Reviews

Films

Death at a Funeral

Directed by Frank Oz, starring Mathew Macfadyen, Rupert Graves, Alan Tudik

Although the film gathers some of Britain's finest actors and actresses, its low profile has made it a pleasant surprise for viewers.

Macfadyen won acclaim for his portrayal of Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. A black comedy, Death at a Funeral allows him ample space to display humor in a typically English way.

Upon his father's death, Daniel (Macfadyen) needs his brother Robert (Graves) to help fund the expensive funeral. But Robert has no money, even though he has been a noted writer in New York.

As the brothers struggle to come up with the money, a scandal develops. Among the honored guests, a dwarf tries to blackmail the family with pictures showing him having fun with the deceased.

Adding to all this tension are the excellent performances of the supporting cast. Tudik generates the most hilarious moments as he plays Simon, who takes the wrong drug and climbs onto the roof, nude, to declare his broken love. As the dwarf, Peter Dinklage brings a dignity to the role that makes it unforgettable. Liu Jun

Stardust

Directed by Matthew Vaughn, starring Ian McKellen, Bimbo Hart, Alastair MacIntosh

A combination of fantasy and humor, Stardust follows a boy's quest to find a fallen star for his beloved girl. The film is typical of the delightful fairy-tale genre, while the supporting characters, including an evil prince and witch, all have their own distinct charms. Among them, the 400-year-old witch played by Michelle Pfeiffer is an even funnier performance than that of her role in Hairspray.

The special effects are elaborate enough to match the all-star cast. However, the most pleasant thing about this film is that it is full of old-fashioned romance, hilarity and lovely characters. Liu Wei

Books

Belle Painting of Ancient China

Although not as famous as landscape paintings or those of flowers and birds, belle paintings from ancient China are also increasingly drawing collectors in attention with special esthetic and cultural values.

Belle paintings did not come to the fore of figure paintings until the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317-420), when Gu Kaizhi (c. 345-406) created such well known women-themed works as Nymph of the Luoshui River. This artistic genre was in its heyday during the flourishing Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) and continued to win artists' and even emperors' devotion until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). In the book, published by China Intercontinental Press, editor Li Xiangping chose scores of belle paintings that provide modern readers with glimpses of how ancient women, especial court ladies, spent their time. LJ

Chinese Paper-cuts

In Chinese Paper-cuts compiled by Sun Bingshan, artworks collected some 20 years ago from the countryside display traces of ancient and even primitive beliefs that are very interesting to modern urbanites.

In most villages of China, women make paper-cuts in their spare time. They need to be well acquainted with fables, legends and historical events and express them with various styles. When a family is blessed with a diligent woman, the house itself becomes an exhibition hall with paper-cuts on windows, doors and beds.

This book will help readers understand the meaning of some old icons. For instance, why does a rabbit represent women, while the snake or eagle stands for men? It is amazing how rural women can make such beautiful designs, which often serve as sex education material in bridal chambers. LJ

(China Daily 03/25/2008 page20)