Swingers

1996-Comedy
Vince Vaughn

Yes, it took me a while to view this film. I had received this film from a friend for my birthday (August 22) and its been collecting dust since. I didn't have much expectations about this film, i though this would be another 'New Yorker in Los Angeles' movie.

Synopsis:
This is a story about Mike, a guy who left his girl in New York when he came to LA to be a star. It's been six months since his girlfriend left him and he's not doing so good. So, his pal and some other friends try and get him back in the social scene and forget about his 6 year relationship.

All-in-All:
This is a hard film to classify. A classic Comedy with witty banter with an actual plot. Reminds me of the Comedies of Dean Martins era, stylish, misogynistic, and simple. I especially enjoy the Las Vegas scene in which we get a 'REAL' Vegas and not the Vegas that Vegas Sells to us. A bunch of old people, and wannabes.

Riko's Rating: C+

Pathfinder

2007-Action/Epic
Staring:
Moon Bloodgood & Karl Urban

Viking Vs. Native American Warriors!
That enough for you? How about mix in Rambo 1st Blood? Now that should definitely guarantee an awesome and Manly Viewing... right?

Synopsis:
Story of a child abandoned by his Viking father in the new land (America) and raised by the Native Americans. An outcast by both his Nationality and Adopted Family he struggled in finding his purpose. Then one day the Vikings arrived to pillage and destroy the village. The 'Pathfinder' must now fend of his Past and protect the family that does not accept him.

All-in-All:
The question is posed, is this film Great? Vikings Vs. Native American Warriors, and mix "Rambo first Blood". The ingredients of a perfect Action Epic in the vein of "Gladiator" and "300". The visuals are beautiful, the costumes are amazing and terrifying, and the soundtrack perfectly used to amplify the effects. But what about the actual film? The film itself has minimal lines, you can view 20min. of footage without one solid word spoken. I have no problem with this, due to the average acting/performances, and the pacing of the film is horrible. In the end, the trailer gives you this idea of all action and brutality, but what you get is Zen like stillness and random shots of 'Stylish' brutality.

Riko's Rating: C-

Hak Kuen: Fatal Contact

2006- Chinese- Martial Arts
Jacky Wu

Ive been hearing a lot about this martial artist/actor. Every generation it is believed there is a 'Bruce Lee' of Asian cinema. After Bruce Lee, we had Jackie Chan, then Jet Li, and now, possibly Jacky Wu.
I've always considered him as China's response to Thailand's 'Tony Jaa' and to show that Chinese Nationalism.

Synopsis:
Jacky plays as a mainland china simpleton trying to get by making a living as an acrobatic performer using his martial arts. Being showed the need to make a better living with his companions, he is then exposed to the secret underground 'Fight Club' were people bet on fights and fighters receive a considerable purse. Jacky's friendships, romantic interests and personal beliefs is put to the test as he tries to make sense of all this that is around him.

All-in-All:
This film lives up to the hype of a great new Martial Artist and its brutal fight scenes, and showcasing this new contender in the Kung Fu genre. The story though takes a back seat as the characters are not relatable, and to some point frustrating. Can it be cultural differences? What ever the case may be the ending was logical, predictable, and to the point. It feels like the film didn't have an ending, and that when the time came, they just picked the simplest one, then instead of sticking with the statement, backs down and makes it 'Happy'.

Riko's Rating: B-

Shadow: Dead Riot

2006-Action/Horror

This film was made known to my group by a horrible trailer played before a horrible movie... possibly 3 months ago. We decided to hold of on the film due to our themed months. Now that Prison month is here, this is what we really dedicated this month for. So you can see the Hype we had going into this film, and the expectations of our "Man Movie" nights hold to standard.

Synopsis:
Shadow (Tony Todd) is a powerful/mystical mass murderer put to death. His body buried underneath the prison with his minions of mind controlled zombies. 20 years later this prison has re-opened as a Women's Correctional Facilities. Solitaire, a woman with a mysterious past, transferred to this prison fending off tough inmates (Tatianna Butler), and seeing visions of Shadow and his upcoming Resurrection.

