The Samurai of Ayothaya - Thailand

          Director:  Nopporn Watin
          Year:  2010
          Plot:  "Based on a true historic figure during Ayothaya Era, the film depicts the life of Yamada Nagamasa, a Japanese adventurer who gained considerable influence in Thailand and became the governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat province in southern Thailand."

          I know many people don't agree with my rating, by this I mean many of the people who voted on IMDb as it only got a 5.9 out of 10 rating.  Now though I agree that this movie wasn't a 10 out of 10, I loved this movie.  Oh and one person brought up that for a based on a true story it didn't seem very realistic.  My response is that it is 'based on' and not a documentary.  It was made to be entertaining and not exactly completely historically true.
          I really loved the way that they portrayed the story.  I really love the idea that these people would take in an injured enemy rather than leave him to die.  This fact just really spurs on the events of the rest of the movie.  It is kindness and acceptance that leads the main character to want to be apart of the life rather than seeing them as enemies.
          Someone brought up that the samurai and ninjas aren't as weak as you see in the film.  I have to agree that they were impressive figures in history, but I can accept there lacking in this movie for one reason.  In this movie, it seems that the Japanese characters (samurai and ninja) haven't encounter these warriors before.  I find it hard to believe that a ninja or samurai could be prepared for their sort of fighting style.  It would probably be very intimidating to face someone with such a drastically different style for the first time.  I also have to point out that the samurai beat many ninjas drunk, so they already didn't seem very tough.
          There wasn't really too much I disliked.  I didn't like that they sometimes speed up the fighters and it almost looked like they were teleporting.  I mean if you are going for real fighting styles for most of the movie, the teleporting looks wrong.  I mean these are real people.  Sure the fighting is about speed and power, but real peoples speed and power.

          I do suggest you watch this movie.  Despite the vote on IMDb, this movie is very good.  The story line is just great.  I of course have to bring up the quality of the warriors fighting.  It is really quite great to watch.

Waiting in the Dark - Japan

          Director:  Daisuke Tengan
          Year:  2006
          Plot:  "Michiru has recently lost her eyesight.  To make matters worse, her father dies shortly afterwards.  She is now all alone and spends most of her day isolated in her home.  Akihiro is a Chinese-Japanese immigrant, that has had to deal with racism all throughout his life.  He is now tormented at work by one of his older co-workers named Toshio.  One day at a train station in front of Michiru's house, Toshio is thrown into the path of an oncoming train.  The only person seen at the train stop was Akihiro.  Akihiro frantically flees from the scene and manages to enter Michiru's house without her knowledge.  After a few days, Michiru starts to sense the presence of another person in her home."


          First off, I have to say that this movie is going in my "Want" list as I will be planning on getting it when I have the money to.  At first, this movie may have seemed a little slow as it goes through the life of Michiru before her visitor comes.  The thing is though it is still kind of interesting to see how she lives.  I really thought what her father did with the card was sweet, working on it at night and all.  The movie gets to the point when Michiru hears her doorbell and no one answers her, yet the person sneaks in.
          The story then switches to that of Akihiro.  I was quite upset with seeing the way he was treated.  It definitely wouldn't be hard to understand why he might have pushed Toshio.  It just isn't right to make the guy go through all of that.  
          His time though with Michiru is rather touching.  No words are said and she doesn't even know he is there.  Little things though clue her in.  When she almost hurts her self trying to reach something, Akihiro mistakenly announces himself without saying a word.  After this, there relationship is quite nice.  Michiru easily accepts his presence, much to the bewilderment of many reviewers.  I though could understand the reasoning.  He had been in her house for quite awhile and never did anything to her.
          I have to say that the outcome of the little mystery was something I hadn't really expected.  I loved how they kept it quite shrouded and alluded to a different outcome.  I usually love hints to the ending, but I was quite happy with the opposite in this one.  Yes, when you think back there are a few things that explain what was really going on, but with other information you really couldn't have guessed it.


          I am not sure why I decided to give this only 4 stars.  The main reason I guess would be that parts were kind of slow.  This doesn't mean I didn't love this movie.  I highly suggest this, but I probably wouldn't watch it when you want something fast paced and exciting.  n.n

Midnight FM - Korea

          Director:  Sang-Man Kim
          Year:  2010
          Plot:  "Popular TV anchorwoman & late night radio host Sun-Young prepares to work her final radio program. After this program she will prepare to take her ill daughter to America the following morning. During the radio show Ko Sun-Young receives a startling text message."

