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Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:34:05 +0000

100 Ways to Murder Your Wife | 殺妻二人組 | Saatt Chai Yri Yan Zouh

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Two football stars Kenny Bee and Chow Yun-Fat are unhappy with their wives Anita Mui and Joey Wong. One drunk night they decide that it would be easier if they murder each others wives. Despite the title and how the plot sounds, the film is infact a very light and silly comedy.

There is not much depth to the storyline. Just a series of events that string together great little bits of comedy.

All the four main leads perform well. With this being a comedy, Chow Yun Fat changes up his typical hero like smoothness for a bit more of a crazy comic style which works well here. His comical frustrations keeps the pacing alive and interesting. Kenny Bee is his usual good & decent simpleton, now conflicted to murder a person. Anita Mui plays the wife, annoyed with her husband, perfectly and is very relatable. Joey Wong during this period, as long as she's not a ghost, was mostly eye candy and just keeps prancing around. But still nothing to detract from her performance.

Kenny Bee makes his directorial debut in the film and is the only film he has directed till date. But the presence of Wong Jing, as producer, shows his mark on the movie. Despite all of that Kenny Bee has had a tremendous effect in improving the tone of the film. It has a mellowed down the onslaught of whackiness of the typical Wong Jing film to more pleasing levels.

The visuals and music are typical for the genre, mostly indoors, not much of a spectacle. What music is there is pleasant and themeatically releavant.

Overall, its a great light movie to watch to lift your spirits up despite the odd title. It will provide plenty of laughs and will keep you well entertained in the 90 odd minutes you spend with it.

A Road Less Traveled | 一路有你 | Yhat Lrou Yrauh Nreih

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The story involves a truck driver, Louis Koo, who accidentally rams a man crossing the highway during his route in the countryside. Soon he feels guilt towards the victim's wife and this eventually develops into a complicated relationship. Karen Mok, who plays his girlfriend, tries bringing him out of his complex feelings and the lure of the country life.

Although the script seems overly setup, the direction and acting compensate to make a pleasantly enjoyable film. Towards the end, the film artificially tries to add some needless drama but then again, it wouldn't be a HK movie if it doesn't.

Louis Koo is his regular charismatic self. He doesn't vary his acting too much between films but somehow fits into the many roles. You'd either love his persona or find him incredibly monotonous. Karen Mok turns in a great performance as the dedicated girlfriend who is pragmatic and caring in her own way.

The visuals and cinematography is great. It sets the viewer in those places and gives a good sense of ambience.

The movie is very enjoyable, as long as you are willing to take in a slow pace and ambience.

All Night Long | 夜瘋狂 | Yre Fhung Kong

Sun, 06 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Carol Cheng's night is thrown into chaos when she tries to escape some holigans and ends up taking a ride in a dying gangster's car. She and the three other ladies she meets at the convenience store spend the night frantically avoiding the cops and suspicion when they try and hide the loot of the now dead ganster.

The plot is full of near misses and conincidences which are very entertaining and keeps the audience at the edge of the seat. The climax of the film is a bit undeveloped and seems rushed.

Carol Cheng does her usual outstanding performance. Its almost like she's somebody else. She plays the no-nonsense typical school teacher, who just wants the day to end, pretty much perfectly. Elizabeth Lees portrayal of the cousin of the convenience store girl, is charming and convincing. Wu Ma plays the cop incidentally at the store to the others' great discomfort. As always he is lovably funny and provides alot of niuance. Stanley Fung is a let down and together with the final act of the film, can be written off. Despite this stumble the movie still does good and is worth watching.

The movie has odd flashes of great style but then goes back to the regular genre, but is nevertheless very entertaining.

BB 30 | BB 三十 | BB Shaam Srap

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Lawyer Kenny Bee, is being reported to have an mental checkup, when he meets Carol Cheng the Doctor doing the report. Things don't start off on a positive note but things resolve in this comedy.

The plot tries to be surprising at times but overall standard HK stuff. It tries to open up many minor story lines but has no intention to develop or resolve them. It casually takes on some really serious themes but goes absolutely nowhere with them either comedically or otherwise. The humor has some moments but at times a bit overdone.

Kenny Bee and Carol Cheng are their usual great selves. Benz Hui plays his part as the annoying and sneaky friend who lands them in trouble. Its a bit odd to see him a bit slim than his later appearances. Suki Kwan plays the girl who has a crush on Kenny but she's too innocent that the role sometimes comes off a bit creepy. Michael Chan is also amazing as her jealous boyfriend.

The production is not too great and is typical of the movies of the time. The title of the film is quite misleading and one can be forgiven to expect it to be some story about a Car, like I did. There are moments in the plot that feel like such a thing was attempted when you see things like the hospital's problem linking with the lawyer being hired to claim compensation. The setup is there in the script to create that sort of conincidences with the characters, but they may have backtracked for some reason. So we don't get to see such situations play out.

Overall, It tries to inconsequentially add some drama, plot and romance but doesn't fully develop them. But still fine for the odd joke here or there.

Daddy, Father, Papa | 老豆唔怕多 | Lrouh Drau M Paaa Dho

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Gift from Heaven | 打工狂想曲 | Daah Ghung Kwong Seuhng Khuk

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Carol Cheng, Joey Wong and Sandy Lam are office colleagues, who become friends due to repeatedly being late for work. After one late night of OT while helping Joey, they find a bag with huge sums of cash. Throwing caution to the wind, they take the loot home, only to later they find the office investigating the incident.

