Suffocation (2005)

aka Zhixi

Suffering from visions of his dead wife, Shen Xiao (Ge You) consults a therapist. The film analyzes his guilt from infidelity and feelings of resentment. While many of the scenes are portrayed as truth, it's pretty obvious they're delusions within Shen's mind. Edited in a very non-linear path as a number of concise yet repetitive chapters, the uninteresting plot quickly degenerates. The minimal score and lack of humor leaves the events completely devoid of joy. Despite being marketed as horror, very little suspense is distilled from the few moments that endeavor to frighten. Apparently this was director Zhang Bingjian's attempt to serve both the artistic and commercial but he fails miserably on both ends.

1½ cello cases out of 5

The Banquet (2006)

aka:  Legend of the Black Scorpion / aka: Ye yan

The Tang Dynasty Royal court is in disarray following the death of the Emperor, and foul play is never far away.

The Banquet is a lavish historical piece that will either astonish or bore depending on your disposition. It takes much of its aesthetic cues from Zhang Yimou’s wuxia trilogy and adds a tragedy element that leaves you in no doubt as to its Shakespearean influences.

A balletic sequence near the beginning proves yet again that Woo-ping's choreography is as inherently graceful as it is dramatic.

4 swords that make noise in empty air out of 5