Four-Star Films : ‘Raise the Red Lantern’
This superb 1991 film from Zhang Yimou, well known for “Red Sorghum” and “Ju Dou,” takes us into the lavish yet austere household of a Northern Chinese nobleman in the ‘20s. There we discover tragedy lurking within the incessant power play of his four wives, who lead lives of the utmost oppression and indolence. This is a film of beauty and terror in which every stunningly composed image reflects the narrow, confined existence of these four women. Gong Li (center, with Cao Zhengyin, left, and Cao Cuifeng) stars as the youngest, newest wife (TMC Sunday at 7:15 a.m and 9:40 p.m.).
Other four-star films airing this week:
On the Waterfront / TMC, Tuesday, 8:45 a.m.
Dances With Wolves / Showtime, Wednesday, 8 p.m., Thursday at 3 p.m.
Lost Horizon / Disney, Thursday, 3 a.m.
Shadow of a Doubt / AMC, Thursday, 3 and 11:30 p.m.
Vertigo / USA, Friday, 3 a.m.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington / Cinemax, Friday, noon.
Only good movies
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