What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 11 Oct 2011, 13:29

HungFist wrote:I didn't even know Chang had done acting roles...

I think that was his only one, at least for Shaws.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 11 Oct 2011, 23:11

HungFist wrote:Endhiran (Robot) (India, 2010) – 3/5

I just saw bits of the scene on YouTube. I managed about a minute before being so bored. It's so dumb. The best action scene ever would never have that much CGI (if at all).

I see it's also the usual dumb Indian length of 3 hours. I'd be up for seeing the odd Indian film in the cinema if they weren't all so stupidly long. Indian film-makers need to learn less can be more. No cinemas remotely in my area show Indian films too.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 13 Oct 2011, 20:07

You're going to notice a pattern in these reviews today. All are famous, well loved martial arts films that I would probably enjoy a lot more if the audio were better. The Mandarin dubbing is done by some very disinterested and lethargic sounding dubbers, the music cues are sparse and lack impact, there is precious foley work, and dialogue scenes drag on. By comparison, all those Taiwanese indies from the same period sound much better. I really don't know if this is due to Celestial being over zealous with the noice reduction, or whether they always sounded like this. All three films play much better in their English dubs, and considering the hoakiness of English dubs, that's a shame that I have to fall back on camp humour to save potentially good movies

Sorry, I sound crazy...

SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS (1974)

CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!

A slow start, barely any music*, weak acting from the leads...this film scores points for a great cast of villians (including the debuts of Leung Kar Yan - sans beard - and Wang Lung Wei), and for some awesome gore in the finale. Fu Sheng is surprisingly wooden in this, Chi Kuan Chun is unsurprisingly wooden, and one wishes the secondary, ill fated heroes (Gordon Liu, Bruce Tong) had been the leads instead.

Incidentally, the ill fated heroes learn their kung fu via Karate Kid-esque methods (catching fish, pulling bark off trees. No wonder they lost, their sifu is regular villian (and displayer of some truly awful teeth) Chiang Nan. I kept waiting for him to be revealed to be a Manchu inflitrator!

The closing shot of the two heroes going off with their girlfriends...are we sure this is a Chang Cheh film?

* There is one good atmospheric cue that was earlier in FIST OF FURY, and is at least as old as 1962, when it turned up in the indie US horror flick THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE.

5/10

CHALLENGE OF THE MASTERS (1976)

A potentially interesting film is rendered moot by very dull handling. The whole thing is so artificial and flat, that it really is difficult to stay the course. Two good fight sequences are the exception, with the focus being instead on a DRAGON LORD-esque contest that is dull. The cast give fine performances, but are stuck in a sluggish if sincere movie.

3/10*

* This is a Mandarin film, but as with many Shaws, plays a lot better in its later Cantonese dub, and the English dub, which would elevate the movie up to 5.

INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (1978)

Chang Cheh and the Venoms first venture into conventional kung fu (as opposed to the slightly supernatural FIVE VENOMS) has a really good story squandered by the same lifeless presentation that affected CHALLENGE OF THE MASTERS. Long static dialogue scenes, poorly dubbed into Mandarin, limited and innapropiate music, tons of exposisition...this isn't anyone at their finest. The performances generally are top notch, especially Chiang Sheng, Kwok Choi and Chan Shen, the latter really elevating the film. But Wei Pei is utterly dreadful...I still find it odd that everyone - Shaws, Chang Cheh, Golden Harvest - had big hopes for this plank. His sudden display of acting talent in his Golden Harvest ventures make one question whether this is even the same guy.

It's also utterly weird seeing Lu Feng play a nice romantic guy - he still looks readly to tear someone's head off!

5/10

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 13 Oct 2011, 20:10

HungFist wrote:
The Rebel Intruders, The Daredevils, and The Magnificent Ruffians were more boresome (severely over-long, including the fight scenes) than exciting, though.

Those films have too much horsing around, and suffer from the need to stick in roles for EVERYONE - Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Phillip Kwok, Lo Meng, Sun Chien and the rather odd looking Wang Li. Poor Sun Chien in particular became superflous to requirements, which is odd as it seems he was the one who got the first big shot at stardom in CHINATOWN KID.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 13 Oct 2011, 20:24

I quite liked Shaolin Martial Arts... loved the training scenes.

