The Wandering Earth (Liu Lang Di Qiu) (2019)
Runtime: 125 minutes
Directed by: Frant Gwo
Starring: Guangjie Li, Chuxiao Qu, Man-Tat Ng, Jin Mai Jaho, Jing Wu
From: United Entertainment Partners
What a film I saw last night, and what a crowd it was with... I was one of only a few who was not Far East Asian in ethnicity:
Don't nobody tell Neil Degrasse Tyson about this film.
It was only a few days prior that I had heard there would be a United States release (albeit the only showings are late at night on IMAX as otherwise those screens are tied up with the Lego Movie sequel) of a Chinese science fiction film-the first on this grand a scale-shot in the Cinemascope ratio of 2.55:1 and oh yeah, it's also in 3D. It did draw a good-sized crowd to the showing I was at last night; naturally, I was only one of a few who was not Far East Asian in heritage.
The plot I already knew of beforehand but wait until you hear this story, which was based on a novel. In the future, the sun suddenly disintegrates and in less than 100 years, the Earth is F'ed. The scenario they came out with was not abandoning Earth but instead: thousands of giant engines are created so that EARTH IS PHYSICALLY MOVED OUT OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM and the destination is the next closest solar system (Alpha Centauri) and as it's over 4 light-years away, that will take 2,500 years. Yeah, people now live underground as above ground conditions are even worse than the recent Polar Vortex but Neil Degrasse Tyson's head would probably explode if he hears about this story. Then again, considering the recent allegations against him... a Scanners-like moment may be preferable.
Anyhow, Earth passes by Jupiter but there are major problems so a disparate group of characters have to work together to literally save the planet. This is like an American blockbuster, for better and for worse. Various characters die and some you barely get to know them beforehand. Many moments are reminiscent of famous Hollywood films, such as Gravity, Interstellar and (especially) 2001. Yet I can say this is fine overall; while the CG at times looks like cutscenes from a videogame, that can be said about big budget American movies at times. It does look and sound nice, at least.
Plus, there are exciting action scenes and instead of there being a lead character who gets the majority of the focus, this follows the typical Communist ideal by various characters receiving almost equal focus and there being teamwork. I have heard that some recent Chinese films are filled with propaganda and I don't know if that's the case here as it's not like I would immediately recognize it. There is preaching done by several characters to get cooperation from other countries; think of that how you will. For me, the premise is incredibly ludicrous but if you can accept that, you may feel like me and view this as an enjoyable sci-fi picture where there's melodrama and some gleefully over the top moments.
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Silent Comedy Shorts
As of late I have seen three of those: Buster Keaton's Cops and One Week, and The Cook, from Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and Keaton. All three were quite entertaining and had great pratfalls. All three can easily be seen on YouTube.
Friday, February 8, 2019
Cold Pursuit
Cold Pursuit (2019)
73% on Rotten Tomatoes (out of 88 reviews)
Runtime: 118 minutes
Directed by: Hans Petter Moland
Starring: Liam Neeson, Tom Bateman, William Forsythe, Tom Jackson, Laura Dern
From: Summit
Don't let the lead's real life controversy dissuade you from seeing this:
I am happy to admit an assumption I had made was incorrect.
Wednesday night I revisited In Order of Disappearance; I don't need to review that again as the one I did almost two years ago still sums up my feelings after a second viewing. I did predict in the review that the remake's original title (Hard Powder) would be changed... this is more about me being cynical concerning Hollywood rather than any psychic abilities I may have.
I viewed Cold Pursuit last night despite those appalling comments that Liam Neeson made early in the week. I won't try to unpack all of that controversy or wonder if he has always been prejudiced; I'll never be able to figure out why he thought it was OK to make those comments at that time, as he was promoting his new flick and hasn't retired from acting. I know that will have a negative impact on its box office and that is a shame as this is will be worth seeing for some.
Before I saw the movie, I presumed that even with the original director doing the remake, that Hollywood will homogenize this and make it less unique and not as darkly humorous for the purpose of an attempt to further appeal to those that love Neeson in the Taken films or something like The Commuter. Turns out, I was mistaken; aside from a change in setting, this is a lot like the original so those that have seen Disappearance, most of this will be familiar.
If you are not familiar with Disappearance, NELS COXMAN (in the original film, NILS DICKMAN) plows the streets and roads of the small snowy village his lives in. His young adult son is murdered-made to look like a heroin overdose-by a gang and dad gets revenge by killing members of the gang... upsetting the vegan leader (I imagine that not even Letterboxd member Allison M eats the same meal three times a day like this guy does) and there are many moments of dark humor and some visual gags to boot. The violence alone makes this rated R as some dudes have their faces ruined from punches.
Those that haven't viewed In Order of Disappearance may dig this once they realize what sort of flick this is; I saw this with a surprisingly big crowd and not everyone was laughing, but a few really did enjoy Cold Pursuit. Those familiar with both may think the original is better (as I do) but are relieved that this wasn't poor like the majority of “Hollywood remakes a foreign film” pictures are.
73% on Rotten Tomatoes (out of 88 reviews)
Runtime: 118 minutes
Directed by: Hans Petter Moland
Starring: Liam Neeson, Tom Bateman, William Forsythe, Tom Jackson, Laura Dern
From: Summit
Don't let the lead's real life controversy dissuade you from seeing this:
I am happy to admit an assumption I had made was incorrect.
Wednesday night I revisited In Order of Disappearance; I don't need to review that again as the one I did almost two years ago still sums up my feelings after a second viewing. I did predict in the review that the remake's original title (Hard Powder) would be changed... this is more about me being cynical concerning Hollywood rather than any psychic abilities I may have.
I viewed Cold Pursuit last night despite those appalling comments that Liam Neeson made early in the week. I won't try to unpack all of that controversy or wonder if he has always been prejudiced; I'll never be able to figure out why he thought it was OK to make those comments at that time, as he was promoting his new flick and hasn't retired from acting. I know that will have a negative impact on its box office and that is a shame as this is will be worth seeing for some.
Before I saw the movie, I presumed that even with the original director doing the remake, that Hollywood will homogenize this and make it less unique and not as darkly humorous for the purpose of an attempt to further appeal to those that love Neeson in the Taken films or something like The Commuter. Turns out, I was mistaken; aside from a change in setting, this is a lot like the original so those that have seen Disappearance, most of this will be familiar.
If you are not familiar with Disappearance, NELS COXMAN (in the original film, NILS DICKMAN) plows the streets and roads of the small snowy village his lives in. His young adult son is murdered-made to look like a heroin overdose-by a gang and dad gets revenge by killing members of the gang... upsetting the vegan leader (I imagine that not even Letterboxd member Allison M eats the same meal three times a day like this guy does) and there are many moments of dark humor and some visual gags to boot. The violence alone makes this rated R as some dudes have their faces ruined from punches.
Those that haven't viewed In Order of Disappearance may dig this once they realize what sort of flick this is; I saw this with a surprisingly big crowd and not everyone was laughing, but a few really did enjoy Cold Pursuit. Those familiar with both may think the original is better (as I do) but are relieved that this wasn't poor like the majority of “Hollywood remakes a foreign film” pictures are.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Lake Of Dracula
Lake of Dracula (Noroi No Yakata: Chi O Suu Me) (1971)
Runtime: 82 minutes
Directed by: Michio Yamamoto
Starring: Midori Fujita, Choei Takahashi, Sanae Emi, Kaku Takashima, Shin Kishida
From: Toho
September of 2017 I watched The Vampire Doll, which was the first of three Gothic-themed horror films done for Toho by director Michio Yamamoto in the early 1970's; this film-which has a great title-is the second. There is less time spent in a creepy old mansion but the Hammer influences are more pronounced here as the setting is a nice house out in the woods by (naturally) a lake, there are rainy/foggy scenes and the studio's first Dracula film was an inspiration for this movie.
It features many of the tropes you'd expect in a Dracula film: he seduces women, he sometimes bites people and after they die they becomes his servants, he can't be seen in mirrors, etc. Him wearing a white scarf & having glowing eyes are unique inventions, admittedly. A young lady sees the Count as a little kid but thought of it as a dream; 18 years later, when a coffin shows up at a nearby residence, she finally realizes it's real. Weird things happen, including her doctor boyfriend discovering victims and taking too long to admit a legend is actually true.
This is a standard Dracula tale for the most part yet it was told well and in a world filled with funky early 70's clothing, a cool score, some spooky scenes, plus the dream motif and sibling rivalry as you discover there is long-repressed issues between lead girl Akiko and her younger sister. In addition, Shin Kishida does a swell job as Dracula, playing both suave and menacing pretty well. This culminates in a memorable finale which will seem familiar-as it is-but that doesn't mean it is not a treat to see. If you love taking bites out of vampire flicks, this is one worthy of viewing.
