Happy Times

Starring:Benshan Zhao, Jie Dong, Lifan Dong, Biao Fu, Xuejian Li, Qibin Leng, Ben Niu, Jinghua Gong, Hongjie Zhang, Bingkun Zhao, Honglei Sun
Director: Yimou Zhang
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

A beautifully heart-wrenching movie. Zhao, a middle-aged laid-off factory worker, longs for a wife; in the hopes of marrying a pushy divorcée, he agrees to pay for an expensive wedding. To raise money, he turns a derelict bus into a place for couples to rendezvous, and brags to his fiancee about how he manages the Happy Times Hotel. When the divorcée insists that Zhao give Ying, her blind stepdaughter, a job at the hotel as a masseuse, he convinces his friends to help him concoct a fake massage parlor where the girl can work. Happy Times begins as a delightful light comedy, but as the relationship between Zhao and Ying grows, this deceptively simple movie flows effortlessly back and forth from sweetness to sorrow, culminating in a devastatingly moving ending. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

BEST MOVIE EVER!!!.......2007-02-20

I am not really 13. In fact...I am 16, and completely entranced by the essence of this movie! I was totally flabbergasted once the movie started! There wasn't huge bombs exploding or people doing crazy "Matrix" moves, but for some non-apparent reason, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. I was caught, Hook, line and sinker by the the first half hour! The poor girl seemed like a rebel at first, but after you learn her story you change from judgemental to compassionate! This is a definite must see movie! I would reccomend it to a 90 year old man and to a 7 year old girl. The lessons and knowledge shared is enough to influence anyone and to leave an impression that will not be easily forgotten.

Yimou's best........2005-10-24

I really don't care for some of Yimou Zang's films that other people seem to love. Hero and House of the Flying Daggers are really great visual masterpieces, but to me they seem rather silly and unrealistic on many levels (not just technical).

However, I really love his other films dealing with ordinary people in realistic settings. Among them, Happy Times is by far the best.

This movie's central theme is about one person lying to another to bring him/her joy and meaning in existence. It is the act of deception that somehow gets turned into a great expression of love. That is an amazing thing to capture.

The actors are just perfect, especially the two leads. The girl playing the blind actress made the best performance I've seen ever.

If you like this movie, check out Shanghai Triad and Keep Cool.

Don't be fooled by the cover.......2005-05-09

I almost didn't rent this movie-because--quite simply--I thought the cover picture held promises of a silly little movie--good for maybe a few "chunky mama" jokes--boy was I wrong--this is one of the better movies I've seen recently. The movie does begin along the lines of what I expected-as Zhao creates his "Happy Times Hotel"-and there is a bit of humor--but once he begins his relationship with Ying--the story progresses into a dramatic touching relationship between the two outcasts--young blind Ying and middle aged, never married Zhao. Their relationship is not a romantic one--but a paternal one-with Zhao writing a fake letter to Ying from her father who abandoned her--among other things.
The ending is not the happy, feel good ending typical of American movies--which is probably one of the things that makes it stand out.
The movie is subtitled-which I have no problem with--but my wife doesn't normally like subtitled movies--but she loved this one. If you don't care for subtitles--give this one a try anyway--it's worth the little extra effort!

Forsaken, Brave China.......2005-02-19

Don't kid yourself reviewers. There's a whole lot more here than meets the eye. You don't have to be a friendless blind girl in a city of ten million to appreciate human frailty and kindness. Yimou Zhang is a very fine director and his vision can be thoughtful and appreciated on several levels. China is still exotic to look at from my American standpoint. The colors are garish and bright. The modern city bustles, the young are hip and making it where they can. The old worker's, many victims of the poverty and cruelty caused by The Great Leap Forward and other catastrophic Marxist disasters, are still searching for happiness. Now, in their fifties, they look about and their old factories are rusting, glass office towers are going sky high.

I'm still not sure that the actress that played a blind teen is not actually blind. Either way, she's a genius. Her final scene, forsaken, blind, but brave China, venturing into the traffic. This is filmmaking.

5-Stars for Happy Times.......2005-02-09

The only reason I watched this film was because Zhang Yimou directed it. That's the respect I have for him as a director in this industry. At first blush, I thought that Happy Times was going to be a shallow, corny type of movie. I couldn't have been more wrong. While there are more light-hearted moments than in Yimou's other works, Happy Times gives glimpse into the lives of common Chinese people and a much more penetrating and uplifting look into the human heart and human spirit.

From the reviews you should already know that Happy Times is about an aging Chinese man trying to court a potential wife. He tries to persuade her by pretending to be something he is not - the general manager of a luxury hotel. But in the process he finds himself taking responsiblity for the woman's blind stepdaughter. How this all works out in the end is something you just have to see for yourself. Trust me, it is an exquisite Zhang Yimou finish.

I am not at all familiar with the actors but they were all wonderful. In particular, actress Dong Jie gives a heartbreakingly eloquent performance as the blind stepdaughter.

Happy Trails Theatre: Sunset in el Dorado

Average customer rating:

Be forewarned
EARLY ROGERS AND EVANS MOVIE BEFORE TEAMING AS DUO.

