Are you able to check if it's 1080p/24Hz with your equipment? (Mine doesn't).saltysam wrote:Shaolin Soccer BD 4/5
Simply an excellent movie,one of Chow's best efforts.The BD is unspectacular but solid,nice,readable subtitles and a stonking audio track.On a BD-50,no extras just the choice of either cut.
What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
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gasteropod
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
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HungFist
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Crows Zero (Japan, 2007) – 1,5/5
Takashi Miike’s adaptation of a high school action manga by Hiroshi Takahash is 30 minutes too long, and more often dull than exciting. It’s obvious from the terribly edited, flashy opening action scene that many of Miike’s stylistic choises don’t work this time. Manga haired tough guys beat each other and form alliances in the notorious ”School of Crows”, but it’s mostly the comedy bits that manage to entertain. Another asset is punk; the brilliant opening credits scene echoes of Sogo Ishii. Unfortunately it’s followed by Meisa Kuroki’s R&B, something that shouldn’t even be in a film that should be rage and anarchism from the start to end. Miike also fails with the yakuza content; there is only bad cliches on offer. While clearly a mainstream film, it’s the violence that sets Crows Zero apart from similar style American productions that would probably aim for the pg-13 category. Miike has given up on his old gore shockers, but the kicks and punches in Crows Zero feel and look like they could make a hole in one’s face. The final fist fight, which is the only truly exiting action scene in the film, is the best example of this. Not dance-like soft-martial arts scene, but a genuinely masochistic beat the shit out of each other match.
Yatterman (Japan, 2009) – 4,5/5
And the award for the year’s most mentally insane motion picture goes to... Yatterman. The year’s best film on the other hand... well, that just might be Yatterman, too. Based on a 1970’s anime series Yatterman is an over-the-top adventure in which Yatterman 1 (Sho Sakurai from Arashi) and Yatterman 2 (Saki Fukuda with blond hair) battle evil Doronjo (Kyoko Fukada) and her two dumb helpers around the world, usually destroying half of the city in the process. Also included are all kinds of robots from mecha dog Yatterwoof to Doronjo’s various battle tanks. Yatterman is basically two hours of non-stop, high energy insanity. The maniacal musical scene in Jackie Chan’s City Hunter’s would be the best comparison. There’s dancing and singing, huge explosions, robots trashing the streets, clumsy villains usuing Fukada’s breasts as air bags, and a mountain of schoolgirls (literally). The tempo is amazing, and, apart from one scene at the end, never runs out of fuel. The leather dressed Kyoko Fukada is the film’s real star, playing a role somewhat similar to Chiaki Kuriama in Miike’s previous family fantasy The Great Yokai War. She’s not quite on par, but the film is ever better. However, it must be said that the amount of sexually crude jokes inserted into a family film here is mind staggering. Yatterman is Takashi Miike’s craziest film by a mile. It’s also his best.
Still Walking (Japan, 2008) – 2,5/5
During the past 10 years director’s like Ryuichi Hiroki, Shunji Iwai and Hiroshi Ishikawa have re-invented Japanese drama film by making more intimate, often digitally shot films that move away from the classic Ozu style. Hirokazu Koreeda’s Still Walking on the other hand is more old fashioned film. Koreeda marches characters from several generations in front of the camera for a family meeting. The middle aged son (Hiroshi Abe) and his new wife and son visit his parents and siblings in the old family house. There is no clear storyline, but rather 24 hours of one family’s life captured on camera. Koreeda’s idyllic images and slow tempo have won the critics over, but without the actors Still Walking wouldn’t stand on its feet. Hiroshi Abe and Yoshio Harada’s (the father) performances are a pleasure to watch. Some of the other actors, or rather their characters, do not get much room and make the first half of the film quite poor and uninteresting. The film improves later when there are fewer characters left. Another reason for the film becoming better during its second half is the director’s dry approach; there is little else than the characters, and they only become interesting once you get to know them better. In Koreeda’s hands that takes time.
