Reviews written by David
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Gamera The Brave (Hong Kong Version)
Gamera The Brave (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(4)Our Price: US$10.99Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:June 8, 2007 Surpasses All Expectations!The 60s proved to be a cheap and chinsy time for Gamera. The 90s showed his darker and more developed side. And now we have this. For most fans it's a treat, but if you were expecting a darker feeling (like was imbued by Gamera 3 - Revenge of Iris) you may be dissapointed. This time the main character whom discovers Gamera is a young boy and the movie progresses to cater to that age as well. But even so, the plot and characters are developed and realistic.
I originally believed that this outing was going to be cheesy, but was totally wrong as I found that it was dramatic and even touching, without being too corny or boring. The main bad guy, Zedus, also harkens back to monsters of old creating an almost nostalgic feeling.
In the end, the film proves that the producers and owners of the Gamera franchise are much better at creating new story lines than the recent ill-fated Godzilla arcs could ever hope to be. It was an all around tour de force. Hopefully we'll be treated to another film from this series!
TWO THUMBS WAY UP!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Gamera The Brave (Hong Kong Version)
Gamera The Brave (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(4)Our Price: US$10.99Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:June 8, 2007 Surpasses All Expectations!The 60s proved to be a cheap and chinsy time for Gamera. The 90s showed his darker and more developed side. And now we have this. For most fans it's a treat, but if you were expecting a darker feeling (like was imbued by Gamera 3 - Revenge of Iris) you may be dissapointed. This time the main character whom discovers Gamera is a young boy and the movie progresses to cater to that age as well. But even so, the plot and characters are developed and realistic.
I originally believed this outing was going to be cheesy, but was totally wrong as I found that it was dramatic and even touching, without being too corny or boring. The main bad guy Zedus also harkens back to monsters of old creating an almost nostalgic feeling.
In the end, the film proves that the producers and owners of the Gamera franchise are much better at creating new story lines than the recent ill-fated Godzilla arcs could ever hope to be. It was an all around tour de force. Hopefully we'll be treated to another film from this series!
TWO THUMBS UP!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Shalom (Japan Version)
1 people found the following helpful
June 8, 2007 Much Deeper Than I ExpectedI first heard Mink when I saw the 2006 creature feature "Gamera - The Brave", for which she provided the soft "Eternal Love". I initially bought it for that reason only, but I was treated to an album that not only imbued an elegance but also integrated english so effortlessly into the music I could sware she was an American! I came away very satisfied, and even though I don't enjoy soft rock as much as a good beated pop song, I feel this is an album in my collection I'll return to all the time! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
7 Grandmasters (US Version)
7 Grandmasters (US Version) DVD Region 1
(2)Our Price: US$16.99List: US$19.95Save: US$2.96 (15%)Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:May 19, 2007 Pure Kung Fu Fun!This is one of the quintessential kung fu films, in other words if you haven't seen this, you haven't anything yet! Joseph Kuo brought us this independent classic that proves you don't need a Shaw Bros. budget to bring martial arts magic to the screen. Cory Yuen, one of the members of the famous "Yuen Clan" choreographs this film in such a way that you can't help but be in awe.
Even though the film is a little light on plot it has a fun and adventurous feel that resonates throughout the film, making it enjoyable to watch over and over again. All things considered it was a film that shows Jack Long and Li Yi Min's talents perfectly and effortlessly. In other words, I enjoyed this film thoroughly and think Joseph Kuo is one of the best independent chinese directors.
By the way, 1978 WAS THE BEST YEAR FOR KUNG FU MOVIES! (Drunken Master, 36th Chamber of Shaolin, AND the 7 Grandmasters!)Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Déjà Vu (DVD) (US Version)
Déjà Vu (DVD) (US Version) DVD Region 1
(1)Our Price: US$14.99Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:April 24, 2007 A Mind-Blowing ThrillerI love Denzel Washington and think he is a very good actor. The last time this director and Washington teamed up they made the gritty and violent thriller, "Man on Fire", but this will definately appeal to a wider audience. Denzel plays an smart and inventive detective who sees things differently from most people. When a terrorist attack is made on a ferry holding over 500 people he is called in to investigate, he is soon recruited to a new investigation team using "cutting edge" technology, but he soon realizes things are not as they seem.
Paula Patton, a relatively unknown actress was so convincing as the victim in this story made you care for her. The plot overall wasn't the most amazing thing, but the acting and characters are what make this so intensely personal. Val Kilmer also appears in this film, but in a very small role. Another actor though who made the movie feel so intense is Jim Caviezal as the insane and insanely "patriotic" terrorist who will let nothing in his way of making his statement to the world.
