Watch Online Chinese Romantic Movie Love 2009 Trailer Review Cast And Crew

Chinese Romantic Movie Love 2009

Cast And Crew

Starring: Van Fan Yi Chen, Megan Lai Ya Yan, Blue Lan Zheng Long, Annie Liu Xin You, Alan Ke You Lun, Tammy Chen Yi Rong, Tseng Kai Xuan, Ethan Ruan Jing Tian,Tracy Chou Cai Shi, Alec Su You Peng, Ken Chu Xiao Tian, Wang Zi, MoDi , Makiyo, Lu Yi Ching
Directors: Jiu Ba Dao, Vincent Fang Wen Shan, Chen Yi Xian, Mickey Huang Zi Jiao
Rating: PG
Year Made: 2009
Genre: Romance
Languages: Mandarin/Cantonese
Subtitles: English/Chinese
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Letterbox
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0
Running Time: 1 hr 32 mins
Region Code: PAL 3
Distributor: InnoForm Media

SYNOPSIS:

Four love stories by four talented Taiwanese first-time directors – well-known lyrist, Vincent Fang Wenshan; TV host, Huang Zijiao; online novelist, Jiu BaDao; and commercial director, Chen Yixian.

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How apt it is, after the successful Taiwan movie Cape No. 7, that we are treated with this Taiwan production starring the Golden Horse winner’s Van Fan and Chie Tanaka. Oh, the star gazing doesn’t stop here. Throw in names like Annie Liu, Ethan Ruan, Alec Su, Ken Chu, Makiyo Claire Kuo Jing, Blue Lan, Lu Yi Ching, Charge Pu Hsueh Liang and Chang Hsiao Yen, and you’d get this omnibus of love stories that markets itself as the ultimate love experience. If you are a fan of these well known Hong Kong and Taiwan TV personalities and pop idols, then you’d be dazzled by the star gazing that’s in store for you.

The four stories centre themselves on different themes like death, memories, communication and destiny. Directed by Giddens Ko, Vincent Fang Wen Shan (Jay Chou’s favourite lyricist), Chen Yi Xian and Mickey Huang Zi Jiao (the famous TV host), viewers are brought onto a 92 minute razzle dazzle of love embodied by melodrama, tragedy, music and comedy.

When you have four filmmakers with four distinct styles, it’s only natural that you prefer one over the other. The first story about sentiments of two strangers sharing the same voice stars Fan and Liu, and the natural chemistry between them distracts you from the unnecessary plot twists that prove to be gimmicky. The second story about the production of a music video (as helmed by Fang, of course) stars Liu and Lan, and while the two good lookers provide eye candy for the younger viewers, the somewhat slipshod storytelling shows the thinness of the plot. The third story starring the very popular Ruan is a mood piece about the importance of communication with your loved one, and it easily stands out as the most competent of the lot. When you reach the fourth story directed by Huang, you wonder whether you should tolerate the over the top acting and exaggerated comedic style.

If your expectations for this movie aren’t too high, the four tales are easy to sit through. There isn’t much thinking involved, and there aren’t many feelings for the protagonists either. We guess that would be the down side of featuring so many stars in a weakly plotted movie, because all attention would be given to spotting the countless cameo appearances throughout the movie.

If you are a male viewer watching this with your female companion, expect reactions like: “Look, it’s Alec Su from The Little Tigers! Look, it’s Ken Chu from F4! Look, look, look! Ethan Ruan is gorgeous! Look, look, look! Blue Lan is simply charming!” Yes, you’ve been warned.

Watch Online Chinese Action Movie Coweb 2009 Trailer Review Cast And Crew

Chinese Action Movie Coweb 2009

Cast And Crew

Starring: Jiang Luxia, Sam Lee, Eddie Cheung, Kane Kosugi, Andy Taylor
Director: Xiong Xin Xin
Rating: PG
Year Made: 2009
Languages: Mandarin
Subtitles: English/Chinese
Genre: Action
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Widescreen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Running Time: 1 hr 38 mins
Region Code: 3
Distributor: InnoForm Medi

SYNOPSIS:

Mandy slaves away at two jobs struggling to support her family while dreaming about resurrecting her father's martial arts academy, a once famous school now forgotten since an accident took his leg. When Mandy rescues wealthy businessman Ho Kwan from muggers he offers her a job as his bodyguard and she agrees when he also offers to supoort her family and restore her father's academy. Before long, kidnappers appear and despite Mandy's efforts, Ho Kwan is abducted but not before he slips Mandy a box. Upon investigating, Mandy learns that Ho Kwan was kidnapped by ruthless gambling impresario Sung. The box contains a key to a mainframe that controls online betting on fights to the death and in order to reach Ho Kwan, Mandy will have to join the tournament and gamble with her life.

MOVIE REVIEW:

The first we heard (or to be more precise, saw) of this movie, "Coweb", was on this Code 3 DVD. Our interest was piqued- where did this action film come from? Why did we know so little of it? We were especially interested when we saw on the cover that none other than Xiong Xin Xin was the director. To our knowledge, we had not known of the veteran as a director (and we were right, this is his first feature film)- though our deepest impression of him was as the character Clubfoot Seven in Tsui Hark’s "Once Upon a Time in China".

But as the movie opened, what hopes we had of this direct-to-DVD release were quickly and firmly dashed. "Coweb’s" first scene is of the death of a young martial arts instructor’s father under rather suspicious circumstances. This opening is portent of many things to come. First, the numerous fade out, fade ins used throughout the movie. Used judiciously, such a technique could enhance the impact of a certain scene; used ad nauseum as in "Coweb", they are simply annoying.

Second, the just as frustrating visual trick of rewinding the last few seconds of the film then playing it back again, complete with a red 'REC' sign at the top right hand corner. Yes, we get the idea that someone is watching, that someone is recording what is going on. There’s scarcely a need to use the same gimmick over and over again. Third, the badder than bad sound design- and we’re not just talking about the added bone-crunching sound effects. Whoever was behind the soundtrack of this film clearly has not watched an action movie and how the music is supposed to build tension, not deflate it entirely.

Last and perhaps most inexcusably, the lazy camerawork of the fight sequences. If there is one reason why audiences are watching this film, it’s because of the fights. How exciting the fights actually are doesn’t really matter when the cameraman appears to be so afraid of getting kicked or punched that he places the camera a convenient distance away and doesn’t even bother to zoom into the action. We were almost ready to say 'bring it up close, dammit!'

Like most action films, one does not expect a 'wow' plot for "Coweb" to work; one looks forward rather to a multitude of action sequences designed to make us go 'wow' and at most a serviceable plot to get us from one fight to another. It seems the Thais have understood such expectations- hence the formula de rigueur of films like "Ong Bak", "Tom Yum Goong", "Chocolate" and "Muay Thai Fireball". A less than satisfactory plot aside, Xiong Xin Xin’s fight choreography in "Coweb" unfortunately suffers from being too choreographed and not enough of the 'wow' spontaneity that made the above-mentioned Thai action films such a thrilling experience.

Perhaps the only bright spark that "Coweb" has is its newcomer Jiang Lu Xia, a finalist from Jackie Chan’s China-based reality TV series The Disciple. Don’t judge her by her small build- she has the agility and ferocity of that similarly not to be trifled with Thai breakout star from "Chocolate" and certainly deserves a much better film to showcase her talents and abilities.

So we’re here to tell you that "Coweb" did not turn out to be the kick-ass action film we expected from Xiong Xin Xin. What prowess he may have behind the camera remains as yet hidden we hope to believe. Except for its star Jiang Lu Xia, "Coweb" is a disappointing effort through and through. No wonder we had heard so little of it before- such embarrassments are better off left unsaid and untold.

The Message 2009 Chinese Movie Watch Online Movie Review Trailer Cast And Crew

Chinese 2009 Movie The Message

Cast And Crew

Cast: Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming,
Alec Su, Zhang Hanyu, Wang Zhiwen, Ying Da
Directors: Chen Guo-fu & Gao Qunshu
RunTime: 2 hrs 4 mins
Genre: Thriller/Drama
Released By: GV & Scorpio East Pictures
Rating: NC-16
Release Date: 1st October 2009
Language: Mandarin
In Mandarin with English and Chinese subtitles
Running Time: 116 mins

Synopsis:

