Reviews written by Lam
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Champions (DVD) (2-Disc Edition) (Hong Kong Version)
Champions (DVD) (2-Disc Edition) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(3)Our Price: US$16.99Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:June 7, 2009 Highly entertaining.Surprisingly this film delivers on its promise of finely choreographed fight scenes which is evenly interspersed throughout the film. Dicky cheung though not a martial artist delivers some good moves and provides much of the comedy in the film. It is good to see Yu rong guang back in action and he still has the skills, another notable martial artist is Xie miao (the son of jet li in my father is a hero aka the enforcer) who has become an adult now delivers some impressive moves. The fights are reminiscent of the old school fight films in which the moves are clearly shown with wide camera angles.
fight choreographer (Tsui siu ming) employs some old school moves into the film like the praying mantis, eagle claw and tai chi which are all visually impressive.
the story is of patriotism with the message of unity and honour and so on, the actors and actresses do a pretty good job in there roles even though the majority of them are new comers.
recommended for fight fans.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
The Beast Stalker (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
The Beast Stalker (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region All
(5)Our Price: US$18.49Related promotions:1 people found the following helpful
May 9, 2009 a surprising pictureSurprisingly this picture delivered in every front: action, drama and suspense. Dante Lam has managed to create an entertain picture with some good performance from all the actors and actresses, Nicholas Tse and Nick cheung delivers their roles perfectly with cheung excelling in his tortured character.
things move at a relenting pace and the story is intriguing if not that original but there is action and it is intense with shootouts, car chase and fist cuffs (no martial arts). It is also quite touching with the relationship between the mum and daughter handled well.
the only dissapointment is the ending, with certain event happening that defies logic but is done to please the audience.
Great fun picture.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Legendary Assassin (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Legendary Assassin (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region All
(4)Our Price: US$13.99Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:May 9, 2009 Good but more is expected.Wu jing having collaborate on countless occasions on various pictures with action director Li chung chi, share directing duties together. Being the directional debute of both talents one would expect something quite unique and different to distinguish themselfs from everyone else, instead we get a picture that has been done by so many pictures it gives the picture less credit.
Fun can be had with the film with quite a few decently choreographed fight scenes interspersed between the drama and comedy. The problems with the fights are the over use of wire work that shouldnt appear in a reality based film and can prove rather distracting. Wu jing also throws to many kicks especially during the end fight where is constantly using his legs.
Celina Jade does an ok job as a police woman but the role seems to be suited to a different actress. The directing seems to be really routine and one cannot help and wonder if it is too early to hand wu jing the directors chair.
slightly entertaining is not routine.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Playboy Cops (VCD) (Hong Kong Version)
Playboy Cops (VCD) (Hong Kong Version) VCD
(1)Our Price: US$9.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:February 17, 2009 Average at best.jingle ma has always been a director who can successfully create a mildly entertaining commercial film and playboy cops follows suit.
the action in the film is pretty much what you have seen in every other hong kong film and brings nothing new to the table though the actors (non martial artist) handle them selfs well. Aloys chen and shawn yue do not really stretch their acting skills for not much is required of them. Linda chung is an odd choice because to me she has not really been that great of an actress, shes ok in tvb drama but not suitable for film.
but with these negative criticism i still managed to enjoy the film for nothing is taken seriously and if you switch your brain off you can gain some enjoyment out of it.
Hung yan yan aka xiong xin xin makes a brief appearance.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
The Banquet (Hong Kong Version)
The Banquet (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region All
(10)Our Price: US$12.49Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:September 13, 2008 Not my type of film.Trying hard to capture on the success of Crouching Tiger........, The Banquet fails to deliver, everything moves at such a slow pace one cannot help but wonder why it cannot have been trimmed down to shorter running time. I can understand that it is meant to be poetic but i do not see the entertainment side of it.
The wire assisted fight scenes are very well choreographed courtesy of Yuen Woo Ping but are hindered by the directors choice of over using the slow motion, further adding to the running time and preventing the viewers enjoyment.
The sets and costumes are beautiful and so is the lovely Zhang Ziyi who does a good job as the empress. Daniel Wu is another story he is heavily miss casted as the prince and the role just seems to be out of his league.
This film was not for me, i do not like having to work to understand the deeper meaning of every dialogue and the ending i just did not understand.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Divergence (Hong Kong Version)
Divergence (Hong Kong Version) VCD
(4)Our Price: US$5.99Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:September 13, 2008 Nothing special but quite good none the less.There is nothing special about this film and things happen in a rather predictable manner i.e the villain of the piece. What redeems this picture is how director Benny Chan moves things along at quite a brisky pace with some decent hand to hand combat, shootings and foot chases thrown in along with the quite touching if not a bit melo dramatic drama.
Aaron Kwok does an admirable job as a cop tortured cop but does tend to go over the top a bit (but passable), Ekin Cheng as a slick lawyer works fine but his revealing of character is not justified enough to make you care for him. Daniel Wu is fine as a hitman but seems pointless to the plot.
The action finale is rather disappointing for it is too conveniently rounded off.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Heroic Duo (DTS Version)
September 13, 2008 A surprisingly entertaining film.This film is actually quite entertaining on a number of levels, first of all it has a rather clever plot and it unfolds at a decent pace, then there is the action which is rather nicely handled with the actors pulling of some nice hand to hand combat and there is also gun fights that proves to be rather intense. Both Leon and Ekin do a good job of playing the leads, and the same with Francis Ng who does a good job as the villain, if not a bit comical (more of the fault of the writers).
Choerographed by Tung Wei the fighting is brief and tries to stay as reality based as possible but also being beautiful to watch.
The only disappoint i had with the film was the ending in which the two leads uses psychology to distract the villain.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Kick Boxer (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Kick Boxer (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region All
(2)Our Price: US$10.99Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:September 13, 2008 A Great effort marred by Wu Ma's direction.Wu Ma has never been a great director but thanks to Yuen Biao he has created a fine picture here. Yuen biao plays the famous Club Foot (Wong Fei Hungs student) so he gets to let rip with some swift kicking techniques and he does it easily but he also gets to show of his acrobatic side. Biao is likeable as always and plays the role just fine if not a bit see-it before type.
Story wise it is nothing to shout about it has been done in any picture involving Wong Fei Hung about the smuggling of opium, but that does not stop the picture from being any less entertaining because there are many fight scenes interspersed through out the film making it move at a reasonable pace. What does hinder the viewing pleasure is Wu Ma's strange camera movement during some fights but not enough to distract and his choice of shooting in the dark which makes it difficult to see whats going on.
The high light is definitely the fight between Biao and Yuen Wah and it is astounding, the only thing that didn't do it for me was the use of fake legs and the use of special effects to indicate that Biao has got a third leg (not literally).Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
A Kid From Tibet (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
A Kid From Tibet (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region All
(3)Our Price: US$10.99Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:September 13, 2008 Yuen Biao in his prime.Yuen Biao's first directional debute shows that the man is exemely talented and it is a shame that he has not gone on to direct more feature films. Though the fights scenes are few and only appear during the second half of the film, when they do occur they are a marvel to be hold, Yuen biao shows off his dexterity and acrobatic skills with ease and his camera angles are spot on in showing the movements. The two duels between Yuen Wah and Biao is further evidence of the two at there best. Nina Li also has an amusing fight with Biao and she pulls off some fancy moves herself saying she is a non martial artist.
The comedy is spot on and one can not help but be charmed by Biao's naive nature in the film and he pulls it adequately. Yuen is your stereotypical villain and he pulls it of with ease but that is not saying much for he has played this type of role countless times.
Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah at there prime, there fight alone is worth the purchase.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Star Runner
September 13, 2008 Boring.Daniel Lee has just demonstrated that he is not capable of shooting fight sequences, each fight in the film has been edited horribly, with each single movement chopped and cut hindering the Ok choreography (By Chin Kar Lok). During the fight scenes the camera is in constant movement and flashing flights are, well - constant flashing preventing the audience from seeing what is actually happening. If you work hard enough though you can gain some pleasures from seeing some slick moves but we should not need to work to be entertained.
