News

The Incorruptible 李洛夫奇案 (1993) - Hong Kong     Reviewed by Andrew Chan (FCCA)   The 90s was a great time for Hong Kong cinema and with films like “The Incorruptible” largely forgotten, just shows how many great films were made in the period. Starring “The Bund” famed Ray Lui who easily possesses the classic screen cinema look and appeal. It’s a shame that he never reach the heights of “The Bund” or “To be Number One”. Still, this is clearly a Lui starring vehicle and he holds his presence well throughout as Chief Chinese police inspector who leads the...

Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018) - US / China     Reviewed by Andrew Chan (FCCA)   One of the best things about the original Escape Plan was the ultimate action icons pairing of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sly Stallone. The complicated jail break sequence and structure makes the film more fun than it really should have been. The follow up is a low budget Chinese and American co-production that feels more like a DTV Van Damme or Seagal film than a Stallone affair. Given Stallone is 72, his presence and action sequences are limited to walking around the office and...

Black Mask (1996) - Hong Kong  (Original Cut)     Reviewed by Andrew Chan (FCCA)   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 of Legend, only to name a few classics. However, the original non-English dubbed...

Christmas at the Royal Hotel (2018) - Hong Kong     Reviewed by Andrew Chan (FCCA)   Along the lines of English language feature length films shot and independently produced in Hong Kong, like Joe Fiorello’s “Love Stalk”, Emily Ting’s “It’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong”, filmmaker Craig McCourry continues this niche with “Christmas at the Royal Hotel”. Shot entirely in Hong Kong and at times within set pieces created within McCourry’s place of residency, this film is surprisingly well shot, clearly attention for details for the 1940s era and some good and decent acting turns to round out the...

Namiya 解憂雜貨店 (2017) - China Reviewed by Andrew Chan (FCCA)Chinese remake of Japanese tearjerker Namiya is not exactly necessary, but on a tearjerking and nostalgic level, the film works to maximum effect and with its less complicated characters, simpler story telling, it is likely to reach a broader audience. Before launching into the review, I must admit that despite the slow pacing of the Japanese original, I thoroughly enjoyed it along with the performances and story. With the Chinese remake, despite knowing what will happen next, it still hits you where it matters and that’s perhaps precisely why Director Han...