2007: The Digital Scrounge

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

I've seen a lot of the "classics' everyone says you're supposed to see: SEVEN SAMURAI, CHUSINGURA, BRANDED TO KILL, TOKYO STORY, that kinda stuff. I've never been able to muster up the actual interest in Samurai cinema, and yet whenever I actually sit down and watch one, I'm usually entertained.

I end up feeling the same way myself on certain Japanese films (more towards Ozu and certain Chambara films) except for Kurosawa. I still haven't seen Chusingura. Any recommendations for this?

... Oddly enough, the Kurosawa film that I've always enjoyed the most out of what I've seen (probably about 10 or 12 of his movies) is HIGH AND LOW, which is basically a relocated American crime thriller (and based on an American book, as I recall).

Got a couple of these left to go myself: CHOI LEE FUT KUNG FU and LOVE AND SWORD, so those will probably go on next week's order. I don't think I've seen DUEL AT THE SUPREME GATE anywhere, so I guess that's one I'll be missing.

I'm a huge fan of most of Kurosawas and that includes High and Low (Ed McBain's King's Ransom). A less flamboyant performance from Toshiro Mifune, a police procedural, social commentary about the class structure, so much to like. I've only done one review on Kurosawa (Kagemusha) but High and Low would be a great film to study and write about (Donald Ritchie's essay on it is quite exacting and sublime). Yojimbo is probably my favorite Kurosawa and/or Ran (but then I like most of his work).

Choi Lee Fut Kung Fu is basically a Snake in Eagle's Shadow clone with some of the cast of Drunken Master with a former Seven Little Fortunes member (Cliff Lok). So it's basically fun to watch .

Here is the Amazon link to Duel a the Supreme Gate http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L43PA2/ (HK flix has a picture but it is also mentioned oop or oos). I really have no idea if this was ever put out.

And finally I got a few more movies to add here as gifts this weekend:

Kikujiro (2000) Japan
Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005) Mongolia
Little Shaolin Monks (2006) China

[Brian Thibodeau]

I still haven't seen Chusingura. Any recommendations for this?

I'd recommend it. I'm not sure how many film versions of the tale exist, but I'm told there are many. This was the first one I'd seen:
http://www.amazon.com/Chushingura-Koshi ... B000056NWP
I haven't seen any of the others, largely because this seems to be a fairly definitive version. (DD has it for $20.99 at the moment... )


-------

Picked up a few Hong Kong odds 'n ends on my way home from work last week. More bargain bin DVDs again, from one of my regular hot spots here called In Concept. Sadly their rack space for these old DVDs and VCDs has been halved, so it's a bit of a struggle to dig, but since I've been through the piles a billion times already, there's not much left for me, despite there still being two or three hundred titles to choose from (hint to Canadian readers). Took awhile just to compile these seven for an even $20, all the while hoping I wasn't duplicating

SUMMER BREEZE OF LOVE (2002; Deltamac; Twins)
MR. WAI GO (1998; Megastar; Eric Tsang, Anthony Wong)
KILLING ME TENDERLY (1997; Mei Ah; Leon Lai, Sammi Cheng)
GHOST BALLROOM (1989; can't remember label; Gordon Liu, Tsui Siu-keung)
FERTILITY BANK (1975; Meg Lam, Paul Chun Pui, Steve Chan) Looks like this one could use a credit upgrade.
JAMES WONG IN JAPAN & KOREA (1992; Universe; James Wong, Elsie Chan, Kathy Chow) Interesting role name for Mei Yim-Hung in the DB listing for this one!
MERRY GO ROUND (2001; Zeny Kwok, Lawrence Chou)

Hoping to place a modest order at DD's 20% off sale after midnight tonight. I did order one title late last week. Probably not on topic here, but for $50, it was a easy pickup as it seems to be going out of print.

ANIMATED SOVIET PROPAGANDA: From the October Revolution to Perestroika (4 DVD Set)
www.deepdiscount.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=8741526

[Young Master]

JAMES WONG IN JAPAN & KOREA (1992; Universe; James Wong, Elsie Chan, Kathy Chow) Interesting role name for Mei Yim-Hung in the DB listing for this one!

