Simply put, this movie will BLOW YOUR MIND!!!

Have you ever seen a movie and thought to yourself, "wow, can it get any better than this?" The answer is, YES!

Ladies and gentlemen, upon seeing ONG-BAK (2003), we the people of the world have just played witness in the exhibition and demonstration of perhaps the next greatest living legend in the action hero realm. Tony Jaa shows the world the beauty and the exquisite art of perhaps the most feared martial arts style in the world. Muay Thai, also known as kickboxing. Muay Thai sounds a lot better to me, and of course authentic since that is the proper term for it.

Before ONG-BAK, I swore I thought I'd seen the very best in martial arts flick in Jet Li's FIST OF LEGEND (1994). I never knew that my wishes--actually the wishes of all martial arts action aficionados--would be granted for another groundbreaking martial arts action film to arise in our lifetime. After seeing ONG-BAK I must say, it is absolutely the rightful heir to the king of martial arts action films.

What is so unique about ONG-BAK is that Tony Jaa re-introduces the deadly art to the world. I have to be honest with you, the image that is imprinted on my brain whenever I hear kickboxing mentioned, the first actor who comes to mind is Jean-Claude Van Damme! Yup, it's because of the movie BLOODSPORT (1989). Mind you, I'm not a hater of his, in fact I did enjoy BLOODSPORT and a few of his other flicks. However, for some reason, he just didn't fit the right kickboxing persona.

Tony Jaa, on the other hand, being a Thai himself, and a real-life Muay Thai practitioner and former stuntman, fits that persona perfectly! What better person to show the world how Muay Thai is supposed to be represented to the world? Who better than a natural born Muay Thai martial artist that is Tony Jaa? Watching him in action is an absolute martial arts movie lover's dream come true!

He is a living legend, probably one of Thailand's living national treasures. He's already compared to the great Jackie Chan. All of Tony Jaa's stunts require no wires, no stunt doubles, and nothing fake about the action scenes. All of the stuntmen in the movie actually get hurt because there is no safety net, and no soft cushion when they hit the ground after being pummelled by Tony Jaa's character, Ting. His action style is similar to Jackie's as well, most if not all of the action sequences are filmed in just one take! Super cool!

Also, the actual impacts of the high-flying kicks and fierce punches that Tony executes are so frickin' real as they hit the actual body parts of the villains in the flick. Watching Tony do his thing is no doubt an absolute wonder, as he lays down the law to the baddies in his own Muay Thai way. Like Jackie Chan, Tony Jaa has total control of the environment he's fighting in. He can climb walls with ease, walk on people effortlessly, and literally jump over cars like he was jumping over a curb. Flips, tumbles, somersaults, he does it all in this movie. Without a doubt, a lot of people got injured in the making of this flick. No doubt about it.

The editor chooses to repeat some of the jaw-dropping scenes about three times just to show us that, that is really Tony Jaa performing his OWN STUNTS! You gotta' see the scene in the marketplace when Ting, along with Humlae (played by the hilarious Petchtai Wongkamlao) and the super cute Pumwaree Yodkamol as Muay, gets chased by a group of baddies. That's when you really see what Tony Jaa is capable of.

Come to think of it, ALL of the action sequences are a sight to behold. Muay Thai action beyond belief!

I mean, Jaa does spectacular scenes that, up until now, we only got to see whenever we watched Jackie Chan flicks. Why? Well because only Tony Jaa and Jackie Chan have the balls, will, and natural born skills to perform stunts like leaping from one wall to the other, or perform aerial backward somersault double flying kick to the back of the head type of moves, making all of the ultra-difficult stunts look easy. This is what sets other martial arts movies out there apart from the work of these two icons: the absolute dedication to their craft. Doing their own stunts, nothing more, nothing less.

Seriously, Tony Jaa is the next action superstar, there is no exception! He is the next level in action martial arts mayhem.

