Dancer in the Dark (2000) Movie Review

First let me congratulate Bjork on her first and (according to her) last performance as an actress in a motion picture. Bjork was seemingly born for the role of Selma, a mousy, even childish woman who, surprisingly actually has a son to care for, even though it’s a miracle she can care for herself....

December 5th, 2001 | Read More

Dark City (1998) Movie Review

“Dark City” is one of my favorite movies of the ’90s. It is one of the most atmospheric and creatively stimulating movies I have ever come across. Forget the fact that director Alex Proyas is a visual genius, because the acting is spot on, the cinematography is awe-inspiring, and the...

December 4th, 2001 | Read More

Yojimbo (1961) Movie Review

After reviewing Akira Kurosawa’s masterful “Seven Samurai” I thought I’d go back and review his other masterpieces. “Yojimbo” is similar to “Samurai” in many respects, but is also vastly different, in that there is only one main character here, the Yojimbo...

December 4th, 2001 | Read More

The Messenger (1999) Movie Review

It’s somewhat ironic that I’ve just finished reviewing an excellent period adventure movie in Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” and now I’m about to royally trash another period adventure movie. To begin with, let me state that I am big fan of Luc Besson, whose “La...

December 3rd, 2001 | Read More

The Storm Riders (1998) Movie Review

There is something to be said about a movie which has a hero who, when faced with certain defeat, decides to tear off his own arm and use it as a weapon against his opponent to secure his escape so he can fight another day. That’s the kind of imaginative scene that exists in abundance in The Storm...

December 3rd, 2001 | Read More

The Bodyguard from Beijing (1994) Movie Review

Obviously, as the title implies, Jet Li’s character is a Communist Chinese, and in a weird twist of plot machinations which I am still at a lost to understand, is either requested or ordered to proceed to British-controlled Hong Kong to protect Cheung’s character, a big-name singer/famous...

December 1st, 2001 | Read More

Attack on the Gas Station (1999) Movie Review

Ahe plot of “Gas Station” is a simple one. Four robbers, whose name escapes me, (and maybe that’s because they’re rarely mentioned in the movie) have come to a gas station to rob it for the second time that day. The station’s manager, believing there is no way the robbers...

November 24th, 2001 | Read More

Crying Freeman (1995) Movie Review

I must admit to being extremely frustrated with director Christophe Gans’ French version of the popular manga comic book. My frustration is part annoyance and part sadness. The annoyance comes from the fact that the movie is almost a scene-by-scene copy of the Crying Freeman anime (the Japanese...

November 19th, 2001 | Read More

Drunken Master 2 (1994) Movie Review

Let it be said that Jackie Chan, the undisputed “Clown Prince of Kung-fu,” is a good stuntman. Let it also be said that Jackie Chan, the actor, is a one-trick pony. Then, let it be said that “Drunken Master 2″ (re-titled “Legend of Drunken Master” for re-release in...

November 16th, 2001 | Read More

A Better Tomorrow (1986) Movie Review

I don’t think it’s too much hyperbole to say that John Woo’s “A Better Tomorrow” changed how the world looked at Hong Kong cinema. The film centers around two childhood friends who also happen to be counterfeiters, Mark (would-be International superstar Chow Yun-Fat) and...

November 8th, 2001 | Read More

Beat (1997) Movie Review

Have you ever seen an Asian gangster movie? No? Well, have you ever seen any gangster movie? If the answer is Yes, then you know how this one will end because it’s simply a South Korean version of the very, very familiar “young tough rises through the criminal ranks through courage and brains...

November 6th, 2001 | Read More

Kiss of the Dragon (2002) Movie Review

“Kiss of the Dragon” is Jet Li’s third “international” film — movies that he is involved in without his usual Hong Kong crew. The movie, filmed exclusively in Paris, France, re-teams Li with his long-time contributor, Corey Yuen, who does all of the movie’s fight...

November 2nd, 2001 | Read More

Bichunmoo (2000) Movie Review

Shin plays the main character, a protagonist with an amazing martial arts prowess that allows him to fight as if he was “flying.” It’s a sword technique that gives Shin the power to explode bodies with a slash of his sword. Yes, I kid you not. He did this throughout the movie. (Although...

October 31st, 2001 | Read More

Chocolat (2002) Movie Review

“Chocolat” is a cheat. For me, that is. The movie has gotten a lot of exposure, what having been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and all. It’s a fine little movie, perhaps a little too sweet on top (pun intended), but all in all, it is a well-filmed, well-directed, and finely acted...

October 28th, 2001 | Read More

God of Gamblers 3: Back to Shanghai (1991) Movie Review

“God of Gamblers 3″ is my first entry into the popular “God of Gamblers” series. I believe there is 4 — GOG1 to 3, and then two GOG3’s, this one and another one, which is supposed to be a prequel. This movie is supposed to be a comedy, and it is a very funny movie,...

October 19th, 2001 | Read More

Time and Tide (2000) Movie Review

Tsui Hark is an old hand when it comes to filmmaking. The veteran Hong Kong director has either directed or produced over 40 films in his native land, and has taken the John Woo route to Hollywood success by directing Jean Claude Van Damme in two American/Hong Kong productions. Not surprisingly his two...

October 18th, 2001 | Read More

La Femme Nikita (1991) Movie Review

“La Femme Nikita” is the movie that catapulted French action director Luc Besson to international stardom, as well as convincing the world the French were capable of more than just moody films about the nature of humanity and all that other good stuff. “Nikita” proved so successful...

October 9th, 2001 | Read More

Small Change (1976) Movie Review

Francois Truffaut’s “Small Change,” in my humble opinion, is the best French movie I have ever seen. It is also the best film from the group of “new wave” directors of the ’60s, including Truffaut and fellow movie critic turned filmmaker, Jean Luc Goddard. The two...

September 23rd, 2001 | Read More

Cube (1997) Movie Review

“Cube” is a strange, but good, movie. It’s one of the more creative movies I’ve seen in a long time. The film is Canadian in origin, and was finished, I believed, with the help of money raised to help Canadian filmmakers. I’m sure there’s a name for this particular...

September 23rd, 2001 | Read More

Fist of Legend (1994) Movie Review

For sheer martial arts excitement, “Fist of Legend” stands as one of Jet Li’s most impressive films, and that’s saying a lot considering that most fans of Li knows he’s put out some very excellent action movies in his Hong Kong career, before making the jump to Hollywood....

September 22nd, 2001 | Read More