As 2009 comes to a close, I don't really have anything worth mentioning. 2009 wasn't that great film-wise, or otherwise. However, before 2009 ends, here are the last five films I watched this year:
Vengeance
Directed by Johnnie To, written by Wai Ka-fai, starring Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, and Sylvie Testud; also starring Michelle Ye, Berg Ng, Eddie Cheung, Felix Wong, Law Wing-cheong, Maggie Siu, Stanley Fung, Jo Koo, Elena Kong, and Vincent Sze.
After watching Vengeance for the second time, I still liked it. (If you want my lengthier thoughts on Johnnie To's latest film, check out the previous blog post.)
Split Second Murders
Directed by Herman Yau, starring a lot of Hong Kong actors, co-starring even more Hong Kong actors, with guest stars and special guest stars.
Simply put, Herman Yau's latest film has a large cast. It's also an entertaining film from one of Hong Kong's best directors.
Dracula 3000
One of the worst films ever made. It's such an awful film that I'm surprised it was made. That being said, it's pretty funny after a healthy amount of alcohol.
Blood: The Last Vampire
Having seen the live action adaptation recently, I decided to re-watch the anime original. I'm not going to slam the new film's shortcomings, but the original is better. However, the live action version stars Jun Ji-hyun.
Sisters On the Road
Directed by Boo Ji-young, starring Kong Hyo-jin, and Shin Min-a.
Following the death of their mother, half-sisters Myeong-ju (Kong) and Myeong-eun (Shin) travel together to find Myeong-eun's long-lost father. Throughout the journey, the two must face unresolved feelings of anger toward one-another, as well as their own personal issues.
Like so many other great stories, it's more the journey than the end that really matters. The chemistry between Kong and Shin proves excellent, and their portrayals of disheartened sisters is touching. This was a blind purchase for me, and a pleasant one. Sisters On the Road is one of the better (if not best) films of the year, and a wonderful cinematic experience that I heartily recommend.
Though 2009 provided plenty in film to be disappointed about, I'd like to end things on a positive note. So, thanks to everyone that recommended a film to me, thanks to everyone that joined me in discussing film, and thanks to everyone that listened to me ramble on about films I loved and hated; I sincerely hope that I will be fortunate enough to experience the same in '010.
31 December, 2009
19 December, 2009
Once In A While
Vengeance
Directed by Johnnie To, written by Wai Ka-fai, starring Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, and Sylvie Testud; also starring Michelle Ye, Berg Ng, Eddie Cheung, Felix Wong, Law Wing-cheong, Maggie Siu, Stanley Fung, Jo Koo, Elena Kong, and Vincent Sze.
Following the brutal murder of his daughter's family, aging French chef François Costello (Hallyday) travels to a hospital in Macau to visit his daughter (Testud). Once there, he promises to avenge her and her deceased family.
Little more than the description provided above is needed for Johnnie To's latest film. Anyone that has seen a To film knows what to expect from the Hong Kong director. Those unfamiliar with his work should know that he is perhaps the greatest crime genre director in the history of cinema.
Read any review from any To crime film and you'll be able to understand what to expect from Vengeance. Loyalty plays a central role, gun-violence is stylish and second-to-none, and the cast (with the exception of Hallyday) is filled with regulars of To and Wai Ka-fai's Milkyway Image production company. What really sets Vengeance apart from To and Milkyway's œuvre is Wai Ka-fai's script.
Prior to Vengeance, To worked almost exclusively without a finished script. Due to the financing deals made for this film, To was required to have a finished script prior to filming. I think this requirement restricted To's creative efforts, resulting in a film that feels almost too familiar. However, the familiarity coupled with Hallyday's character worked.
While many say that Vengeance is a watered-down, "American-ized" version of a true Johnnie To film, I disagree. Vengeance is obviously a more commercialized Johnnie To film, but it does a fine job of blending hints of La Nouvelle Vague with elements of early Akira Kurosawa films (i.e. One Wonderful Sunday, Drunken Angel, Stray Dog) with the aforementioned familiarity of To's previous works.
The final product may not be as indulgent as To's Kurosawa homage, Throw Down, or as tight a film as PTU, but I think it is a fine piece of work from a superb director. That, along with a great cast of Hong Kong mainstays lead by French superstar Hallyday, make Vengeance a good crime film, and a film worth seeing.
Directed by Johnnie To, written by Wai Ka-fai, starring Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, and Sylvie Testud; also starring Michelle Ye, Berg Ng, Eddie Cheung, Felix Wong, Law Wing-cheong, Maggie Siu, Stanley Fung, Jo Koo, Elena Kong, and Vincent Sze.