ONG-BAK's story is very simple. A bad guy steals the head of a Buddha statue. The Buddha's name is ONG-BAK, the god of agriculture I believe, because as soon as the head is stolen the villagers' crops begin to wither and die. They experience dry weather and drought, causing famine in the village. The only way to get back in the swing of things is to retrieve ONG-BAK's head and restore order in the village.

Thus, they send Ting (played by Tony Jaa) on a mission to retrieve the ONG-BAK head, and kick major ass using his Muay Thai skills along the way. Simple enough for you?

ABSO-FRICKIN-LUTELY!

Seeing this movie once is enough to blow your mind, but seeing it multiple times to watch all of the great out-of-this-world stunts performed by Tony Jaa will absolutely mess with your martial art loving senses! I've never seen a martial arts movie with incredibly insane stunts like in ONG-BAK.

There are scenes where Tony's feet are on fire, REAL FIRE! And there he goes doing his stunts like nothing while both of his feet are being char-broiled--he does the side-helicopter kick to the bad guy's face. I'm sure that the guy he kicked also got burned. Although Tony's feet were engulfed in flames, I'm sure he had some sort of protection for it. The guy he kicked, however, I don't think he's so lucky, as it didn't appear that he had anything to protect him from the flames coming from Tony's feet--nothing to buffer the flames off his face, but the scene looks awesome beyond belief! Oh and there's a scene where Tony takes on a few fighters inside an illegal (or legal?) fighting match. I don't know the exact laws in Bangkok.

He fights this Japanese-looking guy who uses kung fu, another who uses brute force, and some dude who uses anything and everything as a weapon! Also, in watching this flick, just when you think it is over, another jaw-dropping action scene will happen, undeniably unbelievable! There's no question, anyone who watches ONG-BAK will have an absolute blast! So get ready for the next level in martial arts movies, and welcome our next action superstar, Tony Jaa. He resurrects a once forgotten martial art, and brings a new-found image and respect to the deadly art of Muay Thai.

In ONG-BAK, Tony Jaa shows us the exquisite beauty and grace of Thailand's most precious, deadly art of Muay Thai, at the same time making this film indeed a definitive modern martial arts classic!

I just finished watching Ji-woon Kim's A BITTERSWEET LIFE.

I'm still in awe.

Probably one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen.

No doubt about it.

I was completely engulfed by the story, as it unfolded before my eyes. I was absorbed entirely throughout the movie. It was so moving, mere words will not do it justice.

A BITTERSWEET LIFE in essence is presented to the viewers through the eyes of Sun-woo (Byung-hun Lee) A middle ranked Korean Mafia grunt who is a trusted enforcer of the head of his Korean Mafia family. President Kang (Yeong-cheol Kim) entrusts Sun-woo to do a certain...job for him before he leaves for Shanghai on a business trip.

This job requires Sun-woo to sort of watch over Kang's very attractive, very young girlfriend Hee soo (Min-a shin) This will be the turning point of Sun-woo's life. Prior to accepting the job. Kang tells Sun-woo that he can do 1,000 things right, but sometimes it only takes 1 mistake, and his whole life can come crashing down.

Hence, Kang instructs Sun-woo to watch Hee-soo just for 3 days in order to see if she's cheating on him. If so, then Sun-woo should either give Kang a call in Shanghai, China. Or finish the job himself. Sun-woo has faithfully served Kang for seven years.

He has become the most trusted man out of President Kang's whole entire organization. Kang is so impressed of Sun-woo's faith, and loyalty that he gave him a posh restaurant to manage. The restaurant is aptly named "LA DOLCE VITA" which means 'A sweet life' in Italian. Isn't that just beautiful?

Sun-woo is the ultimate cool guy, because he never tends to lose his cool. Even at the most intense scenes, he manages to stay calm, and collected. He shows his relaxed yet volatile mannerisms by being extremely calm. It's almost as if Sun-woo's thinking to himself: "I know I can take you down, but why bother!"

