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This is the story that The Departed (2006) remade into such a success. On its own I believe this is a better movie but the voters at IMDb seem to think otherwise. Both movies are centered around an undercover cop and a mole in the police force. Their paths cross and it becomes a race between their respective bosses to find who the traitor is.

The performances by Yan and Ming (character names) are fantastic as are those of their supporting cast. The movie really is a gem because of the subtle traits and emotion they put in to their characters. You’re drawn into their world and at some stage you find yourself rooting for both the good guy and the bad guy. The ending is not your typical Hollywood tripe which I’m really tired of as I’m sure most of you are.

I was pleasantly surprised and look forward to seeing the American remake again which is numbered 46 on my list. I gave this movie a solid 8/10.

Mou gaan dou (2002)

Unfortunately the humour of this movie did not age well. I found it rather boring and yet I recall watching this is a young lad and enjoying it.

Frederick Frankenstein is the grandson of Dr Victor von Frankenstein who dabbled in reanimating dead bodies. Frederick has spent his whole life trying to sever ties to the family name even going so far as to change the pronunciation. The will of Victor prompts Frederick to visit his grandfathers castle where he stumbles upon his notes and laboratory. The notes intrigue him enough to attempt an experiment himself and with the help of his beautiful assistant and weird butler (who has a hunchback that changes from his left shoulder to the right) they dig up a body and steal a brain. Only the brain was mixed up and their experiment did not go as planned. Their creation is reanimated but turns into a monster. Eventually the villagers are scared enough to form a lynch mob. Dr Frankenstein will attempt anything to save his creature and as you do in movies, he does.

The whole movie was rather like remembering a favourite dish that your grandmother used to make. You try to make it years later and as much as you want to like it it just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The ending was rather poor as well. It’s like getting food poisoning after you made that favourite dish of yours. I gave it a 4/10.

As I was watching these men shout at each other I could think of nothing but theater. This movie felt like a play on the screen. I later found out it was written as a play. The theatrics are a little too fake, too intentional, too much like acting and not enough reacting. Like I said, lots of shouting at each other for the sake of it. Without a doubt though, there are moments of brilliance.

The movie is based around the controversy of King Henry VIII and his unrelenting quest to divorce his wife who could bare him no child. His way out was to sever ties to Rome and the church who forbid divorce. Before him stood none but the morally revered Sir Thomas More. His publically regarded opinion was sought after by Henry VIII who would stop at nothing to get it. Unfortunately for the king More was consciously obliged to stand his ground in fear of never meeting God in the afterlife.

It’s all very dramatic you see and when this movie was released in 1966 I’m guessing it would have been controversial. It was certainly received well having won no less than 6 Oscars including the trio of picture, lead and director. With that in mind I gave it a 6/10. It’s not my cup of tea and I would have preferred to see the play instead.

A Man For All Seasons (1966)

Hauru no ugoku shiro as it’s known in its original name is an animated production from the famous Japanese Studio Ghibli. It’s a grand tale full of magic, love and vanity.

The story centers around issues of low self-esteem and vanity. It follows a young girl who is cursed by a witch to appear old. She runs away from home and employs herself forcefully at Howl’s moving castle where she befriends the cute Markl (apprentice to Howl) and Calcifer (the fire demon who is mysteriously connected with Howl). Their world is filled with wondrous things and it’s very well flushed out. I thouroughly enjoyed the world Studio Ghibli created but felt somewhat let down by the soft ending. It was too well packaged at the end and I hated being fed such a Disney-feel-good-vomit-fest. Maybe I’m being too harsh but I’ll let you be the judge.

Despite the ending I really did love this movie and will watch it again for certain. I gave it a 7/10.

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

I’m a fan of Johnny Depp. His characters are always unique and interesting. The boy has skills. My opinion is that he’s the best actor bar none. Yes, that just happened.

Pirates is a swash-buckling action adventure story done in current grand Hollywood style complete with idiotic money driven sequels. It is the tale of a cursed crew of the Black Pearl who are neither alive nor dead. They will stop at nothing to lift their curse to taste food yet again, to feel the salt spray on their face, to quench their thirst… Theirs is an honourable quest and I must say I’m on their side even though they’re portrayed as the baddies. Think about it. Poor sods haven’t drank nor felt the pleasure of a woman in decades. Sure they’ll be pissed off.

Jack Sparrow, played by Depp, is a resourceful captain who has an ego larger than the ship he commands. He always seems drunk but very aware and sure of himself. You just know he has a plan and that usually involves betraying someone who later assists him. He teams up with a blacksmith to save a damsel in distress but as usual he has a greater plan in motion.

It should be noted that the entrance of Jack Sparrow is possibly one of the best I’ve seen. From the opening scene to the credits I enjoyed every moment. The movie is paced well and deserves a 9/10.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)