juubei-2 Reviews

Grizzly Man (2005)

Not about bears, but the delusions of a self destructive man

[7/10 · 4 November 2006]

I find it interesting that so many people have criticized this movie because it doesn't focus on the grizzlies. This is a doc about Tim Treadwell, and like his own footage it has more to say about him than the bears. They seize the chance to deride what they see as an out-of-touch hippy environmentalist, when in fact many environmentalists (including this reviewer) were appalled by his behavior. The idea that he is some sort of cult hero for environmentalists, or somehow representative of them as a whole is ridiculous. The image of him walking freely through the wilderness trailed by wild foxes seems romantic until you realize he's been feeding them and therefore acclimating them to human contact.

A lot of people just write him off as a sick outcast from society who wasn't doing anything valuable and therefore not worth their time, but personally I found his story to be a fascinating look at a very sad, lonely, and mentally disturbed man. Its pretty obvious that he wasn't doing any research, that he wasn't protecting the bears from poaching, etc.. If anything he was doing the opposite of respecting the bears.

It becomes clear that he is out in the park to escape reality. I think this may have had something to do with his failed acting career and being a closeted homosexual (something he denies but admits would "make things easier"). His rant against the park rangers and tourists, contrasted with his naive idealization of the natural world and his place in it, underlines this.

At the outset of the film, one might buy into the image of Tim Treadwell that he tries to create for himself (that of the fearless "kind warrior"). But as the film progresses (and in spite of the mockumentary interviews that feel scripted and badly acted), more intimate and personal footage is revealed that was never intended for public consumption, painting Treadwell as a bi-polar manic depressive with a self destructive streak. What once seemed like bravery around the grizzlies dissolves into a game of Russian roulette, and in fact he had several uncomfortable encounters before he would finally meet his end.

Unfortunately, his suicidal tendencies not only ended his own life and that of his girl friend, but also the lives of two grizzly bears - magnificent and beautiful animals who would probably have avoided humans and their camp had they not become accustomed to Treadwell in the preceding days or weeks. If you can see past the hideous interviews and form your own conclusions about Treadwell's personal footage, I think you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for the old adage, no man is an island.

Oh, and I can't end this review without mentioning something. Werner Herzog, who directed and narrated this film, is constantly insisting we hear his opinion on things. He says at one point that he believes "the common character of the universe is not harmony, but hostility, chaos and murder". He also states he sees nothing but indifference in the eyes of the bears. Maybe Herzog should take a look at some of the wonderful BBC documentaries that show the incredible harmony that exists in nature, or the tender care that a mother grizzly gives her cubs. If anything, those statements are true only of the universe of men.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

Worst sequel I have seen in awhile

[3/10 · 23 August 2006]

The first one was much better than I thought it would be, given that it was based on a Disney Land theme park ride. I didn't really feel like it needed to be turned into a trilogy, however when the sequel was announced I thought what the hell - maybe it will surprise me. Sadly this film falls into the category of over produced Hollywood cash grab. Which is too bad because there's plenty of potential for a good action adventure movie. I probably should've guessed something was fishy when they announced Keith Richards would put in an appearance as Depp's father (though not in this film, lucky us we have something to look forward to in #3).

The first movie was great because of the actors. Unfortunately it appears the directors and producers got a little too excited about special effects and have crammed the movie with pointless and redundant action scenes that don't really give the actors a chance to do their thing. I felt like I barely saw anything of Will Turner or the others. Johnny Depp managed to recapture the general attitude of Captain Jack but the terrible script fails him time and again. Bill Nighy "virtually" steals the show as Davey Jones, though there's not much left of him besides his voice and penetrating eyes.

Granted the visual effects are some of the best I have ever seen, especially the animation on Davey Jones tentacle beard. But the scenes with the Kraken drag on endlessly when they should be heart pounding, and the swashbuckling action scenes are often so badly choreographed you never feel they are actually fighting. And how about the offensive cannibal natives? What was that all about? Too many scenes are nothing more than cartoony gags fishing for cheap laughs, you could practically hear a pin drop in the theater as the actors were put through infantile slapstick routines. Many jokes concerning secondary characters are shamelessly rehashed and its just plain boring.

People who compare this to Empire Strikes Back apparently forgot that Empire was full of revelations. At the end of Empire we're left wondering if Vader is really Luke's father and if we'll ever see Han Solo alive again. At the end of this one we feel no closer to any resolution, having learned nothing of our heroes, without even a second thought as to whether or not Jack will make it out of there just fine. Its so painfully obvious where this is all headed. Its really quite a bad comparison to make because Empire was the strongest of the three Star Wars films and this will likely be remembered as the weakest of the Pirates trilogy.

