2 Movies Like Kite (1998)

With the difference between our day-to-day selves and our darker desires, it’s hard to say which side is the real slice of one’s identity, given that there are certain compromises we have to make in existing in society. Cold Fish takes a wildly violent and explicit approach to this, with a seemingly innocent favor spiralling into a toxic co-dependence between tropical fish sellers Yukio and Nobuyuki, and it’s a harrowing depiction of how quiet, unassuming men can be pushed into evil deeds because of passivity, whether that’s being taken advantage of, or being unwilling to speak against it. And of course, with Sion Sono at the helm, it’s painted and etched with all the gore and taboo he’s well known for.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller

Actor: Asuka Kurosawa, Denden, Hideo Nakaizumi, Hikari Kajiwara, Ichiro Hashimoto, Jyonmyon Pe, Kazuma Yamane, Lorena Koto, Makoto Ashikawa, Masahiko Sakata, Masaki Miura, Megumi Kagurazaka, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Natsumi Seto, Rina Saito, Ryohei Abe, Suwaru Ryû, Taro Suwa, Tetsu Watanabe

Director: Sion Sono

Rating: NR

Ricky Stanicky has all the ingredients of a zany romp: an insane premise, a cast of well-oiled comedians, and most notably, a veteran of the game, Peter Farrelly (Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary), at the helm of it all. And yet Ricky Stanicky falls unbelievably flat. For starters, there is zero chemistry between the trio who we’re supposed to believe are lifelong friends. And despite his Rolodex of disguises, John Cena is a one-trick pony here who can’t carry this film on his own. The joke is that he’s big and scary but can act pretty soft, but it gets tiring eventually. If I were you, I’d save myself some time and watch this SNL skit where Emma Stone plays a serious actress hoping to make her big break in a porn video instead. It captures the essence of what Ricky Stanicky wants to be, but the difference is, it’s actually funny.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Andrew Santino, Anja Savcic, Apple Farrelly, Brian Jarvis, Debra Lawrance, Francesca Waters, Heather Mitchell, Jackie Flynn, Jackson Tozer, Jane Badler, Jasper Bagg, Jeff Ross, Jermaine Fowler, Jim Knobeloch, John Cena, Kate Lister, Lex Scott Davis, Nathan Jones, Ruben Francis, Sean Gildea, William H. Macy, Zac Efron, Zen Gesner

Director: Peter Farrelly

Rating: R

2 Movies Like Kite (1998)

1. Cold Fish, 2011

2. Ricky Stanicky, 2024