Portrait In Crystal

[Ivy Ling Po]

This movie is available for pre-order now at DDDhouse. Street date is April 19......can't wait.
This is wu xia plus horror, right?
Does Chen Szu Chia fight in it?

[HANZOSTEEL]

This is one of the few films i have no idea about but have been looking forward to since Last year.
This and Shadowgirl starring Lily Li. Sorry i do not have any information to answer any questions.

[BKarza]

Mainly a horror movie. That part is done well. The wu xia type action is poorly done. Hua Shan tried to ape Lu Chun Ku and got it all wrong.

I don't know who the woman that you mentioned is but one character(Philip Ko's daughter in Shaolin Intruders), plays a character that does "stuff". Character wears a masked so it's obviously a double. There are no visible female fights.

If you want some good female action(non and doubled) wait til Bloody Parrot comes out. Yang Ching Ching is in that.

[Ivy Ling Po]

Are the fight scenes undercranked?
That will be unbearable.
Chen Szu Chia is best remembered for her role in Ghost Eyes.

[Brigadier Chow]

The fight scenes are undercranked, but it is handled well IMO. The characters in this movie and the sets is what makes it worth picking up.

[BKarza]

Yes, there is undercranked action. It's in the sfx, flying, quick cut, wu xia vein. It is incoherently done. There is no smoothness or sense of thought in it it seems. It just comes off as someone trying to ape Lu Chun Ku's style but having no idea at all, how to actually do it.

The action will be real speed for a second, then go to quick cuts and vicious undercranking. There is no a-b-c-d to it. No construction. It's just a bloody mess.

If you really want to see it, I suggest you rent it. I am trying to save you money.

[Ivy Ling Po]

Hi BKarza

Well, you have certainly helped me to save my money as there is no way I will get it now with that vivid description of the sword choreography in the movie. Thanks!

[bubbabgone]

Yup.
Gonna skip Portrait in Crystal.
Incidental action is not a quality I'm looking for in a MA film.

[BKarza]

"Mainly a horror movie. That part is done well. The wu xia type action is poorly done. Hua Shan tried to ape Lu Chun Ku and got it all wrong."

Please keep this in mind. The movie is not bad, just the action. That is why I say rent. I don't mean skip and never watch. It is an interesting movie. Just not a keeper.

[Linn1]

and in particular liked the final fight. If you enjoy wuxia horror films, I think you'll dig it. Also, I've yet to see or hear of any release that was uncut, so it's still never been seen "correctly" on video.

[Ivy Ling Po]

I wonder whether Celestial will release an uncut version and if it is, will it be as controversial as Human Lanterns.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

I just cannot wait for this film to arrive at my door. I doubt the fights are so poorly done they ruin the film, especially since I trust Linn's opinion's on this genre. There have not been many films released in the past few months that have blown me away. What Price Honesty is like a children's lesson in morals, Twin Swords was awesome, especially seeing it so beautifully remastered ( I had been waiting a while to see this released by IVL), Secret Of The Dirk was pretty cool too, Vengeance Of A Snowgirl, Men From The Monestary are must haves IMO of the genre, but this film (like Bloody Parrot) I am particularly looking forward to possessing. I've just preordered it yesterday along with IVL's Shaolin Mantis -(I'm finally getting around to seeing what Celestial has done with this film) and will definitely be writing a full length review on Portrait In Crystal, whether or not my expectations are dashed. Extremely rare films being released by Celestial, such as Portrait in Crystal, should be supported by the true fan.

[jmungus]

will definitely be writing a full length review on Portrait In Crystal

please do. im having some hopes for this to be up my alley and deliver myself.
bloody parrot- even more so. BP is actually a true 'cant wait to see' in my book.
BKarza`s comment on the undercranking (in PIC), better yet the way they`ve handled it, sounds kinda alarming to me tho (for our sake, i do hope u were sick, drunk or mad high when u`d watch it BK ;) ).
generally, i dont have a problem with undercranking if its done in a reasonable fashion and fits the style of the movie/the actor/characters/scene in question.

[magicpoe]

I've been looking forward to the release of this since I found the B&W Lobby Photos that I posted. I'm going to approach this the same way I did Human Lanterns, a horror type film with some action.

