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Reviews
Shogun Assassin (1980)
bloody
SPOILERS
This was not an easy title to find on dvd for a while. At last I stumbled over the Vipco version on a trip to Amsterdam, a couple of years ago. I remembered very little from it, after seeing it years before. some things came in mind, such as the father with his kid, the three assassins with enormous hats and fearceful weapons, a headless body spraying blood in a othervice beautiful sunset shot and a lot of blood spraying in general. I had to see it again. I was pleased. Those Asians know how to make good over the top sword movies.
Whats funny though is that these Americans seem to want to take credit for the production and directing of it. The only thing as far as I know is that they have edited two or more movies together as one. The credit should have read: Editors american version.
I don´t think carpenter even mentioned that the three assassins was "borrowed" from this movie, in his audio commentary for Big trouble in little china. Certainly they where.
Rates 8/10
Maniac Cop (1988)
The "flashback scene" alone makes it worth while
It is in my opinion the most memorable prison shover scene ever(and we´ve seen a few of those). Looks like the film makers also where satisfied since they repeated the whole scene in the sequel. This was great for me though(since I like a little blood´n guts in movies), cause in those days we still had a pretty strict censorship here. Much of the violence were cut. This scene was surely no exception, but luckily they cut it differently in the sequel so more "things" appeared. Then a few years later the dvd version was released and I could watch it in all its glory.
It´s almost the same case with EXTERMINATOR(To make an example), where one sequence "overshadows" the rest of the movie. There the Vietnam sequence that stands out as something way cooler than the rest of the movie. (I´ve read that that was a pick-up, filmed after the movie was "finished")
MANIAC COP in general is pretty good, but not much more than an average horror/thriller. I´m a fan of Bruce Campbell also. Mostly because of his over the top Ash figure in the EVIL DEAD films. Here we see him in one of his few "serious" roles. Proves that he can do those also. I only wish he could do a little less of those stupid tv-series)
Check out Lustig´s MANIAC also (Probably his best)
I rate this 6/10
The Others (2001)
chiller!
SPOILERS
This movie has the perfect atmosphere a highly successful ghost story. It reminds me of the old english tv films which always scares the s++t out of me. It has this typical big old spooky house placed far away from any sivilisation in the english countryside(although actually shot in Spain), a lot of fog and almost no SFX(except for the fog that is), just plane old great acting and a chilling atmosphere.
I´ve read that one of the Director´s favorite movies are THE CHANGELING and some elements from it are in this movie. The ending with the psychic old woman is very similar(also brilliant scene in THE CHANGELING) and the old man´s name is probably taken from it also.
The ending is a blast. I don´t think many people see that coming. Earlier in the film you thought maybe the tombstones belonged to the woman and her two children, or the servants. When they are revealed you can block out the first alternative. Then you know who the ghosts are but who are the third part, the so called "others"?
Other chilling ghost stories:THE SIXTH SENSE,THE CHANGELING,GHOST STORY, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR any english film made for tv specially THE WOMAN IN BLACK(utterly horrifying).
10/10!
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
beautiful movie
High praise for about everything in this movie: Acting(easily Daniel´s best role along with the one in STREETS OF NY), cinematography, costumes, great battles and interesting exciting story.
One of my three favorite Michael Mann movies, along with MANHUNTER and HEAT.
Not to forget the soundtrack, which is one of my all time favorites. Looks like Trevor Jones also was pretty happy with it, since he nearly ripped himself off in CLIFFHANGER. Notice the similarities between the two scores.
The best part is the ending, the chase along this mountain ridge, Jody may throwing herself off the cliff, the last stand by the waterfall all accompanied by the great score. (one thing i missed though on my extended dvd version, was the final stroke given to Wes Study, when the hatchet comes out on the other side. Previously seen on my video version)
Rates 9/10
Conan the Destroyer (1984)
CONAN THE COMEDIAN..
That´s the most appropriate title for this one. I usually only choose to comment on movies that I like, but I couldn´t resist this one. I´m a huge fan of the original and it should be pretty obvious that I would have strong opinions about this one. They insisted i making this more of a regular fantasy film for younger audiences, with a lot of "laughs". -Bad mistake. Most of the actors are misplased, the fx look cheap and the whole thing it´s just not what it could have been(with Milius on board)Fleischer could easily just as well go on and make RED SONJA(ups, he did)
But some good things have been brought along: Arnold(though not as good as before.save your words!), Mako, Sven ole Thorsen( In a ok fight scene with Arnold) and Poledouris´ great music. It even has some of the blood and violence(But just some)
It´s funny I don´t think they even mentioned this one on the Milius/Schwarzenegger commentary track on the original. I remember one of them saying something like "we should make a second one time".
Why don´t we just forget this one, get a hold of John Milius and let him continue his trilogy which he so provdly started.
