China, Hong Kong & Taiwan Challenge (Official, June 2020)

[Onderhond]

Last one for me! Didn't really have much room for "good" films this month, but was able to sneak in plenty of decent filler.



21. 3.0* - Summer Breeze of Love [Che Goh Ha Tin Yau Yee Sing] by Joe Ma (2002) [Hong Kong]

A surprisingly decent film from Joe Ma. A romantic comedy written around "the twins" doesn't sound too appealing on paper. Truth be told, you don't have to expect miracles from this film either, but Summer Breeze of Love turns out to be quite effective, offering light and easily digestible entertainment that never feels misplaced.

The film bathes in a warm summer glow, which is definitely part of the appeal. Some slick and attractive camera work certainly doesn't hurt either. Even Choi and Chung seem to be feeling at ease here. Not that Joe Ma asks a lot of their characters, the romance and the resulting drama is quite stereotypical, but they deliver on what they're asked to do.

The comedy is pretty typical for a Hong Kong film, which may put people off if they're not familiar with it, but even then the romance and light drama is probably enough to redeem this film. Summer Breeze of Love delivers exactly what it promises, and just as long as you don't expect anything too deep or serious that should be enough.

It's like discovering America

01. 3.0* - Monster Hunt [Zhuo Yao Ji] by Raman Hui (2015) [China, Hong Kong]
02. 2.5* - Troublesome Night 6 [Yam Yeung Lo 6: Hung Chow Hon] by Herman Yau (1999) [Hong Kong]
03. 3.0* - Winner Takes All [Chak Wong Ji Wong] by Jing Wong (1982) [Hong Kong]
04. 3.0* - The Magnificent Trio [Bian Cheng San Xia] by Cheh Chang (1966) [Hong Kong]
05. 3.5* - Giant Fish [Da Yu] by Yue Yin (2020) [China]
06. 2.0* - The Owl Vs Bombo [Mao Tou Ying Yu Xiao Fei Xiang] by Sammo Kam-Bo Hung (1984) [Hong Kong]
07. 2.0* - Youth [Fang Hua] by Xiaogang Feng (2017) [China]
08. 3.5* - Heroes Shed No Tears [Ying Xiong Wu Lei] by Yuen Chor (1980) [Hong Kong]
09. 2.0* - The Secret Rivals [Nan Quan Bei Tui] by James Nam, See-Yuen Ng (1976) [Hong Kong]
10. 2.5* - Treasure Hunt [Mou Ga Ji Bo] by Jing Wong (2011) [Hong Kong]
11. 3.5* - All's Well, Ends Well Too [Faa Tin Hei Si] by Clifton Ko (1993) [Hong Kong]
12. 2.0* - Touch and Go [Yi Chu Ji Fa] by Ringo Lam (1991) [Hong Kong]
13. 2.5* - When I Look Upon the Stars [Tian Xuan Di Lian] by Dante Lam [Hong Kong]
14. 1.0* - The Generation Gap [Pan Ni] by Cheh Chang (1973) [Hong Kong]
15. 1.5* - The Dragon Tamers [Nu Zi Tai Quan Qun Ying Hui] by John Woo (1975) [Hong Kong]
16. 3.5* - The Thousand Faces of Dunjia [Qi Men Dun Jia] by Hesheng Xiang, Qiuliang Xiang (2020) [China]
17. 1.5* - Winner Takes All [Da Ying Jia] by Clifton Ko (2000) [Hong Kong]
18. 2.0* - Happy Family [Fung Lau Ga Chuk] by Herman Yau (2002) [Hong Kong]
19. 3.0* - The Shaolin Avengers [Fang Shi Yu yu Hu Hui Qian] by Cheh Chang (1976) [Taiwan/Hong Kong]
20. 2.5* - The Golden Era [Huang Jin Shi Dai] by Ann Hui (2014) [China/Hong Kong]

[St. Gloede]

Ended up seeing one more:

