Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster 葉問 2: 宗師傳奇

 Released Year: 2010

Directed by 叶伟信 Wilson Yip

Casted by:

甄子丹 Donnie Yen as 葉問 Ip Man

洪金寶 Sammo Hung as 洪震南 Nam

黃曉明 Huang Xiao Ming as 黃梁 Leung

熊黛林 Lynn Hung as  張永成 Sing

任達華 Simon Yam as 周清泉 Chuen

樊少皇 Louis Fan as 金山找 Chau

鄭則仕 Kent Cheng as 肥波 Fatso

Darren Shahlavi as Taylor Miller "Twister"

Charles Mayer as 華萊士警司 Wallace

 Story: 

Wing Chun master Ip Man and his family move to Hong Kong in the mid-1940s after their escape from Japanese-occupied Foshan. There, Ip desires to open a school to propagate his art, as well as make a living during the difficult times, but he has difficulty attracting students due to his lack of reputation in the city. One day, a young man named Wong Leung appears and promptly challenges Ip to a fight, but is easily defeated. Wong leaves humiliated, only to return with some friends to gang up on him. Ip beats them as well. Stunned and impressed by his skills, Wong and his friends become Ip's first students, bringing more disciples to help the school thrive.

Wong is later caught posting promotional posters for the school by some Hung Ga students. One of them challenges Wong to a fight and loses, but his friends take Wong hostage in revenge and demand a ransom from Ip. Ip goes to the local wet market as directed, but the meeting ends in a confrontation with a growing mob of Hung Ga students. Ip and Wong fight their way outside to meet Jin Shanzhao, a martial artist and former bandit, who comes to their rescue with his own gang. The students' master and head of the coalition of Hong Kong martial arts clubs, Hung Chun-nam, arrives to break up the fight. Ip introduces himself, and Hung informs him that before setting up a school, he needs to attend a special fighting ceremony to test his worth. Ip, Wong and Jin are subsequently arrested by Officer Fatso for disturbing the peace but are later released on bail. Hung and Fatso are then shown to be acting as reluctant collectors for the martial arts schools (including Hung's) as part of a protection racket headed by Superintendent Wallace, a corrupt officer in the Hong Kong police.

Ip attends the ceremony and defeats his first challengers, before striking a draw with the last challenger, Hung. Ip is allowed to keep running his school on the condition that he pay his monthly protection fees, but he declines. Hung thus has his students loiter in front of the Wing Chun School and harass anyone interested, causing a street brawl between them and Ip's disciples. Ip is thus forced to close up and move the school nearer to home. Ip soon confronts Hung, who blames him since he wouldn't pay his protection fees, whereas Ip criticizes Hung's management of his students. Hung insists that he is doing what he must and also insists they finish their fight, but during this encounter, Ip stops Hung from accidentally kicking his son as he suddenly appears, earning respect from him. Ip leaves, and the next day, Hung invites him to a British boxing match he has helped to set up, quietly coming to terms with him.

The boxing competition allows for a demonstration by the various martial arts schools to help promote themselves and their Chinese culture. However, the event's star boxer, Taylor "The Twister" Miller, an arrogant, racist and brutal man, openly insults and attacks the students, causing chaos as the masters try to restore order. Hung accepts Twister's challenge to a fight so that he can defend his culture. Although Hung has the upper hand at first due to his wider range of skills, in the second round he suffers a devastating blow that severely disorientates him. As he fights on, he begins to weaken from his asthma and is eventually beaten to death by Twister, as he refuses to concede and allow the man to insult his culture and people. News of Hung's death rapidly spreads throughout the enraged Chinese populace, causing a scandal that spurs Wallace to hold a press conference where he lies that Hung's death was an accident and that he was a weakling who died after a few punches. Twister announces that in order to clear his name he will accept any challenge from the Chinese to participate in a fair, public boxing match, but proceeds to proclaim that he could kill every Chinese boxer in Hong Kong and that he doubts any of the Chinese are brave enough to fight him. Ip Man has already arrived to challenge Twister to a fight.

