Asian movies

[mappi]

Raid 2 : Berandal [2014 : Indonesian : 2h30m : Crime (Martial Arts, Gangster)]

(‘Brendal’ translates to 'Thug', film maker Gareth Evans clarifies)

Written, Edited, Stunt Choreography & Directed by Gareth Evans
Stunt Choreographed and executed by Iko Uwais
Music by Fajar Yuskemal, Aria Prayogi, Joseph Trapanese
Cinematography Matt Flannery & Dimas Imam Subhono

http://schmoesknow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/the-raid-2-berandal-teaser-poster.jpg

From Left to right (standing) :

Yayan Ruhian as Koso : Hitman. ( He was the 'impossible-to-kill' short guy who is fed with tube lights in Raid : Redemption, where Rama and his brother try to put him on floor with too much difficulty)

Cok Simbara as Bunawar : The Chief of Anti-Corruption Squad

Oka Antara as Eka : Right-hand man to Bangun (the local Crime Lord)

Kazuki Kitamura as Ryuichi : Adviser to Goto (the Japanese Crime Lord)

Iko Uwais as - Rama real name / Yada undercover name : The KickA§§

Arifin Putra as Uco : Successor / Son of Bangun

Alex Abbad as Bejo : Villathi Villan

Ryûhei Matsuda as Keiichi : Successor / Son of Goto

Cecep Arif Rahman as The Smiling Assassin : Team Bejo - Karambit-a-karan (Karambits is an Indonesian traditional dagger-like weapon, which is like a Kokki)

Julie Estelle as Alicia : Team Bejo - Hammer Girl

Very Tri Yulisman as Nameless : Team Bejo - Baseball Bat Man

Sitting Left - Tio Pakusodewo as Bangun, the local Crime Lord

Sitting Right - Kenichi Endo as Goto, the Japanese Crime Lord

Weapons : Kitchen knife/chopper/furniture/stove plate-hot indeed, Car, Long flat blade, Surgical Scalpel Blade, Sharp tiny metal objects, glass pieces, bottles, chairs/table, door, Glass door, walls, battens, rock, flush toilet, mineral water cans, metal racks, karambits, Hammer, Base-ball bat, Revolver, Shot-gun, Rapid-Fire firearms along with 2 hands & legs and anything else from my 'missed-list'.

Martial Art style : Pencak Silat (Indonesian)
Other Stunts involve : Gunfights, car chases, brawl, riot, rumble, melee

Rated more than R : Not for people who faint just by hearing the bones smashing noise, they show how its done ! And to be very clear - shotgun meets the face.

[mappi]

http://www.mcmbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/The-Raid-Prison-punchbag-logo.png

Soon after the Tower episode, Officer Bunawar corners Rama to take up another assignment to finish off the loose ends once and for all. Scared of putting his family (supported by his wife and a boy child), Rama goes under cover to flush out the corrupted list while taking sides between 2 warring gang lords. Admits of his task on hand, he has to seek revenge too, upon an unknown who goes by the name Bejo, the motive revealed in the opening scene of the movie. To track Bejo, Rama befriends Uco, the son of the local gang lord Bangun. The time when he finds out the den of Bejo, Uco's thrist for hierarchical succession puts not only Rama's plan but his under-cover life in danger, when Uco decides to team up with Bejo and take the city for himself by settling the score with the Japanese Warlord Goto. When things turn out nasty, Rama goes in all by himself to put an end to the clash not only because his identity cannot be reversed but also to save his family by sacrificing his own life in the attempt to pull the tongue of the dragon.

Raid 2 is surprisingly and completely different from Raid : Redemption. The predecessor just had a line : "Hey Rama, go into this tower and don't die", then its all about a MAN vs MEN. Raid 2 takes a look at emotional level including tense decision makings engulfed with a gangster backdrop. There are solid characters and some grains of performance too. So it becomes a treat for both the genre movie lovers : where the story is fluid with some twisty things happening in the corrupted world mixed with some extraordinary stunts, that tries to beat the former and largely succeeds, packetted in a Gangster film.

Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Julie Estelle, Very Tri Yulisman, Cecep Arif Rahman, along with all the flying side kicks steal the entire show. They all have individual fight scenes and meet up with Ika Uwais (exclusing Koso) for a wonderful Boss fights. The long Kitchen action block with 'Kokki Kumar' was an eye popper. At a point of time, they find themselves fallen beside a kitchen furniture, and its there they fight it out without moving away for a lengthy while. Simply Amazing. The music is top notch, mounts you very high during action sequences and silences itself during tense moments so that you are not distracted. It becomes a part of the choreography. An extremely well thought and filmed work, where you start to wonder where was this guy holding the camera during the action blocks. Editing puts a tight grip over the sequences. An ultimate unison of "men at work".

The first fight begins in a closed toilet, admits the flash backs, where the very first victim meets the flush toilet. Next one is sent flying to the adjacent rest room, while another is found caught right between his legs over the toilet door. Brilliant.

Following is a riot in the prison, where a hulk gets his legs twisted while another guy gets stabbed 25 times in 1 second. People willingly take the battens, while the clash ends with a rock in the face. All this happening in a marshy mud floor.

Koso's solo in the restaurant reminds us of Jackie Chan's rumbles, only here there is no mercy. Koso just does a ton of things to keep himself from dying, he even tries to rub a man's face into the wall. That did give him a temporary gap from death.

Rama is put inside a Car and taken away. One mistake - they did not tie him up. The car becomes the boxing ring where 4 remaining guys sharing the space with him are taken for a tour around the interior of the car. Parallelly there is a chase happening, where Eka confronts with a "window-seeing-dude-with-a-shotgun" all while driving with a wounded leg. He just does not mind to spray some bullets here and there while succeeding in pushing a motorist under his car. Rama ends this awesome action block with a daring 'Arambam-Ajith-Jump'.

Rama does not need a weapon, anything he owns is a weapon. He pulls the car into a garage taking a man on the way, then he reverses it taking down another. He jumps off and takes a dozen of side kicks. The last one, before he climbs up, gets exactly the beating that he practices in the prison. A must watch and to be noted. And yeah, for records, during Rama's free time he draws a human shape on the wall (similar to the one in the poster) and caresses it with his knuckles.

Once inside the building he faces the 3 prime menaces of Bejo. He takes the first 2 at the same time in the corridor and then parties with the 3rd one in the kitchen. Decision of the day - Kill the bosses with the weapons they carry. Simple, and that’s what complicates things for Rama. So who are these 3 mini-bosses - Hammer Girl is the one who nails people in the train, Baseball Bat Man practices his swings on humans & 'Kokki Kumar' actually has 4 hands, the Karambit pair is used more than his normal fists, and he has a smiling face that does not bring down the menace, no, not even a millimetre. The 2h+ practice sessions for Rama, is put under some real test with these three awesome villains.

[Hammer Girl (take a look at the poster posted by LM), Hammer Girl for Evans is what Gogo is for Quentin Tarantino. Deadly]

In-between all the above, the gangster story of greed & deception slides in then and there, making it an engaging film. Its just everything multiplied by two.

Raid 2 : Berandal -
http://www.liveforfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/raid-2-jock-1.jpg

[mappi]

The Viral Factor (Chinese)

If you have a solid 2 hours to spend over a solid 'action' film, this movie is what you should be watching.
Rest of the infos are on the DVD cover below.

http://www.dvd-covers.org/d/299842-2/The_Viral_Factor.jpg

[mappi]

That Demon Within (Chinese)

Another film from Dante Lam.
Admist shootout action, 'That Demon Within' follows a dark twisty psycological tale, spun together with mystry, horror, crime & suspense.

http://www.filmsmash.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/that-demon-within-poster.jpg

[mappi]

The Great Hypnotist (Chinese)

An amazing film. For those who have watched several such films, the ACT 3 would be interesting. For the rest, the whole film, esp. ACT 2 will be quite convincing and creepy.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/ent/2014-03/11/126247954_13944989240461n.jpg

[mappi]

Dragon Blade [2015 : Epic (Historical, War, Drama) : Mandarin / English : 2h10m]

Country : China

Written & Directed by Daniel Lee (Black Mask, 14 Blades)
Stunts : Jackie Chan

Starring : Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody & others

http://cdn.collider.com/wp-content/uploads/dragon-blade-poster-01.jpg

When the Eagles meet the Dragons

Jackie Chan does not stop to suprise me. In his latest film Dragon Blades, he participates in registering a huge 'historical posibility' by playing the lead role and also taking care of what he is best at, the stunts. Joining him are John Cusack and Adrien Brody who give some excellent performences, and also other chinese artists who carry forward the film through their supportive roles. Jakie Chan still gaurds his gimmicks while performing close combats and takes the physical strains of rolling, getting up or allowing heavy objects fall on him, etc. He does not stop to mesmerise the kids. He is often amoung children either playing with them or saving them in this film too. As usual the violence is at a greater check as in any other Jackie Chan movies. For an Epic War film like this truck load of red liquid is imported. In Dragon Blade you get see not more that 50Cl of blood or stabbing or cut-throats. No over-the-top special effects were used which is indeed quite pleasing. The sets were huge and the film is quite crowded giving it an natural ambience.