Also looking forward to Bloody Parrot. I have a boot of it that I watch from time to time, although that's a little difficult because of the fuzzy picture and the subs are cut off on the sides.

[VonHumboldtFleischer]

Maybe it'll make more sense in its full uncut glory, but I thought PORTRAIT IN CRYSTAL was a very, very silly film. Almost NA CHA THE GREAT-type silly.

[Ivy Ling Po]

Hi vengeanceofhuman lanterns

Please write a full-length review of What Price Honesty as I am hesitant to pick it up. I was going to pair it with Portrait In Crystal but now I am having 2nd thoughts about getting them.

[Linn1]

I'm not saying it's a great, lost classic. I just think it's a pretty good film of it's type. The only thing holding back really was the FX for the time.

[bubbabgone]

Maybe it'll make more sense in its full uncut glory, but I thought PORTRAIT IN CRYSTAL was a very, very silly film. Almost NA CHA THE GREAT-type silly.

DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!

Just kidding.

You guys have me going back and forth on this.

But the opinion above has me pretty much convinced to skip it.

I surely don't need to be Na Cha'ed again.

[Brigadier Chow]

It is no where near as bad as Na Cha, I would not even compare. Respect due to all opinions though. The action IMO is typical of the time period at Shaws. There is wirework and undercranking, but it fits in with the film. In other words if you did not like post 82 stuff. then don't bother.

[BKarza]

Just watched this again. I stand behind my statements firmly with both feet. Especially the action. Both feet.

As far as the movie itself goes, it could have done without Pai Piao's partner hamming it up with the comedy-ish type stuff. He was annoying. Hua Shan took a whole lot of liberties in doing this. In the action and in the execution of the story. Sort of, I do this here because I want to. Found myself scrunching my face up a lot.

Will I be getting rid of my tape? No. Do I want to see the dvd? No.

I finish with this. Be very happy, estatic even, that you get to see this first THEN, Bloody Parrot. I saw BP first(also directed by Hua Shan). It was the movie that got me into swordplay movies. When I saw this tape and saw that Hua Shan was the director, I was excited. Then...

[sevenhooks]

It is no where near as bad as Na Cha, I would not even compare. Respect due to all opinions though. The action IMO is typical of the time period at Shaws. There is wirework and undercranking, but it fits in with the film. In other words if you did not like post 82 stuff. then don't bother.


Well put.
Do NOT get confused by the comparison to Na Cha.
Two completely different films made in two COMPLETELY different time periods.
A Shaw film from the mid 70's is simply NOT going to look or feel like a Shaw film from the early 80's.
Don't get it twisted.

[Isfahani]

I liked Na Cha - It was nice for it's time, what's the problem?

I am certainly more interested in this film tho, as per linn's description.

Don't get it twisted? Which forum do you think you're on?

:lol

[sevenhooks]

Don't get it twisted? Which forum do you think you're on?

:lol




Yea, my bad.
I thought I was on the "Why Wu Tang Clan is the most important thing to have ever happened to kung fu films since Bruce Lee" thread. Please proceed.:b

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

As far as the movie itself goes, it could have done without Pai Piao's partner hamming it up with the comedy-ish type stuff. He was annoying. Hua Shan took a whole lot of liberties in doing this. In the action and in the execution of the story. Sort of, I do this here because I want to. Found myself scrunching my face up a lot.

Now you are truly scaring me. We'll see...

[VonHumboldtFleischer]

My criticism wasn't about the undercranking or the crude special effects, neither of which I particularly mind, as long as they're not grossly incompetent. It's just a sloppy film with jittery, sloppy action choreography and, just like NA CHA, too much silly fantasy stuff in it for my liking.

I don't even remember the crappy comedy stuff. It's possible that this is what they trimmed out of earlier versions, in which case it doesn't sound like the restored DVD holds out much promise.

In other words if you did not like post 82 stuff. then don't bother.

That about covers it.

[bubbabgone]

What if I happen to think the mid-70's - mid 80's is the Shaw golden decade ... but I don't particularly like overdone hopping ghosts, corpses riding dollies across the set, laser shooting fingers, or guys riding big winged creatures of no identifiable species.

But most of all, will there be enough action in this film for humble folk with simple tastes like me.