Human beings unfortunately, have the tendency to lose their cool in the end. The same goes for Sun-woo. At the beginning of the movie, we are introduced immediately to Sun-woo's character. We are also introduced to his type of job, and what type of 'special' requirements it takes to do the kind of profession he does every single living day.

It's safe to say it ain't easy. He quickly disposes of the three troublemakers that's attempting to disturb, and disrespect his line of work, and his restaurant. That's when we the viewers realize even after a life and death situation like that, all Sun-woo does is wipe off debris, and dirt from his perfectly altered suit, and goes on about his daily routine.

Like I said, he's the ultimate cool guy!

Sun-woo is human, and he's not without weakness. Unfortunately for him this weakness of his will ultimately change his life. Forever. A decision he will make that will bring him on a journey of betrayal, violence, and self discovery.

Sun-woo will discover something within him that he's been yearning for so long, but didn't know nor was he aware of it. But because of one special person, he will in the end find himself.

Again, unfortunately for Sun-woo, there's people who will stand in his way. After all of the past beatings, and shakedowns he has done for his organization, in the name of President Kang. Where his loyalty is without question. He has given all of himself to President Kang's organization. Sun-woo has been the top enforcer of Kang. The most trusted out of all of Kang's men.

Is going to be betrayed beyond belief.

A BITTERSWEET LIFE, is very graphic, and very bloody. It is executed however with artistic grace. Even the squeamish will not look away, because in the end. We'll all feel Sun-woo's agony during his torture scenes, and his rage during his revenge scenes. Oh yeah, this is definitely a revenge flick. But I don't think that's the central theme. I believe the theme is Sun-woo's self discovery of that special something that's been missing in his life, and ultimately discovered within him, however too late.

The pace is moderately fast. It's the type of movie that you'll have to watch, and pay attention to. It's never boring. All of the slower scenes contains vital information, and important dialogue that you'll have to know in order to understand what's going on. Unlike movies like BANLIEUE 13 that's fast paced action from beginning to end. A BITTERSWEET LIFE requires your full-undivided attention.

As mentioned before, the movie is very graphic. But never distasteful. The action scenes will not disappoint either. There's quite a bit of straight fisticuffs here. Sun-woo being the ultimate cool guy, is also the ultimate bad-ass when it comes to street fighting. He uses anything from baseball bats, to enflamed 2x4's, guns, and his very own lethal weapon...himself.

The movie is also gut-wrenching, to the point of uneasiness, because there's no doubt you'll care for what happens to Sun-woo. He will win your compassion in the first scenes of the movie. Being that the director's cut is 120 minutes, the span of events Sun-woo goes through from one difficult predicament to the next is unbelievably painful to watch. The fact that you never know what might happen to him, there's always a constant threat in the background.

The fact that both his own men, and his organization's opponent. The local rival gang leader Baek, a ruthless man is after him as well. You never know who might show up at any moment to put Sun-woo's life in danger. The suspense, and thrill of watching Sun-woo deal with problem, after problem is such a joy to watch, because you can almost feel what he's going through at the moment.

It sort of forces you to ask yourself: "What would I do in a situation like Sun-woo's?" It's really an absorbing storyline, and a very intriguing look at the lives of real-life professionals similar to Sun-woo's fictional character.

The use of classical music is a very wise choice. Classical music is a very rich texture of sounds that can become very personal to ones' feelings. It can evoke emotions that cannot be expressed otherwise. Just by the expression of their faces you'll see and understand their current state. Adding a classical music score only adds a very rich dynamic effect. Thus, enriching the storytelling experience.

The events that unfold in the last half of A BITTERSWEET LIFE is like a rollercoaster ride. As Sun-woo sets out on a journey of redemption. A sort of penance for his dark and forgettable past. He unleashes the fury, and rage that's been the key tool of his successful crime family, unto his betrayers.

A BITTERSWEET LIFE, questions the very essence of loyalty, and betrayal of ones' own humanity, and the consequences thereof. A masterful storytelling, this is what Korean Cinema is known for.

