Reprising/expanding the subplot from Righting Wrongs, concerning himself and his father both being on the force, Corey Yuen devotes a whole feature to the dramatic facets of such a relationship. Casting Wu Ma therefore again, it's a heavy handed but an unusually focused dramatic standpoint made by and acted out by Yuen. He treats the subject matter with a realistic edge, talking about trying to do good as an officer in the eyes of the authoritarian figures in your life. It's obvious Yuen is still feeling confidence left over from Righting Wrongs. It may be constructed to give way for gritty action, spiking quite well during the finale, but therefore it's also a generous package for all kinds of viewers. Quite a gathering of then frequent profiles as well now includes Andy Lau, Bill Tung, Chin Siu-Ho, Sammo Hung, Richard Ng, Anthony Chan, Phillip Ko, Meg Lam and Tai Po.

A light, tight group of cops try to survive in the heat while facing criminal heat in the form of robbers and a disgruntled army officer (Jack Kao) deciding to take out his frustrations by placing bombs all over the city. Why Teddy Chen's (Purple Storm, Wait 'Til You're Older) film surprises lies in its humane portrayal of the cop unit. There's always a light moment to be had in the midst of seriousness and their everyday routines are tedious until that coincidental moment hit that can cause loss. Outside of the group, personal issues are as vital but Chen never gets trapped by clichés as he's also aided by a rich screenplay by James Yuen that achieves a right, fresh character depth. Equally funny, touching, tension filled and with excellent performances from Jack Kao, Benny Chan and Jordan Chan in particular, In The Heat Of Summer is one of those multi-mood experiences that Hong Kong filmmakers are so adept at executing. Also with Moses Chan, Christine Ng, Marco Ngai and Jacob Cheung (director of The Kid and Cageman) puts in a cameo as one of the promotion board members.

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The unsubbed synch sound footage at the beginning of Invincible suggests many things (among those that the entire film probably was a mixture of languages) but the switch to the generic gangster formula creates confusion as to why and where we are. Blacky Ko reveals his intentions soon as Kit (literally a weak Dave Wong) murders Lung Fong (who usually deserves that fate) and flees to France with his love Mandy (Sharla Cheung). In an effort to gain French citizenship, Kit joins the French army and nothing is ever nice in Ko's vision from that point...

Ambitious via its use of locations outside of Hong Kong and the central army training plot, Invincible never gains much of a momentum and is just 90 minutes of various punishment for Kit in order to become a man. The French army certainly are hard on your case and the individuals within it are nut jobs of the grave kind. Billy Blanks in particular has a not so flattering role as a psycho, gay rapist but gets the goriest comeuppance in the film later on so all's well...? So you won't care but at least Blacky goes maximum overdrive on us for the ending that is a fine, over the top showcase of millions bullets fired and insane stunts. Also with Leung Kar-Yan and Danny Lee.

Featured prominently on the vcd cover, Cynthia Khan and Anthony Wong make sporadic appearances but even with their full presence, I doubt The Invincible Constable would've gain much of a rep as a fine work in the wake of the Once Upon A Time In China success. Budget is seemingly restrained, comedy even more straining and there's certainly no plot worth paying attention to. Then you could only put your hopes into the action directing. At few times, action director Ha Dik delivers creative, flying bouts but that verdict still means The Invincible Constable isn't worth hunting down. Also with Alex Fong, Mark Cheng and Yen Shi-Kwan of Once Upon A Time In China fame.

Also known as Chinese Iron Man, Joseph Kuo doesn't complicate matters in this Fist Of Fury-like (very alike) basher where the evil Japanese and Chinese (the little, common man) clash. Main character Liang Hsiao Hu (Man Kong-Leung) is fed up with the Japanese hassling the staff at the local restaurant where he's the cook and proceeds to beat them up with a bit of Chinese fury. Now hunted, the clash also comes down to which martial arts school is the strongest, leading to a reel structured around the good ol' tournament fight...

Low budget and lacking care in the period detail (the police uniforms doesn't exactly fit the 1920-30s period the movie is set in), Kuo instead is content to let his action team loose in multiple, long scenes relying more on bashing than techniques. It's a bit draining but overall effectively furious as the story dictates.

The mix of a rebel fighting against oppressors-story gets for at least a few reels a character spin worthy of admiration. Sung Chuen-Sau, director of Brigitte Lin's debut movie Outside The Window, adheres to genre staples technically by having classical Chinese instruments on the soundtrack to add beats to the action (which is intense and often excellent for 1969). Also showcasing a well-directed and shot movie, the best stretch comes during a story-strand where Iron Lady (Han Hsiang-Chin) is contemplating how she and others around her should should firmly decide upon issues of a common life. Essentially, how to choose a man, even under these circumstances. Combine it with an atmospheric attack on their camp and you have a standout movie that unfortunately doesn't live up to this potential as it rolls along. Dealing with possible alliances, betrayal etc, it may culminate in a fine finale but it's also downright confusing to follow to an extent that hurt matters enough. Partially successful doesn't in this case get you a higher score. Also starring King Hu regular Pai Ying.

"Blessed" with the revenge template, this made in Taiwan martial arts production looks, feels and is crummy but possesses some interesting narrative touches and quality fighting nonetheless. Wong Goon-Hung is the student out for revenge (and prior out for control of the province) so in his anti-hero ways he seeks out all men potentially responsible. One confrontation has him betting his blood and life so it's asides like this that makes one raise eyebrows. All is a backdrop for excessive fighting though and despite no true variation being evident (i.e. swingy arms and kicking), the length of each fight is welcome as it's totally ferocious and intense. This is fighting, not ballet and having the action for instance take place on a moving cart, on a collapsing roof and amongst farm animals adds excitement to what shouldn't have been approached as a standout. When all bashing is said and done, Iron Ox, The Tiger's Killer is.