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Yes, in case you're wondering, both are movies that I saw this week. Capsule reviews of each follow (no spoilers, hopefully):
"Curse of the Golden Flower": apparently a VERY big-budget Chinese (Cantonese?) film (heard it cost something like $40K). Costumes and sets were extremely colorful, but I will have to admit that the story, while good, was somewhat hard to follow and didn't really make sense. One thing I have to wonder, though, is what is it with Chinese movies and their seeming obsession with Hamlet-like themes? I remember once thinking (and my parents also thinking) that Japan seemed to enjoy shows that either left you hanging or ended as tragedies (sad endings). Now I think both of those are elements borrowed from China.
"The Pursuit of Happyness": this one's definitely a feel-good movie. The premise is about a salesman who attempts to become a stockbroker while raising a 5-year-old son, enduring trials and tribulations along the way. The movie itself reminded me of a specific Biblical passage from James 1:12... "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him." While Christianity isn't explicitly shown in the movie, the movie still (to me, at least) illustrated the first part of that verse. My overall reaction is that I think people would either really like the movie or really hate it... but there may be a handful of those who are indifferent toward it. As for me, I liked it and saw it as an inspirational, uplifting movie.
"Curse of the Golden Flower": apparently a VERY big-budget Chinese (Cantonese?) film (heard it cost something like $40K). Costumes and sets were extremely colorful, but I will have to admit that the story, while good, was somewhat hard to follow and didn't really make sense. One thing I have to wonder, though, is what is it with Chinese movies and their seeming obsession with Hamlet-like themes? I remember once thinking (and my parents also thinking) that Japan seemed to enjoy shows that either left you hanging or ended as tragedies (sad endings). Now I think both of those are elements borrowed from China.
"The Pursuit of Happyness": this one's definitely a feel-good movie. The premise is about a salesman who attempts to become a stockbroker while raising a 5-year-old son, enduring trials and tribulations along the way. The movie itself reminded me of a specific Biblical passage from James 1:12... "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him." While Christianity isn't explicitly shown in the movie, the movie still (to me, at least) illustrated the first part of that verse. My overall reaction is that I think people would either really like the movie or really hate it... but there may be a handful of those who are indifferent toward it. As for me, I liked it and saw it as an inspirational, uplifting movie.
