Reviews written by Kevin Kennedy
-
My Name Ain't Suzie
My Name Ain't Suzie DVD Region 3
(6)Our Price: US$14.49Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:March 11, 2007 Gritty realistic talePat Ha is terrific and is supported by an excellent supporting cast in this depiction of the world of prostitution in Hong Kong. The film effectively shows how girls get lured into prostitution, then struggle to find a way out. Ha's determination to seek a better life, in the face of a series of disappointments, keeps the film from becoming too grimly depressing. Highly recommended. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Duel Of Fists
March 11, 2007 Chang Cheh does ThailandDi Lung gives one of the best of performances of his early years in this tale of a Thai kickboxer and his long-lost brother. David Chiang, sporting some of the most far-out duds you'll ever see, complements Di well. Big chunks of the movie essentially are a travelogue of Thailand circa 1973, but they are fascinating to see. Even better are the scenes that so effectively depict the world of Thai kickboxing. It is clear to the viewer that Di Lung took these scenes very seriously; he performs very convincingly. One of my favorite Shaw Bros. actresses, Jing Li, is here, but is given little to do other than look worried. The movie climaxes with Chiang and Di taking on a small army of thugs and, naturally, whipping them. The scene comes to a laughable conclusion with roughly a dozen police cars driving up, the police being told by Di that the guy Chiang has just beaten to a bloody pulp is a murderer, and the police hauling the bloody thug away without another word. No investigation, no questioning of Di or Chiang, nothing. That's some fine police work! Highly recommended for Di Lung's performance, for Chiang's groovy gear, and for the interesting depiction of the kickboxing milieu. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
-
The Lizard
The Lizard DVD Region 3
(4)Our Price: US$14.99Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:March 10, 2007 Fast-paced caper classic"The Lizard" is a lightweight, but very well-constructed, tale of a beloved Robin Hood-style character. Connie Chen is a revelation here as a high-kicking cutie and Lo Lieh plays another of his patented supremely evil roles to perfection. The story zips along and entertains throughout. The filmmakers end the film with a scene of great carnage, which seems an odd choice for this essentially comic movie. Highly recommended. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Shaolin Temple
Shaolin Temple DVD Region 3
(8)Our Price: US$16.49Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:March 10, 2007 Well told familiar storyIt's a familiar story: Young men seek to gain admission to Shaolin Temple to learn the skills they need to avenge the wrongs they've suffered. When they eventually are admitted, they don't see the wisdom behind the tasks they are assigned, until they gradually perceive that they indeed are acquiring the skills they sought. This film has a huge cast of famous stars who are adept at carrying off these kung fu roles. An interesting plot twist is the presence of a turncoat among the Shaolin monks who works to engineer the downfall of the temple. Endless scenes of very impressive martial arts skills highlight this kung fu classic. The bittersweet ending left me wondering whether the filmmakers intended to make a sequel. Recommended for all martial arts fans. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
A Century Of Japanese Cinema - Heat Wave (Hong Kong Version)
A Century Of Japanese Cinema - Heat Wave (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(1)Our Price: US$10.99Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:March 9, 2007 Exceptionally beautiful filmIn simplest terms, "Heat Wave" tells the story of a professional gambler's attempts to win back the family business that her younger brother had gambled away. Higuchi Kanako is ravishingly lovely in the lead role and richly deserved the "best actress" award she won for this film. She commands the screen throughout the movie. I suspect the movie was shot on a fairly small budget, but the cinematography throughout is superb, a real treat for the eyes. The first forty-five minutes of the film are more tawdry than is necessary to serve the story. My only other gripe is the presence of chanbara legend Tatsuya Nakadai in a major role. If you enjoy his work, then you will like him here. I find him to be a hammy over-actor. Don't let that steer you away from this film. I highly recommend it. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Sailor Suit and Machine Gun (Hong Kong Version)
Sailor Suit and Machine Gun (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(1)Our Price: US$12.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:March 8, 2007 Hilarious action comedy"Sailor Suit and Machine Gun" is a hugely entertaining tale of how a high school girl becomes the boss of the world's most woeful Yakuza gang and leads it to glory. The film grabs your attention right from the chaotic opening frames and never lets go. The young actress who plays the lead role has the perfect combination of wide-eyed innocence, determination, and savvy to carry it off. Fans of Juzo Itami's films will love this one. Very highly recommended. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Legend Of The Bat
