Goodbye

Our time is at an end.

Over the past couple of years this blog has gone through stagnant periods, and reinvention, in an effort to keep my opinion on film easily accessible. While it used to be quite fun, my days of all night film viewings and full length reviews are done. For now, at least.

Frankly, my interest in film has declined in recent years, and forcing myself to watch films more often isn't going to change that. I'm still going to hold a monthly film club and update Facebook and Twitter on my film viewing. I'll also continue to see and rave about Hong Sangsoo films, so much so that it will almost seem like nothing has changed. However, I am looking forward to the possibility of going a week or two without watching a movie, and being okay with it.

Thank you for reading.

Wu Xia

Wu Xia

Directed by Peter Chan Ho-sun, starring Donnie Yen, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Tang Wei. Average, everyday father/husband Liu Jinxi (Yen) begins his day like any other, he eats breakfast with his wife (Tang) and two sons before heading to work at the mill. However, this early 20th Century day turns out to be anything but ordinary, when Jinxi happens upon a robbery. After a struggle, the robbers are dead, Jinxi becomes a local hero and catches the interest of a police investigator (Kaneshiro).

The investigator studies the crime scene and eye-witness accounts and determines the robbers could only have been stopped by a fugitive murderer with great skill in martial arts. Jinxi's life is soon turned upside down when the investigator's brand of morals exposes Jinxi's true identity and brings certain death to anyone that stands in the way of his former life. It is then that the two men come to a crossroads; Liu Jinxi must decide who he is, and the investigator must decide what is more important, law, or humanity.

This latest film from Peter Chan Ho-sun is a nice update/homage to the days of old when the Wu Xia Genre of films was Hong Kong's chief export. Hong Kong Cinema fans should delight in the addition of Jimmy Wang, best known as The One-Armed Swordsman, to Wu Xia's already stellar cast. The principal actors, Yen, Takeshi and Tang, all perform exceptionally well, Yen in particular. Known more for his physical attributes (having served as action director as well), Yen's subdued performance is impressive.

Beyond a blockbuster director, an all-star cast and an exciting martial arts genre update, Wu Xia is an intricate and engaging drama. Going from police procedural, to martial arts actioner to thoughtful drama, Wu Xia is complex, but well balanced and paced. To call it one of the top five films from 2011 is am easy thing to do. I highly recommend it.

Life Without Principle

Life Without Principle

Directed by Johnnie To, starring Lau Ching-wan, Richie Ren and Denise Ho.

The lives of three different people, a low level triad (Lau), a police inspector (Ren) and an investment banker (Ho), are the focus of this latest Hong Kong drama from Director Johnnie To. All three find themselves caught in morally murky situations that intertwine during the Greek financial crisis. The meat and potatoes of the film are how they handle their respective situations, and what, if anything, they learn from them. With an intriguing premise, an excellent director and a great cast, Life Without Principle is an engaging drama, and one of the best films of 2011.

FASSBENDER!

Jane Eyre

Directed by , starring Mia W and Michael Fassbender.

Adapted from the classic novel, this latest film version is mightily impressive. There are three reasons to see this Jane Eyre:

1. If one is a fan of the novel.

2. If one is a fan of good film.

3. Fassbender. He's awesome.

That being said, there isn't much for me to comment on, with regard to the film. I found it to be quite good, and one of the better novel adaptations. For one that has already read Jane Eyre, this should be an enjoyable retelling. For those new to the story, I highly recommend giving it a read. However, watching this Jane Eyre, and seeing what it is like first wouldn't be a bad way to go, either.

Outbreak!

Contagion

Directed by Stephen Soderbergh, starring Marion Cottilard, Matt Damon, Cowboy Curtis (a.k.a. Laurence Fishburne), Jude Law, Gwyneth Palthrow, Kate Winslet, Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Ehle, Elliott Gould and Chin Han.

An unknown virus quickly spreads threatening the existence of the Human Race.

The above sentence pretty much covers what happens in Contagion. While it isn't a groundbreaking film, it does present the threat of a global viral outbreak in a serious, believable manner, with an impressive cast. Other than that, there isn't much to say about Contagion. It's good, not great, but better than the average Hollywood blockbuster. For Hong Kong Cinema fans, the Josie Ho cameo is a nice treat.

Check back soon, as I'll be gushing about the newest film adaptation of Jane Eyre.

The Yellow Sea

The Yellow Sea Directed by Na Hong-jin, starring Ha Jung-woo and Kim Yoon-seok.

Ha Jung-woo stars as a man struggling to make a living in the Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Yaniban, on the Chinese side of the border between China-Russia-North Korea. When Kim Yoon-seok's character approaches him with an offer: kill a man in South Korea for him, and he will give him enough money to get out of debt and start a new life. Ha's character agrees, and goes to South Korea to look for his missing wife, as well. While in the process of murder and spousal search, he runs afoul of the police, gangsters and winds up in over his head in every way possible.

The Yellow Sea is the second feature from South Korean Director Na Hong-jin. Na's debut, The Chaser, was one of the most exciting thrillers I've ever seen. So, my expectations for The Yellow Sea we high, to say the least. Thankfully, Na's skill at telling a tense thriller haven't waned since his debut. The Yellow Sea is an extremely tense and exciting film, and it's one of the best released in 2011. I can't wait to see what Na Hong-jin makes next.

New

As forewarned, a new post is here. Not a whole lot of update this time. I am currently narrowing down my picks for the best films of 2011, and should have those listed quite soon. Along with that list, I'll have a review for each film, so I'm working on those, as well. Until then, keep up with my film viewing on Twitter @monkeytailor.