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

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 30 Apr 2008, 09:17

Invincible Shaolin: 4/5

Solid film with some good fights but its not the best Shaw film I've seen as I find the training sequences get boring. It's a revelation seeing the film in Mandarin though.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 30 Apr 2008, 10:58

grim_tales wrote:Invincible Shaolin: 4/5

Solid film with some good fights but its not the best Shaw film I've seen as I find the training sequences get boring. It's a revelation seeing the film in Mandarin though.

Very dull and uncinematic I think, but the ending is OK.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 30 Apr 2008, 20:23

An Empress and the Warriors (2008 - HK - By Ching Siu-Tung with Donnie Yen and Kelly Chen): 1 / 5

Ching Siu-Tung tried to trick us with an epic-looking trailer, but this film is no epic.
This is just a silly little Leon Lai / Kelly Chen melodrama hidden under an epic layer that feels really cheap and thin.
From the 90-minute running time to the gigantic battle scenes filmed in close-ups, everything feels wrong and out of place in this film.

Heck, even the stunts aren't half as spectacular as they should be.
There is only one one-on-one swordfight, but it is short, pointless and it doesn't advance the plot at all.
Only watch this film if you're a Kelly Chen fanatic (or if you're a masochist).

I don't know what Ching Siu-Tung was trying to do, but I bet even he doesn't know. What a waste of time.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Apr 2008, 20:57

How big is Donnie Yen's part?

Thanks Tom.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 30 Apr 2008, 21:05

I'd say Donnie has about the same amount of screen time as his co-star Leon Lai.
Kelly Chen is the star of the show, though.

It might be worth mentioning that Donnie is the only main actor in this film (AFAIK) who is dubbed. And the guy who does his mandarin voice sounds nothing like him, which is a bit distracting.
Both Leon Lai and Kelly Chen seem to be using their own voices.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Apr 2008, 21:14

Thanks Tom.

I thought this was part Cantonese, part Mandarin? I wish Chinese studios would cease with the dubbing

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 30 Apr 2008, 22:39

The version I've seen was all-mandarin.
Maybe the DVD will have a mixture of both (but I doubt it).

Fatal Move (2008 - HK - By Dennis Law with Simon Yam, Sammo Hung and Wu Jing): 2 / 5

That's gotta be the most violent HK film I've ever seen (and by a big margin).
People get stabbed repeatedly and chopped into pieces, litres of CG blood come out, fingernails get pulled and teeth are removed "OldBoy-style".
But beyond the violence, Fatal Move isn't that interesting.

The plot isn't really fresh. It's nothing we haven't seen before, but there are a couple of fights that make up for it.
The climactic duel is especially good. Sammo is still fit and Wu Jing is superb with his sword.
It's also nice to see so many familiar faces (Danny Lee, Ken Lo, Simon Yam, Fung Hark-On...).
But I can't forgive the director for using tons of fake-looking CG blood, and for ruining the ending just like he ruined the ending of Fatal Contact.

All in all, this is an average 116-minute triad film which has too much violence and not enough plot and action. So I won't recommend it.
Watch it for the fights and you shouldn't be too disappointed. But if you want a solid film, watch SPL or Invisible Target again. Fatal Move just isn't as good.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 30 Apr 2008, 23:10

CGI-blood? Aarrgghhh!!! The bane of my existance.

There's too many "HK" movies being made in Mandarin these days thanks to involvement from Mainland producers and a desire to gain an across border audience.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 01 May 2008, 00:00

tom2681 wrote:The version I've seen was all-mandarin.
Maybe the DVD will have a mixture of both (but I doubt it).

I'm just quoting what IMDB says.

Markgway wrote:There's too many "HK" movies being made in Mandarin these days thanks to involvement from Mainland producers and a desire to gain an across border audience.

It should be in Mandarin if it's set on the Mainland and Cantonese if set in Hong Kong or other Cantonese speaking parts of China.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 01 May 2008, 09:04

I agree with that Brad.

I think the ending of Invincible Shaolin is a good one too, Ivan

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 01 May 2008, 12:50

Story of a Nymphomaniac (Japan, 1975) – 1/5
And there goes my unquestioned trust for Toei. Decent production values can't hide the worthlessness of this soft core romp. Teaches you to think twice before you spend 4500 yen on a Ikuo Sekimoto film.

Killer’s Mission (Japan, 1969) – 4/5)
Toei strikes back. One man army Tomisaburo Wakayama stars in a ultra cool samurai spy pic with guns, swords and ninja girls.

Blood - The Last Vampire (Japan, 2000) - 4/5
Vampire anime is not something that sounds promising to me, but the audio (and also visuals) in this one are pretty amazing and moody. Bonus from Youki Kudoh, too.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 02 May 2008, 23:43

Yakuza Goddess: Lust and Honor (Japan, 1973) – 2,5/5
A monk turns into a lonely yakuza in Kumashiro’s pink drama, that has some problems in the beginning but gets better as it advances. The ending is excellent, and the film surprises with the amount of stylized graphic violence.

