Buddha's Palm - 如來神掌

Buddha's Palm (如來神掌) is a 2004 Chinese language martial arts drama. The version I am reviewing today is the one you can rent off Netflix and buy via Amazon. The drama stars Julian Cheung, Athena Chu, and Christopher Lee.

The American release is a shorten version of the orginally 40 episode drama. Basically taking roughly 35 hours of a drama and condensing it down to 3 hours for the US.

I had watched the original series when it first came out around 2004 or 2005. It was a tough watch back than, its a tough watch now as a super condensed version.

The story doesn't flow and things are jumping from here to there with no explanation. Lucky I had a context or I would have pulled all my hair out.

Skip this version and look for the full 40 episode version. I may review that in the future someday. I've included the cover of that drama below and the youtube clip is from the full version as well.

Tsui Hark's Vampire Hunters - 殭屍大時代 - Era of Vampires

Tsui Hark's Vampire Hunters (殭屍大時代) is 2002 movie out of Hong Kong. Set in the 19th Century Qing Dynasty, a group of vampire hunters seek and destroy the undead.

After 40 minutes, I couldn't go on. I stopped and wondered why? Why? Why did I stop on this movie, but have finished countless other bad movies? Was it the English dub and I like my stuff in Mandarin?

Anyways. You may finish it. Maybe you'll like it. I don't know. I didn't finish and I have a pretty high tolerance level. Just check out my other posts.

福氣又安康 - Easy Fortune Happy Life - Upcoming

福氣又安康 (Easy Fortune Happy Life) is an upcoming drama out of Taiwan. It stars Lan Cheng Long and Joe Chen. Set to air in Taiwan on June 7th on SETTV.

From the trailer, I am not sure I would want to watch this. I'll have to check out a few more clips.

蜂蜜幸運草 - Honey And Clover

蜂蜜幸運草 (Honey And Clover) is a 2008 drama out of Taiwan. It stars Eddie Peng, Joe Cheng, Janine Chang, Lego Le, Ito Chiaki, Tarcy Su, David Chen, and Chang Han. The drama is based off a Japanese manga. The Japanese manga has also been made into a movie and drama in Japan.

Running at 14 episodes, the drama was quick and delirious as well. The character development was heavy for a few characters and light for the supporting cast. This drama is also directed by Robin Lee. Robin Lee also direct 2 other movies, The Shoe Fairy and My DNA Says I Love You.

The drama is about a group of art students at a Taipei University. The University seems to have many different forms of "art" that you can study. 3 of the 5 main characters are just starting their Senior year. For Sen Tian, he's been a senior for a few years now. No graduating because he doesn't turn in his senior project. Ya Go and Shen Sian are a "couple" and Chu Bun is the junior.

It was a pretty interesting drama. I didn't have a clue where it was going. But I was happy to be on that ride. I thought back to my college days a lot while watching this series.

I think that Robin Lee added her eclectic artsy feel to the drama that I've not seen in other Taiwanese dramas. It was both refreshing and a change of pace.

The Taste of Tea - 茶之味

The Taste of Tea (茶之味) is a 2004 film out of Japan. It follows a family in the suburbs or farmlands of Japan.

The family includes, Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, Uncle, and Grandfather. And yes, all of these characters are explored in the movie. The story is that all 6 live in the same house and have their own unique personalities.

Father, the least explored but a responsible earner for the family.
Mother, a stay at home mother that use to be an animator. Now, working from home as an animator as her children are older.
Son, a loner at school with a secret crush on a girl that moves away.
Daughter, she sees a giant version of herself looking at her (picture below).
Uncle, a music producer that's decided to take a break from Tokyo.
Grandfather, a legendary animator that's now retired and does crazy stuff.

I thought it was rather interesting how the movie could explore all 6 characters and have you like them all. But this movie does it. I felt happy after the movie and wished for my daughters to be as cute as the daughter was in this film.

You can pick it up via Amazon or rent it via Netflix.