The Movie Thread Reloaded

Bedrockbrendan · February 26, 2025, 10:24:00 AM

My copy of the 88 Blu-ray of The Lady Assassin came last night and I watched it. It is only 90 minutes so a fast view. The film is directed by Tony Lou, who has a cameo as a Japanese bodyguard hired by the emperor (he seems to be very ninja-like but it is a little unclear exactly what he is meant to be from the subs). Tony Lou did a number of gonzo wuxia films like Holy Flame of the Martial World (one of my favorite), Lovers Blade and Bastard Swordsman (the one with the transformative cocoon). He also did movies like Holy Virgin Versus the Evil Dead (which is good too but a kind of schlock-fest).

The Lady Assassin came out in 1983, and stars Leanne Lau, Norman Chu, and Lau Wing. There are plenty of other familiar faces like Ku Feng and Jason Pai Piao. This one is not quite as crazy as a movie like Holy Flame of the Martial World but still pretty intense when it comes to the fight choreography. It is a palace Intrigue based on real history and folk legend about the death of the Yongzheng Emperor who was the fifth emperor of the Qing Dynasty. This period and in particular court intrigue set in this period is usually not as interesting to me as other wuxia stories. So The Lady Assassin had to work a bit harder to secure my interest. Right from the beginning I was captivated by it and my mind never started to wander. While it isn't filled with fights in every moment, there are plenty of fight sequences and the fight sequences themselves are quite entertaining. The characters are all well done and nicely performed. Norman Chu stands out, as does Leanne Lau. And I liked Jason Pai Piao's character (he is a haughty right hand man to the emperor who is incredibly ambition). The plot revolves around the royal succession as the emperor is dying. The two possible heirs seem to be Fourteenth Prince (played by Max Mok) and Fourth Prince (played by Lau Wing). Fourth Prince conspires with a literary Han rebel (played by Ku Feng) to alter his father's will (after discovering it names his brother heir). He promises to end the anti-Han policies of the Qing in exchange for the man's help. He succeeds with the help of the man's daughter Lui Siniang played by Leanne Lau). As might be expected the expected, the Emperor doesn't hold true to his word and it all culminates in an assassination plot of revenge by Norman Chu's Tsang Jing and Leanne Lau. However the emperor has recruited japanese fighters and ninja's to protect him so the final confrontation is pretty spectacular. Overall I really enjoyed this. I might give it a rank of 7, and that could go up or down on further viewings as there is a lot to go back to and enjoy for a 90 minute film. I really liked the Norman Chu role and his relationship with Lui Siniang. Lau Wing was great as teh villainous fourth prince. The action choreography and the physical performances in them are what make the movie truly work. Everything looked tight and dazzling. I think also it creates a strong sense of place and atmosphere.

yosemitemike · February 26, 2025, 07:47:56 PM

Quote from: Bedrockbrendan on February 26, 2025, 09:48:02 AMI am kind of intrigued as I haven't seen this one yet. Would you say it is way out of line with other wuxia and kung fu from the 90s (lots of crazy dutch angles, strange lighting and misting effects), or simply a doubling down of those elements?

It's a doubling, tripling and quadrupling down of those elements. It leans into this stuff so hard that it becomes incoherent. That's the opening scene. There's no preamble or setup. They don't set up the situation or introduce any of these characters at all. You are just thrown into that. The rest of the movie is as badly shot as that.

Bedrockbrendan · February 26, 2025, 07:52:36 PM

Quote from: yosemitemike on February 26, 2025, 07:47:56 PM
Quote from: Bedrockbrendan on February 26, 2025, 09:48:02 AMI am kind of intrigued as I haven't seen this one yet. Would you say it is way out of line with other wuxia and kung fu from the 90s (lots of crazy dutch angles, strange lighting and misting effects), or simply a doubling down of those elements?

It's a doubling, tripling and quadrupling down of those elements. It leans into this stuff so hard that it becomes incoherent. That's the opening scene. There's no preamble or setup. They don't set up the situation or introduce any of these characters at all. You are just thrown into that. The rest of the movie is as badly shot as that.

That is a shame. I have been looking for something to watch on prime that I haven't already seen. I just did the thing where you pay not to see ads, but discovered there is still a tier of movies (many of the martial arts films) that are "Watch only with ads", which means even if you pay extra you still have to sit through a bunch of of advertisements (I guess there is a distinction between "with ads" and "only with ads")

yosemitemike · February 26, 2025, 10:30:32 PM

Quote from: Bedrockbrendan on February 26, 2025, 07:52:36 PMThat is a shame. I have been looking for something to watch on prime that I haven't already seen. I just did the thing where you pay not to see ads, but discovered there is still a tier of movies (many of the martial arts films) that are "Watch only with ads", which means even if you pay extra you still have to sit through a bunch of of advertisements (I guess there is a distinction between "with ads" and "only with ads")

I think it's all the Freevee stuff since that used to be its own ad supported service. Amazon seems to have a lot more romance/melodrama oriented wuxia while Tubi has more of the action heavy stuff. Amazon also seems to have a lot more TV series while Tubi has more movies.

