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

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 04 Aug 2006, 15:58

@Grim:

why change the Anthrax II to Opium ?

Think 9/11. Those stupid americans were afraid of Anthrax back then. That's why they replaced it with drugs.

what's she addicted to ?

Some drug. Heroin maybe ? The bad guy is also some kind of drug lord, so it makes sense.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 04 Aug 2006, 16:04

The 1925 Oz was interesting but I wouldn't see it again, just not a patch on the classic 1939 version - eg The Tin Man, Lion etc are not real characters but rather disguises that 3 of the characters "put on". The score is vastly inappropriate for the film.
Maybe worth watching but only as a curio. The racist black farmhand is also very bad

Why is Uncle Henry mean to Dorothy in this version? In this movie Dorothy is actually Princess of Oz - huh?

The only reason I could follow what was going on was having seen the 1939 version.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 04 Aug 2006, 16:09

Oh yeah, of course the change to Anthrax was changed because of 9/11 - after all the film was released in 2001. You're probably right about Yong being addicted to heroin.

Less understandable IMO is the sight of the Turkish guys praying etc being removed WTF? I found the pacing better in the uncut version - the HK version seemed a bit darker whereas the American cut is too goofy. But there are some good fights in the HK cut!

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 04 Aug 2006, 16:37

Markgway wrote: This was the one about the squadies, right?

Kurgan wrote:Yes, it's just Bisc love for all things cinema coming through. I hope

That's not the only thing coming through, if you know what I'm talkin about. Hohoho!

ReconFive wrote:Now LD.. i would expect you to appreciate Dog Soldiers for what it is. It does not in any way take itself seriously and acts only as a fun low budget horror film with likable characters and some funny dialog and cool retro effects.

I truly cannot imagine someone not enjoying this unless they are not a fan of the genre alltogether...but fair enough if you just didn't like it

Precisely, I loved this on so many levels. First and foremost, it is a well made horror with no buildup to the jump scenes - they just appeared erratically and without warning. It is also insanely funny with typical British humour/sarcasm, which may leave the rest of the world feeling cold. The effects were all done without CGI, thus maintaining a more authentic look (insteady of the unnatural gloss that we're accustomed to seeing in Hollywood productions).

Dog Soldiers not only blows away any recent Hollywood horror, but many Asian horrors as well (which have generally been poor with the exception of one or two).

The only Asian horror that can match Dog Soldiers' intensity is Ryuhei Kitamura's Versus, which is arguably the filmmaker's finest contribution yet.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 04 Aug 2006, 16:57

Hey,

In Accidental Spy there's a mix of English, Korean, Cantonese and Mandarin. Wierdly the subs still call Jackie's character "Buck".

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 05 Aug 2006, 01:24

Miami Vice - 4/5

Loved it. Michael Mann has yet to make a bad film, or even an average film. Cinematography, sound, story, characters, everything gels. It's not as good as Heat, but that's a film that very few others can touch.
"Now can I get an encore... do you want more?" is a line from Jay-Z's track that opens the film (and is on the trailers) and the answers is definitely yes. I'm gonna go see it again

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 05 Aug 2006, 01:30

Holy crap. Can't wait!!!

Any film opening with those Jay-Z lyrics automatically makes it one of my favourite films of all time imo.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 05 Aug 2006, 03:20

Despite being partially crippled, there was nothing that was going to stop me from seeing this film. Just be prepared for some solid gunshot sound effects through the film

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 05 Aug 2006, 03:22

I might go and see this... but take earplugs for the hip-hop soundtrack.

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 05 Aug 2006, 10:02

hey,

Blue Lightning 3/5

Standard redemption tale and cop thriller. But elevated thanks to a warm performance by Danny Lee and director Raymond Lee bringing good instincts to the tension and violence. One of his slightly better films.

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 05 Aug 2006, 13:57

hey,

The Shoe Fairy 4/5

Andy Lau's FOCUS: First Cuts project gets off to a good start in Taiwanese director Robin Lee's stunningly beautiful fairy tale, literally. She uses the DV medium well to her advantage and tells an intelligent, simple story at the same time as well.

Andy provides the narration and Vivian Hsu stars.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 05 Aug 2006, 14:08

I'm seeing Miami Vice tonight with my bro. Agreed Mann can do no wrong. It looks great fun even if it's very superficial. Which I have no problem with if it's well made.

The problem is most of the time superficial means very badly made.

But Jaz-Z really sucks, he's an ugly fucker too. What on earth Beyonce see's in him is beyond me. Shite Music + Shite looking

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 05 Aug 2006, 14:23

bradavon wrote:But Jaz-Z really sucks, he's an ugly fucker too. What on earth Beyonce see's in him is beyond me. Shite Music + Shite looking

I don't know who Jaz-Z is, but I can say that like a lot of songs from Jay-Z. Besides, Numb/Encore was a duet with Limp Bizkit.

