Reviews

"As long as there are people, there will be grievances"

Swordsman 2 is a film I’ve wanted to watch for a while now. Jet Li and Brigitte Lin? Sign me up! Not quite so fast Butterfly. As someone who doesn’t like Hong Kong slapstick humor, I discovered I would have to sit through nearly 40 minutes of it before the fighting and story really kicked in. Once the story and fighting began in earnest, I was on board.

After the betrayal in the first film, Ling Woo Chung and his junior sister Ngok Leng Saan/ The Brat are headed to meet up with their brothers and leave the martial life behind. Along his drunken way, they find themselves in the middle of a skirmish. Ling takes note of a beautiful woman involved. They travel on to the village where Ling’s lover, Ying Ying, lives to meet up with the others but find bodies instead and Ying Ying gone. Fearing she’s been kidnapped just like her father who is the head of the sect, Ling realizes he’s going to have to take a detour away from retirement mountain.

The first forty minutes were needlessly confusing and painfully slap happy. Japanese ninjas were wedged into the story and never properly elaborated upon. By the time the story set in and the characters settled down, I was honestly ready to check out, but I’m glad I stuck around. Brigitte Lin’s Invincible Dawn/Dong Fang Bu Bai was the best part about the film. She gave a complex and compelling performance, giving dignity to a character that was spoken about derogatorily due to a physical and mystical sex change which to make matters worse, left her not only without a penis but as a (gasp!) woman. Any time Invincible Dawn was not on the screen, the film suffered for it.

Dawn wanted to rule the country and make her people powerful and respected. While she was a villain, the sect leader she’d imprisoned was equally as bat sh*t crazy. Ling may have wanted to get away from it all but trouble was going to come calling no matter where he went. Jet Li was at his best when Ling stopped pouting about not having enough wine and got serious about dealing with the baddies. I’m not sure I bought him as a romantic lead, fortunately Brigitte was more convincing and I could forgive anything for her.

The fights were mostly swords and creative uses of sewing needles. Mystical skills were also utilized. Spinning, jumping wire-fu, undercranking, and blurred camera work often shot in the dark was dizzying. Some of it worked for me, while other times it felt like overkill. Speaking of killing, the bodies stacked high, at least what was left of them. I don't know if it was the style or the film has degraded but it had that gauzy effect where I worried I needed to have my glasses prescription checked.

Other than the first 40 minutes and the homophobic and sexist jokes, I enjoyed the last hour of the film. Again, largely due to Brigitte Lin. Swordsman 2 is a popular film from 1992 and I’ve always been upfront with not caring for this brand of humor so I’m sure others will have a much better experience with it than I did. If you enjoy older martial arts fantasy films and/or the stars, this is one to try.

7 March 2026

Housekeeping note: My 1200th review!

Trigger warnings: SNAKES. So many snakes in so many gruesome ways. I had to FF in a few places. Decapitations, dismemberments, exploding bodies, bodies and horses cleaved in half. Eye injuries. Suicide. Buckets and buckets of blood splashed and sprayed. Rats. Sexual content but suggested more than shown.

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It's not bad....it's just not good.

I wouldn't say this is the most boring movie I've ever watch, because honestly it isn't. The story itself was entertaining enough.

The main plot I would describe it as mouse and cat chase between a demon and the demon hunters team. There is not backstory, or in-depth knowledge of characters. It's a simple story with three main characters trying to fight evil forces...with fists and exorcisms.

What I liked was that the minimum of exorcisms knowledge was used in the movie, so that made it a little bit credible. Other than that , it's fantasy. Good movie overall to watch it on a slow day.

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My favorite movie by far

There are few films that have left such a mark on me as this one. First, through its colors, the incredible use of space and framing within sets that enclose both the spectators and the actors in moments of tension, and then open up (sometimes so much that you feel omniscient) in moments of common beauty. This is cinematography in its most beautiful form. Of course, both the actors are divine. This is a film that haunts you—just a single image lost on Instagram, and you immediately know what it’s about, all the feelings it evoked in you that evening. But it’s not a film that tells you everything; you need to feel it, sense the undertones.

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"We're family"

The title Swordswomen Three was false advertising as there were rarely 3 women on the screen at the same time. Director Shen Chiang preferred to focus on the male characters. Lo Lieh and Essie Lin Chia carried this film on their backs.

