The following are descriptions, in no particular order, of nine films I'm excited about. All of these films will receive the star treatment one I see them. Meaning I'll write unnecessarily long blogs devoted to each film. Anywho, on with the films:
Ip Man
Directed by Wilson Yip (Juliet in Love, SPL, Flash Point), starring Donnie Yen (Iron Monkey, SPL, Flash Point, Painted Skin), Simon Yam (SPL, Triangle, Sparrow), and Gordon Lam (Mad Detective, Triangle, Sparrow).
What it is:
A semi-true film based on the exploits of Wing Chun practitioner and teacher Yip Man.
Why I'm excited:
The first three pairings of Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen produced two good films, neo-noir SPL, and action-extravaganza Flash Point. With Yip directing and Yen starring, along with Yam and Lam, and Sammo Hung directing the action, a story about Bruce Lee's master is all but assured to be entertaining, if not a good film. This has all the elements necessary to make a great action flick.
Thirst
Directed by Park Chan-Wook (J.S.A., Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance; I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK), starring Song Kang-Ho (The Foul King, J.S.A., Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Secret Sunshine).
What it is:
A thriller about a priest that falls prey to seduction and vampyrism.
Why I'm excited:
It's directed by Park Chan-Wook for crying out loud. Anyone who knows anything about Park should be jumping up and down in anticipation for this. Park's direction, coupled with Song Kang-Ho as the priest, could make this an excellent film, and may even be the beginning of a new chapter in Park's oeuvre.
Red Cliff
Directed by John Woo (A Better Tomorrow, Bullet in the Head, The Killer), Red Cliff stars Tony Leung (Bullet in the Head, Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love, Infernal Affairs; Lust, Caution), Takeshi Kaneshiro (Chungking Express, Lost and Found, Perhaps Love, The Warlords), Chang Chen (Happy Together; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Chinese Odyssey 2002, Silk), Zhang Fengyi (Farewell My Concubine, Police Confidential, The Emperor and the Assassin), Zhao Wei (Shaolin Soccer, Chinese Odyssey 2002, The Postmodern Life of My Aunt), Hu Jun (Lan Yu, Infernal Affairs II, Assembly), Nakamura Shido (Neighbour No. 13, Death Note, Letters from Iwo Jima), You Yong (Breaking News, All the Invisible Children, Election), and Tong Dawei (I Love You, Lost in Beijing).
What it is:
The second part of Woo's epic film based on the Battle of Red Cliffs.
Why I'm excited:
It's the second part of John Woo's epic film based on the Battle of Red Cliffs. Duh.
The Hurt Locker
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Near Dark, Blue Steel, Strange Days, The Weight of Water), starring Jeremy Renner (28 Weeks Later), Ralph Fiennes (Schindler's List, Strange Days, Red Dragon), Guy Pierce (L.A. Confidential, Memento, The Count of Monte Cristo).
What it is:
A psychological flick about an elite group of soldiers.
Why I'm excited:
The Hurt Locker is the latest film from one of my favorite directors, Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow has been in director exile ever since K-19: The Widowmaker failed to produce big numbers at the box office. This film marks her return to the big screen, stars some very talented actors, and has an interesting story that might prove to be a big hit.
Shinjuku Incident
Directed by Derek Yee (People's Hero, Full Throttle, Lost in Time, One Nite in Mongkok, Protégé), starring Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu (One Nite in Mongkok, Beyond Our Ken, Protégé), Xu Jinglei (Letter from an Unknown Woman, Dreams May Come, The Warlords), Ken Wantanabe (Memoirs of a Geisha, Batman Begins, Letters from Iwo Jima), Fan Bing Bing (A Battle of Wits, Lost in Beijing, Flash Point), and Chin Kar Lok (Full Throttle, One Nite in Mongkok, Killing End).
What it is:
Derek Yee's latest, which is a serious film starring Jackie Chan.
Why I'm excited:
I live and breathe cinema created by Yee. Like most of my favorite directors, I have all of his films, and love them all. On top of that, Shinjuku Incident stars Jackie Chan, who, while hardly known for his acting ability, just might pull off an engaging performance thanks to Derek Yee. As if a thriller directed by Yee weren't enough, it co-stars Daniel Wu who worked with Yee on the incredible One Nite in Mongkok, and it stars another of my favorite actor/directors, Xu Jinglei.
Being a film from Derek Yee, this is bound to be a good, if not great film. With all the talent involved, this could be Yee's greatest film yet. I haven't been this excited about a film since Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. I can only hope Shinjuku Incident will be better than that. Much better.
Blood: A Butcher's Tale
Starring Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica), Emily Perkins (Ginger Snaps Trilogy), other people.
What it is:
A film about a man (Douglas) that lives in a world where vampires live amongst the human population. Unfortunately for him, it isn't a peaceful co-existance, as his family is slaughtered, causing him to seek revenge.
Why I'm excited:
I really like Aaron Douglas as an actor. I would be excited about him as the lead in just about any film, but him playing the lead in a film with vampires where he gets to let out his dark side has me stoked. Nerd excitement aside, if this does well it may lead to more meaty roles for Douglas, who I firmly believe has the makings of a great actor.
The River Why
Directed by Matthew Leutwyler (Road Kill, This Space Between Us, Dead & Breakfast, Unearthed), starring people.
What it is:
The latest film from Matthew Leutwyler, based on the acclaimed novel The River Why.
Why I'm excited:
Matthew Leutwyler is one of my favorite directors, and directed one of my favorite films, This Space Between Us. Since making that film, he went on to make the excellent horror comedy Dead & Breakfast, and the less than spectacular horror flick Unearthed. I've been waiting for Leutwyler to return to the director chair with an intelligent, thoughtful film for years. While Leutwyler is an incredibly gifted filmmaker that has created two brilliant films, I think the best of his work has yet to be made, and I believe that he has the ability to become one of the greatest directors of our time.
