Movie Review: Malice (E yi)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

An effective drama from China. 

In this drama, a social media journalist investigates two deaths.

This movie is quite absorbing. It is filled with quite a few good twists and turns that often left me not knowing what to expect next. Yet most of these twists made a lot of sense when they actually happened. Meanwhile the characters are quite well written and there is more to them then first meets the eye. This movie is also quite visually engaging, even if the special effects are not perfect. 

As well as telling a gripping story, this film also sets out to make a commentary on the lack of media integrity in the era of social media, where getting likes is often more important than the truth. It also takes a look at how social media has turned our world into one that often runs on voyeurism and the dangers of this. Unfortunately, as important and thought provoking as these topics can be, the movie conveys it in a very simplistic and heavy-handed manner. There is a lack of any real subtilty to any of the message, instead the film relies on heavy-handed, simplistic and repetitive dialogue. 

Despite its flaws this is still and absorbing movie. 

Movie Review: Ne Zha 2 (哪吒之魔童鬧海)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A fun and well-made animated movie from China. 

This is well-done fantasy entertainment for the whole family. Like the best fantasy movies, where this film works best is the world building. This film does a great job making the world it takes place in feel completely real to us. There is great detail and thought put into how this world works. The characters themselves may not be complex, but they are believable and engaging. The heroes are quite likable, even if flawed. And the villain feels like a massive threat. Because of this the emotional scenes here work quite well and there is a sense of suspense through much of the film. The action scenes here are fantastic featuring great animation, timing and a bit of suspense.

Like many modern animated movies, this film often tries to squeeze in as many jokes as possible. Because of this the humor can often be hit or miss. There are some funny moments here and there but there are also plenty of comedic moments that fall completely flat. 

The main flaw with this movie is the length. This story could easily be told in an hour and a half, but this film is nearly two and a half hours. The climax can really drag on too long at times. 

Despite some flaws, this is a really fun movie for the whole family. 
  

Movie Review: Successor (Zhua wa wa)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A delightful comedy-drama from China. 

This movie has a very far-fetched and somewhat ludicrous premise. Two wealthy parents decide to see if their son is worthy to be a successor to their vast wealth by putting him through an incredible elaborate test through his whole childhood. This involves him believing that his family is extremely poor and being placed in a fake world. He must work and study constantly as this whole project revolves around him getting into a very prestigious college on his own merits. 

This story is obviously completely ridiculous, but it is also very well told. Much of this is because of the characters themselves. Our young protagonist is incredibly likable and easy to connect to. Though he doesn't do everything right, his heart is usually in the right place, and he truly cares about those around him. The film also puts us into his position, and we often see the world through his eyes. Because of this the emotional moments are especially effective. I also loved the way this film portrayed the parents. The movie never plays down how cruel what they are doing to this boy is. In fact, there are many scenes that make us downright hate these characters. Yet there are also moments that humanize them and make us realize that they do truly care about their son and can feel bad about their actions. The humor in this movie may not be consistently hilarious but there are some laugh out loud funny moments here. 

With the far-fetched nature of the plot, there are naturally some big plot holes and moments that make you wonder, how such a smart kid can't catch on that his life is fake. 

All in all, this is a delightful movie, even if sometimes you have to leave logic at the door.

Movie Review: Crisis Negotiators

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A tense action thriller from China. 

There is nothing new or complex about this movie, but that does not mean it is not very entertaining. The film does a wonderful job of building up its suspense. For the most part this happens little by little. Because the suspense keeps growing as the film goes on, this keeps it from ever feel repetitive or boring. By the climax the film becomes so tense that you are completely on the edge of your seat. This movie also boasts some great action scenes. Both of the car chases in this film are truly fantastic and a whole lot of fun. The same can be said for the big shootout scenes as this movie approaches its climax. This movie even has a few surprisingly funny comedic moments. 

The main problem with this film is that its story about a man going to extreme lengths to clear his own name is so familiar. Because of this it simply has a hard time standing out among many similar movies. It does everything well, but not to a level that would make it stand out. This makes this a great watch but one you will forget about in a few months. The same can be said about the characters. They are not boring characters, and they do their job well enough. Yet there is little to make them more memorable than characters from similar films. 

  This is a very well-made film, even if it can be too reminiscent of many similar movies.

Movie Review: Dragonkeeper

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

An excellent animated fantasy film from China. 

