Travis Simpkins

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010): Supernatural Ancient China

Directed by Tsui Hark, based on a story by Lin Qianyu, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010) tells a fictional account of Tang dynasty official Di Renjie. The plot centers on Detective Dee, released from prison to solve the mystery of several deaths by spontaneous combustion centered around the construction of a colossal Buddha statue and the Empress' coronation in 689 A.D. Acrobatics mixes with supernatural elements in an enjoyable historic setting. The cast does a great job, including Andy Lau, Li Bingbing, Tony Leung, Carina Lau and Deng Chao.

"Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame"- trailer

Scoop (2006): Woody Allen, Scarlett Johansson and Magic Murder Mystery

Written and directed by the great Woody Allen, Scoop (2006) blends comedy, murder mystery and the esoteric values of magic together in an entertaining mix. The story centers on a pretty journalism student on vacation in London, who gets the scoop of a lifetime from the ghost of a recently-deceased reporter at a vaudevillian magic show… when it is revealed that the son of a British Lord, a handsome socialite and art collector, may in fact be an infamous serial killer known as the "Tarot Card Killer." Art-filled London homes, stage illusions, Tarot imagery and symbolism provide an intriguing backdrop. Scarlett Johansson is beautiful in the lead role. Hugh Jackman is good as the debonair murderer. Woody Allen co-stars as Splendini the Magician. The supporting cast is fine as well, including Ian McShane, Charles Dance and Romola Garai.