bearofmcc

I'm disappointed in IMDb's tone-deafness in listing the Chinese names in reverse order, Westernized with family names last. For example, world famous, remarkable actress Gong Li is inexplicably listed here as Li Gong.

The film itself, by great director Zhang Yimou (not Yimou Zhang), is a powerfully intimate story of a family broken by the Cultural Revolution. It offers just enough subtle orientation to facts and culture to draw me into the core of its story about three people struggling to sort our pain and confusion. It's a very beautiful and painful film.

Who can ever forget Joan Collins whining, "I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die!"? Who knew cobras could memorize annoying tunes? Who knew pyramids were so technically advanced, and with the wondrous power of SAND? Who can resist falling on the floor laughing when the tongueless priests of Amon answer questions?

This movie is well worth watching, but *not* if you mean to take it seriously. It's just for fun--grand in scope and spectacle, grand in its overblown writing. Definitely a must-see, but perhaps better with mind-altering substances to help.

I love this dreadful movie!

At this writing, the film has not yet opened in the US, but I had an opportunity to see a press screening. This is a very good zombie movie, in the spirit of the wonderful British horror films of the '60s ("Village of the Damned," "The Day of the Triffids," etc.), with a touch of "The Omega Man." Very scary--honestly and with a minimum of claptrap. It's more than that, though. It's also about how people feel and behave under such awful circumstances, and the durability and persistence of love. I think "28 Days Later" deserves lots of consideration and praise.

All of the speculation about Keanu Reeves' acting ability are basically irrelevant to this film, since it really hasn't much to do with whether he can act--he isn't asked to do much acting. It's 90% about the gorgeous, fascinating effects, which really drive the plot and are the true star. (Though Joe Pantoliano once again proves himself interesting and gifted.) This film is just for fun, and very satisfying for a dyed-in-the-wool sci fi fan. The obvious sequel set-up was okay with me; I'll go to see it.