A great monster movie/government conspiracy/comedy/family drama hybrid. Sound appealing? I found it so. Every once in a while a film comes along, skirting the usual classifications. “The Host” is one of those movies. It’s refreshing to find a film avoiding the usual traps of falling neatly into one genre. I love the dark humor and subversive nature of this film. If you find dark humor, artsy symbolism, or not-so-cheery happenings distasteful, take about a star and a half away from my review.
In a previous review, I read something about how the movie sags in the second half. I completely disagree. These were characters I came to know and feel for, which cemented my interest throughout the film as suspense built. Suspense is the key word here, not action. This movie has more characterization in ten minutes than a typical U.S. horror film has throughout its entire length.
I do agree with the assessment of the usual monster movie fans being disappointed, as this is a very atypical monster movie. If you want to see a movie with a furious pace of action, with thrilling sequence after thrilling sequence, please go see the latest Hollywood extravaganza, where special effects will replace such nuisances as story and characterization.
Battlefield Baseball (product link) Action/Adventure / Comedy Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Parts of it are funny dumb (some hilariously funny dumb), but please be aware of the low budget nature of this film. It does what it can with its budget. The acting isn't too bad, nor is the direction, but it would have been nice to have a script. I would be hard pressed to recommend paying money for it. As a rental, you might not be too angry at the money you lost. Make sure to watch all the bonus features.
Haute Tension (product link) Horror / Thriller Depending on your taste for slasher movies, you will either love this movie or hate it. It features the best slasher type villain in years. The uncut version is high on the gore factor. Some people complain about the plot twist towards the end, but I felt it added to the film's complexity.
Feel 100% Once More (product link) Comedy / Romance Not as good as the original "Feel 100%", but still enjoyable. It's fun to revisit the characters. More plot and character development than you will find in American romantic comedies.
Barking Dogs Never Bite (product link) Comedy / Romance If you like dark comedy, this movie is for you. Bae Du-Na gives another great performance. Beware if you are unable to laugh at pet dogs being put in jeopardy.
House Of Fury (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts Extremely funny and great martial arts sequences. Nothing too violent or overtly offensive for ages 12 and up.
Quill [2004] (product link) Drama If you are a dog lover, this movie is for you. Trust me. Great story about the training of a seeing eye dog from his birth to the close of his life. Touching and funny.
Six [SE 2-Disc Set] (product link) Horror / Thriller Does have a few scares. The story is pretty good. The acting and direction are both good. Don't go in expecting Ju-on or Tale of Two Sisters and the movie should be enjoyable. Make sure to stay through the closing credits.
Divergence (product link) Crime / Action/Adventure Great little psychological drama in the guise of an action movie. If you like the stars, you will enjoy their performances and a few of the twists and turns along the way.
Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance (product link) Drama / Crime This movie has an intensity to make others seem tame by comparison. A great study on rippling effects of revenge.
Love Undercover 2: Love Mission [SE 2-Disc Set] (product link) Comedy / Crime The cast and director return, but a lackluster script undermines their success. If you enjoyed the first one, it's worth your time to revisit these characters, if you were lukewarm about the first, don't bother.
The King Of Masks (product link) Drama / Art A very touching story about family and sexual roles on par with "The Whale Rider". Well acted, well directed, and well scripted. I cannot recommend this film highly enough.
3 Iron (product link) Drama / Crime Beautiful in every sense of the word, this is highly symbolic tale of passion and the human condition. Long passages in the film are told visually, without dialog, relying solely on the talent of the actors, director and cinematographer, who shine brightly. Some might be confused by the metaphorical ending, but for those who seek intelligent entertainment and for students of film, this is a must see.
Hardware (product link) Horror / Science Fiction This film isn't just one of those guilty cyber-punk pleasures out of the 1980's. In addition to the heavy dosing of sex and graphic violence, there are moments of beauty and bizarre imagery to make this a sci-fi outing worth your while. The film is also a study in production design and tone on a low budget.
Goddess Of Mercy [2003] (product link) Drama / Romance What starts out as a light romantic comedy turns into an action film with a tragic twist. Some find the genre-mixing is off putting, but I found the story and the characters leading me to a conclusion I couldn't predict. If you're looking for something outside the Hollywood formula, give this film a shot.
Marrying The Mafia 3: Family Hustle (product link) Comedy / Crime I wouldn't say this film was as good as the first two movies, however, it does have some hilarious moments, including a classic scene where the mom explains how she lured back her husband from a mistress by her cooking. If you enjoyed the second film, this one will keep you thoroughly entertained.
Windstruck (product link) Comedy / Romance A mixed genre piece that starts out as a light romantic comedy, but soon develops into a dramatic action film. Both segments are handled well, with great direction, charismatic stars and nice twists and turns in the plot.
Metade Fumaca (product link) Drama / Triad Offbeat, but still enjoyable comedy-drama about a gangster returning to Hong Kong after a long absence and teaming up with a small time thug who finds increasing discrepancies in his senior’s story. Eric Tsang and Nicolas Tse are in top form and the story is intriguing. Well worth a peak if you are fans of these two, but Shu Qi fans should be aware that her role is barely above a cameo.
Dummy Mommy, Without A Baby (product link) Comedy This pre-"Love Undercover" outing for Miriam Yeung and Joe Ma relies heavily on the charm of its lead. Fortunately, Miriam is as charismatic as ever. It's a romantic comedy, so you know eventually how it will end, but it does have a few nice comedic turns getting there. Fans of the genre and of Miriam Yeung will not be disappointed.
Mad Detective (product link) Drama / Crime One of those Hong Kong police thrillers destined for an American remake, "Mad Detective" combines the surreal with vivid drama to paint an unsettling landscape. Great performances and direction with an intensely powerful script create an original movie experience well worth your while.
AGREE?
READER COMMENTS
AUTHOR
Y
One of the more original and engaging films from Hong Kong in recent years.
Azumi 2 (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I loved the first "Azumi", and although this film does have its moments within some of the action sequences, it falls short: too many "convenient" plot devices clutter the landscape, and villains seem more cartoonish than ever. "Azumi" fans will likely see this anyway, but don't have your expectations too high.
AGREE?
READER COMMENTS
AUTHOR
Y
Disappointing after the phenomenal first entry in the series, but still enjoyable.
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