Sparks rarely fly in this cheap comedy about an ex-cop turned conman (Alex Man) who cheats a number of bumbling, bored cops. The chief among them (Paul Chun, most absorbing performer in the film) is the sole one raising suspicions, culminating in a partially outrageous card game that somehow squeezes in a urine joke that you don't see every day. Jacky Cheung plays an informant and drug-addict whose knowledge of the conmans past doesn't get taken seriously. Also with Elaine Kam.

At times a wild, off-beat screwball satire about rivaling insurance agents but director Rico Cheung can only go a bit beyond his initial concept and the comedy quickly takes on worn proportions (the dvd cover simply promises a lot more wicked fun). Spicing it up with Category III rated material such as softcore sex and rape further spells a desperation and the lead cast in the form of Mark Cheng and Ivy Leung doesn't help either. The late James Wong however is very funny as a completely mad insurance agent. Also with Kelvin Wong, Dick Lau and Sai Gwa Paau.

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The English title is a tall order the movie doesn't live up too and although it has more of a bronzemen movie feel. Cliff Lok tries to convince the Ching Emperor (Pai Ying) that they're blood brothers and that he's in fact a Han that should join up to bring down the Ching. A crucial piece of evidence lies behind a series of fights and tests for Cliff Lok's character though...

Even at a lean 75 minutes (the running time of the German cinema print), the movie is a basic yarn and yawn that doesn't provide good usage of Lok, Wong or even King Hu regular Pai Ying. About half way into the epic Shaolin temple scenario, things perk up when the bronzemen arrive and those of us, like me, with a weakness for fighting chambers will get a minor kick. But The Best Of Shaolin Kung Fu ranks low despite and without aforementioned kickass aspect, it would've easily qualified as the Worst.

One of the very first Cinema City productions, founders Raymond Wong (writer), Karl Maka (actor) and Dean Shek (actor) indeed are at the forefront trying to make their production company take flight. Their various detours into action (the A Better Tomorrow movies for instance) may have made their name later but the local comedy has its fair share to recommend about them and the Wu Ma directed Beware Of Pickpockets surprises. Dean Shek is a good hearted pickpocket who tries to make bad guys lives miserable instead but the law (represented by Karl Maka and Wu Ma) is still after him. Running an orphanage also and teaching them the more kind principles of the pickpocket trade, these resourceful kids are going to play a crucial part in the various musical numbers and slapstick that ensues. Especially when actual thugs come onto the scene...

Dean Shek may look like he's up to his usual over the top antics but in actuality, we're seeing a much more toned down version here. Essentially all the post dubbed high pitched sounds are gone and in fact, Shek makes for an effective conveyer of dishing out painful slapstick as well as receiving. It's one of his funniest performances. Various skits include the kids trying to get him a girlfriend, a drunk judge sentencing Karl Maka to prison and awarding a good citizen award to Shek instead and Hitler gets mentioned 10 times in regards to a dog etc. But the tour de force is an epic slapstick sequence where Shek and kids take on the thugs. Physical pain and undercranking is a center pillar but the energy and timing is usually spot on. Credit Wu Ma for keeping Shek in check and delivering a valuable addition to Cinema City.

Attacked and now possessed by a snake devil, a woman (Chui Ging-Sin) and her surroundings now seek help to break the spell...

Low-budget and set bound Taiwanese horror quickie that satisfies on very minute levels. Basically either filmed in the forest or in one house, various low-fi transformations and gore represents the only brief fun you can find plus the special effects ending is lively enough to not fall asleep in front of. Certainly was an opportunity somewhere in there to be a little bit more dramatic with the possession plot that us similar to the The Wolf Man but Bewitched Area Of Thousand Years concerns itself with little of that, not even nailing the drama on a soap opera level. Also starring Lung Tien-Hsiang (The Flag Of Iron) and Ku Feng appears briefly.

Somewhat sleazy undercover cop actioner with Carol Lee infiltrating a criminal organization. After the sexually abusive leader played by Anthony Wong gets killed, she beds the new leader (Alex Fong) and gets under the skin of Michael Chan's as well. Low budget but usually doing its thing adequately as a gangster piece, director Alan Chan (also actor here and in Devil's Curse, The Devil Sorcery etc) injects some large squibs during the all too few action scenes, Anthony Wong using butter and cucumbers while playing with Lee Yuet-Sin, perverts and himself as a cop more pre-occupied by porn than duty. Surprisingly callous at points too, it's neither A-grade or A-grade thrash but the sprinkles by Chan plus a decent pace makes it ok crap for those glad to be hovering around this type of Hong Kong cinema of the 90s. Alan Chui plays to his strengths as always and gets off a few manic cackles as über-evil Kwan.

Jacob Cheung portrays the importance of mending broken relationships while also celebrating the life spirit, all through the eyes of a older mother (Fung Bo Bo). First, she has to come to terms with her daughter (Cecilia Yip) who has run off abroad and into a marriage lacking of blessing from the mother's side. Director Cheung surprises us by dealing and clearing out this matter quickly and instead Beyond The Sunset becomes a sweet, good old romance, with the emphasis on old as Fung Bo Bo and Richard Ng's characters begin to bond. Much of the material and its themes are bashed over the viewer's head but not only is it affecting, Cheung still actually manages to make the proceedings retain a subtlety. There are valid complaints to be directed towards the young actor playing Cecilia Yip's kid but the overall effect of the film is pleasing thanks to down to earth and warm performances with a suitably static direction. Lowell Lo co-stars in a part dopey, part dramatic performance, an oddity coming from this walking visual gag of an actor/composer.

Beyond The Sunset ended up taking home the Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Actress (Cecilia Yip) statuettes at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Two loyal, lowly brothers (Wong played by Chen Kuan-Tai and Cheung, Jimmy Lung billed here as Jimmy Lee and playing it only mildly psychotic compared to later roles) start from the bottom but after committing a murder they are forced to flee to Shanghai where their brief trek onto the gangster path prior, takes full flight. It also draws the brothers apart...

Nothing too surprising about Chen Kuan-Tai's story here as the two country bumpkins become part of the high class, early 1900s Shanghai. Wong remains loyal to his Chinese side as much as he can while Cheung looks for the riches and glamour the Western side of the city offer up. Although touching upon France and England leasing territories as well as opium- and ammo smuggling, these are only elements that in a highly basic way carry Chen Kuan-Tai's direction to each respective fight scene. Because nothing of the affecting kind can be found in Wong and Cheung's story. The bashing and fair intricacy in the various fights has its fair amount of standout moments though and the brutal finale involving acid is well worth the trip you have to take with Big Boss Of Shanghai. Also with Chan Sing and Cheng Hong-Yip.