What asian film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5

[grim_tales]

I dont think I've seen that , I keep getting confused with Skinny Tiger Fatty Dragon (Maybe because IIRC, the HKL trailer featured Sammo doing an impression of Bruce from 'Way')

[grim_tales]

Ah, I see. Thanks

[saltysam]

The Raid 3.5/5 2nd time watching this,enjoyed it more this time though i still feel it's not quite up there with the hype it generated.it's fast moving,violent and it's simple plot doesn't get in the way of the numerous action sequences.

The Raid 2 4.5/5 Now while the hyperbolic greatest action movie ever made" quote on the cover isn't quite right the rest of the hype surrounding this epic sequel is justified.As far from your bog standard 90 minutes quickie sequel you could get,this 150 minute gangster piece is superbly directed and it's brutal tone seems totally right for the film. the epic last main fight in the kitchen area is one the best fight sequences i've ever seen. this film is a rare breed,far superior to the original. Roll on Part 3

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

The Prodigal Boxer (1972: Jun Au-yeung)

Some questions: this looks like it was filmed in Taiwan. Is this correct? Was there any Taiwanese money in this? HKFA lists this as a Hong Kong film (the production company is HK South See Movies Company.)

Has anyone seen this sequel? Worth seeing? This film is the worst Fong Sai-yuk movie I have ever seen. Mang Fei's hits are incredibly benign and he repeats the same patterns over and over making William Shatner's double fist uppercup (or hit down) look like a finely executed omoplata. Kurata Yasuaki is really heads above everyone else in the fighting department.

It is hilarious to see the city in some shots. I really wonder what they were thinking. Some simple editing or better foresight with the cameras could have helped.

[Killer Meteor]

The Prodigal Boxer (1972: Jun Au-yeung)

Some questions: this looks like it was filmed in Taiwan. Is this correct? Was there any Taiwanese money in this? HKFA lists this as a Hong Kong film (the production company is HK South See Movies Company.)

Has anyone seen this sequel? Worth seeing? This film is the worst Fong Sai-yuk movie I have ever seen. Mang Fei's hits are incredibly benign and he repeats the same patterns over and over making William Shatner's double fist uppercup (or hit down) look like a finely executed omoplata. Kurata Yasuaki is really heads above everyone else in the fighting department.

It is hilarious to see the city in some shots. I really wonder what they were thinking. Some simple editing or better foresight with the cameras could have helped.

This is another one I have a lot of time for. Maybe it's Ted Thomas's soothing voice...

[Markgway]

this looks like it was filmed in Taiwan.

I think... the exteriors were filmed in Taiwan, the interiors in Hong Kong.

This is a Hong Kong movie, as evidenced by the production co., but the producer behind it was Taiwanese, and presumably based his company in HK for tax purposes.

It's been suggested that Shaw Bros. put up the cash for this one.

Has anyone seen this sequel? Worth seeing?

I quite liked it, but then I quite liked the original....

[HungFist]

Wet Lust: 21 Strippers (Japan, 1974) [35mm] – 3.5/5
Here’s a good example of director Tatsumi Kumashiro experimenting with the Roman Porno genre. The film is a follow-up to Ichijo's Wet Lust (1972), which was ranked among the best films of the year by many Japanese critics. In 21 Strippers Kumashiro used multiple central characters and broke the chronology to the extent that most viewers probably couldn’t follow the story. It nevertheless felt fresh, especially with great cinematography and soundtrack. Unfortunately towards the end there are too many dull sex scenes.

Distant Thunder (Japan, 1981) [35mm] – 3.5/5
Director Kichitaro Negishi started his career in Roman Porno, but his films often had a strong Art Theatre Guild flavour. Here he actually helms a film for ATG. The 135 min countryside drama resembles his work at Nikkatsu, but lacks the excessive sex and some of the energy. It’s still a fine film with good cast and interesting characters, though very little in terms of plot as you’d expect from a film like this. Cute female star Eri Ishida and her breasts add to the entertainment value.

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

I'm not big on the original, or the sequel, but they are both worth watching.

I'm not even sure the first one is worth watching. I just can't see myself rewatching it (unless I'm doing a review) or even lending it to anyone (it doesn't help that my next watch was Odd Couple, but still.) I hit my brother harder than Mang Fei hits anyone in the film (we are an Irish family though .) Seriously though I started rooting against Mang Fei, especially the second time he gets beat up.

Thanks for the info Mark. It would be interesting to find out if Shaw's did put up any money for it. I'm not sure why and the budget does look rather low. The interior stages were OK, though at one point you can notice a doorway (or opening partition) in the background (I'll have the remember the Shaw Brothers Chang Cheh film where you can easily see the door right in the shot in the middle of the "forest".)

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

I'm watching From the Highway on Viki and I noticed the subs were spotty and then they stopped (only then do I noticed the percentage of the subs.)

Is there a non-torrent version of this film available?

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

... Yeah not much that I liked. Even Kurata didn't impress me. But he didn't become a great movie fighter till about 1974. And then notice by the time he did Legend of a Fighter he hit his peak.

