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Detective VS. Sleuths (2022) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Charlene Choi (Actor)
| Lau Ching Wan (Actor)
| Ma Rui Han (Actor)
| Bin Zi (Actor)
Detective vs. Sleuths is Wai Ka Fai's first directorial effort in over a decade, and apparently he put all his creative juices into this, because it is impressively over the top. The writer-director packs twist after twist and a whole variety of unhinged characters into this wild Hong Kong crime action thriller with a very high body count. Lau Ching Wan – always the first pick to play Wai Ka Fai characters who are losing a handle on reality (see: Written By and Mad Detective) – anchors the madness as the protagonist who is the maddest yet shrewdest of them all. Detective vs. Sleuths begins with vignettes of notorious past murder cases before introducing crimes happening in the present day.... [read more]
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Raging Fire (2021) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Donnie Yen (Actor)
| Nicholas Tse (Actor)
| Qin Lan (Actor)
| Tony Wu (Actor)
When people think of Hong Kong's greatest action film directors, Benny Chan may not be among the first few names to come to mind – but he should be. From the late 90s onwards, there have been few directors as reliable for solid, unpretentious and entertaining Hong Kong action as Benny Chan. From Big Bullet, Divergence and Rob-B-Hood to Connected, The White Storm and Call of Heroes, his films may not have traveled as many fests and won as many awards as those of his more famous contemporaries, but they sure were fun to watch. Even the bad Benny Chan films, like City Under Siege and Meow, were spectacularly bad rather than bleh. Benny Chan's final feature Raging Fire is everything great about... [read more]
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Man In Love (2021) (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Roy Chiu (Actor)
| Tiffany Ann Hsu (Actor)
| Tsai Chen Nan (Actor)
| Chung Hsin Ling (Actor)
Man in Love remake that improves on the originalBefore watching Yin Chen Hao's blockbuster romance Man in Love, I was rather surprised about its box office success. I did not love the original Korean film from which it was adapted, and was skeptical of how the remake managed to enter Taiwan's top ten domestic films of all time. After I watched it, I completely understood why it's such a crowd-pleasing hit. On paper, the Taiwan remake of Man in Love tells just about the same story as the Korean film. Ah Cheng (Roy Chiu) is a street gangster who collects debt for a living. Though he's quick to yell and fight, he has a kind heart, and looks out for struggling debtors in his own way. He coerces bank clerk Hao Ting (Tiffany Ann Hsu) to take... [read more]
January 21, 2022 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
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Endgame (2021) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Andy Lau (Actor)
| Xiao Yang (Actor)
| Wan Qian (Actor)
| Guo Jing Fei (Actor)
Uchida Kenji's 2012 comedy-drama Key of Life about a hitman and a failed actor swapping identities picked up a slew of prizes, and its 2016 Korean remake Luck-Key was a box office hit. In 2021, the third iteration of the story arrives with the ambiguously titled Chinese remake Endgame. So what does this version offer that hasn't already been covered in the previous two films? Well, for one thing, it has Andy Lau. Endgame also has director Rao Xiaozhi, who brings a different vibe to this same story. Andy Lau wears the heck out of a black suit as precise and unflappable professional killer Zhou Quan whose downfall turns out to be a slippery bar of soap. After taking a fall at the bathhouse,... [read more]
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The Magician On The Skywalk (2021) (DVD) (Ep. 1-11) (End) (Taiwan Version)
Yang Da Zheng (Actor)
| Chu Meng Xuan (Actor)
| Luo Shi Qi (Actor)
| Kaiser Chuang (Actor)
Life, death and disappearance in 1980s TaipeiChunghwa Market was an expansive integrated shopping mall located in Taipei's Ximending area from 1961 to 1992, when it was closed to make way for urban redevelopment. A skywalk over an intersection of roads carried foot traffic directly to the second level of Chunghwa Market, which bustled with people and activity as one of the city's most popular landmarks. This shopping market of yesteryear serves as the setting of the acclaimed 2021 PTS drama The Magician on the Skywalk, which won Best Television Series, Best Director and other prizes at the 56th Golden Bell Awards. Yang Ye Che honed his talent for telling human stories at PTS in the 2000s before going on to direct feature films like... [read more]
October 29, 2021 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
