A World Without Thieves - 天下無賊

A World Without Thieves (天下無賊) is a 2004 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Andy Lau, Rene Liu, and Ge You. The supporting cast include Li Bingbing, Wang Baoqiang, You Yong, and Gordon Lam. The movie is also directed by

Andy Lau and Rene Liu play con artist that just made it off with a BMW and are heading to trade it in for cash. Along the way, Liu wants to stop the stealing and settle down. When Lau refuses, she says she wants to leave him. After the car trade in, Lau gives in and they head home. Along the way, Liu takes in a country bumpkin with no clue about thieves. However, on the same train is a team of skilled thieves that want to take the bumpkin's life savings. Let's the battle wits begin!

The movie was the first where I saw Andy and Rene being directed by a mainland director and based in the mainland. And this was during a time in life where I wasn't watching much from Asia. But an interview on a showbiz blurb had Andy Lau saying how he tried so hard to be "ugly". Seriously. I had to watch it. Andy is not ugly nor does he deserve that hair. I recently watched it again while washing dishes. The movie wasn't half bad and I liked the presentation of the world of grifters.

The Matrimony - 心中有鬼

The Matrimony (心中有鬼) is a 2007 film out of China. It stars Leon Lai, Rene Liu, and Fan Bing Bing.

The movie is about the marriage of Leon Lai and Rene Liu. They live in a large house with a mysterious attic. Rene is now a homemaker while Leon goes to work. Strange things start to happen as Rene explores the attic.

The movie was very very slow and the ending was a little forced. Leon doesn't have much in terms of expressions and Rene is so timid.

The movie dragged on and on and on. I would have fast forwarded more if I were in front of the TV. If you read enough of my blog, you'll know what I was doing.

候鳥 - Migratory Bird

候鳥 (Migratory Bird) starring Rene Liu (劉若英) was very entertaining and a surprise. I didn't think it would take place in Vancouver, Canada. I've heard of the large Chinese American presence there, but this was in a movie!

The movie follows the arrival of Rene's parents to Vancouver from Taiwan to visit. Rene's husband is also arriving home after a long business trip. The parent appear to be staying around a couple of weeks. From that set up, it explores Rene's relationship with her husband, parents, and kids. Chance meetings with others in the film allow for Rene, the husband, and both of Rene's parents to get into some interesting situations that put their marriage to the test!

Its also a interesting look into 華人 or overseas Chinese, like me. The way we incorporate into the culture of the country we ultimately reside in, but its not in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau. But instead of this being of Canadian or American Chinese origin, its from Taiwan.

I was a little bored toward the middle of the film and when they started to explore Rene's parents' broken marriage, but it ended well.