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- DirectorKinji FukasakuStarsTatsuya FujiwaraAki MaedaTarô YamamotoIn the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them to kill one another under the revolutionary "Battle Royale" act.
- DirectorHan-min KimStarsPark Hae-ilRyu Seung-ryongKim Mu-yeolA skilled Korean archer goes up against the mighty force of Manchus with the sole purpose of rescuing his kidnapped sister.
- DirectorPrachya PinkaewStarsJeeJa YaninHiroshi AbePongpat WachirabunjongAn autistic girl with powerful martial art skills looks to settle her ailing mother's debts by seeking out the ruthless gangs that owe her family money.
- DirectorAng LeeStarsChow Yun-FatMichelle YeohZiyi ZhangA young Chinese warrior steals a sword from a famed swordsman and then escapes into a world of romantic adventure with a mysterious man in the frontier of the nation.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsZiyi ZhangTakeshi KaneshiroAndy LauA romantic police captain breaks a beautiful member of a rebel group out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.
- DirectorWilson YipStarsDonnie YenSimon YamSiu-Wong FanDuring the Japanese invasion of China, a wealthy martial artist is forced to leave his home when his city is occupied. With little means of providing for themselves, Ip Man and the remaining members of the city must find a way to survive.
- DirectorWilson YipStarsDonnie YenXiaoming HuangSammo Kam-Bo HungCentering on Ip Man's migration to Hong Kong in 1949 as he attempts to propagate his discipline of Wing Chun martial arts.
- DirectorKang Je-kyuStarsJang Dong-gunWon BinEun-ju LeeWhen two brothers are forced to fight in the Korean War, the elder decides to take the riskiest missions if it will help shield the younger from battle.
- DirectorPrachya PinkaewStarsTony JaaPhetthai VongkumlaoPumwaree YodkamolWhen the head of a statue sacred to a village is stolen, a young martial artist goes to the big city and finds himself taking on the underworld to retrieve it.
- DirectorKim Sung-suStarsJung Woo-sungAhn Sung-kiJu Jin-mo1375. Nine Koryo warriors, envoys exiled by Imperial China, battle to protect a Chinese Ming Princess from Mongolian troops.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiTakeshi KaneshiroFengyi ZhangThe first chapter of a two-part story centered on a battle fought in China's Three Kingdoms period (220-280 A.D.).
- DirectorJohn WooStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiTakeshi KaneshiroFengyi ZhangSecond and final part of epic tale about a legendary battle that changed the course of China history.
- DirectorWilson YipStarsDonnie YenSimon YamSammo Kam-Bo HungA near retired inspector and his unit are willing to put down a crime boss at all costs while dealing with his replacement, who is getting in their way. Meanwhile, the crime boss sends his top henchmen to put an end to their dirty schemes.
- DirectorStephen ChowStarsStephen ChowWei ZhaoYat-Fei WongA young Shaolin follower reunites with his discouraged brothers to form a soccer team using their martial art skills to their advantage.
- DirectorTen ShimoyamaStarsYukie NakamaJoe OdagiriTomoka KurotaniStar-crossed lovers must fight on opposing sides in a battle that will determine the next Shogun.
- DirectorKang Woo-sukStarsAhn Sung-kiSol Kyung-guHuh Joon-hoBased on a true story of 1968 Korean Republic Army plan to assassinate North Korean president Kim Il-Sung. 31 criminals and death row inmates are recruited into secret training on the island of Silmi; for two years they are subjected to maximum mental and physical abuse before the mission is cancelled and the unit terminated.
- DirectorCharlie NguyenStarsJohnny Tri NguyenVeronica NgoDustin NguyenFrance employs local secret agents in Vietnam 1922 to eliminate resistance. The rebel leader's pretty daughter gets captured. Later an agent seems to have fallen in love with her and helps her escape. He flees, too. Lots of martial arts.
- DirectorKim Jee-woonStarsSong Kang-hoLee Byung-hunJung Woo-sungThe story of two outlaws and a bounty hunter in 1940s Manchuria and their rivalry to possess a treasure map while being pursued by the Japanese army and Chinese bandits.
- DirectorLee Jeong-beomStarsWon BinKim Sae-ronKim Tae-hoonA quiet pawnshop keeper with a violent past takes on a drug-and-organ trafficking ring in hope of saving the child who is his only friend.
- DirectorTakeshi KitanoStarsTakeshi KitanoTadanobu AsanoYui NatsukawaThe blind masseur/swordsman comes to a town in control of warring gangs, and while bunking with a farming family, he meets two women with their own agenda.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKoji YakushoTakayuki YamadaYûsuke IseyaA group of assassins come together for a suicide mission to kill an evil lord.
- DirectorStephen ChowStarsStephen ChowWah YuenQiu YuenIn Shanghai, China in the 1940s, a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsJet LiTony Leung Chiu-waiMaggie CheungA defense officer, Nameless, was summoned by the King of Qin regarding his success of terminating three warriors.
- DirectorPrachya PinkaewStarsTony JaaNathan JonesXing JinA young fighter named Kham must go to Australia to retrieve his stolen elephant. With the help of a Thai-born Australian detective, Kham must take on all comers, including a gang led by an evil woman and her two deadly bodyguards.
