Hollywood releases its big blockbusters during US holidays but in the Chinese-speaking countries their domestic movie releases follow a slightly different schedule. Lunar New Year is a major movie release period since all schools and jobs are off for weeks on end. The preference during that time to to release comedic movies since it’s a holiday meant to celebrate family and happy times so fun movies are what the audiences crave. Taiwan has a couple of movies out these few weeks and the one I’m eager to watch is Sweet Alibis (甜蜜殺機 Sweet Murderous Intent) starring Ariel Lin and Alec Su. These two are unlikely of a pairing as any despite their mutual A-list status. Alec is a good decade older than Ariel and hasn’t been working in the Taiwan since she debuted, whereas Ariel does Mainland projects but is currently limited to dramas. Alec was lured by by a great script and Ariel as a co-star and the result is apparently a fast and funny police caper romance that is currently doing well in the domestic box office. Sweet Alibis also features some fun cameos and none bigger than Ruby Lin. She did it as a favor to Alec since they have been friends for a long time and one of the rare exes in the industry that genuinely get along and care about each other. Alec plays a veteran cop who is best at avoiding danger while Ariel is the rookie assigned to be his partner to keep her out of danger. She’s the daughter of the police chief and daddy wants her daughter to be the cop she desires without experiencing any real danger along with it. Ruby’s cameo role is the matchmaking date Alec encounters who comes complete with a dirty mouth and the attitude of a mobster’s girlfriend. Ruby is doing such a great job of continuing to pull of interesting roles whether as the leading lady, the producer, or even doing cameos as a favor to friends. I’m also loving the chance to watch Ariel play a serious cop while Alec does the scardy cat turn as her douchey partner. Initially they are assigned to mundane tasks but quickly get swept up in a real life drug dealing murder mystery that starts off with the poisoned death of a dog. Check out the full trailer below with official English subs and have a chuckle. Continue reading
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