House of Flying Daggers

Both are visually stunning—especially when you consider the production design and the cinematography

coastalcrane76 said:Both look great when you consider the set design and cinematography...

yep, but what about Hero?🙂

I wasn't feeling it. I can't stand that whole Japanese style of trying too hard to wow the audience. It’s all those manga tropes where they leap into the air, have this massive mid-air duel, then land perfectly on their feet in some übercool pose. You just sit there for six seconds waiting for the tension to break, and then suddenly, 😁

Actually, scratch that. I love stuff like that. But honestly? I thought Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon hit way harder. Can't quite put my finger on why, though. 😳

blueranger12 said:To be honest, I really enjoy those kinds of themes. Personally, I found Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon more impactful, though I can't quite put my finger on why. 😳

Perhaps it was because the women were the primary fighters?

David Price5 said:Maybe it’s because the women were the main fighters?

I think it's just because there was more rooftop running. That part was genius. 😳

blueranger12 said:I wasn't a fan—I've never been fond of that specific Japanese cinematic trope where they try to hypnotize the audience. It’s all those manga-style flourishes: characters leap into the air, engage in this gravity-defying duel, land perfectly on their feet, strike an übercool pose, and then you're left sitting there for six seconds of breathless tension before the villain finally drops down... 😁

Actually, disregard that—I love those tropes. Though, I think I preferred Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon; I can't quite put my finger on why. 😳

this isn't even a Japanese film, nor were Crouching Tiger or Hidden Dragon...

Besides, who’s actually going to tell the difference between Japanese or Chinese productions anyway? They both just fall under the same umbrella term.
In this whole "wuxia" cinema craze, they don't even bother mentioning South Koreans.
Just my two cents.
🙂

🙏 Once upon a time in China 🙏

Nancy Brooks said:It’s not a Japanese film, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon isn't a Japanese film either...

Oops, didn't realize that. Guess my tattoos are better then. 😳 😳

P.S. Technically, I never even said they were Japanese. 😬

Honestly, this is such a killer movie—easily one of the best Chinese films out there.

It’s been forever since I last sat down to watch it, so I actually just tracked down a 720p HD version a few minutes ago, tossed it into my download queue, and I'm planning to dive back in either tonight or tomorrow.

I've been on this massive kick lately where I'm just craving Chinese films, so I actually started a little marathon yesterday; I already knocked out two from a lineup of six I put together, and I can't wait to power through the rest.