Dintao' and 'Bang Bang Formosa' (film review)

Compiled by Fan Ruixin / Stills: Courtesy of the films’ distributorsText: Lin Yuting, Ed Kao and Lily Lai, The China Post

Now Showing

01/13 Contraband 24 mil. 24 mil.

01/13 Beauty and the Beast (3D) 18 mil. 18 mil.

12/15 Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol 11 mil. 186 mil.

01/13 Joyful Noise 11 mil. 11 mil.

12/23 Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 8.4 mil. 170 mil.

Prime Movies 3Friday, January 20, 2012

The China Post

★★★★☆ Black & White Episode I (痞子英雄首部曲：全面開戰)Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles

Action 2012 Taiwan 154 min.

Hero, a righteous but rash police officer, pursues a case that leads him to a chest of diamonds. Xu Da-fu, an unscrupulous middle-aged gangster, sets out to broker the diamonds, but is attacked by heavily armed gunmen. The duo, stuck together and on the run, must prevent the coastal city from being reduced to rubble.[Full title: Black & White Episode I: The Dawn of Assault]

Directed by Tsai Yueh-Hsun

With Mark Chao, Huang Bo, Angelababy, Ken Lin and Alex To

★★★☆☆ Contraband (禁運品)English with Chinese subtitles

Action 2012 USA 110 min.

After his brother-in-law botches a drug deal, Chris is forced back to his old profession of smuggling, re-entering a world he worked so hard to leave. To protect his loved ones, Chris heads to Panama to score millions of dollars in counterfeit bills.

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur

With Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Kate Beckinsale and Giovanni Ribisi

Rated R

★★★☆☆ Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf IV (喜羊羊與灰太狼4開心闖龍年)

Japanese with Chinese subtitlesAnimation 2011 Japan 87 min.

Far from the human world there is an island entirely populated by monsters who hide themselves from humans because of fear. Naki, the red ogre and Gunjo, the blue ogre, stumble upon a baby who somehow appeared on the island, and even consider taking care of him.

Directed by Takashi Yamazaki

With the voices of Shingo Katori, Koichi Yamadera, You, Seishiro Kato and Sadao Abe

★★★☆☆ Friends: Naki on the Monster Island (麻吉‧妖怪島)

Mandarin with Chinese subtitlesAnimation 2012 China 87 min.

In this fourth movie from the popular Chinese cartoon franchise, the Dragon Tribe gets involved with the Goat Tribe and the Wolf Tribe for an exciting adventure into fantastic worlds, putting a pause on the perpetual chase-and-run between Wolffy and the goats. [Full title: Mission Incredible: Adventures On The Dragon's Trail]

Directed by James, Choo Sung Pong

With the voices of Chou Bi-Chang, OD and A Niu

Now Showing

English with Chinese subtitles


When vampire warrior Selene awakes from a coma, the world has already changed with the rise of humans. An inevitable war is set to break out among the vampires, the Lycan clan and humankind.

Directed by Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein

With Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy and Theo James

Rated R

★★☆☆☆ Perfect Two (新天生一對)Mandarin with Chinese subtitles

Drama 2012 Taiwan 97 min.

Due to an accident, the once famous car racer, Bee, loses his career and wife. He gives up on himself and idles his days away. Everything seems to be at rock bottom, but the surprising arrival of his son, brought by his wife, leads Bee to a whole new life.

Directed by Chu Yen-ping

With Vic Chou, Ella Chen, Yang Mi, Chen Chusheng and Xiao Xiao Bin

★★★☆☆ My Dad is Baryshnikov (跳芭蕾舞的男孩)Russian with Chinese subtitles

Comedy 2011 Russia 88 min.

Boris Fishkin is a scrawny boy growing up in a single family who studies performing arts and is obsessed with ballet. By chance, he is given a banned VHS copy of "White Nights," the 1985 thriller starring a famous dancer, Mikhail Baryshnikov. Out of his childish fervor, he tells his classmates he's really Baryshnikov's illegitimate son, and when his pirouettes begin to improve, everyone starts to believe him.

Directed by Dmitry Povolotsky

With Vladimir Kapustin, Anna Mikhalkova and Lyudmila Titova

★★★☆☆ Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (地心冒險 2：神祕島)

Cantonese, Mandarin and English with Chinese and English subtitlesAction 2012 HK 120 min.