From the trailer I assumed we'd see Will Turner and Miss Swann rejoin Captain Jack aboard the Black Pearl for more swashbuckling adventures on the high seas. This movie somehow managed to deliver this wrapped in a boring and convoluted mess of a package. Waste of my time and the first film's potential.

ironically I give it 3 stars for the special effects, which ruthlessly drown the rest of the production

Chronos (1985)

Baraka "lite" (shorter, perhaps a good intro to this sort of film)

[7/10 · 20 August 2006]

In Greek mythology, Chronos is said to be the personification of time. Taking that into consideration, you might assume that this would be the longest of the films that Ron Fricke was involved with but actually the opposite is true. Chronos comes in at just under 45 minutes making it a short but sweet trip around some of the world's most beautiful man-made and geological structures.

For those looking for a longer trip as well as more to think about when the film is over, I highly recommend Powaqqatsi at 99 mins, Baraka at 96 mins, and Koyaanisqatsi at 87 mins - but you should probably skip Naqoyqatsi at 89 mins because its the weakest of the Qatsi trilogy. Whereas Naqoyqatsi's seizure inducing mechanical/digital messages drench the experience, Chronos is the exact opposite.

Chronos is sort of a Baraka "lite". This does not have the music of Philip Glass or the socio-political messages, but the beauty on display should make up for it. Additionally Fricke experiments with different exposures and filters (not seen in the other films) to create some striking effects. If you get the chance to see it, definitely take this one for a spin.

Fricke has a new film coming out soon (should be sometime this year) called Samsara which is a sequel to Baraka, and if that doesn't fill the gap you can check out Anima Mundi (by Reggio about animals), Microcosmos (about insects) and Atlantis (by Luc Besson) which is like a scuba dive.

Stargate (1994)

Unfortunately anyone interested in Egyptian culture will likely want to turn this off...

[3/10 · 11 August 2006]

This movie had quite the potential to be something special. Afterall, outside of movies like The Mummy you don't see much about Egyptian culture on the big screen, and this being a sci-fi movie I had high expectations that we'd see some new ideas. Unfortunately it appears its just the Mummy with a slightly different skin...

The first time I saw this in theater, back when it first released. I was young and naive but even then I saw through some of its clichéd plot devices. Still, it was hard not to like some of the effects and action sequences, even if they seem completely out of place for this kind of setting. I remember being blown away by the stargate sequence itself, but seeing this several years later I could probably whip the whole sequence up on my home PC in less than a day. Some props for the pretty cool masks that partly explain all the animal headed Gods worshipped by the Egyptian people.

Too bad the writers felt the need to disregard any research (would it have been too much effort to hire an Egyptologist to look at actual writings and myths within the culture itself?). Had the Stargate shown us a time when the Egyptians were in full bloom it would've made for a much more enjoyable film than veering into alien territory. Lets take a look at the legend of Osiris and Isis for instance, now there's an area that could bear fruit.

On the surface it may appear a great film to show an aspiring Egyptologist (in early teens), and maybe thats OK. But you could equally show them The Mummy and its sequels and achieve the same effect, or better yet just show them some documentaries that go into detail about the real deal!

The Promise (2005)

They broke the promise... and made a BAD movie.

[3/10 · 9 August 2006]

OK, I've seen my share of Chinese films, mostly thanks to a friend of mine who makes it his mission to expose me to them. Most of the time, things turn out OK but lately it seems directors in China seem to think that, because Crouching Tiger, House of Flying Daggers and Hero did well around the world, they should emulate that style and thus become successful themselves. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a couple of very talented directors giving us movies that betray their own personal styles (and better judgement) - 7 Swords being the other stinker to stay away from.

The story is garden-variety fantasy, basically emulating the other movies I mentioned. To the untrained eye it may look like it is based on some sort of folktale but (from the comments on here) we can assume it is not. So the story is highly derivative. The acting isn't horrible, but the actors fail to draw you in emotionally so you really don't care if someone lives or dies.

The main strengths lie in the production values, but like everything else in this movie its a mixed bag. Some of the costumes and sets are quite beautiful, others look like they belong in a bad TV movie. Some of the cg effects can be cool, but most of the ones involving actors doing special moves look terrible, unconvincing. First of all, there are many of the wonderful flying/running/jumping scenes in this movie similar to other movies in its genre. Unfortunately, they didn't quite nail the special effects so instead of looking cool (like the Matrix), it tends to look comical (like old Warner Bros Road Runner cartoons). Why didn't they hire the same people who did the effects for House of Flying Daggers?

