The God of Cookery 食神

 Released Year: 1996

Directed by 周星馳 Stephen Chow & 李力持 Lee Lik Chi

Casted by:

周星馳 Stephen Chow as 史提芬周 Stephen

莫文蔚 Karen Mok as 火雞 Turkey

谷德昭 Vincent Kuk as 唐牛 Bull Tong

吳孟達 Ng Man Tat as 財團老闆 Uncle Rich

李兆基 Lee Siu Kei as 鵝頭 Ngo Tau

劉以達 Lau Yi Tat as 夢遺大師 Mung Wau

薛家燕 Nancy Sit as 薛家燕 Nancy

羅家英 Law Kar Ying as 食神大賽司儀 Host

Story: 

Stephen Chow, is a corrupt celebrity chef who secretly knows very little about cooking, runs a successful business empire, and is willing to hawk any product for a price. Arrogant and cocky, Chow is dubbed the "God of Cookery" and appears as a judge for culinary competitions rigged to make him look good.

Bull Tong, posing as an understudy and conspiring with Chow's business partner to overthrow him, exposes Chow as a fraud during the opening ceremony of Chow's 50th restaurant. Bull is declared the new "God of Cookery" and takes over Chow's corrupt empire. Ruined, Chow lives on the streets in an area known as Temple Street. There, he orders a bowl of "Assorted Noodles" from disfigured and uncouth food cart owner Turkey, and criticizes it for its lack of taste, terrible preparation, and unsanitary ingredients. During a heated exchange, Chow demands respect and reveals himself to be the fallen "God of Cookery", but then begs her for some money. Thugs beat him for his panhandling, but Turkey orders them away, taking pity on Chow and giving him a bowl of barbecue pork on rice. Chow is moved and declares it delicious.

Turkey and her rival street vendor, Goosehead, conduct gang warfare to see which vendor can sell the two best-selling dishes: beef balls and "pissing" shrimp. Chow manages to unite the two rival vendors by combining the two dishes into a new dish, "Pissing Beef Balls", which the three of them could sell together. It becomes a huge success, and the vendors convince Chow to enroll in a culinary school in order to reclaim the title he lost, but not before he discovers that Turkey idolized Chow as the "God of Cookery", and received her scarred appearance after fighting a local gang leader who ruined her poster of Chow.

The success of the "Pissing Beef Balls" alarms Bull, the new "God of Cookery", who arranges for Chow to be assassinated on the way to culinary school. While searching for the school, Chow finds that Turkey has followed him, asking him to complete a drawing of a romantic heart for her as a souvenir for her to remember him by. Knowing she is in love with him, Chow callously rebuffs her. Turkey reminds him of all she did for him, including her injuries, but Chow retorts that he never asked for her to do those things for him. As he tells her he can never love her, Turkey sees the approaching assassin and is shot in the face, taking the bullet for him. Chow, also presumed dead, disappears.

One month later, Bull enters the "God of Cookery" competition as the heavy favorite to retain the title. Chow arrives at the competition at the last minute, and reveals to Tong what had happened: Chow escaped the assassin's second bullet, and found his way to a Shaolin monastery, where head monk Wet Dream (a spoof on the Chinese word for nocturnal spermatorrhea) nursed him back to health. However, Wet Dream would not allow Chow to leave the temple until he was well-versed in the ways of the Shaolin arts, a point made moot when it is revealed the culinary school he was going to attend was, in fact, the temple's kitchen—the same kitchen Bull had trained at for 10 years, but subsequently dropped out of. While training, Chow continually mourned for Turkey, and was overcome with grief and remorse over his careless treatment of her. The depth of his feeling, which caused his hair to grow white, convinced Wet Dream to allow him his departure from the monastery.

The competition between Chow and Tong begins in earnest, with the two attempting to make identical "Buddha Jumping Wall" dishes. Each chef tries to sabotage the other's dish in a comedic wuxia fashion by attacking the other using their ingredients and kitchen implements, but Tong prevails when Chow's ex-business partner makes Chow's container explode with a bomb. With few materials and little time remaining, Chow prepares "Sorrowful Rice", a simple dish of barbecue pork rice, the same dish Turkey first gave to him while he was living on the streets. Although "Sorrowful Rice" is the better dish, Tong had already blackmailed the judge into rigging the contest. As Bull is fraudulently crowned the winner, Chow remarks that there is no one "God of Cookery" and that any person who cooks with heart can be the "God of Cookery". In an act of divine intervention, the Imperial Court of Heaven descends upon the competition and reveal that in another life, Chow was a heavenly assistant to the Kitchen God, before being sent to Earth to live as a human as punishment for revealing culinary secrets to mankind. Moved by his sorrow and his humbleness, they forgive him. They then transform Chow's former business partner into a form befitting his treachery: a bulldog, and leave a gaping hole on Bull Tong's chest, possibly symbolizing his heartlessness (whether he is killed by this is never revealed).

