The action film as a category, with or without the comedy, found its apogee repeatedly during the golden era of Hong Kong cinema, with the catalogue of masterpieces of the genre being rather long in this case. “Time and Tide” is definitely among them.
Tyler who works as bartender, impregnates a lesbian cop, Ah Jo, after she gets drunk after a fight with her girlfriend. Although she does not want anything to do with him, he joins an unlicensed bodyguard service led by Uncle Ji, to earn money to give her. Nearly nine months later, Tyler meets up with a butcher named Jack and his pregnant wife, Ah Hui , who helps Tyler prevent her father’s assassination at his birthday. Tyler, who is still giving money to Ah Jo, tries to convince Jack to start a bodyguard service with him, but Jack turns him down.
Around that time,...
Tyler who works as bartender, impregnates a lesbian cop, Ah Jo, after she gets drunk after a fight with her girlfriend. Although she does not want anything to do with him, he joins an unlicensed bodyguard service led by Uncle Ji, to earn money to give her. Nearly nine months later, Tyler meets up with a butcher named Jack and his pregnant wife, Ah Hui , who helps Tyler prevent her father’s assassination at his birthday. Tyler, who is still giving money to Ah Jo, tries to convince Jack to start a bodyguard service with him, but Jack turns him down.
Around that time,...
- 6/11/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Eureka’s May 2021 line-up was announced and it will feature Jimmy Wang Yu’s spectacular, action-packed grindhouse flick One Armed Boxer and Tsui Hark’s Time and Tide, an exhilarating opera of Hong Kong action cinema.
Browse
One Armed Boxer (Blu-ray)
Featuring a multitude of inventive fight scenes against opponents from around the world including Japanese karate experts, Tibetan monks, Thai kick-boxers, and Indian Yoga experts, One Armed Boxer is one of the most influential martial arts films of the 70s.
Limited Edition Slipcase, Poster and Booklet
More Info
Time and Tide (Blu-ray)
A noir infused Hong Kong action thriller from Tsui Harkstarring Nicholas Tse and Wu Bai, Time and Tide was nominated for six Hong Kong film awards and remains one of Hark’s most acclaimed features.
Limited Edition Slipcase and Booklet
More Info...
Browse
One Armed Boxer (Blu-ray)
Featuring a multitude of inventive fight scenes against opponents from around the world including Japanese karate experts, Tibetan monks, Thai kick-boxers, and Indian Yoga experts, One Armed Boxer is one of the most influential martial arts films of the 70s.
Limited Edition Slipcase, Poster and Booklet
More Info
Time and Tide (Blu-ray)
A noir infused Hong Kong action thriller from Tsui Harkstarring Nicholas Tse and Wu Bai, Time and Tide was nominated for six Hong Kong film awards and remains one of Hark’s most acclaimed features.
Limited Edition Slipcase and Booklet
More Info...
- 3/3/2021
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Time And Tide will be released on Blu-ray featuring a Limited-Edition Slipcase & Collector’s Booklet (First Print Run of 2000 copies only) as a part of the Eureka Classics range from 24 May 2021.
A streetwise young man becomes a bodyguard to score quick cash. He soon befriends a once disillusioned mercenary determined to make a fresh start with his new wife. Although the two men find themselves working together to foil an assassination attempt, their partnership is short-lived. Through uncontrollable circumstances, they will unknowingly be propelled toward the opposite sides of a deadly confrontation.
A noir infused Hong Kong action thriller from Tsui Hark (Zu: Warriors From The Magic Mountain; Once Upon A Time In China) starring Nicholas Tse and Wu Bai (who would later appear together in New Police Story), Time and Tide was nominated for six Hong Kong film awards and remains one of Hark’s most acclaimed features.
A streetwise young man becomes a bodyguard to score quick cash. He soon befriends a once disillusioned mercenary determined to make a fresh start with his new wife. Although the two men find themselves working together to foil an assassination attempt, their partnership is short-lived. Through uncontrollable circumstances, they will unknowingly be propelled toward the opposite sides of a deadly confrontation.
A noir infused Hong Kong action thriller from Tsui Hark (Zu: Warriors From The Magic Mountain; Once Upon A Time In China) starring Nicholas Tse and Wu Bai (who would later appear together in New Police Story), Time and Tide was nominated for six Hong Kong film awards and remains one of Hark’s most acclaimed features.
- 3/2/2021
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Exports to Hong Kong and Taiwan increased by 392.4 and 115 percent respectively.
