Blackhat (2015)
D: Michael Mann
Andy on was the best Hong Kong actor available? Fitting for this snooozer that continues Mann's downward spiral.
RATING: 4
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Random musings about Hong Kong movies from a hospital room
The following are a series of short reviews of films (aka Tweets) that I watched during my stepson's treatment for cancer. I just wanted to get something up before my old man memory (or lack thereof) kicks in and I forgot everything about these movies.
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Blackhat (2015)
Andy on was the best Hong Kong actor available? Fitting for this snooozer that continues Mann's downward spiral. RATING: 4 |
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Buddha's Palm (1982)
Batshit crazy story and cheesetastic special effects. Arm yourself with beers and greens beforehand. RATING: 7 |
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Crocodile Hunter (1989)
Another Wong Jing picture "inspired" by Die Hard. Could have used more of Stephen Tung's action. RATING: 6 |
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Disciples of Shaolin Temple (1985)
Decent fighting is marred by crappy comedy and an obnoxious "kung fu brat". RATING: 4 |
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Don't Go Breaking My Heart (1999)
Dull romantic twaddle resulting in a cinematic misfire from the usually reliable Johnnie To. RATING: 3 |
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Executioners from Shaolin (1977)
Lo Lieh stands out with his performance of the legendary villain Pai Mei, but most everything else (especially the lame comedy) is average at best. RATING: 5 |
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Heads for Sale (1970)
An interesting premise and solid performance by Chiao Chiao is marred by sloppy wirework. RATING: 5 |
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Heroes Two (1974)
This take on the tale on Fong Sai-Yuk is fun stuff, down to the red tinted frames when the action gets bloody. RATING: 7 |
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Invincible Shaolin (1978)
Bloody revenge tale that provided a major point for "homage" for Kill Bill with the coffin punching scene. RATING: 7 |
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Ip Man 3 (2016)
This final (?) sequel feels a bit like it is running on autopilot and Mike Tyson is underused, but this delivers the goods fight-wise and should satisfy fans of the series. RATING: 7 |
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The Magnificent Scoundrels (1991)
Aided by a solid supporting cast, Stephen Chow finds his footing in moy len tau. RATING: 7 |
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Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986)
Despite yet more Jet Li in drag jokes, Lau Kar-Leung's tight direction and solid action make this the best of his Shaolin trilogy. RATING: 7 |
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Millionaire Cop (1993)
Aaron Kwok plays the world's luckiest man via a love triangle with Maggie Cheung and Chingmy Yau. RATING: 7 |
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My Hero (1990)
Early starring effort from Stephen Chow that sees him in Triad shenanigans than moy len tau. RATING: 6 |
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My Rebellious Son (1982)
Falls more squarely on the comedy side of the action/comedy spectrum, especially since the fights go by so quickly. RATING: 5 |
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Power Connection (1995)
Standard Phillip Ko/Yukari Oshima Hong Kong/Phillipines co-production: the action scenes are fun, but pretty much everything else is kinda crappy. RATING: 6 |
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Shaolin Martial Arts (1974)
Solid kung fu picture that provided another "homage" for Tarantino in Kill Bill with the chopsticks training scene. RATING: 7 |
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Spike Drink Gang (1995)
Elvis Tsui is wonderfully over the top, but the rest of this Category III snoozer is (ahem) a little limp. RATING: 4 |
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The Spiritual Boxer (1975)
At times a fun mix of genres for a Shaw Brothers film, but too much dopey comedy kills the momentum. RATING: 5 |
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The Unmatchable Match (1990)
Standard Triad potboiler with a dash of comedy featuring Stephen Chow and Michael Chan as the titlular couple. RATING: 6 |
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Wild City (2015)
Ringo Lam's return after 12 years lacks the grittiness of his better works, but is still satisfying. RATING: 7 |
