The Curse Of The Golden Flower (product link) Drama / Action/Adventure You've got to be kidding me. My god, what has happened to you, Zhang Yimou? You hit a high note for me with "Hero". Started out phenomenal with "House Of Flying Daggers", but really just turned a horrible turn somewhere after the midpoint of this movie, and compounded it with one of the worst endings ever. Then, I thought you might redeem yourself with this piece of junk. I was wrong.
Let's start with what I liked. Zhang Yimou really does know visuals. And how to make the ladies look good and all. Good eye candy overall.
BUT, I just didn't get sucked into the political intrigue it had to offer. The action stunk (you might even say, what action?). If you want what this movie shoulda' been, look at "The Banquet"--not the visual feast this is, but a much more compelling and satisfying watch.
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READER COMMENTS
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I agree with everything you said, especially the part about very little action and a terrible ending.
Good Times, Bed Times (product link) Comedy / Romance Unbelievable romantic comedy. Sure, you say that's like all Chinese romantic comedies and you wouldn't be wrong. But this one just isn't all that fun to watch. I just didn't care for the characters, or what happens to them. I think you actually need to like the people involved for a good romantic comedy to work. This one just didn't work for me.
La Brassiere (product link) Comedy / Romance Not really all that many laughs from this romantic comedy. I think there were a couple of good scenes, but mostly filler. I didn't buy the romance part either. No screen chemistry.
Justice, My Foot! (product link) Comedy / Nonsense Comedy One of Chow's more enjoyable movies, but certainly not one of the best. 3.5 stars seems kinda harsh, because I really did enjoy it--and i'd watch it again--but he's made so many movies that it just doesn't make the 4 stars like many of his others.
I absolutely completely and in practically every aspect thoroughly enjoyed this film...
...except for a couple of points. 1) I was able to suspend my disbelief for the majority of the film, except for some really, really, really over the top things with the baby--those things just took me out of the film. 2) The sudden and tremendous swing into the melodramatic at the end of the film totally destroyed what was an incredibly well balanced movie.
Now, for the good stuff. Typically I'm not that big of a Jackie Chan fan in the sense that I can only watch his movies once, for the action. Then I never have the urge to watch them again. For me, the only exceptions are "Dragons Forever" and "Wheels On Meals" (moreso "Dragons" than "Wheels"). For most of this film, I would have ranked it above "Dragons Forever". But those points above really hampered this film and took it down one full star.
And i agree with a couple of the reviewers. Jackie needs to stay in Hong Kong and do these types of movies instead of the cr*p he's releasing in the states. Also, gay joke very not funny--just misplaced, awkward, and out of left field. Woulda' been better with just using all the innuendo during that scene.
The God Of Cookery [CN] (product link) Comedy / Drama Thoroughly enjoyable Stephen Chow movie. I should know, I've pretty much seen his entire filmography from some of the worst to some of his best (hello, "Forbidden City Cop"). This is one I definitely pop in to watch once in a while. Oh, and like 99% of Stephen Chow movies, the romance makes no sense at all.
The Banquet (product link) Drama / Action/Adventure Now this is what "Curse Of The Golden Flower" shoulda' been minus the sketchy make-up. Totally engaging story, with just enough action, intrigue, and tragedy to satisfy.
The only things I didn't like: the extremely fake blood and the crappy make-up jobs. Other than that, very good movie.
A World Without Thieves (product link) Drama / Crime When I first started watching this film, I didn't know quite what to make of it. I didn't care for the style of action (e.g., everything is a blur), but the movie itself is entertaining and the actors do a really good job. Good chemistry and a very satisfying ending.
Kung Fu Hustle (product link) Comedy / Action/Adventure Very enjoyable movie. Humor and action in this one is likened to a cartoon, implausible, but funny and fun to watch. Only thing that saddens me: his movies are getting way too polished. No more bad takes that they leave in the final product, what's the world come to?
Tricky Brains (product link) Comedy / Nonsense Comedy Another Stephen Chow film I really, really enjoy re-watching. Good interplay between all the characters and pure Stephen Chow humor at its best.
Hero [2002] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Nothing not to like in this film. One story, three different renditions, absolutely gorgeous film.
On a side note, also saw the English sub on the U.S. disc that had "our country" instead of "all under heaven" as the translation. Hated that. All under heaven, much more poetic and meaningful.
Forbidden City Cop (product link) Action/Adventure / Comedy One of my favorites, if not THE favorite, of Stephen Chow's movies. I think this was one of the first movies I had ever watched of Stephen's and he had me hooked. Totally enjoyable and funny throughout.
Chinese Odyssey 2002 (product link) Comedy / Historical This is one of my favorite comedies. When the menu comes up, you think, huh, an epic drama. Don't let it fool you, it's a great deal of fun. Add in a couple of Chinese opera-ish songs, great music, and extremely fun storyline that has humor and heart. It's a winner.
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