A BITTERSWEET LIFE should not be missed. It is without a doubt a very intoxicating experience. A perfectly made masterpiece, no doubt another Korean Cinematic gem!!!

The movie is so good, it will keep you guessing until the very end. Kinji Fukasaku keeps the pace moving quickly, while the characters in the movie interacts, giving us just enough information about each one of them. Subtle, yet brilliant scriptwriting. Add to that a superb cast.

They really look like the kids they portray--which is more painful when you see them killing each other, playing the game they are all forced to play.

It basically sets a new standard in depicting violence in the movies. Fear, tension, betrayal, chaos, and nail biting suspense. Not to mention loud screams, sighs of painful gestures, and someone saying "Damn, that must've hurt!", while watching BATTLE ROYALE. As mentioned above, the movie opens with an operatic piece as the Toei Pictures logo opens the movie. A prologue explains that by the dawn of the millennium, the nation collapsed.

85% of the population were out work, and at only 15% employment, the youths started boycotting school and causing widespread havoc. The adults, fearing the youths, prompted to pass a reform act to set the youths straight, deliquent or otherwise. Hence, the new law is called "The Millennium Educational Reform Act", a.k.a "The B R act", a.k.a " Battle Royale."

One of the elements I enjoyed in viewing BR, especially for the first time, is its use of classical music. I mean it's the exact irony of it all that makes it all the more interesting and enjoyable. Where else can you see two young students fighting to the death while listening to Bach's Air for a G string? Fukasaku-san's mind is twisted, and beautiful. Another element is the use of comedy and dark humor.

As I watched Kitano-san, (played wonderfully with disturbing delight by Takeshi Kitano) as he tells these kids that their very lives are threatened, Kitano-san explains it in such a vicious, and yet hilarious, way. The whole movie pretty much takes place on a deserted island, where the unfortunate students were taken after their abduction.

There aren't a whole lot of negative things to mention about BR's production standards, except maybe for its plot holes, although I can mention a couple, it will not hurt the premise of the storyline one bit. At least to me anwyay. In fact, you will be so totally absorbed in the movie you won't even notice it. As you will pretty much be biting your nails among other things, for you will be totally enraptured by its cringingly painful death scenes of young Japanese 9th graders.

But by no means should you watch this masterpiece just because of its controversial premise, that's just the icing on the cake. It should be watched for its energizing direction, its arresting formula that will horrify and entertain the viewer. The pace of the movie moves at such a mathematical precision that it will keep you in awe, as you are captivated by the ordeals of the characters and the horror they are experiencing.

You will find yourselves cheering for your favorite characters, as they endure obstacle after obstacle. And, sadistic though it may sound, these are 9th graders we are watching after all as they kill each other off. You will be treated to one of the most spectacular, most talked about, and most contoversial films ever made, by any film company. Do yourself a favor, do not pass this one up. This is the movie for the ages. The most shocking, as it is disturbing.

In conclusion, BATTLE ROYALE is without a doubt a definitive cult classic in Japanese Cinema. Just as Miike's DEAD OR ALIVE messed with your senses on its opening credits, so does BATTLE ROYALE in its entire 114 minutes of running time. Fukasaku-san has definitely made his mark in shock cinema, and BATTLE ROYALE is that mark.

I have never seen a movie that totally changed my whole perspective towards Japanese filmmaking. It's because of these type of flicks that I enjoy and love Asian cinema. No other film has ever made an indelible mark on my mind, and I have yet to see another movie that will do so. In short, no one should miss viewing the testament of Fukasaku-san's movie career, the Japanese movie masterpiece that is BATTLE ROYALE.

His TAXI (1998-2001), all three starring the awesome Samy Naceri, was also a runaway hit at the box office worldwide. The latter is a personal favorite of mine.

The TAXI Series is just plain awesome! The second one being the best of the series!

Yes this is the movie of which the American-made TAXI, starring Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon, borrows its theme. Luc Besson was given writing credits after all, so that more than stamps it.

