esteepswong Reviews

Magic Kitchen (2004)

Nothing magical at all

[3/10 · 11 February 2004]

Moh waan chue fong or its English title Magical Kitchen is the latest Hong Kong movie in offering for the lunar new year. However, there is not a single mood or occasion of a Chinese new year movie in it. I should say this movie is much better for a Christmas fare or Valentine's date movie.

Yau (Sammi Cheng) is a successful chef and owner of a restaurant which is located in a flat called Magical Kitchen which is more like a home rather than like a restaurant. In a tale told by Yau's mother, that she would be haunted by a family curse overshadowing three generations, which destines her (Yau) to fail in every relationship. On a tour of the Iron Chef TV show in Japan, Yau is at the crossroads between her love life and career.

To spice up the this "dish" (movie), we have Yau's assistant chef, Ho played by the hunky Jerry Yan of the fame popular Taiwan teen-throb quartet, F4. Yan is secretly in love with Yau but doesn't have the guts to express to his 'boss'. Next comes in the picture is Yau's former boyfriend, Chun Yao (Andy Lau) who is a sports goods company operations manager and a bowling expert. Further throw in two girlfriends of Yau, played by Maggie Q and Nicola Cheung, and you have a relationship roller-coaster ride.

Sammi plays her usual unpredictable self similar to her previous movies such as Love on a Diet, Good times Bed times and Needing You. Still she's a delight to watch. The same, however cannot be said about Jerry, who is extremely wooden here, and shares little or no chemistry with Sammi. Perhaps we got to blame the casting here as with one look at it we will feel it's a mismatched couples in all the roles.

If the name Magic Kitchen would have made you thought of some sort of a similar cooking stunts like Stephen Chow's The God of Cookery then you would be truly disappointed. Nothing unusual or special dish were being cooked up. At best, Magic Kitchen is good for a few laughs and the chance to see so many good looking actors (as well as other famous actors in cameos) on the big screen. But story-wise, it's wasted.

Anna in Kung-Fu Land (2003)

Miriam in Eye-Candy Land

[10 February 2004]

The kindest thing one can say about this romantic comedy is that it is a crowd-pleaser made for fans of Ekin Cheng and Miriam Yeung. There are very few laughs to be found in the entire movie and even less in terms of romance. The comedy is just as tacky and the kungfu won't even impress a child.

Comic book fan Kin (Ekin Cheng) works for a marketing company owned by the father of her girlfriend. One day, while trying to come up with ideas to promote a health drink for a client, Kin makes a wild suggestion that they organize an international martial arts competition offering a HK$5 million prize. As the client's company would be the main sponsor therefore worldwide exposure would be imminent. To Kin's surprise, this harebrained idea is accepted and what's more, a Shaolin master is even fielding some competitors. Next we find Kin flying off to Japan to invite a famous Chinese kungfu master to join up. However instead of agreeing to take part himself, the old man sends his daughter Anna (Miriam Yeung). However Anna has something else in mind besides the prize money. Learning that a talent scout from Hollywood is involved, she plans to use her kungfu moves to become a movie star. Somehow Anna is attracted to Kin, who already has a girlfriend and he is too much of a clad to come clean with the two women until it is too late.

Don't ask how the competition works because among the 16 odd-balls taking part, there is a pair of hot-chicks and three kids fighting as a team. There is also a black American and some of the sorriest looking martial arts exponents you can ever lay your eyes on. Director Raymond Yip Wai Man seems so proud of the fighting sequences that he repeats them as if they were costly stunts!

These days, the Hong Kong box-office goes for name-recognition rather than acting talent and budding singers like Miriam Yeung become movie stars almost by default. That should give you an idea of her performance here. Ekin Cheng is of no help either. He just goes through the paces as if he were attending a media function. But then, nobody really expected him to act, anyway.

Silver Hawk (2004)

Masked Michelle

[30 January 2004]

In this movie, Michelle Yeoh plays Lulu Wong, a much-idolised rock star and philanthropist by day, and a super heroine, Silver Hawk, who fights injustice in skin-tight black leather outfit as her alter-ego. Richie Ren plays police detective Richman, who has an uncanny instinct and incredible wit, but he hates Silver Hawk for being always two steps ahead of the police. Both of them, however join hands to fight a baddie, Wolfe (Luke Goss) who wants to dominate the world through a special microchip in mobile phones which will broadcast subliminal message to users.

Directed by cinematographer-turned-director Jingle Ma (Hot War, Tokyo Raiders, Summer Holiday, Goodbye,Mr.Cool and Para Para Sakura), the action scenes are beautifully choreographed, especially the one where a group of bungee jumpers armed with hockey sticks attacking our heroine in an outdoor arena. The opening sequence is also awesome with Yeoh riding a motorcycle and jumping over the Great Wall of China. There's also ample use of CGI to enhance the action sequences throughout the movie. Although the script is pretty straight forward, Ma succeeds in presenting the story in an entertaining way with constant flashbacks to the past when Lulu and Richman were studying at a Shaolin Temple. The two kids who play them are excellent, especially the boy.

