by Renee Ng
Normally pinned for their gritty gangster tales, Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai’s efforts in romance and slapstick have often been sidelined. But as loveable titles “Fat Choi Spirit” and “Turn Left, Turn Right” have proved, the directing/producing duo are indeed dai lous (big brothers) of many genres. “Fat Choi Spirit”, following the tradition of Hong Kong gambler flicks, and like its title: spirit of endless wealth, is the hilarious gift that keeps on giving.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Similar to the iconic “God of Gamblers” franchise, we have the pleasure of following an impossibly great player. Andy, played by Andy Lau himself, will do anything for a game of mahjong. But Andy is no addict, he’s actually got a gift: he possesses the divine favor of Guanyin. Thus, he is simply unable to draw a bad tile...
Normally pinned for their gritty gangster tales, Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai’s efforts in romance and slapstick have often been sidelined. But as loveable titles “Fat Choi Spirit” and “Turn Left, Turn Right” have proved, the directing/producing duo are indeed dai lous (big brothers) of many genres. “Fat Choi Spirit”, following the tradition of Hong Kong gambler flicks, and like its title: spirit of endless wealth, is the hilarious gift that keeps on giving.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Similar to the iconic “God of Gamblers” franchise, we have the pleasure of following an impossibly great player. Andy, played by Andy Lau himself, will do anything for a game of mahjong. But Andy is no addict, he’s actually got a gift: he possesses the divine favor of Guanyin. Thus, he is simply unable to draw a bad tile...
- 2/15/2023
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
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Each month, the Criterion Collection gives us a new batch of digitally remastered movies from across the globe. If you’re looking to discover new classics, or maybe check out an old favorite, try the vast collection of gems the Criterion Collection has to offer. The upcoming releases for the month of September (and a couple from October) range from drama to horror, film noir, and more. To help with your love of discovering films, we’ve put together a list of films that have been restored like never before and contain exclusive bonus content. The roster not only contains great options for your next movie night, but great gift options as well.
Each month, the Criterion Collection gives us a new batch of digitally remastered movies from across the globe. If you’re looking to discover new classics, or maybe check out an old favorite, try the vast collection of gems the Criterion Collection has to offer. The upcoming releases for the month of September (and a couple from October) range from drama to horror, film noir, and more. To help with your love of discovering films, we’ve put together a list of films that have been restored like never before and contain exclusive bonus content. The roster not only contains great options for your next movie night, but great gift options as well.
- 9/4/2021
- by Angel Saunders
- Indiewire
In the vast filmography of Johnnie To, “Throw Down” is one of the films that definitely stands out, both for its style, but also for its significance, since To considers it one of his most personal works, particularly due to the tribute elements to “Sanshiro Sugata” and Akira Kurosawa it offers, and also for kickstarting his collaboration with Louis Koo, which would benefit both notably in the next years.
Tracey is streaming on Focus Hong Kong
The script revolves mainly around Sze-to Bo, a nightclub owner who was a judo expert but for reasons unknown decided to give up the sport some years before, instead becoming a bitter alcoholic, a thief and a gambler with a huge dept to the mafia. Tony is a current judo champion and a very eager fighter, who wants to challenge Sze-to to a fight, thus barging into his life in the most violent fashion.
Tracey is streaming on Focus Hong Kong
The script revolves mainly around Sze-to Bo, a nightclub owner who was a judo expert but for reasons unknown decided to give up the sport some years before, instead becoming a bitter alcoholic, a thief and a gambler with a huge dept to the mafia. Tony is a current judo champion and a very eager fighter, who wants to challenge Sze-to to a fight, thus barging into his life in the most violent fashion.
- 3/26/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Gambling movies are one of the most popular movie genres worldwide. The high-octane, drama-filled genre has given us some of pop culture’s most influential and memorable films. The inherent drama, risk, and fast-paced storytelling that comes with gambling-themed movies have made them a fan favorite worldwide.
Gambling movies have become globally popular, mostly due to Hollywood’s take on the genre. Movies like Ocean’s Eleven, Rounders, and Casino Royale have gained international recognition and have given fans some of Hollywood’s biggest classics.
