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Greetings Cave Dwellers! Yet another year has passed, and still nothing new
in the Cave. I could say it’s because I was working on stuff for Crash
Cinema (look for some special extras from me on their forthcoming Secret Rivals
and Billy Chong DVDs), or maybe my book (going strong, but a virus has recently
destroyed a LOT of my reviews. Rule of thumb, don’t let anyone else use
your computer! ), or maybe countless other projects have taken up my time. Anyway,
lots of stuff coming from me this year both inside and outside of the Cave walls.
Be sure to look for the following over the next year:
-Chiba by the Dozen!!!
My tribute to the man that makes it happen, Sonny Chiba! This is a retrospective
of 12 films starring or in some way connected to Chiba, but never released on
video in the United States. Some stuff will really surprise you. Did you know
Sonny did a horror film? How about a whole series of films on the life of his
master? Did you know that there’s a
Sister Streetfighter series or that the first film was cut of some footage that
would have put it over the X mark that never made it into any U.S. version?
Or were you aware that Chiba did a film with his son that looks all the world
like a Hong Kong kung fu film, Chiba style?! If the answer is no to any of these,
you need to start watching this space!
-Kung Fu DVD Buyers Guide 3.0- Nuff said!
-The Cave of Kung Fu Bollywood Special- Because everyone likes action musicals!!
-And now for the most requested special review since I mentioned it many moons
ago in the first Buyer Guide. Coming soon will be a review of the legendary
MAMMOTH 11 hour + cut of the most incredible kung fu film ever made, Ninja:
the Final Duel!! Having seen most of the film, I can honestly say two things:
It’s one of the most impressive feats I’ve ever seen and it’s
without a doubt the one film I wish everyone who loved kung fu films would get
a chance to see. The sheer amount of martial arts ability on
display is mind numbing, really. It’s well worth the wait, trust me!
All this, some reviews, and one or two surprises are in store for the next
year. To all the people that have e-mailed me about their enjoyment of the Cave,
I just wanted to tell you all thank you for looking in on this site from time
to time. My goal here is to show the new guys what's what, and the old vets
that there’s still stuff to discover out there. Since I’m becoming
known as the king of lists, and as a thank you to all you cave dwellers out
there, the following is the Celestial DVD TENITIVE list for the next year.
These are subject to change. I’ve added some info on ones I recommend checking
out. Celestial are making headway into fixing the problems with some early discs
and with 16:9, U.S. releases, and repaired audio coming this looks like a GREAT
year to love Asian films! Please send any e-mails to: kungkid@hotmail.com .
Note: When I write “wuxia,” I’m referring to adaptations of swordplay
novels.
2003
Last Woman of Shang (Musical) 1/23/03
Temple Of The Red Lotus 1/23/03-Next to “Tiger Boy,” unseen since it’s theater run, this is the oldest swordplay film in Shaw history and stars Jimmy Wang Yu.
Big Brother Cheng (Crime/Drama) 1/23/03- The sequel to the infamous “The Teahouse,” which also starred Chen Kuan Tai. Be sure to see the first film if you want to really enjoy this. Also note this and “The Teahouse” are not action films, but more dramatic stories of gangs with some action and suspense elements.
The Voyage Of Emperor Chien Lung(Comedy) 1/23/03
The Millionaire Chase(Comedy) 1/23/03
Blood Brothers 1/23/03- Along with “Vengeance,” this gets high marks as being quite possibly Chang Cheh’s best film as a director. Starring three of the biggest stars of the era in Chen Kuan Tai, Ti Lung, and David Chiang. This is a remake of the Shaw Brothers film “Oath of Death,” which itself is based on an earlier film.
The Monkey Goes West 1/23/03- A fun retelling of the Journey to the West fantasy featuring the Monkey King. This was directed by Ho Meng Hwa.
The Last Tempest (Drama) 1/23/03- The sequel to “The Empress Dowager” starring Ti Lung.
Human Lanterns 1/23/03-A famous horror/kung fu film starring Lo Lieh, Chen Kuan Tai and Lo Meng.
