Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Coast Guard (Korea, 2002)


A Kim Ki Duk film is like sushi, some will be good for your taste buds, while others will just taste weird. But it will still be pretty edible. 

This movie is pretty weird, but still interesting to watch. A Korean soldier guarding the border coast of South Korea unwittingly kills a civilian. The girlfriend of that man goes nuts and the soldier also becomes crazy.

What happens next is a merry-go-round of insane situations that eventually leads to murder. 

RATING: @@@

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Dolls (Japan, 2002)


This is a beautifully shot film telling three different stories that intersects along the way. 

A man and his fiancĂ© runaway together to live like hermits on the road. A man becomes obsessed with a Japanese pop star. And finally, an old yakuza boss reminisces about his first love whom he left years ago. 

All this is told in colorful fashion by veteran actor/director Takeshi Kitano. This movie isn't for everybody's taste but those who take the plunge will find a surprisingly good experience. 

RATING: @@@@

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Message (China, 2009)


This movie is about a spy hunt conducted in China during World War 2. 

Five people are trapped inside a mansion by Japanese imperialist troops in order to flush out a spy named Phantom. 

What follows is a thrilling cat and mouse game that will leave audiences guessing to the very end. 

RATING: @@@@

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Blood: The Last Vampire (Hollywood, 2009)


This is a live-action adaptation of an anime film back in 2000, which was better than this flick. 

Jeon Ji Hyun makes her Hollywood debut as a vampire/human half-breed out to hunt down bloodsuckers in the 1970s. 

The film has great production values but the special effects are so lame, you're better off watching CGI cutscenes in video games.  

RATING: @

My Little Bride (Korea, 2004)


This film tells the story of a college guy who gets engaged to a 17-year-old high school student. 

Sure, it's cute and a lot of the situational gags are nice, but this flick is just reserved for those who are really in love with photogenic Korean movie stars. 

There are lots of scenes here that won't be plausible in real life. Like having a cute, pretty young thing living alone with a single, horny college student.  

RATING: @@@

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Goemon (Japan, 2009)


This big budget action/fantasy film is about the legendary Goemon Ishikawa who can be considered as the Robin Hood of Japan. 

In the movie he's a highly trained ninja brought to protect the daughter of a shogun, to whom he eventually falls in love with. 

This film is visually arresting even though the special effects are a bit weak. 

RATING: @@@

Kung Fu Mahjong 2 (Hong Kong, 2006)


Wong Jing returns for a second helping in this outrageous follow up to the 2005 film. This time we have a female protagonist in the form of the lovely Cherrie Ying.

She stars as Fanny, a mahjong genius that suddenly ends up with marital problems due to her cheating bastard of a husband. 

She then joins a high stakes mahjong game to win her hubby back. This sequel is just as good as the first one and there are plenty of funny scenes to keep things going.

RATING: @@@@

Monday, October 11, 2010

The Uninvited (Korea, 2003)


This flick starts a little boring but eventually builds up into a surprisingly good thriller. 

Jeon Ji Hyun stars in this unconventional Asian horror romp as a woman with unnatural psychic powers. 

Along the way she meets a guy with the same condition, only he doesn't want his unexpected gift. 

Those looking for a different kind of supernatural horror movie will find what they're looking for in this one. 

RATING: @@@@

Swing Girls (Japan, 2004)


This almost-perfect summer blockbuster is the ultimate cure for afternoon boredom. 

The story follows a group of high school girls stuck with summer classes who then ends up building a jazz band. 

Juri Ueno turns in a terrific performance as the crazy but funny band leader. 

RATING: @@@@

Kung Fu Mahjong (Hong Kong, 2005)


An excellent slapstick comedy from HK, this time it focuses on the game of mahjong mixed with kung fu.

The movie follows a mentally challenged guy that has a super photographic memory as he goes around Hong Kong trying to win mahjong competitions. 


RATING: @@@@

Friday, October 8, 2010

Iron Man 2 (Hollywood, 2010)


Robert Downey Jr. returns in this kick-ass sequel that will leave your body rushing with adrenaline. 

Joining in the fun is Mickey Rourke as a Russian mad scientist bent on revenge against Tony Stark aka Iron Man. 

Not only that, but the organization known as SHIELD also wants to recruit him to join a new league of superheroes called the Avengers. 

RATING: @@@@

Monday, October 4, 2010

Radio Star (Korea, 2006)


This is a nice little film made in the ending days of the Korean new wave. 

The story follows a washed-up singer and his manager as they go through life reminiscing about the past while trying to survive in the present. 

One day opportunity knocks on their door to work at a rural radio station and then the magic begins. Enjoyable and entertaining but not surprising.

RATING: @@@

Love Exposure (Japan, 2008)


A masterpiece of epic proportions, this movie is four hours long and you'll be loving every minute of it. 

The story is simple: A high school student makes a promise to his dying mom to find himself a good girl to marry. 

Along the way he meets the babelicious girl of his dreams and all hell breaks loose. 

I won't say anymore because in the first 30 minutes you'll be mesmerized by the way the movie presents itself. 


RATING: @@@@@

Eye in the Sky (Hong Kong, 2007)


An interesting film about surveillance operatives in Hong Kong and how they do their job. 

The movie follows two groups of people: a gang of thieves led by Tony Leung Ka-Fai and the surveillance unit led by Simon Yam. 

Overall, the movie is a watchable and satisfying experience. 

RATING: @@@@

Iron Man (Hollywood, 2008)


Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark, a hi-tech weapon maker that almost got whacked by one of his inventions. 

This movie starts slow then builds up into a character-driven story of one man's journey into becoming a really cool superhero. 

Mr. Downey fits perfectly into the role of Tony Stark, which makes him watchable even if he's not wearing his iron suit. 

RATING: @@@@

The Killer (Hollywood, 2023)

  This dark action thriller from director David Fincher is a stylish "Hitman Procedural" that follows Michael Fassbender as he goe...