Thursday, May 5 2005
House of Flying Daggers (Shi mian mai fu) (2004)
While Zhang and Zhang's commentary track emphasizes the sheer effort that went into the film's production -- training, research, special effects work, hours on the set, physical hardships -- it also suggests the good time they shared.
Wednesday, March 23 2005
Purple Butterfly (2003)
It occasionally echoes the softer version of Casablanca, another film whose fatalistic interpretation of love is set among war-torn circumstances.
Friday, December 3 2004
House of Flying Daggers (Shi mian mai fu) (2004)
While the men's trajectories seem well delineated, Mei's fate and meaning are both more opaque.
Friday, August 27 2004
Hero (2002)
Had it been released five years ago, Hero's point might have seemed anachronistic, but today, it's hard to ignore its resonance with world events.
Sunday, January 1 1995
Rush Hour 2 (2001)
Like most sequels, 'Rush Hour 2' does what the first film did, only louder and more extravagantly.
The Road Home (2001)
It is Di's (Zang Ziyi) own absolute faith in herself, her determination to endure despite all political or social edicts, that grants 'The Road Home' unusual, and unusually moving, weight.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
One doesn't need a Kung Fu Cinema background to enjoy 'Crouching Tiger', but it helps in appreciating how the movie builds on -- and arguably surpasses -- that rich cinematic tradition.
