War of the Arrows

2011

122 minutes

Korean, excellent English subtitles

5 Stars

This is an epic story. It is violent, dark, and a story of the hunt. The Manchurians/Mongols invade the Korean town on Ja-In's wedding day. Her brother and guardian, Nam-Yi is out hunting, and the town is decimated, with many killed, and many taken as slaves. Ja-In is taken, and the hunt is on as Nam-Yi and a few cohorts he finds go to the rescue. What makes this movie different from many is the actual humanness of the characters. Their fear and panic shows. Personally, I think I would have knocked Ja-In out to shut her up, but in her culture she was probably quite normal. The beginning is a bit long and I nearly stopped watching at 30 minutes, but came back later and finished the movie. I'm glad I did.

Trailer 

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.

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

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.  

Lone Wolf & Cub, #5

Lone Wolf and Cub:  Baby Cart in the Land of Demons

Japanese, English Subtitles

1973, 89 minutes

5 Stars

#5 in the LWC series, and so far, the most violent Rainy Day has seen. No fly-by-wire stuff, just good swordfights, and lots of spurting blood (oddly humorous and beyond reality). Not an easy movie to watch, in some respects, but well done. LWC is not everyone's idea of a Hero, he is, after all, a paid assassin, and he and his son walk the pathway to hell. Rainy Day keeps watching because she hopes, by the last in the series, Ogami-san will be reinstated to favor, and the bad guys will get their reward. The subtitles are excellent, and color coded so you know when more than one person is speaking. Ogami Itto must fight the bad guys, as well as the good guys in order to prove himself worthy.

Samurai Banners, starring Mifune Toshiro

Samurai Banners

Japanese, English subtitles

1969, 166 minutes

4 Stars

The Netflix blurb describing this movie is totally messed. And, in a way, she found the title also misleading. Rainy Day expected lots of classic sword fights, and instead had chaotic wars, with the Samurai Banners being on the fighters. According to one reviewer on Netflix, it is a prequel to the Kurosawa movie, Kagemusha, which Rainy Day saw and enjoyed. Mifune Toshiro is the lead in this movie and, as usual, his performance is excellent. If you like epic stories, fictionalized history, and the strategies leading up to and fighting of wars, this is definitely a movie you will enjoy. Just don't expect the romance and fatal sword fight between the two men who love the same woman.

For a clip of Samurai Banners, click here. This clip shows the entertainment leading up to the assassination of Lord Suwa. Gives you a chance to practice your French;-)

War of the Shaolin Temple

War of the Shaolin temple

Mandarin, English Dubbing

1989, 94 minutes

3 Stars

Rainy Day really dislikes dubbing in a movie. And this movie was no exception. Had she noticed the movie was in English, she would not have requested it. Filmed at the Shaolin Temple, it was fun to watch the first hour or so. However, Rainy Day couldn't get past the sound effects – the swishing of the swords sounded like so many ducks quacking. The choreography was marvelous, the story not so much. If you like over acting, and 'over dying' this is your cup of tea. If you like the Chinese language and subtitles, this is not your cup of tea. And the music left a great deal to be desired. If you can up with put the story, the fight scenes are top drawer. Or, perhaps Rainy Day should say, top duck?

Click here for a short excerpt.

The Sword of Doom

The Sword of Doom

Japanese, English subtitles

1966, 121 minutes

Tatsua Nakadai, Mifune Toshiro

5 Stars

This is not a happy movie, and unless you have a very warped sense of humor, Rainy Day suggests you pass on it. However, if you like superb acting, and are an aficionado of action photography, and don't mind a movie that explores the depths of evilness, then this is the movie for you. The mood is dark, the film severe and serious. Tatsuya Nakadai's performance as a man who is evil to the core, not because he wants he wants money or power, just because he can be, is spellbinding. Some of the absolute best swordfights Rainy Day has seen, with amazing action. Mifune Toshiro is also in the movie, and his solemn phrase, "The sword is the soul" is the key to unlocking this treasure, dark as it is.

Trailer linked to title, above