This is one Chinese 80’s nostagia flick! Tsui Hark’s or known by the chinese speaking community as Xu Ke, directed this film still as a unknown. It was one of his earliest work and it remains to be a treat to watch even after so many years (released in 1986).

Chinese film goddess Ling Ching Hsia teams up with 80’s Hongkong starlet Cherie Chong, (from An Autumn’s Tale) and music siren Sally Yeh, to a story of slightly serious political observation injected with slap stick humour, fight scenes. and the chinese opera. The movie seeds a underlying message during the political intrigue in China after the first revolution. Ling Ching Hsia’s role is limited to her serious dispostion as the educated general’s daughter with a master plot expose illegal foreign borrowings during the first chinese revolution’s regime. The big screen is amply stolen by both Sally and Cherie whom are absolutely hilarious.

Try to listen up for the Beijing Ya – “Peking Duck” joke.

Anyone who is familiar with the Romance of The Three Kingdoms, would define the Battle and Red Cliff the watershed of the epic novel. Historically, the battle is claimed to be have involved over half a million men. It is the aftermath of this battle that moulded the great empire of China into the 3 kingdoms of shu, wei and wu.

I have nothing to write further about this film because it has not been made. YET, I am compelled to write. Because today, I read in some internet that Chinese filmaker John Woo is poised to be sign as the director for the film, starring Chow Yun Fatt and Tony Leung, slated to be release in 2008.

I will try to keep this updated to any news I hear about it.

– 29 April 2007 –

Chow Yun-Fat was originally selected for the role of Zhou Yu. However, he pulled out on 13 April 2007, just as shooting began. Chow explained that he received a revised script a week earlier and was not given sufficient time to prepare, but producer Terence Chang disputed this, saying that he could not work with Chow because the film’s Hollywood insurer opposed 73 clauses in Chow’s contract. Chow was replaced by Tony Leung Chiu Wai, who had previously rejected the role of Zhuge Liang.

- 17 May 2007 -

There’s been another twist in the casting for John Woo’s historical epic. A publicist for one of the film’s investors claims Chow Yun-Fat has agreed to rejoin his old friend’s star-studded cast. He is likely to play one of the smaller roles and has yet to sign the contract. The Hong Kong star generated negative headlines after quitting the cast of the high profile epic. Previous reports say he was dropped from the cast because he put forward “nearly one hundred unreasonable demands.”

Hey, this is really the saddest movie I have ever watched.

But I never cry.

The plot begins in the later part of the second world war, period of time when Japan was under attack from the allies. The backdrop is of village folks living in anxiety from contant air raids. Could tell that the director probably make some efforts to eludes the very general viewer’s perception of war aftermath, but focuses on the characters dire situation during the destruction

The main character is compelled – as a older brother to take care of his younger sister when their mum was killed during one of the raids. As they struggled without money and a place to stay, pride, selfishness and ignorance, forced the siblings into desperation, relying on each other, with no other seeming resort. They had no food and money and in time, due to malnutrition, his sister got really sick.

The story then painstakingly devolops as you literally see the physical detoriation of his sister untill it is overly heart wrenching to predict or comprehand how it the plot would move on. The endearing cries of the baby sister and deperate exhales from the older brother just dragd at my heart. It is a masterpiece story. The candy container and fireflies would be long remembered

I told myself not to waste food next time.

My crave to watch this film is partially due to the many reviews I read before and its quite incredible cast. What say me. It was disappointed. I think alot will disagree – I simply do not understand the movie.

I had to strained my eyes, stop for a second or two to figure how the plot is meant to intend. I don’t understand how 2 stranger’s birthday greetings seem to connect. Whats that about? The second story is differently better. Better props this time, which includes the model planes, towels and soap. So as per norm, only consolation is Tony Leung’s disinterested demeanour and his self deluded humour. Faye Wong almost seem awdward with the camera. Is that her intention? Seriously it wasnt too convincing.

And that California song. This movie has assisted me to acceralated my opinion of that song. If I were the shop uncle, I would deep fry the cd.

Its either incredibly artistic or I’m not good enough for it.

Table for 2? With Chow’s not so good pronounciation, the phrase seems destined to be timeless best one liner in movies