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Tears on Fire (2021) (DVD) (Ep. 1-10) (End) (Tote Bag Limited Edition) (Taiwan Version)
Hsieh Chang Ying (Actor)
| Hu Shi An (Actor)
| James Wen (Actor)
| Xia Teng Hong (Actor)
On days of disaster and tragedy, we laud the heroics and sacrifices of firefighters and first responders. But are we providing the needed resources and understanding to support their work and livelihood every day of the year? The ten-episode PTS series Tears on Fire depicts the experiences and challenges of firefighters and EMTs in Taiwan. The drama follows a typical brigade in the Tongan Branch of Dayuan City Fire Department. The team, which includes James Wen, Annie Chen, Liu Kuan Ting and Austin Lin, works around the clock to respond to emergency calls. In Taiwan, EMS (emergency medical service) is provided by the fire department, so firefighters are also trained as EMTs (emergency... [read more]
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Detective Chinatown 3 (2021) (Blu-ray) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version)
Liu Hao Ran (Actor)
| Wang Bao Qiang (Actor)
| Tsumabuki Satoshi (Actor)
| Nagasawa Masami (Actor)
Out of all the films that were originally set for theatrical release in China for Chinese New Year in 2020 and then pushed back due to COVID, only two films delayed their release dates all the way to 2021 Chinese New Year – the cartoon feature Boonie Bears: The Wild Life and Detective Chinatown 3. Most of the other big-name titles, like Leap, Vanguard and Jiang Ziya, opened later in 2020 or, in the case of Lost in Russia, premiered on digital platforms instead. Detective Chinatown 3, however, was held an entire year for the Spring Festival opening, because it's very much a Lunar New Year film. Despite the detective buddy comedy being a surefire blockbuster anytime of the year based on its... [read more]
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The Con-Heartist (2020) (DVD) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version)
Baifern Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul (Actor)
| Nadech Kugimiya (Actor)
| Mam Kathaleeya McIntosh (Actor)
| Phuak Pongsatorn Jongwilas (Actor)
When it comes to glossy commercial films that hit you in the feels and the funny bone, it's hard to go wrong with GDH. The 2020 comedy The Con-Heartist deploys the blockbuster studio's tried-and-true formula of pretty people engaging in cute romance and wacky comedy, but this crowd-pleaser leads with crime caper elements. Romcom favorite Baifern Pimchanok gives one of her most lovable performances as Ina, a humble banker who wears her heart on her sleeve. That's how she ended up getting scammed by ex-boyfriend Petch (a wily, smiley Thiti Mahayotaruk) and saddled with debt. When she encounters suave con artist Tower, played by Channel 3 heartthrob Nadech Kugimiya, she ropes him into helping... [read more]
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Future Cops (1993) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Aaron Kwok (Actor)
| Andy Lau (Actor)
| Chingmy Yau (Actor)
| Jacky Cheung (Actor)
Some people may say that Future Cops is a terrible motion picture. And those people would not be wrong, but that doesn't stop me from wholeheartedly loving this wacky 90s Hong Kong classic. The sci-fi action comedy is directed by – who else? – Hong Kong cinema's king of low-brow comedies Wong Jing, and it aims to entertain by throwing everything but the kitchen sink into its nonsensical fun. One of the biggest draws of Future Cops is that it's packed with stars, and they all dress up in ridiculous cosplay-quality costumes, as the film giddily rips off characters from Street Fighter II. Future Cops enjoys the distinction of having three Heavenly Kings – Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung and Aaron Kwok... [read more]
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A Little Reunion (2019) (DVD) (Ep. 1-49) (End) (China Version)
Huang Lei (Actor)
| Hai Qing (Actor)
| Wang Yan Hui (Actor)
| Tao Hong (Actor)
With the family drama A Love for Dilemma currently trending in China, now seems like a good time to revisit the acclaimed 2019 series that came before it, A Little Reunion. A Love for Dilemma, A Little Reunion and 2016's A Love for Separation are all family stories based on novels by Lu Yingong. All three are worthwhile watches, but A Little Reunion is the highest-rated on Douban for good reason. A Little Reunion is centered around three families during a crucial period: the final year of high school when students prepare for the gaokao, China's all-important national college entrance exam. A Love for Separation's Huang Lei and Hai Qing return as parental figures of free-spirited,... [read more]
