Wednesday, July 27, 2011

More NSFW Shaw Bros. Lobby Cards!

GIRL WITH THE LONG HAIR (1975)
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A few more great Shaw Bros. lobby cards from my brutha from another mother, KW, who also sent along a few more NSFW images that I posted back in March.  Check those dirty images out HERE.  Above and below are from Ho Fan; he of the Vaseline lensed camera.  Though Ho Fan is more generally known as an artsy fartsy erotica maker, he could also be wonderfully playful, as he proved in 1975's, GIRL WITH THE LONG HAIR, starring Shaw Bros. sexpot, Dana.  Check out Sleazy K's review of the film HERE.  I believe it was one of the top films he watched in 2010!?  Unfamiliar with Ho Fan?  Sleazy K and I discussed him a bit in our Sex and Zen episode of our This Week In Sleaze Podcast.  If you haven't, check that out as well.
GIRL WITH THE LONG HAIR (1975)

CONFESSIONS OF A PRIVATE SECRETARY (1977)
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I have never seen CONFESSIONS OF A PRIVATE SECRETARY or heard of it for that matter.  Discovering that the film stars the oft nekkid Shirley Yu Sha-li puts this one on my radar.  I may have mentioned this before but doesn't Shirly Yu Sha-li look like Siu Yam-yam?  That's a lovely Shaw Sis sandwich I wouldn't mind being a part of.

WEDDING NIGHTS (1976)
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WEDDING NIGHTS is another Shaw film that I am entirely unfamiliar with and until KW sent along this cool pic, didn't know existed.  The film stars quite possibly my favorite Shaw Bros. actress, Chen Ping, whom throughout her career was never afraid to go 'there'.  And there is wherever your little mind could imagine.  She was a gamer.  And by gawking at the upper portion of this lobby card, ya'll know what I mean.....

LOST SOULS (1980)
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Another vicious lobby card from the 1980 Mau Dui-fai (T.F. Mous) roughie, LOST SOULS.  About 2 years ago, a Facebook buddy of mine actually befriended Dui-fai for a spell and was able to sit down with him and complete a very cool documentary on his career.  Unable to release the film as he wanted, my virtual buddy released the film on Youtube.  Check out part one below and then do yourself a HUGE favor by hitting up the rest of the film.  Amazing stuff and a damn fine job!

BLACK SUNSHINE: CONVERSATIONS WITH T.F. MOU (2010)
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MINI SKIRT GANG (1974)
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And bringing up the lovely rear is a film full of females with lovely rears, MINI SKIRT GANG.  MINI SKIRT GANG had only been available in an unsubtitled version for the English speaking masses but has since been fan-subbed and uploaded around the interwebs.  And gosh love the fella who did so.  The film beautifully boasts the aforementioned gamer, Chen Ping and Scandinavian charmer, Birte Tove.  It's irreverent fun finely mixing dopey comedy and T&A.  Look for it and love it.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Her Judgement Day-剃刀情人 (1993)

 HER JUDGEMENT DAY- (1993)

HER JUDGEMENT DAY is another movie I have yet to come across.  Not for lacking of searching (There is a janky copy floating around somewhere online).  I have had my feelers out for this flick for some time now and I have finally tracked it down.  A virtual buddy of mine in good ole HK has a VCD and will be making a copy of it for me.  Oh happy day! This virtual world friendship thing is paying off in spades....and dvd-r's!

Speaking of virtual world friends, a few weeks back I posted that I in fact met up with a virtual friend for dim sum in C-town.   He brought along a poster tube full of goodies for me.  After our grazing on cha siu bao, dan ta, and other assorted push cart fare we said our 'so longs.'  I was giddy like a little school girl and couldn't wait to get home and open the package.  Once Wei and I got back to the car, my X-mas morning excitement got the better of me and I tore into the tube.  This poster was the first one that greeted me.  If you could have seen my face.  My drawers became immediately moist.  Gosh love my virtual friends!  He surprised the crap out of me with this poster, and a few more CAT III beauties that I hope to post soon.
 