While Hollywood seems to have perfected the making of gambling-themed movies, the Asian movie industry has also contributed to the genre’s success on the big screen. Gambling movies have grown in popularity over the years in Asia, and the genre has given the industry some of it’s best and most critically acclaimed movies.
Let’s take a look at the four of the very best Asian gambling movies.
Gambling movies have become globally popular, mostly due to Hollywood’s take on the genre. Movies like Ocean’s Eleven, Rounders, and Casino Royale have gained international recognition and have given fans some of Hollywood’s biggest classics.
While Hollywood seems to have perfected the making of gambling-themed movies, the Asian movie industry has also contributed to the genre’s success on the big screen. Gambling movies have grown in popularity over the years in Asia, and the genre has given the industry some of it’s best and most critically acclaimed movies.
Let’s take a look at the four of the very best Asian gambling movies.
- 8/14/2020
- by AMP Training
- AsianMoviePulse
In the vast filmography of Johnnie To, “Throw Down” is one of the films that definitely stands out, both for its style, but also for its significance, since To considers it one of his most personal works, particularly due to the tribute elements to “Sanshiro Sugata” and Akira Kurosawa it offers, and also for kickstarting his collaboration with Louis Koo, which would benefit both notably in the next years.
“Throw Down” is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
The script revolves mainly around Sze-to Bo, a nightclub owner who was a judo expert but for reasons unknown decided to give up the sport some years before, instead becoming a bitter alcoholic, a thief and a gambler with a huge dept to the mafia. Tony is a current judo champion and a very eager fighter, who wants to challenge Sze-to to a fight, thus barging into his life in the most violent fashion.
“Throw Down” is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
The script revolves mainly around Sze-to Bo, a nightclub owner who was a judo expert but for reasons unknown decided to give up the sport some years before, instead becoming a bitter alcoholic, a thief and a gambler with a huge dept to the mafia. Tony is a current judo champion and a very eager fighter, who wants to challenge Sze-to to a fight, thus barging into his life in the most violent fashion.
- 11/18/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
July 14 screening caps off lively Hong Kong component.
Hong Kong thriller The White Storm 2: Drug Lords, which grossed $59.7m in China at the weekend, has been unveiled as the closing night film at the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff).
Veteran director and 2013 Nyaff guest Herman Yau teams up with Andy Lau (who also produced the film) and Louis Koo in a cat-and-mouse story of drug barons and corrupt tycoons. Michael Miu, Karena Lam, and Cherrie Ying also star.
The July 14 screening will cap off a Hong Kong component to the festival that included a masterclass by Star Asia...
Hong Kong thriller The White Storm 2: Drug Lords, which grossed $59.7m in China at the weekend, has been unveiled as the closing night film at the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff).
Veteran director and 2013 Nyaff guest Herman Yau teams up with Andy Lau (who also produced the film) and Louis Koo in a cat-and-mouse story of drug barons and corrupt tycoons. Michael Miu, Karena Lam, and Cherrie Ying also star.
The July 14 screening will cap off a Hong Kong component to the festival that included a masterclass by Star Asia...
- 7/8/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
In the vast filmography of Johnnie To, “Throw Down” is one of the films that definitely stands out, both for its style, but also for its significance, since To considers it one of his most personal works, particularly due to the tribute elements to “Sanshiro Sugata” and Akira Kurosawa it offers, and also for kickstarting his collaboration with Louis Koo, which would benefit both notably in the next years.
The script revolves mainly around Sze-to Bo, a nightclub owner who was a judo expert but for reasons unknown decided to give up the sport some years before, instead becoming a bitter alcoholic, a thief and a gambler with a huge dept to the mafia. Tony is a current judo champion and a very eager fighter, who wants to challenge Sze-to to a fight, thus barging into his life in the most violent fashion. Mona is a girl...
The script revolves mainly around Sze-to Bo, a nightclub owner who was a judo expert but for reasons unknown decided to give up the sport some years before, instead becoming a bitter alcoholic, a thief and a gambler with a huge dept to the mafia. Tony is a current judo champion and a very eager fighter, who wants to challenge Sze-to to a fight, thus barging into his life in the most violent fashion. Mona is a girl...
