The Message
Directed by Chen Kuo-fu, starring Li Bing-bing, Zhou Xun, Zhang Han-yu, and Huang Xiao-ming.
With great acting, a compelling tale, and excellent production values, The Message should have been a really good film. Unfortunately, Director Chen's attempts to infuse the film with stylish elements proves more silly than innovative, and undermines the tension. The Message ends up an interesting, though underwhelming, tale of espionage.
Guns & Talks
Directed by Jang Jin, starring Shin Hyun-jun, Won Bin, Shin Ha-kyun, Jung Jae-young, Jung Jin-young, and Kong Hyo-jin.
It's more talks than guns, and the talks tend to drag a bit as a group of hitmen wax philosophically. An entertaining time-killer.
Ditto
Directed by Kim Jong-kwon, written by Jang Jin and Kim Jong-kwon, starring Kim Ha-neul, Yoo Ji-tae, Ha Ji-won, and Park Yong-woo.
Two love-lorn college students from different times find each other via a malfunctioning ham radio. A engaging film that I enjoyed until the last twenty minutes, when the dvd stopped working properly. Sadly, I didn't receive any messages from a love-lorn woman via the malfunctioning disc. Look for further thoughts from me on Ditto after I watch my newly purchased dvd of it.
Check back soon for my thoughts on The Day A Pig Fell Into the Well, The Housemaid, Blazing Saddles, Bandhobi, and I Wish I Had A Wife.
16 January, 2010
10 January, 2010
Happiness; In '010
Filmically, I began '010 with one of my favorite films, Hur Jin-ho's Happiness.
Happiness
Directed by Hur Jin-ho, starring Hwang Jung-min, Im Soo-jung, and Kong Hyo-jin.
Being my favorite Hur Jin-ho film, starring one of my favorite actors (Hwang Jung-min), and one of my favorite actresses (Kong Hyo-jin), Happiness is a film I've seen a few times. Back in June of '09, I wrote:
"Happiness is a lovely film about two terminally ill people that meet in a sanatorium, and their struggle to live and love. While the description may sound sappy, the film isn't. With Hur's direction and Hwang and Im's acting, Happiness is one of the finest films I've seen. The mixture of humor, romance, and drama is top notch, and leaves one clamoring for more."
For some reason (I'm pretty sure alcohol is to blame), I failed to mention the wonderful acting from Kong Hyo-jin in the above post from June, 2009. I'd like to rectify that with the following statement: Kong Hyo-jin's acting in Hur Jin-ho's Happiness is wonderful.
I suppose I could provide more information about the film, (perhaps, one day, I will) but for now, I think the above re-post of the paragraph from last June will suffice.
Check back soon for my thoughts on The Message, Guns & Talks, Ditto, The Day A Pig Fell Into the Well, The Housemaid, Blazing Saddles, Bandhobi, Like You Know It All, I Wish I Had A Wife, A Million, Possessed, Rebellion, Poker King, The Hurt Locker, and a few others. 2010 is going to be a busy year.
Happiness
Directed by Hur Jin-ho, starring Hwang Jung-min, Im Soo-jung, and Kong Hyo-jin.
Being my favorite Hur Jin-ho film, starring one of my favorite actors (Hwang Jung-min), and one of my favorite actresses (Kong Hyo-jin), Happiness is a film I've seen a few times. Back in June of '09, I wrote:
"Happiness is a lovely film about two terminally ill people that meet in a sanatorium, and their struggle to live and love. While the description may sound sappy, the film isn't. With Hur's direction and Hwang and Im's acting, Happiness is one of the finest films I've seen. The mixture of humor, romance, and drama is top notch, and leaves one clamoring for more."
For some reason (I'm pretty sure alcohol is to blame), I failed to mention the wonderful acting from Kong Hyo-jin in the above post from June, 2009. I'd like to rectify that with the following statement: Kong Hyo-jin's acting in Hur Jin-ho's Happiness is wonderful.
I suppose I could provide more information about the film, (perhaps, one day, I will) but for now, I think the above re-post of the paragraph from last June will suffice.
Check back soon for my thoughts on The Message, Guns & Talks, Ditto, The Day A Pig Fell Into the Well, The Housemaid, Blazing Saddles, Bandhobi, Like You Know It All, I Wish I Had A Wife, A Million, Possessed, Rebellion, Poker King, The Hurt Locker, and a few others. 2010 is going to be a busy year.
31 December, 2009
The End of '09
As 2009 comes to a close, I don't really have anything worth mentioning. 2009 wasn't that great film-wise, or otherwise. However, before 2009 ends, here are the last five films I watched this year:
Vengeance
Directed by Johnnie To, written by Wai Ka-fai, starring Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, and Sylvie Testud; also starring Michelle Ye, Berg Ng, Eddie Cheung, Felix Wong, Law Wing-cheong, Maggie Siu, Stanley Fung, Jo Koo, Elena Kong, and Vincent Sze.
After watching Vengeance for the second time, I still liked it. (If you want my lengthier thoughts on Johnnie To's latest film, check out the previous blog post.)
Split Second Murders
Directed by Herman Yau, starring a lot of Hong Kong actors, co-starring even more Hong Kong actors, with guest stars and special guest stars.
Simply put, Herman Yau's latest film has a large cast. It's also an entertaining film from one of Hong Kong's best directors.
Dracula 3000
One of the worst films ever made. It's such an awful film that I'm surprised it was made. That being said, it's pretty funny after a healthy amount of alcohol.
Blood: The Last Vampire
Having seen the live action adaptation recently, I decided to re-watch the anime original. I'm not going to slam the new film's shortcomings, but the original is better. However, the live action version stars Jun Ji-hyun.
Sisters On the Road
Directed by Boo Ji-young, starring Kong Hyo-jin, and Shin Min-a.
Following the death of their mother, half-sisters Myeong-ju (Kong) and Myeong-eun (Shin) travel together to find Myeong-eun's long-lost father. Throughout the journey, the two must face unresolved feelings of anger toward one-another, as well as their own personal issues.
Like so many other great stories, it's more the journey than the end that really matters. The chemistry between Kong and Shin proves excellent, and their portrayals of disheartened sisters is touching. This was a blind purchase for me, and a pleasant one. Sisters On the Road is one of the better (if not best) films of the year, and a wonderful cinematic experience that I heartily recommend.
Though 2009 provided plenty in film to be disappointed about, I'd like to end things on a positive note. So, thanks to everyone that recommended a film to me, thanks to everyone that joined me in discussing film, and thanks to everyone that listened to me ramble on about films I loved and hated; I sincerely hope that I will be fortunate enough to experience the same in '010.
Vengeance
Directed by Johnnie To, written by Wai Ka-fai, starring Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, and Sylvie Testud; also starring Michelle Ye, Berg Ng, Eddie Cheung, Felix Wong, Law Wing-cheong, Maggie Siu, Stanley Fung, Jo Koo, Elena Kong, and Vincent Sze.
After watching Vengeance for the second time, I still liked it. (If you want my lengthier thoughts on Johnnie To's latest film, check out the previous blog post.)
Split Second Murders
Directed by Herman Yau, starring a lot of Hong Kong actors, co-starring even more Hong Kong actors, with guest stars and special guest stars.
Simply put, Herman Yau's latest film has a large cast. It's also an entertaining film from one of Hong Kong's best directors.
Dracula 3000
One of the worst films ever made. It's such an awful film that I'm surprised it was made. That being said, it's pretty funny after a healthy amount of alcohol.
Blood: The Last Vampire
Having seen the live action adaptation recently, I decided to re-watch the anime original. I'm not going to slam the new film's shortcomings, but the original is better. However, the live action version stars Jun Ji-hyun.
Sisters On the Road
Directed by Boo Ji-young, starring Kong Hyo-jin, and Shin Min-a.
Following the death of their mother, half-sisters Myeong-ju (Kong) and Myeong-eun (Shin) travel together to find Myeong-eun's long-lost father. Throughout the journey, the two must face unresolved feelings of anger toward one-another, as well as their own personal issues.
Like so many other great stories, it's more the journey than the end that really matters. The chemistry between Kong and Shin proves excellent, and their portrayals of disheartened sisters is touching. This was a blind purchase for me, and a pleasant one. Sisters On the Road is one of the better (if not best) films of the year, and a wonderful cinematic experience that I heartily recommend.
