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13 Assassins creates a political landscape in Japan in 1844. It sees the shogun’s half-brother rising ever closer to power. This greatly unsettles his opponents, as this half-brother is infamous for his sadistic tendencies. For instance, purely for his own amusement, he has severed a woman’s arms and legs, cut out her tongue, and kept her as a prisoner. He is, in short, a cruel ruler who believes in enforcing strict discipline among his subjects....
8 Million Way to Die centers around Matthew Scudder portrayed by Jeff Bridges. He is a former cop who, due to his alcoholism, now has no real home, no wife, and no job. He’s enrolled in AA and is trying to put his life back on track. Out of nowhere, he’s approached by a high-end sex worker who asks for his help. She wants to quit but is terrified of her pimp—at least, that’s her...
Snow White and the Seven Samurai is a 2024 movie from the Asylum studio. Movies from the Asymum studios often have something to hope for. Let’s say that they don’t always deliver on their mark. But I’ve heard good about this from Voices From the Balcony, so I thought I’d give it a go. I’m rather anxious when I see Eric Roberts in the early scenes of the movie. I usually don’t connect his name...
Attack of the Legion is the second Gamera film, starting with The Guardian of the Universe. This time the threat comes from outer space, a gigantic insect-like alien which in turn is built up by smaller units. The government tries to fight it off but stands helpless (of course). Their only hope is Gamera even if he’s still not considered an ally. Nevertheless, Gamera takes on the fight with the gigantic creature from outer space...
Frozen Empire is the latest Ghostbusters installment. That makes it the fourth film in the series. The first two were made in 1984 and 1989 respectively, and the last one just a couple of years ago, in 2021. I was a fan of the first movie when it came out. But when the second one came out back in the day, I can’t remember seeing it. I have done something about it since then, but...
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the fourth newer movie about how humanity lost its grip on the world and how the apes rose to domination of the planet. I have seen all the other of course, but I’ll be damned if I can remember every detail about them. I can’t. What I do know is that they follow a logical path. First Ceasar, the ape who finally said NO, is subdued. Later...
Lady Dragon 2 has absolutely nothing to do with the first film. There’s no connection between them whatsoever. Apart from that Cynthia Rothrock stars in both of course. But she doesn’t even play the same person. She looks different and she has a different name. So there! Oh, wait. There is something else they have in common – revenge! In this one, Cynthia Rothrock plays a fighter known as the “The Golden Angel”. The film...
Lady Dragon is an action movie from 1992 starring Martial Artist Cynthia Rothrock. She might not be the best actor ever even during her 80-90 films when she was kind of a C action star. She was doing the same character over and over again. There was either a woman caught in the underground fighting scene or a cop infiltrating one. I’m exaggerating of course, but if you boil it down to the essentials, that’s...
The Punisher was a film I saw when it came in 1989. I didn’t really like it back then. I think I had a grudge towards Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren at that time. And, he’s not a brilliant actor but has gotten better over the years. This part doesn’t demand too much of him you might argue. He speaks with a slow voice and he seems to struggle not to have a Swedish accent. I...
Axel F is the fourth film in the Beverly Hills Cop series. The previous film was made in 1994 so you could argue it was about time. My memories of Beverly Hills Cop 3 are very scarce and limited though, likewise with the second film in the series. They were more or less mere transportation and a cash-in on the first film’s success. Axel F is a continuation of sorts to the third movie though....
In Guardian of the Universe, an atoll is discovered in a place where there shouldn’t be one. Furthermore, it moves. Scientists are astonished by the discovery but can’t really figure it out. At the same time, gigantic birds with wingspreads of 10 meters or more are discovered. No one knows where they came from or why they have appeared now, but they seem to be genetically created. No creature has such a perfect DNA strain!...
The Last Kumite is not a movie that is revolutionary in any way. There are plenty of other movies focusing on secret fighting or fighting tournaments. There are really just two things to look for in this movie. First is if there are any cool fighting sequences and some nice choreography. I was disappointed in that area very early in the movie. I felt like the fighting sequences were very far off and that it...