- 4/5/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Director Herman Yau and actor-producer Andy Lau are reteaming on a sequel to 2013 action drama The White Storm.
Following their collaboration on Shock Wave, director Herman Yau and actor-producer Andy Lau are reteaming on a sequel to 2013 action drama The White Storm, which Hong Kong’s Universe Films Distribution is introducing to buyers here at Filmart.
In addition to Lau, The White Storm 2 - Drug Lords (working title) will star Louis Koo, who also starred in the original film directed by Bennie Chan, along with Michael Miu, Karena Lam and Cherrie Ying.
Budgeted at $25m, a substantial hike from the original’s $16m budget,...
Following their collaboration on Shock Wave, director Herman Yau and actor-producer Andy Lau are reteaming on a sequel to 2013 action drama The White Storm, which Hong Kong’s Universe Films Distribution is introducing to buyers here at Filmart.
In addition to Lau, The White Storm 2 - Drug Lords (working title) will star Louis Koo, who also starred in the original film directed by Bennie Chan, along with Michael Miu, Karena Lam and Cherrie Ying.
Budgeted at $25m, a substantial hike from the original’s $16m budget,...
- 3/18/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
“Virtual Recall” is a mind-bending, genre-blending thriller that combines romance, psychological drama and ambitious science fiction elements in an attempt to explore the theme of parallel universes. Adapted from the popular novel “Symbiosis” by Lam Wing Sum (who also wrote “Magic Kitchen”), the film draws upon the wormhole theories of Stephen Hawking, trying to add a little scientific reasoning behind its grand ideas. Directed by Cheung Hoi Ching (“Devil’s Vindata”), the film was headlined by Stephen Fung (“House of Fury”), Cherrie Ying (“My Left Eye Sees Ghosts”), and Tang Yifei (“Future X-Cops”), with support from Hong Kong regulars Tvb star Sammul Chan, Samuel Pang (recently in the “Ptu” spin off “Tactical Unit” series), Mandy Chiang (“Yes, I Can See Dead People”), and “Troublesome Night” veteran Simon Lui. The labyrinth plot follows Tang Yifei as top psychiatrist Dr. Xiao Tingqin, charged with trying to cure the mysterious and beautiful Shen...
- 9/15/2011
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Was The Craft really the last time we had a good witch movie? (I know I’m probably alone in my appreciation of Dario Argento’s Mother of Tears so won’t presume everyone’s on board with that one.) Today we got word that indie filmmaker Chris Morrissey will be trying his hand at the subgenre with a flick that’s got some serious potential. Read on for the skinny!
From today’s press release:
Inspired by Italian witchcraft Stregheria, the film stars actress Share Cherrie in the leading role along with Owen Alabado, Suzy Cote, and Australian cult star Abigail De'Ath. Trick of the Witch centers on a group of fashion models that get tangled up in a terrifying witchcraft curse while stranded at a secluded mansion during a photo shoot.
With the stunning success of recent micro-budget films like Paranormal Activity, Morrissey plans to launch Trick of...
From today’s press release:
Inspired by Italian witchcraft Stregheria, the film stars actress Share Cherrie in the leading role along with Owen Alabado, Suzy Cote, and Australian cult star Abigail De'Ath. Trick of the Witch centers on a group of fashion models that get tangled up in a terrifying witchcraft curse while stranded at a secluded mansion during a photo shoot.
With the stunning success of recent micro-budget films like Paranormal Activity, Morrissey plans to launch Trick of...
- 1/5/2010
- by Masked Slasher
- DreadCentral.com
Applying Kung Fu to just about anything has been the subject of some recent Hong Kong/China films. There was Kung Fu Dunk, a basketball film starring Jay Chou and then there was Kung Fu Hip-Hop. This time around, Kung Fu is entering the world of cooking in Kung Fu Chefs with Sammo Hung, Fan Sui Wong and popstar Vaness Wu. Here’s the synopsis:
Jo had kept hatred in his heart for a very long time and did what he could to oust his uncle Wong Bing-Yi (Sammo Hung) from the village and to claim the rights to the “Dragon-Head Cleaver”, a symbol of power to the clan. As Wong Bing-Yi was forced out of the village, he encountered Shen Qing (Cherrie Ying) by chance and is determined to help her during the troubled times at her restaurant “Four Seas”.
