Addicted (2002) Review

Posted on July 4, 2011 by JJ Hatfield
"Addicted" Korean Theatrical Poster

"Addicted" Korean Theatrical Poster

AKA: Jungdok
Director: Park Young-hoon
Writer: Byun Won-mi
Producer: Lee Choon-Yeon
Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Lee Mi-yeon, Lee Ueol, Park Sun-young
Running Time: 114 min.

By JJ Hatfield

Life is good for the two brothers Ho-jin and Dae-jin. They are very close and good friends too. The two live together as they have no other family until Ho-jin marries. Their lives are peaceful and routine and that seems to suit them fine.

Ho-jin, the elder brother (Lee Eol) is an artist craftsman who works with wood and likes to make ordinary things become extraordinary. He is up and coming in his success and starts doing shows. The younger brother Dae-jin (Lee Byung-hun) likes being a carefree guy without responsibilities who loves to race cars. Ho-jin doesn’t like him racing because it is dangerous but he knows how much Dae-jin loves the life and he can’t talk him out of it.

In different locations but virtuality the same time both brothers are involved in serious car accidents. Both are near death with severe injuries. Rushed to the same hospital Ho-jin and Dae-jin are in coma and the prognosis is not good. Eun-soo does her best to care for them and check in on them at the hospital but as time passes so do her hopes of either of them recovering. There are times Eun-soo doesn’t say anything using body language instead to show how much she has suffered and is still suffering. Ho-jin was such a thoughtful husband, always cooking and giving her surprises. He built many things in their home and his garden. He was so much a part of her life, sending her love notes, so many little things he did for her. How could she live without him?

Hard at work one day Eun-soo receives a phone call that leaves her stunned. Dae-jin has awakened from the coma. As would be expected he is physically very weak and terribly confused. It has been nearly a year since the crash. Eun-soo is of course pleased Dae-jin is alive but no doubt some times she looks at him and for a moment she wishes it was Ho-jin. Of course she never would say anything to Dae-jin. He couldn’t help who got better and who didn’t.Somewhere along the way a note of uneasiness has moved into the story unnoticed.

After some time Dae-jin is told he is well enough to return home. Eun-soo does her best to accept the situation. Her husband gone and now she has his ill brother to care for too. Dae-jin’s recovery is rather miraculous but he has begun to take on habits and mannerisms of Ho-jin. Not as he used to be – he has even given up racing. Even more startling is Dae-jin says he is Ho-jin! This new revelation is tearing Eun-soo apart. One night she invites an old female friend and part of Dea-jin’s racing team to dinner. He does not seem to understand why she thinks he is Dae-jin. He cooks them dinner and both women are so stunned they can barely eat.

Eun-soo repeatedly consults doctors and researches people with similar injuries and even follows through with investigating a soul inhabiting the body of someone else. The poor woman has been through so much, and now the doctor says this? Well not exactly. But there are at least documented cases where a person believed they were another person. And as the doctor stated it is not something that can be tested for.

Dae jin moves, talks, walks like Ho- Jin. What he likes, dislikes. Eun-soo does not believe he is Ho-jin. But everything that happens point to just that. That creepy feeling grows even though nothing is happening. But what if something is about to happen? What will Dae-jin do as Ho-jin? It is a complete unknown, this mix of brothers. That unknown is what makes this movie grab and keep your attention. Ye-jin, Dae-jin’s old female buddy doesn’t believe Dae-jin has Ho-jins spirit. She tries to discover the truth by spending more time with him but she ends up uncertain.

In the meantime Dai-jin and Eun-soo spend more time together and Eun-soo finds herself more accepting of Dae-jin as Ho-jin. It isn’t rational. it’s not logical yet there are things he knows or acts he does that only Ho-jin could possibly know about. Little things only a lover would know.

Lee Byung-hun does a terrific job of being mysterious. When was the last time you saw a good movie with a character that pulled off “mysterious”? The viewer is not certain of his character but it’s played as slightly dangerous and the next scene is not a given. This role could not have been an easy one for him but he manages to pull off the transition from Dae-jin to Ho-jin masterfully.

Lee Eol as Ho-Jin puts in a wonderful performance. Though he is not on screen for the vast majority of the film, he uses what time he has to create the complete persona. If his acting was not strong enough there would really be no movie. It was imperative that he establish Ho-jin and all his mannerisms, likes, dislikes, even the way he moves or works with his furniture. His relationship with Eun-soo is all important.

Mi-yeon Lee as Eun-soo gives a truly award winning performance. Her being given the prestigious Grand Bell Awards, for Best Actress only makes it official the fine work she does in “Addicted”. She is believable as a person would be caught up in such a bizarre situation! So many twists and turns and a couple of heart stopping shocks. You feel them too. The film would fall apart with an actress of lesser skill.

This is an excellent film. It has a lot of mystery right to the end and leaves you with plenty to think about. Then later you will find yourself thinking about “Addicted” again, realizing you had to watch it again. It is perhaps too slow in development for some however they are missing part of the important stuff, such as dialog. Yes exposition is required. There are no bloody, gore filled, martial arts, guns, explosives and such. The action is supplied by the terrific performances of Lee Byung-hun and Lee Mi-yeon and Lee Eol.

Highly Recommended.

Grand Bell Awards 2003
Won Grand Bell Award: Best Actress Lee Mi-yeon

“Addicted” is a fine mystery drama.

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 9/10

Posted in Korean, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Coweb | aka Combat Web (2009) Review

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Z Ravas
"Coweb" Chinese Theatrical Poster

“Coweb” Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Zhang Wu Shuang
Director: Hung Yan Yan
Cast: Jiang Lu Xia, Sam Lee, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Kane Kosugi, Mike Moeller, Edison Chen
Running Time: 87 min.

By HKFanatic

Going at least as far back as Cheng Pei-pei in 1966′s “Come Drink With Me,” the martial arts genre has a long history of powerful women who can kick just as much ass as their male co-stars. Part of the appeal of these films is watching a diminutive or unassuming-looking gal who is assailed by dozens of opponents, only to overpower them all with a with a flurry of martial arts moves.

However, there’s been something of a void in the action world for a tough-as-nails female star ever since Michelle Yeoh stopped riding motorcycles onto moving trains. That’s partially why the 2008 Thai action flick “Chocolate” and its pint-sized JeeJa Yanin made such a big splash.

Released a year later in 2009, “Coweb” feels very much like Hong Kong’s answer to “Chocolate.” It debuts a new female action star of its own: Jiang Luxia, who is similarly young, petite, and does most of her own stunts. As a national Wushu champ, Luxia is the real deal. She also made a name for herself via YouTube videos, was featured on Jackie Chan’s reality TV show in Hong Kong, and teaches female self-defense classes.

Luxia is cute, she can fight, and she isn’t afraid to be kicked out a window. What more could any action movie fan ask of a starlet? As such, I really wanted to like this movie. Unfortunately, “Coweb” disappoints on almost every critical levels.

There are numerous fight scenes from start to finish, but the choreography and stunts just aren’t hard-hitting compared to what we’ve seen come out of Thailand. An over-reliance on wirework and slow-motion detracts from some of the fights, which most people will probably say go on for too long anyway. It doesn’t help that the best fight might actually be the very first one: a protracted battle that sees Luxia fighting an enraged gweilo through a restaurant kitchen to the point where she’s whacking him with frying pans and tossing chili peppers.

“Coweb” was obviously a low-budget affair. Every scene in this movie that isn’t about fighting simply depicts Luxia sitting somewhere and talking, or walking somewhere and talking, with her co-star Sam Lee (remember him?). A good chunk of the story is revealed through text messages and web surfing, which is not visually interesting at all and another surefire sign that the “Coweb” filmmakers were strapped for cash.

