Reindeer Games Director’s Cut Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

Reindeer Games Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

Reindeer Games Blu-ray (Lionsgate)

RELASE DATE: March 6, 2012

Not sure why everyone knocks this film, but I personally love John Frankenheimer’s Reindeer Games! Upon release from prison, Rudy (Ben Affleck) poses as his old cell mate Nick in order to meet Nick’s sexy pen pal Ashley (Charlize Theron). But things heat up for Rudy when he’s forced into an armed robbery plot being hatched by Ashley’s evil brother (Sinise)! Check out the trailer.

Posted in News |

‘Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel’ in selected theaters December 16th

"Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel" Theatrical Poster

"Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel" Theatrical Poster

Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel is a tribute to Roger Corman, Hollywood’s most prolific writer-director producer, and seminal influencing force in modern moviemaking over the last 60 years.

Featuring interviews with Hollywood icons and cinematic luminaries, some who launched their careers within Corman’s unforgettable world of filmmaking, including Paul W.S. Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, Robert De Niro, Peter Fonda, Pam Grier, Ron Howard, Eli Roth, Martin Scorsese, William Shatner and Jack Nicholson, along with many others, this documentary chronicles how Corman created his cult film empire, one low-budget success at a time, capitalizing on undiscovered talent, and pushing the boundaries of independent filmmaking. Check out the trailer.

Update: AICN interviewed Corman.

Update 2: Blu-ray & DVD release date for March 27th.

Posted in News |

Drive Blu-ray & DVD (Columbia/Tri-Star)

Drive Blu-ray & DVD (Columbia/Tri-Star)

Drive Blu-ray & DVD (Columbia/Tri-Star)

RELEASE DATE: January 31, 2012

A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong. Drive is directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson) and stars Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston and Albert Brooks. Drive has been praised by critics and moviegoers alike; it even took home the prestigious Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Director. Check out the trailer.

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Other Notable Titles |

Forest Warrior Blu-ray (Brainy Baby)

Forest Warrior Blu-ray (Brainy Baby)

Forest Warrior Blu-ray (Brainy Baby)

RELEASE DATE: March 6, 2012

A group of kids, who call themselves the Lords of Tanglewood, have built a clubhouse high on Tanglewood Mountain. Suddenly, their tranquil paradise is shattered when greedy businessmen threaten to destroy their mountain – thankfully, the guidance of a mysterious tough guy named John McKenna (Chuck Norris) lends them a hand! Check out the trailer. This is some hardcore shit!

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Lost World, The: Jurassic Park (1997) Review

"The Lost World: Jurassic Park" American Theatrical Poster

"The Lost World: Jurassic Park" American Theatrical Poster

Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: David Koepp
Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Gerald R. Molen, Colin Wilson
Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Vanessa Lee Chester, Pete Postlethwaite, Arliss Howard
Running Time: 129 min.

By HKFanatic

When we’re first introduced to Jeff Goldblum’s character in “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” he’s yawning in front of a fake painted backdrop. Clearly something is amiss: if the acclaimed thespian can’t even muster any excitement for this “Jurassic Park” sequel, how can we, the audience? And, in truth, Goldblum spends the rest of the movie appearing quite bored in front of a lot of computer-generated scenery.

Rewatching “The Lost World” on blu-ray was a real eye-opener. Although the film was a favorite as a child (I saw it at least twice in theaters), I found that time has not been kind to this picture. In many ways, “Lost World” is just as abysmal as Spielberg’s much-maligned Indiana Jones sequel “The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” though it doesn’t catch nearly as much flak from fans. Probably because this “Jurassic Park” sequel arrived just a few years after the original while Indy had twenty years of fan expectation riding on it.

Either way, “Lost World” is a stinker that finds Spielberg making the same mistakes he did with “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”: the sequel trades in a darker aesthetic than the first but the humor is played much broader, granting the film an uneven tone. So while the overall look of the “The Lost World” is pitch black and rain-soaked, the foreboding atmosphere is ruined by cringe-worthy jokes and the sight of a child actress using gymnastics against a velociraptor.

Early in the film, John Hammond informs us that there is another island full of dinosaurs besides the one visited in “Jurassic Park,” this one named Site B. The filmmakers clearly don’t want us to to think about the logistics of such a thing since we’re whisked away to dinosaur territory much faster than in the original film, which actually took its time with characterization and plot development. The emphasis here is on action at the expense of nearly everything else. It’s just too bad that the entire production feels like Spielberg is merely going through the motions, with a dour color palette and uninspired location shooting. The background shots full of Redwood trees and other forestation straight out of the Pacific Northwest fail to sells us on the fact that this is supposed to be a tropical island off the coast of Costa Rica.