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Get The Hell Out (2020) (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Wang Zhong Huang (Actor)
| Gao Hui Chun (Actor)
| Lin He Xuan (Actor)
| Megan Lai (Actor)
The zombie genre gets a zany, blood-spurting entry in the Taiwan horror action comedy Get the Hell Out. If you've ever thought politicians are just blood-sucking creatures who prey on the people, then Wang I Fan's debut feature is here to validate your suspicions with unsubtle satire and lots of blood. Bruce Hung plays Wang You Wei, who is on security detail at the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament, for his alternative military service. He has a crush on short-tempered legislator Hsiung Ying Ying (Megan Lai), who became a politician to block the construction of a foreign chemical plant in her hometown. Rumors are that the chemicals are linked to a new rabies virus. After Hsiung is... [read more]
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We Are Champions (2019) (DVD) (Taiwan Version)
Li Lin Fei (Actor)
| Fandy Fan (Actor)
| Berant Chu (Actor)
| Wang Qi Cheng (Actor)
High school basketball is a pretty big deal in Taiwan. While the island's professional leagues have struggled in recent years to maintain attendance and a sustainable business model, the High School Basketball League (HBL) has ballooned in popularity over the past decade. Bolstered by government support, big-name brand sponsorship and broadcast deals, the HBL commands a considerable following and boasts way higher attendance than the beleaguered SBL. HBL's Division 1 tournament is Taiwan's answer to March Madness, with final games held in packed stadiums. It's the HBL championship tournament that provides the crucial backdrop for Chang Jung Chi's 2019 youth film We Are Champions. The... [read more]
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Joy of Life Season One (2019) (H-DVD) (Ep. 1-46) (End) (China Version)
Chen Dao Ming (Actor)
| Zhang Ruo Yun (Actor)
| Li Qin (Actor)
| Wang Yang (Actor)
One of the dramas I'm most looking forward to in 2021 is the second season of Joy of Life. The first season that aired in 2019 was a big hit in China and made our year-end picks, thanks to its unique mix of wuxia, suspense, fantasy and pure wit. Based on Mao Ni's novel Qing Yu Nian, the period series stars Zhang Ruoyun as silver-tongued swordsman Fan Xian, who lives in ancient times but has modern-day knowledge. His mysterious origin links back to his even more mysterious mother, who came from an unknown place and left behind a great legacy of innovation and larger-than-life legends. Summoned to the capital by his father and the Emperor (Chen Daoming), Fan Xian searches for his origins and... [read more]
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Tournament 7 (2019) (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Sam Leong (Actor, Director, Writer)
| Jim Bing Hei (Actor)
| Julian Benedikt Gaertner (Actor)
| He Ying Wei (Actor)
At least we still have Tournament filmsDo you want to see a movie that opens with a biblical quote, followed by a scene of a mutated cabbage bloodily attacking someone? Tournament 7 is for you! Independent Hong Kong filmmaker Sam Leong's Tournament series has been one of my cinematic guilty pleasures of the last few years. In this day and age of Hong Kong cinema, there's just something wonderful about a self-produced, low-budget film series regularly churning out new installments, and also putting them on DVD. The low-rent action films run the gamut of genres from one installment to another – underground boxing, triad drama, family melodrama, revenge drama, social drama and now sci-fi gore, all with varying degrees of Christian... [read more]
November 28, 2020 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
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The Making of an Ordinary Woman (2019) (DVD) (Ep. 1-10) (End) (Taiwan Version)
Hsia Ching Ting (Actor)
| Chen Jia Kui (Actor)
| Hsieh Ying Hsuan (Actor)
| Xiu Qin (Actor)
Following her Golden Horse Best Actress win for Dear Ex, Hsieh Ying Hsuan gives an even better performance in the 2019 CTS mini-series The Making of an Ordinary Woman. The ordinary woman in question is 39-year-old Chen Jia Ling, who's lived in the big city of Taipei for two decades but has yet to become a true city girl. She's not doing that bad, but she's also not doing that great. Marriage, success and just the grace and poise of being an adult woman – all these continue to elude her as she tolerates a stagnant job and relationship, and regularly gets herself into unlucky, embarrassing situations. Based on writings by Jiang E, The Making of an Ordinary Woman's heroine and crossroads are... [read more]
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Men On The Dragon (2018) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Francis Ng (Actor)