As his wife goes into labor, Ip finishes training and begins his fight with Twister. Ip exchanges blows with the boxer and seems overwhelmed by the westerner's sheer muscle at first, but begins to make a comeback using his more diverse techniques and great speed. He receives an illegal punch from Twister after the second round's bell, and is also told that kicks would not be allowed due to the judges changing the rules during the match. When it looks like the end, Ip remembers Hung's patriotic spirit and is spurred to go on. He changes his strategy and attacks the boxer's arms to disable him. The fight is brought to a climactic finish as Ip Man rains blow after blow into the knocked-down Twister's face, with flashbacks reflecting the latter's killing of Master Hung. While the Chinese celebrate, Wallace is arrested by his superiors for corruption, as Fatso has secretly reported him. Ip then gives a speech to the audience, stating that despite the differences between their race and culture, he wishes for everyone to respect each other regardless of their status. Both the Western and Chinese audience give him a standing ovation while Twister's manager walks away, unhappy at the defeat. Ip goes home and reunites with his family, including his newborn second son, Ip Ching.

A final scene shows Ip being introduced to a boy named Bruce Lee who wishes to study Wing Chun in order to "beat up people [he does not] like". Ip smiles and simply tells the boy to "come back when [he has] grown up".

 L² Scored: 9/10

L² Comment:

Comparing to the first movie, this time the rival change from Asian to Caucasian. Both Karate & Boxing master has loss to the ultimate Wing Chun. Lol, it might be true or it has been make it up, but this definitely has make a strong impression on Bruce Lee, Ip Man's apprentice, and all his movie was toward this kind of storyline.

Hiroyuki Ikeuchi & Gordon Lam are out from this second movie, replacing by strong and good acting Sammo Hung, Huang Xiao Ming & Kent Cheng; while Darren Shahlavi is a British Persian actor who is actually an expert in Judo. *Note: Darren Shahlavi has passed away in 2015 at his age of 42yo by a fatal heart attack, RIP.

Same comment I'm gonna give since the first movie's review, both Simon Yam & Lynn Hung should be out from the picture as their character is useless and I believe paying them are not cheap as well. I can understand Lynn's character is a continuous, but Simon? He appear less than 3 minutes in the whole film, but maybe he is on a guest appearance form, who knows?

Return of the Cuckoo 十月初五的月光

Released Year: 2015

Directed by 葉念琛 Patrick Kong

Casted by:
張智霖 Julian Cheung as 文初 Man Cho
佘詩曼 Charmaine Sheh as 祝君好 Kwan Ho
陳喬恩 Joe Chen as 琪琪 Kei Kei
薛家燕 Nancy Sit as 朱莎嬌 Sha Kiu
唐文龍 Michael Tong as 萬金勝 Kam Sheng
馬浚偉 Steven Ma as 司徒禮信 Lai Shun
汪琳 Irene Wong as 汪海琳 Hoi Lam
鄭則仕 Kent Cheng as 陳萬山 Man Shan

Story:

Several years has past after the TV series. Man Cho continues his life as a local errand boy, supplying people with food and items in the local streets of Macau. During this time, Man Cho meets a beautiful mute girl, Kei-Kei. The two share a romantic bond as both communicate through sign language and many thought the two will tie the knot until the unexpected return of his beloved step-sister, Kwan-Ho. Kwan-Ho returned to give her mother, Qi, a surprise visit before Man Cho escort Kwan-Ho to her hotel room. The two smile at each other and Kwan-Ho mentions how great it was to see him again. Unknown to everyone, Kwan-Ho just lost everything in her life.

Kwan-Ho suspected her husband, Szto Lai-Sun, of having an affair. After the couple argued, Lai-Sun thought it would be best to take a drive with the kids to calm their minds, but that's when they had an auto accident and killing everyone in the car. In an instant, Kwan-Ho lost everything and also blamed herself for the tragedy. She returned to Macau in part to see her friends and family one last time before she attempted suicide. It wasn't long when the entire family finally got word from the in-laws and Man-Cho found Kwan-Ho unconscious. She had slit her wrists and tried to bleed out in the hotel tub; Man-Cho immediately took her to the emergency room for treatment and she survived. However, the doctor warned Kwan-Ho's loved ones that she's dangerously suicidal and will likely attempt suicide again without a watchful eye upon her.

