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Reviews
Gladiator (2000)
Over-rated and over-bloated
A film in dire need of editing. It does improve after the first hour, probably is much better viewed on a big screen, and Russell Crowe is undeniably a hunk. But it must really be a year of terribly slim pickings if this laborious, hulking piece of work is considered to be serious Best Picture Oscar material. After seeing this, I now understand why the Western film critics are raving about the sleek, slim-lined and way cooler "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
Ying chao nu lang zhi er: Xian dai ying zhao nu lang (1992)
Not "Pretty Woman", and all the better for it
This is a gritty melodrama (albeit with bits of comedy thrown in) about five women, all involved or associated in some way or other with the prostitution trade. An excellent film that pulls no punches and portrays the women without glamour yet with respect.
Carina Lau Kar Ling, Fung Bo-Bo and the other leads do a fine job of making the characters entirely believable. The directing and editing are also well done. This is the kind of film that deserves greater exposure and might make Hong Kong movie fans of people who are not into action stuff but appreciate good acting, stories and three-dimensional female characters.
Mo him wong (1996)
Recommended, particularly for Hong Kong movie neophytes
This movie has an interesting premise (the depiction of and flip-flopping between a writer's fictional life as The King of Adventurers and his "real", problem-ridden -- he is in the middle of a huge writer's block precipitated by marital problems -- life). Although there may appear to be echoes of and borrowings from such American movies as "Romancing the Stone" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark", it turns out to have characteristically Hong Kong elements ("wire fu" fights, cross-dressing, etc. -- all featuring the hero, as played by Jet Li; action -- in one case, whip-wielding -- women) as well as its own attractions (I particularly like the idea of the pen as a real as well as metaphorical weapon). All this having been said, it still seems to lack the extremes of and thus seem surprisingly tame compared to many another Hong Kong movie...which may explain why it is not a particular favorite of many Hong Kong movie fans. On the other hand, for those (relatively) unused to the pace, gore and quick mood changes of so many movies from that part of the world, this would be recommended as a movie which showcases the imagination of Hong Kong movie makers and the ability -- in terms of quality but also range of possibility -- of its actors and actresses.
Xin liu xing hu die jian (1993)
Complex, multi-dimensional, multi-genre movie
An amazing movie which is amazingly under-appreciated and -rated. One of those rare multi-genre (fantasy, historical costume drama, comedy, romantic tragedy) movies for which Hong Kong is justly famous, with -- unusually for films from that movie production center -- a complex, multi-dimensional and -level plot. Beautifully filmed, well acted (Michelle Yeoh is NOT just an action stuntwoman though she is undoubtedly able in that regard), fast paced.
My only caveat is that it helps to read a plot synopsis (preferably Peter's from off the "Yes Madam" web site). Yes, the story-line is THAT complicated!