Runtime: 82 minutes
Directed by: Michio Yamamoto
Starring: Midori Fujita, Choei Takahashi, Sanae Emi, Kaku Takashima, Shin Kishida
From: Toho
September of 2017 I watched The Vampire Doll, which was the first of three Gothic-themed horror films done for Toho by director Michio Yamamoto in the early 1970's; this film-which has a great title-is the second. There is less time spent in a creepy old mansion but the Hammer influences are more pronounced here as the setting is a nice house out in the woods by (naturally) a lake, there are rainy/foggy scenes and the studio's first Dracula film was an inspiration for this movie.
It features many of the tropes you'd expect in a Dracula film: he seduces women, he sometimes bites people and after they die they becomes his servants, he can't be seen in mirrors, etc. Him wearing a white scarf & having glowing eyes are unique inventions, admittedly. A young lady sees the Count as a little kid but thought of it as a dream; 18 years later, when a coffin shows up at a nearby residence, she finally realizes it's real. Weird things happen, including her doctor boyfriend discovering victims and taking too long to admit a legend is actually true.
This is a standard Dracula tale for the most part yet it was told well and in a world filled with funky early 70's clothing, a cool score, some spooky scenes, plus the dream motif and sibling rivalry as you discover there is long-repressed issues between lead girl Akiko and her younger sister. In addition, Shin Kishida does a swell job as Dracula, playing both suave and menacing pretty well. This culminates in a memorable finale which will seem familiar-as it is-but that doesn't mean it is not a treat to see. If you love taking bites out of vampire flicks, this is one worthy of viewing.
Monday, February 4, 2019
RIP Dick Miller
I was saddened by that news last week, as I've watched him in plenty of films. This is why a few days ago I revisited the original Piranha; he had his typical role in that... supporting but still memorable. RIP to him.
House Of Wax (The Original)
House of Wax (1953)
Runtime: 88 minutes
Directed by: Andre De Toth
Starring: Vincent Price, Frank Lovejoy, Phyllis Kirk, Carolyn Jones, Paul Picerni
From: Warner Bros
While this does not have Paris Hilton being brutally murdered, at least you don't have to look at Paris Hilton at all:
For any Vincent Price fan, it is a must to see this; it's not the best thing he's ever done in terms of performance or the overall movie. Rather, this is the demarcation line in his career where he became more than just a character actor and became a star of horror flicks for the rest of his life. This is a macabre delight, filmed in 3D (although I only saw it in 2D; what irony then that director Andre De Toth had only one working eye) and this was the first color major studio movie in that format.
In this story set in early 20th century New York City, Price's Henry Jarrod is a tragic character; he was a great sculptor who created great wax figures but his business partner wishes for sensationalism instead of stoic and reserved looks at moments in history. The partner suddenly becomes mad so he doesn't wait to try and insurance scam and instead burns the place down with Jarrod still inside. Henry shows up a few years later, his hands ruined; he comes up with another way of creating wax figures... assistants are used, including a young Charles Bronson-under his birth surname of Buchinsky-and seeing two movies in a row with a deaf-mute character is just happenstance.
The movie looks lush with its color cinematography, has an appropriate musical score, has some great sequences (such as a young lady being chased through lonely city streets during a foggy night, and the place burning down in an inferno), features Carolyn Jones a decade before she became famous as Morticia Addams, and has a ghoulish ending. The supporting characters are also fun as a few try to solve a mystery of several murders/missing corpses and another has the misfortune of looking exactly like Jarrod's old Marie Antoinette figure, of course putting her life in danger. While this does not have any scene of Paris Hilton being brutally murdered, that does not mean you shouldn't check this out if it sounds of interest.
Runtime: 88 minutes
Directed by: Andre De Toth
Starring: Vincent Price, Frank Lovejoy, Phyllis Kirk, Carolyn Jones, Paul Picerni
From: Warner Bros
While this does not have Paris Hilton being brutally murdered, at least you don't have to look at Paris Hilton at all:
For any Vincent Price fan, it is a must to see this; it's not the best thing he's ever done in terms of performance or the overall movie. Rather, this is the demarcation line in his career where he became more than just a character actor and became a star of horror flicks for the rest of his life. This is a macabre delight, filmed in 3D (although I only saw it in 2D; what irony then that director Andre De Toth had only one working eye) and this was the first color major studio movie in that format.