The romance aspect is terrible with no chemistry between the leads and both Vaness and Kim Hyun Ju seems bored, with Vaness showing little or no expressions (granted he speaks perfect English means nothing he needs acting lessons). The film being a Action and a Romance fails to deliver in both accounts and at most times feel like two different films.
The one thing that i gained enjoyment out of was spotting the veterans in the film: Gordan Liu, Ken Lo, David Chiang, Ti Lung.
Overlong, bad acting, boring romance and horrible MTV style fight scenes.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Dog Bite Dog (DTS Version) (Hong Kong Version)
Dog Bite Dog (DTS Version) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region All
(4)Our Price: US$14.49Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:September 13, 2008 Surprisingly good film and Edison ain't bad.This film caught me by surprise, it is one of those films that you don't know what to expect, especially one containing Edison Chen, but to be fair it is actually really good. If you go in wanting to watching some kung fu action then you will be disappointed for this film is firmly based on realism so there is none of the fancy stuff, instead the action is violently brutal.
Edison excels in this picture as the silent killer (but one can't help thinking it is because he is not given much dialogue) and Sam Lee does a decent job as the relentless cop if not a bit miscasted.
The story is down to earth gritty and this is reflected with the excellent cinematography of the constant use of darkness. There is always tension and the director keeps the pace moving with the only letdown being at the end of the film in which is overly long and when you think it is going to end the next scene pops up. This could be so that the director could round of with an underlying message.
Intense, brutal, clever and good performances.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Invisible Target (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Invisible Target (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(6)Our Price: US$16.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:September 12, 2008 Really entertaining. Nicholas Tse shines.Director Benny Chan knows how to entertain his audience knowing full well that if you are to make an action picture you might as well do it with a bang, and this what he does here by delivering scene after scene of action from fight scenes, shoot outs, foot chases to explosions there are all in this film. Jaycee Chan actually does a decent job of playing the all good cop and hadles himself quite well during his brief fight scenes. Shawn Yue plays his hard hitting cop believably and he gets to let loose in the fist cuffs. It is Nicholas Tse that truly shines, though his acting is questionable (but passable), every stunt in the film is done by the actor himself and Benny is not afraid to show it: whether it is free falling into a bus or down a flight of stairs it is all him. His foot work is also top notch.
The bad guys is actually all real life martial artists; Wu Jing, Andy On, Vincent Sze and an unknown wu shu trained female but unfortunately they do not actual have many fight sequences, only Wu Jing gets to go toe to toe with all the leading actors. Wu Jing does a decent job of playing the bad guy and one cannot help but root for Wu Jing cos he is just so likable.
The story is nothing new but actually handled quite well, though there is a pointless scene of Andy On bonding with Jaycee Chan's character.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Fatal Contact (Hong Kong Version)
September 12, 2008 Great action if nothing else.Wu Jing is definitely the next biggest onscreen martial artist and this is evident in this film, every fight scene that he is in he demonstrates his skills and grace with fluid movements that a non martial artists would not be able to emulate. The fights scenes are actually quite reminiscient of the old martial arts films in which wide shots are used often allowing the audience to properly see the actors delivering the moves and the horrible editing that has been common amoung HK films are gone instead we get actors delivering a couple of moves during each frame. Wire work is used in this film but it is only used to enhance the moves opposed to exagerate.
The film is overlong and the story is nothing new. With only the drama to pad out the picture when there is no fight scene it does drag during certain points but thankfully the action is evenly interspersed throughout the film. The ending does seem to be after thought because it just does not mesh with the rest of the film and if there was an underlying message in the picture it seems to be lost.
Ronald Cheng as a great martial artist does not work in the film because there is not evidence in the film showing that he has amazing martial arts abilities. Though he does have fight scenes, and he does handle himself quite well, they are only brief and disappointing compared with Wu Jings.
