Log: week 23 / 2025
I went in expecting this to be the "Wes Anderson too much", but it turned out better than expected. The twist is that this is probably one of Anderson's most comical and cartoonish films to date. Everything is way extra, it's all winks and nudges, part parody, part pastiche, part unadulterated cheese. The presentation is impeccable, the performances are fun and over-the-top, and the pacing is on point. It's a film that radiates joy and had me smiling from start to finish.
Three stories mixed together and minimal dialogue. Be with Me isn't Khoo's most accessible film, but I liked it a lot when I caught a screening back when it was first released. It's crazy to think films like this used to be shown in theaters here. Revisiting it now, the film does look a bit too bleak. The grey hues are harsh and unattractive and take away from the overall mood. The performances are strong, as are the thematic links between the different stories. The lack of dialogue is another boon, though a divisive one for sure. It's good that the film is relatively short and that each story introduces its dramatic twists quickly, so it's still a very worthy film. Just not a core favorite anymore.Read all
Power Rangers meets 80s USA horror. Yes, this film is overtly and willingly cheesy, I'd even say it is a comedy first, horror film second. There are some amusing scenes and the atmosphere is light and breezy, but the comedy isn't all that, and not everything works as well as it should. Mimi's character's a bit of a miss, so is Psycho Goreman. The other creatures are more fun, the battles are cute, and there are some gory moments. To be fair, it's an easy watch that is properly paced and doesn't overstay its welcome, but I'd take Dupieux's alternate version over this one every time. Amusing, but it doesn't quite hit the mark.Read all
The nightmare of just about every fan of movie classics. At least, if studios were to have a go at this approach on remakes. The tech itself would probably have them wetting their pants. The idea and setup are rather fun, but like many Black Mirror episodes, the film doesn't take it anywhere interesting. The performances are decent, and the classic look of the film is apt. The way the narration is steered is fun at first, but it gets repetitive quickly, and the narrative twists are rather lazy. It's just disappointing to see how the directors of these shorts do so very little with the freedom of the format.Read all
I got minor Léon vibes from Beyond Hypothermia, but it's very much a To-produced Hong Kong contract killer film. It's not the most original movie out there, but it's been a while since I've watched a film like this, and I was a little surprised to find a quality one from the 90s had managed to escape me for so long. Wu and Lau are excellent, the direction is on point, and there's very little fat to trim. It's a sleek and properly paced crime/action flick with fun characters, some good action scenes, and just enough drama in between to keep the film going. Prime Hong Kong genre filler, a lovely little find.Read all