King Arthur

2004

138 minutes 

5 Stars

To be honest, I didn't like this movie, at least not at first. And then, as I watched, it grew on me, and I realized I expected a retelling of the myths with which I am familiar. It isn't. It's a whole new (to me) myth of Arthur. And one I rather fancy. It is dark, violent, but far more believable than the others. I highly recommend this movie, but go into it with an open mind, and forget (as much as possible) all the other stories of Arthur you've seen and or read. As for history? Who knows? Who cares? This is a great romp, filled with battles. It is well acted, well photographed, well directed. And this is the first Guinevere I've seen that I actually liked!

Trailer

Not All Demons Are Evil

The Sorcerer and the White Snake

Mandarin, English Subtitles

95 minutes, 2011

PG-13

5 Stars

Okay, I admit it. I'm a sucker for Jet Li, and I loved him as the demon-chasing priest. The blurb on Netflix says that the herbalist Xu Xian is trying to escape his new wife, who is a the demon White Snake. No, he isn't. He's really in love with her, and wants to save her. This is a great love story, some surprisingly good acting, and not a bunch of fights loosely held together with story. It's a story, with humor, love, devotion, and a few fights. Not all demons are evil, something the priest and others must learn. Oh, and did I mention it has Jet Li?

Trailer 

Once Upon A Time in China, Part 1

Once Upon a Time in China

Mandarin, English subtitles

1991, 134 Minutes

5 Stars

This story, based on the life of Wong Fei-Hung (Jet Li), takes place when the Foreign Devils (Europeans) are moving into China and carving it into their own colonies. The story is from the Chinese perspective of this era, and shows how fiercely they wanted to preserve their culture against the onslaught of Westernization. If you are an aficionado of Martial Arts movies, this is one to watch! Wong Fei-Hung was a martial artist, a physician, an acupuncturist and a revolutionary. Jet Li has one of the best lines (and all of the really good fights) when he says, "You can't fight guns with kung fu!" Marvelous costuming, fantastic fight scenes, and, of course, Jet Li;-) (Rainy Day likes Jet Li, can you tell?) Part 2 & 3 are in her queue!

For a 3 minute trailer of Part 1, click here. There are several sites with information about this national hero, click here for the Wong Fei-Hung site.

Mea Culpa's and a Lone Wolf with Cub

Rainy Day apologizes for not keeping you, her faithful readers, up to date on the movies she's watching. Actually, she hasn't watched too many movies, she's been too engrossed in another Japanese TV series from the 1970s. And, of course, she's also been busy with the Holidays;-) She hopes you will forgive her as she gets back on track.

Lone Wolf and Cub: TV Series

Japanese, English subtitles

1970s, 90 minutes (2 episodes)

5 Stars

Ogami Itto, the wrongfully disgraced executioner of the Shogun, did not commit seppuku as a man of honor would have; instead, he took his infant son, his Datanuki battle sword, and set off to wander Japan as an Assassin for Hire and to clear his name. Kinnosuke Nakamura epitomizes the 'strong, silent hero' as Ogami. And his young son, now about 3 or 4, is equally silent. If you liked The Lone Ranger Rainy Day is fairly confident you'll enjoy this series. True, Ogami is a sword for hire, but he does not take every job that comes his way. True, he is a ronin, but he is a ronin with honor. Rainy Day is not getting the discs in order, but it doesn't seem to matter. Each story is complete.

As Rainy Day thinks on it, this series reminds her a lot of the various Western series and movies she loved when growing up – the ones where the hero with or without a sidekick, rode into town, saved the town, the heroine, the poor and downtrodden from the evil outlaws, cattle barons, or whatever. If you liked those oldies but goodies, give Lone Wolf and Cub a try.

For a trailer for the first Lone Wolf and Cub movie, click here. The movie and series have subtitles, the trailer does not. But, who needs subtitles for a sword fight?

Another Directed by Yoji Yamada!

The Hidden Blade

Japanese, English subtitles

2004, 132 Minutes

5 Stars

One of Rainy Day's all time favorite Japanese movies is The Twilight Samurai. The Hidden Blade ranks right next to it; both were directed by Yoji Yamada. This movie begins quietly, and builds as a low caste samurai must come face to face with his honor, his caste, and the woman he truly loves. Loyalty, honor, and virtue carry the day as the tension builds, and the battle must be won. The Way of the Sword shown at it's best, and most humane. This movie will appeal to both men and women. Though not one continuous sword fight, the ones there are fabulous. Dare Rainy Day say it? This is a thinking person's samurai movie;-)

 
Click here for a trailer.
Have you seen this one? What do you think? (Rainy Day has seen it twice and is considering buying it.)

You've got to be carefully taught

Shinobi: Heart Under Blade

Japanese, English subtitles

2006, 100 minutes

5 Stars

For those of you who love martial arts movies with a hint of sci-fi/fantasy, and special effects, this is a feast for the eyes! A story of 400 years of inter-clan war, forbidden love, and manipulation by the Shogun to eliminate the two warring tribes by forcing the best fighters to leave and duel to the death. Rainy Day is not a huge fan of 3D; however, because of this movie, she may have to rethink her thoughts when it comes out in 3D next year. It calls to mind the old song from South Pacific that you have to be carefully taught - to hate. And for 400 years the two ninja clans, Iga and Koga have been carefully taught to hate. Can love trump 400 years of carefully taught hate?

For those of you too young to remember South Pacific, click here for the song. 

For a trailer of the movie, click here.

To leave a comment, click below;-)

Thank Goodness Eye Candy has No Calories!!

Fox Volant of theSnowy Mountain

Last discs (series)

Mandarin or Cantonese, English subtitles

5 stars

Rainy Day finally made it through all 8 discs and the one thing she knows for certain: It's a darned good thing Eye Candy contains no calories!!!  Many good fights, good love stories, some bad love stories, lots of lush costumes. True, there are times when it's difficult to suspend one's disbelief, and the time lines appeared 'off' now and then. However, the marvelous subtitles made up for it! Admittedly, Rainy Day wasn't sure she wanted to watch the last two episodes this morning – because once she'd seen them, the story would end, and it was great fun. Rainy Day's biggest gripe? None of the credits or writing were translated. However, she is now downloading the novel, Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain by Jin Yong from Wuxiapedia.com  Cut the Clap! and rent it!

When you have watched the series, please, comment. Rainy Day wants to know your reaction and thoughts about it. For a You Tube Trailer, please click on the title above.

More on the Handsome Flying Fox(es)

Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain 

Discs 2, 3 of 8 discs (series)

Mandarin, English subtitles

5 stars

Rainy Day is now very frustrated that the discs don't come quite as fast as she finishes them. After viewing 3 discs (15 episodes) she is totally hooked. The costuming is sumptuous (when they got off Snowy Mountain, they took their coats off). The theme music during opening credits is a bit off-putting, but doesn't intrude in the movie. Rainy Day would like to take a couple of the characters (a mother and her daughter) and teach them some manners. They are both spoiled, and the child whines too much. Rainy hoped a visit to the Valley of the Poison King would cure it. Rainy Day is of the notion that children should be seen and not heard. The subtitles are downright hilarious at times. Eat your heart out, Jay Leno.

There is some fantastic kung fu in this series and great photography. Rainy Day is pretty sure the director was a student of Kurosawa. Have you seen any of the series yet? Are you going to? Your loss, if you don't.

For the You Tube trailer, click on the title, above