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

degeneration · Post by **degeneration** » 21 Jun 2005, 10:19

Batman Begins 3.5/5

I liked it, and the dark tone of the film was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo welcome compared to the terrible, abysmal Joel Schumacher rubbish Batman films. But I would have like it to keep a little more continuity with Tim Burton's original Batman film.

Forgetting all those other Batman films ever existed, this one was still good. Christian Bale was a good Batman. But the fights were too close like has been mentioned.

And I didn't like that microwave thing... ok, so it vapourised the water supply... ummm, what about water in people's bodies etc...?

Was good to have such an all star cast for it though!

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 22 Jun 2005, 06:48

The Edge - 4.5/5
This is a very underrated film, IMO. Excellent performances by the whole cast, and a very good, well written story. This film has some of the most impressive animal work ever done. Terrific soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith. Beautiful scenery. Wonderful direction by Lee Tamahori. This sadly was his last good film, before falling into the Hollywood abyss and doing awful films like Die Another Day and the new XXX: State of the Union.

Anyway, The Edge is a terrific adventure film. Highy recommended!

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 22 Jun 2005, 11:16

ReconFive wrote:I agree with lostdragon about the fights in the movie...but you have to understand that this film absolutly had to have a pg-13 rating, and pg-13=choppy close-up fights

I don't blame the filmmakers.

Huh? How do close-up fights make a film PG-13? Or rather, why do wide shot fights get a film a higher classification?

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 22 Jun 2005, 16:26

Its simply a matter of how much you actually see. Keep in mind that i'm referring to the MPAA, and not nessesaraly the ratings boards of european countries.

Its ridiculous, but a fight scene shot skillfully with use of wide shots means that the viewer can actually make out more of the violence, and impacts etc..
The MPAA is all about what you can or can't see see for a split second. Granted that blood is much more of an issue, but just the way a fight is shot can deffinetly have an effect.

Censorship is a terrible thing

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 22 Jun 2005, 20:54

Swing Girls (2004) - 3.5/5

Fun, feel good J-comedy set in a high-school. One day, a group of bored girls led ny Tomoko (Ueno Juri) decide to deliver lunches to the school brass band. Unfortunately they dont get off at the right train stop, and the lunches are ruined causing all the band to get sick.

The remaining member is Takuo (Hiraoka Yuto), who recruits Tomoko's classmate Sekiguchi (Motokariya Yuika) into the band, even though Sekiguchi's musical talents are entirely in question. But Tomoko and the other girls soon follow, partly to get out of math class, and partly because it's their fault that the entire band got sick in the first place! But there's a catch: nobody knows how to play a wind or brass instrument, much to the dismay of Takuo, who proposes that the girls play swing band jazz - and take their act all the way to a battle-of-the-bands finale! Will the girls find a way to swing like tested jazz musicians?
...............................

I haven't seen many recent J-movies but I enjoyed this - some great feel-good comedy IMO (and some silliness, watch the girls desperate attempts to make money to pay for instruments, including 1 selling her sisters Playstation, and capturing a wild boar

). The performances are tops with such a young cast too

Features quite a few jazz classics on the soundtrack - notably Nat King Cole's L-O-V-E over the end credits, Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World, and oldie Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy of Company Beat (I think). (phew!)

Also 2 I cant quite place....

Is a sailor suit the standard schoolgirl uniform in Japan?

Awards and Nominations

Screen Play of the Year Winner, Yaguchi Fumiyasu (Japan Academy Prize 2005)
Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing Winner (Japan Academy Prize 2005)
Outstanding Achievement in Music Winner (Japan Academy Prize 2005)
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Recording Winner (Japan Academy Prize 2005)
Popularity Award Winner (Japan Academy Prize 2005)
Rookie of Year Winner, Ueno Juri (Japan Academy Prize 2005)
Picture of the Year Nomination (Japan Academy Prize 2005)
Director of the Year Nomination, Yaguchi Fumiyasu (Japan Academy Prize 2005)

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 23 Jun 2005, 23:19

Being John Malkovich - 4.5/5

Yeah amazing stuff. Loved the puppetry, they were so life like. Film was fantastic - very funny, clever and quite dark also.

But wow, those puppets were awesome.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 24 Jun 2005, 23:10

Hostage - 4/5
Very well made thriller, with good performances all around. No one beats Bruce Willis in this kind of a role.

Much better then i expected.

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 25 Jun 2005, 05:58

Finally saw House of Flying Beans tonight. I'd give it a 3 out of 5. Visually, it's stunning. Thematically, it's empty. Lots of missed opportunities for complexity there. Takeshi Kaneshiro was lovely to behold, but being lovesick really didn't become Andy Lau in this film.

Still, it brought an unexpected tear to my eye. Well worth a watch.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 26 Jun 2005, 05:30

Emperor of the Sea Vol: 2 - 4.8/5
wow, this just gets better and better.
Absolutly kick ass storyline with great characters, fantastic acting, and excellent production value.

I am really enjoying this drama.
Can't wait for the final volume.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 26 Jun 2005, 23:04

Damn you recon five.... I really wanted this series to be terrible, saving me the trouble of buying it.

Now it's there on my wish list.....

Ah but thanks for your thoughts.

No seriously, damn you!!!!! :x :x :x :x

degeneration · Post by **degeneration** » 29 Jun 2005, 09:27

Sin City 4/5

Not as violent and gorey as I had been lead to believe, but I think that is just cause of the visual style in which it has been made. Lots of humour had me laughing lots, and lots of action. Very cool enjoyable film, but I'm not sure I'd actually go back to it that much.