Been an awful long since I saw Invincible Shaolin, but if I recall correctly it had a bit of problems with flashbacks kicking in right during action scenes...

... hmm... I remember there was also some crap Japanese film where a Riki Takeuchi flashback was played every time there was an action scene (ok, I know that sound awesome, but it didn't work in practice), but forgot what film it was...

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 13 Oct 2011, 20:32

HungFist wrote:I quite liked Shaolin Martial Arts... loved the training scenes.

Been an awful long since I saw Invincible Shaolin, but if I recall correctly it had a bit of problems with flashbacks kicking in right during action scenes...

... hmm... I remember there was also some crap Japanese film where a Riki Takeuchi flashback was played every time there was an action scene (ok, I know that sound awesome, but it didn't work in practice), but forgot what film it was...

Wasn't too bad in INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN, it was especially annoying in NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS - which is a dull OTT propaganda piece for Choi Lee Fat Kung Fu.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 14 Oct 2011, 12:54

TRUE GAME OF DEATH (1978/1981?)

In a change of pace, this is less a rip-off of Bruce Lee's GAME OF DEATH and is more a rip off of Robert Clouse's GAME OF DEATH.

The film is a semi-bio of Bruce Lee, who is here is played by Lung Tien Tsing, the Spearman from FLAG OF IRON. Bruce Lee himself appears courtesy of the press conference footage for FIST OF UNICORN, and in an odd dream sequence where clips from WAY OF THE DRAGON are used. Linda Lee is here called April (O'Neil?), and a Betty Ting Pei lookalike is around, and the latter even gets to sing the real life favourite song of Bruce and Betty!

The fights are unremarkable, the Dan Inosanto clone is reasonable, Chi Hon Tsoi gets replaced with two fat blokes, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar becomes a boxer in a funny cape.

Rubbish, but surprisingly endurable. Best part? The Bruce vs Dan Inosanto fight is scored with Lalo Schrifrin's version of the Jaws theme

4/10

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 14 Oct 2011, 15:50

Hangonaminute! You gave True Game of Death a higher rating than Challenge of the Masters!?!

Keung · Post by **Keung** » 14 Oct 2011, 16:41

LOL @ TGOD. I remember being horrified as a kid during the scene where "Bruce Lee" was spazzing out and dying in his bedroom.

I hope you didn't buy the film. You can watch it on YouTube for free.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 14 Oct 2011, 16:42

I enjoyed TRUE GAME OF DEATH more then CHALLENGE OF THE MASTERS. Its like I enjoy PLAN 9 more than 2001.

And yes, saw it on Youtube. I'm told there's a longer version out there.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 14 Oct 2011, 21:24

Ivan Drago wrote:I enjoyed TRUE GAME OF DEATH more then CHALLENGE OF THE MASTERS. Its like I enjoy PLAN 9 more than 2001.

Can't really argue with your logic. I gave COTM **½ for the record.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 16 Oct 2011, 22:50

SUPER DRAGON (1982)

A rather large gaggle of kung fu stars - John Cheung, Cliff Lok, Polly Shang Kwan, Yueh Hoi, Tsai Hung, Chen Hung Lieh, Phillip Ko - appear in this interesting mystery wu xia. In a way it's buissness as usual, but not too bad at all. The mystery villian's demon mask is pretty funky, Polly seems to accuse everyone of killing her father, and the Star Wars theme pops up. Can't complain.

7/10

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 16 Oct 2011, 22:56

DEADLY STRIKE (1978)

Bruce Li recruits a bunch of convicts to aid him in a mission. Most of said convicts are a pathetic bunch of losers milked for especially annoying comedy, as are the supposed villians our heroes encounter on their mission. Thankfully, Lung Fei and Tsai Hung (good guys) and Chen Sing (chief villian) are good value, and the ending is quite cool. Annoyingly, the DVD doesn't have the nunchaku scene (damn you Ferman!)

Footnote: The scene where Tsai Hung and Bruce Li try to appear inconspicous by posing as a horny gay man and a leper...not what I'd call an orthodox plan!

Footnote 2: Love the alternate title: WANTED BRUCE LI...DEAD OR ALIVE!!!