At least the movie builds to a decent conclusion: a lengthy fight between Luxia Jang and Kane Kosugi. Diehard martial arts fans, or people who just like 80’s B-movies, might recognize the name Kane Kosugi from back in the day. When he was just a little kid, he was starring in his dad’s ninja exploitation flicks like “Revenge of the Ninja” and “Pray For Death.” Now he’s all grown up and a talented performer in his own right.

So “Coweb” is not a great movie; to be honest, I’m not sure it was meant to be. At most it’s a demo reel for Luxia to display what she’s capable of as martial artist and stuntwoman. In that regard, the film is a success since I can’t wait to see what she does next.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 6.5/10

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Sad Cafe, The (2011) Review

Posted on July 4, 2011 by JJ Bona
"The Sad Cafe" Theatrical Poster

“The Sad Cafe” Theatrical Poster

Director: Bennie Woodell
Writer: Bennie Woodell
Cast: Bradley Fowler, Katie Lanigan, John LaFlamboy, Matt Ukena, Walt Sloan, Liz Davis, George Gibson
Running Time: 137 min.

By Mighty Peking Man

A killer-for-hire named Jack (Bradley Fowler) often visits a coffee house called “Cafe Olympic,” which is the only setting he’s able to relax and find peace while reflecting on his violent lifestyle. It’s also the place where he shares a mutual attraction with the cafe’s waitress, Rose (Katie Lanigan). Despite minimal communication between the two, a meaningful relationship slowly develops.

However, Jack realizes that his dark occupation isn’t compatible with his new found love. Matters get worse when his boss (Walt Sloan) sends him on a mission that makes Jack’s life a living hell.

There’s something in “The Sad Cafe” for everyone: Romance, love, drama, gangsters, twists, action (very well staged), gore and a catchy narration. Essentially, this is “Chungking Express” meets “Fallen Angels” meets “The Killer”.

Director/writer Bennie Woodell doesn’t hide the fact that “The Sad Cafe” is heavily influenced by Wong Kar Wai, a Hong Kong director who, himself, was influenced by the French New Wave films of Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut. In addition, Bennie’s love for Asian action cinema, as well some Martin Scorsese, are also evident.

It’s hard for me to watch “The Sad Cafe” and not think of it as a pretentious flick loaded with every cliche I’ve already seen by the films and filmmakers mentioned above. At the same time, there’s something about “The Sad Cafe” that sucks you in, which has to be a tough job for a low budget filmmaker to fulfill, especially when the typical audience would rather be be watching a studio movie with known talent.

Bennie Woodell may not have talent like Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Faye Wong or Chow Yun-Fat to work with; nor does he have access to a budget that equals a week’s catering bill for Wong Kar Wai’s last movie; what he does have is the ability to entertain you with a project that may not have an ounce of originality, but grabs you and keeps you seated because it’s paced just right. Most major studio titles playing in theaters have a hard time accomplishing this.

The cinematography and use of lighting are beautiful. The soundtrack, mostly reminiscent of the elegant music in “In The Mood For Love,” aids in the story-telling and adds to the atmosphere.

My biggest gripe in “The Sad Cafe”: One minute it’s classy and stylish, the next minute you’re thrown off by its extreme brutality. Don’t get me wrong, I live for violence in films. I don’t mean to come across like some great cinema aficionado, but if I’m watching an art house flick, the last thing I’m expecting is a bloody torture scene full of grunting and yelling. Deep stuff, no doubt, but the tone felt of place.

Also, I don’t need to see guys wearing Yin Yang necklaces while flipping around their balisong knives for more than 2 seconds; if this was an 1980’s action movie starring Michael Dudikoff, then I would understand.

The bottom line: “The Sad Cafe” is an engaging film full of passion and dedication, but noticeably low on originality.

“The Sad Cafe” will soon be hitting DVD and Netflix. When it does, give it a shot, because you might be pleasantly surprised. Until then, check out the trailer.