I did like the mom character. I'll have to rewatch it. Been at least 10 years.

The aspect with Kurata here is that he is by far the best fighter. He just lacks competition and he has to slow down his kicks because of everyone else. But you can see when he delivers a spinning back kick his head is in good position. Everything else he throws is normally crisp. Everyone else who attempts it leads with the kick and the body and head come later. They just appear so awkward.

I wish the mother was a better fighter (ok actress), but Pai Hong is no Josephine Siao.

[Killer Meteor]

Kurata is on fire in Fist of Unicorn, which was made around the same time.

I get the impression that Meng Fei was some sort of chick magnet, hence the leading roles. Rather like David Chiang. No wonder Bruce Lee caught on - gorgeous and an amazing fighter.

[Killer Meteor]

I'm not sure how much of Fist of Unicorn Bruce worked on. The BTS footage shows him working on just one fight scene, which is rather clunky.

[Markgway]

I hit my brother harder than Mang Fei hits anyone in the film (we are an Irish family though .)

As a true Celt, surely you mean headbutt - or is that just a Scottish thing?

Thanks for the info Mark. It would be interesting to find out if Shaw's did put up any money for it. I'm not sure why and the budget does look rather low. The interior stages were OK, though at one point you can notice a doorway (or opening partition) in the background

I remember the interiors being among the worst (least convincing) I've seen. Is this the one where the sky is purple? There's so little good info on old kung-fu movies. Shaws distributed many indies, maybe this was one of those? I don't profess to know...

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

I hit my brother harder than Mang Fei hits anyone in the film (we are an Irish family though .)

As a true Celt, surely you mean headbutt - or is that just a Scottish thing?
...
I remember the interiors being among the worst (least convincing) I've seen. Is this the one where the sky is purple? There's so little good info on old kung-fu movies. Shaws distributed many indies, maybe this was one of those? I don't profess to know...

You might love this quick story: my grandfather (now deceased) told me years back when I was a wee lad that if anyone gets in your face that you are angry with smack the forehead against the nose if you can. Very effective move to use against weaker bones in face, not so good if you clunk foreheads. It is quite an Irish-American bar move alongside the dropping of the beer bottle (and the not so subtle using of the beer bottle) and then punching your opponent while it drops. Now I'm not saying I do these .

Those interiors are bad. The colors of the sky are definitely off and I believe purple was one of the colors (since there were more than one for I suppose different times of the day.)

Good, bad I'm the one with the gun.

[Killer Meteor]

I prefer Meng Fei as Fong Sai-Yuk to Fu Sheng. Probably helps he doesn't have to share the limelight, and the camera is zooming into his crotch all the time.

[Markgway]

I prefer Meng Fei as Fong Sai-Yuk to Fu Sheng. Probably helps he doesn't have to share the limelight, and the camera is zooming into his crotch all the time.

[Killer Meteor]

I meant "isn't" lol

[grim_tales]

[Killer Meteor]

Hmm, kind of a Brad moment for me...

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

Hmmm, this became somewhat bigger than a capsule review that I originally intended. I have not done enough research to do a full length review (I also like to do a rewatch as well), but it is getting close. I will avoid plot recap until then. Spoilers alert.

The Skyhawk (1974: Jeng Cheong-who: Hong Kong)

The venerable Kwan Tak-hing had played the famous Wong Fei-hung in around 80 movies. His previous one before this film was in 1970, but he was still synonymous with the role equivalent to the Tramp with Charlie Chaplin. He is probably not as known with that character now as either Jackie Chan or Jet Li (partially this has to do with the fact that many of his films need to be released; of course many now might even not know who this character even is)* not counting Hong Kong fans from the 1950’s through the 1970s.

One may wonder why Wong Fei-hung takes so long to get involved. While it works quite well early in the film and the scene with the scalding hot water is quite memorable, it becomes more than a little aggravating when his reticence goes from self-imposed Confucian restraint to waiting around for more and more evidence when you already have enough. In fact several die needlessly because of this. There are plenty of mistakes like this throughout. Later on several of the main characters perish because for some reason they think that walking alone in alley ways after they threaten to kill a relative of Ku is a good idea. It is also hilarious when Wong makes a small complaint about not killing and Leo does it anyways with no retributions from his sifu.

Most of the film is on location and looks quite good because of it. The very end fight scene is a mixture of on location, but mostly studio shoot which is jarring and quite noticeable because of the juxtaposition. It is easy to notice a few continuity mistakes, like Carter Wong’s massive amount of sweat-stained clothes to dry and clean within the same scene (of course the background gives it away quite easily.) This was probably done (as Cal states in his review in the link below) because of Kwan’s aversion to the heat there given he was around 68 at the time of filming. It is also hard not to notice The Big Boss vibes, or influence, well let’s call it a homage. You have the drug front in Thailand, an out-of-towner character who refuses to fight (for a bit), Nora Miao and some working-class themes that get ignored rather quickly.

