jackson yee

RESURRECTION Review: An Exquisite, Floating Dream For True Cinephiles

In a post-apocalyptic future where humanity has given up on dreaming, a woman uses old cinematic techniques to help a dying monster live different lives across a century. Through distinct dream chapters, the film explores the six senses recognized in Buddhist thought: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and mind. Following the hypnotic Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Bi Gan returns with an even more ambitious project. As if turning on an old cinema projector, the director invites the audience into a visually inventive journey through different eras of cinema with Shu Qi as master of ceremonies and Jackson Yee wandering through the screen as a spiritual guide for the audience. The film flows like a disjointed dream—an exquisite display of crafty skills that pays homage to German Expressionism, Akira Kurosawa, and Orson Welles. It culminates in a final, masterful long take delivered with the precision of a true artisan. This […]

THE BATTLE AT LAKE CHANGJIN Review: An Immersive Patriotic Wartime Epic

Lee B. Golden III

The concept of watching three hour movies is nothing new. All the same however, neither is the shared sentiment of arduously watching a movie with such an extenuating runtime, although whatever the case may be, a film like The Battle At Lake Changjin is just the kind of film you would expect to see have three major directors on board. The Chen Kaige/Tsui Hark/Dante Lam-helmed Korean War period epic immerses moviegoers into this latest chapter from world history, one that’s become a major global box office hit as the most expensive mainland-produced Chinese film. Its ceremony hasn’t been without its share of disaccord, however, in the wake of dissenting opinions and criticism regarding historical accuracies and brouhaha over its inherently propagandistic overtones and nature. Do with those aspects what you will, regardless of your culture or creed. The Battle Of Lake Changjin certainly lends quite the bang for the box […]

BETTER DAYS: Derek Tsang’s Touching New Drama Will Open In North America On November 8

Lee B. Golden III

Derek Tsang’ riveting new drama, Better Days, will finally have its U.S. theatrical bow on November 8 from Well Go USA. The move is the latest milestone for the film which befell China censorship over the summer among other titles this year. Since its June 27 release lapse, Better Days opened in China instead on October 25 starring Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee in an emotionally captivating, picaresque tale of social and urban strife, and love between a bullied, abused school girl struggling to prep for final exams, and the small-time criminal who sets out to protect her. The China cut severed five minutes from its runtime following its June release cancellation due to reticence from China’s education authorities. It is not yet known if the U.S. cut will have the same runtime. My review is still up for grabs and you’re welcome to read it here. If you’re convinced, […]

BETTER DAYS Review: A Transformative Ode To The Young And Disillusioned

Lee B. Golden III

Soulmate helmer Derek Tsang encapsulates the lives of two teenagers teetering on the brink of society in his second feature, Better Days, reuniting with actress Zhou Dongyu in a prime performance next to the addition of TFBoys band member, actor Jackson Yee. Far from an uplifting coming-of-age education drama of almost any kind, sophmore director Derek Tsang immediately puts this notion in the back seat within the first five minutes of Better Days. It hands the wheel over to the stoic cinema vérité of a young girl named Chen Nian (Zhou), unwittingly thrust into controversy and victimhood following the suicide of a fellow classmate. Pressures are already surmounting for Chen and her classmates in lieu of an upcoming series of placement exams that could determine her hopeful future career choices. In the midst of this, she is suddenly subject to questioning by police for covering up the body in moment […]

BETTER DAYS: Jackson Yee And Zhou Dongyu Are Protectors On The Run In The Official U.S. Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Soul Mate helmer Derek Tsang’s rousing coming-of-age drama, Better Days, may have hit a few stumbles during its film festival circulation. Rest assured, that hasn’t hindered plans for its stateside rollout now slated for June 28, coinciding with its China release that weekend. The official trailer is now out and about courtesy of Well Go USA who snagged the film during Cannes on May 15, with TFboys’ own Jackson Yee and actress Zhou Dongyu lending a riveting sample of their performances this week. Check out the trailer above and a poster gallery below. When it is time for the Chinese gaokao, a two-day national college entrance exam, the entire country comes to a standstill. For nearly ten million high school students, this exam not only determines where and if they get to study but the fates of their entire families as well. Like so many others, Nian has been single-mindedly […]