Fortune Cookie

After eating at a Chinese restaurant, a group of friends learn that their recent string of bad luck and bizarre deaths is the cause of the group receiving distressing fortune cookies at the meal and must find a way to stop it from continuing before they all die.

This one here wasn't all that bad but did have some overall problems with it. What really helps out here is when this one is how this one manages to treat the concept of the curse coming true and striking the group, which is smartly based on the Chinese prophecy that's at the center of the film. There's plenty to like how it manages to set-up the different connections with the figures from Chinese lore and integrates them with a connection to their actual deaths as it winds throughout here. Those deaths are also a lot of fun with the great manner of utilizing a manner in which their everyday lives is compromised into doling out the fatal blow. That in turns leaves this one with some rather enjoyable scenes here as this one gives off the great decision at making them accidental deaths that require some nice coincidences to play out. The first scene at the restaurant itself is a rather fine example, as well as the accident at the apartment with the bees emerging from the flowers and backstage at the restaurant where they first manage to fool with the false alarm before going for the real kill later on, while the sequence of events that play out in the hospital is quite fun with the different scenes resulting in rather gruesome incidents. As these do lead to nice bloody kills, it's about all that really appeals here with this one as there's some flaws apparent in here. One of the biggest here is that there's such a low amount of suspense present throughout the film that it's really hard to not only care but get invested in what's going to happen to them. The familiar set-up and constant running around the city here should be given some greater meaning than what's on display, but it's presented as so matter of factly that they come off as bland and really drag the life out of the film by it really holding so little interest in what's going through it's main point of being. This one is all about the group falling prey to the conflicts of the curse, yet there's never a real build-up to what's on with the point of the whole series of accidents as there's never any build-up to them and the other scenes just go by without any sense of urgency since we're just going through one scene after another. While never really boring, that does afflict this one significantly so there's a big drop-off due to that. As well, the other big issue here is the failure to mention why they're being targeted or what the curse actually is, as all we get are the physical implications by the ancient symbols but not really much else is mentioned here, and it really adds to the empty overall feel here combined with the ho- hum pace. Filled with shoddy CGI for the deaths and a really forgettable finale don't help this, but the other issues stands out more.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence, Language and Brief Nudity.

This was just awful. Over acting, bad dialog and makeup for death is just funny. The start is the only semi good part and James Hong is featured. The story itself is laughable as there is no reason to target this group of friends at a local eatery. I kicked myself for not turning it off, but I need a good laugh. If I was in this, I would not put it on my resume. Of course we have the gratuitous sex scene, some breast shots. Seriously, who has sex the same day you watch your bestie die? Do people feel that is an aphrodisiac? The cop, dressed like she is in corporate America is out of place. Eat some place else.

So, this is a rather subpar movie effort. It looks like they simply used one set for both restaurants, simply changing decorations. The plot has the loosest of connections to hold it together, and even then they don't make much sense. And characters do the dumbest things. Then, having fortune cookies be the basis for a Chinese curse, when they aren't even Chinese in origin, doesn't lead any credence to the mystical supernatural plot. Only the actor who played Danny and his grandfather appeared to bring any acting ability to the movie with everyone else appearing to "paint by emotion" style of acting. Poorly produced, poorly acted, nonsensical plot. Don't break the cookie to watch this film; it's not worth it.

Good premise, terrible use of it. The worst - it is only a poor version of Final destination. The second basic sin - the Chinese traditions about New Year are only reduced to sketch of frame or pretext.

The virtue - maybe only the presence of James Hong.

Unfortunatelly , it has potential. Wasted in breasts and unrealistic accidents- deats , in chaotic or without logic, inspiration story and an end absolutely crazy.

All seems improvised. In a hurry rhytm. Deaths as patotoes in bag, a cop lady without any importance, a surviver killed in almost silly manner and a family with imposible kids and rude parents as presumed piece for second part.

So, happy only for the presence of James Hong.

This was the Great Value discounted version of a good movie. A poorly made rip off at that. Script, plot, direction, & acting all sucked. The death scenes were pathetic. The most ridiculous part is that the restaurant is still passing out fortune cookies despite knowing all about the curse, both before & after the events of the movie. I really hated this "movie".