thisissubtitledmovies Reviews

The Way of the Dragon (1972)

a fascinating film

[8/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

In late 1971, now comfortably the biggest star in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee consolidated his influence in the local film industry by forming his own production company, under which banner he would produce and direct his own starring vehicles. Way Of The Dragon was the first - and, sadly, only completed - film that he directed, in addition to writing the script, co- producing, acting and staging the fight sequences. It contains perhaps his most iconic on-screen battle, and unquestionably his most curious leading role.

A tantalising glimpse at what might have been had Bruce Lee not passed away. Not the best film he made, but the combination of stunning action with the almost disarmingly light-hearted tone of the first act make Way Of The Dragon a fascinating film to revisit.

Nosferatu (1922)

an incredible film

[10/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Despite being released 90 years ago, Nosferatu remains one of the most iconic and infamous horror films of all time. Back in 1922, critics described Nosferatu as a masterpiece and it continues to find new audiences with every passing year. It has been remade, parodied and even gained its own mythos with Shadow Of The Vampire. So what, exactly, makes this movie stand the test of time?

As with many silent era classics, the whole movie is now available to enjoy on YouTube, without committing an act of piracy since Nosferatu is now a public domain film. There are also countless (excuse the pun!) versions and restorations available, some of which even have new inter- titles which have changed the characters names to Dracula and Harker. So really, it has never been easier to see this incredible film – a film which changed the vampire legend and shaped the future of horror.

I Hate Love (1997)

doesn't quite have the power

[6/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

J'ai Horreur de L'amour is an entanglement of genres and ideas. It dances over crossed paths of comedy and tragedy; it casts a shadow over its ironic humour with a touch of death and homicidal madness. Director Laurence Ferreira Barbosa introduces us to her talents at portraying the eccentricities of people in this obscure take on a skewed love triangle, with protagonist Annie becoming involved in various relationships which all have sinister undertones.

J'ai Horreur de L'amour is an intriguing and honest exploration of death, madness and relationships. The subject of AIDS underpins the entire film, and yet it is not the focal point, allowing room to show off Barbosa's excellence at writing dry comedy. However, the film's potential as a serious statement remains hindered by its fantastic humour, and vice versa. J'ai Horreur de L'amour is by no means a failure; but the film as a whole doesn't quite have the power to become a masterpiece.

Hero (2002)

style when done with substance

[8/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Finally, two years after its creation, and as a result of severe petitioning to Miramax Studios from Quentin Tarantino, Zhang Yimou's Hero obtained its western cinematic and unedited DVD release. Following in the mould of its spiritual predecessor Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero is a succession of sweeping landscapes, vivid colours and high wire action that sees Jet Li return to his native China to assume the lead role.

Whether it be through majestic landscapes, the vibrancy and range of striking colours on show, or the graceful movements of some of China's finest stars, Yimou Zhang champions a case for style when done with substance.

KM 31: Kilómetro 31 (2006)

poor imitation

[4/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

KM31 excited Mexican horror enthusiasts with its release in 2006, following a lengthy baron period. Castaneda's ambitious project looked to combine style with a Mexican folk legend. With the Latino horror crown firmly on del Toro's head, this is the first horror eye-opener to come from Mexico since his chiller Cronos.

KM31 went on to become one of Mexico's biggest box office successes, but it's difficult to understand why. Casteneda has sacrificed good storytelling for poor imitation of an already tired style of filmmaking. This is not a terrible horror film, just a terrible disappointment.

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)

a deliciously disconcerting atmosphere

[8/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Having been adapted from a Korean folk story entitled Janghwa Hongreyon jeon, A Tale Of Two Sisters amalgamates the subtle, sinister atmosphere of an urban myth with a stylized, visual beauty integrated by director Kim Ji-woon.

In what has been customary for successful East-Asian horror cinema of recent years, the film was given a Hollywood remake, The Uninvited (2009). However, this original is truly superior. An aesthetically beautiful, yet, at times, utterly disturbing film that delivers a deliciously disconcerting atmosphere throughout.

A Very Long Engagement (2004)

engaging

[21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Disallowed from becoming a candidate for the Cannes Film Festival, due to it being screened outside of France, and deemed "too American" to receive French subsidies by a Paris court, the release of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's A Very Long Engagement was not without its fair share of controversy.

