Weekend Viewings: Hero, Girl Next Door

[Mr_Vindictive]

Hero (2002) - Wow.  I was seriously impressed by this flick!  I had seen the commercials for it all over the television, but didn't really know what to expect.  

The film follows the "Hero".  He has no name and is completely badass.  The flick starts as he is meeting the ruler of a Chinese land, back when China was split up into different divisions.  The Hero has taken out the three assassins who had tried to kill the ruler.  We then go back in time numerous times to see just what had happened in each of the battles.  From there, the story twists and turns until it's finale.

What I felt was great about the movie was that, eventhough it had kick ass fight scnes, the narrative was just as strong as the fighting.  Hell there was even a love story thrown in!  I loved the story throughout the film and feel it could be a contender for best foreign film.  The visuals in this flick were also mind-blowing.  There is one particular scene with two women fighting in a forest with yellow leaves covering the ground and falling like snow.  The entire scene is pure magic.

By far one of the best action films I've seen this year.  Well worth seeing at the theater.



The Girl Next Door (2004) - Another great flick!  I wasn't expecting too much from this film when I first popped it in.  I figured it would be just another teen flick ala American Pie.  I was seriously wrong.  This flick is funny as hell, innocent in it's nature and a great time all around.  The film is about a senior in high school who falls in love with his new neighbor.  Come to find out, the neighbor is actually a pornstar.

This film is a great throwback to the 80s flicks like Risky Business.  It has great characters, great music and is just a great film all around.  Definently worth a rental and/or a buy.

[Chopper]

"great music.."

was there any Dead Kennedy's on the soundtrack? ;)

[Scott]

I also liked the fight between the two woman in the forest.

Anytime they showed the advancing of troops, the desert region, or the Forbidden City. I think that covers the whole film.

The lake scene was a bit much for me.

[Mr_Vindictive]

Not quite. LOL

But, it goes head to head with Donnie Darko for the best tunes in a flick.

[Chopper]

wow that's some stiff competition. Donny Darko had Joy Division in it, and that awesome song "under the milky way" by the Church.

[Yaddo42]

I've read that "Hero" can't be nominated for any Oscars this year since the film was already China's entry in competition for Best Foreign Film last year. So there's something else we can "thank" Miramax for as a result of sitting on the US release for two years. Knowing how they love Oscars and mount huge marketing campaigns come nomination and award time, looks like they missed out with a golden opportunity.

[Mr_Vindictive]

Can't forget the great Gary Jules rendition of "Mad World".  Great stuff.


Yaddo, yeah I found out that info after posting this.  Miramax really screwed this flick over, but atleast it's making major bank.