"Will you quit rubbing your body up against mine because I can't concentrate when you're doing that"
John Carpenter understands the flash and fun of the Honk Kong film, and expertly recreates the excitement of finding those movies for the first time. Possibly the most fun you can have watching a movie.
The Tin Star is a lean, tightly paced, and beautifully shot western with an eye towards the revisionist themes that would be explored later in the genre. The film hosts an absolutely stellar cast with fantastic performances all around, and is backed by a excellent (and oscar nominated) script. It's neat to see Anthony Perkins pre Psycho as a young and naive sheriff played opposite by acting legend Henry Fonda as the older, jaded ex-sheriff. Great little film.
I had the opportunity to see this film at a local cinema on a 35mm print tonight, and I have to say seeing it in a theatre of people enjoying it just as much as I did really made the experience. There is a distinct tonal dissonance between the Michelle Yeoh/ Cynthia Rothrock scenes and Tsui Hark and Co, but the humor landed for me on this viewing, and the fight scenes are kinetic and visceral. The Looney Tunes-esque fight in Tsui Harks apartment is a standout. The soundtrack kicks ass.
Not quite Nausicaä. Mickey 17 is a technically impressive film backed by solid acting, but severely hampered by an atrocious script. I might not have gained from this what others have, and could probably use a rewatch in the near future to more concretely form opinions on it. As it stands, Mickey 17 is Bong Joon-Ho's weakest effort in an otherwise spotless career. Cineplex, cut the screen x bullshit. Cinema is not a gimmick so stop treating it like it is.