- DirectorPeter Ho-Sun ChanWai-Man YipStarsJet LiAndy LauTakeshi KaneshiroChina, 1860s: Having his army slaughtered, General Qingyun joins 2 bandit leaders in raids on rebels and in blood oath. They form a Qing loyal army with eyes on rebel held Suzhou and Nanjing.
- DirectorGareth EvansStarsIko UwaisAnanda GeorgeRay SahetapyA S.W.A.T. team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.
- DirectorJung Doo HongKim Jee-woonStarsLee Byung-hunShin Min-aKim Yeong-cheolThings go wrong for a high ranking mobster when he doesn't follow his boss's orders.
- DirectorHerman YauStarsYu-Hang ToYi HuangBiao YuenYip Man's resistance against invading foreigners, along with his romantic relations while under the tutelage of three Wing Chun masters.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsChow Yun-FatGong LiJay ChouDuring China's Tang dynasty the emperor has taken the princess of a neighboring province as wife. She has borne him two sons and raised his eldest. Now his control over his dominion is complete, including the royal family itself.
- DirectorStephen ChowStarsStephen ChowWah YuenQiu YuenIn Shanghai, China in the 1940s, a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf.Stephen Chow latest target of burlesque is the kungfu genre, which is quite surprising, as this is not ...read more
- DirectorAndrew LauAlan MakStarsEdison ChenShawn YueAnthony Chau-Sang WongIn this prequel to Mou gaan dou (2002), Chan Wing Yan has just become an undercover cop in the triads while Lau Kin Ming joins the police force. Both the triads and the police find an enemy in a rival crime boss.Not quite nearly as good as the previous instalment, but still worth a looksee. Don't bother to watch Infernal Affairs III. there're better fishes in the ocean. At least in this list
- DirectorKar-Wai WongStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiMaggie CheungSiu Ping-LamTwo neighbors form a strong bond after both suspect extramarital activities of their spouses. However, they agree to keep their bond platonic so as not to commit similar wrongs.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsGong LiJingwu MaSaifei HeChina in the 1920s. After her father's death, Songlian is forced to marry the wealthy Master Chen. With three wives already, each living in a separate house, there is fierce competition for his attention and the privileges that are gained.This movie did for the Chinese Republican period drama what Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon did for wuxia, their high profile enabled these unique Chinese (sub)genre to be introduced to the world.
The Republican period drama is set against the backdrop of the Republican Era (1912 - 1949), a period...read more - DirectorYimou ZhangStarsYou GeGong LiBen NiuAfter Fugui and Jiazhen lose their personal fortunes, they raise a family and survive difficult cultural changes during 1940s to 1970s China.This movie is banned in China.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsGong LiPeiqi LiuLiuchun YangA peasant woman seeks justice after the headman of her village has kicked her husband in the groin.Chinese title: Qiu Ju Fights Legal Battle.
This is a typical art-house film from China. I don't like the term 'art-house' because it's too loaded. the word 'art' is too loaded. And the term 'art-house films' is more loaded than Warren Buffet and Bill Gates combined.
I prefer the term ...read more - DirectorKaige ChenStarsLeslie CheungFengyi ZhangGong LiTwo boys meet at an opera training school in Peking in 1924. Their resulting friendship will span nearly 70 years and endure some of the most troublesome times in China's history.This movie is banned in China
- DirectorAng LeeStarsChow Yun-FatMichelle YeohZiyi ZhangA young Chinese warrior steals a sword from a famed swordsman and then escapes into a world of romantic adventure with a mysterious man in the frontier of the nation.This is the most noted nuxia flick since A Touch of Zen, and it's the most famous nuxia flick outside Chinese community.
Feminist theme is what gains ...read more - DirectorJohn WooStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiTakeshi KaneshiroFengyi ZhangThe first chapter of a two-part story centered on a battle fought in China's Three Kingdoms period (220-280 A.D.).John Woo had made some wuxia flick before, but this was his 1st histoical drama film.
This is based on the Chinese classic of Romance of the Three Kingdom. An prior understanding of this classic would make the watching more enjoyable. - DirectorJohn WooStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiTakeshi KaneshiroFengyi ZhangSecond and final part of epic tale about a legendary battle that changed the course of China history.
- DirectorWilson YipStarsDonnie YenSimon YamSiu-Wong FanDuring the Japanese invasion of China, a wealthy martial artist is forced to leave his home when his city is occupied. With little means of providing for themselves, Ip Man and the remaining members of the city must find a way to survive.Ip Man comes to fame as he taught Wing Chun to Bruce Lee. This is the first instalment of the trillogy of his semi-biography.
The story takes place in Foshan, China. Foshan is a area in Guangdong that is the mecca for Chinese southern style of martial arts. Many famous Cantonese kungfu practictioners opened schools here, including Wong Fei-hung.
This flick - no, this film, has the best hand-to-hand combat sequences since The Chinese Connection. This is my opinion, but I know many people share it. What's more, it also has the same historical backgrop as The Chinese Connection - i.e. a Chinese kicking the butts of the Japanese invaders. And of course, last but not least, Ip Man just happened to be Bruce Lee's sifu.
