STOP PRESS!

[morsla]

I know a few people are planning to see Hero tonight, but I have a counter-proposal for you - see Hero later (it's showing for a while), and see BICHUNMOO tonight (it's showing for one night only at Chinatown, print courtesy of Eastern Eye cinema).

This is a big enough occasion that I'll be going along, the night before my thesis is due, if I can possibly finish a draft by tonight.

From one review...

"There is nothing like watching ten bad-to-the-bone black warriors in matching basket hats wading into a small army with swords at the ready."

The film screens at 7:45pm tonight, at the Chinatown Cinema (next to Village, on Bourke Street). Please pass this on to anyone who likes wuxia epics - the rare screenings at Chinatown need more support. Apart from one showing at the Astor, and an appearance at MIFF2003, this film ain't appearing elsewhere.

Annyoung haseo!

This Thursday 4 November, once again the monthly Classic Chinatown Double night crosses over from Hong Kong to Korea, with a single feature
presentation, and it's a ripper.

BICHUNMOO is a flying swordsman flick made in 2000. Clearly inspired by the wuxia films of the 1990s, the producers imported Hong Kong choreographer Ma Yuk-sing (Dr Wai) to handle all the swordfighting action - the resulting scenes of the hero cutting loose with sword, often accompanied by his band of black-clad round-hatted flying ninja band, are absolutely kick-arse.

The story is truly dynastic, with our lower class hero unable to marry the high-born girl of his dreams; as the years pass, he becomes a sworn enemy of her family. The stage is set for drama, tragedy and furious combat. In style, this film reminds me of Storm Riders, riding that same new wave of digital film-making; the lush colours and fantastic costuming make this a treat to watch, yet the fighting is a lot grittier. CG is used sparingly and tastefully; mostly it's good old wirework, and the thunk of steel on flesh, with added exploding enemies.

The 35mm print is from Eastern Eye; it's a rare occasion when we source a film from outside of the Chinatown collection, but this one is worth it. With only one screening at the Astor, and a few sessions at MIFF 2003, this is one film that deserves to be seen by many more people - you lot, for example! If you haven't been along for a while, this is definitely worth coming back for.

This review on Kung Fu Cinema is a pretty good write-up, and has some good pics:
"There is nothing like watching ten bad-to-the-bone black warriors in matching basket hats wading into a small army with swords at the ready." http://www.kungfucinema.com/reviews/bichunmoo.htm

For some more imagery from the movie, this site is from the film's cinema release in Hong Kong:
http://www.astprince.com/bichunmoo/

From Mark: "I reckon this film is better than Hero. Really. It has more heart, and more ninjas."

UPDATE: This film rocks. A full-size screen and surround sound make it all the better. Awesome stuff.

Comments

[bishi-wannabe.livejournal.com]

I'll come if miss_rynn wants to, but otherwise, I'll probably stick to watching it on DVD (we bought it ages ago, still haven't watched it...).

[futurelegend.livejournal.com]

ok, I'm sure Simon will understand that your proposal kicks his :)

is there some kind of food beforehand, like Ong's or something..?

[jaquiej.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to say, in case people are iffy over whether to go to BICHUNMOO or not, that this film really does KICK ASS!

I am probably not going, but that's because I currently have other non-movie-going plans. And I've seen it before.

Jye, can we borrow your DVD at some stage? There are some people I'd really like to show this movie to, but they are in study coma (not Matt, actually) currently.

[morsla.livejournal.com]

Nothing organised at the moment, although Mark will probably be at Red Silks - it seems to be the default eatery now.

I won't be going out to eat beforehand - I'm literally scraping together time to see this from what I can save from not blinking. I'll eat while typing, and during the film...

[bishi-wannabe.livejournal.com]

Well, by "we" bought it, I should probably have said "miss_rynn" bought it, in the way she will from time to time buy pretty-looking DVDs with a vague intention of watching them.

So I can't speak to its lendability :)

[sugar-plum-fair.livejournal.com]

Is Red Silks any good? Kiki and I had fried ice cream there once-turned me off forever:(

I'd go and see the movie tonight if I wasn't working:(

My brain officially went bonkers just now, right after the end of my gnetics exam-too much reading>_<

I'm listening the Ella Fitzgerald right now to get my mind away from things.

[futurelegend.livejournal.com]

write well.

..yeah, my plan was great, until I remembered that I'm tutoring this evening before the film. Fast sushi for me, I think.

[morsla.livejournal.com]

I like it. I've taken many people there since they opened, and the food is generally good - although a few people have trouble adapting from "traditional" mostly-chinese restaurant fare, to insane HK-canto-japanese fusion stuff.

I've had a few average things, and a few superb ones. Plus, service is pretty quick and the beer isn't too pricy :)

[sugar-plum-fair.livejournal.com]

hehe, i think it's the insane part of the fusion that turns most people off.

Don't get me started on how bad Thai food can be either.

When Kiki and I went there, the service was slow as! It's the upstairs restaurant right? I just wanna make sure I've got the right one.

[punk-rock-nerd.livejournal.com]

Simon now understands. And will be there.

[morsla.livejournal.com]

Cool. Fingers crossed (and wires crossed, and eyes if I stare at this screen much longer) I'll see you there.

[jaquiej.livejournal.com]

Cool.

It's not urgent. It's just that there are some movies that should be watched more.

I'll ask next time I see you guys in person.