All-in-All:
This film is a homage of "Riki-Oh: The story of Ricky". The writers and director wanted to originally update the story with a twist. In the end, this came out, and i must say... It was worth the rental. Fight choreography was exceptional (the choreography, not the actors) the all out ridiculousness, and the random shots of "Female Prison" experiences. Funny movie to watch and its always nice to see Candyman (Tony Todd) back to work.

Riko's Rating: B-

The Great Raid

2005- War/Drama

Its funny that the tag line is "A story that has Never Been Told" cuz this film was originally made in 2003, and due to the Disney-Miramax split this film was going to be lost in archive. 2 points in my book; #1 move was almost never released, #2 its about the Philippines war effort and as a Filipino i believe we should know more about what our grandparents/relatives went through during this time.

Synopsis:
Taking place towards the end of WWII, 500 American Soldiers have been entrapped in a camp for 3 years. Beginning to give up hope they will ever be rescued, a group of Rangers goes on a dangerous mission to try and save them.

All-in-All:
Is there such a thing as a High Budget B-Movie? Actually i know there is, its just that this movie amazes me for the whole B-Movie War Epic. Now as a viewer, ignore the historical inaccuracies like Margaret Utinsky was actually long gone by the time of this event occurs, she did not have a 'lover' caught in the POW camps and the list goes on and on. What this film is, is that it tells the story of what happened in Philippines during this time, war atrocities, and what the civilians/resistance do to help the successful 'Island Jumping Campaign. Acting was shallow, directing was below the standard and made horrible use of lighting (too dark) and pacing.

Riko's Rating: C

Letters from Iwo Jima

2007-Drama/War
Ken Watanabe

In every war film there is always some sort of bias, and an unfair narration of what side is 'Good' and 'Evil'. This film was filmed back to back with "Flags of our Fathers" both films directed by Clint Eastwood. This was an amazing idea, "Flags" for the American side, and "Iwo Jima" the Japanese side. The problem was that most American Viewers only sat through 1 ( i mean, c'mon! over $20 per person for the same movie/event?). In the end, "Iwo Jima" suffered he box office sales.

Synopsis:
The story of the battle of Iwo Jima between the United States and Imperial Japan during World War II, as told from the perspective of the Japanese who fought it.

All-in-All:
I have to say that this film is the closest to properly show both sides of the war, both noble and twisted in all its glory. In the end of any war, what is the difference? Both sides sends letters to loved ones, sharing hopes, fears, encouragement, both human, differences lie in loyalties, and blind faith on the sides in belief of their sides being 'Good'. This film wow's me and brings relevance in a genre filled with non-stop action and propaganda.

Riko's Rating: A+

The Slayers

1995- Fantasy/Japanese Animation

O-Nostalgia, how great is your sting.

I remembered watching this series in 1997 and it blowing my young mind with the quality of story, characters, and zainny antics. 11 years later, it is difficult to not get back into my old skin and imagine myself back into my old dark room that was formally a closet, and wet myself with yoohoo.

Synopsis:

In a fantasy world filled with dragons, wizards, goblins, and orcs we have our hero, Lina Inverse, known as a treasure hunter and bandit slayer (among other things). In her persute for riches and happiness (resulting in riches) she is met by traveling companions and a mysterious figure pulling her strings unknowing of this villains master plan of resurrecting the Demon God of Darkness.

All-in-All:
This series did not age well through the years. The animation was at best 'standard' for its time but standard back then translates to a little bit better than 'Bad' today. The art direction can be said the same, nothing amazing. If anything, this was a time when anime wasn't big money and people that directed and worked on this genre did it mostly for fun and labor of love. With all the nasty part said and done, the Characters are still funny, the jokes are relevant, and the life and spirit of Lina and company is by far something that today's industry lacks, charm and a real relationship between several drawn characters.

Riko's Series Rating: B+