So if you put all these things together, this is probably the closest thing of being a remake of The Chinese Connection without actually remaking it. There's no higher compliment one can pay to a kungfu genre movie. - DirectorWilson YipStarsDonnie YenXiaoming HuangSammo Kam-Bo HungCentering on Ip Man's migration to Hong Kong in 1949 as he attempts to propagate his discipline of Wing Chun martial arts.This is the second instalment of the trilogy. The story takes place in Hong Kong.
You get 2 of the finest Chinese martial arts superstars having a vigorous 'sparring'. From the top of my head, I could think only think of 1 other movie where this happens, Kill Zone.
This pair of old hands performed their martial prowess on a removable table top, and the fighting sequeces make them appears almost like 2 Chinese dishes rotating on a lazy sussan in a Chinese restaurant. Wonderfully delectble scene.
What more can a kungfu fan asks? - DirectorWei LoChia-Hsiang WuStarsBruce LeeMaria YiJames TienA young man sworn to an oath of non-violence works with his cousins in an ice factory where they mysteriously begin to disappear.Alternative English title: The Big Boss.
Chinese title: Big Brother From Tangshan.
it's easy to understand why they wanted to change the Chinese title ...read more - DirectorRobert ClouseStarsBruce LeeJohn SaxonJim KellyA Shaolin martial artist travels to an island fortress to spy on an opium lord - who is also a former monk from his temple - under the guise of attending a fighting tournament.First sizeable budget kungfu movie made with Hollywood money.
This was his last COMPLETE movie that he made. When he died, the size of the crowd of morners that lined the streets was the biggest before or ever since his death in HK. HK has a colonial Queen from UK, but he was the real, unofficial King that the HK citizen recognize.
I always knew that Bruce Lee's effect on the HK martial arts genre was great before. Now that I have made this list, I realize I was wrong. His effect on the HK martial arts genre wasn't great, it was complete. At least in the decade of the 1970s. If you read everything that related to the martial arts genre in this list in the Bruce Lee decade, you see that no major actors, directors, movies that hadn't touched by him. Some greater than other. His effect on subsequent Wang Yu films are total, which isn't surprising as they were both working with GH at the same time. And the great wuxia film director from SB, Chang Cheh, begun to make kungfu flicks. While King Hu was 1 of the very few martial arts directors who was fairly cool from the whole Bruce Lee Fever.
Warning: you may find yourself kicking your friends and making weird noises uncontrollably after the movie. Please refrain from doing so. If your girl friend is doing that to you, it's far safer to stick with chick flicks on your next date. - DirectorBruce LeeStarsBruce LeeChuck NorrisNora MiaoA man visits his relatives at their restaurant in Italy and has to help them defend against brutal gangsters harassing them.In order to control all aspects of his movie, he decided to produce, direct and act in this movie. With this film, Chinese kungfu genre has broken out of Asia and gone international.
There's that iconic scene of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris kicking each other senseless at the Roman Colosseum. At least this movie is very well known in Italy. - DirectorDanny PangOxide Chun PangStarsAngelica LeeChutcha RujinanonLawrence ChouA blind girl gets a cornea transplant so that she will be able to see again. She gets more than she bargained for upon realizing she can also see ghosts.Remade by Hollywood with the same name in 2008. The remake has less critical success than this original
- DirectorKaige ChenStarsGong LiFengyi ZhangZhou SunIn pre-unified China, the King of Qin sends his concubine to a rival kingdom to produce an assassin for a political plot, but as the king's cruelty mounts she finds her loyalty faltering.If you are going to visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an and too lazy to read the travel guide, this movie gives a good introduction (not of the terracotta soldiers, but of the first emperor of China)
- DirectorHark TsuiStarsJet LiRosamund KwanBiao YuenLegendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung fights against foreign forces' plundering of China. When Aunt Yee arrives back from America, Wong Fei-Hung assumes the role of her protector.
- DirectorHark TsuiStarsJet LiRosamund KwanSiu Chung MokArriving by train in Guangzhou, 1895, the trio fight off White Lotus followers, who want to kill all foreigners and the cute, European dressed 13th Aunt. It's not kung fu master Dr. Wong's (Jet Li) last fight.
- DirectorStephen ChowLik-Chi LeeStarsStephen ChowAnita YuenKar-Ying LawA Chinese spy who's been out of service for ten years whilst making a living as a butcher is sent to Hong Kong to locate a stolen Tyrannosaurus rex skull.Chinese title: Made-In-China 007 (loosely translated).
This is one of Stephen Chow's spoof film of the suave British secret agent Double O Seven. Instead of carrying Walther PK380, he's armed with a meat cleaver, and is licensed to sell pork. All this should make him a chick magnet. After all, he's pretty handy with the knife in the kitchen, and brings home the fresh bacon at wholesale price every day. What more can a girl asks for? - DirectorStephen ChowStarsStephen ChowWei ZhaoYat-Fei WongA young Shaolin follower reunites with his discouraged brothers to form a soccer team using their martial art skills to their advantage.What to parody next is a question in most of Stephen Chow's mind. It has to be something popular, it's best to have ...read more
- DirectorStephen ChowVincent KokStarsStephen ChowCarina LauCarman LeeAn imperial agent gets ridiculed for his various inventions, until his supportive wife encourages him to attend a conference, which's actually a trap to kill all the doctors serving the emperor, where his crazy inventions come in handy.This is a send-up of the Chinese wuxia genre in general.