Dragon Blade is about the collaboration of Romans & the Chinese (various clans) and then, how they shoulder together to destory the coming evil by proving that War is not the answer but peace and healthy relationship is what thats going to take humanity to places. A great tale told quite emotionaly with needed humour, action & thrills sprinkled everywhere. The Archer Fight sequence gets a special mention, as it is more exciting than a gun shoot-out. The ACT3 is the best part and the tension it mounts is fabulous. The Climax is a 'suprise-shocker'.

Drangon Blade : 'Turn foes into friends'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ2628TiTyw

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[mappi]

Double Dhamaka - South Korean Films - Cirme-Thrillers

Cold Eyes (Gamsijadeul) [2013 : Korean : Crime (Action, Thriller) : 2hrs]
Remake of 2007 Chinese movie Eye in the Sky.

http://asianwiki.com/images/7/77/Cold_Eyes-0002.jpg

The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.
- Oscar Wilde

After a smooth & flawless bank robbery, a survilence team starts to investigate the crime scene, notably with the help of Cold Eyes, the street cameras. This team has limitations such as they are to report and not take any action. Begins the hunt of the unknown - the master-mind, who is hidden amoung the crowd.

The movie is about detailing, as its naration too. The premises is quite intriguing, and the flow is fluid. The film takes just the 15 first minutes to introduce its principle characters, which also holds the heist. The rest of the film is gripping.

Cold Eyes - Power of Sight

Montage ( Mong-ta-ju) [2013 : Korean : Crime (Mystery, Thriller) : 2hrs]

http://www.tasteofcinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Upcoming-Korean-movie-montage.jpg

"The door will always, always be open, and mother will always be waiting at it for me.”
- Maimie Mannering in 'Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens' by Sir James Matthew Barrie

Detectives are running against time to bring back safe the kidnapped child, as well as get the kidnapper. Detective Ho comes in terms with reality, as a kidnap case he had been investigating for the past 15 years comes to its end of terms, declared unsolved. When his assosiate contacts him over the new kidnap case, Ho finds the similarities and is sure its this kidnapper he has been chasing past 15 years. Kidnapper is back in town, so is Detetive Ho.

I wish not talk about the screenplay and take away the charm, you will come face to face with it. Twist, but don't Turn, you will miss another Twist. Experience the 2 hours filled with suspense, including the sentiments of all those involved. The post climax is a tearjerker.

Montage - Medley of Mystery

[mappi]

Hard Day [2014 : Korean : 1h50m : Crime (Thriller, Buddy Cop, Satire)]
Country : South Korea

Written & directed by Kim Seong-hun

Starring Lee Sun-kyun (Helpless) & Cho Jin-woong (Perfect Number)

https://diversfilms.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/hard-day-affiche.jpg

Humoristic, thrilling & dark, the mix in Hard Day-the film, is just too good. It has a lot of suituations which are funny at the same time ticking like a timer-bomb. An usual recomendation - if you wish to get the best out of the film, don't look for any reviews. Just into the 3rd minute, the film should take you inside, if you are a fan of Korean Crime Cinema.

The story line is simple, a simple hit & run case. But how the circumstances cripple the hero Gun-su is fun to watch at the same time interesting. The climax was just wonderful and I think the 2 actors have given one of their best. Music gladly sets into the film, and the Camera works were cool, esp. during road & lane pursues. Kim Seong-hun has narrated his story quite efficiently with minor twists thrown here and there & the social take is appealing.

Hard Day - 'Oh What a Day! What A Lovely Day!'*

* From MadMax

[mappi]

Man of Vendetta [2010 : Korean : 1h50 : Crime (Thriller, Suspense, Drama)]
Country : South Korea

Written & Directed by Woo Min-ho

http://i.imgur.com/jUq8xTq.jpg

Rated R - not much of blood & gore but some scenes could shock viewers

Joo is a pastor who preaches to forgive the enemy. When his daughter is abducted, he finds ways to liberate her but fails. Loosing faith, he finds alternate ways to forget the disappearance episode until the kidnapper calls him after 8 years claiming that his daughter is still alive. Time to show the man who devastated his life that he is no more a pastor who preaches to forgive the enemy.

I liked the atmosphere of the movie - gloomy. A well shot film with good performences from the main characters. The BGM was intriguing esp. the piece that covers the climax.

Man of Vendetta - Butterfly Chase

[ajithfederer]

Maapii, havent seen any asian films recently?

