Day 58 - Riddick (American)

"Five years after The Chronicles of Riddick, Riddick has become increasingly uneasy in his role as Lord Marshall of the Necromonger fleet. His refusal to swear into the Necromonger faith has caused dissent among his subjects. Riddick strikes a deal with Commander Vaako; the location of Furya and a ship to take him there, in exchange for Vaako becoming the next Lord Marshall. Led by Vaako's aide, Krone, Riddick and a group of Necromongers arrive on a desolate planet. Recognizing it is not Furya, Riddick kills most of his escort when they attempt to assassinate him. In the chaos, Krone causes a landslide and buries Riddick alive."

What a wonderful film in the Riddick line and happens to be my favorite in a way. It was funny and interesting to see Riddick go back to the man he truly is in this film. Even after the gap between the chronicles and this Riddick Vin Diesel commands this character well. I love how they wrote that in the storyline, it was quite interesting to watch play out.
This film has many funny scenes or in other words, many scenes where Riddick is very funny and shows us that famous humor.
Though I wish they picked a better girl to be Riddick's "girl" or target.

3/5

Day 57 - Planet of the Apes (American-1968)

 
 
3.5/5
 
 
"The film tells the story of an astronaut crew who crash-land on a strange planet in the distant future. Although the planet appears desolate at first, the surviving crew members stumble upon a society in which apes have evolved into creatures with human-like intelligence and speech. The apes have assumed the role of the dominant species and humans are mute creatures wearing animal skins."

A true classic American film that is better than any of the remakes. This film is said to have allegory's of the Vietnam War, Civil Rights Moments, and few others. The 1960's was a troubled time and there are many violent events. That can be seen in the film but in allegory form. I can't take you what the film is saying, that's up to you. I will tell you that this film is very good and deserves a watch.
Nova (the female human) is quite attractive and is very interesting how she acts around Taylor.

Day 56 - Millennium Actress (Japan)

"A movie studio is being torn down. TV interviewer Genya Tachibana has tracked down its most famous star, Chiyoko Fujiwara, who has been a recluse since she left acting some 30 years ago. Tachibana delivers a key to her, and it causes her to reflect on her career; as she's telling the story, Tachibana and Kyoji Ida, his long-suffering cameraman are drawn in. The key was given to her as a teenager by a painter and revolutionary that she helped to escape the police. She becomes an actress because it will make it possible to track him down, and she spends the next several decades acting out that search in various genres and eras"

A truly beautiful animation film from the late Satoshi Kon, it grabbed me by the heart towards the end of the film. It saddens me that I didn't watch this when I was younger and when Satoshi Kon was still alive. It is truly a great film if you like Japanese animation and are not looking for a simple action movie. This film is unique but it has Satoshi Kon's signature move of blending reality with fantasy. He does it in a way that you are not bothered by it. This film is truly interesting and its a story only he could direct without making it corny. I hope to buy this film eventually when I get enough money, I want to have it in my personal collection.
Go out there and see this movie (and please not online!)


3/5

RIP SATOSHI KON

Day 55- Two Cops (South Korean 1993 film)

"The experienced detective Jo has a new partner, Kang who recently graduated from the Police Academy at the top of the class. The idealistic Kang always sticks to his principles and often conflicts with Jo, an amoral cop who always tries to take advantage of his position. Kang tries to win Jo over to his side, but fails. One day, a beautiful woman who works in a bar comes to the police station for help, and Kang falls in love with her. He starts going to the bar often to see her, and begins to become more like Jo. Jo is initially pleased at this, but later begins to experience a dilemma with Kang's change in attitude."

Not the best buddy cop film I've seen but it's not too bad. The relationship between the two cops were funny at times but seems so staged that is wasn't actually a good show. There's action but not much nor was there a lot of police work going on. It was plain ridiculous at times but it has some good moments. Like the end (just kidding), though I was happy with the ending and I do consider it the best part of the movie. It seemed predictable it was also like the Rookie with Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen.


1.9/5

Day 54 - No Mercy for the Rude (South Korea)

"
Killa (Shin Ha-Kyun) is a hired assassin who is also mute by choice. As a child he grew up in an orphanage and spoke with a lisp. Since that time Killer has never spoken. He spends his free time alone, watching bullfights on TV and eating seafood.
Killa has decided to get surgery to correct his speech impediment. To pay for the operation Killa is taking on hits, but he will only kill those that are rude and nasty. He then meets a bar girl (Yun Ji-Hye) who comes in and out of his life as she wishes. Killa also takes in a street kid (Kang-san) and the three of them become an informal family.
Killa's life seems to be headed on the right track, but the last hit job turns his life upside down. "


What appears to be an action comedy in the beginning actually touches the dark side of the world. Forget the silliness in the beginning, this film will take a darker side. Which is somewhat unexpected but appreciated as it made a better film. This almost seamless action, comedy, romance that seems to be a tract only found in South Korean films makes wonderful films. I suggest this film to anyone that likes seeing the darker side of South Korea. Shin Ha-Kyun does a good job but Yun Ji-Hye truly showed off her acting skills.

2.5/5

Day 53 - Confucius (2010 Chinese Film)

"The film begins with Confucius as an old man, thinking back. Then we see him in his early 50s, being promoted from Mayor to Minister for Law in his home state of Lu. He is confronted with ethical issues after saving a slave-boy who was due to be buried alive with his former master who has just died. There is a lot of complex politics and war, ending with Confucius being rejected and becoming a wandering scholar. After many hardships and losses, he is invited back as an old man. We see him finally preparing the Spring and Autumn Annals, expecting that this book will determine his future influence."

I'm a fan of Chow Yun-Fat since I first saw him in one of his first American films (Bulletproof Monk). He is a great actor, he proves it in this film as Confucius. If you want to know about Confucius I would suggest watching this film. It is quite interesting and never dull. The director did a great job but might have been better to see the much earlier life of Confucius and not just what happened to him in the later stages of his life.
There is no other actor that really stands out, that could be because the film is about Confucius and you can definitely tell he's the main focus point through the while film.

3/5

Day 52 - Art Muesum by the Zoo (South Korea)

"On leave from the military, Cheol-soo arrives at his girlfriend's apartment only to find it occupied by another woman, Choon-hee. After a few days he finds out that his girlfriend is now engaged to someone else, and having nowhere else to go he ends up staying with Choon-hee. At first the two struggle to get along, but before long Chul-soo discovers that she is writing a screenplay to enter into a competition, and they end up working on a story together based on their own experiences of love, titling it 'Art Museum by the Zoo'."


Not bad but no where near as good as it could have. It seemed short and there wasn't much depth, most of it takes place in the girl's apartment and cutaway scenes which depicts the story they are writing. Honestly at times it can be seen as boring, I tried my best to stay interested but this film failed to do anything for me. The acting could have been better, I didn't reach an emotional connection with the characters. The ending also was preditable to the point of cliché, it was very entertaining either.


1/5