HOUSE OF CINEMA 映画館の家

After watching it for the fourth time, it still gives me the same
    emotional charge it did the first time i watched it. FLY ME TO POLARIS
    is a monumental achievement by HONG KONG CINEMA. It is an
    understated not to mention underrated triumph, that everyone has to see to understand.
    Everything in it including the characters are simple, and beautiful.
    The love one feels and develops for the main characters are so...
    organically real! that, one feels devastation and utter suffocation when
    a tragedy befalls the main characters. In this case it is Onion,
    (brilliantly played by Richie Jen / SUMMER HOLIDAY) and Autumn,
    (played by Cecilia Cheung / WU YEN who gives one of the best performances of her
    entire movie career!) Onion was a blind and mute who was staying
    at a home whom Autumn is caring for. As they spend more time together
    each day, although they didn't know it. They were starting to feel
    and develop more emotions towards one another. They were very happy and
    pretty much content with their lives, until a tragedy strikes all of
    sudden. Onion dies in a auto accident, and as his 'soul' was being transported
    to "Polaris" or "Heaven" one of the angels tells him that he's become
    the 60th billion spirit to be flown to Polaris. For that, he gets
    to make a choice. Either he goes straight to Polaris, or go back
    to his former life. However if he so chooses to go back, he will not
    be recognized by his loved ones, and most importantly he cannot tell
    anyone who he is. The angel tells him, "Even if you wanted to you can't!"
    And above all, his stay is limited to only five days. After that, he goes
    straight to Polaris. what happens next you will just have to see for yourself.
        A very fun, bittersweet movie to watch. I can't find anything negative to say about
        this flick. All I know is that, Cecilia Cheung gives one of her best performances
        of her career in this movie. That is until LOST IN TIME was released. That movie
        is when she hit the apex of her acting career. Either way, you will have to see
        FLY ME TO POLARIS. It's a ride you won't regret, and won't soon forget!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

CHOCOLATE

Country: Thailand

Release Year: 2008

Genre: Old School Style Martial Arts Action

Language Format: Thai

Running Time: 110 Minutes

Cast

JeeJa Yanin	...	Zen
Ammara Siripong	...	Zin
Hiroshi Abe	...	Masashi
Pongpat Wachirabunjong	...	No. 8

Dechawut Chuntakaro	...	Priscilla
Anusuk Jangajit	...	Candy shop owner
Kittitat Kowahagul	...	Epileptic boxer
Taphon Phopwandee	...	Mangmoom
Pirom Ruangkitjakan	...	Petch
Hirokazu Sano	...	Ryo
Thanyathon Seekhiaw	...	Fur
Nattakit Teachachevapong	...	Pork man
Yanin Vismitananda	...	Zen
Aroon Wanatsabadeewong	...	Ice factory owner

Just finished this minute and I felt I had to write this ditty on my thoughts on CHOCOLATE. Here it is:

Simply amazing!

It once again gave me the feeling the first time I watched FIST OF LEGEND, ONG BAK, BANLIEUE 13, and all those great instant classic martial arts flicks! Anybody I mean everybody will love CHOCOLATE. Period.

Jeeja Yanin is a breath of fresh air. A wonder to behold. Poetry in motion. I can't wait for her next action flick.

Directed by Prachya Pinkaew responsible for Tony Jaa's Ultra Fantastic ONG BAK, & TOM YUM GOONG films respectively. CHOCOLATE sets the standard on the higher level this time with Jeeja Yanin on the wheel and she does not disappoint.

LIke Tony Jaa's instant classic masterpieces mentioned a paragraph ago, so is CHOCOLATE. It's one of those flicks you just have to see, and experience for yourself. Especially with a female lead/martial artist at the helm.

It has every single element that an awesome marital arts action should have:

1. A simple storyline that is easy to follow.

2. Great acting. The cast in this movie had excellent chemistry. You can tell that they had fun making this film.

3. Breathtaking action. Jaw dropping stunts. As little CGI as possible if any at all. The same goes for wire-works.

4.A director that knows where to place the camera at time during the action.

5. As serious as the plot for this movie is since it deals with Autism. It manages to put some perfectly placed humor as intense the action is in this movie, it doesn't take itself too seriously.

Speaking of action and stunts its the type of stunts that while watching, it will make you cringe at some of the torture the stuntmen endure. I mean it's just full on martial arts mayhem, if you've seen a Tony Jaa flick you know what I'm talking about.

It's been a while since I've said this but this one is for the record books folks, do yourself a favor and do not miss this one!

The story itself is very intriguing. (Zin) a woman whose a member of a Thai mafia falls in love with a Japanese Yakuza (Jin) but of course this offends both parties so their separation is inevitable but not before they have a daughter named Zen.

Another good thing to point out is that besides her awesome display of muay thai moves, she also demonstrates her skills using different types of weaponry. Just like way the Tony Jaa demonstrated his multi weapon skills in ONG BAK so does Jeeja Yanin in CHOCOLATE.

Her martial arts moves are so fluid, and natural it is poetry in motion. She is indeed a breath of fresh air. Absolutely phenomenal beyond belief!

The female action star leads are in short decline as we speak and seeing someone like Jeeja Yanin breath new life in the action genre is without a doubt a very welcome experience.

You have to see CHOCOLATE for yourselves! Jaw dropping stunts, awesome storyline, highly recommended! AAA+++ and 2 thumbs waaaaay the **ck up!!!

CHOCOLATE is a martial arts action fans dream come true, and stamping it with Thailand's muay thai action seal of approval!

A cinematic gem!

Monday, October 01, 2007

INVISIBLE TARGET

Alternate Chinese Title: Nan er ben se

Country: Hong Kong, China

Release Year: 2007

Genre: Old School Style Hong Kong Action

Language Format: Cantonese

Running Time: 130 Minutes

Cast:

Nicholas Tse

Jaycee Chan

Shawn Yue

Jacky Wu

Lisa Lu

Andy On

Candy Liu

Elanne Kwong

Sam Lee

Ken Lo

Director:

Benny Chan

I tell you it's always nice to see an old friend. Have you ever had a friend that was so cool, that when they went away you'd always hoped that someday they'll return. When they do, you are so happy, and ecstatic you didn't know what to do with yourself, except of course be happy?!

Well the friend that I, myself am referring to is the old school Hong Kong Actioner from way back in the days. The days of watching an old school Jackie Chan flick like the POLICE STORY sagas where the stunts are crazy, and downright dangerous that you can't have enough of. It's those type of stunts that made Jackie Chan world famous in the first place. Also goes for the many other non-Chan Hong Kong Action films of the 80's, 90's, and few from this decade thus far.

Let's face it, as of late Japanese Horror has inspired the many wannabe horror slash scary flicks of the past years starting with the RING. While this isn't necessary a bad thing, the formula when used negatively can be tiresome after a while. While I am a huge Japanese Horror fan for many years, even I get tired of the "long hair effect", or the "creepy noises created by natural household items" or the dreaded "throat sound" made famous by the Japanese Horror classic JU-ON. Which of course has also been remade in the U.S.A thankfully though by the same director of the Japanese original.

So upon hearing about, and finally viewing INVISIBLE TARGET. I can officially announce to the whole entire world that I am very happy to see the wonderful formula that is "old school Hong Kong action". There are so many things to see in INVISIBLE TARGET, wonderful things such as car crashes, the always exciting chase scenes done on both on ground, and the very dangerous chase between sky scrapers, people getting thrown through glass doors, windows, and fixtures that ends all shattered covering the actors or stuntmen in the process, lots and lots of explosions, not to mention scenes where the actors jumps off from 5 story buildings, and being shown hitting trees on the ways while landing on the solid ground concrete, and last but definitely not the least, fight scenes, and the always nerve shattering sounds of gunshots from all of the gunplay action that litters this flick.

It has everything. Love story although not too much which is great. I hate action flicks that tends to swerve off from the original idea of an action flick, and gets boggled by a mostly stupid side love story. Intrigue, crime, drugs, betrayal, pretty chinese girls, and just plain crazy!!!

This flick will no doubt be on my recommendations list for years to come, it's one of those movies that wakes you up, and reminds you why you watch Hong Kong Action films in the first place. Don't miss it!

Sunday, March 11, 2007

DOG BITE DOG

Alternate Chinese title: Gau ngao gau

Country: Hong Kong, China [Hong Kong-Japan-Thailand Co-Production]

Release Year: 2006

Genre: Psychological Thriller / Crime / Action

Language Format: Cantonese

Running Time: 108 minutes

Cast:

Edison Chen
Sam Lee
Suet Lam
Siu-Fai Cheung
Yiu-Cheung Lai
Ka Wah Lam
Weiying Pei

Director:

Pou-Soi Cheang

There is only one word to describe DOG BITE DOG, only one and that it is unforgiving.

It has been a long time coming for this type of genre to finally hit hong kong cinema, and I do hope that it becomes a trend so that we may enjoy more of it. Of course every asian cinema conoussier will always welcome a hong kong actioner whether its martial arts, gunplay action, to romantic comedies but to have someone direct a hong kong produced movie that will make any Takashi Miike fan happy can only mean that yes indeed hong kong cinema is evolving in a positive direction.

DOG BITE DOG is a breath of fresh air while it is not for everyone due to its very raw, and gritty look at hong kong's seedy underworld, not to mention in your face violence filled with blood, and gore is enough to make any squeamish viewers run for the nearest exit. I forgot to mention up front use of drugs, corruption, and incest. This is the type of movie that will make you....no, that will grab your attention and make you watch the world that's been going on before our ignorant eyes.

It deals with just about every evil possibilities that can happen in this world, the filmakers force feeds audience and it makes us all aware that just when you thought it can't get any worse...unfortunately it does!

Though on the surface the movie seems easy to understand, it is anything but! The characters in DOG BITE DOG are all complex individuals that would rather act on animalistic instincts instead of human emotions. Then again perhaps it is the human emotions that makes us humans act animal-like!

One thing is for sure, DOG BITE DOG will definitely leave massive bruises on your senses!

To compare it to a Takashi Miike flick will not do it justice but it will give you an excellent idea of what expect while watching DOG BITE DOG, and that is to strap on your seat belt, hold on tight, and expect the unexpected because pardon my french...you will be knocked out of your fuckin mind!!

I am not even going in to detail how well the actors played their parts because as far as I'm concerned they all deserve Golden Horse Awards! It is refreshing to see Sam Lee back in action again after his hiatus no one else could have played the demented detective as skillfully as he did, same goes for Edison Chen. The cast is absolutely brilliant!

DOG BITE DOG is an exceptional piece of movie making magic at its most unforgiving indeed another one of Hong Kong cinema's crowning achievements.

In short, if you're still reading up to this point do yourself a favor and see this flim. Period!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS

Country: United States
Release Year: 2005
Genre: Psychological / Action / Macabre / Thriller
Language Format: English / German
Running Time: 95 minutes

Ryan Francis .... Losey
Scott MacDonald .... Deming
David Warner .... Deacon
Linda Thorson .... Maria
Daniel Roebuck .... Soldier
James LeGros .... Soldier
Andrei Dumitrescu .... Andrei
Nelu Dinu .... Nelu
Ion Bechet .... Sergeant
Liliana Perepelicinic .... Anna
Eugen Stoica .... The Children
Radu Stoica .... The Children
Emil Micsunescu .... The Children
Ionut Ududec .... The Children
Radu Dragos .... The Children

It's safe to say this is one of if not, the wierdest WWII movie out there.
I've never heard of this movie before I saw it on the shelf of a used dvd rental place. Its the type of movie that really deserves a look because it will give you everything, from action to thriller to mystery to drama, some very graphically staged gore, and a whole bucket of wierdness.

The movie starts out by showing MP Officers escorting 2 soldiers who have gotten themselves into some trouble (we don't know why...yet!) along the way they set off some mines that pretty much kills everyone, except the 2 fugitive soldiers. Thus, the 2 set out on a journey to find out exactly where the hell on earth they are.

