Blog Archives

Love on a Diet (2001)

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Posted on March 11, 2007 by Ching Yee

How will your loved one[s] react if you suddenly put on 200 pounds? Will they love you any less? Does being beautiful = thin? What sort of message is this film trying to send? These questions whizzed through my head as I watched Love on A Diet, Johnnie To’s latest offering, with HK’s über popstars, Sammi Cheng and Andy Lau [suffering for their art by packing on heavy sumo suits]. These human insecurities form the basis for the premise of … (read more)

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Everlasting Regret (2005)

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Posted on March 11, 2007 by Ben Jennings

If the idea of one of those ponderous European romantic dramas – only Asian! – appeals to you, then look no further than Stanley Kwan’s disappointing latest effort. A woman leads her life (which is, naturally, only ever defined in terms of her relationships with men) set against the background of this event and that event; and if it sounds like I am failing to pay proper respect to the impact of World War 2 and the Cultural Revolution on … (read more)

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Infernal Affairs (2002)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Alison

Andrew Lau, director/cinematographer of this film, has previously brought us such classics as the Young And Dangerous series, and the special effects fest Stormriders. However, he should also be held responsible for films such as the confusing Bullets Of Love (which I can’t help thinking of as “Bullets Urve Lurrrrve”) and the utterly tosspottish Wesley’s Mysterious File, in which the only mystery was how such a respectable cast were persuaded to show their faces in such drivel.

So … (read more)

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My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (2002)

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Posted on November 25, 2005 by Ching Yee

If there are comfort foods for the seasons then Milkyway films must be one of my comfort films.

As I was thinking about My Left Eye Sees Ghosts, Johnnie To and Wai Ka Fai’s latest hit, one film in particular springs to my mind — Needing You. In this case, because Sammi Cheng is again the lead actress but My Left Eye has another secret weapon, the pairing of Sammi with another Milkyway veteran — the dark and … (read more)

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Magic Kitchen (2004)

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Posted on February 11, 2004 by Eugene

I’m scared.

Not exactly the stock-standard opening would expect from a review of a romantic comedy. Of course, this fear has nothing to with Magic Kitchen itself – if anything Magic Kichen is actually quite an enjoyably romantic comedy with nary a scary moment.

No, what is a cause of concern is my complete inability to recall a Sammi Cheng film that I did not like at all. Without it, I’m not sure whether the warm fuzzies that tend to … (read more)

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Good Times, Bed Times (2003)

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Posted on August 14, 2003 by Ching Yee

OK, this isn’t so much a movie but a series of gags, some good some bad, strung together with a loose narrative. Written by Chan Hing Kar and directed by Patrick Leung, it is the team who brought you La Brassiere and its follow up Mighty Baby. Unfortunately Good Times, Bed Times is more the puerile Mighty Baby than the snappy La Brassiere. Although it builds itself as a sexy sophisticated farce, the material is quite shallow with … (read more)

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Love For All Seasons (2003)

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Posted on July 31, 2003 by Eugene

I’ve often had a conflict when reviewing a film about whether I should write from an objective or subjective point of view. Of course, I quickly realise that an objective review is too dry and impersonal for my tastes (besides, I really don’t know enough BS to fill out an objective review), so instead, it becomes a conflict of reviewing a film for it’s own merits or as a comparison to better (or worse, as the case may be) films … (read more)

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Needing You (2000)

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Posted on July 31, 2003 by Alison

It’s no secret to anyone that I rather fancy Andy Lau, and rather like Johnnie To’s work, so it should be no surprise that I enjoy this film. And it must be said that there’s a lot to like, at least for those of you who enjoy the occasional romantic comedy.

For starters, Andy demonstrates the charm for which he’s become famous as a matinee idol. He also demonstrates his skill at throwing up: yep, no Andy film is complete … (read more)

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