Home :: DVD :: Hong Kong Action  

Action & Adventure
African American Cinema
Animation
Anime & Manga
Art House & International
Boxed Sets
Christian DVD
Classics
Comedy
Cult Movies
Documentary
Drama
Educational
Fitness & Yoga
Gay & Lesbian
Hong Kong Action

Horror
Independently Distributed
Kids & Family
Military & War
Music Video & Concerts
Musicals & Performing Arts
Mystery & Suspense
Romantic Comedies
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Special Interests
Sports
Television
Westerns
Ashes of Time

Ashes of Time

List Price: $29.95
Your Price: $26.96
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 >>

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: beautiful, but format counts
Review: This is without doubt my favourite Wong Kar-Wai film. It was brilliantly executed, beautifully set, and the story is very well thought out.

I'll have to agree with the previous post, however - the DVD edition of this movie is a travesty. They put a black bar over the old subtitles to make the new ones more readable - at the expense of 20% of the screen. The transfer is horrible, too.

My hearty recommendations for the VHS version, though - perhaps one day Tai Seng will do the DVD community justice with this title.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wong Kar Wai's best
Review: This too is my favourite Wong Kar Wai movie. The non-linear story of love, lost, betrayal and regret is achingly beautiful. The cinematography is stunning. It's almost worth watching the film just for that alone. That said, it's not an easy movie to watch at all. It's one of those that require repeated viewings. And it's definitely one of those that you either hate or love. There are actually 2 dvd versions of this movie. The one released by World (?) video is hideous. However, if you can find the one released by Mei Ah, I hear it's pretty good. I'm going to sell my horrid dvd version of the movie and try and pick up the Mei Ah version.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautiful Movie!
Review: This was an incredible film. Perhaps I'm biased simply because I AM Chinese; then again, everyone has to admit the plot was complex and well thought out. I have heard that some people did not understand the movie entirely and it is somewhat hard to comprehend. I was able to grasp the movie's meaning from the beginning only because I grew up hearing stories of Dong Shie and Ouyang Feng, characters by the popular author Jing Yong. Many people, not knowing the original story, do not realize that the movie tied together loose ends left by the author (such as why Ouyang and Hong hated each other from the start.) When I watched it, a sort of epiphany came over me. It was kind of like, "Ohhh!!! That's why he named the island Peach Blossoms!" Maggie Cheung was also wonderful in the movie--she appears in the last part of the film and the focus is only on her for a few minutes. However with only a few simple gestures and a red dress, she absolutely steals the spotlight.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Ashes of time, beer swilling SWINE!!
Review: Watching this movie you kind of go, "huh?" a lot. The narrative is very deconstructed and at times incredibly confusing (Wong Kar Wai really digs Goddard). Nonetheless there is some sort of magic going on in this thing, as you come to find with his movies.

Some of the fight scenes are really cool and I like the way he juxtaposed slow-mo with fast action. Although, to be honest, I did grow tired of the constant flashy slom-mo stuff. And the first half I didn't really enjoy becuase I just had no clue what was going on (I suggest reading the blurb on IMDB, I think it would prove beneficial). In the latter half though, I sort of got into a rythm and really enjoyed it. It slowed down and there were some nice moments with this hot chick lamenting about love, as well as some really pretty shots. He's got a great eye for great little details. The scene with the basket reflecting in the room is really cool.

So, all in all, when all the ten year old boys have been purged and abused, I think I give it a B.

I would also recommend, if you liked this, to watch Chungking Express and In the Mood or love. They're simpler and have more of the good stuff from this movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An Epic Tale Of Love And Tragedy
Review: When I first watched the movie, I was left wondering what the film was about. I didn't get it at all and only liked the music but my best friend kept telling me how much he preferred Ashes of Time to Fallen Angels and Chungking Express, all by the same director so I watched it again. And again, and again! The planets must have all been aligned that one night on my last viewing because I finally saw through the intricate, delicate plot and for a moment, I felt the rush of realization and it was intensely wonderful.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fantastic film, unsatisfying print! - VHS version
Review: Wong Kar-Wai provides the viewer with a string of well-written stories strung together by one central figure, much as he did with "Chungking Express." The central figure is a hermit who acts as an agent for roving mercenary samurai (called "ronin"). As for the make-up of the film, it plays out disjointedly, much as one might reflect upon memories. Much of the plot ties are unclear until much later in the film... as it was meant to be. This is a not-to-be-missed piece of art. Unfortunately, it would be better seen by broadcast, or in a local "art house" theatre, as the current VHS release offers many "blips" of pixelized distortion which makes it a chore to enjoy such a fabulous work.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An epic and poetic sword movie
Review: Wong Kar-Wai strikes again ! Fantastic costumes, great outdoors, amazing characters and epic swordfights. You'll find all these in this poetic movie. Let it take your mind thousand miles away, hundred years ago, and meet unbelieveable heroes.


<< 1 2 3 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates