2005

Revenge tales are nothing new to Korean cinema so with every new one the creators have to look to ways of injecting something fresh into a genre that could go stale very fast.

With A Bittersweet Life it can be safely said that Ji-woon Kim is more than capable of doing that.

The source of the film's vengeance is Sun-woo (Byung-hun), he by outward appearance is neatly presented hotel manager but as we find out in the opening few minutes he is a deadly and seemingly emmotionless enforcer. When his boss, President Kang (Young-chul), asks him to keep a eye on his girlfriend Hee-soo (Min-a) to see if she is being faithful to him alos telling him if she is cheating that he must kill her and her lover. But all this does not go to plan as Sun-woo's feelings get in the way of his job and his loyalty to his boss, now he has to deal with the repercussions of his actions.


Firstly let it be said that on screen the city of Seoul is striking in it's outward cleanliness and beauty whilst under the surface seems to be a vicious underworld. It works as a match to the character of Sun-woo who is clean cut and smart in his business but underneath the sharp veneer is a potential for violence which when unleashed becomes an unstoppable machine.


I loved how the story didn't try to pretend to be anything more than a revenge tale, the plots moves along in a linear fashion, thankfully avoiding alot of the cliches or potential twists. It is enjoyable in it's simplicity. Yes you can tell where the story is going and to what ends it may bring, but in the case of this film is completely satisfying. I suppose it could be equated with going to a restaurant, ordering great food, getting what you wanted and it tasting just as you expected.


Although having said that the final shot of the film does suggest something but you can take it as you want. As with most Korean or other eastern movies it sows seeds for discussion and gives the viewer more of a choice in deceiding what they have just seen.


Visually, like the story, it is simple, stark yet rich and easy on the eye. When the blood does flow, and it flows alot, it is bold and in your face. The fight scenes are fantastic especially the final shoot out in the hotel restaurant. The acting is equally good Byung-hun Lee makes Sun-woo a believeable, likable guy through all his violent outbursts and his chemistry with his unrequited love Hee-soo is great.

SPL is about a squad of Hong Kong police officers heade up by Chan (Simon Yam) who are attempting to bring down crime boss Wing Po (Sammo Hung). Chen is a couple days away from retiring and has to bring his replacement, Ma (Donnie Yen), upto speed on what he has to do once he is gone. But before this can take place they come across some evidence that could potential frame Po and bring him down.

What takes place onscreen in the brisk 90 minute run time is quite possibly one of the best HK action movies in a long time. From the opening sequence which sets the emmotional tone for the film. Yip's direction style is gripping, clever and very watchable. The use of music is just right and the sound is excellent. The performances are uniformally excellent, especially Sammo Hung.

What really brings the bar even higher is the Donnie Yen choereographed fight sequences. Yes they are are violent and harsh but all the more realistic. Yen's two main fight scenes, the first an alley fight against Wu Jing and the second a UFC-style takedown brawl with Sammo, are breathtaking.

This all leads upto to an ending that Hollywood just couldn't and wouldn't touch. Ever. Just to say watching this film reminded me of see Woo's The Killer for the first time almost ten years ago. Although not quite as good as the glory days, it has been so long that is well worth the wait. This all reminds me of what made me fall in love with HK cinema in the first place

The US cut of Tom Yum Goong lost 20 minutes and half a star in the process. What originally had some nice attempts at a plot and creating a more artisitc atmosphere to the movie, is now a more pure action movie. I am so glad the US DVD release included the original longer cut. I recommend this version to the casual viewer who isn't usually into this type of movie it could be a great introduction.

Released on DVD around the same time as Wolf Creek this is beast of a different sort. In this films case the trailers were misleading and I think it has lot more to offer than I originally thought. First off when the violence does start it is very strong and graphic but Eli Roth doesn't push it too far. It will scare the audience but won't scare them off. Also in a remarkable turn of events the acting is excellent, especially for a horror movie. Jay Hernandez is off particular interest and I will be watching out for him in future movies.

It is the early 17th century and the Ming Dynasty has been overthrown by the Machurians thus creating the Ching Dynasty. In an attempt to prevent any rebellions the new emperor declares an edict outlawing martial arts and anyone practising them must surrendered their weapons or face death. But soon they face death regardless as the ruthless military commander Fire-wind (Honglei sun) and his small army of mercenaries sweep across the land massacering villages regardless of surrenders to claim bounties on the heads of men, women and children. Then he sets his sights on on one final target, Martial village. Standing in his way is Fu (old school star Chia-Leung Liu), a man who served under him during the last dynasty. He leads two of the villagers to Mount Heaven to request the help of the warriors that reside there. Together with the five swords that join them there they become the Seven who will stand in the way of the tyrany of Fire-wind.

Marvellous flowing sword fighting sequences, in amongst sweeping mountain vistas and some great performances from the varied cast. The love stories of the subplot bring out the heart of the movie and the overall ideal of heroism against great odds is always touching.

This is definately a return to form for Hark. This could be his Once Upon a Time in China for a new decade, the end leaves it open for a continuation of the story.

