TSM DVD Review: RETURNER

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

I want to thank Jay for once again bringing a fine piece of cinema to my attention. Since I love asian action movies, wether it's hand-to-hand combat or shootouts, I'm really interested in this flick now. The fact that they copied so many things from other flicks won't bother me. Hey, it's better to steal something good than to make up something bad, right? I'm downloading the movie right now, and if it's as good as you say I'll get it on DVD later.

 

I really like your reviews, they're always very in-depth and most of the time the screenshots you pick really show what a game/movie is like. Did you review Smackdown HCTP, btw? I'd like to read your opinion on it.

 

Have you seen the Dead or Alive films by Takashi Miike? The first two are very good, I think you'll like them. What's your opinion on Miike's work, if you know his movies? I think he's one of the craziest and best filmmakers out there, but he should trim his schedule a bit and concentrate more on the scripts that really have potential. I mean, he creates great movies like Audition, Ichi The Killer or DoA 1+2, but then delivers so-so stuff like DoA: Final. No wonder if you come out with, what, 5 movies a year?

 

Sorry, went off topic a bit.

 

PS: I miss Cruzifixio Jones as a writer on the site, since he brought my attention to Battle Royale and Avalon, two other great japanese movies.

[Guest DVD Spree]

Dude, thank you, sincerely. I work my ass off for my reviews and it really means a lot that you enjoy them - seriously, it's really appreciated.

 

Thanks for the props on the screenshots, too - they're really what make my reviews stand out, and I work as hard on them as I do the copy itself. It's always a fine balance between finding an image that really shows what the film/game is about and just posting a pic that would make great wallpaper. I generally try to get screenshots that, if you hadn't read the actual review, they would make you want to find out more. Alas, I didn't review HCTP although I get bugged to do so constantly. After all the shit that kicked off following the Kinnikuman and Def Jam reviews, I'm kinda sour on reviewing wrestling games (hence no Mania XIX review), and I'm not a fan of the SD! engine, so I wouldn't be a fair judge. Storyline- and CAW-wise, it's absolutely mind-blowing, but I just find that the experience goes downhill when you actually start playing.

 

I really don't know a lot of Miike's work, although I'm not a huge fan of Ichi - is that a fair reflection of his usual stuff? I'm a bit of a pussy when it comes to horror, gore or general unpleasantness.

 

RE: Crucifixo Jones - It's funny, I only just emailed a reader about the same thing this morning. People bug me all the time about "Oh, why do want to review this Chinese film? No-one's heard of it," or "Why did you review a DVD that's only available in England?" Every DVD site on the planet is going to review Lord of The Rings when it comes out, but very few devote pages to Returner, or Versus, or God of Cookery. I like to think that TSM, as a "smart" site, gives juice to some of the more obscure stuff that people may not have come across, but will almost certainly like. It's the same with the Region 2 DVDs - yeah, folks in the US would have to import them, but I know people who had no idea RoboCop and Predator had brand new special editions and wre just over the moon when I told them they were available.

 

Anyway... thanks again for the props. Keep reading!

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

I really don't know a lot of Miike's work, although I'm not a huge fan of Ichi - is that a fair reflection of his usual stuff? I'm a bit of a pussy when it comes to horror, gore or general unpleasantness.

I haven't seen that many of his films either, but I'm working on a nice little collection. Ichi has many usual Miike elements, but I can assure you that not every movie has such disgusting/disturbing images. The first two DoA movies (especially the second one) are more down-to-earth and are in many ways more like killer dramas than action movies, even though they feature some incredible shootouts and creative visual effects. The opening sequence of DoA 1 alone is worth at least a rental IMO, I've never seen anything like it. The movie itself is very good, too.

 

Audition is a GREAT psycho horror flick, but if you're easily terrified I wouldn't recommend it. He has also done quite a view Yakuza movies that have gotten great reviews (just look at his IMDB movie list, the guy pumps out more movies in one year than some other directors in their whole life), but I haven't seen any of them yet. I hear that Fudoh: The New Generation and Graveyard of Honor (a remake of an old yakuza movie by Kinji Fukasaku, the late director of Battle Royale) are good examples of his work in that area.

 

PS: Versus is great, another one of my favorite asian action movies.

[Guest DVD Spree]

Awesome - I really like the look of the Dead or Alive films, although I'll take your advice and just stick to the first two. I might give a couple of the Yakuza flicks a try as well - thanks for the recommendations!

 

I'll probably steer clear of Audition, although my partner is a HUGE horror fan and she'll probably talk me into it. Mind you, the last horror she talked me into was My Little Eye, and that fucked us BOTH us for a couple of days (I still thought it was great, though).

 

I loved Versus, good stuff all round. Thanks to Hong Kong Legends' sister label, Premier Asia, I've been getting into Korean cinema lately as well. Bichunmoo is pretty exceptional, Volcano High was okay, and The Foul King was... unique. I might have to review it for the site, actually.

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

Watching Audition with your girlfriend could be....interesting

 

I've seen some good Korean films during the past year as well, they're putting out great stuff lately. I especially liked Joint Security Area, which is not only a very good film with a great story, but also shows the wounds the country suffered from being splitted in two halfs. Very recommended. And as a fan of cool action you'll probably love Shiri, but I haven't seen it yet.

[Guest DVD Spree]

Oh hell yeah, I've been wanting to see both JSA and Shiri. I'd get the Korean DVDs, but I'm sure I read somewhere that Premier Asia have got the rights to both, so I'm holding out for a Bey Logan commentary.

 

You know, Audition is sounding more and more... intriguing...

 

... but I'm still to much of a pussy to watch it.