A Very Long Engagement's depiction of the indelible marks that war leaves upon everyone it touches, and its story of one woman's quest to find the man she loves, is thoroughly engaging. It doesn't always feel as memorable and original as some of Jeunet's previous films but it does boast all of the classic quirks associated with a Jeunet film, including memorable performances from its wonderful cast and some truly beautiful imagery.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

engaging

[8/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Disallowed from becoming a candidate for the Cannes Film Festival, due to it being screened outside of France, and deemed "too American" to receive French subsidies by a Paris court, the release of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's A Very Long Engagement was not without its fair share of controversy.

A Very Long Engagement's depiction of the indelible marks that war leaves upon everyone it touches, and its story of one woman's quest to find the man she loves, is thoroughly engaging. It doesn't always feel as memorable and original as some of Jeunet's previous films but it does boast all of the classic quirks associated with a Jeunet film, including memorable performances from its wonderful cast and some truly beautiful imagery.

Eden Log (2007)

An engaging and disturbing film

[6/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Opening to mixed reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008, Eden Log marks Franck Vestiel's directorial debut.

Dealing with the classic argument between nature and machine through his gritty vision of a dystopic future; Vestiel is influenced by his previous work in intense French horror alongside directors such as Moreau and Palud.

An engaging and disturbing film with a simple premise, dealt with in a complex way. Overall it is 97 minutes of tense exploration and discovery, both of the plot and of the character behind it.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

A visual triumph

[8/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Winner of four Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon has taken its place as an iconic piece of martial arts cinema. The film follows three central characters as they battle over the right to possess a sacred sword and prove themselves in the eyes of their superiors. To do so, each must search for a deeper understanding of themselves and their desires.

A visual triumph with compelling performances, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon has much to be admired. While it does not move easily between differing emotions or genres, there is nonetheless something for everyone in the film's beauty, action and emotion. Not quite the masterpiece many credit it with being, it remains a curious watch which, at times, is richly rewarding.

R-Point (2004)

an absolute must

[8/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

It almost sounds like any schoolboys dream: war and horror in one package. However, watching this supernatural Vietnam War movie is much more of a nightmare than a dream, but in the best possible way. The movie was released in Korea in 2004, with the title R-Point, and is the fourth highest grossing Korean horror film of all time. It is now being released here on DVD as Ghosts Of War, exclusively available from Sainsbury's.

For any fan of Asian horror, Ghosts Of War is an absolute must - and sure to please. It has had huge success in its native country of South Korea, and when you see it, you can see why. It has enough suspense, tension, fear and paranoia to keep anyone awake for days. After watching Ghosts Of War, you will be left with no doubt in your mind that war is indeed hell, albeit good, scary fun!

Stranded (2010)

remarkably unremarkable

[4/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Originally released under the title Djinns, this French debut from directing husband and wife partnership Hugues and Sandra Martin comes to DVD. The North African desert is the home of the Djinn, a group of invisible demons intent on protecting their home from a platoon of French soldiers on a rescue mission.

With Stranded, Hugues and Sandra Martin have somewhat missed the opportunity to present a worthy successor to other superior examples of similarly themed films. By no means a disaster, but still remarkably unremarkable, and too familiar to leave much of an impression.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)

an incredible amount of charm

[8/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Director Pedro Almodovar shot to international fame in 1988 when Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown was released. It was nominated for an Oscar and won numerous other awards, as well as smashing box office records in Spain. It is a stylish black comedy that oozes visual flair and a sharp sense of humour from start to finish.

It is easy to see why this film was so successful and why Pedro Almodovar has become such a cult icon. Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown, although slightly dated, has an incredible amount of charm, a great sense of visual style and a quirky wit that makes it a very enjoyable movie. If you are new to Almodovar, then this is the best film to introduce you to him. Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown is undeniably a grand landmark in Spanish film.

The White Ribbon (2009)

Haneke's greatest vision to date

[10/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Michael Haneke is a master of suspense - a director whose focus has lay solely on his power over his character and his audience. His past successes, of which there are many, have all probed a little deeper than the horror at their surface, and his name has been made not just by his signature direction but by his ambition also. The award-winning, Oscar- nominated White Ribbon showcases another string to his bow.