As the sequel: 2/10 As a regular fantasy movie: 5/10
Warriors (1999)
great drama depicting the british soldiers in Bosnia.
As far as I´m concerned Warriors is a very realistic depiction of what it was like in Bosnia during the war. It shows the brutality being committed to civilians and how the "hopeless" Un-mandate could comfuse (and disgust) both the population and the soldiers themselves. Just look what happened in the "safe sone" of Srebrenica(!).
But one must bare in mind that the events depicted here is just in One particular region of Bosnia. Here it happenes to be the British-sector in the Travnic, Vitez, Amichi area. Some incidents I know happened (like the burned victims in the cellar) and some are most likely made up, but surely with the intent of realism in mind. Here obviosly the Serbs outnumbered the Muslims and therefor had most of the control. This I mention because after reading two comments here, both from Bosnia oe most likely to be Serb (saying that the depictions in this film are "black and white" portrayed) and one Muslim (Finding the film to be very realistic, having lived through the whole war in Sarajevo.)
Having been in bosnia myself I think I can appreciate this film more. Being shot in Tsjekkia it still looks very much like Bosnia. Although it was wery calm there then (in -99),long after the war was over. The UN had been replaced by the NATO forces(maybe a bit too late). But the work consisted of pretty much the same(except for the extreme tasks given as the result of war off cource) , driving around in our "sizu`s", working with local interpreters and keeping in touch with the local population. The following year I went to Kosovo, a more recent conflict. During that war NATO bombed Serbia in protest of the treatment given to the Albanians in Kosovo. When we arrived(early 2000) the situation had turned to the opposite and it was mostly the Serbs who had to be kept safe of the Albanians, who had started returning to Kosovo.
So I agree that there is no such thing as a "black and white" explanation of the tragedy. There was surely bad deeds made by all "sides", as in every war.
Film rates 10/10!
Jeepers Creepers (2001)
great first part and ending
SPOILERS
This is far from my favorite horror movie, but still I felt like commenting. Seems like many people have been let down by the "second half" or from when the Creeper shows his face(and wings). That exactly my opinion also. It starts very good with the two characters in the car, the first appearance of the Creeper-car, the curiousness that leads them to return to the house, the "cave" and the chase afterwords. It´s all creepy and exciting, but it all starts to go downhill after the appearance of the Creeper´s wing there in the middle of the road. That´s when you think "Ok, what now then?!
I guess most horror movies work better until the killer shows himself, then the excitement disappears. Maybe you feel a little let down because it was better in your own imagination.
I liked the ending though, because it was not what you would expect and it was.. Creepy. Someone here say it´s a predictable ending, but I certainly don´t agree. Not what you normally see in a Hollywood movie. Note:I also highly enjoyed the ending of SEVEN.
To sum it all up:great first part and ending, the Creeper looked good but I would like to see less of him. 7/10.
Ravenous (1999)
"perhaps later you might..contribute"
SPOILERS!
Thinking of how bad the movie made it at the box-office and how much I like it, it´s nice to see that there in fact where quite a few positive reviews here. With this sort of material you can´t expect a huge success. It is quite a grotesque movie dealing with the subject of cannibalism and it´s healing(!) powers. But for those of us who like these movies Ravenous is a blast. A lot of dark thick disgusting looking blood here, cold mountains and forests, old log cabins and a good portion of familiar faces. Great acting.
Love the journey the soldiers take over the mountains to find what might be survivors of Carlyle´s companions. The suspence gradually builds up. They are in for a great surprise! The cave scene tops the excitement, with good help from David Albarn´s music. The last stand between Pierce and Carlyle is also quite good ("bloody good")
Ravenous makes a 8/10
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
a horror classic with fine acting and a LOT of gore
It is a classic and a pretty good one. The only thing is that it gets too long and therefor a bit boring. Many people or critics complaint about too little character development in movies, but this one has too much. But no need to worry, there´s plenty of different versions out there, longer and shorter, cut, uncut and almost uncut(Last one refers to the version with the Savini commentary). There is also a "Romero" and a "Argento" version. Argento´s a bit shorter with a Goblin soundtrack. I prefer this one actually, though the "helicopter-zombie" is sadly missing. I didn´t much care for the stupid carnival music in Romero´s.
if I understood it correctly Romero actually preferred "one of the" shorter versions, not the director´s cut.
The fx are effective, groce and fun to watch, but the quality of the makeups are not too impressive though, mostly blue paint with real skin tone shoving different places. The blood also looks like ordinary paint. Savini would soon improve himself going on to movies like Friday the 13th and maniac.
Hard to rate this one with so many versions, but the shorter, with less talking and character development, more gore and Goblin music would prove to be a 7/10 for me.