Guess what...LUC BESSON also produced all three TAXI movies. Just to let you know Luc Besson directed the ultra fabulous THE FIFTH ELEMENT (1997) the movie that introduced to the whole world that Milla Jovovich is a future action femme fatale.

He's in the front, and behind the scenes of most of the major box office blockbusters as of late. He's responsible for movies like the awesome Jason Statham actioners TRANSPORTER 1 & 2 (2002-2005), the gut busting Jet Li flicks KISS OF THE DRAGON (2001) and DANNY THE DOG a.k.a UNLEASHED (2005), the Jean Reno, Ryoko Hirosue classic WASABI (2001), the list goes on...and...on!!!

Another thing about Luc Besson is that, he was the one who stepped up and snapped up the rights to release the mega action classic ONG BAK (2002), although personally I didn't think that Tony Jaa needed any help from any major producer to expose him to the world. ONG BAK did that for him.

However if there is ever a producer to do it, it might as well be Luc Besson. I just wish he'd stop messing with the original contents of the movies he'll release in the future. ONG BAK was perfect! It didn't need any alterations, edits, and soundtack changes. Then again, what do I know. Personally I'd leave everything be. Show it as it was meant to be seen.

Period.

On that note, here's my review of BANLIEUE 13 a.k.a District 13.

WHERE...DO...I...BEGIN...???

WOW!!!

Just as DOBERMANN (1997) pushed the envelope genres of sex, crime, violence, and gunplay in French Cinema, BANLIEUE 13 takes French Cinema action, and martial arts genres to the highest level it's ever been!!!

Let me start with the pace of this movie. It's absolutely fast, and it's always interesting. Never boring. There's never a dull moment in this flick. I'll say it again, the pace moves very precisely, and frickin' incredibly fast!!!

All the characters in BANLIEUE 13 speak French so fluently fast which makes reading of the English subtitles a little difficult, but will not deter anyone who watches it. Trust me you'll get used to it after a while--of course if you speak and understand the French language then good for you!!!

Now, the storyline. Let's see, the plot is simplistically easy to follow. All you have to do is understand what's going on in the beginning of the movie, and you can pretty much tell what's going to happen, or at least you'll think you'll know what's going to happen.

In 2010, crime has overtaken some parts of France. The gangs have completely outnumbered the police, so instead of continuing to enforce the law. The police build walls around districts that is considered hopeless. BANLIEUE 13 a.k.a District 13, is the worst of them all. Fortunately there's still someone who cares, he's not about to conform to the crime lord who runs BANILIEUE 13. His name is Leito (David Belle). He and Taha (Bibi Naceri--yes, Samy Naceri's brother from the TAXI trilogy, and THE NEST) are not actually in good terms, because Leito is the good guy, and Taha is the bad crime lord.

Somewhere along the way Damien (Cyril Raffaelli), an undercover cop, crosses paths with Leito. Together they set out to save Leito's sister Lola (the beautiful Dany Verissimo) from the clutches of Taha, and his henchmen lead by K-2 (Tony D'Amario) and diffuse a bomb at the same that Taha managed to get his hands.

See, the plot is simple!!!

I know, the plot is not that original I mean it's been done before, but that's not the reason you'll be watching BANLIEUE 13. Nope. You'll be watching this awesome French flick for...yup...you guessed it...for all of the action, and stunts baby!!!

BANLIEUE 13 has got to be one of the best, highly stylized, French martial arts action ever...and I mean...ever produced!!! Watching Cryil Raffaelli, David Belle, and all of the stunt team in action is an absolute blast, no, it's a frickin' revelation!!!

This is the type of movie that energizes anyone who watches it. It's almost as good as ONG BAK (2002) Yes, I said it...almost! It's that frickin' good!!! I can't praise BANLIEUE 13 enough! I'll type the next sentence in Capital just so you'll know what I'm trying to say here:

YOU MUST SEE BANLIEUE 13, DO NOT MISS IT! OR HATE YOURSELF FOREVER! PERIOD!