So in the end, I give it a 3/10 because some of the special effects, costumes and sets are good. But that doesn't really add up to spending more than an hour and a half to watch this. It really drags on, mainly because you will be wondering what the hell they were thinking when they were writing it. There is virtually no logic to most of what you are going to see. Also, if you have seen the three movies this one is attempting to copy, you will get the uneasy feeling you are watching a knock-off. So... stay away at all costs.

Legend (1985)

Classic fairytale without the need for cg effects? Is this legal?

[9/10 · 8 August 2006]

This was one of the first fantasy films I ever saw growing up and it had a lasting impression on me for many reasons, least of all the visuals, which are (like all of Scott's films) well-crafted and almost illustrative in their design. What really stuck out was the mythic quality of it all, and even at a young age the undeniably sexual overtones in the exchanges between the Lord of Darkness and Lily. I think people don't give kids enough credit but they do pick up on these things. I remember being taken aback when Lily's character dons the rather revealing dress late in the film and being shocked at her general demeanor afterwards; how her personality seems to change. All seemed right in the world when Jack and Lily return to their platonic relationship at film's end!

Having viewed the director's cut recently I've found my own perspective has changed dramatically with time but I still like this movie for much the same reasons. A lot of the intensity I felt seeing it back then must've been due to my age, and feeling one with the character of Jack -- something I can sadly no longer do. The fight scenes play out to me rather comically now but back then they were frightening. Its a testament to Scott's direction that this film wasn't too violent for children, while really walking the line of what is acceptable.

The Lord of Darkness make-up is simply outstanding and has only recently been topped with the likes of Hellboy. Once I was old enough to understand it was in fact an actor in a suit I was blown away to learn its actually Tim Curry underneath all that. There's no shortage of wonder on display here, but I think his was just the perfect idealization of evil, or Satan, EVER put to film.

Overall the director's cut leans a little towards the over-long side, and while I haven't heard the tangerine dream score in years I'm sure it suits this '80s fantasy better than a stuffy orchestral score. But as Scott says in the commentary, it is an operatic film and that is how I see it now; almost more like a ballet or a play than a historical fiction like Lord of the Rings. Thank god I was in good hands, or I may have been turned off of fantasy forever! This is one to be passed down, and I look forward to seeing it light up the eyes of my future children.

Love on Delivery (1994)

Its a bird... its a plane, its... Garfield?!

[8/10 · 8 August 2006]

Stephen Chow is a comedic genius. Sure, Love on Delivery can at times be childish or even banal, but the overall effect is one of sheer insanity of the best kind. One of my favorite scenes is the satire of the Terminator. The characters are genuinely funny caricatures of the down on his luck loser delivery-boy, the dreamy lover girl, the penny-pinching boss, the cocky martial arts instructor, the dirty cheat out to make a quick buck, and many more.

Like Shaolin Soccer, Chow manages to create a mindless romantic comedy mixed with chopsocky martial arts and it works, but expect something more like a cartoon that your typical western comedy.

Immortality (1998)

Modern day take on the vampire, with a twist...

[8/10 · 8 August 2006]

Immortality (or Wisdom of Crocodiles as its known across the pond) should be classified as a vampire flick, but I think to see it as nothing more would be missing the point. Just as the original Dracula carried powerful sexual undercurrents in its own heyday, so too must the current crop of vampire stories reveal something of the carnal desires in us today.

Jude Law plays the vampire who lives off the blood of others. In human terms he's a real charmer who (en lieu of love) lusts after the women he's with - only to toss them aside when someone new catches his attention - leaving an emotional car wreck in his wake. But this selfish and cruel heart-breaker may finally meet his match when against the odds he finds love with a woman who ultimately rejects him.

This sort of man or woman fits well with the vampire archetype, and makes for a nice twist on the genre in the vein of Anne Rice's work. Jude Law was on the rise to his now household name status when he took this on and as always delivers a stellar performance. I would've liked it more had they delved into some of the creepier parts of his character, such as the crystallized shards of blood he painfully removes after a kill (somehow like the purging or catharsis one undergoes after any relationship, revealing he suffers something if not a crisis of conscience). Or the fact that his strange last name has no vowels and can't be traced to any heritage or country of origin.

The casting is not without its flaws however, for Jude's foil is not the most interesting choice and I imagine could've been better with a more recognizable actress. I'm just not sure I'm convinced of her charms in the face of a man who we can assume has been treating women as nothing more than a life sustaining meal for many years.

