Last Week's Movies #45

I watch so many movies that my movie memory is started to overload. So I've decided to start doing short reviews for each film I've watched during the week. Often they'll be movies I'm viewing for the first time, but some may be favourites that are getting their latest re-watch.

Crows Zero II
aka Kurôzu zero II

(Japan, 2009, Takashi Miike)

7/10

Takashi Miike's Crows Zero films are adaptions of the manga series Crows, although the movies function as prequels to the manga (hence the "zero"). The films focus on Japan's roughest (and seemingly teacherless) school - Suzuran - where tough (yet handsome and sometimes downright androgynous) teen boys fight to become top dog. The first film looks at internal struggles in the school, this sequel moves the story to school versus school as Genji (Shun Oguri) - his gang was the winner of the previous film's battle - takes on the Hosen Academy (a school with a long rivalry with Suzuran). Crows Zero II picks up right where the very fun original ended, and, while I've heard some say you don't need to see the original to watch this sequel, I'd imagine it would be quite confusing jumping straight into this one. Crows Zero II is not a disappointment and is a better than average sequel. It does, however, lack the structure and focus of the original. The original did a great job of presenting some fantastic - albeit cheesy - characters, and the rivalry between Serizawa (Takayuki Yamada) and Genji was a blast to watch. 

This sequel is a little scattered. Genji's character takes an irritating turn, spending most of the film being a bit of a bitch. Side characters are given little to do. Kyôsuke Yabe, who was great in the original as Ken the failed yakuza, has a completely irrelevant subplot that really bugged me after a while. The first half of the film is, overall, not too hot. The new characters from the Hosen school are fun, but I found myself wishing there was more of a focus on characters like Serizawa. Thankfully, Crows Zero II seems to take note of the problems that plague its opening half and things really pick up as the film nears the finale. The film's final battle has the same energy of the first and is possibly even more exciting. By the end of Crows Zero II, I felt satisfied. The film does an excellent job of redeeming itself. The Crows Zero films are definitely Miike at his most commercial. I'm guessing a lot of his fans won't like this, but I personally like seeing Miike in all his many guises.

Inception

(USA, 2010, Christopher Nolan)

9.5/10

While I still think The Dark Knight is Nolan's greatest achievement, Inception is not far behind. It was certainly my favourite movie of 2010. It is a great balance between solid scripting and mind blowing visuals. Not only that, but it is blessed with an unbelievable cast. DiCaprio makes for a great lead, but he is perhaps overshadowed by the performances from some of the minor players. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a stand out, but Ken Watanabe stole the show for me. Inception is constantly on the move and at times it feels like one big montage (and I mean that in a positive way). But its final fifteen or so minutes really take things to a whole new level of excitement.

 

The Killing Machine
aka Shôrinji kenpô

(Japan, 1976, Noribumi Suzuki)

8/10

The Killing Machine is a solid Sonny Chiba film. The film is based on the life of Doshin So, the originator of Shorinji Kempo. We see So's struggles, which begin at the end of the war, and his achievements that accumulate in the creation of his martial arts school. The Killing Machine takes itself quite seriously and, at times, can be unintentionally funny as it is so melodramatic. Chiba's character is the ultimate hero. He is completely flawless, and most of the movie he spends altruistically helping others (usually by beating up a bunch of villains). As serious as it intends to be, The Killing Machine still manages to entertain. The martial arts on display is impressive to say the least, and the film is gloriously violent. At one point - and I shit you not - Chiba cuts off a rapist's dick, which is then eaten by a dog! That alone warrants this film a viewing. The Killing Machine will definitely please Chiba fans.   

The Naked Island
aka Hadaka no shima

(Japan, 1960, Kaneto Shindô)

10/10

The Naked Island really took me surprise. I picked this up knowing next to nothing about it. I only grabbed it because of Kaneto Shindô's name on the cover. The Naked Island centres on a family that lives on a small island. We follow their repetitive daily operations, their hardships and their tragedies. The Naked Island is a masterpiece and is like no other film. It's amazing that a film with this little commercial appeal could ever get made. I hardly know where to begin in explaining why this film is so amazing. Everything is perfect - the cinematography, the performances, the music, the locations - but this film has a quality that goes beyond its technical excellence. This is truly a film with heart, although it never becomes overtly sentimental or dramatised. There's an authenticity to The Naked Island that is rare to find. Yes, this is one of my new favourites.  

She

(UK, 1965, Robert Day)

3.5/10

It took me three viewings to get through Hammer's version of She. Never has a film had such an impressive ability to put me to sleep. With that in mind, I can't be bothered saying much about this one. This is one of Hammer's worst, and it surprises me this film is as well known as it is. For the most part, She is dull beyond belief. There are a handful of almost exciting scenes, but they are certainly few and far between. The whole film is a waste of talent. The performances are uniformly weak, even the great Peter Cushing doesn't come off too well here. The only decent performance is from Christopher Lee, and it's far from his best. I'm not sure what it is that makes She so incredibly boring. It has decent sets, some action and the story isn't too horrible. But, wow, my eyes got heavy after the opening credits. Don't bother with this crap.  

Watership Down

(UK, 1978, Martin Rosen)

9/10

Watership Down is a powerful animated film indeed. It's a film that has become well known for being supremely depressing and in no way suitable for children. But I would have to argue against its reputation. Yes, Watership Down, at times, is quite depressing. And it is undeniably intense and very effective. But for the most part, I found it quite positive and uplifting. I also wouldn't have a problem with allowing a child sitting through this. It may be a little upsetting, but there is a strong message that I think would get through to a younger viewer. Watership Down has a wonderful look. The animation is detailed and creative (its more surreal moments are especially impressive). The designs of the rabbits are kept realistic, but enough personality shines through to distinguish characters. There's very little to complain about here. A film well deserving of its classic status. 

Yakuza Deka 2
aka Yakuza deka: Marifana mitsubai soshiki

(Japan, 1970, Yukio Noda)

5/10

Yakuza Deka 2 is a pretty disappointing sequel. The original was goofy fun with endless action and lots of lovely exploitative violence. The sequel is more goofy than it is fun. It leans more towards comedy than action and suffers terribly for it. Everything about this film is ridiculous and, for the most part, not in a good way. Every performance - Chiba including - is exaggerated to embarrassing heights. The action is okay, but there's not enough of it and it lacks the creativity of its predecessor. Yakuza Deka 2 is drowning in lame comedy scenes. Sometimes the comedy is so awful that it generates a few so-bad-it's-good laughs, but most of the time it's unbearable. The film is not a total loss. Like the first, it's shot well and has a good (and dated) score. Chiba, while he's not so great here, is still likable, and the film is short enough not to be completely unwatchable. Still, this is pretty bad as far as my limited exposure to Sonny Chiba films goes.