          Yes, I found this movie to be quite entertaining.  The best point and rightfully so was the ending.  This definitely wasn't one of those movies that build up to a climax just to come up short and leave a bad taste in the mouths of the audience.  This movie came to a very well done and great ending.  It is definitely one that I was completely happy with.
          I don't really understand the one bad review that I found for this movie.  The person said that this movie was predictable and annoying as well as not having one thrilling scene in the movie.  I serious have a problem with that.  There was many scenes that had my heart going and me very worried.  It was the little kids mainly.  I just can't help but worry for cute little kids, especially with the movie being well done.
          There isn't really all that much that I can see as being wrong with this movie.  About all I can see is that the movie starts off a bit slow, but that seems to be purposeful.  The movie starts off will rather boring coworker chatter and all, but that is just a set up.  Once the movie starts its buildup, the pace starts increasing quite nicely.

          I definitely suggest this movie.  It is a great thriller.  I really did enjoy watching this movie and I believe many others will as well.  The only reviews up on IMDb for this movie at the moment highly praise this movie, and as I have said, it is for good reason.

I Give my First Love to You - Japan

          Director:  Takehiko Shinjo
          Year:  2009
          Plot:  "As a child Takuma is diagnosed with a heart condition that requires care from a cardiologist.  He soon becomes friends with his doctors young daughter Mayu while being treated at the hospital.  One day Mayu overhears her father saying that Takumas condition is serious enough that he most likely wont live beyond the age of 20.  Takuma at 8-years-old he makes a promise to marry Mayu when grow up.  Later in life, Takuma becomes aware that he wont be able to keep this promise and he begins distancing himself from Mayu in hopes of protecting her."


          I first have to say that I can't believe I put this movie off since I came across it in May.  After seeing it, it just seems so wrong that I waited so long to watch this.  So this movie is based off a manga of the same name by Kotomi Aoki which I have not read.  I have to say this so those who have read it know that I am simply talking about this movie and not how it stuck to the manga.
          I really enjoyed this one, though I am sure that is evident based on the rating I gave it.  n.n  But really, this is a very sweet touching story, not to mention quite sad in parts.  I just loved the fact that the main characters have been together since they were kids.  You can't beat a first love like these two had.  Usually a first love is just a simple crush, but this is so much more than that, it is a rather amazing little love story.
          I didn't really see anything in this movie that I could say was bad or disappointing.  Of the reviews from others I have seen, it seems all they think was wrong was that it was 'cliche' or boring.  The main point they said was 'cliche' was the fact that two guys fall for the same girl.  I don't feel this is very cliche because for one it is only a small part of the movie, and for another, it is resolved on a rather quiet note.
          As for the point of being boring, I didn't get this at all.  I was really into the characters and the story, so it seemed like the time was used very well.  Time doesn't seem like a big deal when you can feel for the characters.


          I really can't say anything more about this movie, or I might give away everything.  All I can say is that I highly recommend this movie.  It is a really great story and very touching.  I am sure there will be some like the few that I found that didn't like this movie, but you cannot know unless you give it a try.  You might just be surprised and fall completely in love with this movie.

Dasepo Naughty Girls - Korea

          Director:  Je-yong Lee
          Year:  2006
          Plot:  "Based on the popular Internet novel, "Multi-Cell Girl", the film takes place in "No-Use High School", a school renowned for its sexual aberrations.  The student body is comprised of sexually ambiguous teenagers.  But amidst this environment, there are some that just can't adapt.  Among them: "Poor Girl", a student who earns money for her family by sleeping with older men; "Anthony", a luxurious pretty-boy from Switzerland; and "One-Eye", the school's sole virgin."

          When the movie first started, I kept asking myself why I was watching this movie.  I mean the opening scene with all the students excusing themselves seemed a little out there.  I mean really every single person (Except One-Eye) was connected and had to leave.  This of course then leads to a very strange musical number.  Though I thought the girls dancing through the different religions was kind of cool.  The fact is though that this movie starts off really strange.
          The interesting thing is though that this movie turned out to be rather good.  I did skip most of the little musical numbers after I figured out what it was about.  The rest of the story line was quite good.  You see the lives of some interesting characters, but it mainly revolves around the life of Poor Girl.
          I also have to say that some parts were really funny.  I absolutely loved the scene with the guy chatting with a girl on the computer.  It was hard to keep from laughing and waking up those who were sleeping.  The only thing that was more ridiculous than funny was the way they were trying to defeat the rather strange being.