The fighting is quite good though. Sammo does well with the choreography and in working the strengths and hiding the weaknesses of the combatants. There are the powerful kicks from Whang In-shik, the poetic style of Kwan Tak-hing (doubled in acrobatic scenes, but he still can move), the presence of Carter Wong (I always get the feeling that while his kicks are not always fluid he could probably hurt anyone he fought against.) You get leg traps, throws and even get a Boston crab. It is all quite impressive for the time. Sammo would continue to improve his choreography and eventually become a star in Hong Kong. It is fun to see his work.

Overall a fun film with nice location shots and good fighting. I got this in the Marital Arts Movie Marathon collection which has a Mandarin and English dub. There is a little bit of blur with motion so I am wondering if this suffers from PAL-to-NTSC improper conversion issues. It comes with the trailer.

* An anecdotal experiment: I have asked several of Chinese descent (born from Taiwan, Mainland, Vietnam and Hong Kong) if they knew who Wong Fei-hung was and generally everyone who was over 30 knew.

Sources:
Cal’s Review at HKMDB: I miss him writing about HK cinema. But he is busy trying to make people laugh somewhere in various English pubs.
Mark Pollard’s Review: More plot issues are mentioned here though for the reasons I mentioned above I do not quite agree with “Tak-hing still comes out looking all the wiser.” I do agree that Sammo’s character is rather bland compared to later films.
There is no capsule review in Dr. Reid’s book The Ultimate Guide to Martial Arts Movies of the 1970s. I have not read much discussion of this in books. I will keep looking. If anyone has any decent references to this film in print please write me.

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

I thought the English dub had bad sound quality. I didn't like The Skyhawk much. But Whang in Sik is scary in this one.

I watched most of it with the Mandarin dub. I just check the English dub to make sure the subtitles were not dubtitles (they are not) and I wanted to see what they were saying for Wong's name (used Wong Skyhawk or Skyhawk Wong). I always feel that a Wong Fei-hong film (especially with Kwan Tak-hing) should be in Cantonese.

It's funny that the English subtitles say Skyhawk though clearly they are usually saying Wong Fei-hung in the dub.

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

Yeah I figured you watched the Mandarin dub. I didn't listen to it much but I think it has better sound quality. I was a bit confused about the name. I knew I was watching a Wong Fei Hung movie, but I actually asked myself for a second, is this a WFH movie, or is this a new character called The Skyhawk?

That threw me off at first as well after listening to the Mandarin dub and not just reading the subtitles. The inconsistancy with the plot and characters were the worst thing about the movie. Still I enjoyed the action. I wish more of the Kwan Tak-hing films had subtitles and released on DVD/BD format. The sound quality is definitely better on the Mandarin dub.

The night before I had watched the 3+ hour maudlin Mandarin Mainland melodrama The Spring River Flows East (1947: Cai Chusheng, Zheng Junli) so anything after that would seem fast moving (a decent film though). I'm debating on a little write up on that, though I'm not sure how many people are actually interested in that movie. It is another film where I'm still looking for some more information on it (I have several books that mention it and only one that has a review on it.)

[grim_tales]

Anyone know what was the last film Kwan Tak Hing played WFH in? Maybe something like Magnificent Butcher. AFAIK the last black and white WFH film was Wong Fei Hung Bravely Crushing the Fire Formation (1970)

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

Anyone know what was the last film Kwan Tak Hing played WFH in? Maybe something like Magnificent Butcher. AFAIK the last black and white WFH film was Wong Fei Hung Bravely Crushing the Fire Formation (1970)

Dreadnought (1981) looks like the last WFH role for him. (EDIT: Mo posted right before me)

There is a great joke in the later Aces Go Places IV between him and Sek Kin.

I noticed Frank Bolte put the film you mentioned above on youtube. Too bad there is no subs.

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

The night before I had watched the 3+ hour maudlin Mandarin Mainland melodrama The Spring River Flows East (1947: Cai Chusheng, Zheng Junli) so anything after that would seem fast moving (a decent film though). I'm debating on a little write up on that, though I'm not sure how many people are actually interested in that movie. It is another film where I'm still looking for some more information on it (I have several books that mention it and only one that has a review on it.)

I'm definitely not interested in that, but i do find it interestng you are watching a Chinese movie from the 40's. I would read the review if you did one.

I have a small collection of Mainland films from the 30s and 40s on DVD. I have several HK films from the 50s.

I watched The Spring River Flows East mainly because it was on both The Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures from HKFA and Golden Horse's 100 Greatest Chinese-Language Films both lists I would like to finish one day. It is interesting to see the anti-Japanese sentiment in this film as well as some not explicit anti-KMT positions (I would not say this was pro-communist though, more anti-Shanghai, anti big city.)

Earliest Chinese film I have seen with Japanese with Hitler mustache (aka toothbrush mustache same as Charlie Chaplin; it is funny to see that style on later Japanese figures in Hong Kong films, sometimes even painted on.)