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

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 02 Feb 2006, 22:22

Yes, I'd do if he asked me! But only under the condition that he'd teach me to improve my martial art skills.

But he ain't alive!

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 03 Feb 2006, 00:00

I don't think I wanna learn Kung Fu that bad... but hey, to each his own...

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 03 Feb 2006, 00:05

I'm wasn't talking specifically of Kung Fu. I was talking of martial arts! Jeet Kune Do rather! See? Now you understand that, you'd do the same, wouldn't you.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 03 Feb 2006, 14:15

Born To Fight

Story - 2.5/5
Action - 4.5/5
Overall - 3.5/5

This film reminded me a bit of Ong-Bak (traditional fighting used in the film) and Bang Rajan (little village defending itself against invaders). Though the story is a good human story it is quite a simple story IMO. Some of the scenes I found really touching and/or harrowing, and the action and stunts are fantastic 8) All the main characters in the film are played by famous Thai athletes. I loved the keepy-uppy guy and the Thai national striker.

However, this isnt the action itself per se but I found the use of techno/rock on the soundtrack distracting as if I was watching a video game

This dehumanises the film (does that make sense?)

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 03 Feb 2006, 15:20

thelostdragon wrote:I'm wasn't talking specifically of Kung Fu. I was talking of martial arts! Jeet Kune Do rather! See? Now you understand that, you'd do the same, wouldn't you.

No, you poof!

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 04 Feb 2006, 10:18

Hard Target - 4/5

Really liked this!

TBH I can't remember seeing this version

There are some fantastic action set pieces in this film (loved the one where JCVD blows up the jeep while standing on a motorbike!) and Van Damme is a likeable hero, there are some great quotes.

"He's all ears"

"Hunting season... is over"
(JCVD headbutts Lance Henriksen).
Haha brilliant

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 04 Feb 2006, 11:29

BTW, the budget UK DVD I have (which runs about 95 minutes) is the European version right?

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 04 Feb 2006, 14:12

Yes, its uncut so to say

which is nice. Unlike the america version.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 04 Feb 2006, 16:07

Yeah, the R-rated verison would be 92m, like the old rental VHS.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 04 Feb 2006, 17:35

My DVD is definitely longer than that. The back cover states 95m.
Mark did you like Hard Target?
It would be interesting to see the 116m version but that is really a workprint, and the 95m version is Woo's preferred cut, no? (Much like the shorter HK version of The Killer being his DC).

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 04 Feb 2006, 22:28

Walk the Line 4/5

Aye it's decent as far as biopics go, although I'm not hugely familar with Johnny Cash. In fact, I had only heard about him for the first time in 2003. It was an interesting story and the lead performances were fantastic. I did prefer Ray however.

Both Witherspoon and Phoenix can sing really well. Witherspoon's got quite a voice.

Also, Ginnifer Goodwin looks ridiculously cute in this film. Too gorgeous.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 05 Feb 2006, 02:00

Who Am I? - 4/5
Have watched this so often, but not during the last 2 or 3 years, but I'm still amazed by it. The title credits say, 'Directed, action-directed and screenplay by Jackie Chan'. They didn't write from whom the original idea was though. It came from Benny Chan who told Jackie about the story. Jackie told Sammo, who made "OUATIC6" out of it (for which he later apologised to Jackie) and Jackie made "Who AM I?". Benny Chan wasn't happy with Jackie's version so he told Teddy CHan about it who made "Purple Storm".
LOL, I am talking about trivia here although I want to point out why I like "Who Am I?" so much. I agree with people who say that it has a long beginning and that JC action kicks in only after almost an hour. However, Jackie does a great acting job throughout this hour and also for the rest of the film. The film also has great editing and a good soundtrack (the good songs are not on the OST, grrrr) and it is probably the film that features JC's last huge-ass stunt wonder. Good outtakes are present as well.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 05 Feb 2006, 03:27

Mark did you like Hard Target?

Yes, it's excellent. One of my top ten American action movies. John Woo will never make a movie this exciting or stylish again.