          This movie is one I would say I would definitely suggest.  It is a rather funny movie, though it also has its serious points.  It is one that should only be watched if you are in the mood for a comedy.  If you want something serious, you should probably stay away.

The Princess Blade - Japan

          Director:  Shinsuke Sato
          Year:  2001
          Plot:  "In the near future, Japan is ruled once more by a monarchy.  But, rebels opposed to this rule seek to overthrow the government.  The House of Takemikazuchi, a band of assassins is hired by the government to suppress the rebels.  As a conspiracy from within signals the shadowy organization's impending demise, Yuki, the last of the Takemikazuchi bloodline befriends one of the rebels and seeks revenge against the group's leader."


          This movie really was quite disappointing.  It is just that I really wasn't very happy with this movie at all.  I started watching it because I wanted to see a movie with a strong female character.  Though this movie has that, it lacks much else.  The fight scenes weren't very thrilling, but that could also have to do with the fact that I watched it on YouTube, but some things just seemed wrong.  Parts of the fights were just edited too fast to be very entertaining.  It really seems sad from what I seen to know that Donnie Yen choreographed the fights.  It just didn't seem to do much justice, there were a few scenes though that were actually pretty good.
          The characters of this movie were quite dull.  I don't think it was the actor's faults, but the story line itself.  The story line didn't leave enough room for much development of any of the characters, even that of the main characters.  Sure there was a little, but the bare minimum.
          I don't really know much else to say about this movie.  Oh I know.  I want to point out that that one sword gimmick looked completely horrible.  If a sword goes through someone and sticks out their back, how is it perfectly clean and shiny.  Usually I don't notice stupid stuff like that, but that kind of irritated me.  >.<


          This is not a movie I would necessarily suggest to anyone.  It was really quite disappointing.  If you are going to give this movie a shot, please don't expect a masterpiece.  That is the only way you might be at most satisfied with this movie.

Postman to Heaven - Korea

          Director:  Lee Hyeong-Min
          Year:  2009
          Plot:  "Jaejoon, isn't your ordinary postman, he delivers letters to Heaven from those missing there loved one.  Ha-Na is one such person, and together they try to ease the grief of the letter senders."

          Okay before I start, I do of course have to admit that I watched this simply because I am a Jaejoong fan (which add to the fact that I wasn't happy that IMDb didn't even have him listed as the star of this movie, Han Hyo-joo either).  Anyway, the thing is though I am not sure if that had anything to do with how I rated this movie.  You see, this was a really well done movie.
          The idea of this movie was really cute.  I think it is nice that the grieving people would have a place to send there thoughts, and that somebody actually comes and takes them.  The thing is though not all of them want to send warm messages.  Some of them messages show that there is something keeping them from moving on with their life.  The really sweet part is that this is where the movie really focuses on.
           I really thought it was great how the main characters would come up with ways to ease the people's heartache.  It really is very sweet, but also leads to a bit of trouble down the road.  It is hard to see who was in the right, the one lying to make someone feel better, or the one who felt it was wrong.  This rather philosophical is handled quiet well within the movie and I quite enjoyed it.
          There are endings that you just want to see happen and then there are those that are played out in a really cheesy manner.  Thankfully this movie's ending was of the former rather than the latter.  They handled it well when it could have easily turned out to be very cheesy.  This one was rather sweet.  n.n

          This is one I would definitely suggest, and not just to Jaejoong fans.  This is one I would sure like to have in my collection (I have a list going, man I need to get my financial aid refund soon >.<).

My Sassy Girl - Korea

          Director:  Jae-young Kwak
          Year:  2001
          Plot:  "Based on a series of true stories posted by Ho-sik Kim on the Internet describing his relationship with his girlfriend.  These were later transformed into a best-selling book and the movie follows the book closely.  It describes the meeting of Kyun-woo and an unnamed girl.  Kyun-woo is shamed into assisting the girl because the other passengers mistakenly think she is his girlfriend.  Once he helps her, Kyun-woo develops a deep sense of responsibility for her which enables him to tolerate (somehow) the girls abuse."