Though 2009 provided plenty in film to be disappointed about, I'd like to end things on a positive note. So, thanks to everyone that recommended a film to me, thanks to everyone that joined me in discussing film, and thanks to everyone that listened to me ramble on about films I loved and hated; I sincerely hope that I will be fortunate enough to experience the same in '010.
19 December, 2009
Once In A While
Vengeance
Directed by Johnnie To, written by Wai Ka-fai, starring Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, and Sylvie Testud; also starring Michelle Ye, Berg Ng, Eddie Cheung, Felix Wong, Law Wing-cheong, Maggie Siu, Stanley Fung, Jo Koo, Elena Kong, and Vincent Sze.
Following the brutal murder of his daughter's family, aging French chef François Costello (Hallyday) travels to a hospital in Macau to visit his daughter (Testud). Once there, he promises to avenge her and her deceased family.
Little more than the description provided above is needed for Johnnie To's latest film. Anyone that has seen a To film knows what to expect from the Hong Kong director. Those unfamiliar with his work should know that he is perhaps the greatest crime genre director in the history of cinema.
Read any review from any To crime film and you'll be able to understand what to expect from Vengeance. Loyalty plays a central role, gun-violence is stylish and second-to-none, and the cast (with the exception of Hallyday) is filled with regulars of To and Wai Ka-fai's Milkyway Image production company. What really sets Vengeance apart from To and Milkyway's œuvre is Wai Ka-fai's script.
Prior to Vengeance, To worked almost exclusively without a finished script. Due to the financing deals made for this film, To was required to have a finished script prior to filming. I think this requirement restricted To's creative efforts, resulting in a film that feels almost too familiar. However, the familiarity coupled with Hallyday's character worked.
While many say that Vengeance is a watered-down, "American-ized" version of a true Johnnie To film, I disagree. Vengeance is obviously a more commercialized Johnnie To film, but it does a fine job of blending hints of La Nouvelle Vague with elements of early Akira Kurosawa films (i.e. One Wonderful Sunday, Drunken Angel, Stray Dog) with the aforementioned familiarity of To's previous works.
The final product may not be as indulgent as To's Kurosawa homage, Throw Down, or as tight a film as PTU, but I think it is a fine piece of work from a superb director. That, along with a great cast of Hong Kong mainstays lead by French superstar Hallyday, make Vengeance a good crime film, and a film worth seeing.
Directed by Johnnie To, written by Wai Ka-fai, starring Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, and Sylvie Testud; also starring Michelle Ye, Berg Ng, Eddie Cheung, Felix Wong, Law Wing-cheong, Maggie Siu, Stanley Fung, Jo Koo, Elena Kong, and Vincent Sze.
Following the brutal murder of his daughter's family, aging French chef François Costello (Hallyday) travels to a hospital in Macau to visit his daughter (Testud). Once there, he promises to avenge her and her deceased family.
Little more than the description provided above is needed for Johnnie To's latest film. Anyone that has seen a To film knows what to expect from the Hong Kong director. Those unfamiliar with his work should know that he is perhaps the greatest crime genre director in the history of cinema.
Read any review from any To crime film and you'll be able to understand what to expect from Vengeance. Loyalty plays a central role, gun-violence is stylish and second-to-none, and the cast (with the exception of Hallyday) is filled with regulars of To and Wai Ka-fai's Milkyway Image production company. What really sets Vengeance apart from To and Milkyway's œuvre is Wai Ka-fai's script.
Prior to Vengeance, To worked almost exclusively without a finished script. Due to the financing deals made for this film, To was required to have a finished script prior to filming. I think this requirement restricted To's creative efforts, resulting in a film that feels almost too familiar. However, the familiarity coupled with Hallyday's character worked.
While many say that Vengeance is a watered-down, "American-ized" version of a true Johnnie To film, I disagree. Vengeance is obviously a more commercialized Johnnie To film, but it does a fine job of blending hints of La Nouvelle Vague with elements of early Akira Kurosawa films (i.e. One Wonderful Sunday, Drunken Angel, Stray Dog) with the aforementioned familiarity of To's previous works.
The final product may not be as indulgent as To's Kurosawa homage, Throw Down, or as tight a film as PTU, but I think it is a fine piece of work from a superb director. That, along with a great cast of Hong Kong mainstays lead by French superstar Hallyday, make Vengeance a good crime film, and a film worth seeing.