For several days, the family would take exhaustive turns watching over Kwan-Ho. Man-Cho would burn a fair amount of his money to entertain Kwan-Ho as she gambled everything away. Despite watching over her, she still attempted suicide via drug overdose. Man Cho attempt to change her mind by challenging her to do a bungee base jump off Macau Tower. Despite his intense fear of heights, he did it in attempts to cheer her up and it partially worked as he peed in his own pants while falling down. Throughout this time though, Kei-Kei would experience doubt and confusion. She thought she had Man-Cho, but ever-since the return of Kwan-Ho, she has been sidelined and has been frustrated over the situation. As time past, Kwan-Ho would find a reason to live again and resumed the old life she had with her family.

One fateful night, a major rain storm happened. Man Cho asked Kwan-Ho to help pick up Kei-Kei from a bus station, but an unexpected landslide happened and buried Kwan-Ho within. Perfectly covered within the mud, no one would know Kwan-Ho was trapped inside except for Kei-Kei. Wrought with anger and jealousy of Kwan-Ho's hold over Man Cho, she pretended nothing happened and Man Cho came to pick her up. However, as they drove away, Kei-Kei's conscience changed her mind and she told Man Cho what happened to Kwan-Ho; he rushed out to dig her out and rescued her. After Kwan-Ho was confirmed alive and well by the doctors, Man Cho had a chat with Kei-Kei. She realized she never had Man-Cho's heart and the two parted ways.

Some time would pass and Man Cho has been suffering from occasional blurred vision. He has been keeping the matter to himself to his family to avoid their worries. Man Cho has been suffering from a growing blood clot after hitting his head from saving Kwan-Ho from that landslide. The family eventually finds out after he faints in front of everyone. The family doctor warned him he needs neuro surgery soon or he'll die. However, there's a major risk, there's a chance he'll suffer permanent memory loss. The family agrees to the risk as not taking the surgery will mean certain death. Upon their final moments before surgery, Man Cho declares to Kwan-Ho that they'll be together this time, no matter what. After the surgery, Man Cho wakes up to tell Kwan-Ho that everything is fine. To Kwan-Ho's happiness, he didn't lose his memory, however, the truth is unknown. Man Cho wrote a note for himself to recite to Kwan-Ho when he awakens, suggesting he lost his memory, but he wanted to calm her worries even if it means a delayed inevitability. The story would have an open ending, unsure of the fate of Man-Cho and Kwan-Ho.

L² Scored: 8.5/10

L² Comment:

This is one of the strike back of TVB drama which now in the big screen. Cho gor gor & Kwan Ho is the couple that has been going through a lot of sadness in the drama & now they are still not able to really be together in the movie. Kei Kei is not the obstruction of them but i believe the memory lost of Cho gor gor is the sad thing which will eventually create some issues within them, but the director cleverly did not show it and let us have more imagination after the movie... will there be any sequence? Nobody announce anything after a year & maybe yes or no.... :(  

The Trail 追鬼七雄

Released Year: 1981

Directed by 于仁泰 Yu Ren Tai

Casted by:

郑则仕 Kent Cheng as Leader

许冠英 Ricky Hui as Ying

 Story:

A couple was aim by the rich man in a village, to get the beautiful wife, the rich man killed the husband and request a team (7 person) to send the corpse away. But the corpse drop into the quicksand and became evil for revenge. The 7 trail along the devil and try to vanish it, but one by one they all sacrifice and left the leader and Ying. The rich man wanted to sacrifice them two but was killed by the evil instead. 

 L² Scored: 6/10

L² Comment:

I remember i watched this movie before when i was very young and it freaked me out, it still do this time but not that scary anymore as i have known the storyline. 

Sex and Zen 玉蒲團之偷情寶鑑

 Released Year: 1991

Directed by 麥當傑 Michael Mak

Casted by:

 吳啟華 Lawrence Ng as 未央生 Sheng

 葉子楣 Amy Yip as 玉香 Heong
 徐錦江 Evis Tsui as 權老實 Shi
 鄭則士 Kent Chang as 天殘子 Dr Tian
羅烈 Loh Lieh as 楚昆仑 Lun

周弘 Isabella Chow as 水楚 Chu

吳家麗 Carrie Ng as 古大娘 Mistress Ku

 Story:

The story is about a lustful scholar who dares to challenge the moral teachings of the Sack Monk. The monk attempts to lecture the scholar that spiritual enlightenment transcends the passions of the flesh but the scholar, who enjoys women, doesn't agree. However, the most powerful man in the town marries his daughter, to the scholar. The daughter is a virgin and has been taught that sex is dirty.

The scholar, after a disastrous yet humorous wedding night, soon initiates his bride into the pleasures of sex, aided greatly by the illustrations of a copy of a sex manual. The amorous husband goes about his 'scholastic travels' where he meets the greatest thief known to man. The thief is able to sneak into people's houses undetected, and the scholar wants to learn this skill so that he can sleep with other men's wives. The thief was initially willing to help him, until he catches the scholar one day and discovers that the scholar is not very well-endowed.

The thief tells the scholar that stealing other men's wives requires good lovemaking skills and equipment. The thief promises to help the scholar only if he has a horse's penis. Of course, the thief didn't think it was possible, until the scholar returned one day, indeed, with a horse's penis attached as his own. Apparently, the scholar met a doctor who was able to replace anatomical parts.

The doctor managed to transplant a horse's penis to replace the scholar's meager one. Armed with his new 20-inch penis, the scholar goes on a sexual rampage, not caring if he is seducing other men's wives or is nearly caught in the process. Meanwhile, the scholar's wife, after experiencing the joys of sex, becomes sexually frustrated. She tried masturbating with paintbrushes but is left unsatisfied until she has an affair with the gardener, the husband of one of the wives the scholar seduced. She becomes pregnant and runs away with the man, who persuades her to have an abortion. She finds solace in a brothel where she perfects her sexual skills to become the top courtesan.

The scholar has become frail and sick due to too much sex (involving two sisters-in-law who are bisexual and into S&M). He goes to the brothel for treatment, where he is offered the top courtesan. At first, husband and wife cannot recognize each other; she looked at his penis and thought it couldn't be her husband's because his was small; he couldn't recognize her because his eyesight was failing. While they were having sex, he takes a close look at her figure and nipple and recognizes her. To her dismay, he screams, shouts and calls her a disgrace. To his dismay, she runs off and hangs herself. The man, completely broken, goes back to the monk to ask for forgiveness.

 L² Scored: 10/10

L² Comment:

The most most classic Hong Kong erotica film ever, with Amy Yip's huge breast & the good looking Lawrence Ng, what's more to request? Its been a waste Amy never really show us her nipples which i think they should be pretty yummy... Lawrence did show a lil of his ass, but not sure whether its really his or not, i just wish to see his cock a lil bit... lol~

Ancient Chinese Whorehouse 青楼十二房

 Released Year: 1994

Directed by 黎继明 Lai Ju Min

Casted by:

翁虹 Yvonne Yung as 五姑娘 Lady Five
程雪雁 Cheng Xue Yan as 阿青 Qing

郑则仕 Kent Cheng as 刚哥 Gang

刘的之 Liu De Zhi  as 阿逸 Yi

 Story:

Qing was sold to the whorehouse and work under Lady 5. Gang and his apprentice Yi creates sex toys for the whorehouse to make it more famous. Yi fall in love with Qing, but out of any money, he can't help Qing to get away from the whorehouse. Lady 5 sells off Qing's virginity to customer a few days later.

There is a sex maniac came to the city who rapes all girls, even Lady 5 was attacked, but Gang still loves her as always. The sex maniac get caught, but another whorehouse appear as their rival. The rival has a caucasian hooker who is the biggest competitor for them. Lady 5 send Yi over to fuck her off and win her back to become their hooker.

 L² Scored: 8/10

L² Comment:

 Its an erotic film definitely, but its funny too. A lot of those 90'2 Hong Kong Erotic films brought along the comedy factor so as this film. This film shows us that during that period, the society already got plenty of sex toys or machine to pleasurize them :) cool huh?

Zhua Gui He Jia Huan 捉鬼閤家歡

 Released Year: 1990

Directed by 钱月笙 Chin Yue Sheng

Casted by:

　郑则仕 Kent Cheng as 诸葛孔平  Ping
　　王小凤 Pauline Wong as 王慧  Hui
　利智 Nina Li as 白柔柔 Yao

　　江欣燕 Elvina Kong as 诸葛小花  Hua
　　张立基 Zhang Lap Kei as 诸葛小明  Ming

 Story:

Ping, Hui, Hua & Ming together with their ghost maid is in the spirit capture business. They always been living in a happy life until one day Ping try to get a western vampire and this has brought the bad luck to him ever since. Their forever rival, Mao came and challenge them. Mao released the vampires & all ghost to attack them, Ping out of idea has to invite his ex girlfriend Yao to help. No matter how Hui dislike it, but together with Yao, when they act like a happy family, the power of happiness can defeat the attack. In the end, they won the fight and Yao has become their family member as well.

