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

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 10 Jul 2005, 19:50

Yeah, maybe.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 11 Jul 2005, 02:32

Videodrome - 5/5
A solid film from Cronenberg, I enjoyed it immensely. The Criterion release rocks.

The Incredibles - 4/5
The best Pixar movie to date IMO. It's exploration of family relationships/characterisation was great. Nice to see Jason Lee involved in something decent again, his flicks of recent years have been awful (*shudders at the thought of Dreamcatcher and Stealing Harvard*)l

War of the Worlds - 3/5
Impressive special effects blockbuster proving that Spielberg is still a highly capable director. Craps from great heights onto anything that hack Ronald Emmerich can produce.

Batman Begins - 4/5
They finally got it right, s film which focuses on Batman rather than an animated villain. This easily takes the mantle of "best Batman movie" away from Mask of the Phantasm (that an animated film is far better than Burton's '89 film by far IMO). The cast was perfect (except Katie Holmes - damn hot but awful actress). Only nitpick is the awfully shot fight scenes - this epileptic MTV cinematography trend has to end. I hope the sequel is as good as this one.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 11 Jul 2005, 03:35

EvaUnit02 wrote:Batman Begins - 4/5
Only nitpick is the awfully shot fight scenes - this epileptic MTV cinematography trend has to end. I hope the sequel is as good as this one.

Odd trivia fact: the action was choreographed by Dave Foreman who played Leonardo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 8)

...and yeah, it was lame.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 11 Jul 2005, 23:15

It's not so much how the action was shot, as the awful editing that was done to it. Although a lot of the shots could have done with being pulled back a bit to show more of what was going on. But the editing made me feel dizzy!

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 12 Jul 2005, 00:44

There's no way that "The Killer" is better than "Hard Boiled." "The Killer" tries for sentimentality and a stronger plot but it falls down flat breaking its nose and losing a few teeth beause it's executed so badly. "Hard Boiled" doesn't try so hard and succeeds because of this providing some really memorable non-action scenes.

------------------------------------------

That Day, on the Beach - 3.5/5
Any other Doyle fans seen this? It's much too long but is a rather interesting male take on feminism which is nicely shot despite being Doyle's first film. I was getting a bit bored in the cinema but I think I'd like this one far more the second time. There were some brilliant scenes in it.

Away With Words - 4/5
This one really grabs your attention and is exceptionally captivating. It's not long but I was so engaged that I was surprised by how short it felt. Asano isn't interesting by Kevin Sherlock and the rest of the cast are very good. Very quirky and strange film but one that I enjoyed quite a lot.

Chungking Express - 5/5
Second time that I've seen this on the big screen and of course I loved every minute of it. I didn't even mind some fat persons head being in the way of the subtitles because I know every line by heart so I just sat back and experienced enjoy, and of course noticed more as you do with every viewing. I'm wondering if I like this more than "Fallen Angels" these days.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 12 Jul 2005, 07:11

Feathers in the Wind (Korea, 2004) - 4.5/5
A fantastic little film from director Il-gon Song, who was behind the recent "Spider Forest", which i absolutly loved as well. Without going into detail, 'Feathers' is about two people getting close by nature, or fate. It almost feels like a long, short-film, at just over an hour running time, but the simplicity of the story is what makes it so great. Just a movie that makes you feel good after watching it. Highly recommended.

Deep Rising - 3/5
Good dumb fun.. nothing more, nothing less. This is a very enjoyable action film that never takes itself too seriously and is simply fun to watch. Forget the critics.

Event Horizon - 4/5
To be honest, this movie scared the shit outta me when I first saw it back in 97 when it came out. It has a very original premise that i think is really cool, and it really is creepy. Great cast including Larry Fishburne, Sam Neill, and Sean Pertwee...but since its directed by everyone's favorite filmmaker, Paul W.S. Anderson, you would think it would be awful. I personally think its a well made, very good film that is genuinely scary. Not as much because of what is shown on screen, but what is left up to your imagination. Well worth a viewing if you like sci-fi/Horror films.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 12 Jul 2005, 08:40

Lourdes I agree with you about "CKE" - superb

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 12 Jul 2005, 22:38

grim_tales wrote:Lourdes I agree with you about "CKE" - superb

I was kind of disappointed the second time I sawthe film, I was expecting to sit back and be wow'd and moved but it didn't happen. You really need to pay attention and observe to appreciate it. God is in the details. So many great little moments and good use of expression, such as Faye after she meets Cop 663 fo the first time. It's simply wonderful.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 13 Jul 2005, 08:30

Yes. Funny I wrote some of my A Level Film paper on CKE

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 13 Jul 2005, 14:47

grim_tales wrote:Yes. Funny I wrote some of my A Level Film paper on CKE

You did an A-level in Film? How come you didn't get this shit at my school?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 Jul 2005, 17:59

Windstruck - 5/5

I loved this movie. I agree it has flaws and to suggest that it's a prelude to My Sassy Girl is pushing it a bit... but it left the same knot in my stomach I felt when I watched My Sassy Girl. Certainly stands up well to it.