But no matter. Law carries the film, delivers an excellent performance in this stark but classy production. If you're a fan of his films or the vampire genre, Immortality is definitely worth a viewing or two. May have been even better with a female in the role of the vampire.

The Frighteners (1996)

Not all that frightening and not all that funny either

[6/10 · 7 August 2006]

Peter Jackson certainly made a name for himself with Heavenly Creatures and since then Lord of the Rings, so I was curious about checking out some of his older ones. Passing over Meet the Feebles I went with The Frighteners.

Michael J Fox is great, and the effects are mostly pretty good. But the story logic and gags are kind of off, as if Jackson was unsure what to give his audience. Should he be true to his roots and give us a real slasher flick, or a mainstream comedy with a few scary bits? In the end its sort of like Ghostbusters crossed with Scream. I mean, on one side of the coin you've got a bunch of ghosts making sexual jokes, and on the other side you've got a homicidal killer who likes to carve numbers into people's foreheads after murdering them. Every now and then it veers off in one of these directions and I can't help but feel it would've been better if it was more to the extreme one way or the other.

I watched this primarily to see Jackson's pre-LOTR work and I wasn't too impressed but if the mood strikes you for something really off the wall, you could do worse.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

Wonderful Nonsense (a forgotten classic?)

[8/10 · 7 August 2006]

A young Sarah Polly is swept on a grand storybook adventure when her father's theater is visited by the source of its drama; the real Baron himself (perfectly played by John Neville). The town is under siege by the Turks and only Munchausen and his band of curious adventurers can save it, so long as Death or a doctor doesn't catch him.

Terry Gilliam, having hit his stride with the 1984-and-a-half classic Brazil, went on to fulfill his ultimate fantasy film with a great cast of actors (Jonathan Price included), beautifully detailed sets and costumes, and a very strange yarn of a tale indeed. Bit parts are filled out by Robin Williams, the late Oliver Reed (seen most recently as Proximo in Gladiator) serving up a fiery Vulcan - husband to a young (not to mention stunning) Uma Thurman as Venus.

A great deal of the magic that sparkled in Brazil seems to have been rekindled here, and while it may have been panned at the time of its release, time has treated it well. The effects have that pre-cg feeling that makes me warm and fuzzy inside, and while its a little slow to get started, it surprises around every turn.

Fans of Gilliam's work (and those who still possess that curious inner child) will find much to enjoy here - even if it is nothing more than wonderful nonsense.

Earthlings (2005)

You will be ashamed of your humanity.

[10/10 · 29 March 2006]

Earthlings exposes the atrocities committed against animals, that if viewed in human terms would amount to the most evil crimes against humanity, and should (I hope someday will) be considered as such. It is an important and informative film, fueled by horrific images captured through an unflinching camera lens.

Go into this expecting to be overwhelmed by what you are going to see. I have seen images from the holocaust and the rape of Nangjing and read stories of torture from WW2 and these are frighteningly similar. Much to my surprise it is never preachy - nor does it need to be. The nightmarish images, which to my mind resemble a reasonable facsimile of Hell itself, with the innocent being tortured by their evil overlords, are more than enough. Evil is not the only word that comes to mind when you hear what the workers and trainers say to their sorry subjects as they inflict their torture. But I do not hate the evil men, I somehow pity them, both for the lives they lead and their loss of something I deeply value - empathy and compassion.

What makes Earthlings so powerfully convincing is actually quite simple if you believe that inflicting pain and suffering on an innocent living being is wrong. This kind of suffering could be the result of something as simple as not spaying/neutering your pet. Unfortunately as history shows us, we have a lot to learn about how to treat each other, let alone the animals that share our world. Earthlings gives voice to those that are powerless and cannot speak out on their own behalf.

The film makes a strong argument for some form of compromise on the meat eater/vegetarian debate, but it also delves into the issue of fur trading, animals as a form of entertainment (ie zoos), and as test subjects in the name of science. The footage in each segment is nothing short of incredible and is surely the result of years of effort, on the shoulders of many impassioned individuals, in order to be collected. To those who contributed to this effort, I salute you.

Its true that Earthlings does not offer solutions to all of the problems it seeks to expose. Nor could it hope to do so. The viewer is challenged to seek their own answers and carry the voice of the voiceless to the lawmakers. I can only hope that more people see this and make changes in how they live their lives, and the laws that govern the treatment of animals. The devastating reality is that this potentially life-changing documentary contains only a microscopic portion of what is happening every single day, in every single country, around the world.

This is a must see and should be required viewing in high school classrooms. In case you decide not to watch Earthlings, particularly if it is because you believe animals are ignorant and don't deserve to be treated humanely, I want you to know that ignorance is NOT bliss if you walk on four legs.