Death Duel 1/23/03- Another Chor Yuen wuxia adaptation ala The Magic Blade and Clans of Intrigue.
The Love Eternel (Musical) 2/13/03
Love Without End (B/W) (Drama) 2/13/03
Heroes Two 2/13/03- The start of the “Shaolin cycle” of kung fu films made by Chang Cheh and Lau Kar Lueng. This was also the first film made under the Chang’s Film Co. banner.
The Cave Of Silken Web 2/13/03- Third film in the fantasy series started with “The Monkey Goes West.”
We Love Millionaires(Musical) 2/13/03
The Killer Snakes 2/27/03- One of the most famous of the Shaw Brothers horror films in the U.S. If you don’t like snakes, don’t watch this one!
The Twelve Golden Medallions 2/27/03- Good action film from director Ching Gong, most known for his crime films.
The Bastard 2/27/03- Famous “lost” action film directed by Chor Yuen..
Starlets For Sale 2/27/03-Another exploitation film from Lu Chi.
Family Light Affair(Drama) 2/27/03
The Happiest Moment(Comedy) 3/13/03
When The Clouds Roll By(Drama) 3/13/03
The Mighty Peking Man 3/13/03- Shaw Brothers version of King Kong starring Danny Lee.
Buddha's Palm 3/13/03- Fun fantasy/kung fu film inspired by the films
and comic book of the same name starring Derek Yee.
The Shaolin Temple 3/13/03- AKA Death Chambers. This is the most star filled of all of Chang Cheh’s Shaolin films, and very much like an early version of “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin.”
Duel of Fists 3/27/03-Well known Ti Lung/David Chiang action/triad film directed by Chang Cheh.
The Girlie Bar 3/27/03-Drama directed by Lo Mar, a director known more for his kung fu films.
Passing Flickers(Drama) 3/27/03
Iron Bodyguards 3/27/03-“Lost” Chen Kuan Tai action film from the same team that made “Boxer From Shantung.”
Na Cha the Great 3/27/03-Absolutly fun fantasy film directed by Chang Cheh and starring Alexander Fu Sheng in one of his signature roles.
Intimate Confessions of A Chinese Courtesan 4/10/03- The inspiration for “Naked Killer” in MANY ways, directed by Chor Yuen.
Love Parade(Comedy/Musical) 4/10/03
Let's Make Laugh(Comedy) 4/10/03
Emperor Chien Lung And The Beauty(Comedy) 4/10/03
The Dancing Millionaires(Musical) 4/10/03
The Lizard 4/10/03-Another “lost” film that supposedly features some early action directed by Yuen Woo Ping.
The Magnificent Trio 4/10/03- A violent HK swordplay remake of the Japanese film “The Three Samurai,” this version stars Wang Yu, Lo Lieh, and Chin Ping. Directed by Chang Cheh.
Princess Iron Fan 4/10/03- The sequel to “The Monkey Goes West,” also directed by Ho Meng Hwa.
The Merry Wife(Comedy) 4/10/03
Legend Of The Bat 4/10/03- Yet another Chor Yuen wuxia film starring Ti Lung that is the sequel to “Clans of Intrigue.”
The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin 4/24/03- This is “Master Killer,” nuff said!
The Grand Substitution (Musical. Drama)4/24/03
Behind The Yellow Line 4/24/03- Famous drama starring Maggie Cheung, Anita Mui, and Leslie Cheung.
The Knight Of Knights 3/4/24/03-Another early swordplay film starring Lily Ho.
The Venus' Tear Diamond 4/24/03-A crime film starring Lily Ho.
Inside The Forbidden City (Musical) 5/15/03
My Name Ain't Suzie (Drama) 5/15/03- This features an early role by Anthony Wong.
Notorious Eight 5/15/03- Gambling/action film directed by Sun Chung, starring Chen Kuan Tai and Wong Yu.
Challenge of the Gamesters 5/15/03-A gambling film starring Wong Yu and Chen Kuan Tai that was a follow up to the “Notorious Eight.”
All Men Are Brothers 5/15/03- AKA Seven Soldiers of Kung Fu. This is the sequel to “The Water Margin” (Seven Blows of the Dragon).