Spoiler

1. Nanjing! Nanjing! / The City of Life and Death (2009, Chuan Lu) [China] 7/10
2. Ban jin ba liang / The Private Eyes (1976, Michael Hui) [Hong Kong] 5/10
3. Shijie / The World (2004, Zhangke Jia) 8.5/10 [China]
4. Tian mi mi / Comrades: Almost a Love Story (1996, Peter Chan) [Hong Kong] 6/10
5. Siu Lam juk kau / Shaolin Soccer (2001, Sthephen Chow) [Hong Kong] 5.5/10
6. Wong Fei Hung / Once Upon a Time in China (1991, Hark Tsui) [Hong Kong] 5/10
7. Xiao Bi de gu shi / Growing Up (1983, Kun Hao Chen) [Taiwan] 8/10
8. Tui shou / Pushing Hands (1991, Ang Lee) [Taiwan] 6/10
9. All the Corners of the World (1989, Ming-liang Tsai) [Taiwan] 7/10
10. Lixaing de ganqing xian / Li-hsiang's Heart Line (1991, Ming-liang Tsai) [Taiwan] 6/10
11. Gei wo yi ge jia / Give Me a Home (1991, Ming-Liang Tsai) [Taiwan] 7/10
12. Liang Shan Bo yu Zhu Ying Tai / The Love Eterne (1963, Han Hsiang Li) [Hong Kong] 5/10
13. Jin bi hui huang / Fujian Blues (2007, Robin Shouming Weng) [China] 7/10
14. Xi yan / The Wedding Banquet (1993, Ang Lee) [Taiwan] 6/10
15. Dao cao ren / Strawman (1987, Toon Wang) [Taiwan] 7/10
16. Hei an zhi guang / Darkness and Light (1999, Tso-chi Chang) [Taiwan] 7/10
17. Chou tin dik tong wah / An Autumn's Tale (1987, Mabel Cheung) [Hong Kong] 7/10
18. Se, jie / Lust, Caution (2007, Ang Lee) [Taiwan]? 8/10
19. Yin shi nan nu / Eat Drink Man Woman (1994, Ang Lee) [Taiwan] 7/10
20. Yang ya ren jia / Beautiful Duckling (1965, Hsing Lee) [Taiwan] 4/10
21. Si shui liu nian / Homecoming (1984, Ho Yim) [Hong Kong] 7/10
22. Tian guo ni zi / The Day the Sun Turned Cold (1994, Ho Yim) [Hong Kong] 7/10
23. Dong (2006, Zhangke Jia) [China] 7/10
24. Kong shan ling yu / Raining in the Mountain (1979, King Hu) [Taiwan]? 6/10
25. Hai tan de yi tian / That Day, on the Beach (1983, Edward Yang) [Taiwan] 7/10
26. Bu neng mei you ni / Cannot Live Without You (2009, Leon Dai) [Taiwan] 6/10

27.Heung Gong jai jo / Made in Hong Kong (1997, Fruit Chan) [Hong Kong] 6/10

In terms of new favourites (zero) or great films (3) this must be the weakest challenge I've participated in.

[sol]

Alright, the votes are open in the original post to elect the poster with the most sensible selection of stills representing Women in action and who wins side challenge 2 !

Huh? Since when was that the aim?

[frbrown]

Women In Action screenshots in one place

(The ones I managed to find - I'm having trouble finding the screenshots by cinephage, m-d-f, RBG, and wasabi )

frbrown (NSFW)

hurluberlu

jdidaco (NSFW)

Lonewolf2003

Onderhond

That's Cecelia Cheung. Hardworking woman, had to stay late to finish a job, rushed home to her son's birthday, got stuck in traffic, left her car and put on some roller skates, took a ramp and jumped a street, crashed into some water bottles, almost fell ... but was saved by a slick martial arts grandma. Because that's how Hong Kong women roll.

sol (NSFW)

[blueboybob]

86. [Hong Kong] Pan si dong (1967)

[RBG]

Spoiler

1. am zin 2/running out of time 2 - johnnie to (2001) hk
2. kong zhong xiao jie/air hostess - wen yi (1959) hk
3. wu lin sheng huo jin/holy flame of the martial world - chun-ku lu (1983) hk
4. rang zi dan fei/let the bullets fly - wen jiang (2010) hk
5. shang hai zhi yen/shanghai blues - hark tsui (1984) hk

6. ma yong zhen/boxer from shantung - chang cheh (1972) hk



one more under the wire

[hurluberlu]

Alright, the votes are open in the original post to elect the poster with the most sensible selection of stills representing Women in action and who wins side challenge 2 !

Huh? Since when was that the aim?

Most sensible, best, most awesome, most compelling selection... whatever the words it is all subjective voting.

[hurluberlu]

Women In Action screenshots in one place

(The ones I managed to find - I'm having trouble finding the screenshots by cinephage, m-d-f, RBG, and wasabi )

frbrown (NSFW)

hurluberlu

jdidaco (NSFW)

Lonewolf2003

Onderhond

That's Cecelia Cheung. Hardworking woman, had to stay late to finish a job, rushed home to her son's birthday, got stuck in traffic, left her car and put on some roller skates, took a ramp and jumped a street, crashed into some water bottles, almost fell ... but was saved by a slick martial arts grandma. Because that's how Hong Kong women roll.

sol (NSFW)

Nice effort, will try and complete later today!

[cinephage]

I must say the women in action bonus challenge is fantastic. It's a lot of fun of watching all these pictures, and going through them to vote. This is certainly on of the most enjoyable bonus challenges I've done. Thanks to everyone for playing along.

