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

[gasteropod]

Hmm, this could probably hinder that too: http://www.trustedreviews.com/video-gam ... -Option/p1

[bradavon]

I didn't even know there was a free version. Maybe trial?

There is no free version of AnyDVD, not legally anyway. However it's cheap as chips and crucially, paying gives you upgrades for life. Which is important, as they're always updating it.

It's worth using AnyDVD. All the free options pale in comparison. No harm trying that free tool though. I've only used free DVD region-free software and none are anywhere near as good as AnyDVD.

[saltysam]

However it's cheap as chips and crucially, paying gives you upgrades for life..

Cheap as chips? Anydvd with lifetime updates is 64 euros and the HD version is 109 euros. It's a fantastic programme,i have the HD one but i wouldn't say it was "cheap as chips"...

[Yi-Long]

Maybe Brad buys really REALLY expensive chips... !?

(which would explain why he's so skinny)

[bradavon]

Oh! It's gone up loads since I last looked. Upgrades used to be free. Grrr!

I only occasionally use it, so wouldn't pay for it. Certainly not at those prices! I didn't even know there was two versions. I thought it was all "AnyDVD HD".

[oldeschool17]

Being unable to at least DVD region free a PS3 would definitely stop me buying one.

I think that's such a minor hangup all things considered. You are missing out on some good gaming(unless you are a diehard pc gamer)+ blu ray player. Why not have both(region free dvd player on one shelf and the ps3 on the other)? That's what I have on my setup and it works out nicely.

[bradavon]

True. Computer Games haven't interested me for about a decade but fair enough. I have Street Fighter 4 on my PC but rarely play it.

[Yi-Long]

True. Computer Games haven't interested me for about a decade but fair enough. I have Street Fighter 4 on my PC but rarely play it.

Let me guess: you're playing it with your keyboard!?

[bradavon]

Yes but it's more the fact my graphics card is rubbish. It's fine for Vista/W7 Aero though, which is all I really care about. It's a laptop graphics card and I have to turn so much off it looks really poor + game play isn't particularly good (i.e - the PC isn't really up to it).

Annoyingly the old Mortal Kombat 4 (last PC version) isn't compatible with Windows 64-Bit. It keeps asking for the ruddy CD. I have it! Pity as it has much better game play to SF. TBH I'm not really bothered. Games haven't seriously interested me for years.

[Yi-Long]

1: SF4 is ALOT better than Mortal Kombat. You need to come back out of the early '90's, Brad.
2: You really shouldn't play games like these with your keyboard. It could be the best game in the world and it would still suck, playing like that.
3: I played SF4 on my last PC (the one before this one, which broke down and got replaced), and on that PC it ran perfect for me, and played nice. I will definately get the new Super Street Fighter 4
Not for PC obviously.

[HungFist]

Instead of playing Street Figher you should be watching The Street Fighter. Gekitotsu! Satsujin ken. The most motherfucker film of all time.

Or at least go the video game thread to discuss games.

[Markgway]

Yeah, this video game shit is boring.

[bradavon]

Like you guys have never gone off topic.

1: SF4 is ALOT better than Mortal Kombat. You need to come back out of the early '90's, Brad.

I said Street Fighter as in the game in general, not part 4 specifically. I've not played SF4 enough to comment. I do love the MK fatalities and violence though. I preferred MK when MK was as modern as SF. Pity they've killed it off.

2: You really shouldn't play games like these with your keyboard. It could be the best game in the world and it would still suck, playing like that.

I think I'd need a better PC first .

3: I played SF4 on my last PC (the one before this one, which broke down and got replaced), and on that PC it ran perfect for me, and played nice. I will definately get the new Super Street Fighter 4

I said I've got a laptop, most aren't designed for gaming. I've not had a Desktop for several years now and would never buy one any more. If I was into gaming I'd buy a console.

[HungFist]

Like you guys have never gone off topic.

Since we actually have a video game topic it's a bit stupid that you guys are discussing computer games in a topic where no one wants to read about games instead of doing it in a topic where everybody wants to read about games.

[saltysam]

The Killer BD 5/5

Iconic film is one of the best HK movies ever,riveting stuff.The BD let's be frank is a letdown, this film has never looked great,even the HKL but it was to be hoped the BD would be definitive.Unfortunately it's not and while it's a step up from the dvd it's not great,with some DNR and a 1080i pal conversion.

Fist Of Legend BD 4.5/5

One of Jet Li's finest hours,this is superb entertainment. The BD is a solid presentation and i'm happy with it for the most part.

Legend Of A Fighter 3.5/5

Excellent kung fu movie from Yuen Woo Ping starring Beardy as Huo Yuan Chia and the great Yasuaki Kurata as his teacher turned enemy. it's a real shame HKL remastered this in the incorrect aspect ratio and it's unlikely we'll ever see this in it's full scope glory amazing that Beardy was a martial arts novice and actually taught himself to fight by studying other martial arts stars closely!

[Yi-Long]

Like you guys have never gone off topic.

Since we actually have a video game topic it's a bit stupid that you guys are discussing computer games in a topic where no one wants to read about games instead of doing it in a topic where everybody wants to read about games.

