Gong Li in "Curse of the Golden Flowers"
courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment
"Asian Films Are Popular Worldwide"

It seems that since "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" made such a splash at movie theaters several years ago, the Asian invasion has gotten a new thrust. Now the Asian stars we recognize are not just the action stars like Jackie Chan and Jet Li, but the serious dramatic actors such as Gong Li and Chow Yun Fat. Both of these dramatic stars are featured in Director Yimou Zhang's latest effort "Curse of the Golden Flowers," which is now available on DVD.

Zhang has brought us exciting and visually stunning movies in the past such as "Hero" and "House of a Thousand Daggers." Now he equals them with "Curse of the Golden Flower," a stunningly beautiful film about the royal family of China in the tenth century. Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li play the monarchs and they are outstanding in their roles. This is a soap opera to be sure but it is a stylish soap opera in the best sense of the word.

The basic plot of the film is one concerning palace intrigue. The Emperor has three sons. Crown Prince Xiang (Liu Ye) is from his first marriage. His next two sons are from his current marriage to the Empress Phoenix. The Empress is a force unto herself and his been involved with the Crown Prince. He however is in love with Chan (Li Man) who is the daughter of the court physician. 

The Emperor is poisoning the Empress by putting poison in the medicine she takes daily. Chan is the one who slips it into her drink. It has a slow affect and takes a while to become potent. Meanwhile the Empress is busy embroidering chrysanthemums on everything so that she can have an identity for the revolt she is planning. And this is only the tip of the iceberg of the plot.

All of the actors are great in their roles with Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li being at the top of their game. They "emote" in this highly tense story and make the characters come vibrantly to life. This is a film where it is fitting to go over the top in their performances.

In the sorrowful film "Old Yeller" the dog dies once. In the new "family" film "Charlotte's Web," now available on DVD, the pig who is the runt of the litter gets threatened by the farmer with an axe, gets told by his friends he might end up as bacon, and then at the end of the movie one of the creatures we have grown to love dies. That makes this movie three times as sad as "Old Yeller" and that is a lot of sadness for one movie to bear.

Still somehow kids accept this as just part of the story. Therefore they will probably have a great time with "Charlotte's Web" and not notice that it is a sad, sad film. They will focus more on the fun of hearing the jokes the animals tell and watching Charlotte the spider spin her words of wisdom in order to save Wilbur the pig.

The movie starts with Wilbur (voiced by Dominic Scott Kay) being born. He is the runt of the litter and therefore not worthy of being kept and raised. But Fern (Dakota Fanning) who is the daughter of Wilbur's owner argues that she will raise him, which she does. 

All of the adventures of Charlotte and Wilbur are there to see and enjoy. This is a movie that is better watched on DVD since if it does get too intense it can be stopped and watched in portions. It can also provide parents with a chance to stop the movie and explain and answer questions.

Sean Maguire, Betty White, Jenna Mattison and Armand Assante star in the film "The Third Wish." This movie concerns a young woman who finds an old copy of a book by Charles Dickens. The book is said to be magical and will grant three wishes to the person who owns it. The young woman's life changes and she does believe in the magic - but is it?

This is a movie that will hold you enthralled as you wish along with the young woman for the magic. But can something that wonderful be true? Watch the movie and see.

For sci fi fans "Kraken: Tentacles of the Deep" is available on DVD. Charlie O'Connell, Jack Scalia and Victoria Pratt star in this tale of a huge octopus that wreaks havoc on those who pursue it. But pursue it they do.

"Bachelor" fans will remember O'Connell as the eligible bachelor of a few years' back. That makes the movie a little more interesting. It doesn't have much else gong for it.

Finally there is "Roman," a horror thriller best known for having Kristen Bell of "Veronica Mars" fame in its cast. The film was written by and stars Lucky McKee as Roman, a man who does not fit in with the rules of society. He adores the girl next door, who is played by Bell, but his love takes a terrible toll.

Now this is a movie you can get into and relish. It is a DVD find so get it. And soon.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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