I've been curious if this movie just have two movies edited together or something like that? Since it's official in the DB that it's got Stooges in Tokyo-footage it might just as well have The Wild Goose Chase-footage? (they are fooling around in Korea in that movie). Feels kinda logical Someone can confirm if that's the case please?

[Brian Thibodeau]

I've been curious if this movie just have two movies edited together or something like that? Since it's official in the DB that it's got Stooges in Tokyo-footage it might just as well have The Wild Goose Chase-footage? (they are fooling around in Korea in that movie). Feels kinda logical Someone can confirm if that's the case please?

I noticed that reference in the DB as well. Hope it's correct, though. Gotta wonder.

Same director, writer, producer, various cast members, several crew members and themes, though. Perhaps JAMES WONG IN... might be some kind of compendium of highlights. It seems to have the least amount of credit info of the three films, so hopefully I can rectify that with some screenshots at some point.

[Young Master]

Perhaps JAMES WONG IN... might be some kind of compendium of highlights.

Sounds like it's very possible, because I had a look and it's got footage from Wild Goose Chase.

This movie also goes by the name Whoring Guides To Korea & Japan btw (the title isn't in DB though).

Comparision with Bearserks images in DB for James Wong in Japan & Korea..

JWIJ&K:



WGC:


JWIJ&K:


WGC:

[Mike Thomason]

JAMES WONG IN JAPAN & KOREA (1992; Universe; James Wong, Elsie Chan, Kathy Chow) Interesting role name for Mei Yim-Hung in the DB listing for this one!

"Fingers-in-pussy stripper"? Sweet! Good to see that Ryan and Bob managed to flesh out (pun intended) that sponsorship deal with Larry Flynt for the future direction of the DB!

[Brian Thibodeau]

"Fingers-in-pussy stripper"? Sweet! Good to see that Ryan and Bob managed to flesh out (pun intended) that sponsorship deal with Larry Flynt for the future direction of the DB!

Yeah, perhaps I'll shorten that to "stripper" for now (I'm sure everyone's seen it by now!). Some elements of the old days of Hong Kong cinema discovery should definitely be reconsidered! I suspect this lilttle nugget might have remained buried if I hadn't bothered picking up the DVD. Perhaps once I watch this "remake" or whatever it actually is, I can come up with something more appropriate. "Invasive Technique Stripper" perhaps?

Sounds like it's very possible, because I had a look and it's got footage from Wild Goose Chase.

This movie also goes by the name Whoring Guides To Korea & Japan btw (the title isn't in DB though).

Comparision with Bearserks images in DB for James Wong in Japan & Korea..

Any chance you could add those images to the DB entry for WILD GOOSE CHASE, Young Master? Got any others? Might be worth starting a thread over in Additions and Modifications where we can properly link all three of these films together over time.

[Brian Thibodeau]

Grabbed a few goodies from the Deep Discount sale (prices reflect the after-discount price).

GOODBYE BRUCE LEE $ 4.82 In-stock
RARESCOPE-CHOI LEE FUT $ 4.79 In-stock
RARESCOPE-LOVE & SWORD $ 4.79 In-stock
MOTHRA VS GODZILLA $ 11.78 In-stock
GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN $ 11.78 In-stock
GHIDORAH-THREE HEADED MONSTER $ 11.79 In-stock
INVASION OF THE ASTRO MONSTER $ 11.79 In-stock
HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM $ 7.25 In-stock
PHANTOM MUSEUMS-SHORT FILMS OF THE BROTHERS QUAY $ 17.08 In-stock

Merchandise Total: $ 85.87

I'm not much of a Godzilla fan, but Classic Media did such a good job with the first film, I figured it would be worth having at least the next four. I doubt I'll go beyond these, though, as the remaining films in the series always put me to sleep!

Picked up Anchor Bay's widescreen GOODBYE BRUCE LEE for two reasons: 1) I missed the chance when it was floating around the Wal-Mart bargain bins here and 2) the reviews by Cal42 and Masterofoneinchpunch in the DB make it sound too awful to pass up!
http://hkmdb.com/db/movies/reviews.mhtm ... ay_set=eng

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

Grabbed a few goodies from the Deep Discount sale (prices reflect the after-discount price).

