A kinky psychological mystery/thriller, "Whispers" has good performances by a solid cast of mostly "B-List" actors, with some very "adult" language and moments of B&D. But mostly it's not very difficult to figure out "who did it" even before bodies start to pile up in a process of elimination. The price is right, and depending on your proclivities you could like it. Or not.
My Best Buy number: 0216747652
My Best Buy number: 0216747652
What's great about it: Good performances by familiar faces
This movie won many awards in its native South Korea and most U.S. critics praised it, but I wasn't all that impressed. There are certainly a couple of unexpected (and unpleasant) twists, but I also thought there were too many coincidences. And it supposedly shows the redemption of a cop - turned - pimp as he looks for one of his working girls who's beem kidnapped by a serial killer, but I didn't think that developed convincingly. As they say, your mileage may vary.
My Best Buy number: 0216747652
My Best Buy number: 0216747652
What's great about it: Performances and direction
What's not so great: Plot coincidences and gruesome violence
Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, and especially Johnny Chin Siu Ho are all very good in director/choreographer Yuen Wo-Ping's sweeping story of best friends who become arch enemies. Driven mad by his ambitious friend's treachery, Li develops Tai Chi Chuan, a "soft" martial art - to Kung Fu as judo is to karate in a way. Unfortunately the nuances of this form are overshadowed by extensive use of wires as people fly around like superheroes. There are certainly some memorable fights, such as Li and Chin battling on a log tower with Yeoh in peril on its top. Generally I prefer more grounded martial arts. But as they say, love it or regret it, you probably won't forget it. 3 1/2 stars out of 5.
My Best Buy number: 0216747652
My Best Buy number: 0216747652
What's great about it: The actors and some of the fights
What's not so great: "Wire Fu" isn't to everyone's taste
Slash maybe shows off a bit too much, although he's entitled to, given his guitar talent. Myles Kennedy generally handles the vocal end of things well. "Standing in the Sun" is my personal favorite. A few tunes didn't do much for me, but overall it's a very good collection and worth having.
My Best Buy number: 0216747652
My Best Buy number: 0216747652
What's great about it: The guitar riffs and general rockativity