| Nancy Wu (Actor)
| Kenny Wong (Actor)
| Tony Wu (Actor)
With this year's dragon boat races cancelled due to the pandemic, it's time to revisit the 2018 film Men on the Dragon instead for the Dragon Boat Festival. A critical and commercial hit in Hong Kong, Sunny Chan's comedy-drama follows four ordinary men facing midlife crises who invigorate their lives through dragon boat racing. Francis Ng is at his natural best as the affable, unmotivated Lung who works for a broadband service provider. He and his co-workers Suk Yi (theater actor Poon Chan Leung) and William (Weeds on Fire's Tony Wu) fulfill your general expectations of those tech-support guys who show up late to set up your internet. Lung holds an obvious torch for his neighbor Coral (TVB... [read more]
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You Are The One (2020) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Carlos Chan (Actor)
| Gladys Li (Actor)
| Patrick Kong (Director, Producer, Writer)
| Bob Lam (Actor)
This is the one Patrick Kong film I like.I never thought the day would come when I would recommend a Patrick Kong film. But hey, the end of the world doesn't feel so far off this year. Released during Chinese New Year, You Are the One was actually the last film I watched in cinema before entering social-distancing mode, so it now holds a special place in my heart. Writer-director Patrick Kong has made a name for himself over the past decade by cornering the Hong Kong market for local urban romances. Many of his films are quite forgettable though, unless they happen to star Stephy Tang and Alex Fong (and that well has dried up). Given Patrick Kong's past work and the film's cringe-worthy Chinese title, I went into You Are the One... [read more]
April 17, 2020 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
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Bodies At Rest (2019) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Nick Cheung (Actor)
| Richie Jen (Actor)
| Yang Zi (Actor)
| Clara Lee (Actor)
Sometimes you want complex stories and characters in your films. But when it comes to action movies, sometimes you just want the simplest story with the most bodily damage. And that's exactly what you get in Renny Harlin's high-concept action thriller Bodies at Rest. After moving his career to China, Harlin directed Jackie Chan's Skiptrace (2016) and the period fantasy Legend of the Ancient Sword (2018), both of which are about as not good as his 2000s Hollywood output would predict. Bodies at Rest, however, is right up the director's Die Hard 2 lane. The ever busy Nick Cheung plays forensic pathologist Dr. Chan, who is settling in for a Christmas Eve at the lab with intern Lynn (Yang Zi).... [read more]
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The World Between Us (2019) (Blu-ray) (Ep. 1-10) (End) (English Subtitled) (Taiwan Version)
James Wen (Actor)
| Tracy Chou (Actor)
| Pets Tseng (Actor)
| J.C. Lin (Actor)
The distance between humanity and tragedyTaiwan television reaches a new high with The World Between Us, which is absolutely one of the best series to come out of Asia this year. Set in the aftermath of a random mass shooting, the ensemble drama explores the impact, coverage and consequences of the senseless tragedy in a manner that is both deeply personal and widely relevant. Over ten episodes, Lu Shih Yuan's script weaves different characters and conflicts together, posing many difficult and thought-provoking questions along the way about justice, ethics, compassion, grief, mental health and the media. The World Between Us begins a few years after a mass shooting incident, the details of which are gradually revealed over the... [read more]
September 26, 2019 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
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A Family Tour (2018) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Gong Zhe (Actor)
| Tan Xin Yue (Actor)
| Pete Teo (Actor)
| Nai An (Actor)
Dispatch from a Chinese filmmaker in exileIn 2012, indie Chinese director Ying Liang completed the film When Night Falls based on the controversial 2008 case of Yang Jia, who stormed a Shanghai police station and killed six police officers. The case drew great attention not only for the shocking violence, but also for how the authorities handled the case. Yang Jia, who was previously mistreated by the police and tried behind closed doors, drew sympathy from pockets of the Chinese internet that aired their discontent with China's opaque justice system. Ying Liang brought When Night Falls, which recounts the case from the perspective of Yang's mother, to overseas film festivals without official permission and refused to yield to... [read more]
June 26, 2019 Picked By Sanwei See all this editor's picks
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