Yep, I decided to split my Visual Victuals for January into two parts for the simple fact that I watched a lot of movies (and I've only written reviews for half of them). Anyway, quite a variety as usual. Instead of keeping you waiting until I write the other half, you can enjoy reading about what I saw in the first half of January. So, here goes:
AVATAR (2009) – The first movie Mikako and I watched this year, at the theater no less. Although we elected not to watch it in 3D. James Cameron has outdone himself with this movie by breaking his own record previously held by “Titanic” of the biggest grossing movie ever. It’s such a great story too. Humans go to the planet of Pandora to mine an item worth millions of dollars. The only problem is that native people called the Navi live on top of the biggest deposit. Scientists have created “Avatars”, genetically modeled natives that a human can link to in order to negotiate with the Navi. However, the head of the commercial enterprise is finding that legal proceedings take too long and has hired the military to move the Navi by force if necessary. One man, who was to help with the negotiations, because more Navi than human, falls in love with a native, and helps them to turn the tide of the military advance. I’ve heard some people describe this film as a “Dances with Wolves” in space, or having a similar storyline with “Pocahontas”. I disagree with both critiques. One, Kevin Costner did not fight back against his own people but disappeared with the Indian tribe and the attackers got what they wanted – their land. In Pocahontas, John Smith is captured by Indians but is saved by Pocahontas, but the white man still got what they wanted – their land. I find the storyline of “Avatar” to mostly parallel the Bush administration and their on Iraq to gain Iraqi oil. The results have been appalling and will probably end with the same outcome that happens in this flick.
SUPERFLY : ROCK 'N' ROLL 2008 (2008) - Currently my favorite Japanese artist. Shiho Ochi is Superfly! I had just seen them in concert in December and for a Christmas present I requested this particular DVD. This is Superfly's first DVD release and showcases the concert from NHK Hall in 2008. Features 15 songs, mostly from her debut album, but she also sings a few tunes that are only available on her singles. Of course I enjoyed watching the show but the bonus lies in the second DVD which includes backstage and live footage of her first tour. Also, singing a new single called “1969” at her free concert in Yoyogi Park to celebrate the release of her album. The icing on the cake is when she travels to the hometown of the artist she most respects and was influenced by – Janis Joplin. She also meets with Joplin’s backing band, Big Brother and the Holding Company and sings a few of Janis’s songs with them. “Down on Me”, “Summertime”, and “Piece of My Heart”. Ooh, it’s enough to send goose pimples up your arm. She also checks out where the Monterey Pop Festival was held, standing on the stage and singing the chorus of “Mercedes Benz” a cappella. The following year, Big Brother and the Holding Company invited her to sing with them at the 40th anniversary of Woodstock where she sang two songs with them (not included on this DVD though).
GRAN TORINO (2008) - Director and star Clint Eastwood brings us a human drama about an aging and recently widowed Korean war veteran, Walt Kowalski(Eastwood) who's only love now is his 1972 Gran Torino. When his neighbor, a young Hmong boy is pressured by his cousin to join his cousin's gang, his initiation is to steal the car. When his mother finds out what happens, the Hmong boy is to work for Eastwood to save face for his family. As Kowalski tries to reform the boy, he learns more about his neighbors and Hmong customs. About a year ago I had read a book about the Hmong's experience of leaving their native land and settling down in the Mid-West in Kao Kalia Yang's excellent "The Late Homecomer". After reading that book, I found it easy to identify with Kowalski's neighbors and their struggle to fit into their new community. Although the subject matter is pretty strong, there is quite a bit of humor as well. You will laugh, you will cry, and you may even get angry. If a movie makes you feel those range of emotions, than this must be a good movie!
DOUBLE MAX(2004) - Lately, I've been renting a lot of Thai films. With "Ong Bak 2" about to start playing in the theaters, I decided to see what other Thai action films there might be. I was taken in by the picture on the package. However, when I started watching this, the action was so silly and the story was so corny, I couldn't stop laughing. What the heck is this? I found that the actual title of this film was "The Bodyguard". I learned that there a major Thai comedian was also in this flick but his part was rather small (and quite silly as well). The acting was so bad, it was funny. Ah, but Tony Jaa of "Ong Bak" and "Tom Yam Goong" also makes a cameo appearance in this film as well. I didn't quite catch the dialogue, and since I don't know any Thai except for "Sawadee" and "Kop Khun Krap" - I missed the joke where the main character made a reference to "Ong Bak" with Tony Jaa. The story is about a lifelong bodyguard for some important big wig who failed to save his employer. Now the baddies who took out the top dog want to take his son out as well, and the son who blames the bodyguard for his father's death, does not want the bodyguard to try to protect him. Somewhere along the line, the son gets chased but escapes and befriends some girl who lives in the slums of some Podank town. I can only recommend this if you swear you will have a few beers before watching it. Sit back and be entertained.