After a dreadfully slow first act, “The Lost World” receives a much needed shot in the arm from the emergence of the “evil” InGen Corporation. While Jeff Goldblum is trying to rescue his girlfriend (Julianne Moore) and some other researchers off Site B, Hammond’s smarmy nephew has assembled a team of ace hunters and dino experts to capture a few live specimens and return them to San Diego to open a new Jurassic Park in the city. InGen has been bleeding money due to lawsuits and the failure of the original park, so if they don’t pull this off the company will likely go under. Thus begins the most impressive sequence in the film as a fleet of helicopters carrying Humvee and other equipment soar over the island and then land to start rounding up dinosaurs as if they were nothing more than a pack of stray dogs. Some guy even has the balls to ride a motorcycle underneath a moving brontosaurus!

If the entire film had been about the InGen hunters, chances are “The Lost World” could have actually been pretty bad-ass. At the head of their team is the late, great Pete Postlethwaite, playing the kind of big game hunter who has seen and done it all; capturing a T-Rex dead or alive represents his one last shot at glory. His character is about the only interesting human being in the entire film and the script gives him all the best lines. Postlethwaite delivers a scene-stealing performance – I’m sure most people, even if they hate the film, remember his great quote: “Let’s get this moveable feast underway!”

Spielberg paints the InGen hunters as the bad guys but, really, there’s not much you can hold against them. They’re smart, professional, and they manage to round up most of the dinosaurs without hurting the animals or themselves. It’s only when our “heroes” Julianne Moore and Vince Vaughn intervene and free the dinosaurs from their cages that it all goes to hell. Dinosaurs get loose, people die, all of InGen’s equipment is destroyed, and now two angry T-Rex parents have their scent. Suddenly everyone, Goldlbum and InGen alike, is stranded on the island and with no way to contact the outside world. Wait a minute, remind me why Goldblum and company are the good guys again? Due to their terrorist action – or to be kinder, sabotage – everyone’s lives are in danger for the rest of the film. If they had left InGen to their own devices, chances are things would have worked out fine. InGen was only planning on bringing herbivore dinosaurs back to San Diego anyway!

As it turns out, Spielberg made the mistake of deleting two exposition-heavy but crucial scenes, now available on the blu-ray. These sequences were mostly likely cut to speed up the already slow first act but they go a long way in giving the audience an actual reason to care about the story and characters – something that’s missing from rest of the film. In one scene, we see Hammond’s nephew presiding over a meeting with InGen shareholders: in a cold, unsympathetic manner he details how InGen is bleeding money, his uncle is out of touch with reality, and how the company has the means to profit off Hammond’s work by raiding Site B for dinosaurs. He speaks with the kind of callous, manner-of-fact disregard for human life and ecological cost that has become synonymous with corporate greed in the wake of oil spills, bailouts, and other Recession-era problems. In other words, his speech gives you a reason to distrust InGen and root against them. Now why the hell wasn’t that in the movie?

The other deleted scene develops Pete Postlethwaite’s character and his friendship with the Indian hunter, Ajay. This scene is rather crucial because without it we have no sense why Postlethwaite is so distraught at Ajay’s fate in the film. The only issue with this scene is that it devolves into some facepalm-inducing physical comedy, including a gag where a drunken tourist has his balls smashed against an umbrella stand. This scene is so embarrassing and out of place with the rest of the film, it’s a wonder that Spielberg even filmed it. I suppose it’s a prelude to Shia LeBeouf’s vine-swinging antics in “Crystal Skull.” Still, “The Lost World” is in dire need of character development so some portion of this scene would have benefited the movie. Visually, it’s also rather similar to the scene in the first film when Dodson meets with Nadry in the cafe, giving a nice cyclical quality to the series.

As for the blu-ray itself, the picture quality sadly underwhelms. I could tell from the opening menu, which features a short clip of Site B coming into view, that the image would not be as vibrant or detailed as the first “Jurassic Park.” I suspect a large part of this has to do with the film itself. “The Lost World” is a dark, overcast, rainy kind of picture – not exactly the type of film that lends itself to a vibrant blu-ray transfer. Although “The Lost World” looks acceptable for a catalog title, this is not a disc you’ll be showing off to friends and neighbors; nor is it a blu-ray that will make you feel like you’re seeing an old film with new eyes like the first “Jurassic Park.”

If there’s an upside to “The Lost World,” it’s that special effects technology seemed to improve greatly in the four years since “Jurassic Park.” The dinosaurs are rendered with a lot more detail and the CG is generally stronger than in the first film, something that does come through on the blu-ray. Models are employed sparingly this time around but that’s mostly due to the fact that the action scenes in this movie call for many dinos to be in the same frame together while moving at high speeds.

