The Banquet/ The Legend of the Black Scorpion by Xiaogang Feng

In 907 AD, the Tang Dynasty is damaged; infighting destroys the imperial family. Crown Prince Wu Luan loves Little Wan, but his father takes her as his Empress. Wu Luan goes into exile, studying dance and music. His uncle murders his father, taking the throne and the Empress; The newly Emperor sends assassins to kill Wu Luan. The Crown Prince escapes death and comes to court. The Emperor arranges for Little Wan's coronation and dispatches Wu Luan to a distant land; he then calls for a midnight banquet on the 100th day of his rule. Poison, treachery, Wu Luan's return, and the love of the innocent Qing for Wu Luan set up the final entanglements.

It's all about the wearing of masks and the building of facades, of hiding true intentions to achieve personal objectives. The contrast between the two men in the Emperor and the Prince is looked into, their love lives examined - one who uses power to obtain love, while the other's fortune to be loved brought him unimaginable influence.

The focus of the movie in the end is to be Empress Wan, as she plots and schemes, leaving you perplexed as to whether to sympathize and pity her, or applaud her attempts at exacting her own brand of justice. Empress Wan loves Wu Luan, she wants revenge for all that has been done to her and everybody around her, she tries to do it her own way. So that she could be the Emperor herself in the end.

The cinematic feeling is Beautiful and Magic. If you have not seen it, go Rent Now!