for once i agree with you DIP, that movie is so overated , i mean its a fun movie but the action is so annoying to watch.
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The "What You've Seen Recently" Thread
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 rdenn |
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Posts: 3108 (08/26/08 04:03:46) Screen Fighter |
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rdenn |
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Posts: 3109 (08/26/08 04:15:05) Screen Fighter |
kill switch - usual steven seagal product hes got his leather jacket on again lol, this time he is after a serial killer in one scene he beats down a man for
about 5 minutes and then throws him through the window lol, but there is some dodgy camera work in this one and he seems to be doubled more in this as well ,
oh well have to wait for the next movie from him which shouldnt be long,, issac hayes is in this movie as well (r.i.p)
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Graeme Noble |
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Posts: 4336 (08/26/08 13:30:37) Action Superstar! |
rdenn, why are you bothering with Seagal movies
as for Tai Chi Master, bar the opening and end fights, that movie can be flushed into my toilet 
Graeme Noble
Kung Fu Hall of Fame |
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stuntpeople |
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Posts: 7136 (08/26/08 14:03:59) Administrator |
Falling Down - Michael Douglas stars as a paranoid (and probably borderline personality disorder-stricken) man who walks through LA trying to get home. On the
way he's met with the worst obstacle known to man: unreasonable people. Douglas starts out by trashing a Korean (played by a Chinese actor of course) store
owner who annoys him with high prices and bad English and goes as far as holding an entire fast food restaurant hostage so he can get breakfast, even though
they stopped serving it 3 minutes before he arrived.
I guess it was a decent idea but it feels like a violent fantasy on the part of the writer. I couldn't help but feel like they were trying to appeal to my inner killer with a barrage of scenarios where I'm supposed to think, "Yeah, I've been in that situation, and it sucks." Instead I started wondering how it was possible that every person he encountered was so unreasonable that they would literally pull him aside and threaten his life for walking on the wrong side of the street. Even construction workers get aggressive with him. We've all had our share of bad days but come on, the world isn't this bad. They also tried to pin the anti-communist "crazy" on Douglas, and yet he seems to despise capitalism at the same time (his hatred of big houses and golf courses, another shallow appeal to us lowly folks). That's not character flaw. That's bad writing.
Eric Jacobus
The Stunt People |
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rdenn |
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Posts: 3113 (08/27/08 03:36:22) Screen Fighter |
Graeme Noble wrote: |
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DiP |
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Posts: 54 (08/27/08 08:09:57) |
The Moon Warriors (1992)
Expected what I usually expect from Sammo Hung directing a movie (a fast pace, humor and furious action scenes) but it's more romantic and tragic in theme and I guess that's good to have in the movie, neither overdoing it or gets overshadowed by major plot/direction changes, just going consistent and staying true to the story. It's nothing remarkable and is pretty much similar to what the subgenre has offered, it's the themes that make it different. Unfortunately, I've got little patience for these kinds of movies so watching it was a bit painful and tiring (just finished it this afternoon as I got tired while watching it yesterday evening and stopped watching) but I'd say it remains good for what itself sets out to tell and show. Action, while having sloppy wirework, is actually pretty impressive and surprisingly stays grounded most of the time and when it does, it produces good-looking moves. It also helps that the choreography is handed to actors who really can handle themselves or stay comfortable/adapted it to; Andy Lau (no comment here, he can do everything), Kenny Bee, Anita Mui (her double), Maggie Cheung (the same) and Kelvin Wong all perform very well (also when they act), and as they fight you stay focused (minus the flying shots) and get impressed. Props to Tony Ching and Corey Yuen. 3.5/5 |
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DragonfighterX |
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Posts: 2808 (08/27/08 08:34:31) Action Superstar! |
rdenn wrote:Even Seagal doesn't bother with them anymore. |
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John |
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Posts: 661 (08/27/08 09:55:59) Extra |
Haha!
