Review Roundup - The Society

ELECTION (2005)

Bureaucracy isn't generally a compelling subject matter, unless it's subject to a certain type of scathing perspective. Elections? That hardly seems like an interesting topic either, even in a crime thriller. Surely the triads don't have such respect for tradition and democracy. But there's the root of all the concern in this instance; what it means to have loyalty in a world of keeping 'your friends close and enemies even closer'. As a result this is a story that exceeded my expectations as all the moving pieces, which were initially rather jumbled, started to move into place. The results are a dark and murky underworld tale in which many different figures struggle to maintain their positions in the hierarchy. Simply placing a ballot is only the beginning of their problems.

Martial Arts Mix - Above the Law

RIGHTING WRONGS (1986)

Time for a classic Yuen Biao vehicle. Like several other Hong Kong action stars I've looked at, his work has featured briefly in some older marathons. But now it's time to get down to the details. Why haven't I done this sooner? It's a question I ask myself all the time. Why isn't this part of a bigger franchise? That remains a mystery I'm afraid, since unlike some of his contemporaries there are no long running sequels following this outing. Of course the story doesn't lend itself to having a follow up, but when has that ever stopped the film-makers involved? Perhaps the darker storyline didn't go over too well back in the day. It's a movie with several endings after all. Personally I think a grittier analogue to the Police Story series would have been incredible. But as things are this stands alone, so let's get into it.

Martial Arts Mix - Police Assassins

ROYAL WARRIORS (1986)

While I've occasionally, usually without enough detail, touched on the so called 'Line of Duty' franchise here, it's time for a closer examination of part two in the series. Or is it part one? With so many different titles it's hard to keep track, thanks to overseas distributors messing around for some reason. But be assured that the first one has Cynthia Rothrock with this one has Hiroyuki Sanada. Regardless of where you might start these are the ones that give Michelle Yeoh centre stage, where she can showcase her action moves and her screen presence. This time around everything has been ramped up to keep the fights and stunt set pieces on par with the likes of Police Story. Which means this is a real treat for martial arts junkies.

Martial Arts Mix - Man of Determination

PART ONE - JET LI MOVIES  

Time for some action in what will be an admittedly brief marathon. As well as a few ruminations on the nature of remakes and star power. Is it odd to consider Jet Li's Fist of Legend a better film than Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury? Perhaps not in many ways. In fact it remains my firm favourite from the Wushu champion's back catalogue, although there are a lot of high points to consider. As remakes go it's certainly amongst the better ones, retaining the original spirit while adding a lot of extra layers. It certainly has a more complex attitude towards the Japanese occupation by presenting an educated central character. The story is more balanced overall; both heroes and villains have varied personalities regardless of which side they're on. Which isn't something that can be said for many of the films in this brisk screening.

Sci-fi Saturday - A Bigger Splash

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER (2022)

Revenge is a dish best served cold, I think somebody once said. Of course I'm not sure releasing a sequel like this over a decade after the iron was hot is what they had in mind. Yes somehow Avatar is back, with all of its tribes versus machines aesthetics and all its movie making technology. Though I'm happy to say the waking nightmare of high frame rates and 3D glasses can be avoided this time around. Fortunately it's lost the appeal it once had and movies can be enjoyed properly again. But is this more than just a simple revenge story and an exercise in pushing the film making envelope? In some ways it's a lot more convoluted, and a lot more self indulgent, while being rather thin at the same time. What is the Way of Water? It's about three hours or so.

Scorecard

DECEMBER

FILM OF THE MONTH: A Matter of Life and Death ☆☆☆☆