[OldAle1]

Singing and Swordfighting and such

Grace Chang quartet

1. Man Bo nu lang / Mambo Girl (Wen Yi, 1957) HONG KONG
2. Qing chun er nu / Spring Song (Wen Yi, 1959) HONG KONG
3. Kong zhong xiao jie / Air Hostess (Wen Yi, 1959) HONG KONG
4. Liu yue xin niang / The June Bride (Huang Tang, 1960) HONG KONG
5. Kuai can che / Wheels on Meals (Sammo Hung, 1984) HONG KONG
6. Ching nu yu hun / The Enchanting Shadow (Han Hsiang Li, 1960) HONG KONG
7. Qian jiao bai mei / Les Belles (Ching Doe, 1961) HONG KONG
8. Bai she zhuan / Madame White Snake (Feng Yueh, 1962) HONG KONG
9. Wutei jiemei / Two Stage Sisters (Jin Xie, 1964) CHINA
10. Da nao tian gong / The Monkey King / Uproar in Heaven (Wan Laiming/Cheng Tang, 1963) CHINA
11. Hu di bei / The Butterfly Chalice (Cheh Chang/Chiu Feng Yuan, 1965) HONG KONG
12. Bian cheng san xia / The Magnificent Trio (Cheh Chang, 1966) HONG KONG
13. Tie shan gong zhu / Princess Iron Fan (Meng Hua Ho, 1966) HONG KONG
14. Jin pu sa / The Golden Buddha (Wei Lo, 1966) HONG KONG
15. Yun hai yu gong yuan / The Jade Bow (Hsin-Yen Chang/Qi Fu, 1966) HONG KONG
16. Da ci ke / The Assassin (Cheh Chang, 1967) HONG KONG
17. Dong fu ren / The Arch (Shu Shuen Tong, 1968) HONG KONG
18. Xiao shi da kan / Honey PuPu (Hung-i Chen, 2011) TAIWAN

19. Qing shao nian nuo zha / Rebels of the Neon God (Ming-liang Tsai, 1992) TAIWAN

I've wanted to see this almost since it came out - since it first showed in Chicago anyway, which I think was before Tsai's next film Ai qing wan sui a couple of years later; I had a friend who raved about this. It probably just showed once at the Film Center, doubt it got an actual theatrical run, though in retrospect it's certainly the most "mainstream" and accessible of Tsai's early films, at least from dim memory of those. Tsai is one of those guys I was excited about in the 90s - saw all of his features apart from this one in the cinema new - but then lost track of after I moved away from the big city and couldn't see so many things on the big screen anymore. I've since caught up to one later feature and now this, and it was also an appropriate viewing after the previous night's Xiao shi da kan, also a portrait of youthful alienation, a couple of decades later. That film though is quite avant-garde in it's construction while this as I said is relatively straightforward, certainly by the director's standards. One kid, Hsiao-Kang (Kang-Sheng Lee, the director's usual muse, is bored with school and drops out, causing friction with his father, a taxi driver, and becomes obsessed with a trio of similar youths, two guys who are petty criminals and a beautiful clerk from a roller rink who has started sleeping with one of them. There are lots of little links between the characters, and scenes of small crimes and violence and "romance" without much tenderness, most in the neon glow and rainy streets of night-time Taipei. And there's a bit of pulsing music that keeps recurring that I swear I know from somewhere else that was driving me nuts. It's hard to say what this adds up to in the end except a portrait of the directionless and of a growing inability for connection among young people, but it doesn't dig particularly deeply, and what we are left with is mostly surface. Good thing it's a very beautiful surface that shimmers and glows.

20. Die wang jiao wa / Operation Lipstick (Umetsugu Inoue, 1967) HONG KONG

A totally obscure spy movie, though this one isn't really anything like a Bond copy - more a humorous blend of gangsters vs the feds and a nightclub singer (Pei-Pei Cheng, just stunning here) and her petty criminal "family" of pickpockets and fake-statue makers who get caught up in the search for a bronze lion with microfilm containing nuclear secrets. It's completely nonstop in it's action and goes from one set-piece to another at breakneck speed, pausing only for a couple of songs along the way. Lots of fun with nice use of day-glo colors, and lots of beautiful women. I guess this is in the end fairly typical of the lighter side of the spy/crime film from this era - think Matt Helm for example - in tone if not in the actual storytelling, which is a bit shaky as so often is the case in HK genre cinema. But it's quite enjoyable in the end even if I'll have forgotten it tomorrow. First check! And that's my third first check of the challenge, probably a record for me.

And that's it, all done. Thanks hurlu!

[flavo5000]

58. Xiao shi da kan a.k.a. Honey Pupu (Hung-i Chen, 2011) [Taiwan]
This interesting and unique film reminds me of a more abstract Michel Gondry at times with touches of Shinya Tsukamoto. While the plot seems to involve a girl who goes in search of her missing boyfriend, the movie seems more like an experiential visual and aural buffet with the fractured plot as more of a place setting. In fact, it actually reminds me in structure to the Japanese film Ruined Heart I watched last month. Also the soundtrack was phenomenal. I need to try to track it down somewhere.


59. Xi lu xiang a.k.a. The Kid (Fung Fung, 1950) [Hong Kong]
This mildly amusing but forgettable comedy is primarily known for being Bruce Lee's big debut role as a precocious orphaned boy who gets into all sorts of shenanigans.


60. San lung moon hak chan a.k.a. Dragon Inn (Raymond Lee/Siu-Tung Ching/Hark Tsui, 1992) [Hong Kong]
An atypical desert setting and a helluva climax make for a solid watch. At times I felt the cinematography and editing were a little at odds with the storytelling, but overall I thought it was pretty good.

