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Federal Trade Commission -- Search: Facts for Consumers PDF Version Looking for the Best Mortgage Shopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage—whether it's a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan—is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You'll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of dollars. Obtain Information from Several Lenders Home loans are available from several types of lenders— thrift institutions , commercial banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions. Different lenders may quote you different prices, so you should contact several lenders to make sure you're getting the best price. You can also get a home loan through a mortgage broker. Brokers arrange transactions rather than lending money directly; in other words, they find a lender for you. A broker's access to several lenders can mean a wider selection of loan products and terms from which you can choose. Brokers will generally contact several lenders regarding your application, but they are not obligated to find the best deal for you unless they have contracted with you to act as your agent. Consequently, you should consider contacting more than one broker, just as you should with banks or thrift institutions. Whether you are dealing with a lender or a broker may not always be clear. Some financial institutions operate as both lenders and brokers. And most brokers' advertisements do not use the word "broker." Therefore, be sure to ask whether a broker is involved. This information is important because brokers are usually paid a fee for their services that may be separate from and in addition to the lender's origination or other fees. A broker's compensation may be in the form of "points" paid at closing or as an add-on to your interest rate , or both. You should ask each broker you work with how he or she will be compensated so that you can compare the different fees. Be prepared to negotiate with the brokers as well as the lenders. Obtain All Important Cost Information Be sure to get information about mortgages from several lenders or brokers. Know how much of a down payment you can afford, and find out all the costs involved in the loan. Knowing just the amount of the monthly payment or the interest rate is not enough. Ask for information about the same loan amount, loan term, and type of loan so that you can compare the information. The following information is important to get from each lender and broker: Rates Ask each lender and broker for a list of its current mortgage interest rates and whether the rates being quoted are the lowest for that day or week. Ask whether the rate is fixed or adjustable . Keep in mind that when interest rates for adjustable-rate loans go up, generally so does the monthly payment. If the rate quoted is for an adjustable-rate loan, ask how your rate and loan payment will vary, including whether your loan payment will be reduced when rates go down. Ask about the loan's annual percentage rate (APR). The APR takes into account not only the interest rate but also points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges that you may be required to pay, expressed as a yearly rate. Points Points are fees paid to the lender or broker for the loan and are often linked to the interest rate; usually the more points you pay, the lower the rate. Check your local newspaper for information about rates and points currently being offered. Ask for points to be quoted to you as a dollar amount—rather than just as the number of points—so that you will actually know how much you will have to pay. Fees A home loan often involves many fees, such as loan origination or underwriting fees , broker fees, and transaction , settlement, and closing costs . Every lender or broker should be able to give you an estimate of its fees. Many of these fees are negotiable. Some fees are paid when you apply for a loan (such as application and appraisal fees), and others are paid at closing. In some cases, you can borrow the money needed to pay these fees, but doing so will increase your loan amount and total costs. "No cost" loans are sometimes available, but they usually involve higher rates. Ask what each fee includes. Several items may be lumped into one fee. Ask for an explanation of any fee you do not understand. Some common fees associated with a home loan closing are listed on the Mortgage Shopping Worksheet in this brochure. Down Payments and Private Mortgage Insurance Some lenders require 20 percent of the home's purchase price as a down payment. However, many lenders now offer loans that require less than 20 percent down—sometimes as little as 5 percent on conventional loans . If a 20 percent down payment is not made, lenders usually require the home buyer to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) to protect the lender in case the home buyer fails to pay. When government-assisted programs such as FHA (Federal Housing Administration), VA (Veterans Administration), or Rural Development Services are available, the down payment requirements may be substantially smaller. Ask about the lender's requirements for a down payment, including what you need to do to verify that funds for your down payment are available. Ask your lender about special programs it may offer. If PMI is required for your loan, Ask what the total cost of the insurance will be. Ask how much your monthly payment will be when including the PMI premium. Ask how long you will be required to carry PMI. Obtain the Best Deal That You Can Once you know what each lender has to offer, negotiate for the best deal that you can. On any given day, lenders and brokers may offer different prices for the same loan terms to different consumers, even if those consumers have the same loan qualifications. The most likely reason for this difference in price is that loan officers and brokers are often allowed to keep some or all of this difference as extra compensation. Generally, the difference between the lowest available price for a loan product and any higher price that the borrower agrees to pay is an overage . When overages occur, they are built into the prices quoted to consumers. They can occur in both fixed and variable-rate loans and can be in the form of points, fees, or the interest rate. Whether quoted to you by a loan officer or a broker, the price of any loan may contain overages. Have the lender or broker write down all the costs associated with the loan. Then ask if the lender or broker will waive or reduce one or more of its fees or agree to a lower rate or fewer points. You'll want to make sure that the lender or broker is not agreeing to lower one fee while raising another or to lower the rate while raising points. There's no harm in asking lenders or brokers if they can give better terms than the original ones they quoted or than those you have found elsewhere. Once you are satisfied with the terms you have negotiated, you may want to obtain a written lock-in from the lender or broker. The lock-in should include the rate that you have agreed upon, the period the lock-in lasts, and the number of points to be paid. A fee may be charged for locking in the loan rate. This fee may be refundable at closing. Lock-ins can protect you from rate increases while your loan is being processed; if rates fall, however, you could end up with a less favorable rate. Should that happen, try to negotiate a compromise with the lender or broker. Remember: Shop, Compare, Negotiate When buying a home, remember to shop around, to compare costs and terms, and to negotiate for the best deal. Your local newspaper and the Internet are good places to start shopping for a loan. You can usually find information both on interest rates and on points for several lenders. Since rates and points can change daily, you'll want to check your newspaper often when shopping for a home loan. But the newspaper does not list the fees, so be sure to ask the lenders about them. The Mortgage Shopping Worksheet that follows may also help you. Take it with you when you speak to each lender or broker and write down the information you obtain. Don't be afraid to make lenders and brokers compete with each other for your business by letting them know that you are shopping for the best deal. Fair Lending Is Required by Law The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits lenders from discriminating against credit applicants in any aspect of a credit transaction on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, whether all or part of the applicant's income comes from a public assistance program, or whether the applicant has in good faith exercised a right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in residential real estate transactions on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Under these laws, a consumer cannot be refused a loan based on these characteristics nor be charged more for a loan or offered less favorable terms based on such characteristics. Credit Problems? Still Shop, Compare, and Negotiate Don't assume that minor credit problems or difficulties stemming from unique circumstances, such as illness or temporary loss of income, will limit your loan choices to only high-cost lenders. If your credit report contains negative information that is accurate, but there are good reasons for trusting you to repay a loan, be sure to explain your situation to the lender or broker. If your credit problems cannot be explained, you will probably have to pay more than borrowers who have good credit histories. But don't assume that the only way to get credit is to pay a high price. Ask how your past credit history affects the price of your loan and what you would need to do to get a better price. Take the time to shop around and negotiate the best deal that you can. Whether you have credit problems or not, it's a good idea to review your credit report for accuracy and completeness before you apply for a loan. To order a copy of your credit report, contact: Equifax: (800) 685-1111 TransUnion: (800) 916-8800 Experian: (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742) Glossary Adjustable-rate loans , also known as variable-rate loans, usually offer a lower initial interest rate than fixed-rate loans. The interest rate fluctuates over the life of the loan based on market conditions, but the loan agreement generally sets maximum and minimum rates. When interest rates rise, generally so do your loan payments; and when interest rates fall, your monthly payments may be lowered Annual percentage rate (APR) is the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate. The APR includes the interest rate, points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges that the borrower is required to pay. Conventional loans are mortgage loans other than those insured or guaranteed by a government agency such as the FHA (Federal Housing Administration), the VA (Veterans Administration), or the Rural Development Services (formerly know as Farmers Home Administration, or FmHA). Escrow is the holding of money or documents by a neutral third party prior to closing. It can also be an account held by the lender (or servicer) into which a homeowner pays money for taxes and insurance. Fixed-rate loans generally have repayment terms of 15, 20, or 30 years. Both the interest rate and the monthly payments (for principal and interest) stay the same during the life of the loan. The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money expressed as a percentage rate. Interest rates can change because of market conditions. Loan origination fees are fees charged by the lender for processing the loan and are often expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. Lock-in refers to a written agreement guaranteeing a home buyer a specific interest rate on a home loan provided that the loan is closed within a certain period of time, such as 60 or 90 days. Often the agreement also specifies the number of points to be paid at closing. A mortgage is a document signed by a borrower when a home loan is made that gives the lender a right to take possession of the property if the borrower fails to pay off on the loan. Overages are the difference between the lowest available price and any higher price that the home buyer agrees to pay for the loan. Loan officers and brokers are often allowed to keep some or all of this difference as extra compensation. Points are fees paid to the lender for the loan. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount. Points are usually paid in cash at closing. In some cases, the money needed to pay points can be borrowed, but doing so will increase the loan amount and the total costs. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) protects the lender against a loss if a borrower defaults on the loan. It is usually required for loans in which the down payment is less than 20 percent of the sales price or, in a refinancing, when the amount financed is greater than 80 percent of the appraised value. Thrift institution is a general term for savings banks and savings and loan associations. Transaction, settlement, or closing costs may include application fees; title examination, abstract of title, title insurance, and property survey fees; fees for preparing deeds, mortgages, and settlement documents; attorneys' fees; recording fees; and notary, appraisal, and credit report fees. Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the borrower receives a good faith estimate of closing costs at the time of application or within three days of application. The good faith estimate lists each expected cost either as an amount or a range. This brochure was prepared by the following agencies: Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of Justice Department of the Treasury Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Federal Housing Finance Board Federal Reserve Board Federal Trade Commission National Credit Union Administration Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Office of Thrift Supervision These agencies (except the Department of the Treasury) enforce compliance with laws that prohibit discrimination in lending. If you feel that you have been discriminated against in the home financing process, you may want to contact one of the agencies listed above about your rights under these laws. For more information on home lending issues , visit www.consumer.gov , write to the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009 or visit the Center's Web site . The following brochures are available from the center: A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Lock-lns A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Refinancing Buying Your Home: Settlement Costs and Helpful Information Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages Guide to Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance Home Buyer's Vocabulary Home Mortgages: Understanding the Process and Your Rights to Fair Lending How to Buy a Home with a Low Down Payment How to Dispute Credit Report Errors The HUD Home Buying Guide When Your Home Is on the Line Mortgage Shopping Worksheet Lender 1 Lender 2 Name of Lender Name of Contact Date of Contact Mortgage Amount Basic Information on the Loans Mortgage 1 Mortgage 2 Mortgage 1 Mortgage 2 Type of Mortgage: Fixed rate, adjustable rate, conventional, FHA, other? If adjustable, see below. Minimum down payment required Loan term (length of loan) Contract interest rate Annual percentage rate (APR) Points (may be called loan discount points) Monthly Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) premiums How long must you keep PMI? Estimated monthly escrow for taxes and hazard insurance Estimated monthly payment (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, PMI) Fees Different institutions may have different names for some fees and may charge different fees. We have listed some typical fees you may see on loan documents. Application fee or Loan processing fee Origination fee or Underwriting fee Lender fee or Funding fee Appraisal fee Attorney fees Document preparation and recording fees Broker fees (may be quoted as points, origination fees, or interest rate add-on) Credit report fee Other fees Other Costs at Closing/Settlement Title search/Title Insurance For lender For you Estimate prepaid amounts for interest, taxes, hazard insurance, payments to escrow State and local taxes, stamp taxes, transfer taxes Flood determination Prepaid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Surveys and home inspections Total Fees and Other Closing/Settlement Cost Estimates Mortgage Shopping Worksheet - continued Lender 1 Lender 2 Name of Lender Other Questions and Considerations about the Loan Mortgage 1 Mortgage 2 Mortgage 1 Mortgage 2 Are any of the fees or costs waivable? Prepayment penalties Is there a prepayment penalty? If so, how much is it? How long does the penalty period last? (for example, 3 years? 5 years?) Are extra principal payments allowed? Lock-ins Is the lock-in agreement in writing? Is there a fee to lock-in? When does the lock-in occur -0 at application, approval or another time? How long will the lock-in last? If the rate drops before closing, can you lock-in at a lower rate? If the loan is an adjustable rate mortgage: What is the initial rate? What is the maximum the rate could be next year? What are the rate and payment caps each year and over the life of the loan? What is the frequency of rate change and of any changes to the monthly payment? What is the index that the lender will use? What margin will the lender add to the index? Credit life insurance Does the monthly amount quoted to you include a charge for credit life insurance? If so, does the lender required credit life insurance as a condition of the loan? How much does the credit life insurance cost? How much lower would your monthly payment be without the credit life insurance? If the lender does not require credit life insurance, and you still want to buy it, what rates can you get from other insurance providers? The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues , visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel , a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. January 1999

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Ventura County - Property Tax Information Search for Property Information Please note that credit card payments will not be accepted after 11:45 PM on Monday, April 12th. Tax payments sent in the mail must have a postmark no later than April 12th to be accepted without penalty. Check with your local Post Office for closing times or call toll free to 1-800-275-8777. End April message -- Please note that credit card payments cannot be accepted after 7:00 PM on Monday, June 30th. At that time, the Tax Collector's Office will begin merging the unpaid Secured and Supplemental tax charges to create the 2003-2004 Redemption (past due taxes) tax roll. Any remaining tax charges on the 2002-2003 Redemption tax roll will not be shown here until the merging process is completed. We expect to have the information available again on July 20th. End Year End Message ML -- Notice of Scheduled System Maintenance for County Websites End System Outage Message ML -- Using your Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) is the fastest way to locate your property. While property searching by address will be successful under most circumstances, there may be some properties that will not be found due to unusual address configurations. Please enter the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or address below and press the 'Search' button. Assessor's Parcel Number (APN): OR Address: * Street Number and Street Name are REQUIRED to search by address. North South East West Alley Avenue Boulevard Creek Circle Court Drive Freeway Highway Lane Loop Path Park Place Parkway Plaza Road Route Row Square Street Trail Terrace View Walk Way Other -- * Street Number Direction * Street Name Unit # Bell Canyon Camarillo Fillmore Fillmore North Lockwood Malibu Moorpark Oak Park Ojai Ojai North Oxnard Ozena Port Hueneme Piru Point Mugu Rincon Simi Valley Santa Paula Thousand Oaks Unincorporated Ventura Westlake Vlg Other City Assessor's Homepage | Tax Collector's Homepage