Yeoh is a delight to watch. She looks great in her well-designed outfits and executes her fighting scenes with style and finesse. Her experience in martial arts helped tremendously. Providing comic relief is Brandon Chang, who plays a computer whiz kid who constantly pops up to annoy Richie Ren. Wolfe's role was downplayed. Instead his two assassins played by Bingbing Li and Michael Jai White (Universal Soldier: The Return and Spawn) got most of the action. Surprisingly, both of them had no dialogue in the movie.

Nonetheless, Silver Hawk is an entertaining movie which promises good laughs and visual delights for this Lunar New Year.

The Death Curse (2003)

Not that scary after all

[19 December 2003]

A millionaire passes away leaving behind a HK$100 million estate. His eight children, brought up by different mothers, each receive a letter asking them to return home to stake a claim on their rightful inheritance. All return except for the third brother.

Awaiting them is a lawyer, Mr Cheung (Alex Fong) who tells all of them that they must stay in the quarters for 49 days. It is a customary tradition that they must show up at midnight sharp to pay respect to the deceased and after prayer, each of the siblings must hug one another in a show of familial devotion. Those who fail to meet these conditions would find their share forfeited and divided equally among the qualified siblings.

Also staying in the estate is the dead millionaire's loyal servant, who warns them not to venture into an abandoned castle located nearby. He also reveals that all their mothers disappeared or died in mysterious ways. Coming from different cultures and backgrounds, the eight siblings soon start to quarrel and fight, each one trying to discredit the other. Besides the eerie traditional funeral rites, soon strange things start to happen. They begin to hear eerie sounds and some of them begin to see ghastly figures moving around the house.

While there is enough suspense to keep the movie going, Goo chak sam fong fong (The Death Curse - English title) fails to impress as a horror flick. The tone turns from frightening to frivilous halfway into the movie. The funny scenes courtesy of the young stars, namely pop duos, Twins (Gillian Chung and Charlene Choi) and Boyz (Kenny Kwan and Steven Cheung) who prove to be merely eye candy. Don't expect great acting and you won't be disappointed.

The dialogue is mostly in Cantonese, although there's a smattering of Thai and Mandarin thrown in. The script of Amy Tsui is also a little loose as there's no explanation about the wives' deaths or the whereabouts of the missing brother.

At times, this movie will remind you of The Sixth Sense. This is director, Sol Cheng Pou-Soi's third attempt at making horror movies and he still has room for improvement. Still viewers will be kept wondering whether there are ghosts out for blood right till the end of the movie.

Turn Left, Turn Right (2003)

All the right turns

[18 December 2003]

Turn Left Turn Tight is based on the best-selling illustrated love story of the same name by renowned Taiwanese author/artist, Jimmy Liao.

The story revolves around dashing John Liu (Takeshi Kaneshiro), an inspiring violinist and Eve Choi (Gigi Leung), a professional translator. Like millions living in a large city, John and Eve lead lives of solitude. Despite staying in the same apartment building, their paths never cross. One day, while walking around a fountain in the park, they finally bump into each other... and it's love at first sight! Unfortunately, a sudden shower cuts the encounter short. They manage to exchange telephone numbers but the rain renders the phone numbers illegible.

Inseparable partners, directors Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai who have worked together on many projects like Running On Karma, Love On a Diet, Love for All Seasons & etc, manage to recreate the magic of Jimmy Liao's story on the big screen. Even the lovely soundtrack with three songs by Gigi Leung blends well in a 'supporting' role. The pacing of the movie is just right. The audience will be in constant anticipation of the couple's next meeting, as meddling acquaintances, a former schoolmate (Edmund Chen), a food delivery girl (Terri Kwan) and pure bad luck, conspire to keep the would-be-lovers apart.

Meanwhile the leads, Takeshi and Gigi, share good on-screen chemistry together, albeit briefly. Of course the two had previously appeared together in the 1999 romantic hit film, Tempting Heart.

Turn Left Turn Right is a charming movie worth watching at least twice.

A Mongolian Tale (1995)

Love lost in the grasslands

[18 December 2003]

This 1995 film, renamed for the world market in 1997, is a travelogue-cum-love story set in the steppes of Mongolia. Helm by Chinese director Xie Fei, the story is about a Chinese boy sent to a farm in Outer Mongolia by his single father to be raised by his foster grandma.