[mappi]

Ajithfederer,

Excuses for a late reply ...
Yeah did watch a few asian films. I propose 2 Fantasy films & a Tony Jaa starrer which I liked.

[mappi]

Two Chinese Fantasy Adventure Films

These two movies are adapted from the same source, a Chinese novel by the name 'Ghost Blows Out the Light'. Different directors & actors, the movies narrate the adventure of a trio grave hunters. Just like the modern dark age cinema, the directors try to mix in the reality to the myths. 'Movie 1' has a bit more Drama and self realisation sprinkled inside it, while the 2nd movie is pure fun with lot of action mixed with comedy. The effects were outstanding. The biggest problem is to follow the film with subtitles, but still they both are highly enjoyable, esp. with kids around - the fantasy parts are too good.

Eventhough adapted from a same source, the films are identical and are not by any chance continuations. I watched the 3D versions which was awesome.

Movie 1

Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe [2015 : Mandarin : 2h]
Directed by Lu Chuan

http://twitchfilm.com/assets/2015/09/Chronicles-of-the-Ghostly-Tribe.jpg

When an archaeological site mysteriously explodes, a team of soldiers are sent to investigate. The group find themselves been guided by catastrophes to a place that existed only as a myth. Soon they discover that the happenings are real, and the attacks of the unknown had just begun, those which could be put to an end only by the chosen one, Hu Bayi. But the demon that the group unleashed had already chosen Shirley, the love of Hu Bayi, as it's assosiate. Torn apart on the living world, the prime struggle of Hu Bayi and his friend Wang is to close down the portal that should not have been discovered in the first place.

If you have played Resistence or Dead Space some images would be very similar. The beasts looks like the Chimera from Resistence Series, and the "Glowing Towers" resembles a lot the Dead Space Extraction's Red Markers. The film starts briskly followed by a wonderfully conceived Avalanche sequence. It holds a bit of mystry and suspence even in the proper living world. Its here the Drama installs itself and with the subtitles, it could be a bit hard to follow the motive behind the characters. And finally a stand-off with the beasts.

Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe - Amusement Park

Movie 2

Mojin: The Lost Legend [2015 : Mandarin : 2h10m]
Directed by Wuershan

http://www.wellgousa.com/sites/default/files/theatrical/Heropage-980x560_46.jpg

The adventurers Hu Bayi, Shirley & Wang live in exile when an unrefusable contract falls on to their hands - Quest to find the Equinox Flower. Divided by several personel reasons, the Grave Hunters should unite themsleves to crack the codes that lead to their destiny.

Mojin is more fun that Ghostly Tribe. There are many tickling moments in the film and the lead characters did a wonderful job.

Mojin: The Lost Legend - Mirthy Myth

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6b/1a/b5/6b1ab578db14046a5336bbfbabf9c0b4.jpg

http://hkmdb.com/db/images/movies/17769/ChroniclesoftheGhostlyTribe+2015-20-b.jpg

[mappi]

SPL II: A Time for Consequences [2015 : Cantonese (Mandarin & Thai) : 2h : Action (Thriller)]
Country : China

Directed by Cheang Pou-soi (The Monkey King 1 & part 2 under production; both with Donnie Yen)

[The Monkey King (2014) motion picture & the animated picture - Monkey King: Hero Is Back (2015) - are a must for Kids, but as an adult it bepends how much the 'child' is still hopping inside oneself. I liked both the films and waiting for the Part 2 (2016), but can't really recomend it to everyone. Give it a try, maybe you will like them too.]

http://giftout.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Win-tickets-to-watch-SPL-2-%E2%80%93-A-Time-for-Consequences-%E6%9D%80%E7%A0%B4%E7%8B%BCII-at-Nuyou-Singapore.jpg
Rated R

Starring : Tony Jaa & Wu Jing

An undercover cop, Chan, is tricked and as a result lands himself in a Thai Prison. A prison gaurd, Chatchai, is a victim of corruption as he engulfs it to save his dying daughter. The efforts of rescuing Chan goes in vain, when he is sold to the human organ trafficking international network. When Chatchai finds out that the prison is involved in anything other than law & order, he decides to join hands with Chan to stop a rich lord from accuring an object that could keep him alive.

The film is loaded with suprises and emotions. The action sequences are dry and raw which easily demands for viewer discretion. The way the characters are webbed together is wonderful and the film briskly advances to a 'fisty-fighty-final'. The major disappointment is the presence of Tony Jaa, he is more like an extended cameo. Even though Wu Jing does some extreme stunt sequences, the eyes are hungry to feed on Tony Jaa Karate. But there are couple of martial arts sequences in which Tony Jaa participates.

