Billy: You know, Marty, the way you're feeling today--all depressed and alcoholic and shit-- you know what you should do? Put it into your writing, man! Use it! Bad idea?
Marty: Thanks, Billy. Great idea. I'll put the way I'm feeling today into my writing. Then I'll go blow my fucking brains out.
Billy: Come on, man! You know your writing helps alleviate your suicidal self-loathing and shit!
Marty: I don't have suicidal self-loathing and shit.
If you're under the impression that women exist in the world, are sometimes relevant, and might even do things other than exist solely for the purpose of being banged, then this is not the movie for you. Luckily, I know many people who aren't under this fanciful impression, so there is a target audience for this self-aggrandizing drivel. What a waste of a Brad Pitt.
One of the most incredible martial arts movies I've ever seen. Any flick where our hero can defeat a hotheaded opponent wielding a giant sword by using only a feather duster is alright with me. The story, the fights, and the visuals are all spectacular. In fact, I was reminded of three of my favorite things in the entire world: Dragonball Z, Mulan, and The Good Earth. Like Goku, our hero smiles a lot, making his way into your heart; he also insists on eating a good meal before a duel. Like Mulan, the bravery of one underdog is enough to save all of China. And finally, like the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winning novel, we are given an intimate look at Chinese family life during a difficult period, and the struggles to scrape by and earn even a bit of rice for one's loved ones, while still maintaining honor. Unlike the novel, our hero begins wealthy and has everything painfully ripped away from him, which is even more heart-rending than the opposite. Did I mention the mind-blowing fight scenes? Impeccably choreographed for the action-buff looking for quality brutality, with plenty of substance for those seeking more depth. Highly recommend.