thomvic Reviews

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

It's for the fans but even then, this movie could have done a lot more

[6/10 · 10 April 2023]

I've played majority of main Mario games so I'm well versed in the mario universe. I've a Nintendo game player since I was 5 years old up until this day.

So I went into this movie with the mindset - it's a kid's movie just try to enjoy it and enjoy seeing all the Mario references and don't think to much.

And the movie doesn't ask you to think to much. The plot is so flat which I guess I should have expected since the games have no plot besides from Princess Peach being kidnapped. What this movie does well though is that Princess Peach isn't a damsell in distress and is more of a character in the movie which I liked.

What the movie however gets wrong is that the assumption that by adding all these Mario references like Mario Kart and Smash Brothers, this will make the fans go ' Oooh wow that's so cool!'. Yes it's a nice thing to have , but what the movie doesn't really get into the lore of the Mario world and assumes everyone knows it. But by not building up this world, it kind of feels like Mario just jumps into this world, meets Princess Peach who pretty much teams up with him straight away and off they go to save the kingdom! I think the film could have done a better job of trying to invest the audience into this w1orld. I'm not saying that they have to spend ten minutes explaining every item, but I think they could have like gone through several worlds to get to Bowser, and talk about say the underwater level and the creatures that dwell in it.

I can see the little kidsaying this is an amazing movie and people will say oh it's a fun movie and it's a Mario movie for kids - of course there's no plot. Well I guess I'm just a bit older now and even though I like Mario games, this movie is really just a Mario movie with references and Easter Eggs.

Kotaro Lives Alone (2022)

Went in expecting some whacky comedy....

[10/10 · 21 November 2022]

And while I did get that, I got so much more from this show. After a few episodes I was hooked and I found the characters really likeable, interesting and the story just really moving.

I was browsing through Netflix yesterday trying to find something to watch and stumbled randomly on this. Figured yeah sure a 4 year old kid living by himself, sounds weird.

What the show does really well is that it has a good balance of not just showing the sadness and trauma of Kotoro and his life, but also focuses on the positivity, hope and kindness of people and how we can be become better people. Each episode kind of has its own theme in terms of teaching us a lesson about people and behaviours, yet it doesn't do it in an in your face way. It's hard not to connect to Kotoro who is trying to find his sense of purpose but also understand human motivations, behaviour and also how his perceptions of the world are shaped by his past.

Couldn't recommend this anime enough. While some situations might seem somewhat unrealistic, I think the shows intention is to show that family also isn't necessarily your blood relatives but can be the people you form the closest bonds with in life, and that this doesn't make you alone in the world.

Really hope a season 2 is made!

Nomadland (2020)

If you think that this film goes around in circles with no direction, that's the whole point!

[10/10 · 26 April 2021]

For those who think that this film doesn't go anywhere and it's just a showcase of random events occurring, I think they aren't getting the point of this film. Nomandland is meant to portray what it is like for someone who doesn't feel like they have a sense of security, belonging or sense of direction in life anymore.

I didn't know too much about this film and assumed from the title it was about some woman who decides to leave it all behind and live life on her own terms. But this is not about that. This is about a woman who lost everything in an economic recession, didn't have much options and still wants to maintain her independence and still have some sense of dignity that she can hold onto.

Frances McDormand gives a really subtle, yet powerful performance as Fern. Her acting isn't out there or anything like that, but she captures the quietness of the character who has to cope with the situation of being on her own, away from her friends and kind of being isolated from everything that was once familiar. You see the struggles she goes through with the several jobs she has to do to make ends meat, the highs and lows she goes through in her daily life with her work, doing the odd fun activity. Yet what I loved was that she has to go back to the reality of her situation each day - living in that van that is tiny and claustrophobic, all by herself.

I loved the cinematography in this film. It captures the sense of isolation perfectly and contrasts with how small we are as humans in this big world out there. This is a film that makes you wonder what could happen to you if you work your whole life, then one day something happens to you and you lose it all. For those who don't have a back up plan, this might be one of the options you would have to consider.

The film also explores the idea of what home truly is. Is it just a place you go everyday at the end of your day, or is it the feeling of belonging somewhere and feeling secure. It doesn't necessarily have to be the same place does it?

I was pleasantly surprised by the end of the movie and I'll have to admit that I teared up a bit at the end. It was just how this film in subtle ways conveys to you that sense of loneliness when you are trying to run away from grief, when the world you once knew no longer exists and you just have to keep going forward in life. One of the best films I've seen this year.

Mortal Kombat (2021)

Fun overall....but not a flawless victory

[7/10 · 21 April 2021]

I was so hyped when I saw the trailer when it was released. Being a fairly big fan of the games having played most of them, I had to keep my expectations in check as I knew a move adaptation based on a fighting game often doesn't translate as well on the big screen. So after viewing this at the cinema and walking out, I was pleased overall but still had some gripes with it.

