Rating: 
Summary: Cinema Paradiso Chinese Style
Review: The material for this movie is good: a Westerner trying to strike it big in the Middle Kingdom a.k.a China by introducing Chinese to motion picture. The movie was set in the early 20th century as China was on the verge of Industrial Revolution and prior to destruction of Ching Dynasty. It was difficult for him to set up the business at first but through the help of a pro-Western and curious Chinese, motion picture gradually made its headway into the local scene. Personally, I feel that the motion picture is a metaphor of modern time. Naturally, there were Chinese who were reluctant to embrace motion picture because they felt that Chinese Opera Theatre had been going on since the beginning of time and thus, that should continue. Anyway, the movie touched upon the cultural difference between East and West. The Chinese character was coerced by his father to marry a wealthy widow who was significantly older than him. In the olden times, the son had no option but conformed out of obligation. However, the Western fellow (played by Jarred Harris) convinced the Chinese who had since become his best of friend that he should follow his heart, to pursue his dream lady the daughter of a revered Opera Singer of the time. Jarred's character explained further that it's perfectly okay to display his affection for the opposite sex. Then, there was mentioning about hierarchy difference. Whereas the Opera singer's daughter was rich, the Chinese was poor. Again, in the olden times, it was an impossibility to bridge the gap somewhat. As a movie would have it, it would build to a climax where circumstances tried the friendship between the Chinese and the Western guy, the new against the old, complacency against courage. Being a feel good movie, you can guess the rest. I really feel that this movie is much aligned with "Cinema Paradiso" as the scenes of Chinese watching motion picture for the first time was exactly how it set up in the Italian movie. Furthermore, the soundtrack utilised here is very much an Ernio Morricone rip-off. It is expected for such kind of movie to be slow-moving. It's unjust to compare this movie against Cinema Paradiso. Yet, it's also unfair that the story is put to us in a condescending way suggesting that that's exactly what's going on in China during that time. Naturally, there were touching moments but it's as if we have been down the same track before. I question the accuracy of the depiction. Is it the right kind of gramaphone used for the time? There's never any display of chaos when the country was supposed to be filled with soldiers of both East and West trying to curb the civil war and the colonisation of various Western powers. In this instance, Jarred Harris is THE only Westerner in the movie. Overall, a well-made movie but in a shallow kind of way. Recommended watching but not for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: A must see movie for film buffs
Review: This film depicts the early efforts to introduce motion pictures to China. It is done with great gentleness and warmth and reflects a deep love of Cinema. The cinematography is great, as other of the new films from china (like Raise The Red Lantern and King of Masks) and it reflects the role of cinema in our lives much as Cinema Paradisio did. It is one of the warmest and most enjoyable films I have seen in years. I can't imagine it not being a strong contender for an Oscar as Best Foreign Film. The philosophy of the Chinese film maker profiled (who really did make the first Chinese film) is much like the Don McClean line "Weathered faces lined with pain are soothed beneath the artists loving hand". You should see this!
Rating:
Summary: A must see movie for film buffs
Review: This film depicts the early efforts to introduce motion pictures to China. It is done with great gentleness and warmth and reflects a deep love of Cinema. The cinematography is great, as other of the new films from china (like Raise The Red Lantern and King of Masks) and it reflects the role of cinema in our lives much as Cinema Paradisio did. It is one of the warmest and most enjoyable films I have seen in years. I can't imagine it not being a strong contender for an Oscar as Best Foreign Film. The philosophy of the Chinese film maker profiled (who really did make the first Chinese film) is much like the Don McClean line "Weathered faces lined with pain are soothed beneath the artists loving hand". You should see this!
Rating:
Summary: A Passion For Film
Review: Usually I use the term "feel good" movie as a pejorative but not in this case. This is a slightly fictionalized version of the difficulties of the first Chinese film maker Liu. Having suffered humiliation at the hands of foreign colonialism, the Chinese are understably a bit xenophobic around the turn of the 20th Century. Liu has to struggle against this tendancy and the rigid confucianism of his day to follow his passion...film making.In addition to the interesting historical and biographical material of this film, we also get a glimpse at our own fascination with film...there is nothing new in film that doesn't
exist all around us...but film viewing allows us time to just sit still and take notice. Everyone will love this film! Thomas
Rating:
Summary: A Passion For Film
Review: Usually I use the term "feel good" movie as a pejorative but not in this case. This is a slightly fictionalized version of the difficulties of the first Chinese film maker Liu. Having suffered humiliation at the hands of foreign colonialism, the Chinese are understably a bit xenophobic around the turn of the 20th Century. Liu has to struggle against this tendancy and the rigid confucianism of his day to follow his passion...film making. In addition to the interesting historical and biographical material of this film, we also get a glimpse at our own fascination with film...there is nothing new in film that doesn't
exist all around us...but film viewing allows us time to just sit still and take notice. Everyone will love this film! Thomas
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