A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990) [Film Review]

A Chinese Ghost Story II; or, To Hell and Back Again
     Mortals are forgetful. Good deeds fade like the wind. No matter what you've done, it's soon forgotten.
Needless to say, the enormous success of the first film inevitably led to the creation of the sequel. The year 1990 saw the release of A Chinese Ghost Story II. Apart from the return of the principal cast members, such stars as Jackie Cheung, Waise Lee, and Michelle Reis also appeared in the supporting roles.

Release Info

Directed by: Ching Siu-Ting Starring: Leslie Cheung, Joey Wong, Wu Ma, Jackie Cheung

Language: Cantonese Original Title: 倩女幽魂 II：人間道 Runtime: 104 min

Synopsis
After successfully freeing the soul of Nip Siu-sin, Ning Choi-san (Leslie Cheung) returns to his home village, but he is mistakenly taken to be a bandit and arrested by the local police. While in prison, he meets a scholar called Elder Chu (Ku Feng) who helps him escape. Due to a concurrence of many events, Choi-san encounters a Taoist monk, Autumn (Jackie Cheung), and a group of rebels led by Windy (Joey Wong). The woman bears a strong resemblance to Nip Siu-sin, so Choi-san thinks that she may be a reincarnation of his dearly beloved. The rebels attempt to free Windy’s father who was sentenced to death by the Emperor. Nevertheless, in the course of their struggle, the heroes have to face a demonic villain known as the High Priest (Lau Shun).

The Ethereal Spirit of a Beauty Returns
A Chinese Ghost Story II can be labelled as a mix between The Naked Gun (1988) and Van Helsing (2004). In order to be more family-friendly, the picture done away with the erotic NSFW sequences from the first film and significantly toned down the gore factor. As a result, the story relies a lot on comic relief (slapstick, characters making false assumptions on one another, etc.) This does not mean; however, that A Chinese Ghost Story II is a bad sequel.

While being noticeably inferior to the first one, it is still an entertaining and action-packed story with many breathtaking scenes (for example, the arrival of the High Priest, possession of Windy, or explosive showdown at the monastery). In addition to this, the special effects are just top notch across the board: from elaborate prosthetics through wire work to visual compositing. What is more important, the character of Ning Choi-san was finally given a happy ending.

As surprising as it may seem, the main theme song of the second picture was pulled from Apple Music and Weibo services in China due to (allegedly) containing vague references in its lyrics to the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Recommendations
If you enjoyed the original film, then A Chinese Ghost Story II will not disappoint you. Check it out for great cinematography and the amazing Leslie Cheung/Joey Wong chemistry. Now, I'm off to A Chinese Ghost Story III.Overall score: 8/10

«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»

April Story (1998) [Film Review]

April Story; or, My Dearest Senpai

     When I made it into university, Moriyama, my home-room teacher congratulated me, saying "It was a miracle." But if it was a miracle, I want to call it a miracle of love.
Encouraged by numerous recommendations from East Asian Cinema Enthusiastic group, I decided to check out more works of the awesome director Shunji Iwai. Needless to say, my journey began with the director’s 1998 feature, under the intriguing title, April Story.

Release Info

Directed by: Shunji Iwai Starring: Takako Matsu, Seiichi Tanabe

Language: Japanese Original Title: 四月物語 Runtime: 67 min

Synopsis
Uzuki Nireno (Takako Matsu) is a typical countryside girl, living on Hokkaido. However, she unexpectedly decides to move to Tokyo and begin her studies there. The family sees her off at the train station and they send in necessary things via a moving company. Strangely enough, Uzuki does not get along well with the stuck-up students from Tokyo. Gradually, Uzuki’s true intentions behind her departure from Hokkaido are revealed: to find her high-school crush, Yamazaki (Seiichi Tanabe).

Pretty with Red Umbrella
I must say that April Story feels very much like a companion piece to my favourite Iwai’s film Love Letter (1995). The tone and nostalgic style are similar and even the school theme is reused to a certain degree. However, April Story handles it very gently. The movie does not provide extensive backstories of the characters but emphasises everyday personal interactions, which we all experience.

One of the MDL users described the film as Notice me, senpai: The Motion Picture in the comments section of the film’s profile page. Indeed, that’s the simplest way of looking at April Story. To me, Iwai’s movie is not so much about a girl stalking her senpai (that would be a great idea for a horror film, by the way) but it’s a story about growing up. The main heroine has to learn how to live independently, become confident, and leave her safety bubble. This resonantes greatly in Uzuki’s interactions with the moving guys, the strange neighbour, and some random scientist.

To be honest, it is worth watching the film just for Shunji Iwai’s amazing cinematography and the loveable performance of Takako Matsu in the leading role (Love Generation for life!). In addition to this, the movie was promoted by a trailer which is a work of art in its own right (see the clip below).

A word about the availability of the film. Similarly to Love Letter, it seems that only a Korean DVD release is the only good option to watch the film with English subtitles. However, HD versions are also available online.

Recommendations
All things considered, If you want to check out a joyful and innocent story about a girl finding her way in life, then I recommend April Story. In the age of movies filled with excessive violence and illogical plotlines, we need more peaceful films like this one.Overall score: 7/10

«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»

Black Magic M-66 (1987) [OVA Review]

Black Magic M-66; or, Do Androids Dream of Electric Granddaughters?

     In all honesty, I don't know if any of this really happened. It's kind of hard to imagine that all these soldiers were fighting against two androids.
Having been fired up by Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2045, I decided to revisit classic cyberpunk OVAs. Without hesitation, I turned to the visionary himself, Masamune Shirow, and his early creations from the 1980s. My first pick became Black Magic M-66, a 47-minute-long OVA about a military android which went postal. This OVA is based on one of the chapters from Shirow’s first manga series published between 1983 and 1984.

Release Info

Created by: Masamune Shirow Voice actors: Yoshiko Sakakibara, Chisa Yokoyama

Language: Japanese Original Title: ブラックマジック Runtime: 47 min

Synopsis
Due to an accident during an army shipment, two combat androids go haywire and escape their transport pods. As the deadly machines make their way through a forest, Major (Shinji Ogawa) together with his men and the androids’ creator, Professor Matthew (Ichiro Nagai) prepare an ambush. After suffering heavy losses, the army manages to capture and destroy one of the rogue robots. However, the other one is still at large. What is worse, because of the fact that is a Test Programme loaded in its memory, it is determined to track down and execute Matthew’s granddaughter, Ferris (Chisa Yokoyama). A freelance journalist, Sybel (Yoshiko Sakakibara), accidentally learns about the android’s true objective and rushes to save Ferris before it is too late.

Killer in the Shell
To many fans of modern anime out there, Black Magic M-66 may seem to be an outdated and short OVA, but in my opinion, it manages to replicate the thrills and bombastic action sequences from such classic films as The Terminator (1984), Aliens (1986), and Predator (1987). You can clearly notice that Masamune Shirow and co-director Hiroyuki Kitabuko were seeking inspiration in the most popular sci-fi flicks of that time.

The definite assets of this OVA are the storyline and the pacing. There is virtually no exposition, but you immediately feel at ease in this futuristic world that apparently is at some state of Cold War (the character of Major makes a few passing remarks about “spies from the North"). In addition, it is quite poetic to see a female rushing to save another female from a robotic monster (which sort of looks like a female). Oh, and soldiers are finally the good guys! All of this is sprinkled with flying bullets, beaming lasers, and massive explosions which would make Michael Bay feel envy.

The voice acting is also done extremely well. The main character is voiced by none other than Yoshiko Sakakibara herself (a year before she got into the Patlabor franchise) and it is always a pleasure to hear her deep and sensual voice. I also appreciate the input of Shinji Ogawa, Ichiro Nagai (may their souls rest in peace) and Chisa Yokoyama as well as Kyouko Tonguu in the supporting parts. Great music score composed by Joyo Katayanagi and Kengo Kurozumi should not go unnoticed as well.

