Spy Kids

English  

2001

88 minutes

5 Stars

This is a wonderful family movie. The cast is wonderful, lots of action, and downright fun with the kids the heroes of the day. Antonio Banderas and his wife were super spies who retired to raise a family. A typical family. Well, sorta. The parents get kidnapped by an evil villain and the kids must go to the rescue, with the help of their unwilling uncle, Danny Trejo. If you're a fan of Robert Rodriguez's movies, you'll love this one. Your kids will love it. An all-star cast and a laugh-out-loud adventure movie for the whole family. Honest. Trust me. "Don't ever send a grow-up to do a kids' job."

Trailer

The Master Swordsman (Disc 1)

Chinese / Subtitles  

2001

200 minutes

4 Stars

If you like wuxia movies, which I obviously do, you'll enjoy this one. Why only four stars then? Because it's on two discs shipped separately! Marvelous choreography, a lot of fu-by-wire stunts, but fun. The costumes are great, and I love the scenery. Great fights, handsome men, and an okay story. For what more can one want in kung-fu land?

I really do wish that Netflix would/could send 2-disc movies together. Grumble. Grumble.

Trailer 

The Assassin Swordsman

Chinese / subtitles  

2000

120 minutes

4 stars

If you follow this blog, you know I started watching Shaolin Warriors a while back. It was a tv series, and as such might have been interesting, but all at once? Too long. So I cancelled it. Then, this movie showed up in my mailbox. Aaah, much better. And, eventually, it dawned on me, it was the same story, only in 2 hours instead of 34 episodes. Much, much better. Different cast, and a lot of fun. Great action. Wonderful costumes (I think that's what I really like about these movies, the costumes), and a fun story. The characters are on a quest for a mythical book, winner rules China. Families and friends are on both sides of the quest. Kung fu rules. Lots of fun. The movie, with English dubbing is here.

Chocolate

Thai (subtitles)

2008

92 minutes

5 Stars

This delightful story is about Zen, the autistic daughter of Zin, ex-girlfriend to the Thai mob boss. Zen's father is a Japanese Yakuza, and is in Japan, not allowed back to see Zin. Zen's favorite treat is chocolate, hence the title of the movie. She grows up watching the Thai martial arts school next door, and martial arts movies, and practices the moves she sees. When her mother gets sick and needs money, Zen and her caretaker find a notebook of debts owed her mother, and go to collect. The choreography is absolutely amazing, the humor laugh out-out-loud funny. If you like martial arts movies, move this to the top of your list! How wonderful to feature a girl with different abilities. The beginning may be a little confusing, but stick with it, all becomes clear by The End.

Trailer

Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess

Ballet

1994

69 Minutes

5 Stars

The language of dance. Absolutely stunning. It is the telling of the classic Japanese folk tale of the Moon Princess, who comes to Earth hoping to bring peace, but whose beauty instead feeds jealousy and war. I wasn't so interested in the story, but the dancing and the music were superb. The music is a mixture of traditional Japanese flute and drum combined with modern; minimal costumes and sets; maximal beauty of dancing, and great lighting. If you like ballet, you will enjoy this.

trailer 

Shaolin Warriors, Disc 1

Chinese (subtitles)  

2009

First 7 episodes

3 Stars

Almost 4 stars until I realized how new it is. The subtitles are okay, but the irritating thing to me was when they showed a close-up of writing, with no translation/subtitle. I knew it was important, why else make such an issue of it, with such ominous music, but didn't have a clue what it said. This is a 5 disc/34 episode TV drama, actually filmed at the Shaolin Temple. Lots of great martial arts fights and stars one of my favorites—Sammo Hung. He's the chubby one, and is a martial artist. The story takes place during the Ming Dynasty and the monks are helping to keep the pirates, and an invasion, at bay. If you like martial arts, this will not disappoint. Only the subtitles, or lack thereof, earned it a 3 star.