Blog Archives

A Hero Never Dies (1998)

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Posted on October 29, 2005 by Mark Morrison

This is one for the true believers. If you long for the heroic archetypes of late 80s and early 90s Hong Kong cinema, here they are. The makers of Expect the Unexpected (director Johnnie To and producer Wai Ka-Fai) leave gritty crime realism aside for a moment and deliver up a glorious homage to the two-gun-blazing big-heart-pumping Hong Kong gunplay genre.

Jack (Leon Lai) is the big brother in Mr Yam’s gang. Martin (Lau Ching Wan) is the big brother … (read more)

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Comrades: Almost a Love Story (1996)

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Posted on October 29, 2005 by Mark Morrison

Far too many punters insert the word “action” after “Hong Kong”, and only define the territory’s output by flying kicks and boiling lead; while many mainstream filmgoers might turn their nose up at Hong Kong films for exactly the same reason. Peter Chan’s romance Comrades: Almost a Love Story bucks all such trends, being equal to the greatest dramas from any country.

Maggie Cheung and Leon Lai feature as mainlanders who have come to Hong Kong; she wants to get … (read more)

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The Sword of Many Loves (1992)

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Posted on June 18, 2005 by Alison

Swashbuckling action, mythical super-abilities, and a cast full of pretty faces make this a surprisingly good watch. I’m not sure whether the Sword of the title refers to Leon’s tackle, but that’s only because there’s a fair swag of double entendre swishing about. Fast and fun, in the mould of the classic HK flicks that you’ve always loved.… (read more)

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