L² Scored: 6/10

L² Comment:

This is funny, but a lot of the scenes are stupid, such as the part when Sandra Ng appeared and act stupid that part... Though its funny, but i felt quite "mou lei tao" ~ but, think of another way, this is just to make us laugh, right? so... hahaha

Mermaid Got Married 人魚傳說

 Released Year: 1994

Directed by 羅文 Roman Tam

Casted by:

 郑伊健 Ekin Cheng as 阿志 Zhi

钟丽缇 Christy Chung as 小美 Mei

金城武 Takeshi Kaneshiro as Kenji

麦家琪 Teresa Mak as 公主 Princess

 郑则仕 Kent Cheng as 校长 Headmaster

 Story:

When Zhi is young he almost drown in sea but he was saved by a mermaid. Years later Zhi grows up and become a teacher. But he was bullied by his student especially Princess & Kenji and they make him fall into the sea. Once again mermaid Mei save his life and use her pearl to save his life. 

Zhi went back to his old life while Mei become a student and went after him for her pearl. During the period, Mei discovered she has fall in love with Zhi. To prove to Zhi that he can't be in love with her, she transform into mermaid again in front of him. But the transformation has caused the greedy headmaster and other teachers caught the mermaid for sales. But Mei was later on rescued by Zhi, Kenji & Princess. She was released into the sea, Zhi has then waited for her to return. On a wedding, Zhi saw a girl looks like Mei and he went up to her. In the same moment, the headmaster and teacher use water to splash her and hope she become mermaid but failed.

But actually that girl is Mei and this time she managed to control herself and able to be with Zhi forever...

L² Scored: 7/10

L² Comment:

I used to love this film a lot, i still do especially when Faye's Wong "Tian Shi" sang throughout the whole film. The storyline is predictable but the "romance" feel is there and quite good. Christy Chung looks so lovely and sweet that time, love her :)

The Bodyguard from Beijing 中南海保鑣

Released Year: 1994
Directed by 元奎 Corey Yuen

Casted by:
李連杰 Jet Li as 許正陽 Allan
鍾麗緹 Christy Chung as 楊倩兒 Michelle
鄭則仕 Kent Cheng as 肥波 Charlie
倪星 Collin Chou as 王建軍 Wang Weng Jun
梁榮忠 Leung Wing Chung as 阿強 Ken
伍衛國 Ng Wai Kok as 宋世昌 James
Story:

Known by few, there exists an elite corp of international bodyguards based in China. Allan Hui Ching-yeung is one of their most promising members known for his highly unorthodox methods, such as pointing a gun at a client's head. Although his methods are anti-trust building, his decisions are usually right.

When a wealthy man's girlfriend, Michelle Yeung becomes the only surviving (of three) witness of a mob murder, Allan is hired to deal with the many attempts on her life. After isolating her completely in her penthouse with her young nephew and two Hong Kong policemen, Charlie Leung Kam-Po and Ken, he has to deal with her anger at being sequestered.

Meantime the mob boss becomes desperate to off this last witness to her murder before his upcoming court date. He hires a deadly Chinese assassin Wang Wen Jun and calls in sick to postpone the court date. All the while Michelle goes berserk as she is not allowed any freedom (such as going to the mall) with Allan being equally fed up at not being able to join the Chinese Premier's bodyguard detail in Southern China. Michelle eventually storms out of the estate. This turns ugly as the mall is crawling with mob assassins dressed as mall clerks, custodians, patrons, and police officers.

After a massive shoot-out inside the mall killing all would-be assassins, they manage to get out to the car. However, an assassin posing as a police officer comes to shoot her with a pistol in his jacket pocket. Fortunately, Charlie stops him and is shot twice in his bulletproof vest. In response, Allan fires several shots from the car killing the perpetrator. The plot gets ugly as the "police officer" turns out to be the younger brother of the Chinese Assassin, who helped save him from a bullet while they were both serving in the Chinese People's Liberation Army. He abducts the body from the police morgue killing five forensic centre guards with a tri-bladed bayonet. Burying the body and tossing paper money into the flames, he swears vengeance against the bodyguard.