The climax of the film is the now-lambasted sequence of a T-Rex stomping through downtown San Diego, considered the moment when the series jumped the shark. In my opinion, this is one of the only fun parts of the entire movie. It’s a guilty pleasure to watch clueless Californians reverse their cars through traffic at the sight of a T-Rex and the big dino slamming a bus through a video store window (look for a movie poster featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger as King Lear).

Although I am rather harsh in my estimation of this film, I have to admit that are several brilliant moments parsed throughout “The Lost World”: InGen’s initial round-up of the dinosaurs, the velociraptors stalking their prey through the tall grass at night, and the aforementioned T-Rex rampage in San Diego. Overall, the film is not without its charms, given the all out dinosaur action – why have one T-Rex when you can have two? – but a blu-ray purchase would be strictly for fans and apologists. This is an anti-capitalist film so poorly written that even in the age of Occupy Wall Street you’ll be rooting for the corporate shill “bad guys.”

The first “Jurassic Park” remains the epitome of a perfectly crafted summer blockbuster. Like the lab-grown dinosaurs of the series, each successive film has been a failed clone of the original.

HKFanatic’s rating: 5/10

Posted in Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Blu-Ray and DVD Releases for 12/13/11

Ip Man: Legend is Born Blu-ray & DVD (Funimation)

Ip Man: Legend is Born Blu-ray & DVD (Funimation)

This week is jam-packed with releases leading up to the holidays so let’s get cracking. Here are your Asian and genre movie blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 12/13/11:

ASIAN CINEMA

The Legend is Born – Ip Man (blu-ray/DVD) – this 2010 martial arts film, sometimes erroneously marketed as a prequel to Donnie Yen’s “Ip Man” series, isn’t the lazy cash-in you might expect. It’s actually pretty good! Check out our reviews

Detective Dee & the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (blu-ray/DVD) – uber-director Tsui Hark teams up with Andy Lau for this 2010 Sherlock Holmes-esque mystery with a dash of martial arts

Champions (DVD) – Lionsgate releases this 2008 martial arts film about Wushu martial artists striving to compete in the Olympics

Tokyo Drifter (blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection presents Seijun Suzuki’s eyepopping 1966 Yakuza thriller, now on blu-ray

Branded to Kill (blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection is also releasing Seijun Suzuki’s 1967 hitman thriller, now in hi-def

A Beautiful Life (DVD) – Shu Qi (“The Transporter,” “So Close”) stars in this 2011 Chinese-language romantic melodrama from director Andrew Lau (“Infernal Affairs”)

If You Are the One: Love & Marriage (DVD) – get a double dose of romance and Shu Qi as she appears in this 2010 romantic comedy

FOREIGN CINEMA

City of God (blu-ray) – the acclaimed 2002 Portuguese-language crime thriller, based on a true story, now in hi-def

Circumstance (DVD) – a 2011 film about the underground world of Iranian youth, a subculture filled with sex, drugs, and rebellion

CULT

The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition (blu-ray) – children of the 90’s, rejoice! Disney’s 1991 classic superhero film is on blu-ray for the first time

Velvet Goldmine (blu-ray) – Todd Haynes’ 1998 ode to glam rock stars Johnathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor, and Christian Bale. Now on blu!

Heavenly Creatures (blu-ray) – Peter Jackson’s 1994 chilling drama starring Kate Winslet, now on blu-ray

Sherlock Holmes: Kino Classics (blu-ray) – Kino presents the 1922 Sherlock Holmes film starring John Barrymore, now on blu-ray

Def-Con 4/Hell Comes to Frogtown: Double Feature (DVD) – you get a 1988 sci-fi chiller and “Rowdy” Roddy Pipper battling evil frogs in one double feature. What’s not to love?

99 and 44/100% Dead/The Nickel Ride: Double Feature (DVD) – two cult classic mid-70’s action flicks, one directed by John Frankenheimer, on one DVD

MAINSTREAM

The Expendables (Extended Director’s Cut) (blu-ray) – just in time to get us amped up for the sequel, check out Sly’s director’s cut of his 2011 film with 11 minutes of additional footage

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (blu-ray/DVD) – arguably the best blockbuster of summer ’11, now on home formats

Transformers Trilogy (blu-ray/DVD) – trilogy or travesty, you can pick up all three of Michael Bay’s “Transformers” films in one blu-ray or DVD set

HORROR

Fright Night (blu-ray/DVD) – the failed 2011 remake of the 80’s cult classic is now on home formats

Intruder – Director’s Cut (blu-ray + DVD combo) – Synapse Films presents the unrated director’s cut of this 1989 cult horror film set in a grocery store, featuring an appearance from Bruce Campbell

Interested in any of these movies? If so, we hope that you’ll consider ordering from our affiliate to help support this site. Thank you!