Takashi Miike’s adaptation of a high school action manga by Hiroshi Takahash is 30 minutes too long, and more often dull than exciting. It’s obvious from the terribly edited, flashy opening action scene that many of Miike’s stylistic choises don’t work this time. Manga haired tough guys beat each other and form alliances in the notorious ”School of Crows”, but it’s mostly the comedy bits that manage to entertain. Another asset is punk; the brilliant opening credits scene echoes of Sogo Ishii. Unfortunately it’s followed by Meisa Kuroki’s R&B, something that shouldn’t even be in a film that should be rage and anarchism from the start to end. Miike also fails with the yakuza content; there is only bad cliches on offer. While clearly a mainstream film, it’s the violence that sets Crows Zero apart from similar style American productions that would probably aim for the pg-13 category. Miike has given up on his old gore shockers, but the kicks and punches in Crows Zero feel and look like they could make a hole in one’s face. The final fist fight, which is the only truly exiting action scene in the film, is the best example of this. Not dance-like soft-martial arts scene, but a genuinely masochistic beat the shit out of each other match.
Yatterman (Japan, 2009) – 4,5/5
And the award for the year’s most mentally insane motion picture goes to... Yatterman. The year’s best film on the other hand... well, that just might be Yatterman, too. Based on a 1970’s anime series Yatterman is an over-the-top adventure in which Yatterman 1 (Sho Sakurai from Arashi) and Yatterman 2 (Saki Fukuda with blond hair) battle evil Doronjo (Kyoko Fukada) and her two dumb helpers around the world, usually destroying half of the city in the process. Also included are all kinds of robots from mecha dog Yatterwoof to Doronjo’s various battle tanks. Yatterman is basically two hours of non-stop, high energy insanity. The maniacal musical scene in Jackie Chan’s City Hunter’s would be the best comparison. There’s dancing and singing, huge explosions, robots trashing the streets, clumsy villains usuing Fukada’s breasts as air bags, and a mountain of schoolgirls (literally). The tempo is amazing, and, apart from one scene at the end, never runs out of fuel. The leather dressed Kyoko Fukada is the film’s real star, playing a role somewhat similar to Chiaki Kuriama in Miike’s previous family fantasy The Great Yokai War. She’s not quite on par, but the film is ever better. However, it must be said that the amount of sexually crude jokes inserted into a family film here is mind staggering. Yatterman is Takashi Miike’s craziest film by a mile. It’s also his best.
Still Walking (Japan, 2008) – 2,5/5
During the past 10 years director’s like Ryuichi Hiroki, Shunji Iwai and Hiroshi Ishikawa have re-invented Japanese drama film by making more intimate, often digitally shot films that move away from the classic Ozu style. Hirokazu Koreeda’s Still Walking on the other hand is more old fashioned film. Koreeda marches characters from several generations in front of the camera for a family meeting. The middle aged son (Hiroshi Abe) and his new wife and son visit his parents and siblings in the old family house. There is no clear storyline, but rather 24 hours of one family’s life captured on camera. Koreeda’s idyllic images and slow tempo have won the critics over, but without the actors Still Walking wouldn’t stand on its feet. Hiroshi Abe and Yoshio Harada’s (the father) performances are a pleasure to watch. Some of the other actors, or rather their characters, do not get much room and make the first half of the film quite poor and uninteresting. The film improves later when there are fewer characters left. Another reason for the film becoming better during its second half is the director’s dry approach; there is little else than the characters, and they only become interesting once you get to know them better. In Koreeda’s hands that takes time.
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HungFist
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Thirst (South-Korea, 2009) – 3,5/5
After a row of excellent films Park Chan-wook misfired with the miserable comedy I’m a Cyborg But That’s Ok (2006). His new vampire film Thirst however is a positive surprise. Song Kang-ho (The Host) plays a Korean priest, who volunteers in medical experiments. He walks out as the single survivor, but soon discovers he has developed a new kind of taste for blood. Thirst received some additional publicity during the casting process when Park was reported to have great difficulties in finding an actress for the sexually explicit leading female role. He did manage to cast the role eventually, but it’s not hard to guess what type of actress would accept such a role. But there’s a surprise; Parks finding, Kim Ok-vin, is by far one of the most attractive actresses in Korea. Besides, the fuss appears to have been heavily exaggerated; even if Kim may not quality as an idol after this mixture of sex and religion, none of the content is of very graphic in nature. Her performance is also good to certain extent. During the second half of the film melodrama takes over, but that’s mainly the screenplay’s fault. Some of the scenes in the beginning even reach the level of excellence of Park's best films. Violence, eroticism, and absurd comedy are in good balance. On the negative side the film is a bit too long can’t quite hold up till the last scene. Nevertheless, Thirst is quite an enjoyable film and an interesting take on the vampire genre.