Following the brutal murder of his daughter's family, aging French chef François Costello (Hallyday) travels to a hospital in Macau to visit his daughter (Testud). Once there, he promises to avenge her and her deceased family.
Little more than the description provided above is needed for Johnnie To's latest film. Anyone that has seen a To film knows what to expect from the Hong Kong director. Those unfamiliar with his work should know that he is perhaps the greatest crime genre director in the history of cinema.
Read any review from any To crime film and you'll be able to understand what to expect from Vengeance. Loyalty plays a central role, gun-violence is stylish and second-to-none, and the cast (with the exception of Hallyday) is filled with regulars of To and Wai Ka-fai's Milkyway Image production company. What really sets Vengeance apart from To and Milkyway's œuvre is Wai Ka-fai's script.
Prior to Vengeance, To worked almost exclusively without a finished script. Due to the financing deals made for this film, To was required to have a finished script prior to filming. I think this requirement restricted To's creative efforts, resulting in a film that feels almost too familiar. However, the familiarity coupled with Hallyday's character worked.
While many say that Vengeance is a watered-down, "American-ized" version of a true Johnnie To film, I disagree. Vengeance is obviously a more commercialized Johnnie To film, but it does a fine job of blending hints of La Nouvelle Vague with elements of early Akira Kurosawa films (i.e. One Wonderful Sunday, Drunken Angel, Stray Dog) with the aforementioned familiarity of To's previous works.
The final product may not be as indulgent as To's Kurosawa homage, Throw Down, or as tight a film as PTU, but I think it is a fine piece of work from a superb director. That, along with a great cast of Hong Kong mainstays lead by French superstar Hallyday, make Vengeance a good crime film, and a film worth seeing.
15 December, 2009
Walking Too Slow
I've been busy lately. That's the reason I'm giving for not having posted anything on the last 50+ films I've seen. In reality, I've just been too lazy to give any information about the following films. That is, until now.
The Films:
Wings
The Ascent
The Cranes Are Flying
Closely Watched Trains
Swordsman III: The East Is Red
24 Hrs Ghost Story
Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire II
Turning Point
On His Majesty's Secret Service
Visible Secret
Victim
The Detective
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
Stage Fright
The Bride With White Hair
The Bride With White Hair II
Suzhou River
Peacock
Raise the Red Lantern
Eat Drink Man Woman
Claustrophobia
Triangle
Exodus
Memories of Murder
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance
Mother
Thirst
Chaw
Christmas In August
One Fine Spring Day
April Snow
Happiness
Five Senses of Eros
Mismatched Couples
The Seventh Curse
Blood: The Last Vampire
My Dear Enemy
Happy Naked Christmas
My Sassy Girl
Twelve Nights
Mary From Beijing
Walk In
The Tai Chi Master
Accident
Night & Fog
No Boys, No Cry
Handphone
The Chaser
Running Turtle
The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
The Philadelphia Story
No Regrets For Our Youth
One Wonderful Sunday
Yes, I watched The Santa Clause 2 and 3. I have nieces. Check back soon for my thoughts on a pre-Christmas gift from me, to me; Johnnie To's Vengeance.
The Films:
Wings
The Ascent
The Cranes Are Flying
Closely Watched Trains
Swordsman III: The East Is Red
24 Hrs Ghost Story
Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire II
Turning Point
On His Majesty's Secret Service
Visible Secret
Victim
The Detective
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
Stage Fright
The Bride With White Hair
The Bride With White Hair II
Suzhou River
Peacock
Raise the Red Lantern
Eat Drink Man Woman
Claustrophobia
Triangle
Exodus
Memories of Murder
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance
Mother
Thirst
Chaw
Christmas In August
One Fine Spring Day
April Snow
Happiness
Five Senses of Eros
Mismatched Couples
The Seventh Curse
Blood: The Last Vampire
My Dear Enemy
Happy Naked Christmas
My Sassy Girl
Twelve Nights
Mary From Beijing
Walk In
The Tai Chi Master
Accident
Night & Fog
No Boys, No Cry
Handphone
The Chaser
Running Turtle
The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
The Philadelphia Story
No Regrets For Our Youth
One Wonderful Sunday
Yes, I watched The Santa Clause 2 and 3. I have nieces. Check back soon for my thoughts on a pre-Christmas gift from me, to me; Johnnie To's Vengeance.
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