Posted in News |

King of Triads DVD aka Bad Blood, Mie Men, Mit Moon (Lionsgate)

King of Triads DVD aka Bad Blood, Mie Men, Mit Moon (Lionsgate)

King of Triads DVD aka Bad Blood, Mie Men, Mit Moon (Lionsgate)

RELEASE DATE: February 28, 2012

As is tradition in the Hong Kong underworld, after the execution of a crime organization’s leader, a new boss is called. But after the new man in charge begins extorting the former crime head’s children for money to pay off debts, the family will stop at nothing to seek redemption and seize control of the triad. King of Triads (aka Bad Blood or Mie Men, Mit Moon) is directed by Dennis Law and stars Simon Yam, Andy On, Bernice Liu Bik Yi, Ken Lo and Michael Chan Wai Man.

Read cityonfire.com’s review. Check out the trailer.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

New streaming website dedicated to Japanese movies: ‘Japan Flix’

In the mood for Japanese movies or are you in the mood to make some money on sports using betwinnereg.com/registration/?

This past July, a new video streaming website dedicated to Japanese movies and television called Japan Flix was launched. Japan Flix allows you to watch Japanese content immediately without leaving your home or waiting for a DVD to arrive in the mail. The catalog includes never-before-seen Japanese movies, anime, subculture, Pink Eiga and more! Recently, Japan Flix partnered up with Well Go USA, one of America’s biggest Asian Cinema distributors.

Japan Flix was started for the love Japanese culture and Japanese film. With their service, Japan Flix hopes to make it easier for Japanese film aficionados to find and watch Japanese movies and to encourage more companies to bring their movies outside of Japan.

For more information about Japan Flix, please visit their website.

Posted in News |

Man from Nowhere, The (2010) Review

"The Man from Nowhere" International Theatrical Poster

“The Man from Nowhere” International Theatrical Poster

AKA: Ajeossi
Director: Lee Jeong-beom
Writer: Lee Jeong-beom
Cast: Won Bin, Kim Sae-ron, Kim Tae-hoon, Kim Hee-won, Kim Sung-oh, Thanayong Wongtrakul
Running Time: 119 min.

By HKFanatic

“The Man From Nowhere” is probably the best blind buy I’ve ever made. I decided to pick it up during release week based on the little positive word-of-mouth I’d read online. I figured: hey, it’s a new gritty Korean revenge movie, it has to be good. Little did I know that “Nowhere” would go on to become one of my favorite films of all time. This is an immaculately crafted thriller with amazing performances, crisp cinematography, and fight choreography that genuinely hurts. For action buffs and thriller fans – or anybody simply craving an amazing cinematic knife fight – it doesn’t get much better than “The Man From Nowhere.”

The plot of the film could perhaps be described as a cross between a “Bourne” movie and Luc Besson’s “Leon/The Professional.” Won Bin plays an ex-spy with a tragic past now living alone in an apartment building. Although he has closed himself off from other people, he slowly forms a bond with the little girl who lives next door. She has plenty of time to spend with Bin as her mother is a neglectful drug addict who dances at a nightclub. Eventually, the child (Sae-Ron Jim) is kidnapped due to her mother’s shady dealings.

Little do her kidnappers know, they have literally signed their own death warrants: the bad-ass Won Bin will move heaven and earth to rescue his young friend. Half of the pleasure of the film is the way it executes this simple premise while fleshing it out with detailed subplots: the police trying to solve the case act as supporting characters, as does an older gangster looking to make inroads with the Chinese mafia. The practice of using small children as drug mules is a major theme too, while Won Bin’s mysterious past is slowly revealed through heart-wrenching flashbacks.

Anyone following Won Bin’s career knows that the model/actor has always showed promise but given that his previous role was in 2009’s “Mother,” where he played a slow-witted mama’s boy charged with murder, it would have been difficult to predict just how compelling he is as a bonafied action star in “Nowhere.” Talk about a complete 180. Won Bin’s performance here is compelling and completely in control; he ably handles himself during intense fight scenes and his lean frame looks great in well-cut black suits. Whether he’s playing the soft-spoken neighbor with bangs in his eyes or, later after he shaves his head, the unrelenting warrior out for revenge, he is a revelation in this film.

