07-28-2020, 12:10 PM
You know all those Christian films I had to watch growing up? Well, here's a Buddhist one. It was refreshing to watch for me.
Set in the Tang Dynasty (800 CE period), this is the legend behind the establishment of Mount Putuo as a major Guanyin sacred place. It's a bit preachy, with dialog that constantly pauses to retell myths. There's a nice incarnation metaphor with Little Lotus and some decidedly Buddhist special effects. This has the blessing of several PRC Buddhist leaders. There are several interwoven plots - a precious Guanyin statue by an elderly master craftsman being guarded by his grandkids, a princeling on the run, a Japanese monk hoping to acquire said statue for his queen. Where it shines is the locations - some gorgeous temples and altars as settings. It's a beautiful film in that regard. And the epilogue scene really worked for me, bringing it all to modern day Putuo. I've never been there - it's not really on my bucket list and that's just as well because I doubt I'll return to China.
Sword fights! Very wire-fu style and kinda sanguineous given the topic. Not particularly DOOM recommended, not even for DOOM sinocinephiles.
Set in the Tang Dynasty (800 CE period), this is the legend behind the establishment of Mount Putuo as a major Guanyin sacred place. It's a bit preachy, with dialog that constantly pauses to retell myths. There's a nice incarnation metaphor with Little Lotus and some decidedly Buddhist special effects. This has the blessing of several PRC Buddhist leaders. There are several interwoven plots - a precious Guanyin statue by an elderly master craftsman being guarded by his grandkids, a princeling on the run, a Japanese monk hoping to acquire said statue for his queen. Where it shines is the locations - some gorgeous temples and altars as settings. It's a beautiful film in that regard. And the epilogue scene really worked for me, bringing it all to modern day Putuo. I've never been there - it's not really on my bucket list and that's just as well because I doubt I'll return to China.
Sword fights! Very wire-fu style and kinda sanguineous given the topic. Not particularly DOOM recommended, not even for DOOM sinocinephiles.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse