# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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01:00 A.M. (1995) Directed by: Wilson Yip

Wilson Yip's (SPL) first foray into directing came via the handling of two of the three ghost stories present in 01:00 A.M. First gig, disposable and mild to the point of sedation, only solid point scored is the use of synch sound. So let's quickly running through these so we can all move on. Veronica Yip stars in the first as a nurse seeing the ghost of a comatose pop star... and his deadly, devoted fan. The concept of fans following their idols into death is fun for a minute to think about. Things take a turn for the worse in the second story where Anita Yuen at her most irritating plays a psychology student with a newly bought car and an assignment to interview a ghost. Basically a prank turned real, there's a scene where Yuen basically records her last testimony as she fears death. Again, a concept that could've been made creepy and was... kind of... in The Blair Witch Project. Finally Elvis Tsui and Jordan Chan stars as two traffic cops who sees an old granny haunting their particular assigned part of the road. In fact, in this one you know next to nothing of what goes on but thankfully it and 01:00 A.M. ends soon so we are given no time to WASTE time pondering.

02:00 A.M. (1997) Directed by: Andy Chin

Someone apparently liked the chemistry between Jordan Chan and Elvis Tsui in Wilson Yip's debut 01:00 A.M. and the horror anthology format could possibly sell tickets too. So why not utilize more hours of the night? Hence 02:00 A.M. being born (and a subsequent 03:00 A.M.). Andy Chin (Call Girl 92) handles all stories, getting at best fair dread out of one and extreme dreadfulness out of the remaining. All take place within the entertainment circle, starting with the story of a pair of make-up artists (Wyman Wong and Hilary Tsui) in charge of prepping a head bust. They choose one made by diseased Eva and in come the spookiness. Admittedly a few minutes are akin to a decent build up but Chin combining irritating acting from his leads, the usual assortment of shots that are only lazy scare tactics and an abrupt ending that won't have audiences using their imagination to create inner horror, turns in forgettable work. Even more so as a trio of female singers surrounded by gossip mostly relating to their male colleague (Michael Chow) starts spying on him in order to find out his love affairs. Bad move and the half hour of the girls humming the Mission: Impossible theme and being the most annoying scream queens of our time is painful. Then comes the supposedly bright spots in Jordan Chan and Elvis Tsui, scouting village locations for a commercial shoot. One of the creepy kids hired for the gig likes to hang out with a creepy apparently dead kid, as seen by the colourblind character Chan plays. There was no chemistry between the guys in 01:00 A.M. and the trend continues here... unless you count screaming and acting like bumbling idiots as comedic chemistry. Also with May Law, Pauline Chan and Helena Law.

The 7 Grandmasters (1978) Directed by: Joseph Kuo

Joseph Kuo's independent kung-fu classic got a respectful upswing thanks to Tokyo Shock's dvd release in 2004. Not only due to the technical presentation but also due to the late Linn Haynes' liner notes on the film. Rarely has a mainstream release of an independent production received the time to breathe, time to be respected but that's what Linn did with his essay on the film. From an era where a lot of Kuo's status amongst the fans has been formed, The 7 Grandmasters actually does take some cues from reality.

Cheung Lai-Chun was a real figure who learned the style of Pak Mei. Originated by the Shaolin monk of the same name, according to legend he betrayed the Shaolin Temple which led in itself to it being burned down. That character with long hair and white eye brows has since been a staple of kung fu-cinema, most notably as played by Lo Lieh in Executioners From Shaolin. The legend of Cheung Lai Chun however connects more to righteousness. Having his school and martial arts challenged by other province champions, the film by Joseph Kuo depicts the reportedly undefeated master (here named Sang Kuan Chun, played with a majestic flavour by Jack Long) taking on a variety of performers on neutral ground. The latter aspect is a piece of genius because the film is mainly shot outdoors. An excuse for being cheap? Maybe, but it works.

Early on showcasing the standout aspect of the production, the Corey Yuen/Yuen Cheung-Yan action choreography (Corey takes part in an epic weapons-fight against Long, arguably the best scene in the film), The 7 Grandmasters is filled with and explodes repeatedly with intricate, acrobatic Opera style fight scenes. Cementing Jack Long's marvelous skills therefore, Kuo's Jackie Chan-esque character played by Lee I-Min has one of his finest, acrobatic showcases on film as well. Story-wise, Kuo's script scores points because the various tournament fights aren't meant to be death matches. If meeting a master with an equal frame of mind, it's a matter of respecting skills once defeated. Eventually playing into this is some standard story elements that makes Kuo's classic a little tough going at points. Lee I-Min's character is both a comedic element as well as an abused character and it's often grating, unnecessary padding we're witnessing. Story strand of revenge is handled with above average grace though and overall The 7 Grandmasters doesn't annoy because it has a more clever streak than most. Ultra-cheap kung-fu cinema rarely felt this accomplished. Also with Mark Long, Lung Fei and Chin Yuet-Sang (as Monkey Liu).

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

10 Magnificent Killers (1979) Directed by: Fong Yau

The definition of independent, basic and bare as Fong Yau's fighting showcase barely has any sets and relies on the, as captured here, flat outdoors and a parade of fight-scenes. Largely dull and frustrating ranging from the incoherent exposition dump at the top to scenes of the bad master and student camp (a duo of part comedic characters that for sure is a different from the genre but doesn't find a comfortable footing as part of the film) being visited by fighter upon fighter. Bad banter and flat vision aside, for the majority of the film the action may look intricate, attempts hard hitting grit but comes off as flimsy and lacking impact. There's plenty of talent clearly on display but it takes a good two thirds for the intricacy and talent to transform into compelling, low budget kung-fu filmmaking (essentially when Bolo Yeung enters). Not entirely unworthy but a very tough trek nonetheless.

The 13 Cold-Blooded Eagles (1993) Directed by: Chui Fat

The titular eagles are part of a group of killers in the name of justice but doubts are slowly being created in characters such as Yinmin (Lau Ji-Wai) about how just it is what they are executing. Their leader and foster father Yu Shihung (Yen Shi-Kwan) is indeed only after dominance, something that will be achieved after killing a particular rival who possesses the Star Bleed Skill Book...

90s Wuxia being connected with traits of low budget and that "yet another"-stamp certainly tries to speak of lines of justice being blurred, manipulated brothers clashing etc but there's too little prominent skill behind all other areas of the film that this unusually well-honed train of thought is quickly stomped out. The key selling point, the wire enhanced action, does take the admirable stance at times of being grounded but these flashes are outweighed by the ropey wirework, tightly framed and quickly edited shots of the flying feats. No A-team behind this one even though concepts of fights amidst moving statues and kid combatants look good for the few moments they last. Also with Waise Lee, Cynthia Khan and Chung Fat.

Buy the DVD at:
HK Flix.com

13 Worms (1970) Directed by: Hau Chang

A chess master turns up to counter another and the impact of the game is so great that the latter master dies in the process. Being in command of the titular 13 worms (a gang of fairly crafty heroes), the new chess master of the scene is allowed to utilize their talents to free a princess. The master is also accompanied by a sneaky beggar boy (female actress Pan Ying-Zi) while the 13 worms put on a show in order to free the princess by dressing up as ghosts among other things...

A more lighthearted romp through the Wuxia world, there are elements to the film that are refreshing for its time but comedy is not a thing it masters. The shenanigans on paper are more fun than the execution and often 13 Worms is an unintelligible mess with little to no plot. A skit structure rather with a fair amount of singing, some of the action later in the film is noteworthy coming from early 70s Taiwan cinema though. Especially the end fight with quite the invincible villain that has to stabbed in the ass to break his concentration that gets to him to that almost invincible stage.

Buy the DVD at:
HK Flix.com

The 14 Amazons (1972) Directed by: Ching Gong & Charles Tung

Shaw Brother's pulls out all the stops with epic battles, lavish costumes, immortal themes of heroism, patriotism, all with a dedicated Ching Gong (The Twelve Gold Medallions) and Charles Tung (also one of the many cinematographers on the production) at the helm. The Yang family is wiped out in battle, all except the women left behind who now sets out to take revenge and settle old scores...