          So this was another movie that has been sitting in my 'to watch' list for awhile and I just finally decided to watch this movie.  I am kind of glad I did.  I found this to be a rather nice movie.  It wasn't as great as many had lead me to believe it would, but it was still a rather good movie.
          I loved the comedy of this movie.  My favorite parts had to be the high heels and the squash ball.  Those two parts had me laughing the hardest.  I did find how she bullied Kyun-woo to be rather funny.  The part on the subway with the soldiers was quite good.  I mean this guy has terrible luck it seems, but it is cute that things do work themselves out.
          This movie has kind of a little twist if you weren't paying attention.  If you were paying attention, you would have seen it coming, as there was quite a few hints.  Still though when it finally came about I was actually quite happy with it.  Instead of having the feeling that well I figured that out ages ago thanks for catching up, I found it sweet.  It is interesting to see the idea of fate in this movie.
          I can't really say that there was anything wrong with this movie.  It was a little lengthy, but I wasn't really bored during the movie.  I felt that is was quite well done.  It simply just didn't live entirely up to what people had been saying about this movie.  Still, I felt that this was quite good and entertaining to watch.

          I plan on suggesting this movie, but I wouldn't advise people to go into this movie with such high expectations.  It was a great movie, but because I had been expecting nearly perfection, this movie wasn't that.  I think this movie might have gotten a higher rating from me if I hadn't heard what people had been saying about it.

Yes or No - Thailand

          Director:  Sarasawadee Wongsompetch

          Year:  2010

          Plot:  "Pie is a sweet girl who moves into a new college dorm room where she finds out that her new roommate Kim, is a tomboy who looks and dress like a boy.  As their friendship develops, Pie and Kim begin to wonder if the feeling they feel for one another is just an ordinary friendship or true love."

          I am not sure why, but I felt in the mood for a romance movie.  I searched through a bunch of movies trying to find one to watch, and stumbled upon this one.  I decided I had to watch it from the plot summary alone.  I swear, I didn't even read any comments on this one before deciding it was a must see for me.

          It seems my instincts on this one were entirely correct.  A lot of times, I have a hard time watching some Lesbian themed movies.  It isn't because I have a problem with the subject, as I am bisexual, it is actually because of how they handle the matter.  This movie though did so well with the subject matter.  This movie was more about the emotion and feeling than an actual physical relationship (it doesn't lack PDA, but uses it sparingly when it is needed and not just to sell the movie).

          I absolutely loved how this movie progressed.  The two start of on kind of a sour not due to Pie, it is quite funny in the movie.  I absolutely love her painting herself into a corner so to speak, well not painting, more taping.  Anyway, this movie really progressed the relationship between them quite well.  It is easy to see the attraction between the two, but also the hard time they are having excepting it, at least on one side of the relationship.

          The two girls have to work hard to be close in this one, what with Jane, P'Van and Pie's mother.  The thing is though that there is also those who are on their side.  I love Kim's Aunt.  She is really a caring person in this movie and only wants to help out her niece.

           I really can't say anymore about this movie except that I loved it and it made me cry more than once.  This really is a touching love story with some rather funny moments.  Yes or No is definitely on I suggest everyone not opposed to a Lesbian relationship watch.

Sunflower - Korea

          Director:  Seok-beom Kang
          Year:  2006
          Plot:  "Released from prison, Taesik goes to live with an adopted mother. He takes a job and tries to live a quiet life with his new family. His efforts are threatened when a politician seeks to knock the family restaurant down to build a mall."


          This story is of course on that has been done before.  There are many stories of a recently released prisoner that returns home and redeems themselves by saving the town or what not.  (That's not exactly how this one happens, but pretty close to the same thing.)
          This movie was rather a surprise to me.  Sure, it isn't hard to see some things coming because this is a rather common story line.  The reason this one surprised me is because it was really well done.  It isn't too often that I stay interested in a movie that is kind of slow, especially when I had been expecting some action (there is some, but mainly just at the end).
          Despite the fact that the movie was a little slow, it easily kept my interest.  The best point of this movie was our main character Taesik.  I loved that at first he seemed all quiet and a bit innocent like.  When his past is revealed, you understand that this is because of his bad history and wanting to now be a good person.  He really is a good person it seems.  The notebook he carries around is really a nice addition to the story.  I love that instead of having things he needs to do to put things right, he has things that he needs to do to either be a good person or that he never got to do, like a picnic.
          Now about the fight scenes.  These were quite lacking in the movie.  They really only existed for like the last five minutes, if that.  There was more scenes of people beating on the hero, but it isn't really a fight scene if it isn't two sided.  There was one scene though of this that I absolutely loved.  In this specific scene, instead of worrying about himself, he only worried about another person.  This really showed how far he had come.
          The ending was kind of sad, but I guess it worked.  Though I didn't really care for how they ended the scene with Taesik, I absolutely loved how they ended it with the sister.  That part was really nice and it really ended this movie in a really nice way.

          I will be suggesting this one as well as owning it soon.  The only reason I wouldn't suggest this movie is if you are looking for high paced action.  This one definitely isn't that, but it wasn't too slow or even boring for me.  I felt that this was a really nice version of a rather common story line.

Clash - Vietnam

          Director:  Le Thanh Son
          Year:  2009
          Plot:  "Trinh, a mercenary, must complete a series of organized crime jobs for her boss in order to win the release of her kidnapped daughter.  She hires several mercenaries to help, including Quan, who she becomes attracted to.  Trinh and Quan's relationship becomes complicated as it becomes evident that their motivations are not the same."


          This was a really good movie.  The ideas in this movie are rather common within this type of movie.  I can't really talk specifics or it would ruin the movie.  Even though the ideas in this movie are quite common, I felt that this movie handled them in a very nice way.
          Even though the topic is sometimes over done, the characters really kept this movie going.  I really loved Trinh's character.  She is a really tough cookie.  The thing is though, she is a great character because she isn't all that strong.  She has her weaknesses, and that is a good thing for her character.  She cares for people.  I do love the fact though that she can take care of herself, sure she is saved quite a few times, but most of it seems like the one doing the saving just wants to save her, instead of her needing it.
          I was really happy with the fight scenes in this.  I was a little disappointed when they took a little time out for a gun fight, but they soon returned to some rather brutal fighting.  I loved seeing Trinh beat on the guys.  That was definitely a big highlight of this movie.
          I really don't know what else I can say about this movie.  It isn't that I don't have much more to say, it is that fact that I might give away a little too much of this movie.


          This was a really well done movie.  The characters were great.  The story line though having been done before, to a degree, was still quite good.  I also have to say that the fight scenes were rather great to watch.

K.G. (Karate Girl) - Japan

          Director:  Yoshikatsu Kimura
          Year:  2011
          Plot:  "When she was a child, a mysterious group killed Ayaka’s father, kidnapped her sister Natsuki and stole a black belt passed down in her family for 200 years.  Years later when the group makes a reappearance, she decides to do whatever it takes to get Natsuki back."


          I am not sure why I decided to watch this one, but I guess it had to do with the almost 4 star rating on one of my sites.  After watching this movie, I wasn't quite sure on how to rate this one myself.  I did feel that the story line was decent though it wasn't anything really special.  Some of the major points didn't even seem to work themselves out.  I do not know if this fact was due to the horrible subtitles or an actual error in the plot.  I also was irritated with the replaying of scenes.  A fight scene looks great as a base scene but when you play a clip again right after you just seen it, it takes away from the movie.
          I am serious about the horrible subtitles.  They really ruined the movie a bit for me.  I watched it online, and tried a few different versions with the same result, so I do not know if is on the dvd or not.  The subtitles weren't so bad that I couldn't understand any of the movie, but it was quite bad.  There were parts where the kept saying he and him when they were talking about a girl, and in other parts the subtitles sentence structure was all out of order.  It is hard to get into a story when you are constantly trying to decipher subtitles.
          I did like part of this movie.  I liked that our main character is just a seemingly normal girl, she even seem to really downplay her abilities in the beginning.  I did wonder though why she went and got changed into a school uniform before heading over to the bad guy's lair, but I over looked that.  I really did enjoy when the sisters were working together.  It turned out quite well.
          I did find the resolution of this movie to be a little disappointing.  I did not understand exactly why they fought the one guy.  He was a bad guy, but it didn't really look like he was going to fight them, and they attacked him.  The only real good thing about the ending actually came in the credits.  I loved that they showed the girls practicing the stunts and all.  It really made the feeling of the movie slightly better.


         I did feel that this was an okay movie.  It isn't one that I would get excited over watching again but it used up my time decently.  I would suggest watching this only if you found one with decent subtitles as I think that would make this movie considerably better.

I'm a Cyborg, but that's Okay - Korea

          Director:  Chan-wook Park
          Year:  2006
          Plot:  "A girl who thinks she is a combat cyborg checks into a mental hospital, where she encounters other psychotics.  Eventually, she falls for a man who thinks he can steal people's souls."


