Hong Kong Movies...Not just kick flix anymore...

I started with HK film in the early 70's. I loved the Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest kick flix.

Currently HK Film covers a huge range of subjects, they aren't just kick flix anymore. I am a huge fan of the Ghost Comedies, the stupid lowbrow comedies and the Action movies.

Be aware though, the Action Movie genre does not consist solely of John Woo and Tsui Hark. Personally, I'm not at all fond of either of them. There are many better directors and as much as I enjoy the work of Chow Yun Fat, he is hardly the only actor in Hong Kong.

I'm quite partial to the inspired lunacy of Steven Chow Sing Chi. Its like watching the 3 Stooges on acid. He and Ng Man Tat are willing to make complete fools of themselves without the least concern. No subject is off limits and no person safe. I feel for Cheung Hok Yau...They torch him at every chance.

On that note...Singers are very important to Hong Kong cinema. They are practically forced to be in films by their fans, who can never get enough of them. Andy Lau Tak Wah, Leon Lai Ming, Anita Mui Yim Fong, Aaron Kwok Fu Shing and Jacky Cheung Hok Yau are the largest examples of crossover stars.
Then there are the Cat III slasher/sex films. Simon Yam Tat Wah and Anthony Wong Chow San made their marks here. Anything can and will happen in these films, especially if it concerns graphic violence and/or naked women. The rape stuff tends to be tedious and creepy but the violence is usually quite artful and fun. It is nowhere near as graphic as a Jason movie but its much more inventive and interesting.
The least familiar genre is the "ghost" movie. There are Erotic Ghosts, Hopping Vampires, Wolf Women, Witches, Zombies and other assorted monsters. They are generally beaten off by the master ghostbusters, Lam Ching Ying or Wu Ma. They generally have two idiot assistants for cute value and humor value, but you always know they will defeat the evil and save everybody.
If you like light romantic comedies, you're in luck. This is a really popular form along with the Gangster/Triad movies. Of Course HK has its "art" cinema as well. There's a lot to choose from.

Kung Fu Cult Cinema

Sites on Hong Kong Movies

Some good sites for Hong Kong Movie information.

Another Hong Kong Movie Page - lots o useful links.
Views from the Brooklyn Bridge- fun stuff and good links.
Girls Guide to HK Movies
Asian FilmLinks - Lots of good stuff here!
Lonewolf's HK Moviestars
Kung Fu Superstars List
Asian Movies List

and if you must own it...

Tai Seng Video
Yesasia - A nice selection.
FiveStar Laser
DVD Empire
Ocean Shores Video

For PAL....
http://www.madeinhongkong.co.uk - Made in Hong Kong, based in the UK
http://www.chinatownvideo.com.au - Chinatown Video, based in Australia

Author: Black Tauna blktauna @ shawstudios . com