The poster for HER JUDGEMENT DAY looks absolutely bad-ass with the lovely Mondi Yau Yuet-ching clutching a bloody straight edge.  I'm fearing the worst with this film, though.  I have been searching far and wide for so long that I quite possibly built it up too much.  I put the Pu**y on a pedestal, so to speak.  I'm hoping against hope that HER JUDGEMENT DAY is leaps and bounds better than I expect?  The film also stars Jimmy Lung Fong, Wu Ma, Suen Hing, Lo Lieh, and William Ho Kau-kui and was directed by Lau Hung-chuen, who directed the solids DEVIL FETUS and CHAMPION OPERATION.  So, I think I'm safe?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Eight Hilarious Gods (1993)

 THE EIGHT HILARIOUS GODS (1993)

It's hot as cross buns here in NY and as I sip on my Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee, I really have little strength to post much.  So, here's a hot and sticky quickie for ya.   I have not seen THE EIGHT HILARIOUS GODS but by the cast list; Sandra Ng Kwun-yu, Rosamund Kwan Chi-lam, Big Silly Head, Ng man-tat, Adam Cheng Siu-chow, and Lawrence Cheng Tan-shui, the film looks (or maybe it's just the poster) to in fact be 'hilarious'.  So, here's a nice and blurry look at the poster.  And that's all I have to say about that!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Princess Madam (1989)

PRINCESS MADAM aka UNDER POLICE PROTECTION aka ANGEL PROTECTORS (1989)
This poster has seen better days but it's comes straight outta HK and is well over 20 years old.  It's been around the block....and then some!  As was I by the age of 20.  Cut and paste overlord Godfrey Ho Jeung-keung's 1989 foxes with firearms actioner is a rather coherent delight, in respects to his other smush-'em-up productions.  Having the always fine Moon Lee Choi-fung and Michiko Nishiwaki bash about usually signals a good time, and here it does, but it's Sharon Yeung Pan-pan who is the actual star of this she-ra show.

Michiko Nishiwaki and Liu Kai-chi

Anthony Tang Ho-gwong and Yueh Hua

Kenneth Tsang Kong and Cheng Yuen-man

Sharon Yeung Pan-pan

Moon Lee Choi-fung

Sharon, Moon, and Michiko in a menage-a-trois....of action.


The film is swift fun and rather enjoyable.  Michiko Nishiwaki is the villainess and is so wonderfully sexy and dangerous.  She and the great HK film jack of all trades, James Ha Chim-si, even get to live it up with a little CAT III specialness.  It's good times.  And when isn't it good times when 3 sexy ladies get down on it?
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Check out my limey buddy's blog, A Gwailo In Hong Kong, who reviewed this very movie a few days back. He's a cool cat who traipses through the streets of Lan Kwa-fong nightly looking for sweet ex-pat punani.  My man!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Tsui Hark and Lung Kong @ the 2011 NYAFF

