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daddyisawolfman
Reviews
Shao Lin mu ren xiang (1976)
So many bad reviews... no words.
Jackie (or Jacky) has far more spark in this film than in most of his Lo Wei productions. No, he's not completely unleashed into the full fledged Jackie yet, but you can definitely tell that he gave this 110%.
It's just a perfect little Shaolin Temple revenge story with a simple enough plot that anyone should be able to get behind. Unfortunately it appears the reviews here don't reflect this. I'm sure Jackie's later successes altering audience expectations have much to do with this. But if that's the case then you'd be approaching it all wrong.
In any case, this should be seen in the proper 2.35:1 aspect ratio (like every Kung fu film from this era) in order to appreciate it for what it truly is... a minor early masterpiece of the worlds most recognized film star.
Sole Survivor (1984)
Deserves more than what it's compared to
This is a perfectly directed, well written, well acted masterpiece of a horror movie. Whether or not Final Destination or It Follows lifted from it doesn't even matter. The "death is coming to collect a debt" plot was bound to pop up in someone's head again at some point. What really makes a difference is the way this whole thing comes together.
If you're allergic to the stylistic tendencies of 80's horror cinema or 80's cinema in general, please steer clear. This is that decade done to perfection.
If you're like me, you will be floored and wonder why the world has kept this a secret for so damn long.
Heisei tanuki gassen ponpoko (1994)
Ghibli's best of the best
When the two genius minds at Ghibli get selfish, they make some of their most underrated and thought provoking work. Porco Rosso was as selfish as Miyazaki ever got, and for my money I think it's on par with Mononoke, Totoro, and Spirited Away. His partner on the other hand (albeit not an animator himself) has played it selfish on nearly every film he contributed, and for that, among other reasons, he will never be as popular as Hayao.
Pom Poko is Isao Takahata and Ghibli's most amazing epic achievement. It's the funniest, smartest, most original, riskiest, darkest, most light hearted, best animated, and boldest film in the catalog. It's hated amongst those who want another Howl's Moving Castle, or Kiki's Delivery Service (nothing against those films, they're just easy to like) and loved by the few who know how truly brilliant these guys really are.
It bothers me to no end how underrated this movie is, but on the other hand it doesn't surprise me or bother me at all.
There's no need for me to re-hash the plot of this raccoon dog vs. human meddling masterpiece, just believe me it's amazing. And if you don't like it I'm sure there's many a Ghibli you will enjoy instead.