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Son: The Guest (2018)
Cast Charisma and a Found Family Make This a Hit
If you're eager for a supernatural mystery with a healthy dollop of angst, you must invite The Guest into your life. After a frightening opening episode, this series settles into a fast-paced and intriguing supernatural detective show that keeps viewers anxiously twisting in the wind. The acting of the possessed characters is unsettling and believable--demons don't need cgi to be scary. But the show's strength lies in the acting of the main trio. The series delves frequently into their sad histories and sometimes misguided motivations and gives the actors plenty to work with. They don't drop the ball. Each is a character worth following on their own, but as a team their connection lifts the storyline even higher, bringing a found family element that softens the scarier twists and turns of the plot. You genuinely like these people and want them to succeed and find peace for themselves, which only increases the overall tension. This show is thrilling from beginning to end, with an after-credits denouement that provides much-needed relief. Despite the dark subject matter, this is a well-acted drama that bears repeated viewing.
Wu ming (2023)
Stellar Acting Propels a Puzzle-Perfect Story
Director Cheng Er has corralled the large swathes of genius he exhibited in Lethal Hostage and The Wasted Times and painted a stunning movie that may be his masterpiece. His script and meticulous editing combine to present a gorgeous puzzle that is never too difficult to solve and unwinds in a clever way that leaves the audience feeling rewarded and satisfied. A mysterious set up leads to a nearly rapturous payoff, with nary a misstep along the way for movie viewers who pay attention.
Cheng Er couldn't have achieved such success without skilled players. Tony Leung and Zhou Xun give expected, empathetic performances. The movie feels solid and secure in their hands. But the heart of Hidden Blade actually rests on the shoulders of a young newcomer actor, Wang Yibo. Wang's performance is the definition of a brilliant debut. His character's ambiguous position--is he a villain or not?--is played subtley yet powerfully. It's not an exaggeration to state that the success of the story--and the movie as a whole--relies on Wang being able to carry such a complicated role. Fortunately he doesn't falter, leading the movie goer through a second half that leaves audiences breathless, stunned, and in awe.
Hidden Blade walks a fine line between fine art and commercial appeal. Though arguments can be made whether it leans one way or the other, the end result is a movie that leaves the viewer with the enviable feeling of having watched something wonderful and needing to know how much better it can be with repeat viewings. Regardless of final box office, Hidden Blade is a triumph for both Cheng Er and his talented cast.
House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Crazy, Surreal, and Lots of Fun
This is a movie that needs to be viewed through the lens of artistic expression rather than horror. Zombie's style in this film is chaotic, messy, and simultaneously joyous. The quick cuts, filter effects, bold splashes of color, and music swirl together into a hallucinogenic nightmare. Yet it's not an ugly nightmare. It's undeniably strange and frenetic but not ugly. A couple of places seemed try hard, as though Zombie had discovered new filters he was desperate to use. But the overall effect is weirdly fun despite the subject matter. The storyline doesn't live up to the artistic effort, being rather basic, but this seems more a showcase for Zombie to try various effects. While not a classic in terms of bringing a new story to the table, this is a movie worth paying attention to and would be a suitable background for Halloween parties.
Qing Ya Ji (2020)
My favorite Chinese fantasy so far
A picturesque fantasy. Sets are beautiful and the CGI is quite polished and eye-catching. While the plot isn't very deep and characterization could be more developed, this is a guilty pleasure. It's predominantly pretty places, pretty magic, and pretty faces. Sometimes, that's enough. Deng Lun is particular intriguing. Despite a prolonged ending that nonetheless left me slightly confused, I finished the movie feeling I'd taken away what the makers intended. This is a frequent rewatch when I'm in the mood for yearning and love, set against a backdrop of mysterious fantasy.
Feng qi Luo Yang (2021)
Gorgeous and exciting
You can tell a lot of money went into the filming of this. It's absolutely gorgeous. So many Chinese productions are awfully cheap-looking. This is the exception. Movie-quality for China. Acting is strong across the board and best of all, it's compelling. I was hooked on the mystery and enjoyed the detective work to uncover it. Very nice.
Pei Ni Dao Shi Jie Zhi Dian (2019)
Surprisingly fun
A series that follows the dramatic lives of an esports team doesn't, on the surface, seem to hold much promise, at least to Western audiences whose interest in the esports field lags behind that of global audiences. But this show is unexpectedly entertaining and charming. The three story arcs help propel the story, each driven by the force of personality that is the lead actor, Wang Yibo. This show features the Gary Stu trope (everything revolves around the male lead) but that serves the story well since Wang himself oozes as much charisma as his character is meant to. It's quite believable that the story would unfold the way it does because of him. It's a role that could easily be over-acted, but he holds the reins tightly and delivers an appropriate performance for the material. He's supported by a decently strong cast, with no distracting weak spots. Whether you're interested in esports or not, Gank Your Heart is a more than serviceable romance and character drama that will put a smile on your face and make you sigh with satisfaction at the end.