          Okay for starters, I have to admit that I watched this one just for Rain.  I can't help some slight fan-girl tendacies that I have.  n.n
          This was definitely a good movie.  It had some very funny moments, but that is in no way the highlight of the movie.  The best part in the whole movie really was the relationship between the two patients.  I simply loved Rain's character.  He was so weird, especially that hair, but I love the sneaky ways he finds to save her.  I also have to say that the last scene really is my favorite.
          It kind of sucks that I can't be spending my money for awhile, because I really want to own this movie. There really is a lot to love about this one.  It is interesting to see the different issues the various patients have, like the really polite one, and how they interact with someone like Rain's character.  Of course our Cyborg girl  seems the most elaborate of them all.  I absolutely love the batteries she uses through the movie.  She is definitely dedicated to her belief.
          Like I said, the movie is more about the relationship of the two main characters, and it is played out well in the movie.  First, he is just somebody with that ability that she thinks she needs and slowly he becomes somebody that she can trust.  Not to mention she can rely on in her delusions.


          This movie was well worth my time.  It kept me entertained from start to finish, and I even got a little attached to the characters.  If you watch this movie, which I hope you do, you have to pay close attention to the top of the thing they take outside at the end of the movie.  It makes the scene so much sweeter.  n.n

A Little thing Called Love - Thailand

           Director:  Puttipong Pormsaka Na-Sakonnakorn and Wasin Pokpong
           Year:  2010
           Plot:  "Nam is talented and funny, but with plain looks.  She falls in love with the older Shone, one of the best-looking guys in school.  Will she get her first love?"


          I have to say first off that this is one of the cutest movies I have watched.  I think it even rivals The Love of Siam, from the same country.  This one didn't have to work to hard to get me laughing in one scene and almost in tears in the next.  It really is a great movie, but I think I need to talk some details.
          The main point of this movie is a cute story about a young girls first love.  I love that it centers around first love, because that allows for so many opportunities.  I feel that they did take this movie to a good place.  It had its funny parts, but (like many Asian movies) they didn't take it to far.  The comedy really balanced out well with the rest of the story.
          Not only is the love part of the story important, but this movie also shows the importance of friendship. It was really sweet to see the four girls together all the time.  I did love the fact that they even had a little bit of a falling out.  It really does just make for a great plot.
          The changes the main character goes through are quite amazing.  She starts out as this rather, shall we say ugly girl.  As things progress, she slowly starts letting out the beauty she holds.  The thing is though did she really need to change?  That is a question that I have figured out is a no.  This is not because of some anti-barbie movement or anything, but because of something specific in the movie.  It has to do with a notebook and one little phrase "She looks the same".  Okay, I won't say anymore about it or I will gush too much.
          Now quickly about the ending.  I think this was a very cute way to end the movie.  I love the fact that people set it up to happen knowing how much it would mean.  I also love the fact that their is a moment where you are not sure about what is going to happen, a well place pause ensures that.  That one little pause makes the ending very sweet.


          The entire movie was really well done and I absolutely loved the characters progressions and their relationships.  This is one I intend to own and on that I am going to highly suggest to may friends and those who read this post.  n.n

The Restless - Korea

          Director:  Dong-oh Cho and Dong-oh Jo
          Year:  2006
          Plot:  "It is AD 924, at the end of the United Shilla Dynasty.  Evil forces are rampant and malicious demons roam the land.  A royal demon hunting squad exist known as the Chuh-yong-dae.  YI Kwak, born with the power to see spirits, excels as the most talented warrior of these demon hunters and one day drifts into Joongcheon, the world of the dead through a strange shrine."