I'm not much of a Godzilla fan, but Classic Media did such a good job with the first film, I figured it would be worth having at least the next four. I doubt I'll go beyond these, though, as the remaining films in the series always put me to sleep!

Picked up Anchor Bay's widescreen GOODBYE BRUCE LEE for two reasons: 1) I missed the chance when it was floating around the Wal-Mart bargain bins here and 2) the reviews by Cal42 and Masterofoneinchpunch in the DB make it sound too awful to pass up!
http://hkmdb.com/db/movies/reviews.mhtm ... ay_set=eng

I guarantee you will like it or not. Still prefer that film over my recent watching of Shaolin Family Soccer .

I definitely agree with your assessment on the double DVD of Godzilla. I went looking for those "newer" Godzilla movies at Best Buy (since I didn't find the new Dragon Dynasty films there) but they were no longer there (ended up taking a Jean Renoir set ).

I've already spent too much this paycheck (and got a lot of films for gifts recently too ) but I'm sure I will get more Asian films before the sale ends on Deep Discount. The question remains what though ...

Have you seen HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM before? Opinions?

[Brian Thibodeau]

The question remains what though ...
Have you seen HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM before? Opinions?

Years ago, I picked up the widescreen VHS edition from VCI, mainly because I'd heard of it's clever use and "doubling" of Scotland Yard's famed Black Museum (the main character creates his own, more personal, exhibit in this one) and was rather impressed. It holds up fairly well against similarly lurid Hammer films of the time. I would have bought the DVD years ago, but DD raised the price to around $12 or $13 from around $9, so it's nice to see it finally came back down. Lots of worthwhile extras on it, as well.

The GODZILLA films are definitely cheaper at DD than Best Buy, especially with the discount, possible tax savings and, of course, free shipping.

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

HAUNTED SCHOOL (2007; Joy Sales) Steven Cheung, Theresa Fu. Bought this on Mr. Thomason's recommendation, so it better be good!

I just won this on ebay so hope it's good

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

Just bought two more HK films from DD:

Above the Law (aka Righting Wrongs 1986) Dragon Dynasty
Shanghai Express (aka Millionaire's Express 1986) Dragon Dynasty

Well I'm caught up with Dragon Dynasty until June 19th. I've seen all except Infernal Affairs 2 & 3 (by the reviews I should definitely watch number 2 soon -- ignoring pun of course). I've been catching up with non-Asian releases this previous week (for some reason I had never watched Dirty Harry or The Day the Earth Stood Still before -- please ignore my droning).

Now only if I can catch up with Asian Criterion (Japanese being the most difficult).

RE: Duel at the Supreme Gate (rarescope): for some reason this release was pushed back (please explain Toby).

[Brian Thibodeau]

reviews I should definitely watch number 2 soon -- ignoring pun of course).

Well, it does have Edison Chen in it...

I've been catching up with non-Asian releases this previous week (for some reason I had never watched Dirty Harry or The Day the Earth Stood Still before -- please ignore my droning).

Now only if I can catch up with Asian Criterion (Japanese being the most difficult).

At some point, you'll probably stop trying to catch up! I remember one year, many ago, where 'round about autumn and into Christmas time, at which point my girlfriend was away for two weeks with family, I came this close I swear to finishing all the unwatched movies I owned. Now, many of these I'd seen before, but never on DVD, so the rule was that everytihng should at least be watched once in the new format for a much more pure experience. Got down to less than 20 movies, but then let those idle for a few weeks too long, and suddenly the pile started to grow again! I must admit, though, this year's Deep Discount sale marks the least I've ever spent on DVDs there, so it's definitely a sign the the collection is nearly where I want it to be, at least in terms of R1 stuff. Now, the Hong Kong stuff on the other hand...


Speaking of which...


