![]() ![]() JJ Bona on 88 Films announces Blu-ray for Wong Jing’s ‘God of Gamblers’ starring Chow Yun Fat and Andy Lau Nothing announced yet.Ulric on The Executioner Collection | Blu-ray (Arrow) I am glad to see these get an awesome new release With features and I hope Ar….There’s little action and most of the dialogue will leave you scratching your head in bewilderment (and frustration), but “ST” is nonetheless a worthy film and thus, recommended. Ultimately, even as the film sometimes slogs through it’s own convoluted plot, “ST” is interesting and engrossing and serves as a great alternative to traditional HK action and romantic-comedy fare. Takeshi switches stations quickly prompting Miria to ask, “You don’t like Faye Wong?”, an obvious nod to Wong Kar Wai’s masterpiece. There’s even a sly reference to “Chungking Express” when Takeshi and Mirai hear a song by “Express” co-star and Hong Kong pop singer Faye Wong on the radio. The soundtrack is at times both eerie and airy, including popular songs and a moody score, similar to “Fallen Angels” and “Chungking Express”. Takeshi Kaneshiro appears in all three aforementioned films. The meandering pace and gritty settings are akin to “Fallen Angels”. If you’ve seen WKW’s masterful “Chungking Express” and “Fallen Angels” you will undoubtedly make comparisons between them and “ST”. The director’s skill is evident and this lingering, expertly planned shot sets the tone for the rest of this gorgeous film. The film opens with a spectacular, uninterrupted lengthy tracking shot of Kenichi walking through the neon-washed streets of Kabukicho, Japan, which instantly reminded me of the similarly lengthy and uninterrupted introduction to “Boogie Nights” and the single-take hospital gun battle in John Woo’s “Hard Boiled”. “ST” is based on the book of the same name, which is apparently one of Japan’s most popular and critically acclaimed contemporary detective novels. Director Lee Chi-Ngai is amazing here, as are stars Takeshi Kaneshiro (“Chungking Express”) and Mirai Yamamoto. This meandering, slick and very Wong Kar Wai-like film is so confusing, you’ll instantly ignore the deluge of plot twists amidst a huge cast of characters and instead focus on the beautiful cinematography and adept direction. “Now it all makes sense,” says Kenichi, Takeshi Kaneshiro’s character near the end of the noir-ish thriller “Sleepless Town”. ![]() A must see.Cast: Kaneshiro Takeshi, Mirai Yamamoto, Lung Sihung, Eric Tsang, Kathy Chow, Seijun Suzuki I do not want to spoil this film for you, but the ending has a terrific twist. What is it? This film gets more intriguing and mysterious as it moves along. ![]() Meanwhile, his former business partner Fu-chun wants something. Therefore, can Kenichi still trust her? But there is more to her and the crime lords that Kenichi has to deal with. However, she will lie, cheat and steal-anything to further herself. A mysterious woman named Natsumi Sato, played by (Mirai Yamamoto) Kenichi falls in love with her, and she with him. Suddenly, another intriguing character jumps into the plot. Fu-chun, who has left town after causing this mess mysteriously returns. ![]() There are no loyalties in this crime-drama. And although he himself is a dealer of stolen goods, and knows the rules, he must walk an even more delicate line thanks in part to his former business partner Fu-chun, who killed the right-hand man of the don of the Shanghai mafia. Here we find the main protagonist, Kenichi, played aptly by (Takeshi Kaneshiro). But in order to keep control, without the different factions facing off in a war, truces are established, and lines are not to be crossed. A place where hegemony over the area is in the hands of the crime bosses. It is a place where there are different races and languages spoken. The film takes place in an area of Japan named Kabukichio. This film riveted me and pulled me in from the start. Although I have not seen all of his work, he definitely has the talent and charisma to go a long, long way in the world of cinema. I have really liked everything by Takeshi Kaneshiro. ""Sleepless Town," is a very gritty and terrific crime-drama film. ![]()
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