from filmmaker Takashi Miike.
You know that guy (you usually meet them in college) who is constantly singing the praises of something you've never heard of? The guy who thinks if it breaks the mold, it must be brilliant, or even worse, if it's a copy of something, that already exists, but no one has heard of it, it must be brilliant. They're the ones who use obscure quotes from obscure movies as part of their everyday language, and say things like "well sure, it's good, but it's no insert abstract reference here." And of course, they expect that you'll understand it, knowing you won't, and will fully mock you for it.
Well, those are the people who told me that Ichi the Killer was awesome.
They were wrong.
Sure it's a violent and bloody movie, and in Asian fashion, manages to mix extremes and add some very funny moments. But the gore is portrayed in a most non-nauseating way, bordering on laughable and awkward.
The plot doesn't really have a point. Clearly, it's not supposed to have any real story-telling, but it's all pretty much just a set-up for another mutilation scene. Sort of like an Aesop's fable but without the moral at the end.
I'm sure some will say that I just didn't get. No, I got it. There wasn't anything to miss and there wasn't anything to get. A director's exploration of his creativity. Whatever.
Look, it's not a terrible movie. But it's not that great, and you certainly aren't missing anything. Just a lot of fluff, bloody fluff.
So 3/5
Because it's not terrible, it's just kinda "ehh."
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Stander
With Thomas Jane.
Since the movie is based on the real story of Andre Stander, it can be a little hard to criticize the script and plot lines.
Fortunately, there's not that much to criticize.
While not an amazing film, it's still very good. It's occasionally witty and always enjoyable. The initial plot line of Stander's motivation is quickly lost, though it's unclear if it was ever the intention to portray him as an avatar of justice. Quick research of the story didn't offer any insight as to whether the real Stander had any of the intentions of the movie character anyway. So think of him as a Robin Hood who steals from the rich and keeps it for himself. There's a certain noble motivation, but that's about it.
There are also clear liberties taken with the story's conclusion, as the director obviously wanted to offer a certain sort of symmetry.
Overall, it's a good movie. Nice action and acting. The audience is presented with a noble hero and follows him on his quest, but clearly, must later question his motivation. If you think deep, you find a nice commentary on the idealization of villains (think Jesse James, Bonnie and Clyde).
Definitely a movie that deserves a bigger audience.
4/5
Since the movie is based on the real story of Andre Stander, it can be a little hard to criticize the script and plot lines.
Fortunately, there's not that much to criticize.
While not an amazing film, it's still very good. It's occasionally witty and always enjoyable. The initial plot line of Stander's motivation is quickly lost, though it's unclear if it was ever the intention to portray him as an avatar of justice. Quick research of the story didn't offer any insight as to whether the real Stander had any of the intentions of the movie character anyway. So think of him as a Robin Hood who steals from the rich and keeps it for himself. There's a certain noble motivation, but that's about it.
There are also clear liberties taken with the story's conclusion, as the director obviously wanted to offer a certain sort of symmetry.
Overall, it's a good movie. Nice action and acting. The audience is presented with a noble hero and follows him on his quest, but clearly, must later question his motivation. If you think deep, you find a nice commentary on the idealization of villains (think Jesse James, Bonnie and Clyde).
Definitely a movie that deserves a bigger audience.
4/5
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tristan + Isolde
Starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, and Rufus Sewell.
What? I can like love stories too.
Look it's not that bad. The love story is better than the one they tried to interject into King Arthur, but the action and general watch-ability aren't as good.
It's a little hard to watch the later love and romance scenes, because you know they shouldn't and you know they're going to get caught. Kind of like someone who's about to make a real fool of themselves. Plus, how do you not hear two dozen men on horseback without enough time for at least one of you to hide.
Also, wouldn't it be nice if someone killed the traitor simply for being a coward or a jerk, then you'd never have to worry about them actually betraying anyone.
Like all of these movies, I was constantly wondering what would have happened if they had just bothered to tell someone, instead of waiting to get caught.
But it's a good story. The acting is well done. The two story lines are carried and mixed well. And the action was also nice. Not really that much of it, and a little dark (apparently they're the "dark ages" because everything happened at night), but a good movie over all.
A four would be too high, and a three might be too low, but I don't want to get into halves.
So 3/5
What? I can like love stories too.
Look it's not that bad. The love story is better than the one they tried to interject into King Arthur, but the action and general watch-ability aren't as good.
It's a little hard to watch the later love and romance scenes, because you know they shouldn't and you know they're going to get caught. Kind of like someone who's about to make a real fool of themselves. Plus, how do you not hear two dozen men on horseback without enough time for at least one of you to hide.
Also, wouldn't it be nice if someone killed the traitor simply for being a coward or a jerk, then you'd never have to worry about them actually betraying anyone.
Like all of these movies, I was constantly wondering what would have happened if they had just bothered to tell someone, instead of waiting to get caught.
But it's a good story. The acting is well done. The two story lines are carried and mixed well. And the action was also nice. Not really that much of it, and a little dark (apparently they're the "dark ages" because everything happened at night), but a good movie over all.
A four would be too high, and a three might be too low, but I don't want to get into halves.
So 3/5
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Redbelt
Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Although the movie markets like an action or thriller, it's actually more of a character study. There's not a ton of fighting. The action is good, but it's not stylized and all tricked out, as that's not what the film's really about.
The movie starts out a little hectically. There's a lot being introduced in a manner you may not entirely understand. But it pulls together well, and fairly quickly. The characters are easily understood and the main character is a good man. I mean, truly, a good man. Most main characters are decent guys who do good things, but Redbelt gives you a character that is fully realized and rounded and present.
There's a few missteps. Beyond the main character, most of the other people in the film aren't really that fully developed, just sort of, surface personalities. The movie also asks you to accept a lot of conspiracy without ever really giving you a reason why. If they just wanted to take his idea, why didn't they just take it? Especially, before he met a lawyer. The ending is a little strange. Fitting, perhaps, but doesn't really clear anything up. And I still don't know why she slaps him.
But overall, a very nice film. Sweeping but understated, and a little heartbreaking (for an action film). Ultimately, like a half-frosted cake, it could have used a little more of what it already had.
Still, 4/5.
Although the movie markets like an action or thriller, it's actually more of a character study. There's not a ton of fighting. The action is good, but it's not stylized and all tricked out, as that's not what the film's really about.
The movie starts out a little hectically. There's a lot being introduced in a manner you may not entirely understand. But it pulls together well, and fairly quickly. The characters are easily understood and the main character is a good man. I mean, truly, a good man. Most main characters are decent guys who do good things, but Redbelt gives you a character that is fully realized and rounded and present.
There's a few missteps. Beyond the main character, most of the other people in the film aren't really that fully developed, just sort of, surface personalities. The movie also asks you to accept a lot of conspiracy without ever really giving you a reason why. If they just wanted to take his idea, why didn't they just take it? Especially, before he met a lawyer. The ending is a little strange. Fitting, perhaps, but doesn't really clear anything up. And I still don't know why she slaps him.
But overall, a very nice film. Sweeping but understated, and a little heartbreaking (for an action film). Ultimately, like a half-frosted cake, it could have used a little more of what it already had.
Still, 4/5.
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