With uncertainty over when and if the mainland China ban on Korean cultural content will be lifted, Korean sales companies have been increasing their business to other countries through markets such as Filmart.
Amidst the rise in popularity of Korean music, TV and films in mainland China, the South Korean government’s decision in 2016 to host the Thaad Us missile defence system led to retaliatory measures from the Chinese government including a freeze on the import of Korean cultural products and targeting Korean businesses operating in the mainland.
“Sales...
With uncertainty over when and if the mainland China ban on Korean cultural content will be lifted, Korean sales companies have been increasing their business to other countries through markets such as Filmart.
Amidst the rise in popularity of Korean music, TV and films in mainland China, the South Korean government’s decision in 2016 to host the Thaad Us missile defence system led to retaliatory measures from the Chinese government including a freeze on the import of Korean cultural products and targeting Korean businesses operating in the mainland.
“Sales...
- 3/19/2019
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
The film has already out-grossed the first two Transformers films.
The Chinese box office contracted drastically to fall by 50% week-on-week following the end of the New Year holiday. Bumblebee dominated again in the absence of strong contenders between January 7-13.
Paramount’s Transformers spinoff Bumblebee added $46.9m for a gross of $104.9m to date after just 10 days. It has surpassed the lifetime total of each of the first two Transformers in the original franchise - Transformers in 2007, and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in 2009, and is enroute to beat the third installment,Transformers: Dark of the Moon, in 2011. Its 10-day...
The Chinese box office contracted drastically to fall by 50% week-on-week following the end of the New Year holiday. Bumblebee dominated again in the absence of strong contenders between January 7-13.
Paramount’s Transformers spinoff Bumblebee added $46.9m for a gross of $104.9m to date after just 10 days. It has surpassed the lifetime total of each of the first two Transformers in the original franchise - Transformers in 2007, and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in 2009, and is enroute to beat the third installment,Transformers: Dark of the Moon, in 2011. Its 10-day...
- 1/14/2019
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Chinese director Andrew Lau has completed production on his most recent fantasy/comedy martial arts film “Kung Fu Monster” stars the iconic Louis Koo (“Paradox” “Drug War“) as a warrior fighting against a corrupt government that houses a menagerie of bizarre creatures.
“Fung Fu Monster” is set to makes its theatrical debut on December 21, 2018. A trailer for the film has been previously released and can be viewed below.
Synopsis
During the Wanli Emperor’s reign in the Ming dynasty, Sun Yehe, supervisor of the Eastern Depot, was ordered to capture monsters that have escaped from the royal palace. At the same time, militia warrior Zhen Jian colludes with his martial arts junior Xiong Jiaojiao and female warrior Leng Bingbing gather a group of forest fighters to rob the silver from corrput officials. However, silver was missing, while wanted criminal criminal Feng Sihai appears along with Jianghu wanderer Wu Bai. As a bigger crisis comes,...
“Fung Fu Monster” is set to makes its theatrical debut on December 21, 2018. A trailer for the film has been previously released and can be viewed below.
Synopsis
During the Wanli Emperor’s reign in the Ming dynasty, Sun Yehe, supervisor of the Eastern Depot, was ordered to capture monsters that have escaped from the royal palace. At the same time, militia warrior Zhen Jian colludes with his martial arts junior Xiong Jiaojiao and female warrior Leng Bingbing gather a group of forest fighters to rob the silver from corrput officials. However, silver was missing, while wanted criminal criminal Feng Sihai appears along with Jianghu wanderer Wu Bai. As a bigger crisis comes,...
- 12/6/2018
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Sitting between the early fall festivals of Toronto and Venice and November’s American Film Market, Busan’s Asian Film Market is either badly timed or brilliantly positioned, depending on your point of view.
There is no doubt, however, that it plays host to a range of hidden gems, and allows buyers to get an early jump on a selection of key titles – both of the artistic and the commercial varieties.
Hong Kong’s Mandarin Entertainment is handling the festival’s big-budget ($28 million production cost) closing film, “Master Z: Ip Man Legacy,” with its starry cast including Dave Bautista, Michelle Yeoh and Tony Jaa. The company is also pre-selling its even bigger “Ip Man 4.” The budget is now confirmed at $52 million and pitches Asian superstar Donnie Yen against British action star Scott Adkins with delivery scheduled in 2019.
Another Hong Kong studio, Edko Films, is touting $40 million China-Australia co-production “The Whistleblower.
There is no doubt, however, that it plays host to a range of hidden gems, and allows buyers to get an early jump on a selection of key titles – both of the artistic and the commercial varieties.
Hong Kong’s Mandarin Entertainment is handling the festival’s big-budget ($28 million production cost) closing film, “Master Z: Ip Man Legacy,” with its starry cast including Dave Bautista, Michelle Yeoh and Tony Jaa. The company is also pre-selling its even bigger “Ip Man 4.” The budget is now confirmed at $52 million and pitches Asian superstar Donnie Yen against British action star Scott Adkins with delivery scheduled in 2019.
Another Hong Kong studio, Edko Films, is touting $40 million China-Australia co-production “The Whistleblower.
- 10/5/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Hong Kong actress Kara Wai Ying-hung and director Ho Yuhang reunite for the second time in this Malaysian-Hong Kong co-production crime action thriller. The film was nominated for Best Action Choreography in the 53rd Golden Horse Film Awards, Taipei in 2016.
In the opening scene of the movie, three elderly men were brutally killed, but in separate incidents. After that, we see Mrs. K, baking away in her posh, beautiful suburban home, while two young robbers pretending to be couriers enter her home and demand money, and accordingly she beats them up with her quick thinking and fancy moves. So, this normal, elderly housewife is not what she seems after all. Soon enough, bad events start to happen to her family. Strangers appear at her home demanding money, leading to the kidnapping of her teenage daughter and her doctor husband hospitalized while fighting off the attackers.
Apparently, many years ago in Macau,...
In the opening scene of the movie, three elderly men were brutally killed, but in separate incidents. After that, we see Mrs. K, baking away in her posh, beautiful suburban home, while two young robbers pretending to be couriers enter her home and demand money, and accordingly she beats them up with her quick thinking and fancy moves. So, this normal, elderly housewife is not what she seems after all. Soon enough, bad events start to happen to her family. Strangers appear at her home demanding money, leading to the kidnapping of her teenage daughter and her doctor husband hospitalized while fighting off the attackers.
Apparently, many years ago in Macau,...
- 6/29/2018
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Yuhang Ho was trained as an engineer but went into film-making due to his love for vintage films. He began his career by shooting commercials in the mid 1990’s. In 2000, he co-directed a Malaysian documentary “Semangat Insan: Masters of Tradition” highlighting the need to preserve Malaysia’s traditional art forms. He then made his feature film directorial debut in the 2003 film “Min”.He went to receive international recognition for his film “Rain Dogs”, won the New Talent Award at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival 2006 and also named best director at the Festival of the Three Continents in 2006.
His 2009 revenge drama “At The End of Daybreak” revived the career of the veteran actress Kara Hui, who was an action star of the Shaw Brothers era. “Daybreak” earned her seven best actress awards. She has since gone on to star in “Wu Xia,” “Rigor Mortis,” and “The Midnight After.”
On the...
His 2009 revenge drama “At The End of Daybreak” revived the career of the veteran actress Kara Hui, who was an action star of the Shaw Brothers era. “Daybreak” earned her seven best actress awards. She has since gone on to star in “Wu Xia,” “Rigor Mortis,” and “The Midnight After.”
On the...
- 7/11/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Yuhang Ho had a very difficult task in his hands from the beginning: to shoot an action martial arts film where all of his protagonists are (almost) over 50. The result, however, was more than impressive, as he worked over the particular reef by limiting the action and adding many thriller elements.
“Mrs K” will screen at Art Film Fest Kosice, that will be on June 16-24
Mrs K is a housewife, happily married with a gynecologist, and mother to a teenage girl who is also a martial artist. However, underneath the calm, happy and motherly figure resides something else, as Mrs K used to be part of a crime ring. As her former comrades are being killed one by one, a rather unpleasant former police officer visits her house and confronts her about the past. Furthermore, another man, who seems to know her quite well, resurfaces, and along with his henchman,...
“Mrs K” will screen at Art Film Fest Kosice, that will be on June 16-24
Mrs K is a housewife, happily married with a gynecologist, and mother to a teenage girl who is also a martial artist. However, underneath the calm, happy and motherly figure resides something else, as Mrs K used to be part of a crime ring. As her former comrades are being killed one by one, a rather unpleasant former police officer visits her house and confronts her about the past. Furthermore, another man, who seems to know her quite well, resurfaces, and along with his henchman,...