The melodrama really got to me.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 13 Jul 2005, 18:00

Woops that above post was from me... totally sorry.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 Jul 2005, 20:18

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 14 Jul 2005, 01:44

Bisclimpkit wrote:Windstruck - 5/5

I loved this movie. I agree it has flaws and to suggest that it's a prelude to My Sassy Girl is pushing it a bit... but it left the same knot in my stomach I felt when I watched My Sassy Girl. Certainly stands up well to it.

The melodrama really got to me.

Blah.. I was hoping i would not have to buy this but now i'm going to. The question now is LE or SE. I'll probably end up getting the stupid LE :x

anyway..

Chihwaseon (Strokes of Fire) - 4/5
Excellent biographical drama on the life of Korean painter Jang Seung-up. Choi min-sik naturally gives an awesome preformance, and Sung-kee Ahn (the head master from Arahan) is terrific as well. Gorgeous cinematography and costumes. The movie is a visual feast if you like this kind of stuff. However it does move at a pretty slow pace and is probably not for everyone, but i thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it in a heartbeat.

When the Last Sword is Drawn - 4/5
Another outstanding recent samurai film from Japan. I think Twilight Samurai is still my favorite, but this one is a close 2nd.
Yoji Yamada's new film "The Hidden Blade" is next on the list to see.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 14 Jul 2005, 02:05

I can only agree with Bisc on "Windstruck", although I'd give it a 4 - 4.5 out of 5.

5 out of 5 would mean that it is a perfect film for me, which it wasn't, but it was really close.

"Chihwaseon" is really good, too and so is "When the Last Sword is Drawn". However, I prefered "Twilight Samurai" to the latter one as well.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 14 Jul 2005, 11:04

Yeah Recon, buy Windstruck!

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 14 Jul 2005, 12:41

If you buy Wndstruck I will personally find out where you live and kick your arse, but not before I feed you the disc and make you thank me for doing so.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 14 Jul 2005, 12:53

Good luck with that.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 14 Jul 2005, 13:17

I guess that's his way of expressing that he disliked the film.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 14 Jul 2005, 13:23

Bisc, are you going to EFF? I'm still sort of debating it still, I worked out a couple of nice schedules but it's in the middle of Japanimation season at the BFI national Film Theatre and meeting Shinkai > * so I'll have to check for clashes and things. Lineup isn't spectacular (Cam was better but less new material) but there are some interesting titles.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 14 Jul 2005, 14:29

thelostdragon wrote:I guess that's his way of expressing that he disliked the film.

lol, yeah i got the impression that Lourdes was not a big fan of mellodramas

BiscLimpkit wrote:Yeah Recon, buy Windstruck!

I definitely will now, but you have to buy Emperor of the Sea

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 14 Jul 2005, 14:51

Nothing wrong with melodramas, I enjoy the genre a lot, but I do have a problem with gigantic pieces of crap like "Windstruck." It was sort of entertaining for the first 15 minutes. After that it's pathetic, but hey, if some people like it then good for them.

....Not that I wouldn't snap a copy in half and stab them with it given the chance.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 14 Jul 2005, 17:02

I took a look at the EIFF line up and I'll catch a few titles if I can. Don't really know much about some of the films, so guess I'll see them blind. A lot of the Korean titles are already available on DVD... hmm...

Recon, yeah once I start my job, I'll start getting the Emperor of the Sea volumes.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 16 Jul 2005, 10:23

The Master - 2/5

Pretty crap/mediocre film actually

The horrid English voice acting is painful to listen to and doesnt help one iota.

Jet (charming and naive in equal measure) and Yuen Wah are OK in it, and the finale (Jet/Wah beating up the main American bad guy - not sure who it was? and his pupils is pretty good. But to tell the truth I was waiting for the film to end

Was Crystal Kwok really in her 40's when her interview was shot? She doesnt look it

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 16 Jul 2005, 18:33

grim_tales wrote:Jet/Wah beating up the main American bad guy - not sure who it was?

Jerry Trimble and his amazing mullet!!

Anyone else think he looks like the martial arts Kirk Douglas?

Was Crystal Kwok really in her 40's when her interview was shot? She doesnt look it

Yeah, she's aged quite luverly...