Spoiler

1. Fang Shiyu yu Hong Xiguan a.k.a. Heroes Two (Cheh Chang, 1974) [Hong Kong]
2. Dung che sai duk a.k.a. Ashes of Time (Kar-Wai Wong, 1994)[Hong Hong/Taiwan]
3. Gu a.k.a. Bewitched (Chih-Hung Kuei, 1981) [Hong Kong]
4. Lung men bei chi a.k.a. Bruce's Deadly Fingers (Joseph Kong, 1976) [Hong Kong]
5. Geung si a.k.a. Rigor Mortis (Juno Mak, 2013) [Hong Kong]
6. Sai yau gei: Yut gwong bou haap a.k.a. A Chinese Odyssey Part One: Pandora's Box (Jeffrey Lau, 1995) [Hong Kong/China]
7. Sai yau gei: Sin leui kei yun a.k.a. A Chinese Odyssey: Part Two - Cinderella (Jeffrey Lau, 1995) [Hong Kong]
8. Wong Fei Hung III: Si wong jaang ba a.k.a. Once Upon A Time In China III (Hark Tsui, 1992) [Hong Kong]
9. Dong fu ren a.k.a. The Arch (Shu Shuen Tong, 1968) [Hong Kong]
10. Miao jie gu shi a.k.a. Mean Street Story (Andrew Lau, 1995) [Hong Kong]
11. Flight of the Red Balloon (Hsiao-Hsien Hou, 2007) [Taiwan]
12. Shan zhong zhuan qi a.k.a. Legend of the Mountain (King Hu, 1979) [Taiwan/Hong Kong]
13. Zhan lang a.k.a. Wolf Warrior (Jing Wu, 2015) [China]
14a. Chunyi: Legend of Kung Fu (Su Shijin, 2006) [China]
14b. Big Fish & Chinese Flowering Crabapple (Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun, 2004) [China]
14c. Ouran a.k.a. Accidentally (John Woo, 1968) [Hong Kong]
14d. Hua yang de nian hua (Kar-Wai Wong, 2000) [Hong Kong/China]
15. Ne Zha zhi mo tong jiang shi a.k.a. Ne Zha (Yu Yang, 2019) [China]
16. Gwai wik a.k.a. Re-Cycle (Pang Brothers, 2006) [Hong Kong]
17. Tai gik Cheung Sam Fung a.k.a. Tai Chi Master (Woo-Ping Yuen, 1993) [Hong Kong]
18. Hak se wui a.k.a. Election (Johnnie To, 2005) [Hong Kong]
19. Zhong hua zhang fu a.k.a. Heroes of the East (Chia-Liang Liu, 1978) [Hong Kong]
20. Liàn liàn fengchén a.k.a. Dust in the Wind (Hsiao-Hsien Hou, 1986) [Taiwan]
21. Gong woo a.k.a. Triad Underworld (Ching-Po Wong, 2004) [Hong Kong]
22. Xie mo a.k.a. The Devil (Jen-Chieh Chang, 1981) [Taiwan/Hong Kong]
23. Ai qing wan sui a.k.a. Vive L'Amour (Ming-liang Tsai, 1994) [Taiwan]
24. Ninja Terminator (1985)
25. Long quan she shou a.k.a. Dragon's Showdown (1980)
26. Thunder Ninja Kids in the Golden Adventure (1992)
27. Xi yang tian shi a.k.a. So Close (2002)
28. Hak se wui: Yi woo wai kwai a.k.a. Triad Election (Johnnie To, 2006) [Hong Kong]
29. Shi yue wei cheng a.k.a. Bodyguards and Assassins (Teddy Chan, 2009) [China/Hong Kong]
30. Hai shang hua a.k.a. Flowers of Shanghai (Hsiao-hsien Hou, 1998) [Taiwan]
31. Chu nu jiang a.k.a. Cannibal Curse (Yeung Kong, 1988) [Hong Kong]
32. San xia hao ren a.k.a. Still Life (Zhangke Jia, 2006) [China/Hong Kong]
33. Se ying diu sau a.k.a. Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (Woo-Ping Yuen, 1978) [Hong Kong]
34. Chin gei bin II: Faa dou dai zin a.k.a. The Twins Effect II (Patrick Leung/Corey Yuen, 2003) [Hong Kong/China]
35. Wong Gok ka moon a.k.a. As Tears Go By ( Kar-Wai Wong, 1988) [Hong Kong]
36. Gam yuk fung wan a.k.a. Prison on Fire (Ringo Lam, 1987) [Hong Kong]
37. Chi bi a.k.a. Red Cliff (John Woo, 2008) [China/Hong Kong/Taiwan]
38. Zui hao de shi guang a.k.a. Three Times (Hsiao-hsien Hou, 2005) [Taiwan]
39. Tun Men se mo a.k.a. The Rapist ( Chuen-Yee Cha, 1994) [Hong Kong]
40. Dayu haitang a.k.a. Big Fish & Begonia (Xuan Liang/Chun Zhang, 2016) [China]
41. Jin bei tong a.k.a. The Kid With The Golden Arm (Cheh Chang, 1979) [Hong Kong]
42. Tu Bian Ying Xiong Leaf a.k.a. To Be Heroine E1-7 (Li Haoling, 2018) [China]
43. Cai li fa xiao zi a.k.a. The New Shaolin Boxers (Cheh Chang/Wu Ma, 1976) [Taiwan/Hong Kong]
44. Tian zhu ding a.k.a. A Touch of Sin (Zhangke Jia, 2013) [China]
45. Qing mei zhu ma a.k.a. Taipei Story (Edward Yang, 1985) [Taiwan]
46. Zhan lang II a.k.a. Wolf Warrior II (Jing Wu, 2017) [China]
47. Tian jiang xiong shi a.k.a. Dragon Blade (Daniel Lee, 2015) [China/Hong Kong]
48. He liu a.k.a. The River (Ming-liang Tsai, 1997) [Taiwan]
49. Dragons Never Die (Chi-Hwa Chen, 1986) [Hong Kong]
50. Gui xin niang a.k.a. The Bride from Hell (Hsu-Chiang Chou, 1972) [Hong Kong/Taiwan]
51. The Farewell (Lulu Wang, 2019) [China]
52. Gui ying a.k.a. Baby Blues (Po-Chih Leong, 2013) [Hong Kong/China]
53. Yip Man 2 (Wilson Yip, 2010) [Hong Kong/China]
54. Nan bei tui wang a.k.a. The Leg Fighters (Tso Nam Lee, 1980) [Taiwan/Hong Kong]
55. Yeuk saat a.k.a. Red To Kill (Billy Tang Hin-Shing, 1994) [Hong Kong]
56. Dai juk hei kek a.k.a. Vulgaria (Ho-Cheung Pang, 2012) [Hong Kong]
57. Gwok chaan Ling Ling Chat a.k.a. From Beijing With Love (Stephen Chow/Lik-Chi Lee, 1994) [Hong Kong]
58. Xiao shi da kan a.k.a. Honey Pupu (Hung-i Chen, 2011) [Taiwan]
59. Xi lu xiang a.k.a. The Kid (Fung Fung, 1950) [Hong Kong]
60. San lung moon hak chan a.k.a. Dragon Inn (Raymond Lee/Siu-Tung Ching/Hark Tsui, 1992) [Hong Kong]