[Ivy Ling Po]

Out of curiosity, I have just ordered it from DDDhouse.
Must see what the fuss is all about.
Will let you guys know.

[peringaten]

And into the player it ventures... Man, since I first started getting into Shaws this has been one of my most anticipated of all of them, regardless of any critical consensus whatsoever... Come on with the horror jaunt sub-par Lu Chin Ku-isms!!!

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Alright peringaten! Roll it up and let it fly!!! Can't wait to hear your consensus.

[peringaten]

ERM... WHAT????!!Mainly a horror movie. That part is done well. No.The wu xia type action is poorly done. Hua Shan tried to ape Lu Chun Ku and got it all wrong.Uh huh... tell it like it is now...It is incoherently done. There is no smoothness or sense of thought in it it seems. It just comes off as someone trying to ape Lu Chun Ku's style but having no idea at all, how to actually do it.YES!! Listen to BKarza people - On this front he knows EXACTLY of what he speaks.As far as the movie itself goes, it could have done without Pai Piao's partner hamming it up with the comedy-ish type stuff. He was annoying. Hua Shan took a whole lot of liberties in doing this. In the action and in the execution of the story. Sort of, I do this here because I want to. Found myself scrunching my face up a lot.Yes!! And he knows on this front too people... Although the only difference is I found myself scrunching my brain up.

Well the ending nearly redeemed it, but by that point the damage was already done.

I'VE GOT A HEADACHE. I'M GONNA GO FILE THIS NEXT TO MY COPY OF THE ENCHANTRESS, HUG MY COPY OF WHAT PRICE HONESTY AND HAVE A LIE DOWN...

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Must classics of outstanding and overall quality be so rare?.... Yes they must, apparently. :| The face of death looking forward to something. Gawd.

[Ivy Ling Po]

Oh my God!

DHL is delivering my DVD tomorrow.......wish I had ordered What Price Honesty instead.

[bubbabgone]

CD WOW has my copy of What Price Honesty on back order.

I skipped Portrait In Crystal based on these opinions here.

I'm thinking I made the right call this one time.

[venomchamber]

IMO, ALL SHAWS ARE KEEPERS AND SHOULD NOT BE SKIPPED!

APPARENTLY, WE'RE GETTING SPOILED AS ONCE UPON A TIME FANS PAID THRU THE NOSE FOR POOR QUALITY TAPES OF SOME OF THE FILMS THEY SLAM NOW THAT THEY'RE ON DVD AND NOT RARE ANYMORE!

BUT STILL, AS A FAN I PERSONALLY AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL AND SUPPORT THEM BY BUYING EACH AND EVERY DISC THEY PUT OUT, AND HAVEN'T REGRETTED A SINGLE ONE YET!

[Ivy Ling Po]

Well said venomchamber!

I am so ashamed of my attitude.:o

[venomchamber]

Its All Good! :D

[VonHumboldtFleischer]

Holy mackerel.

A bad movie is a bad movie, regardless of which studio released it. For the record, I saw this movie long before the Celestial release, in the dark ages of VHS. It sucked then. It sucks now.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

BUT STILL, AS A FAN I PERSONALLY AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL AND SUPPORT THEM BY BUYING EACH AND EVERY DISC THEY PUT OUT, AND HAVEN'T REGRETTED A SINGLE ONE YET!

Right on brother! I don't buy every single one, but I don't regret any I've purchased, not even Portrait In Crystal which should be arriving today. In fact, I may like it much more than peringaten. There's a few films he digs a great deal that I thought were silly. By no means am I ditchin peringaten, I respect his opinion, the point is we are all on different pages with any given title. So when I watch it, I'm sure I'll see or even agree with some of the points made by peringaten or Bkarza, but those criticisms may be superfluous or irrelevant to my perspective on the overall film.

I'm sorry there is one film I'd regretted purchasng: Lust for Love Of A Chinese Courtesan. Gawd! Chu Yuan by 1984 you were definitely slippin.