Special mention must be made of Sae-Ron Jim, who delivers an authentic-feeling turn as Bin’s tiny neighbor. Let’s face it, if Sae-Ron Jim didn’t come across as adorable and worth fighting for, we wouldn’t care about Won Bin killing people for two hours to try and rescue her. Fortunately, she’s a natural when it comes to acting and she very quickly garners the audience’s sympathy, especially when she tearfully tells Won Bin that he’s the only person in her life that she actually likes. Yeah, you better believe that anybody who tries to harm this kid is gonna have several arteries opened up by Won Bin’s deadly blade.

It’s amazing to think that director Jeong-beom Lee only has one other film to his credit, “Cruel Winter Blues,” which came out in 2006 and is not widely available in America. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hollywood studios were camped outside his door with bags of money but here’s hoping he continues to help the cinematic industry of his home country flourish with more great films like “The Man From Nowhere.” Expect an American remake of this movie any day now too, though it will be difficult to find a 20-something Hollywood actor with as much screen presence and sheer physicality as Won Bin. Sure, “Nowhere” itself owes more than a little to Hollywood fare – the close quarters fighting is filmed in a style highly reminiscent of the latter two Bourne films – but, frankly, this movie does its source material one better. If you thought “Taken” was the height of action-packed revenge movies, just wait till you meet “The Man From Nowhere.”

HKFanatic’s Rating: 10/10

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Dragon Dynasty’s Ultimate 4 Pack DVD Vol 2: Avenging Eagle, Blood Brothers, Golden Swallow and Killer Clan (Dragon Dynasty)

Dragon Dynasty’s Ultimate 4 Pack DVD Vol 2: Avenging Eagle, Blood Brothers, Golden Swallow and Killer Clan (Dragon Dynasty)

Dragon Dynasty’s Ultimate 4 Pack DVD Vol 2: Avenging Eagle, Blood Brothers, Golden Swallow and Killer Clan (Dragon Dynasty)

RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2012

Official product description: Dragon Dynasty, the world s greatest collection of martial arts and Asian action films, brings to you an ALL NEW VOLUME 2 collectible box set! These four legendary Shaw Brothers Kung Fu films will provide countless hours of kung-fu and swordplay filled action.

Titles included: Avenging Eagle, Blood Brothers, Golden Swallow and Killer Clan. The box set is presented in a beautifully designed slip sleeve and contains the 4 DVDs packaged in slim pack sleeves.

These titles are also available individually: Avenging Eagle | Blood Brothers | Golden Swallow | Killer Clan | Dragon Dynasty’s Ultimate 4 Pack DVD Vol 1

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles |

Catch the 2010 Korean “A Better Tomorrow” remake on Netflix Instant

A Better Tomorrow (Korean remake) Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)

A Better Tomorrow (Korean remake) Blu-ray/DVD (Well Go USA)

In 2010, Korean director Hae-sung Song remade John Woo’s heroic bloodshed classic “A Better Tomorrow” – with Woo’s blessing – as a slick Korean melodrama. Released on blu-ray and DVD just a few weeks ago from distributor Well Go USA, the film is now streaming on Netflix Instant in HD. Watch the film and see how you compare it to the original. In the meantime, check out our reviews.

Posted in News |

Dasepo Naughty Girls DVD (Asian Crush)

Dasepo Naughty Girls DVD (Asian Crush)

Dasepo Naughty Girls DVD (Asian Crush)

RELEASE DATE: February 28, 2012

Based on the dark, controversial Internet comic strip, Multi-Cell Girl (a.k.a Dasepo Sonyo), Daesepo Naughty Girls follows the sexual adventures in one seriously bizarre high school. Directed by Je-yong Lee (“Untold Scandal”) and starring Kim Ok-bin, Park Jin-woo, Lee Kyeon, Eun-seong, Kim Byeol and Lee Won-jong. Check out the trailer.

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases |

Mission, The (1999) Review

"The Mission" Chinese Theatrical Poster

“The Mission” Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Johnnie To
Writer: Nai-Hoi Yau
Cast: Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Francis Ng Chun-Yu, Jackie Lui Chung-yin, Roy Cheung, Suet Lam, Simon Yam, Tin Lam Wong, Eddy Ko-Hung
Running Time: 88 min.

By Woody

“The Mission” concerns a rich businessman hiring a diverse group of men, including Anthony Wong, Lam Suet, and Francis Ng, to protect him from killers trying to take him out. After they have successfully completed their mission, one of the guys is accused of sleeping with the boss’s wife. A contract is put out of his life. Will his buddies betray him or the boss?

Much like his “A Hero Never Dies” was a homage to the films of John Woo, this is Johnny To’s homage to the films of both Takeshi Kitano and Akira Kurosawa. Like Kitano, To emphasizes a lot of small moments, the most notable being what is probably the most memorable scene in the film, an impromptu game of futbol among the bodyguards. Like Kurosawa, To’s action scenes are intelligent and well thought out, and there is a surprising amount of humanity present throughout the film.

