The Place Promised in our Early Days (2004)

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Posted on January 8, 2006 by Andy

The Place Promised in Our Early Days is the first full length feature from Mokoto Shinkai. Shinkai first came to prominence with Voices From a Distant Star, an anime that he produced almost single-handedly. Voices From A Distant Star, with its melancholy voice over and themes of separation and loss, was not only an awesome achievement but also an incredibly emotionally resonant piece that announced the arrival of a true auteur.

With Place, Shinkai again returns to … (read more)

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Crime Story (1993)

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Posted on January 8, 2006 by Justin

Crime Story is one of the very few films from Jackie Chan’s back catalogue that’s bereft of comedy, along with Thunderbolt and (to some degree, anyway) New Police Story. Apparently, more dramatic acting is the direction Jackie wants to take his career, now that he’s getting older. All well and good, and I think he’s capable of doing a decent job, but the removal of the comedy really focuses your attention on the characters and the story… which I … (read more)

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Blue Gate Crossing (2003)

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Posted on January 8, 2006 by Alison

I’m now forced to take back every rash generalisation I’ve ever made about Taiwanese films. This one is brilliant, and I couldn’t help but love it.

Blue Gate Crossing has the same slow pace, and is imbued with the same minimalist realism, as every other Taiwanese film I’ve seen. But where other Taiwanese films either bore me senseless or force me to leave the cinema in high dudgeon, this one had me enthralled. I’d have watched the whole thing again … (read more)

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Blade Of The Rose (2004)

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Posted on January 8, 2006 by Alison

Of all sequels, this is the one that should never have been made. The original Twins publicity vehicle, The Twins Effect, was not a strong enough film to warrant a sequel, which is probably why the film-makers decided to use a completely different story. Bad move. Exceedingly bad move.

The story is complicated, but not well-thought out. It doesn’t hang together, and helps to make the whole film look rather like an undergraduate effort: full of grand ideas rendered … (read more)

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Birdcage Inn (1998)

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Posted on January 8, 2006 by Alison

I confess that I always approach Kim Ki Duk films with some trepidation. It’s not that they’re bad: Kim is a master film-maker, and just about every film he’s made is a work of art. It’s just that Kim’s films are visceral. Kim’s films explore the pain of life, probing with bloody fingers in the meat of human suffering. In short, Kim’s films hurt.

Birdcage Inn is no different. The characters are all unhappy, with a pain that’s visible but … (read more)

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The Twins Effect (2003)

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Posted on January 7, 2006 by Alison

This is nothing more nor less than a promotional effort for The Twins, that ebullient Cantopop duo made up of Gillian Cheung and Charlene Choi. But for all that, it’s not a bad piece of froth, provided you disengage your brain while you watch.

One of the highlights, for cinema aficionados, is the presence of the consummate actor Anthony Wong. Although he has a reputation for sleepwalking through roles which fail to engage his interest, here he adds sparkle as … (read more)

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Hinokio (2005)

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Posted on January 6, 2006 by Jason

Hinokio is a heart warming children’s film that looks at young people affected by death, school, friendship, and communication. Satoru, emotionally handicapped by his mother’s death and the temporary disability of his legs, has a fear of emotional communication with his father and those around him. In order to regain a sense of social interaction, Satoru uses a bizarre looking robot nicknamed Hinokio to carry out his everyday duties (namely attending school). In this film, Satoru’s use of the Hinokio … (read more)

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Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance (1974)

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Posted on December 31, 2005 by Justin

She’s back. Fresh from her spree of revenge killings in the first film, Yuki returns in a second Lady Snowblood film from director Toshiya Fujita. To recap quickly, for those who don’t remember the first film: A young husband is murdered and his wife tortured and raped by a gang of profiteers. She swears vengeance, but only manages to do away with one of them before she is caught and sent to prison. While in prison, she gives birth to … (read more)

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