1942 Nanking, the then capital city of China has fallen into the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army, where they established and controlled the puppet government. After various deadly attacks and assassination attempts by underground guerillas, it became evident that there has been a leak of intelligence, and someone is working undercover within the Intelligence Bureau for the underground revolutionists. A group of unsuspecting key officials that had a hand in the circulation of a staged encoded message are captured and transported to a far off mansion in the middle of the night for interrogation. As they are each served with torture and counter-intelligence tactics, they soon realize that no one will be able to leave until the snitch is identified. The only way for them to survive through this, would be to turn on each other…

The Film Review:

There is something about movies which help people like this reviewer to learn more about history. The bombing of Pearl Harbour? Thank you, Michael Bay. The rise and fall of Eva Peron? Thank you, Alan Parker. And closer to home, the legacy of the Soong Sisters? Thank you, Mabel Cheung. And that is why, whenever a war espionage film like this one comes along, this reviewer would deem it the perfect opportunity to beef up his limited knowledge of what happened in the past. Fictional or not, pictures like this allow viewers to get a peek of what it was like to live in that era, where everyone seemed more patriotic and less self centered.

Directors Chen Kuo-fu (Double Vision) and Gao Qunshu (The Tokyo Trial) transport viewers back some 70 years back to Nanking during the terrible times of World War II. It was a time when dangerous spies lurk round every corner, and you had no idea who to trust. The film’s limelight falls on a group of suspects gathered in a mansion by a Japanese spy chief. One by one these suspects are eliminated, but the essential member of this patriotic group must send out a crucial message at all means while protecting his (or her?) true identity. What ensues is a drama which develops itself finely like a game of Cluedo, where the mastermind of the game must hide his (or her?) true intentions behind the torturous proceedings in the grand captive ground.

Based on a novel, Chen wrote the screenplay for this “cat and mouse” game which engagingly provides a glimpse for today’s audiences of what it means to feel nationalistic pride in the past. It does evoke that sense of devotion and loyalty, and makes you wonder whether a local film can stir up the same feeling? While this doubt’s answers lies in the vast differences in culture and history, one cannot overlook the impressive production values of this film boasting Feng Xiaogang’s (If You Are The One) name as its executive producer.
The two hour movie manages to bring together some credible names to create an authentic look for the movie. Jake Pollock (Yang Yang)’s lush cinematography enhances the intricate costume design by Tim Yip (Red Cliff). The comfortable pacing of the editing, the well executed soundscape and the entrancing production design will mesmerize viewers from beginning to end.

And thankfully, the storytelling does not disappoint too. The gradual build up of the plot culminates in a finale which may be arguably predictable, but works well for a film of this genre. Credit goes to the spot on cast, all of whom shine in their own character. There is Zhang Hanyu (Assembly) as a long suffering militarist, Huang Xiaoming (Sniper) as the Japanese soldier, Alec Su (L-O-V-E) as a lieutenant and Li Bingbing (The Forbidden Kingdom). Zhang and Huang exudes charisma in their pain inflicted roles, Su creates quite a show with his portrayal of an effeminate officer and Li makes viewers feel her agony with a unique aura of quietness. There is nothing to fault with the acting, as it is with Zhou Xun’s (Perhaps Love) code breaker character. Effortlessly moving through the film with her distinctive allure, she is no doubt one of the greatest movie actresses of our time.

There is something about movies which help people like this reviewer to learn more about history. And despite being a fictional thriller, this finely made production has left this reviewer wondering what it was like to live in a time when you lived for your country

City Of Life And Death 2009 Chinese Movie Watch Online Movie Review Trailer Cast And Crew

Chinese 2009 Movie City Of Life and Death

Cast And Crew

Cast: Liu Ye, Fan Wei, Hideo Nakaizumi,
Gao Yuan Yuan, Jiang Yiyan, John Paisley
Director: Lu Chuan
RunTime: 2 hrs 11 mins
Genre: Drama/War
Rating: M18 (Some Sexual Scenes)
Opening Day: 8 October 2009

Synopsis:

Set in China 1937, the country is at war with Japan. The Chinese, lead by charismatic general Liu Ye are determined to repel the enemy and defend their home, but only to face Japanese army with little ammunition. Amidst the brutality, a Japanese soldier Hideo Nakaizumi observed the many pain and tortures the war brought. Hell is gradually consuming Nanking, now a place whereby death is easier than life.

