Cut Sleeve Boys
I met up with willariah this evening and headed down to Innis Town Hall to see Cut Sleeve Boys, part of the Reel Asian Film Festival. Directed by Ray Yeung (whom we met and directed the director up to Bloor for coffee), this British film centers on the lives of two gaysians, the hunky, muscle-obsessed Mel and the campy Ash as they proceed through their lives (and guys) after the death of their closeted best friend. This film is campy, laugh-out-loud funny, and endearing. To boot there is some fair sex scenes (woohoo dirty dancing in the tranny bar) and heartwarming moments. The one that stood out for me when Mel returns home to find his bf playing the piano. And of course there’s some good music along the way. My rating 7 out of 10.
Peking Turkey
This 12 minute short preceeded Cut Sleeve Boys. Michael Mew directs this Canadian short telling the story of Chris and Pierre who head Chris’ Chinese parents home for the holidays to break the news of their engagement. Though it was poorly acted, I thought, it did have a couple very funny lines. My rating 5 out of 10.
Huozhe (aka To Live)
I watched this wonderful gem of a movie, directed by Zhang Yimou back in 1994, on Wednesday. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes and starring Ge You and (sigh) Gong Li, it is a sweeping and moving drama, a Chinese Gone With The Wind. The story centres on Fugui (played by You) and the trials and tribulations he and wife Jaizhen (Li) face as China suffers through the Revolution from the 1940s to 1970s. Fugui, a gambler, loses everything as the film begins and as the years move on he discovers “to live” is everything. In the end, we and he realize what it life is all about: family. Beautiful filmed and directed, it does have the tinge of a Sunday night at the movies drama. My rating 7 out of 10.
AppsScraps 
hi naughty – thanks so much for the movie. the film was enjoyable enough; standard fare for a niche market. it irritates me when people scream “oh! the movie was the best! it was awesome. i loved it.” for a 7/10 film. what shell are these people living under!?!?!
well two 7 out of 10 is not bad. I do enjoy your reviews.
RYC: Thanks. I hope to include one as long as I have them
I’ve seen the last one you mentioned. I really liked it. And yes, hanging pictures can be a chalenge.
~Ben
ryc: i didn’t know they’re coming…so I “might” consider~! =)
helpful review…thanks.
nice to see you there…the movie is very good…love it
the first picture is so funny looking =]and for a moment…i thought that the girl in the second picture was actually a guy