Red Eye (2005)

Sucks

[1/10 · 24 January 2006]

I don't know how to put this other than I don't think this can be classified as a movie. Firstly, it barely runs long enough to be a TV movie. That is almost criminal. Secondly, for a suspense movie, this is ridiculously tame. I've seen animated movies with more violence and gore. Sure, that does not make a great suspense movie necessarily, but in this case it seems to be striving for it but holds back because the director knows it will only be cut in the inevitable TV premiere. Unfortunately, the two leads are definitely capable actors but are floundering thanks to weak plot and direction. The casting of a former "Survivor" in a fairly prominent secondary role reduces this movie to a joke status. I feel bad for everyone involved.

The Dark Crystal (1982)

A Muppet Masterpiece

[10/10 · 24 January 2006]

The Dark Crystal is unique in that it features no human actors whatsoever. All of the characters and creatures are brought to life by Jim Henson & Company's famous puppetry and marionettes. Unlike the Muppets, the Dark Crystal is populated by a host of fantasy creatures, designed by the brilliantly talented Brian Froud, ranging from the gruesome Skeksis to the downright bizarre Land Striders. And because of this the film has aged very well, and I think will get better with age. Its a real classic.

Since puppetry seems to be a dying art form in the west the Dark Crystal is truly one of a kind. With the advent of computer animation, movies like this one have become rare indeed. Few will ever attain the degree of mastery on display here. For this alone it will always be cherished, along with its close cousin, Labyrinth.

Luscious settings filled with whole ecosystems of flora and fauna, and the breath-taking Solar Observatory aren't highlights, they're the norm. The story is the stuff of fairy tales, but will probably frighten children due to the many scary sequences which place the heroes in peril.

As a fan of videogames, its hard not to notice the obvious impact this film has had on some of the most popular ones, such as Zelda and Final Fantasy. If you like those, you will love this movie.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Best stop-motion animated film of all time

[10/10 · 24 January 2006]

A masterpiece.

I remember watching this in theaters with some friends as a teenager. My friends and I exited the theater and they all seemed to hate it. They didn't like the song and dance routines. It was too "kiddy". I didn't say anything, but secretly inside, I knew I had seen something incredible, something I doubt I will ever see again, the birth of a true stop-motion animated masterpiece. A true classic.

As a fan of animation, I was blown away by the technique, the meticulous detail. But I could also enjoy the sick humor, the funny characters, and the memorable songs. Tim Burton's best, and he didn't even direct it, but what an imagination! "This is Halloween, This is Halloween..." gotta love it.

Throne of Blood (1957)

The best version, period

[10/10 · 24 January 2006]

Starring the legendary Toshiro Mifune, Kumonosu jô is Kurosawa's distinctly Japanese interpretation of MacBeth. And here I feel Kurosawa is much more successful than in his version of King Lear (Ran). But both are really cool versions of their respective sources; no longer mired in an almost foreign tongue, they're done in a way that is completely foreign! What makes Throne of Blood (English title for "Spider Web's Castle") so great is how well it meshes with the Japanese aesthetic and historical setting. Whats more the acting is highly stylized, based on Noh plays. This gives it a theatrical quality that is fresh and exotic. Its fun to watch Mifune throw himself into it.

I was pretty young when I first caught this on TV (maybe 15?). I started watching it about 1/4 of the way in, so I didn't catch the first little part that makes it much more obvious it is based on Macbeth, but obviously near the end it becomes very clear. This made for a rather entertaining twist and is a movie I will never forget for that reason.

It doesn't take a genius to see the genius in this film. My favorite film version of the master's plays, and handily convinced my younger self that yes, even black and white films can be good. Oh, the blissful ignorance of youth that I should think otherwise!

Legends of the Fall (1994)

Its on par with Braveheart, Gladiator and Last Samurai

[10/10 · 24 January 2006]

Legends of the Fall is not just a masturbatory aid for fans of Brad Pitt as some imdbers seem to suggest. Ed Zwick even says in the commentary that at the time this was made, Brad wasn't the super star and box office draw he is now. The studio didn't even want him in the movie.

Ed saw the light and made a great flick which was unfairly labeled a "chick flick" at the time of its release. Sure its got romance but for me personally, the youngest of three brothers, its focus is the brothers and how they relate. I felt the relationships between the brothers, and how one woman changed all that, was really engaging.

And what a beautiful woman, Julia Ormand is stunning in this film. She is exactly the type of woman who sort of floats through life without realizing the effect she has on the men around her. Anthony Hopkins does an awesome job as the old (gentle) man, and all the smaller roles are filled out by wonderful character actors.