Claustrophobia
Directed by Ivy Ho (writer of Comrades, Almost a Love Story; July Rhapsody), starring Karena Lam (July Rhapsody, Koma, Mob Sister), Ekin Cheng (The Storm Riders, Tokyo Raiders, Rule # 1), Eric Tsang (Comrades, Almost a Love Story; Infernal Affairs, Mob Sister), Andy Hui (Nightmares in Precinct 7, Koma, Killing End).
What it is:
Other than the information provided above, I know almost nothing about this film.
Why I'm excited:
Ivy Ho is a fantastic writer, and I'm looking forward to her turn in the director chair. And she has assembled an exciting cast, with some of my favorite actors. (Karena Lam and Andy Hui, not Ekin Cheng) Also, this film is being produced by high-profile, super-powerful Producer Bill Kong, and is his first film since returning to Hong Kong. While I am excited about this film because of the pedigree of the director and actors, I am even more excited about the great possiblities for the future of Hong Kong Cinema due to Bill Kong's return.
Lady Cop & Papa Crook
Directed by Felix Chong (writer of the Infernal Affairs Trilogy, Confession of Pain) and Alan Mak (director of Rave Fever, A War Named Desire, co-director and co-writer of the Infernal Affairs Trilogy, Confession of Pain), starring Sammi Cheng (Needing You, My Left Eye Sees Ghosts, Infernal Affairs), Eason Chan (Love Battlefield, Crazy N' the City, Hooked on You), Richie Ren (Breaking News, 2 Become 1, Exiled), Chapman To (Infernal Affairs, Isabella, Confession of Pain), and Kate Tsui (Eye in the Sky).
What it is:
A film I'm purposefully learning as little about as possible.
Why I'm excited:
It stars one of my favorite actors, Eason Chan. This also marks the return of Sammi Cheng to cinema since starring in Stanley Kwan's less than well received Everlasting Regret. As if those two things weren't enough, Lady Cop & Papa Crook co-stars Kate Tsui, whose performance in Eye in the Sky showed the makings of a great talent that I hope to see more of.
Other films I'm excited about:
Painted Skin
Rule #1
Lost, Indulgence
Next Blog: Whatever films I watch next.
18 October, 2008
My Mother is a Fish
If you know the source of this blog's title, I just might buy you a cookie.
Tiger Cage
Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping (In the Line of Duty IV, Iron Monkey, Wing Chun), starring Simon Yam (Full Contact, PTU, Sparrow), Jacky Cheung (Days of Being Wild, July Rhapsody, Perhaps Love), Carol Cheng (The Eighth Happiness, Tiger Cage 2, Frugal Game), Donnie Yen (In the Line of Duty IV, Iron Monkey, SPL), Ng Man-Tat (A Moment of Romance, Best of the Best, Shaolin Soccer), and other people (various).
An uninspired cop drama from masterful action director Yuen Woo-Ping. Tiger Cage is like every other film of the genre in that no one can be trusted, police corruption runs rampant, and the good guys refuse to back down. Unlike the great multitude of cop flicks, Tiger Cage is directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, meaning the action is top notch. Tiger Cage is like a drug. It grabs hold from the start and pumps out so many excellent action sequences that by the end of the ride you're left catching your breath as the characters take their last.
The Shopaholics
Directed by Wai Ka-Fai (Too Many Ways to Be No. 1, co-director of Fulltime Killer, Mad Detective), starring Cecilia Cheung (One Nite in Mongkok, Lost in Time, Running on Karma), Lau Ching Wan (Too Many Ways to Be No. 1, Lost in Time, Mad Detective), Jordan Chan (Lost and Found, Big Bullet, Wo Hu), Ella Koon (Drink-Drank-Drunk).
A fluffy comedy from Milkway Image that stars the people listed above. The Shopaholics is an incredibly light, utterly unnecessary film that is neither new, nor creative. However, The Shopaholics is incredibly fun, and all of the actors provide engaging and enjoyable performances. While it may not be note worthy cinema, The Shopaholics is a fun film that is full of laughs.
Full Contact
Directed by Ringo Lam (City on Fire, Full Alert, Triangle), starring Chow Yun-Fat (A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard Boiled), Anthony Wong (The Mission, Infernal Affairs, Mob Sister), Simon Yam (Tiger Cage, Expect the Unexpected, PTU), and Ann Bridgewater.
Action trash from Ringo Lam and Chow Yun-Fat that is full of intense action and Chow Yun-Fat doing his thing. Chow plays a small-time criminal living in Bangkok that plans to move back to Hong Kong with his girl and friends. Chow teams up with some bad guys to score big for his move, but loses everything when he is betrayed. What follows is a standard revenge plot that is spiced up by Ringo Lam's super action direction and Chow Yun-Fat being a badass.
Things blow up, people get shot in the face, and more things blow up. Lam and Chow understand that story and subtlety are completely unnecessary, and they go for what the audience wants, Chow Yun-Fat smugly beating the crap out of just about everyone. For action fans, this is a must see for the coolness that Chow exudes as he makes his way through droves of nameless bad guys, leaving shell casings and fires in his wake.
Expect the Unexpected
"Directed" by Patrick Yau (rumoured to have really been directed by Johnnie To), starring Lau Ching Wan (The Longest Nite, The Shopaholics, My Name is Fame), Simon Yam (Full Contact, Mob Sister, Triangle), Ruby Wong (Lifeline, Where a Good Man Goes, PTU), Yoyo Mung (A Hero Never Dies, Believe It Or Not, Rave Fever).
Johnnie To's superb cop drama follows a police unit on the trail of a group of deadly robbers. While the team does their police work, To and company weave a tale filled with top notch characterization brought to life by an excellent cast. Expect the Unexpected is one of the rarest of films where the direction, story, cast and all the other elements come together in perfect cohesion, creating an experience that is truly immersive. Simply put, one of the finest films ever made.
Mob Sister
Starring Annie Liu (Exodus), Simon Yam (Full Contact, Exodus, Triangle), Anthony Wong (Full Contact, Infernal Affairs, Isabella), Eric Tsang (Infernal Affairs, Wo Hu, The Pye-Dog), Karena Lam (July Rhapsody, Koma, Kidnap), Alex Fong (Lifeline, Double Tap, One Nite in Mongkok), and Liu Ye (Lan Yu, Curse of the Golden Flower, Nanking Nanking).