SPL II: A Time for Consequences - Gravity of Illness

http://cdn4.thr.com/sites/default/files/2015/06/spl_2.jpg

[mappi]

Films From South Korea

Ha Jung-woo Double Dhamaka (Actor & Director)
[Other films : Kundo, Chaser, The Berlin Files (they are making Part-2 of this espionage thriller)]

http://1.soompi.io/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ha-jung-woo-marie-claire.png

Film One

Assassination [2015 : Korean : 2h20m : Thriller (Period Drama, Suspence, Action)]
Note : Should not be confused with The Assassin (2015) Chinese film.

Writen, Directed & Produced by Choi Dong-hoon

Starring : Jun Ji-hyun (The Berlin Files), Lee Jung-jae (New World), Ha Jung-woo

http://cdn.kpopfighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/65873-343820.jpg

The South-Korean Film is identic to Inglourious Basterds, yet it's different as both the films are handled by different directors. Just like Hans Landa in the former, Assassination has Captain Yeom (Lee Jung-jae) and the scarificing Shosanna is played by Jun Ji-hyun as Ahn Ok-yun. Other characters draw huge similarities too, like Hawaii Pistol (Ha Jung-woo) who resembles The Apache and his side-kick The Bear Jew is reminded by Hawaii's Pistol's partner. And both films deals with Resistance group in an occupied country. Where Assassination is different is when the director, Choi Dong-hoon, sprinkles in double & triple agent espionage scenarios and covers occupied South Korean during both World Wars. And the incidents are ofcoarse different from the American film.

Year 1911, an ambitious Korean industralist Kang sets a deal with the rival Japanese who have occupied South Korea by force. The buisness-man learns about a resistence group member in his family, and in the chaos his twin childs get seperated. An assassin fails to kill his target, the Japanese Governor General. The present is actually 1949, post 2nd World War in independant Korea, where an invetigation on War Crimes is been interrogated. Cut to 1933, Assassination narrates the plans and executions of three freedom fighters to assassinate the Japanese Army General Kawaguchi and the Korean Buisnessman Kang. Admist the obvious dangers, a spy leaks their identity and a contract killer is on loose to take down the three assassins before they suceed in their mission.

Assasination has some quality decors, live action sequences, a bit of humour & romance and a lot of suspense mixed with action. Eventhough a lot of characters are introduced rapidly, about an hour into the fim they all get automatically registered leading to an thrilling standoff climax.

Assassination - Cream of the Fight

Film Two

The Terror Live [2013 : Korean : 1h40m : Suspense (Thriller, Socio-Political)]
Written & Directed by Kim Byung-woo

Starring : Lee Geung-young & Ha Jung-woo

http://assets.wmoov.com/movie/photo/201403/TheTerror2CLIVE_OriginalPoster_1394072924.jpg

A desperate radio anchor, Yoon Young-hwa (Ha Jung-woo), finds the call made by a person who calls himself Park Jeong-min, an ultimate oppurtunity to shoot up in his carrier. He negociates the call details, which initially he dismissed as a prank call, with his boss and ex-wife to get back his lost professional & personal life set-up. The caller had just blown the Mapo Bridge crossing the Han River and claims to do more damage if his demands are not met. Entering into a conversational game with the annonymous caller, Yoon not only finds himself trapped inside the caller's universe, but also becomes a sitting duck over the conspiracy circling around buisness and politics.

Major portions of the film happens inside a cubical, and entirely depends on Ha Jung-woo. It is him we see almost in every single frame where he begins with arrogance while handling calls, clever while negociating with his boss, cunning while talking to the caller, angry when he learns that he is deceived, terrorised when being trapped and finally sits silently and shattered when the valcano of show-buzz erupts something else than just news - he slowly realises that he has become the victim for the sensation. All the tiny emotions are brought out by Ha Jung-woo, which makes the film advance briskly to a stunning climax.

The Terror Live - Tickle & Tingle

[mappi]

Two South Korean Films

Film 1

The Suspect (Yonguija) [2013 : Korean : 2h20m : Action (Espionage, Drama)]
Directed by Won Shin-yun

Starring : Korean Actors

http://fims.kofic.or.kr/common/mast/movie/2013/12/2bc16e8719b9426dba820e4bc794cf36.jpg

There is a bit of political tension inside the movie, but its for those who follow such news, for them and everyone else The Suspect is a packed film with Action, Thrills, Stunts & Drama, that accounts the life of a Spy who comes out from hiding to avenge the killer who had shattered his life. In the process, when his godfather is murdered, all evidence points at the Spy, who is again forced run, only this time he beedn chased by his military rival.

