Chinese, Taiwanese, and Asian movies, dramas, music, and other tidbits from a Chinese-Taiwanese-American flavor and point of view.
Friday, April 19, 2024
目中无人 - Eye For An Eye - Eye For An Eye: The Blind Swordsman
目中无人 (Eye For An Eye: The Blind Swordsman) is an 2022 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Mo Tse (Miu Tse). The supporting cast does come and go with no major screentime. Mo is the star.
Mo plays Cheng Xia Zi, an almost completely blind bounty hunter, set during the twilight of the Tang dynasty where lawlessness is commonplace. On his way to deliver a bounty, Mo is stopped in his tracks when he detects the sweet smell of wine. However, the wine maker refuses to sell the wine as it is for her wedding. The wine maker invites Mo to stay for her wedding if he wants a taste of the wine. Mo stays and gets drunk on the sweet nectar. After the wedding, Mo drunkenly staggers to the horse stalls and falls asleep. Upon waking up, Mo finds the bride in tears as her newlywed husband is now dead. Mo doesn't want to get involved even after she makes an offer to pay him for revenge. In the end, Mo is forced to rescue her and seek justice. Will Mo's justice bring an eye for an eye?
This movie has been on IQIYI for awhile. I just ignored it. But for whatever reason, I decided to watch it recently when it came on Prime Video. I liked it a lot! Mo Tse may have been the main draw as I remember him from his Jet Li movie. IQIYI has so many C and D level type movies that I try not to waste my time on them. However, some of these type of streaming movies end up being good and word of mouth propels them. The Dragon Tamer is an recent example.
Eye For An Eye was good enough that a sequel for it was made. The sequel recently released on IQIYI. I wonder when it'll make it to the US streaming platforms.
Friday, April 12, 2024
The Equalizer 3 - 私刑教育3
The Equalizer 3 (私刑教育3) is an 2023 film. The movie stars Denzel Washington. The supporting cast include Dakota Fanning. This is the third film of The Equalizer series with Denzel in the lead.
Robert ends up in Italy and takes on the local mafia. Robert stays in the area to recoupe from an injury. Robert finds that he really likes the town and than starts to see the mafia at work there. The mafia eventually affect Robert's life and he is not one to sit around. Let the games begin!
If you liked the The Equalizer 1 & 2, you'll like this one. Denzel does look noticablly older in this installment, but its not something that affects the story. I liked how it was set in Italy. The city they were in had its own personity and many parts of the film focused on the city.
Friday, April 5, 2024
2024 April Disney+ Releases
Monday, April 1
- Theme Song Takeover (S3, 4 episodes)
Wednesday, April 3
- Alice's Wonderland Bakery (S2, 5 episodes)
- Chibi Tiny Tales (Shorts) (S4, 12 episodes)
- Wish
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3) - Episode 310 "Identity Crisis” and Episode 311 "Point of No Return”
- X-Men '97 - Episode 4
Sunday, April 7
- Bluey (Season 3) - New Episode Premiere “Ghostbasket”
Wednesday, April 10
- Firebuds (S2, 4 episodes)
- The Incredible Dr. Pol (S24, 10 episodes)
- Shorts Spectacular (S2, 3 episodes)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3) - Episode 312 “Juggernaut”
- X-Men '97 - Episode 5
Sunday, April 14
- Bluey (Season 3) - New Special Premiere - Extended-Length Special “The Sign” (28 minutes)
Wednesday, April 17
- Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet (S12, 14 episodes)
- Drain the Oceans (S6, 6 episodes)
- PJ Masks: Power Heroes (S1, 8 episodes)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3) - Episode 313 “Into the Breach”
- X-Men '97 - Episode 6
Monday, April 22
- Secrets of the Octopus (S1, 3 episodes)
- Tiger - Premiere
- Tiger on the Rise - Premiere
Wednesday, April 24
- Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (S1, 11 episodes & S2, 12 episodes)
- Bring It! (S6, 10 episodes)
- Dance Moms: Abby's Studio Rescue (S1, 7 episodes)
- Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends (S3, 5 episodes)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3) - Episode 314 “Flash Strike”
Source: D23
Thursday, April 4, 2024
2024 April Amazon Prime Video Releases
New To Prime springing into action. pic.twitter.com/J6tZiEMEbv
— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) April 1, 2024
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
2024 April Netflix Releases
Monday, April 1, 2024
2024 April Blockbuster Movie Guide
Here are the movies to look out for this month, US Edition.
