Martial Arts Mix

FIVE ELEMENTS NINJAS (1982)

So many Shaw Brothers films and so little time to watch them all. But where to start with all of these for those who aren't sure? There are lot of obvious choices and I would say the likes of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin or Five Deadly Venoms good starting points. Come Drink With Me is also a great option. But personally it doesn't get much better than this kung fu fighters versus ninja clan epic. The best films from the studio all include colourful sets, outlandish costumes and a whole lot of crazy gadgets and weapons. Gallons of red paint to complete the experience is always a plus. Which is why it's always fun to revisit this multicoloured wire work extravaganza. 

HCF Review - Art through adversity

TABLOID VIVANT (2016)

This is a film which starts off with an offbeat jazz tune before diverting into brutal murder and then back to wacky rear projection car driving scenes, while occasionally throwing in a few graphic inserts of magazines and restaurant menus to add a little zest. You might think this sounds like some kind of wacky comedy caper about oddball artistic types shacked up in the woods together with a dash of horror just for good measure. But this is only partially true. Tone is a major issue here and while stories like Frank and Inside Llewyn Davis have tackled similar material on the nature of art and artistic temperaments recently, this doesn’t really have the same kind of focus. Instead they’ve opted to throw in all kinds of other ideas to see what will stick.

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HCF Review - In the Woods

ALL GIRLS WEEKEND (2016)

Alone and afraid in the wilderness, a panic stricken woman and a young girl finds themselves on the run from malevolent forces. The sort of unseen evil that makes spooky chanting sounds but is always invisible to keep the budget down. To nobody’s surprise the voices demand a blood sacrifice. I’ve always thought an autumnal forest setting offers all kinds of possibilities for a no frills production like this. But I guess it’s not a big shock when the same old clichés are utilised. There’s little in terms of creativity even though the makers seem a bit sure of themselves; after the prologue a poster for the movie itself is prominently displayed in an apartment. Avant garde forth wall break or weird vanity? You be the judge.

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Scorecard

JANUARY

FILM OF THE MONTH: Casino Royale ☆☆☆☆