The Film Review

There are many movies and documentaries out there on the Sino-Japanese war of the 1930s, but few which have taken quite the stance that Chinese director Lu Chuan had opted for in making a film about the Rape of Nanking, which is a broadly even examination into the propensity of madness in humankind, with viewpoints adopted from both sides. Some are already up in arms about having a sympathetic Japanese soldier in the lead, but I feel that they are missing the point. To this effect, Lu Chuan has shrewdly encapsulated what we normally have a tendency to do when we see injustice committed by the majority we keep quiet, and fear to take affirmative action.
To not demonize everyone in broad strokes is what Lu Chuan had expertly treaded in this powerful, emotionally charged film. For the Japanese sergeant Kadokawa (Hideo Nakaizumi), we follow his point of view on the atrocities committed, and share in his horror that his countrymen are capable of such inhumane, barbaric acts that we read about in history texts the bayoneting, machine-gunning in cold blood, and the burning and burying alive the POWs captured, acts which he visibly disapproves of, but is powerless to do anything. On the flip side, there s the Japanese interpreter Mr Tang (Fan Wei) which history would ostracize as being a traitor for seeking favours from the Japanese, but again balanced by the human story of personal survival behind him, where concessions were made on the trust that his family would be taken care of.
I ve been impressed by Lu Chuan s earlier film Kekexili (Mountain Patrol), and he just upped the ante and showcased to the world that he s capable of pulling off a film of such an epic scale, being conferred the best film award at the recent San Sabastian International Film Festival. There's no need to look beyond the impact of the film's initial minutes, which set the tone and viewpoints that the film will take.
Shot in black and white to highlight the grimness of war, you'll be left gasping for breath as it's an extremely tense opening, where scenes of mass exodus, and the invasion of the Japanese troops, drip the entire film in fear, partly also because of hindsight knowledge on what's to come. But instead of demonizing everything from the onset, we see how the Japanese troops got apprehensive as they sieve through a torn, ghostly city looking for Chinese soldiers, until they chance upon a church full of refugees, amongst which the Chinese troops have been hiding. Every one on either side are just as confused and afraid, and this bewildering stand-off alone, sparks off the beginning of a series of descent into madness that will follow.

City of Life and Death is broadly split into two major acts. The first being the initial hours just as the invasion of the Japanese started, and the other taking place a week into the occupation, where the atrocities committed get systematically portrayed on screen. Fans of action packed war movies will be drawn to the film's first arc, featuring a final guerrilla resistance by the Chinese soldiers (starring Liu Ye in heroic mode) against incredible odds in attempts to dent the invasion. It's a finely crafted war sequence which will satisfy action junkies, and one which rivals those in Saving Private Ryan, and even Feng Xiaogang's The Assembly.

But it's the second act that proved to be the real deal. Highlighting the events that take place within the safety zone as set up by German John Rabe (the historical character here portrayed by John Paisley) and other Westerners, it's an area they try their best to shield refugees and injured soldiers, while constantly fending off Japanese troops who raid the camp to rape and plunder, no matter how futile it may all seem, with constant intimidation, and always on knife's edge. It is in this act that emotions run high, and you're left with the vivid, bitter after-taste about the living hell that the inhabitants had to endure, at times being put into catch-22 situations, or degrading ones such as being asked, for the welfare of the community, to be sacrificed as comfort women.
Those without knowledge of the past, will definitely have their eyes opened, and hopefully be induced to find out and read up more about these horrors of war and occupation, especially when the opposing camps have psychos like Kadokawa's counterpart Ida, played by Ryu Kohata with much nastiness. There are plenty of lingering facial close ups throughout the film of both the victors and the vanquished, with the ensemble cast putting in extremely fine performances, with so much being said with little nuances when the camera comes right up to them, making it feel very personal, and claustrophobic as well in situations where there is little room to maneuver.

The film did taper downwards as it reached the finale in a spin on redemption, and it provided an opportunity to decompress after having spent time witnessing the dramatic portrayal of the events in Nanking. If there's a minor gripe on the presentation of the film, that would be the inter-titles used, where near illegible cursive writing would make you squint in trying to figure out what's written. But that is just a minor technicality, which should not stand in the way of you making a beeline for the film. Don't miss this!