United Red Army (Japan, 2007) – 4,5/5
United Red Army is one of the movies this decade will be remembered for. 1960’s / 70’s pink rebel Koji Wakamatsu has made a 190 minute film about student activity that lead to the formation of the extremist group United Red Army in 1972. The film begins almost as a documentary, filling the firts 15 minutes with narrated news footage and cutting in short scenes with actors. After the opening this composition is flipped; the archive footage becomes supporting, and actors take over. Wakamatsu depicts the birth of the movement, and shows how common sense and good intentions get lost and become insanity when the passionate youngsters begin their armed training at the mountains. This part of the film goes on for a bit too long, but it doesn’t weaken the film’s incredible impact. Wakamatsu’s approach is admiring, critical and intelligent. This has been a very personal project for him; Wakamatsu financed the film himself, and can no longer even return to his home. That’s because the limited budget forced him to use his own house in the film and burn it. But it was worth it. United Red Army is a masterpiece.
After a row of excellent films Park Chan-wook misfired with the miserable comedy I’m a Cyborg But That’s Ok (2006). His new vampire film Thirst however is a positive surprise. Song Kang-ho (The Host) plays a Korean priest, who volunteers in medical experiments. He walks out as the single survivor, but soon discovers he has developed a new kind of taste for blood. Thirst received some additional publicity during the casting process when Park was reported to have great difficulties in finding an actress for the sexually explicit leading female role. He did manage to cast the role eventually, but it’s not hard to guess what type of actress would accept such a role. But there’s a surprise; Parks finding, Kim Ok-vin, is by far one of the most attractive actresses in Korea. Besides, the fuss appears to have been heavily exaggerated; even if Kim may not quality as an idol after this mixture of sex and religion, none of the content is of very graphic in nature. Her performance is also good to certain extent. During the second half of the film melodrama takes over, but that’s mainly the screenplay’s fault. Some of the scenes in the beginning even reach the level of excellence of Park's best films. Violence, eroticism, and absurd comedy are in good balance. On the negative side the film is a bit too long can’t quite hold up till the last scene. Nevertheless, Thirst is quite an enjoyable film and an interesting take on the vampire genre.
United Red Army (Japan, 2007) – 4,5/5
United Red Army is one of the movies this decade will be remembered for. 1960’s / 70’s pink rebel Koji Wakamatsu has made a 190 minute film about student activity that lead to the formation of the extremist group United Red Army in 1972. The film begins almost as a documentary, filling the firts 15 minutes with narrated news footage and cutting in short scenes with actors. After the opening this composition is flipped; the archive footage becomes supporting, and actors take over. Wakamatsu depicts the birth of the movement, and shows how common sense and good intentions get lost and become insanity when the passionate youngsters begin their armed training at the mountains. This part of the film goes on for a bit too long, but it doesn’t weaken the film’s incredible impact. Wakamatsu’s approach is admiring, critical and intelligent. This has been a very personal project for him; Wakamatsu financed the film himself, and can no longer even return to his home. That’s because the limited budget forced him to use his own house in the film and burn it. But it was worth it. United Red Army is a masterpiece.
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gasteropod
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
HungFist wrote:After a row of excellent films Park Chan-wook misfired with the miserable comedy I’m a Cyborg But That’s Ok (2006).
I love that film!!But as for Thirst, it seems to be a common complaint that it goes on too long and drags at parts.
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HungFist
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
It certainly went on for too long; it only left me 2 minutes to get to the next screeninggasteropod wrote:But as for Thirst, it seems to be a common complaint that it goes on too long and drags at parts.
Actually I rushed out as soon as the ending credits hit the screen, and won additional 2 minutes this way. And then I ran like the guy in Sogo Ishii's Shuffle
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Lourdes
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Huh? What have I done?bradavon wrote:It's a "Lourdes" thing. He still disagrees there should be two threads.
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HungFist
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Kinatay (Philippines, 2009) - ?/5
Roger Ebert apologized Vincent Callo for calling The Brown Bunny the worst film in the history of Cannes film festival. The honor belongs to Kinatay. The Cannes jury replied by awarding Brillante Mendoza as the best director of the year. Kinatay follows a normal man’s one night journey into the heart of darkness. And it is dark; 75% of the film takes place night time, and there’s no ”movie lighting” or steady camerawork. The director aims at documentary style, or perhaps even snuff style, some exaggerator might say. Many have also compared Kinatay to Gaspar Noes’s films such as Irreversible. It’s hard hitting story and may be easier appreciated as an experience than genuinely enjoyed while watching. But it needs to be seen from a good print, because this is perhaps the darkest film ever made. In the festival screening I attended we got to enjoy a terrible digital projection that made it completely impossible to see what was going on most of the time. A far superior presentation for this film is possible. For this reason I have not given a rating for the film (in the form I saw it, it would be a 1).
Ong Bak 2 (Thailand, 2008) – 3/5
It may not be a huge surprise, but Ong Bak 2 has a problem with its story. But this time it’s a serious problem. A lot of people complained that earlier Tony Jaa films like Tom Yum Goong didn't have proper story, even though these films had a good flow and sometimes even a greatly enjoyable ”who stole my elephant” storyline. But people would have preferred some bullshit cliche collection storyline to be inserted. The 16th century set Ong Bak 2 actually takes one very small step to that direction, and it immediately becomes a drag. Anything related to characters and storyline only slows Ong Bak 2. The entire first hour is quite miserable actually; not even the fight scenes manage to impress (not counting a couple of great stunts). But it’s the ending that makes Ong Bak 2 worth seeing. The 20 minute action finale comes pretty close to being the best martial arts scene ever captured on film. It doesn’t make the preceding hour any better, but it does make the ending worth seeing once, twice, maybe thrice. It will be interesting to see how Ong Bak 3 continues from here. One new trick the filmmakers have learned is mure fluent but also faster editing. It’s not entirely a good thing.
Red Cliff (HK / China, 2008 / 2009) – 3,5/5
John Woo’s return to Hong Kong was not a modest one; all time highest budget in an Asian film, and approximately 100 000 men borrowed from the Chinese army to avoid the use of little cgi soldiers. And yet, there is a fair bit of cgi in the film, and not nearly all of it is well done. Another problem is characterization and supplementary story bits that aren’t very engaging. This kind of period drama has been seen before and done better, and without a clumsy love scene that Woo has for some reason left in his final cut. However, the epic scale and highly interesting war scenes keep even the first half of this 5 hour film entertaining, and it’s Part II that truly shines. Once the dry set up is done, it’s hard core war tactics were brains matter more that manpower take over. Part 2 also introduces plenty of humour and it works far better than expected. Even the cgi is better done, although an overused ”ripped screen” transition effect is introduced. The final war scene is probably the most impressive war sequence even shot on film; kind this of sequence movie theaters were build for. Still, Woo remains honest to his old trademarks; heroism is emphasized more than realism, and white doves fly above the battle grounds.
Yes, it was a double screening. The first one in Europe, apparently. Be jealous.
Roger Ebert apologized Vincent Callo for calling The Brown Bunny the worst film in the history of Cannes film festival. The honor belongs to Kinatay. The Cannes jury replied by awarding Brillante Mendoza as the best director of the year. Kinatay follows a normal man’s one night journey into the heart of darkness. And it is dark; 75% of the film takes place night time, and there’s no ”movie lighting” or steady camerawork. The director aims at documentary style, or perhaps even snuff style, some exaggerator might say. Many have also compared Kinatay to Gaspar Noes’s films such as Irreversible. It’s hard hitting story and may be easier appreciated as an experience than genuinely enjoyed while watching. But it needs to be seen from a good print, because this is perhaps the darkest film ever made. In the festival screening I attended we got to enjoy a terrible digital projection that made it completely impossible to see what was going on most of the time. A far superior presentation for this film is possible. For this reason I have not given a rating for the film (in the form I saw it, it would be a 1).
Ong Bak 2 (Thailand, 2008) – 3/5
It may not be a huge surprise, but Ong Bak 2 has a problem with its story. But this time it’s a serious problem. A lot of people complained that earlier Tony Jaa films like Tom Yum Goong didn't have proper story, even though these films had a good flow and sometimes even a greatly enjoyable ”who stole my elephant” storyline. But people would have preferred some bullshit cliche collection storyline to be inserted. The 16th century set Ong Bak 2 actually takes one very small step to that direction, and it immediately becomes a drag. Anything related to characters and storyline only slows Ong Bak 2. The entire first hour is quite miserable actually; not even the fight scenes manage to impress (not counting a couple of great stunts). But it’s the ending that makes Ong Bak 2 worth seeing. The 20 minute action finale comes pretty close to being the best martial arts scene ever captured on film. It doesn’t make the preceding hour any better, but it does make the ending worth seeing once, twice, maybe thrice. It will be interesting to see how Ong Bak 3 continues from here. One new trick the filmmakers have learned is mure fluent but also faster editing. It’s not entirely a good thing.
Red Cliff (HK / China, 2008 / 2009) – 3,5/5
John Woo’s return to Hong Kong was not a modest one; all time highest budget in an Asian film, and approximately 100 000 men borrowed from the Chinese army to avoid the use of little cgi soldiers. And yet, there is a fair bit of cgi in the film, and not nearly all of it is well done. Another problem is characterization and supplementary story bits that aren’t very engaging. This kind of period drama has been seen before and done better, and without a clumsy love scene that Woo has for some reason left in his final cut. However, the epic scale and highly interesting war scenes keep even the first half of this 5 hour film entertaining, and it’s Part II that truly shines. Once the dry set up is done, it’s hard core war tactics were brains matter more that manpower take over. Part 2 also introduces plenty of humour and it works far better than expected. Even the cgi is better done, although an overused ”ripped screen” transition effect is introduced. The final war scene is probably the most impressive war sequence even shot on film; kind this of sequence movie theaters were build for. Still, Woo remains honest to his old trademarks; heroism is emphasized more than realism, and white doves fly above the battle grounds.
Yes, it was a double screening. The first one in Europe, apparently. Be jealous.
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romerojpg
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Yup I had to watch the cinema UK cutHungFist wrote: Red Cliff (HK / China, 2008 / 2009) – 3,5/5
Yes, it was a double screening. The first one in Europe, apparently. Be jealous.
2.5 hours cut out, scary.-
bradavon
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
It's been released in The UK? When? Bollocks!
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Markgway
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Red Cliff came out here end of June.
Was shown at my local arthouse but I didn't bother because it was the abridged cut.
Was shown at my local arthouse but I didn't bother because it was the abridged cut.
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romerojpg
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
It was still good, in fact really good 
but I really do look forward to the full cut.
but I really do look forward to the full cut.-
bradavon
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Not at mineMarkgway wrote:Red Cliff came out here end of June. Was shown at my local arthouse but I didn't bother because it was the abridged cut.
. Given the high cost of HK BDs and the fact Part 1 is fucked up I was planning to bother. I could then decide if I wanted to see it uncut.-
Yi-Long
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Watched Sympathy for Lady Vengeance last night.
Great movie, great acting by pretty much everyone except the little girl, nice 'revenge-flick', and I might even prefer it over Old Boy as it is less hard to watch. The soundtrack is fantastic as well.
I'd score it a 4 outta 5.
Great movie, great acting by pretty much everyone except the little girl, nice 'revenge-flick', and I might even prefer it over Old Boy as it is less hard to watch. The soundtrack is fantastic as well.
I'd score it a 4 outta 5.
I was there, the big BNB blackout of november, 2008. We lost many that day...
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HungFist
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Memories of Matsuko (Japan, 2006) – 1,5/5
Kamikaze Girls was a supercharged JP Pop Culture typhoon that hit the target somewhat often - mainly thanks to the screenplay and actress Anna Tsuchiya - but also suffered from director Tetsuya Nakashima “crazy and cool” visual approach that mostly lacked real sense of style. Memories of Matsuko, an instant cult hit and masterpiece apparently, doesn’t fix the predecessor’s problems but emphasizes them. Matsuko’s life is hip beyond belief, and Nakashima’s 130 minute film doesn’t feature a single frame that isn’t digitally over-processed and full of wild details. The director does deserve some credit for his imagination; not everyone can create a mess as versatile as this. There is also a remotely sensical dramatic structure hidden somewhere under the visuals. The middle third of the film features some entertaining musical sequences, and there’s a lot of small cameos from Hiroshi Yamamoto to AV star Sora Aoi. If it wasn’t for the unbearable serious ending that goes on forever one might even forget how appalling the film’s first 30 minutes were.