The old woman (Dalarsurong) also has a young girl named Somiya (Bayirtcya), and the boy, Bayinbulag (Ganghulag), falls in love with her as they grow up together in the idyllic grasslands. Years later, when Bayinbulag (now played by singer-composer, Tengger) returns from his studies in the city, he proposes to Somiya (Narenhuar) and plans their wedding. However, when he discovers an incident that happened in his absence, Bayinbulag is shattered by it. He forsakes his true love and goes back to China. But Bayinbulag does not find happiness in the city. When he returns to visit Somiya 12 years later, he learns where his heart really lies and that morality derives from Nature and not from society's rules.

This touching love story, scripted by Zhang Cheng-zhi from his novel Hei Ma (Black Steed), is rather slow-moving and abstract. But there is a poetic quality in this deceptively simple tale of love, loss, redemption and forgiveness that is endearing to the discerning movie-goer.

Narenhuar, best known for her Girl from Hunan, is flawless as Somiya, a self-reliant and unspoilt woman of the grasslands.

Hiu sam seung oi (2002)

A badly cooked Chicken Soup-type story

[17 December 2003]

With Richie Ren in the lead, we can't help comparing this one with his 2000 effort, Summer Holiday. But Summer I Love You is not a fun flick or even a summer flick. Its love story is dour and it is neither romantic nor funny.

Wei Ching (Candy Lo) is an emotionally-disturbed woman who spends her nights on the ICQ with 'pals' like Ah Lek (Richie Ren) who operates a beach resort on Thailand's Koh Samui. After much persuasion, Ching agrees to visit Lek's island resort. Arriving at the hotel with such a sour face, we thought she is coming to a convalescent home. And what do you know? We will soon be proved right! Lek is a wheelchair-bound paraplegic who is high on life and he takes it upon himself to make Ching laugh. Sure, they fall in love rather quickly and then disaster strikes. Someone has to make a big sacrifice for the sake of love and then watch as the heart breaks. However don't reach for the tissues yet.

The plot and the acting are so contrived that it is difficult to feel for either of the leads. In fact, there's more 'soul-searching' in a subplot concerning an elderly couple at the resort than in the main plot. Director Banny Law Gam Chuen seems to be at a loss about what to do with the rest of the 'beach cast' who seem like wall flowers.

This movie has all the ingredients of an inspirational, Chicken Soup-type story but it is so badly cooked, it has become a mess.

Paloh (2003)

Brave New World

[17 December 2003]

In some ways, Paloh reminds me of The Hours, It starts off as a puzzle of a movie, with scenes all jumbled together. But as the movie progresses, the various story lines click into place, revealing a gem of a story.

Paloh is the kind of movie that demands your complete attention. If you are distracted, then you will lose track of the story line. Of course, this means Paloh will not be popular with those who insists on a linear or straightforward plot line and there will be many confused faces among the audience at the end of the movie. However for those who like movies with a little more bite, you will come away impressed with Adman Salleh's take of a tumultuous time in Malayan history, and his use of time-phasing as a narrative device.

Set during the last days of the Japanese Occupation, the movie details the struggle between communist sympathizers and the Malays who had collaborated with the Japanese in the small town of Paloh. It uses the doomed relationship between a Chinese woman, Swee Lan (Janet Knoo) and a Malay policeman, Ahmad (Namron) to ask very searching questions about the concept of freedom and the illusion of choice. We learn that Swee Lan initially got involved with Ahmad at the behest of her father, who is the local leader of the Bintang Tiga sympathizers. He hoped she would be able to use Ahmad to get information about the movement of the Japanese soldiers. However Swee Lan falls in love with the conflicted young man and is torn between her desire to obey her father (and thus, not put their lives at risk from the Japanese) and her own feelings of powerlessness. Ahmad, on the other hand, starts having second thoughts about his own role in the scheme of things. As one character says in the movie, "Whether it is the British , the Japanese or the communist, they are all the same. But at least the communist are fighting to free us."

The acting in Paloh is generally good, with the women, especially putting in impressive work. Janet Khoo and Ellie Suriaty Omar shine in their roles (watch the scene where Swee Lan wakes up after a failed suicide attempt), but the male lead, Namron, is underwhelming.

One of the biggest flaws is the editing. The movie flits from one scene to the other, and throws up quite a few plot lines, many of which are underdeveloped. The abrupt ending doesn't help either.

Still, love it or hate it, Paloh is a brave movie.

Why Me, Sweetie? (2003)

Strictly for Koo Tin-Lok fans only

[16 December 2003]

'Sat Yik Gui Nui Wong' (Why Me Sweetie?) marks Hong Kong director Jingle Ma's (his past credits includes Summer Holiday, Tokyo Raiders, Hot War and Fly Me to Polaris) return to the big screen after a year break. His last 2 movies were Goodbye Mr Cool and Para Para Sakura, both released in 2001. His upcoming effort would be Silver Hawk which has Michelle Yeoh in the leads. So movie buffs would certainly expect more when they watch a movie directed by him. But 'Why Me Sweetie?' turns out to be more a slapstick than a romantic comedy, especially in the early parts of the movie.

