Bullets 'n' Babes

If we judged people by the films they watch... HungFist would be in a padded cell next Hannibal Lecter.

LUST, CAUTION 3/5

Well-acted, classy wartime espionage drama with some steamy love scenes (at the very end of the credits there's a legal assurance than no children were involved!) The sleeve claims rated '18' for stong sex but doesn't mention a shocking murder in which a traitor is bloodily stabbed numerous times - I guess sex still disturbs the public more than violence? The period recreation is exceptional. I have two complaints however: the first is that the film is too long. There's not enough plot to justify 2.5 hrs, in fact it's actually rather simple compared to Verhoeven's surprisingly similar Black Book. Second grief - and boy it's a biggie! The ending. Holy shitbags! This is the worst conclusion since Fincher's The Game. The integrity of the main character (and point of the film) is wiped out in a 180 reversal that I didn't see coming. Chia-Chih shows no sign of being in love with Yi - nor he with her - but show the girl a diamond and she rats on her friends, betrays her countryman, and forgets about the fact that the man is a cold-blooded murderer. Can this go in the shallow bitches thread, Brad?

Markgway wrote:If we judged people by the films they watch... HungFist would be in a padded cell next Hannibal Lecter.

Too true .

Markgway wrote:The sleeve claims rated '18' for stong sex but doesn't mention

That's shocking. I expect such draconian thinking from the MPAA but not BBFC.

Markgway wrote:the first is that the film is too long. There's not enough plot to justify 2.5 hrs

I had no problem with the running time. I wouldn't say it flew by but I didn't get bored. It "felt" like a 2Hr movie.

Markgway wrote:but show the girl a diamond and she rats on her friends, betrays her countryman, and forgets about the fact that the man is a cold-blooded murderer.

I agree it felt weird but I took it to mean, just because she hated him it doesn't mean she is a cold blooded killer herself, she would be no better than him if she'd let them go through with it. I completely agree it's very unrealistic though.

Markgway wrote:Can this go in the shallow bitches thread, Brad?

I'm not a mod, ask Tom . Our sole person of power!

I'm glad you overall liked it though. I completely agree with the first part of your review. I thought Lust, Caution was excellent and oddly didn't do much better. Considering Ang Lee filmed it. I'll be picking up the Korean BD, presuming it's uncut.

bradavon wrote:That's shocking. I expect such draconian thinking from the MPAA but not BBFC.

I can understand it being an '18' for the (simulated) sex which is more explicit than average, but it was the violence that was shocking. Surely most people would find that more worthy - or at least as worthy - of the consumer advice warning? Eg. Contains strong sex and violence? Because of the lack of warning it caught me off guard.

I had no problem with the running time. I wouldn't say it flew by but I didn't get bored. It "felt" like a 2Hr movie.

It didn't feel painfully long when watching... but by the end it just didn't seem like I'd watched 150+ mins worth of story. The same script could have been done in two hours - if that. This wasn't an epic, rather an overlong movie.

I agree it felt weird but I took it to mean, just because she hated him it doesn't mean she is a cold blooded killer herself, she would be no better than him if she'd let them go through with it. I completely agree it's very unrealistic though.

I honestly believe that we're supposed to believe she has fallen in love with him (even though there's no sign up to this point - he treats her like shit). He's already admitted to torturing her friends to death! And she knows that by warning him she's condemning herself and her trusted friends to cold-blooded execution. What about all those suffering at the hands of the Japanese? She betrays her country for a big diamond and a bit of cock. Ludicrous stuff and offensive to women I'd wager.

I'm glad you overall liked it though. I completely agree with the first part of your review. I thought Lust, Caution was excellent and oddly didn't do much better. Considering Ang Lee filmed it. I'll be picking up the Korean BD, presuming it's uncut.

I couldn't watch it again. The ending ruined it for me it was that bad. If it hadn't been for that I'd have given it 4/5. The generous 3/5 was for the fact that it was otherwise very well made and acted. But without giving spoilers I would urge anyone who considers watching to know that the end IS crappy and WILL affect your enjoyment.

I can understand it being an '18' for the (simulated) sex which is more explicit than average, but it was the violence that was shocking. Surely most people would find that more worthy - or at least as worthy - of the consumer advice warning? Eg. Contains strong sex and violence?

Agreed, although personally I look at the rating but rarely look at the warning that goes with it. I'm an adult and don't really need to read it first, fair enough you do.

The same script could have been done in two hours - if that. This wasn't an epic, rather an overlong movie.

You're probably right. Many films are really too long.

I would urge anyone who considers watching to know that the end IS crappy and WILL affect your enjoyment.

Personally it didn't bother me, but it did you. I thought it was odd but then the thought passed.

bradavon wrote:Agreed, although personally I look at the rating but rarely look at the warning that goes with it. I'm an adult and don't really need to read it first, fair enough you do.

I'm just trying to imagine how that last comment could have been any more condescending... and I just can't. I don't "need" to read the consumer advice I just do so to give me an idea of the type of film it is and the content to expect. If they're going to put advice on the packaging it might as well be accurate.

You're probably right. Many films are really too long.

Directors are very self-indulgent at times. What happened to telling a good story in 90 mins?

Personally it didn't bother me, but it did you. I thought it was odd but then the thought passed.

Maybe it wouldn't bother others as much, but I'm sure some viewers would agree with me that it was a major spoiler. I can't imagine what possessed Ang Lee to betray his character like that?

Markgway wrote:I'm just trying to imagine how that last comment could have been any more condescending... and I just can't.

Huh? I was merely commenting on what I do. WTF!

I wasn't talking about you when I said adult .

