Reviews
Go do gaai bei (1997)
The best crime drama of the year. Better than Heat.
The best crime drama of the year. A familiar genre, but the story and the technique are all innovation. As soon as he appears, the thief (Ng) is captured by the inspector (Lau). The men then embark on a series of cat-and-mouse maneuvers that never fail to surprise. Action scenes are punctuated with dramatic ones, never leaving the audience any breathing space and trapping them with pressure-cooker intensity. The chase scenes and gun battles on Hong Kong's busy streets as well as the underwater explosion scenes are demonstrations of the director's talents. Lau and Ng turned in wonderful performances with their interpretation of the guilt that grips men of violence. - ManA lone Ho
Chung fung dui: No foh gai tau (1996)
One of the best action movies made in Hong Kong.
One of the two Best Films of the year. A well filmed, well written, well put together film with an outstanding cast. Lau Ching Wan and his friends (Dayo Wong Chi Wa, Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Francis Ng Chun Yu, Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Cheung Man Tat) had great chemistry before the film and their friendship shows in their performances. Theresa Lee plays her comedic role well (Though much like a female version of Michael Wong, her gag seems to be the foreign born Chinese surrounded by native HKers.), and I found myself cheering for innovative explosive scenes, something I haven't done since 1. the fan boys took over alt.asian-movies and 2. John woo's Hardboiled. Sure the ending was expected, but I feel better cheering for cops than a bunch of young gang members. Highly enjoyable.
Dao (1995)
What a delight!
- What a delight. Tsui Hark had the guts to do an "arty" martial-arts flick in a time when Hong Kong's cinemas were filled with boring street dramas and uninspired movies made by temporary Wong Kar-wai wannabes. THE BLADE is simply the best Hong Kong film of 1995. The directing is mind blowing and the mood is very dark, very "violent". Obviously inspired by the critical success of "CHUNGKING EXPRESS", Tsui Hark (like many other directors of that time) tried to do a film for a thinking audience. Unfortunately for him (and for us), "THE BLADE" was a big flop in Hong Kong. the critics kind of liked it but HK audience were not in the mood for such a film. Too bad...
Chin long chuen suet (1997)
Intense fighting scenes, beautiful scenery. A must-see for Kung-fu movies fans.
Okay, let's start with what's WRONG with this movie: an extraneous framing story, occasionally over-done drama, a "dah dah DAAAAH" soundtrack that won't quite, lack of a major, logically progressing conflict, (just some junk about some bandits) sometimes silly undercranking and the fact that it's basically a "Blade" wannabe. With that said, I'll say this movie is INTENSE! Good scenery and dramatics, (if occasionally overwrought) and ultra-brutal, bloody "YAAAAAAAAH!" type fight scenes as in The Blade. Sure, the undercranking and "flailing limbs in front of faces" shots get a little ridiculous, but it's all so crazy I couldn't help but love it. It's not up there with the better period flicks of '90-'94, but it beats the hell out of a certain other amnesia-themed period movie earlier this year. And you've gotta love a movie that feels like it was only about 45 minutes long.
Tai ji yuan gong (1978)
Original, exciting and very well choreographed, this kung fu movie is a must.
This is one of the rare kungfu movies ever made in Hong Kong. Nothing is boring here : interesting script, direct and efficient scenery, good acting. But what makes this movie so good is the fight scenes that are inventively and beautifully choreographed. Not only it's very good but it's also very hard-to-find. Dammage.