Rating: 
Summary: Will make you smile and cry like a little biaatch!
Review: The end of this sweet movie will make you cry like a biaatch. Get your tissues.
Rating:
Summary: A true feel good movie (even for Doggie)
Review: This is an amazing movie that anyone who wants an uplifting experience should watch. I won't go into the political details which other reviewers are fixated on. Watch it for the overcoming joy you will feel from seeing it. A must buy for many collections.
Rating: 
Summary: Inequality between the sexes. Beware: reveals part of plot.
Review: A wonderful movie that accurately portrays some of the issues concerning the important of being male in China, The Middle Kingdom. Following is a little synopsis I wrote concerning the inequality between males and females in China. I hope this helps shed a different perspective on the movie. Enjoy! China has long had a patriarchal society, where the female population suffers blatant discrimination as a lower class of human existence. The King of Masks portrays this disparity between the sexes in The Middle Kingdom through the story of the last remaining master of face-changing opera who is searching for a male heir to whom he can pass his family secrets of the specialized art. When rendering the subtle plot into focus through a lens that questions the country's priorities in terms of values, two scenes stand out that demonstrate an emphasis to preserve the traditional order of masculine hierarchies.
Scanning the orphanage for a potential student and future heir of his unique training, the King of Masks is confronted by potential sellers trying to rid themselves of unwanted children--most of whom are female and therefore considered relatively useless. In fact, at one point, when one of the sellers is begging the King of Masks to take a little girl the master refuses to acknowledge the woman's pleas, even when she drops her price to a measly two dollars. At one-fifth the original price, the King of Masks quietly scoffs that no girl would be worth that amount of fortune. Yet, as soon as a boy cries out, "Grandpa," the King of Masks appears near tears at the thought of having an heir finally. Gladly he pays the two dollars and takes the boy home, hand in hand. This scene introduces the audience to inequality between the perceived to be useless females and the ruling males in the Chinese society. By only valuing the male's ability to pass on the family name and honor, the prioritization of preserving the masculine hierarchies is reinforced.
A little while later, another scene emerges and complicates the plot, while further pointing to the importance of masculine dominance in the society. The King of Masks has been doting on the newly adopted young boy and could not be happier. However, one afternoon the master's leg is cut badly at a street competition and asks the boy to pee on the wound, while he mixes the ashes of a burning cloth. This, the King claims, is an effective remedy that will help stop the bleeding and aid in the healing process. Yet, the boy refuses and after continual forceful pleading from his master he begins to cry and finally yells out, "I can't, because I am a girl." Horrified, the master recoils and his eyes turn a steely gray as he comes to terms with the fact that he has been betrayed. The once beloved child now becomes a thief and deceiver in the mind of the Kind of Masks--worthy of a miserable life alone. Begging not to be abandoned, the girl offers to be a slave of the master, cleaning the boat and preparing his food along with any other tasks that he would wish of her. With the changing roles from honored to damned, the point is painfully clear that the proper order in Chinese society dictates that men rule and are valued, while women are to be slaves and viewed as a burden.
These two scenes vividly show the priority in The Middle Kingdom of preserving the traditional masculine hierarchies and the proper male order. Despite the fact that in the end the King of Masks changes his opinion of the little girl and takes her on as his student and heir of the art, the point has been driven home that the society at large keeps an iron grips on the traditional beliefs and seeks to preserve them with great vigor. The King of Masks illuminates the inequality of the sexes in China and the problems incurred when a young girl challenges the social norms and masculine order.
Rating:
Summary: Simply BEAUTIFUL.
Review: An amazingly moving tale of an untraditional relationship reflecting the traditional Chinese virtue of filial love and duty. While the director takes their time in unfolding the story in the beginning, persist to the end and you will not be sorry you watched this movie. Everyone we have lent the movie to, from young to old, have been moved by the tale. Makes a wonderful gift for even the most critical and intellectual of movie watchers!
Rating:
Summary: Simply BEAUTIFUL.
Review: A lovely tale of an untraditional relationship that encompasses the traditional Chinese virtue of fillial duty that has touched everyone we have lent the DVD to. If you are an instant gratification type person though, bear through the first few moments during which the director takes their time in unfolding the story; the ending is definitely worth the wait. You won't regret watching the movie when you're done.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!! great Drma
Review: The King of Masks is an old man, the last in a great line of performers. He wants to rest, he wants a lot of money more importantly he wants an heir someome who can carry on his work after he buys a young boy named Doggie(yeah you can tell this is a Chinese film). Doggie is hiding something from the King of Masks and the implications of that secret will send the King to jail, and Doggie racing off to find help. To survie the King must sacrifice his prejiduces and the end result is quite touching. Overall-This is a real find, I love this movie!
Rating:
Summary: AGELESS
Review: Of all of the movies that are available today, The King of Masks is one that is ageless. Everyone from 5 years of age to 105 years old will enjoy this story. Though the time line is in the 1930s in China, the story portrays all of life's give and take. The actors and actresses are outstanding. It will remind you to look at your own life and who you really are. You will be challenged to consider your life's influences from others and from you to others. I am an avid reader and I must say this movie is well written and casted. I have to see this movie at least once a month, it is that good!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome movie!
Review: This was an awesome movie in every respect. As a father of five I am always looking for movies which teach virtue and wisdom. This is one of the few movies I have bought (so I can show my children). No kung-fu fighting here, only the story of a proud old man finding the wisdom of love.
Rating:
Summary: Fine movie, DVD disaster
Review: The film is compelling, touching, memorable. It transcends my normal mistrust of sentimental movies. What a contrast between these characters and those in the typical Hollywood crud. Child actors normally leave me cold, but the young girl in this film is brilliant. The rest of the cast is flawless. What a disgrace that Columbia Tristar released it only as "formatted to fit your TV." They mangled it. Fortunately there is also a Hong Kong version available that is widescreen.
Rating:
Summary: Touching Film
Review: If you like tear jekers, this is one. The suggested coupling of "Not One Less" will make a great pair of touching movies. Neither is a technological marvel. But both tell great heart warming stories.
| 