I'm exhausted!  This past weekend was my final weekend at the NYAFF and it couldn't come soon enough.  On Friday night I hit up the midnight showing of THE STORY OF RICKY.  I hadn't seen the film in years and the version being showed was an old Tokyo Shock/Media Blasters 35mm print.  It was dubbed to boot and possibly the ONLY fun way to see a midnight show!?   The audience was modest (it WAS a Friday night in the big city) but lively and in the mood for the kind of madness provided by RIKI-OH.  The requisite hoots, hollers, rolling-in-the-aisle laughter, and applause were in abundance and the entire over the top experience was infectious.  I could have sat there and watched it all over again.  But, it was now approaching 2 a.m. and I had to get the heck home.  I'm an old fart and need to be in bed at a decent hour. I got back to home base at around 4:30-ish and I was, of course, over tired, and wound up hitting the hay around 7?!  Thank goodness I had Saturday off from the fest.
Sunday came and I had REIGN OF ASSASSINS and DRAGON INN on my NYAFF dance card.  Still not quite recovered from my Friday midnight madness I ditched REIGN OF ASSASSINS in favor of an extra hour or two of sleep.  I have already seen the film and thought it was....meh.  Skipping the flick was an easy choice, even though director Su Chao-pin was presenting the film in person.  I began the usual fest ritual of hopping the LIRR to Penn and walking from Penn up to Lincoln Center.  Bypassing slow footed, slow witted, flip flop wearing, out-of-towners, and cursing them under my breath as I swiftly passed by.  Sweating my bags off the whole way but saving money!  While in line for DRAGON INN, the REIGN OF ASSASSINS show let out.  In the lobby area I spotted a few autograph seekers chatting up an Asian fella as he signed their programs.  Was this guy, Chao-pin?  I asked the girl in front of me if she could hold my place in line, she agreed, and I whipped out my DVD copy of REIGN OF ASSASSINS and approached.  I asked if he would be able to autograph my DVD and he graciously did so.  This guy WAS Chao-pin.  Dressed in a t-shirt and khaki shorts.  Stylin' and profilin'.  A very undistinguished man that I wouldn't be able to pick out of a line-up.  Very nice though, indeed, and he handed the DVD back to me with a kind, "Sank you." And I returned favor.  Well, I didn't say, "Sank you," but "Thank you."  We both smiled and nodded as he turned to take a picture with another annoying fan.  I returned to my place in line.

REIGN OF ASSASSINS


DRAGON INN began and it had to have been at least a dozen years since I had last seen it and it was almost like going in fresh.  I forgot how wild, sexy, and fun it was!?  Just before the film started, I noticed actor/director Lung Kong walking into the theater with his wife.  They sat two rows in front of me.  Lung Kong (don't worry if you have no clue who he is) I only knew from one of the movies he made, THE STORY OF A DISCHARGED PRISONER, which John Woo re-imagined into A BETTER TOMORROW.  I haven't seen the film as the only version available is unsubed.  And I only knew who he was this year on sight because he attended last years NYAFF in which Simon Yam acknowledged him in the audience.  This year, as last year, he flew in under the radar without anyone knowing who he was.  I do have to say, I felt very cool actually knowing who he was.  Anyway, the 76 year old legend nodded off a few times during the film, making his wife poke him awake a few times.  It was cute and very funny. After the show, one of the festival coordinators, Grady Hendrix, introduced Tsui Hark, who produced AND 'shot' some of the film.  Hark's imprint is apparent.  Pictures of their exchange are peppered throughout this post.  An excellent interview and Tsui was very informative, especially speaking about the heyday of HK cinema and the fever pitch productions of the time.
After the film I hung around for a few minutes to catch up on my IPhone shit that I missed during the film and to stick around in the beautifully air conditioned theater before trekking back to Penn in the 90 degree heat.  I decided to take off just in time.  It was kismet.  As I walked down the stairs from the theater, who was in front of me?  Tsui Hark and Lung Kong!  Perfect timing.  At the bottom of the stairs another fan stopped and asked for Tsui's autograph and then a handful of people followed suit.  I was one of them.  Tsui was all smiles and very happy to accommodate everyone.  There was one douche fan who broke the rules, though.  This ass-face had Tsui sign about 10 DVD covers while the rest of us waited.  Poor Tsui happily signed each and every one of them.  And what's more, the DVD covers were from BOOTLEGS!  The nerve of this douche nozzle!  Anyway, after signing a few more DVD covers it was my turn and Tsui amusingly let out an, 'Oooh!' as he gazed at and then signed my copy of PEKING OPERA BLUES.  He seemed pleased?  I was also able to wrangle a quick picture with him.  It was tops!

Me and my BFF, Tsui Hark.  We are slated to marry this coming fall.

