Reviews

Just as fun as the previous adventure

After viewing the pleasantly surprising Ironfinger I had to check out its sequel sooner rather than later. Golden Eyes, again a translator's joke of a title, plays itself slightly straighter than the previous adventure. I say slightly because there are still out-and-out ridiculous moments sprinkled through its runtime that rival that of its predecessor.

A killer-for-hire gets mixed up in an intense battle for control over a gold smuggling route from Beirut to Tokyo, all the while trying to support a little girl in her quest for vengeance over the men who killed her dad.

Golden Eyes continues the mysterious international intrigue set up by the Bond series with the globe-trotting antics of its cast. I'd mentioned that this film does contain some ridiculous moments worthy of its predecessor and that is true. Be it the amazing use of ricocheting bullets to shoot guns at guns to fight assailants dressed as nuns pushing baby carriages with machine guns mounted on them or the poison gas chicken room service or the champagne bottle firing squad, Golden Eyes hardly lacks inventive ideas. But there's an equal mean streak going on here and the moment the two leading ladies get tortured with a cigarette lighter is admittedly a hard watch.

Jun Fukuda's direction is perfectly solid, I don't think it's nearly as diverse as the previous film but serves it's duty well. He directs the action sequences with such kinetic energy you can't help but be suckered in, helped by the short 80-minute runtime. The man knows how to direct engaging gunfights. The writing is a strange combination of returning talent Michio Tsuzuki, Ei Ogawa of the Bloodthirsty trilogy and Space Amoeba fame and even Jun Fukuda gets some semblance of duties when handling the writing.

Akira Takarada continues to be an effortlessly badass, with all his charm and sophistication carrying over. Ichirô Arishima's character Detective Tezuka is back only this time played by the equally reliable Makoto Satō who makes the character his own while still managing to carry over elements of Arishima's portrayal. Bibari Maeda and Tomomi Sawa both play great equivalent Bond girls with Maeda's Ruby acting as a constant foil for Takarada's Andy to overcome. Of course, it's equally wonderful to see Yoshio Tsuchiya as one of the bad guys and is very much the film's primary antagonist to overcome even if he does get overshadowed by Andrew Hughes' blind eccentric billionaire Mr Stonefeller and his dog Sinbad.

The music by Masaru Satō continues his efforts from Ironfinger. Bringing back a few of his cues from the previous film but also enhancing a lot of them by adding more elements to them. The title song is also in English this time around and if anything is a bigger earworm than the last one, I definitely prefer it.

Overall, Golden Eyes may be seen as having diminishing returns when directly compared to Ironfinger, but what it lacks in contrast it makes up for in sheer fun, great acting and engaging action set pieces. The 100 Shot, 100 Killed series, unfortunately, ended here in what you can easily picture as turning into a multi-episode adventure.

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Japan meets 007

Ironfinger was such a pleasantly surprising film, the Japanese tend to have a good track record for Bondsplotation and this is no exception. I'd honestly say it's a much better film than most of the Connery outings and this one even stars a later Bond girl to boot. The title of this film is actually 100 Shot, 100 Killed, Ironfinger was more of a translator's joke to more closely associate it with the James Bond series that it's a parody of.

After being mistaken for an Interpol agent, a man who was just supposed to go on vacation gets mixed up in a war between two gangs intent on winning the favour of a notorious arms dealer.

For those of you who read my Godzilla reviews know I'm not a fan of Jun Fukuda's work on the series, nor his Star Wars venture The War in Space, I am however a big fan of his other works, the man clearly has a talent for mad-cap action and Ironfinger is just another film I can add to his repertoire of great films. Funny, inventive and full of wit, it's hard not to love its madness.

The whole idiot accidentally becomes Hero trope is nothing new, I'll admit. But it's played off in a fantastic way befitting of Fukuda's manic and inventive directional techniques, combined with a superbly written screenplay by Kihachi Okamoto and Michio Tsuzuki that balances the playful tone with a much more menacing and serious threat looming overhead with a deadly gang war with a poor tourist caught in the middle.

It's got everything you could want from a Japanese take on James Bond, the action, the gadgets, the humour, the girls, the partial nudity, the seemingly indestructible henchman and a likeable lead to boot, all presented in a nice mad cap Japanese concoction that should satisfy the most die-hard of Bond fans.