The tale is gripping and the actions are wonderfully filmed. The car chase & roof-top-running sequences were excellent with an apt backgorund score. I liked the post-climax a lot. The Suspect will certainly keep you entertained during a quite Satruday afternoon.

The Suspect - Reckoned Steps

http://cdn3.thr.com/sites/default/files/2014/01/the_suspect_film.jpg

Film 2

Coin Locker Girl (aka) Chinatown [2015 : Korean : 1h50m : Drama (Film Noir)]
Directed by Han Jun-hee

Starring :
Kim Hye-soo as MAA
http://fims.kofic.or.kr/common/mast/movie/2015/05/cc5e3246f92b4958b1248e4b14b544c4.jpg

Kim Go-eun as Il Young (10)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qFcnEEg72y0/VhPodTiK-tI/AAAAAAAAPHM/GPLCMj9t31M/s1600/2015%2B-%2B%2BCoin%2BLocker%2BGirl%2B%2528still%2B1%2529.j peg

Maa, a nickname to the leader of a deadly local money laundering mafia in China Town, runs several illegal buisness with authority. Il Young is an orphan who joins Maa and grows up to become her hench(wo)man, amoung four others, to reclaim money from the debtors. When she meets Suk-hyun, a youngman whose father owes money to Maa, she starts to feel the feminity inside her hallow heart. Working strictly with rules, 'Pay money or Pay with your Body', Maa wants Suk-hyun eliminated and his organs taken as a compensation. The only person stopping her is Il Young.

Even when the movie talks about Korean mafia, there are less action sequences. The beauty is the performence of the artists admist tiny realistic brawls which are brutal (audience discretion is advised). The camera is used to put the audience is an ambience throughout the film. Coin Locker Girl is a beautiful film, with no mercy.

Coin Locker Girl - Closed Outside

http://www.hancinema.net/photos/fullsizephoto583494.jpg

[mappi]

2 South Korean Movies for the Week-End

Movie 1

Pirates [2014 : Korean : 2h10m : Adventure (Epic, Action, Comedy)]

Directed by Lee Seok-hoon

Starring : Son Ye-jin (super figure), Kim Nam-gil & Yoo Hae-jin (This guy is really funny)

http://www.hancinema.net/photos/fullsizephoto462454.jpg

A Korean Masala Film.

Pirates-the film, has action, comedy, tragedy, romance, adventure, revenge and much more stocked inside. Various groups - sea pirates, bandits, mercenary - embark into the sea to retrieve the royal seal lost in the waters. When they meet, the sea floor becomes a battle field.

There is a superb action block in a town where the Pirate leader chases the Bandit leader. The music is epic and the sword fights are sleek in style. The film is funny even with subtitles. The quality of special effects is great - the sequences with the Whale are class.

Get packed and take the sea with the Pirates.

Pirates - Fun on Waves

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Movies Artwork
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Movie 2

The Divine Move (Sin-ui Hansu) [2014 : Korean : 2h : Thriller (Action, Suspense, Drama)]

Directed by Jo Bum-gu

Starring : Lee Si-young (nick named "Belly Button") & Jung Woo-sung

http://koffia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/The-Divine-Move-Poster.jpg

The Divine Move is an interesting film with its ample share of violence (Kitchen Knife Brawls, etc., - viewers discretion is advised). Eventhough I had no clue about the board game, the principle plot of the film, the way its filmed and the music score easily allowed me to be a part of the procedings. The way the board, the coin and the players are filmed brings in the intensity, the actors and the BGM elevating the interest.

The film is about a board game called Baduk (a kind of checker game where you eat the opponents coins with your strategic moves across lines - that's what I made out anyway). The hero looses and left to rot. He comes back and takes revenge.

The thrills & suspense get the clock ticking and the fist fights are catchy. If you know this board game, it would add more involvement with the film, else, it is an entertaining watch.

The Divine Move - GO

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpdlH-kBFq0/VjQpZOy2RlI/AAAAAAAADqQ/GTZCNkGuM7E/s1600/e4.jpg

[mappi]

Son Hyun-joo Twin Thrillers

Son Hyun-joo, a South Korean Actor, is a Television star before making into the movies. Here, I propose two films in which he stars as the lead actor :

The Phone [2015 : Korean : 1h50m : Thriller (Fantasy, Drama)]
Written and Directed by Kim Bong-ju

http://www.hancinema.net/photos/photo630530.jpg

The Chronicles of Evil [2015 : Korean : 1h40m : Thriller (Crime, Drama)]
Written & Directed by Beak Woon-hak

http://www.hancinema.net/photos/fullsizephoto590813.jpg

Please do not look for any synopsis or trailers for both the films. Play the movie and let the story be the guide. The story intersection in The Phone and the plot twist in The Chronicles of Evil are outstanding. Son Hyun-joo, with his expressive eyes and natural movements, crackles on screen.

