John Book Reviews

Hitman (1998)

Violence, acting, and bananas... Oh my!

[8/10 · 31 July 2000]

When I saw the cover for this, I wondered if it was some weird Chinese comedy with Jet Li. All of the stars are holding guns except for Eric Tsang, who is holding a banana. Why is Gigi Leung giving us a wink? And how come Simon Yam has one gun to his head? If anything, I knew I was in for "something" and this is one film where you can say "don't judge a DVD by its cover".

The acting is great, especially Jet Li who is normally known as a kung fu master or shoot 'em up guy. He combines both of these elements, but also shows he can be a romantic guy, when it comes to Miss Gigi Leung. No wonder the girls love him.

But Eric Tsang outshines everyone as the money-hungry guy who will do anything to make a buck, and is successful in every transaction except when it comes to having a relationship with his daughter (Leung).

The movie centers around the assassination of a Japanese businessman. Jet Li's character, Fu, comes to Hong Kong from the mainland and finds that he is unlike his money hungry friend, but knows he has to do something to survive. Somehow, the former military soldier meets up with a man named Ngok Lo (Tsang), who encourages Fu to join him in finding the killer for the reward money that's being offered. The action picks up from that point on, and the great thing about it is that it has enough kung fu and gunplay to keep you on your toes, but it doesn't go overboard either way. Inbetween this, Fu bumps into a lady (Leung) and eventually finds out she is related to his new boss. Combine that with the police investigating the murder case, and some hilarious moments from Tsang (Hong Kong's Joe Pesci?), and you have one of the best movies to come out of Hong Kong in some time. Well written, nice cinematography, and the acting is on the money. Just when you think they couldn't add any more elements to this film, they do.

Hawaiian Rainbow (1988)

Hawaiian music and culture represented on the big screen

[10/10 · 23 June 2000]

Robert Mugge has done a few documentaries on blues music, and here he takes his love of "roots music" by honoring and examining Hawaiian music. Mugge interviews musical scholars and musicians who make the music happen, and also finds out what makes their musicianship so special. Mixing time honored traditions with a need to expand and open up to the future, "Hawaiian Rainbow" is a well done documentary that makes you feel like pulling up a bucket, bringing out your 'ukulele and jamming with friends. A lot has happened to Hawaiian music since the 1988 release of this film, so this becomes a time capsule of sorts.

Rappin' (1985)

Hollywood's failed attempt at accepting another "culture"

[5/10 · 20 June 2000]

With the success of "Beat Street" and "Breakin'", Hollywood felt it was the right time to exploit the world of rap music. Keep in mind that this was 1985, and the music was still being promoted by the music. No videos, no shiny record covers, just the music and the people. With that in mind, someone felt it was pretty good to make a film about a few people struggling for a better life, and doing it by having each character rap during key moments in the movie. I don't know what they were thinking, maybe a "West Side Story" for the breakdancers? While this movie could (and should) be exposed as weak, there's a small part inside of you that you eat up like cake. Sure it's cheesy, but at the same time their hearts were in the right place, just not doing it correctly. Mario Van Peebles tries to rap, but the high/lowlight has got to be the ending of the movie, when the entire cast is given a few lines to rap, including the "cowboy" character. And you thought Eminem was the first white wonder.

The Buddhist Fist (1980)

Kung fu comedy not my cup of (poisonous) tea

[19 June 2000]

If you're into the type of kung fu movies with an emphasis on humor, pick up "The Buddhist Fist". This one was a bit TOO funny, and was almost a distraction. The fighting is great, but at times looked too choreographed. Jackin Chan has done it much better, so look there. Good for a one time rental. If you need something, pick up one of his other movies, like the flawless "Iron Monkey".

Shaft (2000)

Shaft's "nephew" does good

[8/10 · 17 June 2000]

Don't expect this to be a remake or a sequel, but expect it to be good.

It's a brand new movie where Samuel Jackson's Shaft is the nephew of the original Shaft, played by Richard Roundtree. The movie itself takes on two storylines, involving two people from two totally different worlds. Shaft is on it, looking for and dealing with both. Eventually the world's collide, and the movie gets only stronger. Jeffrey Wright as Peoples Hernandez literally steals the show as a drug lord who is trying to make ends meet in the only way he knows how. We're not allowed to get into his "world", just as the character wouldn't let you. We see him on the surface, and Wright runs with it.

I'm not a fan of John Singleton's movies, but he did well here. I didn't come out of this thinking it was a "black" movie, or just another Samuel "Action" Jackson flick. It was a very good film. Vanessa Williams does very well as the cop who can ride alongside (not behind) the top officers. I would see this one again. The music from Issac Hayes is, as always, tight, the sound is truly in your face, and the violence is just as hard and upfront as those classic movies from the 70's. No BS, this is Shaft as you'd expected it to be.