Akira Takarada is cast against his usual type of more buttoned-down archetypes into one of a bumbling fool that effortlessly switches between speaking Japanese, French and English with such outstanding effort, it can't be easy. Mie Hama stars as the film's female lead, eventually going on to play Kissy Suzuki in You Only Live Twice, she gets way more to do here than she does in her later official Bond film. It's kinda sad when a knockoff does that better than the series it's knocking off. Other familiar faces include Ichirô Arishima, Susumu Kurobe, Chōtarō Tōgin and of course, Akihiko Hirata playing the film's villainous henchman.

The score by Masaru Satō is genuinely good fun, it combines his usual trappings with a fun dose of John Barry-esque motifs. There's even a killer theme song to boot although not quite on the same level as some Bond numbers, it's catchy enough to stick with you.

Overall, Ironfinger is another fab film from Jun Fukuda, up there with the likes of ESPY and The Secret of the Telegain in terms of sheer quality mixed with brilliant storytelling. I'd easily watch more of this sort of stuff from Fukuda and thankfully there's a sequel.

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Verstility is the name of the game

Original Hong Kong Version

Even with this ancient DVD print full of screen tearing and damaged frames, God of Gamblers showcases one of Chow Yun-Fat's most versatile performances effortlessly switching back and forth between impeccably suave and utterly adorable on a dime. Backed by the ever-amazing Andy Lau, it's really only two extremely questionable moments that hold this film back from being rated any higher. Even then Wong Jing's intense gambling drama is a classic of Hong Kong cinema and one I will definitely pick up on Blu-ray. I do question the sheer number of sequels and spin-offs though with one of them being a time travel story... Nonetheless, sign me up.

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The best street fighter movie

I'm not overly familiar with Tsukasa Hojo's original manga, but I have seen the original anime a long time ago. As adaptations of the source material go, Wong Jing's City Hunter isn't really the most faithful, it tones down a lot of Ryō's antics to fit with Jackie's style of humour and image but offers in its place a genuinely great movie that doesn't repeat a lot of the mistakes of American anime adaptations by trying to make it gritty, it's bat shit insane in the best way possible. It's also the best adaptation of Street Fighter this side of Future Cops, who doesn't wanna see Jackie Chan dressed as Chun-Li?

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Behind-the-scenes, get to know BTS better!

Here, in 2023, looking for any content I can find on BTS, this was a treat. I watched it on YouTube. It didn't show me anything I didn't already know, but I think that anyone new to BTS would get a better understanding of who they are by watching this. Each era of BTS has landmarks for them, but this movie shows them during their Wings tour (2017) - when they were just beginning to be recognized by other countries. They were huge already in terms of fandom, as evidenced by sold out concerts everywhere they went, but this was the era that brought them recognition in terms of awards, and this is when they first appeared on US tv.

This is not a movie to showcase their music, but to show how hard they work on a daily basis to be the best and to bring the best to their fans. The amount of work they do preparing for concerts is amazing, even reworking/discussing choreography up to the last minute before going on stage. When they come off stage, drenched in sweat, literally, and have to be helped into dry clothes, you can see that they have given their all on the stage. Their energy is spent, but they've only got time for a few deep breaths before going back out and giving even more of themselves.

I continue to marvel at their bond with one another. Their love for each other, their respect for each other, and their support of each other can be seen here. They work hard, but they love hanging out with one another, just having a good time. You might expect this to be a natural consequence of living together as trainees and after they debuted, but I have not found another group that has this kind of connection. They are extremely humble (so many others could definitely benefit by learning this!) and strive to continue to give more and better performances.

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I would have preferred the series, I think

I haven't watched a lot of Thai movies, let alone one that is a fantasy. This movie seemed to have been made on a very low budget. It seemed to be a much older film, production quality-wise. I struggled with the overacting of most of the side characters, and the bad make-up. I think this is what made me not love the movie.

I will say that the ML and FL were lovely, both in visuals and in their story line. There was such a calm warmth about both of them (I don't know if that makes any sense). They were very sweet together. The story was somewhat confusing to me, but I love the idea of love that transcends time.

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Before they were famous....

I would not call it a knee slapping comedy but it is a nice simple movie to watch especially if you want to see the huge stars of today in one of their first roles, when they were young and innocent! LOL

The story follows three high school best friends as they navigate the sensitive time between adolescence and adulthood doing every silly thing boys that age do as they mature. Talking about girls, trying to get laid, choosing a profession, gaining independence from family...

The actors are all exceptional, the banter and their chemistry is worth the watch. The girl gravitating around them is a welcome addition with her deadpan expression and no nonsense attitude.

And of course, the cherry on the cake is the slow motion fistfight with the loan sharks. That was really funny! The film is worth the watch for this scene! But not only, rest assured!

