Change Your Image
markmovienerd
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Juyuso seubgyuksageun (1999)
Well crafted Korean social commentary.
A group of 4 dissatisfied and bored youths set out to smash up and demolish an all night gas station. They soon find that they can make more money if they pose as staff, fuel peoples vehicles and keep the earnings.
The film is constantly amusing and entertaining with some great characters that, despite being nameless (except for 'Bulldozer') are still likable, regardless of their motives. That may sound odd, as after-all, the 4 lead characters are technically the bad guys of the film due to the fact that they are out causing trouble simply because they are bored. And yet you feel no animosity towards them and they are all likable and entertaining right from the start without any need to build up any sympathies for them. There are some tiny flashback moments, and while these may explain some of the characters motivation, the movie would of worked just as well without them.
The movie is well shot and well acted and keeps up its amusing, entertaining pace throughout its almost 2 hour duration.
There are many great moments littered throughout. I especially liked a scene where one of the characters breaks open a vending machine to steal the change, which he subsequently uses in another vending machine to buy a drink.
Other highlights include things such as, the best way to get a bit of background music whilst they are working and why Pepsi might be Korean.
The events that unfold at the gas station are a clever social commentary on the state of Korea, the gas station itself actually representing the country and the people representing the North or South and other nations.
Those that don't pick up on the message (I didn't the first time I watched it), or don't care about the social commentary should still enjoy this as it is an excellent, funny and entertaining movie. The only downside for me is that the subtitles on my version seem to suffer from being poorly translated at times, but that doesn't detract from understanding events or from the enjoyment of the film overall.
Zebraman (2004)
Black and white ecstasy.
Takashi Miike takes a shot at the tokusatsu genre and gives us the entertaining Zebraman.
In Yachio-ward strange events are happening. Birds are dying, bearded seals are migrating and aliens are hiding in the school. Oh, and there's a man dressed as a crab, running around with some scissors. During this unusual time, unpopular school-teacher Mr. Ichikawa has a rather strange form of escapism.
Back in the 70's, Ichikawa was a fan of a TV show called Zebraman. Unfortunately as less than 2% of the population tuned in to watch, the show soon got cancelled.
At night Ichikawa dons the titular costume and leaps around his house and pretends to fight criminals, and it's not to long until he decides to venture outside. Although, falling off the roof of his house was a poor start to proceedings. Before long Zebraman encounters Crabman and with the help of a wheelchair-bound student called Shinpei, he begins to realise that his dream of becoming a superhero may be attainable.
Being a superhero isn't easy though, especially for Ichikawa. Not only does he have problems at work but his family life is less than idyllic. His son is bullied, his daughter has become sexually aware and has very bad taste in men and his wife is cheating. And of course there are aliens to deal with...small, green, gooey aliens. Still, he does have a plethora of special moves available, including the Zebra-screw-punch.
This is a great little film with a message to tell of 'believe in yourself.' Strangely enough, I did wonder how much the creators of Kick Ass were influenced by this film as there are a few similarities and seeing as this film was made in 2004, it was definitely first. Most notable similarity is the story of a guy wanting to be a superhero especially a scene where Ichikawa, dressed in his costume is striking poses in front of his mirror before exclaiming (well, according to the subtitles) "Kick ass."
Either way, I enjoyed this and just found it to be a very entertaining and fun movie. Now I just need to watch the sequel. I just wish I could get the theme tune out of my head...shalalala, shalalalala, shalalala...