In the opening scene, 4 of the most lengendary figures in the wuxia genre standing on a ...read more - DirectorStephen ChowLik-Chi LeeStarsStephen ChowKaren MokVincent KokThe most renowned and feared chef in the world loses his title of God of Cookery because of his pompous attitude. Humbled, he sets out to reclaim his title.Since Chow's joke is to get some laughs from respectable historical personages or Chinese classics like those I mentioned in my favourites above, this one pokes fun at the most sacrosanct of all Chinese institution - Chinese cooking.
Normally we put up with his irreverence. He has gone much too far this time!!! This is sacrilege!!! The travesty of the highest order! But once you Chinese have managed to swallow that outrageous indignation, you're ready to stomach the rest of the feast of delectable parodies cooked up by Chow. Let's chow down these Chow's delights. - DirectorJing WongStarsChow Yun-FatAndy LauJoey WangA master gambler loses his memory and is befriended by a street hustler who discovers his supernatural gambling abilities.Although this film did not give birth to the HK gambler genre, it certainly popularized it. And you can bet your money on Chow Yun-Yat.
Wong Jin the director remarked that Chinese loves to gambler, and they would like to see movies about gambling too. He's too right, judging from the many sequels, spin-offs, riffed-offs, spoofs that flows out from this flick. This is a landmark movie.
Warning: This movie may lead to full blown addiction to gambler genre. Take it from a life long incurable addict - DirectorRingo LamStarsChow Yun-FatTony Ka Fai LeungKa-Kui HoInside a Hong Kong prison, two inmates form a friendship and face the difficulty of life on the inside.
- DirectorRingo LamStarsChow Yun-FatSung-Young ChenElvis TsuiChing escapes from prison to see his young son, who he has been put in an orphanage. And that puts him in great danger.
- DirectorChi Leung 'Jacob' CheungStarsAndy LauAhn Sung-kiZhiwen WangStory centers on a battle during China's Warring States Period, a series of civil wars, which spanned from the 5th to the 3rd century B.C. Based on a popular Japanese manga, which was in turn based a Japanese novel inspired by Warring States history in China.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsJet LiTony Leung Chiu-waiMaggie CheungA defense officer, Nameless, was summoned by the King of Qin regarding his success of terminating three warriors.This is Zhang Yimou's 1st wuxia flick, hot on the heels of Crouching Tiger, and given the wuxia genre another leg up in the international awareness. The wuxia genre had finally lept off the air with qing-gong after decades of languishing in the studio of Shaw Bros.
If any director should give a title "Hero" to this movie, Zhang Yimou should. This is one of the few, if not the only movie, where it's featured a hero. All his other movies are about heroines. Not that I have any problem with it, looking at my recommendation of his films in this list. Zhang is clearly a feminist, and from the many earlier movies that he made, a champion of the downtrodden. - DirectorTeddy ChanStarsXueqi WangTony Ka Fai LeungJun HuIn 1905, revolutionist Sun Yat-Sen visits Hong Kong to discuss plans with Tongmenghui members to overthrow the Qing dynasty. But when they find out that assassins have been sent to kill him, they assemble a group of protectors to prevent any attacks.
- DirectorSoi CheangStarsLouis KooRichie JenStanley Sui-Fan FungA troubled assassin, who works by orchestrating "accidents", suspects that an accident that happens to his team is not an accident at all.Technically, and artistically has some flaws. Its originality is the selling point
- DirectorTung-Shing YeeChi-Leung LawStarsLeslie CheungKaren MokShu QiA struggling director is offered the opportunity to direct a Cat-III film to revive his career. Torn between artistic integrity and financial troubles, he also has to deal with his jealous girlfriend and keep his gangster financiers happy.English title: Viva Erotica
Not a film of erotica, but about erotica film industry - a satire about the erotic film industry - DirectorSiu-Tung ChingStarsLeslie CheungJoey WangWu MaAfter a string of bad luck, a debt collector has no other choice than to spend the night in a haunted temple, where he encounters a ravishing female ghost and later battles to save her soul from the control of a wicked tree demon.The story is based on a novel of Pu Songlin, who's well known for writing supernatural tales in the 17th century. He also wrote The Swordswoman. which the movie A Touch of Zen is based on.
From the title the audience expect horror, story wise, it's a more like a romantic comedy with action and horror all blended in. A successful commercial movie would have all the elements of romance, action, comedy along with horror in almost perfect mix. This film does just that.
The other is the great amosphere of the other worldliness that makes this movie extra special, right from the starting scene with the folk singing. It takes you into another realm of possibility.
This movie redefined the subgenre of supernatural tale of ancient Chinese men's romantic entanglement with ghost, or fox spirit, or snake spirit, etc. Let's say ancient Chinese men were easy. At least had low standard compare to the ancient Greeks who went for gods or goddesses or their mothers.
This is a cinema classic of a Chinese classic - DirectorSiu-Tung ChingStarsLeslie CheungJoey WangMichelle ReisA Chinese Ghost Story II Chinese 倩女幽魂 II人間道 is a 1990 Hong Kong romantic comedy-horror film directed by Ching Siu-tung and produced by Tsui Hark. It is the sequel to A Chinese Ghost Story and is followed by A Chinese Ghost Story III.English title: A Chinese Ghost Story 2.
