Timothy Green is, well, a little Odd

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

English

2012, 104 minutes

5 Stars

Cindy and Jim Green want a baby, and can't have one. So they write all the attributes their child would have, on little sheets of paper, put them in a box, and bury the box in their garden. That night, a mysterious storm comes, that only they have seen, and an equally mysterious young boy, Timothy, shows up in their house, covered in mud. There is a hole in the garden, where the box had been. I think this is one of the best nonPixar movies Disney has done in years. It is magic, made powerful because you know it is magic. A delightful movie for the whole family. The boy who played Timothy was wonderful. He played a boy being a boy, not a mini-grownup! Warning: keep the tissues near;-)

Trailer

Barnabas has Returned

Dark Shadows (Movie)

English

2012, 113 Minutes

26 stars

Okay, Rainy Day admits, she's exaggerating just a tad – there are only 5 stars, but this movie was such a hoot, she hasn't laughed so much in ages, and besides, it stars Johnny Depp. If you were a fan of the old series (and who wasn't?) you will enjoy this movie; however, it's not quite as dark, and the sets aren't as cheesy, the music not as creepy, and condensing a long series into slightly less than 2 hours.... Johnny Depp is marvelous as Barnabas Collins, Jonathon Frid – the 'original' Barnabas, made a cameo as a guest. Rainy Day didn't see him, but she did see Alice Cooper. Rainy Day doesn't think you need to see the series to enjoy the movie. One laugh after another, albeit some dark and now and then bloody laughs.

Trailer here.

Snow White all Growed Up!

Snow White and the Huntsman

English

2012, 127 Minutes

4 Stars

Yes, this is Snow White and the Seven Dwarves – for adults! No, Rainy Day doesn't mean sex scenes, it's just a great fun as an adult good v. evil action film. Charlize Theron is absolutely marvelous as Evil, while Kristen Stewart is pretty Good. For those who enjoyed Thor (Chris Hemsworth) – and what red blooded female didn't love Thor?! – you will truly enjoy him in this movie as the Huntsman, sent to kill Snow White, and well, you'll have to watch the movie to see what happens. Rainy Day does not suggest this for the smaller folks you may still have occupying your home, it is dark, and nothing even vaguely resembling the Disney movie. This movie belonged to Theron and Hemsworth, and they made the movie. Could have been a tad more character development. Still, worth the watch.

Trailer

Seven Swords

Seven Swords

Chinese, English subtitles

2005, 154 minutes

5 Stars

Can you say Seven Samurai in Chinese? Can you say Magnificent Seven in Chinese? Rainy Day can (well, sort of) it's Chat Gim or Seven Swords. An edict from the Manchurian Emperor bans all martial arts, and any who practice it are killed and a hefty reward is given the killer. Seven come together to save the village, and unlike the two previously mentioned movies, this one has a somewhat happier ending for all seven. There are lots of great fight scenes, and a few times time seems to disconnect, but not enough to pass. Like Seven Samurai, it starts slow and builds. Do watch it in Chinese with subtitles. Based on the novel, Seven Swordsmen of Mountain Tian by Yusheng Liang, it is an epic journey through northern China and lots of great fight scenes.

Click here for a trailer

Legend of the Black Scorpion (Hamlet in Martial Arts))

Legend of the Black Scorpion

Chinese, English subtitles

2006, 131 minutes

5 Stars

Oh, ye who love Shakespeare, miss not this film! Hamlet with martial arts. It is wonderful! If you don't know Shakespeare, this is a great introduction to same, Rainy Day thinks. If you do know Shakespeare, you are in for a treat. It is not a word for word adaptation, but the broad story is here, and recognizable. Beautifully photographed, great costumes, wonderful fight scenes. A feast for the senses, don't mis it!

There are a few trailers out there, here is one.

An Empress and the Warriors

An Empress and the Warriors

Chinese, English Subtitles

2008, 99 minutes

4 Stars

For story, Rainy Day gives it 3 stars, for cinematography, battle scenes, and costumes, she gives it 5 stars. It's the old story of Daddy/King is killed by a treacherous cousin; daughter takes the throne with the help of a trusted friend and General. The battles are epic, and great fun to watch, she falls in love with someone else, a commoner, and, oh, well, it's a great way to wile away some time. Rainy Day does suggest a glass or two of your favorite libation with this one. 

