Film to Film

This episode we review a bonkers late Shaw classic.https://letterboxd.com/film/holy-flame-of-the-martial-world/

This episode we review Alejandro Amenábar's The Others.

This episode we discuss Jackie Chan's iconic classic Police Story (1985). Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we discuss Claude Chabrol's La Cérémonie starring Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Bonnaire. Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we review two films with extraterrestrial themes, the most recent VHS entry (VHS Beyond) and Ridley Scott's classic Alien. https://letterboxd.com/film/v-h-s-beyond/ https://letterboxd.com/film/alien/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we review HK Girls With Guns cult classic, She Shoots Straight, directed by Corey Yuen starring Joyce Godenzi and Carina Lau. https://letterboxd.com/film/she-shoots-straight/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we review last year's film on the infamous plane crash in the Andes. https://letterboxd.com/film/society-of-the-snow/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

More 1970s political intrigue (but in the Qing dynasty) with the Shaw brothers and with an awesome weapon. https://letterboxd.com/film/the-flying-guillotine/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

Back to Chile via France for Costa-Gavras State of Siege from 1972. https://letterboxd.com/film/state-of-siege/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we review the cult classic Shaw brothers film, Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan. https://letterboxd.com/film/intimate-confessions-of-a-chinese-courtesan/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode is about an underseen film by an underseen director, Chor Yuen's Death Duel. Chor's filmography has some of the most beautiful cinematography of the era and is drenched in atmosphere. The story is adapted from Gu Long who is known for labyrinth plots, lots of deception, and plenty of characters. Stars: Derek Yee, Ti Lung, David Chiang, Lo Lieh, Ling Yun https://letterboxd.com/film/death-duel/

This episode we review one of the most talked about horror films of the year, When Evil Lurks! https://letterboxd.com/film/when-evil-lurks/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

Bonus review of the two Kara Hui vehicles, Lau directed. Lighter and easier to watch, it is too bad Lau did not get to direct more of these. Stars: Kara Hui, Lau Kar Leung, Hsiao Ho, Gordon Liu https://letterboxd.com/film/my-young-auntie/ https://letterboxd.com/film/the-lady-is-the-boss/ https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

Bonus episode review covering Lau's Mad Monkey Kung Fu. This one moves away from Gordon Liu and features the super athletic Hsiao Ho. Stars: Hsiao Ho, Lau Kar Leung, Kara Hui, Lo Lieh https://letterboxd.com/film/mad-monkey-kung-fu/ https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we review the semi-classic Dutch slasher/giallo, Amsterdamned! Film stars: Huub Stapel, Monique van de Ven https://letterboxd.com/film/amsterdamned/

We finally wrap our Lau Kar Leung project, with a summary of where he sits in the historical canon and how he helped to change the martial arts genre forever. I then put his work into rough tiers, include a few non Lau recommended directed efforts to watch.

Easily the heaviest film we've covered in the Lau Kar Leung project and very much an atypical Lau Kar Leung film and can be seen as an elegy towards the Shaw Brothers studio, which would shut down the following year. This film is based off of Chinese folklore in the Song dynasty and features great performances and perhaps my favorite fight in the entire Lau Kar Leung filmography. Stars: Gordon Liu, Alexander Fu Sheng, Kara Hui, Lily Li, Philip Ko https://letterboxd.com/film/the-8-diagram-pole-fighter/ https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

One of Lau Kar Leung's favorite films and easily one of hist underrated, Martial Club is a great martial arts film that and has one of the greatest fights of all time between Wang Lung Wai and Gordon Liu. Stars: Gordon Liu, Wang Lung Wai, Kara Hui, Hsiao Ho https://letterboxd.com/film/martial-club/ https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we review one of the most impressively choreographed films of all time, Dirty He. Dirty He has a much different performance from Gordon Liu and shows the director's range and ability to create incredibly elegant, wonderful fights with very simple devices and tricks. Stars: Gordon Liu, Wong Yue, Lo Lieh, Wang Lung Wei, Hsiao Ho, Kara Hui https://letterboxd.com/film/dirty-ho/ https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

With around 170 Martial Arts choreography credits, Lau Kar Leung is arguably the most influential and greatest martial arts choreographer of all time. Due to his martial arts background, the amount of details and intricacies he brought a unique and varied choreography to nearly every film he directed. In this episode I discuss his choreography in his directorial body of work and some of my favorite fights. https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

After the hit that was Executioners from Shaolin, Lau Kar Leung followed it up with an even greater success, and perhaps his most iconic film, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. Featuring likely the greatest training and second act in martial arts film history, this is a must watch for everyone. Film stars: Gordon Liu and Lo Lieh. https://letterboxd.com/film/the-36th-chamber-of-shaolin/ https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we review the fantastic Exorcist sequel, Exorcist III. It is both a successful sequel and an early version of the 1990s prestige horror thriller. Film stars: George C. Scott, Brad Dourif, Jason Miller https://letterboxd.com/film/the-exorcist-iii/