The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare (非紳士特攻隊)
Sasquatch Sunset
Sources:
IMDB Coming Soon
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia.org
WMoov Hong Kong
The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare (非紳士特攻隊)
Sasquatch Sunset
Sources:
IMDB Coming Soon
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia.org
WMoov Hong Kong
Friday, March 15, 2024
龍馬精神 - Ride On
Ride On (龍馬精神) is an 2023 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Jackie Chan and Liu Hao Cun. The supporting cast include Guo Qi Lin, Yu Ai Lei, and Andy On. Cameo appearances by Joey Yung, Wu Jing, and Yu Rong Guang. There are too many other to name that make small bit part appearances.
Jackie plays Lou, a down on his luck former stuntman working with his horse Red Hare. Lou takes Red Hare around Hengdian World Studios as a picture opportunity. Lou is in debt to a loan shark that tries to collect from him throughout the film. The other major storyline is that Lou got Red Hare from a friend without any paperwork. The lawyers come for the horse to say that it is theirs. Lou seeks the help of his estranged daughter whom he has not seen in 6 years, Xiaobao. Xiaobao enter their lives and tries to save the horse from taken away. Which transitions to preventing her father and Red Hare from getting hurt through lots of dangerous stunts. Will they be able to reconcile and keep the horse?
This is a long movie at around 2 hours of actual story time. Its a bit corny in many places as is Jackie's recent style these past 5-7 years. Jackie's in a transition time of making more sentimental films vs how he moved to more gritty films since returning from the US. Shinjuku Incident(新宿事件) and Police Story: Lockdown (Police Story 2013/警察故事2013) are examples of his return from the US. His films of the last few years have been more light hearted and rely less on his old skool acrobatics. Just less, not completely. Acrobatics are still at the core of the action in his films.
There are lots of crying scenes in this film. Liu Hao Cun is standing out has possibly part of the next generation of film actresses. Liu Hao Cun has another film releasing soon that I definitely want to check out.
I caught this via Peacock.
Monday, March 4, 2024
2024 March Amazon Prime Video Releases
Some new titles fresh for Spring. pic.twitter.com/FHdkdMe2XK
— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) March 1, 2024
Sunday, March 3, 2024
2024 March Disney+ Releases
Friday, March 1
- Morbius
Tuesday, March 5
- Queens - All Episodes Streaming
Wednesday, March 6
- Kiff (S1, 4 episodes)
- Life Below Zero (S7, 10 episodes)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3) - Episode 305 "The Return"
Friday, March 8
- Cinderella (2015)
Saturday, March 9
- NHL Big City Greens Classic - Livestream at 12:00pm PT / 3:00pm ET
Wednesday, March 13
- Morphle (Shorts) (S1, 14 episodes)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3) - Episode 306 "Infiltration” and Episode 307 "Extraction”
Friday, March 15
- Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) - Premiere
Tuesday, March 19
- Photographer - All Episodes Streaming
Wednesday, March 20
- Life Below Zero (S22, 9 episodes)
- Morphle and the Magic Pets (S1, 18 episodes)
- X-Men '97 - Premiere
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3) - Episode 308 “Bad Territory”
Wednesday, March 27
- Life Below Zero: Next Generation (S7, 7 episodes)
- Random Rings (Shorts) (S3, 6 episodes)
- X-Men '97 - New Episode
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Season 3) - Episode 309 “The Harbinger”
Friday, March 29
- Madu - Premiere
- Renegade Nell - Premiere (All Episodes Streaming)
Source: D23
Saturday, March 2, 2024
2024 March Netflix Releases
Friday, March 1, 2024
2024 March Blockbuster Movie Guide
Here are the movies to look out for this month, US Edition.