Following a failed mission in the Mid-East, international cop Jon Won (Jay Chou) learns that his long-lost father and older brother Wang Yang (Nicholas Tse) are both still alive. Now he must find them and stop evil plans.

Directed by Dante Lam

With Jay Chou, Nicholas Tse, Liu Kai Chi, Andrew Dasz and Bai Bing

★★★☆☆ Underworld: Awakening (決戰異世界：未來復甦3D)

★★★★☆ Anvil! The Story of Anvil (重金屬叔要成名)English with Chinese subtitles

Documentary 2008 Canada 80 min.

In 1982, one of the most important albums in heavy metal history was released, influencing generation of musicians. In 2006, after a fledging European tour, Anvil is about to continue their dreams and shake the world.

Directed by Sacha Gervasi

With Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Robb Reiner, Scott Ian and Lemmy

★★★☆☆ The Viral Factor (逆戰)

English with Chinese subtitlesAction 2012 USA 95 min.

Sean Anderson receives a coded distress signal from a mythical island filled with strange creatures, gold and more astonishing secrets. New teammates join him on a mission to find this mysterious island.

Directed by Brad Peyton

With Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Caine and Luis Guzmán

Rated PG

01/13 Black & White Episode I: The Dawn of Assault

(痞子英雄首部曲：全面開戰)6.8 mil. 7 mil.

12/15Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol

(不可能的任務：鬼影行動)4.8 mil. 141 mil.

12/23Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

(福爾摩斯：詭影遊戲)4.7 mil. 83 mil.

12/30The Girl with Dragon Tattoo

(千禧三部曲Ｉ：龍紋身的女孩)2.4 mil. 16 mil.

12/30 Puss in Boots (鞋貓劍客) 1.7 mil. 16 mil.

01/06 The Darkest Hour (黑暗時刻) 1.6 mil. 7.5 mil.

01/20 Din Tao: Leader of the Parade (陣頭) 910,000 910,000

01/13 Flying Dragon, Dancing Phoenix (龍飛鳳舞) 600,000 1.2 mil.

Source: © @movies (開眼電影網 ) http://www.atmovies.com.tw/

Taipei Box Office (NT$)

release date Title Last weekend Total

U.S. Box Office (US date and dollars)

To be released on Feb. 3Coming Soon




Man on a Ledge (驚天換日) Julia’s Eyes (盲眼謎情)

German with Chinese subtitlesComedy 2011 Germany 123 min.

Henry has been depressed because his career has been stagnating. To his surprise, however, he gets a fantastic job offer to co-write the screenplay of a bestselling novel together with Katharina, his ex-girlfriend. He intends to renew their relationship when an 8-year-old girl, Magdalena, shows up and turns his life upside down.

Directed by Til Schweiger

With Til Schweiger, Emma Schweiger, Jasmin Gerat and Samuel Finzi

★★★☆☆ Kokowääh (紅酒燉香雞)

Prime Movies2 3Friday, January 20, 2012

The China Post

ang Bang Formosa” (寶島大爆走), di-rected by Andy Luo An-de (羅安得), is a delightful road movie that moves boisterously through contemporary

Taiwan. Tan Yan-fei (譚豔妃), an affluent young woman

from Shanghai, comes to Taiwan for her gradua-tion trip, leaving her corporate executive father at home to fret about her safety. Upon her arrival, however, she is kidnapped and thrown into the trunk of a car.

Pon (澎仔), a middle-aged cop stationed at Taiwan’s southern tip, accidentally discovers her while chasing down auto thieves. After overcom-ing their initial language barrier and sorting out Tan’s identity with the help of colleagues, Pon takes on a mission to escort Tan to the airport to fly back to Shanghai and reunite with her father. Tan, however, brings Pon more trouble than he expects because she is super-excited by everything she sees and is in no hurry to go home. Pon’s own daughter, meanwhile, is working abroad as a model in a fashion photo shoot.