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Amazon.com: House of Flying Daggers: DVD Your Store DVD See All 32 Product Categories Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | Advanced Search | Browse Genres | Top Sellers | New & Future Releases | Television Central | Life & Learning | DVD Essentials | Blowout DVDs | Movie Showtimes | Used DVDs Search Amazon.com DVD Web Search Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in . DVD Information Explore this item buying info editorial reviews customer reviews cast and crew fun facts Listmania! All Things Sexy : A list by Eliza Add your List Ready to buy? Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . MORE BUYING CHOICES 123 used & new from $7.45 Available for in-store pickup now from: $19.99 Price may vary based on availability Enter your ZIP Code Have one to sell? House of Flying Daggers (2005) Starring: Takeshi Kaneshiro , Andy Lau Director: Yimou Zhang Rating: See larger image Share your own customer images List Price: $19.94 Price: $12.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details You Save: $6.95 (35%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Want it delivered Friday, December 30? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. See details 123 used & new available from $7.45 Edition: Other Versions and Languages Other Versions (DVD) List Price Price Other Offers: DVD House of Flying Daggers (UMD mini for PSP) $28.95 $25.99 36 used & new from $13.97 DVD House of Flying Daggers/Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon $36.96 $25.88 71 used & new from $17.97 Other Versions (VHS Tape) VHS Tape House of Flying Daggers $14.95 $14.20 10 used & new from $7.50 Better Together Buy this DVD with Hero DVD ~ Jet Li today! Total List Price: $39.93 Buy Together Today: $25.98 Customers who bought this DVD also bought Hero DVD ~ Jet Li The Incredibles (Widescreen 2-Disc Collector's Edition) DVD ~ Maeve Andrews Sin City DVD ~ Robert Rodriguez Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition with Comic Book) DVD ~ Christian Bale Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Music , and in Books Storyline Genres: Action , Drama , Romance Plot Outline: A romantic warrior breaks a beautiful member of a rebel army out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem. Plot Synopsis: During the reign of the Tang dynasty in China, a secret organization called "The House of the Flying Daggers" rises and opposes the government. A police officer called Leo sends officer Jin to investigate a young dancer named Mei, claiming that she has ties to the "Flying Daggers". Leo arrests Mei, only to have Jin breaking her free in a plot to gain her trust and lead the police to the new leader of the secret organization. But things are far more complicated than they seem... Plot Keywords: Visually Impaired Person | Blind | Blindness | Police | Deputy | Police Officer | Martial Arts | Blind Girl | Brothel | China | Dancer | Doublecross | (Show all 22 plot keywords recommended by customers) Product Details Actors: Takeshi Kaneshiro , Andy Lau , Ziyi Zhang , Dandan Song , Yang Guang , See more Directors: Yimou Zhang Format: Ac- , Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc, Widescreen Anamorphic Region: Region 1 ( U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats. ) Number of discs: 1 Rated: Studio: Sony Pictures DVD Release Date: April 19, 2005 Run Time: 119 min (original theatrical or airing runtime) Average Customer Review: Based on 219 Reviews DVD Features: Available Subtitles: English, French Available Audio Tracks: (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1) Commentary with actor Ziyi Zhang and director Zhang Yimou Creating the Visual Effects featurette "Making of" featurette Theme Song 'Lovers' Music Video Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery Costumes Gallery Storyboard Comparisons Previews From IMDb: Quotes & Trivia ASIN: B0007Q6VXC Amazon.com Sales Rank: #285 in DVD Theatrical Release Information US Theatrical Release Date: January 14, 2005 MPAA: for sequences of stylized martial arts violence, and some sexuality. Production Company: Beijing New Picture Film Co., China Film Co-Production Corporation, EDKO Film Ltd., Elite Group Enterprises, Zhang Yimou Studio USA Box Office: $11 Million Budget Estimate: $100 Million Filming Locations: Beijing, China| China| Kossiv National Park, Ukraine| Lviv, Ukraine| Sichun Province, China| Tea Mountain Bamboo Sea Scenery Park, Yongchuen, Chongqing, China| Ukraine Editorial Reviews Amazon.com No one uses color like Chinese director Zhang Yimou--movies like Raise the Red Lantern or Hero , though different in tone and subject matter, are drenched in rich, luscious shades of red, blue, yellow, and green. House of Flying Daggers is no exception; if they weren't choreographed with such vigorous imagination, the spectacular action sequences would seem little more than an excuse for vivid hues rippling across the screen. Government officers Leo and Jin (Asian superstars Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro) set out to destroy an underground rebellion called the House of Flying Daggers (named for their weapon of choice, a curved blade that swoops through the air like a boomerang). Their only chance to find the rebels is a blind women named Mei (Ziyi Zhang, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon ) who has some lethal kung fu moves of her own. In the guise of an aspiring rebel, Jin escorts Mei through gorgeous forests and fields that become bloody battlegrounds as soldiers try to kill them both. While arrows and spears of bamboo fly through the air, Mei, Jin, and Leo turn against each other in surprising ways, driven by passion and honor. Zhang's previous action/art film, Hero , sometimes sacrificed momentum for sheer visual beauty; House of Flying Daggers finds a more muscular balance of aesthetic splendor and dazzling swordplay. --Bret Fetzer Customers who viewed this DVD also viewed Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Ahmed Best National Treasure (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Nicolas Cage Sideways (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Paul Giamatti Kung Fu Hustle (Widescreen Edition) DVD ~ Kwok Kuen Chan Explore Similar Items : in DVD , in Music , and in Video Spotlight Reviews Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. 