locke82 Reviews

Casshern (2004)

Nice attempt..; but messy

[6/10 · 13 March 2006]

After so much, chit-chat about this movie I finally watch it, and I don't get it, sorry but I don't get it, this isn't a anime or a MTV music clip, it's supposed to be a movie, thing the director didn't get....

What's the deal with all the filters, is it really necessary? The messy montage? What about it? Even the only small action parts of the movie are messy... You don't understand what is going on ! The plot is not well told, the story is the most important thing in a movie, and still hard to get in this movie, totally told the wrong way,... The characters not good enough, some die, and still we don't feel attached to them.

I'm not saying the movie sucks, (actually just a little), but apart from some cute CGI shots, there is not a lot more of it....

So Casshern.. : cute, but nothing special...

Turn Left, Turn Right (2003)

A calm ride..

[8/10 · 9 March 2006]

I liked this movie, really, I did, it doesn't show you nothing spectacular, it doesn't show you something totally new..

But it does show you a great directing (loved the two umbrellas), a great story, simple but great, good actors, some funny moments, some sad moments. A story that you start to enjoy the further the minutes pass, and without noticing you will find yourself wanting the main character to reunite with each other! A movie to watch, and that proves that Johnny To is one of the best director in Asia!

A great story, a story of two people, that can never met, a story of two umbrellas, that we can see from above, but that never cross each other.

Turn Right, Turn Left : Just a great story !

Lonesome Jim (2005)

Loneliness is worse..

[7/10 · 9 January 2006]

I saw this film at the Film Festival in Ghent since it was in the competition for best film. Didn't won though, but hey, the competition was tough ! This flick, apart from what people can say is actually very good, extremely simple, which proves that you don't need a 35 million dollar paycheck to shoot something.

The actors are good, even excellent, Tyler was amazing !!! And so were the rest, but the only disturbing thing remains Casey Affleck ! You don't know if he plays his character that way by his choice, or if he just plays bad. I mean, his character is a very dumb person, and Casey plays it that way, but it's weird, and that actually makes an huge impact on the film : it's all or nothing : whether you love Casey or you hate him ! Well, I loved him ! And so in a few words : Lonesome Jim is a simple film about life, dreams and redemption.

A Hero Never Dies (1998)

It's all because of you..

[8/10 · 31 December 2005]

Great film, no wonder Mister To won a few festivals with this film.

His work has a director is brilliant in this movie ! Specially the Sukiyaki scene ! Where he proves in an eight-minute scene, that you don't need words to describe a relationship between characters ! Just good shoots, an excellent montage and great actors ! That scene should be a cult scene ! As for the story, it's the story of two men, working for an opposite gang, but still men of pride and honor, this is a story about love, friendship, betrayal, vengeance and hope.

Something I really noticed in this movie, is the great soundtrack ! You might feel that To is trying to use it to easily, but it just works out fine in every scene !

So in a few words : A great film, a must-see ! And should definitely be seen by everybody !

Dark Water (2005)

Don't compare..

[7/10 · 31 December 2005]

The biggest problem people get to do is compare, they will compare this film to the US version of "The grudge", "The Ring",... Or they will compare it to the Japanese version. Now my question is, what is the interest of doing that ? The answer : none.

I saw the movie, and I enjoyed it, it wasn't one of the scariest films ever, but wonderful directed, the setting was amazing, the shoots were good and so were the actors. The tension was well build up, the draft was good, with the usual sub-plot on it to make the story move. And it leads us, to a great final showdown, which is actually the scene, when as a watcher you feel a lot of tension !

So in a few words : A good thriller/horror film that will provide some entertainment !

Unleashed (2005)

Dramatic action ..

[7/10 · 31 December 2005]

A good movie, I was expecting worse, but to my amazement it just turned out really fine ! Leterrier was a perfect choice for Besson. Since, his directing was brilliant ! The shots/montage are greatly done ! Nothing bad to say about it ! As for the action scenes, even if they are not a lot, you can see some of them, that are very well orchestrated, with a Jet Li that is in top shape ! And ready to rumble.

Just don't expect a full action film, because most of the storyline is about the relationship between Danny (Jet Li) and Sam (Morgan Freeman) and Victoria. The story about Danny trying to regain his past, his memories, and to obtain freedom from his old master.

Which brings to the acting performance of the actor, which I have nothing bad to say about, they are all good ! But still, if all my comments about this movie are good, why did I give it a 7.

Well, because, even if the story is cute, it is nothing special, it doesn't impress you, more than that. The other point, is even if the actors are good, you really don't live inside that world and feel with them, their pains, sorrows and happiness... Which might be due to the lack of soundtrack...

So, in a few words : A good enjoyable movie to watch !