This movie proves that Jerry Bruckheimer can still pick good movies to produce and even if this film wasn't exactly a blockbuster is was an interesting, intense, and smart thriller that has high flying surprises and top notch acting that will make your jaw drop. Deja-Vu went beyond all expectations.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Ultraman Tiga,Dyna and Gaia 'Chou Jikuu no Dai-Kessen' / Ultraman M-78 theater 'Love & Peace' (Japan Version)
Ultraman Tiga,Dyna and Gaia 'Chou Jikuu no Dai-Kessen' / Ultraman M-78 theater 'Love & Peace' (Japan Version) DVD Region 2
(1)Our Price: US$58.25Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:April 6, 2007 Tokusatsu at it's very Best!This movie was such a hit in Japan it ended up outgrossing "The Mummy" at the Japanese box office in 1999! It tells the story of Tsutomu, a 9 year old boy who discovers a magical wishing ball that directs him to wish for anything that he chooses. He ends up wishing to meet his favorite hero, Gamu/Ultraman Gaia. When this is seen by a local bully, the ball is stolen and used to wish for a monster that Gamu defeats with relative ease.
When Gamu abruptly returns to his own dimension he realizes he must return when a massive monster by the name of "King of Mons" shows up. At first Ultraman Gaia seems to have things under control when he finally confronts the monster, that is until King of Mons releases 2 more monsters from his chest! Now he is outmatched 3 to 1 and he needs help quick. Will Gaia be able to save OUR world!
This is a fun and exciting film for all ages, the special effects in this movie are amazing and will dazzle even non-Kaiju fans. TWO THUMBS WAY UP!
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Mobile Suit Gundam SEED COMPLETE BEST (Overseas Version)
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED COMPLETE BEST (Overseas Version)
(3)Our Price: US$17.99Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:April 6, 2007 Best of the J-pop Beat!At first sight this album just looks like a typical techno/pop album. But certain songs like "Believe", and T.M. Revolution's "INVOKE" have an interesting depth to the lyrics and singing. Some songs like "Moment" by the pop duo Vivian or Kazuya are a little to soft for my taste but give this compilation some variety. I'm not actually a techno fan, and I preferred Gundam Seed Destiny's choice of hard rock music better (like High and Mighty Color's "Pride") but this album has changed my view on the genre. These songs do Gundam Seed justice! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
GODZILLA VS MEGALON (Japan Version)
April 6, 2007 Pure Fun!If you want to watch a dark and serious Kaiju movie this is not for you, Gojira and Godzilla vs. Mothra may be more to your liking. This installment in the Gojira franchise is filled with more cheese and sillyness than any other. Flying robots, hairy seatopians, stock footage, and dropkicking monsters. Most people criticize this as the Godzilla movie to ruin them all. It was not meant to be taken seriously, I mean the fact that Godzilla actually gives a handshake to a multicolored robot (that looks like it was designed by Jerry Garcia) that "teaches" itself to increase 10 times it's normal size kind of gives you the inclination to not takes things so deeply.
When this film was released in the U.S., John Belushi hosted the film on national TV in a Godzilla suit. One aspect I absolutely love is JET JAGUAR, he may not be the most realistic looking robot but his martial art actics and funny theme are enough to make you love him. If you can sit back and watch this film without a groan consider yourself a Godzilla fan, because most people leave this movie with a bad taste in there mouth. But as Myster Science Theater 3000 said about G vs. M, "Oh, that's rich!"Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Iron Monkey (US Version)
Iron Monkey (US Version) DVD Region 1
(1)Our Price: US$12.79List: US$14.99Save: US$2.20 (15%)Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:April 6, 2007 A Masterpiece!Some people tend to look upon Iron Monkey as just a prequel to Once Upon a Time in China, but it's a classic all it's own. Quentin Tarantino released this film in the U.S. (with a great new soundtrack!), which is available on the Region 1 DVD by Miramax. The action choreography and masterful direction by Yuen Woo-Ping is what makes this film unbeatable, Woo-Ping made this film alot less serious than the counterparts starring Jet Li, nonetheless it holds it's own and is always in any Kung Fu fans top ten. Donnie Yen gives this film such a speed and authenticity to his fights, it's amazing!
Yu Rongguang who plays the iron monkey is also a talented martial artist who isn't as well known, but probably the most amazing performance is by Sze-Man Tsang who plays the young Wong Fei Hung and in reality is a female award winning martial artist!
The great direction of Yuen Woo-Ping combinded with the HK talent makes for one of the greatest martial arts films of them all!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Movic Monster Standard : Jet-Jaguar (Godzilla vs Megaro)
Movic Monster Standard : Jet-Jaguar (Godzilla vs Megaro)
(1)Our Price: US$26.99Related promotions:April 5, 2007 It's finally here!This action figure looks great in any Godzilla fan's collection. This is the first Jet Jaguar action figure made by Bandai since 1993. When it was released back then the porpotion of his head was off, the legs were too long, and he didn't even have any silver on him, it was just plain gray! With this new release they made him a little chunkier than he was in Godzilla vs. Megalon, but this time they did this to make him closer to the size of the other 6inch Monster Island toys. But nontheless he is a welcomed addition and looks SO COOL! :-)
PUNCH!
PUNCH!
PUNCH!