This movie does exactly what a fantasy movie should do. It makes its world feel completely real to us and for a little bit we feel like we have been transported to a different world. The world building works fantastic here. We get a great understanding of how this world works and we get caught in the mythology. While this film may not be as extravagant as a Disney or Dreamworks animated movie, it is still a very handsome film. The visual attention to detail in many of these scenes really helps this fantasy world come to life for us. 

The main story of this film revolves around a little girl's relationship with a dragon. In this area the movie also works very well. Not only are both these characters very likable but they work very well together. The relationship between them feels very real and well developed. It especially works with how the relationship evolves over the course of the movie in a very realistic and believable way. This leads to some quite emotional scenes that work incredibly well. Our main human character also has a well-done character arc that works very well. 

This movie has a somewhat familiar story, but it is told very well and never once loses your interest. 

Unfortunately this movie does suffer from some bad humor and a weak villain.

While not perfect this movie does a great job at everything one could want from a fantasy film. 

Movie Review: YOLO (Re la gun tang)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

An effective sports drama from China. 

What makes this movie work so well is the main character. She is incredibly likable. When anyone is treated as horribly as she is in many scenes in this film, we are automatically going to sympathize with her. While this movie does very much set up why should feel sorry for this character, as the film goes on, we feel much more than sympathy for this character. This character grows to feel very real to us and we get to see what a beautiful heart she truly has. There are many scenes in which you will want to walk into the screen and simply give her a hug. Because of this, we go on this whole emotional journey with her. This strong emotional connection is what makes this familiar story work very well here. This movie also benefits from some very well-done filmmaking. This can especially be seen during the final boxing match scene. I may have no interest in sports whatsoever, but this scene was so well done that I was glued to the screen. 

As a boxing film this movie does follow the Rocky formula very closely (the Rocky theme is even heard during a train montage). While it does have a few surprises, it can also feel too familiar at times, like you have seen this all before. The movie also suffers from weak supporting characters, many who seem to only exist to make our main character miserable. These characters almost feel like over the top villains in a Saturday morning cartoon and this makes them feel a little too over the top for a movie that is supposed to be more realistic. 

Despite its flaws, this is a very engaging and well-made sports film. 

Movie Review: The Movie Emperor (Hong tan xiansheng)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

An often-hilarious movie from China. 

This film is a pure success in the most important aspect for any comedy. That is to say this movie is very funny. The humor ranges from smart witty satire on the film industry to pure old school slapstick. The incredibly clever satire takes a great look at how celebrity culture has changed in this era of social media. The film takes aim at both the nature of social media and the pure arrogance of this movie star who thinks he is above the people on social media. While there is a point to be made in this satire, this film never forgets that it is a comedy and not a message movie. As clever as the satire is, it is first and foremost funny. The slapstick humor here is simply wonderful. Many modern films that try fail to recapture what made the old slapstick work so well. However, this movie not only understood this, but it delivered laugh after laugh. It is rare that I laugh as much as I did here at a modern slapstick comedy, but I simply did. There are even wonderful little slapstick gags going on in the background in some scenes that simply made me laugh out loud. This movie also does an incredible job of mixing old school comedy with great visual filmmaking. Many of the best of these comedy scenes are incredibly beautifully shot and staged. Even if the scene weren't funny, they would still be a joy to look at. This great combination of comedy and beautiful visual filmmaking reminded me of the films of Jacques Tati or the early Pink Panther movies in all the best ways. It is rare to see this combination and to see it so well done. The storyline may be very simple. It is just about a group trying to make a movie with the main actor being a bit of an egotistical jerk. However, this storyline works perfect for just what type of movie this is. It gives the film a more atmospheric and slice of life feel that enhances both the comedy and the beautiful visual filmmaking.

If I had one complaint it would be that some of the scenes involving the main character's family can feel too familiar and not live up to the rest of the film. However since these scenes don't take up much of the runtime this is a small complaint. 

This is truly a wonderful comedy and a pure delight for cinephiles.   

Movie Review: The Storm (大雨)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A wonderful animated movie from China. 