Sequel to A Chinese Ghost Story and it suffers from the disease of falling standard after the 1st one. Still it probably worth checking it out. But this is as far as I go, and won't put the next sequel in this list. Its standard had slipped too far to recommend - DirectorHark TsuiStarsJoey WangMaggie CheungWenzhuo ZhaoTwo snake spirits become human and learn about love and suffering. A monk discovers his own weaknesses and finds that morality is not as simple as he had thought.English & Chinese title: Green Snake.
Green Snake is a variation of the Chinese folk tale of the White Snake. Both White Snake and Green Snake appear in this movie. It's called Green Snake because the focus of the story is shifted from White Snake to Green Snake, who has always been previously portrayed as a helper.
Since Joey Wong did such a splendid job in playing a ghost who falls for a guy in the subgenre defining film A Chinese Ghost Story, she becomes the logical choice as the White Snake who falls in love with human.
Tsui Hark who directed this film, also produced A Chinese Ghost Story. As you can see there's more than a link between the 2 movies. Producer who also directs tends to have a lot of say in the movies they produced. Similarity between the 2 are thus expected - DirectorAlice WuStarsJoan ChenMichelle KrusiecLynn ChenA gay Chinese-American and her traditionalist mother are reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsLung TiLeslie CheungChow Yun-FatA reforming ex-gangster tries to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother, but the ties to his former gang are difficult to break.Chinese title: True Colours of a Hero.
Alternatively, the Chinese title could be shortened to True Colours. Don't know why this title is changed to something rather mild, bland, in fact, lame? This original Chinese title ...read more - DirectorJohn WooStarsLeslie CheungChow Yun-FatLung TiA restauranteur teams up with a police officer and his ex-con brother to avenge the death of a friend's daughter.All Chow Yun-Fat trademarks in John Woo crime action flicks are in this poster: double barrels action, trench coat, black shades, and the matchstick in his mouth that's probably too small to see (Leonardo diCaprio like that matchstick look so much, he copied it in The Departed. Split out the matchstick to signal the start of a shooting spree. Why not? Since The Departed is a knock off from HK, why not also copy Chow's trademarked move? 2 Birds with 1 stone).
- DirectorJohn WooStarsChow Yun-FatDanny LeeSally YehA disillusioned assassin accepts one last hit in hopes of using his earnings to restore vision to a singer he accidentally blinded.This HK crime action flick of the heroic bloodshed subgenre had reached a high level of artistry when the 2 seasoned pros Chow Yun-Fat and John Woo had got together to begin a beautiful friendship of making movies of killing and violence looking beautiful, sexy and stylish. The tall Chow who has the shoulders to carry a cool trench coat, and Woo who had the eyes to exploit that coolness. Yeah!
The master of the heroic bloodshed consolidated this subgenre with this flick. Let's shed some blood, hero! Perferably not your own...by now, the term 'heroic bloodshed' has gain so much prevalence that the alternative title for this action flick is Bloodshed of Two Heroes. This is quite close to the literal translation of the Chinese title (喋血双雄). Go figure, right?
Chow is the epitome of coolness. And you know what they say, if you're looking cool enough, you can get away with murder. Well, not only is Chow got away with murder, he did it many times with maximum body counts. Oh yeah, bebe! - DirectorHsin-Yen ChangStarsJet LiHai YuChenghui YuA young man, hounded by a psychopathic general, learns martial arts at the Shaolin temple to avenge his father's death. To achieve this he forgoes a budding romance with his kungfu master's daughter, a shepherdess.In terms of plot, characters development, and choreography that looks good and entertainment on the screen, Mainland China is still a long way – even today – in catching up with HK’s kungfu flicks.
Having said that, what this film has distinguished it from ALL HK kungfu flicks ever made BEFORE or ever SINCE is ...read more - DirectorYuan ZhangStarsSi HanJun HuJing YeBefore the 1990s P.R.China criminalized the LGBT population. Without family law and marriage law for the LGBT couples, many had to secretly encounter for sexual activities with the risk of police arrests.a.k.a. East Palace West Palace
- DirectorJing WongStarsStephen ChowSharla CheungMan-Tat NgA judge tries to save a female innocent who's wrongly being accused for murder.English title: Hail The Judge.
Stephen Chow's films specialize in spoof films. This one parodies Judge Bao, who's a famous Chinese historical figure. Some jokes won't be lost if you have seen movies about Judge Bao, which many Chinese audience are familiar with - DirectorJimmy Wang YuStarsJimmy Wang YuTien Wu ChuKang ChinAfter his students are killed by the One Armed Boxer, a vengeful and blind Kung Fu expert travels to a village where a martial arts contest is being held and vows to behead every one armed man he comes across.
- DirectorXiaogang FengStarsAndy LauRene LiuBaoqiang WangA con-team couple (Andy Lau & Rene Liu) head west after taking a city businessman for his BMW. But an encounter with a naive young carpenter travelling home with his life savings challenges their fate as thieves.It's property thief on the express, and the whole movie pretty much takes place on a train. It's a feel good crime drama.
Wang Baoqiang, who played a naive but good country chap in Blind Shaft, is also playing what he does best in this movie as a victim of a ring of con artists circles over his savings like vultures over a carcuss. 1 of the vultures turns into a stork.