- 6/21/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Taking place within one of Japan's most colorful and vibrant cities, Osaka Asian Film Festival acts as a showcase for the best new cinema from across the region. Now in its 12th year, a wide variety of Asian films will once again be shown in a programme comprised of a Competition, Special Screenings, an Indie Forum and more. Opening the festival on March 3rd is the Japanese Premiere of Malaysia-Hong Kong co-production Mrs K. Director Yuhang Ho reunites with At The End of Daybreak's Kara Wai for an action thriller, co-starring Simon Yam and Taiwanese rock star Wu Bai. Mrs K is a housewife who lives in a quiet suburban neighborhood with her husband Mr K and their daughter Lil’ K. One day, a stranger...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/30/2017
- Screen Anarchy
The 27th Singapore International Film Festival (Sgiff) came to a close on December 4, 2016. This year, the Sgiff celebrated the country’s rich history and culture through a 12-day festival showcasing 160 film entries from 52 countries. Sgiff had not only a very impressive lineup of film, but their attendance rates were just as impressive as well.
The total attendance rate for their masterclass series went up by over 50% and 11 of the films had sold out seating. These festival attendees were able to immerse themselves in the world of film and cinema by not only watching strong works of film, but by having an opportunity to hear from some of the most influential members of the world of cinema.
These film influencers include: Taiwanese actor Kai Ko, USA director Darren Aronofsky, veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam, Vietnamese-born French filmmaker Tran Anh Hung, and Hong Kong filmmaker Fruit Chan.
Still from “Absent Without Leave...
The total attendance rate for their masterclass series went up by over 50% and 11 of the films had sold out seating. These festival attendees were able to immerse themselves in the world of film and cinema by not only watching strong works of film, but by having an opportunity to hear from some of the most influential members of the world of cinema.
These film influencers include: Taiwanese actor Kai Ko, USA director Darren Aronofsky, veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam, Vietnamese-born French filmmaker Tran Anh Hung, and Hong Kong filmmaker Fruit Chan.
Still from “Absent Without Leave...
- 12/4/2016
- by Lydia Spanier
- AsianMoviePulse
“Mrs. K” rocked the 27th Singapore International Film Festival (Sgiff) last November 27, 2016. Hitting the special presentation at Capitol Theater was Hong Kong martial arts super star and Mrs. K heroine herself Kara Wei. Fans couldn’t get enough of Kara Wei (known for her thrilling turns in “My Young Auntie” (1982), “Rain Dogs” (2006), “At The End of Daybreak” (2009), and “Rigor Mortis” (2014)) specially since this is the iconic actress’ farewell film. Mrs. K‘s Writer-director Ho Yuhang, Taiwanese rocker Wu Bai, and Malaysian newcomer Siow Li Xuan also graced the red carpet.
Kara Hui, Ho Yuhang, Wu Bai & Siow Li Xuan
Mrs. K follows a suburban housewife whose ordinary life is shaken up when an ex-cop—who knows about her criminal past—comes in to town to blackmail her. Mrs. K must battle against her former foes to protect her husband and daughter at all costs. It is a timeless tale of...
Kara Hui, Ho Yuhang, Wu Bai & Siow Li Xuan
Mrs. K follows a suburban housewife whose ordinary life is shaken up when an ex-cop—who knows about her criminal past—comes in to town to blackmail her. Mrs. K must battle against her former foes to protect her husband and daughter at all costs. It is a timeless tale of...
- 11/28/2016
- by Ella Palileo
- AsianMoviePulse
Malaysian action drama Mrs. K hits The Singapore International Film Festival on November 27, 2016 and martial arts lovers will be in for a spectacular treat.
Things seem to be perfectly ordinary at Mrs. K’s flawless suburban neighborhood. She lives a simple life with her husband, Mr. K, and her daughter, Lil’ K. But when an ex-cop who knows about her criminal past comes in town…all hell breaks lose. Mrs. K’s violent history comes back to terrorize her.
Mrs. K reunites iconic martial arts star Kara Wai with pioneer Malaysian writer-director Ho Yuhang, known for his critically acclaimed films Sanctuary (2004), Rain Dogs (2006) and At The End of Daybreak (2009). Co-written with Chan Wai-Keung, the movie promises to bring bloody thrills, while exploring the timeless drama of vengeance and redemption. It is an action packed extravaganza with engrossing character arcs. The quiet elegant housewife Mrs. K is in fact a...