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 05 Aug 2006, 14:31

hey,

Numb/Encore was a duet with Limp Bizkit.

It was actually Linkin Park but there's no distinction between those commercial boy bands projects masquerading themselves as nu-metal...

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 05 Aug 2006, 14:35

Oh yes, Linkjn Park, lol. Still sounds good to me, though. You can't always have Hans Zimmer music in every film.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 05 Aug 2006, 14:36

thelostdragon wrote:Oh yes, Linkjn Park, lol. Still sounds good to me, though. You can't always have Hans Zimmer music in every film.

Quickly change it to "Linkin Park", or Brad will be on your back

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 05 Aug 2006, 19:07

Markgway wrote:I might go and see this... but take earplugs for the hip-hop soundtrack.

There isn't a great deal of hip-hop; in fact, I'm struggling to remember any aside from the Numb/Encore track. Latin sounds as well as the score make up the majority of the music in the film.
Ear-plugs might be necessary though, if you're averse to bloody-loud gunfights

But if you don't like hip-hop, then that's your defect

bradavon wrote:But Jaz-Z really sucks, he's an ugly fucker too. What on earth Beyonce see's in him is beyond me. Shite Music + Shite looking

Hmm, do you feel personally wronged by the fact that Beyoncé's dating him instead of you?

Knetan wrote:It was actually Linkin Park but there's no distinction between those commercial boy bands projects masquerading themselves as nu-metal...

It's the Jay-Z section of the track that stands out in any regards; his addition to the track in terms of beat and vocals makes it a lot better than it was originally, in my opinion.

God, I'm itching to see it again

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 05 Aug 2006, 23:39

Kurgan wrote:There isn't a great deal of hip-hop; in fact, I'm struggling to remember any aside from the Numb/Encore track.

That's a relief. Seems that every other film these days has a dire hip-hop OST. You know for da kidz.

But if you don't like hip-hop, then that's your defect

You say "defect" I say "outstanding taste in music". 8)

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 06 Aug 2006, 00:27

I love the Numb/Encore song. Jay-Z's rapping on it is quality IMO.

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 06 Aug 2006, 00:28

I so want to see Miami Vice but won't be able to until next week.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 06 Aug 2006, 01:32

Mummy not letting you out of the dungeon? 8)

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 06 Aug 2006, 01:58

brooce-leroy wrote:I so want to see Miami Vice but won't be able to until next week.

I didn't let damaged ligaments from stopping me see this. What's your excuse?

Nah, I know what you mean. Sometimes stuff just doesn't go right in terms of schedules and the like.
Don't dilly-dally about it though; get it done ASAP

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 06 Aug 2006, 05:41

I have watched a ton in the last few days.

Memento 3/5
- Clever execution but I wasn't thrilled by the story or characters.
Café Lumière 4/5
- Zero plot but a great experience. Quite charming.
Eat Drink Man Woman 5/5
- Before Ang Lee sold out. Nobody does drama like the Taiwanese.
Messengers 3/5
- By the numbers feel good comedy nonsense. Very enjoyable. Very forgettable.
Beijing Bicycle 3/5
- Typical Mainland city drama of minor trials and tribulations that don't offend the CCP. Good film, not exceotional at all.
Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou / Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou - Quiet Country Café 5/5
- Utterly delightful little anime. Very touching and cute but not at all forced. Almost as good as Shinkai's work. Highly recommended.
Last Quarter - 0/5
- Twaddle.
Vermillion Pleasure Nights 0/5
- Japanese TV twadde. God I hate Japanese TV comedy.
A Class to Remember 3/5
- Sentimenal and formulaic, not a bad watch. Just not special.
R-Point 1/5
- It gets 1 mark because there weren't many darked haired little girls. An Asian horror first.
Red Peony Gambler 2/5
- Not a fan of this genre. :/

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 06 Aug 2006, 13:46

Lourdes wrote:Memento 3/5
- Clever execution but I wasn't thrilled by the story or characters.

Uhm... okaaaayyy...

Beijing Bicycle 3/5
- Typical Mainland city drama of minor trials and tribulations that don't offend the CCP. Good film, not exceotional at all.

Does it have to offend the CCP or have a political message?

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 06 Aug 2006, 14:23

Jam Films S 2/5

Ok Jam Films was superb. Jam Films 2 was great as well.

Jam Films S revolves around the theme of succession, where the original seven Jam Films directors nominate and supervise their successors' works.

These second unit directors turned filmmakers still have a long way to go. They can create trendy audio-visual effects but know bugger all about solid storylines, themes and structure. Only one or two films kept me remotely interested - the rest were poor imitations of their supervisors' styles.

The Jam Films series has reached a rapid decline in quality, with the budget restriction becoming highly evident. The half-assed effects and acting are similar to the type of crap you'd find on TV at 3 in the morning, when no one is watching.