First Week of Fantasia Reviews!
Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2001 12:57 pm
Well guys it's been a long time since I last wrote something on this board, most likely because I haven't had much to say, but mostly to do with recent computer/internet problems (...ha recent I wish). Not only did I get fucked by my past internet ISP, but my computer also decided I was an incompetent user ... how u like that! In fact I think I created a modern day Frankenstein's monster, far be it for me to fuck with nature, but technologies is a whole other bag of tricks. Anyway whatever is to be said about that will be posted on another section of the board later in the week... u can be sure of that or not! It's great to be back, I've miss this board a lot, I also have missed replying to your post, something I will do more of in the days to come !
As u can see from the title Fantasia is back in it's second week, showcasing some of the best films the world of genre cinema has to offer, and since I was there from the start I'm here to tell u what I've seen so far. Maybe even give u a few ideas on what films u might like to see in the future, however make sure that u do your own research as my reviews are based on my own taste, although I assure u that I only pick the best films!
All Fantasia festival film reviews, trailers, pictures, guests, and news can be found at www.fantasiafest.com
I guess I'll start with the first week of Fantasia which started the 10th of this month with...
July 10th, 2001
FINAL FANTASY
I'll come right out and say it, this film sucked! Although I like some of the computer animation, the faces and hair being the most incredible and realistic ever seen in a film of this nature, the story of the film is non existent! Well there is a story but it didn't interest me at all. Nuf said! As Fantasia’s first film it was a disappointment.
July 11th, 2001
ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA
I’m sure most u have seen this Jet Li/Tsui Hark co-production about the turn of the 20th century china, when there was a great deal of foreign trade and treaties being signed. It being my first time seeing this film I was glad to see the blending of cultures as a catalyst for some great fight scene. Hmm.... lets see western guns against the Cantonese martial-arts of Jet Li, who wins in the end, I think u already know the answer! Some of the highlights include an man who’s body can withstand the slash of metal swords, a great ladder and tea bag fight scene (the best scene in the movie), and a hand propelled bullet. The film also has a good deal of comedy and maintains a more complex storyline then most films of this nature! All in all one of the best films of the festival, and a must see if u haven’t already!
Note: there is a new DVD out for this one with a shitload of features, so make sure u get it if u plan on buying this film. P.S. – When I say shitload it means for a Kung Fu movie, because most Kung Fu movies rarely ever have any special features.
SWORDSMAN 2
Another Jet Li film, is less a Swordsman movie then a totally freak out fantasy action film. Like Once upon a Time in China it has some great fight scenes, most of which are out of this world in scope. While also being funny the story is about a swordsman (Jet Li) who’s task is to find a sacred parchment which let the possessor become invincible to his enemies. A long the way we get to see fights that included snakes falling from the sky, a horse being sliced in half, giant ninja stars used as flying skateboards, and cool air and ground fights. Although a little kooky at times this film gives u the goods in handfuls!
July 12th, 2001
ESCAFLOWNE: A GIRL IN GAIA
This is a japanimation film about two brothers, one who will be king (Van) and one that wants to become king at all costs (Dilandeau), even if it means his brothers death. Each has his squad of warriors to fight for him, however things have been at a standstill until one day holy giant armor (Escaflowne) is found by Van’s army. Unfortunately Dilandeau’s army has holy armor of their own, and has started his attack on Van. In the middle of all this is a girl from earth that holds the key to the true power of Escaflowne must find a way to return magical world Gaia to it’s past greatness.
As I never saw the TV series of this cartoon, I can’t tell u how it compares, but I can tell u that it is very good. It has a good mixture of everything including some laughs.
