The Monkey King - 西游記之大鬧天宮

The Monkey King (西游記之大鬧天宮) is an 2014 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Donnie Yen. The other stars include Chow Yun-fat, Aaron Kwok, Joe Chen, Peter Ho. Cameo appearances by Kelly Chen, Gigi Leung, and Faye Wang.



A heavenly fight between the Jade Emperor and the Bull Demon King sends the heavens into ruins. The the Bull Demon King is defeated, Nu Wa Goddess sacrafices herself to save the heavenly kingdom from ruin. All the while, her powers create Sun Wu Kong. When he is released, he's taken in by Pitu and learns to protect his monkey kingdom. When the Bull Demon King comes onto the scene, he tricks the Sun Wu Kong to attack the heavens. The Jade Emperor now has to take action again.



This movie had lots of special effects. Basically, everyone could fly. Everyone had powers. Nice. Let the party begin.



Faye Wang was listed in the credits but I recall seeing her in the film. I doubt I'll rewatch just to get a small glimpse. With that said, the movie was entertaining, but Sun Wu Kong isn't a particularly likable character. Sure he was created out of a sacrificial act and he wants to protect his clan. But he's proud, rude, and gets himself in trouble. I guess the story wouldn't have gotten anywhere without his troublemaker attitude. But you gotta have a likable purpose for doing it. In this case, it was just lame.



Donnie was in make up practically the whole time and I could barely make him out. I know the producers don't want to bring him back due to his large pay day. But the promotion was largely based on him and the story. What's stronger, the story or Donnie. Donnie is of course. He's the strongest in the universe!



The movie was released during Chinese New Years and enjoyed an epic run at the box office. Currently sitting pretty with around ~$175 million USD. The movie is scheduled stateside in the fall from the USA region distributor Global Star Productions. The fall time is pretty far away and the date could move. But from the trailer, it looks like an English dubbed version. That'll be interesting.

笑傲江湖 - Swordsman - The Smiling, Proud Wanderer - Upcoming

笑傲江湖 (Swordsman/The Smiling, Proud Wanderer) is being released in Zhong Guo in a couple of weeks. The current buildup to it is quite something. Usually, I hardly hear about upcoming wuxia series here in the states. They just show up in stores when its done broadcasting. The normal English sites that cover Zhong Guo entertainment can't cover all the series that are released. But I did come across a lot of news about this series and the screen captures have been steadily flowing in through the months. Maybe it's an Wallace Huo thing. Huo's series always seem to get major publicity. So much so that I almost always here about them. Especially the wuxia ones.

Within a ten year span of of 1991 through 2001, 笑傲江湖 had 3 movies and 4 dramas based on it. Which makes the current 12 year gap seem like an eternity. Jin Yong novels are regularly used as source material, from movies, dramas, commercials and video games. From the 1970s through the 1990s, dramas based on Jin Yong novels were independently made from both Taiwan and Hong Kong. The 2000s brought joint productions between Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Zhong Guo companies. Currently, the joint productions continue with much success.

I am very excited to watch this. It has been a long time since I've really dug down and watched an drama series out of Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Zhong Guo. I've only had the stomach for US made ones with Zombies and Winter waiting kingdoms of late.

Hurry up, get released so it can get to the states on Blu-ray!

無敵珊寶妹 - Invincible Shan Bao Mei (Woody Sambo)

無敵珊寶妹 (Invincible Shan Bao Mei (Woody Sambo) is a 2008 drama out of Taiwan. Starring Nicholas Teo and Amber Kuo. Cameos by Ethan Ruan, Joe Chen, and Jessica Song during the first and second episodes.

The drama was transitioned from Fated to Love You without a commercial in Taiwan. Helping it to very healthy ratings.

The story is of Nicholas Teo as Wu Di and Amber Kuo is Shan Bao. Of which they series gets its name. Wu Di is a boss of a famous restaurant, TV cooking show, and instant meal. Shan Bao is presented as a down on her luck, looking for love, and flat chested. Yikes! How do these two get together? When you're as obnoxious Wu Di and as pure hearted as Shan Bao. It means that Wu Di is going to loose everything and see what's important in life. And that is Shan Bao.

