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jeff_v [ 7.0 ]
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Not to be confused with those silly horror/sci-fi films, this is Hou's biopic/documentary of Li Tienlu, a master puppeteer whose early life spanned the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. It's mainly interesting for its style, and how it's used to illuminate both Li's life and how it serves as a metaphor for Taiwan. Many would call this film an arthouse snoozer. A quick glance at the IMDb shows a wide gulf between critical and audience response, with most critics hailing the film as a masterpiece while the film receives a paltry 6.4 rating. I'm somewhere in between; it's not a compelling film, and it's one I respect and admire more than love, but it's obviously made by a filmmaker of great talent who successfully achieves his goals. Whether his goals match your preferences is another matter entirely.
I should note that this DVD sucks. Hou is known for his impeccable framing and the DVD is presented in a full-screen 1.33:1 format that butchers Hou's 1.85:1 frame. Also, the colors don't reproduce very well.
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| Weighted Rating | : 6.6 |
| No. Ratings | : 2 | |
| No. Reviews | : 2 | |
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