I know this movie was to set up the lore and mythology around the mortal kombat universe and I knew there would be no tournament and that didn't bother me. However the plotline with the dragon marking making you a chosen warrior of Earthrealm (Earth essentially) didn't sit well with me for one reason: if you kill a champion with the mark, the mark gets transferred to the killer. So one of the main characters Sonya (who is one of the original 3 champions) doesn't have a marking in this movie. That didn't bother me initially as I thought she would prove that she didn't need a marking to be a worthwhile champion, but instead she ends up killing another champion, then gets the mark and develops her power. It would have been a lot better had she proven herself, then essentially earnt the mark to prove that she was equal amongst all others who had it. Does this mean if someone on the street accidentally shot a champion, they would have no choice but to be a champion in the Mortal Kombat tournament? Sorry mate, you got more than you bargained for.

Aside from that, the beginning of the film was really well done with the set up of the conflict between Hanzo Hasashi and Bihan, who would eventually become Scorpion and Sub Zero. It was well shot and had a good pace, which the rest of the film sometimes went astray.

The fight scenes were fine, though I think some of them were edited with to many shots and wasn't as smooth as it could have been.

In terms of the characters, Kano is a standout who provided the comedy. The actors who played Sub Zero, Scorpion and Sonya were my favourites. The actor who played Shang Tsung, who is meant to be the feared leader, could have done a better job and he didn't come off as very threatening or intimidating.

The third act also felt a big rushed with the final fights for some of the characters so it kind of felt like they couldn't quite work out how to make the final battles more impactful.

Hopefully if sequels get made (or a Netflix tv series perhaps, which I think would be better to explore the mortal kombat universe and lore) they can help the franchise move in a more grounded direction. So overall, I enjoyed it but still left me wanting more from it.

The Scarlet Letter (1995)

Tolerable as a romance but a cliche Hollywood adaptation

[5/10 · 3 August 2018]

Having just read and finished the novel today, I had heard many negative reviews on the Demi Moore adaptation. I knew the ending had changed and that the movie takes an hour or so to lead up to the actual beginning of the novel. I went into watching this movie with as much as an open mind as I could as I understand not everything can be translated to the screen and if changes are to be made, if I feel they are justifiable in enhancing the story in some way or providing deeper meaning then it might be the more better for it.

And at the start, I actually enjoyed the lead up to the point where the novel starts. You do get some background (though not much) into Hester and Arthur and there is some nice scenery to be had. However, the development of the love I felt was done way to fast but then I think it was more to show how lust took over so I could forgive that.

Gary Oldman stands out and gives a pretty good and convincing performance. He is charismatic and pulled the role off well. Demi Moore however is very hit and miss. She does have some moments where her acting is decent however I just don't think she was the right choice for this movie. For one her accent sounds half baked and doesn't pull off a convincing english accent.

My main criticism is that the main theme of the novel of guilt but also rising above shame feels somewhat overlooked. The scarlet letter Hester wore starts off as a badge of shame however she is able to overcome this in the novel and ends up gaining respect as her good deeds throughout her life end up shining over her adulteress act. The movie unsuccessfully (if it tried) to capture these themes and instead goes for some occasional nudity and some rather awkward shots of Gary Oldman and Demi Moore in slo mo scenes similar to what you would see in soft core porn.

The Indian vs the English subplot also was unnecessary and didn't really add anything to the film rather than to serve the changed ending. I knew the ending was coming but the way it is done is so typical of a Hollywood like final action scene that it just didn't work. I found myself laughing at how silly it was and kind of seemed to come out of nowhere.

Hopefully a better adaptation can be made in future that at least captures the main themes of the original story. Be it a lesson learnt that you should only change things when they are broken or suffer the consequences.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

The awe of dinosaurs has lost its magic

[5/10 · 7 July 2018]

I know many will inevitably compare movies in a franchise to the ones that came before it. it's kind of hard not to since without the originals, the sequels and follow ups could not exist. The original Jurassic Park had so many moments that are extremely memorable and for me will remain the best in the series.

I enjoyed Jurassic World (the one before this) and took it for what it was worth - a kind of reboot for the newer generation while continuing the franchise for the fans. And for what it delivered, it was entertaining and decently plotted.

Fallen Kingdom however is really more of a monster movie at its heart. There's a predictable formula of the dinosaurs escaping, the good guys get lost amongst all the chaos and the bad guy gets his due at the end. Now I don't mind the usual formula but as long as it can hold itself throughout the movie. This one unfortunately falls flat very early on.

There are some very good action scenes but what is severely lacking is any build of of suspense. The opening scene of the movie was probably the most suspenseful part of the movie and if only it was able to keep the suspense going for the rest of the film, it would have been much more entertaining. I didn't really care about the characters at all and I actually found the overuse of the CGI with all the dinosaurs everywhere kind of feel like overkill. It makes the dinosaurs seem less magnificent and more like tons of extras.