The fight scenes are the alone are worth purchasing this film but if you are after a decent story look elsewhere.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Twins Mission (Hong Kong Version)
September 12, 2008 Sud standard filmWith the talent on board one would expect a fine piece of work but that is not the case here, though entertain it is, it delivers everything in such a boring way. The plot is really convulted with the Twins playing actual twins in the film (???), Wu jing playing two roles a twin himself in the film and the same with Yuen Wah (horrible CGI ensured during the times that the fake twins are on screen).
As for the action there is nothing you haven't seen before, which only disappoints considering the martial artists on board behind and in front of the camera (Sammo Hung, Yuen Wah, Wu Jing, Tsui Sui Ming etc.) but because of these martial artists delivering the moves it is actually quite entertaining opposed to doubling which is common for the non martial artists. Speaking of doubling Yuen Wah and Sammo are doubled quite often in this picture which only serves to distract and with the over use of wire work and shattering glass only adds insult to the film.
Wu Jing is the pictures saving grace when he let loose during the fights becasue, like Jet Li, his moves are so fluid.
Mildly entertaining if you can overlook the flaws mentioned above.
(Have to mention some horrible props during the fight scenes; the sticks and batons are extremely floppy and whats worse is the director decides to show a close up of the one of the weapons)Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Kung Fu Dunk (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Kung Fu Dunk (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(11)Our Price: US$16.99Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:August 26, 2008 Do not waste your money.After the hugely successful Shaolin Soccer every producer/ director wanted to capture on the success of kung fu intergrated sports/ activities; such as kung fu mahjong, kung fu sweetheart and now kung fu dunk. Where as the first two mentioned provided mild entertainment this picture fails to deliver in every way.
Jay Chou has never been that great of an actor, with his wooden expressions but i still like the guy because i admit he is greatly talented in other departments, but having him star in a comedy is a complete misjudgment he does not have the screen charisma or dialogue (or the facial expressions) to be truly funny. With the comedy left to Eric Tsang and the rest of the cast (Charlene Choi and Ng Man Tat) it should be funny right. Wrong. Not once is the comedy not extremely exaggerated.
As for the Kung Fu scenes choreographed by Ching Siu Tung they are mildly entertaining if not wire assisted.
I say kung fu scenes but there is only one real fight in the film involving Chou taking on a group of henchman and Jay Chou handles him self really well. The basketball scenes are a different story the audience never actually witnesses Jay's martial arts skills in the court instead he is super human which makes the film incorrectly named.
Watch Shaolin Soccer instead dont bother with this.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Flash Point (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Flash Point (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(11)Our Price: US$17.99Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:August 26, 2008 Donnie Yen at his best.One would expect so much from another collaboration between Yen and Yip after there hugely successful SPL. This film has many aspects that is similar to the fore mentioned picture, with Donnie playing his hard hitting cop as usual, a fearful mob boss (this time played by the under rated Collin Chou), an under cover cop (Louis Koo) and one heck of a throwdown that surpasses SPL's Sammo Vs. Donnie.
The story has been done countless of times and is pretty much predictable so don't go expecting an intense thriller because you will be disappointed. Without Donnie Yen and co. the film would have failed but because of Donnie's action it succeeds by delivering full contact confrontations that has been lacking in recent HK films. Much of the picture is focused on the drama and like SPL the action does not come until later on in the picture but when it does come it such a refreshing choreography. During the start of the film the action scenes are very brief and provides as a taster to what is to come, with a brif cameo from JC stuntman Ben Lam (Legend of the wolf) but unfortunately he does not let loose any martial artistry.
The highlight of the film is definitly the fight between Collin and Donnie and it does not fail to disappoint this alone is worth watching the film for it is a 20 minute long har hitting full contact sparring between 2 great martial artists.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
An Empress and the Warriors (2008) (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
An Empress and the Warriors (2008) (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region All
(14)Our Price: US$15.99Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:August 20, 2008 What a let down..With Tony Ching Siu Tong returing to directing, i had high hopes for this picture, especially with Donnie Yen as one of the casts but what a disappointment this film was. Everything is sub par; the romance, the action and the acting.