Mighty Peking Man’s Rating: 7/10

Posted in Asian Related, Reviews |

Magic Blade, The (1976) Review

Posted on July 4, 2011 by JJ Bona
"The Magic Blade" Chinese Theatrical Poster

"The Magic Blade" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chor Yuen
Producer: Runme Shaw
Cast: Ti Lung, Lo Lieh, Guk Fung, Tang Ching, Cheng Lee, Lily Li Li-Li, Fan Mei Sheng, Chan Shen, Cheng Miu, Goo Goon Chung, Ha Ping, Lau Wai Ling, Norman Chu, Yuen Wah, Tim Lei, Wong Pau Gei, Alan Chui Chung San, Yuen Shun-Yi, Kong Yeung, Ng Hong Sang
Running Time: 93 min.

By Joe909

Magic Blade hits the ground running and doesn’t let up for its first hour. From the opening challenge between Ti Lung and Lo Lieh, to the mortal combat between the duo and a legion of weird killers, to the swordfight-filled conclusion, this movie is action-packed to say the least. But around the one hour mark it lands in sappytown, and then struggles to righten itself.

Magic Blade is the beginning of a loose trilogy of films directed by Chor Yuen. Ti Lung’s Magic Blade character makes a brief appearance in Death Duel, a 1977 film that features Derek Yee as a master swordsman looking to become the greatest in the land. Death Duel also contains a brief appearance by Lo Lieh, as twisted killer Hang Tan, a role Lo first portrayed in 1976’s Killer Clans, which featured neither Ti Lung nor Derek Yee. So there’s your trilogy. Like I said, loose.

This is a swordplay film, so there isn’t much kung-fu acrobatics. Instead, there’s lots of flying around and other supernatural feats. But all of it’s done in an old school style, so there’s none of the fast-cut editing that distinguishes much of the gunk which makes up more recent swordplay films. The movie takes place squarely in the “martial world,” where fighters battle for prestige, not revenge or any other universal motive. Instead, everyone wants to be Number One, and will do whatever it takes to reach that goal. This is also one of those movies where everyone knows each other, either through reputation or legend; and just so we’re not left out of the party, every time someone new comes into the story, they’re accompanied by an on-screen credit. It does get annoying after a bit.

In fact, the multitude of characters is one of this film’s impediments. The first hour is a torrential flood of character after character who shows up long enough to challenge Ti Lung and Lo Lieh, and then get killed by one of them. Luckily these guys mostly don’t stick around very long; otherwise you’d need to keep a character list to keep track. Enemies who team up to discover who’s attempting to have them killed and capture the dreaded Peacock Dart, Lung and Lieh are Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef respectively, and this movie is more Sergio Leone-influenced than any other Hong Kong movie I’ve seen. From the music to the shot angles to Lung’s twirling, tricked-out sword, the movie is a true Eastern Western.

The characters up against this pair are all “straight out of a comic book,” to quote Jim Kelly. In this aspect the movie reminds me of another Shaw Brothers production, Avenging Eagle, which also featured crazily-named villains who used even crazier styles and weapons. The Devil Grandma is probably the best representative of the villains in Magic Blade: a decrepit old witch who pushes around a cart that contains everything from dying captives to deadly swordsmen.

As mentioned, things get sappy around the hour mark. Lung and Lieh split up, and Lung runs into a starving woman who prostitutes herself for food. This sequence is so unnecessary it isn’t even funny, and really halts the flow of the movie. Things get back on track once Lung hooks up with Cheng Lee, who plays the daughter of the Peacock Dart’s owner. Cheng gets captured, and Lung must free her, battling several new (and old) foes.

The movie takes an interesting turn into the metaphysical toward the end, as Lung, victorious, is informed that the mysterious pursuer of the Peacock Dart, Yu, the man he has been hounded by throughout the movie, doesn’t exist. Instead, whoever rules the martial world becomes Yu. This is an interesting, Eastern twinge to the film, but then it’s ruined when the real Yu comes charging out and attacks Lung. The fight between he and Lung is great, and Lung dispatches the guy with a neat twist, but I would have preferred the more philosophical conclusion that was hinted at.