Feng Xiaogang is one of China's well known directors that make commercial films. This could be seen in the casting of 2 leads with star power (Andy Lau, and Rene Liu). I think it's probably aiming for the HK and Taiwan market with these 2 singers/actors from the respective countries (I should say regions).
His directorial standards are quite uneven, with hits as well as unbelievable misses.
This 1 has some interesting ideas and original with a reasonable plot. - DirectorWen JiangStarsChow Yun-FatWen JiangYou GeIn 1920s China, a bandit arrives in a remote provincial town posing as its new mayor, where he faces off against a tyrannical local nobleman.Even though IMDB classifies this movie as action comedy western, but the crime genre should definitely be there. This movie does contain many genres roll into 1.
This flick is in many ways most similar to Wild Wild West (1999) in that it is an action comedy Western that involves steam train, train robbery, outlaws, shootouts, remote town, etc, except it's very different and far superior to Wild Wild West by all counts.
This is a commerical film from Jiang Wen - the 1st of its kind from him. One can see that notable Chinese directors are increasing moving towards the commercial path (which I think it's inevitable - good or bad). Zhang Yimou had made a few wuxia that are clearly commercial attempts. As is his latest creation, Flowers of War. - DirectorAnn HuiStarsAndy LauDeannie IpHailu QinAfter suffering a stroke, an altruistic maid announces that she wants to quit her job and move into an old people's home.Chinese title: Sister Peach.
A housemaind is usually addressed with the 'sister' title. She's a 'sister' to Roger's (played by Andy Lau) parent, but more like a 'mother' to Roger. It's funny that I watched a HK movie from 1988 where Yip and Lau played ....read more - DirectorYimou ZhangStarsZiyi ZhangTakeshi KaneshiroAndy LauA romantic police captain breaks a beautiful member of a rebel group out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.With this wuxia film, along with "Hero", Zhang Yimou has proven to himself that he could do commercial wuxia films as well as art-house film, which he was famous for
- DirectorYuen ChorStarsLily HoHua YuehBetty Pei TiThe Four Seasons Brothel is run by a ruthless madam, Lady Chun Yi. Countless young girls have been kidnapped or bought and then sold into a life of servitude, prostitution, and torture at this brothel. Ai Nu, an honest, but poor family's only daughter, is one of the newest girls that was recently kidnapped and sold to Lady Chun. To complicate matters even more, Lady Chun is a lesbian and quickly falls in love with the virginal Ai Nu, who will not let her spirit be broken and tries to escape again and again. This causes Lady Chun to use all of her resources to break her, including auctioning off Ai Nu's virginity to a group of wealthy businessmen. She eventually entrusts Ai Nu with a number of ancient kung-fu secrets like the Ghost Hands, which allows you to thrust your fists into an opponent's chest. Soon after murder erupts within the brothel. A diligent detective, Chi Te, visits the brothel and becomes increasingly involved in the murder investigation. He realizes he must do everything he can to prevent Ai Nu from taking her much deserved revenge on everyone that has wronged her over the years.
- DirectorRicky LauStarsChing-Ying LamSiu-Ho ChinRicky HuiThe planned reburial of a town elder goes awry as the corpse resurrects into a hopping, bloodthirsty vampire, targeting everyone responsible for digging the grave. A Taoist Priest and his two disciples attempt to stop the terror.Chinese title: Mr. Jiangsi.
This comedy-horror flick will teach you more Taoist beliefs, and superstitions than your average Chinese ranging from feng shui, geomancy, witchcraft to ...read more - DirectorTung-Shing YeeStarsJackie ChanNaoto TakenakaDaniel WuA simple Chinese immigrant wages a perilous war against one of the most powerful criminal organizations on the planet.One of the few film where Jackie Chan is given an action, but serious, dramatic role. This is realistic action that is a departure from his usual slapstick, acrobatic choreography.
Anyone expects this to be his typical commercial action flicks rather than a gritty real life drama would be kicking (him/her)self like Jet Li in Lethal Weapon 4 - DirectorLeung Chun 'Samson' ChiuStarsSandra Kwan Yue NgEric TsangAndy LauAfter his attempted robbery runs aground, a thief takes a shine to his would-be victim -- a charming prostitute -- who begins to tell him her life story.English title: Golden Chicken.
'Chicken' ('gai') is a Cantonese slang for 'prostitute'. This is Sandra Ng's best role of her life. Unsurprisingly, she won the best actress award for this movie. - DirectorLeung Chun 'Samson' ChiuStarsSandra Kwan Yue NgBingWai-Tong BoNot as good as the original, but still worth checking it out
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsJimmy Wang YuChiao ChiaoChung-Hsin HuangA noble swordsman, whose arm had been chopped off, returns to his former teacher to defend him from a villainous gang of rival swordsmen.This movie is the 1st among many that earned Chang Cheh many ...read more
- DirectorFruit ChanStarsBai LingMiriam Chin-Wah YeungSum-Yeung WongAunt Mei's famous homemade dumplings provide amazing age-defying qualities popular with middle-aged women. But her latest customer - a fading actress - is determined to find out what the secret ingredient is.Don't watch it before you're going to a restaurant serving China's north east cuisine, or it could limit your choice of menu
- DirectorJie FuWenzhan PanStarsQingtang LiuJinghua XueSong ChenThis ballet musical is a propaganda piece. I watch it for its unique artistic values (propaganda value is lost as soon as you know its purpose. So don't be concerned about your brain being washed to the colour of revolutionary bloody red. Now, listen to the sound of my voice. And only to my voice. You're now feeling very sleepy. Listen to me...Chinese Communist Party is the greatest thing that's ever given to mankind...repeat to yourself 10 times. And when you awake, you will feel totally refresh, and have no memory of this hypnosis session). I'm snapping my finger now! SNAP!
