Casshern

Casshern
Japan (2004)
Starring:  Yusuke Iseya, Kumiko Aso, Akira Terao, Kanako Higuchi, Fumiyo Kohinata

Casshern, is ghost hero in local folklore from one of the small towns in this movie.  Based on an old Japanese anime this movie follows Tetsuya through the transition into Casshern where he might become the hero legend.  In this movie you will find there is a blur between being alive and being the ghost of the living.  I decided to get this movie for two reasons.  Casshern is a superhero in a sense and the imagination that goes into creating superheros is unique, so it piqued my curiosity.  The other reason is because I read about it being better then both of the Matrix sequels.

I found this movie to be extremely well put together.  The scenery and effects are masterful at some moments.  The concept of this superhero ghost is unique.  The plot is very different.  Kazuaki Kiriya filmed this movie in such a way that it made me think to put it together and afterward.  Granted I could be incorrectly projecting meaning where there is none, but that's part of why I like this movie.  The action though left a little to be desired.  It seems as if the beginning starts out great, but where great forces come into play later in the movie they are filmed with regular actions it seems - potentially a money saving venture aimed at reducing special effects costs.  Even so, if you like a semi-dark twisted sci-fi anime based superhero story check this one out.

Fighter in the Wind

Fighter in the Wind AKA Baramui Fighter
South Korea (2004)
Starring:  Dong-kun Yang, Aya Hirayama, Masaya Kato

Fighter in the wind is one of those 60 or 70 movies I've been sitting on for five or six months, waiting till the time was right to watch it.  It had literally been so long I forgot what it was supposed to be about.  I'm glad I finally took the time to watch it.   This movie has some pretty horrible reviews, but given that it is based on a true story some of Choi Bae-dal's fans might not like it.  In nearly every movie that surrounds a figure wrapped in legends truth is exaggerated and the films tend to use a sort of poetic license as history is twisted to fit the big screen.  Fighter in the Wind is no different.

The movie begins as a Korean man ends up joining the Japanese air force during WWII.  After he and a few other Koreans refuse to go on a kamikaze mission the fighting life of Bae-dal begins...starting with a Japanese General.  There is a sense of honor that Baedal seems to be fighting to obtain that starts in that one fight with the General.

There are a few things I didn't like about this movie.  The action while good is all fragmented.  I like my martial arts flicks to have fluid action through each fight and not clip to the punch landing or knee breaking.  Okay maybe I have just one complaint.  The movie other then the lack of fluidity from the director in the fight scenes is pretty cool.  All in all I wish I had watched it months ago instead of letting it sit there.

Quote(s):  A man can be poor As long as he has a goal and strives to attain it he is beautiful. - Choi Baedal

I am afraid of fighting.  I am afraid of being beaten and loosing.  But, I am more afraid of surviving as a cripple than dying in a fight.