Eichwald is one of cinema's most haunting locales, and the events there carried out between July 1913 and August 1914 (in Haneke's world at least) are some of the most thought provoking and chilling cinematics of the director's illustrious career. The talent on display from both cast and crew make this film not just a must see but Haneke's greatest vision to date.

Lilya 4-Ever (2002)

not one for the emotionally delicate

[6/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Written and directed by Lukas Moodysson, Lilya 4-Ever focuses on isolation, poverty and the natural human desire to want to better our circumstances. Set ambiguously "somewhere which used to be the Soviet Union," Moodysson aims to portray the story of a teenage girl born without luck or privilege. Lilya must learn to survive abandonment and poverty and use desperate means to gain her escape, with tragic consequences.

Moodysson has a talent for reflecting the culture and essence of a certain time and drawing out emotion from the location and the people. However, he is so consistent in this that you should not expect respite from the themes he is passionate about expressing. Definitely worth its initial critical acclaim in so much as being a realistically moving plot and shot well, but not one for the emotionally delicate or those prone to depression.

La chirola (2008)

Both visually striking and narratively gripping

[10/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Bolivia is not well known for its film making. Juan Carlos Valdivia is probably the most critically acclaimed export with his films Zona Sur (Southern Zone) and American Visa. However, of late the country has been host to a flourishing documentary scene, the time appears to be right in this developing nation for this type of film making to succeed. La Chirola is a short documentary that has had great international success, winning numerous awards around the globe. It dives into the world of those who have been confined, to try to understand the difficulties of life both inside and outside prison.

Both visually striking and narratively gripping, La Chirola is a triumph. Cajias has a charm to him, which makes him very watchable, despite his rather depressing views on the human race. It offers up a bleak view of humankind, but it is gripping viewing, and its aesthetic pleasures are more than rewarding.

The Big Boss (1971)

Bruce Lee elevates

[6/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

In 1971, Bruce Lee returned to his native Hong Kong after unsuccessfully trying to launch himself in Hollywood. Capitalising on the popularity of his US television series The Green Hornet, Lee took the lead role in this low-budget exploitation flick. How was anyone to predict that he was about to provide a watershed moment in Hong Kong film history?

Bruce Lee elevates an otherwise rote and overly-familiar screen story to a level above 'guilty pleasure'. For its historical and cultural significance, The Big Boss is an essential work - a genuine time-capsule, capturing the moment Hong Kong cinema changed forever.

Loves of a Blonde (1965)

a highly absorbing comedy

[10/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

In 1975 came One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, a groundbreaking film which swept the board at the Academy Awards, taking five Oscars. To this day, it remains the most celebrated moment of Miloš Forman's career. However, a decade before the film which made Jack Nicholson's career came a more subtle, yet intriguing work from one of Czechoslovakia's best-loved exports - a film with such strokes of comedic genius it was itself Oscar- nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.

A Blonde In Love's charm is in its approach, exploring themes such as the naivety of young love and the political confusion of the era, whilst maintaining a light-hearted frame of mind. A witty script holds together the strands, making for a highly absorbing comedy with plenty of laugh- out-loud moments.

Réfractaire (2009)

doesn't delve quite far enough

[4/10 · 21 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location.

Cinema is motion. Thriving on the kinetic, its action heroes are proactive do-gooders. But what if they're impotent, incarcerated, or stripped of devious gadgetry? Then they do the right thing. A dark moral vision, The Undercover War frames ghostly non-combatants, dissenters whose resolute inaction is valorous. Eschewing the TNT-stoked inferno of the battleground, the film plays out life-or-death scenarios in banal surrounds. This is a eulogy to kitchen-sink crusaders; little heroes whose small glories are all but invisible to the annals.

A sombre endgame, The Undercover War offers no great escapes. Competent, if lacking in formal dazzle, the film's reverent drama becomes sedate, lulling to a clammy checkmate. Whilst more downbeat than similar narratives, its predictable trajectory detracts from the realism Steil's restrained direction seeks to evoke. Slaying, and then substituting a new-old mythos, the narrative itself feels imprisoned by the classic grammar of the combat film. Digestion-smoothing viewing for dozily patriotic Sunday afternoons, this is neo-traditional fare which doesn't delve quite far enough beneath the shadows.

