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Andy K (10821 KP) created a post in Movies are the shiz!
Apr 7, 2018
Awix (3310 KP) rated Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) in Movies
Apr 12, 2020
Movie telling the life story of Bruce Lee can be a little bland and hagiographical but has energy, sincerity, and a big fight sequence every fifteen minutes or so, which is all you really want where Lee is concerned. Bruce Lee is kicked out of Hong Kong (for fighting), loses his job in San Francisco (for fighting), starts his own successful business (teaching fighting) and starts a new career (fighting in the movies). Did I mention there are a lot of fights in the movie?
You would be forgiven for taking much of this film with a pinch of salt, but Jason Scott Lee is very engaging, as is Lauren Holly, and its heart is certainly in the right place. Really good fight choreography too. Best not taken too seriously, but very watchable if kung fu movies are your thing.
You would be forgiven for taking much of this film with a pinch of salt, but Jason Scott Lee is very engaging, as is Lauren Holly, and its heart is certainly in the right place. Really good fight choreography too. Best not taken too seriously, but very watchable if kung fu movies are your thing.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Unleashed (2005) in Movies
Apr 4, 2019
Bonkers martial arts thriller off the Luc Besson action conveyor belt. Danny (Li) has been raised as a human attack dog by senior gangster Bart (Hoskins); one day he stumbles into freedom and is befriended by a blind piano tuner (Freeman) and his daughter. But will his past catch up with him? (All this supposedly takes place in a Glasgow almost exclusively populated by Asians, Americans, and Cockneys.)
The plot is barking mad (not inappropriately for a film with the alternative title of Danny the Dog) and impossible to take seriously, but that's hardly new for a Besson film, nor necessarily a disincentive to see it. This one is lifted by genuinely good performances from Hoskins and Freeman, and extended sequences of Li beating the living daylights out of everyone in sight (at one point there's a kung fu fight in a toilet cubicle, which is surely a first). Not to be taken remotely seriously, but still highly entertaining.
The plot is barking mad (not inappropriately for a film with the alternative title of Danny the Dog) and impossible to take seriously, but that's hardly new for a Besson film, nor necessarily a disincentive to see it. This one is lifted by genuinely good performances from Hoskins and Freeman, and extended sequences of Li beating the living daylights out of everyone in sight (at one point there's a kung fu fight in a toilet cubicle, which is surely a first). Not to be taken remotely seriously, but still highly entertaining.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) in Movies
Feb 19, 2018
Ninth James Bond film was rush-released to consolidate Roger Moore in the role, also to cash in on fad for kung fu movies at the time; forms part of the 'British civil servant travels by seaplane to sun-obsessed Christopher Lee's private island in search of missing girl, finds Britt Ekland waiting' movement of 1973-4. Bond must engage in battle of wits with triple-nippled assassin Scaramanga. Then-topical subplot about energy crisis trundles along in the background.
Not bad instance of Bond franchise as pure genre movie; decent fights and chases, but only one moment that really deserves a place on the 'best of Bond' showreel (the corkscrew bridge jump). Christopher Lee barely breaks a sweat as the best actor in the movie. Slightly sleazy atmosphere (in places it resembles a softcore porn movie with the sex edited out); you can kind of see why one of the original producers thought the series had run out of steam and departed before the next one.
Not bad instance of Bond franchise as pure genre movie; decent fights and chases, but only one moment that really deserves a place on the 'best of Bond' showreel (the corkscrew bridge jump). Christopher Lee barely breaks a sweat as the best actor in the movie. Slightly sleazy atmosphere (in places it resembles a softcore porn movie with the sex edited out); you can kind of see why one of the original producers thought the series had run out of steam and departed before the next one.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Halloween: Resurrection (2002) in Movies
May 16, 2021
Fair play, Halloween Resurrection is not an easy watch for a whole fistful of reasons. Terrible dialogue, boderline-offensive quick edits, a ill advised attempt and mixing in found footage, the forced nature of pretty much every plot point, the bizarre cold open where Laurie fucking KISSES Michael before being unceremoniously knifed out of the remaining 80 minutes. Honestly, Busta Rhymes roundhouse kicking Michael in the face whilst making innapropriate "Kung Fu" noises is probably the best bit.