But what it all comes down to is the fighting. I’m happy to say that, even though I don’t love the swordplay genre, I thought the action scenes in this movie were very well done. Since Ti Lung is our main character, he does a lot more fancy footwork than actors like David Chiang or Wang Yu ever could. His opponents also come off very good, so the fights in this film are more protracted than other swordplay movies of the era, which generally were over in a few unsatisfying seconds. Since all of the characters are veritable martial gods, expect lots of inhuman feats, but they’re all pulled off impressively, and believably within the context of the film. The gore factor isn’t nearly as high as in a Chang Cheh movie, but blood does erupt from the occasional sword slash.

Since this is a Chor Yuen film, the sets are meticulously constructed and look fabulous. Costumes are also impressive across the board, with Ti Lung really sporting a Spaghetti Western look in his poncho. Lung is as usual excellent, though his character is a bit too superheroic for me. Lo Lieh is as evil as always, and Cheng Lee, though she doesn’t get as meaty a role as in Yuen’s Web of Death, is fine in a part that doesn’t ask for much but to look scared.

Joe909’s Rating: 8.5/10

Posted in Chinese, Reviews, Shaw Brothers | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Sector 7 Trailer: Korean Monster in 3D

Posted on July 3, 2011 by JJ Bona
"Sector 7" Teaser Poster

"Sector 7" Teaser Poster

Yoon Je-Gyun (director of “Haeundae” aka Tidal Wave/Tsunami) is back with another special effects extravaganza. This time, the plot involves an oil prospecting ship crew and their fight against a deadly monster -in 3D! “Sector 7,” which opens Summer 2011, was apparently pre-sold to four countries before its release, so expect a North American DVD/Blu-release soon. The film’s cast includes: Ha Ji-won (Haeundae), Ahn Seong-gi (Nowhere To Hide) and Oh Ji-ho (The Slave Hunters).

Judging from the trailer, it looks like a cross between “Aliens” and every copycat/knock off that followed. Check it out here.

Update: Second trailer is now available. – Thanks to One Armed Boxer

Posted in News |

Trailer: The Beast

Posted on July 2, 2011 by JJ Bona
"The Beast" Korean Theatrical Poster

"The Beast" Korean Theatrical Poster

Have you ever wondered what a guy would do if the grandmother that he lives with suddenly dies, then finds out that his sister has been kidnapped, and on top of all that learns that the kidnappers plan to make a pornographic movie with said sister, and post in on the internet by 10:00pm the next day? Check out the trailer here. – Thanks to One Armed Boxer

Directed by Hwang Yu-Sik and starring Jung Suk-Won (“White Christmas”), Jeon Se-Hong (“The Scary Girl”), Yoon Bong-Kil (“Are You Crazy”) and Lee Eung-Jae (“Beetles”).

Posted in News |

Chuck Norris DVD Set: Delta Force, Delta Force 2, Missing in Action, Missing in Action 2, Missing in Action 3 (Image)

Posted on July 2, 2011 by JJ Bona
Chuck Norris DVD Set: Delta Force, Delta Force 2, Missing in Action, Missing in Action 2, Missing in Action 3 (Image)

Chuck Norris DVD Set: Delta Force, Delta Force 2, Missing in Action, Missing in Action 2, Missing in Action 3 (Image)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011

This new 5-feature DVD set includes: Delta Force 1 and 2, and Missing in Action 1, 2 and 3. The original Delta Force is very underrated and features a fine performance by Robert Forster!

