Went last night to check out Tsui Hark's latest installment in the DETECTIVE DEE franchise, THE FOUR HEAVENLY KINGS and it was what I had expected and anticipated. A bigger budget CGI infused version of the other films in the trilogy and you're either a fan of these flicks or you're not. I'm a fan, so I did enjoy the raw visual appeal and the overall kinetic energy even if I did yearn for the he screenplay to focus more on the "Sherlock Holmes" aspect and less on the gaudy visuals but oh well, it is what it is & I readily admit that the white ape vs thousand eyes creature was fantastic looking. While I do miss Andy Lau in the titular role from the first film, I can't deny that Mark Chao brings a certain charm to the character as well.
Also, watched Norihiro Niwatsukino's SUFFERING OF NINKO & the premise seemed quite interesting & it started out promising but ultimately it just falls flat. A period comedy-drama about a devout buddhist monk in training, who is seemingly irresistible to the opposite (as well as same) sex & fighting carnal temptations should have made for some fun ribald parody but the second half turns into some lame kaiden inspired ghost story & just kills any momentum the film had carried thus far. The best parts of the film were the short animated sequences combining mandala Buddhist drawings with ukiyo-e woodblock print techniques. I actually think this film would've worked & flowed better strictly as an animated short.
Also, watched Norihiro Niwatsukino's SUFFERING OF NINKO & the premise seemed quite interesting & it started out promising but ultimately it just falls flat. A period comedy-drama about a devout buddhist monk in training, who is seemingly irresistible to the opposite (as well as same) sex & fighting carnal temptations should have made for some fun ribald parody but the second half turns into some lame kaiden inspired ghost story & just kills any momentum the film had carried thus far. The best parts of the film were the short animated sequences combining mandala Buddhist drawings with ukiyo-e woodblock print techniques. I actually think this film would've worked & flowed better strictly as an animated short.
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