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

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 29 Sep 2007, 20:03

hey,

Missing Man 2/5

Too many twists to be plausible or exciting but elements such as flirts with slasher movie territory, the character gallery featuring retards and disfiguration (not just supporting actor Sunny Fang

) and grisly behaviour such as cannibalism at least makes this fairly rare suspense thriller watchable for the moment. Alex Man is good in a dual role while Joey Wong neither furthers or embarasses herself. Stephan Yip later made wacky flicks such as I Love Miss Fox and Mad Stylist.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 29 Sep 2007, 21:26

thelostdragon wrote:With all due respect to your opinion, but ->

Hey no worries. I knew very well I'd be alone in my comments for Silver Hawk. I happen to disagree with most people's thoughts on many of the considered HK classics but that's why this is a Review thread on a Forum

What's with all the silly arrows lately?

saltysam wrote:i'm assuming Death Proof is set in the same timeline as From Dusk Till Dawn & Kill Bill as Michael Parks reprises his character from those movies.

Was he one of the blokes in the bar?

saltysam wrote:and Brad rating Silver Hawk over DM 2 (if you are serious) is the most deluded verdict i've ever read lol

I put it in to get a reaction

but yes I am serious. The only good thing I can really say about DM2 was it's better than DM, that's about it.

Markgway wrote:I think the problem was that the parts written for women sounded like a guy's idea of how women would talk and weren't credible. That's what I read anyways...

Really? Thanks. Oh for sure they sound nothing like how women talk but it didn't bother me as all QT films are to a lesser or greater extent "Guy films".

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 29 Sep 2007, 21:27

EvaUnit02 wrote:
bradavon wrote:Lesser QT dialogue is still way better than most other director's dialogue.
Oh really?

What does this have to do with anything? I just sat through that 6 minutes of drivel, why?

saltysam wrote:name some,i'm curious to hear what classics you consider Dross

Is it wise I continue?

. Bruce has already summed it up but what the hell. Of the classics I've seen:

Drunken Master - Probably the most boring film ever made. I lasted 45 minutes then skipped to the end to see the "end fight" which was just as boring as before. I normally can manage to at least see the whole film.
Drunken Master 2 - It would've been impressive in a documentary but not something that is supposed to be entertainment. The fights are impressive from a choreography point of view but lack any excitement at all (much like most of Jackie's work). As Romero has said the rest of the film was woeful, dreadful story.
Police Story - The same as DM2. Did Jackie really have to repeat that fall down the pole three times? I seem to remember Maggie being a bit funny though.
Police Story 2 - More of the same but even less interesting.
Prodigal Son - All I can say is it's way better than DM but still boring as hell. I managed to finish it this time.

Why do all the classic Jackie Chan films spend zero time on the story? (rhetorical question we've been over it many times before). They're supposed to be a movies not action documentaries.

Fist of Legend - Decent overall but it didnt' gel perfectly for me. I'm not sure why (it felt a bit stilted). Still definitely decent though. I'm only including this one to say I don't think it's as perfect as most make out. as overall I like the film and Jet Li (more so than Jackie Chan)

I've not seen SITES.

I did like however:

Once Upon a Time in China - Excellent, great story, cinematography, costumes, action and acting is fine too.
Once Upon a Time in China 2 - The same as Part 1, my fave Jet Li film.
Once Upon a Time in China 3 - Again the same as Part 1, the lesser of the three but I loved the completion of the romance.
Bodyguard from Beijing - Not a classic but great Jet Li action.
Police Story 3 - Okay not considered a classic but it's my fave Jackie Chan film. Michelle Yeoh's inclusion makes it even better.
Who Am I - Again not a JC classic, the acting is woeful but I did actually enjoy the action this time. Not really a keeper though.

I guess I'm no huge fan of the Hong Kong way of filming action. There's (or at least was) too much time spent on choreography than excitement or story. No doubt people are going to say the choreography is already exciting, it's not for me.

Damn what did I do with that flame proof jacket

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 29 Sep 2007, 22:34

bradavon wrote: Drunken Master 2 - It would've been impressive in a documentary but not something that is supposed to be entertainment. The fights are impressive from a choreography point of view but lack any excitement at all (much like most of Jackie's work)

Funnily enough, the last fight of Drunken Master II is probably the most exciting fight I have ever seen.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 29 Sep 2007, 22:40

Which one was it?

. Seriously which one was it.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 29 Sep 2007, 22:45

bradavon wrote:
EvaUnit02 wrote:
bradavon wrote:Lesser QT dialogue is still way better than most other director's dialogue.
Oh really?
What does this have to do with anything? I just sat through that 6 minutes of drivel, why?