The movie threatens to become entertaining for approximately 40 seconds following the excruciatingly annoying characters realisation that they're in danger, and the obligatory final-girl chase is ok, but that's ruined by Mr Rhymes returning to save the day whilst shitting out terrible one liners. Did Busta fund this thing or something?
Rick Rosenthal's return to the series is a far cry from the far superior Halloween II. Just an abhorrently crap film all round.
The movie threatens to become entertaining for approximately 40 seconds following the excruciatingly annoying characters realisation that they're in danger, and the obligatory final-girl chase is ok, but that's ruined by Mr Rhymes returning to save the day whilst shitting out terrible one liners. Did Busta fund this thing or something?
Rick Rosenthal's return to the series is a far cry from the far superior Halloween II. Just an abhorrently crap film all round.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Chocolate (2008) in Movies
Mar 2, 2018 (Updated Mar 2, 2018)
Mmm, Chocolate
Yet another film about an autistic girl with prodigious martial arts skills forced to beat the living daylights out of dozens of gangland thugs in order to pay for her mother's cancer medicine. But a really good one, by the standards of the kung fu movie genre at least. From the director of Ong-Bak, Prachya Pinkaew, who almost single-handedly seems to have put Thai martial arts movies on the map.
The plot is, as you can probably tell, somewhat eccentric and quite possibly in dubious taste (the final boss battle sees the autistic kickboxing girl facing off against a teenage capoeira expert with Tourette's syndrome), but this just adds to the distinctive flavour of this particular chocolate. Terrific performance, both acting and athletic, from Jeeja Yanin. The fight scenes are stupendously well-choreographed, especially the climax (a vertical fight up and down the side of a building). I don't know which is more surprising: that this movie exists at all, or that it's real and also really lives up to its potential.
The plot is, as you can probably tell, somewhat eccentric and quite possibly in dubious taste (the final boss battle sees the autistic kickboxing girl facing off against a teenage capoeira expert with Tourette's syndrome), but this just adds to the distinctive flavour of this particular chocolate. Terrific performance, both acting and athletic, from Jeeja Yanin. The fight scenes are stupendously well-choreographed, especially the climax (a vertical fight up and down the side of a building). I don't know which is more surprising: that this movie exists at all, or that it's real and also really lives up to its potential.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Bodyguard (2016) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
Stately mixture of sentimental drama and bus-pass-bad-ass martial arts movie. Ding (Hung), a fat old man suffering from dementia, is befriended by the perky young daughter of a crook. When his various hi-jinks place her in danger from gangsters, Ding finds his award-winning kung fu skills are still there when he needs them.
The film may be a plea for consideration for dementia sufferers, but nobody watches it for that reason: people watch it for the sight of an obese man in his sixties battering the living daylights out of much younger stuntmen (much like every other recent Sammo Hung vehicle). However, the action sequences, though decent, are a long time coming, and most of the rest of the film is a slow-moving and sentimental melodrama which doesn't quite hit the spot despite decent performances from Sammo and Jacqueline Chan. (The tonal mismatch between all this and the bone-crunching, throat-slitting nature of the gangster scenes is considerable.) Fans of the big man may find this enjoyable enough to persevere with, but it's probably too slow and weird for everyone else.
The film may be a plea for consideration for dementia sufferers, but nobody watches it for that reason: people watch it for the sight of an obese man in his sixties battering the living daylights out of much younger stuntmen (much like every other recent Sammo Hung vehicle). However, the action sequences, though decent, are a long time coming, and most of the rest of the film is a slow-moving and sentimental melodrama which doesn't quite hit the spot despite decent performances from Sammo and Jacqueline Chan. (The tonal mismatch between all this and the bone-crunching, throat-slitting nature of the gangster scenes is considerable.) Fans of the big man may find this enjoyable enough to persevere with, but it's probably too slow and weird for everyone else.
Russ Troutt (291 KP) rated The Get Down - Season 1 in TV
Jul 18, 2019
The Get Down is ill, straight dope to the max,
It's on point like a needle to the wax.
It's as if Shakspeare grew up in the Bronx,
And was spittin' rhymes deeper than ancient monks.
Mylene's looks would make the Devil sigh,
And her voice would make an angel cry.
Not since Romeo and Juliet have I seen a more passionate fling,
Ezekial loves Mylene like Mylene loves to sing.
Flash, he's the Grand Master,
When it comes to spinning vinyl no one does it faster.
Kung Fu Master Chu met his defeat,
At the hand of Shaolin Fantastic's killer beats.
While the Fantastic Four Plus One be makin' the heat,
Big Annie is the one running the streets.
Tearin' up the dance floors is a man they call Cadillac,
Bustin' moves and bustin' caps, so ya better watch your back.
Like a Bruce Lee karate chop this show is a hit,
Hip to the hop don't want it to stop, for this here is the good good shit.
Turntables spinning circles like piegons in the sky,
It's my new religion and I'm praising it on high.
Like a purple crayon that is full of possibilities,
The Get Down is my new favorite show that you just gotta see.
It's on point like a needle to the wax.
It's as if Shakspeare grew up in the Bronx,
And was spittin' rhymes deeper than ancient monks.
Mylene's looks would make the Devil sigh,
And her voice would make an angel cry.
Not since Romeo and Juliet have I seen a more passionate fling,
Ezekial loves Mylene like Mylene loves to sing.
Flash, he's the Grand Master,
When it comes to spinning vinyl no one does it faster.
Kung Fu Master Chu met his defeat,
At the hand of Shaolin Fantastic's killer beats.
While the Fantastic Four Plus One be makin' the heat,
Big Annie is the one running the streets.
Tearin' up the dance floors is a man they call Cadillac,
Bustin' moves and bustin' caps, so ya better watch your back.
Like a Bruce Lee karate chop this show is a hit,
Hip to the hop don't want it to stop, for this here is the good good shit.
Turntables spinning circles like piegons in the sky,
It's my new religion and I'm praising it on high.
Like a purple crayon that is full of possibilities,
The Get Down is my new favorite show that you just gotta see.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) in Movies
Jul 22, 2018
Jackie Chan (3 more)
Fun fight scenes
Beautiful scenery
Good cast
Plot was predictable (1 more)
Slow parts
Is this the best Jackie Chan movie?
First off I just want to say this was a blu ray I again paid just £1 for and it is definatly worth it. As far as Jackie Chan movies go it is 1 of the lesser known in my opinion. I had never heard of this movie, it was pure luck I came across it and I'm glad I did.
It is probably not in the top 5 of the best Jackie Chan movies but it is still great. Not sure if it is just me but in some ways it reminded me of the sorcerer's apprentice, it had that tone.
The fight scenes were well choreographed. Jackie Chan and jet li do what they do best and the acting was good. Obviously with this kind of movie you have to ignore all ideas of believability (learning Kung Fu should not be that quick) and just have a good time with it.
The plot was predictable, especially the ending but getting there was fun. The legend of the monkey king was interesting. That part kinda reminded me of avatar the last airbender and the monkey king did annoy me at times but that was the character. He was meant to have some monkey characteristics.
If you like Jackie Chan, jet li, martial arts mixed with fantasy then you will enjoy it. I feel it is a movie I can watch again.
It is probably not in the top 5 of the best Jackie Chan movies but it is still great. Not sure if it is just me but in some ways it reminded me of the sorcerer's apprentice, it had that tone.
