Battle Royale (product link) Horror / Thriller The original version [as opposed to the director's cut] is overall a much better film. Most of what was added later is useless, with the possible exception of two or three lines (therefore a 4 1/2 instead of a 5 star rating), which do clarify some points.
Takeshi Kitano is his usual self (fun, fun, fun), and the story is original, unusual, unique. (Not what you would expect). I am not getting into details, since I have found out sometimes it is better to know nothing before you see some films. This is one of them. Buy it unseen. Forget the longer [director's cut], or the horrible follow-up.
The Curse Of The Golden Flower (product link) Drama / Action/Adventure It may seem deceiving that this film is not as intricate and elaborate as Zhang Yimou's other two ("Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers"), but if you take the time to think about it after you watch it, you will realize all the ramifications of what you just saw, and what seems so simple, is actually very dense, therein lies the talent of Zhang Yimou as filmmaker. It also compliments the other two by, again as it's now a habit with him, in not repeating his themes, but always exploring new ones.
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