The Youth Killer (Japan, 1976) - 2,5/5
Kazuhiko Hasegawa is always an interesting film maker, even when his movie suffers from some credibility problems, which is the case here (although, ironically, the film is based on true events). Mieko Harada's body and the brilliant soundtrack by Godiego give the film extra value.

Second is a Christian (Japan, 1985) – 2/5
Etsuko Shihomi in a starring role is never a bad thing, but here she is somewhat miscast as a catholic nun. Weird comedy / drama / action / nun-dating hybrid that is ultimately too nonsensical to impress.

Godzooki · Post by **Godzooki** » 07 May 2008, 01:02

tom2681 wrote:An Empress and the Warriors (2008 - HK - By Ching Siu-Tung with Donnie Yen and Kelly Chen): 1 / 5

Ching Siu-Tung tried to trick us with an epic-looking trailer, but this film is no epic.
This is just a silly little Leon Lai / Kelly Chen melodrama hidden under an epic layer that feels really cheap and thin.
From the 90-minute running time to the gigantic battle scenes filmed in close-ups, everything feels wrong and out of place in this film.

Heck, even the stunts aren't half as spectacular as they should be.
There is only one one-on-one swordfight, but it is short, pointless and it doesn't advance the plot at all.
Only watch this film if you're a Kelly Chen fanatic (or if you're a masochist).

I don't know what Ching Siu-Tung was trying to do, but I bet even he doesn't know. What a waste of time.

AEATW is the ultimate throwback pack, cheesy melodrama, neat action, great set design and a big romantic theme song to cap it all off. Its thin and flimsy and wtf were you expecting? kinda like a Moon Warriors for 2008!!

Its not a 1* movie and you know it.

I really enjoyed it for what it was and i am looking forward to a bd disc!

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 07 May 2008, 09:18

Tigercage wrote:Its not a 1* movie and you know it. c!

WTF is a "1* movie"?

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 07 May 2008, 10:24

one star movie

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 07 May 2008, 11:32

Oh right, a star. I was thinking, "1 multiplied film, WTF?"

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 07 May 2008, 12:36

TigerCage wrote:Its not a 1* movie and you know it.

The quick take that I have written only represents my opinion.
This film deserves one star from my point of view.

Whether it should be regarded by everyone as a one-star film or not is not for me to decide.

TigerCage wrote:Its thin and flimsy and wtf were you expecting? kinda like a Moon Warriors for 2008!

Moon Warriors was a swordplay film with a hint of melodrama.
AEATW is a melodrama with a hint of swordplay. The melodrama aspect doesn't work (I blame Kelly Chen) and neither do the swordplay bits (I blame Leon Lai and the cinematographer with his shaky-cam).

This film is pretty much what I expected it to be, but it's also a lot worse.
Too bad. I'm glad you like it, though.

Godzooki · Post by **Godzooki** » 07 May 2008, 18:31

tom2681 wrote:
TigerCage wrote:Its not a 1* movie and you know it.
The quick take that I have written only represents my opinion.
This film deserves one star from my point of view.

Whether it should be regarded by everyone as a one-star film or not is not for me to decide.

Sorry fella i was not on the attack and your of course entlitled to any opinion you hold.

Having read a few other quick takes on the movie it would seem your not alone in your view either. I guess im just easily pleased.

Godzooki · Post by **Godzooki** » 07 May 2008, 18:35

Watched Invisible Target on Blu last night, with Wu Jing, Nic Tse, Andy On how could it not be brilliant!! The Blu Ray PQ is outstanding.

Movie 3.5/5
Blue Ray 5/5

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 07 May 2008, 18:36

More easily pleased than Tom? Not likely. He loves Battle Royale 2 and Twins Effect 2, nuff said.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 07 May 2008, 19:21

On a second watch I "didn't mind" BR2. It's watchable (just) when you don't compare it to the original.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 08 May 2008, 18:50

'BR2' is steaming cat shite by any standards.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 09 May 2008, 09:14

Curse of the Golden Flower: 3.5/5

FINALLY got round to seeing this. A visually stunning and beautifully filmed drama from Yimou (the costumes and sets are amazing). It was a slow burner though (the 1st hour is quite slow) and the big action set piece comes towards the end of the film. I didnt think it was as good as Hero. But still a good film.
Gong Li looks very good for her age

Her costume - WOW

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 09 May 2008, 15:53

Chocolate 2.5/5

Nothing special recent thai actioner takes a while to get going but the last 50 minutes or so are pretty much all action as an autistic teenage girl goes badass on the criminals who owe her sick mother money.worth a watch but not earth shattering in any way,action scenes are ok.version i saw had terrible english subs,i think the translator guessed what was being said

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 09 May 2008, 16:08

Was it from BT Salty?