PEKING OPERA BLUES


As Tsui posed for a few more pics, Lung Kong and his wife stood aside, again, Lung not drawing any fanfare as no one knew who he was?  Me, giddy with delight at feeling too cool for shule at knowing who Lung Kong was, took a quick pic of he and his wife.  Feeling ballsy, I then asked if he would like to take a picture with me.  After hesitating a bit, he nodded, and said, "Ok."  After the pic, he drew his attention toward my CAT III t-shirt, pointing at it and asking me, "Do you know what this means?"  I, without a question did, and answered, "Yes!  Category III!"  He smiled and said, "Oh. Ok," and continued to laugh a little.  I was on top of the f'ing world, and I floated back down to Penn with about 15 minutes to spare before my train home.  Stopped by T.G.I.Fridays for a lovingly frosted pint of good ole' Bud Light.  I guzzled that swill in about 4 minutes and hopped on the train.

The Oily Maniac and Lung Kong

The following day, now even more tired, I ventured into the city again.  My morning large-ass coffee wasn't working so when I hit Penn Station I picked up a Red Bull.  The low-carb one, of course, because I have to watch my moobies.  Lugging these bad boys back and forth uptown in 95 degree weather is quite a strain.  Beating my path up too the theater I flew by the usual 'on holiday from the former Eastern Bloc' tourists as I decided to change course and walk up 9th ave. instead of the heavily congested 8th.  And it was lovely.  A breeze to walk and tourist lean.  I would also like to give props to the Asian girl wearing a white see-thru summer dress.  You apparently don't know any better and while your parents may not have loved you, I sure as heck do!  I believe a bra and undies are appropriate when wearing a dress made of white gauze, but you don't.  And that's OK!  Thanks for making it a very CAT III day!
I had 2 films to gear up for.  First, Tsui Hark's THE BLADE and the next, Hark's DETECTIVE DEE.  Like I mentioned earlier, by this day, I was just swimming.  I had off from work a few days for a staycation of sorts but it was anything but with all of the to and fro.  I already had it in my mind that I would hit up THE BLADE, hang for the Star Asia Award ceremony where Tsui was being presented a lifetime achievement award, being held in between films, and then hit the road and miss DETECTIVE DEE.  Like with REIGN OF ASSASSINS, I already saw DEE and wouldn't lose sleep missing it.  I had also made plans to meet up with a fellow NY blogger, Diana, from the great CANTODREAMING blog.  She was attending DEE.  Just before reaching Lincoln Center, a few blocks before, I heard screams and screeches of delight.  The kind that only pre-teen girls emit when they come across a Tiger Beat heartthrob in the flesh.  As I approached I saw a huge crowd gathering.  Blocking the sidewalk and spilling out int the middle of 9th Ave.  WTF was going on over there?  Why are these people blocking my way to see Tsui Hark?!  A trio of teeny bopper girls shot passed me towards the crowd, knocking into me with their clunky knock-off Coach bags, tripping over their flip-flops and almost face-planting on the sidewalk.  Thousands of people packed into Lincoln Centers fountain area.  I really didn't care to know the reason at this point.  All I knew is I was going to have to detour a block over to 10th and tack on another 10 minutes to my sweaty excursion.  It wasn't until the introduction of THE BLADE that I found out what all the hullabaloo was about?  The cast of the new Harry Potter film was milling about as the new Potter film was premiering on an outdoor screen erected in Lincoln Centers fountain area.  Daniel Radcliff or Tsui Hark?  Who would you choose?  Emma Watson?!?!
As with DRAGON INN I hadn't seen THE BLADE in gosh knows how long and it was like the first time seeing it.  Also of way cool note, it was reported that this is quite possibly the LAST time THE BLADE will ever be seen on the big screen due to a certain bastard U.S. production company owning the rights and refusing to give it ANY type of release.   So, THE BLADE went off without a hitch and it was more ferocious and exciting than I had recalled.  I'm really glad I made it to the show.  After the film I was just struggling to stay awake.  I was tired as heck, hungry, and becoming cranky.  Like a little brat kid.  I couldn't wait to get home.  There was no way in heck that I could hold out for DEE.  Diana made her way into the theater and we finally met up after only knowing each other virtually.  We hit it off (right, Diana?) and shot the breeze for a little while before the awards ceremony began. It was unfortunate that we couldn't talk longer but I'm sure we will hook up at some other HK film event in the future.   
The Star Asia Awards were up just before the DEE screening.  And guess who was sitting directly in front of me?  Lung Kong.  I took a pic of the back of his head, because I'm a loser and that's the sort of shit I do.  Anyway, Tsui was announced and got a wonderful standing O.  Grady summoned Lung up onto the stage as it was his duty to present Tsui with the NYAFF Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award.  Lung and Tsui embraced.  And I got choked up.  A great moment.  Lung spoke beautifully, in choppy English, about his friendship with Tsui and of Tsui's work.  It was a touching and heartwarming recalling and it left me grinning from ear to ear.





The Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award



After Tsui received his Lifetime Achievement Award, the NYAFF crew took the stage to present Tsui with yet another Lifetime Achievement Award.  They surprised Tsui with a 'REST-OF-YOUR-LIFETIME' Achievement Award for ALL of his future films.  It was a very funny scene as Tsui hoisted the award over his head for a prime photo op.
Tsui's 'REST-OF-YOUR-LIFETIME' Achievement Award

These ARE the TEN COMMANDMENTS!

After the award ceremony and just before I ducked out, Tsui came back out on stage to introduce DETECTIVE DEE.  He spoke briefly on the history of Dee and who the Empress Wu (Carina Lau in the film) was.  Another fine round of applause as Tsui exited the stage and the 2011 NYAFF.  As the production company logo lit up the screen, I hit the bricks.
I dogged it back down 9th.  Through Hell's Kitchen and the young hip night time denizens chowing down on the ethnic grub the area is well known for.  I tiredly ambled down towards Penn, swigging from my warm water bottle, thinking of Tsui, my see-thru gauze dressed mama, and my bed.  I was drenched in sweat by the time I got to Penn and wildly hungry.  I grabbed a chicken/ricotta slice, inhaled it, and caught the train back home to LI.  NYAFF 2011 down.  What's in store for 2012?

Saturday, July 9, 2011

The Blue Jean Monster (1991)

THE BLUE JEAN MONSTER aka MONSTER WORE JEANS (1991)

One of the coolest posters in my collection, and a non CAT III one to boot, is for the kick-ass heyday flick, THE BLUE JEAN MONSTER.  Big Silly Head aka Shing Fui-on, deals one of his best performances and doesn't even play a gangster!  In a largely sympathetic yet wild as all get out role, Big Silly stomps all over this everything-but-the-kitchen-sink beauty as a recently deceased cop who sticks around in limbo to catch the ne'er do wells that struck him down AND to watch after his pregnant wife and make sure his first born is...well...born before he passes through on to the next world. The movie also sports lusty busty Amy Yip Ji-mei and puts her mammary glands to use in one of the most memorable scenes in all of HK cinema.

I was able to find the laserdisc on Ebay for about10 bucks, including shipping, and just got it a few days ago. 
Hooray!  I'm suddenly thirsty for milk?  Weird?

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Don't Call Me Gigolo (1993)

DON'T CALL ME GIGOLO (1993)
I recently found a copy of the rare CAT III title, DON'T CALL ME GIGOLO, starring Stuart Ong, Ku Feng, Tsui Man-wah, Shum Wai, and my brudda, Charlie Cho Cha-lee.  The 'gigolo' flick in HK cinema hit it's zenith in the early 90's days of CAT III cinema.  Simon Yam Tat-wah made a memorable handful like the  two GIGOLO AND WHORE films, CASH ON DELIVERY, FRIDAY GIGOLO, and HONG KONG GIGOLO.  Here, Stuart Ong dons the male whore pants in this god awful, turgid CAT III drama.  There.  I said it.  It's out there.  See.  I don't like EVERY CAT III movie around.  Then again...HK films are like sex and pizza....

