About conmen with a focus on gambling and to act as Robin Hood's by donating the scammed money to charity. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Simon Yam, Amy Yip and Raymond Wong leads the group while Ronny Yu directs in much light-hearted fashion. The actors are largely in exaggerated mode, you'll get an overabundance of gambling scenes (in particular involving mahjong) and at times the film is even a little insulting. For once it's only a little though and unlike Fat Choi Spirit, prior knowledge of much of anything set at the gambling tables isn't needed. There's even a gag or two that manages to register as clever (the presence of Amy Yip and Teddy Robin means the expected in terms of comedy though) and the whole tone leans towards unremarkable but suitably breezy. Assembly line product ever so slightly but it's nothing to be ashamed of. Also with Leung Tin and Lok Wai.

One of few attempts by Hong Kong cinema to exploit, if you will, the character of The Green Hornet (or rather his Chinese partner that Bruce Lee played on American television). Only other film in this regard that springs to mind is the wonderfully hokey Bruce Lee Against Supermen and truth be told, that ain't much better or worse than Lam Ching Ying's interpretation here. Which is a shame as this was Lam's last of two films he directed (the other being Vampire Vs Vampire) and one of his last appearances ever in Hong Kong films before passing away in 1997.

Shot on the cheap and therefore assigning itself to B-movie territory, that would be fine if there was some minute charm in the production as well. As it stands, Lam can't take these low grade sensibilities and spice it up Hong Kong style, which was really the only way The Green Hornet was ever going to work. Lead Chin Ka-Lok undoubtedly flashes his acrobatics well and the fighting tricks by the character can be compelling but it's way too rare and poorly captured on film. With no compelling story behind our hero either, like the best of the super-hero movies have, little is worth caring for and especially so since leading lady Esther Kwan (Run And Kill) is joining the legion of annoying female sidekicks with her performance. Lam himself has some very minute, worthwhile low-key comedy moments but the film is not the high water mark for the immortal legend Lam Ching Ying became. He had such a great selection of screen performances behind him anyway so The Green Hornet will never tarnish that reputation. Turn to Black Mask if you want a better spectacle in the vein of Bruce Lee's Kato character though. Co-starring is Yu Rong Guang and Lam Fai-Wong.

Tsui Hark's apparently much beloved AND hated Wuxia effort and for someone coming into the experience that is Green Snake so many years after everyone else, I was eager to try and figure out why. Whether it's right or not, one can sense that the very apparent parallels to modern social commentary towards Chinese ruling forces is way too overbearing depending on the viewer. Yet, it's ok to disconnect those train of thoughts because this Seasonal production sweeps you away through its layered portrayal about the definition of humanity.

Based on the Chinese folktale of White and Green Snake (portrayed by Joey Wong and Maggie Cheung respectively), the two are attempting to perfect the human form, especially Cheung's Green, and come to an understanding of what it takes to be one. Closely following their supernatural trail is a powerful monk (Vincent Zhao - The Blade) who sees the human land as monstrous and in presence of evil that can't co-exist with the real world. A scholar (Wu Hsin Kuo - Temptation Of A Monk) is also the subject of White's love but that love threatens to be diminished by the always present monk, trying himself to attain the highest power of enlightenment...

A re-visit to the ways of A Chinese Ghost Story yet not, a single train of thought but a complex one runs through Green Snake. Tsui Hark expertly creates a stunning visual palette that is his Wuxia world. An expected beautiful place with alluring atmosphere but also a horrific one at times, through the eyes of Zhao's monk character, not unlike anything this viewer ever witnessed from this new wave era that Tsui Hark basically headlined. Aiming for an erotic aura via the snakes, it's a choice and behaviour that seems logical in Green and White's quest for answers and through performers Wong and Cheung, Tsui achieves a sexiness that doesn't seem sacrificed for the Cat II rating. More than ever the wild and creative visual mind of Tsui Hark is also showcased, in particular during any shots at the snake house and the majority of special effects enhancements works (the often mentioned reveal of the snakes, the magic crane and ropey CGI detracts but not on the whole). James Wong and Mark Lui's score is also mesmerizing, being highly in tune with the hypnotic effect that runs through the film. Veteran Tien Feng appears briefly.

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HK Flix.com
Yesasia.com

Phillip Chan plays a trigger happy cop but one with good instincts that ends up having his rough action on display in the local media. Instead of taking a desk job, he decides to resign instead to spend more time with his son. It soon becomes apparent someone wants revenge on Chan for a past incident however...

Norman Law (A Hearty Response) mixes decent suspense and expected commentary (the hard working cops on the streets vs. the heads behind the desks) with a Phillip Chan performance with a suitable amount of dignity. Quite good suspense is generated through the theft of various music cues from other films, most notably Goblin's famous contribution to Dawn Of The Dead. Score also over dramatizes certain moments and Melvin Wong isn't saddled with the most well-drawn character. Basically just an image for the commentary mentioned. Style is suitably gritty coming from this era and the bleak ending was not a rarity at this time either. It's all worth an investment. Also with John Sham and Roy Horan.

Buy the VCD at:
HK Flix.com
Yesasia.com

New York and Puerto Rico are the playing fields for Tony Leung Siu-Hung's routine actioner shot in synch sound (and probably elsewhere than mentioned locales). Ray Lui is the overworked Hong Kong cop traveling to the United States to face marriage problems (wife played by Category III starlet Yvonne Yung) and the bad guys from home are now running wild on the streets of New York. Choosing to vacate the premises and go to Canada is not an option as the family gets dragged into the triad war...

A lot of painful dialogue and New York cop stereotypes aside, at least Leung isn't aiming that high with his international flavour and initially there is some fast paced action and teeth included with Guns of Dragon. But when those sharper elements goes missing and we unfortunately have to watch a story unfold, proceedings turns standard in a poor way, also in the action department. Mark Cheng, Alex Fong, Patrik Lung and an amusing John Shum also appear.