This is a thinking man’s action film. The few action scenes here are all used to either illustrate a point or propel the plot, and all of them are played out like chess games; they are very deliberate and well thought out. The end of the film and everything that leads up to it is also really well thought out.

The acting, writing, and direction of this film are great. The ensemble cast is perfect, which each character being easy to distinguish from the other. My personal favorite performances were those of Anthony Wong, Lam Suet, and Francis Ng. Wong plays a cold, calculated hairdresser (only in Hong Kong…) to perfection, Lam plays a dude who wants no one to get hurt and is constantly chomping on pistachios, and Ng is great as a young triad punk who owns a club and worries for his buddy who slept with the boss’s wife. To’s direction here is just as great as the acting. Much like Kitano and Kurosawa, there is no rapid fire editing or bizarre camera angles…this is a film that depends on it’s script and it’s actors, not flashiness and excess. The cinematography is also well done, and uses a lot of blues and reds to good effect.

The only thing I am unsure about with this movie is the music. It honestly sounds like someone playing around on a Casio keyboard, but I can’t help from liking it, and the main theme will forever be stuck in my head.

So, there you have it. This is a thinking man’s action film from Hong Kong, of all places. One of my favorite To movies. Excellent characterizations, scriptwriting, directing, and action…one of the best HK movies I’ve seen in quite a long while. Worth buying.

Woody’s Rating: 9/10


By Alexander

I REALLY wanted to like this movie.

I’ve heard plenty of great things about THE MISSION on this site and others and the DVD spent a VERY long time in my rental qeue at Netflix before ever becoming available, testament to its popularity. The cast includes some of Hong Kong’s best actors including Anthony Wong (BEAST COPS), Simon Yam (FULLTIME KILLER, BULLET IN THE HEAD) and Francis Ng (FULL ALERT) and is directed by the popular Johnnie To. The faces are recognizable and handsome, they wear great suits, they tote a potent arsenal and the dialogue is better than the usual Hong Kong fare. It’s occassionally funny and features a couple of wonderfully inventive scenes, including two near dialogue-less ones involving a crumpled piece of paper as improvised soccer ball and another set in a desolate mall. Both are examples of To’s deft direction and the inherent charisma of the film’s major players.

BUT, it isn’t until the 44th minute of the film that anything actually happens and even then it’s definitely a case of style over substance. The mall scene LOOKS great, as do most of the scenes in the film, but there isn’t a whole lot happenin’ here. None of the more inventive scenes compensate for the run-of-the-mill story. It’s a fairly straight forward tale of a cobbled together group of body guards with very different personalities and agendas. The pacing is rather slow, but as a fan of Wong Kar Wai, this isn’t what turned me off of the film. It was the fact that such a wonderful collection of stars had so very little to do but simply look cool as hell. Sure doesn’t make a film interesting.

The score is quirky, for lack of a better word. My wife walked in the door near the end of the film and said, “That’s some funky music.” Agreed. The film would have been slightly better with an improved soundtrack, one lacking what sounded at times like an 8-year old experimenting with a Casio keyboard.

A disappointment, but nonetheless a mildly enjoyable 88 minutes. Fans of any of the aforementioned actors probably should not miss this, nor should fans of Johnnie To. Here’s hoping, though, that my second To film is better than the first.

Alexander’s Rating: 6/10


By Joe909

The movie for which Johnnie To was awarded Best Director in 1999, The Mission is up there with the best of Milkyway. The film is different in that there isn’t one main character, or even two: there are five main characters, each of them as important to the plot as the other. This multiple lead character syndrome could be an audience’s nightmare, but To et al deftly handle the challenge, so that we learn just enough about each character’s background, and to know what sets them apart from the rest.

The concept behind the movie is pretty neat, and reminds me of the plot of several old kung-fu movies: five bodyguards are hired to protect a triad chief. Just like in the chop-sockeys of yore, these guys are the foot soldiers, obeying their boss’s every whim and pledged to protect his life at all costs. But whereas an old kung-fu movie with this plot would have a fight about every ten minutes or so, The Mission is slightly more static: what few gunfights it features are filmed in a none-too-exciting fashion.