The Butterfly Effect (Director's Cut) 5/5

This has to be one of my most favourite films in recent times. I thought the theatrical cut was very good, and the DC did not disappoint either, being darker and slightly better. Other than one obvious continuity error in the whole changing things theory (the stigmata effect in jail - how could it just appear? It would always have been there if he did it!), the whole idea is amazing. I think I was probably more surprised about Ashton Kushter's acting, in that he actually can. Top notch stuff, and quite thought provoking about how a slight change in something can completely reshape how your life evoles.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 29 Jun 2005, 14:11

The Amityville Horror (2005) - 2/5
Crap, but fun nonetheless. It was brimming with horror cliches and was heavily influenced by Asian-esque "psychological horror" - translating to cheap scare tactics by achieved by quick cuts and louds bursts of sound/score and hardly any gore.

The pacing was perfect and the cheap scares tactics were quite effective. Melissa George was smoking hot and Ryan Reynolds was surprisingly effective in doing a Jack Nicholson-Shining impersonation. I had low expectations and they were met.

Saw this for the extemely low price of $5NZD at the theatre ($14.50 during the weekend). No way would I've bothered if the ticket was full price for horror bollocks like this film.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 30 Jun 2005, 10:27

Once Upon A Time In China III - 3.5/5

Maybe not as good as the first 2 films (Part 1 especially) as the story is not quite as polished but still a good movie, with some good fights and with a lovely conclusion to the romance/love story between 13th Aunt/WFH

The scenes where they have their first kiss and Jet says "I love you" (in Cantonese) and Rosamund says "I love you too" back in English are just beautiful

The FS print is excellent, and the subtitles are fine (probably stolen from HKL though)

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 30 Jun 2005, 10:31

I agree. Now go watch parts 4, 5 and 6 !

Part 5 is the best of the second trilogy IMO.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 30 Jun 2005, 10:51

Tom where can you get Parts IV, V and VI on DVD?

I'm sure Part VI is Once Upon A Time In China and America (which Sammo stole most of Jackie's ideas for Shanghai Noon to do). Is that right?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 01 Jul 2005, 20:26

Kung Fu Hustle - 4.5/5

Great film IMO, and remarkably funny throughout

The crabby old landlady who despatches enemies with her "Lion's Roar" (ie she screams really loudly) is hilarious

Surprisingly violent for what is in effect a comedy, with some amazing looking fights and maybe even some unintentional nods to the Matrix movies (?)....

The malevolent Twins.... its' only fighting the main villain The Beast (who maintains the indescrutible nature of Agent Smith) does Chow realise his potential, concept of being "The One"... etc..

Surprisingly sweet ending also.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 01 Jul 2005, 21:20

Yes that's right Grim.

Part 4 is out on Taiwanese DVD I think and Part 5 bootleg DVD from the Laser Disc. Both can be bought (probably) from: http://www.dvdunited.co.uk/ . As for Part 6 the UK DVD is the way to go for English subtitle people.

As all are so dire though I've not bothered and I "doubt" I ever will, having said that I suspect part 6 is decent enough. The other option are the VCDs and we all know how bad they are.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 01 Jul 2005, 23:23

My Boss, My Hero

It may appear that writer/director Yun Je-gyun has prepared a commentary on the South Korean education system, but I believe that he fundamentally examines the importance of respect and discipline - not only towards elders but everyone.

Everything in this film is ridiculously OTT, so it cannot be taken too seriously but the underlying message of strict discipline is evident throughout the course of the film. The film comes across as a comedy but erratically switches to melodrama from time to time. The melodrama is so strong that these scenes also become unintentionally funny. There is also some nice, natural looking (most of the time) action choreography, particularly towards the closing chapter.

Most of the characters act like such tools that it is difficult to feel sympathy towards them. However, they also learn a valuable lesson so I suppose the viewer is left to admire their transformation.

There are traces of Volcano High and Sister Act II: Back in the Habit, but My Boss, My Hero is considerably better than the aforementioned titles. It is quite the unusual but satisfying hybrid that is admirably entertaining from start to finish.

After watching this, I'd urge people to check out Yun Je-gyun's "Sex is Zero", which is another triumphant comedy/melodramatic opus.

All in my opinion of course...

3.5/5 from me.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 02 Jul 2005, 20:11

Blade - 3.5/5

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 03 Jul 2005, 10:13

Dawn of the Dead (1978) - 4/5
Another great film from George Romero, just as good as NOTLD. Much much better than the 2004 remake.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 03 Jul 2005, 10:36

How does Blade 2 compare to Blade?

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 03 Jul 2005, 12:01

Both are awesome. Can't decide which is better.

Blade III on the other hand, is pile of turd in comparison. It was sort of ok but then not really. You know what I'm saying?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 03 Jul 2005, 13:46

Cheers Bisc.

Will probably like Blade better if I had working disc which didnt freeze and stutter (bloody CD-WOW rentals

) and a working amp...

Still good though.

Does the "Karen" character from Blade come back for Blade II?

Also Blade's "mother" looked hot IMO.. hmmm

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 03 Jul 2005, 18:48

BLADE 2 IS THE BEST

staggering action and some of the best scenes put to film for years. I love Part 1, bur Part 2 is just Bigger and better in every way. part 3, well its not very good compared to 1 and 2 thats putting it mildly, but its ok to watch as long as you just try to think of it as not part of the trilogy

Shame there will never be a part 4 after Wesley Snipes unbelevable antics on Blade 3

what a total dick and looser he is

He doesnt deserve to be making films anymore after that crap! and from the looks of it he wont be for much longer.

thats what you get for being a prick.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 04 Jul 2005, 03:46

Haha yeah well said Romero.

I really feel sorry for him. He used to be cool. I'm not sure if he's depressed or what but his behaviour on the Blade III set was uncalled for.

Ah what do I know? I shouldn't judge until I hear his story.