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GalenDev
Reviews
Ninja Assassin (2009)
Great Fight Scenes, Little Else to Offer.
This movie caters to a very specific taste: the types of people that like cheesy martial arts films. Very simply, it was one of the worst films I have ever seen, except during the action sequences, when it became one of the best.
First, the negative. The script was horrific, the acting, only slightly better. The only actor seeming to have any real fun in the movie was Ben Miles as Agent Maslow. The protagonist Raizo was played by the unusually one-named Rain, who, while a tremendous athlete and martial artist, could only deliver his lines with a stoic one-note woodenness and without any emotion or urgency. Even the usually good Naomie Harris seemed to feel stuck in her role. The plot was full of the usual contrivances and tripe, and was outstanding only in its mundanity. Even the music was unnecessarily over the top and lacking any focus.
However, the positive is REALLY positive. Simply put, this movie had some of the most impressive and visually striking combat sequences I have ever seen. No two scenes were alike. From the cinematography to the choreography to the extremely impressive use of the Kusari-gama, a highly complicated weapon consisting of a sickle-blade at the end of a long chain, heretofore almost unheard of being used in modern cinema never mind to this great extent, everything about the fights were crisp and extremely impressive, keeping my attention easily. Action directors could learn a lot from this movie.
In the end, I rated this film a 6/10. As I said, this appeals to fans of cheesy martial arts flicks, of which I certainly consider myself among their number. This is no House of Flying Daggers, but if you don't mind a bad plot and terrible dialogue, then you will enjoy this movie.
The Agency: The Agency (2001)
This show is too good to end
I recently received news that this show was cancelled. Now while I understand that the ratings weren't as good as they could have been, I'm going to be honest. It was a terrific show, one deserving of network support and a little nurturing. Will Patton's quiet strength and confidence, Daniel Benzali's antagonizing yet determined demeanor, Richard Speight, Jr.'s outright humor, all of these actors and more weaved the show into one of the most fun and well-written shows on TV. While somewhat formulaic at times, the show was always suspenseful and riveting.
And now CBS wants to end this. People here seem to have a favorable review, so I urge you all. Please write in to CBS and let's try to see this show renewed. Thank you very much.