[peringaten]

I don't think any of us are stupid enough not to be thankful for Celestial. Plus with the sheer amount being released I guess a lot of us don't have the funds to go for them all, but would if we could - regardless it's good to get pointers and gists towards our various tastes, particularly for the casual fan. I'm not ashamed of my attitude here (will never be spoiled towards Shaws only grateful), and maybe my point is missed. I LOVE Shaws, every film of theirs is worthwhile, I'll never get rid of even the least appealing film of theirs, but perspective on this one... It's not very good. ESPECIALLY as a horror flick, it's not very good. It's alright, but it's in league with the likes of an Enchantress for "horror" almost besides a couple of really camply done slight gore scenes (the cross scene was amusing), etc...
It's not a horror - it's an uninvolving supernatural flick... where's the pacing and especially the tension, etc.? Other than hoping that fat dude was gonna give it up, and worrying when the story may become involving... and the filmmaking less mindnumbingly slapdash? And I'm trying to take it on its own merits here, not what I wished it to be *licks copy of Human Lanterns*.
This film GENUINELY gave me a headache - be a long time before I recheck this again - I'LL BE RECOMMENDING A COUPLE HUNDRED OTHER SHAWS AT LEAST BEFORE THIS ONE (that figure will for sure go up the more I see I reckon (sub reckon for know)). For the casual observer, in light of the numerous true gems available, this one will possibly even give THE WRONG idea about Shaws - We all know the rabid fans are gonna grab and watch any regardless - once again, I don't think any of us are stupid enough not to be thankful for Celestial... and if the curiosity is there want to make our own minds up. I may base on opinion when the funds are tight, but I know I'm not the only one who mostly disregards a lot of opinion for want to make their own mind up whenever the funds and time make it possible.
Maybe the sets in Portrait were nicer (very Chor Yuan) and some elements were a bit madder fun, but - JOURNEY OF THE DOOMED WAS BETTER THAN THIS FLICK IMO.
Still, it may work for some of you... who knows.

[jmungus]

very good discussion folks. heres my 2 cents:

Quote:Mainly a horror movie. That part is done well.

NO

do i interpret that right its another typical late 70s/early 80s wuxia with some (more or less) pseudo-creepy/horror elements infused ?

Quote:The wu xia type action is poorly done. Hua Shan tried to ape Lu Chun Ku and got it all wrong.

Uh huh... tell it like it is now..

plz elaborate.
did he get it all wrong "aping tony liu" or did he get the action all wrong in general ? like, is it a total mess in its own right ?


Quote:It is incoherently done. There is no smoothness or sense of thought in it it seems. It just comes off as someone trying to ape Lu Chun Ku's style but having no idea at all, how to actually do it.

YES!! Listen to BKarza people - On this front he knows EXACTLY of what he speaks.

ive always considered hua shan`s directing style a bit of a unique affair (plz dont read too much into the 'unique' thing), meaning his outputs would fit into the SB style of movie making but distinguishing themselves from the 'average shaw' by a multitude of slight differences in various aspects of a production.
tales of a eunuch would be such an example. a deadly secret would be another example like that (from yet another director; whose name escapes me).
anyhoo, long story short, im not particularly fond of hua shan, but i do not dislike him for that either; i rather think he/his style is an interesting asset to the SB library.
doesnt mean its an excuse; maybe he simply screwed up here. u tell me, i aint own the movie yet :p

I'VE GOT A HEADACHE. I'M GONNA GO FILE THIS NEXT TO MY COPY OF THE ENCHANTRESS

for the record, i really dig the enchantress. might be kind of a guilty pleasure, and im aware the story is a real mess, but 2 things i really love about it: (from what i remember) the action is more furiously staged and overall fun than the majority of CY wuxias; and i totally love the sets and atmosphere (approaching the movie as a swordplay- as opposed to a 'horror' flick)

HUG MY COPY OF WHAT PRICE HONESTY AND HAVE A LIE DOWN

old perv :eek ;)

A bad movie is a bad movie, regardless of which studio released it.

word up! if i watched movies cuz they re rare, i`d have a whole lot of celluloid-excrement on my hands.


Quote:BUT STILL, AS A FAN I PERSONALLY AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL AND SUPPORT THEM BY BUYING EACH AND EVERY DISC THEY PUT OUT, AND HAVEN'T REGRETTED A SINGLE ONE YET!