For instance, the battle in the deserted shopping mall. An excellent setting for gun-toting mayhem; John Woo could’ve filmed a ten-minute scene in such a location, easily, complete with guys getting blasted through toy-store windows in slow-motion, etc. However, To isn’t going down the John Woo road, and, like Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus,” most of the action takes place off-screen. All we hear are the guards shooting at rival gangsters; very rarely do we see who they are shooting at, or anyone getting shot. This sounds boring, but To is a directing genius, and I don’t think he could film a boring scene if his career depended on it. Though I must admit that I did get a bit tired of watching our gang fire off into the dark at invisible assailants, then see the muzzle flashes of their sniper foes in the distance, then our heroes shooting back again, and etc. The last gunfight especially goes on for too long, with the guards under fire from a group of snipers, who lurk above them in an abandoned warehouse. It’s cool and mysterious, but I’d rather see guys fighting face-to-face.

However, the sniper shootout leads to a scene that contains probably one of the most powerful yet subtle moments I’ve seen in a movie. The guards manage to live through the fight and take out all of their attackers, save one. Two of the guards, Roy (Francis Ng) and Shin (Jackie Liu) sneak into the building and approach the final sniper from behind, guns drawn. The sniper continues to fire down at the other guards until he runs out of bullets. He turns to Francis Ng, who has his gun on him, and smiles. Ng smiles back. It’s a small scene, but it really struck me: with absolutely no expositionary dialog we see right into the characters’ heads; they’re all in the same boat, each of them just doing their job, regardless of which side they’re on.

There isn’t very much of a story: the guys protect a boss (whom we learn almost nothing about and who seems to be friendly as hell ? though of course he orders the deaths of several people), then eventually must confront one another when they discover that one of them had an affair with the boss’s wife. But beyond that, it’s still an engrossing movie, mostly for the small moments, such as a scene of the guys bonding through an impromptu game of kickball in an office.

As usual, there isn’t a strong female presence in this movie, which isn’t surprising. I wonder if movies like this even have a female audience in Hong Kong. Probably not. They’re too busy watching the latest tearjerker with Leon Lai and Maggie Cheung, no doubt.

Joe909’s Rating: 8/10

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |

Chaser, The (2008) Review

Chaser Movie Poster

“The Chaser” Japanese Movie Poster

AKA: Chugyeogja
Director: Na Hong-jin
Cast: Kim Yun-Seok, Ha Jung-Woo, Seo Yeong-Hee, Park Hyo-Joo, Jung In-Gi, Jo Duk-Je
Running Time: 123 min.

By HKFanatic

It took me a second viewing to realize it but “The Chaser” is probably one of the best films I’ve ever seen. It’s also an extremely frustrating experience. “The Chaser” is a thriller that refuses to behave like one as writer/director Na Hong-jin embraces the sad and pathetic nature of existence. The screenplay takes its inspiration from the real life case of South Korea’s worst serial killer. As the police narrow in on the murderer, they continually bungle the operation due to their own incompetence or bureaucracy tying their hands. Viewers can’t be blamed for posing the question: are these plot contrivances meant to express how absurd the universe can be or merely a way to increase the film’s runtime? Ultimately, I’ve decided “The Chaser” is a dark, dark film that delivers popcorn thrills at the same time Na Hong-jin acknowledges that life is often without hope.

The main character of the film is an ex-cop turned pimp, played by Kim Yun-seok. When several of his prostitutes go missing, he suspects they’re being kidnapped and sold off. That is, until he puts the pieces together and realizes they’ve all recently seen the customer. When Kim Yun-seok tracks the client (Ha Jung-woo) down, the two begin a cat-and-mouse game that sends their night spiraling out of control. Meanwhile, across town, an angry protestor tosses feces at the mayor of Seoul. Yes, these two plot points do converge!

What “The Chaser” excels at is atmosphere. It is a film shot entirely at night and yet the image never looks too grainy or dark to see. It completely immerses the viewer in that vibe of being behind the wheel of a black Jaguar as it cruises down the bustling streets of Seoul at night. The sense of ‘life after dark’ is unparalleled here.

To back up the crisp cinematography and directing are two excellent performances from Yun-seok and Jung-woo. To say that these two men carry the film would be an understatement. Yun-seok begins the story as someone not exactly deserving of the audience’s sympathy, being a money-grubbing pimp and all, but he undergoes a transformation into a protagonist the audience feels vindicated in rooting for. Jung-woo brings to life his worthy adversary, possibly one of the creepiest killers to ever grace the screen – a make who looks and acts normal on the surface but below is completely deranged.

Much like Ryoo Seung-wan’s 2010 film “The Unjust,” “The Chaser” portrays Korean society as entirely shot through with corruption and strife. Bumbling detectives make every kind of mistake in trying to catch the killer; the top brass only care about their image in the media; and the only person we have to root for is a low-budget pimp.

