Category: Chinese Cinema

Happy Birthday, Jackie Chan: A Look at His Career

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It’s #AsianApril and Jackie Chan’s 65th birthday! I actually wrote out a whole giant Twitter thread about this to celebrate it all as an alternative to writing this article. But just as I clicked “Send,” it all disappeared. So, here I am. Back on my blog. Trying to not feel frustrated and just keep moving … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Jackie Chan: A Look at His Career

Into the Badlands: Why a Brief Harold Lloyd Reference was the Most Amazing Thing Ever

~ munibrezaie ~ 3 Comments

It’s been criminally overdue, but I’m finally catching up on Season 2 of Into the Badlands, and - mark my words - I will never let another season go by to be caught up later! I feel like AMC developed a technology to go into my head, scour the depths of my psyche for everything … Continue reading Into the Badlands: Why a Brief Harold Lloyd Reference was the Most Amazing Thing Ever

Netflix’s Iron Fist and the Failed Expectations of Chinese Martial Arts Cinema

~ munibrezaie ~ 10 Comments

So I’m finally getting around to Iron Fist (I’m only 6 episodes in at the time of this writing) and I think I’ve come to certain realizations. Episode 6, in particular, helped crystallize a lot of the thoughts that were bubbling and percolating in my head throughout the first five episodes. Let’s start with the … Continue reading Netflix’s Iron Fist and the Failed Expectations of Chinese Martial Arts Cinema

An Appeal to Chinese Martial Arts Cinema

~ munibrezaie ~ 3 Comments

So I finally watched Yuen Woo Ping’s True Legend (2010) last night and had a thought. Well, I had many thoughts, most of them negative, but one main thought. Martial arts cinema – especially from Mainland China – seems to be adapting to the requirements of a globalized cinema audience in all the wrong ways … Continue reading An Appeal to Chinese Martial Arts Cinema

A Few Thoughts on Storytelling in Chinese Cinema

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  Just a quick post to briefly share/develop some thoughts on the current state of entertainment cinema in the People’s Republic of China. This is a result of my own ongoing research interests in the mainstream film industry of Mainland China as well as what I’ve read in some articles recently. One of the things … Continue reading A Few Thoughts on Storytelling in Chinese Cinema

China’s Homegrown Hit Films Don’t Need to Come Overseas

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My sister shared this article with me today titled “China’s Homegrown Hit Films Getting Lost Overseas” and it made me want to offer somewhat of a response. Not because I think it’s wrong, but because I think there are other variables that continue to be ignored in these kinds of articles. So really, this response … Continue reading China’s Homegrown Hit Films Don’t Need to Come Overseas

BACK TO 1942 or: FLOWERS OF WAR 2

~ munibrezaie ~ 1 Comment

I recently read a film review, which I’ll discuss more below, and wanted to jot down some thoughts that I’ll probably return to and expand later.  A lot of this connects back to issues I've discussed before. Do you know about Feng Xiaogang? He’s widely referred to as the PRC’s “Box Office King,” with almost … Continue reading BACK TO 1942 or: FLOWERS OF WAR 2

Keanu Reeves and the Future of Martial Arts Cinema

~ munibrezaie ~ 8 Comments

I am a fan of Keanu Reeves. The Bill and Ted movies and cartoons were a childhood favorite. Speed blew my mind, and I’ll never forget that movie’s score. I walked out of The Devil’s Advocate (I was way too young and should have never been allowed in that theater in the first place!). And … Continue reading Keanu Reeves and the Future of Martial Arts Cinema