Things are picking up as we head into the pre-summer releases.
Dune: Part Two (沙丘:第二部)
Kung Fu Panda 4
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (魔鬼剋星:冰天凍地)
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (哥吉拉與金剛:新帝國)
Sources:
IMDB Coming Soon
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia.org
WMoov Hong Kong
Things are picking up as we head into the pre-summer releases.
Dune: Part Two (沙丘:第二部)
Kung Fu Panda 4
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (魔鬼剋星:冰天凍地)
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (哥吉拉與金剛:新帝國)
Sources:
IMDB Coming Soon
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia.org
WMoov Hong Kong
Monday, February 5, 2024
Recommendations for Mandarin Language Dramas from 2023
2023 came and went so fast. I have too many streaming services to name. But the ones I will not cancel will be iQiyi or Viki. Too much good stuff from them. Netflix has increased its amount of Asia originated content. Mostly from Korea and Japan. Taiwan originated content continues to increase.
I wanted to leave some recommendations for the things I watched in 2023 for reference. Here goes!
The Blood of Youth
Mysterious Lotus Notebook
Thirteen Years of Dust
Meet Yourself
Oh No! Here Comes Trouble
Fake It Till You Make It
My Journey to You (lots of fast forwarding)
Sunshine by My Side
Miles to Go (lots of fast forwarding)
Destined (lots of fast forwarding)
She and Her Perfect Husband
Wonderland Of Love (Started at end of 2023 and just finished with a bit of fast forwarding towards the last quarter)
I think some were officially released in 2022, but I didn't get a chance to watch until 2023. And it looks like I get through 1-ish series a month.
I also started and never finsihed a lot as well. I may slowly go back here and there. Sometimes I finish, but mostly do not.
Till the End of the Moon
Tiger and Crane
Snow Eagle Lord
The Mutations
Love you Seven Times
Song Of The Moon
I wanted to leave some recommendations for the things I watched in 2023 for reference. Here goes!
I think some were officially released in 2022, but I didn't get a chance to watch until 2023. And it looks like I get through 1-ish series a month.
I also started and never finsihed a lot as well. I may slowly go back here and there. Sometimes I finish, but mostly do not.
Sunday, February 4, 2024
2024 February Amazon Prime Video Releases
Roses are red, violets are blue, February’s the month to stream something new pic.twitter.com/rUeKooykGt
— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) February 2, 2024
Saturday, February 3, 2024
2024 February Disney+ Releases
Friday, February 2
- Genius: MLK/X - Season 4 - Episodes 1 and 2
- Pixar’s SparkShort ‘Self’ - Premiere
Saturday, February 3
- Marvel's Marvel Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur - Season 2 - New Episodes
Monday, February 5
- Arctic Acsent with Alex Honnold
Wednesday, February 7
- The Marvels - Premiere
- Assembled: The Making of The Marvels - Premiere
Friday, February 9
- Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends (Season 3) - New Episodes
- Genius: MLK/X - Season 4 - Episodes 3 and 4
Tuesday, February 13
- The Space Race
Wednesday, February 14
- Life Below Zero: Next Generation (S6, 13 episodes)
- Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures - New Episodes
Friday, February 16
- Genius: MLK/X - Season 4 - Episodes 5 and 6
Tuesday, February 20
- Operation Arctic Cure
Wednesday, February 21
- Pupstruction (S1, 3 episodes)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch - Season 3 - Premiere Episodes 1-3
- Episode 301 "Confined"
- Episode 302 "Paths Unknown"
- Episode 303 "Shadows of Tantiss”
Wednesday, February 28
- Dino Ranch (S3, 11 episodes)
- Iwájú - Premiere - All Episodes Streaming
- Iwájú: A Day Ahead - Premiere
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch - Season 3 - New Episode
- Episode 304: "A Different Approach”
Source: D23
Friday, February 2, 2024
2024 February Netflix Releases
Thursday, February 1, 2024
2024 February Blockbuster Movie Guide
Here are the movies to look out for this month, US Edition.
