Log: week 37 / 2024
An American crime flick, only the Mafia has been replaced with Chinese Triads. There's also Micky Rourke, who looks suspiciously old and has no clue how to do justice to his characters (which isn't all that complex). There are a few decent action scenes though and the film at least deserves some props for having a few scenes in Cantonese. Apparently there was some controversy surrounding this film, so many years later it's difficult to tell what the upset was about exactly. The film overstays its welcome, the direction is rather bland and the performances are mediocre at best. If you really want to see the Triads in the US, watch Lau's Revenge of the Green Dragons instead.Read all
An early pre-Ringu Tsuruta film. Many of the signature elements of the less-is-more J-Horror wave are already present here. Then again, people who know their horror history and have seen some of the earliest Honto ni Atta Kowai compilations know this isn't all that surprising. A Haunted School is very basic, but the setup is rather fun and the pacing is decent too. There's also a little cameo of Kiyoshi Kurosawa, which is cute, but as someone who has had his fill of the J-Horror clichés, there isn't much here that got me excited. It's decent enough for horror completists, but it's hardly a standout.Read all
The answer to the question: can India rival epic Hollywood blockbusters? The answer is a resounding yes, though you are free to wonder whether it should. The only interesting bits here are the cultural elements, which are different from what you'll find in the average Hollywood blockbuster, but that's not enough for 150 minutes of film. The setup of the film is okay (though not too original), once it's padded with romance and action the film quickly slips into blandly familiar territory. I can't say I was very impressed with this, though the scale easily matches its Hollywood peers, so if you like those types of films, it's worth checking out.Read all
Escape from the 21st Century
My kind of film. Incredibly fast-paced, visually intense, a mad mix of genres, and no lack of original ideas. It's a film that feels fresh and exciting, a continuation of the promise that Lee's Adventure held more than a decade ago. As it turns out, this film is by the same director. I guess the man has a signature style. The uncompromising dedication to maximalism will no doubt be a hindrance to many, but it's what I crave, and Escape from the 21st Century delivers it in spades. One of my favorite films of 2024 so far.
A blunt comedy that spoofs action and crime cinema. The primary focus lies on the humor, which is why it gets away with a few dopey action sequences and some dumb crime clichés. But it's not all bad. Too Fat Too Furious has a layer of absurdity and a level of brutality that turned this into an amusing and easy watch. The performances aren't too great though and the plot is unfocused. The running gags aren't strong enough either, but the comedy is well over-the-top and there are laughs and giggles aplenty. I didn't expect a lot of this film, but it kept me entertained throughout and it as a few memorable moments. Avoid if subtlety is a requirement though.Read all
An interesting concept and a very willing cast set the stage for a haunting documentary. History is written by the victors (as one of the people in the doc states), but regardless, it's quite shocking to see people recount murders and stage them with an inappropriate amount of vigor and glee. It's just that the structure of the film felt a bit too leading, particularly the final scenes are quite convenient from an emotional perspective. Not that I doubt the integrity of the documentary makers, but editing is a powerful tool, and somehow I suspect the film was structured in this way to draw a stronger emotional response from the audience. A little unnecessary, as the topic was shocking enough already.Read all