best HK gambling movies

[rarnom]

So, I just finished watching 'God of Gamblers' and 'God of Gamblers Returns' and I want more sweet gambling action!!

I have heard and read mixed reviews of other gambling films like 'Casino Raiders' and 'Conman in Tokyo'.

What gambling films are truly the BEST in terms of lots of cool gambling sequences and a good story.

thanks!

[Brian Thibodeau]

The first CONMAN movie, starring Andy Lau and Nick Cheung is pretty good. the second, CONMEN IN VEGAS adds Nat Chan to the mix and has him eating a s**t pie shaped like Mickey Mouse, but it does make excellent use of Vegas locations and has a fun motorhome-vs-helicopter climax. I thoroughly enjoyed CONMEN IN TOKYO despite, or perhaps because of, the mixed reviews. My expectations were lowered and perhaps I was less critical than I should have been, but if the viewer can suspend belief long enough to accept Chow Yun-fat's "retard" antics in GOD OF GAMBLERS, then it shouldn't be much of a stretch to watch Louis Koo battle Ben Lam in front of a roaring jet engine over a big bag of money. In fact, I much prefer CONMEN IN TOKYO to many of director Tony Ching Siu-tung's more heralded work (most of which was done under the guiding hand of Tsui Hark) because it ably shows off his tendencies towards exploitation-style filmmaking (for more of the same, check out NAKED WEAPON and BELLY OF THE BEAST.

There's also the ALL FOR THE WINNER "series" although the three unrelated films here are probably subject to as many mixed reviews as the CONMEN films. ALL FOR THE WINNER, of course, is the Stephen Chow/Ng Man-tat vehicle that launched Chow to superstardom, but it's uneven to say the least. 1995's SAINT OF GAMBLERS, which bears the same Chinese title (plus a "II") toplines the sometimes irritating Eric Kot, whose antics not unexpectedly detract from a film that is, stylistically and comedically, more consistent than the Stephen Chow version. The third in this "set," MY NAME IS NOBODY, is more a gambling drama despite the prescense of would-be funnyman Nick Cheung and industry vet Wong Jing in a major role. Nonetheless, it's fairly well-written and suprisingly entertaining.

One movie that takes a short look at the uniquely Chinese obsession with gambling is HOW TO GET RICH BY FENG SHUI from 1998, a pseudo-documentary hosted by Simon Loui and several B-movie mainstays that delves in to the world of the supernatural with tongue just barely planted in cheek. Topics covered include betting parlours with bad feng shui, how to win at horse racing, how to lose at Pai Kow, ghosts, spirits, channellers, miracles, etc. A very, VERY underrated movie and well worth seeking out.

One really fun sorta-gambling flick is the lesser-known but phenomenally entertaining Sibelle Hu starrer THE MIGHTY GAMBLER (1992). I dno't even know if this is available on VCD or DVD. I rented the tape from my local library and was blown away by all the action sequences. Like most of her films, this one looks a little rough around the edges and shot on a relatively low-budget. Sibelle's the daughter of a Casino owner who uncovers a plot by rivals to seize her establishment to settle an old debt with her dad. There are gambling scenes here and there, but more than enough gunfights and demolition derbies to satisfy even the most jaded action fan. THIS is the kind of movie that REALLY defined Hong Kong cinemas heydey. Just because you won't find the likes of it (and many, MANY like it) written up in all the HK film books, doesn't mean it isn't worthy of a view.

Hoping that helps...

[Dave Goodmen]

Yea like Brian previously mention, get God of Gambler 2 with Stephen CHow and Andy Lau. That was one of my all time fav in term of entertainment.

[cpardo]

God of Gamblers is the best I think with Chow and Andy, plus Joey Wong! Stephen Chow's All for the Winner is a riot, and his God of Gamblers 2 isn't bad. I enjoyed Casino Raiders for it's intrigue and dramatic tone rather than resorting to slapstick. And finally God of Gamblers The Early Stage Is an above average prequel to Chow's original I think, thanks to great cast!

[Casey]

"God of Gamblers: The Early Stage" is good. Jordan Chan is really fine in his role as Lone Ng (Charles Heung's role as Dragon in the Chow Yung-Fat series), and Francis Ng as Leon Lai's brother, Ko Ngo, is reprehensible . If anything Francis' character is more despicable than his Ugly Kwan character in " Young and Dangerous".

Speaking of Francis...

"A Gambler's Story" is wonderful!! Go along for the roller coaster ride...imagery that shows up more than once in this film. Francis' character narrates much of this story, and if you are non-Cantonese speaking like I am, you have to watch the film first to get an understanding of what he is saying, then you have to watch it again to enjoy the marvelous acting of Francis and Suki Kwan.

Then there is the wonderful subtext provided by the director, Marco Mak. In particular, pay attention to the sound effects that accompany the scene where Francis goes out after his break-up with Cher (Wong Tat Yung), and the waitress tells him about the former mamma-san, etc. (One of my favorite scenes!)

Hey, check out the reviews for yourself...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445841/externalreviews

[STSH]

Ah, one of my favourite subjects.
No other cinema does gambling pics as well as HK, even in Asia. Like the great Ghost films (e.g. Chinese Ghost Story), I wish they'd make many more of them.

You've already seen the best - God Of Gamblers Return. It's hard to top this extravagnza. Wong Jing at his crowd-pleasing best.

Agree with God Of Gamblers - The Early Stage. Jordan Chan is just great. I'm still hanging out for #4 in tis series.

Agree with Mighty Gambler.

And I loved Saint of Gamblers.

Disagree with Casino Raiders. Just didn't hang together, and not enough action.

btw, avoid Casino Raiders II like the plague. This is the film which almost put me off HK film entirely. Ridiculously over-violent and very cruel.

[pjshimmer]

did someone say GOD OF GAMBERS 3: THE EARLY STAGE? That is the best gambling movie I have seen.