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| A Chinese Odyssey Part Two - Cinderella (1995) Directed by: Jeff Lau |
Everyone returned for the sequel (with the addition of Athena Chu), probably because it was simultaneously with part one, but one thing's for sure, while very much worthwhile, the best creative energy ended up in the first installment. Production values are consistently excellent, in particular the make-up design (Chow and Ng Man Tat are unrecognizable as the Monkey King and Pig respectively) but for Western viewers, the step down in physical humour creates a somewhat slow paced and confusing experience (the addition of below par subtitles doesn't help). The basic story of the journey to the west continues in a well enough developed manner but the character relationships seems somewhat spotty, making us more scratch our heads at certain development in the plot. However, I do reserve the right to completely change my mind upon a second viewing. Special mention to Law Kar-Ying who is terrific as the very boring Longevity Monk plus the stunning Athena Chu logs a playful and affecting performance. Buy the DVD at: |
| Chinese Odyssey 2002 (2002) Directed by: Jeff Lau |
Produced by Wong Kar-Wai (who also co-wrote Jeff Lau's Haunted Cop Shop) the good production values and cinematography makes this period comedy enjoyable to look at. Lau directed the prior Chinese Odyssey vehicles starring Stephen Chow and this 2002 edition has the feel of a Stephen Chow film. Many of the jokes are done in a similar way but I wouldn't want to call it a negative thing. It's all in the performers and Tony Leung Chiu-Wai provides many laughs as the leading man. It's basically all the scenes (whether serious or not) with him, Vicky Zhao and Faye Wong that makes the movie reach the enjoyable level. When focus is shifted away from that the content is not as fun nor interesting. A fairly sizable number of cast members are Mandarin speakers and are therefore dubbed on the Cantonese track, obviously so. That is especially noticeable in Vicky Zhao and Cheng Chen's case. In their scenes together I switched to the Mandarin track where we hear the original sync sound Mandarin dialogue. Buy the DVD at: |
| A Chinese Tall Story (2005) Directed by: Jeff Lau |
Jeff Lau goes back to the Journey To The West territory but not exploring it story-wise like he did with the Stephen Chow Chinese Odyssey movies. In fact, the monk Tripitaka (Nicholas Tse) is the main focus of the story with little contribution from the likes of Monkey (Wilson Chen) and Piggy (Kenny Kwan, neither of which are made up to look anything like the famous characters. Can't hide such "stars" behind make-up apparently). They are on their journey to retrieve Buddhist scriptures but during a stop at Shache City, the root of all evils (a bunch of demons, represented by horrible CGI) appear. Big battle ensues, Monkey sacrifices himself and when all is said and done, Tripitaka may or not fall in love with ugly lizard imp Meiyan (Charlene Choi)... Energetic but not in the Jeff Lau way that proved critically successful way before the advent of CGI, there's an argument you can put forth that such a fantasy based story that also mixes in sci-fi elements doesn't have many rules so ropey artificial imagery could work in its favour. All well and good but Lau mixing in old timey mo lei tau comedy but via less talented performers than Stephen Chow or Tony Leung Chiu-Wai proves to be a major downfall for A Chinese Tall Story. Many excursions to different lands takes place where they meet Yuen Wah as Lord Chancellor Tortoise, several non-subtle nods to The Matrix (the golden staff of Monkey is a very helpful tool during this hands on reference), Star Wars and Spider-Man (Tripitaka is fooled into believing he's a student of an ancient spider web shooting martial arts) are present so sporadic energy and so many elements makes us stay on but the full explosion into manic energy, hilarity and even emotions the more Tripitaka and Meiyan grow affectionate doesn't happen (violent comedy manages to work great though). That effect of Lau's is in the past. Kara Hui, Gordon Liu, Isabella Leong, Patrick Tam, Wong Yat-Fei and Wayne Lai also appear. Buy the DVD at: |
| A Chinese Torture Chamber Story (1994) Directed by: Bosco Lam |