The story centers on Ding Ding (Cherrie Ying), an American Chinese who studies drama in Beijing. One day, she bumps into a bakery shop owner-cum-playboy, Dong (Louis Koo) while on the way to her class. They develop a liking towards each other and decide to meet again. When Ding Ding visits Dong , the latter strangely enough, denies their acquaintance, as if nothing has happened. This lead to a trail of confusion and Ding Ding decides to get to the bottom of the situation. Dong apparently suffers from a selective memory loss syndrome. When he is truly in love with someone, he faints. So the process (or scenes) of Ding and Dong breaking and making up are repeated a few times. Throw in a few sidekicks (like Tats Lau) and you can have a few laughs. Yet, director Ma occasionally succeeds in tugging at the heart strings of viewers.

Overall I would like to say you got to be a big fan of Louis Koo or Cherrie Ying to sit through this movie, otherwise forget it.

Janji Diana (2003)

The recipe for success

[16 December 2003]

Film-maker Yusof Haslam has the pulse of the local Malaysian audience and Janji Diana has the rights ingredients to succeed. Firstly, there is Erra Fazira the Malaysian box-office queen who looks stunning in this film. Add to this lots of big bikes, a smoldering love story and deft pacing, and you know that Yusof has another runaway hit on his hands.

The movie is about rich wild child, Diana (Erra Fazira) who hates men. With a womanizer for a father, and her own ill judgment when it comes to men, Diana is right to believe no man can be faithful. Into her life enters architect, Haikal (Rosyam Nor) and the two fall in love. But then Diana learns that he, too, has been two timing her with his fiancee, Sabrina (Sarimah Ibrahim). But of course, all is not as it seems.

Erra Fazira, though looks great, turns in an unconvincing performance as an arrogant, rich lady with hated in her heart. However Rosyam Nor, Faizal Hussin and Sarimah Ibrahim (a real hoot) help to balance the acting scales. However the actors are hampered by the leaden dialogue and bare-as-bones script.

Still, Janji Diana is short and sweet, and the director doesn't allow the pace to lag. Easily a Yusof Haslam's decent movie.

Infernal Affairs III (2003)

Needless 3rd Helping

[5/10 · 13 December 2003]

The first installment gave us edge-of-the-seat thrills with its chess-game intrigues

The second, a prequel, was just as interesting with its fast-paced Godfather 2-type background to the 1991 triad wars which saw the rise of the vicious Hau (Francis Ng), the coup de grace by Sam (Eric Tsang) and the planting of the moles in the police and within Sam's circle.

Number 3 deals mainly with the fading fortunes of Lau Kin Ming (Andy Lau) in 2004 when after the murder of undercover cop Chan Wing Yan (Tony Leung), he is under police investigation and relegated to the sidelines. The rising star of the police force now is Yeung Kam Wing (Leon Lai) and Kin Ming suspects something amiss. He takes it upon himself to check him out. The investigations lead him to Sam's former business partner Shen (Chen Dao Ming) who appears to be related to Kam Wing. Determined to turn over a new leaf, Kin Ming plans to nail his 'rival' while keeping his own 'identity' from being exposed.

This 'forward' plot does not have much drama (or melodrama) but we have a number of flashbacks which recall how Wing Yan tries his best to win Sam's trust, including setting up a smuggling network with Shen and breaking the law time and again...

If we had lots of twists and shocks in the first two installments, the 'action' in this 'conclusion' is rather 'laid back' - it is mainly about the links of psychiatrist Dr Lee (Kelly Chen) with Wing Yan and later Kin Ming.

Directors Alan Mak and Andrew Lau seem to be scrapping the bottom of the barrel and coming out with bits and pieces of their former glory. Basically there is nothing much left to tell and it is a pain to see Andy Lau trying to be 'dramatic'. Tony Leung, resurrected for the flashbacks, still as charming though.

My Dream Girl (2003)

Pygmalion Plot

[20 July 2003]

This is another Hong Kong version of the timeless Pygmalion (like My Fair Lady) plot.

When village lass Ning (Vicki Zhao) is reunited with her wealthy long-lost father (Richard Ng), the old man seeks an 'image designer' to polish up her rough edges. Enter Joe Lam (Ekin Cheng), a jobless conman who has no idea about style or fashion. Need I have to say more that she would eventually falls for him?