Dude! It's the flying car!!! :shock:

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 29 Sep 2007, 22:52

The Brave One - 3.5/5
This felt very much like a comic book film. The only difference is that there is no actual comic book, is there?
I like how the storyline is so consequent and politically incorrect.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 29 Sep 2007, 23:13

gasteropod wrote:
bradavon wrote: Drunken Master 2 - It would've been impressive in a documentary but not something that is supposed to be entertainment. The fights are impressive from a choreography point of view but lack any excitement at all (much like most of Jackie's work)
Funnily enough, the last fight of Drunken Master II is probably the most exciting fight I have ever seen.

I loved Drunken Master 2 as well.

What version did you see, Brad? Cantonese, or English dub?

IMHO Fist of Legend is THE best martial arts flick ever made, just amazing action, and a nice paced classic plot. But Drunken Master 2 is absolutely in my top 5 action flicks.

Cant believe anyone NOT liking it.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Sep 2007, 00:14

[quote="bradavon"
Was he one of the blokes in the bar?[/quote]

nope,he was the sheriff at the hospital.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 30 Sep 2007, 00:46

bradavon wrote:
EvaUnit02 wrote:
bradavon wrote:Lesser QT dialogue is still way better than most other director's dialogue.
Oh really?
What does this have to do with anything? I just sat through that 6 minutes of drivel, why?

That Kevin Smith can write dialogue on par with QT, and that he at least has some originality. Drivel my ass.

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 30 Sep 2007, 00:50

Kevin Smith can write dialogue on par with QT, but neither can write dialogue on par with the Coen Bros.

degeneration · Post by **degeneration** » 30 Sep 2007, 09:30

War 3.5/5

Instructions on viewing this film: switch of your brain prior to viewing. This film is all about the violence. It is entertaining, but nothing ground breaking, although in its credit it isn't often that a no brainer action film actually comes up with a twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

That being said, it thne becomes rather trivialised by one character stating "I just thought they'd rough you up a bit" or something like that. I mean how ignorant can that person be?!?!?!

A few nice pairs of breasts in there too... totally gratuitous, but nice.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Sep 2007, 12:17

Yi-Long wrote:What version did you see, Brad? Cantonese, or English dub?

I've seen DM2 twice. I thought it was worth a second chance, like T3. Unlike T3 it wasn't worth it.

I first saw the R1 English dub which obviously looks great but the dubbing was so awful (despite Chan's dubbing) I gave the Chinese Thakral DVD ago which is much more watchable (despite the cropping) but alas it didn't improve it greatly.

Yi-Long wrote:IMHO Fist of Legend is THE best martial arts flick ever made, just amazing action, and a nice paced classic plot. But Drunken Master 2 is absolutely in my top 5 action flicks.

I liked Fist of Legend but thought OUATIC1-3 were definitely better. I love those films. The Donnie vs. Jet fight in OUATIC fight is great.

Yi-Long wrote:Cant believe anyone NOT liking it.

After thinking about it I'm probably more not a fan of the way Jackie creates action (on the whole) than HK cinema in general. I've disliked more than I liked of Jackie's films.

I almost forgot, another so called HK classic:

Project A: I bought this after not liking the previous Jackie films to see if there was anything left I've been missing. Sadly it's as boring as DM2. It gets a wee bit better at the end but again just pretty dull and definitely not exciting.

EvaUnit02 wrote:That Kevin Smith can write dialogue on par with QT, and that he at least has some originality. Drivel my ass.

I started watching it thinking "is it early QT work?" but I was thinking it cannot be, it's awful and doesn't sound much like QT. I scrolled down to see it's Kevin Smith. Then I thought oh that's why.

Kevin Smith cannot write for shit, his work is awful and definitely not funny. I've not seen Clerks yet, but Ben Affleck really gets on my nerves.

Shingster wrote:Kevin Smith can write dialogue on par with QT, but neither can write dialogue on par with the Coen Bros.

I've never got why The Coen's are so well respected. Sure they're way better than most Hollywood director's and clearly have talent but bar that there films just aren't all that good. QT's dialogue is much better.

I have only seen Fargo (what was all the fuss about?) and Intolerable Cruelty (awful) though, so maybe I should see a few more.

degeneration wrote:War 3.5/5

Instructions on viewing this film: switch of your brain prior to viewing. This film is all about the violence.

Did Li make this before Fearless?

I'm in two minds whether I should wait for the DVD. How does it compare to Li's other American films? I doubt it's as good as Danny the Dog.

degeneration · Post by **degeneration** » 30 Sep 2007, 12:32

bradavon wrote:
degeneration wrote:War 3.5/5

Instructions on viewing this film: switch of your brain prior to viewing. This film is all about the violence.
Did Li make this before Fearless?

I'm in two minds whether I should wait for the DVD. How does it compare to Li's other American films? I doubt it's as good as Danny the Dog.