179 of 199 people found the following review helpful: More Romance Than 'Hero' and More Beauty of Zhang Ziyi , October 7, 2004 Reviewer: T. Nakajima (Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-hu Japan) - See all my reviews Soon following the success of 'Hero,' director Yimou Zhang made another film featuring beautiful Zhang Ziyi. One of the good news for Zhang Ziyi fans (including me) is that 'House of Flying Daggers' features her almost all through the film. And this time director's stress is clearly given to the romantic side of the story -- and as if to match his intention, 'House' looks more beautiful, colorful, and gorgeous, than 'Hero.' And there are actions, and some of them are quite unique. The film is set in 859 AD, last days of the now corrupt Tang Dynasty in China. One underground sect called House of Flying Daggers are openly challenging the authority of the government, and to crush these rebels, two officers Jin -- also known 'The Wind' (Takeshi Kaneshiro, 'Chunking Express') and Leo (Andy Lau, 'Infernal Affairs') think of a good plan. Jin goes to meet a blind courtesan Mei (Zhang Ziyi), who is suspected to be connected with the secret clan, and he gains the confidence of this beautiful dancer by some tricks -- tricks meaning 'love.' Make her love you, and you get her secret. Hopefully she will lead Jin to the hiding place of the 'House of Flying Daggers,' but before the plan starts, Leo warns Jin: 'Don't fall in love for real.' But who can resist Mei's beauty? Or Zhang Ziyi's for that matter? The rest of the story is very melodramatic, and the film sometimes needs a good amount of suspension of disbelief (especially for Western audiences, I'm afraid). But, though melodramatic, it is aptly so, as this is basically about a romance, or a love story. Those who love the romantic mood in films would understand what I say. It's all about the tension and mood, and 'House' has lots of them. Actions are done by Tony Ching Siu-Tung, whose CV includes the action director of 'A Chinese Ghost Story.' He gives superb martial arts actions here again, without using too much of now-too-trendy wire actions. As the film title shows, there are some effectively shot scenes of 'flying daggers' which, with a good use of CGIs, gives a few of thrilling moments. And like I said before, the battles in the midst of a deep bamboo forest are not to be missed, if you are a real Hong-Kong film fan. Costumes are provided by Emi Wada (as in 'Hero'), whose colorful dresses are just wonderful. Particlularly those long-sleeved dancing costumes for Zhang Ziyi not merely enhance the exotic beauty of the dancer, but things to be treasured on their own merit. And Kathleen Battle sings the theme song at the end of the film. But first and foremost, to me, the film is made for Zhang Ziyi. Did I say she is beautiful? She is, and breathtakingly so, when her character betrays her hidden emotions before the camera. And sometimes the film reveals the character's very sensual side -- I say, for a Chinese film, of course, but it was a little surprising. Of course, top-credited Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro are the stars, and they are very good. The film is always beautiful to see, from the first to the end (the snow field was shot in Ukraine). And if you're a fan of Zhang Ziyi, this one is not to be missed for it's not too much to say that it belongs to her. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 214 of 333 people found the following review helpful: Opinion of a Chinese Viewer..... , December 13, 2004 Reviewer: C. Jen "chanteuse33" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews To be fair, this is not a bad movie considering how many bad movies Hollywood put out there each year. As a Chinese living in US for 20+ years and someone grew up devoting to Wushia films, this is a good but not outstanding movie. Certain aspects were distracting: 1. bamboo forest and the other forest don't mix. They are apparently from two very different regions. Weird how they traversed between the two like they were next door neighbors.... 2. Mei and Jin must be really young to fall so deeply for each other after only 3 days. Also said the House of Daggers leader, Mei (Zhang Ziyi) had used her beauty for business a few times before. She's not a spring chicken who had never ventured out of her confine to be a true Juliet (if you must use the Shakespearean connection.....) 3. Once the twist was revealed, Leo(Andy Lau)'s role became very unsympathetic. He's a classic case of possessive character that stalker/abuser is made of. House of The Flying Daggers is not a Wushia movie technically because its emphasis on the love story. Everything, the story structure, fight scenes, visuals, music, and editing, are all in support of the love story. A true Wushia movie is more about good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, underdog vs. oppressor, or moral vs. greed, much like a classic Western should. As a love story/melodrama, it is good. As a Wushia movie, it is not. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is a better representation of the Wushia genre. Just my two cents.... Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. If nothing else, watch this movie for the 'Echo Game' scene... , December 28, 2005 Reviewer: Brandon Wiggins "Glass Onion Child" - See all my reviews This movie is primarily a love story that is kept mildly entertaining with some high flying martial arts and the absolutely stunning Zhiang Ziyi. What I enjoyed most about this film, however, was the choreography and wonderful use of colors throughout the movie. As mentioned before, the 'Echo Game' scene features Zhiang Ziyi performing a beautiful martial arts dance with a gown that has long flowing sleeves that are absolutely gorgeous to watch on screen as they move effortlessly around the circle hitting each specific drum. This was by far one of my favorite scenes in the entire movie. The use of colors is also wonderful to watch, especially the green theme used for the House of Flying Daggers' scenes. As far as the plot goes, this movie offers nothing spectatuclar and is a melodramatic love story at best. But the acting is superb and the film offers enough plot twists to keep your interest until the end of the film. Overall, this film is not about action so much as it is about the overall mood created with the visuals and love story. Zhiang Ziyi is spectacular in her role as Mei and I would highly reccomend this to any fan of films such as 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', etc. (CTHD has a much better story though.) Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Better than Crouching Tiger! , December 21, 2005 Reviewer: David Foskin (Waterford, Ireland) - See all my reviews After raising his artistic level to lofty heights in "Hero," Chinese director Zhang Yimou returns to earth with the elegiac "House of Flying Daggers." In what could be considered the second film of his third different film-making period, Zhang now freely traffics in martial arts. Bringing to the genre his own cinematic sensibilities, he renders a film that equals Hong Kong artists in action sequences, while again displaying his mastery in overall technique. Working with a script from Li Feng, Wang Bin and himself, Zhang again returns to his country's history for an action tale full of romance, deceit, betrayal and loyalty. Set in 859 China, near the end of the Tang dynasty, "Daggers" centers on an on-going conflict between the established, corrupt emperor (whom we never see) and what must be called a terrorist group, known by the film's title, sworn to overthrow the ineffectual leader. But, strangely, even when dealing with such a variety of emotions, "Daggers" is often a cold, uninvolving movie. A romance is established between Mei (Zhang Ziyi), who may or may not be blind, and Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro), who may or may not be a double agent for the government, with Leo (Andy Lau), who may or may not be a triple agent for the government, acting as a romantic foil. In the prolonged opening scene set in a brothel, full of flowery patterns and shimmering costumes, Mei dances for Leo, suggesting that the deft Zhang Ziyi can execute any physical demands. Before leaving the scene, however, director Zhang shows his perfect eye for composition and choreography with his production of Mei's "echo dance." Mei smoothly moves through her intricate paces, provocatively stimulating the senses. Carefully choreographed drummers surround her in perfect symmetry, setting up an unlikely stage from which Mei performs her stunning dance. After this initial interior sequence, the film goes outside and stays there for several pursuits. Zhang then parades several imaginative battle sequences in which armies are outrageously mowed down by one or two people. Consequently, much of "Daggers" follows a Hong Kong film tradition by taking place in the air, as fights erupt in bamboo forests, with warriors swaying in the trees, bending, and defying gravity. Zhang's pastoral fight scenes don't originate from the Hong Kong tradition of Tsui Hark or early John Woo films, but instead are his own inventions with much more emphasis on the aesthetic. And it's for this eye that Zhang is best known, even in epic works like "Hero" or in a film like "Daggers." And that alone makes it more entertaining, and better, than 98 percent of most movies. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 1 of 3 people found the following review helpful: From another Chinese viewer... , December 19, 2005 Reviewer: F. Quan (Orem, UT USA) - See all my reviews I rented this movie over the weekend so I could decide if I was going to buy it. Decided against buying it. The movie is slow and drawn out. This is really a love story with martial arts in it. If you're looking for a martial arts movie, move on to something else. If you're looking for a love story, there are better stories out there. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: An Asian love story , December 15, 2005 Reviewer: Cory D. Slipman (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) - See all my reviews "House of Flying Daggers" directed by acclaimed Yimou Zhang is a romanntic drama disguised as a martial arts film. This visually appealing movie features terrific set designs and costuming to create 9th century China at the time of the Tang dynasty. The martial arts action sequences were choreographed beautifully as one would expect. The storyline however was merely an above average romantic plot. The Tang dynasty was in a state of decline and a clandestine underground group, the House of the Flying Daggers, was attempting to take over control of the country. The blind daughter of the recently assassinated leader of the group was purported to be working as a dancer in the lavishly decorated bordello, the Peony Pavilion. Two captains of the reigning government Jin and Leo schemed to use the girl to lead them to the secret hideout of the Flying Daggers. The girl Mei played by the ravishingly beautiful Ziyi Zhang is arrested on trumped up charges by Leo, played by Andy Lau and threatened with torture unless she reveals the secrets of the Flying Daggers. As previously, arranged Jin played by Takeshi Kaneshiro, helps her escape using an impressive array of martial arts moves. Jin and Mei, also an accomplished martial artist, are riding and running through the countryside being hunted by government soldiers. Jin is attempting to gain Mei's confidence so that he can coax her into leading him to the Flying Daggers, with Leo in hot pursuit. A funny thing happens as in their flight which includes frequent battles in that Jin and Mei fall in love. Mei had previously been Leo's love interest so this creates a muddle in the various allegiances. The film concludes in a fairly standard manner but not necessarily happily ever after. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 219 customer reviews... Listmania! Great Asian Movies, China, #1 ... : by Steve Vander The Best Tearjerkers : by Lyn All Things Sexy : by Eliza So You'd Like to... The Best of Eastern Directors : by Jason , Amateur Film Critic Have an awesome Movie collection like me : by kurt , Movie collector/ amatuer movie critic Get the BEST Cinema. : by Ruben , Amateur Movie Critic Fun Facts from IMDb.com: Awards Click here to see more Awards Boston Society of Film Critics Awards: BSFC Award for Best Foreign-Language Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography Golden Rooster Awards: Golden Rooster for Best Art Direction Golden Trailer Awards: Golden Trailer for Best Foreign, Best Foreign Independent Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: LAFCA Award for Best Foreign Language Film Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA: Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing in Foreign Features National Board of Review, USA: NBR Award for Outstanding Production Design National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA: NSFC Award for Best Cinematography, Best Director Satellite Awards: Golden Satellite Award for Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography Nominations Click here to see more Nominations Academy Awards, USA: Oscar for Best Achievement in Cinematography Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film, Best Costumes, Best Director, Best Actress BAFTA Awards: BAFTA Film Award for Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Film not in the English Language, Best Make Up/Hair, Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Costume Design, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Best Cinematography Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: BFCA Award for Best Foreign Language Film Chlotrudis Awards: Chlotrudis Award for Best Cinematography European Film Awards: Screen International Award Golden Globes, USA: Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film Golden Rooster Awards: Golden Rooster for Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Director Golden Trailer Awards: Golden Trailer for Best Music Hong Kong Film Awards: Hong Kong Film Award for Best Asian Film Trivia Click here to see more Trivia Director Yimou Zhang has said that he will rewrite the screenplay to remove Anita Mui's character following the veteran star's death. This is meant to be a sign of respect for Mui. It was earlier reported that Michelle Yeoh or Brigitte Lin would be cast instead. This was originally going to be Anita Mui's final appearance in film and she had already accepted the role but, because she was battling cervical cancer, her part wasn't going to be filmed until early 2004. After her death on 30 December 2003, director Yimou Zhang decided to alter the script rather than find a replacement. Anita's name will still be listed in the credits. Goofs Click here to see more Goofs The music that the live musicians play during the drum duel scene, although beautiful, is not characteristic of classical Chinese music of that era. Crazy Credits Click here to see more Crazy Credits In Memory of Anita Mui1963-2003 The Chinese theatrical release has a Chinese translation of the ending song(which has lyrics in English) on the left side of the screen during thecredits. Movie Connections Click here to see more Movie Connections Featured in: The 77th Annual Academy Awards Quotes Click here to see more Quotes [reaches for dagger in back] Leo : Yee : Do not pull this dagger out. I'm sending you back to keep spying for us. You will be more convincing with a dagger in your back. Mei : To be free like the wind. For more information about "House of Flying Daggers" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Look for similar items by category Browse similar items in: DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( K ) > Kaneshiro, Takeshi DVD > Actors & Actresses > ( L ) > Lau, Andy DVD > Directors > ( Y ) > Yimou, Zhang DVD > Genres > Action & Adventure > General DVD > Genres > Art House & International > By Country > China DVD > Genres > Art House & International > By Country > Hong Kong > General DVD > Genres > Art House & International > By Original Language > Chinese DVD > Genres > Art House & International > General DVD > Genres > Drama > General DVD > Genres > Drama > Love & Romance > Romance DVD > Genres > Drama > Love & Romance > Star-Crossed Lovers DVD > Genres > Drama > Period Piece Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. If you've found something incorrect, broken, or frustrating on this page, let us know so that we can improve it. 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Land for sale in Montana - Montana Land Sale | Site Map | Contact Us | This Site was Last Updated 12/28/2005 Bill Walker Realty 406-443-3424 For Montana Land information, Call Me Today at:406-492-7581 . Email: Bill Thomas Farm and Ranch Real Estate Ranch for Sale Land for sale in Montana Farm & Ranch Cattle Ranch for sale About Bill Montana Links Property Inquiry Agricultural News Telegraph Creek flows through this property Visitors to this site Best viewed with Internet Explorer at 800 x 600 resolution. Group Tour Planning for Montana Kids in Montana Lewis & Clark in Montana Montana Official State Web Site Winter Things to Do in Montana Land For Sale Bill Thomas, Montana Realtor Here is a place to find western Montana real estate help. Bill is here to find Montana land for sale. If you looking for real estate around the continental divide in Montana let Bill help you with your real estate needs either selling or buying. To b e the owner of land, that is a deep-seated desire for most of us and there are some great places to be found in Montana. The pleasure of climbing around your own property, taking care of your own land and building your own special place to live is one of the singular rewards of working hard and doing well. My greatest gift in life has come from helping people enjoy some of this part of Montana's wonderful and scenic properties. There are ranches with timber, lakes, rivers, creeks, mountains and valleys for sale in Montana, we just have to find them. I will help you find homes for sale and area information for Helena, Elliston, Avon and Deer Lodge, Montana. I have the real estate buying and selling knowledge, relocation help, and mortgage information you need to make your buying decision knowledgeable and pleasant. Learn more about me. Folks return time and again just to four wheel, hike, cross country ski or just explore the mountains and trails within a short drive of Helena. Extending from Helena, you will find, in nearly every direction are over 200 miles of trails leading to ghost towns, high mountain ridges and lakes, plus unlimited exploring on thousands of acres of national forest. If you would like to own your piece