With his initial attempt to capture Tan now interrupted, Zhao-ba (趙霸), a godfather with the poise of a Zen master, sends out mass text mes-sages from the Chinese mainland to recipients in Taiwan, placing a bounty on Tan. Eccentricity and hilarity ensue as oglers for the bounty close in on Tan, and as Pon tries to protect her. The prospect

of reconnecting the daughter and the father ties the whole yarn together.

Colorful, Memorable Stereotypes Abound

Colorful, hyperbolic characters populate the film. Tan mingles merrily with retired grandmas and grandpas on tour bus excursions. Mean-while, the following contenders attempt to hunt her down — a French-educated “betel nut gang” lead by merciless femme fatale Sister Mei (梅姐), a brother-and-sister duo working at a shrimp fish-ing bar (釣蝦場) who have a dream of becoming glam rock stars, a handsome hunk who teaches at a rural school, and eventually Zhao-ba and his two assistants in disguise as local Taiwanese men wearing Hawaiian shirts.

The ensemble acting is solid. Dramatic veteran Pon Chia Chia (澎恰恰) is understated as the de-pendable leading man, leaving his more obtrusive comedic talents at the door. Tammy Chen Yi-rong (陳怡蓉) captivates as Sister Mei, killing with her seductive gaze. Jiu-kong (九孔) and Serena Fang (房思瑜) bring an eerily protean moral ambigu-ity to their brother-sister duo. Renee Yuan Xin-yu (苑新雨) brings fluent Shanghainese and a natural grace to her pampered character. Zhao

Li-xin (趙立新) gives godfather Zhao-ba a classi-cal, aristocratic air. Johnny Lu Si-ming (路斯明) is given little to do as Ma-hao (馬浩), the handsome wallflower that is salvaged mainly by the self-con-scious gags stemming from his capacity as “Prince Charming.”

Absurdist Humor and Brisk Pacing

Luo, who wrote and directed the film and ap-pears in a cameo near the film’s end, has a knack for extracting absurd, potent moments from the cultural bedlam of contemporary Taiwan.

“Bang Bang Formosa” has brisk pacing, a dry sense of humor, and a keen eye for satire. As if aware of its own artificiality, the film leads us to believe one situation after another, and wastes no time to deconstruct each as soon as we “get it.” Luo also uses occidental idioms with finesse, as in the opening spoof on the Hollywood thriller and the break-in scene scored with “Mr. Sandman.”

The result is richly layered, offering crowd-pleasing gags, sentimental cadences, and keen social observation. The discrepancy between ide-alistic slogans and muddy reality, for instance, is played up through the character of Little Ying (小應) Pon’s young supervisor.

Shifting capriciously among emotional registers and spinning out an unpredictable plot, the film keeps viewers engaged. It knows that it is over-the-top, and it works most of the time. One jarring failure, though, is the mawkish scene where Ma-hao justifies his motivation for going after the bounty. If the scene is meant as satire, it isn’t clear. The final plot twist also feels like one too many.

Cross-strait Tourism

The premise of a Shanghainese girl traveling to Taiwan gives mainland viewers more to relate to; it also licenses “Bang Bang Formosa” to parade many Taiwanese dioramas and items. A song listing Taiwanese delicacies — stinky tofu (臭豆腐), soft tofu dessert (豆花), oyster omelet (蚵仔煎) and fried chicken breast (炸雞排) to name a few — is featured several times. These gestures seem rather obligatory, as if being encouraged by the Tourism Bureau. The Chinese title for the main-land released is also tweaked (寶島奇遇記). Who, I wonder, are these gestures meant to delight? ■

‘Bang Bang Formosa’ (寶島大爆走) ► Directed by Andy Luo An-de / With Pon Chia Chia, Renee Yuan Xin-yu, Tammy Chen Yi-rong and Zhao Li-xin / Comedy / Taiwan / 2012 / 100 min. / Chi-

nese with English subtitles / ★★★★☆ / To be released on Jan. 27 /

Renewing the gods

in Tao: Leader of the Parade” (陣頭) is about renewing the spiritual cred-ibility of “Din Tao” by filling tradi-tional symbols with new inspirations,

and about reconciling rifts between generations, between rival troupes, and between cosmopoli-tan and homegrown cultures.

