Drink, Drank, Drunk (2005)

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Posted on October 29, 2005 by Ching Yee

Were you among those who (a) felt like your neck was snapped by the ending of One Nite in Mongkok , (b) felt completely numbed and brutalised by the whole experience or (c) watched it purely for its reputation but didn’t like it. Well, rejoice because Derek Yee has done a 180 back-flip and lightened up considerably with his latest effort, Drink, Drank, Drunk.

Starring the effervescent Miriam Yeung and the currently ubiquitous Daniel Wu, this is charming romantic … (read more)

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Comrades: Almost a Love Story (1996)

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Posted on October 29, 2005 by Mark Morrison

Far too many punters insert the word “action” after “Hong Kong”, and only define the territory’s output by flying kicks and boiling lead; while many mainstream filmgoers might turn their nose up at Hong Kong films for exactly the same reason. Peter Chan’s romance Comrades: Almost a Love Story bucks all such trends, being equal to the greatest dramas from any country.

Maggie Cheung and Leon Lai feature as mainlanders who have come to Hong Kong; she wants to get … (read more)

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Crying Fist (2004)

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Posted on October 29, 2005 by Alison

I must admit to approaching this film with some trepidation. After all, the only other film I’d seen by director Ryoo was Arahan, and while that was fun mindless entertaiment, I was hard-pressed to imagine him succeeding with something serious.

My fears were unfounded, because this is a genre-defying drama which succeeds wonderfully. Choi Min-shik will always be watchable, whatever the role and whatever the film, and he imbues his down-and-out boxer with real humanity. Moments that, in lesser … (read more)

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Beijing Rocks (2000)

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Posted on October 29, 2005 by Ching Yee

HK director Mabel Cheung has decided to turn her attention to the underground Beijing rock scene in which she captures the sweaty desperation, energy and frenzy of this movement with much success.

Or perhaps that was also the brilliance of Crouching Tiger cinematographer Peter Pau?

Michael [Daniel Wu], a troubled HK singer songwriter, tags along with Lu [Geng Le], the charismatic lead singer of a hard core Beijing band while awaiting trial for behaviour misdemeanour [he started a fight in … (read more)

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Beyond Our Ken (2004)

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Posted on October 29, 2005 by Alison

I’ve watched this film twice now, and it’s still difficult to find something appropriate to say about it. That’s not because it’s a bad film: it isn’t. But it is a film that defies pigeonholing, like an extremely knobbly peg in any sort of hole. But as it’s fallen to me to review it, I’d better give it a try.

For starters, there’s a lot here that’s reminiscent of other directors. The opening credits, block characters on hot pink background, … (read more)

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A World Without Thieves (2004)

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Posted on October 29, 2005 by Alison

A World Without Thieves is a crime caper, a personal drama, a morality play, and a travelogue all rolled into one. Pretty impressive stuff, and a lot to pack into a bit less than 2 hours. The fact that it worked so well is a testament to the skills of cast and crew, and the fine script that managed to weave these disparate threads into whole cloth.

Mind you, the fact that the director is Feng Xiao Gang has a … (read more)

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Asian Connection (1995)

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Posted on October 29, 2005 by Mark Morrison

Most of you will remember Danny Lee as Dumbo in The Killer. Here he is a few years later, a few years heavier, but with the same bad dress sense. He teams up with Michael Chow, who looks familiar to me but I don’t know where from – I suspect he usually plays the dorky mobile-phone slinging boyfriend type. I’m digressing.

In this hour-and-a-half long chase movie, Danny and Michael play two HK cops who get stung on a … (read more)

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All Men Are Brothers (1973)

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Posted on October 29, 2005 by Justin

All Men Are Brothers is another huge Chang Cheh-directed production from Shaws when they were at the height of their powers, with just about all their action stars and four of their action choreographers (including my favourite, Lau Kar Leung). It picks up its story from the same source as The Water Margin and doesn’t go to much trouble introducing the characters… so you’re advised to watch The Water Margin first, so you know why David Chiang has his own … (read more)

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