Recommendations
If you want to check out Masamune Shirow at the beginning of his career, then give Black Magic M-66 a chance. Nothing beats classic cell animation which to date looks great on a TV screen. It is a shame though that this OVA was not turned into a franchise. I see the potential for a 26-episode series and even a live-action film. In the meantime, we all should watch out for androids who are hellbent on killing innocent grandchildren.Overall score: 8/10

«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»

The Naked Director (2019-2021) [Drama Review]

The Naked Director; or, The World is Yours
     People have seen my asshole, but I’m not embarrassed. To be human is to live as who you really are. In other words, adult videos show humanity itself.
This week’s review is going to be a bit different. First off, I have to explain that I am not a fervent fan of pornography. Obviously, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I am not going to shun anyone who is into that type of stuff, but to me, this is not a form of “entertainment” at all. Still, I could not resist the temptation to check out The Naked Director as soon as I heard about Netflix’s release of the second season at the end of June, 2021. The aspect which attracted me so much to this drama is not the NSFW content, but rather the historical outline of a forbidden branch of Japanese cinema. This is my review of The Naked Director.

Release Info

Directed by: Masaharu Take, Eiji Uchida, Hayato Kawai Starring: Takayuki Yamada, Shinnosuke Mitsushima

Language: Japanese Original Title: 全裸監督 No. of eps.: 16 (two seasons)

Synopsis
Hokkaido, 1980. Toru Muranishi (Takayuki Yamada) is a typical salaryman who lives in an ordinary home together with his mother, wife, and two children. In order to avoid being fired by his company, he learns from the best co-worker the art of salesmanship. When things finally start going in the right direction for Toru, he discovers that his wife is cheating on him. On top of that, his company went bust. Frustrated and depressed, Toru accidentally gets himself entangled in the adult industry. From illegal audio tapes through uncensored magazines to feature-length movies, Toru embarks on a journey to break the conservative boundaries and become the Showa era’s “King of Porn”.

Nice Desu Ne!!!

The very first piece of information which you get from Netflix trailers is that this drama is actually based on real events. Yes, Toru Muranishi is a real guy and what you see on the screen happened in reality. The writers team mainly relied on the non-fiction book Zenra Kantoku Muranishi Toru Den by Nobuhiro Motohashi, and I have to say that the attention to detail in this drama is impressive. We get interview/reality show clips recreated to a t, and you can cross-check that with YouTube. This emphasis on truthfulness makes the story of Toru Muranishi all the more insane for the viewers.

I think the best way to describe this drama is to call it a crossover between Scarface (1983) and Boogie Nights (1997). Obviously, Toru is not Tony Montana and NSFW scenes are not included just for the sake of explicitness. Instead, the drama essentially shows us the rise and fall of one man within a society which is so secretive about its approach towards sexuality.

Season 1 presents us with Toru’s ascension to stardom as he battles a JAV industry mogul (Ryo Ishibashi), yakuza mobster (Jun Kunimura), and a corrupt police officer (Lily Franky). Yet, this season also focuses on another character: a shy girl Megumi (Misato Morita) who eventually becomes Kaoru Kuroki, the undisputable legend of adult movies who cements Toru’s reputation as a naked director.

Interestingly, season 2 tones down the explicit sequences but ramps up the action aspect (chases, shootouts, yakuza confrontations, etc.). Toru becomes obsessed with the idea of satellite television which eventually becomes his undoing. In this series, he is a sort of a douchebag, a Don Quixote-like character with delusions of grandeur. Yet, the supporting characters come into the spotlight with their gripping arcs: Toshi (Shinnosuke Mitsushima) falls in love with a yakuza lady, Kawada (Tetsuji Tamayama) regains faith in himself, whereas Kaoru Kuroki (Misato Morita) finally discovers her true identity.

To be honest, apart from the wonderful narrative, I have to praise the crazy awesome production design which is filled with late 80s/early 90s aesthetics. In addition, the music score composed by Taisei Iwasaki is absolutely epic. From the main theme through incidental music to the usage of popular English songs, I couldn’t help but feel constantly excited. The editing is yet another thing not to be forgotten. At times, the drama has the production quality of a big budget motion picture.