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The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
April 2, 2007 The Greatest of them All!Most people have gotten tired of the cliche chop socky storyline (Man's family is killed, man trains hard, man returns and defeates "bad guy"). But this isn't another copycat, this is the trendsetting martial arts epic that kickstarted Gordon Liu's career in Hong Kong. I have to say if your into straight up action films this isn't for you, this movie has an interesting storyline that focuses more on the training rather than REVENGE. San Te (Gordon Liu) is on the run after evil government officials find out he is part of a revolutionary group, and
The whole idea of each style of fighting having a chamber is ingenious, the most famous one being the wrist chamber (where San Te must hit an extremely heavy mallot on a bamboo rod on a gong over and over and over until his wrist are black and blue!) Eventually he completes all 35 Chambers in less than 5 years, which is very fast for any Monk. But the time has come to seek new worthy students for his new 36th Chamber and to challenge the general who killed his father with his new kung fu skills for a classic finale that cannot be missed. If you haven't seen this film you know NOTHING about Kung Fu cinema!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
The Monkey Goes West
February 24, 2007 Fantasy at it's very BEST!If you like serious, thought provoking martial arts films.......well, look somewhere else. This is a movie you can't take too seriously. Not to say it's bad, in fact it happens to be one of my all time favorite HK films of all time. I have read "Journey to the West" and this film does it justice, AND SOME
! The SPFX in this film are amazing for 1964, and the colors of the remastered version are vibrant and richly detailed. The way Yueh Hua portrays "Monkey" is perfect and enjoyably silly. I love the fact that everyone has there own niche in the film, the scope and epic nature of the movie is breathtaking like no other of this time. JUST HAVE FUN WHEN YOU WATCH IT!
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS SERIES CHECK OUT THE OTHER SEQUALS, "Princess Iron Fan", "Cave of Silken Web", AND THE FINAL INSTALLMENT "Land of Many Perfumes"!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
The Cave of the Silken Web (US Version)
February 24, 2007 Wacky, Lavish, Two Thumbs up!If you ask anyone who knows anything about chinese pop culture they'll be able to tell you about "Journey to the West", probably the best known of all oriental novels! Out of all the series of movies released this is the most famous. Starting with "Monkey Goes West", and then "Princess Iron Fan", this is the third installment in the series. Even though it's not the best one it definately is lots of fun to watch and also very imaginative. Some of the film is adapted from the novel, but most is original material. One of the things most impressive about it is the quality of the picture after it was remastered, and put in anamorphic widescreen. THE COLORS ARE AMAZING, they look rich and vibrant. Even though the film can be silly and musical at times if you still can't find any reason to watch it, watch it for the choreography that is flawlessly performed by Yueh Hua as "the Monkey King", PREPARE TO PICK YOUR JAW OFF THE FLOOR. For fun and excitement "Cave of Silken Web" certainly delivers.
IF YOU ENJOY "Cave of Silken Web" CHECK OUT THE EVEN BETTER "Monkey Goes West" ALSO AVAILABLE ON DVD (Region 3!).Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Shura no Toki: Age of Chaos - Economy Pack (6-Disc Set) (US Version)
Shura no Toki: Age of Chaos - Economy Pack (6-Disc Set) (US Version) DVD Region 1
(1)Our Price: US$139.95Related promotions:February 16, 2007 Such a fun series to watch!This is such an underrated and unkown series. Even in Japan it wasn't that popular, but all the same it has a fun spirit to it that slowly but surely turns more serious as the series goes on. Shura No Toki is actually cut into three different time periods, starting with the story of Yakumo Mutsu who you'll love from the very first time you see him. His spirits are always up and he knows the style of "Mutsu Enmei" which is the style of fighting with absolutely no weapons no matter what the enemy throws at you, LITERALLY! One thing that struck chord for me was the fact that it could keep things so cool and interesting without being too flashy or gaudy!
TOO THUMBS UP!
For more info, go to Animeondvd.com and search Shura No Toki.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Rob-B-Hood (Hong Kong Version)
Rob-B-Hood (Hong Kong Version) VCD
(3)Our Price: US$9.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:January 16, 2007 A Good Jackie Romp!I first wanted to say its not nearly as bad as some of the other idiots who reviewed this film said it was. This movie does have some scenes that miss the mark and weren't really needed, but all in all I was satisfied. After watching New Police Story I needed to see Jackie in a film that's more fun, and Rob-B-Hood certainly delivers! Even though this movie's main element isn't fighting there are some really nice fight sequences the best of which is towards the end (as always!). The entire final fight takes place in an amusement park over rides, ATVs, and speeding roller coasters! I felt that some of the danger the baby was in was unnecessary but definitely gave Jackie chances to use death defying stunts. If you can get over the fact that the obviously fake baby is visible from time to time you will enjoy this. TWO THUMBS UP! The quality for the VCD release was also surprisingly good too.
I also thought I should add that this film ended up beating X-Men: the Last Stand AND Mission Impossible III at the 2006 Chinese box office!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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