The story premise and writing is top notch. It has a lot of humor and the characters have unique quirky personalities which makes it curious to watch, though some feel like tacked on shtick. The setup also is very intriguing and story progression is handled well.

The direction though wasted a bit of the plots intrigue. After the intial building of the premise, the film has a stagnating middle where nothing meaningful happens. It just goes through time without any meaningful plot or humor. It follows by rushing through some backstory to help highlight the characters. The Final act is very interesting and gets back on track which helps finish the movie on a positive note.

Carol Cheng is her usual flamboyant self. Joey Wong plays a slightly different role than the usual. It's also a bit odd to hear her normal voice after having all her lines dubbed before. Sandy Lam plays the third friend and is very anime-esque. Derek Yee although billed in the star cast, turns in a minor role. Its more of a multiscene cameo. Overall the interplay between the 3 leading actresses is great and works well.

The production values are great for the time it was filmed. The music though at times doesn't seem to match the theme, but grows on you over time. In terms of the nostalgia, it offers just a small glimpse into the life in the 80's.

Overall a enjoyable film to watch. A bit of time is wasted in the middle but makes up for it by the end. The stress the plot puts on the characters and how they handle it to resolve things, is interesting to watch.

Happy Bigamist | 一屋兩妻 | Yhat Qhuk Lreuhng Chai

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Anthony Chan gets re-married after getting dumped by his wife, Pat Ha. After losing all her money she decides to move back into his house, frustrating his new wife Anita Mui. Things take a turn when Kenny Bee is introduced and jeolousy takes over, in this light and simple comedy.

Contrary to the marketing of the film, Anthony Chan directs and leads while Kenny Bee make an appearance only later on. Given the sucess and popularity of Kenny Bee during that time, it is understandable that the box art and descriptions project a bigger role than was afforded. Nevertheless it is adequate. The story is simple enough and not very realistic but the situation allows for some great comedy. You have a man living in with both his wife and ex-wife who are at odds. He slowly starts to enjoy his position only to have it threatened by the new man.

The acting performance is simply great by all the stars. Anthony Chan is funny as the pragmatic outspoken husband. Kenny Bee is lovable and smart as the new boyfriend of his ex-wife. He plays the amicable yet stern guy well. Anita Mui is solid as the threatened but dedicated wife. Together they bring a lot of laughter to the silly and funny situations. Pat Ha performs well, her character as stylish and a bit serious but not much of humour on her part.

There is a nice bit of comedy in the Chinese Opera theatre which is not to be missed. While also having some great music and stylistic choices, but they somehow they seemed a bit disconnected from the film. But given that the main draw is the comedy this may be overlooked and may even be considered a bonus curio.

Although, on paper the plot seems like serious topic, the movie keeps the tone of film quite light and entertaining.

The movie is a nice experience, keeping the viewer entertained and can be recommended to watch atleast once.

Inspector Chocolate | 神探朱古力 | San Taamm Zhyu Guh Lrik

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Michael Hui is a inspector, after bungling cases, is put in charge of a kidnapping case. He and is colleague Ricky Hui are now joined by his boss's daughter Anita Mui who also is a Miss HK contestant. Together they investigate the case.

The script is wonderful. It suceeds in somehow managing to blend comedy with a thrilling investigation. Some bits feel tacked on but the acting performances help blend that in nicely.

The acting is simply excellent from all of the main cast. The supporting actors not so much, yet still keeps us engrossed. The actors also keep the comedy and investigation progressing in harmony. Michael Hui is great as the cynical detective in the case, handling his bumbling partners. Ricky Hui complements him perfectly. Anita Mui performance is the best, playing the comic to perfection. Sibelle Hu, plays a TV chef and is the mother of the kidnapped kid and her role is a bit subdued due to the character being the victim.

Movie production is great. It has some great action sequences slightly different from typical HK films but still very entertaining. The music is also well suited and goes well with the mood and theme.

It has all the themes of 80's HK movies and blends a bit of 70's style to it. The pacing is great, and always keeps the interest whether comically or with the investigation. Definitely worth a watch or two! One of my favorite films.which is a comedy thriller about a inspector investigation the kidnapping of a TV chef's kid

Mainland Dundee | 表哥我來也 | Biuh Gho Ngroh Loi Yraah

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

A Mainland official, Kenny Bee, is sent to Hong Kong to check on the functioning of an antiques office. He gets to meet and live with his old time Hong Kong friend Ng Man-Tat. Things get petty with their Taiwanese neighbour, Lam Kau and his daughter Teresa Mo.

The film tries to make a comedy of conflicting cultures of Hong Kongers, Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese. It is a bit sucessful, in that it actually picks a bit of contrary opinions and avoids certain cliches that you might expect. It also highlights how the youth are essentially over the hangups of the elders. It begins to create a plot midway through but it's very typical, not too complex and spends more time on the comedy. But at the same time most of the bits aren't inherently funny.

This leads into the acting. Many of the scenes are made effective only by the acting. Kenny Bee doesn't do much, just being his amicable self which is adequate. The banter between Ng Man-Tat and Lam Kau is great in which they outperform the material. Teresa Mo is great but the script doesn't do justice to her talents. Gabriel Wong is great and keeps us entertained as in all the side roles he does and this is no exception. Mimi Chu is kinda annoying but I guess its by design.

Overall a typical late-80s/early-90s comedy, worth a watch if you have access to it but not something special to look out for. It definitely wouldn't bore you, but don't expect too much out of it either.