| Movie | Rating | Review | Date | Your Rating | Match | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-seiki shônen: Dai 2 shô - Saigo no kibô (20th Century Boys: Chapter Two - The Last Hope) - Unrated | This movie just makes me want to see Chapter 3 that much more. Chapter 1 was epic in it's setup of the storyline and introducing all of the characters. The Last Hope continues with Kanna as a teenager now waging her terrorist war on Friend. With not as much backstory to tell we're engaged with the events of the present and everything that has happened to the world in the 15 years since Chapter 1. I couldn't stop watching this but still felt Chapter 1 was an overall more well told story. That being said, this does introduce some juicy plot points that has me desperately wanting to see the final Chapter. The New Book of Prophecies? Yes please! Still an awesome movie and anyone that has seen Chapter 1 will surely watch this and love it too. Give us Chapter 3 now!!! | September 28, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Gam chin dai gwok (I Corrupt All Cops) - Unrated | Not the greatest reviews on here but I really loved this movie, maybe it was the historical setting or strong content, but maybe simply the strong acting and believable characters. We're taken back to a very realistic 70's in Hong Kong when corruption in the police force was rampant. It's a complex movie with many characters and lots of events happening, however mainly focusing on the lives of a few of the cops and gangsters involved in the corruption. Fairly violent at times, some scenes are not for the weak, however this drives the intended point to the lengths the gangsters will go. The historical parts once the ICAC is started is interesting as we learn some of the background to the agency and the reasons for the founding member's determination at stamping out corruption in the police force. Sure it's Wong Jing directing so it probably isn't going to the an Oscar-worthy film but this one does deliver and I enjoyed it! | September 28, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Overheard (Qie ting feng yun) - Unrated | Overheard follows a group of police officers working on cracking the case of insider trading at a firm by using high tech surveillance. One officer in dire straits overhears some insider information and then uses it for personal gain, setting off a chain of events. It's like The Informat, but serious... wait maybe that's a bad description. It's like the HK movie, Eye in the Sky... wait not really. Overheard is more about the people involved, mainly the three police officers, which gives this movie it's strength. Each character has a very real story about things going on in his life, which forces him to act the way he does. The only failure of this movie is the overly apparent Mainland China censorship approval, which other viewers who have seen Mainland-approved films or special features such as a Mainland China ending to another movie. No one escapes punishment for whatever wrong they have committed, even if we are rooting for the underdogs. Ending was very weak in this regards but overall a good film. | September 28, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Chilgeup Gongmuwon (My Girlfriend Is an Agent) (7th Grade Civil Servant) - Unrated | An action comedy that delivers, while nothing we haven't seen it's still a pleasant viewing experience. Think "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" not "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" and you'll get the idea of this comedy. Likable main characters and some clever plot elements mixed with just enough action kept me engaged throughout the film. While not Korea's absolute best movie of the year this definitely rates as one of the most enjoyable so far for 2009 to just have fun seeing. | September 27, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Bomnalui gomeul johahaseyo (Spring Bears Love) (Do You Like Spring Bear?) - Unrated | Fairly formulaic Korean romantic comedy with a female lead... what else is new? Nothing special here except maybe a touching side story about Hyun-chae's father in the hospital. Sure the posters were interesting which is why I watched this in the first place but otherwise forgettable. | September 27, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Sophie's Revenge - Unrated | It's a romantic comedy, that should be pretty self-explanatory. Still it was interesting to see Ziyi Zhang in her role, and also very hard to tell it was even her with that haircut! One other quip was Jisub So speaking in dubbed Mandarin, so yeah his lips didn't match up with his voice all of the time. Other than that this movie tries to be almost like a "Sex and the City"-lite for China with three female characters each dealing with issues but focusing mostly on Sophie. Some of the situations were pretty funny in her quest, but the overall plot a tad predictable and melodramatic. It's a romantic comedy though, absurd plots and overacting is what you expect! Not amazing but not bad either. | September 8, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Chugyeogja (The Chaser) - Unrated | This was a little more graphic than I initially thought it would be, so if you really can't handle that watch out (blood and violence). That part aside, this was still one of the better Korean films of 2008. Definitely