Fatal Contact (2006)

Fatal Contact (2006)

Starring: Wu Jing, Ronald Cheng, Miki Yeung

Description: Wu Jing, probably the next best martial artist in the Hong Kong industry if his stardom continues. He may not be the next Jackie Chan or Jet Li, but his martial arts have been displayed in SPL which had an amazing fight scene with Donnie Yen. This film is Wu Jing's first major starring role and he could be the next action star Hong Kong have been waiting for. The story is about Wu Jing who decided to take on the illegal underground boxing world. His dream of fighting and actually make some money out of it made him undefeatable in the underground boxing world. His life was almost set until his so called girlfriend had betrayed him.

My Review: I thought the action sequences by Wu Jing was amazing especially when I haven't seen much action movies lately in the Hong Kong industry. Before I actually watch this movie, I noticed Ronald Cheng was in this film known for pathetic wacky roles in Himalya Singh, Dragon Reloaded, etc. I didn't have much high expectations when watching this flm, but it turns out this movie is pretty decent. There's actually a plot to it and the acting my Ronald Cheng is somewhat serious compared to his other roles. The action sequence about this film is worth the watch. I hope there are more of these action films coming out in Hong Kong, I just feel that the industry has been suffering for so long.

Overall: 8 out of 10, the action sequence by Wu Jing is worth the watch.

Wo Hu (2006)

Wo Hu (2006)
Starring: Eric Tsang, Francis Ng, Jordan Chan, Shawn Yue, Sonja Kwok

Description: This is another watchable Hong Kong film, it's another undercover cop and triad film. The Internal Affairs theme continues to be carried over to other copy cat films, I guess this is considered one of it. Unlike Infernal Affairs where there are only a couple of undercovers, this time the police department had recruited 1000 cops to join the triads. This isn't a misprint, according to the plot, they actually sent out 1000 cops to gather evidence to combat the triads. Although the film only showed a couple of undercovers, the plot itself is interesting and entertaining especially if you know Wong Jing has anything to do with this film. In order to bring down the triad, the police force had to utilize the undercovers to provide information for all the triad leaders.

My Review: As you can tell, I was finally able to rent a couple of films this past weekend and here's my review about Wo Hu. I thought this was a pretty good film in recent years compare to many of the bad Hong Kong films. It was entertaining, occasional funny scenes, romantic between Eric Tsang and Sonja Kwok, that's kind of hard to believe, but it's a Wong Jing film, what do you expect? Some of the plot was pretty predictable, but there are few surprises especially at the end. The film portrayed the other side of being undercover and what's it actually like which was similar to the film On the Edge. Wo Hu doesn't even show the after the uncover life; instead, it continues to show these new police recruits to rank themselves from a regular hoodlum to a triad boss with many followers. These undercovers will end up dying or change and move up to the ranks.

Overall: Definitely watchable, 8 out of 10. The film could have been better especially withe the strong cast and plot that could have been improved.

Top 10 Movies

I just wanted to review the top 10 movies on my list, I personally like the films for whatever reason probably because of the plot or actors/acctresses, anyway, it's just hong kong movies at its best. I made a powerpoint presentation slideshow, feel free to look at it.

Young and Dangerous (1996)

Young and Dangerous (1996)
Starring: Ekin Cheng, Jordan Chan, Gigi Lai, Francis Ng

Description: Five young hoodlums are trying to move up in the Triad ladder and faces many obstacles to move in the Hung Hing Society. The first installment of the famous triad film that glorifies the gang life in Hong Kong.

My Review: As you may know, I haven't been able to rent any new movies at least in the last several days, so I'm continuing to watch my movie collection mainly old films. Today I'm going to watch the Young and Dangerous films, the popular gangster film of the 90s. This may have been the first breakthrough in Hong Kong gangster films that made gang life a great profession. Chan Ho Nam (Ekin Cheng) are young hoodlums that are planning to move up in the gang life, but in the process of the so called corporate ladder. There are many obstacles that he and his gang need to face including loyalty, betrayal, and trust. This movie is entertaining and there's a great plot to this film that portrays brotherhood. The style by this film shows the newer generation side of Hong Kong triads. The clothes are different and the trend for hair dye has begun as well. I guess the main message to the kids is that this is a great film, but please don't get influence by actually join the triads. Since this movie actually has five installments, you know that this triad film is popular in many ways. This may have been the last great triad film in the 90s, but hopefully there are more of these type of films to watch for entertainment purposes.

Overall: 10 out of 10. An entertaining movie about triad lifestyles, but please don't get influence by it.

All For the Winner (1990)

All For the Winner (1990)

Starring: Stephen Chow, Sandra Ng, Ng Man-Tat

Description: Sing (Stephen Chow), who is a Mainland bumpkin and has supernatural powers, is exploited by his streetwise uncle (Ng Man Tat) to sweep stakes in the casino and finally wins the champion in the tournament of the King of Gamblers.

Setting its background at social grass-roots class, this movie illustrates the desire of the common people to get rich without giving any efforts. This movie is a great joker with lots of japes, which also contains all the elements of various kinds of blockbusters. Comedy lovers should not miss this classic comedy of its time.

