ping pong

Ping Pong (Fumihiko Sori, 2002) - 8.5/10

Is a game just a game? Or is a game more than just a game? Two questions and two characters with different mindsets to the game of ping pong. Peco and Smile are two friends who play for a school ping pong team. One has all the talent in the world and fails to utilize them completely. He views the game as just a game to pass time. One brings arrogance with him to the game, but fails to realize his faults. Whether those faults are within his skill range or the faults lie within life. Butterfly Joe is the school's ping pong coach. Once considered one of the best in the game, Butterfly Joe attempts to squeeze the hidden potential Smile possesses. Is this an attempt to relive the glory days of Butterfly Joe's career? Tension mounts within each character. Within inside themselves or confrontation between each other.

These are the strong points within the film. The character developments that occur through the strains of these characters fills the film with emotion, character, and heart. The supporting cast completes the already excellent cast, bringing with them their own set of persona. A ping pong player from China (named China) wants to prove his skills and worth, something he failed to accomplish back in his own school national team. Dragon and Akuma play for the same team that rivals Peco and Smile. One is a two time champion with a strict discipline and routine. The other puts everything he has on the line -- from countless hours of practice -- but never lives to his own expectations. And finally Obaba, the owner of a ping pong dojo, and one who trains Peco to whip him back into game shape and get his mind back on track.

With each competitor striving to hold themselves in check, it brings unpredictable results to some of the competitive matches between the characters. Another reason this film differs from the majority of sports films and cliches. The conclusion brings two competitors together, as rivals and as friends. The outcome is an unpredictable and solemn approach between two people who are playing a game that means more than the game itself. Ping Pong uses some CGI effects, excellent cinematography, an amazing soundtrack with a fusion of futuristic beats and video game-like tunes that fit the game play scenes, and brilliant metaphoric imagery to capture the resonance of these characters' dreams and persona.

failan

Failan (Song Hae-sung, 2001) - 8.5/10

**may contain spoilers

Cecilia Cheung in a Korean drama? Works for me. A Korean drama that manages to stay away from the over-the-top sappiness found in most Korean dramas. What happens when two people bound by an arranged marriage never meet? Failan, starring Cecilia Cheung and Choi Min-sik (Oldboy) -- play Failan and Kang-jae -- whom they discover a connection and feeling they have for one another through photographs and letters.

Kang-jae, a gangster who loses the respect from other members, seeks to find meaning in his life. After a life of time in prison, violence, and living an apathetic life. The first part of the film showcases the life of Kang-jae and the cruel world he inhabits. Failan (the titled character) is an immigrant from China visiting Korea after her parents' death, hoping to find her aunt, her only remaining relative. Failan discovers her aunt has moved to Canada, and with no money, her alternative to stay in Korea is through an arranged marriage.

At this point in the film, the film changes to a poignant and emotion filled piece. Failan struggles to cope in a new place, a new culture, a new language. While Kang-dae seeks out Failan after learning of her death. As an audience, learning the death of Failan through the half-way point does not detract from the emotional aspect. Its an interesting take in the film as we know of her death before being introduced to her character. And for this reason, we are presented a film that shifts in time and focus on the moment of Failan's struggles and Kang-dae's journey.

For all the misery and burden Kang-dae carries with him, he realizes the appreciation and respect he receives comes from someone he's never met. The tragedy lies in being too late to close that gap.

confessions of pain

Confessions of Pain - (Wai Keung Lau & Siu Fai Mak, 2006) - 7.5/10

I caught the HK film Confessions of Pain a few days ago. Starring Tony Leung (Infernal Affairs) and Takashi Kaneshiro (House of Flying Daggers), and the same crew that made the Infernal Affairs trilogy. The film functions as a murder mystery/thriller. The finding and analyzing of clues and suspects carries sort of the same style as the TV show CSI (from the few glimpses I've seen).
We are revealed who the murderer is early which could've worked better for the ending, the same time the characters know this too.
There are enough intricate details of the story that manages to sustain the audience till the end, even if they already know the killer.

