Log: week 34 / 2025
It's been a while since I last watched an Isao Yukisada film. This classic crime story is a bit more traditional than I'm used to seeing from him, but Yukisada's talent shines through. And although the film has some minor issues, it's a pretty stylish affair that kept me engaged from start to finish. Kudos to Ayase, who delivers one of her best performances. Furukawa also stands out, even though her role is small. The presentation is stylish and precise, the pacing is varied, and despite a relatively generic setup, the story is interesting enough to warrant the longer runtime. It's the classic setting that doesn't quite do it for me, but other than that, this was a worthy addition to Yukisada's impressive oeuvre.Read all
A fun biopic. Structurally, it's not that different from others in the genre, but the fact that Williams is portrayed as a monkey throughout really adds to the appeal. It's a simple trick, but it's an interesting representation of how pop stars are seen and treated, and it makes it a lot more fun to watch. The rest is a pretty predictable story of a young boy who doesn't really fit in, becomes a big star, and struggles with his fame. There's the good and the bad and the trouble at home. The performances are nice and the presentation is proper, but unless you're a big fan of Williams, it's not really all that special. Still, better than many of its peers.Read all
Time to put this franchise in the fridge for a while. This oldskool action film is pretty terrible. It's not just a relic from the past, it's a little too happy to refer to earlier parts in the series. The film is littered with pointless flashbacks, which didn't help the runtime. Sadly, the new material is no improvement. The AI is hilariously dumb, Cruise looks ridiculous, and the film is way too serious for the amount of nonsense present. It feels like watching a Fast & Furious film for boomers. There are two decent action scenes, which isn't enough for 160 minutes of action cinema. I'm glad we're done with this for a while, if we can trust Hollywood that is.Read all
Not a standard Western, this is more of an adventure film set in a Western setting. That helps things along just a little, but it's not enough to make a substantial difference. The intro alone (boasting about these great men "conquering the wild lands") leaves an iffy aftertaste, and it remains throughout. I didn't care much for the performances, the black-and-white cinematography doesn't do the setting justice, and 140 minutes was way too long for this one. Of course, fans of Westerns and 50s USA cinema may find more to like here, as I'm not a big fan to begin with. Like most of Hawks' films, though, time hasn't been kind to it.Read all
A sweet, short, and fun indie film. The lead character is the biggest attraction here, because the film itself looks like something that could've been shot in the late '90s. It has that early Hideaki Anno vibe. It's a little poppy, somewhat rough around the edges, but charming and relevant. The film's only an hour long, but that's enough for this little quest. The presentation is basic, but the performances are fine, the characters are fun, and there are some quirky scenes that result in some larger-than-life moments. Fans of Japanese dramas will surely appreciate this one, others probably shouldn't bother.Read all
A decent Thai horror film that is doused in local folklore. It was a well-known film back in the day, but for some reason, I never got around to watching it. Seeing this film 25 years later, it's normal that some of the novelty value has dissipated, but it's still a proper horror for fans of Asian horror cinema. Ghosts, local religions, and a little personal drama are the ingredients for this film. The setting is nice, the presentation is solid, and the pacing is good. The film is never all that scary, though, and things could've been a little tenser. Not a bad film, but I'm pretty sure I would've liked it better if I'd seen it back in the day.Read all
I think few people suspected this film to be a critical success, but lo and behold. The reasons for that are twofold. Liam Neeson is a terrific cast (not an obvious choice, but those who watched his little cameo in Extra knew he was capable enough), and Akiva Schaffer's direction. A man who isn't afraid to go all-in on the comedy. There are references to the original, to the films the original parodied, and references to popular media from the past three decades. Everything's a gag, a pun, a joke. There aren't excursions to other genres, unless it's for comedic purposes. And despite some obvious misses and tired jokes here and there, there's way more material that hits the mark. It seems that comedies are making a hesitant return, and it's about time, too. Lots of fun!Read all
It's been a while since I last watched a Yuen Chor film. This one isn't too different from his usual fare, but it was fun getting to see some Shaw Bros action again. It's a shame that this is only half the film (there's a second part that was released the same year), so I guess I'll have to see that one out too. The middle part is a bit too talkative, and I prefer Chor's more fantastical work, but these are just minor annoyances. The action scenes are fun, the sets are atmospheric, and there's plenty of fighting going on, especially in the latter half of the film. Not the greatest Shaw Bros production, but good fun for those who like this kind of thing.Read all
Going by the title and poster, I was expecting a drag/trans story, but apparently, the picture is just a little off, and the film is about the actual pride of a woman keeping her from reaching her true potential. I guess this was more of an attempt to launch/underline the musical career of both lead actresses. Kaneko's direction is a little sloppy, and this looked more like a TV project, or at least a film aimed purely at a very local and not too critical demographic. The actresses do a decent job, and the singing isn't too bad. Just don't expect anything too polished, Kaneko isn't that type of director.Read all
I think this was Blumhouse's attempt at elevated horror, but that part was so ill-conceived that I can't even be sure. Fact is that you're getting a werewolf movie with quite a bit of trauma inserted. The drama slows the whole thing down, and the werewolf bits are generic and predictable. The only thing saving this one is the budget, which allowed for some decent effects and proper cinematography. The build-up isn't too bad either, but the horror elements are weak, and the werewolf lore mixed with the drama was a complete miss. It's a noticeable step back for Whannell. Hopefully that was just a one-off.Read all
Mononoke Movie: Chapter II - The Ashes of Rage
Movies have to make money, and developing a unique look for an animation takes time and effort. It's no surprise then that they had some sequels lined up for Mononoke. I don't mind, I think these films look stunning. The aesthetic is insane, the editing is manic, the score is strong, and the mysteries are fun and intricate. It's a little disappointing that they cut 15 minutes compared to the original film. The pacing is a bit hectic, but then again, there was no need to introduce the characters all over again. This one didn't disappoint in the slightest, and I can't wait to welcome the third instalment.