Things seem to be perfectly ordinary at Mrs. K’s flawless suburban neighborhood. She lives a simple life with her husband, Mr. K, and her daughter, Lil’ K. But when an ex-cop who knows about her criminal past comes in town…all hell breaks lose. Mrs. K’s violent history comes back to terrorize her.
Mrs. K reunites iconic martial arts star Kara Wai with pioneer Malaysian writer-director Ho Yuhang, known for his critically acclaimed films Sanctuary (2004), Rain Dogs (2006) and At The End of Daybreak (2009). Co-written with Chan Wai-Keung, the movie promises to bring bloody thrills, while exploring the timeless drama of vengeance and redemption. It is an action packed extravaganza with engrossing character arcs. The quiet elegant housewife Mrs. K is in fact a...
- 10/30/2016
- by Ella Palileo
- AsianMoviePulse
Malaysia’s Sonneratia Capital and Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures are financing Ho Yuhang’s action film Mrs K, which has recently started production.
Produced by Lina Tan of Red Films and Lorna Tee of Paperheart, the film stars Kara Wai Ying Hung, Simon Yam, Taiwanese rock star Wu Bai and Malaysian award-winning actor Faizal Hussein.
The story follows a woman who gives everything she has to protect her husband and daughter when she is hunted by enemies who reappear from her past.
The cast also features newcomer Siow Li Xuan and supporting roles from veteran action actor Lau Wing, Malaysian director Dain Said and Hong Kong filmmakers Fruit Chan and Kirk Wong Chi Keung.
Ho developed the film after working with Kara Wai in his award-winning drama At The End Of Daybreak, for which she won seven best actress awards. Emp is handling international sales on the film, which is scheduled...
Produced by Lina Tan of Red Films and Lorna Tee of Paperheart, the film stars Kara Wai Ying Hung, Simon Yam, Taiwanese rock star Wu Bai and Malaysian award-winning actor Faizal Hussein.
The story follows a woman who gives everything she has to protect her husband and daughter when she is hunted by enemies who reappear from her past.
The cast also features newcomer Siow Li Xuan and supporting roles from veteran action actor Lau Wing, Malaysian director Dain Said and Hong Kong filmmakers Fruit Chan and Kirk Wong Chi Keung.
Ho developed the film after working with Kara Wai in his award-winning drama At The End Of Daybreak, for which she won seven best actress awards. Emp is handling international sales on the film, which is scheduled...
- 12/9/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Hong Kong cinema geeks should get quite a kick from the return of Tsui Hark and his latest style-over-content opus, "Time and Tide". After helming a couple of Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicles ("Double Team", "Knock Off") in Hollywood with mediocre success, Tsui returns to his director's chair in Hong Kong for this over-the-top action drama with the territory's hottest teen idol, Nicholas Tse, and Taiwan's biggest rock star, Wu Bai. Make no mistake, "Time and Tide" is the kind of picture that is synonymous with Hong Kong cinema.
The cast of popular Asian stars will ensure the film's success in most Chinese markets. And even with its convoluted story, the film has enough firepower and building-leaping stunts to possibly work in cities with strong contingents of Sino-cultists.
Columbia bankrolled this project, and its entry into the market might depend on how it performs this Christmas.
In "Time and Tide", 20-year-old Tse plays Tyler, a small-time hood who becomes unlikely friends with Jack (Bai), who is trying to bury his past as a lethal mercenary in South America. One is a kid learning to face reality after impregnating a one-night stand; the other is starting a new life with an expectant wife.
The plot is straight from the "Mission: Impossible" school of storytelling. Tyler takes a job as a bodyguard even though he has no experience. Jack's wife is the es-tranged daughter of a rich client. And the father and Jack's former band of mercenaries end up in a complicated tangle resulting in people getting assassinated.
The overly elaborate plot gets further hijacked when the scary Latino hit men turn against Jack, their former friend. Bullets fly and suicidal stunt men rappel off crowded Hong Kong slum buildings. Not missing a beat, Tsui's insane glee for chaos then throws Jack's pregnant wife (Cantonese pop singer Candy Lo) into the middle of the action. Lo's character even goes into labor during a shootout.
The final half-hour consists of two extended action sequences that flow together quite spectacularly. They remind you that good stunt men and editing can kick ass over computers and software any day. It is this extended showdown that audiences will remember from "Time and Tide".