There are several trailers out there, here is one.

The Sea is Watching

The Sea is Watching

Japanese, English Subtitles

2002, 118 minutes

5 Stars

The last screenplay written by Akira Kurosawa, it was directed by Kei Kuwai using Kurosawa's script and notes. It is the story of two women (prostitutes) who live and work in a brothel (not to be confused with Geisha, which they were not). One, O-Shin refuses to accept she is a fallen woman, and falls in love with her customers, hoping one will return that love. The other, Kikuno, has two suitors, one a kind and gentle man the other not. This is a story of sisterhood, of how the women support each other, and what happens when a stranger, Ryosuke, arrives and how he affects the women. It is a gentle movie of love, hope, and survival in a world that doesn't care.

For a trailer, click here.

The Great Yokai War

The Great Yokai War

Japanese, English Subtitles

2005, 124 minutes

4 Stars

Grab a glass of your favorite libation, a bowl of your favorite munchies, and toss your disbelief out the window. Rainy Day wasn't sure where this was going until about midway through when the movie stopped, a disclaimer was shown, and nothing but wonderful laughs followed. A 10-year-old boy, not the bravest of the bunch, gets sucked into a spirit world where he must fight and win, or else.... The villains are modern and villainous. The scrap metal robots are marvelous, and become quite the scene stealers in a couple of places. Thankfully, Takashi Miike left his gruesome side at the other studio and just brought us fun spirits, a screaming hero, and great battle scenes. It is a movie the whole family can enjoy together (well, at least 10 and older).

Trailer

Eat Drink Man Woman - Foodie's Delight

Eat Drink Man Woman

Mandarin, English Subtitles

1994, 124 minutes

5 Stars

A "foodie" movie of pure excellence; the inspiration of Tortilla Soup. Eat Drink Man Woman is director Ang Lee's masterpiece. A delightful story of an aging widower who still has his adult daughters living at home with him and how they all find love and get on with their lives. You won't need hankies in this comedy, but you will need bibs! The food sequences are phenomenal (be sure to watch the 'extra' where Ang Lee talks about the preparation and filming of the sequences;-) This is a complex film where the stories are brought together at the end, and tied with a beautiful bow. Winner of several awards, and deserving of each and every one, this movie is a "must see" if you like comedy, food, romance! Some sexual content.

Trailer of opening scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs5WiddD7i0

Antonio Gaudi - a journey into beauty!

Antonio Gaudi

1984, 72 minutes

4Stars

This movie would have been a 5 Star had there been a narrator to tell us what we were seeing, how it was built, when it was built, why it was built, etc. The photography was stunning, the parks and building almost surreal. Antonio Gaudi was one of the foremost architects of Spain, and Rainy Day thinks if you do a little online research before you see the movie, it will mean more to you. The film is a journey of discovery, but Rainy Day wasn't sure what she was discovering, beyond the beauty of man-made structures.

Rainy Day suggests you watch these two short films by Ken Russell before watching the movie, which was made much later. The Sagrada Family Temple is much further along, now. Also, these shorts will give you a better understanding of what the movie so beautifully shows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB75S0dlsOw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m20LeOGCQIc

Shower

Shower

Mandarin, English Subtitles

1999, 94 minutes

5 Stars

A 'feel good' movie about Da Ming who left his small, provincial town to seek his fortune in the big city, who, when he receives a postcard from his developmentally disabled brother Er Ming, returns home thinking his father was ill. Dad and Er Ming run a bathhouse where the local men come to get a bath, right crickets, and enjoy life at a leisurely pace. However, Modernization rears its ugly head, and the neighborhood is to be destroyed to make way for high-rise buildings and shopping malls. There is much humor and the acting is uniformly excellent. This is a film the whole family can enjoy (there is nudity, but not frontal or sexual). Even if you are not a fan of subtitles, these are so well done they seem to disappear. Da Ming realizes the meaning of family.