5/10

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 16 Oct 2011, 23:15

SHAOLIN MANTIS (1978)

Excellent Lau Kar Leung movie, featuring David Chiang sent by the Manchus to infiltrate and kill a Ming rebel. Starts humourously, and has a rather quaint feel due to the De Wolfe library music, much of which appeared in UK tv shows, but ends in such a powerful and grim finish, it really knocks you over. Awesome training sequences too!

The title is a bit weird, as the Mantis technique is not Shaolin!

8/10

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 17 Oct 2011, 04:48

Ivan Drago wrote:DEADLY STRIKE (1978)..........Annoyingly, the DVD doesn't have the nunchaku scene (damn you Ferman!)

The trailer shows a short clip of the cut footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAuczBQ-Dnc

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 21 Oct 2011, 20:28

GOLDEN SWALLOW (1968)

Chang Cheh directs a sequel to a King Hu film? Yeah, that's a weird idea...Cheng Pei-pei, who played the female lead of COME DRINK WITH ME, and the title character of this film, is completely snubbed over in favour of Jimmy Wang Yu, and to a lesser extent Lo Lieh, and to a lesser extent Wu Man, and to a lesser extent Mars...

This is a stunning looking film, with extensive location work and gorgeous colour photography. For all its flaws with how it handles Golden Swallow, that's only in comparison to its predecessor. On its own merits, this is a powerful tale of madness and obbsession - Jimmy Wang Yu isn't very convincing as a pining lover, but makes a great sociopath.

A very good film, and be warned, the scene is Mars is bleak...

8/10

EXECUTIONERS FROM SHAOLIN (1977)

Lau Kar-leung's interesting clash of violent revenge drama and soap opera slapstick turned out to much better then I expected, with a very powerful opening, entertaining comedy and good performances - even Wong Yue was tolerable. Lo Lieh of course steals the show in his first turn as Pai Mei.

8/10

THE AVENGING EAGLE (1978)

One of the finest martial arts films ever, this intricate, well crafted film features some of the best direction, fight choreography, set design, costumes, story, and acting you will ever see in a HK film. Ku Feng's villian is by far the stand out, a rich multi-layered performance of evil.

9/10

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 22 Oct 2011, 15:58

Did you watch the new Dragon Dynasty dvds? Interested in Executioners from Shaolin (seen before) and Golden Swallow (not seen yet, someone mentioned poor compression in the opening (credits?) scene)

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (Japan, 2002) – 3/5
Solid Gojira entry that does most of its action old school, despite some CGI here and there. Miniature models are destroyed with passion, and the use of Mechagodzilla reminds of Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991), which isn’t a bad thing either. Passable storyline, with the (now forgotten) early 2000’s idol Yumiko Shaku in the lead role.

The Man from Nowhere (South Korea, 2010) – 3/5
Mixed bag South Korean ‘Taken’ with too much visual information and MTV pacing crammed into one movie. In addition, the screenplay tends to explain a bit too much – it’s a sad trend these days that action heroes must be softened with sentimental backstory. That being said, most of the film does manage a solid mixture of action, emotion and violence. Supporting star Kim Sae-ron is ridiculously cute – it’s a shame her role isn’t bigger as she’s clearly the film’s highlight.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 22 Oct 2011, 16:28

GOLDEN SWALLOW on DD DVD looks more grainy then compressed - it's an OK transfer. EXECUTIONERS looks very good.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 22 Oct 2011, 17:10

ok, thanks, been meaning to buy both sometime

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 22 Oct 2011, 19:31

Jesus I have not bought a Shaw film in bloody ages now! at one point I was getting most new releases! crikey.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 22 Oct 2011, 20:00

I stopped buying IVLs as got sick of bad soundmixes and endless PAL-NTSC transfers. The new US releases are mostly good quality.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 23 Oct 2011, 00:50

I'm fed up double/triple dipping.

They purposely delay the Blu Rays until you've bought the DVD.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 23 Oct 2011, 01:02

I haven't gone Blu Ray yet.

I have to admit I'm usually content with the DVD. You can't upgrade everything. (I pity poor suckers who were into laserdisc)

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 23 Oct 2011, 01:06

Some I must upgrade, most I won't.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 23 Oct 2011, 01:08

I'll upgrade everything as long as it's better than the DVD.

But then I don't buy/own as much as many fans do.

Bullets 'n' Babes

What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5

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