Angel-A

2005-Forgin

One of the movies I loved so much was the movie "Leon the Proffesional", an instant clasic. Another movie i had lots of fun watching in my youth was "The 5th Element". Now heres a film by the same director, in black and white, with an interesting motif.

Synopsis:

A looser finds himself with his lies catching up on him. All his fake stories of being a forgin drug dealer/American socialite as finally placed his back on the wall. Then as he was going to commit suicide he meets a beutiful woman on the same bridge. The 2 then form a bond, the woman forever in his debt due to him saving her life. Things go from one thing to another as the looser finaly finds his real self and the mysterious woman her reasons.

All-in-All:

I love the director. The acting from the 'looser' was great, and the cinematography was amazing utilizing Paris as another character itself. Almost as if the city iteslf was being affecting the movies characters and emotions. The biggest problem i have was the general storie. It lead to nowhere and then a last min. tension which practicly came out of left field, questioning the directors reasoning as of why even doing this twist. Plot predictable, and the story of self discovery, independance, and starting life over again ends with the notion of the 'Looser' finding someone to depend on to take care of all his problems.... and love?

Riko's Rating: D+

Altered States

1980-SciFi-Thriller

In the mood to keep my sanity in check. For the sake of maintaining absolute difference in uniform sociaty I needed to watch something to ballance my normacy. Van Damme Month has reminded me that i am still the product of the 90s and of its pop culture and Nostalgic medium. Needed to break away from this commercial toxin and jump into the wild mindbending world of Pseudo Sciences.

Synopsis:

A Scientist nominated for the nobel prize attempts to break the barrier of the human mind. He attempts to use Hallucienagenic drugs and a watter tank to see if he can 'Devolve' his mind to reach 'First Thought' . This reaserch drives him to the brink of insanity and with an Altered State of Mind De-evolved to a neandathal, or point of begining of existance himself. where the rabbit hole end is nothing compaired to the trials and difficulties he gains mentaly and physicaly.

All-in-All:

This movie is wild and keeps you in the edge of your seat to the end. Questions your ideas of the word 'Absolute' and even takes you to the psycidelic trip through images and uncomfortable moments. Great Acting, and eerie sound track, but I must warn you that this film isn't for everyone, i would only recomend this film to the Science Minded, and for people who dont take cinema too seriously.

Riko's Rating: B+

Universal Soldier

1992-Action

Week #2 of Damme Month Continues!

This week has been a blast from the past, in one of 'JCVDs' biggest movies/money makers to date, The Universal Soldiers. I mean what is a Damme Month withough at least one Memorable movie High?

Synopsis:

2 Soldiers, relics from the Vietnam War are brought back to life through a mixture of Science and Millatary Use. Along with other experiments to be the geates Soldiers any Millatary would love to have. Little did they know that these particular 2 have a bitter hatred toward eachother amounting to both thier deaths.

All-in-All:

I must say that this film truly does stand the tests of time. 16years later and the film still has action cues still being used today. Dolf Lungran totaly shines in this film, showing his full Acting Scope, and good ol JCVD? best pick up line EVER!

Riko's Rating: B-

Nightmare Detective

2006-Horror?

In a country rife with nutty liniar though comes another creepy story that is to make a person thing of the sound of one hand claping.

Synopsis:

A man that can enter dreams is haunted with a past of being a freak. A rookie woman detective, top of her class has her first experience with a suicide that she deems a murder and a killer that kills in your dreams. The thing that ties everything together is the idea of Suicide and the futility of life.

All-in-All:

I guess this proves the saying of the sound of one had claping, meaning nothing.... empty, and afterwards you get to hear a little acidic throwup going up your throught not due to the 'Shock and Violence' but the idea that people actualy think this is a Horror film. What makes things worse is the fact that the director/writer tries to make you think 'Deep Thoughts' about living life in an abstract underwater with a sunken sub (to show how deep it is i guess?) as if it is an excuss of the director to make you feel bad if you dont get it, but what it realy says is that the director doesnt know what to do and this film belongs next to your old 'scary stories' journal you wrote back in 5th grade cuz it mad you pee in your pants.

Riko's Rating: F

The Crying Freeman

1988-Japanime

This film is legendary for me. My uncle (now pastor) Sam used to read the comic back in his youth in the Philippenes. Once I remembered telling him I was into Japanime and he reffered to this comic then realizing i was only 11years old telling me to forget about it. Yea, legendary.

Synopsis:

An artistic pottery maker named Yo had an exibition in N.Y. and discovers a roll of film negatives (eat that digital era) disguarded in one of his Vases. He attmepts to turn it into the police and gets caught by the ones in the picture, an anchent Chinese Mafia sociaty. He then is cursed to do thier bidding and every kill he makes he cryies. If the Sociaty finaly agrees upon if his work is finaly satisfactory, he will be a Freedman. Hence the title "Crying Freedman".

All-in-All:

This movie is brutal, and doesnt let off.

The plot is idiotic, and simple, alomst doesnt make sence but the action, and quality (especialy for its time) is amazing. This is worth watcing only if you are into the throwback anime 80s and if like me, you want something to enjoy and laugh out loud ridiculous.

Rikos Rating: C+

Justice League: The New Frontier

2008-Animated

The trend that is sweeping Hollywood by storm is the Superhero genre. Everything from Batman, Spiderman, and even lesser ones like Hellboy gets love in the movie world due to its 'easy' guaranteed fanbase, and automatic buzz. But among all the live action big budget films, to most, they hold nothing compaired to the animated series/movies. 'Batman Mask of the Phantasm' far better than the older Batman movies, 'Superman Doomsday' better than Superman Returns, the list goes on and on.

Synopsis:

Its the 1950s and the cold war is underway. Everyone is terrified of the threat of nuclear war, and the sudden rush of the superhuman community is causing civil unrest. Some Heros registered but most retired and or continued withought support from thier government, nor other fellow commrads. A misterious creature known only as the Center feels it is his duty to wipe out mankind do to it being the Earths Leaches. The Heros in hiding and unawaire of the impending doom ahead of them, can they unite and creat a strong force in time?

All-in-All:

I must say that this film has got to be the greatest Superhero Film Ever! It has fan service (not the anime kind you perv) and many cameo apperences of heros. But the big shocker is the focus and narratives of the film itself, not by the 'Big 3' but by other A-listers but always lost in the shadows. A must watch for those of you that want to see an authentic superhero film withought the 'Kiddie' crap that most expect in this genre.

Riko's Rating: A+

The Lives of Others

2007-German-Suspense

In movies involving Forgin Cinema its difficult to relate to the culture, time period, and or characters, exept if the movie simple and general. In most forgini films we are forced to watch some sensless background/explination or even a slight history lesson to get us upto date.

This film however cuts the 'fat' and has you in a voigeristic sense, get involved in the characters from a distance.

Synopsis:

Set in the backdrop of East Germany 1980s, is a government orginization that specializes on interigation and setting wire taps on possible conspirators of the socialistic government.

When a successful playwright and his actress companion become subjects of the Stasi's secret surveillance program, their friends, family and even those doing the watching find their lives changed too.

All-in-All:

To say this film blew me away is downright an understatement. I feel a bit dead inside in almost forcing myself into watching this film at first thinking, "why did i want this again?" mentality.

The first few min. of the film sets the pace and doesnt let go. A must see film for those who seek something different.

Riko's Rating: A+