Meanwhile back at the penthouse, Michelle finally begins to understand that her bodyguards care for her. After apologizing to Allan, she finds that she is falling for him and tries to seduce him. Allan also has some feelings towards Michelle as she tries to seduce him, but held his feelings. Finally, things come to a climax when the a group of assassins and Jun storm the house. Fighting in the house, Allan holds the advantage of being familiar with the house's layout. He takes out most of the assailants leaving only Jun standing but not before they severely wound the two policemen.

With no one left to stop them, Jun and the bodyguard engage in a long hand to hand fight, trashing most of the house. During the melee, the boyfriend enters the house just as Jun recovers his gun. Michelle breaks cover to hold up a stumbling Allan who had been bayoneted in the left lung. Jun points the gun at all three of them asking her to choose who should die first. The boyfriend makes an offer to double whatever he was being paid for the hit in exchange for her life which the assassin refuses. He says his brother was shot seven times, and he intends to put seven bullets into somebody as retribution but then adds, "Perhaps you could pay someone to take the bullet for her?". Allan steps forward as Jun fires a shot at Michelle.

The shot hits Allan in the chest causing him to fall back into Michelle's arms. "One down, six more to go." Jun says and fires again. Impossibly Michelle tries to shield Allan with her body only to have him struggle up pushing her away. The bullet hits him in the back spinning him around. As he spins toward Jun, he uses the last of his strength to pull the bayonet from his chest and throw it into the assassin's neck. The scene ends with Michelle holding the convulsing Allan and crying inconsolably.

With the danger over and the court concluded, we see Michelle and her boyfriend driving to the Chinese/Hong Kong border. The boyfriend, James, was given a note by Allan stating that he needs to be there for her. At the border they try to get Allan to stay in Hong Kong with them. However they are barred from setting foot on Chinese soil pass the checkpoint. As per his wishes, two items were left for them in Hong Kong. The first was the trunk full of money paid by James to Allan which he wills to the police chief. In it is a note, that the money is for his son's education and that the chief shouldn't gamble anymore. Lastly there was a small box for Michelle. The box had his watch which were usually swapped between persons as mementos of the person. Michelle remembers and cries 'Allan' as his car drives away from the border checkpoint back into China.

L² Scored: 8/10

L² Comment:

This is a good film, no matter how many times i watch it, i still like it a lot. The scene that i like the most will be the one in shopping mall when Jet Li rescue Christy from being assassinate. I got so gan cheong everytime~ lol... And the scene when Christy try to seduce him on bed~ phew, that one is good too. But too bad our super action star Jet Li never has any bed scene before in all of his movie, what a waste~

Spiritual Trinity 人鬼神

Released Year: 1991
Directed by 吴勉勤 Yat-Kan Wu

Casted by:
林正英 Zhen-Ying Lam as 傲天龙 Long
郑则仕 Kent Cheng as 大贵 Gui
王小凤 Pauline Wong as 梦梦 Meng
黎姿 Gigi Lai as 傲凝霜 Shuang
金少龙 Shao-Long Kam as 运高 Gao
符钰晶 Bonnie Fu as 素文 Wen
Story:

Gui and Meng has a son name Gao, three of them live in a village. Later on their big master brother Long came with his daughter Shuang. But before that, Long has managed to captured the Fire Spirit on their journey.

When Long and Shuang reached Gui's house, they realised there's a spirit Wen in their house. Wen is a spirit which Gao accidentally captured a few nights ago. But they managed to express to Long that Wen is a good ghost. Long and Gui is still not happy with each other, they always fight and argue. During an argument, Gui accidentally released The Fire Spirit. Both Long and Gui can't defeat the evil and forced to cooperate and defeat the evil with the help of Meng, Gao, Shuang & Wen.

Finally, everyone use their power to help Wen and send her back for re-born in next life.

L² Scored: 6/10

L² Comment:

Its not a bad film i believe during that time, but it didn't have a good selling in the HK box office at that year. A mix of ghost story + martial arts is so Lam Zhen Ying's style of movie. Too bad this actor died in his early 40's. What a waste.