Some Chinese movies are made intentionally complicated and confusing because the directors want to show off their "high" skills. Otherwise they are afraid people will say it's too simple. On the other hand, many good movies are very simple and not much complicated plots. The performing skills of actors/actresses are the key of successful movies. The movie also has a very weak ending. Too many morals mean no moral.
Reviews
131 Reviews
Nightmare Alley
(2021)
Very engaging movie
13 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A man killed his father, burned the house and got on a journey. He was accepted by a carnival for kindness. He learned minding reading tricks from an old man and poisoned him to death. He pretended to lovep a young lady and persuaded her to leave the carnival with him to start their own mind reading business. He was lured into the dark side and want the power and money. He had an affair with a mental doctor and colluded to cheat people for money. Their act caused the death of an elderly couple as well as two other men. He was betrayed by the mental doctor and went on homeless life again. In desperate he came back to carnival in hope to get back his old job, but only to find the new owner wanted to be the geek (the beast who eat raw chicken). I think this is a very good screen play and good actors. Even batter than this years Oscar best picture winner.
The French Dispatch
(2021)
A very unique movie style
1 April 2022
I watched thousands of movies. I don't remember I have seen one like this. It has very unique style, almost like stage plays, switching between scenes with no movement of camera. It uses still image shots from time to time. The movie has three separate and somewhat connected stories around the the death of editor. The scenes and stories are interesting, engaging and humorous. Overall it is a good movie.
Coda
(I) (2019)
A somewhat inspiring and powerful movie
28 March 2022
An old British piano master is finishing his career when he met a young beautiful woman, a journalist who loves and inspires him to continue play. The movie is simple, slow paced, with only a few characters, yet powerful and soul shaking. Wish I can be that lucky man.
Better than expected
20 March 2022
I thought it was just another junk Chinese movie but it turned out to be not bad. I was surprised to see so many famous actors and actresses there. The topic and style are interesting. Remind me some other films like they borrowed from but I can't tell which ones. Some similarities but not exact copy. Then I realized it's marvel movies. Understandable. Ending is typical marvel hero thinking. Overall, not bad for a Chinese version of marvel movies.
Free Guy
(2021)
Not bad idea, could be made better
18 March 2022
The idea is kind of interesting especially with the virtual reality and metaverse kind of hot right now. The evolution of AI is also a perpetual topic of movie and science. The ending could be better if not linking the AI lover back to real life.
Don't Look Up
(2021)
another political movie, not scientific
8 January 2022
I thought it was a scientific movie or apocalyptic movie about comet hitting earth. No it's not. It's yet another political movie. Comedy after all. This is probably one of the worst of movies for Jenifer Lawrence. Not suitable for her personality and characteristics. Leonardo's performance is also soso. A 6-star movie by my standard.
The Painted Bird
(2019)
a very different style of movie
7 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is quite different style than American movies. It's quite long and slow paced switching multiple scenes. Seems everyone who accepts the boy had bad luck and died. Well often they deserved it as they either sexually abused or tortured the boy, who event became evil by killing a few people including an innocent elder just to get his belongings. It is a hardship unfortunately during that dark part of history. Overall, it's worth to watch the movie. You may get a little bit lost but can still figure out most of stories.
First Cow
(2019)
not bad movie but slow and long
21 December 2021
The movie itself is not bad. The plot is intense and engaging. The friendship and hardship of these two men are obvious. Just there is a better ending instead of both dying. Wish they realize their American dreams. Also wish the movie is a little fast pacing. Currently it's too long. Need more cutting and more switch of camera. The movement of actors need to be a little faster. I can fast forward a few minutes and not losing anything significant.
Colette
(I) (2018)
Not a great movie
19 December 2021
As a rule of them, the movies with nudity are usually not of great quality. They have to use that as a selling point. Even with both actresses being topless, that still don't make them good actresses. Kind of still within the typical English movie them like pride and prejudice. No novelty but trying to catch the tide of feminism and lesbian.
Hamilton
(2020)
dumb idea
19 December 2021
Why use a movie to show the Broadway play? There is a different between these two. It's so boring and I could not continue to watch after 15 minutes. It's so boring and I could not continue to watch after 15 minutes. It's so boring and I could not continue to watch after 15 minutes.
Cliff Walkers
(2021)
Typical chinese communism movie
19 December 2021
The topic is a typical Chinese communists theme, i.e., how nationalists persecuted them and communists sacrificed themselves to win the ruling of the country. The movie was directed by the famous director Zhang yimo, who did it for Chinese communist authority, which is understandable. The directing is ok, and the movie theme is quite tense from the beginning to the end. However, the actors/actresses are mediocre. The ending is also typical Chinese movie technique, i.e. Use crying and background music to stir up emotion of audience.
Hi, Mom
(2021)
laugh and cry, very touch movie
4 December 2021
An ordinary family, both mom and daughter traveled back time and trying to change their destination but ended up enjoying the happy time together. It has a somewhat surprising ending. However, the only bad thing is also in the ending. The main character (daughter) cries too much. The technique using lots of cries and music to arouse audience's emotion is common in many Chinese movies. If the ending could be improved, this could be a near perfect movie. Although I feel this movie is more of the self-entertainment by the Chinese movie professionals, it is of the few top-quality Chinese movies.
Nomadland
(2020)
A little sad movie
1 October 2021
An old woman lives in a van and live a life from place to place. She cannot live a "normal" life in a house but set her heart in the nature. Many fellow nomads went through life hardness and illness and even death. This movie makes to cherish your past and reflect the real meaning of life. I like the music and have listened to the album of solo piano. Just wish the have something original. Overall quite successful low-cost movie by a Chinese director.
Greyhound
(2020)
sigh Tom Hanks
25 September 2021
Poorly made movie. Almost want to stop watching 5 minutes after movie. The scene and conversation with the women at the beginning has poor scripts. The rest of movie is ok but is made so hurry. Almost like Chinese movie style, trying to push too many things in short amount of time. Over time, it's just repeating itself. Focus on one or two uboats rather than do laundry listing. Overall, mundane plots and theme, no novelty, too fast paced, and poorly made.
Detective Chinatown 3
(2021)
typical chinese movie again
26 August 2021
Noisy, low-level comedian, always fighting, overly complicated plot to show off, many "famous" actor/actress who just show their faces once in entire movie. Ending has to meet cliche (world peace song). However, it is not too bad.
Love and Monsters
(2020)
Ok for entertainment
21 June 2021
In a apocalyptic world, a young man walks 84 miles to see his former girlfriend only to be disappointed that the girl is no longer in love with him. He does grows stronger and survival skills along the journey. Cliche plot, predictable storylines, mediocre special effects. My little one likes the movie though. Good entertainment for the family.
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