Markgway wrote:Directors are very self-indulgent at times. What happened to telling a good story in 90 mins?

Too true. Many films would work better at a 90-100 minute running time.

Markgway wrote:I can't imagine what possessed Ang Lee to betray his character like that?

Hollywood sensibilities maybe.

Exodus (2007 - HK - Edmond Pang): 0,5 / 5
Essence of boredom. 100% pure.

Same plot as "Hic", also known as "Hukkle" (hungarian film from 2002).
Same rythm, too. Only... even more boring.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289229/

Markgway wrote:Directors are very self-indulgent at times. What happened to telling a good story in 90 mins?

I reckon most directors would be very self-indulgent if it weren't for the moneymen looking over their shoulders (although ironically these days the studio execs seem to be demanding blockbusters clock in at 2hrs+), but "telling a good story" is a rather narrow way to define a worthwhile film - especially for a director like Ang Lee who doesn't exactly prioritise the narrative.

Pirates of the Caribbean 2 is 5Hrs and 16 minutes, when played as one movie. Kill Bill is 4Hrs and 8 minutes.

Talk about keeping all the deleted scenes and them some in there.

Shingster wrote:I reckon most directors would be very self-indulgent if it weren't for the moneymen looking over their shoulders

Lack of self-discipline. Directors need to show more concern for entertaining the audience and less about expressing their art, darling.

God, I hate art movies.

but "telling a good story" is a rather narrow way to define a worthwhile film - especially for a director like Ang Lee who doesn't exactly prioritise the narrative.

That's my barometer anyway. Occasionally you get great films which concentrate on character (take comedies like Clerks or Dazed & Confused) but mostly I like a decent plot to go with it. Lust, Caution had a plot, it was just thin. Hitchcock would've made a true classic out of that material and still had it clock in at about 110 mins.

bradavon wrote:Kill Bill is 4Hrs and 8 minutes.

I can't imagine sitting thru that in one go. They made the right decision to split it up. Remains to be seen whether they could have condensed it into one 120-150 min film. I think they could have - especially by dropping much of the dull, ponderous Vol. 2.

Some directors should see Ghost in the Shell.
83 minutes of entertainment, art, good acting and a solid plot to go with it.

No excess fat.

Future Cops: 3/5

Haha what a mad film. I'm a fan of City Hunter so thought I'd better check this out, and I guess I like Wong Jing's style because I enjoyed this one too. It's so ridiculously stupid that I couldn't help but laugh.

From Beijing with Love: 3.5/5

I didn't even know Stephen Chow had done a James Bond spoof until today. He looked different in it, if I hadn't have known it was him beforehand I doubt I'd have realised. I loved the solar powered torch

Markgway wrote:I can't imagine sitting thru that in one go. They made the right decision to split it up. Remains to be seen whether they could have condensed it into one 120-150 min film. I think they could have - especially by dropping much of the dull, ponderous Vol. 2.

The right thing would've been to cut it down to 100-120 minutes. There is so much what is essentially deleted scenes, especially in Part 2.

tom2681 wrote:Some directors should see Ghost in the Shell.
83 minutes of entertainment, art, good acting and a solid plot to go with it.

Exactly! I've not seen it but there are few examples like that. Rambo 4 being one of them (in length).

The Kid With the Golden Arm (Hong Kong, 1979) – 3/5
Routine Chang Cheh / Venoms film. Loads of entertaining although not mindblowing fights throughout, plus a very good finale. The storyline and character relationship are a bit messy especially in the beginning. Acting is stiff, so unless you’re not a hard core Venoms fan this could actually work better with a good english dub. One female character has also found her way into the film. The usual studio sets looked nice once again, although maybe that was because it’s been quite long since I last watched a Shaw Bros. film.

Zoo (Japan, 2005) – 2/5
One movie, five episodes, none of them very good. In fact most of them are unintentionally silly. The first one is the best. Identical twins receive opposite treatement from their single mother; one is beaten daily while the other is a little princess. Hardly convincing movie making on any level, but not boring at all. The follow up is a horror story; seven women find themselves locked in small rooms by a maniac killer. No originality (especially in the Korean style classical soundtrack) but watchable at least. The third story stars Ryunosuke Kamiki as a kid whose parents get into a car accident. Later that night he sees his father and mother return home, but they can no longer see each other. Cleaver attempt, less cleaver outcome. The fouth episode is an animation without anything too special about it. A scientist who lives in the countryside creates a cyborg girl to do him a favours. The film ends with Hiroshi Ando’s intentionally weird and unrewarding ’Zoo’, which has been graced with ultra thick grain layer.

And 12 mins of Rambo are credits!!

The Street Fighter (1974): 4/5

I enjoyed it, very brutal fights with a funky soundtrack
Doesnt Tsurugi fight his enemy in the next film? I thought he'd deliver the final blow after managing to get up

Come Drink With Me: 4/5

A fine film, I enjoyed it. The Dragon Dynasty transfer was very good and a big improvement over the IVL by being anamorphic.
The translation seemed a bit odd at times though (eg Drunken Cat's song, some of the names )

(In general) DD's subtitles ain't the best.

They probably had the edge over the bad IVL subs though although IVL's seemed more accurate
DD wrote "kung fu" as "kong fu"

DD are almost as bad as HKL used to be in terms of subs.

I hope One Armed Swordsman isnt as bad "Come Drink With Me" is worth an upgrade for anamorphic enhancement however.

Come Drink With Me appears to be particularly bad, hopefully they're just an anomaly (I seem to recall reading that DD used very old US theatrical subtitles). The subs on the IVL DVD of the film are FAR superior by all accounts.

I think they are/were. This is a great pity, as the DD image is far superior to the IVL DVD.