My Review: This is how Stephen Chow started his Hong Kong film career that made him famous in the 90s. He developed the so called trend "Nonsense", which many of the films in Hong Kong represented. Mainly the director Wong Jing that produced many of those films in recent year. I am a big fan of Stephen Chow, I've watched every single movie that he starred, produced, or directed. His nonsense of comedy was of the reasons I like Hong Kong movies besides the martial arts films that everybody watches. His movies may or may not have a plot depending on the movie, but it's really funny. He's able to make something from nothing and make it really funny. He's like the Jim Carey in the West or the Jerry Seinfeld that can talk about nonsense all day. This film was the start of the trend of producing many gambling movies that followed although Chow Yun Fat was the original God of Gambler. All for the Winner is quite entertaining and maybe one of the best gambling movie ever made in Hong Kong. There were many recent gambling films, but nothing is compared to this one because of the comic side provided by Stephen Chow. If there was one gambling movie to watch from Hong Kong, I would choose this over God of Gamblers. After this film, Stephen Chow continued his success with many other movie hits such as Fight Back to School 1-3, Royal Tramp 1 & 2, Shaolin Soccer, and the most recent film Kung Fu Hustle. This guy is the King of Comedy in the Hong Kong film industry.

Overall: 10 out of 10. It's funny and an excellent film to watch!

Once Upon a Time in China I, II, III

Once Upon a Time in China 1, 2, 3

Starring: Jet Li, Rosemund Kwan, Max Mok, Jacky Cheung

Description: Wong Fei Hung (Jet Li) and his father, Wong Kei Ying (Lau Shun), runs Po Chi Lam, a local clinic and martial arts school in the town of Fu Shan. He has many disciples, but among the most notorious are Ah So (Jacky Cheung), "Porky" Lang (Kent Cheng), and his eldest student, Fu (Yuen Biao). If anything, Once Upon A Time In China is known for its great villains and there are LOTS of them in Part I. First off, there's the Sha Ho gang, a group of ruffians from the next town who are extorting protection money from the citizens. Then there are the Americans ¡V Jackson, and his henchman, "Tiger," who are in the business of enslaving the Chinese to serve as cheap labor in the U.S. Last but not least, there is "Iron Robe" Yim who is a powerful martial artist who wishes to open up his own school. But in order to do so, he must make a name for himself by defeating the local champion, Wong Fei Hung.

My Review: As you may have known by now, Wong Fei-Hung was a hero in China and has been portrayed by many people in the hong kong movie industry. The best one by far is Jet Li's Once Upon a Time in China series. The story and the action is superb, Tsui Hark does a magnificent job in bringing the story and characters together. What else can you ask for in terms of a great martial arts movie and a folklore hero in the East? He represents everything in Chinese history in terms of doing right and helping others with his Chinese medicine. His story is depicted during the corruption of the Ching Dynasty where China was starting a major change in the world with foriegn invaders and corruption of the government officials. It's definitely a must watch if you like martial arts, Jet Li, and Wong Fei Hung. There's no other Chinese trilogy film out there as great as Once Upon a Time in China series, the amazing fight sequence and great plot.

Overall: 10 out 10. One of the best films ever made!

Men Suddenly in Black 2 (2006)

Men Suddenly in Black 2 (2006)
Starring: Teresa Mo, Eric Tsang, Jordan Chan

Description: This was the latest new addition to the original Men Suddenly in Black movie. This time around Teresa Mo plays the role of lawyer who persuaded her friends to go out and have an affair for the first time. Since the men are cheating their wives, the ladies decided to take revenge against them and as the film progresses the ladies were having all kinds of trouble as first time cheaters.

My Review: I actually watched this film about two months ago. This film was okay compared to the original Men Suddenly in Black. The plot is somewhat decent compared to many Hong Kong films these days; however, it wasn't as entertaining as the first one. At least the first film had some dark comedy where the men were portrayed as gangsters trying to cheat on their wives. Unfortunately, when it was the wives turn to cheat on their husbands, they had a plan that was poorly executed.


Overall: 5 out of 10. It's still a watchable film, but you may dose off at some scenes. I thought this was just another quickie film that was produced and directed in several days trying to earn some profit from the success of part 1.

We Are Family (2006)

We Are Family (2006)
Starring: Alan Tam, Haken Lee, Wing Chung


Description: Pop superstar duo Alan Tam and Hacken Lee, fresh from their hugely successful concerts, star in their first movie project together! When Lee proposes to his girlfriend, she tells him that he will not marry her after meeting her eccentric family members. Undaunted, Lee decides to meet them to get their consent. But nothing prepares him for their quirkiness and outrageous antics! With Alan Tam playing four of the in-laws, WE ARE FAMILY is a hilarious comedy guaranteed to bring laughs for the whole family!

My Review: I just watched this film yesterday on a boring Thursday. This film is okay in terms of recent Hong Kong comedy. It provides some laughter every now and then. There's somewhat of a plot which tries to copy the american version of "Meet the Parents". Alan Tam took on many roles in the film including the grandmother, father, brother, etc., you probably get the point. The movie can be entertaining, but as the movie drags on as Hackan continue to meet the rest of his fiance's family, you may end up dosing off like me. The actors does have their bright spots, but definitely not a comedy that you will enjoy with your date. I prefer watching or listening to them sing than acting on this film, it seems as if they got together and created the script and film in a day. The film can't really be tolerated after the first hour because some of the jokes in there weren't that funny anymore, sometimes the director tries to hard to make it funny.

Overall: 4 out of 10. Must watch if you like Alan Tam or Hacken Lee. Skip it because it may be another cheap Wong Jing films

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