I love this movie, its not very realistic, nor is it trying to be. Its like a damn good novel, one you can return to time and again. Definitely one I'd like to pass onto my kids if I ever have any.

Tales of the Brothers Quay

Haunting

[9/10 · 24 January 2006]

Once again I'm surprised to see only a small handful of comments on IMDb for a film (or, collection of films, in this case) that deserves much more attention than it gets.

Brothers Quay Collection features something in the order of a dozen stop-motion shorts of the nightmarish persuasion. The images are disturbing, haunting, frightening, mainly I think because they seem to strike a chord in the viewer that seldom resonates but is there.

I rented this on a lark, being a fan of animation in general and came away totally impressed. I believe the videos by Tool were mere knock-offs with only stylistic similarities that don't even begin to scratch the surface of this stuff. Prepare for something thought-provoking (without pretension), ultimately frustratingly difficult to decipher.Like another viewer admitted, I find myself lost: there is a much deeper meaning to all of this running just below the surface, if only Icould just figure it all out! Though self-defeating, I would've loved a commentary track on this DVD!

Oh, and the included documentary on art history, and the hidden images and messages in renaissance paintings is a nice parable to the hidden meanings of their works and will interest most anyone.

Mind Game (I) (2004)

If ever there was a GEM...

[10/10 · 24 January 2006]

I am frankly appalled to see a total of 5 comments for a movie which, and I believe most people will agree, is deserving of much, much more attention and inspection. This film is like a light at the end of a long, boring tunnel that is the general doldrum of cookie cutter animated films released year round.

At once unique, inspired, beautiful, hilarious, weird, touching, unforgettable, innovative among other words that won't do it justice: Mind Game is the definition of a GEM.

The only other movie that I can think of in the same "category" is Waking Life, another animated excursion worthy of your time and attention. But even if you hated Waking Life, Mind Game is so different you might love it. Mind Game sort of takes Waking Life's "all over the place" style (cartoony one moment, then rotoscoped the next) then adds a story and characters and a LOT of humor.

Seriously, you owe it to yourself to seek this one out. My new agenda will be to show this to as many people as I possibly can. Help spread the word: Mind Game is cool.

Alien (1979)

Alien is getting old

[10/10 · 24 January 2006]

Alien is getting old, but it hasn't lost any of its appeal. There are some people out there who are gonna try to tell you its "outdated" or that its "running out of steam". Those people suck. While we can argue about the film's merit, one thing we can all agree on is that in general, some people simply suck. And the people who disrespect this film definitely suck.

Thats sorta why I like Alien. Alien doesn't discriminate between people who suck or don't suck, Alien is simply hungry.

Now, its true this film has a slower pace. Essentially, this is what we in the know like to refer to as building tension and suspense. You also don't see the Alien up close all that much. Whether that was an artistic choice or a budgetary solution is up in the air, but it works because Ridley Scott is a master film maker.

The film begins by building an incredibly realistic atmosphere, directly contrasting the cartoony feel of Star Wars and sci-fi in general. Going with the incredibly surreal not to mention nightmarish designs of Giger's cannon was truly inspired. Never has there been a more terrifying yet beautiful, intriguing yet grotesque creature as the "Xenomorph".

In the sequels to follow, we learn more about the insect-like life stages of the xenomorph and its various stages of growth. Its all really cool stuff that is more sophisticated than it actually needs to be. You can read into it enough to explain the almost human-like proportions/configuration of the xenomorph that appears in this film, and the dog-like xenomorph that appears in film 3.

Alien truly was an amazing film and along with Blade Runner, has solidified Ridley Scott as one of the sci-fi gods. You can still find references to these films today and its a trend that will likely continue well into the future... whatever that future may bring.

Some people on here worry that teenagers won't appreciate this film; I disagree. I think they'll be channel surfing late at night and come across a sci-fi marathon with movies like Planet of the Apes and 2001 and sit back and be blown away.

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Best film version for Generation X, Y and Z

[10/10 · 24 January 2006]

When I was in 9th grade, my English class was studying Romeo and Juliet and as luck would have it, this version was in theatres! Unfortunately, my English teacher felt the modern setting and teen dream stars were an affront to Shakespeare's classic play and while the other class got to go see it, we were stuck watching the version from the 70s in a dimly lit library on a 20" set. She even fast-forwarded through the love scenes. Its that type of person that will likely hate this movie, and while they don't really deserve it, lets all take a moment to pity their lack of adventure and youthful exuberance that this story clearly embodies.

OK... now on to the review.

