熊熊愛上你 (Bear It) is being released in Taipei this weekend. The movie stars Dylan Kuo and Alice Ko. Something about bears and a love story. The bears have something powers to do stuff. To make dreams come true. What?!
I might watch this movie for its insane premise. Insanity. And its from the same director of the well made Hear Me (聽說).
渺渺 (Miao Miao) is a 2008 film out of Taiwan. The movie stars Alice Ke and Sandrine Pinna. The supporting cast include Fan Chih-Wei and Chris Wu.
Set in modern day Taipei, Miao Miao returns to Taipei as an exchange student from Japan. Xiao Ai is a the leader of the school's baking club and recruits Miao Miao. One day, while looking for a bake shop, Miao Miao wanders into a CD store. As luck would have it, Miao Miao takes an interest in the CD store. However, the CD store owner is pretty cold and rude to the world around him. Miao Miao and Ai continue to be closer friends and seek to get the attention of the CD store owner, Chen Fei. However, Fei isn't interested in Miao Miao. How will they overcome this dilemma?
The movie was pretty short and to the point. The views of Taipei made me miss it as I was watching. From the public transport to the hustle and bustle of the city that is absent in suburban Los Angeles. What I was shocked to find out as the trailers left absent was the gay theme. I don't know about you, but too many movies out of Taiwan deal with this. Especially the ones from the early to mid 2000s. Recent trending is no longer this way.
Sandrine Pinna and Alice Ke have contrasting personalities and thus, acting in the film. Ai is loud and proud! Miao Miao is more reserved and pretty shy in general. A solid watch for the most part. But not a must watch for Taiwan cinema.
艋舺 (Monga) is a 2010 film out of Taiwan. The movie stars Ethan Ruan and Mark Chao. The supporting cast include Doze Niu, Alice Ke, and Rhydian Vaughan.
Based in the 80s, a new student named Mosquito to the area is bullied in school and 4 other boys comes to his rescue. These 5 boys form a brotherhood and hang out not only in school, but when they're out of school. 4 of the boys have been together for quite a number of years. Among the 4 is the son of the current leader of the local mafia, Dragon. Dragon grew up with a sidekick in Monk. Monk is both the brawn and brains of the outfit. However, the area mafia is going through change and it directly affects the 5 boys. The outside forces start to manipulate the area. Thus, a gang war is about to break out and the status quo is going to be a thing of the past. Monk and Dragon's relationship is put to the test and Mosquito finds himself in the middle. The movie revolved Mosquito in a coming of age story versus the other 4, whom already know that their life is with the mafia.
A well made film that established the connection of the 4, explores Mosquito's coming of age story and concludes with a mafia gang storyline. The movie isn't great, but a good film that will make people respect the Taiwan film industry a little more than before. Romantic comedies are hard to sell internationally, but gangster flicks do better. You can see that from 3 other markets, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea. Monga is Taiwan's most recent entry.
I had so much hope for this film, having to wait months to get it on DVD with English subtitles that I was ultimately let down at the end. If you have no expectations, this would be a good and maybe a great film. However, a must watch for those dedicated to Taiwan cinema.
艋舺 (Monga) is an upcoming Taiwanese gangster film scheduled for release on February 5, 2010 in Taipei.
From the trailer, the movie seemingly follows the lives of its 2 main stars, Ethan Ruan and Mark Chao. These 2 are part of a group of 5 sworn blood brothers that join the monga area crime syndicate.
I am looking forward to this film. I'll need an English Subbed version as I don't understand Taiwanese.