The music score also is very disappointing - there's none of the original Jurassic Park theme and is rarely used (except the end credits). I know that they are probably trying to distinguish this film away from the originals to make it feel fresh, but the plot itself is also dull. Not to mention there is a twist at the end with one of the side characters which felt like it was thrown out of nowhere as an afterthought and then is not even explored properly afterwards. If you were going for a shock, it failed miserably.

I know the Jurrasic World films won't ever recapture the magic of the first film and I don't expect it to, but the fact that it can't even hold my interest all the way shows that these films have simply become action blockbuster films with no real soul in them anymore.

Hereditary (2018)

A family on the brink of destruction trapped in a horrorific inevitable nightmare

[8/10 · 26 June 2018]

I was very nervous to see this movie as I had read all the reviews prior to my viewing of this. Many claimed it to be as scary as The Exorcist and that this film had very disturbing images that would stay with me. I can say that it got half of it right.

This isn't a typical horror film that relies on jump scares that you know are coming. The horror really comes from the tragedy of a family that breaks down due to circumstances that occur in their lives. Yet this is what makes it feel real as it could happen to any of us. The feeling of loss, the blame that occurs in tragic events and the process of grieving is all captured.

I won't say much about the plot other than Annie (Toni Collette) and her family recently have lost the grandmother of the family. Annie mentions at her funeral that she was a private woman and that there were some conflicts in the family and the relationships were strained. Annie eventually starts to discover more about her grandmother's life which leads to more discoveries than she probably wanted.

The performances in the film are terrific overall. Toni Collette portrays all sorts of emotions from anger, devastation, horror and sadness flawlessly. She is her finest in this film and the dinner scene just shows her acting abilities. Really hope she gets an Oscar nomination for this role.

The film slowly builds up a sense of dread and despair that doesn't let go at all and it makes you feel uncomfortable. The first hour of the film can feel like it goes quite slow and this may put off some viewers however it really makes you get emotionally invested in the characters. Thus seeing their pain later on makes it that bit more devastating.

The ending was a little bit disappointing, maybe not because I saw it coming, maybe because it gives you the answers in a spoon fed way. A bit more subtlety might have worked better.

Oldboy (2003)

Totally absorbing...........one of the best films I've seen in a long time

[10/10 · 28 October 2011]

I watched this film without really knowing anything about it - I just read the IMDb quick summary on what it was about - and seeing it praised so highly and a colleague of mine saying to watch it and it is a must see - I buckled down on it on a Friday night.

I was expecting this to be some sort of typical revenge film but with a deep meaning - why would it be rated so highly then? The good thing about the film is that it doesn't give you answers straight away and does a terrific job of keeping you engaged all the way through. You get to know the main character who has gone through years of torment for some unknown reasos as you experience his pain as Oh dae Su (Choi Min Sik) becomes a tormented man in his struggle for vengeance.

All I can say is that this film takes you down some paths that you think at one point - 'oh no they really are falling for clichés' but then it goes down something darker and you are totally blown away by what the conclusion is. I am usually a sucker when it comes to finding out twists as I can barely spot them but let me say the twist in this one I did not suspect one bit and was shocked by what I saw.

This is a unique film - the acting is perfect, the idea is clever and the emotions portrayed in the characters all exhibit human traits of being torn inside while still alive and just the whacky thing we can do to people to get our peace of mind if only temporarily.

All I can say is that you must see this film and it is a film I will be recommending to everyone to see.

Voice (2005)

Decent horror flick that has an emotional weight to it

[25 October 2011]

First of all, for those who expect to be scared out of their mind with this film - you will be disappointed but if you look at this film from a different angle, you will find this film really touches on how loneliness can alienate all of us whether we are alive or dead.

The film tells how a girl Young-eon, a talented singer in her high school is murdered by a music sheet (sounds ridiculous but it will make sense when you watch it) and ends up becoming a ghost - only her best friend can hear her and help her find out what happened.

What the film explores is the feeling of being lonely and also being remembered. The two lead actresses do a great job in portraying the emotions and confusion of two teenagers and also bring out their friendship in a believable way. The film I would say is more psychologically driven in the thriller mode and it's pace is more steady which gives you time to get to know the characters.

Some scenes are spooky, and the film has an ambiguous atmosphere (as most Asian horrors do) so they keep you watching till the end so you can uncover all the mystery of the plot. I prefer horror films where you can have some emotional substance as it can sometimes take a turn that just shatters you - this film doesn't do that but makes you sympathise with the characters as well as be slightly spooked out.

The ending perhaps is a bit cliché - and also makes you question the main protagonists position in her actions and if she would do that (so much for friendship - that's all I'm saying) but overall I enjoyed this film and didn't bore me compared to some other Asian horror's I've seen in the past few days (Doll Master for one).

The Doll Master (2004)

More slasher - and more 'Scream' like

[5/10 · 25 October 2011]

Have to say, the film has a lot of potential to be something really spooky but unfortunately resorts to the almost Hollywood like style sense of horror with the predictable deaths of its characters which makes this look more like a slasher film.

