Tag Archives: Herman Yau

Customs Frontline (2024) Review

July 20, 2024 Paul Bramhall

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Jacky Cheung, Nicholas Tse, Karena Lam, Francis Ng, Liu Yase, Michelle Wai, Angus Yeung, Melvin Wong, Ben Yuen, Amanda Strang, Brahim Chab Running Time: 115 min.  By Paul Bramhall While the flaunting of China’s various authorities and military divisions through the format of cinema has become almost the exclusive forte of Dante Lam, in 2024 he kindly stepped aside to make some room for fellow Hong … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Death Notice (2023) Review

June 13, 2024 Paul Bramhall

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Julian Cheung, Louis Koo, Waise Lee, Francis Ng, Simon Yam, Myolie Wu, Chrissie Chau Sau-Na, Pakho Chau, Helena Law Lan, Ray Lui Leung-Wai Running Time: 100 min.  By Paul Bramhall Herman Yau is something of an anomaly when it comes to Hong Kong filmmakers. Having made his directorial debut in 1987 and rose to prominence during the 1990’s, he’s the only filmmaker who continues to be … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , |

The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell (2023) Review

November 23, 2023 Paul Bramhall

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Louis Koo, Lau Ching-Wan, Aaron Kwok, Caiyu Yang, Gallen Lo, Tse Kwan-ho, Alex Fong Chung-sun, Power Chan, Timmy Hung, Lam Suet  Running Time: 125 min. By Paul Bramhall Ten years after the release of 2013’s The White Storm, the late Benny Chan’s divisive homage to the heroic bloodshed genre, it’s a safe bet that no one was expecting it to become a trilogy. However in 2023 … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

White Storm 2: Drug Lords, The (2019) Review

June 1, 2022 Paul Bramhall

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Andy Lau, Louis Koo, Michael Miu, Karena Lam, Kent Cheng, Gordon Lam, Chrissie Chau, Cherrie Ying, Michelle Wai, MC Jin (Jin Au-Yeung), Ben Yuen  Running Time: 100 min. By Paul Bramhall In 2013 the late Benny Chan unleashed The White Storm, one of the most divisive Hong Kong action movies in recent memory. While some hailed it is a glorious throwback to the heroic bloodshed era, … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

Shock Wave 2 (2020) Review

July 18, 2021 Paul Bramhall

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Andy Lau Tak-Wah, Lau Ching-Wan, Ni Ni, Tse Kwan-Ho, Philip Keung Hiu-Man, Ron Ng Cheuk-Hai, Marc Ma Yu-He, Kenny Wong Tak-Ban Running Time: 120 min. By Paul Bramhall  In 2017 Herman Yau looked to reinvent himself once more, this time as a director of big budget action blockbusters with Shock Wave, a bomb disposal thriller with Andy Lau as the lead. Armed with the biggest budget … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Nessun Dorma (2016) Review

December 20, 2020 Paul Bramhall
"Nessun Dorma" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Gordon Lam Ka-Tung, Janice Man Wing-San, Andy Hui, Candice Yu On-On, Jacky Choi Kit, Wilfred Lau Ho-Lung, Tarah Chan Yi-Lam, Phat Chan Fei Running Time: 94 min.  By Paul Bramhall Out of all the Hong Kong directors who started out during the territory’s cinematic heyday, it’s only Herman Yau who continues to be as prolific today as he was during his 90’s peak. While Yau’s expansive … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Shock Wave (2017) Review

August 8, 2017 Martin Sandison
"Shock Wave" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Andy Lau, Jiang Wu, Song Jia, Philip Keung, Ron Ng, Wang Ziyi, Felix Wong, Shek Sau, Liu Kai-chi, Cheung Chun-kit, Louis Cheung, Babyjohn Choi, Felix Lok Running Time: 118 min. By Martin Sandison Superstar actor/singer Andy Lau (The Great Wall, God of Gamblers) has had one of the most enduring careers of any Hong Kong celebrity, and he keeps going strong. Despite the setback of his … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Sleep Curse, The (2017) Review

May 15, 2017 Martin Sandison
"The Sleep Curse" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Herman Yau Writer: Erica Li, Lee Sing Cast: Anthony Wong, Jojo Goh, Gordon Lam Ka-Tung, Michelle Wai, Mak Kwai-Yuen, Chye Yang Running Time: 102 min. By Martin Sandison After this year’s Udine Far East Film Festival screening of The Sleep Curse – and before my scheduled interview with its prodigiously talented director, Herman Yau – I bumped into the great man outside the theatre. I told him that I’d never seen a film like the masterful Untold Story … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , |

Ebola Syndrome (1996) Review

November 14, 2016 Martin Sandison
"Ebola Syndrome" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Herman Yau Producer: Wong Jing Cast: Anthony Wong, Angel Wong, Vincent Wan, Mariane Chan, Lo Meng, Ng Sui Ting, Peter Ngor Chi Kwan, Shing Fui On, Cindy Yip, Chang Yin, Tsang Yin Running Time: 97 min. By Martin Sandison After the success of the sadistic and powerful Bunman: The Untold Story, the director and star team of Herman Yau and Anthony Wong set about making another classic slice of … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Chinese, Golden Harvest, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Untold Story, The | aka Bunman (1993) Review

October 21, 2015 Martin Sandison
"The Untold Story" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Anthony Wong, Danny Lee, Emily Kwan, Lau Siu-Ming, Shing Fui-On, Parkman Wong Pak-Man, Yee Ka-Fat, Lam King-Kong, Julie Lee, Leung Hung-Wah Running Time: 96 min. By Martin Sandison One of the most notorious Category 3 Hong Kong films ever made, Bunman (what a title!) features everything that makes extreme HK cinema so unique: brutality, seriously dark comedy and insane energy that spills off the screen. Only … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Woman Knight of Mirror Lake, The (2011) Review

June 24, 2012 Z Ravas
"The Woman Knight of Mirror Lake" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Betty Huang Yi, Dennis To Yue Hong, Anthony Wong Chau Sang, Kevin Cheng Ga Wing, Rose Chan Ka Wun, Pat Ha Man Jing, Hung Yan Yan, Lam Suet, Lau Siu Ming, Chui Tien You, Wong You Nam, Mia Yam Running Time: 115 min. By HKFanatic Former b-movie auteur Herman Yau (“Ebola Syndrome,” “Troublesome Night”) has successfully re-invigorated his career as of late, refashioning himself as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , |

Taxi Hunter (1993) Review

December 16, 2011 JJ Bona

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Anthony Wong, Yu Rong Guang, Fung Woo, Ng Man Tat, Athene Chu, Chan Fai Hung, Lam King Kong, Lam Chiu Wing, James Ha Chim Si Running Time: 88 min. By Numskull Cabbies beware! Stop rigging those meters! Curb those sloppy driving habits! Don’t snap at those passengers and then expect a generous tip! There’s a new force in town to be reckoned with, and he’s got … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, News, Reviews | Tagged , , , |

Legend is Born – Ip Man, The (2010) Review

November 22, 2011 Z Ravas
"The Legend Is Born – Ip Man" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Herman Yau Cast: Dennis To, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Fan Siu-wong, Huang Yi, Ip Chun, Kenya Sawada, Betty Huang Yi, Bernice Liu Bik Yi, Lam Suet, Chen Zhi Hui, Kenya Sawada, Sire Ma Sai, Hins Cheung Ging Hin, Louis Cheung Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic Viewers would be forgiven for thinking that “The Legend is Born” is a legitimate prequel to Donnie Yen’s “Ip Man” series. Not only … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

All of a Sudden (1996) Review

January 14, 2011 JJ Bona
"All of a Sudden" Chinese DVD Cover

Director: Herman Yau Writer: Chau Ting Cast: Simon Yam, Irene Wan, Alfred Cheung, Dayo Wong Chi Wah, Fong Yue, Peter Ngor, Chang Yin, Lam Chiu Wing, Rico Chung Kai Cheong, Lee Ji-Kei Running Time: 97 min. By Numskull If you like movies that prominently feature leggy Chinese women with big, pointy nipples getting wet and taking their clothes off when they weren’t wearing much in the first place, have I … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , |

9413 (1998) Review

January 13, 2011 JJ Bona

Director: Francis Ng Chun-Yu Producer: Herman Yau Lai To, Ng Ga Bo Writer: Sandy Siu Cast: Francis Ng Chun-Yu, Christine Eng Wing Mei, Amanda Lee Wai Man, Mo Jun Fai Running Time: 90 min. By Ben Poppel Lan, a police officer, relies on Carmen, a hypnotist, to cure his amnesia. As Lan gradually regains his memories, it dawns on him that he may be the famous cop murderer. Things escalate … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Reviews | Tagged , , |