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

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 Aug 2006, 13:38

OK point taken.
"Prefer Daredevil to Superman" - I didnt say that, I'm just using Daredevil as an example.

But yes I preferred Spiderman 1/2 and Batman Begins (and Burton's Batman) to Superman

I thought the film Daredevil was weak.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 20 Aug 2006, 14:12

V for Vendetta- 3.5/5
enjoyed this one though it a dragged a little in the middle.good adaption of the acclaimed alan moore comic.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 20 Aug 2006, 21:17

grim_tales wrote:I thought the film Daredevil was weak.

Watch the director's cut. You won't believe how much of an improvement it is.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Aug 2006, 21:49

Is Ben Affleck still in it?

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 20 Aug 2006, 22:02

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 20 Aug 2006, 23:39

Kung Fu Hustle - 3.5/5
Another reminder to check out some older Chow films. It's really all over the place, so much so that it's hard to tell when it's parodying something and when it's being plain crap. Good fun and enjoyment.

Blood: The Last Vampire - 4/5
Watched this again for purposes of critique. It's one of the first animes to be a full-on showcase for digital production and you can tell that at a glance. Characters and backgrounds don't meld, they contrast starkly and appear to be drawn far above them. The voice acting is quite atrocious because of the use of Japanese VA's who speak poor English in English speaking roles and wooden English VA's. The script was translated straight from Japanese which doesn't help in the slightest.
But God damn is it cool. The "SWORD!" moment is one of the most exciting pieces of cinema ever even after I've seen it a dozen times.
And ugh, I see there's a live action remake set for next year...

Desert Punk - 0/5
The rating says it all. Horrible, horrible show, I knew that from the moment the OP started. It's weak even as Gonzo's go.

The Usual Suspects - 4/5
I don't get the cult status of this and all the fuss. I just think it's a solid Hollywood film but for some reason it falls just short of my list of greats because it loses a lot of its value upon repeat viewings.

Ghost Dog - 2/5
I've seen this once before and I recall rather liking it. But now I've taken on a very different opinion. It's pretty trashy with some horrible acting and too much rap-crap. I was not amused and only slightl entertained.

Three - Various/5
Memories 3/5:
It's your typical Asian creepy horror thing. I was quite interested and it was well made.
The Wheel 1/5:
I got bored and skipped this 2/3 in. Thai films = crap.
Going Home 3.5/5:[/b]
This is the best of the three but it really fucks itself over with the ending. Spelling everything out to the viewer just isn't necessary.

Men and Women - 2.5/5
Your typical Mainland drama, and yes of couse, this is bannned there for its "open portrayal of homosexuality."

Characters that happen to be gay is about as open as it gets, this film is very tame in that respect, just as you would expect from you "typical Mainland drama." The observation of the inreractions of various characters is somewhat interesting but at the end of the day it's forgettable.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Aug 2006, 23:47

Ghost Dog - 2/5

Agreed. I've never worked out the cult status.

Thai films = crap.

I hope you're not basing that on just one film? Nang Nak is a really affective little ghost story for example.

To be fair the Thai movie industry is still very young and you really can't compare Thai with Japanese or Korean films, or Chinese too as they have sod all money to go into the films. The amount of money spent is nothing compared to the former countries.

Suriyothai has high production values though and is good, if a little hard work (it presume you know the back story). The Thai 191 minute cut is the way to go (basically if it has "The Legend of" in the title it's the cut to shreds American cut, avoid).

As for Three I loved all 3 parts but agreed Going Home is easily the best.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 21 Aug 2006, 08:54

thelostdragon wrote:
grim_tales wrote:I thought the film Daredevil was weak.
Watch the director's cut. You won't believe how much of an improvement it is.

Thanks

I haven't seen the DC

Brad -

re Daredevil

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 21 Aug 2006, 09:33

Total Recall - Arnie/Paul Verhoeven commentary - 4/5

Sometimes hard to understand due to Paul's thick accent but a good track, there's a lot of talking about theories.

Howser's memory was erased to "create" Doug Quaid, right? From the moment Arnie first falls asleep in the chair at Rekall (this is before he wakes up and goes crazy going "My name is not Quaid" - nothing is real. When Howser first talks to Arnie, we think he's a good guy but he's actually working for Ronny Cox (as is the scientist who tries to get Arnie to swallow the red pill).

