After Life

Japanese (subtitles)

118 minutes

1998

5 Stars

A most beautiful, intriguing, and thought-provoking movie. No fancy CGI, no adrenaline, just a beautiful movie that takes place, for the most part, in what appears to be an old school. It is a 'way-station' where the newly departed come for a week. They arrive on Monday, and are given until Wednesday to think of their happiest, most beautiful, most precious memory which is then filmed, and when they depart in a couple of days, they will have this one memory to take with them for all eternity. This is a movie I would like to own, and watch again. This movie ranks up there with Captain Abu Raed and Poetry in my book. The only problem I had was the subtitles didn't show the very bottom of the letters, but that may have been my fault, not the DVD's.

Trailer

The (non Pixar) Blue Umbrella

Hindi (subtitles) 

90 minutes

2005

4 Stars

I obviously didn't read the description all that closely – I thought it was the Pixar film. It was Indian, but, since I had it, what the heck? The story seemed a little disjointed, but that could have been all the interruptions while it was playing (4). Child actors are not always my favorites, but these children were delightful, and the star stole the show. She finds a blue umbrella, which she carries everywhere, mesmerizing all in her mountain village. When it is stolen, she becomes depressed, and eventually the thief is caught, and the village metes out justice. The ending was what I hoped it would be, so no complaints there, the visuals and costuming were wonderful. The movie has joy, sorrow, greed, justice, and redemption – for what more could one want in a movie? This movie is suitable for family viewing.

Trailer  

Butterfly Swords

Chinese (subtitles) 

88 minutes

1993

4 stars

I'm not sure how to rate/review this movie. First off, I put the DVD in and it immediately started at the end of the movie. Great choreography and fighting, but had no context. I could not back it up. After 'The End" I managed to set it up, and start at the beginning. It made slightly more sense. The title should be Butterfly AND Swords, not Butterfly Swords. I wanted to see fighting with the butterfly swords, and to that end I was sorely disappointed. The acting and costuming were very nice, and the fight scenes were a lot of fun. But I swear, the ending was slightly different the second time I saw it. Honest. Trust me. Still, the fight scenes made up for whatever else it lacked.

Trailer

Come Drink With Me

Chinese (subtitles)

Kung Fu

95 minutes

1966

5 Stars

Alright, I freely admit, I'm a sucker for kung fu movies with lots of action, and this one was full of action. Not so much emphasis on death and gore; just good fighting. Great costumes, the story was okay. The subtitles, though very good, also gave a bit of humor. This was one of the forerunners of this type of movie, and though dated by today's standards, remember it was filmed in 1966. When bandits kidnap the governor's son, the governor sends his daughter, Golden Swallow to the rescue. She must find her brother, deal with an evil monk, fight a ruthless gang led by Sleek Face, and figure out a local beggar, Drunken Cat.  It's great fun. Brain Candy in its purest form.

Trailer

Tai Chi Master

Cantonese (subtitles)

Kung Fu

96 minutes

1993

4 Stars

I love the Kung Fu movies set in the 'bad old days'—no guns. This is an early movie of Jet Li, and the story is fairly predictable, two boys train together, become good friends, and then as adults, become enemies. Though predictable, it is a lot of fun, if you like this sort of thing—I do. The choreography is very well done, with lots of fight scenes. Great acting, good costumes, and fantastic choreography!

Tai Chi Master

Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog

Japanese (subtitles)

Family

100 minutes

2004

5 Hankies

This is the story of Quill, a Labrador retriever puppy chosen to be a guide dog. The story has no bling, it is a simple, and I think fairly straight forward story of the training a guide dog must go through, not to mention the training his owner must go through. Mr. Watanabe is resentful at first, and not overly kind, though not nasty, to Quill. As they get to know each other, not only is trust built, but also love grows. And then Watanable becomes ill, Quill is returned to the school, until Watanabe can care for him again. It is very touching when, after 3 years Watanabe comes to the school, and they are reunited for a while, and go on one last walk together. Based on a true story.

Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5aL5UtKrHg