Breakin' (1984)

A glimpse of what hip hop was to become

[16 June 2000]

Back in 1984, hip hop as a social phenomenon didn't exist. Hip hop was still the "trendy" music from New York City that somehow was gaining the attention of Hollywood. For some, it was great, for others it was the beginning of something that has yet to be recaptured, the innocence of a new and fresh musical artform, and a culture.

Nonetheless, "Breakin'" is a film that takes place in California where Kelly (Lucinda Dickey) is hoping to make it with her dancing. He goes to the beach and catches a dance routine with a few breakdancers, Turbo and Ozone. She loves it, and eventually becomes their friend. One of them finds her attractive, the other chooses to pop his way through life. Kelly's family doesn't want her to be hanging around with the "hoodlums", but Turbo and Ozone simply want to hang out and have fun. Kelly finds herself learning the street-style of dance, and treats it as a serious artform rather than a bunch of guys dancing on cardboard for the hell of it. Looking back, it seems very much like a Hollywood version of what can really happen when two cultures clash (shades of "West Side Story"), but the film has good music, good dancing, a decent story, and it looks back at a time when hip hop as a whole was trying its hardest to gain respect.

Five extra points for Lucinda Dickey, who was easily one of the more beautiful actresses of the 80's.

Shaolin and Wu Tang (1983)

Fantastic kung fu movie

[16 June 2000]

It's safe to say that almost any movie Gordon Liu has ever appeared in is a classic. You can probably watch the intro of this movie (about four minutes) over and over and over and never get bored, it's that good. The movie itself is about two people from two different groups (the Shaolin and the Wu-Tang) and how they must unite to fight for one common cause. The fighting sequences are great, the storyline is easy to follow, and... well, just go out and see it.

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)

I want to create a new chamber. Oh, and what would that be?

[16 June 2000]

Gordon Liu. Nuff said, really. Here is a film about a young man whose family is being corrupted by the bad guys. He needs to learn kung fu, and can only do it by going to the Shaolin temple. He gets there, and finds himself having to fight through a number of different rooms, or "chambers". The training is rigorous, but the viewer gets involved in each technique, as Liu advances without a problem. There are only 35 chambers, but Liu's character wants to created a new one. This chamber is to open all chambers to the rest of the world, so they can learn from him. He is kicked out, but Liu has learned most of the techniques. It is now his duty to kick some serious ass. Most kung fu movies this long (about 105 minutes) tend to get boring, but the storyline is excellent, and the fighting is too good to be true.

Five Deadly Venoms (1978)

Learn each of the five styles with confidence.

[16 June 2000]

Whoa, a kung fu movie that is exciting, AND it can make you think? Sounds foolish, but it's true. A well written kung fu movie about a teacher who must teach his last student what he knows about Chinese boxing before he dies. He tells the student that he once taught five men a different style of fighting. The whereabouts of each of the five are unknown, but he must find at least one to strengthen his fighting. The movie goes on from there, and it's one of those where if you blink, you might miss a few things. Sure, the fighting is choreographed, but it's great to watch, especially #2, the Snake Style.

High Fidelity (2000)

Vinyl, love, fear, vinyl, rejection, love, vinyl, love vinyl.

[10/10 · 2 April 2000]

It's great to watch a film that you can relate to, it's another to see a part of your life on there. It could have been a part of my real life, right down to wondering when love you hit you at the right time, and when that right time is. But most of all, the many quirks about record collecting, music discussion, and the "elitist" attitudes one has when you appreciate music. It's not a "music" film, but rather music circles the life of John Cusack's character, coming up with Top 5 lists, lyrical verses, and references to the first songs on Side 1 of any album as a metaphor for his need for romance. Of course, diehard collectors will complain that the movie is not an accurate adaptation of Nick Hornsby's book, but who cares? It's a funny film with heart, and it gives credibility to all the record collecting nerds out there. File under "Movie: Great".

U2: Rattle and Hum (1988)

A great 80's rock documentary free of MTV-style edits.

[10/10 · 7 January 2000]

When this first came out, I saw it five times (two on opening night, three the next night). Besides the powerful music, the cinematography from Phil Joanou is just amazing. See the disgust in Bono's face during "With Or Without You", feel the cold air during "Exit", be hit by a dose of Coltrane in the awesome "Bullet The Blue Sky", smell the carpet as The Edge walks to stage right in "Where The Streets Have No Name"... this is everything a concert film should be. If anything, "U2: Rattle And Hum" should be an example of what a concert film can be like in the 21st century.

The music is great, the band is in top form during their 1987 "Joshua Tree" tour. Recently released on DVD, the sound and visuals shine just as bright as they did when I saw them on the big screen.