DIE BAD
This film is another great film the festival had to offer. It runs in four different styled episodes that are all part of the same main story. The first episode takes place at a pool hall where two groups of students end up fighting after a few harsh words are said, it ends with one of the students dying and another Sung-Bin going to jail for his murder. The second episode takes place 7 years later and follows the student after his jail sentence is finished. Racked by dreams of the past murder he tries to make a new life for himself, yet things aren’t as easy as he would’ve like them to be as family and social pressure push him toward a life of crime. The third episode makes fun of shows like COPS, and does a good job of it as it follows Sung-Bin’s past friend - now a cop - Suk-Hwan as he explains his ideology to the camera. On the other side of the coin Sung-Bin’s new crime boss explains the subtleties of being a full time criminal. The episode ends with a very funny fight scene between the two, with their interviews inter cut. In the fourth episode things come to a head when Suk-Hwan brother quits school , and signs up with Sung-Bin for a life of crime. After Suk-Hwan finds out what his brother has been up to he tracks down Sung-Bin to get him to leave his brother alone, unfortunately things don’t end well for everyone involved.
What I put up here is just the bare bones of the story, the film has more to offer. Being one of the best films of the festival so far, I definitely would consider buying on DVD if it ever came out!
July 13th, 2001
ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA 2
Much of the same goes on here as it did in #1, however the fights scenes are more out there. Highlights include a tower of tables match (u have to see this one to believe it really), and a wet towel match in which the hardened towel in question breaks through concrete walls! Other then that the film continues the storyline from the first one.
ST. JOHN WORT
A video game company is making a new horror title, luckily for them one of the girls (Nami) in the group has just gotten an old scary mansion that her long lost father gave her in his will. Nami and her ex-boyfriend and fellow programer Kohei think they should use the mansion as a backdrop for the game. As they begin filming the mansion and sending the information back to the lab, they being to realize that not only was Nami father a mad painter, but also that things are aren’t what they seem, as the mansion holds many secrets.
An average horror entry that uses new technologies to color tint the film, so as to make it look like a game. A few good scenes, but nothing to write home about!
RIPPER: LETTERS FROM HELL
Molly Keller a past survivor of a modern day Jake the Ripper enrolls in a university course in serial killer psychology, however as one of the girls in her study group get murder and then another it becomes clear that Jack is back. Also fearful for their own lives her study group comes together to find the kill as the death toll rises. Yet what noone knows is the killer might be closer then they think!
A far better film then most films of this nature are, stereotypes are filled out nicely by all the actors. With enough twist and turns to keep u interested, this is slasher old school with a modern edge. Still this is not what I would call a great movie, but at least its better then average!
QUINTRON: Live Performance
Due to the death of a friend Mr. Quintron (The one man show), Miss Pussycat (puppeteer extraordinary), and Bob Global (The Wiz) couldn’t make it so the show was canceled and replaced by a second showing of Cannibal Holocaust. Although Mr. Quintron couldn’t make it the great programers at Fantasia still showed the Drum Buddy Infomercial which was beyond cool. Hosted by the king of bad infomercial Bob Global, watching this guy is like seeing some weird character from the 1950's come to life. Just looking at his face made me laugh, not only that watching him dance and talk is also something to behold, the king of infomercial’s for sure!
Going back to Mr. Quintron and his Drum Buddy! Drum Buddy is Mr. Quintrons new invention in music backwardness, it consist of a wooden box made of nobs and switches with a tin can and a light bulb in the middle. It make music using beams of light that come from tubes on the outside of the tin can, and works in the same way as a DJ gets the sound from a record player, in other words by moving the tin can back and forth. As Mr. Quintron demonstrates what the Drum Buddy can do, which isn’t much, but as always the audience is amazed! Inter-cut between the demonstrations comes the funniest testimonials you’ve ever seen, as well as a note of the Brum Buddy’s price a very funny $999.99! More highlights included special performances by Ernie K-Doe and MC Trachiotomy!
The funniest thing about the infomercial is that it’s 100% real, in fact u can buy a Drum Buddy for yourselves for the great price of $999.99! I read that Mr. Quintron has already sold 20 Drum Buddy’s, that means there are only 80 Drum Buddy’s left so make your move fast! Buy yours at www.drumbuddy.com now!
CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST
What more can I say about this film other then it was great to see it on the big screen! 35MM Print!