They know that theyre somewhere in war torn Europe, but where exactly. Along the way the discover the horrifying destruction that the war has done to the once beautiful countryside, and most of all to its people what's left of them anyway.

First of all, the pacing of this movie is as it should be for the simple reason that its a haungtin WWII tale. It was never advertised as an action flick to begin with. Its something out of ordinary. Basically the 2 soldiers while both Americans do not trust each other whoever has possession of the only handgun that one of them managed to swipe from one of the dying MP Officers has authority.

Along the way they see the destructive power the war has done to its homeland. They also meet wierd people, not to mention creepy as they try to unravel the mystery of this god forsaken place.

The movie takes place in 1945 so the war is over, but the place they're at is so remote, them along with the people in it still thinks that the war is still goin on.
So its not surprising when a German Tank Battallion is seen marching towards a factory that people in it were heavily armed and ready to go to war against the Germans. You see the Germans of course knows and acknowledges that the war is over therefore they never had any intention to harm and kill innocent civilians and American Soldiers who happen to frequent the area, however the people and the soldiers didn't know and weren't aware of that fact.

Hence, the inevitable outcome.

In conclusion, the movie is a must see due to its anti-war message laid out the whole entire flick. Sudden constant flashbacks however are a bit annoying but it won't deter you from enjoying this flick. Just don't think of it as an action extravaganza because well it ain't! Just enjoy it for what it is, a very slow paced, creepy, haunting, graphic, and somewhat ambitious WWII movie that has a very cheeky approach, and unapologetically honest.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

SPL

Alternate Title: Saat po long (Original Cantonese Title)
Country: Hong Kong
Release Year: 2005
Genre: Martial Arts Action / Crime / Thriller
Language Format: Cantonese
Running Time: 93 minutes (UNCUT)

Donnie Yen .... Insp. Ma Kwan
Sammo Hung Kam-Bo .... Wong Po
Simon Yam .... Det. Chan Kwok Chung
Jacky Wu .... Jack
Kai Chi Liu .... Det. Lok Kwun Wah
Danny Summer .... Kwok Tsz Sum (as Shiu Sing Ha)
Ken Chang .... Lee Wai Lok (as Chi-Hiu Cheung)
Austin Wai .... Cheung Chun Fei
Timmy Hung .... Drug Trafficker
Vincent Sze .... Chan Wai
Kenji Tanigaki .... Wong Po's Bodyguard
Chris Tsui .... Wong Po's bodyguard
So Tung .... Wong Po's bodyguard

When you combine martial arts masters with the likes of Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Kenji Tanigaki(from Donnie Yen's acclaimed stunt team), and mix them up with veteran actor Simon Yam you can already tell something good will come out of it.

Of course excellent acting and a high quality story is needed and SPL definitely delivers with a Class A storyline. The action is kept slightly on the minimal side due to its story driven plot. It's not until you get almost to the middle of it, only then you'll start seeing some awesome high flying martial arts action.

As far as the action is concerned everyone delivers. In fact Donnie, Sammo, and Kenji are spectacular martial artists in their own right. These guys shine in everyway as they exhibit their absolutely jaw dropping kung fu skills as they kick, leap, spin, and punch themselves to death. All for our enjoyment.

As for the squeamish, be warned as they are no shortage of blood here. SPL sports some of the bloodiest scenes ever seen in a long time. In fact the mainland DVD version was severely cut because of this reason. So to view the original uncut version go for the Special Edition 2 disc released by Deltamac.

SPL is a gift from the Martial Arts Action gods for it is one of the best Martial Arts flick to be released in a while.

Also worth mentioning is the very absorbing soundtrack used. Some of the sounds used were very energizing to kind of get you in the mood for upcoming action you're about to witness. The editing is also to be commended as it borrows from the Tony Scott School of Filmmaking.

In short, SPL is another Hong Kong Cinematic magic.

Saturday, September 23, 2006

INFERNAL AFFAIRS

Alternate Title: Mou gaan dou (Original Cantonese Title)
Country: Hong Kong
Release Year: 2002
Genre: Crime / Thriller/ Action / Drama
Language Format: Cantonese
Running Time: 101 minutes

Andy Lau .... Lau Kin Ming
Tony Leung Chiu Wai .... Chan Wing Yan
Anthony Wong Chau-Sang .... SP Wong
Eric Tsang .... Sam
Kelly Chen .... Dr. Lee Sum Yee
Sammi Cheng .... Mary

Edison Chen .... Young Lau Kin Ming
Shawn Yue .... Young Chan Wing Yan
Elva Hsiao .... May
Chapman To .... Keung
Ka Tung Lam .... Inspector B
Ting Yip Ng .... Inspector Cheung
Chi Keung Wan .... Officer Leung
Dion Lam .... Del Piero
Hui Kam Fung .... Cadet School Principal

Every now and then a movie comes along that totally re-defines how a certain genre is supposed to be made. In this case it's the Crime/Drama genre and it's been re-written by Andrew Lau and Company this with the help of Hong Kong's finest acting veterans in the business as well as newcomers toss in a top of the line movie script for good measure equals to a mega box-office blockbuster. This is exactly what happened to this now classic Hong Kong gem.

Released in 2002 INFERNAL AFFAIRS is a trilogy with that in mind, I will only review the first and in my opinion the best out of the three. If you like gritty crime action dramas that's been polished with A-Class actors and actresses you will be treated to one of the most spectacular movies ever made.

INFERNAL AFFAIRS transcends cultural boundaries as it deals with the universal language of Good Cop vs. Bad Cop formula that's been cleverly made with an awesome script littered with very clever dialogue throughout the entire movie experience.

Every shot, every angle deserves a cinematograpy award that should be equaled to that of an Oscar, or in this case a Golden Horse Award. There are moments in this movie that is simply breathtaking, to say the least. The opening score quickly grabs your attention and sucks you into its world and it will not let you go until its final climax. The soundtrack in the flick makes all the difference in the world. Period.

INFERNAL AFFAIRS is the crowning achievement of Andrew Lau's directing career. There is simply no other movie on his resume that equals to it. Of course not all of the credits should be given to him alone. No, we shouldn't forget the performers who brought the audiences in, into its world of imperfection, malice, hate, and revenge the world of INFERNAL AFFAIRS.

Both of the male leads, Andy Lau and Tony Leung is to be commended for their absolute captivating performances as the two leading moles on each side of the law. Andy Lau is the quickly-rising suave cop who is the mole for the triads, while Tony Leung plays the elusive undercover cop yet very tough triad who is the mole for the cops. Together we are forced on the edge of our seats as we watch these two intelligent personas play a game of chess if you will, but instead of plastic chess pieces the pieces being played are human lives.

Anthony Wong plays it cool as the leader of one of Hong Kong finest Police Divisions trying to take down his old nemesis Eric Tsang, whose the leader of one Triads most powerful side. These two Hong Kong veterans are awesome in their own right now mix them up with the two aforementioned actors you just can't go wrong!

The always playful and cute Sammi Cheng is all serious here as she plays Andy Lau's very understanding and supportive wife. The glorious Kelly Chen another star in her own right plays Tony Leung's psychiatrist as well as his lover.

The young guns Edison Chen plays as the young Andy Lau, and Shawn Yue as the young Tony Leung.

All of them brilliant, absolutely and positively brilliant!!!

There are so many cool scenes in this movie it's impossible for me to list them all, and why would I? It's always better to see the flick rather than someone telling you about it! It's a definite must see. No doubt about it!

This is Hong Kong Cinema at its best!!!

No wonder Brad Pitt snagged the rights to remake it after seeing it. The American remake will be directed by Martin Scorsese, and it will star Matt Damon, Leonardo Dicaprio, Martin Sheen, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg. It should be interesting since Media Asia the original production company of the original Hong Kong movie is co-producing this the remake as well. The title is called THE DEPARTED. Why that title? I do not know!

INFERNAL AFFAIRS is without a doubt another Hong Kong Cinema gem!