First, a primer. Din Tao in Hoklo Taiwanese, or zhentou (陣頭) in Mandarin, refers to a forma-tion of personas derived from Taiwanese folk-lore, often as part of a “temple assembly” (廟會), the festive gathering of believers and revelers. The film is named with ref-erence to the more martial variety of Din Tao, where the procession of divine gen-erals ward off, drive out, capture, or pun-ish evil influences, protecting the believers and the main deity they guard.

As such, Din Tao is often mysterious, solemn, and formidable. Mirroring the tri-bunals of Imperial China, the generals of-ten carry weapons, or tools for torture — represented by props today. “Initiating the face” (開臉) is the transformation of one’s identity from being human to being divine through costuming and rituals. Once this is done the medium should refrain from frivolous or pedestrian acts until the end of the ceremony.

Din Tao has been a force of communal bonding and mobilization in Taiwanese so-ciety, allowing people to communicate with and participate in the divine if they can muster tight teamwork, technical proficiency and physical and mental stamina.

Not to say that its past was ideal, today Din Tao has become associated with gangs, crimes and drugs. Hybridity with rave culture — includ-ing electronica and the use of ecstasy (MDMA-re-lated drugs) — has also given rise to “Electronica Nezha” (電音三太子), where individuals attired in the persona of Nezha dance to electronic beats. First popularized in Southern Taiwan, Electron-ica Nezha has been promoted internationally as a cool Taiwanese icon before its cultural signifi-cance can be put into words.

The Rundown

After studying music and drumming in Taipei for some time, A-Tai (阿泰) returns to his home in Taichung as a recuperation stop before head-ing off for the American dream. His father runs Chio-Tian (九天), a Din Tao troupe constituted of dropout students, and has all but given up on A-Tai; their relationship has been strained ever since A-Tai’s childhood.

Once again under the same roof, the two can hardly stand each other, and while other troupe members view the junior with suspicion, A-Tai’s mother tries to put out their short fuses.

To save face following a rash bet, A-Tai takes authority as the troupe leader in his father’s place and must prove his worth within six months, defending his family’s name and earn-ing respect from existing members.

On the other side of the bet looms quick-tempered protégé A-xian (阿賢), who threatens to sabotage Chio-Tian, being jealous that A-Tai gets to lead a troupe with no prior experience while he can only watch eagerly under his own father’s shadow.

Having lived away from home, A-Tai wants to bring unorthodox elements to Din Tao. He rejects traditional deities and their tainted con-notations of unwholesome gangster culture. He wants the troupe to be unique, but not avant-garde in a way that the crowd wouldn’t under-stand. He takes Chio-Tian on a journey over var-ious terrains around Taiwan, attracting media attention and raising his father’s conservative eyebrow.

Supporting Characters Enrich Narrative

Much of the film’s narrative interest stems from the quirks of Chio-Tian members — Min-Min’s (敏敏) self-assurance, Maria’s (瑪利亞) flamboyance, A-shin’s (阿信) natural charm, Pear’s (梨子) autistic wisdom, and Betel-nut Cheng’s (檳榔成) self-deprecation, to name a few.

A-Tai’s inner transformation into a true leader, however, is unconvincing. He did much to revamp the group and won critical praise no doubt, yet in a crucial conflict with A-shin, he did not fully own up to his own wrongdo-ing. Meanwhile, the character of Pear seems contrived for the sake of generating surprising

insights and moving the plot forward.

The Venerable Old Master Says …

Inter-generational drama is prevalent in Tai-wanese cinema today, as seen in this year’s “Flying Dragon, Dancing Phoenix” (龍飛鳳舞) and “The Soul of Bread” (愛的麵包魂). While “Din Tao” moves adeptly to cover this theme, it serves up too neat of a verdict by means of a deux ex machina who shows up just in time to endorse the young pioneers and chastise their traditional fathers.

Fiction Versus Real Life

In making “Din Tao,” director Feng Kai (馮凱) fictionalizes the ongoing, true story of the Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe (九天民俗技藝團). Since its found-ing in 1995 by Hsu Chen-Jung (許振榮), Chio-Tian has been guiding school drop-outs onto more promising careers.