Another low budget horror this time Australian and based on true events. It may take almost an hour before the main characters are in any danger but in this films case it is a good thing. It spends time establishing the people we are watching allowing us to fear more for them when they are in danger later

Worth checking out for any fans of martial arts.

In preperation for the release of Saw 3 on DVD I finally got around to seeing the sequel to the surprise hit. Yet again I come away pleasantly surprised at what I had just watched. The gimmicks and the twists are handled well, all working like it should providing the proceedings with the right amount of tension and terror. Another solid horror flick.

Based on the Clive Cussler novel, this is the story of Dirk Pitt (McConaughey) and his search for a missing 'Ironclad' ship that went missing during the Civil War. Playing out like a blend of Bond and Indiana Jones it fits in the same over the top fun vein as National Treasure.

McConaughey is likable and fine in the very limited role of the action hero. Steve Zahn is great as the comedy sidekick. But the cast is outshined by William H Macy, his short time on screen is alway an enjoyable pleasure.

The movie is really brought down by some convient moments to move the plot along, for example Zahn's character just stumbles across one clue out of luck. Also the one dimensional stereotypical villians don't help either - the African warlord (Lennie James) with a penchant for antique weapons and the corrupt euro-trash businessman (Lambert Wilson).

All I can say about this film in the end is just be sure to leave all disbelief at the door and I'm sure you can enjoy this pretty good piece of escapism.

A formulaic Hong Kong genre flick does what it needs to keep it interesting. Exciting action sequences, especially a back alley shoot out that reminds me of Heat. It is also nice to see someone keeping Michael Biehn employed.

The sequel to one of the scariest and most chilling movies in recent history 'The Ring'. Naomi Watts returns as Rachel Keller, and her son Aidan (Dorfman), are trying to start a new life a long way away from the big city in a quiet town. She is investigating another occurrence of the videotape she destroyed. But the horror she had been trying to escape is looking for her and her son.

You go into this movie expecting, as with most Hollywood sequels, something that will try to be bigger and scary. But this movie is far from that. For the first two thirds it is more drama than horror movie, just showing Rachel and Aidan Keller dealing with the fact that it isn't over and that Samarra still wants them. It is a completely different kind of horror movie to the first, a lot of the bizarre and freaky imagery is dropped for the slow plotting of Rachel and Aidan's relationship. And then Rachel's subsequent deeper investigation into Samarra's past. Only the final act comes anywhere close to what I felt watching any part of the original.

For what it is this film stands up pretty well, mainly in thanks to an excellent performance from Naomi Watts. If it wasn't for her I don't think I would have sat all the way through the film. But as many people will be expecting the big scares, it just doesn't provide, leaving the audience unfulfilled.

Six friends on their way to see a college football match get stranded near an abandoned town. Now they must get out of town before they become permanent exibits at the town's House of Wax run by psychotic twins.

This is a quite bearable, if a little overlong horror movie. It contains enough freak-out gore and creepy moments to keep quite good in the genre. It helps that the cast is basically, with the exception of Paris Hilton, pretty good and for the most part believable. The stand out performances come in the lead roles of brother and sister, Murray and Cuthbert repsectively. Murray is strong as the rebel turned hero and Cuthbert is great in her scream queen debut. Also Brian Van Holt is suitably scary as the bad guy, comes across part Johnny Cash and part Deliverance backwaters rapist.

It is definatly passable as a horror movie, better than most expectations would allow.

Silvia Broome (Kidman) is an UN translator who overhears a death against an African leader who is coming to speak at the UN. She is placed under the proctection, and comes under the suspicion, of federal agent Tobin Keller (Penn). As he delves deeper into her past it becomes apparent she isn't all she seems to be.

This gripping political thriller is well-handled by veteran director Sydney Pollack, who is no stranger to this genre having previously directed the classic Three Days of the Condor. He, with the help of great performances from the two leads, manages to manipulate the audiences own suspicions throughout. Unfortunatley it does leave us with an ending that is predictable about 15 minutes before hand. This is such a shame and drags down what is otherwise a perfectly good movie.

Being a lover of the original movie I was really looking forward to the sequel and more adventures of the erstwhile Transporter (Jason Statham). Well I guess that set me up for more of a disappointment as I feel the director, writers and Statham himself had the need to out do the first movie. And in an attempt to set the they pushed the bar way too far and out into the next room. As there is a fine line between over-the-top plausible and over-the-top ridiculous and unfortunately this movie falls mainly in the latter category

Let's start at the bottom with this movie based off the genre defining videogame. Coming fully in the category of action-horror it starts off badly with the usual team of cliched characters who are going to be used a monster-fodder. The direction is lively enough and the acting strays from over the top to just plain awful. The Rock and Karl Urban in the leads are likeable enough and their performances are enough to pull you through to the end, which in turn is the highlight of the film.
If you are a fan of the game or action-horror flicks my advise is to borrow this off someone who was stupid enough to purchase it and then skip to the last 15 minutes or so and you may escape being completely disappointed.