Golden Queen’s Commando (1983)

As a Taiwanese action film, Golden Queen’s Commando (1983) aka Seven Black Heroines is an explosion at the cliche factory, producing a very entertaining smash-up of World War II mission movies and spaghetti westerns. This was such a fun time, that I could forgive the pan and scan VHS rip version available on Tubi (I think there’s […]

Thrilling Bloody Sword (1981)

Bless Justin Decloux and Gold Ninja Video as I would never have come across the Taiwanese martial arts adventure Thrilling Bloody Sword (1981) without their blu-ray release. The title gave me a different impression of what this film would be, which I bought sight unseen from Gold Ninja Video, as some violent wuxia swordsman action […]

Goodbye, Dragon Inn (2003)

In Goodbye, Dragon Inn (2003), there’s an obvious contrast between the 1960s wuxia film being screened, Dragon Inn, and the dilapidated cinema where its being shown; the faded film stock of adventure and action compared to the mundane stillness of empty cinema seats and rain dripping from the ceiling. Within Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang’s slow […]

Terrorizers (1986)

In Edward Yang’s film Terrorizers (1986) or The Terrorizers, there’s a repeated motif of characters standing near a window. Gazing out as wind blows through the curtains or sitting on the floor looking up at a closed window, characters exist within interiors that are often framed in master shots. There’s something at once beautiful and […]

Rebels Of The Neon God (1992)

Tsai Ming-liang was another filmmaker I’d seen discussed and wanted to learn more about. Rebels Of The Neon God (1992) is an attractive title in the English translation and the opening image of a phone booth interior, neon flashing on its surfaces, rain drops from outside, is incredibly stylish. What I think is appealing about […]