電哪吒 (The Spin Kid) is being release in Taipei on 11-11-11 next week.
The movie stars Blue Lan and Nikki Hsieh. Blue appears to be a spinning DJ who gets in with the wrong crowd. Nikki plays his love interest. Intersting trailer. Vague and surreal at the same time. Looks like a very cerebral watch or its gonna suck. I hope its a good film.
Unknown (狙擊陌生人) is an 2011 film. The film stars Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, and Aidan Quinn. Supporting cast includes Frank Langella, Bruno Ganz, and Sebastian Koch. The film was based in Berlin, Germany.
Liam Neeson plays Dr. Martin Harris who is married to Liz, played by January Jones. On his way to a conference in Berlin, Martin is part of a massive car accident and wakes up in the hospital. However, when he goes back to the hotel, he's no longer Martin Harris, but an impostor. Eventually finding his wife Liz, even she does not remember him. This sets a chain of events where Martin tries to get his identity back.
The movie was very much like Liam's action hero breakout roll in Taken. However, he doesn't kick as much @$$ in this one. But its about him finding a solution to his predicament. The ending does have a twist that you sort of already know might happen. See how much attention you can pay during the film with the little details.
聽說 (Hear Me) is an 2009 film out of Taiwan. The movie stars Eddie Peng and Ivy Chen. The supporting cast also includes the lovely Michelle Chen. The movie was released in support of the 2009 deaf olympics in Taipei.
Eddie Peng plays Tian Kuo, a delivery person working at his parents cantonese restaurant. Ivy Chen plays Yang Yang, the sister of an deaf swimmer, Hsiao Peng, played by Michelle Chen. Tian Kuo delivers food to their swimming site one day and takes a liking to Yang Yang. They communicate in sign language. Although Tian Kuo isn't deaf and takes up sign language as an hobby. Due to his liking of Yang Yang, he studies extremely hard to keep up with her and learns new ways to express himself. Yang Yang however is too busy trying to make money, that she doesn't take to Tian Kuo's advances. However, Tian Kuo doesn't give up. In the meantime, there's the issue of marrying a deaf person that's addressed and actually handled pretty gracefully.
I have watched the movie twice already and found out more about the leads with the second watching. In all, this may be one of my favorite romantic comedies I've seen in quite some time. Eddie Peng is an endearing male lead that lets love lead the way. Ivy Chen gives an cute and subtle performance as an younger sister that's willing to sacrifice for her family. Add that to a very unique storyline, you've got a, dear I say, great movie?
If you're a recent fan of Taiwanese cinema, this is a must see gem. All three leads have gone on to bigger and more hyped movies, but this movie could be the one that will establish their legacy for years to come.
I had an "upcoming" post for this movie back in the summer of 2009. It has since become one of my most visited post.
Taken (即刻救援) is an 2008 film. The movie stars Liam Neeson. The supporting cast includes Famke Janssen and Maggie Grace. Taken was a sleeper hit in 2009. With a very weak opening weekend, it ended up grossing a little over $225 million worldwide. A sequel is in the works.
Liam Neeson plays Bryan Mills, a retired CIA agent. Liam retired to the Los Angeles area in an attempt to spend more time with his 17 year old daughter, Kim played by Maggie Grace. Kim convinces Bryan to let her spend the summer in Paris at her friend Amanda's cousins house. When they get to Paris, they make quick friends with a handsome local. However, this local is setting them up for a kidnapping. While the kidnapping happens, Kim phones home to Bryan. Bryan starts from there to track down her daughter in Paris.
This film was very slow to start, but ended with a bang. I can see how it was sleeper hit. Liam isn't exactly your household action hero. However, the film was quite good and has made Liam a action star now. Maggie Grace does dump down your performance to play a 17 year old. A little too over in some cases, but effective enough. I just wonder where the authorities were when Liam went all action hero taking no prisoners in Paris and got home safely. Ugly Americans. Even though Liam is a Irish.
A Moment Of Romance (天若有情) is an 1990 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Andy Lau and Jacklyn Wu. The supporting cast includes Ng Man-tat and Tommy Wong. I had this film in my Top 20 Hong Kong Films of the 1990s.
Andy Lau plays Wah Dee, a triad gang banger that's bad@$$. His "die lo" loans him to another "die lo" from the same gang to be a get away driver for a jewelry store heist. During the heist, he inadvertently takes JoJo, played by Jacklyn Wu. At the drop off sight, Wah Dee tells JoJo to lay low. However, she's spotted and becomes a target. From that point on, they go their separate ways. Jojo however ends up being the only eye-witness and gets targeted for elimination. Wah Dee now has to protect her.
This movie deserves its place among one of the best films out of Hong Kong for the 1990s. HK Triads? Check! Sacrificial romance? Check! Disapproving parents? Check! Classic HK tragic ending? Check! Around this time, Andy Lau was a bonafide TV star that made the transition to the big screen. Already a superstar on the big screen, this was one of his most successful movies.