ONG BAK 2 (2008) - Of course I had to go see the new Tony Jaa film at the theaters. Mikako was working so I went on my own. I don't know what it is about Japan but I once complained about the Japanese titles they give to Hollywood, making the films sound duller than they really are. But then I find that they are even worse when it comes to giving Japanese titles to Thai films. This one was called "Mach 2" and yes, the first "Ong Bak" movie was released here as "Mach!!!!". But I've also seen variations on the subtitle for this film as well - "Muay Thai Warrior" and "The Thai Warrior" and with no subtitles as well. But one thing you must know about this flick – it has nothing whatsoever to do with the first “Ong Bak” movie. It is definitely not a sequel. Why didn’t they just call it “The Thai Warrior” or something. Anyway, it seems there was a bit of wire action and a lot of choreography with different kinds of weapons which reminded me of old Shaw Brothers movies. If you love those old chop socky flicks that were shown on Black Belt Theater then this is a must see.
TALKING DICK (2004) – A Thai teen comedy and yes, the main theme is written right there in the title. Sex-obsessed buddies tries to get one of their own to make a move on a girl the guy likes, while their buddies try to film him. But the girl is there to study, she gets really mad and kicks the guy where in hurts most and leaves. Of course dude really likes the girl and feels bad but when he wakes up the next day, he hears someone talking to him – yes, his manhood starts taunting him and it talks loud enough so that people around him could hear as well. And Mr. Manhood has a one-track mind – to get some action! And much merriment and mayhem and plain silly stuff goes on. This is kind of like “Revenge of the Nerds” without the jocks.
BANGKOK DANGEROUS (2008) – Continuing with my Thai theme, I rented this flick which stars Nicholas Cage as a hit man. At the time, I didn’t realize this movie was a remake of the Thai film of the same name. It was a fairly decent film. The story seems to blend John Woo’s “The Killer” and Luc Besson’s “Leon” (that would be “The Professional” for you Americans). In “The Killer”, hit man falls in love with a blind woman (of course it was the hit man who caused the woman to lose her sight, but never mind). In this film, hit man Cage falls in love with a deaf woman who works at a pharmacy. In “Leon”, the hit man trains a young girl (Natalie Portman) who lost her family to a bunch of bad cops. In this flick, Cage hires a young guy as a disposable courier but takes pity on him and trains him in the way of being a hit man. When Cage chooses not to do his last job – a politician who’s trying to clean up corruption, his employers send others to kill Cage.
SAXON : WACKEN OPEN AIR FESTIVAL 8.3.2007 (2007) – An unofficial release (read bootleg) of Saxon’s show at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany. Biff Byford may have aged a bit, but the band is still great! I first saw them in concert when they were one of the opening acts for Iron Maiden’s “Piece of the Mind” tour. The other band was Fastway with Fast Eddie Clark (formerly of Motorhead). The next time I saw them was when they were headliners for their “Crusader” tour. The opening bands then were great as well – Accept after releasing “Balls to the Wall” and Heavy Pettin': which had a hit single being aired on radio at the time – “In and Out of Love” – not to be confused with the Bon Jovi tune. Although the package lists twenty songs from the set, the actual number of songs played are five or six less. But still, their classics were included – “Heavy Metal Thunder”, “To Hell and Back Again”, “Princess of the Night”, “Wheels of Steel”, and “747(Strangers in the Night)” which also featured Tobi Sammet, the vocalist for German band Edguy. And for a bootleg, the sound and audio were quite professional. You would be amazed at the quality. Their songs from the early ‘80s still sound great today! I say “Ha!” to those idiots who say they grew out of listening to heavy metal – as if metal was only for teens and losers. I’m still an avid listener of heavy metal and am proud of it!
MAX PAYNE (2008) - I admit that I enjoyed Mark Wahlberg in “The Shooter” and the previews for this movie looked promising. Alas, it was not as good as I hoped it to be. For one thing, this is yet another flick based upon a video game. And as I’ve mentioned before, most movies made from games just lack that certain something. Just check out “Street Fighter” or “Mortal Kombat”. Or for you maniacs how about something like “Alone in the Dark” or “BloodRayne” and you will know what I’m talking about. Although I did enjoy “Hitman”, which was also based on a video game. Anyway, Walhberg plays a cop who loses his wife and kid during a robbery gone wrong at his home. There were three baddies and one got away. Walhberg gets himself transferred to the “cold case” department and continues to look for the killer, but it turns out that it wasn’t just an ordinary robbery that occurred at his house. Some new drug was involved and such and such and yadda yadda yadda. Go rent “The Shooter” instead, you will be happy you did.To be continued...
つづく。。。
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