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Reviews
Batman Begins (2005)
Finally a movie that does Batman Justice
When i first saw this movie; i have to admit i didn't think it held up to the Burton originals (Batman and Batman Returns). But after seeing it for a second time i realized how deep this movie really is. Batman Begins is all about the inner conflicts that occur within Bruce Wanye. This movie truly delivers on the the emotional trauma that young Bruce went through; and as the movie progresses it pulls you in deeper and deeper into what goes on in his head to make him become "The Batman." By becoming grittier and darker than its predecessors Christopher Nolan is able to finally do the comics justice and reboot this wonderful franchise. This movie might not be as supernatural in its approach nor is does it have any of the mainstream villains that we remember from the TV show but it does have intellect, heart, and most of all the atmosphere Gotham has always been waiting for.
Gojira (1954)
A Disturbing look at a Bleak future
Gojira (Godzilla) is a cautionary tale involving the Terrors of Nuclear warfare. In the original version this message is intact and left audiences in awe with its tale. While the American version, however did not silence the message but definitely muted it. Gojira is the best of all the Gojira movies, because it showed the raw power and devastation of our ways. It showed us the destruction of our own power. That is what makes Gojira so powerful and unyielding. With the images of a Devastated Tokyo and the suffering of the people after the first attack by the monster reminds us of the people who have suffered because of War. The Director Ishiro Honda in 1991, two years before his death, said that he always hoped Gojira (Godzilla) could help bring an end to nuclear testing and arms proliferation, but has continually lamented that he failed in his mission. And Gojira's messages is not more evident than it is now, in today's world. In 1954 a monster made form nuclear weapons arose and warned man-kind to extinguish the fire of war and weapons, but now in the year 2006 he just might awaken and devastate man-kind once again
Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956)
Americanized Version of a Japanese Master piece
Godzilla: King of the Monsters starring Raymond Burr is a completely different work than the original Gojira. In the American version many references of the Nuclear Test have been muted and almost non-exsitent. While the Japanese version has many cautions about the plight of Nuclear war. Perhaps that decision was politically manipulated for the American Audience or it could be for the fact that the American producers wanted bottom-line cash and hook even if it meant making Godzilla: King of the Monsters no deeper than the flying saucer. All in all This movie is good for a laugh, but if your looking for a deep and haunting tale then opt for the original Gojira which has just recently been released of DVD by Classic Media.
Sam gang 2 (2004)
China, Korea, Japan the cross cultural mix has defeated Hollywood's best
Three...Extremes falls from the new Asian Movie craze. This new wave of Asian movies has had a big impact on Hollywood, bringing on fresh ideas to a stagnant one genre Hollywood.
But Three...Extremes is a unique movie offering three shorts form 3 Masterful directors Fruit Chan(China), Chan-wook Park(Korea), and Takashi Miike(Japan).
These three directors offer 3 different perspectives on horror. in Fruit Chan's Dumplings the central topic is all too real which is to be expected from his movies. Dumplings is the masterpiece of Three...Extemes; offering a disturbing view of China's problems as well as another more universal message, the need for beauty is a plight to women-kind. Dumplings takes you on a roller-coater ride of suspense drama and most of all sympathy. I have never seen any like Dumplings in my entire life.
Chan-wook Park's Cut is another extreme view on the world of Korea and Park's never ending thesis of revenge has continued in Cut, but in a more "extreme" way. The political implications of this movie go way beyond Korea, but touches on the relation ship between the impoverished and the wealthy of the world
Takashi Miike's Box is a cinematographic wonder. using very few words the short displays a sort of subtle horror which grows and grows until it explodes in a loom of surprises. Takashi Miike's psychological direction takes full helm of this short. I have never been so focused on one detail of a movie in utter silence.
All three of these directors were able to conjure up something Hollywood has been trying to do for years and that is SUBSTANCE. They have brought meaning to their movies, rather than bringing cheap shocks and short thrills. They bring up deep disturbing views into the near future that will haunt you every time you wrong someone, eat a dumpling, or dream. The masters of horror have died in Hollywood and have resurrected in Asia...