The plot, however, could do with some screen chemistry between Ekin and Vicki. Likewise the whole movie is pretty lame and I just wonder why Ekin would want to waste his time and effort doing this 'turkey'. Well all I could say is hopefully Ekin's upcoming "blockbuster", Heroic Duo co-starring with Leon Lai would make up for all the disappointment I had in this poor effort.

Finally just want to mention that Ekin is no longer the Chan Ho-Nam that we used to adore.

Mighty Baby (2002)

Having fun with Babies

[5/10 · 4 December 2002]

Da-da Goo-goo... That's what a baby would uttered to everyone when they are starting to learn to speak. However do we actually have a theory of what the baby is trying to get a message to us? Okay.... by watching this movie, Chuit sai hiu B (or Mighty Baby) we will learn a clue or more of cute toddlers.

What made the ball running was a rip-roaring comedy called Chuet sai hiu BRA (or La Brassiere) which is about two lingerie designers who have to come up with an `ultimate' bra. It was one of the few biggest hits in the Hong Kong film industry last year. As we have anticipated a sequel to La Brassiere to come by and here not too long we are presented with Mighty Baby. However this time it deals with another entirely different subject.

This time around, our central characters Johnny (Lau Ching Wan) and Wayne (Louis Koo) are given the task of coming up with a line of `ultimate' baby products. As usual you would have all the comedy and fun from our two `heroes' plus lots of babies to coo at throughout the film.

Besides retaining 3 main casts from La Brassiere that is Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo and Gigi Leung, we have 2 lovely ladies added into this sequel who is Rosamund Kwan and Cecilia Cheung. As for Carina Lau who was the main female lead in La Brassiere, reprising as Samantha but her role this time round is only as a cameo guest appearance. With Carina Lau out of the frame, Gigi Leung who has long been making mild waves both as an actress and singer in Hong Kong and Taiwan, is given a much more meatier role as she reprises the character, Lena in this sequel. We still get to see the same characters from the first movie coming in and going off as cameos. Look out also for Karena Lam Ka Yan who is making a special appearance too.

By contrast, I would compare that La Brassiere would still be much better then its sequel in terms of jokes, fun and originality. Most of the fun lines and jokes are repetition of the earlier film and thus making Mighty Baby less unique. However with all the cutie babies as well as the special effects in Mighty Baby, it would of course make this film a much higher budget to make than La Brassiere. To sum it up, Mighty Baby is just another see and forget made in HK comedy.

Well we already had a dose of bras and babies so what might we expect next? Human cloning? Let's wait and see.

Infernal Affairs (2002)

Infernal Affairs

[8/10 · 29 November 2002]

It's really a once in a blue moon these days when you get to see a Hong Kong movie that has two top-billing heartthrob actors who have been and still gracing the Hong Kong silver screen. That's what you would be expecting in Infernal Affairs or in Chinese - Wu jian dao which boasts a star-studded cast, that includes Sammi Cheng, Kelly Chan, Edison Chan, Eric Tsang, Shawn Yu and Anthony Wong Chau Sang. However the two whom I mentioned earlier are of course Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu Wai who are the main story line builders of this movie.

The movie is about Yan (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) who is a police undercover in the Triads while Ming (Andy Lau) is in the reversal of a triad undercover in the police department. Leading parallel but opposite lives, both feel the tremendous pressure as well as stressfully trapped in their false and increasing dangerous surroundings. Both have been walking on the thin fatal line until on one fateful evening they finally meet each other. On the other hand, both the police and the Triads have knowledge that there's an undercover amongst them and the chase is on as they compete who would 'dig' out their `mole' first.

If you felt a similarity sort of characters' plot in this movie then you would have to recall an early 90s release called `Don't Fool Me' which incidentally also starred both Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu Wai (as well as Anthony Wong too). In `Don't' both also switched and reversed their character roles too. However don't get me wrong, as both movies have totally no connections. Somehow or rather I just feel peculiar as why the two actors can't have a totally fresh movie story line to perform whenever they are cast together. Anyway, Infernal Affairs provided an opportunity for a happy reunion of the 2 heartthrob actors cum old-time buddies for their fans and viewers to catch a glimpse of how much they have "matured" since the video days of "The Duke of Mount Deer".

The realistic of the movie aside, overall the story of the movie is quite unusual as well as unexpected too. Well these days, movie buffs just can't expect for total perfection so what else to ask for when you have such a heavyweight load of casts in a single movie for this coming Season's Greetings.

Double Vision (2002)

A Perfect cast in an Evil Intention Plot Thriller

[9/10 · 26 October 2002]

A Perfect cast in an Evil Intention Plot Thriller

With Double Vision, multi-talented director Chen Kuo-fu pierces the evil of the unexpected whereby he has taken a typical corny Hollywood story line, infused it with millennia-old Chinese mystical beliefs and placed it in the sweat soaked, politically charged atmosphere of 21st -century Taiwan.