This film is exactly what a fantasy movie should be. That is that it truly makes you believe the fantasy. This world is so well thought out that it always seems perfectly real to us. There are times when it feels magical, times when it feels dark and threatening and many times when it feels like a lot of both. Throughout all of this, the whole movie is dripping with pure wonderful imagination that never lets up. Though the story has similarities to other animated movies, it has its own unique feel that is simply wonderful. The creativity often drips over into the incredible visuals. This is simply a beautiful looking movie. The art work and animation is on par with Studio Ghibli and that is no small feat. That is also why this movie needs to be seen on the bigger screen. This is a real cinematic experience and a small screen could not have the same effect. Yet just as visually incredible this film is, it also is very emotional. The relationship between our main character (a young boy) and his father figure is genuinely touching. This makes us care about these characters and what happens in this story. It also makes the fantasy feel even more real to us. This also leads to some very touching moments. The film also benefits from a truly creepy villain and a large amount of suspense. 

Simply put this is a wonderful movie. 

Movie Review: Shining for One Thing (Yi shan yi shan liang xingxing)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A moving romance film from China. 

The most important ingredient to any romance movie is that we care about the relationship between the main characters. This may sound like an obvious statement, but it is in this department that too many of these films fail. Luckily this film works very well in this department. We truly care about these characters, both as individuals and as a couple. As they film goes on, we want more and more to see a happy ending for this couple. This is also a very handsome looking movie, that has a wonderful almost dreamlike quality look that is simply a joy to look at. Even the scenes inside a rowdy bar having a wonderfully fun look to it. In the scenes inside that bar, there is always something going on in the background that makes the environment more real to us. 

Partway through this movie, it takes a turn to a more sci-fi fantasy type of storytelling. This is both one of the movie's strongest strengths and one of its biggest flaws. What this film does with this sci-fi type of storytelling is very clever and effective. It ups the ante for the romance story making us have an even deeper connection to these characters. It also leads to a very emotional and clever ending to the film. However, when this change to a more fantastical type of storytelling first happens, it comes out of left field. It is not properly built up to and the sudden and abrupt change simply takes us out of the movie. 

This movie also unfortunately has some very bland supporting characters, and some its humor falls flat. 

 Though this movie is flawed, the things that work are truly excellent. 

Movie Review: Last Suspect (拯救嫌疑人)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A well-made suspense film from China. 

This movie's story at first seems very simple. An incredibly successful lawyer is blackmailed to take a case by someone who kidnapped her young daughter. From here the story takes so many twists and turns that you are never once sure of anything. This is a thriller that truly keeps you on the edge of your seat, having no idea what may happen next. This all leads up to a wonderful twist ending. If some of the twists and turns are (more than a little) over the top, this just adds to the fun and excitement. I don't want to talk in much more detail about this aspect as I don't want to give away a single twist or turn. The main characters of this film are also quite likable. While they aren't complex characters, they are easy to relate to and care about. Zhang Xiaofei's performance as the main character is simply wonderful and gives a real humanity to the film.

This movie does have its flaws though. Some of the more emotional scenes lean too heavily into the sentimentality and can come off as sappy. This can be at odds with the dark nature of the rest of this film. There is also a moment where the movie seems to pretty much stop, so that a character can tell us the moral of the story. It feels awkward and out of place. 

Overall this movie gives you just what you want out of this type of thriller and that can easily overcome the film's flaws. 

Movie Review: Chang'an (長安三萬里)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

An excellent animated film from China. 

This movie tells the story of Gao Shi, a Chinese poet from the Tang Dynasty. I admit I came into this movie knowing very little about Gao Shi, but this did not ever hinder my enjoyment of this film. While there is a lot here aimed at a Chinese audience who would be more familiar with the people mentioned in this film, however it is still very accessible to those who have no familiarity. This movie is first and foremost an emotional journey and secondly a history lesson. It does not take long to become emotional connected to this story and the characters. They do not feel like historical figures at all but rather like regular normal people. This is the secret to this film. It makes people who seem like something we may read about in a history book into something much more real and tangible. At the same time the film does not talk down to its audience but instead treats them in a very intelligent and respectful manner. In fact, much of this script is very smart and takes a very intelligent look at the age-old dilemma of looking for your place in this world. Though this film is a realistic (and true) story, it still uses animation perfectly to its advantage. There is an especially wonderful fantasy sequence where one character reads one of his poems that is simply wonderful. 

However I will admit that this film could have definitely used some trimming as it is much longer than it needs to be. The various attempts to add a little humor also often fall flat. 

A truly excellent film and a treat for animation fans.  

Movie Review: Lost in the Stars (Xiao shi de ta)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

A very fun and engaging thriller from China. 