It doesn't help that all the characters feel like card board cut outs - the annoying college girl, the annoying male, the uptight and serious guy, the awkward weirdo girl who can't be removed from her doll and our heroine who is sort of in the middle of everyone. They are all invited to a house so the owner can model dolls from their features and find well....there is more going on in this house than meets the eye - like you couldn't work that out for yourself.

The film doesn't build up the suspense which would have been perfect considering there are so many creepy dolls in this house - but relies more on the cheap scare tactics which doesn't work at all here. And it is a pity considering the production design and the look of the film has so much to work with.

If the director had seen A Tale of Two Sisters and tried to make that approach by slowly revealing things while still maintaining a sense of mystery instead of throwing it down your throat, this would have been a much better film but unfortunately, is on the same level as a teenager slasher film. Disappointing - has its nice moments but overall just as hollow as normal doll - all looks but nothing inside.

Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (2005)

Romantic, gorgeous and just a great film

[10/10 · 21 October 2011]

It took me a while to finally watch this film after my friend lent it to me ages ago. While I have been watching tons of Asian films since I am a huge fan of them, I decided to give this one a try on a Friday night.

And I am so glad I took the time to watch this. It is a stunningly beautiful film with some fantastic scenery and cinematography. But that is not the only good thing about it - the story, despite some predictability and cliché (what is truly original nowadays anyway) is quite interesting. It's about warriors called Shinobi who have managed to reach a state of peace in ancient Japan. After some consideration by the Lord of Lords, they decide to lift a ban on the war between two opposing villages - both must fight to the death to claim victory. The only problem is that the two leaders who have been chosen to lead their parties to victory just happen to be romantically involved.

So you have your Romeo and Juliet sort of story but what surprised me is that the film has a lot of fantasy elements - these warriors all have certain superpowers that not only make them strong but also vulnerable in terms of their desires and utility in life. It is sort of like Xmen in some ways as this film also touches upon the drawbacks on having certain gifts.

The two main leads really do a great job in their roles. Yukie Nakama as Oboro, the team leader of the Iga clan is stunningly beautiful and combines sensitivity and wisdom into her role. Jô Odagiri, the other team leader of the opposing clan is great in his role to and both have pretty good chemistry on screen - though it is a shame that the beginning is where they spend the most time together and it's not for long though.

The settings in this film are just beautiful, music score is pretty nice too and the action scenes are pretty entertaining, though some of the CGI gets a bit too much, though they didn't overblow it. The film really dwelves into the reasons for why we fight with other people and why some are for it, and others will try to resist it when it comes to human life.

The film manages to be emotional yet not overly sentimental which is a good balance to achieve. At the heart of the film is a love story and if you're not into romance, well it's a shame because you have to have characters you care about to make a really great film.

I'll just end this review by simply saying - go check it out. It may not be everyone's liking (and come on, a film isn't going to satisfy every person) but this did the trick for me. Recommended.

Beyond Hypothermia (1996)

Decent action flick with emotional weight added in

[7/10 · 14 October 2011]

I found this film enjoyable, though the main problem was that it was dubbed in English - the DVD I rented from my video store failed to inform me they didn't have the original Chinese dialogue - I was mortified as I hate dubbed versions, though it was alright this time, though I won't be so forgiving next time.

Chien-lien Wu plays an assassin who doesn't know her real identity and all she knows is killing and simply does what she is told. However, she eventually longs for something more when she meets a simple chef where she eats noodles after every time she kills someone - I guess it is her form of relaxation.

I never thought I would see Chien-lien Wu in another film again - I saw her in Ang Lee's 'Eat Drink Man Woman' and loved her in the movie. She makes a decent action heroine here, portraying many emotions. She brings a sweet innocent essence to the film while also showing that innocence can also be misinterpreted to the naked eye.

The plot is kind of predictable and the performances - well I can't really judge them properly considering they were dubbed but I'm sure they would have done a decent job - I think I have to find the original version to really get the full essence of the performances. However, from what I viewed, it has a simple plot that moves at a reasonable pace and I didn't get bored by it. In fact, the main character is pretty likable so you really want her to find the freedom that she longs for.

It's a simple film with perhaps too much random shootings and killings, in particular from the Korean bad guy but there are some enjoyable shoot offs that keep you on the edge of your seat. This isn't a remarkable film but enjoyable nevertheless.

The Iceman Cometh (1989)

Entertaining and often hilarious

[14 October 2011]

This is a cheesy but enjoyable film about two warriors who live in the Ming Dynasty and quite simply - one is good, the other a womanising rapist. They get transported into modern day Hong Kong where the main character ends up meeting a prositute (Maggie Cheung) who hires him as her servant to do some chores around the house as well as being her bodyguard.