This thriller is about a troubled police detective Huang Huo-to (Tony Leung Ka Fai) whose is about to suffer from a severe mental breakdown as his life is falling apart. The reason for this is as payback for blowing the whistle on corruption in the force. He's then relegated to a do-nothing job as a Foreign Affairs Officer. His fellow policemen colleagues have turned on him and his wife Ching-fan (Rene Liu) is filing for divorce. Then suddenly three grisly murders shake up the department. The victims are unrelated but the coroner (Yang Kuei Mei) finds a mysterious black fungus in their brains, along with evidence that they had all died in a hallucinatory state. Clearly there is a serial killer on the loose, but the first in Taiwan's history whereby the police are unequipped to handle the case. With the public on the verge of panic, the high command of the Republic grudgingly calls on the United States for assistance. The FBI comes into the picture and sends its top expert, Kevin Richter (David Morse) to help Huang to wrestle these mysterious cases. The suspenseful ride is now on..... sit tight!

Besides its suspense and thrills that you would find in this movie, the perfect cast of Double Vision is also worth a mention. Tony Leung who shot to international stardom in the box-office hit The Lover, plays a demanding role as well as the main foundation bearer of the movie. His role is certainly worth a nomination in the Best Actor category in the coming Film Awards in Taiwan and Hong Kong. As for the graceful, azure-eyed David Morse who is in his debut Asian Film, plays a FBI agent who is sympathetic as well as a lovable character. As for the supporting cast, each and everyone is also a heavyweight in the Taiwanese film industry like Rene Liu, Lung Sihung, Leon Dai Li Ren and Yang Kuei Mei. Therefore it is a perfect cast in an almost perfect movie.

Working with Oscar-winning production and costume designer Tim Yip of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame and Arthur Wong, one of Hong Kong's great cinematographers, director Chen Kuo-fu takes danger and suspense to a new level of dimension. In fact, just making the film is a venture into a new territory. Double Vision is a very brave effort indeed for a Asian production. It would also open a few eyes of the Hollywood producers on Chen's credibility as well as catapult him to the ranks in the likes of Ang Lee or John Woo.

Zhu ba da lian meng (2002)

'Pork Chop' flick courtesy of "chef" Jing Wong

[3/10 · 13 September 2002]

How would you like some 'pork chop' as meal for today, Alas! What I meant here of 'pork chop' (or in Chinese - Zhu Pa) is not what our usual delicious edible pork chop but a term use by Hong Kong people for visually-offensive women. So what we have offering in our main menu today is a 'pork chop' flick courtesy of chef (producer) Jing Wong. Enjoy your meal.

The movie is supposed to be a satire on the world's obsession with beauty but this one is pretty lightweight and fluffy stuff. However the 'fun' is in seeing how the film-makers turn some of Hong Kong beauties (minus Karen Mok) into ugly women. Can you imagine Michelle Reis, Kelly Lin, Suki Kwan and Karen Mok as ugly women? Well put a bald-patch on Michelle's forehead, a huge birthmark on Kelly's face, beaver teeth on Suki and male facial hair on Karen - and you should get the picture.

These four women play workers in a telecommunications service company who are often bullied by their lady boss and also ridiculed by the men, especially a male co-worker (Stephen Fung). Things take a turn when a gay designer (Jordan Chan) comes on board and befriends the hapless foursome as well as helps turn the 'pork chop ladies' into stunning irresistible beauties.

If you are planning on catching some beauty tips here, let's just say the beautifying methods border on the ridiculous. But then this is a Jing Wong comedy so as expected we would have to contemplate with his superficial and juvenile style of humour. However this time he aims very low indeed which resulted the plot being a messy hotch-potch of gags rather devoid of logic or rationale.

Anyway, the four actresses are 'irresistible' in the first place, so what's the big deal to make them ugly and turn them beautiful again. I would rather have some real pork chop from the Chinese take-away down the street instead.

Visible Secret II (2002)

This is not a sequel but it is definitely a better effort than the first.

[3/10 · 6 September 2002]

We would have predicted this 'sequel' to come by as soon as we left the cinema after the first installment. Well who is so dumb not to cash in on a sequel after striking a hit on the first one, not to mention the ever `money-crazy' Hong Kong producers. However sometimes a good movie would be so much better if the producers would have just leave it alone and not creating unnecessary sequels to down-grade a movie. However in this aspect of Visible Secret, it is the other way round (vice-versa). Acclaimed director, Ann Hui has created enough of complications around in the first installment, therefore she needs this 'sequel' to tie things up a little but she seemed to leave one or two loose ends behind again - on purpose. This second installment basically is not a sequel but it is definitely a better effort than the first.

