Hello everyone and greetings , 
Let me apologize if there are any mistake in my english since it is not my first language.
But I'll do my best to make my self clear :))

I have seen the "Road Home" and it was really good.
They have realeased the DVD from a Hong Kong company and catch t if you can. I don't really know how western viewers  will react to it, but from reviews found all over the net...the response have been great.
 Just an example there was a scene of a funeral march in a blizzard that literally made me cry because it actually reminded me of the funeral  I attended for my grandparents and my parent in the past. My family are Bhuddist and thus ,the film for me, have so much meaning and  rather powerful in its message deliverance that it literally kicked me where it hurt most.
Perhaps a western audience will be interested or curious with the depiction of Bhuddist funeral ceremony, but the scene and the message will not pack a wallop.

"Not one less" is excellent. "Shanghai Triad" is very very different from his previous work. But still good.
I am still waiting anxiously for "Keep Cool" - a modern drama  and "Devil at The Doorstep"by Jian Wen.- a period piece, my favourite.
By the way...I think Jian Wen is one hot actor.

I dont think the Chinese directors have hot really lost their touch. Theey just change method/style.
For us Asian followers of Chinese (China) cinema, the directors basically tells different stories and different subject ( eventhough most of the subject kicks us in the butt)
And perhaps the style, cinematography and the subject differs but their messages are the very trademark of each individual director.
Yimou has his own, so is Kaige  then you have Xie Fei (probably my favourite) but not as famous,...     

Xie Fei is famous for making movies based on the people of different etnicity of Asia . Girl from Hunan, A Mongolian tale, Song of Tibet , Women from the lake of scented souls.        
He Ping is another director in the ethnic realm.(The horse thief).  They are both great .

But I can understand that most time , viewers tend to attach a particular director with a particular style. And when the director change his method, we become more critical. Yes, I do that too sometimes. :))
Same thing with recording artist.
                                                          
Some news on Gong li,
After leaving Yimou, she is now dating a Singaporean businessman. But Yimou is coming up with a new movie epic in 2002 and these time, it seems that the 2 of them came to an understanding and Gong Li will most probably be acting in it.

Best wishes and regards

"By the thundering roar of 20 000 horses, with the swing of my giant sword and the screams of my barbarian warriors.."
I bid you farewell
   
****Man, I love my ancestors, I love period epics....;)
Genghizkhan66