Dark Feathers: Dance of the Geisha

I swear this is in the movie: a woman training in martial arts says she is ready to test for the Golden belt. She is given a walnut, which she slices in half with her *. Not crushes it, mind you, but slices it in half with the shell perfectly intact. The martial arts instructor, who oddly enough is a man, is understandably impressed. He says she has "genuine talent" and she could be at "the top of her field". It is never explained what this means and this scene is never referred to again. Michael Madsen is the head of a Japanese cult. He walks around in a black gi, sits in an office surrounded by asian scrolls and samurai swords, and Japanese people call him master. It is never explained how a white guy came to be in charge. The rest of the movie is about ballroom dancing, love triangles, and Japanese cults. Good luck figuring all that out.

GIven the numerous glowing reviews, I went into this movie expecting it to be at least watchable. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. The plot was incoherent and felt like it barely made any sense. The lead actress, Kate, was particularly unconvincing-her facial expressions were static, and she delivered a performance so stiff that a robot might have done a better job! I had really hoped to support Asian representation in Hollywood, but struggled to find anything positive to say about this film. It's hard to believe that people gave it ratings of 8, 9, or even 10-I can't help but wonder if those were from the cast's friends and family. For me, this is easily one of the worst movies I've ever watched, regardless of genre or representation. Utterly disappointing.

With all the great reviews out there, one would expect this movie is at least watchable. But no! I was totally disappointed. The plot is bad, does not make any sense whatsoever. The lead actress (Kate) was so bad in acting, her facial expression never changes! A robot would have done better!! Despite the fact I really wanted to support Asian representation in Hollywood, I just could not bring myself to say anything good. I could not believe people would actually gave 8/9/10 ratings. I suspect they are the cast's friends and families... For me, this is easily the worst movie I ever watched. Asian or non-asian. Period. Utterly disappointed.

With all the great reviews out there, one would expect this movie is at least watchable. But no! I was totally disappointed. The plot is bad, does not make any sense whatsoever. The lead actress (Kate) was very bad in acting, her facial expression never changes! A robot would have done better!! Despite the fact I really wanted to support Asian presentation in Hollywood, I just could not bring myself to say anything good. I could not believe so many gave 8/9/10 ratings out there. Friends and families? See for yourselves. For me, this is easily the worst movie I ever watched. Asian or non-asian. Period. Utterly disappointed.

This is a movie that proves that indie films work. I watched it on Amazon last night and truly enjoyed it. It is a unique story of oriental mystery power told in an engaging way. I found the characters compelling and the plots interesting. The Kate character was multidimensional and complex, unlike most of the oriental characters in Hollywood blockbusters. Love and lust, jealousy and curiosity -- it seems like a warning to never be lost in these emotions. My only complaint would be the fact that some of the fight scenes and sex scenes were not fully carried out. I suppose it was for the sake of keeping it PG 13. But all in all, a fun experience.

As someone who's familiar with both Asian and Western cinema, this movie was incredibly disappointing. I, an American, watched it with a friend from mainland China, and neither of us could follow most of what was happening. The lead actress shows absolutely no emotion throughout the entire film-honestly, a robot could have played her role, and you wouldn't have noticed a difference. Yet, somehow, every character she meets falls head over heels for her. Why? I found myself laughing at the dialogue, but not in a good way. The same monotonous score plays over and over again, making it even more unbearable. Easily one of the worst films I've ever endured.

I really appreciate the movie "Black Feathers" for the great time it gave me. It's not often that I get to watch a drama movie in the cinema, especially not a Hollywood blockbuster. The story is amazing, and it's a topic I really like. The main actress and director, Ms. Huang, is so elegant and beautiful. It was a fantastic movie experience! I would say "Dark Feathers" completed very well for a low budget production. Let's give props to every staffer who's put in hard work. I really appreciate the movie "Black Feathers" for the great time it gave me. It's not often that I get to watch a drama movie in the cinema, especially not a Hollywood blockbuster. The story is amazing, and it's a topic I really like. The main actress and director, Ms. Huang, is so elegant and beautiful. It was a fantastic movie experience! I would say "Dark Feathers" completed very well for a low budget production. Let's give props to every staffer who's put in hard work.

The cinematography is great. There are lovely scenes in beautiful settings ranging from Northern California to traditional Japanese temples. There is an interesting mix of Asian and Western cultures. The traditional Japanese outfits and ceremonies open the window to another culture. This is contrasted with equally beautiful Western dance scenes. The dancers move with such grace and athleticism! They are truly skilled dancers. The lead actress Crystal Huang is beautiful and enigmatic as befits her role as a mysterious temptress . The plot however is difficult to follow at times and the viewer is left with questions about the underlying relationships and histories between some of the characters.

Love this unique and original movie. One would have never imagined how the movie can combine ballroom dancing, Japanese Samurai culture, and murders into the same plot but when it happens - it's refreshing to see because you really don't know what to expect. The leading ladies - Kate (Crystal J. Huang) and Amelia (Dancing with the Stars pro Karina Smirnoff) are sensational in acting and beautiful in dancing. Love the cello music as well! Now - I'm still trying to figure out the meaning of ending - if anyone figures it out - please comment. I'll likely to watch a 2nd time to piece it together :)

Great use of lighting, camera movement, and excellent use of camera angle and lenses. The director masterfully employs these elements to create a visually stunning and immersive experience. Each scene is meticulously crafted, with lighting that enhances the mood and atmosphere, whether it's the soft, warm glow of an intimate moment or the harsh, stark brightness of a tense confrontation. Camera movement is fluid and purposeful, guiding the audience's eye and drawing them deeper into the narrative. The dynamic use of camera angles and lenses not only adds visual interest but also serves to underscore the emotional and thematic undertones of the story. Wide-angle shots create a sense of grandeur and scope, while close-ups capture the nuanced performances of the actors, conveying their inner turmoil and subtle expressions with remarkable clarity. The thoughtful composition of each frame, combined with the skillful use of depth of field, allows for a rich, layered visual storytelling that complements the film's intricate plot and character development.