          I found this movie to be a rather interesting watch.  The story is rather sweet as it mainly encompasses love transcending even death itself.  It is quite a romantic notion.  The fact is though that it also contains some vary interesting fight scenes.
          The fight scenes in this movie were interesting in a non-realistic sense.  Yes, there was much flying in this movie.  The flying isn't a problem for me, especially when you take the story line into account.  Nearly the entire movie takes place in a spirit world and most of the characters are in fact spirits.  To me that seems to justify most of the characters fighting styles.
          The only major problem I seen with the fighting or anything thing had to do with the female lead.  In one scene, her hips seemed to be jerked awkwardly.  The fact that the scene was slowed down just enhanced the odd pose.
           I really enjoyed the love story behind the fighting.  During the movie, you were given bits and pieces of the characters living love story.  The fact that he never gives up on his love for her is really sweet.  Even though people he cared about in the past stood in the way, he still chose to try for love.  Can't beat that.  n.n


          The story line is very well done and the characters are just as good.  I was a bit confused with the ending, but I decided not to let that drag down my rating.  With the rest of the well told love story, the ambiguous ending didn't seem to matter enough to change my rating.  n.n

Invisible Target - China

          Director:  Benny Chan
          Year:  2007
          Plot:  "Three cops team up to bring down a criminal gang of seven, who have their own hidden agenda."


          The plot sure seems rather boring as it stands, but it gets better when I tell you that those cops are none other than Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue, and Jaycee Chan (Jackie Chan's son) and that the main bad guy is Jacky Wu.  If that didn't make this movie sound better, let's just say all the movies I have watched with any of them in it turn out to be pretty good.
          As about the movie itself, it is a a rather big winner in my book.  The story line to it is very well done.  Each cop has there own reasons for wanting to catch the bad guys.  Not only does each cop have their own story, but the bad guys do as well.  This one doesn't have the irritating ultimate evil, you know the guys that are pure bad and nothing good about them, but that doesn't mean they aren't viable bad guys either.  It is the fact that they have some sliver of human in them that makes them very good characters.
          The stunts in this movie were great as well.  It was the director that requested that no stunt doubles be used in this movie.  That fact makes all the stunts even better.  I mean sure they tried to keep them as safe as possible, but it's really Jaycee landing in fire, and really Nicholas and Shawn getting fiery bits blown at them.  You can't get much better than knowing that the cast were in all the scenes they were supposed to be in and not some stunt guy pretending to be them.  For me it makes an action movie all the better.
          I really liked how this movie ended.  The final fights played out to the characters.  They really did work themselves out really well.  I also have to say I loved the final scene during the credits before the stunt parts came up.  I just felt that part was so nice and rather touching to see make it in there even if it was during the credits.  I am going on a bit much here, so I will end it.  n.n


          The action to this movie is really great, but the story line is just as superb.  This is just another one that needs to be added to my collection.

Sasori - Japan

          Director:  Joe Ma
          Year:  2008
          Plot:  "A ruthless pack of thugs force mild-mannered, caught-in-the-middle-of-something-bigger Nami to murder her fiance's sister, decidedly ruining her pending marriage and landing the poor girl in the most brutal women's prison. Here she decides to stop being a victim. She eventually escapes the prison and returns to the streets in order to make the thugs who ruined her life pay. By this time, Nami prefers to go by the name of Sasori (Scorpion)."

          Apparently, this is a remake of Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion, but I haven't seen them.  Generally I stay away from movies made in the 70's, but I might eventually watch those versions.  I say might, because I did enjoy this remake, to a point.  It is also based off the manga of the same name by Toru Shibohara.
          I felt that the plot of this movie was really good.  There was two little plot holes that I seen and was a little confused with the Hei Tai ending, but there weren't any major problems.  I do have to say that the fight scenes got a little weird even for me.  I mean usually I can ignore when the fights are fantastical, but parts of this one were just too much for me.  That didn't necessarily take away from the movie too much though.
          I did enjoy the character progression.  Nami really did start off as this timid little thing.  By the end of the movie, she is so drastically changed.  Though, like I said, I am confused with the ending of Hei Tai.  I am not quite sure what happened with him.  Usually this is not hard for me, but I am really confused.  >.<
          Someone said that they thought everything happened because he was involved with the death of his sister and that he was a bad cop.  That makes absolutely no sense though.  From what is shown, he is a good guy, and had nothing to do with the deaths.  The only part that he had with the thugs was going to a sort of therapy that the head person did for him.  That doesn't make him involved with his sisters death though.
          I must bring up something another person said in a review of this movie.  They said that the movie was too much work to enjoy.  This makes me think that they do not usually watch Asian movies, as they seem to feel this because they said it was hard to follow with the flashbacks.  I am of course a big fan of Asian movies and found this one to be generally easy to follow and a fun watch, despite the few points that I mentioned.

          This was a good movie despite a few flaws.  This is one of those movies that if you go into it not expecting perfection, you might be rather surprised at the quality of it.  I gave it leeway and found this movie to be quite good.  n.n