Tsui, director of such gems as "A Chinese Ghost Story", "Peking Opera Blues" and "Once Upon a Time in China", has always had great craftsmanship and style. His comic book sense of kinetic visuals can be mesmerizing. But unlike former buddy John Woo, he doesn't have the narrative discipline to carry through anything resembling thematic cohesiveness. At times, the delicate tension and non sequitur cutaways of pigeons are almost too reminiscent of Woo's trademarks. But then again, every action movie these days owes something to Woo.
TIME AND TIDE
Columbia Pictures Production Asia
Film Workshop Co.
Director-producer: Tsui Hark
Screenwriters: Koan Hui, Tsui Hark
Music: Tommy Wai
Directors of photography: Ko Chiu-lam, Herman Yau
Editor: Marco Mak
Color/stereo
Cast:
Tyler: Nicholas Tse
Jack: Wu Bai
Uncle Ji: Anthony Wong
Ah Hui: Candy Lo
Ah Jo: Cathy Chui
Running time -- 116 minutes
No MPAA rating...
The cast of popular Asian stars will ensure the film's success in most Chinese markets. And even with its convoluted story, the film has enough firepower and building-leaping stunts to possibly work in cities with strong contingents of Sino-cultists.
Columbia bankrolled this project, and its entry into the market might depend on how it performs this Christmas.
In "Time and Tide", 20-year-old Tse plays Tyler, a small-time hood who becomes unlikely friends with Jack (Bai), who is trying to bury his past as a lethal mercenary in South America. One is a kid learning to face reality after impregnating a one-night stand; the other is starting a new life with an expectant wife.
The plot is straight from the "Mission: Impossible" school of storytelling. Tyler takes a job as a bodyguard even though he has no experience. Jack's wife is the es-tranged daughter of a rich client. And the father and Jack's former band of mercenaries end up in a complicated tangle resulting in people getting assassinated.
The overly elaborate plot gets further hijacked when the scary Latino hit men turn against Jack, their former friend. Bullets fly and suicidal stunt men rappel off crowded Hong Kong slum buildings. Not missing a beat, Tsui's insane glee for chaos then throws Jack's pregnant wife (Cantonese pop singer Candy Lo) into the middle of the action. Lo's character even goes into labor during a shootout.
The final half-hour consists of two extended action sequences that flow together quite spectacularly. They remind you that good stunt men and editing can kick ass over computers and software any day. It is this extended showdown that audiences will remember from "Time and Tide".
Tsui, director of such gems as "A Chinese Ghost Story", "Peking Opera Blues" and "Once Upon a Time in China", has always had great craftsmanship and style. His comic book sense of kinetic visuals can be mesmerizing. But unlike former buddy John Woo, he doesn't have the narrative discipline to carry through anything resembling thematic cohesiveness. At times, the delicate tension and non sequitur cutaways of pigeons are almost too reminiscent of Woo's trademarks. But then again, every action movie these days owes something to Woo.
TIME AND TIDE
Columbia Pictures Production Asia
Film Workshop Co.
Director-producer: Tsui Hark
Screenwriters: Koan Hui, Tsui Hark
Music: Tommy Wai
Directors of photography: Ko Chiu-lam, Herman Yau
Editor: Marco Mak
Color/stereo
Cast:
Tyler: Nicholas Tse
Jack: Wu Bai
Uncle Ji: Anthony Wong
Ah Hui: Candy Lo
Ah Jo: Cathy Chui
Running time -- 116 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Bound to test the patience even of those most enamored of Asian cinema, Chen Kuo-fu's comedy-drama "The Personals" is the sort of film that some will describe as subtle and others as maddeningly slow. An account of a woman's experiences meeting the many men who respond to her personal ad, the film largely consists of one inconsequential scene after another and is likely to turn off its audiences from Taiwanese films and blind dates.
Dr. Du Jiazhen (Rene Liu) is an eye doctor who, after a failed relationship with a married lover, has quit her job to devote herself full time to meeting someone new. Placing an ad for herself sans photo and not asking for any from her suitors, she receives responses from seemingly every man in Taipei and proceeds to meet them in a quiet teahouse; each is identified with onscreen titles announcing such particulars as age, occupation, etc. As might be expected, they include a wide variety of bizarre types, including a shoe fetishist, a pimp who inquires as to Du's professional availability, a lesbian cross-dresser, a young man who brings along his mother, another who brings along his elderly father (the ad's true respondent) and even one man who turns out to be an actor playing a role.
In between these painful and only occasionally amusing conversations, there are even more conversations, between Du and a former teacher who offers philosophical advice. Otherwise, she mainly occupies herself by leaving messages on her former lover's answering machine and wandering around the city in buses.