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Stunningly Acted and Shot Film

Egoist is in one word, heart-wrenching. It will pull at your heart strings and really reminds you how harsh reality can be but at the same time, it shows us how beautiful love can pull us from the depths of darkness. The acting from both Hio Miyazawa and Ryohei Suzuki is truly commendable. They gave their heart and soul into portraying these characters. Hio especially shone in this role, he was radiant, charming and beautifully vulnerable (definitely deserved those awards). The subtle gestures, tone of voice and the eyes really make their relationship believable and so poignant. Everything is said through action, not just words. The chemistry is also very palpable and incredibly shown on screen, especially in those love making scenes. But in the end, does Ryohei’s character stop being an egoist, is he purely motivated by self interest or something else? (That’s the real underlying question) Even after the man he loved passed. It’s showcasing the need to be needed, to push your ideals onto an individual to perhaps make yourself feel wanted or to feel better. So are his actions truly altruistic? Overall, a thoughtfully melancholic and moving film about loss, acceptance and the human condition.

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The movie subverts your expectations

This movie masterfully transcends multiple genres, offering a fresh and unique take on horror, gore, and mystery. What begins as a chilling tale evolves into a compelling exploration of friendship and camaraderie, subverting expectations along the way.

The story revolves around six high school students from diverse backgrounds, unwittingly thrust into a sinister game. Their macabre objective? To reassemble the dismembered body of an 8-year-old girl, all while relentlessly pursued by a malevolent entity cloaked in red. Each time the day ends with the demise of the six students, they find themselves trapped in an eerie time loop, compelled to relive the nightmarish game until all the body parts are discovered.

What sets this apart is its remarkable transformation from a supernatural horror survival into a thrilling treasure hunt infused with moments of camaraderie and levity. As the morning dawns, the students unite, planning their next moves and offering mutual aid in their quest for survival. Amidst the fear and pain, the power of friendship shines through, making the mid-point of the film a heartwarming testament to the human spirit. However, the movie intelligently raises the stakes, shifting gears as the game intensifies, demanding a more serious approach from its characters.

The majority of the movie unfolds within the school setting, skillfully utilizing its surroundings to enhance the suspense and atmosphere. Creative death sequences provide both shock and awe, only to be met with renewed determination and cheer-worthy resilience as the characters face the game's challenges head-on.

In conclusion, this movie is a must-watch for its daring departure from traditional horror tropes and its exceptional ensemble cast. The film leaves a lasting impression, leaving viewers intrigued by the thoughtfully crafted end-credit scene and the hints artfully scattered throughout the story. Prepare to be enthralled as you embark on this gripping journey that defies genre boundaries and reveals the true power of human connection.

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Wow just wow!

I watched the film as I was a little hesitant to watch the 30-episode series and it was just fantastic! This is the first review of mine and I just had to share how much fun I had watching this! It was fluffy, fun, hilarious and gooey and I loved it! NGL the kiss scene was a bit disappointing but you know I guess there had to be an issue somewhere! Side characters were fun too and there were some real points in the story where I was so invested I cringed and felt some serious second-hand embarrassment lol Love the game and the plot was so interesting and fun. Let's be honest though IRL people who play games like that do not look as good lol.

All in all a fun watch will defo watch it again and I am going to watch the series next now

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Great but not as good as the drama

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Some spoilers ahead:
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I loved the drama so much, so I was so excited for the movie and re watched the whole drama to watch the movie, but I wasn''t as satisfied as I thought I'd be :(
I guess I was hoping for an evident continuation, and this wasn't that.
Loved that they ended up together (even if I didn't really understand if that has a meaning or it was just another time line) but I would've loved to see them remembering their past story line at least, Felt the movie was literally the same storyline that was shown in the drama just in another setting.
I was still impressed by the actor's portrayal in the different characters and ages. And the chemistry between the leads is always on point.

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Possible spoilers

I ll start off by saying i rarely write reviews so for me to sit here and write about this movie means a lot.

I wont say its bad. What i will say tho its that its one of the most confusing movies i ve ever watched. They changed the scene every 20 mins with barely any backstory. You dont often see a movie with possibly every sensitive topic but this ? They ve put everything in it, from r*pe to attempting su*cide, mostly everything. And then, they tried to incorporate the romantic aspect. After everything i saw in this movie, i was supposed to be all "aw how cute, they re hugging" ? I wont lie, i started nervously laughing when i saw they were trying to show an actual love relationship. I dont judge or discriminate peoples kinks, everyone is entitled to like what they want, but if you re not into sado-maso stuff, i suggest you dont watch it because you wont really understand it since you cant relate to them.

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