Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Subject: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 10:58 AM

I'm not much on recommending films -- people like or dislike them for all kinds of reasons -- but I thought that some people might miss this film if they thought it was simply a martial arts movie. It is really one of the most unbelievably beautiful films you will ever see -- I have now seen it twice, and will probably see it again, just for the visual experience -- and it is also just an old fashioned gripping adventure, far off lands, poignant love story, etc. Both times I have seen it the audience gasped audibly at the sheer audacity of parts of it. There is a forest scene that is one of the greatest things ever in the movies. It is all truly terrific.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 11:24 AM

Thank you Peter, your recommendation means a lot more than that of newspaper critics. :0)

Noreen

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Midchuck
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 11:34 AM

Hush! The more buildup you give it, the longer it'll play in the theatres, and the longer it'll be before it comes out as a video for rental and I can see it.

I refuse to pay $7.00 times two to get into the theatre to see something I can see as a rental for $3.00 or $4.00, and have Maker's Mark instead of popcorn as well.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 11:48 AM

Oh no, you've been talking to the husband...

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Gary T
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 11:54 AM

Some films with spectacular visuals lose quite a bit in the video format (shortened length) on a small screen. Is this one that probably needs to be seen on the large screen to really get what it has to offer?

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: black walnut
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 11:57 AM

it's so much better to see it NOW on the BIG screen! subtitles can be nasty and annoying on television, but they're not a problem when they're big and easy to read, at least not a problem in this movie.

and the visuals just are so worth seeing LARGER THAN LIFE.

good movie...

~'nut

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 12:10 PM

I think it is a film I would recommend seeing in a theatre first, for two reasons -- one, the audience really sort of gets caught up in it, which doesn't happen much; and second, since it is basically a fantasy, you need to get swept away by it. There are many scenes that are like Chinese landscape paintings. You want to enjoy getting plunged into a different world and ethos. Or I do.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Amergin
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 12:19 PM

I'm sorry but the title made me think of all those low budget martial arts movies....you know the ones where they bang sticks together whenever there is fighting going on.....

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: GUEST,Ferrara
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 02:40 PM

Amergin, this movie was based on the director's fascination with low budget martial arts movies and Chinese fairy tales that he grew up with... But it takes a lot from the fairy tales, such as the fighters leaping up the side of walls and gracefully leaping across rooftops. The production and acting are first rate. And the fight in the top of the bamboo is fantastic. The cast were REALLY 50 feet up in a bamboo grove, suspended by guy wires... takes some of the magic out to know that, maybe, but it's terrific.

We saw it at a neighborhood theater. The screen was small and I think the projector bulb was dying because even the preview had a yellowish cast. We would have really preferred to see it on a better screen.

I took my son the kung fu fanatic and two of his friends. [You didn't think Bill D was with me, do you? :) Martial arts is not his style of entertainment.]

My favorite scene was when the central figure, a wealthy Manchu girl, was robbed of her favorite comb in the middle of the Gobi Desert. She rides after the bandit hell for leather. Great scene.

The martial arts was well done, with the throbbing of drums to speed up the viewers' heartbeat and all. But although it was very exciting and the acrobatics were splendid, my son says the actual martial arts were not top notch. I don't really know enough to agree or disagree.

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Melani
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 03:03 PM

Everyone must see this movie! In a theater! It's well worth $7.00!

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 03:09 PM

The more movies I see like this, the more I hate North American made movies!!

CTHD is fantastic... Well, worth the 9.50x2+snack deal we paid to see it... and I'd probably even do it again!

Not for people who don't like subtitles though...

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: black walnut
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 04:23 PM

i usually avoid a movie with subtitles, but i didn't have a problem with this one...

~'nut

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 04:51 PM

Thanks for the recommendation Peter. I am craving to see a good movie. Where is it playing guys? Being that I have two Torontonians on this thread thought it was okay to ask.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 05:33 PM

This is only playing at one theater where I am, and it's a bitch to get there. Once it opens in White Bear Township, I'll be there. :)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 05:47 PM

I usually hate martial arts movies, but I read a review that echoed Peter T's recommendation and am looking forward to next week or so when it's supposed to make it to my town!

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: GUEST,Big Mick
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 05:50 PM

Peter, I was in Chicago and lucky enough to be staying in a Hotel across the street from Lowe's Cineplex. I couldn't wait to see this movie on that huge screen. It is all that it is said to be. The plotline is wonderful and filled with the "strategy within the strategy within the strategy" or "bridge beyond the fog" elements. A minor correction to my dear friend Ferrara's comments. The story is from book written in the 30's. The director liked it because it reminded him of the stories he had read as a child. And, of course, these are based on the old fables of the Chinese people. When Peter says this is some of the most stunning photography you will ever see, he exaggerates not one bit. The martial arts sequences are simply some of the most complex choreography I have ever witnessed. The costumes were amazing. The customs were faithfully recreated.

