AICN just posted what is supposed to be the first English-language review of the movie (though it's translated from a French review). It's pretty positive overall, with just a few minor caveats... click here.
I just caught this film in Hong Kong last night (I'm an American here) and the film was what you would ask for when looking for a beautifully-rich film of martial arts characters in a GOOD martial arts film. I've always felt like martial arts films are like Chinese food- it's either really good or really bad and this is up there with Iron Monkey. Cinematography is breath-taking and wonderfully abstract at times; there is a good amount of chemistry among characters; fight scenes are pretty hot and keep you entertained and wanting more. There's originality in here with the plot and the chemistry between lovers is pretty believable. The only drawback is there could be more character development, but howmuch you can fit into 2 hours? By and far, go see the film. You won't be disappointed.
I suppose Kim So-Yeon was dubbed (although she shot a few TV dramas in China, and should have a working knowledge of Chinese by now). How's her acting?
-----
Berlinale 2012 kicks off in three days, and with its vast, diverse international program, preparation is mandatory. So, between stockpiling warm clothes and memorizing how to say "I don't speak German" in German, I've been combing the program and singling out potential highlights in each festival category. I'll be sharing these over the next several days before I depart,...
More »
*Some Spoilers, Fair Warning*Perhaps a goofy co-incidence that Facebook filed with the SEC to launch its $5 Billion (with a B) initial public offering in the same week as this viral/web advertised film hit cinema screens. The dollar value for the filing is itself equal parts news-catcher, market-hubris and ultimately an underscore on where society, in the here and now,...
More »
Earlier this week, Chinese cinema exhibitor Beijing Bona Starlight Cineplex Management Co. Ltd. announced that it will start applying film classifications to films in the hope of providing better guidance to its patrons and improving box office performance. A subsidiary of film distribution giant Bona Film Group, the exhibitor currently only operates four cinemas in China, including two in Beijing,...
More »
A new year of indie film has officially kicked off with the completion of Sundance 2012. Will it be the fest faves like Beasts of the Southern Wild or The Surrogate that make big waves over the next 12 months? Perhaps challenging critical darlings like Compliance and Room 237 will find a way to break through. Or will it...
More »
Ahhh, another snowy year at Sundance (particularly snowy this year) has come to a close. A lot of excellent films have been packed up in their canisters and sent to their new distributors. Even more will move along in the festival season, hoping to find a friendly home on some form of new-fangled download-to-your-alphanumeric-pager distro-strategy. But before these movies...
More »
Recent Comments
James Marsh commented on
CHINA BEAT: A Flirtation with Classification
:
Correct! That's the impressively buxom and incredibly not unattractive Chen Chih Ying from 33D INVADER. I figured variety would be welcomed, rather th...
Wasn't sure what to think of this when I saw the last trailer but this final one has raised my expectations quite a bit. Looking forward to it.
An amazing looking trailer i await on pins and needles for the final release
AICN linking into this page :
you can rick click and save WMV videos!!!
Great trailer, I see a preview a few week ago and I hope this could be one of the best works for Tsui Hark.
AICN just posted what is supposed to be the first English-language review of the movie (though it's translated from a French review). It's pretty positive overall, with just a few minor caveats... click here.
I just caught this film in Hong Kong last night (I'm an American here) and the film was what you would ask for when looking for a beautifully-rich film of martial arts characters in a GOOD martial arts film. I've always felt like martial arts films are like Chinese food- it's either really good or really bad and this is up there with Iron Monkey. Cinematography is breath-taking and wonderfully abstract at times; there is a good amount of chemistry among characters; fight scenes are pretty hot and keep you entertained and wanting more. There's originality in here with the plot and the chemistry between lovers is pretty believable. The only drawback is there could be more character development, but howmuch you can fit into 2 hours? By and far, go see the film. You won't be disappointed.
I suppose Kim So-Yeon was dubbed (although she shot a few TV dramas in China, and should have a working knowledge of Chinese by now). How's her acting?
-----