Tag: Michelle Yeoh

MORGAN (2016)

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Directed By: Luke Scott

Written By: Seth Owen 

Cinematography: Mark Patten 

Editor: Laura Jennings 

Cast: Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rose Leslie, Toby Jones, Michelle Yeoh, Garret Hudlund, Paul Giamatti, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brian Cox 

A corporate risk-management consultant must decide whether or not to terminate an artificially created humanoid being.

In this grand cinema study, there are some Films you know a bit about. Yet manage to avoid or skip for some reason or another.  then when looking For Something new, you finally decide to give the film a chance. Sometimes it truly does work For the better, but other times you remember why you Wanted To skip it in the first place.

It isn’t necessarily bad, but it just feels like a waste of time or a wasted opportunity, especially considering what it had. This is one of those films unfortunately it’s more of the latter.

One of the more shocking appeals of the movie is in looking back at this film. It has such a stacked cast for a film That doesn’t

Offer much in the form Of material for them to work with. It comes off as a workman and everyone seems more here for a paycheck.

Those looking for a horror film might be disappointed as though its Advertisements make it look That way and there is violence the film is more like a strictly science fiction tale.

Which is what is at least admirable about the film.

This feels like one of the first of more recent trends of films about androids and AI and how much humanity exists in them. Surrounded by humans who go about being absent, if any humanity at all or trying to show none for the supposed greater good.

It doesn’t offer enough material to be truly thought-provoking and lacks action throughout  to truly be a genre picture 

In the final act, the film Finally Releases the violence and gives the audience what it has been waiting for most of the characters you have come to know will most likely become

Victims. They pay the price, In different ideologies, and pick the wrong side which proves fatal because of choosing to show their humanity.

It feels especially cruel to one character who truly fights back and gets the most violent death in a scene that feels cut down because of how gory it could get. While any action resorts to a BOURNE IDENTITY intensity with bad club music to accompany the action for those brief Moments only that feel like it’s coming from another film

Jennifer Jason Leigh is only in a few scenes and seems here to be punished more than anything else. which seems to be a trend in her more recent roles. As of 2025 most of the cast signed up for the same feet, but they have a few more scenes and more to do.

The film offers a perfect example of corporate culture versus a family and a more nurturing culture.

It does offer a sensational ending that wasn’t expected though hinted at throughout 

Grade: D+

YES, MADAM! (1985)

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Directed By: Corey Yuen

Written By: James Clouse and Barry Wong

Cinematography: Bill Wong

Editor: Peter Cheung

Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Rothrock, John Sham, Hoi Mang, Hark Tsui, James Tien, Dick Wei, Fat Chung 

Two unlucky thieves break into a just murdered man’s hotel room and steal his passport with a hidden microfilm wanted by a triad boss. Two hard-kicking women cops from HK and the UK get the case.

I didn’t know much about this film going in. That only added to the surprises and pleasures that this film offers.

This is an enjoyable action film starring Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock as a kind of buddy comedic film. Though the laughs mainly come from the con-man trio they are chasing throughout and working with on deals to catch bigger villains. The film allows them to be human and a bit more than just types. 

There are plenty of action set pieces. As the film is mostly easy though towards theme becomes a bit more dramatic and tragic.

There is plenty of stunt work and scenes that amaze as far as their choreography. Not surprising when you know the the director is master fight choreographer Corey Yeun. Which truthfully is one of the reasons one finally checked this movie out. 

The film moves quickly, though some jokes and scenes go on for a bit too long. Overall, it is a joyous affair that never quite runs out of energy.

Grade: B 

A HAUNTING IN VENICE (2023)

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Directed By: Kenneth Branagh 

Written By: Michael Green 

Based on the Novel “Hallowe’en Story: By Agatha Christie 

Cinematography: Haris Zambarloukos 

Editor: Lucy Donaldson 

Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Jamie Dornan, Camille Cottin, Ali Khan, Jude Hill, Emma Laird, Kyle Allen, Riccardo Scarmarcio

In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.

Kenneth Branagh finally has gotten the formula right. Maybe it was getting all the studio movie cliches out of his system to go back to more artistic filmmaking choices. This film finally shows the proper depth of the story & character.

There are Not so Many celebrities or stars in the film so the suspicions aren’t so high not your attention centered on them. 

This was the attraction for MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS  and the next film partially DEATH ON THE NILE which was a little more dialed down but still enough for a little spectacle. 

While primarily those films were aided by CGI when it came to locations especially. This film has less basis on CGI and truly explores the exoticness of the classical space and uses the cavernous location to its strength. As everything looks lush & plush.

While the film has its central mysteries every character seems to be hiding their own secrets. While it still Magyars to have the melodrama throughout. This film feels a bit more dry and dramatic. It has a darker outlook. It even Manages some surprises 

In the middle, it might be a little confusing. Once the third act comes into play surprisingly and with no lead-up the mystery is solved. There is more to go after that. 