Some of you might've seen a movie clip on the Internet where two people, Crouching Tiger style are having sex. That was from this 1994 Cat III and Wong Jing production directed by Bosco Lam (who came up with the concept for the Derek Yee/Law Chi Leung directed Viva Erotica). Period effort and the same flashback structure as many Cat III productions from this era. Yvonne Yeung plays Little Cabbage that endures grim Ching dynasty torture while outside influences tries to prove her innocence. For once the combination of low brow humour and the grueling scenes of this story blend well together to create a, at times, completely insane Cat III entry. Not FILLED with insane imagery but instantly memorable ones, the highlight being the flying kung fu sex-fight (with Elvis Tsui and Julie Lee) and a Cat III parody of Ghost. Fans of the Sex & Zen movies should like this but be prepared for fairly strong scenes of torture (cuts to the print was required at time of release and they still remain on the dvd). You have to hand it to the Ching's, they were creative when it came to this. Also starring Tommy Wong and Lawrence Ng. A very much inferior and non-related sequel followed in 1998. Buy the DVD at: |
| The Christ Of Nanjing (1995) Directed by: Tony Au |
Tony Leung Ka-Fai is Japanese writer Okagawa who meets and marries young prostitute and christian devotee Jin-Hua (Yasuko Tomita - Kitchen). When she finds out he already has a family in Japan, she detaches herself from Okagawa and devotes herself only to her God, a decision that in her mind strengthens but in fact leads her onto a road towards insanity... Tony Au bid farewell to directing Hong Kong cinema with this his 8th feature, a dark, depressing and complex drama where he and writer Joyce Chan subjects poor Jin-Hua to grave punishment. It's an interesting portrayal in the way they put a blurred line between belief, need and love and you'd better be prepared for pessimism of the highest order. If so, The Christ Of Nanjing offers up fine production values, style and acting, in particular the intense and daring role for Japanese actress Yasuko Tomita. |
| City Cop (1995) Directed by: Herman Yau |
Despite the Chinese title suggesting we're watching a sequel to Danny Lee's acclaimed Law With Two Phases, City Cop holds mere one connection and if you can't figure that out, you're still new to Hong Kong cinema... Herman Yau made Cop Image the year before, the film where the ordinary cop tried to adopt the characteristics of the unrealistic movie cop. City Cop, written by infrequent but obviously talented Anna Lee, toys with us a little as it's first established we're into buddy cop movie territory. That's the template and via the very small means, Herman crafts a very exciting and affecting film. His talent in this particular production is not just keeping an even pace and getting the action to register as effective but highlighting the little, humane things that make up the lives of cops Jackson (Parkman Wong) and Rambo (Michael Chow). Of course an odd couple to begin with, Yau plants incredibly simplistic notions of the validity of being the cop type you are, valuing family and relationships as well as keeping count of your hour quota. Rarely interrupted by silliness, whenever the generic plot of the invincible Mainland Chinese villains kick in, even here where the script calls for brief commentary on the weaponry possessed by the criminal underworld Yau gets his point across very efficiently. Employing focus when working with action directors Chin Kar-Lok and Yee Tin-Hung as well, the film never strays and offers suitable mayhem (including some very fine stunt work and a terrific finale at a cinema). The downfalls of City Cop, albeit briefly concerns predictability and melodrama played out under Canto-pop. Perhaps it's also too minor to register with the masses but it's a fine film underneath that familiarity despite. Danny Lee appears in support, handing out friendly advice but a lot of credit sure belongs to him as a producer for allowing those mentioned little things to take center stage. Also with a relentless Ben Ng, Peter Yung and Tam Suk-Mooi. |
| City Cops (1989) Directed by: Lau Kar-Wing |
