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Reviews
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Yes, super film that!
It's all over--all three and a half hours of it! Taking a big bottle of water is a bit of a mixed blessing--You'll stay hydrated, but may spend the last two hours wishing we still had intermission! This film concludes the trilogy in the way we anticipated. It weaves the threads of the previous two films together into a seamless tapestry of tears, triumph and tragedy. The writers have taken the book and converted it brilliantly to film. To the people who say "It's not like that in the book!", I say--if you want the book verbatim, read the book! Leave the film to the people with the imagination to enjoy it for it's own merits! I have read the books dozens of times and believe that the way this film has been done is the best way it could have been, with value added! Gimli's sense of humor and Gollum's conniving are welcome additions, and it is clear the actors have a passion for the story to equal that of their fans.
The scope and intensity of the battle of Pelennor fields is breathtaking. King Theoden's speech gave me shivers and made me feel like jumping on a horse and riding to my death with the rest of the heros. This film belongs in the IMDB top 10, and the trilogy must rate as the 2nd best ever!
Stickmen (2001)
At last a truly great kiwi movie!
Within moments of the start of this film I saw I was going to love it. The characters are fantastic, the cinematography is brilliant, and the plot? Gripping. It's great to see a New Zealand-made film at last that isn't stifled by this countries PC element. It is simply a great story, well directed and well acted. I hope it is a sign that kiwi cinema is taking a turn for the better.
Wu Lang ba gua gun (1984)
Invincible!
Invincible Pole Fighter
What can I say. This film is brilliant. I first hired it as a joke for a friend. We were looking for the worst possible film with the cheesiest title. Well, the joke was on me. I have since fallen in love with the movie and have seen it dozens of times. The martial arts are staggering in their complexity and showmanship. The plot is intriguing and moves at breakneck pace. The fights are many and varied, with all kinds of eye-popping acrobatics and stunts.
The madness of 6th Brother is one of the non-action highlights of this movie. His acting is way over the top, and the English dubbing is appalling. The poor lad has had his mind broken by treachery and despair, and peppers the film with a frenzy of random screaming outbursts. Classic.
There are many reasons to hire this film. Humour, tragedy, and of course, mind blowing Pole Fighting.
See also `Deadly Weapons of Kung Fu'.
American Tigers (1996)
A fast, action packed film with all the essentials
OK, I admit. I hired this film to see Rorion Gracie in action. He delivered his lines well and with an impression of feeling. I actually developed some sentimentality for the character he played. Although the scenes where he grappled were clearly choreographed, they did display some of the effortless talent which has made this mans name a legend in the fighting world.
The rest of the film was surprisingly good. It was one of those films which could have been mediocre B-grade trash. But somehow the director ( ) pulled off a movie with several intriguing aspects. The plot had been done before, but it was made to seem all the more desperate by the shadow of execution hanging over the team if they screwed up.
All in all, it is a fast, action-packed no-brainer with all the essentials.