Iron Monkey (1993)

a short and fun exponent

[6/10 · 14 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location - Tales of folk heroes and legends saturate the fabric of Chinese history and culture. Re-released and discovered by a wider audience after Yuen Woo-ping's astonishing success choreographing Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Iron Monkey is a notable addition to the extensive list of historical legends committed to film. Directed by The Matrix choreographer and action master, and featuring Hong Kong and China's most vaunted action star of the moment, Donnie Yen, Iron Monkey proves to be a short but well-crafted story.

Iron Monkey may not be amongst the best of Yuen Woo-ping's enviable filmography, nor of the ever-growing list of historical hero endeavours, but it is a short and fun exponent of the historical hero genre.

The Fish Child (2009)

fails to deliver on its promises

[6/10 · 14 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location - The writer/director of the synopsis- defying Argentine intersexuality melodrama XXY follows up her directorial debut with this adaptation of her own novel. With Inés Efron returning as another gay protagonist, Puenzo this time treads more traditional ground with her lesbian noir drama, but is the result Argentina's answer to the Wachowshi brothers' Bound or a case of a difficult second album depreciating the promise of the first?

There's plenty of intrigue in this film for it to be of interest, and while it often fails to deliver on its promises, Lucía Puenzo is not on the list of Argentine directors you'd be wise to ignore. But given her impressive prior work, The Fish Child represents an overall disappointing work from an artist we've been given reason to expect more from.

[Rec]² (2009)

A gloriously nasty Spanish roller-coaster ride

[8/10 · 14 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location - REC splattered its way onto our screens three years ago, and part of its power was the fact this small- budget Spanish horror tale seemed to come out of nowhere. The sequel will struggle to match it simply because it lacks the surprise element which made the first one so great, right?

Apparently there are to be two more films, one a straight sequel and a prequel. The sequel will, like this one, carry on pretty much straight after the ending, but it will be hard matched to equal this one. REC2 introduces some humour which the first one lacked, but to go down that road too much will spoil all the hard work that the first two. We'll see…

A gloriously nasty Spanish roller-coaster ride up and down the stairs of that Barcelona apartment block – just don't eat too close to the film. Seriously, it's that gory.

Mulan: Rise of a Warrior (2009)

an expertly crafted film

[8/10 · 14 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location - Not to be confused with Disney's 1998 animated blockbuster Mulan, director Jingle Ma's 2009 epic offers a more sophisticated and nuanced retelling of the story based on a sixth century Chinese poem. Mulan: Legendary Warrior charts the early life and rise to power of Hua Mulan, a fearless heroine who disguises herself as a man and goes to war in place of her ailing father.

Mulan: Legendary Warrior isn't exactly innovative, and it doesn't really add anything new to a story that has been told many times, but it's an expertly crafted film that fuses war and romance genres in a highly absorbing way.

Un giorno perfetto (2008)

a tough watch

[4/10 · 14 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location - Based on Italian writer Melania Mazzucco's popular novel of the same title, A Perfect Day is a powerful feature from distinguished director Ferzan Ozpetek. The film features a strong ensemble cast spread across several narrative threads, including a 2008 Venice Film Festival Best Actress winning turn by Isabella Ferrari.

With some fine central performances from Valerio Mastandrea and the award- winning Isabella Ferrari, Ferzan Ozpetek's film adaptation of A Perfect Day is an interesting if overambitious film that just doesn't quite work as a whole. Redundant subplots and a relentlessly bleak outlook make this a tough watch even during its most interesting central focus of a family in meltdown.

252: Seizonsha ari (2008)

more disaster than movie

[4/10 · 14 January 2011]

excerpt, full review at my location - Named after the Tokyo Fire Department code that indicates the discovery of survivors in need of rescue, Nobuo Mizuta's latest offering is inspired by a real-life rescue event that occurred following the Chuetsu earthquake of 2004. Ambitiously comparing itself to The Towering Inferno (1974), while at the same time allowing expectations to drop by throwing Japan Sinks (2006) into the mix, 252: Sign Of Life still has its work cut out, so will it sink or swim?

Anyone who can appreciate a studied, haunting portrayal of mankind's struggle against its self-destructive tendencies is better off watching something else. 252: Sign Of Life is more disaster than movie, disguising its lacklustre script with impressive effects but little else.