Bedrockbrendan · February 27, 2025, 01:42:18 PM

Quote from: yosemitemike on February 26, 2025, 10:30:32 PM
Quote from: Bedrockbrendan on February 26, 2025, 07:52:36 PMThat is a shame. I have been looking for something to watch on prime that I haven't already seen. I just did the thing where you pay not to see ads, but discovered there is still a tier of movies (many of the martial arts films) that are "Watch only with ads", which means even if you pay extra you still have to sit through a bunch of of advertisements (I guess there is a distinction between "with ads" and "only with ads")

I think it's all the Freevee stuff since that used to be its own ad supported service. Amazon seems to have a lot more romance/melodrama oriented wuxia while Tubi has more of the action heavy stuff. Amazon also seems to have a lot more TV series while Tubi has more movies.

I am checking out Tubi now (I haven't seen it before). You are right. I see a number of wuxia films on there

Omega · March 03, 2025, 11:02:12 PM

While we are on a MA kick.

Came across this weird one from the Shaw Brothers.

Oily Maniac.

Bedrockbrendan · March 04, 2025, 10:02:29 AM

Quote from: Omega on March 03, 2025, 11:02:12 PMWhile we are on a MA kick.

Came across this weird one from the Shaw Brothers.

Oily Maniac.

I remember that one being interesting. I can't recall if I liked it or not. A lot of those Shaw Brothers horror movies are deliberatively trying to gross out the audience (i.e. Boxers Omen or Black Magic)

Bedrockbrendan · March 04, 2025, 10:03:24 AM

Started Watching The Sword by Patrick Tam last night. So far it is good but I started late so need to finish the rest today

Omega · March 04, 2025, 01:03:55 PM

Had a glance at the new-ish Kenneth Branagh Hercule Poirot movies and just did not like the one saw. Sets look good at least. Well those that arent CGI'd in of course.

While looking up who all has played Poirot and came across this Japanese adaption of Murder on the Orient Express.

yosemitemike · March 04, 2025, 03:31:24 PM

I found a movies series called Trek of the Mutants. Maybe it's a TV series? It must have been decently popular because there's apparently eight of them. I can't find a whole lot about it. It's not great but it's decently entertaining with some good characters. The CGI is a bit low rent but not terrible. This are the most ttrpg-esque wuxia movies I have ever seen. I could easily see starting a fantasy wuxia game and getting just these characters. They are the classic motley crew of characters with each having their particular niche. The story even feels like an rpg campaign. After a prologue introducing the villain, it starts with a "You meet some bandits" scene where the characters can show off their abilities with a side of "Everyone introduce their characters".

Edit
I am thinking this is actually a TV series. It looks like 1-6 all came out in 2017 and then there was a two episode sequel series in 2019. I can't find any of the sequel series available for streaming though.

Bedrockbrendan · March 04, 2025, 04:23:49 PM

Quote from: yosemitemike on March 04, 2025, 03:31:24 PMI found a movies series called Trek of the Mutants. Maybe it's a TV series? It must have been decently popular because there's apparently eight of them. I can't find a whole lot about it. It's not great but it's decently entertaining with some good characters. The CGI is a bit low rent but not terrible. This are the most ttrpg-esque wuxia movies I have ever seen. I could easily see starting a fantasy wuxia game and getting just these characters. They are the classic motley crew of characters with each having their particular niche. The story even feels like an rpg campaign. After a prologue introducing the villain, it starts with a "You meet some bandits" scene where the characters can show off their abilities with a side of "Everyone introduce their characters".

Edit
I am thinking this is actually a TV series. It looks like 1-6 all came out in 2017 and then there was a two episode sequel series in 2019. I can't find any of the sequel series available for streaming though.

I keep seeing that one too (and I think it is probably a series as well).

If you are looking for something for inspiration this show gave me a lot of ideas (it does get a bit melodramatic at times and is very glossy: one of these newer Chinese drama series where everyone has perfectly unblemished skin and clothes): https://youtu.be/IMNL2r3fQfk?si=DXcRHtN-7Y8VWCL0

Omega · March 04, 2025, 08:09:51 PM

I saw a bit if Trek of the Mutants when it first came out. It has this weird mix of live sets and on location shots, and some really amateurish fight scenes and some dodgy CGI. I'd lost track of it as just didnt grab me at the time. (Wait? Its not a post apoc mutant series? awwwwww!)

Heres some bits of it with the sound really messed up. But gives an idea of what was like.

Bedrockbrendan · March 04, 2025, 10:38:44 PM

Quote from: Omega on March 04, 2025, 08:09:51 PMI saw a bit if Trek of the Mutants when it first came out. It has this weird mix of live sets and on location shots, and some really amateurish fight scenes and some dodgy CGI. I'd lost track of it as just didnt grab me at the time. (Wait? Its not a post apoc mutant series? awwwwww!)

Heres some bits of it with the sound really messed up. But gives an idea of what was like.

That does look pretty heavy on the CGI lol.

Bedrockbrendan · March 04, 2025, 10:41:02 PM

Finished The Sword. Really good movie. This one was solid, and has everything I want in a wuxia film. Great bad guy role for Norman Chu. Adam Cheng is fantastic as the hero. Perfect theme song (at least for me). It is a simple story but there is emotional weight behind it. Action is spot on. I definitely want to go back and watch it again (if I can I would like to grab it on Bluray too). Did a review here: https://thebedrockblog.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-sword-casual-review.html

yosemitemike · Reply #1664 - Re: The Movie Thread Reloaded

Quote from: Bedrockbrendan on March 04, 2025, 10:38:44 PMThat does look pretty heavy on the CGI lol.

It is and it's TV tier which is another reason I think it was probably a TV series.