One word about waiting for the video. While I will certainly by the DVD of this the first minute it is available, I would STRONGLY suggest you see this on the big screen. One reason is too simply catch the grandeur of it all. But an equally important reason deals with the subtitles. You are going to want to pay attention to the faces during the dialogue in order to get the intensity and to see the wonderful expressiveness of these talented actors. (And gazing on Michelle Yeoh's beautiful face isn't a bad gig either) Trying to read subtitles on a small screen and still see the subtleties (sp?) can be trying. I will see this film again and again.

Some ending, eh Peter?

Mick

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Barry Finn
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 07:36 PM

Would you say it could be rated PG-13? Not because of my son but because I don't want to harm my innocense I'm very sensitive ya know. Barry

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: harpmolly
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 07:43 PM

That's what second run theaters are for! ;)

We've got the fabulous Bagdad in Portland--for two bucks admission plus snack prices you get to sit on a couch with a pitcher of beer and a slice of pizza in front of you. It's the best for watching movies like "The Matrix" and "Charlie's Angels,"--movies you really want to see on the big screen, but hate to shell out $7 per ticket for. It's worth the wait. :)

I'd like to see this movie too. I'm sure it'll get to the Bagdad eventually. I'm so there!

Moll

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: sophocleese
Date: 18 Jan 01 - 07:52 PM

Oh hell, I had already heard it was great from my younger brother now I'm just missing it even more in this place. Damn! I'll have to hope the local theatre company brings it in for a one shot viewing.

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Grab
Date: 19 Jan 01 - 07:56 AM

Mollificent, trust me on this - you do NOT want to see Charlie's Angels. The Matrix-y fight scenes aren't bad, but they're a bit dumb. Music's good. And Bill Murray is good. Everything else is dire, really dreadful. There's films I've been to which I've come out of thinking "I wasted my money there", but CA is the only film I've actually been on the point of walking out of. I would have done if I hadn't've been there with some friends (who had all the munchies :-).

For $2 you can _just_about_ justify it, but it's a stretch.

Grab.

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: sophocleese
Date: 19 Jan 01 - 08:10 AM

Actually Grab, I think you can just about justify it for $1 but no more.

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: GUEST,philj200
Date: 19 Jan 01 - 04:14 PM

As a life long devotee of Chinese martial arts, I can say with confidence that you are seeing the real thing. Every principle actor know his and mostly her stuff. Added with Ang Lee's vision and enhanced effects, the movie is stunning.

Charlie Rose, on PBS, recently ask Mr. Lee why he made the movie in China, with a Chinese speaking cast. Especially when he knew his biggest market wuld be the US. Charlie was having a dim-bulb day. But the mild Mr. Lee didn't crack wise. He said the pool of actors in China that are both martial art adepts and qualitied actors and who speak English is rather limited...and Chow Yon Fat couldn't play more than one role.

Strongly recommend his Pushing Hands. I think that was his first movie. Made in New Jersey and New York City. Yo Yo Ma's brillian chello requiem near the end was as haunting as Ashokan Farewell. Or pretty close.

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Amergin
Date: 19 Jan 01 - 05:55 PM

Mollificent, is that the one on SE Hawthorne?

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 12:18 PM

philj200 -- Was Pushing Hands an early Ang Lee film, or an early Chow Yon Fat film? Also, any other films of the genre that you would recommend (high on story, low on stupid violence?)

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: SeanM
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 03:13 PM

Hee hee hee... out here in LA, I gots ta see this one in IMAX. Now THAT was intense...

All things aside, this is a VERY good martial arts movie, although the flying bits were a bit TOO much once or twice. It was more than compensated for by the rest of the movie, however.

Don't y'all be dissin' Charlie's Angels though. That one's become worshipped in the pantheon of truly artistic BadFilm... it went through the looking glass of taste and came out the other side as horrible in new and amusing ways...

M

Subject: Peter T: An Lee recommendations
From:
Date: 22 Jan 01 - 10:33 AM

Those I have seen: Pushing Hands--Virtually no violence. Intense contemporary story of Chinese husband/American wife in NY-NJ. Complications arise when father moves in from Taiwan.

The Wedding Banquest-- Only film I've ever seen that was shot in New York and needed subtitles. Taiwanese father visits son in NY. Conflicts of cultrues and lifestyles. No violence. Superior film. One of his best.

Eat, Drink, Man, Woman--Master chef has three daughters. No violence. Beautiful story, Great twists. You WILL want to have Chinese food for dinner the night you see this film!

Ride With The Devil--Civil War costum piece. Great cast, settings, story. Sorry...not up there with the rest of them. A little too much on talk, dulled his usualy fine edge.

The Ice Storm--(Didn't see this one) Most people who saw it, loved it.

Chow Yon Fat in none of them. The actor who played Sir Te (the wing chun master in Beijing) is in all of them (except the Civil War film). He pals the chef, a retired general, and a Tai Chi master (in different film).

There's a few more but start with these...

Subject: RE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
From: GUEST,Seamus in alaska
Date: 23 Jan 01 - 05:57 AM

Absolutely see this on the big screen. I saw it last week in Vancouver with my brother and his family. Audible gasps from the audience. Superb movie, and I can't wait to see it again.

All the best. Seamus