In this episode we cover the key themes Lau Kar Leung would return to throughout his career. Due to his background as a martial artist, he was much more interested in the passing of Martial Arts knowledge down and different cultural aspects than his contemporaries inside the Shaw Brothers. While many of these aspects became genre tropes, his work still stands out for more than just the choreography. https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode I review the first film in our series, Executioners from Shaolin. Released in 1977, starring Chen Kuan Tai this is Lau's 3rd film and features a Chinese folk hero, Hong Xiguan that is in Lau's Martial Arts lineage. It also serves an important bridge between Lau's choreography work in Chang Cheh's Shaolin cycle and his own directorial output. Featuring an all time great villain performance from Lo Lieh. Stars: Chen Kuan Tai, Lo Lieh, Wong Yue, Lily Li https://letterboxd.com/film/executioners-from-shaolin/ https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

In the second episode of the Lau Kar Leung Project, I discuss Shaw Brothers and many of the other key collaborators to Lau's career. This includes Chang Cheh, Gordon Liu, Kara Hui, Hsiao Ho, Lo Lieh and others. https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This week we start a series on, the directorial work of Lau Kar Leung, or in Mandarin Liu Chia-liang. We cover background information on Lau's biography, his appeal, and his career during the Shaw brother's era and afterwards. https://letterboxd.com/director/lau-kar-leung-2/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode Jemes reviews one of the tier 2 Venoms Mob Movies, Masked Avengers! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082153/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we review one of the most well known and regarded Venoms movies, Crippled Avengers! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077292/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we watch the next film from Diaz Espinoza with Marko Zaror, Mandrill. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1434618/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we discuss one of my personal favorite underrated Shaw Brother's films from the early 1970s, The Black Tavern. Violent, ridiculous, great choreography, and a ton of fun. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1043429/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we continue the journey through the Latin Dragon's lead roles with Mirageman! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1046183/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠ !

This episode we review the outrageous classic Shaw Brother's horror film, The Boxer's Omen. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085951/ Send us an email at ⁠⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠⁠ or tweet us at ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠⁠ !

This episode we review a pair of Chilean martial arts films from the Ernesto Diaz Espinoza/Marko Zaror combination. Kiltro is their debut and The Fist of the Condor is their recent release. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460484/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13354802/

This episode we review the golden age Hong Kong classic, Righting Wrongs! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094374/ Send us an email at ⁠zafilm2film⁠⁠@gmail.com⁠ or tweet us at ⁠https://twitter.com/zafilm2film⁠ !

This episode we discuss the unusual combination of Come Drink With Me by King Hu and Golden Swallow by Chang Cheh, films made by two different masters of the early Wuxia. Sorry we had a few technical difficulties with the audio that we could only partly iron out. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059079/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063105/ Send us an email at zafilm2film@gmail.com or tweet us at https://twitter.com/zafilm2film !

This episode we discuss 2019 Zombie Romantic Comedy starring Lupita Nyongo. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7390588/

This episode we discuss the 1967 quintessential Martial Arts film by Chang Cheh starring Jimmy Wang Yu. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061597/ Send us an email at zafilm2film@gmail.com or tweet us at https://twitter.com/zafilm2film !

An Oscar nominated foreign film from Argentina about the prosecution of the Argentina military. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15301048/

One of Fulci's most famous and iconic films, Zombi 2 / Zombie Flesh Eaters! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080057/

We record together (!) and review a Canadian Christmas horror film from 2015. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3688406/

This episode we review King Hu's groundbreaking 1967 classic, Dragon Inn. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060635/

This episode we review Sam Raimi's 2009 return to horror Drag Me To Hell! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127180/ zafilm2film@gmail.com https://twitter.com/zafilm2film

This episode we review the bonkers 1980s horror film, The Seventh Curse. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092273/ zafilm2film@gmail.com https://twitter.com/zafilm2film

This episode we review the latest entry into the Predator franchise, Dan Trachtenberg's Prey. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11866324/ zafilm2film@gmail.com https://twitter.com/zafilm2film

This episode we conclude the year in a half Gialli series by drafting our seven favorite gialli. We then review Dario Argento's Sleepless (2001). https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0220827/

This episode we discuss 1980s action/horror classic, Predator. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093773/ zafilm2film@gmail.com https://twitter.com/zafilm2film

This episode we review Dario Argento's two 1990s Gialli, Trauma and Stendhal Syndrome. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104053/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117658/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 zafilm2film@gmail.com https://twitter.com/zafilm2film

This episode we review the 1997 Serial Killer classic, Cure by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0123948/ zafilm2film@gmail.com https://twitter.com/zafilm2film

This episode we review the 1976 Poliziotteschi / Eurocrime cult classic, The Big Racket by Enzo G Castellari. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074586/ zafilm2film@gmail.com https://twitter.com/zafilm2film

This episode we review the 1995 Spanish horror / comedy The Day of the Beast by Álex de la Iglesia. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112922/ zafilm2film@gmail.com https://twitter.com/zafilm2film

This episode we go back to Italy for Michele Soavi's directorial debut, the 1987 slasher/giallo Stagefright Aquarius. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092576/ zafilm2film@gmail.com https://twitter.com/zafilm2film