The Cat Returns - a Delightful Film!

The Cat Returns

Choice of Language

2002, 75 minutes

5 Stars

Anime, Studio Ghibli

A delightful film! Young Haru rescues a cat, not an ordinary cat, mind you, but the only son of the King of Cats, and the King sets about rewarding Haru, up to and including kidnapping her to marry his son! Rainy Day watched it in Japanese with English subtitles, but it is also in English, and French. It's a great film, and one the whole family should enjoy. Netflix suggests a common sense rating of 10+ years. I think younger would be OK with it, especially if Mom or Dad watched along with them. It's funny, it's Studio Ghibli!

For trailer, click here.

Last of the Lone Wolf and Cub Movies

Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell #6

Japanese, English Subtitles

1974, 83 minutes

3 Stars

Rainy Day rather enjoyed this movie, thinking that by the end all of the loose ends would be gathered and neatly tied with one final battle, and redemption of Ogami Itto with the Shogun. Alas, this is the last movie in the series, but it has an open ending, implying there will be a #7, but none exists. Had it not been the last of the series, it would have been rated 5 Stars. Single handedly, he wipes out the entire Yagyu clan, except for its leader; there are many fights, lots of 'blood fountains' for with the Japanese are so famous, but no satisfactory ending. Rainy Day would happily go back to Zatoichi, but she's seen all of those movies, too. Perhaps some bored script writer will write #7, LWC, Redemption!

Watch movie here.

Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3

English

2010, 103 minutes

5 Stars

Rainy Day needs to state up front, if it's from Pixar, she's biased – her brother works there. Rainy Day loved Toy Story, and Toy Story 2, and saw no reason why she wouldn't love 3 as much – or more, if possible. And she did. Pixar has done a wonderful job in keeping the story alive, and fresh through all 3 films. This is a laugh-out-loud kind of film, with a spot where tears are appropriate. At one point, it did bring to mind a certain Wookie and trash masher sequence;-) Marvelous voice acting by a terrific cast, and fantastic cartoons. If it comes from Pixar or Studio Ghibli, you know you're in for a great movie!

Trailer

Game of Thrones, Season 1

Game of Thrones, Season 1

English

2011-2012, 60-minute episodes

5 Stars

Rainy Day is good at starting, and reviewing, series, but doesn't always finish them. This time, she watched all 5 discs before reviewing. This is a series from HBO, based on the George RR Martin "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels, now available as Game of Thrones. If you like fantasy, this is for you. If you like a good story, this is for you. If you like great acting, wonderful costuming, and dragons, this is for you! If you like to watch with your children, consider a private preview first. There is nudity, including full frontal, and sex.  There is also violence. Rainy Day thinks it's a great series for adults. Because this will be an ongoing series (at least 6 years), there is time to develop both the characters and the story.

Trailer

Lone Wolf and Cub #4

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril

Japanese, English Subtitles

1972, 81 minutes

5 Stars

#4 in the LWC series. Lots of good sword fights, elimination of heads and limbs, spurting blood, a kid who says one word, over and over, 'Dad.' Ogami Itto is still on the road seeking revenge of his wife's death and his framed disgrace as the Shogun's Assassin. If you are a fan of the Kill Bill movies by Tarantino—he got the idea from Lone Wolf and the Zatoichi films. Ogami travels the back roads of Japan, pushing a baby cart decked out with enough armaments to make a modern day GI jealous! Rainy Day isn't too fond of child actors, but this one is great. Great action, some nudity, lots of fun, and if you have a warped sense of humor, there are some chuckles, too. (Rainy Day has a warped sense of humor;-)

Trailer

Samurai Fiction

Samurai Fiction

Japanese, English Subtitles

1998, 111 minutes

5 Stars

Rainy Day isn't sure if this was meant to be a spoof on all the samurai and ninja movies, or if it just turned out that way. It doesn't matter it was great fun. Basically, the story involves the villain stealing a Family Treasure, a sword given years earlier by Tokugawa himself, and the young son, a somewhat bumbling idiot, going forth to retrieve it. There are some wonderfully choreographed swordfights (especially during opening credits), lots of laughs, the fighting rather on the light side instead of the constant blood bath of so many samurai movies. The film is black and white with judicious use of yellow, red, and blue all of which add to the drama. As Trailer2 says,  "ASamurai Movie for the MTV generation" ;-)

Trailer1. 