With regard to performances, the cast is just top notch across the board. Takayuki Yamada steals the show as Toru Muranishi. Misato Morita is brilliant as Kaoru Kuroki, and Shinnosuke Mitsushima heartbreakingly awesome as Toshi. My personal favourite character is Junko the make-up artist, wonderfully played by Sairi Ito. I also appreciate that veteran actors and actresses appear in supporting roles.

Recommendations
Evidently, The Naked Director is a drama for mature audiences. If the adult theme does not put you off, then give this show a chance. Its ultimate message is that no matter how many times you lose, there’s always hope for a better tomorrow. Toru Muranishi himself reiterates this in an excellent interview he gave recently. I know it is wishful thinking, but I would love to see the third season exploring Toru’s misadventures with the DVD market in the 2000s. Overall score: 8/10

«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»

Game of Death II (1981) [Film Review]

Game of Death II; or, The Towers of Silence
     Dear Bobby, how are you? I was hoping to see you, but you were out. Sorry I missed you. I gather you are not studying or training so hard lately. I guess I don't have to tell you that to become an expert in the art of Kung Fu, you must practise more. There'll be time for girls later. Take care of yourself.
After the release of Robert Clouse’s Game of Death in 1978, one could think that producer Raymond Chow was done and dusted with the phenomenon of Bruceploitation movies, but three year later, he greenlit yet another Game of Death, this time directed by Ng See-yuen and distributed solely by Golden Harvest.

Release Info

Directed by: Ng See-yuen Starring: Tong Lung, Hwang Jang-lee, Roy Horan, Roy Chiao

Language: Cantonese Original Title: 死亡塔 Runtime: 96 min

Synopsis
Billy Lo (Tong Lung posing as Bruce Lee) leaves his younger brother, Bobby Lo (also Tong Lung), under the care of his former teacher, Chin Ku (Hwang Jang-lee). However, it turns out that Chin Ku suddenly dies in mysterious circumstances. Billy Lo goes to Japan to investigate the matter, but he gets killed while trying to protect the remains of his master. Bobby Lo takes up the challenge and goes after the men who led to the death of his brother.

Down and Out in a Crack Den
Allegedly, there are three cuts of Game of Death II, so after a brief investigation, I found out that my dilapidated DVD copy contains an international UK version which clocks in at 96 minutes (there are also Hong Kong and South Korean cuts out there).

To be honest, I am pleasantly surprised with this film. From the get go you can clearly see that it is a vast improvement over the 1978 Game of Death. The storyline is super easy to follow and the stock footage of Bruce Lee (taken mainly from Enter the Dragon (1973)) blends in very neatly with the fight scenes. The filmmakers even included scenes of young Bruce Lee at the very beginning of his acting career!

That being said, our Billy Lo/Bruce Lee protagonist works only for the first half of the film until he is killed off in a debilitating manner (and yeah, the horrific coffin mug shot returns with a vengeance as well). From this point on, it is up to Bobby Lo to save the honour of the flick.

Just when you think that the movie is on the verge of completely falling apart (bad guy eating raw meat, etc.), it manages to remain an entertaining action showcase. Obviously, Bruce’s pagoda footage is not reused here, but at least the concept of it is kept for the finale. We see Bobby entering an inverted tower buried within an underground compound (it is basically a villain’s base from Moonraker (1979)) and facing a few imposing baddies. The final showdown is ridiculous fun!

Basically, Game of Death II is not so much about exploiting Bruce Lee, but about replicating the spirit of what made his movies so great. Had Bruce been alive and well to do this picture, Game of Death II could have been a classic. Still, it is a fairly enjoyable ride.

Recommendations
If you are in a desperate need for a Bruce Lee film without Bruce, then Game of Death II is the best choice for you. Ditch the atrocious Robert Clouse’s movie and play this one instead. Huge respect for the filmmaking team behind this flick: Ng See- yuen, Yuen woo-ping, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao.Overall score: 8/10

«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»