Wicked City

If you're a fan of anime you've probably seen Ninja Scroll. If you liked that movie you will like Wicked City. If you haven't seen Ninja Scroll yet...DO! NOW! [well, wait till you read the rest of this blog, please... then watch Wicked City after that.]
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There are a bevy of similarities between the two films. Both are writen and dircted by the same guy; both use some of the same voice actors; neither has robots, spaceships, transformers, or any variation there of; and both are very violent and very sexual; and very NOT for children .
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And both are very fun.
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But this is about Wicked City: which is about two "Black Guards" assigned to protect a diplomat who is about to sign a very special peace treaty between humans and "the other side" (supernatural). Of course, not of all the "other side" wants the treaty signed. Conflict ensues...
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This is not an Academy Award winner by any stretch of the imagination. But it is a very nice distraction, where you may actually have to think in parts [GASP!!]
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(Check out my favorite animated flicks on the right-hand side)

House of Flying Daggers

If you liked Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon you'll love this movie: 2004's House of Flying Daggers.

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A subtitled, Chinese film from the director of Jet Li's Hero [also worth seeing], this is a beautiful, "stylized" martial arts movie and romance drama. The only actor you'll probably recognize in Flying Daggers, also happens to be in Crouching Tiger, Ziyi Zhang.

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It's set in ancient China where a corrupt government rules. The local police are charged with getting rid of the House of Flying Daggers, a ruthless group with a secret martial art who are trying to stage a coup. The police see their way in when it's discovered a new dancer at the local club (Zhang) has ties to the Daggers. But the cop who infiltrates the clan didn't plan on falling in love with the dancer. Complications ensue...

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Like Crouching Tiger it's got great action. But it requires suspending disbelief for the really amazing looking, albeit impossible, martial arts and effects. Thrown daggers curve around obstacles to hit their intended targets, for example.

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But this movie is so much more beautiful than Crouching Tiger. It was nominated for the Oscar in cinematography and how it didn't win is a mystery to me. It's the most visually stunning film I think I've ever seen. It's worth watching just for the scenes in the bamboo forest - THAT's how pretty this film is! It also should have been nominated for [if not won!] the Oscar for best foreign film.

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Watch House of Flying Daggers and when you do, watch it on the largest screen possible.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

This week's movie is another favorite of mine: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang from 2005.
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It's a Film noir-ish dark comedy/detective movie, too adult for for kids. It's got lots of bad language, violence and nudity - so if you're easily offended this movie is not for you. But it's also one of the smartest, wittiest and funniest detective movies I've ever seen.
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Without giving too much away, it's about three people who get thrown into the midst of a murder mystery - a private investigator, a petty thief from New York, and an aspiring actress.
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Val Kilmer, Robert Downey Jr. and Michelle Monaghan (respectively) do superb work.
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However the writing is what sets this movie apart. It's written by Shane Black (writer of Lethal Weapon), who also makes his directorial debut. Black is at the top of his game: great dialogue, witty banter, spoofing other movies while not taking itself too seriously...
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See Kiss Kiss Bang Bang if you're in the mood for an intelligent, funny, unconventional movie!

Stranger Than Fiction

To change things up a little bit, here's a cute, light-hearted American romantic-comedy: 2006's Stranger Than Fiction.
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I know. This is a bit more mainstream than most of the films I review. But there are many people who haven't seen this movie yet. Most are people who are not fans of Will Farrell.
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Do not fret, Farrell haters (and I consider myself one of your ranks). There is no SNL-like silliness, no Ron Burgundy or Old School shenanigans. Will is the straight man here!!
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And as hard as it is for me to write: Will Ferrell does a fine job.
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He plays an IRS agent who suddenly starts hearing a female voice narrating his daily activities. Only he can hear this voice and it starts driving him mad; especially when the voice says something cryptic about his impending doom. So he sets out on a quest to find the narrator and change his fate, if possible.
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Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson all do wonderful work in this film. It is well directed by Marc Forester (Finding Neverland and Monster's Ball), and written. It does get a tad cheesy in sections, but no worse than most romantic-comedies.