Legend Of The Bat DVD Region 3
(4)Our Price: US$14.99Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:March 7, 2007 Clueless sequel"Clans of Intrigue" is an entertainingly gaudy overstuffed comic book of a movie. Its sequel, "Legend of the Bat", is just as gaudy, but is saddled with a nonsensical story, bad special effects, and thoroughly disposable characters. I have now watched it twice and, believe me, it doesn't get any better with repeated viewing. Skip this one and stick with "Clans of Intrigue"! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Fearless (DVD) (Unrated Edition) (Widescreen) (US Version)
Fearless (DVD) (Unrated Edition) (Widescreen) (US Version) DVD Region 1
(2)Our Price: US$12.99List: US$14.98Save: US$1.99 (13%)Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:March 4, 2007 Well-told familiar tale"Fearless" resembles some of the old school martial arts movies, like Gordon Liu's "Martial Club," in a tale of a brash young fighter who gets punished for his arrogance, then comes back wiser and stronger. The story moves along briskly and the film looks great. My one minor quibble is that I wish they had not bothered with the computer-enhanced fight sequences. The old-fashioned fight sequences are so strong that the computer-enhanced stuff is needlessly distracting. Highly recommended for martial arts fans. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Curse Of The Golden Flower (Hong Kong Version)
Curse Of The Golden Flower (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(11)Our Price: US$16.99Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:3 people found the following helpful
March 4, 2007 Stunningly beautiful filmZhang Yimou pulled out all the stops in making one of the most ravishingly gorgeous movies I've ever seen. The plot is a tale of palace intrigue so complex that I didn't fully understand it until I heard Chow Yun Fat describe his character in the "Making of..." extra feature on this DVD. The acting performances in this film are riveting. I can give this movie no higher compliment than this: I'm eager to watch it again. Very highly recommended. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
-
Infernal Affairs (US Version)
Infernal Affairs (US Version) DVD Region 1
(22)Our Price: US$13.99List: US$14.99Save: US$1.00 (7%)Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:March 4, 2007 Taut and suspenseful thrillerTony Leung, Andy Lau and Eric Tsang all are at the top of their game in this intricate, edge-of-your-seat tale of undercover cops and robbers. My only gripe is that the characters played by Kelly Chen, Sammi Cheung, and Elva Hsiao are given too little screen time; their characters are too thin to have any real life. They exist just to develop some of the backstory for the lead characters. However, this is a minor quibble. "Infernal Affairs" is a state-of-the-art thriller and I highly recommend it. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
March 2, 2007 Easy on the ears
Mona Fong knows her voice and realizes its full potential on this lovely set of songs. Fong lacks great range, so takes a simple, unfussy approach in her singing. The key to her success lies in the warmth and sincerity of her voice. She never tries to do too much with a song, but instead breathes life into each with perfect phrasing and bell-like clarity. I imagine that songwriters were thrilled to have Miss Fong sing their tunes! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
The Shoe Fairy (Hong Kong Version)
1 people found the following helpful
March 2, 2007 Bright moral fable"The Shoe Fairy" is a quirky and visually vivid, but rather slight, moral tale about discovering that one finds true happiness not in self-involvement and materialism, but in sharing and caring for others. The film presents some arresting, often humorous, images, but falls short on dramatic tension and narrative drive. Indeed, forty-five minutes into watching this movie I was debating whether to continue or to find some other way to occupy my time. I stuck with the film and was rewarded with a satisfying resolution. Credit must be given to Vivian Hsu and Duncan Chow for the sincerity and simplicity with which they approached their characters. Recommended for its originality and message. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
The Sword Stained With Royal Blood
The Sword Stained With Royal Blood DVD Region 3
(7)Our Price: US$14.49Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:February 23, 2007 This is martial arts heaven!"Sword Stained With Royal Blood" has some of the most stupendous martial arts fight scenes you will ever see. Heck, even when you just see Guo Zhui practicing, it is worth the price of the movie.
I have downgraded the movie a bit because much of the story's exposition occurs in a series of narrated flashbacks, thus robbing the movie of any real suspense. But don't be discouraged.
Once the protagonists square off for yet another fight scene, the movie becomes absolutely electric. What is most amazing is how long many of the shots go on. There are some fight sequences in which the fighters make more than a dozen different moves before the camera cuts to a different angle. These were phenomenal acrobats and martial artists!
