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Reviews
Kiss of the Dragon (2001)
Refreshingly different Martial Arts film
I saw this film yesterday without having heard anything about it, but simply having enjoyed much of Jet Li's films I just grabbed it.
The film is based on a story written by Jet himself, with the screenplay being sorted by Luc Besson. There are some links with with the old and new 'Nikita' movie and series that I enjoyed, in that the character 'Richard' (Tchéky Karyo) played 'Bob' in Nikita, and Bridget Fonda who plays Jessica in this film, and 'La Femme Nikita' in the tv series. I also felt the influence of Luc Besson too (Nikita and this film), especially a couple of moments which reminded me of 'Leon' shining through in the Liu Jian character, a single minded and supremely talented person who is emotionally undeveloped but learns to care, and is not without flaws.
So, whilst some might dismiss this as just another beat-em-up, there was a richness and a beauty to the filming, especially the framing of shots and the depth to some of the characters. Jet's character never does anything too unbelievable; he does get hurt from time to time, but he thinks on his feet, and it's a joy to watch the terrific fight scenes which had my friend and myself almost feeling some of the blows, you'll be glad you're not one of the baddies in this.
Bridget Fonda is a slight letdown in this, as she is not particularly convincing a lot of the time, though she has some very good moments which redeemed her overall. Bert Kwouk was excellent, and a pleasant surprise.
I loved this film.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Ignorance was nearly bliss
unlike my wife who had read all the books, I just couldn't be bothered, being easily offput in my old(ish) age (well, 32) with overly praised kids films, even if I am a big kid at heart.
It made me smile, chuckle and occasionally even a laugh all the way through it all; it's a very carefully made film with great attention to details. According to her indoors, the book is very closely followed, which for her was a great disappointment as she couldn't enjoy any of the anticipatory emotions which one would get coming to it fresh, and she really liked the books.
I say what do you expect, it's a good kids film that parents will be able to bear, but it isn't a million miles removed from the better movies which are made by the BBC/HBO etc for Christmas etc.
It is quite a long movie, there are some reasonable performances in it too, but as with Phantom Menace, just enjoy it for what it is; a 2.5ish hour period of quiet kids...
:)
Blade Runner (1982)
Not all great books make great films
I suspect that not many people have actually read the book, which is, I must say, one of Philip K. Dick's easier-to-read stories. The translation to film often makes for a quite different experience, not always a happy one, but I think this is done superbly in this case. One example of where the film missed the point a bit for me is that there is nowhere near the sense of turmoil our 'hero' is going through, and his wife is nowhere to be seen in the movie. I suppose that was a matter of focussing on plot, but the fact she existed adds additional pressure on him with his antisocial job and the feeling of just how out of touch with everything in his world but the replicants he is.
Originally this film had a voice over (Harrison Ford), only much later the director's cut lost that and also adjusted a few scenes making for a slightly shortened film. I actually prefer the voice-over version as again it adds to the mood of the film and gives you further insight into Deckard.
Whichever you watch, this is a great sci-fi film which has been heavily borrowed from by just about everyone since then. The attention to detail is fabulous, and even now still looks great even though we seem to be almost at the point where their technology is here.
Seksmisja (1984)
Accidental discovery of a comic gem, plot outline, slight spoiler warning.
I happened to watch this movie completely by accident, whilst flicking between channels, the title gripping my weak young mind!
The version I watched was subtitled, and I can't often be bothered with all that, but this didn't stop any of the fun. The film operates on several levels, appearing to be just an excuse for a sexist pile of nonsense, but in reality it's a very funny film with quite a bit of socio-political comment, but not too much to spoil it.
The basic plot is of two regular guys who get the cryogenic treatment, having sneaked cigarettes and a hip flask into their sleeping tubes. They are awakened many years later to find that they are the last two men on earth, an "M-bomb" having killed all the men in the world! The existing women all live in underground complexes and have discovered how to make babies without men, somehow. Our two fellas are allowed to live just so long as they have the offending items (between their legs) removed. They promptly escape, and run amok in the bunker, with the final result not quite what you might have imagined!
An example of a typical scene; they happen across this room which has an apple tree in it. Growing there is a solitary apple, which they pluck and bite into, and immediately spit out as it's sour. This turns out to be the last apple on the last tree in the world, and does not go down too well with the lady president.
There is some quite bizarre incidental music which did start to grate, but this is the best of all those films you trip over late at night when you really ought to have gone to bed (Moon 44 anyone?)
you'll laugh, you'll wince, you'll not hurl, but you might think.