Les Belles (musical) 6/5/03
Illicit Desire 6/5/03- Another exploitation film directed by the master,
Li
Han Hsiang.
Have Sword Will Travel 6/5/03-One of Chang Cheh’s best swordfilms starring Ti Lung and David Chiang
The Golden Buddha 6/5/03-Early Lo Wei directed spy film.
The Water Margin 6/5/03- AKA Seven Blows of the Dragon. Maybe Chang Cheh’s (sections of this were directed by other directors also) most famous cast of thousands style epic, starring nearly every major Shaw Brothers star of the era.
The Delinquent 6/5/03- Chang Cheh’s attempt at a crime film with some excellent documentary style camera work.
The Siamese Twins 6/5/03- A modern day horror film.
Kiss Of Death 6/5/03-Stars Lo Lieh and directed by Ho Meng Hwa.
The Trail Of The Broken Blade 6/19/03 –One of Chang Cheh’s best swordplay films starring Jimmy Wang Yu, made before the success of “The Girl with the Thunderbolt Kick.”
The Rat Catcher(Drama) 6/19/03
The Silent Love 6/19/03-Chor Yuen directed drama.
The Emperor And His Brother 6/19/03-A wuxia film based on the Chinese novel The Romance of Book and Sword. This was directed by Chor Yuen and stars Ti Lung, Jason Pai Piao, and Lo Lieh.
Enchanting Shadow 7/3/03- Fantasy film that was later remade into “A Chinese Ghost Story”
Vengeance 7/3/03- Among the first films to be considered a “modern” kung fu film, this features some of Chang Cheh’s best filmmaking and great performances from Ti Lung and David Chiang.
Too Late For Love(War/Drama) 7/3/03
The Tiger And The Widow(Exploitation) 7/3/03
Super Inframan 7/3/03-GREAT Shaw Brothers ripoff of Ultraman starring Danny Lee. (Woohoo!-morpho)
Women of Desire(Drama) 7/3/03
Oily Maniac 7/3/03- Famous horror film that was also Danny Lee’s first starring role.
Disciples Of The 36TH Chamber 7/3/03- Rare third film in the 36th Chamber series.
The Pearl Phoenix 7/17/03- Early swordplay film.
The Condemned 7/17/03-“Lost” action/crime film directed by David Chiang.
One Way Only(Drama) 7/17/03
The Pure And The Evil(Drama)7/17/03
The Master 7/17/03- AKA Three Evil Masters starring Chen Kuan Tai. Considered by many to be one of the last great Shaw Brothers kung fu films.
Journey Of The Doomed 7/17/03- One of the very last martial arts/swordplay films ever made at Shaw Brothers. This starred Tung Wei and Kara Hui.
The Land Of Many Perfumes(Drama) 7/17/03
Two Con Men(Comedy) 8/3/03
Puppy Love(Drama) 8/3/03
Torrents Of Desire 8/3/03- Very early(1969) adult exploitation film from the Shaws.
Farewell, My Love(Drama) 8/3/03
Heroes Of Sung 8/3/03-“Lost”swordplay film starring Lo Lieh and Shih Szu.
Secret Service Of The Imperial Court 8/3/03 –Excellent remake of “Killer Constable” by way of Lone Wolf and Cub, starring Lueng Kar Yan. This may be one of my all time favorite Shaw Brothers films.
Sunset(Musical) 8/3/03
The Golden Lotus(Exploitation) 8/14/03
Mr. Funnybone Strikes Again(Comedy) 8/14/03
Boxer From Shantung 8/14/03- A classic triad film starring Chen Kuan Tai that made him a superstar and contains one of the most violent endings of any film of that era.
Heaven And Hell 8/14/03- Insane fantasy musical directed by Chang Cheh and starring nearly every major Shaw Brothers actor. Without a doubt Chang’s strangest films feature dance numbers, the Venoms, and a trip to hell!
Danger Has Two Faces 8/14/03-Lueng Kar Yan modern action film.
Return To The 36TH Chamber 8/14/03- The often-disliked comedic sequel to “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin,” which is in fact not a sequel at all. If you go into this knowing that, you’ll like it better.
