Chinese House Academy
The very welcomed mandarin school in Ningbo！
1. Let the Bullets Fly (讓子彈飛 – Ràng Zǐ Dàn Fēi)What's it about?
Let the Bullets Fly is an ultra-violent dark comedy set during the roaring 1920’s. The plot centers around a bandit named Zhang AKA 『Pocky』, who arrives at a remote provincial town [think Western meets China] and adopts the identity of the town’s mayor. Trying to make a quick buck, Zhang soon finds trouble and meets his match with the local mob who is not about to let Pocky run their turf.
Why do I need to see it?
Let the Bullets Fly has the perfect balance of stylized ultraviolence and uproarious slapstick comedy
The film has a labrynthine, yet manageable, plot that involves hilarious impersonations and keeps the viewer on their toes until the dramatic finale
One of the all-time highest-grossing films in China
The Director re-wrote the script thirty-one times before he was satisfied with the final product; and this shows in the elabourate plot
2. Lost on Journey (人在囧途 – Rén Zài Jiǒng Tú)What's it about?
Chengong Li, an arrogant CEO of a toy corporation, is planning to head back to Changsha to celebrate the Chinese New Year with his family. His plans change when he accidentally books an economy seat on his flight home and finds himself sitting next to first-time flyer Geng Niu. Niu is a gullible migrant worker and is also setting out on a journey to return to Changsha to claim his defaulted wages from working as a milk-extraction technician. The clash of these two from extraordinarily different walks of life begins a comedy of errors as the two embark on a hilariously chaotic journey as they try to make their way back home.
Why do I need to see it?
Think of this movie as the Chinese 「Planes, Trains, and Automobiles」 with the unexpected pairing of the two leads, who must overcome their differences to arrive at their destination
The film provides a satirical commentary on contemporary Chinese culture touching on such topics as overcrowding, knock-off luxury goods, and the increasing gap between the rich and the poor
3. Love is Not Blind (失戀33天 – Shīliàn Sānshí Sān Tiān)What's it about?
A cynical take on the wedding planner rom-com; this one has a refreshingly bitter perspective when a wedding planner must endure happy couples after breaking up with her cheating boyfriend.
Why do you need to see it?
Love is Not Blind is a rom-com that manages to hit the mark of funny without being overly sappy or predictable
Rich, sumptuous cinematography and set design makes the film a treat to watch; one viewer said every scene
4. God of Cookery (食神 – Shíshén)What's it about?
If Gordon Ramsey were the lead character of the hit movie 「Chef」 that was in theaters last year, you might end up with something like God of Cookery. The story follows Stephen Chow (played by the real-life Stephen Chow of Shaolin Soccerfame), a pompous chef who has the title of the 「God of Cookery」. An understudy reveals that his achievements are actually a fraud, and Chef Chow has a serious fall from grace. Roles are reversed when Chow unites with a meek street vendor, and they work together to help Chow reclaim his title.
Why do you need to see it?
This movie retains Chow’s signature nonsensical comedic style, while delving into darker themes — it creates a truly complex, yet hysterical viewing experience
Kung Fu meets Master Chef film makes for an awesome melting pot of genres
5. Monga (艋舺 – Báng-kah)
What's it about?
Mongo is a Taiwanese film, taking place in the late eighties after the military dictatorship had ended. Mosquito, the narrator of the film, receives an invite to join a gang after he participates in a foolish fight over a chicken leg. Mosquito is intoxicated by the brotherhood and kinship he finds from the gang, yet soon begins to question the violence he finds himself surrounded by.
Why do you need to see it?
Stand by Me meets The Outsiders in this coming-of-age tale, that provides a unique historical perspective to post-dictatorial Taiwan
Won a slew of international awards; shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy awards; Monga has critical acclaim to back it up
6. Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (狄仁傑之通天帝國 – Dí Rénjíe Zhī Tōng Tīan Dì Gúo)What's it about?
Detective Dee is very loosely based on the mythical Chinese detective of the same name. The film is set during Empress Wu’s reign during the Tang Dynasty… and the historical similarity ends there. The stories centers around mysterious, grisly occurrences in which the townspeople are self-combusting. Empress Wu releases the infamous Detective Dee from prison to help solve the case, taking the viewer on a roller-coaster ride as he works against the clock to solve the 『mystery of the Phantom Flame』.
Why should you see it?
7. Red Cliff (赤壁 – Chìbì)What's it about?
John Woo directs this historical epic about a civil war between the 『Three Kingdoms』 thousands of years ago. General Cao Cao declares war against the rebellious southern provinces during the Han Dynasty. His intention of unifying the entire country soon hits a major roadblock: the two southern provinces form an alliance causing Cao’s army to be outnumbered. Cao must utilize complex formations and radical strategy to defeat the overwhelming number of troops.
Why should you see it?
The battle sequences are gigantic, with production value to match
Makes history a lot more badass AKA a lot more digestible; you will actually feel like you learned something after watching this film
Directed by John Woo, a director known for both directing both American AND Chinese blockbusters
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