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DiP |
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Posts: 61 (08/30/08 16:30:09) |
Beyond Hypothermia (1996)
Often described as the female version of The Killer although this one is much different in plot and character development. I really like the idea of a woman starring in an effective/charismatic/heavy role that male actors would otherwise fill in easily and the fact that Jacklyn Wu (the lead actress in Intruder) portrays the role is the interesting thing about the movie. Her role, despite requiring less acting from her and demands her to be a cold type, is well fleshed both as the plot is furthered and also is her past is revealed and gives soul and heart in the character. Unfortunately, taking the running time in consideration (around 85 min in length where thing happen a bit too fast, which would point out quite a few plot holes), the overall character development starts swinging both sides affecting the impact and depth of the plot and characters, especially evident in Wu's relationship with Sean Lau (who gives a wonderful performance, as always, as an ex triad turned gentle and woman-seeking noodle cook who falls for Wu). But luckily, it's the only subplot of this kind that exists whereas the rest of the movie resolves around Wu settling a score with the business she got into and her foes, and it's very well done with alot happening: assassinations, shoot-outs and stunts (nicely staged by Yuen Tak and Yuen Bun), betrayal and a decent performance by Korean actor Han Sang-Woo who plays the main villain of the movie. Overall, I think some things could've been polished more (the Wu/Lau relationship, more background on the main villain etc) but I found the movie quite a surprise. 3.5/5 |
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DiP |
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Posts: 68 (09/04/08 16:07:30) |
The Odd One Dies (1997)
A bit slow-paced and very thin in storyline (basically about an underworld rookie who takes on a hit job but pulls off at the last minute giving the task to a woman who in turn wants the rookie's help to finish off her own little objective) but the style I'd say is very appreciative and pleasingly as well as visually stunning; cinematography, direction, and acting all give the storytelling itself life in one or two ways. But the emphasis lies rather on the style (Wong Kar Wai style at times, dark comedy that occur from nowhere, repentance of certain scenes, a catchy music score; all quirky and showy to look at) and not the story so for people who want their movies substantiated (or whatever you want to call it) will sure want to avoid this. Kaneshiro does a good acting job (started taking note of him after this movie actually) but the highlight of the movie is Carman Lee as the revenge-seeking hit woman and gives it her best (perhaps the best performance she's done in her whole career). Rating: 4/5 Comeuppance (2000) Very clever take on a story thanks (a killer goes on a killing spree by poisoning mob bosses which attracts a reporter in writing a made-up story that coincidentally relates to the killings that in turn attracts a cop in using the reporter to lure the killer into a trap) , but it's confusing know whether or not you should take it seriously because there's alot of twists and surprises that kinda points to other directions of where the story is heading, not to mentioned that stylistics become more evident as you watch further on. Not bad thing but the inconsistency kinda ruined and bored quite alot for me. All the three lead actors Jordan Chan, Patrick Tam and Sunny Chan did good but the consfusing story make this overall just decent. Rating: 2/5
Last Edited By: DiP
09/04/08 16:16:51.
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slinky |
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Posts: 1675 (09/06/08 14:08:34) Sidekick |
Rage(1996) Gary Daniels
I watched this agian today and it kinda reminds me of crank in some ways long before crank. Anyway i thought it was good some good stunts and some action. I rate it high for Gary Daniels film. probably can pick up for $1.oo to $3.oo now well worth it in my book.
Last Edited By: slinky
09/06/08 14:10:45.
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Graeme Noble |
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Posts: 4396 (09/06/08 14:43:31) Action Superstar! |
Angel Force - starring Moon Lee.
Below average GWG movie. A few good fights in the first half, but the second half of the movie is terrible and there are practically zero fights - the end fight is hardly a fight, more like a scrap. And the stuff in the jungle goes on way too long and there are far too many 'boring' shoot-outs. Also, this movie felt like a Godfrey Ho movie, 2 movies in one! 2/5 - for the first half with 3 good fights!
