Reviews written by Gem
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Jade Goddess Of Mercy
Jade Goddess Of Mercy DVD Region All
(22)Our Price: US$10.99Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:2 people found the following helpful
July 30, 2006 Two's company, three's a crowdThe moral of the story is, don't ever fall in love with three men, especially if one is a drug trafficker with guns.
An Xin (Vicki Zhao), a village policewoman, doesn't know what hit her when she meets Mao Jie (Nic Tse), a fascinating, handsome young man who's instantly interested in her. Interest quickly develops into friendship, which then develops into hot-headed passion, and before long Anxin finds herself pregnant with his baby while being engaged to the fully respectable Tie Jun. The fact that she uncovers Mao Jie as a drug trafficker only complicates matters even more. When Mao Jie and his brother are released from prison after their parents are executed, they're only too eager for An Xin's blood.
Throw in an adorable child, a reformed playboy, a wise supervisor and a jilted husband, and you have the perfect recipe for a drama.
I think the movie takes way too long to be interesting. I was dead bored for the first 20 minutes. Mao Jie's feelings, too, should have been expanded on. The reformed playboy...can't even remember his name...was not an interesting character at all, and was totally unconvincing.
But the movie is saved by the chemistry between Nic and Vicki. Nic, with his slicked hair, gives off the danger, charm and intrigue of Mao Jie very well. He's a guy who can kiss you and kill you, all in one movement. Vicki is too lethargic for me in this movie, mumbling her lines throughout, but her last scene is brilliant. 'Goddess of Mercy' is still recommended. Keep on watching even though you might fall asleep in the first 20 minutes.
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Moment In Peking (Ep.1-44) (End) (English Subtitled) (US Version)
Moment In Peking (Ep.1-44) (End) (English Subtitled) (US Version) DVD Region All
(6)Our Price: US$65.99Related promotions:1 people found the following helpful
July 30, 2006 Good, but not fantasticA 'sprawling' drama indeed, 'A Moment In Peking' tries its best to depict the passion and crimes of three wealthy Chinese households during the turbulent early 1900's. Irrevocably bonded together by marriage, the three households eventually become each other's friend and nemesis. Complicated love relationships and difficult political situations create havoc. At the helm is Yao Mulan (Vicki Zhao), a long-suffering, highly capable young woman married to an adulterous husband, the third Yao son, Sunya, while being in love with a sensible, clever young man, Kong Lifu.
Perhaps a bit too long drawn out, 'Moment in Peking' nonetheless is a good enough series, with credible acting, beautiful costumes, and interesting language. There is no real one plot that you can latch onto, but the affair of Sunya and his mistress, Cao Lihua, takes centre stage, along with the nasty Niu family's efforts at being the scum of the earth. However, some scenes are far too boring and the character of Mulan's sister, Mochou, is not interpreted well.
The biggest problem I have with this show is that it immediately lost its lustre the minute I read the book it is based upon, 'Moment in Peking' by Lin Yutang. I realised that somehow the production crew has managed to transform MIP from an insightful, striking observation into a slightly above average melodrama. In my opinion, they did not capture the meaning or spirit of MIP at all in this screen adaptation. Even the characters of Mulan and Mochou are completely different...they are the exact opposite of what they are supposed to be. Where were Mulan's whims, or Mochou's womanly practicality? Sunya's infidelity, which was a small chapter in the book, became a long drawn out affair that spanned 30+ episodes.
Overall, MIP is good as a standalone TV serial. The plots are interesting (though not enough to merit 44 episodes). Vicki is beautiful and lights up the screen whenever she appears. In fact, all the women are beautiful in this serial.
As a screen adaptation, though, MIP flops terribly.
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