Is that right?

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 21 Aug 2006, 10:02

"Come on, Cohaagen! You got what you want. Give those people air!"

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 21 Aug 2006, 10:04

Lourdes wrote: Desert Punk - 0/5
The rating says it all. Horrible, horrible show, I knew that from the moment the OP started. It's weak even as Gonzo's go.

Gonzo shows often really suck. Burst Angel and Vandread come to mind, terrible terrible shows.

Blood: The Last Vampire - 4/5
And ugh, I see there's a live action remake set for next year...

It's being helmed by Ronny Yu. He REALLY sucks.

dragonhero005 · Post by **dragonhero005** » 21 Aug 2006, 11:18

Unvorgiven

Multi-award-winning western, directed by Clint Eastwood. Better than Pale Rider, which I saw some days ago, but in terms of atmosphere not compareable to the good old Spaghetti westerns.
Unvorgiven is very different than many westerns. Instead of showing cool outlaws, it shows how cruel their worlds are and that it´s not always easy for them to kill someone...
At some points the movie even is romantic.

4/5

Akira

Wow! I´ve never seen something like this before.
Unbelievable that this movie is so old!

4.5/5

Once upon a Time in the West

I think everything has already been said about this movie
Truly a masterpiece!

5/5

The Golden Lotus

I just watched this movie because of Jackie Chan´s small appearance. His role wasn´t even as small as I had expected, but actually very essential to the whole story.
Besides Jackie this movie is not very interesting in my opinion. I had to fast forward most of the second half of the movie, because I couldn´t see those girls and their tiny feet (how cruel!!!) as well as the ugly and ridiculous sex games they´re playing...

1.5/5

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 21 Aug 2006, 13:40

bradavon wrote:I hope you're not basing that on just one film? Nang Nak is a really affective little ghost story for example.

I've watched a handful of Thai films and the only decent one has been Last Life which had a ton of foreign influence. I haven't seen Nang Nak, Suriyothai, Shutter or Citizen Dog though. Suriyothai will get seen today, forgot I had that on DVD. What's this backstory?

EvaUnit02 wrote:Gonzo shows often really suck. Burst Angel and Vandread come to mind, terrible terrible shows.

The best effort by Gonzo I've seen was an animated sequence for the OP of the Japanese drama "Densha Otoko." WHich is funny becauseJapanese drama series are even worse than Gonzo animes and the sequences was a copy of Gainax's Daicon IV video.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 21 Aug 2006, 13:50

Sexy Beast - 5/5
From the opening to the ending this film is just fucking gorgeous son. You get some silly cunts who go about running their fuckings mouths of saying this is some bloody gangster movie but that's just plain bollocks. Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley - 'nuff said.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 21 Aug 2006, 14:55

Agreed about Sexy Beast. A friend of mine basically forced me to watch it, and I'm happy he did.

Tokugawa irezumi-shi: Seme Jigoku – 4/5
Better known as Inferno of Torture, though the alternate english title Hell’s Tattooers is more descibing. Delicius visuals, excellent camera work, nice score and a few quick glimpses of jaw dropping violence. Just what you’d expect from Ishii.

The Hills Have Eyes (2006) – 3/5
Would be excellent if the first 60 min wasn’t a direct copy of the original. The last 40 min is so great it saves the whole movie. Still a huge step back from Haute Tension. Go back to France, Alex.

Land of the Dead – 3,5/5
Not as violent nor as clever as Romero’s original trilogy, but still a very good film. Excellent zombie make up. Savini’s cameo felt a bit forced.

Evil Cult (aka Kung Fu Cult Master aka...) 3,5/5
Just what I needed after watching so many real movies (even Ishii's work count (most of the time)) in a row. Crazy fights, ”good” humour, Richard Ng, and a nice romantic side plot.

Marnie – 3,5/5
Enjoyable Hitch, but not among his best work. Connery was clearly enjoying his role. The ending wasn’t very good. It was too explaining with all the flashbacks and felt like Alfred was trying to ensure even the dumbest viewer gets it.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 21 Aug 2006, 15:17

For GRIM:

Grim: Howser's memory was erased to "create" Doug Quaid, right?