Graeme Noble
Kung Fu Hall of Fame |
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DiP |
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Posts: 70 (09/07/08 13:07:22) |
Too Many Ways To Be No. 1 (1997)
Somewhat similar to The Odd One Dies in terms of style and visual (cinematography and camerawork) but still different in theme (fate, that is, making decisions that either keeps you safe and secure or puts your life at stake/kills you) and execution (dark and comical in combination). Direction is flawless and take its time to build up the characters and the simple (yet effective) story, the actors are very well used fulfilling demands for story/character; Sean Lau, Francig Ng, Elvis Tsui and crew acting it out rightfully and economically in accordance, and everyone behind the camera doing their jobs equally well to bring out quality to perfection, including Wai Ka Fai (director), Johnnie To (producer), Szeto Kam Yuen (writer) and Cacine Wong (composer). Perfect effort by Johnnie To and crew/Milkyway Image. Rating: 5/5 Sparrow (2008) This must be his lightest and most different but also one of his personal efforts to date. And it's all excellent fare by him as expected. Here, To decided to tell a story about past constructions, old buildings; the past Hong Kong which often from people's views are seen as somehow pure and historical art, something that everyone should cherish as good memories because they might not take part of that ever again or that these arts will one day vanish for good. With To's brilliance of skills in film-making, lively music score (courtesy of Xavier Jamaux and Fred Avril), neat usage of cinematography (Cheng Siu Keung being reliable to that job) and beautiful photography, things can't get better than that when imagining everything as a whole. It's absolutely gorgeous, masterful and enjoyable altogether to look at. To enhance all this, acting was ensured to be specified accordingly to the time those constructions/arts set foot for the first time, in this case the 60s (or the 50s, seems more that way) and I think Johnnie To succeeded in doing so, with the actors portraying and playing their characters like how people in HK were behaving. It also means that some (or all) of the actors are doing different acting jobs than usual. Simon Yam going away from his cockiness (Exiled and many past movies), silence (most of his recent Milkyway movies), usualness (the same) to becoming a very charmy, easy-going, caring, emotional and intelligent character and that's refreshing to see from someone who has played all kinds of roles throughout the decades. Big props also goes for everyone else in the cast: Gordon Lam (great as always), Kelly Lin (she's officially become one of my favorite actresses; has the skills and the damn looks!) and crew including Law Wing Cheong (otherwise known as an associate director of countless Milkyway/Johnnie To movies), Kenneth Cheung, Lam Suet (plays it serious this time) and Lo Hoi-Pang doing varied acting jobs and for giving the movie the touches and the special mood. Johnnie To scores big-time once again! Rating: 5/5
Last Edited By: DiP
09/07/08 13:19:21.
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DragonfighterX |
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Posts: 2847 (09/09/08 12:44:20) Action Superstar! |
Sakigake!! Otokojuku (Be A Man! Samurai School) -
Tak Sakaguchi's directorial debut, also written, starring, and choreographed by him. The story revolves around four rebellious youths being sent to Otokojuku, a famous tough-as-nails reform school for young Japanese men who need to be taught discipline and nationalism. The movie as a whole feels more like the episode of a J-Drama, the structure is a little weird; the first half of the film is dedicated to showing Otokojuku's harsh training practices and "classroom" scenes, and then the second half all of a sudden switches gears to an ex-Otokojuku student coming back to conquer the school, and the Amazing Triple-Death Battle that entail between three of the protagonists (not to mention a portion of the movie that completely veers off and follows one of the main characters, Togashi, on his really random blind date with a really random school girl). I found a lot of the educational scenes hilarious, despite not picking up on a lot of the humor as its so regional. The acting performances are also reminiscient of J-Drama, a little hammed up but sufficient and entertaining. The only thing I had a problem with was character aspect; Hidemaro is technically the main character and a good portion of the plot is dedicated to his "coming of age" and the discovery of his own courage, but he only really does anything in one major scene, whereas Momotaro (Tak's character) was the main protagonist in the manga. Thus Tak is featured prominantly throughout the film and in the advertising and has most of the action and "cool" scenes, but in turn has no character development. It's a little head-scratching, but doesn't really detract from the feel of the film too much. There's not a whole lot of action, and what is there is pretty standard fair if you're a fan of Tak or Zero's Action Team, but it's good nonetheless. It's fast, with a lot of HK-style exchanges, "flurries," and the MMA-inspired techniques Tak is such a mark for, but is also distinctly Japanese. Tak has three real fights: an introductory scrap with some Bosozoku, a challenge during the first day of training at Otokojuku, and his part of the Amazing Triple-Death Battle in the fire-pit deathmatch (which is also Tak Sakaguchi and Hideo Sakaki's third on-screen matchup). Most of the Amazing Triple-Death Battles are not really very amazing, mostly degenerating into comic gags. I liked the last fight a lot, unfortunately it is interrupted frequently by another major scene in the finale, and eventually dissolves into a muddled back-and-forth war of attrition which is a little boring. After that, the film is ended in a very heartfelt and clever way. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started watching Sakigake!! Otokojuku, but I'm pretty sure I liked what I saw. It's a little disjointed and the fairly polished production makes the internal errors stand out a little more, but all in all it was very entertaining and had a good message; a decent extremely-Japanese action/comedy which is helped by a great cast and some cool costumes. Osu! 3.5/5
Last Edited By: DragonfighterX
09/09/08 12:46:50.