The crap plot has Stuart the duck unwittingly getting mixed up in the gigolo trade as he needs money to send back home to his ailing mother.  In between bouts of male whoring he falls for a lady.  At least I think that's the plot?  I was propping my eyelids open with toothpicks for this one.  Snoozers.  Charlie Cho is the only bright spot in this slow moving turd as he plays his usual prick character.  Magnificent bastard Shum Wai appears as well as the venerable Ku Feng who plays a stately pimp!?  If you are curious, there is a torrent floating around out there.  Seek and ye shall find.  And eventually be lulled to sleep by this turkey full of duck talk.

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The NYAFF is still rolling along.  This weekend sees some BIG Hong Kong/China/Taiwan  happenings with THE STORY OF RICKY, ZU: WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN, REIGN OF ASSASSINS, DRAGON INN , PUNISHED, THE BLADE, OCEAN HEAVEN and DETECTIVE DEE screening.  If you aren't into these films (then please leave this page and never return) there are also a TON of other Asian films locked, loaded, and ready to be shot all over your chin, neck, and chest.  Also on the dance card this coming week:  BKO: BANGKOK KNOCKOUT, CITY OF VIOLENCE,  THE CHASER, VERSUS, THE YELLOW SEA, and other films that I know nothing about.  If you are in the big city, please do yourself and your longtime companion a favor and take in one of these cool flicks. 

As a bit of an aside, I watched BLACK SWAN last night and noticed that it took place in and around Lincoln Center.  Sooooo, to sweeten the deal, after you check out one or two of the flicks @ the NYAFF you can traipse around the grounds, duck in to a dance studio or two and see if Natalie and Mila, or two anorexic chippies with inner demons who resemble them, are gettin' it on.  You can make a day of it!

Please support the NYAFF by buying tickets HERE.  Thanks! 