of Montana land just pick up your telephone and call Bill at 406-492-7581 or e-mail him at Montana Land For Sale The Helena area of Western Montana is a delight of confer covered hills that is mostly private land although there are many public lands in the area too. The wildlife, both fish and game is plentiful and in some areas abundant. Both mule deer and white tail deer inhabit Western Montana and the hunting season for both these species is open to resident and non-residents of Montana. The elk herds of Western Montana yield Boone and Crocket and Pope and Young trophies every year. The major blue ribbon trout fishing rivers of this part of Montana include: Madison River, Bighole River, Jefferson River, Ruby River, Gallatin River, Missouri River, Yellowstone River, Little Blackfoot River, Blackfoot River, Clark Fork, Bitterroot River, Flathead and they all have super trout fishing. Want a Montana Cabin Rental ? Bill Smith has a log home for rent just east of deer Lodge. For a great cup of coffee we use Beacon Beverage Systems and have not been disappointed yet. If you need Montana Elk Hunting Outfitters or a trophy elk antler to mount try Elk antler for sale . The n for a taxidermist go to Montana Taxidermy School . RealEstate4.com - The Real Estate Directory

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Do you have questions about the city and the suburbs? Are you currently just shopping for information about Denver homes? You have found the right spot! Gathering information is going to be easy now. You will find the answers to your questions here. OFFERING MANY CHOICES OF DENVER HOMES The metro area has an abundance of neighborhoods that might fit your needs. I pride myself in being able to discuss these areas with you. It's important to look at all the possibilities when relocating to a new area and I can help you do just that. Here are some of the areas in the Denver Metro area to consider: OBTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION - CLICK ON THE CITY OF YOUR CHOICE... Arvada Denver Littleton Aurora Denver Tech Center Lodo Brighton Erie Louisville Broomfield Evergreen Lone Tree Castle Rock Greenwood Village Morrison Centennial Golden Northglenn Cherry Hills Highlands Ranch Parker Conifer Ken Caryl Thornton Commerce City Lafayette Westminster Lakewood Research demographics , follow links to gain visual perspective, driving times to popular Denver area locations, taxation in Colorado , links to school accountability reports , private schools , higher education in Denver, American Dream Downpayment Program and other facts helpful to a inquiring Denver relocation prospect. DENVER HOME SALES STATISTICS The Berkshire Group follows the real estate market trends in the Denver metro area. We publish the current market trends in the Denver Real Estate Update and Denver Sales Statistics . Click on the link to review the latest information about Denver home values, Denver's average days on market, list to sale ratios, etc. Denver relocation services are not exclusive to out of state (or country) home buyers. If you are relocating from an area of the city to another, you are welcomed and encouraged to use my services. As a relocation specialist I know how important it is to be able to learn about all the areas that might fit your needs. I have made it my business to compile as complete a website as possible, offering you information that you want...now! If you have additional questions please feel free to contact me either by telephone or e-mail. I promise I will answer your questions honestly and promptly and without pressure. Selling homes in and around Denver is my specialty...how may I help you? HOME BUYING DIRECTORY Buyer Broker Down Payment How to Qualify for a Mortgage Loan Application Locking in Interest Rate Earnest Money Loan Application Checklist Fico Scores Moving List Moving Pets What is PMI? Finance Glossary Financing Your Home Reverse Mortage Home Buying Process Closing Costs © Homes for sale... Beautiful Executive Home In Greenwood Village $579,900 All Execellent Cherry Creek Schools! Curved Stairway and French Doors to mainfloor Den. 5 Bedrooms, 5 Baths, Fully finished walkout basement. Click Here for more info Property Brochure Available Here. Castle Rock Home in the Villages $220,000 Newly redone with fresh paint and new carpet, this lovely Richmond two story has a great custom deck. Located in an established neighborhood you will love the price. Why wait for new? Call Kristal Kraft at 800-319-7739. Property brochure available online. Beautiful Historic Building! True, authentic Loft! Denver Loft Property brochure available here. 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To see it, Call your agent or call Susie Farrar 303-350-5838 Brochure on Walnut Street Loft Take a virtual tour of the Walnut Loft Bank Owned, Bring Offer! (Tour # 434459 MLS #266663) Boulder County Townhome w/Contemporary Styling, fully finished basement, 3 bedrooms plus a loft, fireplace, 2 car garage. Backs to a huge open space. Priced to sell at $282,900. For more information call your Realtor or call Kristal Kraft at 303-589-2022 Take the Virtual Tour here. Attractive townhome with a courtyard (Tour #430692, MLS #264811) The beautiful open floor plan in this townhome with large rooms is all updated and ready for you to move in. This end unit with a main level entry faces a greenbelt. You will enjoy your private patio with additional storage, and easy access to highways, restaurants, and shopping. Call Susie to see it today! 303-868-8399 Preview this Hallcraft Townhome in Aurora, Colorado Cute Contemporary Home for sale at Sloan's Lake (Tour #64076 MLS #262198 ) You will love this home and location, 1864 sq. ft. 3 bedroom 2 bath home within walking distance to Highland Square. For more information call Laurie Reed 303-906-9172 Preview the home on visual tour Property brochure 4521 W. Hayward Place, Denver, CO 80212 Having a hard time finding a tour? Some computers will block "pop ups" preventing your computer from connecting to the tour. If this happens, hold down the "Ctrl" key and click the link. Or you can locate a Visual Tour by inputting the Tour # in the box below. FOR REALTORS ONLY - CAREER OPPORTUNITY If you are a Denver Realtor looking for a good environment in which to learn and prosper, follow this link . Kristal Kraft , ABR, CIPS, CRS Licensed real estate broker selling Colorado Since 1984 The Berkshire Group Realtors, Inc. 3801 E. 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