July 14th, 2001
DOUBLE TAP
Double Tap is the story of a gun expert (Rick) that finds out after shooting someone for the first time he likes it, and three years later makes it his new sport. Famous for the double tap shot (shooting twice in the same spot) Rick is the main suspect in case, as he should be, but due to not enough evidence the cops must let him go. Still mad that his girlfriend is in jail because his guns were found at her house, he makes up his mind to kill one cop a day until the cops let her out! As things come to a climax in a big shoot out at a mall Rick is forced into a showdown with a cop who’s friend Rick had killed the day before. Who will have the fastest trigger finger?
A good film, one of the better films about people like Rick, although don’t expect it to be another Dr. Lamb! I thought the acting was very good and the script had a nice feel to it, more a drama then a serial killer film!
THE FOUL KING
This is a Wrestling film from the same director that did The Quiet Family, and much like The Quiet Family this is a great comedy film! Dae-Ho is a bank teller that always comes to work late, as many workers do, but in his case coming late means he’s in for a headlock from his boss! What funny is that this happens everyday, and Dae-Ho is unable to stop it. Until one day he finds an add that says “wrestler wanted” on the door of a local gym, with dreams of getting back at his boss for the daily head locks Dae-Ho signs up for the job. He soon finds out that his gym coach is the great Foul King master of tricks and utensils, with his role model now set he comes to the ring with his own tools of the trade. He becomes very skillful and wants to prove himself to others, but unfortunately in his first live tv match he must lose to the champ! However he has different plans, which has some very funny results.
Not the best review by far, but this film is one of the funniest films I saw at the festival, so if u like Asian comedy at it’s best this is it!
GHOST WORLD
Based on the comic book (by Daniel Clowes of Eightball fame) of the same name this movie is a great comedy about the worlds strangest people, however in the end we find out that they’re just normal. Directed by Terry Zwigoff this film is cleverly hysterical comedy about life after high school. Although I have never read any of Clowes comics, I know of his work, and can tell u that this film has the same tone as his comic books. In other words this is a good film.
Well that’s the end of the first week of films, I’ll be back with more reviews a soon as I have the time! Sorry some of the reviews are a little weak, however if u’d like to know more about a film just ask! Anyway I’ll be posting again soon, so see u on the board!
The Fantasia site can be located at www.fantasiafest.com
It ends the 31th of this month!
PS-Some of the Highlights of the Festival that I haven’t reviewed yet include two new films by Takashi Miike, three films of Coffin Joe hosted by Jose Mojica Marins himself, and Citizen Toxie hosted by Lloyd Kaufman and Heidi Sjursen!
As u can see from the title Fantasia is back in it's second week, showcasing some of the best films the world of genre cinema has to offer, and since I was there from the start I'm here to tell u what I've seen so far. Maybe even give u a few ideas on what films u might like to see in the future, however make sure that u do your own research as my reviews are based on my own taste, although I assure u that I only pick the best films!
All Fantasia festival film reviews, trailers, pictures, guests, and news can be found at www.fantasiafest.com
I guess I'll start with the first week of Fantasia which started the 10th of this month with...
July 10th, 2001
FINAL FANTASY
I'll come right out and say it, this film sucked! Although I like some of the computer animation, the faces and hair being the most incredible and realistic ever seen in a film of this nature, the story of the film is non existent! Well there is a story but it didn't interest me at all. Nuf said! As Fantasia’s first film it was a disappointment.
July 11th, 2001
ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA
I’m sure most u have seen this Jet Li/Tsui Hark co-production about the turn of the 20th century china, when there was a great deal of foreign trade and treaties being signed. It being my first time seeing this film I was glad to see the blending of cultures as a catalyst for some great fight scene. Hmm.... lets see western guns against the Cantonese martial-arts of Jet Li, who wins in the end, I think u already know the answer! Some of the highlights include an man who’s body can withstand the slash of metal swords, a great ladder and tea bag fight scene (the best scene in the movie), and a hand propelled bullet. The film also has a good deal of comedy and maintains a more complex storyline then most films of this nature! All in all one of the best films of the festival, and a must see if u haven’t already!
Note: there is a new DVD out for this one with a shitload of features, so make sure u get it if u plan on buying this film. P.S. – When I say shitload it means for a Kung Fu movie, because most Kung Fu movies rarely ever have any special features.