15 December, 2009
Walking Too Slow
I've been busy lately. That's the reason I'm giving for not having posted anything on the last 50+ films I've seen. In reality, I've just been too lazy to give any information about the following films. That is, until now.
The Films:
Wings
The Ascent
The Cranes Are Flying
Closely Watched Trains
Swordsman III: The East Is Red
24 Hrs Ghost Story
Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire II
Turning Point
On His Majesty's Secret Service
Visible Secret
Victim
The Detective
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
Stage Fright
The Bride With White Hair
The Bride With White Hair II
Suzhou River
Peacock
Raise the Red Lantern
Eat Drink Man Woman
Claustrophobia
Triangle
Exodus
Memories of Murder
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance
Mother
Thirst
Chaw
Christmas In August
One Fine Spring Day
April Snow
Happiness
Five Senses of Eros
Mismatched Couples
The Seventh Curse
Blood: The Last Vampire
My Dear Enemy
Happy Naked Christmas
My Sassy Girl
Twelve Nights
Mary From Beijing
Walk In
The Tai Chi Master
Accident
Night & Fog
No Boys, No Cry
Handphone
The Chaser
Running Turtle
The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
The Philadelphia Story
No Regrets For Our Youth
One Wonderful Sunday
Yes, I watched The Santa Clause 2 and 3. I have nieces. Check back soon for my thoughts on a pre-Christmas gift from me, to me; Johnnie To's Vengeance.
The Films:
Wings
The Ascent
The Cranes Are Flying
Closely Watched Trains
Swordsman III: The East Is Red
24 Hrs Ghost Story
Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire II
Turning Point
On His Majesty's Secret Service
Visible Secret
Victim
The Detective
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
Stage Fright
The Bride With White Hair
The Bride With White Hair II
Suzhou River
Peacock
Raise the Red Lantern
Eat Drink Man Woman
Claustrophobia
Triangle
Exodus
Memories of Murder
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance
Mother
Thirst
Chaw
Christmas In August
One Fine Spring Day
April Snow
Happiness
Five Senses of Eros
Mismatched Couples
The Seventh Curse
Blood: The Last Vampire
My Dear Enemy
Happy Naked Christmas
My Sassy Girl
Twelve Nights
Mary From Beijing
Walk In
The Tai Chi Master
Accident
Night & Fog
No Boys, No Cry
Handphone
The Chaser
Running Turtle
The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
The Philadelphia Story
No Regrets For Our Youth
One Wonderful Sunday
Yes, I watched The Santa Clause 2 and 3. I have nieces. Check back soon for my thoughts on a pre-Christmas gift from me, to me; Johnnie To's Vengeance.
22 November, 2009
Something to Look Forward to: Part Two
Last year I posted a list of films I was excited about. The films were:
Ip Man
Thirst
Red Cliff (Part II)
The Hurt Locker
Shinjuku Incident
Blood: A Butcher's Tale
The River Why
Claustrophobia
Lady Cop & Papa Crook
Painted Skin
Rule #1
Lost, Indulgeance
I have watched all of the films in the list that have been released (Blood: A Butcher's Tale, and The River Why have yet to be released). Of those films viewed, only Shinjuku Incident and Lady Copy & Papa Crook proved to be disappointing. The rest of the films were either good (Claustrophobia, Painted Skin; Lost, Indulgeance; Rule #1), or exceptional (Ip Man, Thirst, Red Cliff Part II, The Hurt Locker).
I would like to encourage people to see all of the films (excluding Lady Cop & Papa Crook, which was an absolute mess of a film), as I think they all have something to offer.
Following up on the aforementioned 2008 post of things I was looking forward to seeing, here are some more films that I'm looking forward to watching.
The Films:
Vengeance
Directed by Johnnie To, written by Wai Ka-fai, starring Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, Simon Yam, Sylvie Testud, Vincent Sze, Eddie Cheung, Berg Ng, Felix Wong, Maggie Siu, Michelle Ye, Law Wing-cheong, Stanley Fung, Elena Kong, and Jo Koo.
What it is:
The latest film from Hong Kong Director, and crime genre maestro, Johnnie To.