After the competition, Chow celebrates Christmas with his vendor friends in Temple Street, where Goosehead reveals that Turkey survived the assassination. She caught the bullet meant for Chow with her gold-plated teeth and a dentist reconstructed her dental work and even threw in a free plastic surgery on her face, making her pretty again. As she appears before him and asks how she looks, Chow responds by throwing her the completed drawing of two arrow-pierced hearts.

 L² Scored: 10/10

L² Comment:

This legendary comedy movie of Stephen Chow is at Number 2 place of HK blockbuster in 1996. With a lot of Mou Lei Tau scenes but yet very laughable; some of them even make me wanna punch their faces lol~ This should be the first try of Karen Mok of getting herself so ugly; but it has also successfully raise her fame to another level as well~ The rest of the characters were not bad as well, Vincent Kuk is very good in doing this kind of character, hope to see more of him in front of the camera as well lol~ 

Marry A Rich Man 嫁个有钱人

 Released Year: 2002

Directed by 谷德昭 Vincent Kok

Casted by:

任贤齐 Richie Ren as Christmas

郑秀文 Sammi Cheng as Ah Mi

林海峰 Jan Lamb as Wilson

胡枫 Bowie Wu as Uncle Dak

卢巧音 Candy Lo as Mui

Story:

A meteor across the sky, Ah Mi vow: "I want to marry a rich man," as the meteor fall from a distance, on the ground appeared a book named "glass slipper". Ah Mi pick up a book, the contents of the book is familiar to everyone, "Cinderella" story as a starter.

Open the "glass slipper", it teach Ah Mi the steps to prepare: learn voice, eye contact, facial expressions, conversation, body language, etiquette, for future to joined the upper class. Ah Mi starts her rich journey by riding first-class flight to Europe, because first class cabin is definitely a gathering place for the rich. Sure enough, Ah Mi met Christmas. The two spent a romantic holiday in Europe, perhaps under a lifetime commitment. Ah Mi find the legendary crystal glass slipper on the road, but cost a fortune.

Soon it revealed that Christmas is also a poor man after they spend a lot in a restaurant. Christmas unexpectedly walked out and disappeared without a trace. Ah Mi except suffered lost soul, but also bear economic losses. Ah Mi back to Hong Kong becoming low self-esteem. But all took a dramatic turn, Ah Mi attracted the city's famous diamond bachelor Wilson. 

Christmas and Ah Mi both missed each other and soon when they see each other, how will Ah Mi choose? Love or bread...?

 L² Scored: 9/10

L² Comment:

After more than 10 years, it is still nice to watch this movie again. It is one of my favorite movie among Sammi's movie. Though the storyline is simple, yet its relaxing and fun to watch with. Who does not like to be rich, but when you can only choose either love or bread, what will you take? Lucky that Mi can get both in this movie haha~

Overheard 3 竊聽風雲 3

 Released Year: 2014

Directed by 麦兆辉 Alan Mak & 莊文強 Felix Choong

Casted by:

劉青雲 Sean Lau as 陸金強 Keong

古天樂 Louis Koo as 羅永就 Jau

吳彥祖 Daniel Wu as 阿祖 Joe

周迅 Zhou Xun as 阮月華 Hua

葉璇 Michelle Ye as 陸永瑜 Yu

方中信 Alex Foong as 陸永富 Fu

林家棟 Gordon Lam as 陸建波 Bo

林嘉華 Dominic Lam as 陸永泉 Chuen

曾江 Kenneth Tsang as 陸瀚濤 Tao

吳孟達 Ng Man Tat as 司徒光 SzeTo

黃磊 Huang Lei as 萬山Shan

 Story: 

Few years ago, Jau bang Yun and cause him to die so that the Luk's 4 brother - Keong, Fu, Bo & Chuen able to work with Tao's development company in extending the village properties. When Jau is out from prison, Tao's daughter Yu and bf Shan hired Jau and IT expert Joe to investigate of the Luk's 4 brother. Jau still has feeling for Yu while Joe met Hua (Yun's wife) and the Luk's brothers later discover that Jau is the one who betrayed them... 