SWORDSMAN 2
Another Jet Li film, is less a Swordsman movie then a totally freak out fantasy action film. Like Once upon a Time in China it has some great fight scenes, most of which are out of this world in scope. While also being funny the story is about a swordsman (Jet Li) who’s task is to find a sacred parchment which let the possessor become invincible to his enemies. A long the way we get to see fights that included snakes falling from the sky, a horse being sliced in half, giant ninja stars used as flying skateboards, and cool air and ground fights. Although a little kooky at times this film gives u the goods in handfuls!
July 12th, 2001
ESCAFLOWNE: A GIRL IN GAIA
This is a japanimation film about two brothers, one who will be king (Van) and one that wants to become king at all costs (Dilandeau), even if it means his brothers death. Each has his squad of warriors to fight for him, however things have been at a standstill until one day holy giant armor (Escaflowne) is found by Van’s army. Unfortunately Dilandeau’s army has holy armor of their own, and has started his attack on Van. In the middle of all this is a girl from earth that holds the key to the true power of Escaflowne must find a way to return magical world Gaia to it’s past greatness.
As I never saw the TV series of this cartoon, I can’t tell u how it compares, but I can tell u that it is very good. It has a good mixture of everything including some laughs.
DIE BAD
This film is another great film the festival had to offer. It runs in four different styled episodes that are all part of the same main story. The first episode takes place at a pool hall where two groups of students end up fighting after a few harsh words are said, it ends with one of the students dying and another Sung-Bin going to jail for his murder. The second episode takes place 7 years later and follows the student after his jail sentence is finished. Racked by dreams of the past murder he tries to make a new life for himself, yet things aren’t as easy as he would’ve like them to be as family and social pressure push him toward a life of crime. The third episode makes fun of shows like COPS, and does a good job of it as it follows Sung-Bin’s past friend - now a cop - Suk-Hwan as he explains his ideology to the camera. On the other side of the coin Sung-Bin’s new crime boss explains the subtleties of being a full time criminal. The episode ends with a very funny fight scene between the two, with their interviews inter cut. In the fourth episode things come to a head when Suk-Hwan brother quits school , and signs up with Sung-Bin for a life of crime. After Suk-Hwan finds out what his brother has been up to he tracks down Sung-Bin to get him to leave his brother alone, unfortunately things don’t end well for everyone involved.
What I put up here is just the bare bones of the story, the film has more to offer. Being one of the best films of the festival so far, I definitely would consider buying on DVD if it ever came out!
July 13th, 2001
ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA 2
Much of the same goes on here as it did in #1, however the fights scenes are more out there. Highlights include a tower of tables match (u have to see this one to believe it really), and a wet towel match in which the hardened towel in question breaks through concrete walls! Other then that the film continues the storyline from the first one.
ST. JOHN WORT
A video game company is making a new horror title, luckily for them one of the girls (Nami) in the group has just gotten an old scary mansion that her long lost father gave her in his will. Nami and her ex-boyfriend and fellow programer Kohei think they should use the mansion as a backdrop for the game. As they begin filming the mansion and sending the information back to the lab, they being to realize that not only was Nami father a mad painter, but also that things are aren’t what they seem, as the mansion holds many secrets.
An average horror entry that uses new technologies to color tint the film, so as to make it look like a game. A few good scenes, but nothing to write home about!
RIPPER: LETTERS FROM HELL
Molly Keller a past survivor of a modern day Jake the Ripper enrolls in a university course in serial killer psychology, however as one of the girls in her study group get murder and then another it becomes clear that Jack is back. Also fearful for their own lives her study group comes together to find the kill as the death toll rises. Yet what noone knows is the killer might be closer then they think!
A far better film then most films of this nature are, stereotypes are filled out nicely by all the actors. With enough twist and turns to keep u interested, this is slasher old school with a modern edge. Still this is not what I would call a great movie, but at least its better then average!