[Onderhond]

58. Xiao shi da kan a.k.a. Honey Pupu (Hung-i Chen, 2011) [Taiwan]
This interesting and unique film reminds me of a more abstract Michel Gondry at times with touches of Shinya Tsukamoto. While the plot seems to involve a girl who goes in search of her missing boyfriend, the movie seems more like an experiential visual and aural buffet with the fractured plot as more of a place setting. In fact, it actually reminds me in structure to the Japanese film Ruined Heart I watched last month. Also the soundtrack was phenomenal. I need to try to track it down somewhere.

Really glad you like it! Ruined Heart isn't Japanese btw, it's a film from the Philippines (even though it features Asano in the lead). Great film though

An atypical desert setting

You don't see it all that often, but it's not that unique either. There's Kar-Wai's Ashes of Time of course, if you want more modern action you could try Wind Blast or No Man's Land. Reminded me of U-Turn and the Coens. I'm quite partial to these desert settings myself.

[flavo5000]

58. Xiao shi da kan a.k.a. Honey Pupu (Hung-i Chen, 2011) [Taiwan]
This interesting and unique film reminds me of a more abstract Michel Gondry at times with touches of Shinya Tsukamoto. While the plot seems to involve a girl who goes in search of her missing boyfriend, the movie seems more like an experiential visual and aural buffet with the fractured plot as more of a place setting. In fact, it actually reminds me in structure to the Japanese film Ruined Heart I watched last month. Also the soundtrack was phenomenal. I need to try to track it down somewhere.

Really glad you like it! Ruined Heart isn't Japanese btw, it's a film from the Philippines (even though it features Asano in the lead). Great film though

Ah, my bad. I didn't actually look at the production country.

[flavo5000]

Btw, thanks hurluburlu for hosting! That women in action bonus was an entertaining one to browse through.

[OldAle1]

Glad to see someone else liked Honey PuPu as well. Ondherhond, you may actually get a favorite onto a list - push for the 500<400 maybe? It will likely be on my list, though I dunno, I've seen a lot of great fairly obscure films just in the past few months, and I'm limiting my own list to 501 choices. But I should really prioritize films like this that are on no official lists and really are obscure. I could imagine several other people here really taking to this (though I'm sure many more will dislike it - nature of the game). I also put it on my 2010s list so we'll see how it does there.

BTW do you know anything about the cinematography format? Looked to me like it was probably a mix of 35, 16, and digital but not being that knowledgeable I wouldn't want to do more than guess. IMDb credits don't say anything about it and a few minutes' time searching isn't giving me anything either. And is there a soundtrack available?