Wow, January is usually a slow month, but February is even slower. Not much going on this month.
Madame Web (蜘蛛夫人)
Land Of Bad (天眼救援)
Sources:
IMDB Coming Soon
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia.org
WMoov Hong Kong
Wow, January is usually a slow month, but February is even slower. Not much going on this month.
Madame Web (蜘蛛夫人)
Land Of Bad (天眼救援)
Sources:
IMDB Coming Soon
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia.org
WMoov Hong Kong
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Obsessed with this song
#AoRuipeng shares new vid with #MoonlightMystique costar #BaiLu pic.twitter.com/CNhplmExHZ
— cdrama tweets (@dramapotatoe) January 24, 2024
Friday, January 19, 2024
Fast X - 玩命關頭X
Fast X (玩命關頭X) is an 2023 film. The movie stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, and Sung Kang. X stands for 10 and this film is the 10th movie of the series.
Dom is in Europe and takes on a gig. The group splits up due to movie magic. Cypher comes to Dom for help as her gang has turned against her. Dom wants to help his friends now. Can the group survive Hernan Reyes? The son of Dante Reyes from getting his revenge?
The movie stops on a cliffhanger. You must wait for Fast XI to find out. Lots of strange things in the film that defy logic. You really need to treat this franchise as super hero in nature based on the stunts, etc. It is not based in reality but what looks cool.
By the way, Dante Reyes was the main antagonist from Fast Five (玩命關頭5).
I caught this via Peacook when I had it without ads.
Labels:
Brie Larson,
Chris Bridges,
Fast X,
John Cena,
Jordana Brewster,
Ludacris,
Michelle Rodriguez,
Nathalie Emmanuel,
Scott Eastwood,
Sung Kang,
Tyrese Gibson,
Vin Diesel,
玩命關頭,
玩命關頭10,
玩命關頭X
Saturday, January 6, 2024
2023 United States Of America Box Office Report - Top 10 Grossing Films Of 2023 - Not Final
2023 was not a great box office year for Hollywood. The top 5 did well, but the rest did not. People are no longer going to the cineplex in droves.
Here are the current top ten box office performers of 2023 for United States Of America. Some 2023 releases are still playing, but the shifts will be little outside of the 9th and 10th placed films.
Source: Box Office Mojo - retrieved January 4, 2024
Here are the current top ten box office performers of 2023 for United States Of America. Some 2023 releases are still playing, but the shifts will be little outside of the 9th and 10th placed films.
Rank | ||
---|---|---|
1 | Barbie (Barbie芭比)* US - ~$636 Million Worldwide - ~$1.442 Million | |
2 | The Super Mario Bros. Movie (超級瑪利歐兄弟電影版) US - ~$575 Million Worldwide - ~$1.362 Million | |
3 | Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (蜘蛛人:穿越新宇宙) US - ~$381 Million Worldwide - ~$691 Million | |
4 | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (星際異攻隊3)* US - ~$359 Million Worldwide - ~$846 Million | |
5 | Oppenheimer (元素方城市)* US - ~$326 Million Worldwide - ~$952 Million | |
6 | The Little Mermaid (小美人魚) US - ~$298 Million Worldwide - ~$570 Million | |
7 | Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (蟻人與黃蜂女:量子狂熱) US - ~$215 Million Worldwide - ~$476 Million | |
8 | John Wick: Chapter 4 (捍衛任務4) US - ~$187 Million Worldwide - ~$440 Million | |
9 | Sound Of Freedom (自由之聲)* US - ~$184 Million Worldwide - ~$248 Million | |
10 | Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (泰勒絲:時代巡迴演唱會)* US - ~$180 Million Worldwide - ~$250 Million |
Source: Box Office Mojo - retrieved January 4, 2024
Friday, January 5, 2024
The Flash - 閃電俠
The Flash (閃電俠) is an 2023 film. The movie stars Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, and Michael Keaton. The supporting cast include Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, and Jeremy Irons. Many cameos including Nicolas Cage, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, George Clooney, and Ben Affleck. The movie is part of the DCEU that is getting discontinueed.
