Search - China Moon on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Not For Children, Profanity, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1994 DVD Release: 12/26/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 40 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 2 Genres: Thriller, Post-Noir (Modern Noir), Police Detective Film

China Moon is a slick noir thriller, nice to look at, well-acted and directed, but ultimately predictable, even to its "surprise" ending. Kyle Bodine (Ed Harris) falls in love with Rachel Munro (Madeleine Stowe), the unhappily married wife of a drunken Southern aristocrat Rupert (Charles Dance). One night, tired of his beatings and abuse, Rachel kills Rupert, apparently in self-defense. Kyle helps her cover-up the crime and establish an alibi. However, Kyle's young partner Lamar (Benecio Del Toro) suspects Rachel of the murder and begins an investigation. In fairly predictable plot twists reminiscent of the far superior Body Heat Kyle finds his life falling apart. While the plot is contrived, the performances are convincing, particularly that of Madeline Stowe as the treacherous Rachel. Ed Harris gives the character of Kyle depth and complexity. Cinematographer-turned-director John Bailey gives the film a great, dark, rain-slicked noir look and feel and lingers on details which take an otherwise predictable mystery/thriller and make it seem like a game of wits. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide

Ed Harris - Kyle Bodine
Madeleine Stowe - Rachel Munro
Benicio Del Toro - Lamar Dickey
Charles Dance - Rupert Monro
Patricia Healy - Adele

John Bailey's noir-inspired China Moon comes to DVD with a pair of transfers. The widescreen anamorphic transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1, and is preferable to the standard full-frame image. English, French, and Spanish soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. Subtitles are accessible in all three of those languages as well. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer. This is a solid, inexpensive release from MGM/UA. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide