All for the Winner - 賭聖

All for the Winner (賭聖) is 1990 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Stephen Chow, Sharla Cheung, Ng Man-tat, and Sandra Ng. The movie was a parady of Chow Yun-fat's highly successful movie, God Of Gamblers (1989). Although Chow appears in numerous films in 1990, include God Of Gamblers II, many believe this was the movie to push him to stardom.

Chow plays Sing, a country bumpkin visiting his uncle Blackie in Hong Kong. Blackie is a addicted to gambling. Sing has special powers that allow him to see through things and to change cards. Blackie uses this to his advantage. Sing eventually falls for femme fatel, Mong played by Sharla. When Sharla is in trouble, Sing is forced to join a gambling competition to save her and his uncle Blackie.

Very hard to give a short synopsis of this film without giving spoilers. However, it was a very funny film. This was one of films I did watch back in the 90s while visiting my late grandparents in Monterey Park. I recently rented this via Netflix in DVD form. Although the comedy was very 90s and early Chow, it was still very funny. Films like that just can't be made today. I think this generations of HK writers have lost it. The absurd comedy of Chow wasn't unique to that era. Yet, nothing would compare to it in 2013 or even since 1997.

Sharla was among my favorite actresses and she shows why in this film. Beautiful still in her 80s style HK makeup, we believe we would do the same if in Sing's shoes.

Kung Fu Cult Master - 倚天屠龍記之魔教教主

Kung Fu Cult Master (倚天屠龍記之魔教教主) is a 1993 movie starring Jet Li. The movie is loosely based on an Jin Yong's novel, Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre (倚天屠龍記).

The movie has to tell a 2 hour movie what a drama series can do in 40-50 episodes. Like "The Brave Archer", this movie is a mess. Characters are popping up left and right. People of friends, enemies, and for what reason? Super martial arts is obtained so quickly. Its a mess. But oh so good. The fighting is like a video game. The characters bounce around the screen, shoot fireballs, and the swords fire bolts. Its early 90s HK movies at its best. You don't have to expect a good story, but its gonna be super fun. It also features some actors that show up in the 2003 drama adaption.

If you know the novel's story or have seen the drama before, the story totally throws a lot of stuff out in order for events to happen. But the main plot points are followed. The characters are not "good" like they are in the dramas too. They are cut throat and show no mercy.

The movie stops when Jet Li saves Wu Dong school. Leaving you scratching your head going, "what, that's the end?" Do not fret, there's suppose to be a sequel to finish the story. But if you know the story, its only 1/3 into it. They would need a another 2 movies to finish the story, even by cutting out a lot of stuff. Its 2009 and no sequel in sight! I've given up. Due to its poor box office performance, no sequel was ever made. But someone else can try it again!

I watched a Taiwan version of this while washing the dishes recently. As it only has Mandarin and the original subs of Chinese and the English right under it. I occasionally check out the English subs and they suck. Haha. Or the translation may be truer to the Cantonese.