There, so like I said BANLIEUE 13 is a fresh new ride in the action martial arts realm from the French Cinema, courtesy of Luc Besson, and the magnificent skills of both Cyril, David, and the rest of the stunt team. Having Dany Verissimo in the cast is a big frickin' plus. She's beautiful.

You'll also notice that the wall climbing, and aerial leaps that was popularized by the Luc Besson produced YAMAKASI (2001) and ultimately massacred by the horrible Julien Seri directed LES FILS DU VENT (2004) is present in BANLIEUE 13. I hope he watched this film, and learned from it. Julien Seri you idiot, this is how you film YAMAKASI'S ACTION!!! Don't place the camera too close to the subject you're filming!!!

Thankfully BANLIEUE 13 resurrects the sport, and presents it in a very extreme fashion that you can actually appreciate!!!

It's almost as if the YAMAKASI Team was the ones performing those Urban Ninja stunts. Ultra-cool!!!

BANLIEUE 13 is a smartly directed, and masterully produced actioner that will not disappoint anyone who watches it. It's a movie that has no boring scenes, quickly moves from one scene to the next. The action is one of the best I've seen in French Cinema.

The music used in BANLIEUE 13 is ultra-frickin-cool!!!

The soundtrack grabs you from the beginning, and pumps you up getting your adrenaline all in a rage. When meshed with the visual style and slow-motion action scenes the effect of the sounds is magnified to the max. Thoughtfully placed, and the clever editing only adds to the already fast-paced-storyline.

The humor is kept to a minimum emphasizing instead on the plot structure, stunts, gunplay, and action. Luc Besson has to have taught Pierre Morel, the directing precision of this film because every scene, and every dialogue echoes wit that's only seen in Luc Besson produced, and directed films.

Everything from the dynamic camera angles mostly seen in Hong Kong cinema is used. Slow motion technique is definitely kept to a minimum, it's only used in certain scenes to cleverly heightened the effect, and to show off some ultra difficult martial art moves that's being performed by the actual actors slash stuntmen.

It will take sometime before the French Cinema release another movie like BANLIEUE 13, at least until Cryil, and David does another movie similar to this one. I just hope Luc Besson will continue to be involved in it, because these guys are just plain awesome!!!

Cyril Raffaelli, is famous worldwide as a fight choreographer. He's done famous blockbusters like the aforementioned WASABI (2001), LES PACTE DES LOUPS (2001), TAXI Trilogy (1998-2001), THE TRANSPORTER Series (2003-2005), MESSENGER STORY OF JOAN OF ARC (1999), RONIN (1999), MAN IN THE IRON MASK (1999). All produced or directed by Luc Besson, except the last two mentioned. Anyone who has KISS OF THE DRAGON (2001) will definitely recognize Cyril. He's one of the last henchmen whom Jet Li encounters, and ultimately duels with at the climax at the end. An awesome but brief fight scene ensues for the two.

May I add Dany Verissimo who plays Lola, is a cutie pie!!! I hope to see more of her in the future. She's so perfect for this role, she plays a very cute, and very feisty chick!!! She looks like she has an asian mixed look to her. I hope she gets more roles like these, in fact I just hope she does well in the future. I like her, she's hot!!!

Bibi Naceri and Tony D'Amario are absolutely perfect for their roles. In fact, everyone is.

All I can say is, Viva La France!!!

With BANLIEUE 13, the French Cinema proves that it can hold its own in the Martial Arts Action genre. I won't be surprised if this is a movie that will put France in the map as one of the premiere Martial Arts movie makers at least along with Hong Kong Cinema who produces the most Martial Arts in all genres, and of course Thai Cinema, and Korean Cinema respectively.

BANLIEUE 13 delivers a knock out punch to the guts of the rest of the past French Martial Arts action made before it.

BANLIEUE 13 is indeed a jaw-dropping, eye-popping, French Martial Arts Movie Classic!!!