Ah Sou (aka Mob Sister), is a worthy effort in the triad genre that falls short. Instead of your standard power struggle within the triads where people are cut and shot, Ah Sou depicts the power struggle as something existential where people do all their plotting off screen. While the film does deserve credit for trying to be more than a typical crime film, the musings of the characters and the forced direction attempting to make Ah Sou feel important fail to come together in a way that works.
THX 1138
Directed by George "Raper of Childhoods" Lucas, starring Robert Duvall, Maggie McOmie, Donald Pleasance, and Don Pedro Colley.
Why, oh why, couldn't George Lucas keep his streak of being a visionary director alive? After rewatching THX 1138, and having seen American Graffiti, and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope more times than I care to admit, the only thing I can say is why? Why would a man with such an incredile talent and style make three great films and then switch to lining his pockets with the proceeds of children's dreams?
Next Time: A blog entry about films I'm looking forward to.
Tiger Cage
Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping (In the Line of Duty IV, Iron Monkey, Wing Chun), starring Simon Yam (Full Contact, PTU, Sparrow), Jacky Cheung (Days of Being Wild, July Rhapsody, Perhaps Love), Carol Cheng (The Eighth Happiness, Tiger Cage 2, Frugal Game), Donnie Yen (In the Line of Duty IV, Iron Monkey, SPL), Ng Man-Tat (A Moment of Romance, Best of the Best, Shaolin Soccer), and other people (various).
An uninspired cop drama from masterful action director Yuen Woo-Ping. Tiger Cage is like every other film of the genre in that no one can be trusted, police corruption runs rampant, and the good guys refuse to back down. Unlike the great multitude of cop flicks, Tiger Cage is directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, meaning the action is top notch. Tiger Cage is like a drug. It grabs hold from the start and pumps out so many excellent action sequences that by the end of the ride you're left catching your breath as the characters take their last.
The Shopaholics
Directed by Wai Ka-Fai (Too Many Ways to Be No. 1, co-director of Fulltime Killer, Mad Detective), starring Cecilia Cheung (One Nite in Mongkok, Lost in Time, Running on Karma), Lau Ching Wan (Too Many Ways to Be No. 1, Lost in Time, Mad Detective), Jordan Chan (Lost and Found, Big Bullet, Wo Hu), Ella Koon (Drink-Drank-Drunk).
A fluffy comedy from Milkway Image that stars the people listed above. The Shopaholics is an incredibly light, utterly unnecessary film that is neither new, nor creative. However, The Shopaholics is incredibly fun, and all of the actors provide engaging and enjoyable performances. While it may not be note worthy cinema, The Shopaholics is a fun film that is full of laughs.
Full Contact
Directed by Ringo Lam (City on Fire, Full Alert, Triangle), starring Chow Yun-Fat (A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard Boiled), Anthony Wong (The Mission, Infernal Affairs, Mob Sister), Simon Yam (Tiger Cage, Expect the Unexpected, PTU), and Ann Bridgewater.
Action trash from Ringo Lam and Chow Yun-Fat that is full of intense action and Chow Yun-Fat doing his thing. Chow plays a small-time criminal living in Bangkok that plans to move back to Hong Kong with his girl and friends. Chow teams up with some bad guys to score big for his move, but loses everything when he is betrayed. What follows is a standard revenge plot that is spiced up by Ringo Lam's super action direction and Chow Yun-Fat being a badass.
Things blow up, people get shot in the face, and more things blow up. Lam and Chow understand that story and subtlety are completely unnecessary, and they go for what the audience wants, Chow Yun-Fat smugly beating the crap out of just about everyone. For action fans, this is a must see for the coolness that Chow exudes as he makes his way through droves of nameless bad guys, leaving shell casings and fires in his wake.
Expect the Unexpected
"Directed" by Patrick Yau (rumoured to have really been directed by Johnnie To), starring Lau Ching Wan (The Longest Nite, The Shopaholics, My Name is Fame), Simon Yam (Full Contact, Mob Sister, Triangle), Ruby Wong (Lifeline, Where a Good Man Goes, PTU), Yoyo Mung (A Hero Never Dies, Believe It Or Not, Rave Fever).
Johnnie To's superb cop drama follows a police unit on the trail of a group of deadly robbers. While the team does their police work, To and company weave a tale filled with top notch characterization brought to life by an excellent cast. Expect the Unexpected is one of the rarest of films where the direction, story, cast and all the other elements come together in perfect cohesion, creating an experience that is truly immersive. Simply put, one of the finest films ever made.
Mob Sister
Starring Annie Liu (Exodus), Simon Yam (Full Contact, Exodus, Triangle), Anthony Wong (Full Contact, Infernal Affairs, Isabella), Eric Tsang (Infernal Affairs, Wo Hu, The Pye-Dog), Karena Lam (July Rhapsody, Koma, Kidnap), Alex Fong (Lifeline, Double Tap, One Nite in Mongkok), and Liu Ye (Lan Yu, Curse of the Golden Flower, Nanking Nanking).
Ah Sou (aka Mob Sister), is a worthy effort in the triad genre that falls short. Instead of your standard power struggle within the triads where people are cut and shot, Ah Sou depicts the power struggle as something existential where people do all their plotting off screen. While the film does deserve credit for trying to be more than a typical crime film, the musings of the characters and the forced direction attempting to make Ah Sou feel important fail to come together in a way that works.
THX 1138
Directed by George "Raper of Childhoods" Lucas, starring Robert Duvall, Maggie McOmie, Donald Pleasance, and Don Pedro Colley.
Why, oh why, couldn't George Lucas keep his streak of being a visionary director alive? After rewatching THX 1138, and having seen American Graffiti, and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope more times than I care to admit, the only thing I can say is why? Why would a man with such an incredile talent and style make three great films and then switch to lining his pockets with the proceeds of children's dreams?
