Escape Plan 2: Hades - 鋼鐵墳墓2

Escape Plan 2: Hades (鋼鐵墳墓2) is an 2018 movie. The film stars Sylvester Stallone, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Dave Bautista, Huang Xiaoming, Jaime King, Jesse Metcalfe, Titus Welliver, and Wes Chatham. The movie is a sequel to Escape Plan.

Huang Xiaoming as Shu is taken to a jail. Sylvester Stallone as Ray needs to break them out. The then go through the motions of trying to find the weakness and of course, you break out. Huang ends up being the main star of the movie with even more screentime than Sly in the first half. Eventually Sly's role increases and it ends with him.

A third installment is already in the works and this installment was released to Redbox, digital, and the box office at the same time. If you like Sly and b-movies, you'll be slightly entertained. I for one didn't really enjoy this. Got this via Redbox T-Mobile Tuesday gift.

夜宴 - The Banquet - Legend Of The Black Scorpion

夜宴 (The Banquet/ Legend Of The Black Scorpion/Ye Yan) is an 2006 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Zhang Ziyi, Ge You, Daniel Wu and Zhou Xun. Well known Feng Xiaogang directed.

A cross between Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Tarantino’s Kill Bill, scheming royals and other officials attempt to consolidate power in a empire in chaos. Packed with deadly plots, sweeping camerawork, and elaborate fight choreography. (Amazon.com)

I watched this movie around 2007 or so. I really can't remember this movie well. I was only reminded of this film recently after seeing it re-titled as "Legend Of The Black Scorpion" for the USA market. When the film was released, Feng Xiaogang was just starting to make a name for himself. This film was a springboard to his next film and commercial hit, The Assembly (集結號). The four main stars were already established, while Huang Xiaoming's supporting role was short.

I remember the film being a bit of let down in terms of the story, as it was quite too complicated and over the top. The action however was quite awesome and balletic. If you're a wuxia fan and can get over the story, the action scenes are pretty spectacular.

The Last Tycoon - 大上海

The Last Tycoon (大上海) is an 2012 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Chow Yun-Fat, Sammo Hung, Francis Ng, and Huang Xiaoming. The gals in the film include Yuan Quan, Monica Mok, Tong Fei, Yuan Li, and Feng Wenjuan. The movie is based on the high life of Shanghai-ers from the fall of the Qing Dynasty to its occupation by the Japanese.



Chow is the man in charge in Shanghai, outside of the military, no one else has more influence. We flashback to his country bumpkin days played by Huang Xiaoming. We also see that he has a crush on his neighbor sweetheart who will end up as one of the most famous opera performers in Zhong Guo. We see the tycoon, how he earned his strips and how he maintains his power. Along the way, there are women that enter their lives and it comes to a hedge on the heels of the Japanese's war into the Shanghai area.



This movie was long and sort of boring. It's like a drama of how Chow's character of Cheng Daqi rise to power from country bumpkin to the most powerful man in Shanghai. A Godfather take if you will. However, the women in the movie take up a lot of time, but you need the eye candy is my guess. Or its the presentation that the men are there due to their influence. Why try to be the most powerful man in Shanghai? Because you want to become so powerful that you can protect your woman?

Movie wise, it was well made. But the story lacked the heart that made me care for the individuals.

瑪德2號 - Saving Mother Robot - Upcoming

瑪德2號 (Saving Mother Robot) was released in Taipei this past weekend. It didn't do so hot the box office and placed 13th. So far, this summer has been brutal for Taiwan's very own. However, I can see why locals would assume it was just another film from the mainland. Starring the mainland's current go to leading man in Huang Xiao Ming. That guys IS in everything it seems.

The movie combines fantasy and the real world in the minds of a child and the creative nature of a photographer. The trailer is super confusing and I really don't have a need to watch this. But I will someday, it stars Vivian Hsu, one of my favorite actresses, still.

Sacrifice - 趙氏孤兒

Sacrifice (趙氏孤兒) is an 2010 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Ge You, Wang Xueqi, and Huang Xiaoming. The supporting cast includes Fan Bingbing and Vincent Zhao. The movie is directed by Chen Kaige.

Two Generals have beef with each other. One general frames the other general by poisoning the Duke. The framed general's whole clan of ~300 is killed. The only survivor is baby Zhao. A local doctor is the one that saves the baby from the grips of the general that wins. When the manhunt for baby Zhao takes the life of the doctor's son, he vows revenge. But a long drawn out revenge plan is hard to pull off, especially if it take 15 years. The doctor decides to raise baby Zhao and use him to take revenge on the general for his son. In the process, he sacrifices his wife, son, and his honor.

This movie was pretty good. Good acting, engaging story, and rather suspenseful. The matter of how things plays out kept me at the edge of my seat. I really didn't know which way things would go. Fan Bingbing's part was rather small, but quite emotional. Huang Xiaoming also plays a bit part. The main acting is left to Ge You and Wang Xueqi. Even though them two aren't the prettiest things to look at, their acting was superb.