Generic story, generic characters, and generic finish. I wasn't surprised by anything and fast forward through a lot of the second half of the series. The cameos were funny and continues Xin Yi and Cun Xi's story a little.

I watched it for the hype (high ratings) but was ultimately let down. Its better than a lot of other stuff I've watched. But its a middle of the pack drama that I won't be watching again.

福氣又安康 - Easy Fortune Happy Life - Upcoming

福氣又安康 (Easy Fortune Happy Life) is an upcoming drama out of Taiwan. It stars Lan Cheng Long and Joe Chen. Set to air in Taiwan on June 7th on SETTV.

From the trailer, I am not sure I would want to watch this. I'll have to check out a few more clips.

Destined To Love You on LA 18 KCSI Again (命中註定我愛你)

I wrote a blog about this back in November 2008 as it was being broadcast on the regular LA 18 channel. The drama finished brodcasting around the end of December 2008. But its back on 18.8 at 6pm PST, the digital sister of the regular LA 18. I wrote about 18.8 before back in January.

If you missed the drama and don't want to buy it but watch it on regular TV, 18.8 just started broadcasting this week.

I wrote about Destined to Love You (Fated to Love You) twice in the past. A first thoughts and a final thoughts.

Destined To Love You on LA 18 KCSI (命中註定我愛你)

I recently finished 命中註定我愛你. I did an initial review back in September. In my September post, I noted that it might be shown in early 2009 on my hometown's public Chinese station, LA 18 (KCSI). Boy was I wrong. Probably because its a highest rated Taiwanese drama to date, they let it jump to the front of the line.

My guess is that its not going to have English subs. There are copies being sold on ebay and abroad with English Subs (Malaysian version), but KCSI normally broadcast the Taiwan versions. Unless there's a Taiwan version with English subs, it'll be Traditinal Chinese subs. We'll find out in 2 days when they broadcast the first episode on Wednesday, November 17, 2008.

Although I already have it on DVD, its good that the general Chinese public here in LA will have a chance to see it. Hopefully, it'll give LA 18 a ratings bump.

命中註定我愛你 (Destiny to Love/Fated to Love You) Final Thoughts

Originally posted on xanga.



I finally finished watching 命中註定我愛你 this past week. I wrote a brief description of it back in September.

I picked up the OST as well which happened to be very good.

The dramas happens to be one of the better ones I've seen recently. I only finish a whole idol drama about 50% of the time.

The story did drag on at the end and I was actually surprised that I didn't fast forward that much.

Its a drama I've recommended my wife to watch. You should probably pick it up and check it out too.

命中註定我愛你 (Destiny Love/Fated to Love You) 1st Thoughts

Originally posted on xanga.



I just started on 命中註定我愛你 a couple of days ago. I am only a couple of episodes in, but its pretty good. I like the story and hi jinx being explored.

Wth so many "idol" dramas from Taiwan, the stories can be very predictable coupled with descent to very poor acting. Sometimes, the actors are really dancers who sing and act as part of the company. It's not their fault for doing their best.

Back to the series. The main dude and gal have huge flaws and huge hearts. One minute, they are acting with a lot of emotion towards the bad. The next, acts of kindness abound.

With only a couple of episodes under my belt, I have to say that this is one of the better idol dramas. Its over the top characters and storyline keep you enthralled.

The drama received the best ratings for a drama in 2008. I can see why. While the show was being aired, it showed up regularrly on the top in views on TW Youtube. I couldn't make out all the comments, but they were some pretty intense fans.

The version I am watching isn't the best quality. It looks like a recording from TV transferred straight to DVD. Its good enough for me. Maybe I should have waited a few more months for the China or Singapore versions. I think the one I have is the HK one. the Taiwan ones are major bucks.

My guess is that it'll be shown on KSCI in the LA area at the beginning of 2009.