Trailer2.  

Aragami: The Raging God of Battle

Aragami: The Raging God of Battle

2002, 80 minutes

Japanese, English Subtitles

5 Stars

This is basically a dialogue between a wounded 'backwoods' samurai who takes refuge in an old and dark temple, and the man who saves his life. The man who lives in the old, abandoned and very dark temple is really a demon, a war god, who wants only to die, to sleep, and to dream. He heals the samurai, and then challenges him to a duel to the death. The sword fighting is some of the most fun Rainy Day has seen in a while. While the movie is intense, it's also riveting, and Rainy Day is fairly sure the ending will catch you by surprise. Great fun! A great film done entirely in 8 days!

For a trailer, click here.

Tales from Earthsea

Tales from Earthsea

Japanese, English Subtitles

2006, 115 Minutes

3 Stars

Rainy Day watched the English version, with English subtitles. Alas, they were close, but no match. It has been too many years since she read the Earthsea books by Ursala LeGuin, so she can't say whether they followed her stories at all. She can say that this movie was too long by at least 30 minutes, and ended without many of the major questions being answered.  Rainy Day came away from this movie asking Why? Why did Arren kill his father? Why did Arren say he would go back and then not? Why did Tehuna become a dragon? Why did Rainy Day spend two hours watching it? Rainy Day recommends you skip this one, and watch other movies from Studio Ghibli.

English dubbed trailer here.

We Were Here

We Were Here

English

2011, 90 minutes

5 Stars

This well-done documentary on the AIDS epidemic is neither morbid nor morose. Rainy Day remembers and wasn't sure she wanted to watch, as she thought it would take at least a case of tissues. It didn't. There were a few tears here and there, but Rainy Day would not classify it a Tear Jerker. Rainy Day thought there was a great deal of hope in the movie. One of the men interviewed became HIV positive during the first wave, and he is still alive and appears to be fairly healthy. The men and woman interviewed lived through it and tell their stories in a straightforward manner, and this documentary clearly belongs to them, not the director or the producer. If you remember the time, you will like this movie. If you are too young to remember it, you will learn.

For a trailer, click here.

Together With You

Together (Together with You)

Chinese, English subtitles

2002, 119 minutes

5 Stars

If you love violin music, this is the movie for you! If you loved King of Masks, this is the movie for you! If you love a good love story (not a romance), with laughs and tears and marvelous music, watch Together. The story is about a poor father from the countryside who has a young boy who is a prodigy on the violin, and how the father takes him to Beijing to enter him in a contest, and get him the very best instructor. The characters they meet, how everyone grows, the lessons of life that are learned combined with sumptuous scenery, wonderful costumes, all come together with a marvelous soundtrack and make for a movie of pure enjoyment with a perfect ending. (Spoiler Alert: keep a tissue or two handy;-)

For trailers, click here.

Kung-Fu Master

Kung-Fu Master

Chinese, English subtitles

2010, 95 minutes

4 stars

Rated R

First off, Rainy Day has NO idea why the R rating, unless it's for violence but kids get more of that in their daily dose of gaming or television. If you are looking for history, or intellectually stimulating dialog, this ain't it, Babe, this ain't it. If, however, you're looking for some fun kung-fu, then pop the disc in and enjoy. I'm sure there was a story line to it that Rainy Day knew (or thought she knew) at one time, but basically it's just one long fight with many antagonists to our one protagonist. Watch it with your kidlets, or grandkidlets, or even the neighbor kidlets, and enjoy the gaffes. 

For the trailer, click here   

For a short piece on the real Shaolin Kung-Fu, with some interesting comments, go here

Immortals are such boors!