Next Time: A blog entry about films I'm looking forward to.
Post Post Red Cliff
I'm going to have to come up with blog titles that don't have the words Post, Red or Cliff in them. Eventually.
Kidnap
Directed by Bruce Law (Viva Erotica!, Inner Senses, Koma), starring Rene Liu (Peony Pavilion, A World Without Thieves, Run Papa Run), Karena Lam (My dreams, July Rhapsody, Inner Senses, Tiramisu, Koma), and other people I don't remember names for.
A great thriller with some twists and turns that don't really surprise, but still carry weight. Excellent direction by Bruce Law, who brings together fine acting from Karena Lam, excellent acting from Rene Liu, and a decent story, to pull off an intelligent and engaging film. Watch it now. And by now I mean after you finish reading this blog.
Inner Senses
Directed by Bruce Law (Viva Erotica!, Koma, Kidnap), starring Leslie Cheung (A Better Tomorrow, A Chinese Ghost Story, Days of Being Wild, Happy Together), Karena Lam (July Rhapsody, Koma, Ah Sou, Kidnap), Waise Lee (A Better Tomorrow, The Big Heat, Bullet in the Head, Crazy N' the City), Valerie Chow (Chungking Express, The Blade, Hero, Sausalito), and Maggie Poon (SPL).
Karena Lam sees ghosts, or does she? That is what Leslie Cheung's doctor is trying to figure out at the behest of his friend and collegue played by Waise Lee. Unfortunately for the Karena, Dr. Leslie doesn't believe in ghosts, and quickly comes to the determination that Karena is crazier than Brooke Shields (note: crazier than Brooke Shields is an actual diagnosis in the world of mental health).
Unwilling to give up on Karena and her need to be institutionalized, Dr. Leslie chooses to be her friend. As their friendship blossoms, Karena's ghosts go away and all is right with the world. Until all hell breaks loose.
Is Karena crazy? Does she really see ghosts? Is Dr. Leslie all that he seems? Was Bruce Willis dead all along? Why am I mentioning Bruce Willis? Is Bruce Willis even in this movie? Get yourself a copy of Inner Senses (a legal copy) and find out. You won't be disappointed, unless you hate things that are good. You know who you are.
Whispers and Moans
Directed by Herman Yau (Nightmares in Precinct 7, Killing End, Troublesome Night 3, Gong Tau), starring Athena Chu (A Chinese Odyssey Part One: Pandora's Box, A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella, Step Into the Dark), Candy Yu (Buddha's Palm, Infernal Affairs, My Name is Fame, Exodus), Mandy Chiang (The Twins Effect), Monie Tung (Confession of Pain, Single Blog), Yan Ng (Crazy N' the City, AV).
Herman Yau's drama about a group of peope working in Hong Kong's sex industry is a film at odds with itself. While the acting and story provide enough to capture the viewer's interest throughout the film, it seems generic. All of the characters could easily have been workers in another industry facing high stress, shame, and relationship woes.
Whispers and Moans doesn't really provide an explosive or shocking look at the inner workings of the sex industry, as the characters are shown to be very much like everyone you know. That aspect of the characterization of Yau's film may be what the filmmakers where going for, to show that sex workers are just like you and me. However, the film still feels slighted by the fact that it is very much a drama set in the world of Hong Kong's sex industry, instead of a film centered around the complex trade.
That being said, Whispers and Moans is, at times, an affecting drama that does provide a look at sex workers that aren't dregs of society or picturesque beauties with hearts of gold. The fact that Yau and company don't go for tired cliches and genuinely tried to make a good film makes Whispers and Moans worth recommending. And no, there aren't any tantalizing shots of bare breasts, unless you consider the boobs of a male john tantalizing.
Marooned
Starring Andy Hui (Dr. Mack, Nightmares in Precinct 7, Killing End, Koma), Gigi Leung (Dr. Mack, Full Throttle, A War Named Desire), and Edmond Leung (Legend of the Wolf, Rumble Ages).
Andy Hui plays a good guy cop that inadvertantly crosses a triad boss. Initially, he relies on those closest to him to solve his problem, but he quickly realizes that due to the danger of the situtation, the only person he can trust is himself.
The above description may sound like a tease for your average thriller/neo-noir, however, Marooend is anything but. Though is has noir-ish elements and is a thriller, Marooned is romantic film that centers more around Andy Hui's cop's relationship with girlfriend Gigi Leung, with the cops & triad element serving as both the obstacle and catalyst for their being together.
As usual for an Andy Hui flick, Andy is an affable, too nice for his own good guy with relationship issues. And, as usual, Andy Hui pulls it off. Nothing is remarkable about his performance, or that of his co-star Gigi Leung, but they are both friendly faces put forth by consistently dependable actors. If you're looking for a high suspense thriller, check out Kidnap or Inner Senses, if you're looking for an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable semi-thriller without any lasting impact, give Marooned a try.
Next Blog: Tiger Cage, The Shopaholics, Full Contact, Expect the Unexpected, Mob Sister, and THX 1138.
Kidnap
Directed by Bruce Law (Viva Erotica!, Inner Senses, Koma), starring Rene Liu (Peony Pavilion, A World Without Thieves, Run Papa Run), Karena Lam (My dreams, July Rhapsody, Inner Senses, Tiramisu, Koma), and other people I don't remember names for.
A great thriller with some twists and turns that don't really surprise, but still carry weight. Excellent direction by Bruce Law, who brings together fine acting from Karena Lam, excellent acting from Rene Liu, and a decent story, to pull off an intelligent and engaging film. Watch it now. And by now I mean after you finish reading this blog.
Inner Senses
Directed by Bruce Law (Viva Erotica!, Koma, Kidnap), starring Leslie Cheung (A Better Tomorrow, A Chinese Ghost Story, Days of Being Wild, Happy Together), Karena Lam (July Rhapsody, Koma, Ah Sou, Kidnap), Waise Lee (A Better Tomorrow, The Big Heat, Bullet in the Head, Crazy N' the City), Valerie Chow (Chungking Express, The Blade, Hero, Sausalito), and Maggie Poon (SPL).