Kent Tong (Ken Tong) has information about a micro film that could bring down a wanted gangster so naturally his henchmen (led by Mark Houghton), the FBI (who sends Cynthia Rothrock to Hong Kong to pick up Tong) and the Hong Kong police take part in the hunt. The task locally is handed to lighthearted duo Ching (Miu Kiu-Wai) and Tai Kau (Shing Fui-On)... Basically having a troupe of willing stuntmen and the likes of Cynthia Rothrock, Luk Chuen, Mark Houghton and Nishiwaki Michiko on board, it's so obvious City Cops was designed as Lau Kar-Wing and crew went along. There's nothing wrong with a basic frame story but the all too familiar contrasting elements of Hong Kong action cinema (movie starts dark and then cuts to the bumbling idiot cops) doesn't gel since director Lau only sporadically delivers in the action department. 14 bearable minutes, the other 70 or so totally uninteresting. There's an amusing romance subplot between the unlikely duo of Shing Fui-On and Cynthia Rothrock but primary highlight takes place when the latter goes head to head with Luk Chuen. Albeit doubled for the more acrobatic feats, Rothrock looks amazing and the subsequent warehouse finale continues this fine combo whenever Rothrock is involved. Also with Suki Kwan, Wu Fung and John Ladalski. |
| City Hero (1985) Directed by: Dennis Yu |
With Dennis Yu (The Beasts, The Imp) mellowed out a bit, Cinema City took him on board, City Hero being the second production he made for the studio. Still, the antics of Dean Shek takes center stage, playing an arguably deranged instructor of special police unit cadets and even though he takes his role seriously at points, he knows no other gear but maximum. He can't win. As for Yu's work, he shows great disinterest when echoing this Police Academy formula (only slight more darkness enters) and offers up no points of interest along the way. When killing off a main character, it's simple attention seeking that works against him greatly. Even when subsequently ejecting most of the guys from this premise in favour of women, The Inspectors Wears Skirts by Wellson Chin didn't exactly intend to improve on the lame formula. Heck, one might even think the idea for that series came through the casting of Billy Lau in City Hero. A scary thought. Mark Cheng, Michael Wong, Pat Ha and Ku Feng also stars. Buy the DVD at: |
| City Kids 1989 (1989) Directed by: Poon Man-Kit |
Before Poon Man-Kit went big, historical and tedious with epics such as To Be Number One and Lord Of East China Sea, small stories about small time gangsters infused with loyalty, brotherhood etc was part of his initial streak of films. Hero Of Tomorrow remains a memorable one with high caliber firepower and brutality while City Kids 1989 only fares well for a little while. Third's (Max Mok) family emigrates to Hong Kong and the turbulence of the times eventually sets him on a downwards spiral. Flirts with the gangster world is the step that permanently plants him there, along with childhood friend Sas (Andy Lau). Short and to the point, there's nothing wrong with important pieces of the story only being highlighted briefly but with this brevity comes pretty distant characters that are also part of a pretty ordinary tale. The polished look, a workable double team between the leads and veterans Wong Chung, Shing Fui-On and Pau Hei-Ching lending weight to their characters still can't make City Kids 1989 say anything out of the ordinary. Some ending poignancy and restrained melodramatic acting from Andy Lau is worthy of note. Co-starring May Lo. Buy the DVD at: |
| City War (1988) Directed by: Sun Chung |
Despite not having a whole lot of originality going for it with its plot content being personal revenge, vigilante acts, choices equaling a journey towards hell and cops in commanding posts being as usual pretty tough to deal with, Sun Chung's (Human Lanterns) re-teaming of Chow Yun-Fat and Ti Lung (both in A Better Tomorrow) is hellish cinema so it's therefore for those who can take it. Sun Chung lights a fuse early on that slowly burns towards ignition, symbolized via Chow's steamy relationship with gangster Ted's (Norman Tsui) girlfriend (a character inflicting doom, played by Tien Niu who shares some quite smoking scenes with lead Chow, especially one on a dance floor) or when just about every innocent soul gets it! It's not John Woo weight to the proceedings and some light detours obviously make a dent in the otherwise excellent, dark impact the film has. Lo Lieh, Michael Chow (as a gay henchman) and Ricky Yi also appear. Buy the DVD at: |
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