Reviews
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
immortal classic.
This is, simply, one of the best films I've ever seen. A tale of mind-control with a technical advisor who claims to have previously worked for the CIA, it's tale of a "war hero" who is brainwashed to carry out assassinations feels eerie when compared with the events of the next five years. A film which also flawlessly parodies McCarthyism, I believe that every element of the film works to its benefit. And despite what another reviewer claims, Janet Leigh's character is not, in fact, working for the Soviets. And I refuse to give away which character is.
Ugetsu monogatari (1953)
A beautiful film that takes place in Feudal Japan, 1 part ghost story, 2 parts the folly of greed.
This amazing film follows two brothers as they follow their dream: one for money, one to become a samurai. But both place these goals above their love for their wives, and their lives are ultimately ruined as a result.
Zhong Nan Hai bao biao (1994)
A Cantonese remake of _The Bodyguard_ in the amazing Jet Li/Corey Yuen style.
Picture _The Bodyguard_, only directed by Corey Yuen and starring Jet Li instead of Kevin Costner. See what I mean? The movie gets a little slow and sappy in some parts, with some decent fight scenes. But stick with it, because the last half hour makes up for the rest of the film and another dozen or so: one of the most amazing extended fight scenes I've ever seen.