AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
A strange Japanese comedy drama about an alien octopus that has already destroyed 70% of the Moon who becomes a teacher at a school. The class he teaches has 1 year until graduation to kill him.
Based on a manga, this odd movie has a weird vibe to it. A story that involves pupils wielding weapons such as guns to class to shoot their alien teacher would you think be dark but it isn't. It's got a light-hearted feel to it and only turns serious during the final 45 mins as the Japanese government decide that they will take out the alien octopus once and for all. I liked the story and all that but it drags on for too long and there's too much melodrama (a common staple in Japanese movies). The big draw here is the alien octopus itself with his smiley face that looks like what was associated with the acid house culture during the early 90's. The human characters are your usual high school generic students and not worth bothering about if I'm being honest. It's an entirely forgettable movie at the end of the day and the only ones who will really enjoy this more than the casual viewer will be manga fans. Give this movie a shot but I can't guarantee that everybody will like it.
8 years, 1 month ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
Keisuke is a nerdy teacher during the day at a girls school but at night he becomes Rapeman who "rights wrong through penetration"! In the 3rd installment, Keisuke investigates a young girl in his class who is found dead and finds himself uncovering bent coppers and a rape porn ring.
Far from being a smutty and exploitative movie, this is a fine drama with a good plot. It does though have a couple of soft porn interludes as Rapeman does his dirty deed on a couple of naughty women. Naturally it's a very un-politicially correct movie but it's still very entertaining. If you're not offended by this kind of drama then I'm sure you'll grow to like it as well.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
The spinoff movie from the popular late 60's/early 70's UK sitcom centering around a brother and sister who run a pickling factory. Most UK sitcom movies that was churned out around this time were fairly mediocre and this one whilst not a comedy classic by any means it does have it's share of laughs. The regular cast get to go out on location instead of filming in a studio to visit where Northerners liked to go on holiday in the 70's - sunny Blackpool!! Except they didn't go there - stock film footage of Blackpool was used and instead the cast filmed down in Southend On Sea. It's obvious if you've been to Blackpool that what was supposed to be the Pleasure Beach arcades looks nothing like it! Hylda Baker and Jimmy Jewel are mostly on top form though the plot descends into utter farce for the last 15 mins which spoils the movie as it isn't that funny. Another big difference between the series and the movie is the references to sex and the use of big breasted young women for cheap gags! All in all, there are some funny lines and the movie will certainly hold some nostalgic interest for fans of the series and of the 70's in general.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
A very low budget action movie set in Thailand and London revolving around a man Alex that's on the run who tries to figure out via some time loops who he is and why there are people after him. The story is a mess, the dubbing on the Thai actors is awful and the acting by all the cast is atrocious BUT the martial art fights manages to keep your interest. They're fast, exciting and good to watch and without this the movie would be a total dive. You've also got a beautiful eye-candy in Selina Lo to make you carry on watching too. Don't expect much from this movie - it's far from being an action classic. It's strictly something to see once which you can then forget about.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
During the Japanese occupation of Korea in the 30's, a young girl Ju-ran is transferred to a school out in the countryside where she is supposed to recuperate from an illness. When some of her classmates start disappearing, Ju-ran discovers the deadly secret that the school is hiding from it's pupils. This was an enjoyable mystery drama. I was hooked from the beginning and whilst some viewers may find the plot to be slightly predictable, it was handled in a refreshing way. The characters were endearing especially the lead character. I liked how the plot unfolded with hints being dropped here and there as to what is really going on. It does get a bit far fetched in the second half which is a shame as I preferred the dark and brooding first half so much better. Still, this is a nice Korean mystery movie which shouldn't be passed up.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
Marvel seems to have another winner on their hands with Doctor Strange though I've never read any of the comics featuring him. First off, I was blown away by the visuals, and the way cross dimensional scenarios were portrayed as if a comic book page came to life. It's your typical Marvel character introduction movie. Pretty much explained in the trailers, after surviving a near fatal car accident, he eventually goes to Kamar Taj for healing, thus begins his journey as the Sorcerer Supreme. Benedict Cumberbatch is excellent as Stephen Strange. Mads Mikkelsen is weak though as the villain Kaecilius. He just isn't menacing enough. The action is great with good fighting scenes and the SFX of city landscapes being changed by the mystical powers is amazing. Overall it's another fantastic addition to the MCU and bodes well for a sequel in the future.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
This is the spin-off movie from the successful Japanese drama that was broadcast in 2012 which revolves around a young girl Yuiko whose dreams are able to predict terrible events of the future. She sees her teacher Ayami in her dreams as the saviour of the world so Ayami reluctantly gets dragged into helping Yuiko change the terrible fate of the people around them. In this movie Yuiko has a nightmare in which a new transfer student to her class is about to do horrific things. Ayami and Yuiko must try and stop this from happening.