Immortals

English, Subtitles for Hearing Impaired

2011, 110 minutes

0 Stars

Rainy Day must confess – she has never been a fan of Greek mythology; however, every so often, she tries to read a book, see a movie, something to possibly ignite the flame of passion so many others have for the old myths. This movie didn't do it. Hard to follow, hard to watch – very dark (both visually and thematically), all those half naked men were, well, boring after the first few minutes. So much gore – impaling, roasting, gutting. Rainy Day thinks the Ancient Greeks should have sent some of their folks to China and learned how to put on an interesting combat scene. Not worth the investment in time or money.

Who Killed Rosie Larsen?

The Killing (Who Killed Rosie Larsen?)

English, Subtitles for Hearing Impaired

2111 TV Series

5 Stars

This is a dark and moody police procedural that takes place in Seattle. (Mostly filmed in Vancouver BC). Based on a TV series from Denmark – Forbrydelsen or "The Crime" –one day per episode, centers on the lead detective, Sarah Linden, who's trying to leave Seattle to get married and start a new life but is unable to walk away from one. Intertwined in the investigation are the stories of the Mayoral candidate, and Rosie's mother, Mitch. As the Vancouver Sun said, "The Killing is a reminder that quality television may be hard to find at times, but it's worth the effort." The end of the series will air this coming Sunday – it will be difficult not to cheat and watch it.

Rainy Day assures you, it does NOT rain in Seattle as shown.

Perhaps a Legend, Perhaps not.

Legend of the Liquid Sword

1993, 90 minutes

Cantonese, English Subtitles

0 Stars

Rainy Day doesn't normally like to give negative ratings, and feels somewhat bad she is doing so now. She thinks the story may have been great fun, with marvelous kung fu fight scenes; however, the subtitles were white, and after 20 minutes or so of trying to read white subtitles against a very light background, she gave up and pulled the DVD from her player. Perhaps your eyes are better, or maybe you understand Cantonese (in which case, Rainy Day is somewhat jealous;-), and you will enjoy the movie. (NOTE: the subtitles show up somewhat better on the computer than the tv.)

Trailer   

Dark Shadows Continue to Haunt

Dark Shadows – Disc 4 of 6 seasons

English

5 Stars

Rainy Day is really enjoying this first season of Dark Shadows. She loves the cheesy sets, when the actors flub their lines, call people by the wrong name, etc. The biggest surprise is the boy, David Collins played by David Henesy. Rainy Day doesn't care much for child actors, and when she finds one who can actually act, and is a delight to watch, she figures she struck gold. She also thinks it is a shame he got out of the business; however, as young David Collins he was a sullen brat, sneaky, and somewhat deadly. He had the most expressive face, and the ability to go from bad to good to bad again in a flash. Something many adult actors spend their lives trying to accomplish. So, Rainy Day is looking forward to Disc 5 and all the others.

Barnabas Collins Lives!

Dark Shadows, Disc 1 of 6 seasons

English

5 Stars

OK, Rainy Day admits it, she is a sucker for the classic TV series, Dark Shadows. When it ran back in 1966 on, she seldom got to see it, and only recently have the discs been available on Netflix, so guess what she is enjoying? The first disc, episodes 1 – 9, takes place before Barnabas Collins arrives at Collinswood! A rather dark and moody soap opera, it broke several traditions, Rainy Day thinks – the first being the introduction of the tormented vampire, Barnabas. The second being the format. Unlike many of the 'traditional' soap operas which spend over have the show telling what happened the day before, Dark Shadows does no such recap. Rainy Day can hardly wait for all of them, before the Johnny Depp movie comes out!

Trailers and excerpts of the original series can be found here.

Good and Evil are Never Far Apart

Winter in Wartime

Dutch, English Subtitles

2008, 103 Minutes

5 Stars

This movie was reviewed earlier, by Carole, a friend of Rainy Day. This is Rainy Day's review. This is a coming of age story, about Michiel, who lives with his family in Nazi occupied Holland. He is an innocent boy of 13, swept into the war during it's last winter of 1945. His friends are part of the resistance, but have kept him out, at least until they are arrested and killed. He finds the British pilot, wounded, and hiding, and with the help of his sister, helps him escape. His father, mayor of the town, is arrested and executed, his uncle steps in to help. The Nazi soldiers are portrayed as what many were—young men following orders, not ideologue's of the Reich. Rainy Day is fairly sure it is historically accurate to the time and place.