The filmmaker isn't content merely to explore the often fractured relationship between the sexes, he also provides a surprise at the end in an attempt to add psychological depth. Unfortunately, despite the sometimes nuanced characterizations and dialogue, "Personals" is ultimately too repetitive and glacially paced to be fully engaging, and whatever insight it displays is offset by the overall gimmicky aspects of the story. On the technical level, the film does look good, with Ho Nan-hong's crisp cinematography providing visual sheen. Rene Liu's lead performance is consistently engaging, and the largely nonprofessional actors playing the various suitors deliver vivid character vignettes.
THE PERSONALS
First Run Features
Credits: Director: Chen Kuo-fu; Screenwriters: Chen Kuo-fu, Chen Shih-che; Producer: Hsu Li-kong; Executive producer: Hsu Li-kong, Chiu shun-ching; Cinematography: Ho Nan-hong; Art director: Wang Yi-bai; Music: Steve Liu; Editor: Chang Dar-lung. Cast: Du Jiazhen: Rene Liu; Also: Chin Shih-chieh, Chen Chao-jung, Wu Bai, Gu Bao-ming, Niu Chen-zer, Shih Yi-nan. No MPAA rating. Color/stereo. Running time -- 104 minutes.
Dr. Du Jiazhen (Rene Liu) is an eye doctor who, after a failed relationship with a married lover, has quit her job to devote herself full time to meeting someone new. Placing an ad for herself sans photo and not asking for any from her suitors, she receives responses from seemingly every man in Taipei and proceeds to meet them in a quiet teahouse; each is identified with onscreen titles announcing such particulars as age, occupation, etc. As might be expected, they include a wide variety of bizarre types, including a shoe fetishist, a pimp who inquires as to Du's professional availability, a lesbian cross-dresser, a young man who brings along his mother, another who brings along his elderly father (the ad's true respondent) and even one man who turns out to be an actor playing a role.
In between these painful and only occasionally amusing conversations, there are even more conversations, between Du and a former teacher who offers philosophical advice. Otherwise, she mainly occupies herself by leaving messages on her former lover's answering machine and wandering around the city in buses.
The filmmaker isn't content merely to explore the often fractured relationship between the sexes, he also provides a surprise at the end in an attempt to add psychological depth. Unfortunately, despite the sometimes nuanced characterizations and dialogue, "Personals" is ultimately too repetitive and glacially paced to be fully engaging, and whatever insight it displays is offset by the overall gimmicky aspects of the story. On the technical level, the film does look good, with Ho Nan-hong's crisp cinematography providing visual sheen. Rene Liu's lead performance is consistently engaging, and the largely nonprofessional actors playing the various suitors deliver vivid character vignettes.
THE PERSONALS
First Run Features
Credits: Director: Chen Kuo-fu; Screenwriters: Chen Kuo-fu, Chen Shih-che; Producer: Hsu Li-kong; Executive producer: Hsu Li-kong, Chiu shun-ching; Cinematography: Ho Nan-hong; Art director: Wang Yi-bai; Music: Steve Liu; Editor: Chang Dar-lung. Cast: Du Jiazhen: Rene Liu; Also: Chin Shih-chieh, Chen Chao-jung, Wu Bai, Gu Bao-ming, Niu Chen-zer, Shih Yi-nan. No MPAA rating. Color/stereo. Running time -- 104 minutes.
- 1/16/2001
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hong Kong cinema geeks should get quite a kick from the return of Tsui Hark and his latest style-over-content opus, "Time and Tide". After helming a couple of Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicles ("Double Team", "Knock Off") in Hollywood with mediocre success, Tsui returns to his director's chair in Hong Kong for this over-the-top action drama with the territory's hottest teen idol, Nicholas Tse, and Taiwan's biggest rock star, Wu Bai. Make no mistake, "Time and Tide" is the kind of picture that is synonymous with Hong Kong cinema.
The cast of popular Asian stars will ensure the film's success in most Chinese markets. And even with its convoluted story, the film has enough firepower and building-leaping stunts to possibly work in cities with strong contingents of Sino-cultists.
Columbia bankrolled this project, and its entry into the market might depend on how it performs this Christmas.
In "Time and Tide", 20-year-old Tse plays Tyler, a small-time hood who becomes unlikely friends with Jack (Bai), who is trying to bury his past as a lethal mercenary in South America. One is a kid learning to face reality after impregnating a one-night stand; the other is starting a new life with an expectant wife.