This film is one of those movies that will constantly keep you guessing, just where it is heading from start to finish. It grabs your attention very quickly because the premise itself is very intriguing and clever. A man whose wife has been missing, one day finds a woman waking up beside him claiming to be his wife. When the police come, this woman seems to have all the evidence that says this woman is his wife. It would be a shame to give away anything more about this story, because from there comes so many twists and turns that leave you constantly wondering just what is in fact real and who is telling the truth. Each of these twists made me get even more engaged in the film and curious about just where it was going to go next. As a fan of these types of thrillers, I found myself simply having a wonderful time, always trying to guess where this movie would go next and never having it go in the I excepted it to. Adding to my enjoyment was the pure stylish direction of this movie. There is such a wonderful look to this film that is not only wonderful to look at but also helps us get into the characters' psyche. Much of this is probably due to the two directors of the film. Rui Cui has worked on visual effects for a few big budget Hollywood films (including Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) and Terminator Genisys (2015)). Xiang Liu has worked as a cinematographer on such Chinese films as Erdos Rider (2015) and Shadows and Echoes (2019). With directors like these it is no wonder this is such a good-looking film. This movie also benefits from some great acting from Yilong Zhu, Ni Ni, Janice Man and Kay Huang. All of whom make these characters fascinating and enjoyable to watch even when their motivations are hidden from us.

There are times however when some of the twists can get so over the top that they feel kind of out of place with the rest of the film. There are also quite a few questions that simply go unanswered. However none of this can take away from how much fun this movie is to watch. 

This may not be a perfect film, but it is so much fun to watch that you may not care. 

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000) in Movie Theaters.

 

For those of you who are unaware, Ang Lee's wonderful martial arts film, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is back in movie theaters. Having a 23-year-old Chinese movie back in major U.S. movie theaters is something I didn't see coming, but I am so glad this happened. This movie is just as great now as it was when it was first released (though I admit, when it was first released I was too young to enjoy a movie like this). Despite all the has been done with special effects in recent years, the action scenes here are still fantastic and simply a joy to watch. While I know many will disagree with me, these action scenes hold up a lot better that those in The Matrix (1999), released only a year earlier. Yet there is a lot more to this film than just wonderful action scenes. The acting is simply wonderful, the story (while not always easy to follow) is wonderfully engaging and the dialogue is fantastic. Adding to all this is that the film has a new 4K restoration and it simply looks amazing, especially on a big movie theater screen. If you get a chance to see this wonderful movie in a theater, you should definitely do so. Check the movie theaters around you to see if you can find this playing there. 

Movie Review: The Wandering Earth 2 (流浪地球2)

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A very entertaining sci-fi disaster movie from China. 

Though this film's premise is very similar to that of many other Sci-Fi disaster movies, including disasters that may easily destroy the Earth (here the sun is about to burn out), where the movie really shines is that it has a stronger emotional connection for us than most similar films do. A major part of this movie's plot is about a man trying to bring back his dead daughter through technology. This part is handled beautifully and is not only very emotionally involving but also quite thought provoking. It is fascinating to stop and think about the implications of this and whether or not this is something moral, or whether or not this would still be the same daughter that had died. There are many scenes with him interacting for a few minutes with a version of his daughter on a computer screen. These scenes are heartbreaking, while also giving the audience an uneasy feeling. An incredible scene comes when one of his friends notices him talking to his dead daughter on the screen and at first unsure of how to react to this. Yet in every scene dealing with this we can feel and understand the pain he is feeling. Honestly if this where the whole movie, I would have given it an "A." There is another subplot involving a man having to leave behind his child and dying wife, when he is stationed off planet. While this subplot is not hugely developed, it is easy to relate to and can tug on your heart strings. This movie also does a great job at world building and making this sci-fi world seem real. The technology and how it works is explained quite well and much of it is very imaginative and interesting. Also adding in the social issues of this world and how others react to it (protestors against much of the technology is very prevalent), also makes this world feel more real, while adding some pretty good social commentary that reflects similar issues today (such as machines taking people's jobs).

The action scenes here are fine but hardly stand out. They do their job well and provide some exciting moments. However they feel very similar to action scenes in other movies and in many of those films they are even better. There is nothing really wrong with these scenes, it is just that they aren't going to stick in your mind much after the movie is over. 

This movie is near three hours long and there is no reason for it to be that long. There are times when the film can really drag and moments that simply don't add much to the story. This movie also has too many characters. Because of this, a few of them come across as really interesting and relatable, while others are simply bland and one-dimensional. Because of this too, many of the characters will simply run together in your mind as you watch the film. 

This is a well made movie and will delight fans of Sci-Fi.