paultjiam

This Japanese low budget horror movie is a true piece of postmodern eclectic movie-making. Instead of using Japanese movies as a source of inspiration (Like: the Ring, Grudge, Kill Bill), this movie consists of American horror movies. The movie starts with a scene of a wounded man who found himself in a very small place (ref. Cube). Soon this man finds out he's trapped in a maze and 'may be' used as a victim in a game of rich freaks (ref. Saw, My little eye). After this short introduction, the pain begins. If you have ever seen American History X (and you probably have), then the scene with the black man biting in the pavement, while Edward Norton kicks him to death, will still be in your memories. You can expect something like this, only ten times worse. Eventually he meets a woman and with her, he tries to find his way out. It won't take much of your time, since the duration of this movie is only 50 minutes, so you should watch it. If it is only for the homage (did the director ever seen that movie?) to American History X. A nice short horror masterpiece.

When people think of German cinema, they think of Lola Rennt, Das experiment, the Edukators, etc. Intens movies with heavy music, fast montage and young actors. Dein Herz in meinem Hirn is totally different. Only two actors are in this movie: two male adults who, besides their own role as depressive males with sick ideas also play the mother of one of the lead character, the ex-wife and a female friend of the mother. The movie is shot in TV-documentary-style. That makes the whole movie looks quite realistic. The story is based on a real event, which was widely spread in the European media two years ago. A man asked another man to kill and eat him. And that's what also happened in this movie. Some scenes are disgusting, but the first part of the movie shows the audience two pity full men. Two men who are desperately lonely and longing for attention and compassion. They don't have a job, a wife or friends. The ultimate cry for attention and to give their life a meaning is to be eaten by the other. So that the two are always together and are brave enough to face the world. If you are a non-vegetarian and not in a depressed mood, you should watch this movie. It is interesting, not entertaining. I've warned you.

After seeing Ong Bak, Tom Yum Goong doesn't look like a sequel, but like an ultimate version of the instant classic Ong Bak. If Tony Jaa lived in the 70s, Bruce Lee wouldn't exist at all. I didn't get the story of this movie, because I saw it in Thai. I even recommend everyone to see this movie without subtitles, because the (probably) poor story would have a negative effect on your judgment, just like Ong Bak. There is only one thing why every action-lover should watch this though: the fight-scenes. Without invisible ropes (matrix/crouching tiger) or fake fights (rocky, or every American action movie), Tony Jaa beats everyone up. He breaks about 50 arms and legs in one action scene, with the terrible sounds of cracking bones, this scene really thrills. But the best and visually most beautiful fight scene is against the Capoeira-man. Two martial-arts styles fight against each other in a room filled with fire and water. Totally amazing. Order this movie from ebay, it is really worth your money, I guarantee. If you liked Ong Bak, then Tom Yum Goong is more than twice as good. Tony Jaa makes the impossible possible. See it!