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Ip Man 2 took place in Hong Kong after he left the troubled China with his family. Being a stranger in new place, he had no other survival skills other than do what he do best – opening a martial art school. He had to overcome the challenges in the British Colony at that time including dealing with the other martial art practitioners. One of the local is the Hung Ga Society led by grandmaster Hung Chun-nam who played by Sammo Hung.

Ip Man 2 : The Grandmaster

Sammo Hung did the choreography for the predecessor and now return to the screen. With all the fighting sequences done by him, it was a blast. Everyone would loves to watch how Sammo versus Donnie. It’s like the clash of titans, one being the practitioner of Hung Ga, and the other is Wing Chun. Like the typical story, it resolves around the hero, now grandmaster trying to make a living. Kent Cheng played the middle-man, filling up the role of half-good half-crooked guy which played by Lam Ka-Tung in the first film.

Donnie Yen vs Sammo Hung in Ip Man 2

It was an interesting film to watch. As compared to the first film, this film added few emotions here and there. I was taken on a ride especially on the fighting scenes. It was breathtaking seeing the intensity of the fight, exchanging moves and smears some bloods.

On the other hand, it was a transformation to see Lynn Hung who reprises her role as Ip Man’s wife, Wing Sing has now become a strong, understanding and supportive wife. From a young woman, she has grown up becoming a lady to support the husband. In the end of the film, only a 10-year old Bruce Lee show up.

And here’s the real life photo of Grandmaster Ip practicing with the legendary Bruce Lee.

Ip Man and Bruce Lee

Will there be Ip Man 3? I doubt so as it will be saturated. However, I do look forward for Donnie Yen next action flick – Legend of Chen Zhen.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Invictus

His people needed a leader,
He gave them a champion.

I couldn’t help but to watch this film. The caption, the tagline, the quote from William Ernest Henley and everything that comes along with. It just too much for an inspiration. Based on the true inspiring story of the newly elected South Africa President, Nelson Mandela whom enlisted the help of the South Africa’s rugby captain to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship.

Mandela knew that to bring the country together after the long years of the Apartheid which has successfully divided the country between the skin colors. He uses the sport as a common tool. A universal language that will able to glue his countrymen together. As the story unfold, or it is stated in the history that the Springboks eventually rise to win the championship.

It is true that sport is a unique tool as it speaks stronger than any languages. It was observed that during the World Cup season, the crime rates will drop. Perhaps everyone was paying attention to their favourite team during the play off. Nonetheless this reminds me of my country upcoming Thomas Cup. It has been a while since we last win the championship. After we win the cup, the national TVs keep playing the song “Jika anda fikirkan kemenangan… kejayaan pasti menjadi kenyataan” kind of stuff.

Invictus (Poem)

Since that the South Africa is hosting the FA World Cup this time, do you think they can still make it again repeating the history? Or I would say supporting North Korea in this World Cup.

My ratings of the film? 7/10

Popularity: 2% [?]

Chow Yun-fat, the cast by himself is worthy the ticket for the silver screen. Who doesn’t like Chow Yun-fat? He is charming, and charismatic. Playing the lead role as Confucius, who lived the Dynasty Zhou in China. The film is sort of a biography about him and how his teachings have deeply influenced life in most of Asia.

Confucius

Back then in the 6th century BC China was still composed of the feudal monarchy and government official, competing with each other for supremacy. Kong Qiu or Confucius “Chow Yun-Fat” was appointed to ministerial office of the kingdom of Lu, where the court’s power had devolved to the three most powerful local clans – the three noble families. Given the off-the-record authority by the ruler of Lu he begin to reduce the power of the three clans whom appear to control the entire kingdom of Lu.

At the beginning, Confucius efforts to curb the ambitions of the powerful clans appeared to succeed, but the ruler of the kingdom of Qi used bribes to turn the ruler of Lu against him. It was after the rebellion that his plan turn back against him. Perhaps his idealism about the governance were just too utopia? Even in todays world, that a government cannot be freed from certain elites whom had control over due to their wealth and power.

Hence, Confucius was stripped of his office and sent into exile. And He travelled from kingdom to kingdom, and finally he met the seductive Nanzi “Zhou Xun”, kingdom of Wei ruler’s concubine. It seems to me that during this period, the entire story sounds similar to the 40-years exile / Exodus. >.< with the exception this is just a little over 10-13 years?

Zhou Xun in Confucius

In the end of the film, the only things I asked myself was what is the movie all about? I wanted to ask from what perspective the film is trying to achieve? Cinematographic, business profits, entertainment value or purely a form of artistic?

My ratings for the film: 4/10

Popularity: 4% [?]