Your Friends (Japan, 2008) – 4/5
Ryuichi Hiroki, who started his career directing sadistic pink films, has become one the most interesting Japanese filmmakers in the 2000’s. Now he has made a beautiful film about friendship between kids. It’s a fairly conventional story, but just like Hiroki’s earlier film Love on Sunday, it greatly benefits from the director’s touch. The digital cinematography is beautiful, and Hiroki uses a lot of long takes. More than about telling a strictly liner story the film is about friendship in general. It’s an enjoyable film fit for mainstream audiences, even if not in the master class of Hiroki's 2005 film It's Only Talk.
Review to be posted on the JP Drama thread later.
Kamikaze Girls was a supercharged JP Pop Culture typhoon that hit the target somewhat often - mainly thanks to the screenplay and actress Anna Tsuchiya - but also suffered from director Tetsuya Nakashima “crazy and cool” visual approach that mostly lacked real sense of style. Memories of Matsuko, an instant cult hit and masterpiece apparently, doesn’t fix the predecessor’s problems but emphasizes them. Matsuko’s life is hip beyond belief, and Nakashima’s 130 minute film doesn’t feature a single frame that isn’t digitally over-processed and full of wild details. The director does deserve some credit for his imagination; not everyone can create a mess as versatile as this. There is also a remotely sensical dramatic structure hidden somewhere under the visuals. The middle third of the film features some entertaining musical sequences, and there’s a lot of small cameos from Hiroshi Yamamoto to AV star Sora Aoi. If it wasn’t for the unbearable serious ending that goes on forever one might even forget how appalling the film’s first 30 minutes were.
Your Friends (Japan, 2008) – 4/5
Ryuichi Hiroki, who started his career directing sadistic pink films, has become one the most interesting Japanese filmmakers in the 2000’s. Now he has made a beautiful film about friendship between kids. It’s a fairly conventional story, but just like Hiroki’s earlier film Love on Sunday, it greatly benefits from the director’s touch. The digital cinematography is beautiful, and Hiroki uses a lot of long takes. More than about telling a strictly liner story the film is about friendship in general. It’s an enjoyable film fit for mainstream audiences, even if not in the master class of Hiroki's 2005 film It's Only Talk.
Review to be posted on the JP Drama thread later.
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gasteropod
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't enjoy Memories of Matsuko, I found it an overlong mess and only liked certain musical interludes from early on, sorry for any incoherency, I am so wasted my mate has to keep pulling me back through my windows and I asked the taxi driver which is his favourite Kate Bush album is x
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thelostdragon
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
I strongly disagree. This is my review I posted here right after I watched the film.HungFist wrote:Memories of Matsuko (Japan, 2006) – 1,5/5
Red Cliff II - 3.5/5thelostdragon wrote:5/5
Wow! The story is a tragedy, as we know right from the start of the film, that the lead character Matsuko was brutally killed. Her 53-years-old, lifeless, fat body is found in a park with injuries all over. When her 20 years-old nephew Shou is told to clear out her apartment, he meets all kind of people who were involved with Matsuko's life, of whom he didn't even hear before she died. Each one of them speaks to him about their personal experience with her through which we learn how certain periods in her life were, starting as a beautiful 7-years-old child. The way her story is told in flashbacks is hilariously funny, but emotionally sad at the same time.
How do you write a script for such a film? I very rarely give a film 5/5, but this one definitely earns the full score. Great actors, great director, beautiful cinematography, wonderfully edited and a soundtrack that both rocks and touches.
This was one of the most anticipated films in a long time for me. After part 1, which I thought was quite weak, I had high expectations of this as all the reviews were saying that it wasn't like the first one. And in fact it is far more reminiscent to John Woo's directing style than part 1.
Bullet in the Head - 4.5/5
Watched it once again and the film never fails to be enthralling.