It would be interesting to see the 116m version but that is really a workprint, and the 95m version is Woo's preferred cut, no? (Much like the shorter HK version of The Killer being his DC).

Tricky. Put it this way. Woo never got to do "a director's cut" but the 95m edit is the longest official version. The workprint is just that and the film would never have reached theatres in that fashion. It's just "a fun cut" for fans. For me the 95m edit is superior. Now if Universal would just reissue it anamorphic everything would be fine.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 05 Feb 2006, 09:43

I was surprised how much I enjoyed it even though I'm very familliar with Woo's HK classics. The film doesn't try to be something it isn't, lacking the cloying sentimentality of say, Face/Off. Its' got great set pieces and one liners - like the great Arnie films which don't get made in American action cinema anymore - something like "Hasta la vista baby!" - *BOOOOM!*

Top stuff.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 05 Feb 2006, 17:22

BiscLimpkit wrote:Also, Ginnifer Goodwin looks ridiculously cute in this film. Too gorgeous.

Christ, the nerdy girl from the series Ed?! Are you serious?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 05 Feb 2006, 17:25

Ong Bak

Story: 2.5/5
Action: 5/5
Overall: 3.5/5

Like Born To Fight, this suffers from a weak story. However, the action is awesome

- very realistic and painful looking. I also felt much more for the characters than I did in "Born To Fight".
I thought the new PA score suited the film TBH and couldn't see a problem with it. The DTS track was very good.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 05 Feb 2006, 19:52

EvaUnit02 wrote:
BiscLimpkit wrote:Also, Ginnifer Goodwin looks ridiculously cute in this film. Too gorgeous.
Christ, the nerdy girl from the series Ed?! Are you serious?

I said, "in the film."

I've checked her photos from elsewhere and she doesn't look nearly as cute as she does in Walk the Line. The 50's look suits her.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 05 Feb 2006, 19:55

Heroic Ones 3.5/5

Aye decent enough Shaws flick (my second to date) although I prefer Five Venoms. Quite horrific in the violence department but I love the unnaturally bright red blood. The choreography isn't as polished as I expected but was satisfactory.

Aye does anyone know who plays Miss Yin? i.e. the woman who provided shelter whilst the 13 generals stormed the castle?

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 05 Feb 2006, 20:08

BiscLimpkit wrote:Heroic Ones 3.5/5

Aye decent enough Shaws flick (my second to date) although I prefer Five Venoms. Quite horrific in the violence department but I love the unnaturally bright red blood. The choreography isn't as polished as I expected but was satisfactory.

Aye does anyone know who plays Miss Yin? i.e. the woman who provided shelter whilst the 13 generals stormed the castle?

Was my 1st Shaw Brother film, and a great introduction too

its a great film with massive battles, what more can you ask for

still you need to see some of the really superb ones, then you will want a lot more.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 05 Feb 2006, 20:18

The battles were mental for sure. One bloke taking on like 500 soldiers... can't beat that like.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 05 Feb 2006, 21:53

Bisc wrote: does anyone know who plays Miss Yin?

Here's a list of all the main actors:
http://www.cinemasie.com/fr/hk/fiche/oeuvre/heroicones/

Maybe it's Lily Li (I haven't seen the film).

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 05 Feb 2006, 22:17

day of the dead 2: contagium 1/5

bloody diabolical zombie movie-has to be seen to be believed

trespass 3/5

entertaining walter hill actioner with bill paxton.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 05 Feb 2006, 22:23

Tom2681 wrote:
Bisc wrote: does anyone know who plays Miss Yin?
Here's a list of all the main actors:
http://www.cinemasie.com/fr/hk/fiche/oeuvre/heroicones/

Maybe it's Lily Li (I haven't seen the film).

Cheers that's her. I like her name. She's a stunner.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 06 Feb 2006, 09:21

Chungking Express - 4.5/5

Excellent film. Quirky characters, great performances amd also memorable use of music from WKW. California Dreamin' is a classic song BUT it is played to saturation in the film.
The film is funny but also sad sometimes (does that make sense?)

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 06 Feb 2006, 13:14

The Faye Wong theme song I thought was horrendous.