Most teenagers when they first learn about Shakespeare will likely begin with Romeo & Juliet. Its a popular and easily digestible tale. And most students will probably have a slightly difficult time with the language, but the meaning of the lines will not be lost on them with this modernized version by celebrated director Baz Luhrman. Carefully chosen images intermingle with the lines and soon you forget about the strangeness of the language and are engrossed in the story, as Shakespeare himself would've intended.

Starring in the lead roles are talented stars and character actors, even some super stars like DiCaprio, and with music courtesy of Radiohead, how can you go wrong? While the contemporary setting may turn some people off, they are missing the point.

The point is, the time and place are essentially unimportant. Young love can happen anywhere and at anytime, and often does. So what does it matter if you have guns instead of swords? Or a mardi-gras style party instead of a stuffy costumed affair? What is important is that the audience feel connected to the original material, and despite its archaic language, truly FEEL the emotions the way Shakespeare intended.

Thats what I love about this version. Even the uninitiated will lose any predisposition about the language, maybe even come to appreciate it! through a cleverly updated depiction they can more easily relate to.

I give it a 10/10 because its awesome.

King Kong (2005)

King Long

[5/10 · 20 January 2006]

Its not a documentary, its supposed to be mindless fun. Don't expect too much and you will be entertained.

Yes, it could be shorter. Yes, there are some scenes that aren't perfect. Yes, there are some scenes that are a tad too sentimental. Yes, its completely unrealistic. It is about a giant ape, afterall. But despite itself its hard not to get drawn in by the action sequences.

So just have fun with it. And if you think Spielberg could've done better, go back and watch Jurassic Park 2: Lost World, and I'm sure you'll agree he already tried to remake King Kong with that movie, and created one of the most disappointing movies of our time. The whole T-Rex in san francisco bit near the end was just stupid.

An entertaining, albeit unwarranted trek down memory lane for a director who is certainly more than a one-hit wonder; viewers who say so who would like to eat crow should watch "Heavenly Creatures".

The Machinist (2004)

it may keep your interest, but don't expect too much

[4/10 · 3 November 2005]

Christian Bale physically transforms into a lifeless shell in the Machinist, a thriller derived from much better and more thought-provoking films. The cinematography is fine, and the story and pacing are OK, but the payoff just isn't there. The only reason to watch this movie is to see what Christian Bale did to himself. I'm surprised the director didn't tell him to stop much sooner as this looks irresponsible. I mean, when you see Tom Hanks in Cast Away he looks like he's been eating McDonald's in between takes compared to Christian Bale in Machinist. And when you see DeNiro in Raging Bull, you don't think his LIFE was at risk for being over-weight. I was actually fearing for Christian's life while watching this. Its like... if a 5 mph wind swept him away, he'd be gone for good. You'd never see him again. Irresponsible film-making at its most disturbing.

Seven Swords (2005)

7 Swords... too bad it wasn't just 1 Sword

[1/10 · 3 November 2005]

7 Swords, by famed but troubled as of late director Tsui Hark serves up yet another fantasy martial arts epic in the style of House of Flying Daggers and Crouching Tiger. Unfortunately, unlike those two movies (which are far superior to this wasted effort), 7 Swords features some of the most downright laughable fight scenes (let alone badly filmed, they are badly choreographed as well!). I almost fell asleep during the last anti-climactic battle.

First we're introduced to the villains, who look like they've been plucked right out of any number of bad b-movies from the '80s, such as the horrible vampire goth female with the half-shaven head or the dozen forgettable henchmen with names that would make Skeletor blush. To make matters worse, they have ridiculous weapons, such as a shield studded with razor blades that can be thrown like a boomerang (the effect of which looks like a drunkard stage-hand dangling it across the frame with some invisible wire) and some sort of deadly umbrella. This is just cheap and sad, I would rather watch Tina Turner in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, at least if I didn't already claw my eyeballs out. And don't even get me started on the primary villain of the piece, his pathetic attempt at a maniacal laugh reads like the stuff of 2dimensional cartoon villains, but perhaps that was his intention.

Unfortunately the heroes are not much better. The cast in this movie is very questionable. From what I understand, not being a huge HK film buff, most of these actors are has-beens appearing in TV commercials as of late. And it shows. One of them reminded me a lot of Lou Diamond Philips which pretty much ruined it for me. Plus they are barely developed, basically 5/7 are just martial arts masters from a mountain on high. No explanation of background given, they're just the best in the world, and yes, they can take on an army of 3000 by themselves.

