Ploppin' Fresh

I will echo that score. I've watched the final 20 minutes at least a dozen times now.

I haven't seen most of what's on this 100 best martial arts movies list, nor do I necessarily agree with where some of the movies place, but it's thorough and has already given me a bunch of movies to seek out.

On Sawall's recommendation, I just sat down to watch Man of Tai Chi. I'll agree with all of his points re: plot, characters, production quality and cinematography. I'll also agree that Keanu definitely loves the genre, and while the direction isn't superb, it's more than good enough for this genre. It even features Iko Uwais from the Raid films!

I do, however, have a couple of gripes, albeit minor ones. To go back to the post that started this thread, I'm not a fan of wire work. It's fine for things like Crouching Tiger, House of Flying Daggers or any other fantastical/mystical martial arts flick, but it's never really sat well with me in entries that are meant to be based in reality. Now, there isn't much of it in this film, but when it does feature, it takes me right out of the film, particularly when this is meant to be about the gritty, brutal word of underground fighting. As I said, though, it doesn't feature all that much, so it was really only a minor distraction. I think that's why I really love Jackie Chan flicks and the two Raid films of recent years: no wire work, grinding out every victory with plenty of bruises and cuts to show for it.

The other point I wanted to mention actually relates to the video Anton posted back in early December (Every Frame a Painting - Jackie Chan). I didn't realise he had posted it here, and intended to post it now to illustrate a point regarding framing. While I thought the fight choreography was excellent in Man of Tai Chi, it did suffer from a lot of quick cuts and rarely held the wide angle to take the action in, which is what really makes Chan's films stand out. The Raid films were also excellent at this, and even John Wick's Gun Fu got its fair share of the steady shot.

Having said all that, the martial arts really are excellent in this film, boasting several different styles and showcasing a lot of exciting talent.

When is Asian cinema going to do its version of the Expendables? Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian (Mad Dog from the Raid), Tony Jaa, Donnie Yen... I'd throw money at this in a heartbeat!

Housebound

I've been incredibly ill the past few days so all I've done is watch movies. The one I'm here to write about though is Housebound, a brilliant comedy-horror film out of New Zealand. It was made for around $250,000 but you wouldn't know it. It's wonderfully shot, filled with some great tense moments, exceptional dialogue and really funny. Plenty of knowing winks and nods to other horror movies, but still very much its own film. I highly recommend this. 4/5

Happy holidays, all!

Keep your eyes peeled for the Black Mirror Christmas Special, airing on Christmas Day and starring John Hamm.

Season 2 of The Killing was muck, but I highly recommend seasons 3 and 4, with 3 being the best of the series.

A Lucas reimagining.

I believe this is the trailer you're looking for:



However, not only have Disney labelled it a fake, there are several scenes that have either been lifted from previous movies, or were part of some fan-made films that have come out in recent years. Whoever put it together, though, did their research. As I'm sure you're aware, some of the new movie was filmed on Skellig Rock, and this fake trailer has a couple of scenes on it, though I'm not convinced of their authenticity.

In terms of the teaser posted today, I agree with you, Al, it definitely is different tonally, though I wouldn't go so far as to say its goth-teen angsty. I actually like the dark tone, as I feel it harkens back to Empire Strikes Back. Other things I really like about the teaser: greater focus on practical effects over CGI; real locations (some redditors have theorised the wintry forest scene is Endor, devastated by the fallout caused by the exploding, semi-constructed Death Star); and the introduction of the music as the Milennium Falcon does it's looping barrel roll (hell, I can even accept the obligatory lens flare!).

I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty excited about this. I understand that Abrams has had a lot of hype built up around previous films that have generally turned out to be mediocre (Cloverfield, Super 8) and one that I considered to be pretty awful (Star Trek: Into Darkness), but his determination to give greater focus to practical effects is heartening. Also, the original trilogy is why he went into the industry in the first place. Nearly everything he's been a part of has referenced Star Wars in some small way, so I don't doubt his affection for the SW universe and for this reason, I'm sure he wants to make these the best SW films he can. On top of all that, he has excellent writers working on the films, and has put together an incredible new cast (John Boyega, who was excellent in Attack the Block, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyongo, Brienne of Tarth and Adam Driver) which I hope will balance nicely with the returning cast members from the original trilogy.

But really, who's kidding who here... it is inevitable that i'll be let down.

I'm sure you've all seen it by now, but here's the teaser regardless.

It's great. I enjoyed nearly everything about it, but particularly the Uruks and their dialogue/taunts.

Upon writing that title, I imagined a blog for millionaires and their toys, mocking us plebs. However, this is simply an entry about collectible figurines that don't exist but probably should. A Large Evil Corporation has made a series of digital mock-ups of pop-culture figurines that are pretty incredible. Personally, I'm not a collector of such things, but some of these would certainly tempt me.

I second that motion. It certainly beats the 'Adam and Paul' tour of Dublin's finest.

Turns out I'm not crazy after all.

Apparently they're also making an animated series that will tie into the next film. At least I thought I read that.

Well, it looks like Adult Swim have been trolling these boards. While not Sinbad, Tyson is a close second.

This may be Red Letter Media's finest work yet.

Thanks, Al. I'll hold off for now. And based on your recommendation, I'll wait until the last couple of days to see if Far Cry 3 (and/or Blood Dragon) drops again in price. Just picked up the Swapper and played for a few minutes. I like what I see so far. I can imagine I'll be doing a lot of grimacing trying to figure out configurations for my clones, but fun and challenging nonetheless.

Stick of Truth has now featured for a second time, but still at $40. I managed to pick up a PS3 copy for $20 a couple of months back. If the price drops further, I highly recommend it. I never really rated South Park, but a few years back I ended up watching seasons 7-12 and thoroughly enjoyed it. The game is probably the funniest I've played, with lots of great dialogue, jokes, set pieces and plenty of nods to the show. I haven't played many RPGs, but this one seems to hold up in terms of combat and gear combination systems.

I have a question for you lot. If a game is on sale during the steam sale (not one of the daily, flash or community choice deals), will it remain at that price for the duration or will it feature at any point? I was looking at picking up Gone Home, which is listed at $4.99 (sale price). Do games ever reach the feature sale stage if they are already reduced? I'm not quibbling over a couple of dollars; was more curious, is all.

I've decided to hold off and see if it comes to PS+. So far, nothing has jumped out at me. I've toyed with the idea of Payday 2, but I bought the first one a couple of years back and haven't installed it. Hopefully today bears more fruit.

Has anyone played Far Cry 3? I'm tempted to pick it up, but apart from reviews by the usual suspects, I've heard nothing about it.

It is a big wall.

Yay! My city is number 14 on that list. I also live in a 20-storey building. How does that impact my chances of survival?

"I don't understand how people of good sense could defend this Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. There are all kinds of lies there."

Current fascist dictator of Turkey or His Chimpness?

The second episode, Lawnmower Dog, is brilliant, but maybe because I own a dog and a lot of things rang particularly true. I think the show may reference pop culture a little too much, but I still really enjoyed the first six episodes. Will definitely venture forth when the second season becomes available.