Think it was made after Fearless. I think it is more a DVD film to be honest. Its entertaining, but with the prices of going to the cinema these days i'm not sure it was worth it. I preferred Unleashed to this, as Unleashed had much better fights. Here it is mainly gun work and some sword fighting, not so much in the hand to hand combat regard. It is just mindless entertainment, much like Romeo and Cradle, although with less of a rap sound track to boot, which is a good thing IMO.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Sep 2007, 12:38

didn't think much of War tbh. too many plot holes.watchable certainly though.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Sep 2007, 12:40

Clerks and to a lesser extent Clerks 2 are great movies. i defy anyone,even miserable bastards not to laugh at the climax of the 2nd one.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Sep 2007, 12:44

degeneration wrote:Think it was made after Fearless.

Weird as Li said Fearless would be his last action film or was it martial arts film? It's confusing.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 30 Sep 2007, 13:00

bradavon wrote:
degeneration wrote:Think it was made after Fearless.
Weird as Li said Fearless would be his last action film or was it martial arts film? It's confusing.

His last Wu Shu film. I know it's confusing because it was mis-published in the entertainment news everywhere.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 30 Sep 2007, 13:04

How many times have you seen Simpsons Movie, LD?

I think I enjoyed it more the 2nd time

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Sep 2007, 13:07

thelostdragon wrote:His last Wu Shu film. I know it's confusing because it was mis-published in the entertainment news everywhere.

Ah thanks. So if it's not Wu Shu would he still do Martial Arts?

Doesn't the DVD cover even say Fearless is Li's last action film.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 30 Sep 2007, 13:18

grim_tales wrote:How many times have you seen Simpsons Movie, LD?
I think I enjoyed it more the 2nd time

Only once, but more than willing to watch it again.

@Brad:
By Wu Shu film he meant films like "Once Upon a Time in China", "Fong Sai Yuk", "Claws of Steel", "Tai Chi Master" etc. It's not necessarily the display of Wu Shu or martial arts. It's rather the philosophy of Wu Shu that he believes he has done to death and he believes that "Fearless" is a good closure as he defined for a last time what Wu Shu is all about.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 30 Sep 2007, 13:29

Yi-Long wrote: IMHO Fist of Legend is THE best martial arts flick ever made, just amazing action, and a nice paced classic plot. But Drunken Master 2 is absolutely in my top 5 action flicks.

Cant believe anyone NOT liking it.

Cannot beleve anyone can say that about Fist of Legend, its good, but has THE WORST STUNT DOUBLES IN FILM HISTORY. Hence ruining all the action beyond words, pretty pathetic really, I paid to see the stars fight, not some ugly doubles who look nothing like tham at all.

The plots a load of shit as well and the acting and sets look dodgy as well, feels bland and very stilted and like a play at times. I like the film, but its so far from in the top 100 fight films of all time its scary.

and this comment by Brad is classic!

bradavon wrote:I've never got why The Coen's are so well respected.

Then he goes on to say he has only seen 2 films by them, one of them a shit anyway

at least see all their films before saying that, or at least some of them.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 30 Sep 2007, 13:29

bradavon wrote: I've never got why The Coen's are so well respected. Sure they're way better than most Hollywood director's and clearly have talent but bar that there films just aren't all that good. QT's dialogue is much better.

I have only seen Fargo (what was all the fuss about?) and Intolerable Cruelty (awful) though, so maybe I should see a few more.

Fargo is a superbly crafted black comedy, doncha know?

Writing off an entire filmography after only seeing one of their worst films (Intolerable Cruelty), nice. See Barton Fink, The Man Who Wasn't There, Miller's Crossing and Blood Simple - their more serious (and better) films first.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Sep 2007, 13:53

thelostdragon wrote:@Brad:
By Wu Shu film he meant films like "Once Upon a Time in China", "Fong Sai Yuk", "Claws of Steel", "Tai Chi Master" etc. It's not necessarily the display of Wu Shu or martial arts. It's rather the philosophy of Wu Shu that he believes he has done to death and he believes that "Fearless" is a good closure as he defined for a last time what Wu Shu is all about.

Got it, thanks.

romerojpg wrote:Then he goes on to say he has only seen 2 films by them, one of them a shit anyway at least see all their films before saying that, or at least some of them.

That's why I said I've only seen two. I can only comment on what I've seen. Fargo is supposed to be their best is it not? But yes I do need to see more, but no not all of them "that's crazy Romero thinking"

I know you'll disagree but I do think you can often get a good idea if you like a director's style having only seen 1-2-3 films of theirs.

EvaUnit02 wrote:Writing off an entire filmography after only seeing one of their worst films (Intolerable Cruelty), nice.

I wasn't. I was writing it off after that and Fargo

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 30 Sep 2007, 14:00

Fargo is a BIG hit or miss, I adore it, its not a kind of film that gels with everyone thats for sure. I could watch it forever

Same goes for The Big Lebowski (just got my 4th version, the HD DVD). The Coens do not make very similar films, do to me you can buy another film of theirs and it will be very, very different.

I just saw The Man Who Wasnt There, my god that was very strange, ok, but far from great.