Mulan

Hua Mulan
China (2009)
Starring:  Wei Zhao, Jaycee Chan, and Rongguang Yu
Awards:  Golden Deer (Changchun Film Festival 2010), Shanghai Film Critics Award (Shanghai Film Critics Awards 2010)

Mulan is another epic.  Epic in story, history, deeds, and the filming.  When I first watched this movie it reminded me of Joan of Arc.  It wasn't till a little later that I discovered Hua Mulan is a true historical Chinese figure dating roughly back to 300AD.

Hua Mulan, a woman who couldn't bear to see her aged father be called to battle sacrificed herself and went to fight for him.  Women of course weren't allowed in battle so she disguised herself as a man and took her father's place.  Legend has it that she fought for 12 years under his name.  A noble tale of sacrifice and honor.

I 100% enjoyed this movie.

Zhan gu - The Drummer

Zhan gu - The Drummer
Hong Kong/Taiwan (2007)
Starring:  Jaycee Chan, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Angelica Lee, Josie Ho, and Kenneth Tsang
Awards:  Golden Horse Award - Best supporting Actor (2007), Wine Country Film Festival - Best Feature Film & Best Actor (2009)

The son of a powerful triad gang leader through his own decisions turns his and his family's lives upside down.  After sleeping with the girlfriend of a powerful gang leader Sid is forced into seclusion as an alternative to losing his hands or his live.  Having been the drummer in a band he is drawn to the sounds of drumming echoing through the mountains in his exile.  The discovery of the Zen Drummers changes his life forever.

This movie was interesting.  There is a mix of some action with inspirational concepts buried in the story around the Zen Drummers.  It doesn't go so far as to be a spaghetti style Hong Kong triad movie and has a bit more action then your typical Buddhist inspired movie.  Such a balance is a difficult one to maintain in a movie and the did a decent job walking that fine line in this movie.