樂之路 - Road Less Traveled - Upcoming

樂之路 (Road Less Traveled) is an upcoming film being released in Taipei on December 2, 2011. The movie stars Van Ness Wu, Jimmy Hung, Dean Fujioka, Eric Tu, and Christopher Lung.

From the trailer, it looks like a rags to riches story of a band. Van Ness has very long hair, so I'll have to date this movie his pre Autumn Concerto days. Looks like all these fellas are also raised aboard.

Looking forward to the movie. Especially Van and Xian Zi.

轉角*遇到愛 - Corner * With Love

轉角*遇到愛 (Corner * With Love) is a 2007 drama out of Taiwan. The two main stars are Show Luo and Barbie Hsu. There's a large supporting cast, but they too many to list.

Lang, played by Show, is a oyster egg cake cooker at a restaurant in Shanghai serving Taiwanese style dishes. Lang is there because he got tricked into coming here. An agent told him that someone wanted to but his comic strip. Xin Lei is a piano playing daughter of a rich Taiwanese family in Shanghai . Xin Lei has the world at her heels along with a "perfect" fiance.

How in the world can these two meet and eventually fall for each other? Its a little thing I like to call drama magic. Because in real life, it could and would never happen. Xin Lei's family business goes under and she's literally kicked out into the streets to fend for herself. In a strange turn of events, both lead protagonist head to Taiwan for the remainder of the series.

The version I watched was a China version and the episodes were like 22 minutes long. It was quite annoying to skip the opening and ending titles so often. Had I know this before hand, I would have rented the Taiwan version with only 19 episodes. The China one broke it up into 40 episodes.

The like the series for the most part and would recommend it. There was rumors of a sequel, but Barbie's been busy with a movie career of late.

Catch for a good glimpse of Shanghai and for two of more appealing leads in Show Luo and Barbie Hsu.

夏天的尾巴 - Summer's Tail

夏天的尾巴 (Summer's Tail) is a 2007 film out of Taiwan. It stars Enno, Bryant Chang, and Dean Fujioka.

The movie is about Yvette. Yvette is a high school student with a medical heart condition. In the movie, this heart condition sends her unconscious and to the nurses office. Yvette along the way befriends Akira. Who is in Taiwan to improve his study habits. Akira just day dreams about soccer all the time. Yvette then befriends Jimmy. Jimmy longs for a teacher at his school. Rejected, Jimmy acts out and is expelled from school. A boy with no mother sends paper boats down a stream. Yvette reads the paper and investigates.

All in all, the movie is a coming of age story for Yvette in high school. Exploring friendships, family life, school life, helping out others, and looking for love.

Its a movie targeted for those maybe looking for direction, a glimpse of what it was like to be young again.

For me, I am an oldie. I am not looking for direction. But it was a nice glimpse into the adolescent life of some young people.

不良笑花 - Miss No Good

不良笑花 (Miss No Good) is a 2008 drama out of Taiwan. It ran for 14 episodes on CTS from September to December. It stars Rainie Yang, Wilber Pan, Dean Fujioka, and Michelle Chen. I had a first thoughts a few months back.



Yupe, it took me a few months to finish. On and off, I watched half the series with my wife. When it became apparent that my wife wasn't going to be able to finish it, I watched the second half by myself. I think I would have chopped it to 11 episodes. Episodes 12 and 13 dragged. Because I watched it while washing dishes, I couldn't fast forward the parts that dragged. Episode 14 was like 75% flashbacks. The series started super funny, got super serious, and tried to end on the funny side. For the most part, 小花 stayed true to her character. I've seen Rainie through the years and this may be my favorite from her.



小花 was so interesting and they presented her as a kid in an adult world. So many mannerisms reminded me of my 3 and half year old daughter. From the "looking up" as she talks. Putting her fingers together in nervous situations. Sucking her thumb when she sleeps. Confused look when things don't make sense.



As much as I liked the first half, it had to get serious in the second half and add the drama. But it came full circle and it was a nice ride.

Wilbur Pan puts in a good leading performance.

I picked up my copy from AMAX.

不良笑花 - Miss No Good - First Thoughts

I've been watching 不良笑花 (Miss No Good) starring Rainie Yang, Wilbur Pan, Michelle Chen, and Dean Fujioka.

Its one of those rare series that makes my LOL on a constant basis. Partly because Rainie's character is so much like my 3 year old daughter. The temperament, the gestures, the comedy of it all.

I am about half way through now and am loving it.