Ambitious Chu Tien Hsing repeatedly challenges the master of the Xiude Martial Arts Academy to a duel. Chu is upset that the school is named #1 after winning a contest held every decade. The son, Hsu Chin Wu, finally agrees to fight Chu and then defeats him. Chu decides if he can’t win with his sword skills, he’ll steal the famous Mighty Steel Sword from his fiancée’s family.

First things first. If you are going to title a film, Swordswomen Three, then the swordswomen should be featured. Shen Yi as Ruo Lan was engaged to Chu and spent most of her time fretting what to do. Sister Hsiao Lien (Pan Ying Zi) had almost nothing to do. Neither was the sharpest knife in the drawer. Pan’s character was sidelined with an injury for much of the film which wasn’t a bad thing because she was a drip. Later, wishy washy Ruo Lan was injured and mostly off screen. The eldest sister, Ju Mei, was fierce and intelligent. Essie did a great job with the role she was given. Sadly, she was undercover wearing a hood for part of the film (or her stunt double). If the other heroes had listened to her the evil Chu would have been defeated earlier.

Shen Chiang’s direction and writing were sorely lacking, with too many scenes feeling redundant and also changing pertinent info about the sisters’ connection to the Xiude Academy midway. He also had the sisters make some of the dumbest and most illogical decisions to try and push the story along or gum it up.

Another dull knife was Chang Yi’s Hsu Chin Wu. Watching him play this dull good guy was like watching paint dry, grass grow, or any other tedious task you could think of. After Ju Mei survived all sorts of tortures with her wits and fighting skills, she actually asked Hsu to come up with a plan to defeat Chu. Seriously? She was the sharpest sword. I would have had qualms about asking Hsu for directions to the best restaurant nearby. Essie’s only equal in this film was Lo Lieh’s Chu. Chu acknowledged he wasn’t the best fighter, but with the Mighty Steel Sword he felt he would be invincible. One side could cut through anything. The other side was magnetic and could disarm opponents. Enticing and able to pour on the sexy charm when needed, I could see why Ruo Lan was conflicted. However, the villain shouldn’t be the most, if not only, captivating character on screen. Lo, like Essie had to do some heavy lifting to elevate their characters above the script. And the good guys shouldn’t be utterly inept, with the exclusion of Ju Mei. And mild spoiler alert, it was not Ju Mei or the three sisters who were given the final assault on Chu, it was of course, Hsu.

Most of the fight choreography was competent as it should have been with Tang Chia and my personal fave, Lau Kar Leung, as the martial arts directors. Although there was a hilarious moment in a scene where older actor Lee Wan Chung had an oopsie with the wire work. The final fight in a bamboo forest was bloody and violent as expected, yet disappointing without the SWORDSWOMEN THREE taking part in it. I would love to have had a movie with Lo Lieh and Essie Lin Chia locking swords together in a one of these old films. They both had a spark that came through the screen. Unfortunately, they were surrounded by wet blankets (have I used up all my boring idioms?) that dragged the film down. Not the worst film, but disappointing all the same. Rated on a curve.

6 March 2026
Trigger warning: One of the other interesting characters was Master Mei, the hooded thief and assassin. She blinded a maid with daggers upon seeing her face. Ick. Several impalements.

Musical Note: The James Bond riff was used several times.

Life Lesson Note: Beware of any boss who says, “We’re all family here.” They are the likeliest to overwork you and stab you in the back. In this film, that was literally.

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Watch it at your own risk

I watched this amazing movie on 1 March 2026. The problem is that if I say even a little more, it may become a spoiler. So just go and watch the movie.

At the beginning, it feels like a normal cute high school romance. But as the concept of amnesia (memory loss) becomes deeper, the story turns very heartbreaking and tragic. It becomes a real emotional rollercoaster. The movie shows the importance of small moments in life, friendship, and memories.

By the time the movie reaches the end, it becomes very emotional. I was almost about to cry, so you can understand. Watch it at your own risk. But if you can handle it and finish the movie, you will keep a beautiful story in your memories.

I should also say that the movie is not completely logical. There are some flaws, but when the story reaches its peak, you will ignore them. For me, this movie is 8 out of 10.

Content Type: Movie (Japanese Live-Action Film)
Genre: Romance, Drama, Slice of Life, Tragedy
Writer/Director: Directed by Takihiro Miki. Screenplay by Yoshikazu Okada, based on the novel by Ichijo Misaki.

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Where is my fly swatter?!

Mifune Toshiro dipped his toe into the Toho fantasy world in Samurai Pirate aka The Lost World of Sinbad. Not exactly adventures on the high seas, more like rescue a princess and retrieve lost jewels in a strange land.

Sukezaemon Ruson (or Naya or Luzon or Sinbad depending on which version you watch) is betrayed on trumped up charges and sentenced to be burned in a box. His men bribe a local official helping Sukezaemon to escape on his ship. Since he’s been labeled a pirate, a pirate he will be. He already has a treasure chest full of jewels and gold. His pirating career doesn’t last long as a storm hits and destroys his ship. A real pirate gains his treasure, leaving Sukezaemon in the water. He washes ashore, rescued by a strange hermit/wizard with magical powers. The kingdom is run by a cruel leader who takes women in lieu of taxes. When Sukezaemon sees the princess wearing jewels from his treasure chest he determines to retrieve his property even if he has to develop the world’s first hang glider to do it!

I desperately wanted to like this film as I’m a Mifune Toshiro fan and have watched my share of Toho films. The writing was uneven at best. Mifune’s character made a 180 from, “I want to be rich!” to “Justice for the people and rescue the princess!” rather rapidly. The fantasy here was limited to the lecherous hermit who lost his powers whenever he licked his lips while ogling women’s breasts. That wore thin fast. There was also a witch who could turn people to stone like Medusa with her glowing eyes. The witch had a mirror, mirror on the wall that revealed where the threats were to her and the Chancellor who secretly ran the country. Not that it did the bad guys much good. Despite a sizeable Imperial Guard, Sukezaemon wandered in and out of the castle at will. Tsuburaya Eiji and his crew did a good job with the special effects and miniatures given it was 1963, well before CGI.

Poor Mifune suffered from terrible costumes. He first had to wander the island in his tattered samurai clothes. After being captured he ended up in a crop top and shorts/sarong which was hilarious. Though even at 43 he wasn’t afraid to show off his bod. Clothes in the foreign land looked influenced by Hollywood’s idea of Aladdin with plenty of cleavage, bare midriffs, and turbans. The princess’ dresses were more European medieval as was the castle. She was also dripping in jewelry. Honestly, the story had a hint of the Princess Bride—there was even a giant!

Samurai Pirate had fun moments and I never tire of watching Mifune, even when he looks like he’s not sure what his motivation is. Is he in love with the princess or not? Is he a selfish bandit or a selfless hero? When in doubt, yell at people and strut. This film was probably a silly and needed break after High and Low and also his only directorial effort- Gojuman-nin no isan. If you are a Mifune Toshiro fan or enjoy campy 60s fantasy films, this might be one to try.

6 March 2026

Clarification note: There were pirates in the film but Sukezaemon was neither pirate nor samurai. Ronin bandit maybe, but he wasn’t really a bandit either!

Trigger warnings: Attempted sexual assault. Breasts and cleavage shots to arouse the pervy hermit who became a full body phallic example of Peyronie’s Disease. PETA line 1! : A frog’s leg was torn off and a chicken was impaled.

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short but cute

I would have liked more.
I like the two boys. They are both so cute and good-looking.
The ending gave me butterflies.

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"Why Do We Have to Hide It?!" is a 2025 Japanese short BL drama (17 mins) featuring two high school boyfriends who keep their relationship secret from friends and family. The story revolves around the emotional stress this secrecy causes, highlighting themes of internal conflict and societal pressure.

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Demonic Boogaloo

Doubling down on the original’s mix of supernatural possession, grotesque body horror and shock-heavy exploitation, Devil Fetus 2 is somehow even more unhinged than its predecessor and that's even before you consider it's title. There’s an almost raw, almost punk-like energy to it, playing the whole ordeal straight no matter how unhinged its chaos gets with a steady escalation of bizarre imagery that only gets stranger as the runtime goes on. That is, if you could even see what was happening half the time, given this is a highly elusive film and the picture quality, even on the best release, is pretty appalling. However, the direction by Tom Lau is filled with flashes of creativity; scenes will frequently pivot from eerie supernatural dread to sudden bursts of outrageous gore or surreal supernatural effects, which undoubtedly help balance out the otherwise grim tone the film carries. It’s the kind of film where every ten minutes something stranger than the last thing happens, often leaving you wondering whether the cast knew what was coming next, subtly was definitely never on the table, however. Despite its title, The Rape After is a pretty gnarly piece of commercial underground cinema with some extremely crusty visuals, begging for a proper restoration. Poster goes hard as well.

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Something icky this way comes.