Karena Lam sees ghosts, or does she? That is what Leslie Cheung's doctor is trying to figure out at the behest of his friend and collegue played by Waise Lee. Unfortunately for the Karena, Dr. Leslie doesn't believe in ghosts, and quickly comes to the determination that Karena is crazier than Brooke Shields (note: crazier than Brooke Shields is an actual diagnosis in the world of mental health).
Unwilling to give up on Karena and her need to be institutionalized, Dr. Leslie chooses to be her friend. As their friendship blossoms, Karena's ghosts go away and all is right with the world. Until all hell breaks loose.
Is Karena crazy? Does she really see ghosts? Is Dr. Leslie all that he seems? Was Bruce Willis dead all along? Why am I mentioning Bruce Willis? Is Bruce Willis even in this movie? Get yourself a copy of Inner Senses (a legal copy) and find out. You won't be disappointed, unless you hate things that are good. You know who you are.
Whispers and Moans
Directed by Herman Yau (Nightmares in Precinct 7, Killing End, Troublesome Night 3, Gong Tau), starring Athena Chu (A Chinese Odyssey Part One: Pandora's Box, A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella, Step Into the Dark), Candy Yu (Buddha's Palm, Infernal Affairs, My Name is Fame, Exodus), Mandy Chiang (The Twins Effect), Monie Tung (Confession of Pain, Single Blog), Yan Ng (Crazy N' the City, AV).
Herman Yau's drama about a group of peope working in Hong Kong's sex industry is a film at odds with itself. While the acting and story provide enough to capture the viewer's interest throughout the film, it seems generic. All of the characters could easily have been workers in another industry facing high stress, shame, and relationship woes.
Whispers and Moans doesn't really provide an explosive or shocking look at the inner workings of the sex industry, as the characters are shown to be very much like everyone you know. That aspect of the characterization of Yau's film may be what the filmmakers where going for, to show that sex workers are just like you and me. However, the film still feels slighted by the fact that it is very much a drama set in the world of Hong Kong's sex industry, instead of a film centered around the complex trade.
That being said, Whispers and Moans is, at times, an affecting drama that does provide a look at sex workers that aren't dregs of society or picturesque beauties with hearts of gold. The fact that Yau and company don't go for tired cliches and genuinely tried to make a good film makes Whispers and Moans worth recommending. And no, there aren't any tantalizing shots of bare breasts, unless you consider the boobs of a male john tantalizing.
Marooned
Starring Andy Hui (Dr. Mack, Nightmares in Precinct 7, Killing End, Koma), Gigi Leung (Dr. Mack, Full Throttle, A War Named Desire), and Edmond Leung (Legend of the Wolf, Rumble Ages).
Andy Hui plays a good guy cop that inadvertantly crosses a triad boss. Initially, he relies on those closest to him to solve his problem, but he quickly realizes that due to the danger of the situtation, the only person he can trust is himself.
The above description may sound like a tease for your average thriller/neo-noir, however, Marooend is anything but. Though is has noir-ish elements and is a thriller, Marooned is romantic film that centers more around Andy Hui's cop's relationship with girlfriend Gigi Leung, with the cops & triad element serving as both the obstacle and catalyst for their being together.
As usual for an Andy Hui flick, Andy is an affable, too nice for his own good guy with relationship issues. And, as usual, Andy Hui pulls it off. Nothing is remarkable about his performance, or that of his co-star Gigi Leung, but they are both friendly faces put forth by consistently dependable actors. If you're looking for a high suspense thriller, check out Kidnap or Inner Senses, if you're looking for an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable semi-thriller without any lasting impact, give Marooned a try.
Next Blog: Tiger Cage, The Shopaholics, Full Contact, Expect the Unexpected, Mob Sister, and THX 1138.
11 October, 2008
Post Red Cliff
After finally viewing Red Cliff, I quickly realized that I still have nearly 90 films I own and have yet to watch. Sheesh, talk about a back log. So, my basking in the glory of Red Cliff is over, and my watching or more films is here in the form of Hong Kong noir-ish Rave Fever, Hong Kong horror flick Troublesome Night 3, and Taiwanese adolescent love confusion film Eternal Summer. Since none of these films really struck a cord with me, I'm going to give each a one sentence description.
Rave Fever
Directed by Alan Mak (A War Named Desire, Infernal Affairs, Confession of Pain) and starring Mark Lui, Sam Lee (Made in Hong Kong, Bio-Zombie, The Longest Summer, Metade Fumaca), Jaymee Ong (Gen-X Cops), Terence Yin (Gen-X Cops, The Heavenly Kings), and Yoyo Mung (Expect the Unexpected, A Hero Never Dies, Running Out of Time).
An entertaining little noir-ish thrill-ride that unfolds in non-linear fashion.
Troublesome Night 3
Directed by Herman Yau (Nightmares in Precinct 7, Killing End, Whispers and Moans) and starring Louis Koo (Bullets Over Summer, Election, Flash Point, Triangle), Fennie Yuen (Bullet in the Head, Royal Tramp, Nightmares in Precinct 7), and Simon Lui (24 hrs. Ghost Story, Ballistic Kiss, Nightmares in Precinct 7, Killing End).
While it isn't exceptionally noteworthy in any way, Troublesome Night 3 is an enjoyable Hong Kong horror flick with a bit of comedy thrown in.
Eternal Summer
Directed by Leste Chen, starring Joseph Chang (Keeping Watch), Bryant Chang (Summer's Tail), and Kate Yeung (Demi-Haunted).
Earlier, I lied. Eternal Summer did stike a cord with me. Why? Because, it is an endearing film about young love and the complications that result from telling one's best friend you love them with excellent acting from Joseph Chang and Bryant Chang, whose on-screen chemistry as best friends is superb, as well as Kate Yeung's performance as the woman that comes between them, sort of.
