This week's Movie review......

[Steve J]

See Rent

(and see why "Angel" won a Tony for her role.) (and tell her I miss her.)

Rent is a little melodramatic and over the top of course, as most Broadway musicals are, but definately a creative and interesting show.

[rahau]

I'm looking forward to seeing "Rent." When they shot the film in San Francisco, my brother-in-law was hired as the set paramedic. He scored a souvenier for me - a rounded end table that was used on the set. It's now in my living room.

Last week, I watched the film "The Story of Qui Ju." (I'm determined to make it through the entire canon of Li Gong films.) Interesting change of pace for Yimou Zhang. Not one of his best, but not bad, either. The ice-cold winter scenes in the Chinese countryside were bone-chilling. I'm pretty sure that most of the scenes in Beijing were filmed with a hidden camera, which lent a certain cinema-verite look. And even though they tried to frump up Li Gong, she was still stunning. To paraphrase SteveJ, I'm NOT obsessed with Li Gong! I'm not I'm not I'm not...

By the way - Congratulations, Chairman Mo, on your promotion to "Total Teng-Head." You are most worthy ...

[Laura]

I saw Rent, and I'm trying hard to concentrate on something else other than wanting to see it again.

I'm a big fan of the musical, and I really didn't think I'd like the movie as much as I did. I approved of about 90% of the creative decisions they made though. And I had my doubts about Rosario Dawson, but she did wonderfully as Mimi.

I agree; see Rent.

[Ang Mo]

By the way - Congratulations, Chairman Mo, on your promotion to "Total Teng-Head." You are most worthy ...

I was thinking the next step would have been "the strangest" but I feel pleased to see the new designation. I have yet to fulfill my goal of watching Vienna live in concert, but I still have that goal out in front of me. That will be kind of a big deal for me considering my fear of big cities, people, airplanes, animals,(pit bulls in particular, who in the name of heaven would want such a beast?), and of course the every day things I am afraid of as well..............

[Scot]

I was thinking the next step would have been "the strangest" but I feel pleased to see the new designation. I have yet to fulfill my goal of watching Vienna live in concert, but I still have that goal out in front of me. That will be kind of a big deal for me considering my fear of big cities, people, airplanes, animals,(pit bulls in particular, who in the name of heaven would want such a beast?), and of course the every day things I am afraid of as well..............

Hmm, is this the real Ang Mo, or a cheap robotic imitation?

<content check>Yup- I believe we have the real McCoy</content check> 'cuz we all
know pit bulls are major features at Vienna concerts. :>

Ang- when Vienna comes here, perhaps you can take a cruise ship out to come see her. I
promise you won't find any big cities, airplanes and all the people will be wearing tans and smiles. I'll do what I can about the proverbial pitbull crowd....

s

[ben]

OT: Just where exactly is Ang Mo located?


On Topic:

Just saw EDISON, starring Morgan Freeman, LL Cool J, Justine Timberblake (yeah the boy band singer) and Kevin Spacey. My advice, forget this one. Despite having Freeman and Spacey, the movie just ain't got it. Acting are below par, the story ain't original, and a lot of things just ain't realistic enough.

[Ang Mo]

Please do not read to much into my post Scot. I did not say that Pit Bulls attended Vienna Teng concerts, I was merely thinking that the town of San Jose has a very healthy pit bull population. They will kill you for a loaf of bread or at least for one of those gravy covered dog treats.....

Now Hawaii would be cool. I would risk the flight for that gig, plus some additional days on the beach and exploring Japan and China Town.

Ben said:

OT: Just where exactly is Ang Mo located?

I am from Mars originally, but I make my home in the Pacific Northwest..........

I watched a hilarious mockumentary film called Fear of a Black Hat which was the Spinal Tap version for a Rap Music Group called NWH. It is very well done and really got me laughing.

[Scot]

I was merely thinking that the town of San Jose has a very healthy pit bull population. They will kill you for a loaf of bread or at least for one of those gravy covered dog treats.....

Sounds like you need to hear Brother Henry's "Bad Dog" song. :>

Yup- just having fun with your post. That's all.

s

[Ang Mo]

Last week, I watched the film "The Story of Qui Ju." (I'm determined to make it through the entire canon of Li Gong films.) Interesting change of pace for Yimou Zhang. Not one of his best, but not bad, either. The ice-cold winter scenes in the Chinese countryside were bone-chilling. I'm pretty sure that most of the scenes in Beijing were filmed with a hidden camera, which lent a certain cinema-verite look. And even though they tried to frump up Li Gong, she was still stunning. To paraphrase SteveJ, I'm NOT obsessed with Li Gong! I'm not I'm not I'm not...