[flavo5000]

Glad to see someone else liked Honey PuPu as well. Ondherhond, you may actually get a favorite onto a list - push for the 500<400 maybe? It will likely be on my list, though I dunno, I've seen a lot of great fairly obscure films just in the past few months, and I'm limiting my own list to 501 choices. But I should really prioritize films like this that are on no official lists and really are obscure. I could imagine several other people here really taking to this (though I'm sure many more will dislike it - nature of the game). I also put it on my 2010s list so we'll see how it does there.

BTW do you know anything about the cinematography format? Looked to me like it was probably a mix of 35, 16, and digital but not being that knowledgeable I wouldn't want to do more than guess. IMDb credits don't say anything about it and a few minutes' time searching isn't giving me anything either. And is there a soundtrack available?

Looks like there is indeed a soundtrack: https://www.discogs.com/%E5%BC%A0%E5%8D ... se/3357313

Having trouble tracking down a copy though. Seems to be out of stock in the places I would usually look.

[Onderhond]

Glad to see someone else liked Honey PuPu as well. Ondherhond, you may actually get a favorite onto a list - push for the 500<400 maybe? It will likely be on my list, though I dunno, I've seen a lot of great fairly obscure films just in the past few months, and I'm limiting my own list to 501 choices. But I should really prioritize films like this that are on no official lists and really are obscure. I could imagine several other people here really taking to this (though I'm sure many more will dislike it - nature of the game). I also put it on my 2010s list so we'll see how it does there.

Not sure what you mean by "push". All I know to do is champion my favorites, but I'm not going to campaign for them I'm just happy people are watching them and some are liking them, can't ask for more

BTW do you know anything about the cinematography format? Looked to me like it was probably a mix of 35, 16, and digital but not being that knowledgeable I wouldn't want to do more than guess.

Not really up to speed when it comes to technical specs. My eyes know what they like, that's about it I'm afraid.

[OldAle1]

Not sure what you mean by "push". All I know to do is champion my favorites, but I'm not going to campaign for them I'm just happy people are watching them and some are liking them, can't ask for more

Well, my point is really that, given that you regularly complain that the various lists are all full of the usual suspects, you could - if you wanted - try to take a proactive approach to change that, and promoting films that you've seen a couple of other folks here appreciate is a way to do that. Most of us have huge numbers of films we want to see and it takes some guidance to get a film from the list of 10k potential watches to the list of 10, to actually watching it. I know you've made some efforts in the past of course but sometimes just working on one film is a better angle.

Not really up to speed when it comes to technical specs. My eyes know what they like, that's about it I'm afraid.

Ah OK, I guess I thought you were more technically knowledgeable than you are, or at least more than me. Probably there's some info in Chinese about it somewhere but I'm not going to spend a lot of time looking.

[Onderhond]

I know you've made some efforts in the past of course but sometimes just working on one film is a better angle.

I've tried doing that too, I even started off this challenge by pushing a director forward, but only 1 person watched 1 one his films And it's not like availability should be a big problem, his latest is even on Netflix (globally). I get why people aren't really inclined to just follow my lead though, but it makes it harder to push for something. And with few people watching films that a like, it's also quite difficult to pick films to push. I've entered Honey PuPu is the DtC selection a couple of times already, but with very little result.

Ah OK, I guess I thought you were more technically knowledgeable than you are

Nah, once you know how a magician does a trick, it loses its magic

[mjf314]

I only managed to watch 9/12 episodes of Burning Ice before the deadline. Based on what I've watched so far, I'd give it a 7.5/10.

I don't think it has any big flaws, but at the same time, I don't have a strong desire to watch the next episode. I feel like the characters aren't interesting enough, and it's not suspenseful enough. I liked Day and Night more (Day and Night is another Chinese crime drama).

[Lonewolf2003]

And the last for me:

30. Yang guang pu zhao [A Sun] (2019, Mong-Hong Chung) Taiwan: 7.0 - Very decent drama, but I didn't love it as much as many others seem to do. I don't know actually why, cause all aspects are very good; it looks great and the acting is top, especially from Yi-wen Chen, and the story is touching without being sentimental. Guess my main problem was that the movie covers so much time, I felt some parts only scratched the surface and are left undeveloped.

