9. THE SEVENTH CURSE (1986)
Defying to fit any genre entirely, this is one hell of a roller coaster ride with liberal helpings of schlock horror, witchcraft, Alien, softcore porn and Raiders of the Lost Ark. It even recreates the infamous Raiders boulder scene - with a giant Budda statues head!
Ching Siu Ho stars as Dr. Yuan, an Indiana Jones style adventurer who must face a murderous sorcerer and his undead ancestor to cure a ‘blood curse’. Chow Yun-fat appears briefly (this was before he hit the big time with A Better Tomorrow), but oh so coolly, as Yuan’s mentor Wisley - a regular character in Hong Kong movies most recently seen in Wesley’s Mysterious Story.
Overlooked by even the most dedicated HK fans, this is the perfect accompaniment to a six-pack and take-away curry. Veg out and enjoy!
ALSO RECOMMENDED
Mr Vampire (1985)
Long before Buffy was drop kicking our blood sucking, long toothed friends Lam Ching Ying was dispatching them with enchantments and martial arts, despite the hindrance of his hopeless students Ching Siu Ho and Ricky Hui. Oh, did I mention that the undead hop?
Encounters Of The Spooky Kind (1980)
Sammo Hung directs this inspired martial arts foray into the supernatural… with hilarious results!
The Legend Of Wisley (1987)
This time played by Sam Hui, Wisley is on the trail of a Buddhist pearl for a triad boss, but so is something else not of this planet…
Taxi Hunter (1993)
A bizarre take on Falling Down, Anthony Wong is pushed too far when a taxi driver causes the death of his wife and unborn child. This has something of a cult following in Hong Kong, where drivers seem even more despised than they are anywhere else on the planet. I’ll soon be able to tell you if that’s deserved or not…
