I recently saw this movie at a film festival and I was so excited to see a combo of Donnie Yen's awesome action choreography with a Samurai movie. The only thing that stopped me from leaving the theater 45 mins into the movie, was two overweight dudes blocking my way to the isle. Donnie Yen's choreography was good but the camera was to busy trying to give artsy views of the shot so you don't even get its full potential and left confused and wondering "why is this person laying on the ground?" It probably would have been ok if the director would have had the excuse of spending more time on the plot. But while the story was pretty straight forward and had potential to be pretty damn good. Once again the viewer is let down with a slow paced movie and bad directing of actors that had (again) potential to do so much more. The main character was supposed to be this super assassin, but once she is in a fight she is constantly being over powered by every one. Maybe I just built this movie up too much, but I still can justify recommending this movie. I still think that the formula was good (Samurai movie with Hong Kong action) but next time the need to keep the art house crap out of the movie and let an experienced Hong Kong camera man work the directing of photography. But that's just my opinion.
Last House On Dead End Street [UK SE 2-Disc Set] (product link) Horror / Thriller This movie over all is pretty good. It had a little bit of everything. The old school kung fu movie flavor in the story but a few twists in the plot that I thought were great. A little bit of wire work and SFX to bring a little spice to the story and a great cast that did a real good job. This is a for sure buy for Kung fu fans of all kinds.
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Did we see the same movie? This isn't a kung fu film!
The Sword [1980] (product link) Swordplay/Sword(s) / Martial Arts For the longest time I had lost touch with the classics and this reminded me that wireworks aren't everything. The best way to describe this movie is "beautiful!" The camera angles, the actors/acting and especially the story are superb. The only way I can see this movie being compared to CTHD is that this movie is and always will be a classic. Don't be misled that the story is similar to CTHD. Get it for the plain old reason that this is a Crouching bargain Hidden Classic (I know that's about a cheesy as cheddar but I could help it!)!
The Duel (product link) Swordplay/Sword(s) / Fantasy The fight scene in the beginning was one of the best I've scene of its kind but then it goes dry for the most of the remaining hour and thirty minutes. It was like giving a hungry chubby kid a Oreo and then when he asks for more they give him crumbs. They had something going and the story was great but, lacked in the action. I gave it a four because the story was really, really good and acting was great! Hey the way I figure it they called it the duel and that's what you get one good duel (maybe two).
The Mission [1999] (product link) Bullet Ballet / Crime This movie is a classic in its genre for the simple fact that this film is well acted by and all-star cast. Yes comparing this to John Woo's action films will make it seem like a lack of action but this is more of a Chinese Quentin Tarantino movie where the Dialogue and character interaction is just as important as the action. The gunplay seems a lot more realistic than flying out in a hail of bullets. I think that this movie is worth every penny spent and would recommend this movie to anyone who wants a good well rounded action movie that takes a look at what happens after the hail of Bullets stops flying.
A Man Called Hero (product link) Action/Adventure / Swordplay/Sword(s) This is the best all around movie I have ever seen. Total comic book style with a great cast. Whoever thinks the story lacked or was confusing really needs to read the subtitles because I could not find a flaw in this movie and would have rather seen this movie come out to the theaters than CTHD. This had great matrix style effects and excellent action. I was a fan of EKIN CHENG from the Young & Dangerous movies, but this movie moved him up to my favorite HK actor. I would have liked to see Anthony Wong and Francis Ng a little bit more but that would be my only complaint. ALL of the female roles in the movie were great too (MEOW!) If you miss this one you're chintzing yourself.
A Hero Never Dies (product link) Bullet Ballet / Action/Adventure This is hands down one of the best Gangster movies I have ever seen! everybody did a great job in this from camera work to Directing. It's one of those movies that after you watch it, you won't be able to get it off your mind. Perfectly cast, Perfectly written and perfectly ended. Has a good amount of acting but an equal amount of plot to balance. Don't Miss This!!!
This is a perfect swordplay/wirework film for me. There is no cheesy comic relief, this is a straight up serious action movie with tons of honor, violence and good dialogue. I really loved the plotline and no holds barred ending and the characters' acting were all superb. This does really have the same feel of Burning Paradise (not the same style of story.) and would recommend this to any wirework fan. The only flaw I saw was that they advertise Sammo Hung like he's a big Character in the movie. While he is literally big, he's only in the movie for about five-ten minutes. DO NOT MISS THIS MOVIE!
This was not what I thought this movie was going to be like at all. I was expecting much more action then what was given to us. The fight scene in the beginning was one of the best I've scene of its kind but then it goes dry for the most of the remaining hour and thirty minutes. It was like giving a hungry chubby kid a Oreo and then when he asks for more they give him crumbs. They had something going and the story was great but, lacked in the action. I gave it a four because the story was really, really good and acting was great! Hey the way I figure it they called it the duel and that's what you get one good duel (maybe two).
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