I'm curious to hear some opinions on the acting abilities of Gillian Chung and Charlene Choi. Do people prefer one over the other? Is one regarded as particularly better than the other? The reason I ask is I just this week watched two Charlene movies DIVA AH HEY and MY WIFE IS 18 and, coupled with prior viewings of TWINS EFFECT, PROTEGE DE LA ROSE NOIR and THE DEATH CURSE a long time ago, I'm convinced I'm missing something. Beautiful girl, and even a decent singer, but man, what a one-note actress, at least around the time these were made, anyway. The whole whiny, pouty, giggly, stompy-walking, 20-going-on-14 routine just leaves me goggle-eyed sometimes. I'm about to start watching a 2005 opus called ALL ABOUT LOVE, so perhaps that will represent a different period in the evolution of her talent or something, but judging from reviews here, I'm not holding my breath. I haven't seen much of Gillian's non-Twins related works; how does she generally stack up against her bandmate?

[MrBooth]

I think Gillian is a much more versatile and ... well, actual ... actress, though Charlene shouldn't be written off until you've seen FUNERAL MARCH.

[Brian Thibodeau]

I think Gillian is a much more versatile and ... well, actual ... actress, though Charlene shouldn't be written off until you've seen FUNERAL MARCH.

Will do. But as that's her first film (at least according to the DB), I'll be curious to know why she opted for the "cute" routine on so many films after it.

[MrBooth]

Probably because that's what her primary fan base wants to see, or her agents think it is!

[Brian Thibodeau]

Probably because that's what her primary fan base wants to see, or her agents think it is!

It's funny, when I was watching DIVA AH HEY, I couldn't shake the feeling that her entire character felt JUST like a whitewashed record company press-release biography brought to life: "When she's not busy endlessly pleasing her fans in the recording studio, Charlene likes playing with puppies and blowing bubbles..." or some such PR bull!

[dleedlee]

I haven't seen it set but I've read that Charlene's role in Diary takes a change in direction from her typical characters.

[Mike Thomason]

Was going to catch up with some new HK movies, but though...meh! So:

Demons Of The Mind (UK) (DVD)*
Dracula, Prince Of Darkness (UK) (DVD)*
Fear In The Night (UK) (DVD)*
Master Kims (South Korea) (DVD)
Old Miss Diary (South Korea) (DVD)

Plus, review copies of the following on their way from the US:

Arang (South Korea) (DVD)
Memento Mori (South Korea) (DVD)
R-Point (South Korea) (DVD)
Silk (Taiwan) (DVD)
To Sir With Love (South Korea) (DVD)
Whispering Corridors (South Korea) (DVD)
Wishing Stairs (South Korea) (DVD)

* new remastered & restored UK R2 editions

PS: Wasn't my Charlene's first film What Is A Good Teacher?, followed by Heroes In Love? Could have sworn that Funeral March was only her first leading role?

[Brian Thibodeau]

Plus, review copies of the following on their way from the US:

Arang (South Korea) (DVD)
Memento Mori (South Korea) (DVD)
R-Point (South Korea) (DVD)
To Sir With Love (South Korea) (DVD)
Whispering Corridors (South Korea) (DVD)
Wishing Stairs (South Korea) (DVD)

Tartans by chance? I'm wondering if there's a Korean horror film they haven't picked up yet! I believe I saw THE WIG and CINDERELLA on the shelves recently, so perhaps those will be in the next batch they send you, if you need 'em, of course. Wasn't TO SIR WITH LOVE retitled in R1 to something else, like Deadly Reunion or Bloody Reunion or something like that? Man, I'm drawing a blank at the moment , but I remember being relieved that they actually ditched the original English title, as it didn't really make sense. I do like the fact that Tartan do go to the trouble of subtitling original Korean commentary tracks rather than hiring some "expert" to record a new one!

PS: Wasn't my Charlene's first film What Is A Good Teacher?, followed by Heroes In Love? Could have sworn that Funeral March was only her first leading role?

Since you call her "my Charlene," I guess I know your thoughts on the performer in question!

Bummer that her photo doesn't seem to have been noticed in the GOOD TEACHER gallery though, where it's been for ages and which is how I found out about her earlier work quite by accident! Perhaps those have been tucked away there for too long!