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HungFist
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Love Exposure (Japan, 2008) - 5/5
I shall write more once I manage to get my thoughts together. But in brief; Sion Sono's 237 minute Catholism / upskirt shotography epic is possibly the decade's most impressive and memorable achievement. This is to 2000's what Fight Club was to 1990's.
I shall write more once I manage to get my thoughts together. But in brief; Sion Sono's 237 minute Catholism / upskirt shotography epic is possibly the decade's most impressive and memorable achievement. This is to 2000's what Fight Club was to 1990's.
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diceman
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
TOLD YOU TOLD YOU TOLD YOU TOLD YOU ...HungFist wrote:Love Exposure (Japan, 2008) - 5/5
I shall write more once I manage to get my thoughts together. But in brief; Sion Sono's 237 minute Catholism / upskirt shotography epic is possibly the decade's most impressive and memorable achievement. This is to 2000's what Fight Club was to 1990's.
It's just so unbelievably epic I'm still kinda lost for words. Definetely The Best Movie of the Decade.
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HungFist
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Watched it again yesterday... still amazing. Now I'm not lost for words anymore, if fact I already reviewed it in Finnish. Might try to translate that into English, although I'm not as good at writing in English as in Finnish, and translating is alway a bit difficult...diceman wrote:TOLD YOU TOLD YOU TOLD YOU TOLD YOU ...HungFist wrote:Love Exposure (Japan, 2008) - 5/5
I shall write more once I manage to get my thoughts together. But in brief; Sion Sono's 237 minute Catholism / upskirt shotography epic is possibly the decade's most impressive and memorable achievement. This is to 2000's what Fight Club was to 1990's.
It's just so unbelievably epic I'm still kinda lost for words. Definetely The Best Movie of the Decade.
Something else I watched not too long ago...
Detroit Metal City (Japan, 2008) – 3,5/5
A fun and enjoyably naïve live action film about a shy university student who wants to sing tender love songs… but ends up as the vocalist of a satanic heavy metal band. His character doesn’t change though, but instead he has to adapt to different roles on stage in and normal life. This leads to some hilarious mistakes (in the restaurant: “chocolate rape cake, please). One of the film’s strengths is the casting; the lead role is played by the cool pretty boy Ken’ichi Matsuyama (Death Note’s L), who gets to portray a character that is the complete opposite from his real public image. His competitor is the film is Jack Il Dark, played by none other than Gene Simmons.
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Yi-Long
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Where's the DVd for Love Exposure!? Worth picking up? Worth waiting for a western release!? Worth flying to Japan for, and buying it there?
I was there, the big BNB blackout of november, 2008. We lost many that day...
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HungFist
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Yi-Long wrote:Where's the DVd for Love Exposure!?
On my desk.
Yi-Long wrote:Worth picking up?
Was that a guestion?
Third Window will release it on dvd in the UK in January. But I wouldn't expect a native PAL transfer from them. I mean they are the company who released Kamikaze Girls on non-anamorphic dvd and then explained to gas something about how they are used to watching Asian movies from VHS.Yi-Long wrote:Worth waiting for a western release!?
Their release also seems to be missing the deleted scenes from the Japanese dvd (which, btw, feature more graphic sexual content than anything that wa left in the film)
http://www.nipponcinema.com/releases/dv ... dow-films/
Edit: Don't read that plot summary on that page. Spoils too much.
I know cdjapan's shipping charge is high but it's not THAT badYi-Long wrote:Worth flying to Japan for, and buying it there?
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Yi-Long
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Thanks Hung. Trailer looks interesting.HungFist wrote:Yi-Long wrote:Where's the DVd for Love Exposure!?
On my desk.
Yi-Long wrote:Worth picking up?
Was that a guestion?
Third Window will release it on dvd in the UK in January. But I wouldn't expect a native PAL transfer from them. I mean they are the company who released Kamikaze Girls on non-anamorphic dvd and then explained to gas something about how they are used to watching Asian movies from VHS.Yi-Long wrote:Worth waiting for a western release!?
Their release also seems to be missing the deleted scenes from the Japanese dvd (which, btw, feature more graphic sexual content than anything that wa left in the film)
http://www.nipponcinema.com/releases/dv ... dow-films/
Edit: Don't read that plot summary on that page. Spoils too much.