[mappi]

Headshot

Release dates :
September 2016 : 22nd L'etrange Festival Paris / TIFF
December 2016 : Indonesia
March 2017 : World Wide (in selected countries/theatres)

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Directed by Mo Brothers [Kimo Stamboel, Timo Tjahjanto (Writing Credits)]

Starring : Chelsea Islan, Julie Estelle, Iwo Uwais & Sunny Pang

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[I]"This story might sound familiar to you. Ishmael. There was once a rumour about a mysterious young man. Everytime he appears he leaves a scene of massacre that turns the whole beach blood red." - Headshot

Rated VERY R : due to high violence during action sequences, audience discretion is advised.

An artistic portrayal of gore and violence, using the Indonesian martial arts Pencak Silat, as seen in Iwo Uwais previous films (Raid 1, 2 and IPL2).

A boss of a drug cartel, Lee, escapes prison. An amnesiac with a headshot, named Ishmael by his treating doctor, is found on a beach shore. Ishmael swims in the the blood of his enemies to find his past.

Prison Escape - Hideout shootout - Hospital Hassle - Inside Bus Combat - Police Station Attack - Forest Fight - Beach Brawl - Bunker Duel => A stylised ultra violent action exhibition.

Mo Brothers excellent direction with original camera works (the arrest of Lee, breaking ankles, man vs sharp objects ...) and an outstanding soundtrack (the one during Police Station Attack is extrodinary) with an exceptional display of Pencak Silat martial arts (the hits & blocks and the artists quickness are amazing) admist breaking bones and torn flesh, makes Headshot a lovely display of awesomeness.

Beautiful Julie Estelle, cute Chelsea Islan, 'as usual energetic' Iwo Uwias, terror eyed Sunny Pang and his monsterous henchmen, together procreate a pretty deadly action film.

Headshot - Scarface

[mappi]

Railroad Tigers [2016 : Action Comedy : Mandarin / Japanese : 2h]
Country : China
Mandarin Title : Tie dao fei hu

Written & Directed by Ding Sheng (Little Big Soldier & Saving Mr. Wu)

Starring : Super Chan

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During the Imperial Japanese military's full-scale invasion of China, railway porter Ma Yuan along with his Chinese associates called Tigers, ransack Japanese supplies from the trains to feed a group of famished population. When the Tigers come to know about a key military transportation route, Ma Yuan leads them to an adventure over the running train with a single aim of derailing the locomotive using the enemy's armaments amidst a fierce retaliation from the Japanese military leader.

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Unlike other Chan films, Railroad Tigers is more on visual-effects than hand-to-hand combats. Nevertheless, Jackie pulls out his old tricks from his favorite sack to climb walls, swing ropes, to dive and roll, which are still as much fun to watch as it was about three decades back. The VFX supervision is well done, keeping in mind that most of the train sequences were generated during post-production.

The film has wonderful characters that are funny. Each use a different combat technique bringing in an enjoyable variation during action sequences. The stunts are great and as usual have the charm and funniness of a Jackie Chan film.

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Ding Sheng induces a lot of comical events before stepping into Grande Finale. The whole episode over and inside the trains are shot and cut fluidly (of course mostly VFX shots), to be precise the assembly has been very well carried out.

Railroad Tigers is old school and it does not depend on modern narrative (focusing on structures and trends). It is much better than the American-Western Production with Jackie and approaches a bit towards the Korean-Western The Good, the Bad and the Weird (2008).

A lot of action happens inside the film and every single moment is enjoyable.

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Railroad Tigers - Talk less!

[mappi]

BuyBust [2018 : Philippine : Filipino : 2h : Action]
Written & Directed by Erik Matti starring Anne Curtis & Brandon Vera

On Bluray from 16-oct-2018
Viewers discretion is advised

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When the doors of Hell are locked from outside, She will lead to the way out.

The film is bloody violent. I quite often use an expression "... when shit hits the fan ...", after watching the film I now know that 'BuyBust' happens when shit hits the fan.