Trailers: Delta Force | Delta Force 2 | Missing in Action | Missing in Action 2 | Missing in Action 3

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

Charles Bronson DVD Set: The Mechanic, Messenger of Death, Assassination (Image)

Posted on July 2, 2011 by JJ Bona
Charles Bronson DVD Set: The Mechanic, Messenger of Death, Assassination (Image)

Charles Bronson DVD Set: The Mechanic, Messenger of Death, Assassination (Image)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011

This 3 feature set includes The Mechanic, Messenger of Death and Assassination. Assassination was directed by Peter H. Hunt, the director of the cult favorite James Bond movie, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Trailers: The Mechanic | Messenger of Death | Assassination

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

Charles Bronson DVD Set: 10 to Midnight, The Mechanic, Death Wish 2, Death Wish 3, Death Wish 4 (Image)

Posted on July 2, 2011 by JJ Bona
Charles Bronson DVD Set: 10 to Midnight, The Mechanic, Death Wish 2, Death Wish 3, Death Wish 4 (Image)

Charles Bronson DVD Set: 10 to Midnight, The Mechanic, Death Wish 2, Death Wish 3, Death Wish 4 (Image)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011

This 5 feature set includes: 10 to Midnight, The Mechanic, Death Wish 2, Death Wish 3 and Death Wish 4. There’s nothing like seeing Charles Bronson – sporting a Members’ Only Jacket – killing the bad guys to synth music!

Trailers: 10 to Midnight | The Mechanic | Death Wish 2 | Death Wish 3 | Death Wish 4

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

Double Feature: The Delta Force/The Delta Force 2 DVD (Image)

Posted on July 2, 2011 by JJ Bona
The Delta Force/The Delta Force 2 DVD Set (Image)

The Delta Force/The Delta Force 2 DVD Set (Image)

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2011

The Delta Force: An elite team of commandos led by Major Macoy (Chuck Norris) are called to eliminate Lebanese hijackers and rescue the hostages; and Delta Force 2: When DEA agents are taken captive by a ruthless South American kingpin, the Delta Force is reunited to rescue them.

Trailers: Delta Force | Delta Force 2

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

New York Asian Film Festival 2011: You wanna be a part of it?

Posted on July 2, 2011 by JJ Bona
New York Asian Film Festival 2011

New York Asian Film Festival 2011

At Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater (July 1 – 14) and Japan Society (July 7 – 10).

The New York Asian Film Festival is ten years old! So this year’s festival is a no-holds-barred anniversary celebration of Asian pop cultural masterpieces, erupting out of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Japan Society like two raging volcanoes of molten fun.

In 2001, the NYAFF held the first major retrospective of Hong Kong’s greatest director, Tsui Hark, and so it’s with great pride that we bring Tsui Hark himself to the festival ten years later to headline our special focus, “Wu Xia: Hong Kong’s Flying Swordsmen.” Presented with the support of the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office New York, we’ll be screening new and old classics of the wu xia genre. Wu xia movies are swordplay films with a touch of fantasy and they’re all visual marvels, teeming with flying swordsmen, magical blades and glowering female steel-slingers. Our line-up includes Tsui Hark’s mega-hit, DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME, and several retrospective titles like Tsui’s astonishing, feral masterpiece, THE BLADE.

Na Hong-Jin's "The Yellow Sea"

Na Hong-Jin's "The Yellow Sea"

From Korea comes “Sea of Revenge: New Korean Thrillers,” presented in association with the Korean Cultural Service New York. The series will feature the new school of hardcore action movies that have been setting the Korean box office, and Cannes, on fire. Special guest, director Ryoo Seung-wan (CITY OF VIOLENCE), will be here to present his film, THE UNJUST, a sprawling corruption saga. and also screening will be THE YELLOW SEA from director Na Hong-Jin whose previous thriller, THE CHASER, was Korea’s word-of-mouth box office smash of 2008. THE YELLOW SEA will be screening at the NYAFF fresh from its Cannes screening as part of Un Certain Regard