This is a film not to be taken seriously and you'll enjoy it the more if you don't. It is a no brainer action comedy flick that has a silly plot that works well in this type of genre. Maggie Cheung is terrific as the self centred prostitute who just doesn't really konw what to do with her life and Biao Yuen as Ching (the protagonist) is pretty good in his role and both of the leads work well together The action scenes are the sort you sort of expect in the Hong Kong action film and they remain believable if slightly outrageous. Essentially what makes the story work is its humour and I wasn't expecting this to be a comedy at all - in fact I think I must have not read the blurb at the back of the DVD cover properly as I didn't realise Ching was going to be transported to another era - and it surprised me the more when I watched it.

Check it out - it's a good film. Sure it's not a masterpiece nor will it be helmed as one of the greatest movies of our time but for what it is worth - it is worth the watch.

P (2005)

Surprisingly interesting and dark film, with light social commentary added in

[14 October 2011]

'P' is a film that explores the misuse of magic and when it can backfire and the need to resort to it to gain an upper hand over rivals or people who have hurt you. This is a strange film to have a horror theme but that is not to say it doesn't work - it works quite well in the surroundings the film has set up.

The film tells the story of Dau, a poor girl living in rural Thailand whose grandmother has taught her the arts of witchcraft. There are three rules apparently that can make a spell backfire on the person if they break them:

1. Never cross under a clothes line 2. Never eat raw meat 3. You can share the knowledge of the spells but do not accept any form of payment

Dau goes to work in a brothel in Bangkok in order to make money to send to her sick grandmother and ends up being in the usual competition with the other girls. So she decides to put some of her useful magic knowledge to good (or bad depending on how you want to look at it) use to gain an upperhand on some of them.

The performances in the film are pretty decent with the leading actress being very convincing in terms of the cute girl trapped in a world she doesn't really want to be in. The film also gives light social commentary on the lives of these girls who work in such places - they are in it for the money and it also shows how foreigners (mainly white guys) come in simply just to be entertained and to have sexual acts with them. In fact, the bar the girls work in is a bar for foreigners.

Out of the three rules, the first one doesn't really make sense to me - the other two made more sense as the film progressed but I don't see how going under a clothes line will cause any harm - but if it is the rules it is the rules.

The film perhaps gets less scary once you know what is going to happen with Dau once the supernatural elements kick in and it sort of goes into slasher territory but it is part of the fun. In fact, the first 40 mins or so feels more like the film is a story about a sex worker than a horror film but it spends time developing the context of its story so that was pretty well done.

It is a good film if you're a horror fan and it is weird to see this combined with elements of prostitution in its story - some parts don't work as well but overall it is pretty solid.

Ip Man (2008)

It's a martial arts film with an emphasis on kick ass action scenes....but boy is it enjoyable

[10/10 · 12 October 2011]

My colleague of mine recommended this film to me and no offence to him, but I was thinking 'hmmmm well I don't know if I really trust his judgement since he probably just likes all action no story'. But he kept telling me about it so I was like 'ok I'll check it out'.

And boy am I glad I did. This has a story that also dwelves around history with the Chinese occupation of Japan. But at the heart of the story, the real message is to always remain true to yourself regardless of your circumstances. Donnie Yen playes a martial arts respected master in his community, known as Master Ip. He has a wife and a son and often has tons of challengers who come to fight with him.

Sounds boring? Well it definitely isn't. Ip Man may at first look like a cheesy martial arts flick and while it has some of these elements, the character of Ipman is so likable and charismatic played wonderfully by Donnie Yen that you can't help but just respect him like he is some sort of noble wiseman. And the martial arts scenes are choreographed with such precision and excitement that you really just root for Ip man the whole way through.

There is also a political message in regards to the occupation of China from the Japanese - the film I wouldn't say doesn't necessarily take sides, though obviously Ip man is the character you feel for and is Chinese so it didn't really bother me - it is based on events after all.

All I can say is that I was blown away and the film kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through especially at the end. Ip Man is just a guy who values peace and dignity - he never once boasts or shows off - you just want him as your own master so you can learn some valuable lessons from him.

While Crouching Tiger is still my favourite martial arts film, Ip Man is a masterpiece in its genre as well. And why am I even comparing them? They are two different movies in different styles. Just go out and see it - you won't regret it!

The Housemaid (2010)

Beautifully filmed but in the end the film is simply about a cheating love affair

[7/10 · 10 October 2011]

The Housemaid tells an erotic tale of seduction, affair and scheming people all out to get their own way. Do-yeon Jeon plays Eun-Yi Li who is hired as a maid for an extravagant rich family - the wife is currently pregnant with two twin boys, they already have a little daughter and the husband is a very business businessman but just so happens to have time to fool with many women (supposedly) and one of them...surprise! just happens to be Eun-Yi.

The storyline is pretty typical and you can see where things will go so it didn't come as a surprise to me at all. What the film touches on is the schemes of the high class society in terms of their lifestyle and thinking that money can usually solve their problems. It also touches on the fact that the upper class often have not a lot of time on their hands - but not much really to do with it to entertain themselves.

The flaw of this film is that the main character of Eun-Yi - I didn't particularly sympathise with her. I guess it is because I found her decisions a bit stupid and you didn't really know much about her besides the fact that she was of lower class and really likes kids. In fact, I sort of didn't really hate the wife of the husband as she was actually quite decent to Eun-Yi, though you obviously can see that she is a victim in terms of her husband's infidelities.

One character that stood out for me was Miss Cho - who is the head housemaid in the mansion. You first see her as a very strict, no nonsense type of woman but during the film you see how she also is highly observant (typical butler/maid nosiness) and also has her fair share of mixed feelings towards the inhabitants of the house.

Now for the ending - won't spoil anything here. I can see why some people feel that the ending doesn't really do the film justice - I agreed at first but the more you think about it - the more the message is there. The ending I think really gets its message in the fact that the upper class can easily forget things and get on with their repetitive lives thinking they are on top and their materialism will drown out all bad memories or problems. The ending certainly won't work for some and while I feel more could have been put into it, it certainly does leave an impression the more you think about it.

The film is not perfect - a lot of decisions Eun-Yi makes didn't really make me feel empathetic due to the fact that I think she isn't a highly likable character nor a partcularly interesting one - they are sort of card board cut outs in my opinion.

Overall however, this is simply a film about a love affair and the consequences of it - I don't blame you if you watch this and you feel like 'this is something I've seen before too many times'.

Princess Aurora (2005)

Impressive film of blinding revenge driven by emotion

[8/10 · 8 October 2011]

So I was out one day at my local video store and I rented 10 Asian films as I'm quite a fan of Asian cinema. I got round to watching this and have to say I had quite a good time with this and was quite impressed.

The film does sort of play along with you and doesn't have any answers for the first hour or so. All you pretty much know is that you have your leading heroine (or anti heroine to some) Jung Sun (Jeong-hwa Eom) who looks perfectly innocent and cute, works as a car salesperson and starts going on a killing spree for reasons ambiguous to the audience to begin with. And she keeps playing a cassete tape that has a kid singing a song.

Obviously people kill for a reason - whether they have a tormented psychological issue, or are just plain psycho or may be killing thinking they are doing society good by killing people deemed a nuisance or unnecessary to live (think Taxi Driver style). So I knew there was something more to this character, and luckily the film delivers on that aspect and the reasons for each murder she does is explained at the end as you have no idea why she has targeted some of her victims.

Towards the end, it does sort of get a bit over the top but I didn't mind it and made me sympathise a lot more with the character. The policemen working on capturing her are stupid only because of the fact that the main cop also has a role to play in all that is happening.

I won't say what her motivations are for killing her victims - it makes it more surprising and involving when you find out for yourself. Perhaps you could say the end is slightly cliché but I think it was well deserved in terms of its outcome.

The performances are pretty good, especially from Jeong-hwa Eom who is able to pull the film on her shoulders and combines beauty with deadly vengeance all in one while also displaying human emotions in terms of her past. While the killings can get repetitive as you still don't really know where some of it is going, it pays off at the end, though some things were a bit hazy in terms of how she just happened to have luck in finding some of her victims after everything that happened.

What the film also sends in terms of its message is how we can sometimes overlook simple acts of kindness which can actually prevent major problems or accidents from happening. Our own selfish desires or self interest often results in harm to others which is apparent in any society whether it be Korean or in any other part of the world.

So yeah, I would recommend this film as it was pretty solid and I found myself enjoying it while also packing an emotional depth in its form.

Death Bell (2008)

Slaher horror film that becomes predictable along the way

[29 September 2011]

This is more a slasher film where you count down who is going to be next on the list to be crossed off - it is formula driven. That being said, Death Bell has some very good moments and the middle half brings a lot of suspense and excitement and tension, though the plot gets a bit repetitive after that so you are simply waiting to find out who is the culprit.

The plot is simple: a class full of high grade students are being held captive in their school. An anonymous person has told them they must answer all the questions he gives them or student by student will be killed.

Of course, with Asian horror films, there is usually the usual cliché's - not to say that they won't work - because they usually do. This is no exception - you have your flashbacks, a tormented past and the reflections of adolescent school kids who often make the stupid choices while in stages of panic in their predicament - I guess that is universal.

The choice of music in this film is a bit questioanble as it felt more like a high beat sort of atmosphere that doesn't work at times. The concept is interesting but at the same time the film feels more like a detective game rather than anything really scary - there are only a few moments which made me shudder - and it is mainly shock tactics that don't last for more than a few moments.

Still, it is an entertaining ride. The final payoff at the end - I admit I didn't see it coming and it wasn't too bad. Think of this film like Battle Royale meets Saw.

Reign of Assassins (2010)

An entertainting ride!

[25 September 2011]

Michelle Yeoh surely is the queen of the action genre - and when watching this movie you won't have any doubts as to why she is.

Many people will be quick to compare this film to previous wu xia or martial arts films - Crouching Tiger for one - which is one of my favourite films of all time. While I don't think it is better than CTHD, all these films are essentially different films with different stories and characters so it really depends on what you like in a film - hence I don't believe in the 'greatest film of all time' - it's up to you after all.

But I had a good time with this. I have to admit I thought there were too many characters and I got a bit confused as I was trying to keep up with who was who and all, but it is essentially a fun story about a group of assassins who are after the main gal (Yeoh) who wants to lead a normal life instead of one full of constant bloodshed. While this has elements of typical revenge elements, the film also has a sense of humour with some comedic moments, fantasy, romance and great fighting scenes.

However, I felt the film didn't have a consistent tone so it sort of switched too much for my liking. Was it trying to be a serious film about warriors hardships and their quest to feel human? That's what I thought it was then it sort of changed its tone to melodramatic which sometimes didn't work properly then to cheesy comedy. I think they put a lot into it.

Nevertheless, all the actors in here give a pretty good performance and Yeoh pulls it off with her physical abilities not to mention her charisma. The ending however, felt underdeveloped as I couldn't believe that is how it was with the guy and his attitude (that's all I'm saying - it changed very quickly!) That being all said, it is a well done film and certainly an enjoyable martial arts film that is probably more suited to those who didn't like the elusive emotions in CTHD (but I did) and hey, I don't mind a no brainer flick if it is done well - and this certainly is!

Happiness (1998)

A highly entertaining dark look into happiness in all forms...

[16 September 2011]

Happiness is a film that explores happiness in a way that takes a look into the darker side of the things we do as people - whether out of loneliness or uncontrolled desires, sometimes what gives us happiness seems crazy to others so we keep them inside so no one can ever know about it.

And sometimes for good reason due to the consequences of our actions. The film deals with people who feel either depressed, tormented or lost in direction with their lives and many of them make the choices that they normally wouldn't do. You have the a struggling musician stuck in a sales call centre job with no real direction, an elderly couple who are on the brink of splitting up but don't want a divorce, a lonely middle aged guy who spends the majority of his time calling random women and jerking off to them and perhaps the most interesting, a middle aged family man psychiatrist who has the deepest secret of all (which I won't reveal here just not to spoil it).

That being said, this is not a film for everyone in particular if you don't like subject matters of controversy, and in particular don't get young children to watch this as it is definitely not appropriate for them. However, the film is done in such a way that keeps you sympathetic to these characters and even though the majority of them you would normally associate such people in reality as lowlifes and no hopers, you can only imagine what their daily pain is like in life.

The film switches its tone to comedy then to very dark moments. One scene in particular involving a father and son (people who have seen this will know which one) is probably one of the most psychologically shocking scenes which is just said verbally in my opinion. No gore or anything but at the same time it is so horrific and tragic in that one scene.

The characters in this film really hold this film together all the way and you are interested in all of them, though I did feel the elderly couple's story was the weakest out of all of them, though still interesting.

The film blends cleverly humour, sadness, tragedy and relationships altogether in one that makes you look at what happiness is for some people, even if you will never really understand it. Everyone's definition of it is different.

I would recommend this film to all my friends but if you told them the subject matter some might be put off but I think this is definitely a film well worth your time if you like controversial movies that go the next step to explore tabbo subjects.

Bangkok Love Story (2007)

Moving story however way too over melodramatic

[15 September 2011]

Reading the back of the DVD cover, I was thinking - hmmm OK this sounds alright. So borrowed it from the library and while I did find it moving, the film's main problem is that the love story is developed way too fast to make it feel genuine and pretty much forces you to sob (even though it does work sometimes) rather than making you build up the emotional tension gradually.

I was expecting a romance, action/thriller sort of movie and you mainly get a romance drama which is fine with me with a gangster sort of plot thrown in to heighten the tension. There is a little bit of exploration on living with HIV in the film from some of the characters, however a lot of the character development is pretty minimal and the beginning of the romance between the two male leads didn't make me fully believe that they fell in love so quickly with no real sort of lead up to it and the ending scene, though I found moving, made it more melodramatic which seemed to overflow like turning on a tap at full blast rather than letting it flow at a normal pace.

The acting is pretty decent with the two leads - I thought that love song they used in the film could have been left out as it sort of felt out of place - it would probably fit a really soppy love story. Even though I did feel tears coming up near the end, a lot was sort of unexplained and the director obviously wanted this to be a story that would make you cry - but just don't force it too much.

The Seventh Sign (1988)

The world is ending.......all over the place though

[12 September 2011]

Another one of those apocalyptic end of the world movies with symbolic signs from the bible. While this has what is an interesting plot, it is done in a way that leaves a lot of holes - the main one being is why Demi Moore's character of Abby is chosen to be one of the signs in what could be the end of the world.

Moore gives a decent performance in this but it isn't enough to really make this film remarkable or very engaging, perhaps because the suspense is a bit lacking, though the visual effects were pretty good and the scenes of destruction really created that mood of a world coming down on itself. However, the plot sort of goes into territory that makes it seem a bit too surreal for its own benefit and not enough backstory is really given into the biblical references in my opinion to make it really connect strongly enough to it.