Guo Zhui rules and this movie is highly recommended.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Temple Of The Red Lotus
Temple Of The Red Lotus DVD Region 3
(5)Our Price: US$14.49Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:February 22, 2007 Rating upgradeI watched "Temple of the Red Lotus" for a third time and now I must admit that I underestimated it in my previous review. Perhaps one of my problems with this film is that the English subtitles aren't great. It took a while for the story to sink in; it actually is a bit more complex and interesting than the typical martial arts movie. I still have to maintain that the film moves at quite a slow pace and the fight scenes are unspectacular by the standards set in subsequent Shaw Bros. movies. Nonetheless, I now can recommend this movie. However, be aware that the ending of the film leaves everything unresolved. If you buy this, you also will want to purchase the sequel. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Nagasaki Bura Bura (Hong Kong Version)
Nagasaki Bura Bura (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(1)Our Price: US$17.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:February 20, 2007 Deeply moving story"Nagasaki Bura Bura" is a deftly-told drama of an aging geisha struggling to find something to which she can hold as her world swiftly changes. The performance of lead actress Sayuri Yoshinaga is elegant and unforgettable. Forget the fakery of "Memoirs of a Geisha". Watch this film to gain real insights into the world of the geisha. Very highly recommended. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
When The Clouds Roll By
When The Clouds Roll By DVD Region 3
(4)Our Price: US$14.99Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:February 19, 2007 Engaging romantic dramaThis film's perspective on mental illness is rather hopelessly outdated, but don't let that deter you. Jing Li delivers a terrific performance that will keep you glued to your chair throughout this very watchable movie. While YesAsia's comments on the movie describe it as "overwrought", the opposite is true of Jing Li's acting here. She is effective in this role because she underplays her mental illness. Instead of throwing endless big tantrums, she approaches most scenes with an attitude of a kind of gentle perplexity. Her underplaying draws you into the movie and has you rooting for her to recover her health. Yang Fang also does a tremendous job as a young intern struggling to remain true to his professional and romantic obligations. I was expecting this film to be a soapy melodrama; it is much more and much better. And, oh yes, it has lots of groovy 1960s surf rock at the way cool Casablanca Club. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Not One Less (US Version)
Not One Less (US Version) DVD Region 1
(1)Our Price: US$25.99List: US$27.99Save: US$2.00 (7%)Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:February 16, 2007 Heart-breaking and upliftingAmerica's professional movie reviewers gave this film very mixed reviews. They considered it too slight. Movie fans, however, almost universally love it. This movie has heart!
"Not One Less" is derived from a true story and features untrained amateur actors. Based on my experience in China, it provides an accurate snapshot of life in China's economic backwaters. Almost every scene in the movie looks and feels authentic.
Zhang Yimou's more recent big budget efforts seem emotionally hollow compared to the sweet soul of this quiet little jewel. Very highly recommended.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Devils On The Doorstep (Special Edition) (US Version)
Devils On The Doorstep (Special Edition) (US Version) DVD Region 1
(1)Our Price: US$24.99List: US$26.95Save: US$1.96 (7%)Related promotions:February 15, 2007 SPOILER ALERT!In my comments, I will be revealing essential plot points from this movie, so please don't read this review if you don't want to know them.
This movie is an exceptionally well-acted and creatively filmed human drama about extraordinary events in the last months of the Japanese occupation of China. Nonetheless, at the end of the movie, I felt dissatisfied. My initial reaction was that the movie had run on 15 or 20 minutes too long. Upon reflection, I believe my dissatisfaction resulted from illogical events in the story that culminate in an ending that seems more forced than natural.
Here are a few of the illogical events:
1. Why would the captured Japanese soldier be taken to a village located in the shadow of another Japanese fort? Weren't there safer places to stash him?
2. Why would the Japanese commander personally travel to the podunk village to pay off the villagers? He already knows that Japan has surrendered. Doesn't he have much more important things to do?
3. Knowing the war is over, why would the Japanese commander order the slaughter of the village, thus putting his life and the lives of his troops at greater risk for having committed this atrocity?
For these and other reasons, the story simply doesn't make much sense. However, if you can set the illogic aside, this is an entertaining black comedy.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Sun, Moon And Star (Part 2)
February 14, 2007 A flawed Part 2One of the great strengths of Part 1 of this movie is squandered in Part 2. Much of Part 2 consists of a series of cataclysmic events and unlikely coincidences. Drama is traded for melodrama.
On the other hand, the movie remains true to its characters. While the story becomes less believable, the central characters remain very believable and (with the exception of Ge Lan's character) their ultimate fates follow logically from what the story reveals about them.
Part 2 definitely is more manipulative and less realistic than Part 1, but it still carries a strong emotional impact. Highly recommended.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Martial Club
Martial Club DVD Region 3
(7)Our Price: US$14.49Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:February 14, 2007 Flawed, but worth watchingIf you are a fan of martial arts movies, then you've seen this tired plot many times before -- a conflict among rival martial arts clubs. Yawn. Moreover, in the first half of the movie, too much time is wasted on seriously unfunny scenes of kung fu comedy.
But keep watching. The movie's highlights make it worth your time. The film opens with an astounding lion dance sequence. The story really picks up with a marvelous fight scene in a theatre, a scene which rivals the famous scene from "Come Drink With Me" for its ingenuity. Finally, the movie culminates with a spectacular fight in a narrow alley.
This is Gordon Liu's movie. His Wong Fei-Hung character is seen to grow from a callous and foolish youth to a serious martial arts master. His role and the highlights described above make this movie one to buy.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
Bookmark & Share