Shower - 洗澡

Shower (洗澡) is a 1999 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Zhu Xu, Pu Cunxin, and Jiang Wu. The film is directed by Zhang Yang.

In an old part of Beijing, a bath house is being run by Old Liu and his 2nd son, Liu Erming. Erming is mentally challenged. The older son, Liu Daming returns when he receives a postcard that he interprets is the passing of his father. Daming and Old Liu are not on good terms because Daming went south to get rich and abondoned his family. Old Liu goes so far as to say that Daming is ashamed of his fathers profession. However, upon his return to Beijing, Daming starts to make amends. Will it work out for this family?

The movie was slow and hard to follow. Going for character development more than a fast pace movie, it grows on you and at the end, you may feel satisfied with the film. I was. I am glad I didn't give up and let the movie develop, because the pay off was good. Worth a watch, but beware that its a movie that shows its age. And for those not aware of the showering custom of those in Zhong Guo. Showering isn't a daily occurrence for them. For many, have one every couple of weeks is common. In the more rural areas, once a month is common too. Will it change in the future, we will see.

Driverless - 無人駕駛

Driverless (無人駕駛) is a 2010 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Liu Ye, Gao Yuanyuan, Li Xiaoran, and Ruby Lin. The supporting cast include Chen Jian bin, Wang Luodan, and Huang Xuan. The movie is directed by Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang says that this is the 2010 version of his 1997 film, Spicy Love Soup (愛情麻辣燙).

The movie follows 3 story arcs that have common characters. The first story is a love triangle between Liu Ye, Gao Yuanyuan, and Li Xiaoran. Liu and Li are married with a 2 year old son and they have marrital problems. Liu runs into Gao at a business presentation. They dated in college. The second story is of Ruby Lin and her pyramid scheme. Ruby is dumped and looking to get back on her feet. Ruby sucks in a depressed Chen. The third story is Wang and Huang whom play the teenage love story. Wang plays a deaf girl that has had a very shelter life, but finds friendship with an womanizing player in Huang.

Weird happenstance intertwine all three arcs. The car accident that ultimately links them all is a little underwhelming. Unless you see it, you won't know what I mean.

In all, I was sucked in to the movie because of Gao Yuanyuan, Li Xiaoran, and Ruby Lin. Three lovely ladies entering their mid 30s in spectacular fashion. If it weren't for these three ladies, I would have stopped watching. Sometimes, its not about the story as it is about the eye candy casting.