THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED (Tokyo International Film Festival Tokyo Japan 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

This Is Not What I Expected—a complete, over-the-top winner! KUDOS! ENCORE! ENCORE! It’s a one-in-a-million film that no one should miss seeing. Sweet, clean, and written for decency, it’s like a blowing wind of refreshment. It deserves its profit. Watch it. This is great work by Director Derek Hui from its first scenes to the last scenes where Zhou Dongyu pulls every possible nuance out of her part as she walks back and forth behind glass-pane doors waiting for Takeshi Kaneshiro to verbally state what she already knows. Terrific acting that completely transcends international borders and cultural differences makes this film a universal favorite. Despite an initial release in Mandarin Chinese, the movie sports good English subtitles that work exceptionally well for English-speaking audiences.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

In this light, comedy/romance ruthless entrepreneur and relentless gourmet Lu Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) acquires a Shanghai  hotel/restaurant, where 29-year-old Gu Sheng Nan (Zhou Dongyu) works as chef. Lu Jin ‘discovers’ Gu Sheng Nan’s outstanding culinary expertise and finds he cannot live without her Michelin-worthy gourmet cooking.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Derek Hui for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Peter Ho-Sun Chan and Yuet-Jan Hui for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Meng Xin-Jie (Yi-zhou Sun), Xu Zhao-Di (Ming Xi), Jin’s Father (Kuo-Chi Chang), Cheng Zi-Qian (Tony Yo-ning Yang), Gao Fu-Shuai (Xiaosong Gao), and Policeman (Yingjun Zhao).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This winning story will be well received by international audiences due to its terrific ability to touch the heart with the very human story of falling in love.  This is Not What I Expected is clean, decent, and playful. It takes viewers back to the time when Hollywood consistently produced light romances for the whole family with no ‘surprise’ explicit bed scenes or nudity. This movie deserves every KUDO and ENCORE it receives. It’s a one-in-a-million, quality international film that you don’t want to miss.

Video Critique Available:

Ben Meyers

THE WARLORDS (Theatrical Release China and Hong Kong 2007/2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.4|5.0 Starsì

The Warlords begins at the level of a two star movie. By the end of the first twenty minutes, it drops to a one star movie. The Warlords seems to drag on and on and ON. Rather than being a GREAT Chinese movie, it ends as a 'ho-hum' movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

After defeat, General Pang Qingyun (Jet Li) flees to outlying villages and attempts to organize the villagers into small bands of warrior-raiders.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Peter Ho-Sun Chan and Wai Man Yip for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Sanping Han, Peter Lam, and Andre Morgan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Zhao Erhu (Andy Lau), Jiang Wuyang (Takeshi Kaneshiro), Liansheng (Jinglei Xu), Huang Wenjin (Xiaodong Guo), Shi Jinbiao (Jacky Heung), Lord Chen (Zongwan Wei), Lord Jiang (Pao-Ming Ku), and Lord Di (Kuirong Wang).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. It fails to capture interest. Choose IP Man instead.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers