The Master (1980)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Justin

The Master is a later kung-fu flick, made in 1980 by director Lu Chin-Ku. It stars a young actor named Yuen Tak in his first film and several Shaw Brothers veterans, notably Chen Kuan-tai and Johnny Wang Lung-wei. Though the focus is on the action scenes, particularly in the second half of the film, it’s obvious that the director has taken note of the introduction of comedy to the genre — wide-eyed slapstick and sproing-oing-oing noises are rather common until … (read more)

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Moment of Romance (1990)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Alison

This movie is one of the all-time classics of Hong Kong cinema. It’s a tragic urban love story that’s strong enough to make Romeo and Juliet pack up their bat and ball and go home. Andy Lau, as Wah Dee, the young triad member, showed here that he was more than just a matinee idol. Wu Sien Lien, as Jo Jo, is luminous and innocent.

Although the film shows its age in some of the earlier scenes, and things like … (read more)

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Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (1997)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Andy

It takes a unique perspective not to mention guts to combine giant robots, Christian symbolism, teenage angst, dysfunctional families and Jungian psychology. If Neon Genesis Evangelion‘s creator, Hideako Anno was a New Yorker he’d be happily seeing an analyst 3 times a week moaning about not being breast fed. Thankfully he’s Japanese, loves giant robots and sees anime as a therapeutical tool. Then net result was Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the densest animes ever created.

I’m going … (read more)

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Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion (1997)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Andy

After sitting through Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth, I’m glad I had the second movie, End of Evangelion ready to drop into the disc the tray of my DVD player. It becomes immediately apparent that the second half of Death & Rebirth is the start of End. Yep, that’s right, the material is repeated. In effect the second half of Death & Rebirth is a preview for End.

End of Evangelion, is the real meat, essentially … (read more)

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Ninja Scroll – the Series (2003)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Andy

Let’s have a quick anime history lesson. Ninja Scroll was one of the original big four anime that were at the vanguard that stormed Australian beaches at the end of the eighties. Ninja Scroll, along with Akira, Wicked City and Legend of the Overfiend, pretty much trailblazed the path for the entry of contemporary anime into the Western mainstream. Unlike its forebears, Astro Boy, Kimba, G-Force or Robotech, this gang of four was a highly organised … (read more)

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Ninja Scroll 10th Anniversary Edition (Uncut) (1994)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Alison

Can you believe that I got through ten years of life without ever having seen Ninja Scroll? I can’t either but I’ve just made up for it, with the 10th anniversary edition. And wow, what an experience. The colours are brilliant, the remastered animation is crisp and clear, and the action never stops.

What can I say about the story? Well, this classic of the genre takes you back to a mythical Japan where historical samurai meet demons with … (read more)

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Noir (2003)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Ching Yee

Kirika Yumura and Mireille Bouquet are Noir, top female assassins for hire. Noir is also the name of an ancient legend which states that the ‘peace of the newly born’ is governed by the black hands of two maidens. The series alludes to the two maidens being Mireille and Kirika.

Kirika is a natural born killer, cold and unemotional, able to assassinate her targets even under extreme pressure. But her flawless killing skill is also her biggest source of agony, … (read more)

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Notorious C.H.O. (2003)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Ching Yee

Notorious C.H.O.? There’s no rapping or rhymin’ to be seen here and no P. Diddy stylistics either. This homegirl just jumps on stage and delivers comedy. But she will certainly be going down in American standup history as being notorious – notoriously funny, raunchy, honest, and of course watchable.

Filmed in Seattle 2001, Notorious C.H.O is a live recording of Cho’s show at the end of what seems like an incredibly long US tour. Opening shots of punters lining up … (read more)

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