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bigdandan |
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Posts: 977 (09/09/08 13:22:39) Fall Guy |
I didn't like the this movie, the over the top comedy killed it for me. I wish it had been more like a J- Drama because most of the time i enjoy seeing
those ones. But here it was just to much going one without it really going somewhere.
Like you said the fights were also not that special, the best thing was the final at the end at the stunt at the beginning of the guy getting hit by a car. The thing i enjoyed the most were the history lessons of the torture scenes, but overall this movie wasn't for me. |
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Kai0 |
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Posts: 1022 (09/09/08 20:16:49) Screen Fighter |
I watched Red Belt. So good.
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DiP |
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Posts: 82 (09/12/08 16:54:22) |
Young & Dangerous (1996)
It's all done like it usually does in many countless HK gangsta movies. The positiveness though is the fact that it focuses on the youth triad groups, spins the glorification of the HK underworld (too many guns, violence and so on back in the days), and is visually stylish and a bit artsy (Andrew Lau signatures). Best of all is perhaps the cast which features countless of newcomers and veterans. Rating: 4/5 Expect the Unexpected (1998) Brilliant as well as unusual concept of a movie where things develop unexpectedly and strangely, whereby meaning that life is unpredictable or unimaginable in a seemingly usual aspect (hence the movie title). Awesome work by everyone in front of (Sean Lau, Simon Yam, the Milkyway/JT regulars etc) and behind the camera (Patrick Yau (?), To, Wai Ka Fai etc) make this one among the freshest pieces of late 90s HK film-making. Rating: 4.5/5 |
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bigdandan |
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Posts: 986 (09/13/08 03:32:44) Fall Guy |
Oneechanbara The Movie- Piece of crap!!
Really low budget this one, not one good thing going on here, even the action is boring. The final is really shit, and once the cgi kicks in it makes the final fight even more boring!! The only fun thing was to see " Kuma" from the Gokusen series in a sup role but on the other hand he was just Kuma in the movie. Stay away from this one!! |
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DiP |
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Posts: 86 (09/14/08 15:37:24) |
Young & Dangerous 2 (1996)
Featuring some new characters, relationships, more twists and conflicts and more HK gangsta "shit". Typical and unoriginal acting performances by the cast, minus Anthony Wong and Chingmy Yau who were practically taking the lead in charismatic and inspiring roles. Rating: 4/5 Young & Dangerous 3 (1996) Same character/story development (deals, relationships, twists and so on) as well as acting performances going on, only that Lau's style seem to mark a change with this sequel. But the standout, however, is none other than Roy Cheung, who makes a perfect performance as the main villain and may be at his best here in this very mode. Overall, I've to say that Y&3's better then original as things get more dramatic that catches on the pace from getting slow and a bit boring like the quite dragging frontin/gangsta talk parts evident in the previous movies. Rating: 4.5/5
Last Edited By: DiP
09/14/08 15:39:51.
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DiP |
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Posts: 87 (09/16/08 17:28:03) |
Tiger Cage (1988)
Very dark and brutal for Yuen Woo Ping's standards but unfortunately very shallow and unenergized in story and characteristics (Woo Ping's lousy at drama but no one cares, just wanted to point that out though). Too many typicalities and the acting didn't help matters maintaining everyone at performing at their least best (even Simon Yam who people know can really act). Action of course is of high quality and will surely satisfy you nonetheless, especially having Donnie in the movie (with small bursts of neat action scenes and a great lengthy fight before bye-bying the movie). 2/5 |
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