Right on brother! I don't buy every single one, but I don't regret any I've purchased, not even Portrait In Crystal which should be arriving today. In fact, I may like it much more than peringaten. There's a few films he digs a great deal that I thought were silly. By no means am I ditchin peringaten, I respect his opinion, the point is we are all on different pages with any given title. So when I watch it, I'm sure I'll see or even agree with some of the points made by peringaten or Bkarza, but those criticisms may be superfluous or irrelevant to my perspective on the overall film.

why mix things up ?
being "eternally grateful" is one thing; buying all their stuff (or not) is another and yet another is whether one regrets it or not on some occassions.

excellent comment (-> "right on brother!...."), but if everyone always had this on their minds when entering an internet (movie) forum, terms like "imho", "just my 2cents" etc would have to face the horrible fate of extinction :eek :\

JOURNEY OF THE DOOMED WAS BETTER THAN THIS FLICK IMO

now thats saying something IMHO ('its still alive!!!') :lol
generally speaking, theres no truly rotten shaw flicks for me .....
with the EXCEPTION of a chosen few (less than 10) of the hundreds i know.
JOTD is definitely one of em!!! i could never ever believe u on this one peri, without having seen it with my own eyes.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

After all that explaining and clearing the air.

What's an HTML comment?

Anyway, absolutey no offense was meant toward peringaten, especially with the silly films comment I watch and love a great deal of them myself. I was merely trying to make an example of the diversity of tastes on this forum while also sharing the enthusiasum of another board member... and not:

excellent comment (-> "right on brother!....") , but if everyone always had this on their minds when entering an internet (movie) forum, terms like "imho", "just my 2cents" etc would have to face the horrible fate of extinction

That's a little ridiculous.

By the way what does this mean:

being "eternally grateful" is one thing; buying all their stuff (or not) is another and yet another is whether one regrets it or not on some occassions.

Ya, I get your gist. ;)

[peringaten]

do i interpret that right its another typical late 70s/early 80s wuxia with some (more or less) pseudo-creepy/horror elements infused ?Kind of, sort of, pretty much... It's very late-Chor Yuan in feel mostly... but kind of like he teamed up with the Battle Wizard design crew a little here and there I thought initially (despite BW's earlier vintage; i'm gisting)... Which soon as I realised it wasn't a straight horror thought might suffice for some nice fun... but alas, it wasn't anywhere near as fun as BW nor as involving as a late-era Chor Yuan flick - The Enchantress is better imo. My comparison was more a superficially stylistic comparison...
did he get it all wrong "aping tony liu" or did he get the action all wrong in general ? like, is it a total mess in its own right ?
plz elaborate.Kind of, sort of, pretty much... yeah, see it and you should see BK's comparison... it's apt I thought... Messy generally? Yeah - once again I'm not lying when I say this film LITERALLY gave me a headache... it might be the editing or something... it's something in there... It got better by the end (not great though), but my head was pounding by then - it just furthered it...maybe he simply screwed up here. u tell me, i aint own the movie yet You ordered this one? I'll be interested to see more opinions on it after watching...now thats saying something IMHO ('its still alive!!!')
generally speaking, theres no truly rotten shaw flicks for me .....
with the EXCEPTION of a chosen few (less than 10) of the hundreds i know.
JOTD is definitely one of em!!! i could never ever believe u on this one peri, without having seen it with my own eyes. JOTD actually cajoled me into caring a little for the characters, Portrait gave me a headache with its characters, plotting and stylings... plus I dug the action in JOTD more - it flowed better, if again less ambitious. They are not similar, and Portrait wins on sets, but they both had schlock '80s stylings and felt kind of tv productiony... ah, maybe you get my gist... who knows...old pervOh... less said the better there...

And Vengeance - absolutely no offense taken - I got what you meant and agree.