 L² Scored: 9/10

L² Comment:

The very last movie of the "Overheard" franchise film, this is the best among the 3 movies. Even though there's no link among these 3 movies but the actors are basically the same which is Sean, Louis & Daniel. Overall the storyline for this is the best, love the twist and turn of it. Happy to see that most of them are originated from TVB, and now they are strong enough to stand in front of the HK blockbuster and shine for the Hong Kong films :)

Flirting Scholar 唐伯虎點秋香

Released Year: 1993

Directed by 李力持 Lee LikChi & 周星馳 Stephen Chow

Casted by:

 周星馳 Stephen Chow as 唐伯虎 Tong Pak Fu

鞏俐 Gong Li as 秋香 Chow Heung

鄭佩佩 Cheng Pei Pei as 華夫人 Madame Wah

陳百祥 Natalis Chan as 祝枝山 Chuk Chi San

黃霑 Jim Wong as 華太師 Chancellor Wah

宣萱 Jessica Hester Hsuan as 夏香 Ha Heung

苑瓊丹 Kingdom Yuen as 石榴 Sek Lao

梁家仁 Bryan Leung as 武狀元 Mou Zhong Yun 

劉家輝 Gordon Liu as 奪命書生 Evil Scholar

 Story: 

In the Ming Dynasty, there were four scholars, whose literary and artistic skills are unmatched in China. Tong Pak Fu is the most famous, for having eight wives in addition to his expertise as an artist, poet, and calligrapher. However, Tong's wives are all gambling addicts, unappreciative of Tong's artistic skills. This leads to Tong's quest for a woman who truly appreciates his strengths.

The Tong Family have been generations of martial arts masters and has two major enemies: the Evil Scholar, a notorious swordsman known for The Deadly Scholastic Sword, Due to these rivalries, Tong Pak Fu is forbidden by his mother to use any form of martial arts.

One day, Tong stumbles upon the convoy of the House of Wah, and meets Chow Heung, one of the four maids in the House of Wah. This chance encounter convinces Tong that he has finally found his true love. On the advice of a boatman, Tong pretends to be a lowly servant in order to gain employment in the House of Wah.

Tong finds life as a servant very difficult, until Madame Wah discovers that Tong is actually educated. After some persuasion by Chow Heung, Tong is hired as an assistant tutor for Madame Wah's two young sons.

After the sudden death of the main tutor of the House of Wah, Tong is promoted and manages to get closer to Chow Heung. However, the House of Wah is suddenly visited by Chancellor Wah's political rival, Prince Ning, who is planning a coup. Madame Wah is injured, and Tong steps in to finish the battle in the House of Wah's favor. Prince Ning seizes the opportunity to blame the House of Wah for insulting him. Embarrassed at being utterly defeated at the hands of a tutor, Prince Ning leaves hastily, vowing revenge. In reproducing a painting, Tong reveals his real identity to Madame Wah, who is the former love rival of Tong's mother.

Several days later, the Evil Scholar returns to annihilate the entire House of Wah. Madame Wah attempts to defend the family, but is almost killed. Tong appears and after a fierce battle, Tong kills the Evil Scholar and earns Chow Heung's hand in marriage as a reward. Tong then discovers that Chow Heung is just as much a gambling addict as his previous eight wives.

 L² Scored: 8.5/10

L² Comment:

Hehe, one of my fav Stephen Chow's movie back in the 90's. The only time Stephen Chow film with Gong Li... Gong Li always give us the serious type of look, but in this movie, she did tried some effort to be funny, but of course she won't be able to compete with Sandra Ng, Teresa Mo, Sharla Cheung, Karen Mok or other Stephen Chow's movie actress... The biggest surprise would be Jessica Hester Hsuan in this movie, i almost lost my breath because i laugh too hard on some of her scenes~

Hotel Deluxe 百星酒店

Released Year: 2013

Directed by  谷德昭 Vincent Koo

Casted by:

毛舜筠 Teresa Mo as 古黛 Doi

吳君如 Sandra Ng as 田蜜桃 Tou

鄭中基 Ronald Cheng as 包定 Ding

薛凱琪 Fiona Sit as 慕容寶寶 Bobo

黃百鳴 Raymond Wong as 陳可新 Xin

杜汶澤 Chapman To as 彭俊 Jun

于波 Yu Bo as 雷勁 Jing

 Story:

 Doi was employed to maintain a hotel's in a 5 stars grade and he experienced with few staffs, Tou a cleaner who wants everything clean; Ding an assistant manager who always not serious; Jun a receptionist who always wanted to be in a movie. 

They mistaken a beggar as a hotel's commenter and put the real one into a helper in the hotel. They also encounter Bobo's marriage at the hotel with his uncle Xin on rejection. In the end they manage everything also able to maintain the hotel as a deluxe hotel.

 L² Scored: 3.5/10

L² Comment:

Can feel that they wanted to use a lot of super stars to show in this movie, but how laugh-able is this movie? Not really, as i feel most of the parts are quite boring and stupid instead... Won't consider to watch it again...