In this story set in early 20th century New York City, Price's Henry Jarrod is a tragic character; he was a great sculptor who created great wax figures but his business partner wishes for sensationalism instead of stoic and reserved looks at moments in history. The partner suddenly becomes mad so he doesn't wait to try and insurance scam and instead burns the place down with Jarrod still inside. Henry shows up a few years later, his hands ruined; he comes up with another way of creating wax figures... assistants are used, including a young Charles Bronson-under his birth surname of Buchinsky-and seeing two movies in a row with a deaf-mute character is just happenstance.
The movie looks lush with its color cinematography, has an appropriate musical score, has some great sequences (such as a young lady being chased through lonely city streets during a foggy night, and the place burning down in an inferno), features Carolyn Jones a decade before she became famous as Morticia Addams, and has a ghoulish ending. The supporting characters are also fun as a few try to solve a mystery of several murders/missing corpses and another has the misfortune of looking exactly like Jarrod's old Marie Antoinette figure, of course putting her life in danger. While this does not have any scene of Paris Hilton being brutally murdered, that does not mean you shouldn't check this out if it sounds of interest.
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Police Story 2
Police Story 2 (Ging Chaat Goo Si Juk Jaap) (1988)
Runtime: 121 minutes
Directed by: Jackie Chan
Starring: Jackie, Kwok-Hung Lam, Maggie Cheung, Bill Tung, John Cheung
From: Several different Hong Kong companies
About time I saw another Jackie film:
I have watched the OG Police Story a few times before in my life, but last night was my virgin experience w/ its first sequel. Of course, as a sequel it does not reach the heights of the first, but thankfully this wasn't a disaster like too many are. Quite a few characters return in this installment, both babyface and heel. No wonder then that this starts off with highlights from the original.
Due to the damage he caused there, Jackie is demoted to the streets. He still has a rocky relationship with his girlfriend May and the villains from the first return to be irritants. However, the main heels here are terrorists who are making ransom demands to a large corporation. What a motley crue they are... I mean, it includes a deaf/mute and regrettably, it's not the most sensitive or caring portrayal of a person with that affliction.
The story here does meander around at times and there are some elements that seem straight out of an entirely different universe... I am looking at “The Dogs” as one example. Yet I can still say this was pretty good. There are humorous moments throughout (I am not necessarily saying that a supporting character having bowel issues falls into this category) and what everyone cares about in these films-the action scenes and the creative ways that Chan uses his surroundings to his advantage-that was done well and this provides plenty of thrills. Plus, there are several explosions.
There definitely are better Jackie movies out there to see, but that is not meant as a diss against this film as many should have a good time with this and this is WAY better than dreck like The Tuxedo.
Runtime: 121 minutes
Directed by: Jackie Chan
Starring: Jackie, Kwok-Hung Lam, Maggie Cheung, Bill Tung, John Cheung
From: Several different Hong Kong companies
About time I saw another Jackie film:
I have watched the OG Police Story a few times before in my life, but last night was my virgin experience w/ its first sequel. Of course, as a sequel it does not reach the heights of the first, but thankfully this wasn't a disaster like too many are. Quite a few characters return in this installment, both babyface and heel. No wonder then that this starts off with highlights from the original.
Due to the damage he caused there, Jackie is demoted to the streets. He still has a rocky relationship with his girlfriend May and the villains from the first return to be irritants. However, the main heels here are terrorists who are making ransom demands to a large corporation. What a motley crue they are... I mean, it includes a deaf/mute and regrettably, it's not the most sensitive or caring portrayal of a person with that affliction.
The story here does meander around at times and there are some elements that seem straight out of an entirely different universe... I am looking at “The Dogs” as one example. Yet I can still say this was pretty good. There are humorous moments throughout (I am not necessarily saying that a supporting character having bowel issues falls into this category) and what everyone cares about in these films-the action scenes and the creative ways that Chan uses his surroundings to his advantage-that was done well and this provides plenty of thrills. Plus, there are several explosions.
There definitely are better Jackie movies out there to see, but that is not meant as a diss against this film as many should have a good time with this and this is WAY better than dreck like The Tuxedo.
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