thanks. I understand, as lovely as Thai women are Japanese women are hotter.

The End of the Affair (UK / USA, 1999) – 2,5/5
Another childhood favourite fails to impress anymore. The war time set story of jealousy based on a novel by Graham Greene is technically well made but ultimately a bit underwhelming. The themes are good but the screenplay could be better. Acting isn't bad, though, and Stephen Rea gives a very good performance in a supporting role.

I presume you mean the book was a childhood favourite? Personally I thought the film was excellent, but haven't read the book.

That's an unusual one for you. I know you watch most types of films but even so it's a rare one.

Typical Southerner, can't recognise a northern accent when you hear one! IIRC from the trailer he's putting on a Mancunian accent.

Have you been watching too much Nuts TV?

I realised it was a Northern accent but it still sounded really over the top. When you watch it see if you agree with me.

[HungFist]

The End of the Affair (UK / USA, 1999) – 2,5/5
Another childhood favourite fails to impress anymore. The war time set story of jealousy based on a novel by Graham Greene is technically well made but ultimately a bit underwhelming. The themes are good but the screenplay could be better. Acting isn't bad, though, and Stephen Rea gives a very good performance in a supporting role.

I presume you mean the book was a childhood favourite? Personally I thought the film was excellent, but haven't read the book.

No, I haven't read the book. I was, lets see... maybe 14 when I first saw the film... and loved it. This time I found it far less impressive but still by no means bad. Remember 2,5/5 marks average enjoyment on my scale... and this one actually came very close to 3. Perhaps 3 would have been a more appropriate rating indeed.

[Markgway]

The End of the Affair is a remake of a 1950's movie also. Same story, no rumpy-pumpy!!

Cecilia was the best thing about The White Dragon.

[bradavon]

You saw End of the Affair when you were 14? You had adult tastes early. Bizarrely it's an 18 over here. I remember reading how shocked the director was, fully expecting it to get a 15.

I'd have to agree, an 18 is absolute madness.