Celtic-Tyger Reviews

Dark Rising (2007 Video)

Terrible 'A' Movie, Brilliant 'B' Movie

[7/10 · 13 August 2008]

If you are looking to watch an action packed blockbuster movie, stop reading and move along. If you are looking for a good old fashioned solid 'B' movie, this is it. It's not on the same level as say Sam Raimi's classic "Army Of Darkness, show casing the chiseled chin and the witty quips of Bruce Campbell.

Yet this movie is the best recent attempt to bring back the campiness that 'B' movies used to offer to the world. Unlike lack luster blockbuster movies this movie is not eye candy, it's brain candy, which Roger Corman has proved time and time again that a movie trying to be serious can be seriously funny if it's made the right way.

There is no real story in this movie, no real explanation of what happened, where it happened, and why it happened. What there is a great gaggle of eclectic characters. Some typical flashing of skin, and splashing of blood. That is all that matters to this kind of movie.

Plus the appearance of Canadian wrestler "Christian Cage" in a role that would make Bruce Campbell throw up a little in his mouth with pride, was a refreshing surprise, along with the double threat talent of brains and beauty in co-star and producer the stunning, and we need to see more of, Brigitte Kingsley.

If you want to feed your brain some mush, this is a movie for you.

New Police Story (2004)

Jackie Grows Up

[8/10 · 3 April 2007]

Being in North America a lot of Jackie's work is solidly been show cased in the comedic genre. I ran across "Shaolin Wooden Men" years ago on VHS, and was impressed by his role as a serious troubled young man. Now in this movie he's playing a serious troubled man. It proves that not only is Chinese cinema is still the shining star of the martial arts movie world, and that Hollywood special effects can make a visual feast for the eyes, but Chinese cinema provides a poignant story as well.

Though this movie never got much promotion in North America, I am glad when I saw it in the store. I paid full retail price for it, and I felt it was worth it. Hopefully more gems like this movie will make it's way over the ocean, not seeing them is truly our loss.

Even all grown up, Jackie still has it.