After a lengthy opening designed purely to identify actors and their characters (actually quite helpful), the directors never let up and relentlessly pushes the band of women through various battling scenarios and obstacles. Extensively violent and epic on a scale reminiscent of Chang Cheh's movies, it's not a throwback to the era where female heroes dominated but rather a usage of set style, substituting male for females. The switch if you will is terrific to have and despite the vast character gallery, Ching Gong (also writer) and Charles Tung inject life into certain characters which in itself aids the stock themes to mesmerizing effect. Destined to become everyone's favourite, The 14 Amazons is among the finest of its sort.

Talking action, Ching Gong's son, the trendsetter Ching Siu-Tung (Duel To The Death, A Chinese Ghost Story) debuted as action director on the film, working alongside Leung Siu-Chung. The style is definitely of the Tong Gaai weapons and battlefield kind but never feels like a xerox of said action director's work with Chang Cheh. It's in your face and extensive, one of the primary reasons The 14 Amazons have achieved (and will achieve) such a well-deserved reputation. The mammoth cast includes Lisa Lu, Ivy Ling Po, Lily Ho (playing a man believe it or not), Li Ching, Ouyang Shafei, Fan Mei-Sheng, Yueh Hua, Tien Feng, Paul Chun and Lo Lieh.

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

The 18 Bronze Girls Of Shaolin (1978) Directed by: Chow Toi-Sang

The concept of bronzemen are cool as seen in Joseph Kuo's The 18 Bronzemen so when it was the ladies' turn, the concept remains cool but only when allowed on screen... which isn't often. No, the rest of this confusing, unfunny time is occupied by confusing and unfunny characters. All battling (within uninspired choreography) against someone... for something and if I sound confused, even the characters admit that they are. Possibly all a parody of the martial arts fantasy genre it belongs too, it's still an unfunny attempt. Energy is a bit better towards the end, with a room of traps sequence amping the fun because just like the bronzegirls, traps are fun. Parody the actual fun next time, please. Yueh Hua appears in an end twist cameo.

18 Swirling Riders (1977) Directed by: Lam Fook-Dei

Also known as 18 Shaolin Riders and centering around and escort service (not THAT kind of escort service) with valuable, desired content. Body count is racked up as a mystery unfolds but god only knows what that is, what any character motivation is and frankly, who any of these characters are. With a lack of distinction on display only forgotten whenever Lo Lieh or Chen Sing is on screen, the final Don Wong fight amidst tree tops is thrilling however. Cut it into your kung fu action compilation is my advice.

18 Times (1988) Directed by: Joe Cheung

Gigi (Cherie Chung) seems to be carrying with her a cursed fate as every man she falls in love with, marries and subsequently get rich with dies quickly. The political activist (John Shum), the entertainer (Eric Tsang) and heroic cop (Lowell Lo) all meet their demise and number 18 in line is Jack (Kenny Bee). Unlucky in love but is there a chance the curse will be broken? While delightful and darkly comical most of the time, it's also easy to tune out of 18 Times as some of its broadness may be local satire not even a healthy subtitle translation may be able to take care of (mostly during the reel with John Shum). But relying on a radiant leading lady, fun 80s atmosphere and cameos by the familiar ones, Joe Cheung steers this boat into a safe harbour with pleasant results. One out of left field inclusion is the fact that Cherie falls for the unexpected romantic leads in Hong Kong cinema and of course it's entirely predictable that when pretty boy Kenny Bee enters, a pattern for the curse is going to be changed. Yet the final reel goes off on some extended, unexpected detours that demands attention. So does the supporting acts and cameos that includes Paul Chun, Dennis Chan, Wu Fung, Wu Ma, Phillip Ko, Chung Faat, Tommy Wong and Shing Fui-On.

Buy the DVD at:
Yesasia.com

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