In 2004, three blockbuster Chinese movies broke China's box office records: House of Flying Daggers (
The film is the best work so far of Feng Xiaogang (
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With A World Without Thieves Feng now makes it as an action-drama connoisseur: He adds a bit of suspense while maintaining his bold comedic style. Starring Hong Kong's Andy Lau (
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Wang Bo (Andy Lau) and Wang Li (Rene Liu) are a couple of thieves who have just stolen a BMW from a businessman. Taking a West-bound train, they encounter Roob (Wang Bao-qiang,
Roob has such a pure mind that he doesn't think anyone would steal his money, so even though the couple originally plans to take his earning, they become touched by his sense of purity and decide to protect him instead.
Meanwhile, the pickpocket group headed by Uncle Bill (Ge You,
A series of situations happen on the long train ride. Lau and Ge battle each other on top of the cars and in the mezzanine of the train, and all the pickpocketing takes place in the narrow aisles of the cars.
Feng cleverly presents these actions in choppy pictures and slow motions to let the audience riddle out what happens during a few seconds.
More impressive is the acting of all the actors, especially Ge in his role as a villain. The character Roob is also designed and performed well: he creates layers in the Wangs. Only the ending is a little far-fetched.
For a little more suspense, the CBS TV series Without A Trace is being aired on Public Television Service (
In the series, LaPaglia plays the chief of a special investigative squad in the FBI. They handle missing persons cases and try to recreate the original situation. The realistic investigative drama uses fast editing and special effects and totes a good cast, including Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Secrets and Lies) and Enrique Murciano (Black Hawk Down).
Increasing public awareness about missing persons is one aim of the series. At the end of each episode, the show's actors give a public-service announcement to help find the real-life missing person.
As for local movie production news, director Tsai Ming-liang (
Berlinale chairman Dieter Kosslik's commented on the film by saying, "I am stunned," as he was quoted last week on local media.
There is no doubt that he will be stunned again by watching the film, which deals with porn actors and scenes of explicit sex and suggestive dancing. Wayward Wind is also Tsai's first musical; actors Lee Kang-sheng (
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