Rigor Mortis (2013)

AKA: Geung Si


Starring: Anthony Chang, Fat Chung, Siu-Ho Chin, Richard Ng, Hee Ching Paw, Billy Lau
Director: Juno Mak


Premise:
A suicidal former action star movies into an apartment complex haunted by two spirits, ran by a former vampire hunter, and has a woman trying to bring her husband back from the dead.

My Take:
The movie takes it's time building up an layered story that deals with spirits, vampires, and black magic. A throwback of sorts to the classic 70's horror tales of Hong Kong done in a unique and stylish manor.

Rating: So Good

Watched: Hoopla

Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Black Magic (1975)

Starring: Lung Ti, Lieh Lo, Ni Tien
Director: Ho Meng-Hua


Premise:
A witch doctor who is known for casting love spells on people in exchange for cash, falls in love with one of his clients

My Take:
A crazy little flick from the Shaw Brothers production house. Not a lot of horror here but still a fun flick.

Rating: In the middle

Watched: Netflix DVD

Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Red To Kill (1994)

AKA: Yeut Saat

Starring: Lily Chung, Money Lo, Ben Ng
Director: Billy Tang


Premise:
A man who runs a learning center for mentally disabled adults is also a serial rapist of women who wear the color red. After he rapes ones of the women in the center, her social worker seeks revenge.

My Take:
A hard to watch movie due to all the raping and dealing with mental challenged adults. A lot of it is for shock value but it doesn't make any less unnerving.

Rating: Warning

Watched: Amazon Prime

Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Tales From the Dark 2 (2013)

Starring: Fala Chen, Kang Tung Lam
Director: Lawrence Ah Mon, Gordon Chan, Kelvin Kwan, Teddy Robin Kwan


Premise:
An anthology movie.

Pillow - A nurse suffers from insomnia after her boyfriend leaves and buys a scented pillow to help her sleep. The pillow conjures up vivid dreams of her boyfriend.

Hide and Seek - Former students return to their elementary school to find it haunted.

Black Umbrella - An old man tries helping a prostitute who in return tries to scam him. But the old man is hiding a deadly secret.

My Take:
All three of these tales are enjoyable. Third installment being my favorite and I think the most origin of the bunch.

Rating: In the middle


Watched: Hulu






Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Black Night (2006)

Starring:
Director: Patrick Leung, Takahiko Akiyama, Tanit Jitnukul


Premise:
Three horror stories ("Next Door", "Dark Hole", "The Lost Memory") from three different Asian directors from three different countries in Asian.

My Take:
All three stories are watchable but nothing new. "The Lost Memory" is my favorite of the bunch as it hits all the right notes.

Rating: In the middle


Watched: Netflix Instant






Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Dr. Lamb (1992)

Starring: Danny Lee, Simon Yang
Director: Danny Lee, Billy Tang


Premise:
A taxi driver is arrested on suspicion of being a serial killer. The police and his family interrogate him until he finally admits to the grisly crimes.

My Take:
I found the first half of the movie rather boring. The main character keeps getting beat on by the cops in hopes of a confession. Then they let his family berate and beat him. Finally the man snaps and gives the details of his killings (which makes up the second half). The killings are gory and disgusting. There is disturbing sexual acts too. I think the version I say was the rated version. I guess there is an unrated version, if one can find it.

Rating: Warning

 




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Seeding of a Ghost (1983)

AKA: Zong Gui

Starring: Norman Chu, Phillip Ko
Director: Chuan Yang


Premise:
A taxi driver accidentally interrupts a black magic ceremony. The penalty for doing so has his wife raped and murdered. The driver seeks revenge on those who wronged him by using the dark magic which he stumbled upon to cause the events.

My Take:
It's a rather typical Shaw Brothers production with the black magic vs white magic theme, but that doesn't make it any less entertaining. There is so much wackiness in the final act of this movie and the ending is a must see. There is a reason the flick is called Seeding a Ghost.

Rating: In the Middle





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Kung Fu Zombie (1981)

AKA:  Wu Long Tian Shi Zhao Ji Gui

Starring: Billy Chong
Director: Yi-Jung Hua


Premise:
A man hires a wizard to create an army of zombies to get his revenge on another man.

My Take:
I've seen many similar movies of this type with better stories. For me the movie was too boring and too familiar, even with it's decent amount of strangeness.

Rating: Warning (but maybe better rating if in the right mood for this type of flick)


 




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Lost Souls (1980)

AKA: Da She


Director: Tun Fei Mou


Premise:
Illegal Chinese immigrants are caught trying to sneak into Hong Kong are caught by a gang and subjected to devious methods of torture.