The coming-of-age film is a genre that has been done to death time and again, however, Eternal Summer manages to feel fresh and digs right into the emotion of the characters. While everything the characters' feel is evident from the very beginning, watching them slowly realize what they want of themselves and each other is truly engrossing, and the ending wholly apropos.
If you've seen and liked Garden State, The Graduate, Y Tu Mama Tambien, The 400 Blows, or any of the billion other coming-of-age films made over the years, check out Eternal Summer, as it is an incredible film, and better than most of it's genre.
Next Time: Two thrillers starring Karena Lam, a drama revolving around workers in Hong Kong's sex industry, and an HK neo-noir.
Rave Fever
Directed by Alan Mak (A War Named Desire, Infernal Affairs, Confession of Pain) and starring Mark Lui, Sam Lee (Made in Hong Kong, Bio-Zombie, The Longest Summer, Metade Fumaca), Jaymee Ong (Gen-X Cops), Terence Yin (Gen-X Cops, The Heavenly Kings), and Yoyo Mung (Expect the Unexpected, A Hero Never Dies, Running Out of Time).
An entertaining little noir-ish thrill-ride that unfolds in non-linear fashion.
Troublesome Night 3
Directed by Herman Yau (Nightmares in Precinct 7, Killing End, Whispers and Moans) and starring Louis Koo (Bullets Over Summer, Election, Flash Point, Triangle), Fennie Yuen (Bullet in the Head, Royal Tramp, Nightmares in Precinct 7), and Simon Lui (24 hrs. Ghost Story, Ballistic Kiss, Nightmares in Precinct 7, Killing End).
While it isn't exceptionally noteworthy in any way, Troublesome Night 3 is an enjoyable Hong Kong horror flick with a bit of comedy thrown in.
Eternal Summer
Directed by Leste Chen, starring Joseph Chang (Keeping Watch), Bryant Chang (Summer's Tail), and Kate Yeung (Demi-Haunted).
Earlier, I lied. Eternal Summer did stike a cord with me. Why? Because, it is an endearing film about young love and the complications that result from telling one's best friend you love them with excellent acting from Joseph Chang and Bryant Chang, whose on-screen chemistry as best friends is superb, as well as Kate Yeung's performance as the woman that comes between them, sort of.
The coming-of-age film is a genre that has been done to death time and again, however, Eternal Summer manages to feel fresh and digs right into the emotion of the characters. While everything the characters' feel is evident from the very beginning, watching them slowly realize what they want of themselves and each other is truly engrossing, and the ending wholly apropos.
If you've seen and liked Garden State, The Graduate, Y Tu Mama Tambien, The 400 Blows, or any of the billion other coming-of-age films made over the years, check out Eternal Summer, as it is an incredible film, and better than most of it's genre.
Next Time: Two thrillers starring Karena Lam, a drama revolving around workers in Hong Kong's sex industry, and an HK neo-noir.
04 October, 2008
Red Cliff
Red Cliff!
Red Cliff
Directed by John Woo (A Better Tomorrow, Bullet in the Head, The Killer), Red Cliff stars Tony Leung (Bullet in the Head, Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love, Infernal Affairs; Lust, Caution), Takeshi Kaneshiro (Chungking Express, Lost and Found, Perhaps Love, The Warlords), Chang Chen (Happy Together; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Chinese Odyssey 2002, Silk), Zhang Fengyi (Farewell My Concubine, Police Confidential, The Emperor and the Assassin), Zhao Wei (Shaolin Soccer, Chinese Odyssey 2002, The Postmodern Life of My Aunt), Hu Jun (Lan Yu, Infernal Affairs II, Assembly), Nakamura Shido (Neighbour No. 13, Death Note, Letters from Iwo Jima), You Yong (Breaking News, All the Invisible Children, Election), and Tong Dawei (I Love You, Lost in Beijing).
Red Cliff is based on the Battle of Red Chibi, the final battle at the end of the Han Dynasty in ancient China. Google it.
As far as the film goes, I would describe it with a Sarah Palin gee, gosh, or a Joey Lawrence whoa, because it is phenomenal. The first episode, or half, of Red Cliff isn't big on grand scale battles, but it does have superb direction, acting, everyting, and is a perfect set up for what is to come in the next installment. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the first episode of John Woo's epic, and I can't wait for the second to be released.
Red Cliff
Directed by John Woo (A Better Tomorrow, Bullet in the Head, The Killer), Red Cliff stars Tony Leung (Bullet in the Head, Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love, Infernal Affairs; Lust, Caution), Takeshi Kaneshiro (Chungking Express, Lost and Found, Perhaps Love, The Warlords), Chang Chen (Happy Together; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Chinese Odyssey 2002, Silk), Zhang Fengyi (Farewell My Concubine, Police Confidential, The Emperor and the Assassin), Zhao Wei (Shaolin Soccer, Chinese Odyssey 2002, The Postmodern Life of My Aunt), Hu Jun (Lan Yu, Infernal Affairs II, Assembly), Nakamura Shido (Neighbour No. 13, Death Note, Letters from Iwo Jima), You Yong (Breaking News, All the Invisible Children, Election), and Tong Dawei (I Love You, Lost in Beijing).
Red Cliff is based on the Battle of Red Chibi, the final battle at the end of the Han Dynasty in ancient China. Google it.
As far as the film goes, I would describe it with a Sarah Palin gee, gosh, or a Joey Lawrence whoa, because it is phenomenal. The first episode, or half, of Red Cliff isn't big on grand scale battles, but it does have superb direction, acting, everyting, and is a perfect set up for what is to come in the next installment. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the first episode of John Woo's epic, and I can't wait for the second to be released.
Next Time: Red Cliff!
This time: A trio of films that star Maggie Cheung, Hong Kong noir, a Taiwanese thriller, an American film about racism, an indie flick about the mind and heart, and the best titled film ever.
Iceman Cometh
Directed by Clarence Fok, starring Yuen Biao and Maggie Chung. Biao plays an ancient Chinese guard that is charged with pursuing a fallen member of the royal guard. While in pursuit, he, and the bad guy, are frozen solid at the bottom of an avalanche. Three hundred years later, they are found and accidentally unfrozen.
