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Film Review: The Boxer from Shantung 馬永貞(1972) - Hong Kong (Shawscope Volume 1) (Arrow Video)  Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia) "The Boxer from Shantung," directed by the legendary Chang Cheh, is a captivating martial arts drama that transports viewers to the gritty world of 1920s Shanghai. Chen Kuan Tai delivers a powerful leading performance as Ma Yongzhen, showcasing his imposing physical presence and intense screen presence. Chen's portrayal of Ma's transformation from an innocent newcomer to a resilient fighter is emotionally charged and convincingly executed, keeping the audience thoroughly engaged. The film gains further intrigue with...

Film Review: King Boxer 天下第一拳 (1972) - Hong Kong (Shawscope Volume 1) (Arrow Video) Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)   “King Boxer”, also known as “Five Fingers of Death”, is a Shaw Brothers martial arts masterpiece that delivers thrilling action, a captivating storyline, and memorable characters. Directed by Korean filmmaker Jeong Chang-hwa, this 1972 Hong Kong film has earned its status as a classic in the genre. The film follows Cheng Chao-an (Lo Lieh), a talented martial artist who finds himself caught in a web of betrayal and treachery as he trains under Master Lei Ming (Tien...

Film Review: Black Mask 黑俠 (1996) (Blu Ray) (2 Discs) (Limited Edition) (Eureka Classics) (English Subtitled) (US Version)   Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)   One of Jet Li’s final Hong Kong film before heading for Lethal Weapon stardom plays like a Hollywood popcorn action comic book hero blockbuster. Always a pleasure to witness Li don similar black mask as the legendary Bruce Lee’s Kato. For Li fans, the film action sequences and storyline is probably subpar to his stellar 90s effort that includes Once Upon a Time in China series, Fong Sai Yuk and Fist...

Film Review: Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (九龍城寨之圍城) (2024) Hong Kong 🇭🇰 Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia 🇦🇺)   2024 Hong Kong cinema needed a much needed boost and it arrived in the martial arts phenomenal epic - “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” with big stars and rising stars all wrapped within the walls of the legendary Kowloon Walled City in the heyday of crime and drugs of the 80s. This is easily the best martial arts film out of Hong Kong in years and the dedication shown by the director Soi Cheang, all...

Film Review: Fly Me to the Moon 但願人長久 (2024) Hong Kong 🇭🇰   Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia 🇦🇺 ) Based on her own true story, director, writer and actress Sasha Chuk managed to do almost the impossible, by creating a very personal story into something that is relevant universally and equally heart felt from start to finish. The story follows a young immigrant family from Mainland China struggling to settle in Hong Kong as we witness different decades of this personal journey. This is another Hong Kong film to watch that is equally socially relevant...