taking the genre of action-thriller to it's highest levels, I was on the edge of my plane seat watching this wondering what would happen next and if things would work out. We're lead along with the story of Joong-ho, a former detective who is now a pimp. When his girls start to go missing Joong-ho finally connects the dots that they've all visited the same man, the same person that he has just sent another of his girls, Mi-jin, to tonight. It's a cop-drama as they try to figure out what is happening while Joong-ho is able to take the law into his own hands and must track down the killer and solve the case on his own before time runs out. Again very engaging story and don't immediately be turned off by the opening scene which is very intense, the rest of the movie calms down a bit after the shower scene but still is pretty graphic at times (but not like a Saw losing limbs violent). Recommended viewing! | September 8, 2009 | N/A | |||
| New York - Unrated | A bit overly dramatic at times, with some extended musical montage scenes (but not dancing), what else do you expect from an Indian movie?? A story about friendship set in modern day New York as a group of Indians deal with life post-9/11. We first meet the main character, Omar, in the present day and then are filled in on the backstory of how these three friends met in college. Shortly after graduation 9/11 happens and it changes their worlds totally. The contrast from the idealized college life of fun times and free spirits turns upside down after 9/11 serves as a perfect turning point in the movie. We then rejoin the story in the present day and learn how life after 9/11 has affected them in very different ways. Omar begins his resentful mission and we learn more and more the ways it affects both the trio and the world around them. Overall a decent movie about friendship and the modern troubles still plaguing immigrants. Only complaint was that it was a tad on the long side clocking in at almost 3 hours. | September 5, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Yoru no shanghai (The Longest Night in Shanghai) - PG | Ok the wife hated this because it was so cheesy, even though it has the awesome Wei Zhao playing the leading lady and I found it interesting. Sure nothing really makes sense, the main plot is a Japanese guy (Masahiro Motoki) lost in Shanghai for the night with a cab driver (Wei Zhao) taking pity on him. While the two struggle to communicate in Japanese and Chinese, they do slowly build an attraction to one another. This attraction is the result of each character's own relationship struggles that we learn throughout the night. Both characters have their own storylines about relationships and that progress and learning together (and encouraging each other to be strong through non-verbal cues) is what makes this movie work. The backdrop of Shanghai after-hours and a great soundtrack doesn't hurt either. The plot does have it's holes, the fact that a driver keeps hauling this guy around (who doesn't have any money by the way) and doesn't even speak Chinese is a little far-fetched. It's the attraction that builds and them communicating together in spite of this that gives "The Longest Night in Shanghai" it's charm. Worth watching if you enjoy a Babel-like storyline with two great leads, great visuals/locations, and a perfectly matched soundtrack. | August 7, 2009 | N/A | |||
| District 9 - R | August 7, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Private Eye - Unrated | Why the bad ratings Flixster??? One of the better Korean films of 2009 so far! This is one a great period film with some action and adventure much in the same vein as "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" for Korean cinema. A movie about Joseon's first detective depicts some of the challenges facing citizens when the police are as corrupt as the politicians. Who do they turn to but the charismatic Jin-ho. The main characters were all great and well acted, with plenty of action and a storyline that doesn't really lag at any point luckily. It is a period film so we do get to see old Joseon and the world is well created, drawing us in. Not a bad movie at all, hopefully this review will convince people to at least give it a chance! | August 5, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Dim Sum Funeral - R | Not so bad, reminds me of "Red Doors" but then again that is one of the few recent Chinese-American movies (well maybe besides "Ping Pong Playa" which was hilarious). Back on track, nothing outstanding but interesting nonetheless as we see the family dynamics of this very dysfunctional family. All of the characters are very distinct with their own problems giving them life. The movie is ultimately ruined by the ending which was rather lame. | August 5, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Kiraware Matsuko no isshô (Memories of Matsuko) - Unrated | Excellent movie from a very talented director. I'm sure this has comparisons to other films but it's the uniquely Japanese take on things that make it memorable. I'd actually seen Tetsuya Nakashima's other works (Kamikaze Girls and Paco and the Magical Picture Book) before this and glad I finally saw this one. We're taken on a journey of Matsuko's turbulent life via her nephew who is investigating her death. Starting with the death lets the viewer know the ultimate