Personal Tailor - 私人訂制

Personal Tailor (私人訂制) is an 2013 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Ge You, Bai Baihe, Jacqueline Li, and Zheng Kai. Cameo appearances from Jackie Chan, Wang Baoqiang, and Miao Pu. The movie opened to big numbers a few weeks back and hit US shores the same weekend it opened on its home turf. Thanks to recent partnerships, it becoming a common occurrence that I welcome. The movie is a semi-sequel to the directors 1997 movie, The Dream Factory. However, its a new cast and current world problems are tackled.



The four main stars are part of a company that fulfills fantasies. Three separate stories intertwined with some other sub-elements. The first story is of a government officials "driver". The driver's last three officers are all in jail now and he says others thinks he's cursed. The driver believes that he would be a non-corrupt official if he were in their place. Thus his fantasy is that of a non-corrupt official. The second story is of a very commercially successful movie director. The director is so successful, he's gained every notable film award in the world. He want to create high art now. His fantasy is to be a artsy fartsy director. The third one is a return a favor fantasy. The woman is to live her life as the most wealthy woman on earth. The ending of the story is a PSA with a twist.

I saw this movie in a local AMC theatre. It's actually the most successful China Lion release from 2013. It's box office take is more than the other 6 movies combined, including My Lucky Star, Tiny Times, Tiny Times 2, Finding Mr. Right, and So Young. With that said, I am surprised by it's done so well in the US.

Ok, to the movie. I liked the movie a lot. It was a high quality film. Well made. I can't say that with a lot of the other crap coming out of Zhong Guo in 2013. The four stars seemed very cohesive and they seemed to enjoy each other on screen. I saw the chemistry. Jacqueline Li and Bai Baihe stole the show for me. Li is memorizing when she's on screen, stealing it. Bai was a surprise since I've seen her in so many things. Maybe it was being projected on a big screen that I finally saw the beauty that a TV can't. The two beauties kept my attention.

The other thing that kept my attention was the subject matter. The fantasies themselves turn current problems in Zhong Guo and take it head on. The first story is government corruption. The corruption is so everyday that its just the way things are. You get ahead with brides, favors, and "guanxi". The second story takes on "art" head on. Art is relative, but copy cat culture of the mainland is so prevalent that intellectual property is a joke. But its also that people in general don't even know what "art" is. The third story is that of "rich" dream so many people have that it turns people into monsters and thus you lose yourself. The movie ends with a PSA type montage of how the earth is being wasted away be selfish humans.

In all, as a film of 2013, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Subject matter was entertaining since it's satirical take seems spot on for the time we live in. Li and Bai carry the beauty in the film to a new level. I might have to catch all the films on the big screen from now on.

Push - 移動城市

Push (移動城市) is a 2009 film starring Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, and DJimon Hounson. Jacqueline Li has a supporting villain role.

The movie is about a special set of people with powers. Telekinesis, future sight, persuasion, and touch are among them. The movie centers around Chris Evans as Nick. Nick is a telekinesis guy. But he's a fugitive and has not trained to use his powers very productively. Dakota Fanning is Cassie, a future telling 13 year old. Cassie draws the future on black paper. Together, they are looking for a serum that can enhance the powers of these special people.



The main storyline talks place entirely in Hong Kong. It was a little weird. You take British style film-making and apply to the HK backdrop for a really weird affect. Besides one set of villians, the HK people are entirely in the background. Some Cantonese is spoken (seems like it was dubbed). Leave it to Hollywood to make the people of Hong Kong, the villains.

The movie in general presented a very unique set of ideas that I wish they can continue on with in sequels. But I don't think they'll be making anymore. It didn't do well at the box office.

Dakota Fanning was also very interesting. As she ages, she's looking for more mature roles and this was one for her. Playing a tough street kid with funky attire and hair.

Jacqueline Li was the main Chinese villain in the film, identified only as the Pop girl because of the lollipop in her mouth all the time. Pop Girl is just like Cassie, but trained. For every move that Cassie makes, Pop Girl is a step ahead. Very weird to see Jacqueline in a villain role.

I kept thinking about Jumper while I watched this movie. The concepts are awesome, but can the movie maker present it in a good light. I think Push did a pretty good job. But it didn't do well at the box office and with the movie raters.

If you ask me, I say you should watch this if you're a science fiction fan.

One Night in Supermarket - 夜店

One Night in Supermarket (夜店) is a 2009 film out of China. Made on a budget, it was highly successful due to its modest box office take. Starring Jacqueline Li, Xu Zheng, and Kimi Qiao Renliang.

The movie takes place in the confines of a convenience store. All the action takes place seemingly after midnight. The first is Xu Zheng, claiming the store owner owes him 9K or so for falsely telling him that he had won a lottery ticket prize. The second is a jewelry thief looking for the diamond he stashed in the ice cream freezer.

Lot of hilarious situations arise because no one seems very bright. No one! I think I am dumber for watching this film.

About Love - 關於愛

About Love (關於愛) is a 2005 film. The three directors of the film are from Taiwan, China, and Japan.

The film is broken up into 3 cities. Tokyo, Taipei, and Shanghai. In a happenstance way, they are all interconnected. However, I can't recall how the Taipei story arc is connected to the other two.



The Tokyo story arc follows Wilson Chen and Misaki Ito.

The Taipei story arc follows Mavis Fan.

The Shanghai story arc follows Jacqueline Li.

1 Taiwan dude. 2 Japanese dudes. 1 Japanese girl. 1 Taiwan gal. 1 China gal.

Looking for love in the wrong place? Check. Looking for a love that's no longer there? Check. Loving from afar? Check.

3 very different stories, presentations, and outcomes.

Worth a watch. Watched it back in the day. Watched it again recently while washing dishes.

敲敲愛上你 - Knock Knock Loving You - Update

I wrote about 敲敲愛上你 before here, here and here.



I can't find out much info as some google digging didn't net me any results. But 敲敲愛上你 (Knock Knock Loving You) has finished broadcasting in China. That's why I was able to pick the series this week. But in Taiwan, they just showed episode 10 and have another month of broadcast.

敲敲愛上你 - Knock Knock Loving You - Upcoming Part 2

I wrote about 敲敲愛上你 before here and here.

It's a day away from debuting in Taiwan (April 12). But the hype and promos for it are abundant on youtube. From the looks of a 9+ minute preview, the drama looks like it'll go from Shanghai to Taipei. With Jacqueline Li in Shanghai and Coco Jiang in Taipei. The three main leads are apparently in all the locations.

I am now looking forward to this more and more. So, I am guessing I'll get my hands on this in June or so here in LA.

敲敲愛上你 - Knock Knock Loving You - Upcoming

I wrote about 敲敲愛上你 a week ago here. Today, I noticed that CTS has a mini site for the drama and posted a couple of clips via its YouTube profile. Set to air on April 12 in Taiwan.

They've also changed the name from "Quietly Falling in Love with You" to "Knock Knock Loving You".

Check out the mini site at CTS and YouTube clips below.

敲敲愛上你 - Quietly Falling in Love with You - Upcoming

The much anticipated release of Taiwanese Drama, 敲敲愛上你 (Quietly Falling in Love With You) is soon. Set for broadcast in March or April around Taiwan. I think they started filming in 2007. I saw the TV ad spot on youtube and it looks good.

Starring Ming Dao, Dylan Kuo, Li Xiao Lu, We Ya Xin, and Coco Jiang. It looks sorta funny and a bit of a re hash at the same time.

Let's see if it lives up the hype. Check out the trailer.