MovieLover1992xx

I don't know who the target audience is, since this movie has a PG13 rating?

If you have kids, watch Disney's animated version of Mulan. It is far superior, and much more entertaining for kids and grownups alike because of the charming songs. Furthermore Mushu. Just do yourself a favour and trust me on this one, don't waste your time.

It's simple guys. I watched 40 minutes of this movie until I had to throw in the towel.

I did so, so you don't have to. If you see it on Netflix or wherever the **** , send me some kind and warm thoughts and then find another movie.

You're welcome.

The director (and writer) Hiroshi Shimizu brings us a gem from 1930s Japanese cinema.

The story is touching, and the motion picture has the rare property of being able to bring you into the world it is depicting; which in this movie's case is a world of mountains, calm old-fashioned Japanese interior settings, as well as calm small rivers and forests.

The effect of this movie upon the attentive viewer is one of calmness, and the way in which the picture immerses us into the world is at times even intense. You will recognize the mentioned intensity in some intimate scenes.

Furthermore, the characters are well-thought-out and appear very real. But somehow the experience seems more true, than if it had been a documentary filming temporary inhabitants of the lodgings...

The music (when it at tasteful intervals plays) is delightful - as is the old-fashioned beauty of the by then only 19-year old heroine, played by Mieko Takamine.

The movements of the camera as well as knowing when to keep the camera in place are noticeable, and are typical of the virtuosity of early Japanese cinema styles; leaving behind unforgettable images of a woman holding an umbrella with a downcast glance into a river, raindrops onto water and a horse carriage rolling down a rickety path away from the place where the story unfolds...

Nothing else needs to be said - this is a perfect movie.

Watch it and thank me later.

So then - why do I give it 8/10?

Because it is a brave picture, as well as being exceptionally well-made - on a modest budget of around 10-million dollars.

Although it will not be to everyone's taste (it was most assuredly not my cup of tea), it touches upon subjects regarding the human psyche that are well worth being delved into.

Regardless of whether you will feel like you have wasted some hours of your life or have garnered some precious food for thought, after having watched this movie; the odds appear to be in your favour.

Movies should not be made for the sake of being outrageous, and this movie has certainly in my opinion not been so, however it is that rare thing in movies nowadays - a movie that sticks in your mind; and for this reason alone, we should celebrate it - even if we did not like it.

Hitchcock wanted different actors, the producer overruled him.

Then there is the matter of the movie being cut down from three hours to two hours; it was not a comely trimming.

Hitchcock's mastery of the black and white format are on display here, using shadows and shade as effective cinematic tools.

I'm not sure I would recommend it to anyone. And my 5/10 rating is solely out of respect for Hitchcock; truth be said - any film of his ought to have at least a 6.5/10, as his standard is very high - but within the standard of Hitchcock - this one is a stinker.

THIS IS STAR WARS - thank you to everyone involved, and in particular thank you Jon Favreau!

A must watch for old as well as new Star Wars fans, as well as those who unfamiliar with the franchise. Don't bother with the new trilogy, this is where Star Wars is at.

Great movie.

Many of Hollywood's then A-listers: Holden, Russel, Novak get together in a movie based on a play.

Some parts of this motion picture are so delightfully well-made, that I couldn't help myself from laughing at how great it all was.

There's something for both men and women in this movie; as a tale from the olden days unfolds on the screen.

In the end it will surely leave you sighing with agreement about the some of the facts of life; although it would have been neat if they didn't play it safe with the ending.

I'd watch this with someone on a summer evening, just as it's about to get dark, with some popcorn.

There are some very decently choreographed fights in this movie.

Some pretty chinese women and men in the main roles.

Classic kung-fu-movie cinematography, though sets and costumes are not A+.

Probably worth a watch!

To took the worst of the western war-movies and took it to Korea.

Who can I recommend it for? Kids - because they do not yet know the difference between good and bad movies - and will appreciate the "cool" war-scenes.

As for all the positive reviews on here - I can only assume they are fake, in an attempt to increase sales and box-office.

This is my very honest opinion; I am not by nature a negative person - quite the contrary. I watched this movie, so you don't have to - trust me on this.

The movie is directed by the mentor of Wong Kar-Wei. As such, the shots are well composed; and a great deal of thought has been given to both coloring and light/shade&shadows. It is very much artistic in nature; those calm shots contrast a great deal with the horrific violence, which gradually unfolds throughout the movie. The acting by the main characters is enchanting, and Brigitte Lin is a vision, as always. You might be hard-pressed to find a decent quality version anywhere, which is a great shame considering the amount of work that has gone into the films visuals. Audio quality was subpar, but the music did well to convey the desired atmosphere.

Definitely worth a watch.

Shaw Brother's production

Romantic story - Wuxia

Very over-stylized "wire" fight scenes (quite beautiful)

Costumes and story are charming.

Acting is decent, the story seems at times macabre; but if you are fortunate it might be just your cup of tea.

The performance of the "little dragon girl" in particular is unforgettable - as is her beauty. It seems from her IMDB-page, that she did not appear on many other productions, which further adds to the mysterious air around her performance.

Ideally this movie is suited to suspend reality for a while; to dream away and enjoy an adventure in the form of a Shaw-production.

Give it a chance, you might just like it. I think that it would in particular also appeal to older children (there is blood and violence in this movie, but no more than in your average brutal video-game - there is no explicit sex or nudity)

Every once in a while you come across a movie that touches you in an indescribable way. This movie did this to me - maybe because I was tired and could let myself open up for it.