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mwani751
Reviews
Tôkyô zonbi (2005)
This movie was hilarious! But apparently it's not for everyone..
I really enjoyed this movie. It has a very offbeat comedy that left me in stitches. I happened to rent it randomly from a video store one night, based on it's outer packaging and the line from a critic hailing it as "the Japanese Shaun of the Dead". I was so smitten by the movie that I ended up buying it for myself later. I recommend this if you're already a fan of Japanese Cinema. Especially anime or manga. The comedy is so hilariously off the wall and it's probably different from what we would get here in the States. I will preface the rest of my review with the caveat that I am definitely NOT a horror movie fan. At least not regularly. I watched this movie because I thought I would find it funny, and I did. A lot of other people that I showed it to didn't seem to share my sentiment. haha I don't know why. Many seemed to just find it weird/boring maybe but I found it hilarious. It definitely does have a distinct style and that may be off putting for those who can't get with it. I highly recommend it though and I think it is a very unique and quirky hilarious movie with some of my favorite and most interesting moments in cinema watching. The extras on the DVD are really worth it too.
A little about the plot..the film follows the exploits of two Japanese mechanics in Tokyo who are trying to survive a Zombie outbreak. Oh and also they are Jujitsu practitioners. It's so funny seeing Tadanobu Asano trying to Jujitsu a Zombie. They travel through the country on a plan to escape to Russia. Needless to say, they face some obstacles along the way. This is a really quirky and frankly hilarious end of the world tale.
It is a little bit long and the pacing and way the story develops may not be what some are used to, but I think if you're a fan of comic books (especially alternative ones), you like manga/anime, or Japanese movies, then you will find this movie as fun as I did. Also there are so many little things in the movie to notice that it definitely rewards repeated viewings. Like a certain snack that keeps reappearing. Also if you are a fan of JuJitsu you will appreciate that aspect as it is represented in the movie. If you get a chance watch the extras because it's really fascinating to see the interview with original creator of the comic that his movie is based on and how he himself is a jujitsu practitioner and incorporated it into his story, and how hard the actors worked to actually learn the right way to perform the moves.
Overall to me Tokyo Zombie is a really funny movie and it's well worth checking out. Give it a chance! Keep in mind that it is a bit "different" but if you stick with it, you will be rewarded by a unique experience that may just have you yearning for more....brains!
Nurse no oshigoto: The Movie (2002)
This movie was SO funny!
I don't know why anyone would give this movie a bad review. Sure the plot is really silly sometimes, but the whole goal of the movie is to make you laugh, and to me that was just fine. I did that a lot. It has many small sketch-type of moments, so if you enjoy physical/slapstick and sometimes goofy humor, and sketch comedy shows like Monty python, Mad TV, SNL, or Who's Line Is It Anyway, this is a good movie for you to watch. :)
The plot involves a hospital with many nurses, and of course there are one or two nurses who really stand out of the crowd. The main character is a nurse who always seems to be breaking the rules or having something unfortunate happen to her. She is at odds with the lead nurse who is always reprimanding her for breaking the rules but actually has a warm heart and cares deeply about her. There is some romantic tension between the main character and one of the doctors. And when a disgruntled patient returns to the hospital with more on his mind than a check up, watch out!
Chuzhaya (2010)
Straightforward Gangster Drama
This is a straightforward gangster movie set in Eastern Europe. A few soldiers of a crime boss are sent to retrieve a girl in another country. Suffice to say not everything works out exactly as planned. This movie has strong interpersonal relationships that the action revolves around, leading to a fairly well executed conclusion. Nothing too outlandish appears in this film, but it is a very solid watch. Great directing, and good acting from all the actors involved. The action is gritty and well done. It has a distinct mood, often portraying the bleakness associated with the gangster lifestyle and there is some sparse dark humor. The pacing is good, the story is intriguing enough, good dialogue, and overall good film. 7/10
War (2007)
A hugemongous disappointment
"War" is the worst movie I've seen since Aeon Flux, and I thank the deity of your choice that i didn't pay any money to see it.
Now don't go thinking I'm just some a**hole who can't appreciate a good action movie, because I'm a big fan of Action,of Jet Li, and I greatly enjoyed Jason Statham in "The Transporter", and "Crank". However the talent these two bring isn't quite enough to get over the worst editing I've ever seen in my life, poor script, poor pacing, and decent but uninventive directing.
**Spoiler maybe ahead****
There's one point when the so called yakuza are lined up against a fence, about 10 of them. Two Chinese triad are behind them clutching SMG's. They proceed to execute the whole group of "yakuza" without shifting position dam near at all! So you see them pointing their guns basically straight ahead, while people to the left and right of them are getting ripped to shreds by bullets.... this is one example of the just plain stupid s**t that goes on in "War"
It doesn't seem to be able to decide what kind of movie it wants to be, a cultural drama, a flick about a**hole cops, or an awkward attempt at an Asian gangster flick. Plus it tries to be too slick for it's own good. So slick u don't even see what the f**k is going on! The opening scene says it all with the choppiest and most poorly edited action scene I have EVER seen in my LIFE, you can barely tell what is happening or if anything is in fact happening at all! Combine all this bull with a terrible soundtrack...add a cut and paste/rushed feel to the flick, you come out with the fact that what could have been superbly great...just turns out to be a piece of s**t.
To be fair the film isn't allllll bad, the yakuza bosses daughter is hot and provides some interesting scenes and Jet Li and Jason Statham being who they are, provide enough to keep you hoping something better will come along in the film, but it will soon become apparent that you'd be better off taking a good nap. Just don't blame the films two stars, blame the doo doo sky they were supposed to shine through! =)
P.S don't feel so bad men you might want to check out "Crank" "The Transporter" "Fist of Legend" "Once upon a time in China" or "Twin Warriors" instead..you will have a much less excruciating experience, trust me. Dam I'm really sorry to say this movie sucked i was looking forward to that s**t too....