The troupe’s training regimen includes running six miles daily, hundreds of push-ups and sit-ups, hours of drumming, mar-tial arts, meditation and studies on Tai-wanese culture. In recent years, Chio-Tian has performed at national ceremonies and other public events. The film’s closing credits bridge the gap between fiction and fact with footages of Chio-Tian members

crossing the Sahara desert last year, carry-ing a Nezha costume that weighs 17 kilo-grams.

Divinity in Transformation

A-Tai declares an ideal of establishing a Din Tao troupe that “earns respect without initiating the face and posing as gods” (不用開臉, 不用扮神, 也讓人看的起). That, however, is only half the truth. The film itself is an effort to define new gods through the power of mass media, rock music, and arena-scale pyrotechnics. To this one wonders: are the traditional images and prac-tices really so unsalvageable that they must be thus displaced?

In the film, A-Tai and Choi-Tian reach the crowd through a news reporter who speaks in lilt-ing Mandarin and is unfamiliar with indigenous cultures. But never mind who is granting the scepter of legitimacy in Taiwanese society today. By the end, I have been won over by the film’s at-tempt to renew age-old inspiration through pull-ing all the novel bells and whistles. ■

‘Din Tao: Leader of the parade’ (陣頭) ► Directed by Fung Kai / With Alan Kuo, Alien

Huang and Crystal Lin / Drama, Comedy / Taiwan / 2012 / 124 min. / Chinese with English

subtitles / ★★★☆☆ / Now Showing /

Movie Review

By Lin yuting

The China Post

Based on a true story, ‘Din Tao’ fills traditional symbols with new inspirations

Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei

Discover the ‘Jumping Dragon Howard Suite Package’

During the Chinese New Year, the Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei (台北福華大飯店) is promoting its “Jumping Dragon Howard Suite Package.” The two-room special promotion starts from only NT$8,888 and comes with two to four free breakfast and facility upgrades.

The package offers the choice of a Club Deluxe Suite and Club Junior Suite. Free refreshments, newspaper, the use of the gym, spa and free parking are also included. Every additional night will cost NT$1,000 from Jan. 23 to Jan. 28. ■

► For more information please call: (02) 2700-2323.

Hotel Royal Taipei

Discover Chinese New Year accommodation packages

Hotel Royal Taipei (老爺大酒店) is introduc-ing three accommodation packages for families who will spend a night in a Superior Room (精緻套房) from now through Feb. 29.

Package No. 1, priced at NT$9,000, can ac-commodate two adults and two children with-out breakfasts. Meanwhile, Package No. 2 costs NT$10,550, and can accommodate two adults and one child with three breakfasts, while Package No. 3 is good for two adults and two children. The latter is priced at NT$10,900 with four breakfasts. ■

► For more information or reservations, please call: (02) 2523-8000 ext. rooms.

Splendor Kaohsiung

Enjoy a splendid view during your family reunion dinner

The Splendor Kaohsiung (高雄金典酒店) pro-vides reunion dinner options for families of all sizes. A table serving 12 courses is priced at NT$13,999 and is good for a family of 12. Add an additional NT$3,999 for a night in a Deluxe Family Room (家庭市景客房), which can accom-modate between three and four tenants with complimentary breakfasts.

A table for six is priced at NT$7,500, includ-ing 12 dishes. With an additional NT$2,999 comes a night in the Deluxe Room (豪華市景客房) for one or two tenants. Breakfasts are also complimentary. ■

Pacific Sogo Department Stores

Kick-start the Year of the Dragon with a Lucky Bag

The Pacific Sogo Department Stores Co. Ltd. (太平洋崇光百貨) is inviting everyone to kick-start the Year of the Dragon with a Lucky Bag (福袋) or Fu-kubukuro in Japanese.

From Jan. 23 to 25, the three SOGOs in Taipei have prepared up to 30,000 Lucky Bags, which includes Crystal Ball, Mimo, cloths, household com-modities and 3C products, and many more choices.

For a simple flat rate, you may have a chance to win an iPhone 4S, five-star hotel vouchers, a Just Diamond necklace and the grand prize of a SWIFT 1.4 GLX that is worth NT$626,000. ■

Sheraton Taipei

Enjoy different styles of family reunion dinner

Sheraton Taipei Hotel (台北喜來登大飯店) is celebrating the coming Year of the Dragon with different styles of reunion dinners.

