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

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 14 Mar 2008, 13:34

This thread is for asian cinema only.
For western cinema, please use the following thread:

https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=4449

Note: the old "What have you seen" thread is still around:
https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... ic.php?t=6

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 14 Mar 2008, 14:09

About "Memories of Matsuko":

HungFist wrote:I've been tempted to check out if the film really is as terrible as it looks like, but so far no progress.

I had it laying around here for a very long time, because I got it after I read all those good reviews online and on IMDB. When it arrived the anticipation for it had gone and so it lay around gathering dust. I should have watched the film way earlier though. I love it now.

dragonhero005 · Post by **dragonhero005** » 14 Mar 2008, 19:23

Divergence

Quite trying to be complex for a Benny Chan project. Has a lot of good moments, as well as some bad ones. The finale seemed a bit forced to me (all important characters appearing at once - to answer all questions...)

Anyway. Better than I had expected it would be. Better than this year's Invisible Target without a doubt.

3.5/5

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Mar 2008, 22:06

About "Memories of Matsuko":

Thanks Hung and Shing I'll pick up the HK DVD.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 14 Mar 2008, 22:08

The Darjeeling Limited - 2/5
I can't stand Wes Anderson; he's a horrible little smug hipster that makes horrible little s,ug hipster films that are all the same. I like a couple for their novelty, this was not one of these. It went from slightly novel to painful.

The 39 Steps - 4/5
A nice little thriller which is excellent in the moment if a little lacking in terms of overall plot.

Vexille - 1/5
Refer to my Appleseed Ex Machina review. I haven't actually seen this but the same stuff applies, I guarantee it.

Lola rennt - 3/5
It was nice to see this on BD but some of the cool has worn off and this is a film that really does depend upon its cool. I'd still recommend it to people who haven't seen it but I don't see myself revisiting it again personally, although I still love Miss Potente and her lovely red hair.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Mar 2008, 22:19

Why are you posting Western films in the Asian thread?

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 14 Mar 2008, 22:22

bradavon wrote:Why are you posting Western films in the Asian thread?

Tossed a coin as the old topic seems to be locked.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Mar 2008, 22:27

Lourdes: It's been agreed to have separate threads so please go along with the community and just do it. Everyone else will just do it, without being childish and stubborn about it.

If you insist in posting in one thread at least do it in the General one.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 14 Mar 2008, 23:21

I really liked The Darjeeling Limited, although not as much as his last three films. To be fair, they are usually growers though. I'll definitely be purchasing it when it comes out on Blu-ray.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 14 Mar 2008, 23:36

Shogun - 4/5
Having read the book since my first viewing the amount that has been cut from the TV script really surprised me and it now seems far too short and with big jumps. Still bloody brilliant of course, highly recommended but I would read the book also as it really expands on the whole thing.

Stand By Me - 3/5
Above average but didn't really stand out IMO, there are so many other films like this that use the same formula.

The Man Who Would Be King - 4/5
Good old epic that doesn't get as much recognition as it deserves.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 14 Mar 2008, 23:38

gasteropod wrote:I really liked The Darjeeling Limited, although not as much as his last three films. To be fair, they are usually growers though. I'll definitely be purchasing it when it comes out on Blu-ray.

Eh, I tend to find I like his films less over time.

He's a one-trick pony as far as I'm concerned, it can be fun but with my objective hat on I find I'm not that impressed and I think this latest effort dragged that out too much.

But I'm still looking forward to Fantastic Mr. Fox!

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 15 Mar 2008, 00:45

When did we agree to have seperate threads?

Just wondering...

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Mar 2008, 01:18

No offence but you really need to start using the "View posts since last visit" feature. It's been discussed here:

https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=4438

Lost Dragon suggested it a few days ago.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 15 Mar 2008, 13:12

LOL. I never noticed that function before.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Mar 2008, 22:21

Really? I told you about it the other day, remember? Seriously though, it is handy.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 16 Mar 2008, 13:36

Saigo no tokkotai (The Last Kamikaze) (Japan, 1970) – 4,5/5
Toei Studios’s b/w war film about the Japanese kamikaze pilots in WWII is perhaps the most touching movie I have ever seen. There’s a bit of sentimentialism, but director Junya Sato handles the tragic subject masterfully. The cast is filled with major stars such as Ken Takakura, Bunta Sugawara, Tatsuo Umemiya, Asao Koike and Junko Fuji but they all play their roles extremely well. Especially the lead actor Koji Tsuruta is amazing. Tomisaburo Wakayama and his humoristic character are the only ones that feel slightly out of place. His appearence takes place mostly during the film’s middle third, which is the weakest and least engaging part of the movie. However, the film being this heavy themed it may actually work to the benefit of the film in the end. The last third is even more gripping than the first. Simply one of the best war movies ever made.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 16 Mar 2008, 23:29

Casino Royale (2006) - 4/5
I really enjoyed my second viewing of this, Craig will be a rather good Bond if the dialogue becomes natural. I really didn't like the fights which were like brawls between small children with annoying camerawork, and the romance was such an awful contrivance but on the whole a rather good film that has me looking forward to the next installment.

The Shawshank Redemption - 5/5
Brooks letter alone makes it worth watching, such a good film.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 17 Mar 2008, 09:51

Retreat Through the Wet Wasteland (Japan, 1973) – 4/5
This problematic production turned into one of Nikkatsu’s best roman porno movies ever. And, ironically, it’s not really roman porno at all. Scripted by Yukihiro Sawada (The Man Who Stole The Sun) Retreat Through the Wet Wasteland is an uncompromising and extremely nihilistic crime thriller about two beats-like cops hunting their former colleague who could bring their crimes into daylight. The studio was so afraid the film would cause public scandal that they first tried to stop the production, and then demanded adding the word ”Wet” (nureta) to the title as a disguise procedure. In the end the producers’ fears did not come true, instead the film was recognized by the critics as the birth of japanese noirish anti-hero, and rightfully so.
(full review in the works)

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 17 Mar 2008, 10:11

Seems a rather negative review for 4/5 Lourdes

Craig made a great Bond IMO.

IronMonkey · Post by **IronMonkey** » 17 Mar 2008, 13:14

What's Casino Royale doing in the Asian film thread?

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 17 Mar 2008, 13:19

IronMonkey wrote:What's Casino Royale doing in the Asian film thread?

Lourdes protesting against a pointless (in his opinion) moderating decision (of dividing the Review thread into categories).

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 17 Mar 2008, 15:32

He'll get over it.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 17 Mar 2008, 15:48

grim_tales wrote:Seems a rather negative review for 4/5 Lourdes
Craig made a great Bond IMO.

Quicker just to cover what I didn't like.

IronMonkey wrote:What's Casino Royale doing in the Asian film thread?

Daniel Craig is 1/3 Filip and there's no Pacific Island DVD review thread.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 17 Mar 2008, 20:35

Dragon Tiger Gate blu-ray 2.5/5

Not a great movie by any stretch of the imagination but entertaining enough.i liked it better 2nd time round.ok action but a nothing story. as with Flash Point Deltamac deliver an excellent transfer onto blu-ray.

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 18 Mar 2008, 16:58

Catch-22 - 1/5
The book is a lunatic black comedy which just doesn't work on film at all, nobody can act Catch-22 kind of crazy.