From Japan, there’s Takahisa Zeze’s HEAVEN’S STORY. Zeze is known as one of Japan’s “Kings of Pink,” and he’s one of the most famous directors of pink films, Japan’s unique softcore porn genre that gave directors like Kiyoshi Kurosawa (TOKYO SONATA) their start. But HEAVEN’S STORY is no skin flick. Instead it’s a four-and-a-half-hour epic that follows the grief, pain and redemption that spill out over the decades from two random acts of violence. Tak Sakaguchi, Japan’s number one stuntman/actor/director and all-around two-fisted renaissance man will be here in person with his new film, YAKUZA WEAPON, and we’ll also be screening Noboru Iguchi’s biggest-budgeted movie to date, KARATE-ROBO ZABORGAR, a tongue-in-cheek feature film based on a popular 70’s series about a robot that can turn into a motorcycleŠand it knows karate!

Edward Murphy's "Raw Force"

Edward Murphy's "Raw Force"

Exploitation cinema from the Philippines will get its due with a screening of the festival fave documentary MACHETE MAIDENS UNLEASHED, which will be paired with the jaw-dropping 1980’s Filipino exploitation mind-blower, RAW FORCE.

There’ll be a special focus on Taiwan’s great genre director, writer and producer, Su Chao-pin, presented with the support of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York. We’ll be screening his new movie, the wu xia blockbuster, REIGN OF ASSASSINS, starring Michelle Yeoh and Korean star Jung Woo-Sung, and co-directed by John Woo. We’ll also be screening some of Su’s classic films like BETTER THAN SEX an adrenaline-propelled comedy about first love, hand amputations and porn.

From movies about punk rock Buddhist monks (Yuji Sadai’s ABRAXAS) to bone-breaking, stuntman-destroying Thai action extravaganzas (Panna Rittikrai’s BANGKOK KNOCKOUT), to brain-frying Japanese whatzits (Yoshimasa shibashi’s MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY), this tenth anniversary edition of the New York Asian Film Festival has enough marvels to turn your mind into a blazing inferno of fun.

Update: The full line-up!

Update 2: Festival Trailer (Great clips in here!)

Posted in News |

Tiger Blade, The (2005) Review

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Z Ravas
"The Tiger Blade" International Theatrical Poster

"The Tiger Blade" International Theatrical Poster

Director: Theeratorn Siriphunvaraporn
Producer: Jirun Ratthanaviriyachai
Cast: Atsadawut Luengsuntorn, Phimonrat Phisarayabud, Pongpat Wachirabunjong, Srungsuda Lawanprasert, Amornrit Sriphung, Chalad Na Songkhla, Annan Bunnak
Running Time: 91 min.

By HKFanatic

Some guys have all the luck. At least that’s how I felt after watching this Thai action movie. I mean, not only does our hero carry the bad-ass codename of “Tiger Blade” but he’s a secret agent who answers to no one, has a way with women, and is a crack shot who can hit a motorcyclist from several yards away. Yup, Tiger Blade is the pretty boy hero who saves the world without fussing his perfectly gelled hair; also known as the kind of poser a lot of action fans can’t stand.

It’s clear from this film’s premise and ending that the producers were hoping to launch Tiger Blade into his own James Bond-style franchise. But here we are six years later and I haven’t heard a peep about a “Tiger Blade 2.” It’s probably because this movie is something of a mess; I doubt I would have understood the story any less if I’d turned the subtitles off.

The plot, so far as I can tell, deals with Tiger Blade trying to round up a dangerous group of thugs, one of whom has tattoos on his body that make him bullet-proof (I’m not making this up). This same band of baddies breaks a rebel leader out of prison, forming an uneasy alliance in order to do…something. It’s not clear what their motive is until the very end of the movie and I won’t spoil it here. Suffice to say, our hero chases them all around Thailand in various action set-pieces as he tries to unravel the murky plot himself.

