Reviews written by HK Cinema Deadly Dragons

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June 9, 2002 Magical and captivating
Not able to understand the Chinese language allowed me to focus on the single quality of voice, pitch, tone, etc and I must say Cecilia has a magical voice that captivated me from the start! I've listened to this cd dozens of time and NEVER grow tired of her inflection and subtle voice. I can hear the PASSION in her songs---the sign of a true and great singer; anyone can sing, but the master artist projects feeling--as does Cecilia. For anyone shying away from asian music because they won't understand the lyrics, fear not. Just let the voice of this wonderful woman speak in ways unimagined. My favorite: the haunting melody in tract 5.
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January 8, 2002 A true test of a singer's voice
I don't have the pleasure of understanding any language except English but it didn't stop me from enjoying this wonderful, eclectic cd of Sammi. The advantage of not understanding her words is the ability to focus on her voice, range, tempo, timing, tonal values, etc. Sammi has a wonderful voice who's range and expressiveness reaches across language barriers--after all, music IS the only unversal language. I found her voice a joy to listen to and was impressed by the variety of musical styles: techno, rap, latino, folk and a `James Bondish' tune she drew from. Very few artists in the USA have this range or ability. For those shy of asian musicians because they worry about not understanding the lyrics, I suggest you try this cd and `just sit and listen' to the taperstry Sammi paints with her soothing voice. Definitely a treat!
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It's A Drink! It's A Bomb! (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
December 22, 2001 Soda with a bang!Yo, Mates. Here's a Maggie Fan alert! This little tale of treasure hunting for an exploding soda can was made the following year Maggie finished her time with the Police Cadet TV series--she was just 20 years old! Since then she's gone on to earn numberous awards and is highly regarded as the premier actress of HK cinema. In this tale she plays a cute bicyclist caught in the struggle between double crossed mafia types and a scientist who develope a terrorist weapon: a bomb disguised as a soda. Maggie, john Shum and George Lam ban together to outwit and outrun two very nasty Japanese, sword wielding villians. It's a mix of high jinx, comedy and suspense. Maggie is great with the facial expressions and cute whines as she effortlessly does comedy surpassing most so called `Hollywood comedy actors.' You can already see her classic skills being deveoped that would take her career far beyond those days when she was a beauty queen contestant. The script is well written (despite the usual, odd english translations) good action, camera angles and production values. The story keeps you guessing its outcome to the end and concludes on an upbeat note. I suggest this curio for those interested in very early material from Maggie's career. Western actors should study this to see a master at work---this is how comedy SHOULD be.
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The Dragon Chronicles the Maidens of Heavenly Mountains (Hong Kong Version)
The Dragon Chronicles the Maidens of Heavenly Mountains (Hong Kong Version) VCD
(1)Our Price: US$6.99Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysNovember 27, 2001 The best girl fu film ever!Yo, mates. If you like flying women, wonderful costumes, great story then this little number is for you. Did I mention it has Brigitte playing 2 roles, Gong Li as her jilted companion and Sharla Cheung Man in her wackiest role ever? This jewel is what reintroduced me to the fun and lore of asian movies. It is without a doubt one of 5 top 10 fantasy movies of all time! I've seen it a dozen times and never tire of its charm. It is beautiful to look at, easy story line, witty, humourous and has loads of fights. Brigitte, Gong and Sharla definitely had a great time working together. Sharla wields the sword with abandon in this flick and schemes, manipulates and joins forces to overthrow her old boss bent on taking over the world. Brigitte and Gong go toe to toe in the air---levitating easily---after all they are `sky fairies'. This is the ultimate babe wu movie. Two thumbs up!!
