Bangkok Loco

Tawan Young Wan Yoo
2004 / 98m - Thailand
Comedy
3.5*/5.0*
Bangkok Loco poster

Let's get one thing straight: the title for this film is apt. There's a lot of random comedy, the colors pop, and the plot is all over the place. It's the type of film I like, unbridled in its creativity and maximalist in its execution. Only the execution felt a little rushed, which is why I was a tad disappointed the second time around.

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The cinematography in particular could've been better. Yes, it's colorful, yes, the costumes are crazy, yes, there's an agile camera, but the finish is lacking. Other than that, this is a thoroughly entertaining film, if you can handle the madness. Don't expect this to make too much sense, and you'll be fine.

Bikuu: The Movie

Gekijô-ban: Bikû
2015 / 78m - Japan
Fantasy, Action
3.0*/5.0*
Bikuu: The Movie poster

Not sure what precedes this film (manga, anime, or live-action series), but it's obvious from the start that this builds on earlier material. It's not a major problem; the context isn't overly complex (a good priest battling priests gone bad), but no doubt it's a bit more enjoyable if you're already familiar with the franchise.

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When Amemiya is involved, kooky fun is guaranteed. The biggest question that remains is how cheesy/low-budget it gets. Biku is one of his better films in that regard. There are some genuinely cool-looking scenes, and some nicely directed action sequences. That said, the CG is not good, and there's still a hefty amount of cheese to wade through. That said, I enjoyed myself.

Bang Bang You're Dead

2002 / 93m - USA
Drama, Thriller
3.5*/5.0*
Bang Bang You're Dead poster

Another nice take on the US's school shootings problem. This TV-born project isn't the most subtle or creative vision, but it does a good job hammering the core message down. There's also the strong performance of Ben Foster to look forward to, who does a great job as the tormented lead character.

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The 4:3 ratio is a bit of a downer, and the cinematography and score, while well-intentioned, feel somewhat chaotic. The ending, too, could've done with a little restructuring, but these are minor complaints. The film is pretty gripping, but it's just not the personal favorite it used to be.

Spawn

1997 / 96m - USA
Fantasy, Action
1.5*/5.0*
Spawn poster

Back when the US superhero genre wasn't an established blockbuster niche, this film tried to do things a little differently. I surely appreciate the bold and straightforward approach, but the result is often appalling. To a point where it actually becomes funny to watch, but good cinema this is not.

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The special effects are in a league of their own. I think most video games of that time looked better. The performances are just as bad, the bad guys are ridiculous, but this is such a car crash of a movie that it is quite entertaining to watch. It's funny to compare this to contemporary superhero flicks, but at least it wasn't as boring.

The Beasts

As Bestas
2022 / 137m - Spain
Thriller
3.0*/5.0*
The Beasts poster

A solid slow burn set in a small Spanish village. Tensions rise between villagers and two expats taking over one of the farms, triggering a spiral of distrust and harassment. The dry, deliberate, and stone-cold direction is perfect for this type of film, but the escalation is limited, and the pacing is a tad sluggish.

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Performances are good, the presentation is decent, but a little underwhelming. And the way the second half includes a police investigation is also very much by the numbers. I think the intentions were good, the right choices were made, but the execution was too safe to stand out from the crowd. Solid filler.

Deep Cover

2025 / 99m - UK
Crime, Comedy
3.0*/5.0*
Deep Cover poster

Cute, but somewhat forgettable. It's one of those films that builds everything around its premise. Now, the premise is fun, but not that exceptional, and it requires a bit of effort from the audience to keep being invested. It's a good thing that the film is relatively short and that it keeps the pace high.

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The performances are fun, the characters are quirky, and the initial setup is promising, but then it devolves into basic crime antics a little too quickly, and the film becomes somewhat one-note. It's still an amusing romp and decent filler if you like this kind of thing, I just wish they had leaned a bit more into the comedy.