Why I'm excited:
A film about vengeance directed by To, with a script by long-time collaborator Writer/Director (and Milkyway Image Production co-founder, along with To) Wai Ka-fai, is enough to get my nerd levels on the rise. Throw in French Actor Johnny Hallyday, with a supporting cast of Milkyway regulars Anthony Wong, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, Simon Yam, Eddie Cheung, Berg Ng, Maggie Siu, Law Wing-cheong, and HK actors Michelle Ye, Stanley Fung, and Jo Koo; and I can hardly contain my excitement.
When two men such as Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai work together on a crime film after making films like Too Many Ways To Be No. 1, The Longest Nite, Expect the Unexpected, Running Out of Time, The Mission, Fulltime Killer, PTU, Election, and several others; it's hard to imagine the product could be anything but spectacular. To say that I'm just excited about Vengeance would be an understatement.
A Good Rain Knows
(a.k.a.: Season of Good Rain)
Directed by Hur Jin-ho, starring Jung Woo-sung and Gao Yuanyuan.
What it is:
The latest feature film from South Korean Director Hur Jin-ho.
Why I'm excited:
Hur Jin-ho is known for his ability to craft excellent romantic drama. His previous films (Christmas In August, One Fine Spring Day, April Snow, Happiness) are perfect examples of how romance and drama in film should be done. Other than Wong Kar-wai, there isn't a director out there that can capture romance on film as well as Hur Jin-ho.
With his latest film, Hur cast South Korean Actor Jung Woo-sung and Chinese Actress Gao Yuanyuan. Fans of South Korean Cinema may recognize Jung from his works in the films Musa: The Warrior (co-starring Chinese Actress Zhang Ziyi), Mutt Boy, Daisy (directed by Hong Kong Filmmaker Andrew Lau), and The Good, the Bad, and the Weird. Coupled with the terrifically talented Gao Yuanyuan (who has starred in many great Chinese films, including: Beijing Bicycle, Spring Subway, and City of Life and Death), Jung Woo-sung's performance should prove a good one. With these talented leads, A Good Rain Knows could be another great romantic drama from Hur Jin-ho.
The Grandmaster
Directed by Wong Kar-wai, starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai.
What it is:
Wong Kar-wai's film about the exploits of Wing Chun Grandmaster Ip Man.
Why I'm excited:
After the success of Director Wilson Yip and Actor Donnie Yen's take on Bruce Lee's master, Ip Man, and the fact that a sequel is already in production, one would assume Wong's The Grandmaster would be a sure bet. Assuming the film will be completed, Wong's long-time collaborator Tony Leung Chiu-wai is slated to star as Ip Man.
In addition to Tony Leung Chiu-wai, it's rumored that either Actress Gong Li (long-time collaborator with Chinese Director Zhang Yimou), or retired HK Actress Brigitte Lin, will join the cast of Wong's Ip Man film. It is also possible that both may join the production. Leung, Li, and Lin have all worked with Wong before (Leung in Days of Being Wild, Chungking Express, Ashes of Time, Happy Together, In the Mood for Love, 2046, and Ashes of Time: Redux; Li in 2046, and the Eros short The Hand; and Lin in Chungking Express, Ashes of Time, and Ashes of Time: Redux).
Following Wong's poorly received English-language debut, My Blueberry Nights, a return to Hong Kong Cinema with one of it's biggest stars seems like a no-brainer for the reknowned auteur. Regardless of the cast or the subject, a new film directed by Wong Kar-wai is something to get excited about. A new film directed by Wong Kar-wai, starring Tony Leung Chiu-Wai as the Legendary Wing Chun Grandmaster Ip Man; that's something to eagerly anticipate.
The Murderer
Directed by Na Hong-jin.
What it is:
The sophomore feature film from South Korean Director Na Hong-jin.
Why I'm excited:
Na Hong-jin's first feature was the incredible thriller The Chaser. After watching The Chaser back in February, I posted: "The Chaser is one of the best South Korean films of the year (2008), and one of the best films of 2008 in general. I don't know what Na Hong-jin's next film will be, but I can't wait to see it, and I'll be watching The Chaser again soon."