To be honest, though, it's Choi's leading or close-to-leading performances that I've been most familiar with lately, and ALL ABOUT LOVE seems about par for the course for her cuteness routine, although in the context of that film, it didn't jump out at me as much as it has in the others. Not that that film doesn't have other niggling problems...

[Mike Thomason]

Not that that film doesn't have other niggling problems...

What, like two Andys? Fnar fnar fnar

To be honest, I actually liked the film! And yes, I am an avowed Charlene fan -- why else would I have bought Super Fans recently?

[Brian Thibodeau]

What, like two Andys? Fnar fnar fnar

Yeah, that'd be near the top of the list! I can almost sorta forgive it, though, because it's a tried-and-true conceit in Hong Kong cinema (and Lau is a decent actor), but it's one of those things that makes the mind start thinking too much about the plausibility of it all, despite the overall effectiveness of the emotional scenes. Beautifully mounted film, though!

To be honest, I actually liked the film! And yes, I am an avowed Charlene fan -- why else would I have bought Super Fans recently?

Hey, it's on its way to me as well! Probably more because of my completist tendencies, though, rather than any particular love of the girl!

[Brian Thibodeau]

Found a weird link between tonight's Hong Kong movie, WE ARE FAMILY, and my most recent view, ALL ABOUT LOVE. They share the same composer, Marco Wan, but where LOVE has a decent quality score, FAMILY has horrid synthesizer cheapness that wouldn't have been out of place in some barrel-bottom actioner from 15 years ago. In fact, the whole style of production, screenwriting and broad acting looks just as dated. Was this any kind of box-office hit? If it was, I'd say that says a lot about its lead stars' marquee value more than anything they do onscreen. They actually use slide-whistles and tweety-bird effects, in a 2006 film, to punch up lame gags, for goodness sake! The DB lists producer Clifton Ko as a co-director, but I assume the director credit is in the closing credits (??), because it's not in the opening ones. But man, I was actually expecting something a little more...I don't know, polished from a pairing of music superstars like Alan Tam (who plays four largely lazy roles, plus another in disguise) and Hacken Lee. When Gurmit Singh walks away with a movie ostensibly starring bigger celebs than himself—one of them in multiple parts—and in a 30-second cameo no less, that's saying something! And what was with that pointless DAE JANG GEUM reference? It's one thing to make throwaway pop culture references, but it tends to work best when the gag actually fits the story or punctuates a scene. This did neither.

[Mike Thomason]

The DB lists producer Clifton Ko as a co-director, but I assume the director credit is in the closing credits (??), because it's not in the opening ones.

From the opening credits of We Are Family...



...so, yes, Clifton Ko WAS definitely involved with the film! (I can loan you my reading glasses if you like, Brian?...hehe... )

And, from what I've read online, the film was a Singaporean/HK co-production (from a project sold to the HK filmmakers by Singaporean investors) as well as a GARGANTUAN flop!

[Brian Thibodeau]

...so, yes, Clifton Ko WAS definitely involved with the film! (I can loan you my reading glasses if you like, Brian?...hehe... )

Well, if someone was gonna set me straight, I just knew it'd be you! Considering those opening credits are so poorly animated, I hope I can be forgiven for rolling my eyes momentarily and missing a credit screen (especially when it doesn't fall in last in line, as so many usually do!), and thus you can save the mailing costs for sending me those glasses!

And, from what I've read online, the film was a Singaporean/HK co-production (from a project sold to the HK filmmakers by Singaporean investors) as well as a GARGANTUAN flop!

Well, can't say I'm surprised that it flopped. I guess even the home audiences could smell the fumes. Kinda sad that it marked Tam's return to the Big Screen after so many years away and just that cameo in MEN SUDDENLY IN BLACK. Funny thing is, this film just doesn't feel like even a partial Hong Kong production! I'm no expert on the city, but for some reason, the "Hong Kong" scenes just don't feel like they were filmed in Hong Kong, so perhaps the filmmakers tried to cheat a bit?

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

At some point, you'll probably stop trying to catch up! ... I must admit, though, this year's Deep Discount sale marks the least I've ever spent on DVDs there, so it's definitely a sign the the collection is nearly where I want it to be, at least in terms of R1 stuff. Now, the Hong Kong stuff on the other hand...

