The 36TH Chamber of Shaolin
In Shaolin Kung Fu, there are 35 chambers, comprised of the lessons needed to make one a proper ass-kicking follower of Buddha. In the film, The 36TH Chamber of Shaolin, the evil Manchu cause young student Liu Yu-De to travel to Shaolin Temple to learn the ways of Shaolin Kung Fu. After completing the 35 chambers in record time, Liu Yu-De is given the choice of overseeing any chamber he wishes. However, instead of picking one of the already established chambers, he asks to create a 36TH chamber, in which he would teach students outside of Shaolin Temple, in hopes of kicking the Manchu out of Canton.
Eventually, the baddies get their collective asses handed to them, and good triumphs. But it isn't the outcome of the rebel factions opposed to the Manchua rulers that is the main focus of the film, it is Liu Yu-De's progression in his Shaolin training. The training, and Gordon Liu's performance as Liu Yu-De, made this a cinema classic that rivals any martial arts film made before or since.
Come Drink With Me
While The 36TH Chamber of Shaolin is probably the greatest martial arts film ever made, Come Drink With Me is a close second.
In the olden days in China, a gang of bastardly robbers kidnap a governor's son in hopes of trading his life for that of their captured leader. Golden Swallow, the governor's daughter, is sent to arrest those responsible, while rescuing her brother. Though she can kick the crap out of almost any man, an entire gang proves too much for her alone. Fortunately for her, she crosses paths with a mysterious beggar, that is really the Druken Master of Shaolin Temple.
Before Buffy The Vampire Slayer, before La Femme Nikita, Golden Swallow showed that women can kick ass as well as any man. It is a really good film too.
A Battle of Wits
Andy Lau stars as Ge Li, a brilliant strategist with a heart of gold, that goes to Liang to help defend it against a coming invasion. Ge Li proves to be the Liang peoples' only hope, as they face death and slavery should their kingdom fall. Lucky for them Ge Li is the smartest military general one could ask for. While aiding Liang and it's people, Ge Li earns respect from his subordinates and the enemy general, the love of a beatiful woman (played by the lovely Fan Bingbing), and the ire of Liang's King, as the less than benevolent ruler sees Ge Li as a threat to his rule due to Ge Li's kindhearted nature.
All in all, A Battle of Wits is pretty damn good. What is found in A Battle of Wits may not be quite as excellent as the political intrigue and elaborate battles found in Curse of the Golden Flower, but it is far better than An Empress and the Warriors, and at least on par with another recent Andy Lau Ancient Chinese epic, The Warlords.
Good Wife
Talented acting, decent direction and some flashes of goodness can't save this muddle Korean drama from being anything other than diversionary entertainment. Simply put, a waste of time if you're looking for something meaningful or worthwile. However, if you have an hour and a half of free time, nothing better to do, and you don't feel like taking a nap, what the hell?
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