Love in the Buff 春嬌與志明

 Released Year: 2012

Directed by 彭浩翔 Pang Ho Cheung

Casted by:

楊千嬅 Miriam Yeung as 余春嬌 Cherie

余文樂 Shawn Yue as 張志明 Jimmy

楊冪 Mini Yang as 尚優優 You You

徐崢 Xu Zheng as Sam

 Story: 

Five months after the events in Love in a Puff, Jimmy and Cherie face more difficulties in their romantic relationship as they split up and both individually end up in Beijing as they follow their jobs to China’s capital city, and both begin new relationships there. But despite their best efforts they can’t seem to keep away from each other.

Jimmy dated You You, a cabin crew while Cherie met the rich KL guy, Sam. Both of them experienced the life without each other but still remember each other deeply. Soon, both give up their new lover and get back to each other again...

 L² Scored: 8.5/10

L² Comment:

A comedy romance sequel from "Love in a Puff", it was showed in the HK blockbuster after 2 years from the first movie. I still love the romance between the 2 of them, this time it spice up by adding 2 love rivals in their love story. And the funniest part of course is Shawn Yue pretended to be Linda Wong and sang her famous song 别问我是谁.

The Lucky Guy 行運一條龍

 Released Year: 1998

Directed by 李力持 Lee Lik Chi

Casted by:

周星馳 Stephen Chow as 何金水 Sui

鄭秀文 Sammi Cheng as 葉玉芬 Candy

葛民輝 Eric Kot as 阿福 Fook

楊恭如 Kristy Yeung as Fanny

陳曉東 Daniel Chan as 得男 Nan

舒淇 Shu Qi as 芳芳 Fang

吳孟達 Ng Man Tat as 李老闆 Mr Li

 Story:

Sui is a pathetic guy who can't forgot his first love Candy from school time, he uses all ways to make other believe he is a playboy. He met Candy back in hospital and Candy decided to take revenge on what Sui did to her before. Later on Candy realize Sui's true heart and forgive him.

Fook is an honest and kind hearted guy, he met Fanny and fell in love with her. Fook ask advice from Sui but Sui tackle Fanny and Fook become a bad person. Later on, Fanny learns that Fook is the one she wants and they are together again.

Nan meeting up with his net friend but got scared, in the meantime he met Fang who is a rich girl and trying to run away from home. Fang hide her identity and get together with Nan and his father Mr Li. Later on Fang discover Nan is a reporter and trying to get her news, she get angry and left. But Nan's true heart finally makes Fang return back to him. Mr Li in another hand is facing the crisis of his restaurant being closed down but luckily Fang's rich dad came and settled the problem.

 L² Scored: 8/10

L² Comment: 

The 3rd place in 1998 HK blockbuster, this is the first time Stephen Chow worked with the beautiful and talented Sammi Cheng. Sammi used her good acting and created this good comedy together with other co stars. Hopefully both of them will have the chance to work with each other again...

Lavender 薰衣草

 Released Year: 2001

Directed by 葉錦鴻 Ip Kam Hung

 

Casted by:

陈慧琳 Kelly Chen as Athena
 金城武 Takeshi Kaneshiro as Angel
 陈奕迅 Eason Chen as Chow Chow
 郑佩佩 Cheng Pei Pei as 董夫人 Madame Dong
 谷德昭 Vincent Kuk as 肥天使 Fat angel
 尹子维 Terence Yin as 小提琴天使 Violin angel

 Story:

Athena is a sad woman who can't forget about her passed away boyfriend's smell, she use her whole life to create the smell but fail. She met a fallen angel who is a handsome and innocent guy. The angel live by creating loves to human being, but he was targeted by Chow Chow, a gay guy who live opposite of Athena.

 

It seems like Chow Chow has fall in love with Athena's ex boyfriend and can't forget about him too, especially the smell. Chow Chow was envy of Athena for getting angel as hers. Angel told them where he really from and ready to fly back to heaven after his wings cured. Athena brought angel to buy lavender and hope he can bring it up to heaven for her ex boyfriend. During the trip, both of them fall in love but angel still need to leave.

 

Athena woke up from her filled bathtub after hearing some bang noise. Its seems like she was having this weird dream when she fell asleep in the baththub. The restaurant owner, Angelo is the one who fell down from the roftop when fixing the wire. Athena realize Angelo looks exactly like angel (without the wings of course), and the restaurant name is Michealangelo. It seems like the God has arrange a new faith for her, for her to accept a new love and forget about the old sad one. 

 L² Scored: 8/10

 

L² Comment:

Its quite touching and romantic for me, i love the storyline, love that Kaneshiro is able to act innocent angel which i think is a superb. The movie was brought to the Berlin and shown to the world, though it did not win any awards, but it has been nominated in quite a lot in the HK academy awards. The only flaw i would say is Kelly being a bit stiff, but i think she can be much more better if she has more experience in acting during that time :)