The first movie was a muddled and messy affair but Ann Hui seems to have polished her style and execution a bit this time round. The plot is about a newly-married man, Jack (Eason Chan) seeing visions (Again?! Aren't we lately having too much of this eye visual ghosts stuffs?!) and finding bizarre going-on at his apartment - after recovering from a road accident. Worse, Jack begins to suspect his wife, Ching (Jo Koo) is being possessed...

The psychological thriller plants a lot of suspicions around as well as a lot of loose ends unanswered like the creepy old woman (Law Lan) who appears outside the couple's apartment. We still do not know who she is when the movie finishes so let's get ready for installment no.3 then for the answer. This sort of loose ends has happened before in the first movie too of the powdered girl with an umbrella. However one thing which pleases me in this movie is most of the plots are reasonably resolved at the end. Nothing to shout about either about the casts as Eason Chan is again in a predictably role while Jo Koo is more of a 'flower in a vase'. As for Cherrie Ying, a young lass but needs more meatier roles in the future to prove that she is not only a pretty face.

I can foresee that there would definitely be a third installment as in terms of box-office as well as the trend of (nonsensical) pro-longing a continuation saga. However one word of wisdom to Ann Hui is that `spoiling more broth' doesn't do her reputation of an acclaimed director good. Be warned!

Troublesome Night 15 (2002)

The greater the sequel number goes, the lamer the story line it is.

[1/10 · 20 August 2002]

The first of this continuation series of Troublesome Night was released some 5 years ago and it's an average of 3 series a year. Although there ain't any continuation sequel of all its series but without us knowing clear the period of time, we are now into installment no. 15. However

the first few series we were treated with loads and loads of stuffs full of suspenses and an unusual twist of the story line as in a mixture of ghoulish movies combined with The X-Files. I really had the itch each time awaiting for its next sequel to be released. However it seems that the producers and directors seemed to have lost their ideas of how the genre of a Troublesome Night movie should be made.

The story of this movie is about a caring father protecting his son from being harm by a revenging spirit from a previous life. The father who has the ability to see and speak to ghosts and spirits, be-friends the ghoulish ones and uses their help as guardian (angels) ghosts for his one and only son who I find him really a jerk. The story is corny as ever and by mid way of the show, we would have guess how the ending would be. Even with the presence of veteran comedian, Eric Tsang who helm the role as the serious father, we find him unable to save the grace of the whole movie.

My advice to all who has been following the continuation sequel of this title to give this one a miss, that is if you are serious horror movie buff. If the producers are still making similar stuffs like this in the next installment then I will definitely give No. 17 a No-No!

Asian Connection (1995)

It would be great if Hong Kong could still produce such movies these days.

[9/10 · 3 August 2002]

This 1995 effort might be 7 years old now but it has to be a collector's item for fans of the cop and robbers genre. This movie has all the ingredients that an action cop movie should have with all the bang-bang guns, car-chase, explosion, double-crossing, breath-taking fights & etc. Come to think of it, you would only find all these in a Hong Kong action movie if only Chow Yun-Fat, Jackie Chan or Jet Li in it. However this movie has neither of them and instead we have Danny Lee, the truly police image actor of Hong Kong show business. Looking back at the actor's filmography, we can find almost 8 out of 10 of Danny Lee's movies, he would have played a cop so who would have been a better choice than him to play this role in this movie. Alongside Danny Lee, we have hunk Michael Chow playing his side kick and together these 2 really bonded as a pair of crime buster. A pair made in heaven. Unlike in Lethal Weapon whereby we also have 2 cops, one straight and the other bending the rules, here we see both Danny Lee and Michael Chow portraying roles of similar attitudes and similar in motives. That's the different here.

The movie shot almost entirely in Taiwan about both Danny & Michael being summoned to assist the Taiwan authorities on narcotic cases. While in Taiwan, they unexpectedly bumped into a drug trafficker (Yee Fan-Wei) who has earlier outwitted them in a narcotic operation in Hong Kong. From here on our heroes unearth more and more unexpected events that's breath taking all the way till the end. The conversation dialogue in the movie comprises a mixture of both of Cantonese and Mandarin and that's the comic side of the movie. There was suppose to be a love plot between Danny Lee and Jean Wang in the movie but with all the actions in the movie, there was no time left to develop it which is the little disappointment in the movie. There was a hint at the ending of the movie that there might be a sequel. However it's been 7 years now since this movie has been released so a sequel would really be doubtful.

This is a truly entertaining Hong Kong action flick that would not disappoint those who love movies in the action genre like Heat, Lethal Weapon & etc. I have not enjoyed any movie lately, as much as since Te jing ji xian feng a.k.a. Asian Connection, that has the quality to surpass it in terms of action and entertainment. If only they could still produce such great stuff these days, wouldn't that be great. It is truly recommended as a collection.

