Romance of the Western Chamber

A silent Chinese film with jerking eastern theatrical acting, ridiculous head gear and awesome clips of swords clashing. This 45-minute love story is probably one most people could happily skip. Here is the entire film in case your interest is piqued: A scholar randomly stops at a monastery to study. There is a girl living there with her family. The scholar falls in love. Bandits come for the girl. "Whoever saves my daughter can have her hand in marriage" says the mother. The scholar thinks hard. An idea! He sends a brave monk with a letter to a powerful general who comes and defeats the bandits. The scholar is happy and worn out. Crazy dream sequence. "Go pass your exams and my daughter is yours," says the mother. How do you think it ends?
This would probably make a great gift for an Asian-American friend who has lost touch with their Asianness.

Um?
2 out of 5
Buy this movie: Romance of the Western Chamber

Plot: 1
Imagery: 3
Originality: 1
Soundtrack: 2
Overall: 2

Tartuffe

“Great is the number of hypocrites on earth and many are the forms in which they appear! Many a time we unsuspectingly sit next to them! For see!”

And thus begins one of the greatest films ever created. Tartuffe, a silent German tale, warns of the dangers involved in unchecked devotion to religion, ideologies and other inherently hypocritical institutions. Its wisdom is revealed through the interactions of wonderfully descriptive characters: A villain whose face is constantly hidden in a book, only removed to reveal his true evil; an ignorant and entirely fooled man; the faithful wife who imperils herself to set free that man; and the loyal maid who makes the plan work. This film should be shown everywhere to everyone in hopes of saving the easily-tricked from devotional slavery. Very fun to watch: a true classic.

Totally Awesome Must See!
5 out of 5
Buy this film: Tartuffe

Plot: 5
Imagery: 5
Originality: 5
Soundtrack: 4
Overall: 5