The King of Masks
|
Our Price: $84.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $24.99 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of The King of Masks
Movie Review: CAN YOU FIGURE OUT HOW HE DOES IT?
Summary: 5 Stars
THE KING OF MASKS is the story of Wang Bianlian, an aging street performer, who is a master of the art of rapidly changing face masks (figure out how he does it) and has no heirs to pass on his art. In 1930's China, only males are deemed worthy of this inheritance and Wang has none (you learn why later in the film). He lives in poverty on his houseboat traveling from city to city in Sichuan along the river. He is proud of the fact he has never asked for money but always supported himself. A famous female impersonator (only men were allowed to perform so all women's roles were male impersonators) opera star is impressed with his art and becomes his friend and encourages him to find a son, so that his art will not die with him, even offering to partner with him and split the take if Wang will teach him the art but custom was that only a family member could inherit this craft. Wang goes into the black market to find a son. There are many girls for sale (nobody's buying them) and even being given away but he's looking for a son. He finds one and pays top dollar for him only to find out later that he should have checked all the parts because he has a daughter not a son. He is enraged and distraught at having been deceived. The rest of the story plays out what happens between him and 'Doggie', his daughter that he tries to disown, along with a few surprises thrown in. It apparently is based on a true story and gives you a wonderful look at China and its people and geography. Except for brief language this is a family film and children will love 'Doggie' and her struggle to survive in a male dominated world. A heart warming story of two people trying to make sense of the culture they live in. 5 STARS. [...]
Movie Review: "The Boss", Doggie! and the General!
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the best movies I've ever seen!
The King of Masks--aka "Boss" is an entertainer with the ability to change masks at lightning speed-and he performs with his monkey "The General"--wishing for an heir to pass his secrets on to--he comes upon a man willing to sell his "son"--after the purchase--his happiness fades when he finds out his "grandson" is actually a girl. Unwilling to teach a female his trade--he nearly banishes the young girl--but finally tells her she can earn her keep--but must refer to him as "The Boss"--no more "Grandfather"! The young girl who he now refers to as "Doggie"--suffers from his lask of compassion or love for her--mishaps occur which compound the situation--and when she finds him the grandson he longs for--things go terribly wrong.
Much more to the story than this--but a brief snynopsis so as not to ruin the entertainment for anyone who hasn't seen this great movie yet!
BTW--anyone who sees this movie and doesn't fall in love with "Doggie"--needs a heart transplant! Tremendous performance by a child actress!
Movie is subtitled in English--but even if you don't like subtitled movies--this one is worth the effort!
For those who've seen "The Way Home"--though the stories are very different--the substance is quite similar--in "The Way Home"--an aged grandmother seeks to win her spoiled grandsons affection--in "The King of Masks"--an adopted granddaughter seeks to win the affection of her spoiled grandfather. Each of these movies is excellent--buy or rent them both!
Movie Review: Excellent movie - highly recommend
Summary: 5 Stars
I've seen the King of Masks several times both in the Theatre and on DVD. After seeing it in the theatre, I called up several friends and talked them into watching it with me a 2nd time. Everyone thought it was a great movie. Of the many excellent foreign DVDs in my collection, it is the one I'm most likely to loan out to friends who may not be too into foreign films or subtitles -- everyone has like it so far. If you've watched it, you also know that this is a great film to encourage friends to *start* watching more independent / foreign films.
The general storyline is well described in the other posted reviews. The King of Masks combines an excellent storyline with excellent characters, scenes, and cinematography. In my opinion this movie is suitable for all ages.
Subtitles are clear and easy to read.
There are many genuinely touching scenes in the film that will tug at your emotions. All of the lead acting is excellent.
If I had to (this would be hard) recommend only one "foreign" film to someone out of all the films I've seen so far from various countries, this would probably be it.
A person comes away from this film experiencing all of the good things a foreign film can present: dialect, characters, scenes, culture, unique plot. A lot of excellent movies only hit on 3 or 4 of these; this one hits on all cylinders.
This is one not only for your library, but to loan your friends, including the ones that usually only watch Hollywood box office hits.
Movie Review: One of the greatest acting performance I've seen.
Summary: 5 Stars
Maybe I'm exaggerating after just seeing this movie, but the girl actor gave one of the greatest acting performance I've seen. On par with Deniro and Al Pacino.
It's ... incredible. Every emotion and movement is spot on. I could literally feel her apprehension, terror, hunger, guilt and remorse. I could sense what she was thinking.
Before people get bent out of shape about the child black market, you have to realize that civil war and flooding can put many poor families on the brink of starvation. Because of this they resorted to selling their sons or giving away their daughters (so the daughters won't starve).
Also remember that back then there was no contraception (so more kids), and no social safety net that at least assured your family wouldn't starve to death.
There are several biting criticisms of society in this movie:
1) Pervasive cultural sexism against women (even by other women).
2) No help for the poor or hungry.
3) The corruption of police, who often rather finish a case because it's convenient then really solve it. Who use torture to extract confessions.
The indictment on sexism is the most effective and biting. It's a shameful part of many cultures. Though in China, at least in the cities, severe sexism has been significantly reduced.
The idea here is that not every tradition is morally right or worth keeping. I believe the old man is in spirit the same as Huckleberry Finn.
Movie Review: Stubborness,rejection,acceptance,redemption-all in one!
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie, set between the 20's-30's is cute, sweet, if I may say as well as heartwarming. Since with all the great reviews given before me. I will not recap the story again. I watched this movie perhaps 5-6 times this year itself and I still love it. As for the quality of the DVD, I can't judge because the DVD version I saw was from Hong Kong distributor and is in its original widescreen format, so I am not complaining. Not only Granpa, Doggie and Master Liang are give good performances...my other favourite character is "General" and I'll give anything just to give him a big hug.I am also very fascinated by the old actor Zu Xhu,he is fantastic and I feel like he's almost like a grandpa to me. It is also because of him that I highly anticipated "Shower" which also starred him. The traditional chinese musical score is wonderful and quite meditative. I find the part near the end when Master Liang "drag diva" saved Doggie from that fatal drop a little dramatic...but that's Ok with me too. The heartwarming, final scene of acceptance melt me. The movie mainly took place around central China and Szechuan, and the Giant Buddha of Imei Shan depicted in the movie is a very popular destination for buddhist pilgrimage.
Yes, the women in modern China today are just as equal as the men. The soldiers depicted in the movie are normal, ordinary soldiers. They are not communist soldiers, yet.