Playing a pious, righteous guard, Biao is dedicated to catching and stopping his former fellow guard, who happens to be a psychotic, murdering rapist that intends to return to the past to take over the world. Along the way, Biao happens upon a beautiful, outspoken young woman (Maggie Cheung), and he has many humerous interactions with the "new" world.
Iceman Cometh is a lot like Demolition Man. There are plenty of laughs to be found in Iceman Cometh, but it certainly isn't a must see. Biao produces an interesting enough character, and uses plenty of martial arts to entertain. Never boring, but never really more than a time killer (pun intended), Iceman Cometh is a pleasing piece diversionary entertainment. Also, it features Maggie Cheung before she learned how to act.
The Seventh Curse
An uber cheezy Indiana Jones knock-off that "stars" Chow Yun-Fat, Chin Siu-Ho, and Maggie Cheung, and was written by The Master of Crap, Wong Jing. The Seventh Curse is a bad film, but, what it lacks in quality, characterization, and originality, it makes up for in laughs. If you're looking for a film featuring a cameo from Chow Yun-Fat that received top billing, a Maggie Cheung that had yet to figure out that whole "acting" thing, a bunch of scenes lifted from the trilogy of Indiana Jones films, and a healthy dose of gore, boobs, and gags, The Seventh Curse is for you. Yay for you!
Full Moon in New York
Directed by Stanley Kwan (Rouge, Centre Stage, Lan Yu), and starring Sylvia Chang (All About Ah-Long; C'est La Vie, Mon Cheri), Maggie "I learned how to act" Cheung (Centre Stage, Days of Being Wild, In the Mood for Love), and Siqin Gaowa (In the Heat of the Sun, The Postmodern Life of My Aunt).
Full Moon in New York, to put it simply, is a film about the troubles in the lives of three Chinese women living in New York. I'm not going to get into the characterization of the women as it relates politically to where the characters originate in China; Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mainland China; or the emotion of the film as it pertains to the director, if you want to learn more about either or both, check out Shelly Kraicer's writings.
Full Moon in New York is an incredible film that tackles more subject matter than you could shake a stick at. It is thoughtful, beautiful and elegant cinema that is deserving of praise and respect. Though it isn't a film to be taken lightly, Full Moon in New York is an accomplished work that has layers of meaning and miles of talent.
Killing End
Directed by Herman Yau (Nightmares in Precinct 7), and starring Andy Hui (Nightmares in Precinct 7), Loletta Lee (Nightmares in Precinct 7), and Simon Liu (Nightmares in Precinct 7). Do you see a pattern emerging?
Killing End is a fun noir directed by the director of Nightmares in Precinct 7, and starring pretty much everybody that was in Nightmares in Precinct 7. Everything about Killing End is good. Direction, acting, story, ending. It may not be the best noir ever, but it is engaging and the chemistry between leads Andy Hui and Loletta Lee, coupled with the brotherly bond between Hui and Simon Liu, make Killing End (and Nightmares in Precinct 7) utterly watchable and extremely entertaining.
Killing End is good. Go watch it, and Nightmares in Precinct 7.
Silk
An entertaining supernatural thriller starring Chang Chen (Happy Together; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Red Cliff) that is interesting and watchable due to it's star, though it fails to reach it's potential due to a ridiculous number of subplots that serve only to take away from the main story. However, Chang Chen is a terrific actor, so much so that you don't really care that the movie has more subplots than an entire season of Scrubs. Having Karena Lam (July Rhapsody, Koma, Kidnap) in a supporting role doesn't hurt either. Silk may not be super scary, or even that great, but it is enjoyable, and better than anything you'll see out of Hollywood.
The Intruder
Directed by Roger Corman and starring William Shatner. The Intruder is not what one would expect from either it's director or star. An intelligent film made in the 1960s, The Intruder bravely tackled the sensitive subject of racial integration.
William Shatner, playing a racist troublemaker, puts forth the greatest performance of his career in portraying a smooth, sly bastard of a man that attempts to turn a town on it's own people in the name of racist ideals. The Intruder is not an easy film to watch, as it openly shows the evil that unfounded hatred can breed. The Intruder shows the ugly side of men, and how just one person with bad intentions can turn a society on its head. However, it also shows that even in the darkest of times, some men are willing to stand up for what is right.
The Intruder isn't a deep or subtle film by any means, but it possesses the unsightly truths of what lies in the hearts of some men. Both inspiring and enraging, The Intruder puts forth a believable story that, hopefully, causes one to detest Shatner's character, which very accurately represents the ridiculousness of racism in general. An insightful film that should be watched, and respected.
Special
An interesting film starring Michael Rapaport (True Romance, Palmetto, Deep Blue Sea) as Les, a meter maid that gets put into a drug trial for a new drug that makes one feel "Special". Les quickly comes to believe he has super powers, and sets about using his newfound abilities to help the helpless and make something out of his mundane life.
Unfortunatley for Les, everything spirals out of control, and he soon finds himself wrapped up in a sinister plot. With only himself to rely on, Les comes to realize that having super powers isn't neccessarily all he had hoped for, and that maybe he was a hero all along.
Dirty Ho
"You haven't lived until you've fought Dirty Ho, and then you're dead", such is the tagline for the Hong Kong martial arts classic Dirty Ho. With Gordon Liu as director and star, the greatest title and greatest tagline EVER, Dirty Ho has everything going for it.
If you like Hong Kong martial arts films like The 36TH Chamber of Shaolin, Come Drink With Me, or The One Armed Swordsman, you've either seen Dirty Ho already, or should soon. To call it a cinema classic is entirely apropos, as Dirty Ho has all the superb elements of it's Shaw Brothers pedigree, and the Hong Kong martial arts genre. Watch it for the tagline, watch it for the title, watch it for the star, you can't go wrong, as long as you watch it.
Next Post: John Woo's Red Cliff, finally.
Iceman Cometh
Directed by Clarence Fok, starring Yuen Biao and Maggie Chung. Biao plays an ancient Chinese guard that is charged with pursuing a fallen member of the royal guard. While in pursuit, he, and the bad guy, are frozen solid at the bottom of an avalanche. Three hundred years later, they are found and accidentally unfrozen.
Playing a pious, righteous guard, Biao is dedicated to catching and stopping his former fellow guard, who happens to be a psychotic, murdering rapist that intends to return to the past to take over the world. Along the way, Biao happens upon a beautiful, outspoken young woman (Maggie Cheung), and he has many humerous interactions with the "new" world.
Iceman Cometh is a lot like Demolition Man. There are plenty of laughs to be found in Iceman Cometh, but it certainly isn't a must see. Biao produces an interesting enough character, and uses plenty of martial arts to entertain. Never boring, but never really more than a time killer (pun intended), Iceman Cometh is a pleasing piece diversionary entertainment. Also, it features Maggie Cheung before she learned how to act.
The Seventh Curse
An uber cheezy Indiana Jones knock-off that "stars" Chow Yun-Fat, Chin Siu-Ho, and Maggie Cheung, and was written by The Master of Crap, Wong Jing. The Seventh Curse is a bad film, but, what it lacks in quality, characterization, and originality, it makes up for in laughs. If you're looking for a film featuring a cameo from Chow Yun-Fat that received top billing, a Maggie Cheung that had yet to figure out that whole "acting" thing, a bunch of scenes lifted from the trilogy of Indiana Jones films, and a healthy dose of gore, boobs, and gags, The Seventh Curse is for you. Yay for you!
Full Moon in New York
Directed by Stanley Kwan (Rouge, Centre Stage, Lan Yu), and starring Sylvia Chang (All About Ah-Long; C'est La Vie, Mon Cheri), Maggie "I learned how to act" Cheung (Centre Stage, Days of Being Wild, In the Mood for Love), and Siqin Gaowa (In the Heat of the Sun, The Postmodern Life of My Aunt).
Full Moon in New York, to put it simply, is a film about the troubles in the lives of three Chinese women living in New York. I'm not going to get into the characterization of the women as it relates politically to where the characters originate in China; Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mainland China; or the emotion of the film as it pertains to the director, if you want to learn more about either or both, check out Shelly Kraicer's writings.
Full Moon in New York is an incredible film that tackles more subject matter than you could shake a stick at. It is thoughtful, beautiful and elegant cinema that is deserving of praise and respect. Though it isn't a film to be taken lightly, Full Moon in New York is an accomplished work that has layers of meaning and miles of talent.
Killing End
Directed by Herman Yau (Nightmares in Precinct 7), and starring Andy Hui (Nightmares in Precinct 7), Loletta Lee (Nightmares in Precinct 7), and Simon Liu (Nightmares in Precinct 7). Do you see a pattern emerging?
Killing End is a fun noir directed by the director of Nightmares in Precinct 7, and starring pretty much everybody that was in Nightmares in Precinct 7. Everything about Killing End is good. Direction, acting, story, ending. It may not be the best noir ever, but it is engaging and the chemistry between leads Andy Hui and Loletta Lee, coupled with the brotherly bond between Hui and Simon Liu, make Killing End (and Nightmares in Precinct 7) utterly watchable and extremely entertaining.
Killing End is good. Go watch it, and Nightmares in Precinct 7.
Silk
An entertaining supernatural thriller starring Chang Chen (Happy Together; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Red Cliff) that is interesting and watchable due to it's star, though it fails to reach it's potential due to a ridiculous number of subplots that serve only to take away from the main story. However, Chang Chen is a terrific actor, so much so that you don't really care that the movie has more subplots than an entire season of Scrubs. Having Karena Lam (July Rhapsody, Koma, Kidnap) in a supporting role doesn't hurt either. Silk may not be super scary, or even that great, but it is enjoyable, and better than anything you'll see out of Hollywood.
The Intruder
Directed by Roger Corman and starring William Shatner. The Intruder is not what one would expect from either it's director or star. An intelligent film made in the 1960s, The Intruder bravely tackled the sensitive subject of racial integration.
William Shatner, playing a racist troublemaker, puts forth the greatest performance of his career in portraying a smooth, sly bastard of a man that attempts to turn a town on it's own people in the name of racist ideals. The Intruder is not an easy film to watch, as it openly shows the evil that unfounded hatred can breed. The Intruder shows the ugly side of men, and how just one person with bad intentions can turn a society on its head. However, it also shows that even in the darkest of times, some men are willing to stand up for what is right.
The Intruder isn't a deep or subtle film by any means, but it possesses the unsightly truths of what lies in the hearts of some men. Both inspiring and enraging, The Intruder puts forth a believable story that, hopefully, causes one to detest Shatner's character, which very accurately represents the ridiculousness of racism in general. An insightful film that should be watched, and respected.
Special
An interesting film starring Michael Rapaport (True Romance, Palmetto, Deep Blue Sea) as Les, a meter maid that gets put into a drug trial for a new drug that makes one feel "Special". Les quickly comes to believe he has super powers, and sets about using his newfound abilities to help the helpless and make something out of his mundane life.
Unfortunatley for Les, everything spirals out of control, and he soon finds himself wrapped up in a sinister plot. With only himself to rely on, Les comes to realize that having super powers isn't neccessarily all he had hoped for, and that maybe he was a hero all along.
Dirty Ho
"You haven't lived until you've fought Dirty Ho, and then you're dead", such is the tagline for the Hong Kong martial arts classic Dirty Ho. With Gordon Liu as director and star, the greatest title and greatest tagline EVER, Dirty Ho has everything going for it.
If you like Hong Kong martial arts films like The 36TH Chamber of Shaolin, Come Drink With Me, or The One Armed Swordsman, you've either seen Dirty Ho already, or should soon. To call it a cinema classic is entirely apropos, as Dirty Ho has all the superb elements of it's Shaw Brothers pedigree, and the Hong Kong martial arts genre. Watch it for the tagline, watch it for the title, watch it for the star, you can't go wrong, as long as you watch it.
Next Post: John Woo's Red Cliff, finally.
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