I’m a Cyborg but that’s Okay (South Korea, 2006) – 1,5/5
And what happened to Chan-wook Park? I’m a Cyborg but that’s Okay is a painful mess that lacks almost everything that made his previous films good. The stunnning soundtracks, magnificent visuals, clever storylines… all vanished. Ironically Park (only) succeeds with violence, the very theme he was trying to move further away from with this awkward drama/comedy that seemingly has no deeper meaning hidden under the messy core.
- hiff
Breath (South Korea, 2007) – 4/5
I’m glad to report that Kim’s new film is a step up after the melodramatic Time. While not quite up to his best days Kim has mostly abandoned the crowd pleasing elements and put the aim back on silent obsession. The storyline is about a married woman who starts casual meetings with a death row prisoner (Chang Chen) who may or may not be her old boyfriend as she tells people.
- hiff
Triangle (Hong Kong, 2007) – 3,5/5
Instead of directing three separate episodes Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To deliver a single storyline, with each director helming one third of the movie. The outcome is an undeniable mess, but a very enjoyable one. The movie begins as a crime thriller but soon gets weirder and weirder. By the time To takes over the movie has turned into a sort of violent mystery farce told with a straigh face. Lam Suet’s appearance near the end is a small classic that will be equally hated and loved. Just like the whole movie.
- hiff
Tabunfire (Dynamite Warrior) (Thailand, 2006) – 4,5/5
Cannibalism, black magic, vertically limited warriors (midgets), huge moustache, muay thai (with some wire work this time)… Tabunfire is a high kicking camp dream come true. Mixing off-the-wall story elements with quality action and mixing the soup with virgin blood this a strong candidate for the best action movie of the year.
- hiff
Tekkonkinkreet (Japan, 2006) – 1,5/5
A boring, noisy mess of an anime film directed by American born Michael Arias, and drawn in a style that didn’t please me at all (with an exception of one character). Minor bonus from Yu Aoi’s voice acting role.
- hiff