"on a side note I saw a preview for Zhang Yimou's new Martial Arts epic, and it looks so deliciously over the top I almost burst into tears of joy."

I saw that, too, but instead of tears of joy, it nearly made me burst into hives. Ever since Yimou and his 5th gen. buddy, Chen Kaige, have sold out, they've been practically dead to me. Now I only love Tian Zhuangzhuang.