Kung Fu Hustle


This movie is just… awesome.

Kung Fu Hustle is basically about a man named Sing, played by director Stephen Chow, who wants to become apart of the notoriously violent Axe Gang. In trying to do so, he inadvertently exposes the true talents of some kung fu masters quietly living in a housing complex. From there, he gets caught up in the midst the Axe Gang’s plot to kill these newly discovered kung fu masters.

It’s definitely a weird film, but Kung Fu Hustle has a surprisingly heartwarming side in the midst of its comical and insanely stylized action sequences. This film is true eye candy; the action sequences were wonderfully choreographed. Really, the best thing I could say about this movie is that you simply need to watch it. Now.

 

RATING: 9/10

★★★★★★★★☆

Yojimbo


I’ve had a history of adoring Japanese films, but my experiences with Akira Kurosawa have been mixed. My first film from him was, of course, Seven Samurai, and I was honestly not impressed. I decided to give him another shot and watch Throne of Blood. This soon became one of my favorite films. By then, I felt I had gotten the feel for Akira Kurosawa’s style; but Yojimbo turned out to be something I didn’t at all expect. From the first tracking shot to the last punchy lines of dialogue, it was apparent that Akira Kurosawa was trying something new; for this film’s build was almost identical to that of a western. The dialogue, build, and style of this film all had very apperent influences from westerns, making this one of the most distinguished samurai films.

Yojimbo (which translates to Bodygard) follows the lone, and immensely talented, samurai Sanjuro as he stumbles across a town driven in fear by two gangs. He takes this as a money making opportunity and cleverly (as well as comically) lets the two gangs tear themselves apart due to the want of Sanjuro as a bodyguard.

Sanjuro proved to be a well developed character. He appears tough and witty, but from the first shot of the film it seems as if he’s lost in his purpose and a bit soft. This is later confirmed in the film through his actions (I won’t spoil anything).

I think that the great thing about this film is how brilliant Kurosawa’s direction was: the plot was really simple, but within this simple framework there were many details. And still, we could never predict how things would all unfold: he let mist rise at the perfect times, leaving us focused on the next event’s outcome. Kurosawa also used a great amount of humor in this film, something scarce in the rest of his works… but I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about this choice. I was often not sure whether I should be light or tense: comical sequences were found in the midst of brutal ones. Reflecting on the film, it’s only apparent that this was a very early example of an action film, and an excellent one at that. Here are some clips from Yojimbo and Sanjuro that prove my point.

I have yet to watch this film’s sequel, Sanjuro, but this is definitely one of Akira Kurosawa’s greatest works.

 

RATING: 8/10

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Young Sherlock Holmes


This movie was just plain… awesome.

In the film, we follow a young Watson and his adventures with an intelligent but misunderstood young Sherlock.

Everything, absolutely everything, you would have wanted this movie to be was present:

  • It was full of quotes, humor and campiness
  • There was plenty of complex murder mystery to be unravelled
  • There were some crazy hallucination scenes, including young Watson being sabotaged by pastries with faces
  • Had a good amount of creepiness
  • A shocking twist when the mystery villain is revealed
  • Yes, it will even be at times laughable (in a good way)
  • Heck, there’s even some entertaining action and adventure

It was also one of the first movies to use CGI, and it looks fine to this day. I also liked how this movie didn’t focus specifically on Holmes: it focused on Watson’s recollections of their adventures. Watch it. You’ll have a ton of fun.

RATING: 8/10

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Tales From Earthsea


This movie was brutally disrespected. People expected Goro Miyazaki to have the same style as his master animator father, Hayao Miyazaki, when really he had a style of his own (this would later be confirmed in From Up on Poppy Hill). What is this style? One of simplicity. This film may not have boasted the elegant feel of most Ghibli films, but it didn’t need it. What it boasted instead was the beauty of a legend, or the simplicity of an old fairy tale: I guess people were expecting a movie they weren’t going to get.

In the film, we follow the young Prince Arren and his exploits after killing his father (the king) as he faces his own morality and guilt.

The film had a good moral and heart. A lot of people complained about this movie being confusing, which I did not find was the case. There were some unexplained events and confusing occurrences, but things eventually settled. I watched the Japanese dub, but I doubt that made a major difference. I suggest you watch it with an open mind… you’ll be surprised.

 

RATING: 7/10

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Paths of Glory


Brilliant and very depressing. It’s accuracy on the way the army deals with failure to obey commands is debatable, but standing on its own it serves as a powerful war film/ courtroom drama hybrid.

In the film, we follow Colonel Dax (Kurk Douglas) as he tries to prevent the death penalty of 3 soldiers who were unfairly accused of cowardice in the face of the enemy.

This film is very Kubrick: it laid the path for his career well, as the film was brutal, had a powerful and convincing score, was very well shot, and was intense (as with the rest of his movies). The thing I love about this film is how it’s energy never slackened. I feel like courtroom films can get slow, but this one did a great job pacing itself. The war sequences were a little dated, but somehow my adrenaline was still pumping, thanks to Kubrick’s great directing. Paths of Glory poses some seemingly far-fetched situations, but nonetheless it’s a classic war film that everyone should watch.

 

RATING: 9/10

★★★★★★★★★☆

My Life As A Dog


This film’s goal was similar to that of one of my favorite films, The 400 Blows. What occurred, however, was a failed attempt at art house and a film lacking the emotional touch it desperately strived towards.

My Life as a Dog follows a boy who is rejected from his sick mother and ends up living with is fun but dirty uncle who slowly ruins his innocence.

There were definitely some powerful parts in this movie and enough humor to bring us through all the way. Yet, there was something about it that didn’t get to my soft place. The constant cutaways to a voiceover about Laika the space dog while we looked at outer space didn’t help its cause, either (don’t ask).

Very interesting, and without a doubt a good film, but not as touching as it could have been.

 

RATING: 5/10

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Godzilla 2014


Being a great step forward for director Gareth Edwards, Godzilla, on its own, is a good movie. There was just enough action and drama to please all audiences to an extent: the fact that my mom enjoyed this movie gives you a little clue.

We follow a soldier and his separated wife and kid as they try to survive the sudden global threat two giant monsters pose. Who will stop them? Godzilla!

Being a major league Godzilla fan, I was a little let down. They spent an unrealistic amount of time on character development, which was OK, but I didn’t get to see enough of Godzilla kicking butt to even it out. Unlike the 1998 film, Godzilla actually looked like Godzilla and contained his atomic breath (except he was really fat). The film also lacked the intensity it should have contained: the trailer made it look much crazier than it was.

If you wanted to watch a great recent kaiju film (Japanese monster movie), see Del Toro’s Pacific Rim. If you want to see a decent American monster movie, watch Godzilla.

 

RATING: 6/10

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

District 9


This movie kind of let me down. Despite great special effects, it took a really abrupt turn and became more of a slasher film than an intelligent sci-fi flick. Don’t believe me? There’s literally a part where the main character, who is now in a mech suit, picks up some random pig and throws it. I don’t even know if it was supposed to be funny.

The film follows these aliens that landed in South Africa with a broken ship. The dying aliens were moved to a slum-like area called District 9 where they were mistreated and misunderstood. I don’t want to spoil the major plot-point.

District 9 started out excellent. The usage of occasional gore and the believable documentary style played out for a thought-provoking pic. It set the tone on social justice messages well. Then, something happened. About an hour and a half in, the movie started to be shot in a normal, cinematic style instead of a fake documentary style, so that left a big plot hole: who on earth was videoing the main character in these fire-fights? That trifled with the tone a lot. The usage of gore and violence was brought up to a max, so the effects it had on us before were all washed away and we became numb to the splatting of blood.

It still brought up some fresh concepts, it was definitely action packed, and it did great as an indie film, but it’s highly overrated, in my opinion.

 

RATING: 7/10

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Great Underrated Movies


What do you mean?

You know those pics that you saw a really long time ago and completely forgot about? Or the ones where you hear people mention all the time but never get around to watching? Or the ones critics didn’t dig as much as the audience? These are the movies that often become forgotten, even if they’re great: underrated pics. I’m going to list out some underrated movies I love that I think are worth watching.

IV

Solaris

Solaris

This movie is beautiful. The cinematography is pristine and the plot is thought provoking. Director Andrei Tarkovsky truly delivers on this slow but inspiring piece. 

Solaris follows a psychologist who is sent to a space station orbiting a distant ocean planet. His mission was to find out what drove the few inhabitants of the station mad, only to be slowly driven mad himself.

Solaris is also rather experimental. The film swithced between black + white, sepia, and color frequently.

There’s not much more to be said about this movie. I hope the plot gives you an idea of how incredible it is. It’s name on the Criterion Collection is worthy.

III

Tremors

Kevin Bacon Vs. Graboid

Featuring one of Kevin Bacon’s early performances, this pic’s a  treat. The special effects are great and the dialogue is fun and punchy. The best thing about this movie is how well it balances horror and comedy: one minute you’re laughing your head off and the next you’re holding your breath. This is what a horror comedy is all about.

Tremors follows two slacker residents of the town Perfection as they slowly uncover the mystery behind the gradual disappearances of locals. The answer? Worms. Big worms.

The craft of this movie reaches a standard you wouldn’t have expected. The cinematography is clever, the acting is good, and the special effects are pretty great as well. If you’re in the mood for a fun horror flick, watch Tremors.

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