[venomchamber]

I consider myself an advocate for the Shaws and their films!
My definition of a Shaw Brothers film = a film made at Shaw Studios. I am not as fond of their modern films made in the 80s. Although I do like them very much, I'm not quite as obsessed with them as I am with their films made between 1958 and 1980.
To me, the Shaw films made between '58 and '80 appear as episodes of a long running anthology series, some not as good as others, but all worth watching!
(If an episode or two of your favorite show sucked, would you stop watching the entire series?)
I enjoy all of the films shot at their studios regardless of genre. I have enjoyed each and every huangmei opera, ghost film, wu-xia swordplay, period fantasy, Imperial drama, romantic comedy, nightclub musical, TVB collaboration and of course, kung-fu movie I have seen by them, and seeing them digitally remastered only fuels my passion for all things Shaw!
I can recognize a true Shaw film a mile away just by watching it briefly for a minute or two.
I love the look of their interior sets with the painted backdrops.
I love the cinematography! No doubt about it. (Especially Kung Mu-To.)
I love their villa, pagoda, and wooden plank bridge.
I love their exterior countryside locales in the New Territories.
I love the sound effects no matter how insignificant, like the sound of their footsteps (chep-chep-chep), the fluttering rustle of their robes, the pings of the early swords, the clangs of the later swords, and even that bird that chirps in the background of any film depicting a forest. (hoo-hoo-hoooo...)
I love watching the same actors age gracefully while appearing over and over again in every movie during 20 years at the studio. (Ching Miao and Wang Ching-Ho come to mind.)
I love the glued-on wigs and upswept eyebrows.
I love the music, even their library of western stock music which borrows heavily from Ennio Morricone, one of my favorite composers.
I love the surreal quality their films during this period had and can almost compare them to an onstage play, and I find myself in the unique position of not being able to dislike a Shaw film.*
I am a Shaw Brothers fan, pure and simple!
I shell out my hard earned cash for all of their DVD releases, except for the films Celestial is sneaking in that are NOT Shaws like the '90s Stephen Chow stuff. I even get some of the Japanese versions (for the extra bonus features!) and all the Image releases.
I'd watch a Shaw film over any other HK film anyday!

Even if you don't buy horror/sword films like Portrait In Crystal, I would definitely suggest you borrow, rent or trade a copy of it just to see it for yourself!
Its not Bloody Parrot, but I feel its worth a watch atleast once over Chinese take-out! It definitely beats renting one of those recent Steven Seagal flicks from Blockbuster!
Someone once said "One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure"

(*Note: Sometime in the 1980s, the Shaws decided to emulate the "new-wave" cinematography utilized by rival studios and filmed more frequently on location. Although these films are all great as well, they lack the unique personal touch of their previous films.
For some, this switch made the films appear more realistic, for others, such as Shaw purists like myself, this cheapened the quality of the whole production and made it seem more generic in appearance.
For example, Hong Kong Playboys bares little resemblence to a Shaw film until the battle in the gym at the end which is loaded with the familiar sound effects.
Wherein Hong Kong Godfather, Mercenaries From Hong Kong, and This Man Is Dangerous have some outstanding action performed by some of their top stars, the cinematography of these films are about the same as any other typical Godfrey Ho/Yukari Oshima/Moon Lee/Angel film of the 80s...OK at best. This was when I discovered TVB wu-xia serials.)

[peringaten]

What did you think of Portrait In Crystal?

[venomchamber]

Obviously, I like it. I will admit it isn't among my favorites like the Chang Cheh films, but I wouldn't go so far as to say is was bad, much less terrible.
Sometimes I'm in the mood for a horror film, sometimes a sleazy film, sometimes a wu-xia film. This, along with other films like Black Lizard and Bloody Parrot I watched as f***ed-up bootlegs and couldn't wait to see them crystal (pun) clear on DVD, so to me it seems like someone turned on the light in a dark room. I'm biased, because I'd probably like any Shaw film even if it sucked, as long as it starred someone I am a fan of (in this case Jason Pai Piao) and I am familiar with the direction (in this case Hua Shan- whom I like a lot...Super-Inframan, Tales Of A Eunuch, Usurpers Of The Emporer's Power, To Kill A Jaguar, Little Dragon Maiden, etc.)
So I didn't see anything wrong with it, storywise or otherwise. I didn't think the film was trying to ape Lu Chin Ku as it didn't even register to me to compare it. I was just grateful I was watching another Shaw production on DVD that I thought would never see the light of day! :D

[Ivy Ling Po]

Finally I've seen it and may I say, the film looks impressive with atmospheric sets. Chen Szu Chia casts a strong presence with her characterisation and Wang Jung displays why he won the Golden Horse awards for best acting a few times in his career. The fighting is admittedly undercranked but it is heads and shoulders above Journey Of The Doomed which is the pits. The plot makes sense ultimately and all loose ends are tied up. Not bad at all. If you're hesitating, take a chance.

