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Reviews
The Imperial Cat (2021)
A winner
Acting on the orders of Prefect Bao Zheng, Zhan Zhao embarks on a journey to Xiangzhou to handle a case. Upon his arrival, an unexpected incident unfolds, marked by the death of a blacksmith. During his investigation, Zhan unearths the disturbing truth that the blacksmith's demise was orchestrated by Qi Yong, the ruthless and audacious nephew of the Minister of Rites. Assisted by two local constables, Zhan Zhao is resolute in his determination to bring Qi to justice, although the task ahead will be far from easy.
Plot unfolds at a brisk pace, production values are high with lighting, costumes, actors all contributing seamlessly. Swordsman, Mr. Zhan, is involved in several fast action skirmishes throughout the movie - he's an investigator who is a masterful fighter too.
The Case of Bai Jiang (2021)
Detectives in Ming China
The plot is so well structured here. The unexpected death of a young Prince and the arrest of his aged physician starts things moving. The storyline is then continued as a mysterious event that happened between the untimely demise of the Zhengde Emperor and the succession to the reign of the Jiajing Emperor.
The most likely heir, a nephew, has himself unexpectedly died though he had seemed to be recovering from an illness! The skilled physician who was attending him comes under suspicion. Though his white ginger remedy is not known to have any side effects or dangerous interaction with other substances, two detectives will puzzle out the deception. Using investigative teamwork to sort out evidence they are tricked and ambushed and must fight for their lives.
Lan Ling Wang zhi Qi xue daofeng (2021)
excellent plot, some intense battles but story is key
Conflict between characters is set up quickly. When she is a child, Duan Mulan's father, the former general Duan Shao, is killed by eunuch He Shikai. A friend, General Hu Luguang found her and helped her. He was also an important figure in raising Gao Changgong who later is known as General Gao Changgong (also Lord/Prince/King Lanling) a fit and able warrior/general who is falsely accused of souring the wine to be served to His Majesty. His beloved brother dies soon after volunteering to taste the wine before it is served to His Majesty. Trouble-maker eunuch He Shikai (a magician lute player) continues plotting. His music/magic is employed to induce hallucinations and he tries to get His Majesty to sign an order of abdication. Duan Mulan is ready to avenge her father. Gao Changgong will fight the traitor.
Avengement (2021)
Action against the Western Depot
Plot is very well-formed - the recently created Western Depot, Ming Dynasty Chengua period 1465-1488, has been systematically spying on and persecuting citizens instead of protecting them. Mu Tong is asked for an account book at a deceptively friendly meeting with his superior Hu then is betrayed and attacked at his home.
The fight scenes are very very good throughout the movie. Antagonists and heroes are skilled and the maneuvers deftly choreographed.
His very young son escapes, flees, lives. The child finds aunt Xiao who then deeply mourns Mu Tong and adopts the little boy. He is taught reading and writing and Kung Fu at her armed escort training center and given the new name YiDe.
Seeking to avenge his parent's murders grown-up XiDe robs a government officials house of their account book. A "boss" stops by the government officials house where the staff is found bound and not remembering what happened. The Zhen An city's riches house was also robbed without hurting anyone and the government officials house was the third one to have been so robbed. Southern City richman Guo's case officer's home had been robbed and money thrown in the street to be redistributed to the people.
Turtle-god clue left by robber is used by, now one-eyed, Boss Hu to further persecute the people and find the robber.
Period atmosphere and settings are consistent throughout, cinematography is high quality. Not to be missed!
Jianghu biao ke (2021)
Citizen is "called" into guard duty
The viewer is introduced to a young man threading his way through the trials of small town poverty and a gangster presence. A chase scene puts him on a course to unintentionally win the position of captain of the Escort Bureau, a position the likes of which he has not been trained for and may be unsuited for.
His intelligence, wiles, and charm begin to show and he marshalls himself to fit the position - and acquire material benefits . Still, with his being short on courage and martial arts skills, the expectations are challanging. Plot unfolds when contents of the escorted treasure box turn the tables on everyone.
Yin yang sha (2020)
The missing account book
The movie is set during the long reign of the Jiajang Emperor (reigned 1521-1567) of the Ming Dynasty. Li Xin is arrested at his home for the murder of a late-Jiajang period Ming Dynasty official. He is captured after resisting and fighting two-on-one. He will escape prison motivated to find the truth.
Zhao Chongren had been transferring money for Yan Song. He handled the silver Yan Song had embezzled. Now the court is going to purge Yan Song and his followers. Mr. Wu has the account book containing evidence of bribes officials paid Yan Song. Mr. Wu wants his young daughter to take the account book to the capital and deliver it in person to Mr. Sima.
Rusty Blade (2022)
Finely wrought swordplay
Good fighting moves shown by both adversaries and heroes. Skillfully and smoothly enacted evade and attack sword fight circling with some muscly shoving and hilt punches.
The plot serves well to drive the action as well as to show quieter, behind the fight-life, scenes where character's are rounded out and home life or personal motive is put forward. Plot effectively reveals haves and have-nots cultural setting without overuse of costumes, bureaucrat's posing, and palacial sets to weigh-down the story.
Crew of four swordsmen make a trim, mobile, cohesive force to carry out a key mission needed to sustain each man.
The Vanished Jade Seal (2022)
A very interesting plot.
Historical fiction involving the founder of the Ming Dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor 1368-1398, and his eldest son's son, heir to the throne. The aged and increasingly senile Emperor has put orders in action to remove threats to his choice of heir. This includes removing his other sons, the "Princes", and his own royal guards. He sees threats everywhere.
The missing Imperial Seal business gets characters and action going with the commander of the royal guards ordered to find the seal. Swordplay choreography is a little juttery but overall satisfying, royal guards and their allies the secret Taoist monks dominating attackers.