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
something good
I remember seeing this for the first time at the age of nine or ten, and it scared me quite a bit. Now as an adult I have included it in my dvd collection, both for nostalgic reasons and for the fact that I still find it amusing to watch.
Great story by Ray Bradbury, an evil carnival searching for souls and two young heroes facing the evil. Interesting to make into a movie. Even Spielberg considered doing it at some point(Bradbury interview). From the very beginning, in 81, it suffered from problems. Much because of creative differences between key artists. The big problems came when the test-screenings failed to impress. Due to the lack of "magic" the studio decided to go for re-shoots and a heavy touch up of the entire movie. The release came finally in 83.
The two main characters are good(although I have never seen them since), so is Jason Robarts and Pam Grier looks good as the Dust witch. But I must say my favorite has to be Joathan Pryce as Mr Dark, Such a frightening and sinister character.
Best and most memorable scenes are: -The entire scene in the library. (Truly a classic) -The demise of Mr Dark as well as the destruction of the carnival.
-The spider scene (found myself looking under my bed covers)
Disney went through a troublesome period with not too many successes at that time. Fascinating as it was, DRAGONSLAYER was another one failing at the box-office. I guess like SOMETHING WICKED it proved too dark for a children´s movie.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
we were somewhere around barstow..
I couldn´t really say that I enjoy all off Terry Gilliam´s movies, but this one is superb. It has one of the best opening lines I have ever heard(yes, the one from my summary). From there we go through a fantastic(and utterly horrific)journey into the Nevada desert and spend a phew days with Hunter Thompson and Doctor Gonzo, on just your average weekend in vegas(with a little help from all the drugs known to man).
Many well known extras here, but it is Depp´s and Del Toro´s excellent performances, along with the insane touch of Gilliam, that really makes this one.
I seriously can´t believe this movie bombed at the box office. at least that´s what i heard, that they hated it in cannes and all. it is, as many say, a film you either love or hate. I certainly loved it. hopefully it has gained some recognition as time has passed, like many other fabulous movies.
It´s not exactly oscar material(the film that is), but I think it succeeds totally in what it is meant for: 10 out of 10!!
The Shining (1980)
different from the book but so what?
this stands out as one of my absolute favorites in the horror field. along with THE EXORCIST, THE OMEN, THE THING(1982), THE EVIL DEAD, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, THE SIXTH SENCE, THE OTHERS,(many "the" movies here), JAWS, HALLOWEEN, and the list goes on..hard to pin point anyone, but the shining should be wery close to number one.
from the very beginning it has a real creepy atmosphere. the music sets the tone while the camera follows the car on this high mountain road. it just leaves me with a really creepy feeling. the suspence gradually builds up to the end climax, letting you be a part of the claustrophobic athmosphere in the big almost empty hotel. scenes with the kid going through those empty corridors,jack in his huge working office, the party lounge, room 237, the "bleeding" elevator(was this really all set? i thought it was mostly shot on location at the timberline lodge, but later i heard otherwise) And you KNOW that jack will sooner or later go completely bananas and chop through that door(the cover kind of gives that one away) and go for his ovn family.
I must note that i have never read the book, which almost everybody wants to compare it to, but i have now seen(and bought)kings´ own tv version on dvd. this is how he wanted it to be.though he had to make it into a mini-series to get all that he wanted.this might be closer to the book, but still Stanley´s masterpiece is superior.
how many king stories have been made into a movie and how many have received so much bad mouthing as this one? no one i think, even not the really bad ones. CARRIE and MISERY were also pretty different from the books, particularly the endings, but i think King left those pretty much alone. THE SHINING he bad mouthed quite bit. i heard him say in an interview once that movies and books are like apples and oranges, they are both good, but the taste is different. should be ok then, no?
i give this movie a 10/10!!!
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
one of a kind
Dark, violent, visually stunning, brilliant music..and little but well chosen dialogue is what makes CONAN THE BARBARIAN, arnold´s breakthrough on the big screen. this is what i´m hoping to see in a barbarian movie, and CONAN delivers the goods. not to be compared to the comical,light and fantasy oriented sequel,which has little of the original´s feel to it. i have yet to see a movie quite like conan. though others try, they never get close to the athmosphere in this one.
one thing i don´t understand is why basil poledouris wasn´t nominated for an academy award. cinematographer, art director or director for that matter. guess fantasy movies have a tough time trying to reach the oscars.
CONAN has long been my favorite sword movie, still is in a way, but i guess nothing can compete with THE LORD OF THE RINGS saga(though made ca 20 years later). other titles worth mentioning are BRAVEHEART, HIGHLANDER (the first),DRAGONSLAYER(also pretty dark) and THE 13TH WARRIOR(though a bit disapointing).
*really hope that john milius consider making the next conan movie(if the deals aren´t already made)