Full on maximalist horror, Devil Fetus wastes no time getting down to the gnarly goodness, unleashing a series of wild, over-the-top gross-out attacks on the occipital lobe at every possible moment. It's a positively ludicrous dose of gleeful insanity and maybe the best 90-minute prophylactic advert ever crafted. Packed with plenty of exploitive sleaze, including horndog ladies who love to make sexy time with the demon, the film is directed with an incredibly frantic pace and visual flair by Lau Hung-Chuen; its boundless energy and momentum are simply infectious. It can be surprisingly intense at times, with its nightmareish atmosphere, wonderfully grotesque practical effects, and disturbing body horror often overlapping with the film's more surreal elements. Yet it still manages to include a healthy dose of humour, including the best hard cut I think I've ever seen. Unfortunately, because the film jumps from one scene to the next, there's little narrative cohesion beyond the initial setup, yet it serves as a rather ingenious way of keeping you constantly on your toes because you never know what sort of chaos will unfold next. Especially when it’s all accompanied by a bit of cheeky Vangelis on the soundtrack as well as Ennio Morricone's score to The Thing, big win there. Offering up a very convincing case for careful family planning, Devil Fetus is an absolute must-see for anyone considering having kids.

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"Love can be used to trick people"

Clans of Intrigue was another bonkers whodunit extravaganza from Chor Yuen, Ti Lung, and Gu Long. Maybe not a cast of thousands, but certainly a large and unwieldly who’s who among Shaw Brothers staples wandered onto screen only to be murdered soon thereafter.

Chu Liu Xiang, the ethical thief, is accused of stealing the Tianyi Divine Water poison and killing four clan leaders. Kung Nan Yen from the Divine Water Palace gives him a month to find the real killer or his life is forfeit. Chu crisscrosses the area hunting down clues and thwarting murder attempts on himself. The renowned swordsman will discover that enemies may be allies and allies might be enemies as he seeks to uncover the truth while trying to stay alive.

Ti Lung shone in this role. He seemed to take delight in the light-hearted, skilled thief and swordsman. Ling Yun would have a larger role in Legend of the Bat but made the most of his sword for hire role here. Nora Miao, Li Ching, and Betty Pei Ti all played swordswomen with Chu in their sights for various reasons. Tien Ching and Yueh Hua’s characters had their own secrets to bear. This was one of Yueh’s stronger roles. He could be rather stiff in other roles so it was fun to watch him exercise his acting muscles in this one. Ku Feng showed up at a clan’s gambling den, another interested in party in who killed the chiefs.

This film was a wuxia detective story as Ti searched for clues with killers on his trail. I’m always amused when the bad guy wears an unassuming bright red costume. To quote My Cousin Vinny, “Oh, you blend.” There were surprising twists and turns for a 1970s martial arts movie.*** I’m finding that Tang Chia and Huang Pei Chih worked well together as martial arts directors. The action was fast and acrobatic. As much as I love Ti, he could border on kung fu posing at times and this choreography seemed to suit him.

If you enjoy old kung fu flicks and don’t mind a rapid release of characters and information, this is one to try. I’m disappointed that I’ve watched all the Ti Lung and Ling Yun “buddy” movies, they had a nice bromance. As always, I rate these films on a curve.

6 March 2026
Triggers: An arm ripped off. Suggested sexual encounters off screen. Suicide.


***The film had a lesbian relationship without making it too weird. A major feat for the time.
***Spoiler comment below:










There was also an “intersex” character which at first made me nervous because I feared the character might be shown in a derogatory manner. Thankfully, this character was also not ridiculed. It was a “gotcha” moment but for 1977 they didn’t get gross in their language about the character. The situation was simply accepted matter of factly which was a nice surprise even if it might have pushed the bounds of realism.

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Whisper of the heart is one of my favourite ghibli movies, and I always felt that I would love to watch what happens after the ending.
Considering the story following Seiji and Shizuku, I think their relationship status throughout the movie makes perfect sense, however, I personally think the scene or drama caused with the other girl was totally unnecessary and the feelings that took Shizuku to Italy were enough to cause that struggle between them, without the need for a jealousy situationship that after all was never resolved and lasted 10 seconds only to cause the breakup. This scene is probably the main reason I am not giving this movie a higher score.
The other reason is the song. I am sorry but whisper of the heart is not the same withou country roads, also since this version is about Seiji coming back to Japan, and finding it to be the inspiration for his music, I think country roads would have been a better fit, but oh well it is a lovely soundtrack anyway.
The acting was alright and overall I really enjoyed it. If mimi wo sumaseba is one of ur top ghibli movies, you will most likely appreciate this.

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