First on your Love and Sword purchase (from previous post) -- the movie reminds me a bit of Elimination Pursuit (same lead actor too Tin Peng with more mascara though and more use of tilting his head in puzzlement) except it adds on a semi-surprising ending (I'm not sure if it was forced or not but it was depressing -- finished the film yesterday now seen all the R1 rarescopes except Ninjas and Dragons).

Getting all the movies I want (and watch them too) is a neverending pursuit (like trying to obtain Nirvana). So much too watch that is old, European, old European, Asian etc... Also the more you learn the more artists get referenced (esoteric and/or new) like Jodoworsky, Cassavetes (not a fan, he just has always been mentioned by many artists and I've been ambivilent about his oeuvre), Ichikawa and as time goes by more gets put out (even R1 like the Cinema Epoch's Chinese Film Classics Collection).

Of course I could concentrate more on one area but eh... too much good stuff . Plus its great going from the Short Films of David Lynch to Love and Sword to Yankee Doodle Dandy to whatever I'll start tonight.

Anyone going to get the Late Ozu Eclipse set? I'm debating on buying it on DD.

[Brian Thibodeau]

Getting all the movies I want (and watch them too) is a neverending pursuit (like trying to obtain Nirvana). So much too watch that is old, European, old European, Asian etc... Also the more you learn the more artists get referenced (esoteric and/or new) like Jodoworsky, Cassavetes (not a fan, he just has always been mentioned by many artists and I've been ambivilent about his oeuvre), Ichikawa and as time goes by more gets put out (even R1 like the Cinema Epoch's Chinese Film Classics Collection).

It is interesting to watch a library grow over the years. I think the immediacy of information about films via the internet has taken away some of the thrill of the hunt (see some good reviews or discussions, and a few clicks later, the movie's on it's way to you), but it's also allowed us to see more films in less time, which is great, and as this thread should attest, the thrill of the hunt is still out there, even if we have to dig through old cardboard boxes in Chinatown to experience it.

I'm holding off on the Ozu box for now, but the prices at Deep Discount and DVD Planet (which also has a 20% code in effect until the 17th—20OFFSALE) are so tempting. Pity they don't come with any extras, but I suppose that's the nature of the Eclipse line. Guess I've still got a few days to decide, but worse case scenario is I'll just wait until the winter sales!

[Mike Thomason]

Was going to catch up with some new HK movies, but though...meh!

But then, I cracked and ordered --

The Closet (Hong Kong) (DVD)
Gong Tau (Hong Kong) (DVD)
Love Is Not All Around (Hong Kong) (DVD)
Ming Ming (Hong Kong) (DVD)
A Mob Story (Hong Kong) (DVD)

...and now I discover that I made a mistake in purchasing My Way Films Macau-lensed-with-Mainland-market-in-mind Love In Macau, believing that it was Ye Nianchen's Love Is Not All Around...

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

I'm holding off on the Ozu box for now, but the prices at Deep Discount and DVD Planet (which also has a 20% code in effect until the 17th—20OFFSALE) are so tempting. Pity they don't come with any extras, but I suppose that's the nature of the Eclipse line. Guess I've still got a few days to decide, but worse case scenario is I'll just wait until the winter sales!

Well I just got Late Ozu (I still have several of his earlier films to get that are out on R1) (also got Double Indemnity but that is another catch-up ). On a completely non-Asian note: looking forward to Criterion's Robinson Crusue on Mars. Also looking forward to the box set of Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara.

[Masterofoneinchpunch]

Purchased (caught up again on Dragon Dynasty; its going to be hard to actually buy Hardboiled when it comes out: I have the Criterion, Criterion bootleg, VHS, access to Fox Lorber ... but I digress):

My Young Auntie (HK) Dragon Dynasty
King Boxer (HK) Dragon Dynasty
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (HK) Dragon Dynasty
The One-Armed Swordsman (HK) Dragon Dynasty

Does anyone use any interesting Asian movie RSS Feeds? (I use Electric Shadows, HK and Cult Film DVD, Kung Fu Cinema)