Director : Jimmy Wang Yu
Cast : Jimmy Wang Yu, Kang Kam, Chung-erh Lung, Chia Yung Liu, Lung Wei Wang and Tsim Po Sham

Review
by Edward Tang

The Ultimate Uncut Version. Wow, this is a film I’ve always remembered, not because it displays the best martial arts on film, just because it is probably one of the most unique and obscure titles out there. Jimmy Wang Yu has an impressive background, a lot of his films are classic. He wasn’t the best “fighter” but he had charisma that others lacked. In this, he plays the one-armed boxer, a good fighter with good morals. Wang Yu also directed this film, and as you notice if you see it, it might just be one of the campiest films ever created. But don’t get me wrong, martial arts is truly shown in the best sequence in the film, about 25-30 minutes of pure action. All different types of fighting are shown from long swords to yoga.

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aka 18 Legendary Weapons of China

Director : Lau Kar-Leung
Cast :  Gordon Liu, Alexander Fu Sheng, Hsiao Ho, Kara Hui Ying-Hung, Lau Kar Wing and Lau Kar-Leung.

Synopsis
During the Boxer Rebellion, gun toting foreigners invade China and begin slaughtering all who oppose them. Finding their skills no match for this deadly new firepower, Lei Kung retreats, but finds himself pursued by other kung fu schools who want him silenced. Using every Chinese weapon available, Lei takes on his informer brother in a battle to the death.

Review
by Edward Tang

Let me first start off by saying that this film is loads of fun that delivers old school kung-fu at its finest. Lau-Kar Leung shines as both director and star of “Legendary Weapons of China”, a film that has no bullshit fighting and a great cast of characters. What really impressed me about this film was that even with a basically stupid plot, they made it more of a simple message, about trying to avoid death with mindless attempts to survive bullet wounds. The cast is very impressive, going down from Lau himself to Gordon Liu, Alexander Fu Sheng, Hsiao Ho, and Kara Hui-Ying Hung. These characters all get their licks in and are very impressive in every fight scene available to the viewer. There’s something about these films that always interest me, and this one shines as one of the better Lau-Kar Leung films of all time. Of course, you can’t go wrong with one of the best fight scenes I”ve seen in a while, where the Lau brothers take each other on in classic fashion. This is a no bullshit fight either, no fancy music, just plain action.

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Director : Stephen Chow
Music : Raymond Wong
Action Choreography : Yuen Woo Ping
Visual Effects : Centro Digital Pictures LTD
Editor : Angie Lam
Production Designer : Oliver Wong
Photography : Poon Hang Sang
Co-Producers : Rita Fung, Connie Wong
Executive Producers : Bill Borden, Zhao Hai Cheng, David Hung
Writer : Stephen Chow, Tsang Kan Cheong, Lola Huo, Chan Man Keung
Produced by : Yang Bu Ting, Wang Zhong Jun, Chui Po Chu, Han San Ping, Wang Zhong Lei

Cast : Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Kwok Kuen Chan, Hsiao Liang, Zhi Hua Dong, Yu Xing and Chi Chung Lam.

Synopsis
Set in Canton, China in the 1940s, the story revolves around a hapless wannabe gangster who aspires to become a member of the notorious “Axe Gang.” Other characters include an obnoxious landlady and her apparently frail husband who exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf.

Review
by Edward Tang

Best picture winner and top grossing film of all time? There’s not too many films here in the USA that really can match to such. Titanic is the only film that could say it has already passed these waters (ho-hum) but we all know that Titanic is basically a fuckin’ waste of time, unless you like to watch people in anticipation of death. Kung Fu Hustle however has a bunch of overused (good) CGI, great martial arts scenes (Yuen Wo Ping? What did you expect?) and Mr. Stephen Chow whom is the reigning King of Comedy in Hong Kong. Basically I had high expectations for this film, it’s truly hard not to. Chow’s films have a desire to explore different subplots including this film that tries to go into a love story that just doesn’t do anything for my eyes. I guess we are done naming the negatives, because this film is loads of fuckin’ fun. Considering that Hong Kong cinema is on a skid right now, I’ll always look forward to Chow’s films because he delivers when he needs too. On a sidenote, my friend compared this little film to Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, please God no.

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Director : Yuen Woo-Ping
Producer : Tsui Hark
Action Choreography : Yuen Woo-Ping
Cast :  Donnie Yen, Yu Rong Guang, James Wong, Tsang Tze-Man, Jean Wang

Synopsis
When a mysterious figure starts stealing from the rich and giving to the poor in a small town, the corrupt governor decides to hunt him down. Anyone suspected of being the Iron Monkey is jailed (or worse). Wong Kay-Ying (Donnie Yen) and his son, Wong Fei-Hung, arrive in town and – after getting into a fight – they are arrested under suspicion of being the Iron Monkey. The governor recognises Wong Kay-Yings fighting skills and keeps his son locked up unless he agrees to try to capture the outlaw.