Barry wants to go back in time to save his mom. Barry starts to mess around, but creates an alternative timeline. Trying to save his mom still, he's stuck in a loop where he fights Zod's army without an Superman on the planet. Can Barry save his mom and the Zod crisis?
This was a hard movie to watch. The editing to the storyline felt like it was an afterthought. Maybe WB had already given up and just released it to get it out and maybe make some $$. Well, it'll probably make some back as The Flash is on many streaming platforms as I write.
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
2024 January Disney+ Releases
Wednesday, January 3
- Alice's Wonderland Bakery (S2, 6 episodes)
- Ax Men (S10, 10 episodes)
- Forged in Fire (S7, 37 episodes and S8, 45 episodes)
- History's Greatest Mysteries (S3, 13 episodes)
- Modern Marvels (S20, 2 episodes and S21, 12 episodes)
- Storage Wars (S12, 16 episodes and S13, 36 episodes)
- BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star - Episodes 5 and 6
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Episode 4 - “I Plunge to My Death”
Friday, January 5X-Men (2000)
- Sunday, January 7
- The Incredible Pol Farm (S1, 14 episodes)
Tuesday, January 9
- Marvel Studios' "Echo"
Wednesday, January 10
- Hamster & Gretel (S1, 3 episodes)
- Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes (S1, 12 episodes)
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Episode 5 - “A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers"
- BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star - Episodes 7 and 8
Friday, January 12
- Bluey (Season 3) - New Episodes
Wednesday, January 17
- America's Funniest Home Videos: Global (S24 22 episodes, S25 23 episodes and S26 22 episodes)
- The Ghost and Molly McGee (S2, 2 episodes)
- Minnie's Bow-Toons: Camp Minnie (S1, 5 episodes)
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Episode 6 - “We Take a Zebra to Vegas"
- Siempre Fui Yo (Season 2) - Premiere - All Episodes Streaming
Tuesday, January 23
- The Last Repair Shop
Wednesday, January 24
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Episode 7 - “We Find Out the Truth, Sort Of"
- A Real Bug’s Life - Premiere - All Episodes Streaming
Wednesday, January 31
- Me & Mickey shorts (S2, 17 episodes)
- Mickey Mouse Funhouse (S2, 4 episodes)
- Choir - Premiere - All Episodes Streaming
- Assembled: The Making of Echo - Premiere
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Finale (Episode 8) - “The Prophecy Comes True"
Source: D23
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
2024 January Netflix Releases
Monday, January 1, 2024
2024 January Blockbuster Movie Guide
Here are the movies to look out for this month, US Edition.
January is traditionally a slow month for releases. Most releases this month are stuff that studios did in limited release at the end of the previous year before going wide in January or stuff they decided wouldn't get oscar buzz but have to release to make some bag in the "rental" and streaming space.
Night Swim
Memory
Noryang: Deadly Sea
Mean Girls
The Beekeeper
Miller's Girl (師情化慾)
Sources:
IMDB Coming Soon
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia.org
WMoov Hong Kong
January is traditionally a slow month for releases. Most releases this month are stuff that studios did in limited release at the end of the previous year before going wide in January or stuff they decided wouldn't get oscar buzz but have to release to make some bag in the "rental" and streaming space.
Night Swim
Memory
Noryang: Deadly Sea
Mean Girls
The Beekeeper
Miller's Girl (師情化慾)
Sources:
IMDB Coming Soon
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia.org
WMoov Hong Kong
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