I know cdjapan's shipping charge is high but it's not THAT badYi-Long wrote:Worth flying to Japan for, and buying it there?
Good to hear it's getting a PAL-release. Sad to hear it's by a shitty company. Hopefully it will get some other, better releases as well.
I was already checking out DDDhouse and EthaiCD.com if they had any HK or thai releases, but sadly no (although there's a 2007 korean movie of the same name...)
Will check out CDJapan to see if it's affordable or not, and if deemed too steep, I'll just wait
I was there, the big BNB blackout of november, 2008. We lost many that day...
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HungFist
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
ok, here’s the short version for busy people. You can find the full review in the Love Exposure topic.
Love Exposure (Japan, 2008) – 5/5
Director Sion Sono’s earlier films have dealt with themes such as identity (Noriko’s Dinner Table, 2005) and pop culture phenomena that combined with Japanese societal norms and demands could even make suicide fashion (Suicide Club, 2001). Sono’s new film, the 237 minute upskirt photograpy epic Love Exposure, is logical continuation to the director’s older works. Love Exposure builds its massive storyline on religious groundings. The protagonist, a 17 year old teenager living in a deeply catholic family, finds his sinful calling in tosatsu, upskit photography. In Sono’s hands the art of tosatsu is the taken to extraordinary lengths, up to the point of applying kung fu techniques to steal a photo. While these scenes represent some of the most outrageously amusing footage seen on silver screen in recent years, they are hardly the only merit in Sono’s endlessly fascinating and completely unpredictable movie drawn together from a 370 page screenplay. Aside from the director’s own experiences as being a part of a religious cult, influences have been taken from art house movies as well as classic Japanese exploitation and even Hong Kong action films. Despite this variety, which is only welcome due to the long running time, the mix remains coherent enough. The film’s soundtrack is quite terrific, helping to create some pitch perfect mood-scenes, and the actors – including a healthy amount of pop stars and idols – all give unexpectedly good performances. Above all Love Exposure is an experience, and as such it’s easily one of the decade’s best and most memorable ones.
Love Exposure (Japan, 2008) – 5/5
Director Sion Sono’s earlier films have dealt with themes such as identity (Noriko’s Dinner Table, 2005) and pop culture phenomena that combined with Japanese societal norms and demands could even make suicide fashion (Suicide Club, 2001). Sono’s new film, the 237 minute upskirt photograpy epic Love Exposure, is logical continuation to the director’s older works. Love Exposure builds its massive storyline on religious groundings. The protagonist, a 17 year old teenager living in a deeply catholic family, finds his sinful calling in tosatsu, upskit photography. In Sono’s hands the art of tosatsu is the taken to extraordinary lengths, up to the point of applying kung fu techniques to steal a photo. While these scenes represent some of the most outrageously amusing footage seen on silver screen in recent years, they are hardly the only merit in Sono’s endlessly fascinating and completely unpredictable movie drawn together from a 370 page screenplay. Aside from the director’s own experiences as being a part of a religious cult, influences have been taken from art house movies as well as classic Japanese exploitation and even Hong Kong action films. Despite this variety, which is only welcome due to the long running time, the mix remains coherent enough. The film’s soundtrack is quite terrific, helping to create some pitch perfect mood-scenes, and the actors – including a healthy amount of pop stars and idols – all give unexpectedly good performances. Above all Love Exposure is an experience, and as such it’s easily one of the decade’s best and most memorable ones.
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HungFist
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Terrifying Girls’ High School: Violent Women’s Classroom (Japan, 1972) – 3,5/5
Terrifying Girls’ High School: Lynch Law Classroom (Japan, 1973) – 4/5
Terrifying Girls’ High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group (Japan, 1973) – 2,5/5
Terrifying Girls’ High School: Animal Courage (Japan, 1973) – 2/5
Reviews in the jp exploit thread within a few days
Terrifying Girls’ High School: Lynch Law Classroom (Japan, 1973) – 4/5
Terrifying Girls’ High School: Delinquent Convulsion Group (Japan, 1973) – 2,5/5
Terrifying Girls’ High School: Animal Courage (Japan, 1973) – 2/5
Reviews in the jp exploit thread within a few days
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Markgway
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Re: What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5
Hung, do you ever sleep?
Just wondering...
Just wondering...