Log: week 30 / 2025
Another dreary live-action remake of an animated classic. I believe this one did quite well in theaters, though I have no idea why. Stitch looks pretty dull in this version, and the live-action performances are simply dreadful. At times, it felt more like I was watching a TV series rather than an actual feature film. The premise is still the same, and after a heavily animated intro, the live-action segment takes over (so it's not as bad as the How to Train Your Dragon remake). Didn't care for the performances, the plot, the comedy nor the adventure. I think the original was way more fun, but as this made a lot of dough, I'm sure Disney will simply continue their money grab.Read all
A cute drama about a young girl who doesn't fit societal norms but charms her way into people's hearts regardless. Non is perfectly cast for the part, as she has a very similar vibe. The film is cute and endearing, but maybe a bit too long and just a little too safe to make a bigger impression. I think the presentation could've used a little extra polish, and the pacing had some hiccups during the middle part. Vegans should also take note that the love for fish here doesn't necessarily translate into animal-friendly behavior, I suppose. But if you want to watch a pleasant film about an outcast finding her place in society, you can't go wrong with this film.Read all
The big Da Peng show. Not just directing and writer credits for the man, but he also takes on the lead role. And sure enough, it's a pretty agreeable blockbuster film, but it's also relatively basic and by the numbers. A 2-hour-long adventure that is predictable in outcome and morality, China cranks these out at a comfortable pace nowadays. It was nice seeing Andy Lau in a villainous role, there are some fine action sequences, and the presentation is pretty lush, but two hours is a bit long for a film that holds no surprises. A little too sentimental in places, with some lessons that are too on the nose. But if you can ignore all that, there's still a lot of fun to be had.Read all
The Ex-idol Stuck in Life Decided to Live with a Complete Stranger
A film with a descriptive title that covers the plot rather well. Don't expect too much more from this one either. It's a relatively simple drama about a young but retired idol who struggles to get her life back on track after the buzz around her former persona dies out. Not a bad premise though. The performances are pleasant, the plot is decent, and the pacing is slow but deliberate. The presentation is by the numbers, but there are some sweet and heartfelt moments, and the film never struggled to hold my attention. A perfectly fine drama, but not distinctive enough to stand out from its peers.Read all
Junko Emoto's time to shine. Fans of Japanese cult cinema have seen her act before. This time, she takes on the roles of writer and director, adapting her novel for the big screen. The result is an interesting film, one that is a tad more brutal than I expected, but could've some extra polish to stand out. The film is quite frank (read: there's no lack of nudity) and not as female-friendly as you'd expect (the female lead isn't afraid to abuse her power). The performances are good, the presentation is decent (though nothing too spectacular), and the premise is fun, although the plot itself is a bit meandering. An interesting film.Read all
A nice Yimou Zhang, sporting a Japanese cast who are getting acquainted with Chinese customs. It's a nice setup, properly acted and directed, with a nice mix of personal drama and cultural heritage, but contrary to the first time I watched it, it felt like something was missing to make it truly exceptional. Of course, I have seen way more Japanese and Chinese films since that first watch. And while the cinematography is solid, it's not up to par with Zhang's unusually high standards. But it's still a very interesting, well-directed drama, with some beautiful vistas and warm, heartfelt moments.Read all
When the credits started rolling, I wondered what the point even was. I guess this film is fun when you like the 60s/70s USA vibe. The people, the mentality, the costumes. Other than that, you follow an insufferable man dealing with a bunch of terrible women, and then the film is over. I hated all the characters, didn't care for the drab presentation, got annoyed at the conversations, and never quite figured out why this needed to last almost 2 hours. This is the type of film that just doesn't do anything for me, despite the fact that it has a somewhat positive reputation. To each their own.Read all
This felt like watching two separate films clunkily glued together. Both films are better in their own right, the mix just didn't work that well for me. That's not to say Wall to Wall is bad. There are still some cool scenes, and the direction was pretty interesting, but it simply lacks proper focus. I think they could've cut the entire stock angle without hurting the film at all (and making it significantly shorter in the process). Other than that, performances and presentation were fine and the pacing was solid. It's an entertaining romp for sure, but it's just a bit random and unbalanced.Read all
Some Kaiju fun outside of the Godzilla franchise (though Orochi does look quite a bit like Gidorah). Rather than a nuclear lizard, we get classic Japanese folklore about the creation of the Earth, and some big ass monsters. It's pretty cheesy, but if you like the Kaiju stuff, it's also quite fun. Takao Okawara is a seasoned Kaiju director, and there are some fun cameos (you can spot a young Hiroshi Abe for one). The fantastical elements are fun, and the pacing is solid, but the effects are quite simple, and at times, things get a bit too childish. I enjoyed this quite a bit, even though it's hardly my favorite type of fantasy.Read all
For a while now, Andrew Lau has been tackling these Chinese success stories, and it's a little painful to watch. They're the Chinese equivalent of Hollywood schmaltz, films that are thinly veiled advertisements for a country and an attempt at exporting soft power (though it could just as well be intended for local audiences only). In some ways, it's an aptly made film. Lau has the chops to produce a proper feature, but it never feels true to life. Instead, you get an overly polished plot with a lot of forced positivity and cheesy drama. The performances are solid, and there are a few decent moments, but it doesn't come close to Lau's career highlights.Read all
A rough and unrelenting drama. It's harsh to see society give up on a young kid, but it's equally understandable that nobody wants to deal with a kid that lashes out and is an outright danger to the world around her. The film does a good job of highlighting this contradiction, but never goes beyond. Nothing but respect for the performances, it's the presentation that falls a little short, especially when it's clear that the director did make an effort. The cinematography and score lack the intended impact, which is a shame. The film's also a bit too long and quite repetitive, but it's a worthy drama for sure.Read all
The premise is basic, so don't go in expecting anything out of the ordinary from this horror film. But the execution is on point, which is what matters the most. There aren't too many overt scares, and it isn't all that gory, but the atmosphere is thick and layered, and the mood builds up nicely. The performances are decent enough, but there's not that much work for the actors. The lore, the setting, and the underlying drama aren't anything special, but the cinematography and score are proper, and the film doesn't overstay its welcome. It's not the most remarkable horror film, but I had good fun with it regardless.Read all
With Hong Kong cinema in decline, this film may gain importance in the coming years. It's a look back at Hong Kong cinema and several important societal changes that marked Hong Kong's history. And it does a decent job too, though I was a little disappointed by the mediocre presentation. It's nice seeing Anthony Wong in a more subdued role. The rest of the cast is pretty stacked too (with Karen Mok as another stand-out). The plot and pacing are solid, the runtime feels earned, and there are some memorable moments, but the cinematography wasn't up to par. A fine film, but more geared at people who care about the history of things.Read all
Shinji Araki's first feature film is mysterious, conceptual, and extremely well-executed. He has a strong and clear idea in his head, which he makes his own by taking on the roles of writer and director. The audience needs to do some of the work, though he gives them ample time to take everything in and complete the puzzle he prepared. The Town of Headcounts is a peculiar film, a unique mix of mystery and near-future sci-fi that is difficult to compare to anything else.
Show me a list of all Japanese films released in 2024, and this probably wouldn't be amongst the first 100 picks if I had to guess which film would be released in Belgium the next year. But here we are. It's a perfectly fine Japanese drama. I didn't mind watching this in a local theater, but I couldn't find anything here that makes it stand out from dozens of similar dramas released each year. The dramatic part comes first, which lays the groundwork for the flashback that comprises the second half of the film. It's a pleasant structure that helps to highlight many seemingly mundane moments, which end up carrying a great deal of meaning. The performances are solid, the presentation is decent, and the runtime is perfect. But you can watch Leave in Summer instead, it sports a very similar premise, and it's easily the better of the two. The only difference is that it didn't have a French production company pushing the film in Europe.Read all
An Indonesian horror film produced by Rocky Soraya, which should give you a good idea of what to expect. This isn't too original or creative, and not just because it's a sequel. It's a pretty basic haunted room story, but it contains some pretty gruesome sights, so horror fans do have something to look forward to. The cinematography is nice too, and the horror scenes are distributed nicely. No overly long intros or unnecessary build-ups, the film gets to the point quickly. But the predictable setup and setting do take away from the fun. I had a pretty decent time with it, but it's hardly the most memorable horror film out there.Read all
A live-action version of the infamous animation series, though live-action means little more than live actors. Other than that, it's one big CG fest that looks a bit more mature compared to its animated source. I didn't like the animated films, and this version added very (very) little to the franchise. The actors didn't even do a very good job (the kid actors specifically are annoying), the story is still as generic as ever, and the aesthetic wasn't very pleasing. I guess some of the action scenes weren't too bad, but this is by far one of the most useless and pointless adaptations I've ever seen.Read all