[venomchamber]

Way to go Ivy!


'nuff said!

[Ivy Ling Po]

There is one particular scene where this completely nude girl is all tied up with iron wires cutting into her flesh and you have this villain slicing off her flesh piece by piece in close-up. It is very realistic and I was amused when my friend who was watching it with me had to turn away despite his strong stomach for violence in triad films. There is a close-up of full frontal female nudity here and I think this scene must have been cut from the bootlegs. It reminded me very much of the uncut Momentum UK dvd of Human Lanterns. For gore and nudity lovers, this scene alone is worth the price of the dvd. I am glad I picked up this dvd for Chen Szu Chia. She reminded me very much of Brigitte Lin Ching Hsia in The Bride Witrh White Hair 2 and fights just as ferociously. Definitely one of her signature movies. I like Pai Piao in this one and I normally don't like him.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Mine STILL hasn't arrived! >: But Ivy, to an extent you've just made the wait look worth it.

Thanks for the little review.

[peringaten]

Glad to hear it worked for you Ivy!

[bubbabgone]

For gore and nudity lovers, this scene alone is worth the price of the dvd.

Oh crap.

That's one for the + column.

Somehow I always knew I'd end up getting this.

I'm so weak it's embarrassing.

[jmungus]

so ive finally watched this one as well and wow im havin a hard time comprehending how (some) of u would come to your respective impressions and conclusions.

heres my take in a nutshell first:
-typical hua shan staging, pacing and shooting of scenes.
-script with no substance nor soul. hardly any character development whatsoever
-sloppy, careless production overall that fails to involve or enchant
-pai piao`s lead character has the personality and aura usually associated with some "3rd fiddle main guy" in shaw movies that are actually hot.
-total focus on the action elements + short running time = a diverting, mindless quickie


"Mainly a horror movie. That part is done well."
not a horror-wuxia flick at all in my book. 'medium level gloomy' fantasy wuxia action-adventure with some extra-graphic scenes for good measure is what i`d call it.
yes there are elements of the horror genre; not used effectively to a degree that`d give me the impression of anything remotely 'horror' (as in the genre of horror).
*late insertion: i stand by what i wrote, but on 2nd thought, it comes off too strong, doing the horror aspects of the movie (a little) injustice- the 'net-torture' and a handful of semi-nicely gory/shocking moments (like the 'head-pierced-chick' scene) for instance.

"Yes, there is undercranked action. It's in the sfx, flying, quick cut, wu xia vein. It is incoherently done. There is no smoothness or sense of thought in it it seems."
one could get that impression, yes. from the little bit of studying hua shans style of directing i did, i`d claim this way of handling the action to be his own, his vision of how frantic action should look if u will.
imo its a "part incoherent, part legit new wave approach" to the action (cutting room action topping the on-screen action)
just as hua shan did it in little dragon maiden (only much better there). i dont know his "usurpers..." movie from the same year, but my magic crystal ball tells me, the action will be "part incoherent, part legit new wave approach" ;)

"What if I happen to think the mid-70's - mid 80's is the Shaw golden decade ... but I don't particularly like overdone hopping ghosts, corpses riding dollies across the set, laser shooting fingers, or guys riding big winged creatures of no identifiable species.
But most of all, will there be enough action in this film for humble folk with simple tastes like me"

if i were to write one of those "people who bought/liked this title also bought/dug...."-comments for an online shop, i`d name titles like demon of the lute, descendants of the sun, little dragon maiden, holy flame of the martial world, bat without wings, battle wizard, return of the sentimental swordsman, web of death, black lizard.
with the exception of descendants, its INFERIOR to any of the movies mentioned above.

"Not bad at all. If you're hesitating, take a chance."
now that ive watched portrait, i cant believe these words are comin out of ivy ling po`s mouth (keyboard) lol.

