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.