Themes

[Stoo]

Themes

Feel free to post ideas for themed shows, here is the list and posts from the last topic;

On Cateogory III-theme

Having initiated the Category III rating roundabout in 1988 via the releases of local production SENTENCED TO HANG, a real life depiction of the last sentenced hanging case in Hong Kong and Martin Scorceses THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST, most associate the notion of a Category III film with 1992's DR. LAMB (directed by Billy Tang & Danny Lee) and really was part of what some (me) consider an at times exceptional era of exploitation filmmaking, for better or worse. Question first to you guys, your general perception of what makes a Category III film and have you/will you approach the harsh content of the genre?

Worth noting is the trend then during 1992-1995 of the sex comedies, straight on softcore porn but mostly the trend of dramatizing real life, grim events straight out of the newspaper (DR.LAMB, THE UNTOLD STORY AND RUN AND KILL being examples), from the perspective of me I find that mostly amidst these effort you found the well-made cinema for the audiences that could take it. Having touched upon one finding no reasonable explanation why you would be sucked into this kind of graphic filmmaking, is it you think an attraction to darkness or just the fact that you want to see a good film, harsh, controversial topic or not?

And for actors, actresses and directors, in worst case you had the Category III label (outside of Hong Kong even as some companies liked to treat the rating, as a label) looming over you preventing further acclaim so even with acclaim given to let's say an actress like Lily Chung (RED TO KILL), you think it's unfair if a nude TALENT gets no respect in his or her line of work or it all depends on your choices, your luck etc etc (thinking of Shu Qi who went from Sex And Zen II to multiple awards)? Certainly some actors don't care as they don't consider themselves stars anyway, thinking now of Anthony Wong who has gladly sunk his teeth into the likes of THE UNTOLD STORY and EBOLA SYNDROME.


More long-winded shit to come...feel free to question my coherence.

Shaw Brother's-theme

Being very attracted to the majestic, epic and expensive nature that Shaw Brother's trailers presented (for me on the Made In Hong Kong VHS releases), what was your guys first foray into Shaw Brother's movies and did it live up to expectations, if there were any beforehand?

Chang Cheh probably was known to me beforehand as a prolific filmmaker during the era and having gone through some other known director's work such as Lau Kar-leung's, Chor Yuen's etc etc, hasn't it been and does it continue to be a playground of discovery for you guys, whether you're into martial arts, drama, horror or historical pieces in terms of cinematic significance?

on Golden Harvest:

As a contrast if talking of the martial arts/Wuxia output, to Shaw Brother's, although highly successful and eventually getting Shaw's to try and follow in their footsteps after the success of Jackie and Sammo, my attraction to Golden Harvest (mainly via Angela Mao's work, with Hwang In-Sik, Sammo, Carter Wong and the likes chipping in) stems from a more gritty nature to their productions. In intent, for budget reasons but maybe stylistically as a contrast? What do you guys think?

The 3 Brothers:

Not familiar with much of the output by Jackie, Sammo and Yuen Biao together, how is the consistent moviemaking throughout their classic work? It it as classically uneven as Hong Kong cinema can be and the expert action makes it all worth it or are we talking comedy filled with chemistry and timing that makes movies like DRAGONS FOREVER....forever stand out? Do elaborate on the key films.

Fan favourite Yuen Biao, how are your views on his star not shining as brightly as Jackie's or Sammo's after they split up? Obviously possessing acting chops and acrobatic brilliance, RIGHTING WRONS and ON THE RUN will forever be the enduring examples of Yuen's but is there a reason you think he never reached as high?

Takashi Miike:

Spending little time with Japan cinema, Takashi Miike's rep obviously gets people to reference AUDITION, ICHI THE KILLER etc but the interesting aspect to this busy filmmaker is his acclaim making character-driven, even subtle cinema as I've heard RAINY DOG and BIRD PEOPLE OF CHINA is. If someone is familiar with Miike's flip-flop between genres, is it fair to say he excels/puts more effort in certain output?

CRITICS/REVIEWERS/REVIEWING:

Although it's common sense to know opinions differ, magazine critics feel drastically different etc, do you guys feel there are certain magazines or online reviewers that you trust to make you make up your mind about seeing a flick or not?

Do you reviewers read the fairly in-depth reviews of movies YOU are attempting to write about during the time of a hype or subsequently?

Going to talk of a specific example here, having recently attempted to watch Poon Man-kit's LORD OF EAST CHINA SEA, I was struck by the fact that I personally didn't feel quite up to it. What was lacking was historial knowledge of events in the film that may produce unfair remarks towards the production (empty, lack of emotion, coherence etc), a lack of willingness to do research needed so what I felt was personally right to do was to not write about it all. I'll tell you why, it also has to do with what appeals to me as writer...to write of and to do beforehand in terms of preparation. Balanced view you think?

Carrying on from that, has anyone written a review that they totally changed their mind about later? IE slating a film that you returned to later and decided it was actually quite good..

Korean themed show:

Is Korea the new HK? Or is that a lazy comparison?
Favourite films / filmmakers?
Any 'typical' Korean themes that interest you?

[pantsonfire]

How about an "Asian Influence Show"

Looking at how the east has influenced the cinema of the west. From the influeces of Bruce Lee and then John Woo, to the current influx of remakes.

[Stoo]

Maybe

We've also announced our first themed show on the website, check it out

[chen lung]

Great idea. How would this work?

Would you set a date and have people submit questions, or will it be unscripted banter?

[Stoo]

Well it's a bit of both, we will have set questions submitted on the forum, throw in some warm up questions (first shaw, fav shaw, last shaw watched etc.), then move onto reader questions.

i'll see who i can get on, i did look into Shaw brother fan sites but they're nearly all gone nowdays.

I'll need to contact past guests see if their game.