First with the romance; Donnie's character is in love with the empress (Played by Kelly Lam) and in some ways she feels the same for him (at least this is what we are lead to beleive in the brief flash back) but when Leon Lai's character appear she quickly falls for him. There is nothing to justify this as a successful romatic piece the relationships happen to fast to make the audience actually care.
The action in the film do not live up to my expectations i expected alot from Tony Ching but he failed to deliver.
Nothing new is shown here; the training sequence is rushed to get to the romance, the encounter between Donnie and Leon is a disappointment even though they are supposedly two extremely skill fighters, the fight at the tree house is another let down which lacks any logic because Leon is supposedly one of the remaining feared warriors in the whole of the kingdom but he does not demonstrate any skilled fighting prowess what so ever. The only action scence that entertained me was when Donnie had to one-man-against-the army and single handly take on the opposing enemy.
Kelly Lam has never been tha great of an actress and this is evident in her role as an empress she does not deliver her hard hitting leadership well and her sudden shift to all cutsy does not work but that is also the fault of the director and writer. Leon Lai as a warrior does not work for me and in this film there is no eveident of him being a highly skilled and feared killer as the film make him out to be. Donnie plays against type in the 1st half of the picture showing that the man can also do romance but the 2nd half is typical Donnie with him going all macho.
Overall mildly entertaing if not forgettable piece.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(4)Our Price: US$18.49Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:August 20, 2008 As yo expect from a commercial film.Me personnally have not been a fan of Daniel Lee's efforts; Star Runner was a mess that used a ridiculous amount of cuts during its fight scenes and Dragon Squad failed to delivered anything else apart from a standard action picture that you would associate with a hollywood production even with all the talents attached.
Expectations of this delivering, were low for me but to my surprise i actually found it rather entertaining not because it does anything new but because it actually does everthing you expect from a commecial war epic; heroic figure - check, brotherly love - check, over the top war scenes - check. And this is where it succeeds everything happens so fast that it does not pretend to be anything else - its not a work of art.
Action wise they are well choreographed by the legendary Sammo hung who puts a well performance in the acting department but for the action he does not get to let loose. Instead it is reserved for Andy Lau's character to deliver and he does it well. Again the audience is given the quick cuts and hand held cameras but that has become expected from Daniel Lee.
Another plus is the fact that the picture contains brief cameos from a number of familiar faces that are fun to spot; Damien Lau, Ti Lung, Vaness Wu, Andy On Yu Ruang Guang and more.
(This review comes from some one who has never played Dynasty Warriors so i do not know if it is faithful to the sourse material or not)Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Fatal Move (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Fatal Move (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version) Blu-ray Region A, B
(2)Our Price: US$28.49List: US$31.99Save: US$3.50 (11%)Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:August 20, 2008 Another SPL this is not....With most of the notable cast returning from SPL (minus Donnie Yen) you think this will be in the same league as the fore mentioned film but unfortunately it does not quite match Wilson Yip's martial arts thriller.
For a 2 hour long film there does not seem to be much happening during the course of its running time. Much of the scenes are spent developing the characters via dialogue and this is its failing. For a thriller to truly shine there needs to be suspense and it this is what Dennis Law's direction fails to deliver.
There is few action scenes and those that do occur are sub par focusing more on gore than skills, with the aid of horrible CGI blood. Wu jing is as skilled as always when he is given the chance to let loose and his fight with Sammo (The only decent fight in the entire film) is definitely the highlight of this picture. The Sammo Vs. Wu Jing is not actually connected to any part of the story and seems to be thrown in for the sake of having two martial artists throwdown.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Shanphai Affairs
June 15, 2007 BAD!!!I am a big fan of Donnie and i purchsed this expecting much, but was left with a dissappointing film.
The story is boring and badly delivered with Donnie seeming too self obessed in this film because his character in this film is made to be so great and a know all.
The fight scenes start of promising then either finishes or turns crap. Like in the fight scene with great Yu Rong Kwang.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
United States - English
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