Trailer.

Taking Chance - A True Story

Taking Chance

English

2008, 78 minutes

5 Stars

This HBO movie is based on the true story of LTC Michael Strobl, USMC (Ret) as he escorted a 19-year-old fallen Hero home for burial. PFC Chance Phelps lived in Dubois, Wyoming. Rainy Day did manage to make it through the first 10 minutes before tears began leaking. It is a simple story, really, of one man paying respect for another. And all the everyday Americans along the way who also paid their respects – ground crews at plane terminals, passengers, flight crews, and even an impromptu honor guard along the final highway journey. This is one of Kevin Bacon's best performances. Yes, it will tug on your heart strings, but in a good way. Get some kleenex and deal with it. Watch the movie!

For a trailer, click here.

Rainy Day thanks all you Vets out there, and all you families of Vets!

To read the original essay, click here.

Spirited Away (truly!)

Spirited Away

anime, English (or Japanese with subtitles)

2001, 125 minutes

5 Stars

Chihiro and her family are moving to the suburbs and her father takes a wrong turn. They end up at what he thinks is an old theme park, instead it is a place for the different Japanese mythological gods to come and relax, human are not allowed. Her parents find an open restaurant, with wonderful food, but no one to serve them, or take their money, and they start eating only to turn into pigs. Chihiro, a rather sullen child, now discovers her parents as pigs to eventually be slaughtered, and she must find a way to rescue them and to get back to the real world. She learns the value of friendship and love. It is possibly the best movie Hayao Miyazaki has done. But Rainy Day hasn't seen all of them, yet.

For a trailer, click here.

Shaolin Intruders

Shaolin Intruders

Chinese, English Subtitles

1983, 86 minutes

4 Stars

A fun movie! Rainy Day enjoyed the fight scenes and the choreography was great! A slight difference in that this is not the typical movie where the student sets out to avenge a wronged master – this is the story of three young people wrongly accused of murder who set out to clear themselves and find the murderers – in the Shaolin Temple. Beautiful choreography of the fight scenes as they must pass three tests at the temple, and gorgeous fight scenes at the end.

 For some of the fight scenes, click here.

To download the movie, click here.

I, Robot

I, Robot

English

2004, 114 minutes

5 Stars

Rainy Day's introduction to the science fiction genre was through Isaac Asimov's books, and she loved the Robot books/stories and how Asimov would work around his three Laws of Robotics. When this movie came out, Rainy Day avoided it. How could she enjoy it, when she knew it would not do proper homage to the original? Well, last night, it was on TV--again. Rainy Day realized she couldn't remember much, if anything, about the original story, so watched the movie, and thoroughly enjoyed it! Rainy Day discovered years ago that if she knows a movie will be made from a book she wants to read, she waits until the movie is out, and she's seen it, before she reads the book, otherwise the movie is just too awful to contemplate. Rainy Day is very glad she waited to watch the movie.

click here for trailer

Wind and Cloud: Storm Riders

Wind and Cloud: Storm Riders

Chinese, English subtitles

2004, 109 minutes

5 Stars

Rainy Day won't claim to be able to follow the whole story, but she will state she enjoyed the ride! Basically, it's a Good v. Evil story, with Wind and Cloud two brothers who fight for the Good. Rainy Day has read this movie is condensed from 20+ discs, which makes for a jumpy story. Just pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage, and enjoy the martial arts and special effects. It is a sequel (10 years later) of the earlier Wind and Cloud movie. The costuming was great, the fight scenes pure fun, and if you have one of those brains that can/will 'fill in the blanks' it's a great ride.

Click here for a trailer

Pitfall

Pitfall

Japanese, English subtitles

1962, 97 minutes

Black & White

4 stars

This movie contains a bit of everything except comedy. It is a socio-political documentary of post-war Japan's coal mining industry, a ghost story, a murder mystery. This is Hiroshi Teshigahara's debut at a full length film, and well worth the watch – as long as you don't mind an ending that isn't 'all happy ever after.' Rainy Day watched the video essay, about 15 minutes, after seeing the movie. Although the narrator brought up some points she had not seen, she didn't agree with him completely. It's a psychological movie, and the viewer may draw her own conclusions. If you need answers, don't watch. If you want to use your imagination, and derive your own answers watch. Teshigahara later did Woman in the Dunes which Rainy Day loved.