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Flying Dagger
1 people found the following helpful
November 27, 2001 Sharla and Maggie at their best!It doesn't get better than this, mates! For sheer zanniness, laughs and wackiness you can't go wrong with the ever loveable Sharla in her persuit of that statuesque, Maggie Cheung. What a hoot! This is an old tale about the Fox spirit wrongfully accused of murder and the bounty hunters trying to capture him---only to aid him in the end. Sharla is Big Bewitchment and her side kick is the cute Gloria Yip as Little Bewitchment: classic bounty hunters who compete with a couple of goofy male bounty hunters for the prize: Flying Fox (Jacky Cheung)and Flying Cat(Maggie Cheung). Along the way the group encounters various odd characters including `Never Dies', a drag queen, bar room brawling cross dresser, ninja, a man who talks with a woman's voice and his partner: a woman who talks in a man's voice. The injokes, high jinx and obvious fun the actors are having is enough to bust your gut from all the laughs. For you Maggie fans, this is probably the funniest thing she's done. This is Asian comedy at its best. Well produced, written and acted. I've seen this pic a dozen times and NEVER get tired of it. If you have to own just a single comedy this is the one. Two thumbs up! Dresden L. Moss
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An Eternal Combat
1 people found the following helpful
November 12, 2001 lOVERS OF GHOSTS, KARMA AND JOEY WANG, HEADS UP!What I like about Asian Ghost stories is their ability to move back and forth thru time with all kinds of karmic connections. I find them generally more interesting than the one dimensional faire from hollywood where the most originality is a guy in a hocky mask. This is a classic tale of a fish out of water. A Taoist shaman and his assistants team up to fight a Japanese ghost and end up continuing their struggle a thousand years later in modern HK. The story focuses on their ability to adopt to this strange world and locate their nemsis before he can kill the always beautiful Joey Wang. It's a mixture of drauma and serious action with the right amount of comic relief. The bit of the red haired samurai ghost is a twist and the action is great. Recommended for action, ghosts and, of course, Joey.
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Bet On Fire
November 12, 2001 A brutal taleThis story about female bonding, honor and committment stars vetrean actress Cherie Chung and new comer Sharla Cheung Man. For you fans of Sharla who are used to her zanny and wacky roles as the self assured trickster or schemer this is an interesting twist and not what we think of her. This is only Sharla's 3rd movie and the only one she did in 1988. It shows her very dramatic side as an insecure woman forced into `nightclub' work to aid her family. She starts with ideals and struggles to maintain them despite those who would rather see her dead. Gradually, with the help of Cherie, who plays the world wise call girl, Sharla learns the ropes to survival and becomes, of sorts, Cherie's student. The story line drags at times, but each scene isn't wasted on trivil fluff common to so many of these kind of movies. The last 15 minutes where the girls get their revenge is worth waiting for and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Recommended.
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Zhong Wu Yan Photo Album
November 12, 2001 A real treat!Zhong Wu'Yan not only is a great movie, but its companion book is a wonderful addition! It's loaded with heaps of photos showing clips from the movie along with some behind the scene glimpse of Anita reading a script, martial arts chorography and Sammi enjoying a hot drink during a night shoot. There are costume sketches, interviews (I can't read chinese but I get the idea)and close up studies of characters. I'm particularly pleased with the book's focus on costume and sets since the movie excelled in this. The attention to clothing detail is a great inspiration to those future film makers or current artists wishing to expand their libruary. Oh, yes, and Sammmi fans as well. Highly recommended
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November 5, 2001 If Shakespear was oriental
If Shakespear lived in China instead of England this would be the kind of witty, wonderful and moralistic tale he'd write. Wu Yen is a cut above most asian movies for its production values, script, storytelling and acting. Boasting 3 of Asia's premier actresses/singers: Anita Mui, Cecilia Cheung and Sammi Cheng the stops are pulled out in this modern retelling of the ancient tale of the trickster Fox-goddess who not only reeks havoc in her quest of love, but provides both intentional and unintentional chaos for those she loves. The script is perfect and comes off with the wit and wisdom that keeps you laughing and, at times, crying as our characters struggle to both understand their strength and weaknesses. A perfect blend of humor and craft. D.L. Moss
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October 29, 2001 Loved this!
Loved the movie, love this! Contains 2 great video clips sung by Sammi. The clips are very well done and reflect both the character and theme nicely.
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