The fight scenes were well choreographed. Jackie Chan and jet li do what they do best and the acting was good. Obviously with this kind of movie you have to ignore all ideas of believability (learning Kung Fu should not be that quick) and just have a good time with it.
The plot was predictable, especially the ending but getting there was fun. The legend of the monkey king was interesting. That part kinda reminded me of avatar the last airbender and the monkey king did annoy me at times but that was the character. He was meant to have some monkey characteristics.
If you like Jackie Chan, jet li, martial arts mixed with fantasy then you will enjoy it. I feel it is a movie I can watch again.
Gareth von Kallenbach (968 KP) rated Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
The new Dreamworks Animation release Kung Fu Panda 3 has several big name actors voicing the characters. Among them are Jack Black as Po, Angelina Jolie as Tigress, Kate Hudson as Mei Mei, Bryan Cranston as Li, Dustin Hoffman as Shifu, Jackie Chan as Monkey,
Seth Rogan as Mantis and Lucy Liu as Viper.
Po discovers a long-lost relative who travels with him to a secret enclave of Panda relatives. Meanwhile, the trapped super-villain Kai escapes, and begins to defeat all the king-fu masters across the land.
Po must gather his new-found relatives and his long-time friends, and tries to train them to work together to defeat Kai.
What results is a heartwarming tale of friends & family working together to beat the odds, and of discovering that your strengths and abilities can be used in situations that might seem otherwise hopeless. It shows you that no matter what your capabilities are as an individual, working together can achieve great things.
The music throughout the film was engaging, and the graphics and animation were superb. This is one movie that is released in 3-D that is actually worth seeing in 3-D!
I had the 3 kids with me and they all loved it. The youngest, a girl, is 6, and her comment was ‘That movie was AWESOME!’, and her favorite part was ‘all the cool fighting scenes’
The oldest, a 9 year old boy, said ‘it was a GREAT movie!’, and his favorite part was when Po discovered his dad again.
The middle child, 7, a boy says ‘I thought it was so great that I wanted to cry’, and his favorite part was the baby pandas doing their tricks to help defeat Kai.
From an adult perspective I thought it was a great family film, with a message of acceptance and working together despite our differences in order to accomplish a common goal. I loved how Po’s adopted father and natural father worked together and got along and that they all ended up as ‘family’, without sides being chosen. I felt that was a really great message in this day & age.
I would give this movie a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for any family looking for a fun activity to head out to on the weekend.
Seth Rogan as Mantis and Lucy Liu as Viper.
Po discovers a long-lost relative who travels with him to a secret enclave of Panda relatives. Meanwhile, the trapped super-villain Kai escapes, and begins to defeat all the king-fu masters across the land.
Po must gather his new-found relatives and his long-time friends, and tries to train them to work together to defeat Kai.
What results is a heartwarming tale of friends & family working together to beat the odds, and of discovering that your strengths and abilities can be used in situations that might seem otherwise hopeless. It shows you that no matter what your capabilities are as an individual, working together can achieve great things.
The music throughout the film was engaging, and the graphics and animation were superb. This is one movie that is released in 3-D that is actually worth seeing in 3-D!
I had the 3 kids with me and they all loved it. The youngest, a girl, is 6, and her comment was ‘That movie was AWESOME!’, and her favorite part was ‘all the cool fighting scenes’
The oldest, a 9 year old boy, said ‘it was a GREAT movie!’, and his favorite part was when Po discovered his dad again.
The middle child, 7, a boy says ‘I thought it was so great that I wanted to cry’, and his favorite part was the baby pandas doing their tricks to help defeat Kai.
From an adult perspective I thought it was a great family film, with a message of acceptance and working together despite our differences in order to accomplish a common goal. I loved how Po’s adopted father and natural father worked together and got along and that they all ended up as ‘family’, without sides being chosen. I felt that was a really great message in this day & age.
I would give this movie a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for any family looking for a fun activity to head out to on the weekend.