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.


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

Buddha's Palm (1982)
D: Taylor Wong

Batshit crazy story and cheesetastic special effects. Arm yourself with beers and greens beforehand.

RATING: 7

Crocodile Hunter (1989)
D: Wong Jing

Another Wong Jing picture "inspired" by Die Hard. Could have used more of Stephen Tung's action.

RATING: 6

Disciples of Shaolin Temple (1985)
D: Hua Shan

Decent fighting is marred by crappy comedy and an obnoxious "kung fu brat".

RATING: 4

Don't Go Breaking My Heart (1999)
D: Johnnie To

Dull romantic twaddle resulting in a cinematic misfire from the usually reliable Johnnie To.

RATING: 3

Executioners from Shaolin (1977)
D: Lau Kar-Leung

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

Heads for Sale (1970)
D: Chang-Hwa Jeong

An interesting premise and solid performance by Chiao Chiao is marred by sloppy wirework.

RATING: 5

Heroes Two (1974)
D: Chang Cheh

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

Invincible Shaolin (1978)
D: Chang Cheh

Bloody revenge tale that provided a major point for "homage" for Kill Bill with the coffin punching scene.

RATING: 7

Ip Man 3 (2016)
D: Wilson Yip

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

The Magnificent Scoundrels (1991)
D: Lee Lik-Chi

Aided by a solid supporting cast, Stephen Chow finds his footing in moy len tau.

RATING: 7

Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986)
D: Lau Kar-Leung

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

Millionaire Cop (1993)
D: Cheung Gon-Man

Aaron Kwok plays the world's luckiest man via a love triangle with Maggie Cheung and Chingmy Yau.

RATING: 7

My Hero (1990)
D: Leung Kar-Yan

Early starring effort from Stephen Chow that sees him in Triad shenanigans than moy len tau.

RATING: 6

My Rebellious Son (1982)
D: Sun Chung

Falls more squarely on the comedy side of the action/comedy spectrum, especially since the fights go by so quickly.

RATING: 5

Power Connection (1995)
D: Phillip Ko

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

Shaolin Martial Arts (1974)
D: Chang Cheh

Solid kung fu picture that provided another "homage" for Tarantino in Kill Bill with the chopsticks training scene.

RATING: 7

Spike Drink Gang (1995)
D: Bosco Lam

Elvis Tsui is wonderfully over the top, but the rest of this Category III snoozer is (ahem) a little limp.

RATING: 4

The Spiritual Boxer (1975)
D: Lau Kar-Leung

At times a fun mix of genres for a Shaw Brothers film, but too much dopey comedy kills the momentum.

RATING: 5

The Unmatchable Match (1990)
D: Parkman Wong

Standard Triad potboiler with a dash of comedy featuring Stephen Chow and Michael Chan as the titlular couple.

RATING: 6

Wild City (2015)
D: Ringo Lam

Ringo Lam's return after 12 years lacks the grittiness of his better works, but is still satisfying.

RATING: 7


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