Monday, July 4, 2011

PUNISHED @ The New York Asian Film Festival And A Quick Trip Into C-town

The 2011 NYAFF started this past Friday and I made my first trek in on Saturday to see the new Milkyway flick PUNISHED.  Now, I wasn't excited because it was a Milkyway pic or that Anthony Wong Chau-sang was in it.  Nooooo.  I was giddy with glee because my best buddy Charlie Cho Cha-lee had a small part in the film.  It was my first time seeing Cho on the big screen and I was full of nervous excitement. 
Even though we are far removed from the days of Charlie hanging out in his tightie whities and sexing up young tarts, the idea of seeing my beloved friend in ANY movie was excitement enough.  I hopped the LIRR in to Penn station and decided to hike it on up to the Walter Reade theater in favor of using mass transit.  I wanted to save a few bucks and it's only 2 miles.  2 long, hot, and sweaty swamp-assed miles.  But, whatever. 
2.05 miles later I was in the air conditioned confines of the Walter Reade theater, on line to see PUNISHED.  No special guests were appearing today so it was a just a nice, easy going, movie experience.  None of the clamour that surrounds some of the more special screenings that the fest offers.  That was until 3 douches sat next to me just before the lights went low.  I moved one space over, because that is the unpacked movie theater courtesy.  A buffer zone that these shits didn't care or know about.  The film started and their gosh damn lips didn't.  Jabberjawing to each other as the film went, a man in front of me turned to them and, "Shhhhhhhh."  The talking sank to a whisper.  And then a louder whisper.  A loud whisper kinda defeats the purpose of a whisper?  Right?  So, the loud whispers gave way to good ole fashion being rude.  Adding film commentary like, "Ooooh.  that's a nice desk!", in reference to a piece of furniture that Anthony Wong had in his office.  Are you f'ing kidding me?  Really?  You are commenting on that!?  This nonsense went on for a little while longer until our saviors, a gentleman and his lady friend who were sitting directly in front of the 3 douches turned to them and said, "Would you please SHUT THE FUCK UP!?"  In beautiful harmonious unison.  It was warranted and NYC polite.  They did say, "Please."  The previous 'Shusher' and I leaned over to the couple and said, "Thank you."  Our 3 douches were not heard from again.
In between our 3 douches fracas a movie was going on.  And Mr. Cho made his first screen appearance out of about a handful of brief moments.  And boy let me tell you...I damn near cried with joy.  I had a brief flash or nervous, panicky excitement and I whipped out my Iphone to capture Cha-lee's shining moment (The video is above).  He's a bit more weathered and older, obviously.  There is an accentuated sophistication actually.  His portrayal of a put upon employee of the asshole character Anthony Wong plays is quite nuanced and even a touch heartbreaking.  The films tone is decidedly serious and violent, but, the films sole LOL scene is put upon Charlie.  It's a small, simple, wonderful performance and I really hope that it brings about a resurgence of sorts for Mr. Cho.   His days of tapping fine and not so fine starlet backside may be well behind him but as an assured elder statesmen of HK cinema, I would just be overjoyed to see him in more local mainstream productions.  Bit part or not.  Bring on the Charlie Cho renaissance!
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Sir Charles aside, I might be the wrong person to speak about PUNISHED.  Being a Milkyway production it is, of course, competent and well made.  It just isn't fresh.  It is not the worst move by To and Co. and it's also certainly not near their best efforts from the late 90's.  My penchant for HK genre films aside, just a little, when I watch films like PUNISHED, or other recent Milkyway films for that matter, I begin to think that HK cinema has actually regressed in the past 20 years.  In the context of the other HK films on theNYAFF 2011 docket, ZU: WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN, DRAGON INN, THE BLADE, and STORY OF RICKY, a movie like PUNISHED does not fit.  Not in terms of the festival line-up but in the lexigon of Hong Kong Cinema. I understand times and tatses have changed (and other production elements that i'm not mentioning here to avoid a longer diatribe) and the HK cinema landscape is wholly different but the imagination once seen in HK cinema has really languished.  Again, genre differences aside, but how could you pit the mind and energy present in THE BLADE or DRAGON INN to the slow,'thoughtful', and sometimes faux toughness (I once called it 'Arthouse Testosterone') artsiness in the contemporary PUNISHED?  Hands down it's the former.  This difference will not make me jump ship to other Asian cinemas as it has sadly done to most HK cinema fans.  Before you lambaste me, i'm not saying it's ALL Milkyway's fault, but they are HK's forerunner for the globe.  It's becoming a played out discussion, I know, but even with the played out Milkyway formula, I'm still on board.  Just get your head out of your ass HK cinema.  Think, gosh dang it!  Think!

The following day, Wei and I headed into Chinatown to meet up with a couple of Canuck friends for dim sum and do a little HK movie shopping.  The dim sum was delicious but the HK movie shopping was less fruitful.  I might own way too many movies?  My selections are becoming few.  HK movie shopping aside we decided to make a nice day of it and stroll around a rainy days C-town, duck into a few stores, take some pics, and enjoy some bubble tea before heading home.  Check out some posters splashed throughout C-town.





My canuck friend brought with him a few posters that I bought off of him, pictured above.  There are some fantastic goodies in this batch and I hope to get around to posting them sometime soon.  Which in my speak translates to a year or two from now.  Check out my buddies two blogs, Kung Fu Fridays and Popcorn and Sticky Floors. 
Above is the paltry selection I scored in C-town.  HI, FIDELITY, DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART, MR. AND MS. INCREDIBLE, and WHAT WOMEN WANT.  I forwent plunking down an overpriced buck on THE LOST BLADESMEN and LET THE BULLETS FLY, trying not to be too lossey-goosey with my money  and only picked up the cheaper 4 movies mentioned.  I can wait to see the latter two and buy used on Ebay.
And finally, to put the perfect stamp on a great weekend, Wei surprised me with a new Ipod.  Specially inscribed just for me!  How cool is that and how wonderful of a gal is Wei!? I think I'm marrying the right girl!?  Now I can roll around naked in my vhs collection and make sweet loving to my laserdiscs while listening to an adult contemporary mix!