**I'll post an image if I can find one, which I can't.

shinobi: heart under blade

Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (Ten Shimoyama, 2005) - 6.5/10

A film based on a manga and the anime series, Basilisk, both of which I've never read and seen. Two rival ninja clans (Koga and Iga) are forced to battle each other by the ruling of Japan's Emperor. The Emperor, wanting to bring all of Japan under his ruling, fears the powers these two clan possess. Five top warriors from each clan are chosen to battle. Similar to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, two lovers (Oboro from the Koga clan and Gennosuke from the Iga clan) from both sides have fallen in love in secrecy. As one of the five chosen warriors from their respective clan, they must put their love aside and confront each other as enemies.

While this film has the right idea with its action sequences and mixing that with descent dramatic moments, the acting and emotion seems forced at times. The action sequence uses a mix of CGI and wire work. The swift and rapid movements shown through some of the battles were nicely done. I've read many complaints stating the effects were off and what not, but I didn't find it a distraction at all. The powers that each ninja warrior posses is reminiscent to what you would find in superhero comics and shows (e.g. X-Men). This is one film where I would've liked to see more use of the action sequence techniques, just because I didn't care much about the dramatic elements. The premise is there, but the execution falls short.

a battle of wits

Battle Of Wits (Chi Leung 'Jacob' Cheung, 2006) - 6/10

There hasn't been any costumed battle epics that I've really like. I've seen, Musa the Warrior, Seven Swords, The Myth, and that's all I can think of right now. I was sort of recommended Battle of Wits, based on using strategy and wit to outsmart one's opponent instead of sheer numbers and brute force. Andy Lau as Ge Li, a Mozi warrior protecting the small city of Liang plays the character with conviction. And those are the only things going for this film.

The battle sequences are typically seen in other films of the same genre (listed above). At times, the close up battles were shaky and choppy. It had some great shots though, like the panned and distant shots capturing the soldiers in formation.
The problems with these type of films, for me anyway is the lack of involvement I feel with the characters and the story. With the exception of Lau, the supporting actors fell flat (on their faces......no, they just weren't exciting).

my boss my student

My Boss My Student (Dong-won Kim, 2006) - 7/10

The sequel to the 2001 Korean hit, My Boss My Hero, where 30-something gang leader Gae Do-Shik is forced to get his high school diploma by posing as a teenage student. In My Boss My Teacher, Gae Do-Shik continues his studies to get a college degree. He decides to become a student teacher at a high school. Coincidentally, Gae Do-Shik's boss is posing as a student himself to get his high school diploma.

Here, Gae Do-Shik tries to befriend a student, Yu Mi-jung, who lives with her grandmother and helps her run a food stall. Both her parents are dead. The school system is flawed and corrupted, where Yu Mi-jung and other students play victim to bribes and sexual harassment posed by the board of director. Away from the school, Gae Do-Shik and his gang try to work out a settlement between a gang in Hong Kong over territory ownership.

Part comedy, drama, and action, My Boss My Student is a descent follow up to the original, but the film feels a lot similar, not really bringing anything new. Although I'll say, it contains the most unexpected death I've seen. Shocking and sad. Since it was my second time seeing this movie, it was expected, but the impact still hits you.

exiled

Exiled (Johnnie To, 2006) - 8/10

A film by Johnnie To, soon to be or if he already isn't, a HK legendary filmmaker. His latest action thriller Exiled is reminiscent of the shoot-em-up genre of John Woo's The Killer, A Better Tomorrow, and Hard Boiled. Johnnie To has brought in some of the same casts in his other films, Election, Election 2, Breaking News.

Ordering hits, accepting missions, and all that good stuff presented in other triad films. Simon Yam, one of the best in the business, plays Boss Fay. The one who orders the hits. Complimenting all the hard-ass action, is friendship and loyalty amongst a group of friends. Among them is Anothony Wong, Francis Ng, Suet Lam, Nick Cheung, and Roy Cheung. They work together through different missions, protecting each other's backs. What we witness in the beginning is Nick Cheung's character (Wo), being a target and ordered (by Boss Fay) to be killed by the other four members of the group. Exiled is carefully constructed to create great action sequences set in close knit settings. From a small apartment setting to a hallway of a small hotel, the sounds of gunshots and bullet casings pelting the floor rings through your ears.