誰是被害者 - The Victims' Game

誰是被害者 (The Victims' Game) is an 2020 drama series out of Taiwan. The series stars Joseph Chang, Hsu Wei-ning (Tiffany Ann Hsu), and Hsu Hai-Yin. This was releases in the US via Netflix.

The story is about forensic scientist with Asperger's syndrome Fang Yi-jen, played by Joseph Chang. When a crime scene leaves clue for its victim, the police must find the clues to prevent the next one. When a investigative journalist Hsu Hai-yin, played by Ann Hsu gets wind of the serial killer, she digs her way into the investigation. Can the two of them solve the riddle and stop the killings?

I actually took almost two years to finish this series. Before the pandemic, when the trailers for this came out, I was super stoked to watch it. But at the time it came out, I was not in the mood for a super depressing series. I watched part of the first episode and picked up 9 months later. I went a couple of episodes and as it got really dark, I stopped again. I finally finished it recently, having to rewatch a bit to remember the story.

Ann Hsu really impressed me. I haven't see her in anything since 16 Summers. Hsu has really matured as an actress and pulled me into her world. A "go get them" journalist character was needed to move the story along as it was a very slow moving storyline. At 8 episodes, it could have been reduce to 6 or so in my opinion. A sequel was annouced, but I have not seen anything about it's release recently.

It is an investigative series in nature. From one clue to the next, the pieces of the puzzle start to take shape and form a picture. I liked how it was in filmed in Taiwan and made me a bit nostalgic. Someday, I will visit my birth country again.

If you like CSI and other shows like it, this will be a fun watch. Seeing how it is done in non-US setting was pretty fun.

被偷走的那五年 - The Stolen Years - Upcoming

被偷走的那五年 (The Stolen Years) is an 2013 film out of Zhong Guo. It was released a couple of weeks ago in Zhong Guo, a week ago in Hong Kong, and this weekend in Taipei. Directed by Barbara Wong, it stars a mostly Taiwanese cast. The movie stars Bai Baihe and Joseph Chang. Amber An, Christine Fan, and 阿Ken round out the supporting cast. The movie trailer looked like a Taiwanese movie with the majority of the people. However, whenever Bai opens her mouth, you know she straight outta Zhong Guo. Which just seems weird given the context. However, its about the story, not the origins of its stars.

The movie is about a couple that was previously married. The wife in the story has an accident and loses memory of the last 5 years of her life. Believing herself to still be married to the husband in the story. Without the current life to fall to, she must now reconnect with her life from 5 years ago. Including the man she divorced not long ago.

Interesting story as it a simi retake or re-telling of the story from the The Vow. But it also looks to seek out why our lives change so much in a mere 5 years. Thus, the Stolen 5 years.

I can't wait to watch this one.

一頁台北 - Au Revoir Taipei

一頁台北 (Au Revoir Taipei) is a 2010 Taiwan film. The film stars Amber Kuo and Jack Yao. The supporting cast include Joseph Chang, Lawrence Ko, and Frankie Gao. The film was written and directed by Taiwanese-American Arvin Chen.

The film starts off in Taipei with a gal leaving for Paris and a local boy staying behind. The boy is Kai and has recently graduated from college. Kai helps out with his parents food stall and studies french in a local bookstore. Kai goes to the bookstore daily to study french. A worker at the store, Susie, sees him everyday and starts to take an interest in his activity and eventually him. Kai desperately leaves phone message with the gal that left for Paris with no response back. Eventually one day, Kai gets a call, but its a call to end things. Kai takes into his own hands and decides that he should fly to Paris and win her back. Asking his parents for money without success, he calls on a local loanshark and gets a ticket to Paris. However, that loanshark makes him do something for him. Mistaken for a criminal, Kai and Susie are chased around town by a cop. In the background, the loanshark's muscle kidnap Kai's friend and in exchange for the package that Kai has for the loanshark. The chase around Taiwan begins!

The movie was really amazing. It was an ode to Taipei for both its street life, quarky personality, night market, and food stands. Amber is both sweet and strong at the same time. While Jack was suppose to be emotionless. The subplot that caught my attention was between Joseph Chang, Peggy Tsang, and Tony Yang. That was a weird love triangle in the middle of this caper. The music was also excellent.

I do highly recommend this light hearted romantic comedy that highlights Taipei and its citizens.

台北星期天 - Pinoy Sunday - Upcoming

台北星期天 (Pinoy Sunday) is an upcoming movie being released in Taipei on May 7, 2010. The movie is the adventures of two pinoys in Taipei.

The Chinese title translates to Taipei ("台北") Sunday("星期天"). Which is normally the day of the week that workers in Taiwan get some time off to do their own thing.

The movie seems to follow two Pinoy men on a Sunday and their adventures with a red sofa. The movie seems to look at relationships in a foreign land while they have a family back home.

I highly doubt I'll ever get to see this movie in Los Angeles as it probably will not get any English subtitles. Well see. I would like to see this movie.

一頁台北 - Au Revoir Taipei - Upcoming

一頁台北 (Au Revoir Taipei) is an upcoming film being release in Taipei on April 2nd.

The movie stars Amber Kuo, Joseph Chang, Tony Yang, Peggy Tseng, Jack Yao, Lawrence Ko, Jack Kao, and Frankie Kao.

The trailer looks interesting in the fact that it seems to take place in modern day Taipei, but some elements are 70s style.

The background music for the trailer is dope too. I haven't been able to figure out if its The Postal Service or not.

Looks to be a fun film by a Taiwanese American, Arvin Chen. What can his American upbringing lend to this Taipei story?

The English translation is One Page Taipei.

練‧戀‧舞 (練戀舞) - Step by Step

練‧戀‧舞 (Step by Step) is a 2009 film out of Taiwan. The movie stars Joseph Chang and the lovely Janel Tsai (蔡淑臻). I have been looking forward to this film since March.



The movie takes place in a nursing home. Joseph Chang plays the resident nurse. In trying to get the old folks some activity, Chang hires Janel to come teach them. During their first lesson, Janel discovers a peeping tom and cancels all classes.



Chang first bumbs into Janel in a underwear shops and is immediately smitten by her. Chang starts a to woo Janel. Will he succed?



Another sub story is that the residents of the nursing home are a little abnormal. They cause Chang lots of problems. One of the problems is not paying their bills. That and a death from 2 years ago eventually lead to the shut down of the nursing home.



Hoever, the old folks want to enter a dancing competition.



Did you get all that? The movie was very entertaining. But it was also all over the place with the characters and subplots. In the end, I felt the movie dives into the purpose of what you do and what your impact is on them. Especially if you don't notice your impact.

淚王子 - Prince Of Tears - Upcoming

淚王子 (Prince Of Tears) is being released in Taiwan tomorrow, Friday, October 30, 2009. Just in time for Halloween. The kind of terror you'll see isn't going to be ghost and goblins, but White Terror.

The movie stars Joseph Chang, Terri Kwan, Zhu Xuan, and Jack Kao. Helmed by Hong Kong director Yonfan, the trailer looks amazing.

I am looking forward to this film as the cast looks great and its a slice of Taiwan that few have looked at before.

盛夏光年 - Eternal Summer

Eternal Summer (盛夏光年) is a 2006 film out of Taiwan. It stars Joseph Chang, Bryang Chang and Kate Yeung.

Jonathan and Shane are childhood friends. Shane is a trouble maker and Jonathan is asked to befriend Shane in the hopes of transforming him into a better student. The once class number one Jonathan declines as they get older and Shane becomes a better student. Carrie enters the picture in High School and the love triangles start.

On a trip somewhere, they three start to realize how important they are to each other. However, Shane is so use to having Jonathan around, but Jonathan wants to part with Shane. Things come to a head and everything comes out.

The movie was very stylish and had really good cinematography in my opinion. Although the story wasn't all the appealing to me, I was glued to the movie.

This movie is a good example of good Taiwan cinema.

愛的發聲練習 - My So-Called Love

愛的發聲練習 (My So-Called Love) is 2008 movie out of Taiwan starring 大S, 彭于晏 and 張孝全. I had mentioned that I was looking forward to it last November, here.

The movie starts in the present time and than flashes back in time. Part of that flashback includes a flashback of 大S's mother abandoning her. Than the flashback moves to 大S in High School (I am predicting her Senior year in High School). 大S is looking for a place to stay and suddenly, gets a call from her mother. They reunite where 大S now has a sister and a step-father. But things do not stay sane and the step-father ends up being a peeping tom. 大S falls for Liam and they end up moving into a apartment together. 大S passes the exam for entry into a college, but not Liam. Liam ends up going to the army. Finances are not good. Loneliness creeps its way into everyone's lives. 大S cheats and the exploration into a self destructive life begins.

The movie was a major let down for me. There wasn't much hype about it, but I was looking forward to it. What was I expecting? I can only guess that I was expecting it to be good. Which it wasn't. It was slow, overly sensual (I didn't see a reason behind it), confusing, and generally morbid. 大S is the main star and her childhood paints a picture of her fear in dealing with issues and the ability confront things that would be considered "good" for her. On the verge of "happiness", 大S exhibits unexplainable self destructive behavior.

The movie has good music and is very stylish. But that can't make up for a slow plot, uninviting characters, and a morbid tone to the movie.

It's for import where you can find it and it comes with English subs.

練‧戀‧舞 (練戀舞) - Step by Step - Upcoming

On March 27th, another Taiwan film will be released called 練‧戀‧舞 (Step by Step) staring Joseph Chang and the lovely Janel Tsai (蔡淑臻).

From the trailer, it looks quite interesting and I like all things dance!

I've been a big fan of Janel Tsai since I saw her on a Taiwanese drama called Angel Lover.

I hope it does well at the box office and gets to the US shores in good quality soon.

愛的發聲練習 - My So-Called Love - Upcoming

Originally posted on xanga.



I am looking forward to the new Taiwan movie 愛的發聲練習 being released on 11/21. I probably won't get to see until much later. It stars 大S, 彭于晏 and 張孝全.

Check out the trailer and the recent appearance on 康熙来了 on 11/10 to promote it.