QUINTRON: Live Performance
Due to the death of a friend Mr. Quintron (The one man show), Miss Pussycat (puppeteer extraordinary), and Bob Global (The Wiz) couldn’t make it so the show was canceled and replaced by a second showing of Cannibal Holocaust. Although Mr. Quintron couldn’t make it the great programers at Fantasia still showed the Drum Buddy Infomercial which was beyond cool. Hosted by the king of bad infomercial Bob Global, watching this guy is like seeing some weird character from the 1950's come to life. Just looking at his face made me laugh, not only that watching him dance and talk is also something to behold, the king of infomercial’s for sure!
Going back to Mr. Quintron and his Drum Buddy! Drum Buddy is Mr. Quintrons new invention in music backwardness, it consist of a wooden box made of nobs and switches with a tin can and a light bulb in the middle. It make music using beams of light that come from tubes on the outside of the tin can, and works in the same way as a DJ gets the sound from a record player, in other words by moving the tin can back and forth. As Mr. Quintron demonstrates what the Drum Buddy can do, which isn’t much, but as always the audience is amazed! Inter-cut between the demonstrations comes the funniest testimonials you’ve ever seen, as well as a note of the Brum Buddy’s price a very funny $999.99! More highlights included special performances by Ernie K-Doe and MC Trachiotomy!
The funniest thing about the infomercial is that it’s 100% real, in fact u can buy a Drum Buddy for yourselves for the great price of $999.99! I read that Mr. Quintron has already sold 20 Drum Buddy’s, that means there are only 80 Drum Buddy’s left so make your move fast! Buy yours at www.drumbuddy.com now!
CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST
What more can I say about this film other then it was great to see it on the big screen! 35MM Print!
July 14th, 2001
DOUBLE TAP
Double Tap is the story of a gun expert (Rick) that finds out after shooting someone for the first time he likes it, and three years later makes it his new sport. Famous for the double tap shot (shooting twice in the same spot) Rick is the main suspect in case, as he should be, but due to not enough evidence the cops must let him go. Still mad that his girlfriend is in jail because his guns were found at her house, he makes up his mind to kill one cop a day until the cops let her out! As things come to a climax in a big shoot out at a mall Rick is forced into a showdown with a cop who’s friend Rick had killed the day before. Who will have the fastest trigger finger?
A good film, one of the better films about people like Rick, although don’t expect it to be another Dr. Lamb! I thought the acting was very good and the script had a nice feel to it, more a drama then a serial killer film!
THE FOUL KING
This is a Wrestling film from the same director that did The Quiet Family, and much like The Quiet Family this is a great comedy film! Dae-Ho is a bank teller that always comes to work late, as many workers do, but in his case coming late means he’s in for a headlock from his boss! What funny is that this happens everyday, and Dae-Ho is unable to stop it. Until one day he finds an add that says “wrestler wanted” on the door of a local gym, with dreams of getting back at his boss for the daily head locks Dae-Ho signs up for the job. He soon finds out that his gym coach is the great Foul King master of tricks and utensils, with his role model now set he comes to the ring with his own tools of the trade. He becomes very skillful and wants to prove himself to others, but unfortunately in his first live tv match he must lose to the champ! However he has different plans, which has some very funny results.
Not the best review by far, but this film is one of the funniest films I saw at the festival, so if u like Asian comedy at it’s best this is it!
GHOST WORLD
Based on the comic book (by Daniel Clowes of Eightball fame) of the same name this movie is a great comedy about the worlds strangest people, however in the end we find out that they’re just normal. Directed by Terry Zwigoff this film is cleverly hysterical comedy about life after high school. Although I have never read any of Clowes comics, I know of his work, and can tell u that this film has the same tone as his comic books. In other words this is a good film.
Well that’s the end of the first week of films, I’ll be back with more reviews a soon as I have the time! Sorry some of the reviews are a little weak, however if u’d like to know more about a film just ask! Anyway I’ll be posting again soon, so see u on the board!
The Fantasia site can be located at www.fantasiafest.com
It ends the 31th of this month!
PS-Some of the Highlights of the Festival that I haven’t reviewed yet include two new films by Takashi Miike, three films of Coffin Joe hosted by Jose Mojica Marins himself, and Citizen Toxie hosted by Lloyd Kaufman and Heidi Sjursen!