This trailer is in Japanese 

Princess Mononoke - Anime

Princess Mononoke

Japanese, English Subtitles (you actually have a choice)

1997, 134 Minutes

5 Stars

For those of you who like dubbed movies, you have that choice. Rainy Day does not. Once again Hayao Miyazaki and Ghibli Studios have brought a delightful story to life via anime. This story tells about Prince Ashitaka, infected with a lethal curse, who must travel to find the cure. And Princess Mononoke, abandoned as a babe and raised by the Wolf God, Moro. Their meeting is not off to a good start; however, they must work together to save the Forest and Deer God, and the animals that live in the Deer God's land as well as the humans who would destroy everything for their greed.

For the trailer, click here.

For the movie, click here.    

Hanzo the Razor: Who's Got the Gold

Hanzo the Razor: Who's Got the Gold

Japanese, English Subtitles

1974, 84 Minutes

0 Stars

Hanzo "the Razor" Itami, played by Shintaro Katsu. Rainy Day is pulling this review, and changing the rating to 0. This is the 3d in the trilogy, and though it is somewhat violent, as most of Shintaro's movies are, it wasn't too bad. However, she just got one of the other Hanzo movies, and could not watch it. While Rainy Day doesn't mind a good sword fight, one that is totally non believable, she does mind sexual violence, and the beginning to the new movie was too full of it to watch, and she decided to pull this review. Frankly, Rainy Day was expecting something more along the lines of Zatoichi, who though a blind swordsman, and not averse to some of the fun things of life, is also a man of honor.

The Matrix: Revolution

The Matrix Revolutions

English

2003, 129 Minutes

4 Stars

Rainy Day gives this one a step down in the ratings. She almost gave it a 3, but the other two brought it up. The final battle of Zion v. Machines is almost an hour too long. Neo learns a Truth from the Oracle – that Agent Smith is his dark double. His Ying to Neo's Yang. They are conjoined twins. So, the final fight, between the two is a known outcome. Still, it's fun (much more fun than the Armageddon in Zion). The Wachowski Brother (Writers/Directors) did an amazing job with this series. The FX, the music, the costumes - especially Neo's Soutane, the story, everything is wonderful, and worth the watch, probably more than once.

For a trailer, click here.  

The Matrix: Reloaded

The Matrix: Reloaded

English

2003, 138 Minutes

5 Stars

Zion, the last stand for humans, has been discovered by the machines and Armageddon approaches. Oh, if you haven't figured it out by now, when they're in the long black coats, they're in the Matrix. Anyhow, lots of fun fights, though some get a wee bit old. Still, Rainy Day watched them all. When the fighting got to be too much, she concentrated on the how of the fights, and the choreography, and where did the wires attach;-) Rainy Day wants to know how these movies are made. And, isn't Agent Smith, as a computer virus great?

For a trailer, click here.  

The Matrix

The Matrix

English

1999, 136 Minutes

5 Stars

Where to start? You've probably seen it already, at least you've heard of it. You know that it has some of the bestest ever special effects, new to the movie, now used by many. You know the story is confusing, but if you think of it as Order v. Chaos, Good v. Evil, Jesus (Neo) v. Satan (Agent Smith), the philosophy isn't all that hard. The music is fantastic, the direction is marvelous, and The Matrix is one of the most original movies Rainy Day has ever seen. Keanu Reeves is Neo, Laurence Fishbourne is Morpheous, Hugh Weaving is Agent Smith, and Carrie-Ann Moss is Trinity. If you haven't seen the movie, get it, watch it and Part II and Part II back to back to back. You'll love it. Them. And pay attention to the ideas – they'll make you think!

For a trailer for The Matrix, click here 

For a fan-based explanation of the three movies, click here.

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