Happy Trails Theatre: Sunset in el Dorado
Starring: Roy Rogers , Trigger , George 'Gabby' Hayes , Dale Evans , and Hardie Albright
Director: Frank McDonald
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Along the Navajo Trail
South of Caliente
Sons of the Pioneers
Bells of Coronado
The Ranger and the Lady

ASIN: B0000C0FF3
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Customer Reviews:

Be forewarned.......2004-03-27

Be forewarned....the very opening of the movie on this DVD has been truncated. The source for these transfers is evidently a program hosted by Roy and Dale in their later years. While I have no problem with the DVD's containing the intros, I did not pay for a movie that is not in its entirety...COMPLETE opening credits and all.

Secondly, the source is not good either. Roan Group did a much better job with their Roy Roger movie transfers.

In spite of being "Authorized by the Roy Rogers Estate"...which made me this a safe purchase....these Happy Trails Theatre DVD's are anything BUT high quality.

EARLY ROGERS AND EVANS MOVIE BEFORE TEAMING AS DUO........1999-11-07

A WESTERN TRAVEL AGENT'S CLERK (IN NEW JERSEY 1940'S)DISSATISFIED WITH HER POSITION DREAMS OF TAKING A TOUR OUT WEST ON HER OWN. THAT DAY COMES AND SHE RUNS AWAY FROM HER JOB AND RELATIVES TO HEAD WEST. THEY CATCH UP WITH HER IN ARIZONA AND SHE DISABLES THE CAR SO THEY CAN'T TAKE HER BACK. A COWBOY JUST HAPPENS ALONG TO LEND A HAND. HE RELUCTENTLY TAKES THEM TO THE GHOST TOWN OF EL DORADO. WHERE THE CLERK MEETS UP WITH AN ADMIRER OF THE DANCE HALL QUEEN OF 40 YEARS AGO. THE CLERK IS THE QUEEN'S GRANDDAUGHTER, THROUGH THE MIRACLE OF FLASHBACK WE GO BACK TO THOSE DAYS ONCE AGAIN AND RELIVE THE HAPPY ENDING OF THE STORY.

Happy Trails Theatre: Young Buffalo Bill/Young Bill Hickok/In Old Cheyenne/Sunset in El Dorado/Under California Stars - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans (5 Pack)

Average customer rating:

Happy Trails Theatre: Young Buffalo Bill/Young Bill Hickok/In Old Cheyenne/Sunset in El Dorado/Under California Stars - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans (5 Pack)

Manufacturer: Good Times Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

Product Description

Happy Trails Theatre: Young Buffalo Bill, Young Bill Hickok, In Old Cheyenne, Sunset in El Dorado, Under California Stars

Average customer rating:

A nice story told in a lovely way.

Happy the Littlest Bunny
Starring: Happy the Littlest Bunny
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adapted from Books | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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Fairy Tales | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

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( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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An Easter Bunny Adventure
The Great Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town
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Peter Cottontail - The Movie

ASIN: B00016114C
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Customer Reviews:

A nice story told in a lovely way........2004-07-16

Well, after I read the plot I decided to have a look at it, I am fond of bunnies so it's been a thing worth to try.

I found the story really nice and well told, musics are really nice, titles and menus are ok and the graphic quality and animation is quite good for this kind of product.

I found all "well balanced", characters are all ok and "no more than needed no less" and I am sure every children will find them lovely.

The story contains an important moral teaching and all is explained and show in a fluent smooth way so no excess soppyness no excess of morality.

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

BEST MOVIE EVER!!!.......2007-02-20

Yimou's best........2005-10-24

Don't be fooled by the cover.......2005-05-09

Forsaken, Brave China.......2005-02-19

5-Stars for Happy Times.......2005-02-09

Little Princess/Curly the Littlest Puppy/Happy the Littlest Bunny

Average customer rating:

Little Princess/Curly the Littlest Puppy/Happy the Littlest Bunny
Starring: Little Princess , Litte Puppy , and Littliest Bunny
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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The Postmodern Life of My Aunt (Special Edition) 2 Disc Set

Average customer rating:

The Postmodern Life of My Aunt (Special Edition) 2 Disc Set
Director: Ann Hui
Manufacturer: Universe Laser
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Product Features:

2 disc (region 0 NTSC)
Interviews
Making Of
43rd Annual Golden Horse Award nominee

ASIN: B000R8SZSO

Product Description

This film is a morality tale about society's shift from interpersonal values to material ones, as told through the eyes of an elderly woman living alone in Shanghai as various conmen (including relatives!) repeatedly attempt to defraud her.

Average customer rating:

Be forewarned

Happy Trails Theatre: In Old Cheyenne
Starring: William Benedict , Iron Eyes Cody , Ben Corbett , Jim Corey , and William Haade
Director: Joseph Kane
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

Westerns | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00008G7WF
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Customer Reviews:

Be forewarned.......2004-03-27

Secondly, the source is not good either. Roan Group did a much better job with their Roy Roger movie transfers.

In spite of being "Authorized by the Roy Rogers Estate"...which made me this a safe purchase....these Happy Trails Theatre DVD's are anything BUT high quality.

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