outcome, and at the same time establishes the mystery from the beginning as we're treated to the happier times of Matsuko's early life. The first half is superior to the second with some catchy and memorable songs ("Happy Wednesday!," "What is a Life," and "Love is Bubble" among others) as well as superb storytelling. What happens in the second half though begins to show Matsuko's downward spiral in life as well. This girl just can't catch a break and find happiness! More misfortune befalls her as she gets mixed up with some (more) questionable characters. Ultimately though we do get a resolution, and more than just finding out how Matsuko died. Things sort of get pulled together and we get that glimpse into what her life meant and those that she touched. A touching movie with some memorable scenes and of course very memorable characters. Everyone will remember the songs like "Happy Wednesday!" and the expertly choreographed prison scene of "What is a Life." If you've seen Tetsuya Nakashima's other excellent works (like I have) be sure not to miss this one too! | July 23, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Daai baan taat yat chaan (Osaka Wrestling Restaurant) - Unrated | Another movie that starts out with a decent premise but then gets bogged down. The good thing? This is more of that uniquely Hong Kong cinema with a mix of action, comedy, drama and of course a little romance for good measure. Two brothers decide to open a restaurant after one of them becomes engrossed in Osaka-style wrestling while living abroad in Japan. They find some interesting characters to play the wrestlers and begin to stage matches while the patrons eat in the restaurant. Now mix in some subplots about the rival restaurant across the street, one brother winning back his wife and kids by being successful, and the other trying to become a great chef (while hiding a secret from the female figure of the film). Typical HK-fare which isn't bad but not good either. I would have rather spent my time re-watching something else. | July 22, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Men in White - Unrated | A bit funny at first but then it seems they just try to hard for the jokes. What starts as a great idea (the everyday lives of ghosts) only works for the first 30-45 minutes. Then the material runs out and we're treated to some goofy plot. It was much more funny doing the "interviews" at the beginning about what everyday life is like for a ghost in Singapore. Some funny skits and comedic rapping. Loses it's charm though in the second half so on the whole this doesn't get a full recommendation. | July 22, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Blood: The Last Vampire - R | While I did like the way they expanded a bit of the storyline from the anime, overall it was rather cheesey at times. Instead of just hunting a couple demons at the school (as in the anime), we get a changed storyline with hundreds of demons hanging out in Japan and Saya trying to find the leader of the demons, Onigen. The CGI scenes were a little cheap and the demons didn't look all that convincing, and the blood spraying everywhere during the fight scenes were more of the same. The choreography was good though and expanding upon the original storyline does make this flow a little better. Didn't meet the expectations but was decent nonetheless. | July 15, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Knowing - PG-13 | I'm sure every review is along these lines: Interesting up until the very end when it just goes off the deep end. Things get really creepy and interesting as Cage's character begins to put together the pieces to the puzzle. Pretty suspenseful with enough mystery to keep you interested and wanting to learn more. The ending, not so much, while it does explain everything it was a bit of a let-down. I mean COME ON! Ok won't spoil it but I was expecting something more epic than that given the religious overtones throughout the movie. Decent but the ending ugh!! Three stars only because of that ending! | July 15, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Push - PG-13 | Reminded me a lot of "Jumper" with it's general plot of extraordinary teenagers vs Secret Government Organization. We are provided enough information to sort of know what's going on while still leaving enough mythology out there for a possible sequel, which would be welcomed. I really enjoyed the filming in Hong Kong instead of doing the usual big city of LA or NY, it definitely gives this film a different feel as the characters are all on the run. Some of the plot holes are not really explained, like how our main character can go from barely being able to move a piece of paper to suddenly being able to control objects flying around the room the next day. Of course doing so would bog down the story but we could have at least had an explanation like "abilities are enhanced during times of stress or adrenaline." Regardless, I still really liked the movie even if it did remind me a lot of Jumper or Heroes. Some great ideas and the possibility for a franchise to learn more with a rather open ending (even though the plot from the movie is tied up nicely). Good acting from our main characters, neat special effects, and again lovely cinematography with some great locations and colorful scenes. | July 10, 2009 | N/A | |||