I think the film forgets that sometimes more quiet scenes or a lead up to the climax is often where you pull the punches emotionally with a film and I could sort of see the ending coming in a way with how it turned out. But the message of the film - if they are trying to give one didn't sink in as strongly as it could have - perhaps because it relies on the frailty and flaws of humanity - it isn't properly explored as it could have been.

Meat Grinder (2009)

Engaging film with a surprising touch of emotional baggage along the way

[9 September 2011]

Meat Grinder has what a lot of horror films offer -gore, the flashback of a tormented past and that Asian horror quality that you can only imagine coming from these parts of the world. At the same time, this is a film with a tortured protagonist who can't seem to find her way out of emotions of revenge, trauma and a very sick recipe passed down by her family.

I'm a big fan of Asian horror films as they bring such a unique quality to their stories and really know when to build up suspense rather than just throwing it at your face. The plot of Meat Grinder involves a woman with her daughter who has to pay back a debt owed by her husband who is now gone otherwise her house will be taken away. She opens up a noodle shop to try to make ends meat while also doing some highly peculiar deeds in the back room if you know what I mean.

Mai Charoenpura who plays Buss is phenomenal as the lead and creates a crazy but sympathetic character who sort of doesn't know where her mind has gone to since her childhood. I won't reveal anymore but the last ten minutes of the film really make you feel more sympathetic rather than angry towards the character.

Because the film also reveals its intentions very early on in the film at the beginning, it tries to make you connect with the character rather then resent her for her actions - and I have to say it worked even though you're thinking in the back of your mind what she is doing is sick. But you will have to see for yourself.

All I can say is (very minor spoiler) - don't eat any meat while watching this as it might spoil your appetite.

Aftershock (2010)

Afterhshock - it leaves you with the aftertaste of a masterpiece

[10/10 · 30 August 2011]

Aftershock is one of those movies where you really feel the experience and journey of all your characters for the length of its time and really connect with the characters. Even those who don't understand Chinese (myself included) will connect with the human story and its wonderful drama, not to mention some amazing visual effects at the beginning.

I'm not going to go into the plot of the film but it is essentially a very real human family drama that deals with the pain of continuing to live with guilt and having to restore one's life after a tragedy. It may sound familiar but the beauty of Aftershock is that its emotional core is something it never shies away from. You see and feel the journey of all three central characters and how a natural disaster can shape our destinies and change our perspectives on ourselves and those around us.

While you can sort of see the plot unfolding before it gets there in the end, it is essentially what you want. I really cared about these characters so anything less than what you would expect would have been even more harrowing. But the resolution which seems to solve everything yet still leaves an emptiness is remarkable.

This is a film not to be missed. I was almost in tears by the end of the film - it has been one of the most captivating films I have seen in a long time and is a remarkable piece of cinema. Not to be missed.

Jumper (2008)

If I had the ability to jump - jump away from this while watching!

[1/10 · 22 July 2011]

Jumper has an interesting premise but absolutely horrible execution in what could have been an appealing superhero/adventure/science fiction type film but fails to explore anything remotely interesting.

David (Hayden Christianson) has the power to 'jump' (aka: teleport) into thin air to places. He falls for the young girl of his teen years, meets up with her later then realises some bad guys who are out to kill the jumpers are after him. Then he meets another jumper and they team up - ta da! There's your plot.....lame.

Yes the plot isn't lame in the fact that this is something so familiar that we have seen before, but it is lame in the fact that the characters are pretty much cardboard cut outs. The spunky looking guy who sort of lives by his own rules and is one dimensional, the naive girl who is the damsel in distress and for some weird reason just whisks off to Rome with David just after she is asked.

What is even more disappointing is that the film does not attempt to explain the mystery phenomenon of how David gets his powers in the first place - it just came to him like that out of nowhere I suppose because he came from a bad family? Then it pretty much whisks you off into random parts of the world - yes I know the scenery is nice but I'm sorry it's just a load of nonsense.

There is no develpoment in this film - it's all spectacle and coolness with no meaning behind it. That is what makes other films more interesting - Spiderman, X men for example give attempts at least to have a deeper meaning to them than just random teleporting.

What I found most interesting is that in the beginning, David is watching a news coverage on TV of a flood that impacted people in a country who are dying and he takes one glance then goes about his daily life. Were the makers aiming for an unsympathetic sort of superhero? Well it worked. I suppose not everyone with these abilities will want to be noble but it is hard to care about someone who pretty much wants everything for himself only.

Samuel L Jackson is ridiculous in this role and is wasted in here big time. Overall, this is not a satisfying movie with dull performances -Jamie Bell just looked terrible in this film and out of place. The editing was done way too fast and was all over the place with the camera moving everywhere making me a bit dizzy.

So do yourself a favour - try to jump away from this film and save yourself 85 minutes of nonsense.