Van Helsing

[GuzziHeroV50]

For those in the UK, Battle Royale is on C4 in 30 minutes.  Go get a videotape to put it on.   NOW!

[Steveo]

Hey guzz, I taped BR and watched it last night.  You're not wrong, it's definately a must see, and it had me glued throughout.  The subtitles were'nt exactly hard to follow either  Just goes to proove that you don't need a multi-million pound budget to make a great and original film.

I think you may also like Dog soldiers, it has a similar feel to BR.

[GuzziHeroV50]

Ill look out for that, thanks!

By the way, isnt Chiaki Kuriyama gorrrrgeous?  When shes in the classroom giving Beat Takeshi the looks of death, I love that glare of hers

[Steveo]

By the way, isnt Chiaki Kuriyama gorrrrgeous?

Well if I had to pick one, it would be Mitsuko (spell check).  I'd put a picture up but I have no idea where you get them from.

[GuzziHeroV50]

Mitsuko Souma?  I know who you mean - she was a bit TOO 'stone cold killer' for me

[GuzziHeroV50]

I cant find any right sized pics of Kou Shibasaki ('Hardcore' Mitsuko Souma) anywhere

The special edition explains her story better.  Basically, her mother was a drug addict and theres an extra scene where she tries to 'sell' Mitsuko to a dodgy looking bloke.  However, when he tries to make his move on Mitsuko, she pushes him and he falls down a set of stairs, killing him  One of the most important scenes in the film, as it explains why she says "Why am I always the loser?" after she is taken out by Kiriyama.  

Earlier, when she takes her second victim, Hirono Shimizu, Hirono yells "You were pimping Yoshimi".  The comic book explains better that Souma, after her experiences and being prostituted by her druggie mother, (Hirono) Shimizu, (Yoshimi) Yahagi and another girl were a small gang.  Souma has no qualms about seducing rich men and stealing from them, in one case killing him in the process.  She became outwardly a strong girl, but inwardly feeling alone after her abuse.  This explains her psychopathy - she is killing her classmates who she feels have never accepted her and always hated her.  

In the comic book, she does (kinda) pimp Yoshimi - she arranges sex between her and a guy, only telling her afterwards that it was for money.  However, Yoshimi then falls in love with the guy so its not quite the same thing.  How does Yoshimi die?  She was the one found hanged with her boyfriend (Yoji Kuramoto) by Souma just before she slits Megumi Eto's throat in the toolshed.  Note her disregard when she says to Hirono "I saw Yoshimi and Yoji hanged outside.  How noble."

There is an amazing and in depth story behind Battle Royale which takes it past being just a film to being a masterpiece

[Steveo]

That's interesting guzz!  I knew there was a reason why I felt sorry for Mitsuko in parts of the film, and that fills in the gap.  

So have you seen BR 2 yet guzz?

[GuzziHeroV50]

Nope.  Apparently, its not a patch on the original (the director of BR1 died during filming).

Basically, it has Shuya and Noriko start an anti-government movement, but they get captured.  The class chosen for that years Battle Royale, rather than killing each other, have to hunt down Shuya and Noriko in pairs.  if they get seperated or one gets killed, the collars explode.  Apparently it turns into a story-less bloodfest.

Ill still be watching it when it comes available to make up my own mind though (and cos theres an even cuter girl in the second movie - Ai Iwamura (remember the 'last years survivor' with the creepy smile at the start of BR?  Its her, but now shes 18 )

[puppydogeyes]

ps kill bill rocks lookforward o seeing Kill bill Vol 2

Cybe

be prepared for kill bill 2 to be slower than first one. Its not the gorefest like before but it does answer a lot of questions from first film and the ending is pretty neat and tidy...a good film.

[Celery Peach]

  Weve been getting out to the flix a bit lately, its nice to drop the kids off at school and catch the early showings. I really liked Kill Bill Vol 2, just as good as the first I thought, but very different, Daryl Hannas demise was class !  

We saw 'The day after Tomorrow' the other day too. A bit of a basic storyline & script, but it was worth seeing it on the big screen for all the Fx. Also took the kids to see the new Harry Potter on Tuesday, I didnt like it as much as the first 2 tho, no one could really fill Richard Harris' boots. Its well worth seeing tho of course ! The kids all enjoyed it, even if little Annie did get a bit scared in parts  

Think we are going to splash out on one of those 'unlimited' cards UGC cinemas are offering. Its a tenner a month and you can see any movie, any time, unlimited.... also they offer card holders tickets for advanced screenings.

Cant wait til the kids go back to school !   Troy next week, and maybe get to catch Van Helsing also, tho its had mixed reviews, think I will have to see it !

[Steveo]

I finally watched Kill Bill vol 1 last night.  I thought it was classic, every bit of it, not one second was wasted.  The different ways that each scene was shot was the most amazing thing for me.  The fighting was great (even for women ).  I also can't wait to see vol 2.  Tarrantino rocks!