Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

2004, 180 minutes

English

4 stars

This is a PBS documentary, broken into three hour-long episodes on one disc. For those of you who remember the mini-series of several years ago, Shogun, this tells 'the rest of the story.' It tells the story of the Tokugawa shogunate from the time of Tokugawa Ieayasu until Admiral Perry took his war ships into Edo Bay. Richard Chamberlain, who played John Blackthorne (Anjin san) in the series, did a marvelous job of narrating this program.  It is probably a simplistic history of such a rich culture, but a marvelous introduction to Japanese history. And, yes, there really was a shipwrecked Englishman, Will Adams (not John Blackthorne) who sailed for the Dutch who was one of the advisors to Tokugawa Ieayasu! Being a man of high intelligence, when offered the opportunity to remain in Japan, he took it!

Storm Warriors

Storm Warriors

Cantonese, English Subtitles

2009, 111 minutes

5 Stars

Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng once again become Wind and Cloud in this sequel to Storm Riders wich starts right in – there are no set up options, so just be sure your Subtitle button is on. Once again, they are called upon to fight and save China, this time from the Japanese warlord Godless. Again, far more martial arts than story – but do we care? As one reviewer said, this is pure, unadulterated 'guilty pleasure!'  This time, in order to fight Lord Godless, one of our Hero's must become Evil. There is a love interest in both movies, but Rainy Day really doesn't know why. Perhaps she's jealous? Rainy Day really liked the choreography of both movies, and the stylized photography from stop action to slow motion to mach 9. This would be fun in 3D.

For a trailer, click here.

Storm Riders

Storm Riders

Cantonese, English Subtitles

1998, 128 minutes

5 Stars

This movie is fun, pure and simple. If you want a cerebral movie, get something else. If you want some fun special effects (CGI), lots of fly-by-wire, sword fights, magic, and kung fu, then this is the movie for you.  Kind of like Star Wars in Ancient China. It is the story of Wind and Cloud, orphaned as young boys, and raised by Lord Conquer to conquer the world. The stage is set for a huge, epic battle – with Wind and Cloud fighting as Good v. Evil, Order v. Chaos. The story threads don't tie all that well, but the movie is too much fun to let a little thing like lack of coherent story bother a true aficionado of Wuxia Movies. Stars: Ekin Cheng, Aaron Kwok, and Sonny Chiba.

For a non-subtitled trailer, click here.

The Lion in Winter - 1968

The Lion in Winter – 1968

1968, 135 minutes

English

5 Stars

This multiple award-winning movie is available on Netflix, as is the remake. Rainy Day has not seen the remake. The story revolves around the dysfunctional family of Henry II and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their three remaining sons. Some of the best lines ever written are spoken, the costumes are wonderful, and there are enough laughs to keep it from being a nightmare! Who will get the throne when Henry dies? Richard (the Lionhearted), Geoff (middle son), or John (the Spoiled one, and possibly a tad imbecilic)? How can one lose with Katharine Hepburn, Peter O'Toole, Anthony Hopkins, Timothy Dalton, and a host of other? Tight, incisive writing, superb acting. The only nit  Rainy Day can pick is the music, it was loud and intrusive—but, after all it was only 1183.

For a trailer, click here.

For the movie, click here. 

Kiki Can Fly -- why Can't Rainy Day?

Kiki's Delivery Service

1989, 105 minutes

Several languages

5 Stars

This delightful anime tells of Kiki, a young witch who leaves home with her cat, Jiji, to begin her witchly training. It's a perfect coming of age movie, for kids 5 and older. Kiki, like all young witches, leaves home at age 13 to spend a year in training to become a witch. Kiki faces life with responsibility, and realizes her dream to live by the sea. Not sure what her witch skills will be, she discovers her main skill is flying her broom so she starts a delivery service. There are many touching scenes leading to a delightfully satisfying end. If you have children, or a child's heart, you will enjoy this movie – several times. Rainy Day actually felt a twinge of jealousy. She comes from a long line of witches, and none of us could fly on broomsticks.

For the trailer, click here.  

For the movie, click here.

The Tai Chi Master, Jacky Wu

The Tai Chi Master

Cantonese, English subtitles

2003, 128 minutes

5 Stars

This is not the Jet Li movie, this one stars Jacky Wu, and is great fun. Rainy Day thought it choppy, until she read that it was originally a TV series that was severely edited. The editors kept all (or at least most) of the kung fu scenes, which are some of the best Rainy Day has seen. The story wasn't all that hard to follow, even chopped. It certainly wasn't any more taxing than many of the US TV shows! If you like Dancing With the Stars, you will love the fight scene choreography, especially the ones in the 7-level Pagoda, where our Hero must fight a different fighter/style on each level-a Korean kick boxer, a Mongolian wrestler, a Japanese ninja, among others. If you can get past the disjointed story, you're in for a treat.

Another Marvelous Anime - Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle

2004, 119 Minutes

Japanese, English Subtitles (or English dubbed)

5 Stars

Another marvelous anime from Hayao Miyazaki and Ghibli Studio.  A marvelous family movie, or one to view and savor all by yourself, as Rainy Day did. Taken from the novel by Dianne Wynne Jones, this movie is nothing short of fantastic. Sophie, an 18-year-old Plain Jane works in her late father's hat shop. She falls under the spell of the evil Witch of Waste and becomes an old woman. To do so, she must find the wizard Howl, who lives in a castle that roams the countryside. She meets the fire demon, Calcifer who propels the castle, and Turnip Head, her ever-faithful scarecrow companion. Rainy Day has not read the novel, so cannot state if there are plot changes, however, the novel is on her 'must read' list. Rainy Day wants the castle!  

For a trailer, click here.

For the movie, click here. 

Chunyang

Chunyang

2000, 120 minutes

Korean, Excellent Subtitles

5 Stars

Rainy Day loved this Cannes Film Festival nominated movie! The beginning was a bit off-putting as it is narrated by a man "singing" the folk story of two lovers, Mongryong and Chunyang. Rainy Day would have preferred the narrator not quite so loud, and that would be her only nit to pick. This movie is a winner on so many levels, it is a beautiful introduction to Korea. Chunyang is the daughter of a Courtesan, and by law she, too, is a Courtesan. Mongryong is the son of the Governor. When the two protagonists meet, they fall in love and secretly marry, and then the son is sent to Seoul to complete his training, and his father moves on. The new Governor wants Chungyang as his mistress and does not recognize her marriage. To refuse means imprisonment, possible torture, and death.

For a trailer, click here.