| San suk si gin (The Shinjuku Incident) - Unrated | Really loved the first part of this movie and it has some great acting all around from the all-star cast. Jackie Chan again shows his acting prowess (and not just martial arts) - I don't think he did more than a punch or two the entire film. Things are great showing the Chinese immigrants trying to make it in Japan doing what they can and sticking together. However, once they get more and more involved with the Yakuza is when things get messy - both in plot and with the characters. Once you see Daniel Wu on drugs you will understand, quite a departure from his great acting in other roles (Protege and One Night in Mongkok to be sure) and even earlier in the film. You'll probably see this anyways because it's one of the few true blockbusters to come out of Hong Kong this year. An all-star cast and overall decent film makes this a decent watch. | July 8, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Blood - The Last Vampire - Unrated | Interesting but too short and underdeveloped! The plot is an interesting one about the late 60's in Japan but it's not fleshed out enough. The ending leaves a lot open that was barely brought to life during the movie. Good but could have been better, I hope the live-action remake does this concept justice. | July 8, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Shou ji (Cell Phone) - Unrated | A great movie about some of the problems facing couples in modern China, and how technology might not be actually bringing us closer but further apart. In this film we see how a device like a cell phone can be a haven of secrets and cause people to lie to each other eventually ruining marriages. Underscoring issues facing intimacy problems between couples in modern China, this contains some great cultural references and some funny scenes. Worth watching for all fans of modern Chinese cinema. | July 6, 2009 | N/A | |||
| City of Life and Death - Unrated | Lots of drama but that's to be expected given the subject matter of this movie. This does show some different sides of the Japanese occupation and tries to not be overly biased. More on the people behind the tragedy, we meet a representative from each side of the story and get a dramatic representation of what was happening to them specifically. Besides this another aspect is all of the realistic war scenes showing some great cinematography (and often graphic scenes) of the Rape of Nanking. | July 6, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Exit No. 6 (Liu hao chu kou) - Unrated | Another youth movie from Taiwan, still fun to get caught up in the hijinx and re-live being a teenager vicariously through the kids. Nothing new happens, the kids cause some mischief doing Jackass style stunts while evading a lone police officer. Two girls fall for the same guy, etc etc. After a light and romantic youth first half Yu-Hsien Lin finally decides the trifles of their everyday teenage lives aren't enough and re-introduces a kidnapper who is targeting young women. Of course the girls get caught and it's up to the boys to finally get their acts together and save them. We do meet the interesting older generation of Taiwan and learn that the youth and elderly can join forces and still be cool. Not bad at all but not groundbreaking either. | June 29, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Taken - PG-13 |
During Act 1 we are introduced to Bryan (Neeson) who we find out is an ex-Spy/Special Forces type of character who is meeting up with old buddies and trying to get to know his daughter. While I initially thought this movie might go along with his bodyguard gig (I literally had no prior knowledge of this movie) the action picks up after about 30 minutes as the daughter is "taken." I really loved the action scenes, Neeson is literally the ultimate badass and nothing will stop him from rescuing his daughter. The plot just kept me focused during the entire rest of the movie as he goes from one scene to the other on his mission. At the end we looked at each other on the couch and thought back to what just happened, we weren't really thinking at the time but he does some major damage through Paris. Great movie recommended for that action fix! |
June 28, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Gong fu chu shen (Kung Fu Chefs) - Unrated | Always amazed that Flixster will have a movie like this but not other Asian cinema. Anyways on to a quickie review. This movie is like "God of Cookery" with more unnecessary kung fu scenes. The basic plot is in the summary here: village head chef (Sammo Hung) gets framed and forced to go to the city, meets up with a monk straight out of a kung fu temple who is conveniently interested in cooking, and takes him under his wing at a restaurant with connections to his old village brother. What ensues are the basic stuff you've come to expect, cooking scenes mixed with a little romantic interest between master and disciple. What was unnecessary was all of the kung fu scenes... but it is Sammo Hung and I wouldn't expect them not to utilize his skills, but the plot sort of forced the scenes through a revenge subplot mixed in. Nothing remarkable here that hasn't been done before (and better) in other cooking and kung fu movies. Going along with the Kung Fu XXXXX trend though I guess we all saw this coming. | June 28, 2009 | N/A |
532 ratings
249 reviews
