Mox_Factor Reviews

Lavender (2000)

Smell-o-vision

[1/10 · 7 July 2004]

Of all the gimmicks in the world, this one came up with spraying every cinema with a revolting lavender spray. a female friend told me it totally distracted them from watching the movie.

I just have no idea why the japanese would think beady eyes and nagging personality = gorgeous. She looks like a drag queen in this an several other movies. I had the unfortunate accident of turning on my tv, flipping thru the cable channels and saw about 5 minutes of this movie, having heard that it's boring even for my female friends, which this is supposed to be a sappy romance movie, you think i would bother watching more than those 5 minutes?

female recommendation: 3/10 my recommendation: if women don't want to see this, why are you even here?

Lost in Translation (2003)

Beautiful slice of life movie, not a comedy.

[10/10 · 30 March 2004]

From reading hundreds of comments on this movie and having watched it near a dozen times, I sincerely hope they remove the comedy tag from this movie. It's a very simple slice of life movie about 2 strangers in a strange land who fell in love with each other. It has some comedic elements but to those who think it must be another Groundhog's Day, well, it's not. It's a beautiful drama piece with a lighthearted story and wonderful shots of Tokyo. It's about information and culture shock, where the 2 main characters tried but failed to interact with, simply because they knew they were not there for long, and instead, they interacted with each other. Living in the same hotel, they had only each other. It might be a lolita relationship, it might be that they're aloof, but they are definitely not as cold as some heartless souls made them seem from some comments.

It's also not a political statement about how short Japanese are, no matter what some on the board try to say. Those scenes are only about how different he is with his surroundings, as are many other scenes in the movie. If only people can take it more lightly, it wouldn't be as "overrated" and "racist" as it's proclaimed.

The Quest (1996)

Hollywood's best representation of Martial Arts

[9/10 · 27 March 2004]

there are no other films that can be compared with this in terms of fairly realistic martial arts styles, not even in hong kong MA flicks. skipping the story as it doesn't matter, the various styles of Martial Arts are quite well balanced (other than that Scotsman and the Turk for the stomach churning wrench). If only van Damme would've brought in a few of Jackie Chan's stuntmen, (Bradley James Allan and the asian taekwondo guy in "Mr. Nice Guy"), it would've rounded out the globe. Too bad many still think Aikido and Taiji has far too few movements to look good on film.

but in terms of the story it is yet another trademark Van Damme slow-motion growl bore much like Bloodsport. the idea of the story would've been good if it was followed up with a decent fighting game, but then, at the time of the release, the US have no good fighting game (Mortal Kombat requires no skills, just memorization of fatalities, babealities, animalities, etc...) and I'm not sure if Van Damme would be able to convince SNK or Capcom to help them produce a good one from an American movie.

I did give it a 9/10 because the rest of the american made martial arts flicks of the same period were pale in comparison. no matter the story, it's still a martial arts flick and should have decent martial arts. (eg. general rubbish like American Ninja, Charles Bronson movies, other Van Damme flicks, Seagal flicks with the exception of the brilliant Under Siege,...)

If only other american made martial arts flicks were in the style of Ali or Raging Bull, then at least the fighting would be watchable, and last more than 10 seconds. (applause to Quentin Tarantino for getting it half decent with Kill Bill vol.1, but the fighting was still poorly executed because they simply lack the training)

Anger Management (2003)

This is Sandler's take on The Game

[1/10 · 15 February 2004]

The tactics used in the movie was so annoying you can't feel anything for any of the characters. It's 1 huge practical joke being treated as some sort of radical psycho-therapy. It makes people who dislike this movie to despise the characters but unable to say anything because someone will come and tell you to "stay calm". know the type? kinda like that airplane security guy who tasered Sandler. and everyone will still think you're the bad guy.

Jackass lovers will probably like this film alot. If they had gone with a not so Hollywood cute ending, it might have gotten a higher mark.(1/10)

What Women Want (2000)

Very Charming, not as "men=sh*t" as ppl say

[8/10 · 21 January 2004]

You want to watch some 80's BS womyn power movie, go watch the crap that is "A View from the Top".

This movie just fits so well together. It's a cute comedy and didn't require any cheap jokes to force a laugh. 2 of the supporting actresses (Judy Greer and Ashley Johnson) and their storylines are quite well rounded.

a cute, feel good movie. i'd even suggest watching with your girlfriend.

omg, just got reminded of one of the lines where it would be pathetic and cliche in any other movie. (spoiler)

Gibson just "got the magic", almost got hit by a taxi, was walking along hearing women's thought for the first time and a small poodle hops "master, i need to poop" ^_^ such a cute line.

p.s. oh and Judy Greer's character is just adorable.