Spoiler

1. Liu lang di qiu [The Wandering Earth] (2019, Frant Gwo) China: 4.5
2. Zhong guo chao ren [Super Inframan] (1975, Shan Hua) Hong Kong: 7.8
3. Shen da [Spiritual Boxer] (1975, Chia-Liang Liu) Hong Kong: 7.8
4. Fei long zhan [The Dragon Missile] (1976, Meng Hua Ho) Hong Kong: 6.5
5. Jian hua yan yu Jiang Nan [To Kill with Intrigue] (1977, Wei Lo) Hong Kong : 4.8
6. She hao ba bu [Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin] (1978, Chi-Hwa Chen) Hong Kong/Taiwan: 7.0
7. Long quan [Dragon Fist] (1979,Wei Lo) Hong Kong/Taiwan: 6.8
8. Kwai tsan tseh [Wheels on Meals] (1984, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung) Hong Kong: 7.8
9. Long de xin [Heart of a Dragon/First Mission] (1985, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung & Fruit Chan) Hong Kong: 6.2
10. The Protector (1985, James Glickenhaus) Hong Kong: 6.2
11. Fei lung maang jeung [Dragons Forever] (1988, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung & Corey Yuen) Hong Kong: 6.8
12. Kei zik [Miracles: The Canton Godfather/Mr. Canton and Lady Rose/Black Dragon] (1989, Jackie Chan) Hong Kong: 6.8
13. Sing si lip yan [City Hunter] (1993, Jing Wong) Hong Kong: 6.2
14. Zhong an zu [Crime Story] (1993, Kirk Wong) Hong Kong: 7.2
15. Shaolin (2011, Benny Chan) China, Hong Kong: 6.0
16. Jue di tao wang [Skiptrace] (2016, Renny Harlin) China, Hong Kong: 5.8
17. Shao Lin men [Hand of Death/Countdown to Kung Fu] (1976, John Woo): 6.5
18. Hao xia [Last Hurrah for Chivalry] (1979, John Woo) : 7.0
19. Ying xiong wu lei [Heroes Shed No Tears] (1986, John Woo): 7.8
20. She diao ying xiong chuan [The Brave Archer] (1977, Cheh Chang): 5.5
21. Xue fu rong [The Vengeful Beauty] (1978, Meng Hua Ho): 6.2
22. Hong Wending san po bai lian jiao [ Clan of the White Lotus] (1980, Lieh Lo) (rewatch): 8.0 > 7.8
23. Wan ren zan [Killer Constable/Lightning Kung Fu] (1980, Chih-Hung Kuei): 7.5
24. Ren zhe wu di [Five Element Ninjas] (1982, Cheh Chang): 7.8
25. Chong xiao lou [House of Traps] (1982, Cheh Chang) Hong Kong: 5.8
26. Xin shu shan jian ke [Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain] (1983, Hark Tsui) Hong Kong: 6.0
27. Wu Lang ba gua gun [The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter] (1984) Hong Kong rewatch: 8.5 > 8.2 -
28. Yau doh lung fu bong [Throw Down] (2004, Johnnie To) China, Hong Kong: 8.0
29. Feng shen bang [League of Gods] (2016, Koan Hui) Hong Kong: 2.5

Thanks hurluburlu for hosting!

[Lonewolf2003]

I know you've made some efforts in the past of course but sometimes just working on one film is a better angle.

I've tried doing that too, I even started off this challenge by pushing a director forward, but only 1 person watched 1 one his films And it's not like availability should be a big problem, his latest is even on Netflix (globally). I get why people aren't really inclined to just follow my lead though, but it makes it harder to push for something. And with few people watching films that a like, it's also quite difficult to pick films to push. I've entered Honey PuPu is the DtC selection a couple of times already, but with very little result.

Make that two

[Onderhond]

100% increase

[Mario Gaborović]

31. Da hong deng long gao gao gua (1991) - China

Spoiler

01. Shen wei san meng long (1980) - Hong Kong
02. Proposition (2012) + Tricycle Thief (2014) + Death of a Parrot (2015) + The Identity of the Portuguese Egg Tart (2015) + The Great Debt (2016) + CaCa: I Want Cat to Say Yes (2017) + O Cravo (2017) + Desireland, Multiverse (2020) - Macao
03. Ying hung boon sik (1986) - Hong Kong
04. Guizi lai le (2000) - China
05. Ba wang bie ji (1993) - China
06. Huo zhe (1994) - China
07. Hong gao liang (1988) - China
08. Qi mou miao ji: Wu fu xing (1983) - Hong Kong
09. Pik lik foh (1995) - Hong Kong
10. Hung fan kui (1995) - Hong Kong
11. Yip Man (2008) - Hong Kong
12. Yip Man 2 (2010) - Hong Kong
13. Dung che sai duk (1994) - Hong Kong
14. Ah fei zing zyun (1994) - Hong Kong
15. Gui da gui (1980) - Hong Kong
16. Ouran (1968) + Sijie (1968) + Hua yang de nian hua (2000) + There's Only One Sun (2007) + 1 Dimension (2013) + Christopher Doyle: Filming in the Neon World (2014) - Hong Kong
17. Fuk sing go jiu (1985) - Hong Kong
18. Da zui xia (1966) - Hong Kong
19. Ni na bian ji dian (2001) - Taiwan
20. Xi yan (1993) - Taiwan
21. Saat po long (2005) - Hong Kong
22. Hai shang hua (1998) - Taiwan
23. Du bei dao (1967) - Hong Kong
24. Tui shou (1991) - Taiwan
25. Qiu Ju da guan si (1992) - China
26. Heung Gong jai jo (1997) - Hong Kong
27. Ye ban ge sheng (1937) - China
28. Jiang hu er nü (2018) - China
29. Tian qiao bu jian le (2002) + Deathigner (2013) + Off a Cliff (2014) + Coming Home (2015) + Xiao Kang (2015) + Mate (2016) + Mi mi jin yu (2016) + Neko (2017) + When the Silence Comes (2018) - Taiwan
30. Fu rong zhen (1987) - China