This film is not only uniquely Chinese, but uniquely to a brief period during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. This is a must see for fans of musical. To me, this film, this art form, is no difference from Mao memorabilia. - DirectorChia-Liang LiuStarsChia-Hui LiuLieh LoYue WongA man studies kung fu at the Shaolin Temple to fight back against the oppressive Manchu government.The birth of this and a few SB's early kungfu flicks since Bruce Lee's death were a direct result of the ...read more
- DirectorXiaogang FengStarsDaoming ChenChen LiYi LuThe epic story of a family separated as a result of the Great Tangshan Earthquake of 1976.This film isn't well known outside the Chinese community, and somewhat underrated. Aftershock refers to not just the physical aftershock, but to the emotional aftershock of a mother's consequence of her Sophie's Choice. In short, it has the special effects of the movie 2012, and the human drama of Sophie's Choice, which is the main focus of the film
- DirectorWei TungStarsChing-Ying LamWilson LamMichael Kiu Wai MiuA former cop rejoins the police department to investigate a drug ring that employs ghosts and vampires.English title: Magic Cop.
Upon the successes of Mr. Vampire franchise produced by Sammy Hung, the lead character played by Lam Ying-Chin, who took matters into his own hand, produced and acted in this comedy-horror flick with similar formulae as Mr. Vampire series.
This one isn't as good as Mr. Vampire I, but it's similar in standard as Mr. Vampire III, which is watchable. As for Mr. Vampire II, it sucks, so to speak.
Remember to switch off your left brain when switch on this comedy horror flick. If you don't, it's going to nag you throghout the whole movie - DirectorKuo-Fu ChenQunshu GaoStarsXun ZhouBingbing LiHanyu ZhangFollowing a series of assassination attempts on officials of the Japanese-controlled puppet government in 1942 Nanjingn (Nanking), the Japanese spy chief gathers a group of suspects in a mansion house for questioning. A tense game of "cat and mouse" ensues as the Chinese code-breaker attempts to send out a crucial message while protecting his/her own identity.Chinese title: Sound of Wind.
A well crafted espionage thriller. It is basically a who-dun-it. Or to be exact, who's-the-mole. It even takes place in a castle. Since there's no butler working there, you can pretty much rule him out. Unlike a typical whodunit, the tone of film is quite dark and sombre as it should be with its serious subject matter of war, brotherhood, patriotism, and sacrifice. A good all round production
This director, Gao Qunshu's earlier works, before his 1st featured film, The Tokyo Trial are unknown to outsiders.
His 1st project was 13 Homicides, a teleplay that shot up in TV rating as the most watched show at the time. His 2nd effort is TV crime series Conquer, being called the Chinese 24 Hours, both had made a name for himself among the Chinese audience in TV land.
It isn't hard to see since the start of his directing career, he was going to make commerial genre movies, specifically crime thriller. This movie is essentially a crime thriller, being set in the backdrop of wartime China.
His latest work Wind Blast is a box office flop. Maybe he should stick with crime thriller instead of action genre. But then he only made a few movies. He has a long career ahead to improve on his work.
He told the public that he's making a sci-fi. Well, this HAS to be the first in China. I wish his every success. I'm certainly eagerly waiting for it. - DirectorNing HaoStarsTao GuoTeddy LinHua LiuWhat do you get when you have a precious jewel, a group of bumbling thieves intent on getting their hands on it, the mob wanting a piece of the action, and a loyal but mischievous security guard all thrown together? Crazy Stone. It's a fast paced, wisecracking caper comedy that will have you engaged and entertained from the word go. This is China's answer to Ocean's Eleven, with many comic twists and turns thrown in for good measure.This is a dark, clever comedy of a jade heist. Its style is most similar to the films of Guy Ritchie, called the modern godfather of notable film noir. Any fans of such movies like Snatch would enjoy this movie.
It's very likely that this director imitated Guy Ritchie's style. I hope he finds his own style in his future projects - DirectorJohnnie ToStarsChing Wan LauRichie JenDenise HoThree people - a criminal, a bank officer and a cop - end up in a catastrophic situation in the midst of a global economical crisis and are forced to betray any morals and principles to solve their financial problems.This is another output from Johnnie To in the crime genre. But this is a crime drama, not crime action for a slight change of scene or pace for this director. So it's all down to the performance of the actors/actresses and narratives. It's reasonably good on both counts.
Against the backdrop of financial crisis in the last few years, some films are expected to be made to deal with some of these financial fallouts. We got Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps giving us a view from the financial epicentre who brought us the financial tsunami. In the following year, HK, the financial centre of Asia gives us their inspirations resonated from these events, Life Without Principle was made. - DirectorYimou ZhangStarsLifan DongBenshan ZhaoJie DongAn aging bachelor has to engage his old, laid-off friends to keep a blind girl happy as a masseuse at a non-existent massage parlor.It's nice to find out that Zhang Yimou, after a long and distinguished career, has FINALLY made a film about city folks in ...read more
- DirectorJeffrey LauStarsStephen ChowMan-Tat NgKar-Ying LawA Monkey King is reincarnated in the un human form as Joker, a highwayman oblivious to his original identity and the fact that 500 years earlier, he and his master, the Longevity Monk, were punished and made to stay human.Based loosely, very loosely, on the Chinese classic "Journey to the West". Any more loose, Stephen Chow will slip out of the silver screen. It's a 2 parts movies that have to watch together to get the correct closure.