The plot is straight from the "Mission: Impossible" school of storytelling. Tyler takes a job as a bodyguard even though he has no experience. Jack's wife is the es-tranged daughter of a rich client. And the father and Jack's former band of mercenaries end up in a complicated tangle resulting in people getting assassinated.
The overly elaborate plot gets further hijacked when the scary Latino hit men turn against Jack, their former friend. Bullets fly and suicidal stunt men rappel off crowded Hong Kong slum buildings. Not missing a beat, Tsui's insane glee for chaos then throws Jack's pregnant wife (Cantonese pop singer Candy Lo) into the middle of the action. Lo's character even goes into labor during a shootout.
The final half-hour consists of two extended action sequences that flow together quite spectacularly. They remind you that good stunt men and editing can kick ass over computers and software any day. It is this extended showdown that audiences will remember from "Time and Tide".
Tsui, director of such gems as "A Chinese Ghost Story", "Peking Opera Blues" and "Once Upon a Time in China", has always had great craftsmanship and style. His comic book sense of kinetic visuals can be mesmerizing. But unlike former buddy John Woo, he doesn't have the narrative discipline to carry through anything resembling thematic cohesiveness. At times, the delicate tension and non sequitur cutaways of pigeons are almost too reminiscent of Woo's trademarks. But then again, every action movie these days owes something to Woo.
TIME AND TIDE
Columbia Pictures Production Asia
Film Workshop Co.
Director-producer: Tsui Hark
Screenwriters: Koan Hui, Tsui Hark
Music: Tommy Wai
Directors of photography: Ko Chiu-lam, Herman Yau
Editor: Marco Mak
Color/stereo
Cast:
Tyler: Nicholas Tse
Jack: Wu Bai
Uncle Ji: Anthony Wong
Ah Hui: Candy Lo
Ah Jo: Cathy Chui
Running time -- 116 minutes
No MPAA rating...
The cast of popular Asian stars will ensure the film's success in most Chinese markets. And even with its convoluted story, the film has enough firepower and building-leaping stunts to possibly work in cities with strong contingents of Sino-cultists.
Columbia bankrolled this project, and its entry into the market might depend on how it performs this Christmas.
In "Time and Tide", 20-year-old Tse plays Tyler, a small-time hood who becomes unlikely friends with Jack (Bai), who is trying to bury his past as a lethal mercenary in South America. One is a kid learning to face reality after impregnating a one-night stand; the other is starting a new life with an expectant wife.
The plot is straight from the "Mission: Impossible" school of storytelling. Tyler takes a job as a bodyguard even though he has no experience. Jack's wife is the es-tranged daughter of a rich client. And the father and Jack's former band of mercenaries end up in a complicated tangle resulting in people getting assassinated.
The overly elaborate plot gets further hijacked when the scary Latino hit men turn against Jack, their former friend. Bullets fly and suicidal stunt men rappel off crowded Hong Kong slum buildings. Not missing a beat, Tsui's insane glee for chaos then throws Jack's pregnant wife (Cantonese pop singer Candy Lo) into the middle of the action. Lo's character even goes into labor during a shootout.
The final half-hour consists of two extended action sequences that flow together quite spectacularly. They remind you that good stunt men and editing can kick ass over computers and software any day. It is this extended showdown that audiences will remember from "Time and Tide".
Tsui, director of such gems as "A Chinese Ghost Story", "Peking Opera Blues" and "Once Upon a Time in China", has always had great craftsmanship and style. His comic book sense of kinetic visuals can be mesmerizing. But unlike former buddy John Woo, he doesn't have the narrative discipline to carry through anything resembling thematic cohesiveness. At times, the delicate tension and non sequitur cutaways of pigeons are almost too reminiscent of Woo's trademarks. But then again, every action movie these days owes something to Woo.
TIME AND TIDE
Columbia Pictures Production Asia
Film Workshop Co.
Director-producer: Tsui Hark
Screenwriters: Koan Hui, Tsui Hark
Music: Tommy Wai
Directors of photography: Ko Chiu-lam, Herman Yau
Editor: Marco Mak
Color/stereo
Cast:
Tyler: Nicholas Tse
Jack: Wu Bai
Uncle Ji: Anthony Wong
Ah Hui: Candy Lo
Ah Jo: Cathy Chui
Running time -- 116 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 12/18/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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