From Jan. 23 through Jan 29, guests can choose to dine at The Guest House (請客樓), which is well-known for Chinese-style dishes that require tireless preparation, or enjoy Japanese-style cuisine at Momoyama (桃山) for a set lunch and dinner priced at NT$1,280 and NT$1,480, respectively. Sukhothai, the Thai-style restaurant on the second floor also offers a table for 10 at NT$ 18,000. ■

Westin Taipei

Enjoy a ‘Dinner for Couples in Love’ for Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day just weeks away, book a Valentine’s date at the Westin Taipei (台北威斯汀六福皇宮) and enjoy a “Dinner for Couples in Love” at Danieli’s Italian Restaurant (丹耶澧義大利餐廳).

The “Dinner for Two” special is now only NT$8,999 plus a 10-percent gratuity. And from Feb. 10 to 14, the “Forever Lovers” suite pack-age will be NT$9,999 plus a 10-percent gratu-ity. The suite comes with “The Heavenly Bed” for a great romantic experience. ■

CONSUMER HIGHLIGHTS Text: Huang Yu-chun and Tang Hsiang-yi, Supplement writers / Photos: Courtesy of the advertisers

“Din Tao: Leader of the Parade” renews the spiritual credibility of “Din Tao” by filling traditional symbols with new inspirations. Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Taiwan

“D

A straight-up action picture may sound un-usual coming from Steven Soderbergh, but as he has demonstrated repeatedly

throughout his career, he is keen to experiment with every genre imaginable. And if you look closely at his latest, “Haywire,” you’ll find it re-veals glimmers of some of his greatest hits.

It is a revenge thriller like “The Limey” (and comes from the same screenwriter, Lem Dobbs). It features a color-coded palette scheme to cor-respond with each new location in this globe-trotting tale, like “Traffic” (天人交戰). It has a ‘70s-style aesthetic sensibility reminiscent of “The Informant!” (爆料大師) It boasts an all-star cast like Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s” (瞞天過海) movies, “Full Frontal” (正面全裸) and, most recently, “Con-tagion” (全境擴散). But at its center is an actress

who never had appeared in a major feature film before, like “The Girlfriend Experience” (應召女友) and “Bubble” (泡沫).

So since we are in the midst of making com-parisons, we will just say that “Haywire” feels like minor Soderbergh: zippy, hugely entertaining and well-crafted as always (since he once again serves as his own cinematographer and editor), but not one of his more important films in the broad scheme of things.

It does, however, mark the auspicious film de-but of MMA superstar Gina Carano as special-ops bad-ass Mallory Kane. Carano had never acted before, and not only did she do all her own stunts, she had to do them in a way that she wouldn’t in-jure her male co-stars, including Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender and Channing Tatum. Her dialogue delivery may seem a bit stiff, and she has acknowledged that Soderbergh made some tweaks to her voice in post-production, but she has tre-mendous presence: an intriguing mix of muscular power and eye-catching femininity.

Mallory works for a private contractor that per-forms secret missions for the U.S. government. Her latest required her and her team to rescue a Chinese journalist who’d been kidnapped and was being held captive in Barcelona. The mission itself (pretty much) went down as planned, but afterward she finds she has been set up. Now, her task is to figure out who has double-crossed her and why.

All of this takes place out of chronological order as it hops around between upstate New York, Barcelona, Washington, Dublin, the scrub-brushed buttes of New Mexico and a Mexican beach at sunset. (That last location is one of the most beautiful, with the warm, jagged rocks serv-ing as a striking backdrop for one of the film’s most intense fights.) Mallory tells her story to the poor schmo whose car she has to borrow (played by Michael Angarano) for escape; it’s intentionally disorienting, but that’s part of the fun.

Among the excellent cast, McGregor plays Mal-lory’s obviously slimy boss, with whom she shares

some sort of her nebulous romantic history. Tatum is her partner on the Barcelona job, who may or may not be trustworthy. Fassbender is the British agent with whom she is asked to team up on a follow-up mission; their scenes smolder with an old-school James Bond sense of glamour and intrigue, as well as danger. Michael Douglas plays Mallory’s government contact and the one person she seems to be able to trust aside from her father (Bill Paxton) who, like her, is a former Marine. And Antonio Banderas is her Spanish connection, a role he plays in almost as cartoon-ish a fashion as his “Puss in Boots” character.

Regardless of the setting, the opponent or their motives, Soderbergh is smart enough to empha-size Carano’s strengths. He lets the elaborate fight scenes play out, lets us see every kick, punch and body slam, without a lot of needless edits and even without any music. The battles provide their own rhythm, and afterward you may feel as if you’ve been worked over as well. But in a good way. ■

Movie Review

By Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Carano kicks butt in ‘Haywire’ film debutIt reveals glimmers of some of Steven Soderbergh’s greatest hits

‘Haywire’ (即刻反擊) ► Directed by Steven Soderbergh / With Gina Car-ano, Michael Fassbender, Channing

Tatum, Michael Douglas, Antonio Ban-deras and Ewan McGregor / Action / USA / 2011 / 93 min. / Rated R for

some violence / English with Chinese subtitles / ★★★☆☆ / Now Showing

Courtesy of CatchPlay

Traveling cross-strait‘Bang Bang Formosa’

aims to delight all with brisk absurdist humor

In “Bang Bang Formosa,” Taiwanese cop Pon and Shanghai girl Tan are on the run from bounty hunters. Courtesy of ATOM Cinema

Movie Review

By Lin yuting

The China Post

“B

Tammy Chen Yi-rong


Now Showing

01/13 Contraband 24 mil. 24 mil.

01/13 Beauty and the Beast (3D) 18 mil. 18 mil.

12/15 Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol 11 mil. 186 mil.

01/13 Joyful Noise 11 mil. 11 mil.

12/23 Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 8.4 mil. 170 mil.

Prime Movies 3Friday, January 20, 2012

The China Post

★★★★☆ Black & White Episode I (痞子英雄首部曲：全面開戰)Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles

Action 2012 Taiwan 154 min.

Hero, a righteous but rash police officer, pursues a case that leads him to a chest of diamonds. Xu Da-fu, an unscrupulous middle-aged gangster, sets out to broker the diamonds, but is attacked by heavily armed gunmen. The duo, stuck together and on the run, must prevent the coastal city from being reduced to rubble.[Full title: Black & White Episode I: The Dawn of Assault]

Directed by Tsai Yueh-Hsun

With Mark Chao, Huang Bo, Angelababy, Ken Lin and Alex To

★★★☆☆ Contraband (禁運品)English with Chinese subtitles


After his brother-in-law botches a drug deal, Chris is forced back to his old profession of smuggling, re-entering a world he worked so hard to leave. To protect his loved ones, Chris heads to Panama to score millions of dollars in counterfeit bills.

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur

With Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Kate Beckinsale and Giovanni Ribisi

Rated R

★★★☆☆ Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf IV (喜羊羊與灰太狼4開心闖龍年)

Japanese with Chinese subtitlesAnimation 2011 Japan 87 min.

Far from the human world there is an island entirely populated by monsters who hide themselves from humans because of fear. Naki, the red ogre and Gunjo, the blue ogre, stumble upon a baby who somehow appeared on the island, and even consider taking care of him.

Directed by Takashi Yamazaki

With the voices of Shingo Katori, Koichi Yamadera, You, Seishiro Kato and Sadao Abe

★★★☆☆ Friends: Naki on the Monster Island (麻吉‧妖怪島)

Mandarin with Chinese subtitlesAnimation 2012 China 87 min.

In this fourth movie from the popular Chinese cartoon franchise, the Dragon Tribe gets involved with the Goat Tribe and the Wolf Tribe for an exciting adventure into fantastic worlds, putting a pause on the perpetual chase-and-run between Wolffy and the goats. [Full title: Mission Incredible: Adventures On The Dragon's Trail]

Directed by James, Choo Sung Pong

With the voices of Chou Bi-Chang, OD and A Niu

Now Showing

English with Chinese subtitles


When vampire warrior Selene awakes from a coma, the world has already changed with the rise of humans. An inevitable war is set to break out among the vampires, the Lycan clan and humankind.

