« PHP, ODBC, and everything in between | Main | Movie Ying xiong »
May 29, 2003
Spirited Away, annd The Duel
Recent movie rentals have included Spirited Away, and The Duel.
The Duel - a Hong Kong film about a challenge from one swordmaster to another, with a murder mystery surrounding the whole event. I had rented it hoping to see some interesting shots of sword handling, but was sorely disappointed. Each shot was in close on facial expressions, and provided little to no sense of skill. It was disappointing.
Spirited Away - wow. I didn't have a chance to see this while it was in theaters, and now really regret that (on the other hand I may not have appriciated it as much). While it is an animation, the story, characters, and imagination in this film are just astounding. It's worth renting, possibly buying. I don't know if I can say anything more about it, outside of go rent this film.
Posted by Dan at May 29, 2003 09:14 AM
Comments
Is 'The Duel' 'Duel to the Death'? http://us.imdb.com/Title?0084924
That's a mega classic. Cheesy, but hey, it was from the early 80s.
Posted by: George Schlossnagle at May 29, 2003 10:58 AM
Actually, no it wasn't that movie at all. While Duel to the Death is a bit cheesy, it definately is a classic film. The title was "The Duel HK", and I'm guessing the HK was added to identify the movie as being from Hong Kong. It was recently produced, as the special effects included lots of Matrix like styles (bullet-time, sonic waves).
Essential premise: Imperial guards are becoming scarce, due to injury and in one case leaving to be a chef. The chef is a master swordsman who is challenged by another famous master swordsman to a duel. The duel turns out to be a cover for the challenger master to attempt a hostile take over of the throne. Insert fight sequence here.
I believe it was directed by (and cast with) the same person from Fist Power (http://us.imdb.com/Title?0277289). Unfortunately IMDB does not seem to have the title listed.
Posted by: Dan at May 29, 2003 05:46 PM
A chef, huh? Sounds like a remake of Under Seige. :)
Posted by: George Schlossnagle at June 2, 2003 08:58 AM