“Tiger Blade” suffers from that same shoddy editing style you see in many Thai films where scenes seem to transition from one scene to the next without rhyme or reason. I’m not knocking the Thai movie industry because I do love their work but it’s clearly a business that’s still trying to work the technical kinks out. They know how to make a glossy-looking picture that appeals to Western markets; however, the actual mechanics of telling a coherent story sometimes eludes their action filmmakers.

That’s not to say “Tiger Blade” is without its moments. The film’s saving grace is probably its sense of humor, which is in full effect most of the time. During the opening scene, Tiger Blade fends off a group of shotgun-toting attackers wearing nothing but a bath towel (something I thought only Jackie could do!). Later on, he returns to his apartment to find a harem of Thai ladies in lingerie ready to cook him a spicy meal – until his sister shows up to spoil the fun. Add in a clever joke about J-horror and some outrageous stunts and you have a flick that had me laughing more often than not.

The action scenes are plentiful and over-the-top but the fight choreography is way more staged and transparent than in “Ong Bak.” An over-abundance of slow motion must be meant to hide the fact that the cast isn’t really trained in martial arts. There are a few stand-out scenes: I found out what happens when you trap a grenade in someone’s motorcycle helmet and the ending features a bravado highway chase on go-karts(!!). Somehow I feel my life is better now that I’ve seen a Thai stuntman drive a go-kart under a moving semi-truck.

“The Tiger Blade” is worth a rental if, like me, you’re on a mission to watch every single Thai action movie that has been released in the West. Anyone else probably won’t lose sleep if they never find out whether or not this super, super secret agent with a faux-hawk haircut saves Thailand.

HKFanatic’s Rating: 5.5/10

Posted in Reviews, Thai | Tagged |

Final Exam DVD (Scorpion)

Posted on July 1, 2011 by JJ Bona
Final Exam DVD (Scorpion)

Final Exam DVD (Scorpion)

At Lanier College, the semester is almost over. Exam week is coming to a close when some upper classmen play a prank by staging a phony terrorist attack. But the next excitement in the school won’t be a prank. It’s something a lot more fitnal than an exam. Students are falling prey to the knife-wielding maniac hell bent on making sure that school is out… forever! Now watch the slasher classic in an all new HiDef master from the original camera negatives! FINAL EXAM is back, with a vengeance! Hosted by former WWE Diva Katarina Leigh Waters (aka Katie Lea Burchill). Check out the trailer here.

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

Devil Within Her aka I Don’t Want to be Born DVD (Scorpion)

Posted on July 1, 2011 by JJ Bona
Devil Within Her aka I Don't Want to be Born DVD (Scorpion)

Devil Within Her aka I Don't Want to be Born DVD (Scorpion)

RELEASE DATE: September 20, 2011

Hollywood legend JOAN COLLINS teams up with cult stars DONALD PLEASENCE and CAROLINE MUNRO in this 1976 terrifying tale of a demonic baby! Lucy (Joan Collins) is a former dancer, having moved up in the world via marriage to the wealthy Gino Carlesi, and now comfortably settled down. Lucy is expecting and when the time comes, she goes to the hospital to give birth to the baby. The new-born infant is no ordinary baby, either, as it slashes Lucy upon leaving the womb. Hosted by former WWE diva Katie Lea Burchill / Katarina Leigh Waters. Check out the trailer here.

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

Halloween II: 30th Anniversary Edition aka Halloween 2 Blu-ray (Universal)

Posted on July 1, 2011 by JJ Bona
Halloween II: 30th Anniversary Edition aka Halloween 2 Blu-ray (Universal)

Halloween II: 30th Anniversary Edition aka Halloween 2 Blu-ray (Universal)

RELEASE DATE: September 13, 2011

Literally starting right off from the original classic “Halloween”, Dr. Loomis and Sheriff Brackett are again searching the dark streets for Micheal Myers but meanwhile Laurie Strode is taken to the Haddenfield Hospital where she is still not safe. Totally underrated in my opinion. This is the 1981 film, which is not to be confused with Rob Zombie’s sequel. Check out the trailer here.

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