Directed by Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein

With Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy and Theo James

Rated R

★★☆☆☆ Perfect Two (新天生一對)Mandarin with Chinese subtitles

Drama 2012 Taiwan 97 min.

Due to an accident, the once famous car racer, Bee, loses his career and wife. He gives up on himself and idles his days away. Everything seems to be at rock bottom, but the surprising arrival of his son, brought by his wife, leads Bee to a whole new life.

Directed by Chu Yen-ping

With Vic Chou, Ella Chen, Yang Mi, Chen Chusheng and Xiao Xiao Bin

★★★☆☆ My Dad is Baryshnikov (跳芭蕾舞的男孩)Russian with Chinese subtitles

Comedy 2011 Russia 88 min.

Boris Fishkin is a scrawny boy growing up in a single family who studies performing arts and is obsessed with ballet. By chance, he is given a banned VHS copy of "White Nights," the 1985 thriller starring a famous dancer, Mikhail Baryshnikov. Out of his childish fervor, he tells his classmates he's really Baryshnikov's illegitimate son, and when his pirouettes begin to improve, everyone starts to believe him.

Directed by Dmitry Povolotsky

With Vladimir Kapustin, Anna Mikhalkova and Lyudmila Titova

★★★☆☆ Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (地心冒險 2：神祕島)

Cantonese, Mandarin and English with Chinese and English subtitlesAction 2012 HK 120 min.

Following a failed mission in the Mid-East, international cop Jon Won (Jay Chou) learns that his long-lost father and older brother Wang Yang (Nicholas Tse) are both still alive. Now he must find them and stop evil plans.

Directed by Dante Lam

With Jay Chou, Nicholas Tse, Liu Kai Chi, Andrew Dasz and Bai Bing

★★★☆☆ Underworld: Awakening (決戰異世界：未來復甦3D)

★★★★☆ Anvil! The Story of Anvil (重金屬叔要成名)English with Chinese subtitles

Documentary 2008 Canada 80 min.

In 1982, one of the most important albums in heavy metal history was released, influencing generation of musicians. In 2006, after a fledging European tour, Anvil is about to continue their dreams and shake the world.

Directed by Sacha Gervasi

With Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Robb Reiner, Scott Ian and Lemmy

★★★☆☆ The Viral Factor (逆戰)

English with Chinese subtitlesAction 2012 USA 95 min.

Sean Anderson receives a coded distress signal from a mythical island filled with strange creatures, gold and more astonishing secrets. New teammates join him on a mission to find this mysterious island.

Directed by Brad Peyton

With Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Caine and Luis Guzmán

Rated PG

01/13 Black & White Episode I: The Dawn of Assault

(痞子英雄首部曲：全面開戰)6.8 mil. 7 mil.

12/15Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol

(不可能的任務：鬼影行動)4.8 mil. 141 mil.

12/23Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

(福爾摩斯：詭影遊戲)4.7 mil. 83 mil.

12/30The Girl with Dragon Tattoo

(千禧三部曲Ｉ：龍紋身的女孩)2.4 mil. 16 mil.

12/30 Puss in Boots (鞋貓劍客) 1.7 mil. 16 mil.

01/06 The Darkest Hour (黑暗時刻) 1.6 mil. 7.5 mil.

01/20 Din Tao: Leader of the Parade (陣頭) 910,000 910,000

01/13 Flying Dragon, Dancing Phoenix (龍飛鳳舞) 600,000 1.2 mil.


Taipei Box Office (NT$)


U.S. Box Office (US date and dollars)

To be released on Feb. 3Coming Soon




Man on a Ledge (驚天換日) Julia’s Eyes (盲眼謎情)

German with Chinese subtitlesComedy 2011 Germany 123 min.

Henry has been depressed because his career has been stagnating. To his surprise, however, he gets a fantastic job offer to co-write the screenplay of a bestselling novel together with Katharina, his ex-girlfriend. He intends to renew their relationship when an 8-year-old girl, Magdalena, shows up and turns his life upside down.

Directed by Til Schweiger

With Til Schweiger, Emma Schweiger, Jasmin Gerat and Samuel Finzi

★★★☆☆ Kokowääh (紅酒燉香雞)

Documents

Dintao' and 'Bang Bang Formosa' (film review)