Hong Kong Ten
by Michael Helms
Here's my list of HK freakin' faves in no particular order.
THE NEW ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN
I read a recent estimate that the amazing, and I do mean amazing, for one thing he slept
on a piece of rope, titular hero of The New One Armed Swordsman, killed a mere
two hundred in the blood-drenched bridge massacre. To this day I swear the death
demographics ran into the thousands. But then again I haven't seen it since the early
seventies, when I did several times (once with Bedazzled!). Delirious at any body
count.
RIKI-OH THE STORY OF RICKY
Crazed prison flick of the highest order or monster flick bizarre behind bars, either way
you call it you'll be rewarded with much ultra-violent insanity here folks! A film full of
downbeat detail that doesn't pull punches.
BULLET IN THE HEAD
Few people in the world stage drama and action like John Woo. Face/Off is proof
but Bullet in the Head is the epitome, so far. See it regularly.
THE EBOLA SYNDROME
This is a million revolting laughs. It's a restaurant nightmare to the nth degree. It's
the most depraved lead since Sardu. It's unmissable.
SEX AND ZEN
Sex comedy delirium. This guy grafts a horse's dick to his body. Hilarity ensues.
Loved the pre-censored lobby cards that appeared clothing the silk merchant in a cozy
black-lace g-string!
BLACK MASK
Have to fit a Jet Li flick in here somewhere and this contemporary manga based
cyborg weird-out is mighty fine viewing. Naturally Li kicks butt all over the shop.
THE KILLER
Sort of like No Better Tomorrow, or John Woo goes French noir with extra
violence. Not long after The Killer played theatrically the trailer for Once
a Thief was released featuring a still of John Woo. Chinese audiences always cheered.
DR. LAM
Maybe not the sickest serial killer flick ever but completely compelling
nonetheless. Hey, they can't be doing too wrong getting the poster banned in Australia, or
is that simply too easy?
MAN BEHIND THE SUN
The docu-drama that actively promotes immediate stomach evacuation whenever
presented in a big screen context. The live heart removal is particularly painful amidst a
museum of 'tortures' for medical progress. Finger snapping fun!
NAKED KILLER
Beautiful lesbian killers fuck, feud and conduct business in a whirlpool of gun
play and violence.
26 Jan 2000 © Michael Helms
MICHAEL HELMS published Fatal Visions for ten years where HK film was a
priority. He loved it last year when a writer in The Age Green Guide referred to actor
Louis Mandylor as a girl in a review of Martial Law. Helms continues to write for
Fangoria and Crimson Celluloid.
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