BuyBust reminds John Carpenters 1976 classic film "Assault on Precinct 13" and/or Walter Hill's The Warriors (1984). It could also be vaguely compared to cult film The Raid (2011). Erik Matti's BuyBust is highly creative and stands original to Action Genre even if the plot surronds around a bunch of policemen trying to escape 'Barangay Gracia ni Maria' (an imaginary slum created for the film) after their durg bust is blown. Here is how Iris Gonzales had described Barangay Gracia ni Maria :

'There are crying ladies and an old man is weepig in silence – a loved one’s body lies lifeless in a white casket. There’s a flamboyant boy in a black skimpy two-piece with Christmas lights wrapped around his body, dancing the night away; a mother and son are trying to get a good night’s rest. The shanties are dripping wet because of the downpour and the sound of pots and pans banging endlessly is echoing above the hodgepodge of makeshift homes. There’s soot, grime, and dirt all over. A riot has erupted and people are killing each other. There’s bedlam and silence all at the same time—bullets, explosions, incessant wailings, anger. This labyrinthine shantytown is a hellhole; you’ll get lost in the wink of an eye. This is Barangay Gracia ni Maria, a netherworld in Erik Matti’s BuyBust. It’s not real but it’s a cartographic reality; it’s just a setting of a movie, but fiction it is not — the desperation of the people here is as real as it can get.'

Eventhough Erik Matti has made an Action film, the fiction potrays the reality of the slums of Philippines, just like the universe Ranjith had (re)created in his film Kaala (2018). BuyBust too looks like a extended featurette of Kaala's Ramayana based climax, where the Hanuman profiled henchman of Hari Dada creates a riot inside Dharavi by lighting a hell's fire; only in BuyBust the terror is real that represents the gore of the soceity.

I had been waiting for this film since its announcement, strictly to watch Erik Matti's directorial and Anne Curtis presence. As the director, Erik Matii has relied on static metaphor when the cinematic storytelling embedes into dynamic metaphors as the plot advanced. As the police squads advances into the labyrinth, we discover the horror created by ourselves - the humans. Leaving behind all these social metaphors, the imaginary slum is highlighted by lights and environmental music. Red lights refering to sex and danger; Green refering to growth; Orange while entering unknown terriories; dim yellow for the dwelling areas; flickering lights for festival; bright light for moarning; last but not least religious songs playing in the background. All these audio-visual elements are mingled with static voices that the squad listen to on the happenings through the mic planted on to the snitch. Then there are varied footsteps, rain sounds, water falling on different materials and the noises of the routine of the slum dwellers. A huge paper work had been done before going into shooting where everyone assinged to the job are throughly professional.

Just like various lanes, the action is placed at every corner. Brandon Vera gets a monterous presence, while Anne Curtis has a two plus minutes solo 'Tony Jaa' style - a long brawl over the roofs of the slum where she fights against numerous badies. The action is raw, filmed through hand held camera which puts the audience right in the middle of slum. There is another long action block where both Brandon Vera and Anne Curtis battle their way out hitting the shit out of thier attackers, which is terrific. I always liked close combat suituation inside a confined area, be it a lane or a room, where the option to escape is limited and the percentage of survival decreased as you run out of bullets - this is where an empty water can can become a life saving weapon! BuyBust is filled with such dramatic action sequences filled with tension, suspense, uncertainty and fear .

Erik Matti stuns through his visuals. There is an ariel shot of Brandon Vera fighting his way through a water canal. The images emit the suituation without any audio feedback. For exemple towards the end there is a mirror shot describing the hesitation of Anne (I can't post the image to avoid spoilers, but you will indentify the scene when it plays on screen). And there is a 'picture-in-picture' takes too :

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During the end credits there are several information about the OST. A cool metal song "Shoot to kill" plays while the credit rolls. The images are too peotical for an action film and the music too is rustic enhancing the description of the surroundings as well as establishing a mood over happenings. A varied style of music score accompanies the film.

For those who are into video games, they could easily recognise the tension - the voices speaking on the radio while raiding an unknown war zone. The tightness could be felt as the dramatics put us right inside the enviornment. In chapter 7 called 'A Hangover Sent Direct from Mother Nature' of Rockstar's Max Payne 3 video game series, Max must fight his way out of Nova Esperança do Sul, a municipality in the state Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. People who have played this chapter can assosiate with the adrenaline pumping sequences in BuyBust movies. This film has all the potential to become an excellent video game (story, scenerio, actions, weapons, characters, violence ... etc, are all well in sink to make the players stay awake long after the night). The film too has a collection of awesome posters.

There is a lot more to talk about of BuyBust, keeping apart that its just another action film. Soon several films shall follow pursuit of this gem from Phlippines.

BuyBust - Insane Nightmare