Chinese cinema

[ASaroch]

Maybe I'm alone in this, but I cannot help being thoroughly disappointed - not to mention bored - by mainland Chinese cinema (at least the ones set in the modern day). They seem to be really, really maudlin, taking themselves so pitifully seriously that they grind you down. 'My Sassy Girl II', 'The Kidnap', 'Choy Li Fut' and 'Underdog Knight' were all mind-numbing...
Anyone agree/disagree?

[Phil]

I've only seen 'Choy Li Fut' out of the ones you mention but I'd have to agree. It was very lightweight to say the least and had a squeaky clean image that seemed to prevent it from trying anything new or adventurous. It almost feels like the filmmakers are scared to do anything remotely exciting in case it offends the censors.

[Charlie Parker]

Chinese cinema is as dull as ditchwater to me, even something like 'Wind blast' that I thought would be cool was just shit.

[ASaroch]

Wind Blast is a good example - promises a lot but just seems to drag itself along like a zombie through quicksand. There's no pace at all.

[econdor]

Wind Blast is a good example - promises a lot but just seems to drag itself along like a zombie through quicksand. There's no pace at all.

Agreed Wind Blast was a serious let-down, the decent Chinese movies are thin on the ground but there are some that break the mould its just few and far between these days.

[ASaroch]

The historical films are still fairly good, but I'm very disappointed by anything else being released.

[Charlie Parker]

I don't really know what it is, but there's a genuine stiffness to a lot of the acting and camera work. blurgh.

[Jubilee]

I couldnt agree more Andrew (and gang).

My tendency would be to get political, but it's not good for my health, and we all know the stiffling powers of the mainland governent when it comes to both film-makers intentions, and final product. They wont really get behind your film, unless of course it's about CCP, then they'll give you all a day off work/college.

I can rarely get myself excited for any new Mainland movie. I just know that i'm going to be dealt plodding pace and black and white characters, and for we who've spent years in the world of HK Cinema (Tsui Hark Pace™ and plenty of shades of grey) it just doesnt cut it.

On a lighter note, there is one man: who can work within those constraints and always seem to deliver something worthwhile. Feng Xiaogang. So his films arent award baiting like Yimou's, but they do always intend to entertain. World Without Thieves, Aftershock, The Banquet, Assembly. All have good stuff in my opinion.

I'd also suggest Ning Hao (Crazy Stone, Mongolian Pingpong) and Guan Hu (Cow) as people to hold hope for.

My Sassy Girl 2 was horrific, though directed by the often servicable (and Hong Kong film-maker) Joe Ma (Funeral March, Love Undercover).

Johnnie To and Wai Ka Fai just managed a fairly servicable, often fun Mainland rom/com in 'Don't go Breaking My Heart' though. Did you see that Andrew?

[ASaroch]

Yeah I couldn't believe Joe Ma was behind 'My Sassy Girl II' - a good director mostly but an horrific film. I'm afraid 'Crazy Stone' bored me to tears as well as it just dragged along po-faced yet with 'wacky humour'.
I'm not even sure it's political - look how good the dramas were during the 80s while China was even more restrictive. It seems that an entertaining commercial film, something HK has been doing for decades, is impossible for them.

I just watched 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' Hannah. It was good but it was much more because of its HK vibe than its moments in Shanghai.