I did watch The Chaser again about a month later, and still found it to be an incredibly intense horror-thriller. While the title of Na Hong-jin's next feature is now known, I don't know anything else about it. And, to get excited about the film, I don't need to know anything else. Na's direction of The Chaser was so impressive that I'll watch just about anything he comes out with next.
Ip Man
Thirst
Red Cliff (Part II)
The Hurt Locker
Shinjuku Incident
Blood: A Butcher's Tale
The River Why
Claustrophobia
Lady Cop & Papa Crook
Painted Skin
Rule #1
Lost, Indulgeance
I have watched all of the films in the list that have been released (Blood: A Butcher's Tale, and The River Why have yet to be released). Of those films viewed, only Shinjuku Incident and Lady Copy & Papa Crook proved to be disappointing. The rest of the films were either good (Claustrophobia, Painted Skin; Lost, Indulgeance; Rule #1), or exceptional (Ip Man, Thirst, Red Cliff Part II, The Hurt Locker).
I would like to encourage people to see all of the films (excluding Lady Cop & Papa Crook, which was an absolute mess of a film), as I think they all have something to offer.
Following up on the aforementioned 2008 post of things I was looking forward to seeing, here are some more films that I'm looking forward to watching.
The Films:
Vengeance
Directed by Johnnie To, written by Wai Ka-fai, starring Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, Simon Yam, Sylvie Testud, Vincent Sze, Eddie Cheung, Berg Ng, Felix Wong, Maggie Siu, Michelle Ye, Law Wing-cheong, Stanley Fung, Elena Kong, and Jo Koo.
What it is:
The latest film from Hong Kong Director, and crime genre maestro, Johnnie To.
Why I'm excited:
A film about vengeance directed by To, with a script by long-time collaborator Writer/Director (and Milkyway Image Production co-founder, along with To) Wai Ka-fai, is enough to get my nerd levels on the rise. Throw in French Actor Johnny Hallyday, with a supporting cast of Milkyway regulars Anthony Wong, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, Simon Yam, Eddie Cheung, Berg Ng, Maggie Siu, Law Wing-cheong, and HK actors Michelle Ye, Stanley Fung, and Jo Koo; and I can hardly contain my excitement.
When two men such as Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai work together on a crime film after making films like Too Many Ways To Be No. 1, The Longest Nite, Expect the Unexpected, Running Out of Time, The Mission, Fulltime Killer, PTU, Election, and several others; it's hard to imagine the product could be anything but spectacular. To say that I'm just excited about Vengeance would be an understatement.
A Good Rain Knows
(a.k.a.: Season of Good Rain)
Directed by Hur Jin-ho, starring Jung Woo-sung and Gao Yuanyuan.
What it is:
The latest feature film from South Korean Director Hur Jin-ho.
Why I'm excited:
Hur Jin-ho is known for his ability to craft excellent romantic drama. His previous films (Christmas In August, One Fine Spring Day, April Snow, Happiness) are perfect examples of how romance and drama in film should be done. Other than Wong Kar-wai, there isn't a director out there that can capture romance on film as well as Hur Jin-ho.
With his latest film, Hur cast South Korean Actor Jung Woo-sung and Chinese Actress Gao Yuanyuan. Fans of South Korean Cinema may recognize Jung from his works in the films Musa: The Warrior (co-starring Chinese Actress Zhang Ziyi), Mutt Boy, Daisy (directed by Hong Kong Filmmaker Andrew Lau), and The Good, the Bad, and the Weird. Coupled with the terrifically talented Gao Yuanyuan (who has starred in many great Chinese films, including: Beijing Bicycle, Spring Subway, and City of Life and Death), Jung Woo-sung's performance should prove a good one. With these talented leads, A Good Rain Knows could be another great romantic drama from Hur Jin-ho.
The Grandmaster
Directed by Wong Kar-wai, starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai.
What it is:
Wong Kar-wai's film about the exploits of Wing Chun Grandmaster Ip Man.
Why I'm excited:
After the success of Director Wilson Yip and Actor Donnie Yen's take on Bruce Lee's master, Ip Man, and the fact that a sequel is already in production, one would assume Wong's The Grandmaster would be a sure bet. Assuming the film will be completed, Wong's long-time collaborator Tony Leung Chiu-wai is slated to star as Ip Man.
