Ashes Of Time Redux - 東邪西毒

Ashes of Time Redux (東邪西毒) is a 2008 film out of Hong Kong. This film is the restored and slightly adjusted version from the original 1994 film, Ashes Of Time. Some of the film's main characters are very loosely based on characters that appear in Jin Yong's wuxia novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes. This is also the only film directed by Wong Kar-wai that is adapted from material he didn't create.

The Cast
Leslie Cheung as Ouyang Feng
Brigitte Lin as daughter of Murong clan
Maggie Cheung as Ouyang Feng's sister-in-law
Jacky Cheung as Hong Qigong
Tony Leung Chiu-Wai as Blind Swordsman
Tony Leung Ka-fai as Huang Yaoshi
Li Bai as Hong Qigong's wife
Carina Lau as Blind Swordsman's wife
Charlie Yeung as Girl with mule

The Story
Ouyang Feng is a dealer for people looking for assassins. Feng has an outpost in the desert where people go to wheel and deal with him. Every year, Huang Yaoshi visits during springtime and they catch up. Along the way, various people roll through the outpost looking for action. Among them are all the others listed in the cast, with exception of Feng's sister-in-law and the blind swordsman's wife. One by one, an story of lost love and betrayal is presented. Everyone's running from something.

My Thoughts
If you read my first post on the original version, you'll see that I didn't enjoy the 1994 version of Ashes Of Time much. However, I had fond enough memories of the film to include it in my Top 20 movies of the 1990s. And this version was also in Cantonese. The only Mandarin is from Brigitte Lin and Li Bai (and when Jacky speaks to Li Bai). So, I wasn't getting the language patterns other than from the subtitles. Which is disappointing. Mandarin dubs still try to stay within the emotional realm of the native tongue.

So, how was it this time around, 15 years after its release? Was this condensed version that included title headings to break up story arcs and "what they become" abstracts on the 3 of the five greats good? Much better! Even though I don't like watching canto dubs, this one was ok since it was such a beautifully shot film. The wide angle shots really presented the mode and the way things flowed made it seem like a dream. And all the stars were 15 years younger! Maggie Cheung was stunning! The rest of the cast just made things easy on the eyes while the environment was gritty and dusty.

The music was also re-scored with Yo Yo Ma on cello. I have the original soundtrack from the 1994 film and use it as finals study music for years. Unfortunately, I can't find the CD now, but the music was vastly different this time around. But it still entranced me in the moment and mood of the scenes.

Is there an coherent story, not really. Yet, it was the search for something on the horizon that made the story arcs move. I also think the Wong assumes you actually knew the story behind Feng, Huang, and Hong, which adds to how you think they are, but they break that character mode.

In the end, I believe this was a well deserved re-mastered version and one that should not be missed. Even at 17 years old now (really 18 in terms of filming), this film not only holds up well, its a testament to how good the HK movies were in the pre-turnover era.

A Chinese Ghost Story II - 倩女幽魂 II: 人間道

A Chinese Ghost Story II (倩女幽魂 II: 人間道) is a 1990 film out of Hong Kong. The film stars Leslie Cheung, Joey Wong, Michelle Reis, and Jacky Cheung. This a sequel to the very successful "A Chinese Ghost Story". Directed by Ching Siu Tung and produced Tsui Hark.

The Cast
Leslie Cheung as Ning Caichen - Mail Protagonist
Joey Wong as Windy - Female Protagonist
Michelle Reis - Moon
Jacky Cheung - Autumn - Taoist Monk
Waise Lee - Fu - General
Wu Ma as Yan Chixia - Taoist Priest

The Story
We leave off almost immediately from the first movie. Ning is leaving for home and is mistakenly thrown into jail. Ning's cellmate is a famous writer. The writer saves Ning and give him a plaque. Once out, he takes a horse nearby thinking it has no owner. But it is the horse of Autumn. Autumn gives chase and finds them in a abandon house. They are ambushed by fake ghost. Among these fake ghost are Windy and Moon. Windy is a look alike of Nie and Ning instantly takes note and wants to find out. Windy and Moon are trying to free their father. Autumn finds ghost in the area and wants to take them out. Ning gets caught up in it all.

My Thoughts
Not as good as the first one, but still very entertaining. Ning starts to get on my nerves in this film. Ning's lack of skill is hard to watch, but when Autumn comes in, it makes up for it. Joey does a good job of playing a strong character in this film, but doesn't really have to do much more. Michelle Reis was quite stunning back in the day. If you liked the first one, you'll prolly also like this one.

72 Tenants of Prosperity - 七十二家房客

72 Tenants of Prosperity (七十二家房客) is a 2010 Chinese New Years film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars a who's who of HK stardom. The main three stars are Eric Tsang, Jacky Cheung, and Anita Yuen. Bosco Wong, Linda Chung, Stephy Tang, and Wong Cho Lam round the supporting cast.

Movie starts in the past where 3 youths prevent local landlords from taking advantage of the tenants. These three youths grow up to modern day Eric Tsang, Jacky Cheung, and Anita Yuen. Eric Tsang and Anita Yuen, are now married. Eric Tsang and Jacky Cheung have competing cell phone stores and are rivals. Even their children get in on the act. But they become lovers from rivals. Watch out for all the homages to other HK films of recent times.

The movie was a jumbled mess. The main storyline of Eric Tsang, Jacky Cheung, and Anita Yuen was quite weak and than their children fall in love with each other? And than you have a nemesis from the past?

I guess Chinese New Years movies like this really don't have to be good, but just get butts in the seats. Watching this months after Chinese New Years and being in the states, the movie is a pass from me.

Once Upon a Time in China - 黃飛鴻

Once Upon a Time in China (黃飛鴻) is a 1991 movie out of Hong Kong. It was also a spark of what would be a long line of martial movies that dominated the HK film industry in the 90s. This movie is the first of 6. The movie starred Jet Li, Yuen Biao, Jacky Cheung, Rosamund Kwan, and Kent Cheng.

The film begins with a lion dance demonstration. Jet Li as Wong Fei Hong shows off his skills to the locals and foreigners on hand. Wong is ask to lead and train a local militia to defend civilians from both locals and foreigners. From here, we're slowly introduced to the many members of Wong's militia. Including the very fresh faced Jacky Cheung. Lots of lowbrow hijinx ensue, but we get a glimpse of Wong's kung fu artistry. The main protagonist is a band of local gangsters that are in cahoots with the Americans to sell local gals as prostitutes in America. Wong must face them when they capture 13 Aunt, played by Rosamund Kwan.



This isn't among my favorite films by Jet Li and is probably 3rd on the list for the series of 6. But I remember watching this back in 1991 and thinking how awesome it was. The epic ending battle was a masterpiece. I still enjoy putting this on in the background while I wash dishes and can't really pay that much attention. Tsui Hark followed "The Swordsman" with a totally new style of Kung Fu presentation that dominated the 90s wuxia landscape.

Back in 1991, my grandparents live in Monterey Park and we would visit them every month or so. When it was a bigger gathering with other cousins. We would run off to the local video store and rent the latest HK movie. I remember how much I enjoyed this. And it is fond memories of my teens with relatives and my late grandfather.

Ashes of Time and Redux - 東邪西毒

Originally posted on xanga.



Back in the 90s, I had rented the bootleg of "Ashes of Time" from a local chinese video store. At the time, I wasn't all that familiar with who directors were and mainly followed stars.

Ashes of Time had a lot of stars. It's actually based on the Greats of the Condor Heroes book by Jin Yong. But the story is simi based in reality. They're not so invincible like they are in the book. And they're physical limitation are explored and exploited.

So, having been a fan of all things Jin Yong (at least from the drama stand point, I haven't read his books), I was super confused at the story and was quite disappointed in the fighting.

After my first watch, I thought the movie was well made, but the topics explored were no relevent to me and the fighting kinda sucked.

I ended up picking it up again on VHS again in the late 90s. Man was I disappointed, it was in Cantonese. I didn't finish it. I liked chinese movies dubbed into Mandarin.

So, I haven't had a good experience with Ashes yet.

Redux is newly remastered and restored. I hear its also tweaked a little. I've seen the trailer and its in Cantonese. I'll have to wait for the Taiwan or China version to see it again.

I hear its one of Wong Kar-wai's better films. If it's anything like Chungking Express or In the Mood for Love, I will like. I just can't really remember it much.

It's playing at a handful of theathres here in greater LA area. In Irvine and on Sunset.

I have the soundtrack from the original movie and had it on quite often when I had to study for finals or mid terms.