You can't say the Japanese can't come up trumps for originality in this movie! It's fun (at times it does get a bit dark), fresh, has engaging young characters you like and a great lead in Keiko Kitagawa as the class teacher. Although the movie does outstay it's welcome by a good 20-25 mins, I enjoyed this movie and the story kept my interest. I do regret not watching the drama series first but I'll do that in the future. A great little movie.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
I have never read this blockbuster novel so did not know what to expect at all. At first, it seemed like an interesting mystery compounded by the black-out memories of the main character and I was anxious to see how it would carry on. As it progressed it became apparent that she was truly off kilter due to mainly drinking so it was very confusing. Without revealing the end, it should be noted that this is a story filled with dysfunctional people all selfishly pursuing their libidinous desires. Each one cares not for the rights or feelings of others so multiple people get irrevocably hurt. I became increasingly bored from about half way through the movie so I'm not sure how I managed to stay awake till the end. The only highlight of the movie is Emily Blunt's acting. I didn't feel it was worth anybody's time to be honest.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
Tom Cruise is back as Jack Reacher - a one-man wrecking crew who leaves a trail of broken bodies. The movie begins, continues and ends with action and intrigue. In this outing Reacher has to uncover a government conspiracy to clear his name and that of a colleague. A complicated plot entwines itself around the characters and it takes a little concentration not to get lost. There is however a rather refreshing chase scene that doesn't involve a single car. Highly watchable but not as good as the first movie. Always easy to watch Tom Cruise when he's strutting his stuff, whatever the plot.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
Essentially a typical buddy comedy/bromance movie filled with awkward moments and fart jokes... except that one of the friends is a talking corpse with magical powers. I don't think I laughed once but it did make me smile quite a few times. Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe both gave great performances but overall the movie is nothing special. The concept is so bizarre that I really wanted to like it, but it failed to deliver a satisfying conclusion and thus felt like it was all for nothing. I mostly enjoyed it but won't watch again. Though I can't stop listening to the awesome a-capella soundtrack which was definitely the highlight of the movie.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
An interesting mystery movie set in a Japanese girls school where some pupils start going missing and a curse is blamed for it all. If you've seen the Korean movie series Whispering Corridors, this is somewhat similar to those. This movie though is loosely based on a video game. The plot builds up very nicely from the start with a girl who locks herself away and students seem to be infatuated with her, then a photo shows up and a ghostly apparition of her shows up and then people start disappearing. Nothing groundbreaking, but you want to know what happens with a setup like that which has an hypnotic dreamlike atmosphere to it. You're not going to see anything new in this J-horror movie but if you want to waste 100 mins on a good mystery you can't go wrong with this one.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
This movie is set in South Africa at the cusp of Apartheid's collapse. However, such worldly concerns pale in comparison to the traumas and triumphs of the main character as he endures his first year of boarding school. It's a great comedy drama with Troye Sivan, who manages to pull the viewer in with a powerful, unaffected, guileless charm as Spud. He is joined by a wonderful turn from John Cleese as his literature teacher who gives him important lessons in life through books. It's one of those movies that makes you think back to when you were the same age as Spud. Overall, I thought it was a pleasantly entertaining movie.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
Never have I seen a movie that's made me so angry. This outstanding Korean movie is based on a true story which took place in 2005 in a school for deaf children. They were being sexually abused and beaten by some of the teachers which included the Principal. In the first half of the movie, the horrible abuses are unveiled one by one (be warned that some scenes are very distressing to watch). The second half is a courtroom drama in which the abusers go on trial. The movie is an emotional ride which tugs at your heartstrings. The performances of all in this movie is superb especially the child actors. I won't tell the eventual outcome of the courtroom trial but it will shock you. Thankfully after the movie came out, there was a massive outrage in South Korea and justice was finally served to those that thought they got away with their crimes. This is one of the best movies I've ever seen and that's saying something.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
Loved the first SPL movie so I thought I'd check out the sequel though the story has no connection to the original at all. If you can ignore the flimsy plot, you'll be treated to some of the best martial arts action since the original SPL. There are 4 actors in this movie that can really fight and their skills are well highlighted in several scenes. The choreograph and framing of the scenes was so well executed allowing the viewer to fully appreciate the skills of the fighters. There are a handful of memorable fight scenes in the movie but special mention has to be reserved for the final fight. It's quite a lengthy scene and is full of extremely satisfying action. Tony Jaa has been on a streak of underwhelming movies recently but he takes centre stage here and is back on form. The movie might take it's time in setting things up but the story does deliver during the second half. A worthy sequel to the first movie.
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
This is a good murder mystery about a nutball killing prostitutes on the dates as those that Jack The Ripper did 100 years previously. James Spader does well in a double role as twins. One is murdered by the psycho whilst the other aided by a female doctor tries to track down his brother's killer. It was great to watch a movie with such a dense storyline that never forget what it was supposed to do-entertain. I was intrigued and fascinated with the story, performances and director Rowdy Herrington's ability to construct such a multi-layered plot and still find a way to pull it all together. Jack's Back isn't conventional in the least, it marches to its own drum, has class, and is well written, acted and directed. Check it out!
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 3 items to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
8 years, 2 months ago
AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list
I think this sequel to Thermae Romae is actually better and funnier than the original. It's set in ancient Rome and featuring bath builder Lucius who finds himself in modern-day Japan from time to time, where he discovers new public bath designs and a young girl Mami who wants to draw manga and is very drawn to him. In this movie Lucius is ordered by Emperor Hadrianus to construct baths that will make the Roman Empire a more peaceful nation. There are a lot of laughs to be had mostly from Lucius' experiences in Japan which he then brings back to ancient Rome. Abe Hiroshi and Aya Ueto reprise their roles and slip back into character like they've never been away. It's not essential that you've seen the first movie to enjoy this one. Go and enjoy this goofy comedy which will bring a smile to your face.
8 years, 2 months ago