Assault! Jack the Ripper (Japan, 1976) – 3/5
As much as I’d like love this one the flaws are just too obvious. Hasebe’s films has potential even to be one of the definitive serial killer analyzes, but the fast tempo and the unnecessarily frequent sex scenes make the film less impressive than what it could be. Acting is surprisingly good, but the characterization is left half way. The mean spirited murder scenes are unsettling, partly due to the uncompromising use of music. Humour is plenty, but always pitch back and hard to stomatch. Several single scenes are brilliant and make you wish the whole movie would retain the same quality.
- dvd / Geneon
The Last Blood (Hong Kong, 1991) – 4/5
Japanese terrorist want kill Dalai Lama… uh, Daka Lama I mean, in this mentally insane Wong Jing actioner. Alan Tam, who looks like Alan Tam without glasses, according to his own words, plays a cop who tries to stop the terrorist and find a blood donor before it’s too late. Any Lau has his own reasons take part in the game. Eric Tsang appears in diapers. Sounds confusing? Or just brilliant? Well, the film is both. There’s also enough gunplay for the British video distibutor to retitle the film as Hard Boiled 2 back in the days… although this one was made a year before the Woo classic.
- dvd / Mega Star