I rather liked that film Rahau. It is not fast paced, but I think the premise of the film is how dangerous the face based society can be. Gong Li's character strives so hard to have the village leader punished for shaming her husband that her desire for justice ends up extremely bitter. She finally gets what she wants, but perhaps at too great a cost considering the fact that the village leader is involved with saving her life and her child's life.

It left me wondering if the punishment the village leader will recieve under the Chinese government will fit his crime or if he would suffer some horrible conditions in prison. It did not look promising....

You should watch Raise the Red Lantern I think Gong Li looks most beautiful in this one. Especially where she wears the white Cheongsam with the black buttons and trim as she stands outside on the steps in the snow. A very striking image I don't think I will ever forget. Other good films are Red Sorgum, Ju-Dou, and Shanghai Triad. All Zhang Yimou films. I also watched her in three Chen Kaige films, "Farewell My Concubine" which is massively depressing, Temptress Moon which is another major downer where she gets hooked on Opium, and one film where she plays a Princess involved with the King of Qin I believe. It was not bad, but I can't even remember the title and it was not terribly exciting. What is exciting is that she will team up with Zhang Ziyi in Memoirs of a Geisha which I will get to see next week and she is also teaming up with Zhang Yimou for the first time since they broke up as a couple. Now that one sounds really good and should be out in the theatres next year.

Hey Scot,

I will have to listen to that Brother Henry song

[rahau]

One of the great advantages of living in the Bay Area: "Geisha" will open here next week. I can't wait. The film's web site has a few stills, and Li Gong looks absolutely stunning. One critic says she plays "the Bette Davis 'All About Eve' role." Fasten your seatbelts ....

In addition to Qui Ju, I've seen Farewell My Concubine, Temptress Moon, Raise the Red Lantern, and Shanghai Triad. I think Lantern is my favorite. That opening scene, when she is told she is to be married off, is so powerful. She doesn't DO anything. It's all from within. Just brilliant.

[Ang Mo]

You have not watched her most critically acclaimed film? It is called"To Live" and to this day is still banned in mainland China. It is an interesting period piece of a family and their struggles during the cultural revolution. It is very good. Gong li and Gou Ye are both brilliant in it.

[Scot]

You have not watched her most critically acclaimed film? It is called"To Live"

This sounds familiar - I think I may have seen it and I did think it was pretty good. I'll have to go find it again and see if it was what I saw or not. It was a while ago. Hmmmm

s

[Ang Mo]

It is a very fine film Scot and I think you would enjoy it. It is also very instructive on certain cultural elements. For example it is shown why mainland Chinese prefer hot drinks over cold. European hotels have picked up on this and make sure that hot water for drinking is available for the Chinese tourists from the mainland. Had a fascinating article in the travel section of the USA Today on that.

[Scot]

It is a very fine film Scot and I think you would enjoy it. It is also very instructive on certain cultural elements. For example it is shown why mainland Chinese prefer hot drinks over cold.

I did notice that during my one trip to China. Everyone had these
thermoses of hot water and they didn't use them to make tea or anything - they
just drank straight hot water! :> Took a while to realize people were doing
that on purpose and not just out of tea bags, or something. ...

scot

ps - I think I did see this, but it was a while ago now -might be worth
seeing if I can find it again locally. thanks...

[Ang Mo]

Finally got to see Memoirs of a Geisha and I enjoyed it. There is so much complaining about the use of Chinese actresses but I find that argument rather tired in light of the fact that Columbia Pictures helped finance the movie. Columbia is owned by Sony which is Japanese. When the Japanese themselves pick Chinese actresses then I think it is perfectly fine. Those who have the gold, make the rules. The film reminded me of a female version of Star Wars. Zhang Ziyi played Sayuri (the Luke Skywalker character), Michelle Yeoh played Mameha (The Obi-Wan Kenobi character that trains Sayuri to be the greatest and most famous Geisha of all time), and Gong Li plays Hatsumomo, (the Darth Vader character who is out to destroy Sayuri).
Unlike Star Wars there are no laser blasts or flaming explosions in space. In this arena it is the words and emotional mind games played out by the combatants and their accomplices................

However the best film for 2005 is one I saw only on DVD. It was Cinderella Man starring Russell Crowe. He should get best actor although his ignorant real life behavior will probably insure he won't. The movie is very well done. Although it is a historical movie about a boxer, it is not so much about boxing as it is about a good person who happened to be a boxer during the time of the depression. I liked how the film explored the impact of labor unions and how important they are. If it were not for unions, Americans would never have what is called the "40 hour work week". You look at Japanese culture where people work from 8:00 in the morning till 10:30 at night nearly every day. That statistic which was reported on PBS is a key factor why the Japanese population is ageing and declining. There just isn't time to have a family where you actually spend anytime with your family.