Sorry man. Knowing Brad though, we will probably be keeping this discussion up for about 3 more pages. so expect a fuckload of quotes getting replies and those being quoted again for a counter-reply, which obviously demands a new quote to keep everything 'organised' and clear, followed by a new answer.... and obviously it will all turn into insults and angry smilies which will keep me up at night while grinding my teeth and damning that bastard Brad!

[bradavon]

You'll notice I'd not replied to Hungfist. The conversation was done with. Salty brought it back on topic, as happens. In other nothing to speak of to start with. Well done for taking it back off topic though .

[HungFist]

X-Cross (Japan, 2007) – 3/5
"Run. They will cut off your leg!" With X-Cross director Kenta "dumbass" Fukasaku finally delivers a good movie. For its first 40 minutes it's an edge-of-your seat thriller supported by a slick screenplay that keeps the characters guessing for their savior's reliability while running for their life – paranoia in speed. Later the story sees a change of tone when lolita scissor hands walks into the frame and Fukasaku switches to cult gear no. 5. It’s doesn't play out all that bad to be honest, but the two different styles do tend to kick each other in the balls. A fun ride it is nevertheless, but it could be a great one only if it could decide what it really wants to be.

[HungFist]

Super Gore Girl (Japan, 2009) – 1.5/5
Using AV stars in Japanese splatter movies has become more of a rule than exception. Super Gore Girl, however, packs itself with sweet idols! The unlikely mix is easily explained: the film is mainly a scam. The cast is made of b-grade idols – gravure-girl Miki Yabe, Miss Magazine 2007 Aika, singing model Nao Nagasawa, and top billed AKB48 member Sayaka Akimoto. The girls play well behaving students of a catholic high school controlled by nazi-spirited student council. The premise shows potential, but the screenplay doesn’t carry past opening credits, and the acting is so bad that it even wrecks the cuteness factor. Gore is pushed behind a dozen corners as well; it’s only in the grand finale where Nagasawa pulls out a Rambo caliber cannon and turns the oppressors into meat sauce. It’s a wonderful scene full of handmade platter effects, but not much of a savior for the otherwise dull film. Thankfully the running time in kept in check; being the first half in the second volume of Neo Action double features Super Gore Girl is over in 45 minutes.

[HungFist]

Holy Fucking Shit

Big Panic: The Violent Crash (Japan, 1976) – 4/5

Kinji Fukasaku’s furious, completely insane action classic is most famous for its 20 minute car chase finale that remains one of the wildest pieces demolition derby action committed on film. The main storyline itself is slick and simple. Tsunehiko Watase stars as a desperate bank robber who attempts to escape from Japan with his new girlfriend (ex-pinky violence star Miki Sugimoto). Comedy and nudity add their spice to the sometimes messy mix that entertains from the first second to the last frame, and could possibly be called the Car Crash Movie of the 70’s, not just by Japanese but by global standards!

[HungFist]

Hokuriku Proxy War (Japan, 1977) – 4.5/5
One of the hardest hitting movies on Kinji Fukasaku’s career, Hokuriku Proxy War does much the same to yakuza cinema that Goyokin did for samurai movies. With the merciless Hokuriku winter as its background (constantly freezing cold, windy, and snowing) the film follows a reckless and stubborn yakuza that turns against his boss and eventually anyone who stands on his way. Hokuriku Proxy War has the typical ingredients of a Fukasaku yakuza movie, but this time the mix is more powerful than almost ever before. The storyline and characters are excellent, and the violence hurts even on the other side of the screen. Hiroshi Matsukata stars in the role of his life, backed up by a hard boiled supporting cast (Sonny Chiba, Jiro Chiba, Takeo Chii, Mikio Narita, Tatsuo Endo, Goro Ibuki, Ko Nishimura...).

[oldeschool17]

Hokuriku Proxy War (Japan, 1977) – 4.5/5
One of the hardest hitting movies on Kinji Fukasaku’s career, Hokuriku Proxy War does much the same to yakuza cinema that Goyokin did for samurai movies. With the merciless Hokuriku winter as its background (constantly freezing cold, windy, and snowing) the film follows a reckless and stubborn yakuza that turns against his boss and eventually anyone who stands on his way. Hokuriku Proxy War has the typical ingredients of a Fukasaku yakuza movie, but this time the mix is more powerful than almost ever before. The storyline and characters are excellent, and the violence hurts even on the other side of the screen. Hiroshi Matsukata stars in the role of his life, backed up by a hard boiled supporting cast (Sonny Chiba, Jiro Chiba, Takeo Chii, Mikio Narita, Tatsuo Endo, Goro Ibuki, Ko Nishimura...).

How does this film compare to the Yakuza Papers series?

[HungFist]

How does this film compare to the Yakuza Papers series?

Yakuza Papers were the first Fukasaku yakuza films I saw... that was a long time ago... so I can't remember them well anymore. But I'd still dare to say I rank Hokuriku above them. The Hokuriku setting alone is unbeatable (snow and cold is always great), and I really like Matsukata's performance.

Here's screencaps from the Toei dvd:
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... 13#p142513

[oldeschool17]

Well that peaks my interest in that you say its better than Yakuza Papers, cause I thought that series as a whole was formulaic

[saltysam]

Raging Phoenix 2.5/5 Thai actioner with the female star from Chocolate is overlong,takes it's time to get going and has an incredibly flimsy human traffiking plot.Some decent action though and it's worth seeing.