My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (2002)

Not a good effort but worth your penny with Sammi Cheng around.

[7/10 · 24 July 2002]

Lately the horror-movie bug has hit the Hong Kong film industry. As recent as now there was The Eye and before that there were Visible Secret II, Inner Senses, Horror Hotline...Big Head Monster and the continuation series of Troublesome Nights to name a few. However My Left Eye Sees Ghosts is a fresh attempt by the in-separable duo of Johnnie To and Wai Ka Fai and here they combined a mix-genre of a black comedy with a little touch of romance. Don't be fool by the title, as you will NOT see any eerie ghoulish scene in this movie even with BOTH your eyes. It is, as though these days Hong Kong songbird Sammi Cheng has been categorized as a comic actress as she has not played a serious role in a movie for a long time now. Sammi is in her usual acting self once again here but Lau Ching Wan's talent is totally wasted in this movie although he did managed to show his comic side in his character role.

In this movie Sammi is again playing a jovial and happy go lucky lady very much alike the role she played in her previous film, Marry a rich Man but this time she has a much meaner personality. The movie plot starts to develop after Sammi survived a suicide attempt in a car crash. Later she finds herself being able to see spirits with her left eye, a gift she then uses to help a deceased man (Lau Ching Wan) who also acts as her guardian angel, to fulfill his final wish. Get ready for a very unexpected ending in the movie.

My Left Eye Sees Ghosts is indeed a black comedy. In fact almost all the ghosts that appear in the movie are funny looking (like the fat hungry ghost) and non-ghoulish. This film would be a fresh change as lately we have been getting loads and loads of horror stuffs from Hong Kong and it's absolutely fantastic to have a different movie theme although still tagging on with the ‘ghost' theme.

Not really a good effort but worth a laugh or two.

July Rhapsody (2002)

Surviving the Hong Kong Lolita

[6/10 · 19 May 2002]

Jacky Cheung plays Lam Yiu Kwok who is a Hong Kong high school teacher who is facing a mid-life crisis. While he has only is pride and Chinese poetry to fall back on, his peers are successful businessmen and professionals who flaunt their extravagant lifestyles at reunion dinners. After all these years, Lam is still living in a cramped apartment with his wife, Man Ching (Anita Mui) and two teenage sons.

However financial stagnancy is not his only problem. An old flame and ex-teacher of both Man Ching returns to Hong Kong and uncovers old wounds. Man Ching feels obliged to help her ex-lover...

Meanwhile Yiu Kwok faces another dilemma; Choy Lam (Lam Ka Yan) a precocious student, has a crush on him and the 'forbidden fruit' looks more and more tempting in the light of his wife's 'infidelity'. Will he succumb to young charms and let history repeat itself?

July Rhapsody is a touching story about a man for whom honour, truth and fidelity mean a lot. Personally I have only known highly of Jacky Cheung's singing ability and have not thought much of his acting moreover in serious roles as in this movie but after watching him grapple with Lam's problems, I hold him in high regard. Anita Mui is also convincing as a wife caught between the past and present but her role is definitely being over-whelm by Lam Ka Yan who is indeed the show stealer and is so delectable in her Lolita role that she heats up every scene she appears in.

Drama about mid-life crisis often need comedy to spice them up and here in this movie you can find the mixture blend of poetry, passion and pain...

Inner Senses (2002)

The strength of the movie lies in the lead cast

[6/10 · 18 May 2002]

The title may allude to M. Night Shyamalan's Sixth Sense but this movie is more of a psychological thriller than a ghost story. Like the title suggests, most of the ghost scenes are imagined (and they are scarier that way...)

Story started off with Cheung Yan (Lam Ka Yan) moving from one place to another to escape the ghosts which she could actually sees them and also following her around too. Her cousin sister's (Valerie Chow) husband (Waise Lee) recommends that she sees a psychiatrist, Dr Jim Law (Leslie Cheung). As time goes by, Jim managed to draw out Yan's past and cures her. As also expected, they fall in love. However instead of living happily ever after, Yan slowly began to find Jim getting more and more edgy like sleep-walking at night and... Now the thriller is about to begin...

Undoubtly Inner Senses has its share of scares and jolts. However the film-makers seem so proud of their make-up efforts and stunt-work that they repeat the ghost sequences so often that they become a drag. In one close-up scene the flaws can get rather embarrassing.

Leslie Cheung still has the look of a mid-30's although he is almost 50 years old while Lam Ka Yan is a pretty face but with a lot of potential to be a great actress. Waise Lee provides the comic relief (and he did not disappoint either) for a change from his usual bad guys role.

The strength of the movie lies in the lead cast.