But that’s exactly what makes “The Chaser” work – the film doesn’t play fair. Much like “I Saw the Devil” or “Memories of Murder,” it’s a thriller that seems to get off on denying viewers the catharsis that is expected of the revenge genre. The fact that it became the #3 highest grossing film of all time in Korea despite its bleak subject matter is a testament to Na Hong-jin’s talent as a filmmaker. He’s got us right in the palm of his hand during the film’s entire 125 minute runtime – and we love him for it. “The Chaser” is a film that fits comfortably alongside other modern Korean classics and it’s one that cinema buffs will be talking about for quite some time.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 8.5/10


By Mighty Peking Man

What a sigh of relief. A Korean thriller that’s not trying to be some Hollywood bullshit with big explosions, insane action scenes and cg-effects. Come to think of it, I don’t think there’s one gunshot in the whole movie. But then again, I’m talking out of my ass since The Chaser isn’t exactly that type of flick. It’s more of a thriller-drama but with enough sloppy beat-ups and gruesome visuals to keep the action-addict happy.

The Chaser is about an ex-cop turned pimp (yes, you read that right) who realizes his “bitches” are sporadically disappearing one by one. He backtracks through his paperwork and figures out that the latest missing girl was sent to the same guy the previous missing victim was sent to…

That’s basically all I’m going to tell you about the plot. Telling you any more would be too much typing for my lazy ass; more importantly, I’ll probably give too much away in the process.

The Chaser is director Na Hong-jin’s first full-length feature film (prior to this, he received some buzz for some short film he made). I like his directing style and his approach to story-telling. He’s a director with balls and not some lame filmmaker who has to reference the feel of Hollywood movies to please the mass audience. I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye out for his work.

Both the lead actors (Kim Yun-Seok and Ha Jung-Woo,) put on amazing performances. I could tell you right now that Yun-seok Kim is special. He’s got that certain something about him. He’s one of those cool Asian cats that you just love seeing on screen. You know, another Chow Yun Fat, Song Kang-Ho, Lau Ching Wan or Tony Leung… get my drift? I really should get off my ass and seek out more of his films.

The Chaser is entertaining as hell. Paced just right. It’s brutal, dark, funny, bloody and beautiful. The best flick I’ve seen this year. Period.

Mighty Peking Man’s Rating: 10/10

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

On January 24, get ‘Punished’ by Johnnie To

Punished aka Abduction, Retribution DVD (Vivendi)

Punished aka Abduction, Retribution DVD (Vivendi)

Get Ready For Action Packed Excitement

PUNISHED

Available on DVD, Digital and Movies on Demand on January 24, 2012

Indomina Releasing is adding another action-packed drama to its release titles, PUNISHED, produced by critically acclaimed Johnnie To and directed by Law Wing Cheong, starring Anthony Wong (Infernal Affairs, Exiled), Richie Jen (Life Without Principle, Fire of Conscience), Janice Man (Basic Love) and Maggie Cheung (Clean, Song of Exile).

Punished will street on January 24, 2012 via DVD, Digital and Movies on Demand.  Distributed by Vivendi Entertainment and Indomina Releasing, Punished will be priced to own at $19.97 SRP (DVD).

SYNOPSIS:

Punished centers around real estate tycoon Wong Ho-Chiu (Anthony Wong).  While sheltered in the luxurious trappings afforded by his wealth and power, he suffers an unbearable loss when his daughter Daisy (Janice Man) is kidnapped and killed: a victim of her decadent lifestyle and cocaine addiction.  Wong Ho-Chiu turns to his trusted bodyguard Chor (Richie Jen) to seek out the perpetrators and exact revenge. Chor does his employers bidding with an unflinching determination and scarcely contained rage thinly hidden beneath the surface.  Wong Ho-Chiu goes one step further and orders Chor to videotape each of their executions, an order to which he complies, revealing the depths of depravity to which he will sink to match hand with his former underworld brethren in his quest for revenge.

Once Chor tracks down the final perpetrator Wong Ho-Chiu decides to kill that person himself. When Wong Ho-Chiu learns about the perpetrator’s past, he has second thoughts…

CAST:
Anthony Wong: Wong Ho-Chiu
Richie Jen: Chor
Janice Man: Daisy
Maggie Cheung: Mrs. Wong

CREDITS:
Director: Law Wing Cheong
Producer: Johnnie To

RUNTIME:
94 minutes

LANGUAGE:
Cantonese with English Subtitles and English Dub

DVD BONUS MATERIAL:

– Two behind-the-scenes featurettes
– Photo Gallery
– International Trailer
– Exclusive QR Code for Additional Bonus Material

LINKS
Youtube trailer
Indomina’s Punished website
Amazon pre-order

Posted in News |