What works is that it can be seen as a stand-alone but works in the trilogy. As if you have seen the previous films. You can understand the mindset of the main character at the beginning. As you have seen he has come to it. After suffering losses in the previous films. 

At first, it seems like the film is trying to rely on or try to jump onto the horror trend, but it ends up working for the story and distinguishing itself. Not seem like a Cash and is actually being adapted from an existing Agatha Christie story 

Even as we realize how lonely the main character is as he has fans and admirers but never truly anyone close to him they all want something from him and the friends and acquaintances from the past have either moved on or that is the basis of their relationship work-related. Knowing and seeing the evils of the world has made him scared to engage or trust in the end. He realizes he can’t let the nature of the world scare him Off and that he needs to try to help as much as he can to try to make it brighter 

He believes by separating himself from the world he’s not contributing to evil, and he’ll just keep to himself, and be safe by the end I think he realizes that the world at large needs him and he wants to be there to try and make it a better place combat that evil he’s found his faith so to speak. Kenneth Branagh plays it brilliantly reminding you of not the fine actor he can be and seeming to bypass the more comedic detours and also tightening up his directing skills. To come across as more artistic and personal and less sensationalistic. Still managed to have style in fact even more of it 

This film offers a bit more depth for the character and is a lot drier than the previous films it feels more intimate. Thought offers fewer distractions. 

This one seems less a seat filler or weekend attraction and more a film made with ideas and interest than a paint-by-numbers affair 

Grade: B

GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE (2021)

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Directed By: Navot Papushado 
Written By: Navot Papushado & Ehud Lavski
Cinematography: Michael Seresin
Editor: Nicolas De Toth

Cast: Karen Gillian, Lena Headey, Paul Giamatti, Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Carla Gugino, Chloe Coleman, Ralph Ineson, Michael Smiley, Adam Negaitis 

Three generations of women fight back against those who could take everything from them.

The film Plays like pop art to please the masses full Of neon coloring. As it takes a bunch of action film narratives and tries to splice them All together with some nods to film noir.

It strangely comes off kind of dull but very colorful. As we watch, trying to figure out what movie caused this scene’s inspiration. 

The action sequences are inspired and what the film depends on. As well as its Tarantino-inspired dialogue and quirkiness.

The film also like JOHN WICK tries to world build, unfortunately, it barely gives us a chance to know the characters or what is going on before a heavy emphasis on this. Which can lead to confusion early on.

Even if it more feels like HOTEL ARTEMIS with Its Rogue galleries of criminals, organizations, killers, doctors, clinics, and dealers. Though again John wick-ish with this network of criminals and yet also POINT BLANK with its organization that rules most of the underworld business. 

Just as the DRIVE inspired jacket she wears throughout 

While giving a more female-oriented point of view of the action in these types of films with a recognizable cast. Visually the film has all that it takes and is truly a style over substance but with an increasing degree when it comes to Netflix films it seems rather contained than open. Even as it works well with what it has. 

As the story is far from simple for this type of film as the action seems to follow and seems to only. Be confusing because it needs a reason to have an action sequence. 

The problem is that with all of this it still comes off limp and surprisingly a little dull. It’s like a meal that has food coloring nice to look at but ultimately something you have had before and are used to. 

As even the score tries to use Sergio Leone-inspired music or random pop hits more to fit the action sequences than anything.  Not necessarily adding anything to the emotional more like the director just thought it would be nice if this song played during this sequence. No real new meaning except for some irony.

Just as Karen Gillian is fine in the lead but is left with nothing to make her stand out. She comes off as having the skills but is pretty bland and one-note. She, unfortunately, stand out the least amongst the cast.

The only spark of originality other than color scheme comes for. The library and librarians were played by Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, and Carla Gugino. They are a nice breath of fresh air. Where the most impressive action sequence takes place. Also, the clinic is A cute sequence as well as the diner. 

Also the organization’s three henchmen they send to take her out up a challenge but seem pretty bad to be exclusive assassins. They come across as more muscle or thugs that would be back up or the type assassins have to do clean up Or dirty work for or Vice versa. Like a wrecking crew destroying and making a mess.  so that there is no evidence 

The villains offer no personality, only a stereotypical look of either Eastern European stereotypes or well-suited goons and backup men.  

It’s also a film that feels like it’s trying too hard. It wants to stand out from the rest which is understandable, but by trying too hard to be like the others or those that came before it Lacks its own individual personality and feels like a loser, and ultimately Proves to be about nothing 

It’s obviously a movie for a more mainstream audience looking. For an action escape and it works on that level but doesn’t offer anything new or original mist some nice dressing. As it definitely is more commercial and slick but offers nothing of depth. Like a best seller with no actual good writing just a story to work off of And try to live up to fill in the blanks 

Grade: C-