[hurluberlu]

OK I have completed the portfolio, thanks again for helping out frbrown !

cinephage

frbrown (NSFW)

hurluberlu

jdidaco (NSFW)

Lonewolf2003

morrison-dylan-fan

Onderhond

RBG

sol (NSFW)

wasabi

[frbrown]

[Lonewolf2003]

OK I have completed the portfolio, thanks again for helping out frbrown !

cinephage

frbrown (NSFW)

hurluberlu

jdidaco (NSFW)

Lonewolf2003

morrison-dylan-fan

Onderhond

RBG

sol (NSFW)

wasabi

I voted for sol. That Inframan gif (the first one) alone is enough for him to win, but even without that he had would win in my book.

[mjf314]

OK I have completed the portfolio, thanks again for helping out frbrown !

When I hear "women in action" I expect to see fighting, so anyone who posts non-fighting screenshots doesn't get my vote. I voted for sol. My 2nd choice would be Lonewolf2003.

[Lonewolf2003]

OK I have completed the portfolio, thanks again for helping out frbrown !

When I hear "women in action" I expect to see fighting

Me too

[Onderhond]

I'm sure there's a deeper learning about relationships here.

[wasabi]

I'm supervised to see my name in the list. Sol got my vote, who can resist a woman with eyes on her hands?

[ororama]

12. Shower (1999) * 94 min. (China)
13-16. The Victims' Game: Fingerprints (2020) *
The Victims' Game: News Report (2020) *
The Victims' Game: Candle (2020) *
The Victims' Game: Station (2020) *
The Victims' Game: Tattoo (2020) *
The Victims' Game: Final Wish (2020) *
The Victims' Game: Pemphis Acidula (2020) *
The Victims' Game: Umbrella (2020) * (Taiwan)

Spoiler

1. The Magnificent Trio (Chang Cheh, 1966) * 104 min. (Hong Kong)
2. Black Coal, Thin Ice (Diao Yinan, 2014) * 109 min. (China)
3.The Enchanting Ghost (1970) * 85 min. (Hong Kong)
4. The Bride from Hell (1972) 79 min. (Hong Kong)
5. The Ghost Lovers (1974) * 92 min. (Hong Kong)
6. Till the End of Time (1966) * 108 min. (Hong Kong)
7. Sweet and Wild (1966) * 87 min. (Hong Kong)
8. Demon's Path: Episode #1.1 (2018) * 26 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.2 (2018) * 25 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.3 (2018) * 26 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.4 (2018) * 26 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.5 (2018) * 26 min. (Hong Kong)
9. Organized Crime & Triad Bureau (1994) 91 min. (Hong Kong)
10. Taipei Story (1985) * 119 min. (Taiwan)
11. Demon's Path: Episode #1.6 (2018) * 25 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.7 (2018) * 25 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.8 (2018) * 26 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.9 (2018) * 24 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.10 (2018) * 25 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.11 (2018) * 24 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.12 (2018) * 26 min.
Demon's Path: Episode #1.13 (2018) * 26 min. (Hong Kong)

*First time viewing.

[hurluberlu]

Congrats to the Winners ! 恭喜 !

Rank	Participant	Count
1	blueboybob	86
2	flavo5000	60
3	sol	36
4	Mario Gaborović	31
4	hurluberlu	31
6	Lonewolf2003	30
7	St. Gloede	27
8	wasabi	22
9	Onderhond	21
10	OldAle1	20
10	jdidaco	20
12	ororama	16
13	cinephage	10
14	morrison-dylan-fan	9
14	mjf314	9
16	allisoncm	7
16	shugs	7
18	RBG	6
18	maxwelldeux	6
18	peeptoad	6
21	AB537	4
21	Ebbywebby	4
23	blocho	3
24	vortexsurfer	2
24	frbrown	2
26	VincentPrice	1

Side challenge	Winner
The pick master	sol
Women in action	sol
The Pangolin catcher	wasabi

OP updated with final tally and poll results !

Hope everyone had fun ! Cheers !

[Onderhond]

Thanks for hosting! Didn't play to win, but had a lot of fun talking about the films with others. I'm rarely very active in these challenges, but it felt like there was more discussion here than usually the case.

[sol]

Side challenge	Winner
Women in action	sol

Wow. Thanks for that, guys. The biggest thanks though probably goes out to Lonewolf2003 for turning me on to Infra-man, which is where I sourced that lady with eyes in her hand gif from.

And thanks for the results, hurlu. Will get these into the spreadsheet as soon as I can...

[Lonewolf2003]

Thanks for hosting! Didn't play to win, but had a lot of fun talking about the films with others. I'm rarely very active in these challenges, but it felt like there was more discussion here than usually the case.

Me neither. And I agree there was more discussion in this challenge than others which made the whole challenge extra interesting.