Ip Man: The Legend is Born
M
Hong Kong, 2010
Genre: Drama, Action, History
Director: Herman Yau
Starring: Dennis To Yue-Hong, Fan Siu-Wong, Sammo Hung, Hins Cheung
What's it about?
Featuring some of the most spectacular, innovative and explosive martial arts ever staged, The Legend Is Born is the definitive story of the early life of Ip Man, the formidable kung fu genius who would become Bruce Lee's mentor. You can't go wrong: The Legend Is Born is considered one of the greatest martial arts films of all time and features an all-star cast, including Sammo Hung (Enter The Dragon), Yuen Biao and Ip Man's real life son, 76-year-old Ip Chun, as Ip Man's kung fu master.
Ip Man 2
M
China, Hong Kong, 2010
Genre: Action, History, Drama
Director: Wilson Yip
Starring: Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Simon Yam, Lynn Hung
What's it about?
Having defeated the best fighters of the Imperial Japanese army in occupied Shanghai, Ip Man and his family settle in post-war Hong Kong. Struggling to make a living, Master Ip opens a kung fu school to bring his celebrated art of Wing Chun to the troubled youth of Hong Kong. His growing reputation soon brings challenges from powerful enemies, including pre-eminent Hung Gar master, Hung Quan (Sammo Hung).
Ip Man: The Final Fight
M
Hong Kong, China, 2013
Genre: Action, Drama
Director: Herman Yau
Starring: Anthony Wong, Anita Yuen, Gillian Chung, Jordan Chan Siu-Chun, Eric Tsang
What's it about?
In postwar Hong Kong, legendary Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man is reluctantly called into action once more, when what begin as simple challenges from rival kung fu styles soon draw him into the dark and dangerous underworld of the Triads. Returning to fight becomes matter of life and honour.
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons
M
China, 2013
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Director: Stephen Chow, Chi-kin Kwok
Starring: Yu Xing, Show Luo, Min Hun Fung, Chi Ling Chiu, Bo Huang
What's it about?
The year of the Monkey wouldn't be complete without a visit to the legendary story of the Sun Wukong (widely known as 'Monkey King’),on his legendary trek with Xuan Zang, in search of enlightenment.
[link title="Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons Review" url="node/6129"]
Assembly
MA15+
Hong Kong, 2007
Genre: Action, Drama, History, War
Director: Feng Xiaogang
Starring: Fan Liao, Yan Tang, Wenkang Yuan, Chao Deng, Hanyu Zhang, Baoqiang Wang
What's it about?
An army captain is sent with his 47 men on a doomed mission to defend a coal mine. They use their wits and makeshift artillery to fend off tanks, but in the ensuing carnage, their heroism is forgotten. The sole survivor devotes his life to restoring th reputation of his fallen soldiers.
Painted Skin 2
M
China, 2012
Genre: Fantasy
Language: Mandarin
Director: Wuershan
Starring: Kun Chen, Xun Zhou
What's it about?
A sensual blend of fantasy, passion, transformation and beauty, which explores the consequences of offering a pure human heart to a demon, in order to achieve immortality.
[link title="Painted Skin 2: The Resurrection Review" url="node/5904"]
Sacrifice
MA15+
China, 2010
Genre: Drama, History
Director: Chen Kaige
Starring: Ge You, Xuequi Wang, Xiaoming Huang
What's it about?
A sinister general's act of treason results in a family massacre. The only survivor pledges vengeance and rescues an infant, and thus triggers a chain of events that will ultimately lead to great personal sacrifice.
[link title="Sacrifice Review" url="node/5481"]Sacrifice: Chen Kaige interview
SBS On Demand: Chen Kaige Double Bill
Purple Butterfly
MA15+
China, 2003
Genre: Drama
Director: Ye Lou
Starring: Bingbing Li, Yuanzheng Feng, Ye Liu, Ziyi Zhang
What's it about?
Manchuria 1927. Itami, a young Japanese man, falls deeply in love with Cynthia, a beautiful Chinese girl. Their brief happiness ends when Itami returns home for military service. Three years later, Shanghai is occupied by Japan, and they find themselves on opposite sides of the political struggle.
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