Hey there readers (if I do have some) so it's been a long long time since I last posted a qweekly review and I hope that this time round I'll be able to post more often than usual. In this installment I will talk about foreign and the usual Hollywood schtick. So click on the jump and find out more!
13 Assassins (2010, Takashi Miike)
This being my first Takashi Miike film, I have to admit that I enjoy it a whole lot. Upon first viewing though, it was similar to "300", the difference between them though is that this film lacks the other worldly aspect of 300 and the usage of green screen but those are not weak aspects of this film because this film offers a whole lot more. Their is more substance in this film and their is more character development because as you go along with this film, you will realize that the stakes are just too high and that you will get to know more from these characters throughout the film and the bond that they share together just adds depth to them. Another thing that this film did well is it's outstanding action because firstly it does not back down on the violence, if you want violence this film will give it. Secondly is how well choreographed the action scenes are, it's just a delight to see and you can clearly see the hardwork of the people involved in making this. 13 Assassins is not just a good dramatic film but also a great popcorn flick.
Grade:
The Blind Swordsman Zatoichi (2003, Takeshi Kitano)
A Samurai, a blind guy (played by Kitano no less) and blood, sounds gold right? That's because it is indeed gold. From the start of the film we already get a glimpse of Zatoichi and I was just at awe with this character (this is my first Zatoichi flick) but that is a big thanks to Kitano's sympathetic performance because when he's playing the blind state of Zatoichi, you feel bad for him and feel sympathetic to the character but when his Samurai side shows up, he's just ruthless and scary and that just brought so many layers to define the character. In addition, I liked how Kitano injected this film with tiny yet subtle humor, it doesn't come off as shoe-in but instead it felt with the tone Kitano went for this film.
Grade:
Blind Detective (2013, Johnnie To)
I am not much a fan of detective films but when done right, it brings out the best from the genre. having seen this film, I admit that the best out of that genre was brought on to this film. Although the premise of the film is quite ridiculous it just adds more entertainment to the film because Johnnie To was able to show it without being over the top or not being too underwhelming. Props to Johnnie To too for being able to give his leading actors/ characters the perfect chemistry because you will just root for this characters whether it'll be professional or personal.
Grade:
Drug War (2013, Johnnie To)
Being a fan of Breaking Bad, I've been looking for a great film that is a bit close to that wheelhouse. Then I stumbled upon this small film by Johnnie To and decided to check it out, and oh my God, it's a damn good movie! Even from the start of the film the thrill just starts and it never stops, it will keep you guessing if the characters motivations are really what it was or if they have something under their sleeve. The acting in this movie is also top-notch especially the lead character played by Honglei Sun, to me he is just the highlight of the film, every emotion that he displays just hits the right note. Another thing that this film did well was the action scenes, with guns blazing and fist punching it just keep you on the edge of your seat.
Grade:
The Railway Man (2013, Jonathan Teplitzky)
The film follows the true story of a former British officer who was tortured at a labor camp by the Japanese during World War II. Sound interesting? Well, it is, kinda. The positives of this film is the powerful performances by those involved especially Colin Firth, Hiroyuki Sanada and relatively new-comer Jeremy Irvine. Their performances were so captivating that it was the main aspect that brought life onto this film. The plot though is a different story, while it was interesting to see, the execution wasn't quite good because there are some things that are just too over the top that it didn't occur at all in reality, if their is one thing that the plot did right though it is to show how trauma and emotions can get the better of one person.
Grade:
The Battery (2012, Jeremy Gardner)
Zombie films has now become one of the most over-used "villains" in a horror film and let's face it, most of them suck. So this zombie flick follows two former baseball players who is now doing everything they can to survive. Unlike other zombie movies though, this one is ACTUALLY good because it does not just show zombies with their heads being bashed in it also shows how these two characters survive through this post-apocalyptic world and it also shows how these two function with each other and how these guys' relationship evolve throughout the whole film. The performances of both the leads were also quite good because it was a natural performance and it really felt authentic.
Grade:
I, Frankenstein (2014, Stuart Beattie)
Think of it as this, it's Underworld but with gargoyles and demons except for vampires and werewolves. Sound good? WRONG! Despite it's cool villains, I have to say that I have never been bored by this type of film before. The action scenes were not that good, the effects was a bit sloppy and the story was just too messy. Too bad for Aaron Eckhart though because he seems to be the only one trying for this film to be at least tolerable and yes that includes Bill Nighy because Nighy's performance here is the same with his performance in the first Underworld. Say no more, this film sucks.
Grade:
Snowpiercer (2014, Joon Ho-Bong)
Snowpiercer is an adaptation from a graphic novel with the same name. I can't judge if it's a good adaptation though because I haven't read it yet but I will judge it as a movie. The movie has a slow pacing at the start because it sets up the plot and introduces all the characters that will appear. The slow pacing actually helped the movie because it lets these aspects to sink onto you and makes you more invested in it so that when the story progresses you will be fully attached to it and will actually make an effect to the viewer. The performances of the actors were also very good and I do think that this is Chris Evans' best performance to date because even just looking at his eyes you can see the despair and anger from this character.
Grade:
Rurouni Kenshin (2012, Keishi Ohtomo)
Another adaptation on this list but this time it is a live-action adaptation of an anime/manga of the same name. The plot of the film is pretty simple, a former assassin Kenshin Himura who is now an outcast that wanders throughout Japan offering aid and protection to those in need, he is doing this as an atonement to his past evil deeds. This is the basic outline of the movie, but I will spoil no more. The execution of the story is pretty great in my opinion because it shows how Kenshin evolved in the entirety of the film and it shows how much restraint he is showing just so he will not be back to that form again. The choreography of the action scenes is also awesome, the sword fights were just jaw dropping and really served as one of the best (if not the best) aspect of the whole film. The cinematography is also very good because it captures the era it was going for and it showcased the action scenes a whole lot better rather than the close-up shots that we mostly see in action films.
Grade:
The Lego Movie (2014, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller)
I just want to say three words regarding this film......... EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!!
Grade:
Throne of Blood (1957, Akira Kurosawa)
I'll just lay this down now, I love this film, sure it has its ups and downs but in the end, I just loved it. Let's get down to the positives first, Toshiro Mifune is just one of the best actors ever and he surely is one of my favorites, his performance in this one was very good because you get to feel his dedication as a general and who just wants to be the most powerful of all yet you will also in Mifune's character that he doesn't solely agree to what he is doing. One of the strongest suits of the film too is the atmospheric environment that Kurosawa showed because it fits with the tone it's going for and it fits to the story that this film is going for. I only have one complaint for the movie though and that is the lack of sword fights, I know that that isn't too much of a complaint but that's what I felt after seeing this film, nevertheless it is still a great film and a great character study.
Grade:
Vampire Academy (2014, Mark Waters)
This film is directed by the man responsible behind Mean Girls and that actually sounds good because I liked Mean Girls, after watching this though, it is almost the same as Mean Girls but with vampires and being a less enjoyable film than Mean Girls. From the bad writing, to the bad action and to the half-assed acting, this film is just a mediocre attempt at remaking one of the most successful teen dramedy. The only two good things that I liked to come out from this film is how the lead character appears to be the side character because I thought that it was a nice touch (even though the character is a tad annoying) and to be honest I was a bit entertained by it by the time the third act appears. If only Joss Whedon did this film, it'll be a whole lot better.
Grade:
So there you have it for the 9th installment of qweekly reviews! I hope you enjoyed reading it!
No comments:
Post a Comment