- DirectorJeffrey LauStarsStephen ChowMan-Tat NgAthena ChuThe convoluted continuation of the adventures of the time-traveling, now-human Monkey King, who attempts to fulfill his divine destiny.As "Journey to the West" is a popular Chinese classic, many versions of it are expected to be made. When the Monkey King declines to to follow Tripitaka; the monk pleads his case by belting out Buck Ram's "Only You" in a mixture of Cantonese and broken English, you know you're watching the Stephen Chow's version of the classic. Classic Chow's anachronistic comedy. Oh, the appearance of Chow is also a dead give-away.
The plot of this comedy fantasy romance is somewhat convoluted. This is what happens when you time travel. The message of the movie is, "Don't mess with time. If you don't want to get a headache from all the temporal confusion, leave it alone !!!"
Another moral of the story is, "Don't two timing!" You know what I mean after you watch the movie. I don't want to spoil it for you - DirectorKaige ChenStarsLeon LaiZiyi ZhangHonglei SunA biographical account of Mei Lanfang, China's greatest opera star.
- DirectorHark TsuiStarsBrigitte LinSally YehCherie ChungThe movie is set in chaotic 1920's China, when warlords fought each other for power while Sun Yat-Sen's underground movement tried to establish a democratic republic. The movie tells the story of three young women and two young men who are thrown together. One young woman grabs a box of jewels during the looting when one warlord takes Peking. A deserting soldier joins her, but the jewels end up at the Peking Opera. Here we meet the daughter of the head of the troupe, who dreams of being an actress. But even female roles are played by men in the opera. Soon, the daughter of the currently ruling warlord and a male agent of the democratic underground are involved.It's an action comedy, but don't expect the laugh out loud kind like those in Stephen Chow's movies. It has plenty of gender ambiguities because all roles - both male and female - in Chinese operas were played by males. Expect a few gender bending jokes. Brigitte Lin, whom is known for her androgynous beauty, was included in this movie to further this gender confusion.
Although far from a masterpiece of cinema, it still worths checking out for several reasons. There're surprisingly few Chinese movies revolving around the lives of an opera troupe, and this one gives us a glimpse of it. Farewell My Concubine, and Forever Enthralled are more of serious attempts in revealing their lives backstage. It's also has plenty actions to keep the eyes busy, including Peking opera performances. In fact, its action is as chaotic as the 1920s China. Tsui Hark is a master of painting a Chinese canvas. And last but not least, the 3 lead actresses are very easy on the eyes - DirectorWei LoStarsBruce LeeNora MiaoJames TienA young man seeks vengence for the death of his teacher.This movie has made the Chen Zhen character so successful that both Jet Li and Donnie Yen ...read more
- DirectorWoo-Ping YuenStarsJackie ChanSiu-Tin YuenJeong-lee HwangWong Fei-Hung is a mischievous yet righteous young man, but after a series of incidents his frustrated father has him disciplined by a master of drunken martial arts.This movie is a classic among kungfu fans because of 2 people. The 1st person is so obvious that I won't name him. The other isn't obvious because ...read more
- DirectorJing WongStarsStephen ChowGong LiRay LuiThis film focuses on the disciple of the God of Gamblers, Chow Sing Cho, also known as the "Saint of Gamblers". A group of people with telekinetic powers matching his attack him and his uncle, accidentally sending him to the year 1937, in Shanghai. This is a year crucial in Sing's family history, and he must use his powers play a part that has irrevocable effects on his present and future, while trying to find a way back to home, the year 1991.I call Stephen Chow the Chinese Leslie Nielsen in the sense that they both do many spoof films, and usually deliver it with a deadpan humour (at least in many of Chow's early works). Comparatively, Chow has better successes than Neilsen, especially his later career while Neilsen is slipping further in later phase.
But much more importantly, he's credited as a pioneer of a brand of humour called Mo Lei Tau (無厘頭). Although kudos as pioneer should go to the Hui Bros.
This is his very 1st spoof film that's doing send up of the gambler genre that's popularized by the prequels of this movie. And his spoof and parody film career took off ever since.
Why are HK film makers reasonably good at making parodies? Could it be that HK people are good at copying and sarcasm? Me sarcastic? Whatever do you mean? Are all these rhetorical questions? Did William Shakespeare stole many ideas from Christopher Maslowe? If Mark Twain's real name is actually Samuel Langhorne Clemens, then what's in the name? Why am I asking all these question? - DirectorDanny LeeBilly Hin-Shing TangStarsDanny LeeSimon YamKent ChengAn abnormal taxi driver lusts for blood every rainy night, and several young women are killed as a result.English title: Dr. Lamb.
I wouldn't find this list balanced or respectabble if I don't include a few of the Cat III exploitative genre movies.
This horror should become more shocking when you realize that ...read more