Starring and directed by action movie legend Sammo Hung, it was Encounters of the Spooky Kind that almost single handedly reinvented the action-horror genre in Hong Kong cinema. Watching the Hong Kong Legends excellent remastered DVD edition it's hard to believe, in fact, that the film is now over twenty-five years old...in fact it pre-dates the hopping vampires of that other cult classic Mr Vampire by several years. The HKL copy includes an extensive English language interview with Sammo Hung, a restoration featurette, excellent audio commentary by Bey Logan and is presented in the original Cantonese with remastered English subtitles.
The success of the film as a whole is undoubtedly down to the fact that it delivers on several levels. For horror fans there are some genuinely creepy moments with numerous revived zombies and vampires; Hung's comic timing is spot on as usual – the scene in which a zombie mimics his every move is almost Chaplin-esque; and the martial arts scenes, of course, are stunning. Sammo Hung may not look like an obvious choice as a kung fu maestro yet in spite of his large size his display of martial arts skills in the very long closing battle scene in which he is possessed by a series of Chinese deities is amazing - his possession by the monkey god in particular stands out as a demonstration of Hung's sheer acting and physical ability.
Fans of the Mr Vampire series will also spot Lam Ching Ling in the role of a local law man on Sammo Hung's trail.
A must for fans of Hong Kong action movies and its supernatural or, rather, spooky sub-genre!
A Martial Artist’s View of Jet Li’s Latest & Last Martial Arts Film: Fearless
By Dr. Gary S. Goodman
There must have been only a dozen people attending the Florida showing of Jet Li’s latest and reportedly last martial arts film, Fearless.
But numbers lie, because you can’t judge how “boffo” this film is from its box office numbers.
This is a gem, I’m sure you’ll agree, when you see it.
In this movie, Li’s character is descended from a father who could have been the martial arts champ of his province, if he hadn’t shown mercy and followed through with a punch he had already expertly launched at his adversary’s heart.
Li swore that he would redeem the family honor and win the title that eluded Papa.
As he journeys toward greatness, Li learns many things about love, life, revenge, and honor, and we see him mature as a martial artist and as a hero.
This movie is masterful at examining the role of restraint in a warrior’s life; a theme I have written quite a lot about, lately. Let me say, by the time the end of the movie is achieved, a great harmony between a battler’s motivations is consummated, almost improbably, but witnessing this outcome is very moving.
I suppose I knew that this was Li’s last contribution to martial arts films, and touched by this cinematic farewell as well as by the tightly woven story, I found myself immobilized as the credits ran.
Though you’ll see some good action and intense swordplay and wire-assisted leaps, this offering is more about internal strength than anything else.
You might see it and conclude as I did, that Li is the real deal, and most important, he leaves his fans and sometimes overly enthusiastic brawlers with more to ponder than their speed or athleticism.
He shows that the martial arts are a noble and humane endeavor, and their true aim is the perfection of character.
Best-selling author of 12 books and more than 900 articles, Dr. Gary S. Goodman is considered "The Gold Standard"--the foremost expert in sales development, customer service, and telephone effectiveness. Top-rated as a speaker, seminar leader, and consultant, his clients extend across the globe and the organizational spectrum, from the Fortune 1000 to small businesses. He can be reached at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.
Welcome to the Mondo China DVD store & reviews of Hong Kong movies of the past and present … Track down hard-to-find DVDs and VCDs or browse through the store or movie categories with posts about favourite Hong Kong movies, actors and directors.
![Encounters of the Spooky Kind VHS] New VHS Billy Chan Lung Chan Ti Hong C](http://www.mondochina.com/blog/images/e/350522093653_0.jpg)
![Jet Lis Fearless Blu ray] New DVD Jet Li Shidô Nakamura Betty Sun Yong Do](http://www.mondochina.com/blog/images/e/180803483303_0.jpg)
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