Friday, November 19, 2010

Animal House (Hollywood, 1978)

In the late 1970s an American movie classic was born. This film may not be familiar with today's generation but if it hadn't been made back then, there won't be any good screwball comedies being filmed today in Hollywood. 

The movie follows the exploits of the Delta fraternity in a college campus as they wreak havoc while having a lot of fun with toga parties and road trips. Kids today can use this flick as a guide on how to have a good time in college.

RATING: @@@@

Thursday, November 18, 2010

100 Days with Mr. Arrogant (Korea, 2004)


During the height of the Korean new wave, a lot of rom-coms came out of movie theaters in Korea. Some are good, some are bad. This particular film is an interesting mix of the good/bad ratio. It has good-looking Korean stars and it has that brand-new, romantic feel to it. 

The bad part is in the middle when you realize there's nothing more to the film. The story goes like this: rich boy meets not so rich girl and along the way they become annoyed with each other, but sooner or later they fall in love. Case closed. Those looking for something more original should look somewhere else. 

RATING: @

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Yellow Tears (Japan, 2007)


Isshin Inudou, the director behind the teen-baseball masterpiece Touch goes for a little trip to memory lane in this flick about four friends who happen to be aspiring artists trying to make ends meet in the 1960s. For some this will be boring, but those who are patient enough to watch it will have a satisfying film experience. 

The sets are well-made and the characters will leave a memorable mark on the viewers. This is a story about the golden color of one's past and the optimism of people in having a bright future.

RATING: @@@

Hail the Judge (Hong Kong, 1994)


Before Stephen Chow made Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle, he starred in many Hong Kong comedies. This one is a prime example of Mr. Chow's comedic talents, where he stars as a corrupt judge in 18th century China who decides to be a good guy and in turn goes through a lot of wacky circumstances. The movie has fantastic pacing and there's never a dull moment. 

You'll be assaulted by sight gags left and right and before you know it, the film is over and you're stomach's hurting from too much laughter. This is one of the best screw-ball comedies to come out of HK in the 1990s. 


Rating: @@@@

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Karate Kid (Hollywood, 2010)


Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith) stars with Asian superstar Jackie Chan in this movie about a kid who learns martial arts to fight back some bullies. 

Despite the predictable outcome of the movie it's still worth watching. Just consider the scene where Mr. Chan and young Jaden shares a moment inside a car, where they become totally honest with each other without really saying much. 

That's great acting and directing right there. This flick is an example of telling a familiar story in a new and refreshing manner. 

RATING: @@@@

Monday, November 8, 2010

One Million Yen Girl (Japan, 2008)


A movie about a young woman that travels across the country taking on different jobs and quitting after she's gained 1,000,000 yen. 

This is an interesting movie that stars Yu Aoi and shows how easy it is to get various jobs in a rich country like Japan. 

If you want to know the reason why she does these things, you better watch the film and enjoy the beauty of the different cities featured in the movie. 

RATING: @@@@

A Better Tomorrow 2 (Hong Kong, 1987)


This explosive sequel to the hit film re-unites Chow Yun Fat with director John Woo for more gun-toting action. 

There's not much on the plot but there are a few surprises along the way. This is the way action film sequels should be made, plenty of slick choreography and a hell of a lot better than the original. 

RATING: @@@@

Friday, November 5, 2010

Date Night (Hollywood, 2010)

Two very talented comedy actors stuck in a crappy little film. This basically sums up this not-so-funny Hollywood flick about a suburban couple who goes out into the city for their "date night". 

They get mistaken for somebody else then ends up on the run from gangsters and crooked cops. Steve Carell (from The Office) and Tina Fey (from Saturday Night Live) are very game in playing their respected roles but the movie doesn't allow them to do much. 

This movie can be categorized as a complete waste of time, so better avoid it like the plague. 

RATING: @

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Girl Scout (Korea, 2008)


A movie about four very different women banding together to track down a union leader who stole all their money. Sure, the plot sounds boring but the execution of the film in terms of visuals and acting make it worth your while. 

Kim Seon Ah (from My Name is Kim Sam Soon) leads the pack in this outrageous tale of car chases, bad debt, and unexpected friendships. Funny and touching, this isn't your run-of-the-mill chick flick. 

RATING: @@@

The Ring (Japan, 1998)


Who in Asia isn't familiar with this horror film? A cursed videotape kills whoever views it via a television set. Sounds weird and creepy at the same time? You bet it is. 

This Japanese flick launched the Asian horror genre that includes the ghost of a woman in white with really long hair. 

This is the movie that showed everybody that you don't really need all that blood and gore to make an effective and haunting horror movie. 

RATING: @@@@@

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

A Better Tomorrow (Hong Kong, 1986)


This is the film that revolutionized the way action flicks are made in Hong Kong. John Woo comes out with guns blazing in this movie that tells the tale of brothers, cops and robbers, and extremely cool shoot-outs. 

Chow Yun Fat stars as a gangster involved in counterfeiting money while Leslie Cheung stars as a cop bent on taking him down. 

This is a movie way ahead of it's time in terms of action choreography and in-your-face violence.

RATING: @@@@

Clash of the Titans (Hollywood, 2010)


This movie is a remake of a 1981 flick with the same title. The original was much better (except for the special effects of that time). 

The story follows the tale of Perseus, who is a bastard son of the god Zeus as he goes on a journey to exact some major payback against the god of the underworld Hades. 

Sam Worthington (from Avatar fame) stars as the head honcho while a bunch of not so famous actors join in on the fun. 

The film starts out strongly but weakens as it progresses towards the end. Even the advanced "3D effects" aren't that good-looking when seen up close. 

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...