Maybe its the hare-brained plot. There's a scene in this film where one of the heroes cries out in pure melodramatic fashion for his old horse Joy-Luck, not because the horse is dead, but because he had to set it free. What makes this scene even more dumbfounding is its total lack of build-up - we don't see him riding this horse around doing crazy, heroic stunts from horseback. So why this sappy scene? Not to mention the nauseating side-plot romances between the star-crossed lovers who have a common language, or the creative writer's ace in the hole "hidden traitor" motif. This is garbage. At one point, the heroes decide to ride out and watch the sunrise for inspiration - is this a parody of some cooler, better movie, or are these clichés unintentional? I don't know which is worse. There are videogames with better plots.

Its not that I can't appreciate what Hark was after, but its the doom and gloom sense it evokes, that the artist peaked in earlier films and hasn't out-grown his childish fantasies of what makes a great action movie. Since the days of Once Upon a Time in China there have been great strides in this genre, but unfortunately Hark has learned little, if anything, from those films.

So while it might entertain an 8-year old, I doubt martial arts fans or fans of foreign films will find anything of value here. And while loosely based on the idea of 7 Samurai, 7 Samurai did it in such a way as to be entertaining, real, and emotionally involving. This film is too long for its own good and should have been a cartoon, because at least its semi-acceptable when heroes never die. I actually wanted to see the heroes' blood. Thats never a good sign.

Unfortunately, the buck doesn't stop here. The story leaves enough stones unturned in the form of the true mastermind of evil, the Emperor (the only acceptable period arch-villain in Communist China), almost guaranteeing a sequel. I now pray every night that Hark steps back from this abyss and looks deeply within himself, hopefully redeeming his true spirit for future films.

Akira (1988)

Life-changing.

[10/10 · 21 October 2005]

Like the introductory nuke that sets up the back story, Akira exploded upon the western hemisphere with the power of 10'000 pounds of pure TNT. Wasn't animation supposed to be cute? Wasn't there supposed to be song and dance routines, fluffy animal sidekicks and good old fashioned morals interspersed between moments of slapstick comedy and saucer-eyed shenanigans? Thankfully, in Japan they do things differently; in Japan, animation is cool.

Akira blew my mind when I saw it at the impressionable age of 15. I wasn't a complete noob, but still I had no idea what I was in for when I popped that crispy VHS tape into my noisy VCR. This movie had everything my teenage fantasies craved; ultra stylized and ultra violent sci-fi action more than a decade before the Matrix with production values that (now) nearly 20 years old still rock. There are scenes in this film drawn with more precision than a computer rendering, that look more alive because of that added human touch.

And there's a story to go with it. My animation instructor claimed Akira had nothing more than people yelling at each other in it (he was a little biased tho, having been influenced by only the western animation greats like ... well, none of their names come to mind because I was only influenced by Japanese ones! No wait, Tex Avery, got one! hah!...) Needless to say, I pity him and never did forgive him for his stupidity.

This is a masterpiece, something that must be seen. The original Streamline dub is better than the new Panasonic one, even though it is probably less accurate it left more to the imagination. But don't let that or the steep asking price deter you from the new DVD. There's tons of special features, from the Akira production report (30 mins) to 100s of character designs and background paintings to frame through. And the digital mastering brings out the picture and color in a way that makes my VHS tape weep tears of joy.

If you haven't seen it, I can't give AKIRA a higher recommendation.

Barefoot Gen (1983)

Here's a little shock and awe for you

[10/10 · 12 October 2005]

If you haven't seen this film, make it a top priority to track it down.

Barefoot Gen, the animated version of the autobiographical manga by Keiji Nakazawa, is an unflinching first-hand look at the result of dropping an atomic bomb on a civilian target. Comparisons to Grave of the Fireflies will abound, but for me personally Barefoot Gen was the more moving of the two. Though it centers on the effects of the atom bomb, the fact is this could be about any war, and any people. It is a story for all of humanity.

Barefoot Gen is filled with its fair share of caricatured mannerisms, but calling it a dramedy is pushing it. There isn't much to laugh at and even when the characters act a little over-the-top, the overall effect hits its mark (strongly). What makes the story even more powerful is knowing it comes from a survivor of the attack, and the honesty with which the film doles out darker and darker shades of life in the aftermath of the bombing (including subtle things one might not think about).

I think this along with Grave of the Fireflies belongs in every collection, even if you will only watch it once or twice, if only to show it to future generations. Its one thing to see a big explosion relating to the a-bomb in almost every other anime, but its another thing entirely to see the reality of it, and its aftermath.

At the risk of sounding incredibly pretentious, it made me want to burn flags. Not just from one country, but from all countries... to put it another way, I wish we could be united by our common humanity.