Review
by Martin Cleary

Iron Monkey is a classic film. It’s one of those films which has just the right mix of good story, nice sense of humour, great performances, and – of course – loads of brilliant action scenes.
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Director : Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Alan Mak Siu Fai
Cast : Jay Chou, Anne Suzuki, Edison Chan, Jordan Chan,
Anthony Wong, Shawn Yue, Kenny Bee, Chapman To

Synopsis
It’s a story about the fastest street racer of Mt Akina. Takumi, a delivery boy; Ryousuke, an engineer of speed; and Kyouichi, a professional racer: the three of them become duelists of drifts. For five years, 18-year-old Takumi has been delivering tofu in his father’s obsolescent Toyota AE86 every morning. Not only has he become a good racer, but he has also unwittingly perfected the art of drifting. He was never an aficionado of hill racing until he is asked by his father to drive his AE86 in a David and Goliath race against Night Kids’ EVO IV. A glorious but unexpected victory awakens the competitive genes in his blood, while his overnight fame inevitably leads to hellraising races one after another, each one more perilous and exciting than the previous one.

Quick View
Based on the popular Initial D anime, here comes the live-real-action Initial D movie. Directed by the award-winning directors (Infernal Affairs), Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. Star-studded with young talented actors/actresses, Initial D is arguably one of the best movies in 2005! It may not be an Initial D fan’s favorite movie because some elements has be altered. For example, the missing character of Keisuke Takahashi and the changes on Itsuki’s character. Besides this, some Initial D’s fans thinks the movie is kinda rush because it contains scenes from the anime Stage 1 to 3. From the ending, we know that it may have a sequel to this movie. But overall, i think its an enjoyable movie for all Asian movie fans and Initial D fans.

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Director : Andrew Lau, Alan Mak
Producer : Andrew Lau
Screenplay : Alan Mak, Felix Chong
Cast : Anthong Wong, Eric Tsang, Carina Lau, Francis Ng,
Edison Chen, Shawn Yue, Hu Jun

Synopsis
1991. Yan and Ming are beginning their careers in the police force. Yan is a policeman with secret links to the triad underworld, while Ming is a young triad who is actually an undercover policeman. Police Inspector Wong and Sam – who is an upcoming triad – find a common enemy in new crime boss Hau. Set during the years when political rule of Hong Kong is shifting from Britain to China, all four of these men find that there are many things which will be changing forever.

Review
by Martin Cleary

I loved the original Infernal Affairs. It was one of those real ‘sit up and pay attention’ films that restored my faith in Hong Kong cinema after a period of relatively poor output. Sometimes the memory of a really good film can be tarnished by seeing a mediocre sequel, and so it was with a certain amount of caution that I approached this sequel. I mean, a sequel couldn’t be as good as the original Infernal Affairs, could it? The answer – I was pleased to find – was that if Infernal Affairs 2 is not QUITE as good as the original, then it’s only by a small margin. This is one of those sequels that makes you take out the original and watch them both again back to back. It’s pretty chuffin’ good.

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Director : Andrew Lau and Alan Mak
Produced by : Andrew Lau
Production Design : Choo Sung Pong,Wong Ching Ching
Costume Designers : Lee Pik Kwan
Photography : Andrew Lau, Lai Yun Fai
Visual Consultant : Christopher Doyle
Stunt Coordinator : Nansun Shi, John Chong
Screenplay by : Alan Mak, Felix Chong
Cast : Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Andy Lau, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang

Synopsis
Its about Yan (Tony Leung) who is a police undercover in the Triads while Ming (Andy Lau) is in the reversal of a triad undercover in the police department. Leading parallel but opposite lives, both feel the tremendous pressure trapped in their false and dangerous surroundings.

Quick View
When the Hong Kong movie industry is in a slump, Infernal Affairs popped out to shock the world with this new thriller by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. Star-studded with prolific actors like Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang, Infernal Affairs is an all-cast blockbluster. Infernal Affairs has won the many awards in the Hong Kong Film Award, which includes Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, etc. This film is probably one of the best in the history of Hong Kong films. There will be a Western remake of Infernal Affairs which called “The Departed”, starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.

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Director : Stephen Fung
Cast : Anthony Wong, Stephen Fung, Michael Wong, Gillian Chung, Daniel Wu, Charlene Choi and Wu Ma.

Synopsis
Yue Siu Bo is a former secret agent turned chiropractor who thought he left his past behind. However, his past catches up to him as a rogue agent demands to know the whereabouts of an agent. This agent captures Yue Siu Bo and its up to his kids to find this agent and save their dad.

Review
by Edward Tang

I’ve literally seen about 1000 Anthony Wong films in the last few months and this guy doesn’t seem to stop. I’m sure he doesn’t give a shit about scripts anymore, because lets face it, he’s a f*ckin’ actor! He’s been in so many classic films, it’s hard not to like the guy just a little bit. Since I’m a fan, I’ll usually see whatever he’s got to offer and of course I had to check out House of Fury.
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