Here, he discovered a young cooking wonder, Lung Kin...
Jo had kept hatred in his heart for a very long time and did what he could to oust his uncle Wong Bing-Yi (Sammo Hung) from the village and to claim the rights to the “Dragon-Head Cleaver”, a symbol of power to the clan. As Wong Bing-Yi was forced out of the village, he encountered Shen Qing (Cherrie Ying) by chance and is determined to help her during the troubled times at her restaurant “Four Seas”.
Here, he discovered a young cooking wonder, Lung Kin...
- 1/30/2009
- by Al Young
- Screen Anarchy
Opened Friday, March 21
New York
"Fulltime Killer" imbues fast-moving action suspense with a vigorous visual style to explore the rivalry of two hired assassins, with playful tips of the hat to numerous crime films along the way. Directing duo Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai make the most of Hong Kong star Andy Lau's youthful charisma, which is at full throttle here. There's a fine chemistry of contrasts between Lau's exuberance and the quiet, slow-burning intensity Takashi Sorimachi brings to his role.
Based on a best-selling novel by Edmond Pang, the film was a hit on home turf in 2001. Word of mouth may entice audiences beyond genre fans during its Stateside limited release.
The story moves quickly into high gear, crisscrossing Asia as its two Hong Kong-based protagonists carry out deadly assignments, approaching their work from opposite ends of the spectrum. The preternaturally cool O (Sorimachi), a native of Japan who's traded in his original identity to become Asia's No. 1 assassin, is a man of few words who lives in the shadows. Hot on his heels is Lau's upstart Tok, a flashy, self-styled film buff who rhapsodizes about the art of trailers, draws direct inspiration from movies and takes undesirable jobs at bargain rates as he plots to challenge O's crown.
Toward that end, Tok becomes involved with Chin (Kelly Lin), the shy video-store clerk who moonlights as O's maid. He steps into her life with supreme confidence, albeit from behind a grinning Clinton mask (an overt nod to "Point Break"). In one of the film's most audacious scenes, Tok excuses himself from a cafe tete-a-tete with Chin to commit a quadruple hit in broad daylight -- and then returns breathlessly to their date. Soon, he's instructing her in the fine art of automatic weapons.
But Tok's swagger and brazenness belie a deep-seated fear, evidenced in his extreme physical reaction to close calls, among them a hair's-breadth encounter with a speeding subway train, tightly framed to heighten the tension. Two Interpol cops on his trail (Simon Yam and Cherrie Ying) unearth the supposed key to Tok's murderous ways, but this less-than-convincing back story feels beside the point. More successful dramatically are the film's sketched-in glimpses of O's psychology; his guilt over a past incident, depicted in haunting images, fuels his resolve when at last he makes his move with Chin.
The lead actors' appeal is especially apparent when their characters finally meet: The killers interact with striking ease, their mutual respect bordering on affection as they joke over dinner before the climactic showdown. The least effective of the film's action sequences, the battle between O and Tok serves as prelude to a postmodern twist that places Yam's Interpol cop center stage.
Compelling throughout, Lau and Sorimachi get strong support from the rest of the cast. To and Wai alternate adrenaline-rush set pieces with more brooding, contemplative scenes, using stylized interiors to express O's hermetic existence. The effective score, ranging from techno to classical, is a crucial element propelling the stark spin on anonymity vs. celebrity.
"Fulltime Killer" never takes itself too seriously and is as much a winking comment on movies as an exploration of human nature. When Lau's character cites an Alain Delon film, he could also be talking about his own project: "Not the best movie", he says. "But I like the style".
FULLTIME KILLER
Palm Pictures
Milky Way Image Co
and Teamwork Motion Pictures in association with CMC Magnetics Corp.