In addition to Tony Leung Chiu-wai, it's rumored that either Actress Gong Li (long-time collaborator with Chinese Director Zhang Yimou), or retired HK Actress Brigitte Lin, will join the cast of Wong's Ip Man film. It is also possible that both may join the production. Leung, Li, and Lin have all worked with Wong before (Leung in Days of Being Wild, Chungking Express, Ashes of Time, Happy Together, In the Mood for Love, 2046, and Ashes of Time: Redux; Li in 2046, and the Eros short The Hand; and Lin in Chungking Express, Ashes of Time, and Ashes of Time: Redux).
Following Wong's poorly received English-language debut, My Blueberry Nights, a return to Hong Kong Cinema with one of it's biggest stars seems like a no-brainer for the reknowned auteur. Regardless of the cast or the subject, a new film directed by Wong Kar-wai is something to get excited about. A new film directed by Wong Kar-wai, starring Tony Leung Chiu-Wai as the Legendary Wing Chun Grandmaster Ip Man; that's something to eagerly anticipate.
The Murderer
Directed by Na Hong-jin.
What it is:
The sophomore feature film from South Korean Director Na Hong-jin.
Why I'm excited:
Na Hong-jin's first feature was the incredible thriller The Chaser. After watching The Chaser back in February, I posted: "The Chaser is one of the best South Korean films of the year (2008), and one of the best films of 2008 in general. I don't know what Na Hong-jin's next film will be, but I can't wait to see it, and I'll be watching The Chaser again soon."
I did watch The Chaser again about a month later, and still found it to be an incredibly intense horror-thriller. While the title of Na Hong-jin's next feature is now known, I don't know anything else about it. And, to get excited about the film, I don't need to know anything else. Na's direction of The Chaser was so impressive that I'll watch just about anything he comes out with next.
08 November, 2009
Time Is Good
This time, 2 is the magic number, as I share my thoughts on two films. The films: Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell, and Alan Mak & Felix Chong's HK-China Co-production Overheard.
Drag Me to Hell
Directed by Sam Raimi, starring Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, and Dileep Rao.
Having already seen Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell twice in the theater, I was fairly familiar with the material. For my third viewing of the film I watched the Unrated Version. With the length of the theatrical release and the unrated version being the same, the differences are minor enough to almost be unworthy of mentioning, however, the theatrical version is better. Like the films in Raimi's Evil Dead Series, Drag Me to Hell is a joy to re-watch.
Overheard
Directed by Alan Mak & Felix Chong, starring Lau Ching-wan, Louis Koo, Daniel Wu, Zhang Jing-chu, Alex Fong Chung-sun, Waise Lee, and Michael Wong.
A huge step up from Mak & Chong's previous film, Lady Cop & Papa Crook, Overheard manages to engage and affect despite lacking character depth and focus. Leads Lau, Koo, and Wu give predictably good performances, offsetting the somewhat hollow script. My main complaint would be the lack of focus. Had Mak & Chong tightened up the story and focused more on characters' motives, Overheard could have been one of the top films of the year. Instead, we get a mediocre crime film that provides a decent viewing experience.
Next time, a list of films I'm looking forward to seeing.
Drag Me to Hell
Directed by Sam Raimi, starring Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, and Dileep Rao.
Having already seen Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell twice in the theater, I was fairly familiar with the material. For my third viewing of the film I watched the Unrated Version. With the length of the theatrical release and the unrated version being the same, the differences are minor enough to almost be unworthy of mentioning, however, the theatrical version is better. Like the films in Raimi's Evil Dead Series, Drag Me to Hell is a joy to re-watch.
Overheard
Directed by Alan Mak & Felix Chong, starring Lau Ching-wan, Louis Koo, Daniel Wu, Zhang Jing-chu, Alex Fong Chung-sun, Waise Lee, and Michael Wong.
A huge step up from Mak & Chong's previous film, Lady Cop & Papa Crook, Overheard manages to engage and affect despite lacking character depth and focus. Leads Lau, Koo, and Wu give predictably good performances, offsetting the somewhat hollow script. My main complaint would be the lack of focus. Had Mak & Chong tightened up the story and focused more on characters' motives, Overheard could have been one of the top films of the year. Instead, we get a mediocre crime film that provides a decent viewing experience.
Next time, a list of films I'm looking forward to seeing.
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