Log: week 23 / 2025
Eastwood makes his version of 12 Angry Men. There's a twist at the end, so it's not a carbon copy, but it's so predictable that it hardly even matters. There are also a few more scenes outside of the court, which help offset the boredom a little, but it's not enough to turn this into a good film. The performances are decent, but the characters are almost comically banal. The pacing is iffy, the court scenes are dull, and the twist feels forced. I'm not sure whether Eastwood felt any urgency directing this film, or if he did it to battle boredom, but the result is completely and utterly forgettable.Read all
Vintage 70s crime flick. Not as famous as the more illustrious films of that era, but the tone and vibe are there (though I was a little surprised this was early rather than late 70s). I'm not a big fan of the era, nor the genre, so I was glad this turned out to be a shorter film, not one of the 2+ hour films that tend to be the norm. The performances aren't too bad, and the heists are somewhat decent. Pacing and runtime are proper too, but the presentation is dreary, and the film offers little beyond the usual crime clichés. Fans of 70s crime cinema won't mind, but I didn't find that much to like. That said, I've seen way worse.Read all
Don't ask me why, but this was the only entry I hadn't seen yet, even though it probably sports the most iconic scene of the entire series. And it must be said, the film didn't disappoint. That late 90s vibe is still very much present, which makes it a little cheaper than needed, but the death scenes are graphic and hilarious. Don't watch this one for the strong performances or the moody presentation, you'll be disappointed for sure. The fun lies in seeing the elaborate death sequences pan out. The kills are gruesome and over-the-top, the pacing is slick, and the film is pretty short. A film worthy of the series' reputation.Read all
A decent South Korean horror, though by now, films like these are a bit too pedestrian to be truly effective. The sequel is probably the most famous of the series (and is better known as Memento Mori). This first part isn't too different, though maybe somewhat calmer and more down-to-earth. The setup is rather slow, and the horror elements feel a little too familiar nowadays, but the performances and the presentation are solid, and the build-up of tension is proper. It's a pleasant film, one that doesn't disappoint, but lacks the punch to deliver the scares and frights it chases.Read all
A Billy Tang Cat III classic. The little introduction at the beginning felt a bit odd, not in the least considering how blunt and crude this film is, but let's consider that part of the place and time it was produced in. The first half of the film is a little tepid and underwhelming, but the final 30 minutes make up for it. The performances aren't that great, and this isn't the most polished Hong Kong film out there. The setup feels a little rushed, and the tone is uneven, but once the revenge part starts, the film picks up steam. There are some memorable and over-the-top moments that are well worth watching for fans of Cat III cinema, so sit back, power through the first half, and have a good time.Read all
Iguchi getting back into it post-COVID. The references to this era are a little superfluous, but that doesn't matter too much. The film is light and fluffy, and at no time does it force you to take anything seriously. It's just a bit of horror fun to promote what I assume is an actual idol group. The setup was fun, the presentation better than expected (Iguchi films can look very cheap), and the performances not too bad. The second half gets crazier, but it also doubles down on the musical elements, which didn't really do it for me. Short and fun, but the potential was there to do better.Read all
A rather spicy Thai film that masquerades as a romance but contains some darker and edgier themes. Thai cinema tends to be somewhat prudish, so it's a bit of a surprise that Jan Dara became a success. Or maybe that's exactly why people took notice when this was first released. The presentation is slick, and the yellow-tinted cinematography feels warm and inviting. The performances are solid, and the story contains some interesting twists, but some of the scenes did turn out to be a tad too heavy-handed and cheesy. It was still fun the second time around, just not quite up there with my all-time favorites.Read all
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