Seven Swords

Seven Swords

Chinese, English subtitles

2005, 154 minutes

5 Stars

Can you say Seven Samurai in Chinese? Can you say Magnificent Seven in Chinese? Rainy Day can (well, sort of) it's Chat Gim or Seven Swords. An edict from the Manchurian Emperor bans all martial arts, and any who practice it are killed and a hefty reward is given the killer. Seven come together to save the village, and unlike the two previously mentioned movies, this one has a somewhat happier ending for all seven. There are lots of great fight scenes, and a few times time seems to disconnect, but not enough to pass. Like Seven Samurai, it starts slow and builds. Do watch it in Chinese with subtitles. Based on the novel, Seven Swordsmen of Mountain Tian by Yusheng Liang, it is an epic journey through northern China and lots of great fight scenes.

Click here for a trailer

Legend of the Black Scorpion (Hamlet in Martial Arts))

Legend of the Black Scorpion

Chinese, English subtitles

2006, 131 minutes

5 Stars

Oh, ye who love Shakespeare, miss not this film! Hamlet with martial arts. It is wonderful! If you don't know Shakespeare, this is a great introduction to same, Rainy Day thinks. If you do know Shakespeare, you are in for a treat. It is not a word for word adaptation, but the broad story is here, and recognizable. Beautifully photographed, great costumes, wonderful fight scenes. A feast for the senses, don't mis it!

There are a few trailers out there, here is one.

An Empress and the Warriors

An Empress and the Warriors

Chinese, English Subtitles

2008, 99 minutes

4 Stars

For story, Rainy Day gives it 3 stars, for cinematography, battle scenes, and costumes, she gives it 5 stars. It's the old story of Daddy/King is killed by a treacherous cousin; daughter takes the throne with the help of a trusted friend and General. The battles are epic, and great fun to watch, she falls in love with someone else, a commoner, and, oh, well, it's a great way to wile away some time. Rainy Day does suggest a glass or two of your favorite libation with this one. 

There are several trailers out there, here is one.

The Sea is Watching

The Sea is Watching

Japanese, English Subtitles

2002, 118 minutes

5 Stars

The last screenplay written by Akira Kurosawa, it was directed by Kei Kuwai using Kurosawa's script and notes. It is the story of two women (prostitutes) who live and work in a brothel (not to be confused with Geisha, which they were not). One, O-Shin refuses to accept she is a fallen woman, and falls in love with her customers, hoping one will return that love. The other, Kikuno, has two suitors, one a kind and gentle man the other not. This is a story of sisterhood, of how the women support each other, and what happens when a stranger, Ryosuke, arrives and how he affects the women. It is a gentle movie of love, hope, and survival in a world that doesn't care.

For a trailer, click here.

The Great Yokai War

The Great Yokai War

Japanese, English Subtitles

2005, 124 minutes

4 Stars

Grab a glass of your favorite libation, a bowl of your favorite munchies, and toss your disbelief out the window. Rainy Day wasn't sure where this was going until about midway through when the movie stopped, a disclaimer was shown, and nothing but wonderful laughs followed. A 10-year-old boy, not the bravest of the bunch, gets sucked into a spirit world where he must fight and win, or else.... The villains are modern and villainous. The scrap metal robots are marvelous, and become quite the scene stealers in a couple of places. Thankfully, Takashi Miike left his gruesome side at the other studio and just brought us fun spirits, a screaming hero, and great battle scenes. It is a movie the whole family can enjoy together (well, at least 10 and older).

Trailer

Eat Drink Man Woman - Foodie's Delight

Eat Drink Man Woman

Mandarin, English Subtitles

1994, 124 minutes

5 Stars

A "foodie" movie of pure excellence; the inspiration of Tortilla Soup. Eat Drink Man Woman is director Ang Lee's masterpiece. A delightful story of an aging widower who still has his adult daughters living at home with him and how they all find love and get on with their lives. You won't need hankies in this comedy, but you will need bibs! The food sequences are phenomenal (be sure to watch the 'extra' where Ang Lee talks about the preparation and filming of the sequences;-) This is a complex film where the stories are brought together at the end, and tied with a beautiful bow. Winner of several awards, and deserving of each and every one, this movie is a "must see" if you like comedy, food, romance! Some sexual content.

Trailer of opening scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs5WiddD7i0

Antonio Gaudi - a journey into beauty!

Antonio Gaudi

1984, 72 minutes

4Stars

This movie would have been a 5 Star had there been a narrator to tell us what we were seeing, how it was built, when it was built, why it was built, etc. The photography was stunning, the parks and building almost surreal. Antonio Gaudi was one of the foremost architects of Spain, and Rainy Day thinks if you do a little online research before you see the movie, it will mean more to you. The film is a journey of discovery, but Rainy Day wasn't sure what she was discovering, beyond the beauty of man-made structures.

Rainy Day suggests you watch these two short films by Ken Russell before watching the movie, which was made much later. The Sagrada Family Temple is much further along, now. Also, these shorts will give you a better understanding of what the movie so beautifully shows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB75S0dlsOw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m20LeOGCQIc