Mark: Right.

Grim: From the moment Arnie first falls asleep in the chair at Rekall (this is before he wakes up and goes crazy going "My name is not Quaid" - nothing is real.

Mark: No, it's all real. Everything "we" see is real. Only Arnie's character has tapped into his past. "Quaid" has flashbacks to his previous life as "Howser" - a life that hasn't been implanted by Rekall. Once they sedate him he returns to being "Quaid" - but with the knowledge that something exists beyond the life he currently leads. The key line as to telling whether the post-sleep episodes are real or implanted fiction ("the package") is when the scientists claim they haven't implanted anything and that they've actually uncovered a previous erase.

Grim: When Howser first talks to Arnie, we think he's a good guy but he's actually working for Ronny Cox (as is the scientist who tries to get Arnie to swallow the red pill).

Is that right?

Mark: Yes.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 21 Aug 2006, 15:44

Thanks. I mentioned the part when he first goes to Rekall because in the commentary Arnie/Verhoeven said something to the effect of "After he first wakes up (after the part when he describes Rachel Ticotin/Malena), its all part of a dream, if you believe it so" or something like that. At the end, the screen turns white instead of black.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 21 Aug 2006, 16:32

I don't understand that comment.

I don't believe there are any "dreams" or "fictionial elements" within the film.

The film always made perfect sense to me.

If you listen to too much explaination it'll become confusing.

I know what's what and that's what counts. 8)

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 21 Aug 2006, 17:27

Maybe you're right.

Its a great movie though 8)

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 21 Aug 2006, 17:46

hey,

Over The Rainbow, Under The Skirt 4/5

The direct sequel to Samson Chiu's wonderful Yesteryou, Yesterme, Yesterday, the vision is well continued by Joe Ma who had not yet become way too comfy with his industry position. This and the subsequent Golden Girls showed that. Funeral March has been a rare glimpse lately into the actual directing talents the man has.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 21 Aug 2006, 18:35

Dragon Fist (1978) - 3/5

Quite enjoyed this, one of the better Lo Wei Jackie movies I've seen

BUT the film is only 75 mins long?! I thought it was 90 minutes? Also the film is dubbed and non anamorphic (I was watching the R2 EH DVD)

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 21 Aug 2006, 18:41

The Host 4.5/5
That's right jealous Korean fans. I saw this movie before you AND with the presence of director Joon-ho Bong (Memories of Murder).

It's a monster movie but then it's so much more. It's also a Korean melodrama, comedy, action fest, horror, tragedy and political commentary.

This dude can do no wrong.

This Film is Not Yet Rated 4/5
Entertaining documentary that reveals the hypocracy and incompetency of the MPAA. What a bunch of power hungry losers those guys are.

(This film was eventually rated NC-17 by the MPAA lol).

Harsh Times 4.5/5
Anyone else impressed by the amount of really aggressive high-fives? Bale's going to suffer from artheritis if he keeps this up.

Clerks II 4.5/5
Better than the original, possibly better than Dogma, which means it might be the best Kevin Smith movie in the world. Gut wrenchingly funny. It's unnecessarily vulgar - I love it.

Smith was there for an intro and lengthy Q&A (lasted almost 40 mins). The guy's a comic genius. Everything he says is comedy gold. It was like a stand up act FFS.

Sheitan 3/5 (maybe...)
It was good right up til the ending... I think...

A Scanner Darkly.... ?/5
I'll get back to you with this one....

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 21 Aug 2006, 18:43

grim_tales wrote:Dragon Fist (1978) - 3/5

Quite enjoyed this, one of the better Lo Wei Jackie movies I've seen

BUT the film is only 75 mins long?! I thought it was 90 minutes? Also the film is dubbed and non anamorphic (I was watching the R2 EH DVD)

yes ypu've watched the cut version grim.the tranmsfer on the region 1 is excellent but it's also the cut version

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 21 Aug 2006, 18:48

Is the R1 in Cantonese Sam?

I wonder if the uncut version is on DVD? According to the BBFC all the UK DVDs are the uncut version

:x

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 21 Aug 2006, 19:27

think there was an old simitar region 1 release that was uncut but horrible fullscreen

yes,the columbia has cantonese i'm pretty sure will check i still have it.