"I like Pai Piao in this one and I normally don't like him."
i do like pai piao, but i fail to understand why u liked him in this particular one of all movies.

my rating is 5.7/10 - it does entertain to some degree but it doesnt satisfy.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

I think so. There are certain films worthy of intense debate and then there are the just for fun films. This is one of the just for fun flicks that are not written to be taken seriously at all. Everybody had valid points, especially Bkarza with the director shot scenes that just because he could if he felt like attempting an eye candy sort of film. Ivy, your onto something as well, the nudity is very sensual and the shot of her face so intentionally dark and eerie, very evil looking scene. Pai Piao was not so bad here either (in fact it's very hard to make this guy look silly anyway, like Ti Lung, Chen Kuan Tai, or Ku Feng), though as Bkarza also pointed out his side kick was absolutely unnecessary, as were a great many scenes in this film, but that dosen't mean this film is anywhere's near unworthy of buying. There are a few other leads in the film, villians and villianess', who basically save they charisma of the film and live up to there titles. Yes, there is no story, only bare, scraping of a plot, and the first 37 mins or so nothing makes any intentional sense, but then we come to Phantom Island, Du Sha's pad. All of the sudden there is real acting, thoughtful dialogue -finally- and the story attracts some level of interest.

WOW!!! THE GORE... Somewhat early in the film a poor individual is unfornunate enough to have been poisoned by a particular venom (I forget the name) resulting in a fatal explosion of the stomach. We're talkin alot of blood here and it dosen't end there. This stomach exploding happens at least once or twice more and then you have a few of the gore scenes mentioned previously, the head injury to the girl, dismemberments, and so on, all very bloody and pretty well executed considering the weak spots in the film.

peringaten, considering your very forgiving nature with Shaws sometimes extreme inconsistencies in quality, I'm very surprised you hate the film so much. Especially after the first, admittedly terrible, 37 mins.

The dialogue is certaintly atrocious, but Shaws eng. translations never really helped in this department anyway, IMHO. Though even in this realm there is redemption, short true, but very sweet. Just before Pai Piao has his final battle in the film, the brother who we find is behind all of this absurdity, makes an excellent and memorable statement to Pai Piao when questioned as to how he could be so ruthless, "I.. can fail the world, but no-one can fail me!" Narcissism at it's very heights. Then he goes on vainly attempting what he (the villian) considers justification for his treachery, "Without despotism how could there be truth." Considering the idiotic dialogue throughout much of the first half of the film, these are choice morsels.

There are at least two fighting scenes that -I thought anyway- were very well done. When Pai Piao rescues the naked chic being tortured, (the villians sister?) :b This scene appraoches Human Lanterns quality in sadistic cruelty. This same set was very atmospheric with the fighting going on in front of the naked prisoner. The choreographing for that fight was very well done too. Last but not least, the last fight in the film is extremely well choreographed, and was a pleasure to rewind at least three or four times.

Anyone who collects Shaw Brothers martial arts and swordplay films knows that by 1983 (the year this film was released) shaws were on a very steep, downward spiral, in which they completely lost touch with the magic they had fostered for the previous two decades. This film should be understood and -I think- appreciated as one of the very last Shaws films to pay tribute to a rapidly diminishing era.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

bloody parrot- even more so. BP is actually a true 'cant wait to see' in my book.

jmungus, I have a feeling you are going to be very, pleasently surprised. Even as you've said, "vengeance, we seem to hit and miss alot in our opinions." This film really stands on it's own. I can't guarantee the quality of the eng. translations, but the copy I have (what I CAN make out of the trans.) is very good stuff.

[Ivy Ling Po]

vengeanceof human lanterns

I think you have nailed it with your post. This film is not to be taken seriously but to be enjoyed.

[peringaten]

peringaten, considering your very forgiving nature with Shaws sometimes extreme inconsistencies in quality, I'm very surprised you hate the film so much. Especially after the first, admittedly terrible, 37 mins. I don't know... this film's like some hideous child, that you will to live up to its full glorious potential and all that it could have been, but ultimately have to begrudgingly accept it will never be anything but a failure; it's quirkiness too overshadowed by its failings... you try to love it, but secretly wish it was aborted like a "Snake Prince" egg-sack...

Bit harsh? Yeah probably...

I don't know, sometimes you've just got to come to terms with your own perception of a bad movie as a bad movie, despite any factors that might endear you to it.

[Ivy Ling Po]

Perhaps you watched it on a bad day/night.
Spin the disc again.
Your head may not pound this time.