Credits:
Directors: Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai
Screenwriters: Wai Ka-fai, Joseph O'Bryan
Based on the novel by: Edmond Pang
Producers: Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai, Andy Lau
Executive producer: Shirley Lau
Director of photography: Cheng Siu-keung
Art directors: Silver Cheung, Jerome Fung
Music: Guy Zerafa
Editor: David M Richardson
Cast:
Tok: Andy Lau
O: Takashi Sorimachi
Lee: Simon Yam
Chin: Kelly Lin
Gigi: Cherrie Ying
Running time --100 minutes
No MPAA rating...
New York
"Fulltime Killer" imbues fast-moving action suspense with a vigorous visual style to explore the rivalry of two hired assassins, with playful tips of the hat to numerous crime films along the way. Directing duo Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai make the most of Hong Kong star Andy Lau's youthful charisma, which is at full throttle here. There's a fine chemistry of contrasts between Lau's exuberance and the quiet, slow-burning intensity Takashi Sorimachi brings to his role.
Based on a best-selling novel by Edmond Pang, the film was a hit on home turf in 2001. Word of mouth may entice audiences beyond genre fans during its Stateside limited release.
The story moves quickly into high gear, crisscrossing Asia as its two Hong Kong-based protagonists carry out deadly assignments, approaching their work from opposite ends of the spectrum. The preternaturally cool O (Sorimachi), a native of Japan who's traded in his original identity to become Asia's No. 1 assassin, is a man of few words who lives in the shadows. Hot on his heels is Lau's upstart Tok, a flashy, self-styled film buff who rhapsodizes about the art of trailers, draws direct inspiration from movies and takes undesirable jobs at bargain rates as he plots to challenge O's crown.
Toward that end, Tok becomes involved with Chin (Kelly Lin), the shy video-store clerk who moonlights as O's maid. He steps into her life with supreme confidence, albeit from behind a grinning Clinton mask (an overt nod to "Point Break"). In one of the film's most audacious scenes, Tok excuses himself from a cafe tete-a-tete with Chin to commit a quadruple hit in broad daylight -- and then returns breathlessly to their date. Soon, he's instructing her in the fine art of automatic weapons.
But Tok's swagger and brazenness belie a deep-seated fear, evidenced in his extreme physical reaction to close calls, among them a hair's-breadth encounter with a speeding subway train, tightly framed to heighten the tension. Two Interpol cops on his trail (Simon Yam and Cherrie Ying) unearth the supposed key to Tok's murderous ways, but this less-than-convincing back story feels beside the point. More successful dramatically are the film's sketched-in glimpses of O's psychology; his guilt over a past incident, depicted in haunting images, fuels his resolve when at last he makes his move with Chin.
The lead actors' appeal is especially apparent when their characters finally meet: The killers interact with striking ease, their mutual respect bordering on affection as they joke over dinner before the climactic showdown. The least effective of the film's action sequences, the battle between O and Tok serves as prelude to a postmodern twist that places Yam's Interpol cop center stage.
Compelling throughout, Lau and Sorimachi get strong support from the rest of the cast. To and Wai alternate adrenaline-rush set pieces with more brooding, contemplative scenes, using stylized interiors to express O's hermetic existence. The effective score, ranging from techno to classical, is a crucial element propelling the stark spin on anonymity vs. celebrity.
"Fulltime Killer" never takes itself too seriously and is as much a winking comment on movies as an exploration of human nature. When Lau's character cites an Alain Delon film, he could also be talking about his own project: "Not the best movie", he says. "But I like the style".
FULLTIME KILLER
Palm Pictures
Milky Way Image Co
and Teamwork Motion Pictures in association with CMC Magnetics Corp.
Credits:
Directors: Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai
Screenwriters: Wai Ka-fai, Joseph O'Bryan
Based on the novel by: Edmond Pang
Producers: Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai, Andy Lau
Executive producer: Shirley Lau
Director of photography: Cheng Siu-keung
Art directors: Silver Cheung, Jerome Fung
Music: Guy Zerafa
Editor: David M Richardson
Cast:
Tok: Andy Lau
O: Takashi Sorimachi
Lee: Simon Yam
Chin: Kelly Lin
Gigi: Cherrie Ying
Running time --100 minutes
No MPAA rating...
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