Change Your Image
Wildman_3j
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try againReviews
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Take Spiderman 3 with a grain of salt. . .or two!
There is a lot going on in Spiderman 3. So many characters, and so many stories going on at once. It's a surprise that they were able to cram everything into the 2 hour and 20 minute running time. This may sound like a long film, which it technically is, but with so much going on it still felt that they should have given the more time to explain itself. For the first time in a Spiderman film we are introduced to multiple villains. First we have Flint Marko aka. The Sandman, who in my opinion is easily the best character in the film, played very well by Thomas Hayden Church. A character that you just might find yourself caring for. He is a flawed villain, not at all evil at heart but is forced to commit these crimes to get money to help his sick daughter. Eventually joining him is Eddie Brock aka Venom, a fan favorite character who is also exposed to the dark Symbiote after Peter, and inherits similar powers to Spiderman(this is due to the Symbiote remembering). Venom is played by That 70's Show star Tropher Grace. He played it well, but it is hard to watch him and not see Eric Forman, considering how similar he played Eddie to his famous television character. However, once he has that Symbiote suet and becomes the Venom, you cannot help but get your geek on and enjoy it! Finally he have the "New Goblin" which is just vengeful Harry Osborn using his fathers technology to recreate the foe we all remember from the original film. New Goblin is basically an angry snowboarder, an angry showboarder with bombs. We do not actually see a lot of this character in the film, and to be honest it is hard to think of him as a villain being Harry. Because really he is just angry and confused kid who thinks his best friend killed his father.
You really do have to take Spiderman 3 with a grain of salt, or two. Again, it has a lot of story, but it also has a lot of humor, which may seem out of place. Its not only Spiderman who becomes this darker self but Peter Parker also becomes another person. Which can only be described as one thing, EMO(Emo is a ambiguous term used to describe a subculture of fashion and music which is sort of a combination between Punk and Goth. An "EMO Kid" is usually angry quite and dark. EMO coming from the word EMOtional.) Its not clear weather this is supposed to be humorous or not, but it really is. When you see Peter with his bangs combed down and his eyes darkened by make-up, you cannot help but laugh. Also being that this is the vision of Sam Raimi, you know it must have been meant for laughs. There is one scene in particular which sees Peter strutting down the sidewalk to some cornball music striking cornball poses to all the ladies, and even stopping at a fashion store and getting some "hip new threads". Its moments like this that can kill a film, and for a lot of people it did. Its out of place campy humor and dancing really kinda picks the film up and carries it to a different place for a few scenes. The concept is good, Peter is a dork, and if the Symbiote is supposed to bring out your dark inner self, then Peter, though now dark, should still be a dork. Which he is. Though perhaps having Peter dancing on a bar was a bit too much. There is some great comedic moments in the film, most of which involves J. Jonah Jameson and his newspaper staff, and another wonderful show stealing cameo from the legendary actor, and Raimi regular Bruce Campbell. Who plays a french Maitre d.
Where Spiderman really thrives, and uses most of its $250million budget is the action, and the way over the top(in a good way I suppose)CGI! The action is top notch, you may have to grit your teeth and suffer through some dramatic scenes, but its all worth which when you get to see one amazing climax! And in between we also have some pretty great moments, including a very memorable sewer battle between the symbiote Spiderman and Sandman! The CGI is almost flawless which is an enormous leap forward from the somewhat animated looking graphics from the original film. Regardless of what you think of the story, or the jokes, or the drama. One thing is for sure, you have to be dead to not at least enjoy the action!
Overall Spiderman 3 is a worth while finale(?), to what has become the most successful comic book franchises ever created. It may not be the strongest in the series, but then again when is a third film ever the strongest? It is very much worth watching, and it's a must watch on the big screen. Love it or hate it Spiderman 3 is destined to be one of the most successful films of the year in this "summer of sequels". You may even have to watch it more then once to fully digest what is given to you. One thing is for sure, its needs some tweaking from what is being shown in its initial theatrical release, and if we all know the film business there will most likely be another version of the film. Perhaps as an initial DVD release, or maybe a second release later on. But as Kevin Smith once said "Theatrical releases are just previews for the DVD release"
Spiderman 3 The Directors Cut will arrive one day. . .
Nu jing cha (1973)
If you can look past the poor marketing. . .
This is not such a bad film, yes its far from great. The problem of course is Jackie Chan Kong-sang being credited as the star, which speaks for most of his early films which he played a supporting role in. Also there is no decent version that I know of, only cheaply produced and horribly dubbed bargain bin DVDs and VHS'. Now, if we look past all that, this is not a really bad film. It has a story which is nothing we have not seen before, and I for one really like Charlie Chin Hsiang-Lin, and I though he did a great job. In fact he is the biggest reason I enjoyed the film as much as I did. I think its only his 6th or 7th film.
The action is weak, and the music is kinda hokey to say the least, but I enjoyed it for what it was. I believe there will never be a properly remastered version with original language etc etc. So this is what we get.
As for Jackie Chan Kong-sang. This is very early on in his career, in fact I think this may be one of the first times you see his face this clearly on screen. At this point he was not an international superstar. Everyone had to start somewhere, and to be honest you will not find a good Jackie Chan film that pre-dates his career launching "Snake in the Eagles Shadow".
I really bugs me when western companies take early films with famous people in small roles, and mis-lead people to make some bucks. However, on the other hand if Jackie was not in this film, it probably would never have seen the light of day in my part of the world in any way shape or form. So for that, I guess I can be thankful. . .
Chik ji kuen wong (2004)
Not your typical Yuen Biao performance.
If you are a Yuen Biao fan, this movie is worth the watch. It was a made for TV movie, so right away you will notice the production values are lower then usual. It kind of has a soap opera feel(minus the lame story's and dialogue).
Its a great little story about a washed up boxer, who also happens to be a dead beat father with a gambling problem. All that aside, he has a son who thinks the world of him, and never gives up hope that his father will once again be the best boxer in the world.
There is little to no action, and a complete lack of martial arts. But you know what, thats okay. The acting is also a hit and miss, But Yuen Biao and the young actor playing his son are excellent. And that's all that matters.
Its not perfect. But its different, and thats good.
So check it out!
Lethal Pursuit (1988)
Even a 1 seems to generous. .
There is not much to say except simply, do not watch this film. In fact, if you are reading this I must ask why you even looked this movie up? If you are here because you saw this in the 99 cent VHS bin at the Good Will, where it probably can be found, and want to know weather to buy it. PASS! You will want your dollar back.
Some movies you can respect for being bad, Plan 9 for example. But this film has no excuse. I will not go into detail about it, I would say to avoid spoilers, but there is nothing to spoil.
Best way to sum it up. Think of every little detail that makes a film a film. Then take this sentence "The ____ of/in this film is awful in every way." and insert every one of those details. And you have a summary.
Avoid at all costs. ALL COSTS!
San ging chaat goo si (2004)
The Jackie we all love!
New Police story is the Jackie Chan film we have all been waiting for since Drunkin master 2! After a few good, and not so good Hollywood flicks, and a couple decent HK films. We finally get to see jackie doing what Jackie does best! ACTION! NPS has everything we love to see! Its got its share of great stunts, one involving a double decker bus(de-ja-vu?)and one involving a tall building(de-ja-vu again)and they are nothing short of breathtaking! The fights are there too, they are only a short few, but they are GREAT! The acting is also fantastic, we see a very dramatic side to Jackie. They only thing that could have made it better was an appearance by 'Unckle Bill' and May! But that aside NPS is the perfect Jackie Chan film.