The Jade Tiger 8/14/03- Another Chor Yuen directed wuxia film starring Ti Lung.
Whose Baby Is In The Classroom?(Musical) 8/14/03
Spiritual Boxer 8/14/03- The seminal kung fu comedy, made quite a while before the efforts of Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan. Both this and its sequel also feature horror elements that also influenced later filmmakers. This is the one film that may not make its date on here as something special is in the works for it.
Crazy Sex (Exsplotation) 8/28/03
Police Force 8/28/03-Cops and robbers film directed by Chang Cheh, most famous for being Alexander Fu Sheng’s debut.
The Big Holdup 8/28/03- A crime film starring Danny Lee and directed by Chor Yuen.
36 Secrets Of Courtship(Explotation) 8/28/03
Soul Of The Sword 8/28/03-One of the rarest of Ti Lung’s swordplay epics and considered by many to be one of his better films as an actor.
Heroes Shed No Tears 8/28/03-Not the John Woo film, but a wuxia film starring Alexander Fu Sheng and directed by…yep, you guessed it, Chor Yuen!
The Spiritual Boxer Part 2 8/28/03-A “sequel” to the famous directorial debut of Liu Kar Leung made years earlier. While not as good as that film, again Liu innovates by showing hopping vampires in a comedy setting years before they became famous in “Mr. Vampire.”
Shaolin Handlock 8/28/03-One of the very few kung fu films starring David Chiang on his own while he was at Shaw Brothers. This is a decent “modern” kung fu film with a convoluted twist.
The Criminals 9/11/03-The start of one of the most famous crime film series in HK history. Cited as being very daring for its time and also consisting of current news events forming the basis of the movies.
The Lady Professional 9/11/03- An action film starring Lily Ho.
Mahjong Heroes(Comedy) 9/11/03
The Younger Generation(Drama) 9/11/03
Web Of Death 9/11/03- Excellent fantasy/horror/swordplay film featuring Yueh Hua and Lo Lieh, directed by Chor Yuen.
The Shadow Whip 9/25/03- Early Cheng Pei Pei film directed by Lo Wei and featured the heroine using a whip instead of a sword.
Diary Of A Lady-killer(Drama) 9/25/03
Young Lovers(Musical) 9/25/03
The Human Goddess 9/25/03- Early fantasy film directed by Ho Meng Hwa.
Lion VS Lion 9/25/03-An unusual kung fu film featuring Lion fights starring Yung Wong Yu, Lung Wei, and Lo Meng.
King Gambler 10/9/03-One of the forerunners of the God of Gamblers film, this film stars Chen Kuan Tai.
Mr. Funnybone(Comedy) 10/9/03
On The Wrong Track 10/9/03-Action/crime film directed by Clarence Ford(Naked Killer) and starring Andy Lau.
The Scandalous Warlord(Comedy) 10/9/03- A semi-sequel to the hit “The Warlord,” but without Michael Hui, the star of the first film.
Two Champions Of Shaolin 10/9/03-A later Venom film.
The Angel Strikes Again 10/23/03-Lo Wei directed sequel to the action film “The Angel with Iron Fists,” both starring Lily Ho.
The Sexy Killer 10/23/03- Crime film directed by Sun Chung.
To Kill A Jaguar 10/23/03- Fun action/spy film starring Liu Yung and Wang Lung Wei.
The Bamboo House Of Dolls 10/23/03- Famous Shaw Brothers Women in Prison flick starring the ever present Lo Lieh.
The Shadow Boxer 10/23/03 –One of the most infamous Shaw Brothers action film due to the tragic death of its star, Chen Wo-Fu, who was a famous local martial artist at the time.
The Five Venoms 11/6/03 –C’mon, it’s the Venoms!!
Carry On Con Men(Comedy) 11/6/03
Sexy Girls Of Denmark 11/6/03-One in a long line of exploitation films done by the Shaw Brothers. Maybe most famous because NONE of the girls in the film are from Denmark!
Girl With The Long Hair(Exploitation) 11/6/03
Invincible Shaolin 11/6/03-Maybe the best of the venom films.