My Take:
If you into films where a group of sadistic men rape, torture, and kill naked woman and sometimes men and children, then maybe this movie is for you. Even though it was probably far more shocking when it was released, it is still quite disturbing. But there is really no rhyme or reason for the violence or explanations behind the actions. Some rave over this "classic explotation" movie, but I am not one of them.

Rating: Warning






Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Black Magic 2 (1976)

 AKA: Gou Hun Jiang Tou


Director: Meng Hua Ho


Premise:
Doctors in a hospital start to notice strange things going on with patients. They suspect black magic is involved.

My Take:
When the movie starts out revealing an old black magic priest who drinks breast milk to stay young in appearance, then you know it's going to be a wacky ride. The priest also takes dead bodies and make them a zombies. There is also demon fetus action, worm puking, and spurting blood. Interesting to say the least.

Rating: In the middle






Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Diary (2006)

Starring: Charlene Choi
Director: Oxide Pang


Premise:
A woman stays in her apartment, writes in her diary, and makes dolls fter her boyfriend leaves her. Eventually she finds another man but keeps getting their relationship confused with the previous. Then she relies on her diary to reveal the truth.

My Take:
This is an engrossing movie that deals with mental illness and ends in horrific fashion. The fragmented editing of the story helps with the delusions of the main character. So does the dark atmosphere and excellent cinemaphotgraphy. One of the directors best films.

Rating: So Good





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License
An affiliate of http://seankimmel.com/

Magic Cop (1990)

 AKA: Qu Mo Jing Cha

Starring: Ching-Ying Lam
Director: Wei Tung


Premise:
A former cop returns to the city to help the police investigate a drug cartel that uses the dead as couriers.

My Take:
This movie has martial arts, comedy, the dead being controlled by an evil sorceress, and a Taoist monk known for fighting the supernatural. It's hard not to be entertained by such things as it all blends together perferctly.

Rating: In the middle




 
Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Ebola Syndrome (1996)

AKA:  Yi Boh Lai Beng Duk

Starring: Anthony Wong Chau-Sang
Director: Herman Yau


Premise:
A man commits murder then flees to South Africa to avoid the law. Ten years later he rapes a local tribes woman and contracts the Ebola Virus. After starting an outbreak there, and being wanted by the authorities, he returns to Hong Kong only to start the same.

My Take:
At the core of this very over the top and gory movie is a realistic showing of how easy an epidemic can spread. Which is frightening. Combine that with some truly disgusting scenes and a very unlikable villain in the lead and make this an entertaining movie to watch.

Rating: In the middle




 
Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980)

AKA: Spooky Encounters / Gui Da Gui

Starring: Sammo Hung Kam-Bo
Director: Sammo Hung Kam-Bo

Premise:
A man's wife and her lover plot to kill her husband with the help of a dark wizard. The man must then defend his life against these beings while trying to prove he is innocent of murder.

My Take:
I like most of the martial art-horror-comedy hybrid movies I've seen from Hong Kong. This influential flick laid ground work for many future films in the subgenre and it's a good one. If you've never seen this type of movie then start here.
Sammo (who later gained US fame for a television series) puts on a great comedic performance and does some serious stunt work, especially for a larger man.
The movie contains zombie police, possession, wizards, and hopping vampires. Plus the ending must be seen to be believed!


Rating: So Good




 
Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Human Lanterns (1982)

Director: Chung Sun


Premise:
Two rivals go to great lengths to win a lantern contest.

My Take:
With a Shaw Brothers production the view kind of knows what to expect (lots of cool martial arts scenes and a bizarre script full of strange things). This one has a mysterious dude kidnapping young women and lanterns made out of flesh. I usually find the movies fairly watchable but just couldn't get into this one.

The version I watched may have been the censored DVD. As the gore was a minimum. Might have rated higher if it wasn't.


Rating: Warning (but probably closer to average)






Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

The Boxer's Omen (1983)

Director: Chin Hung Kuei 

Premise:
The brother of an injured kick boxer tries to find a way to break their family curse.

My Take:
What a trippy film from the Shaw Brothers! Kick boxing monk fighting black magic sorcerers. The special effects are so outdated and look bad, but in a way it all adds to the madness.

Rating: In the middle





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Sex and Zen II (1996)

Starring: Qi Shu
Director: Man Kei Chin

Premise:
A strict father, who is determined to become a master at the art of sex, sends his daughter away after putting a chastity belt on her. Along comes a demon disguised as a beautiful woman and weds the father. His daughter will not stand for it, nor will the man tracking the demon.

My Take:
I have a confession to make. I only watched this movie because I am somewhat smitten with the lovely Qi Shu.
The movie is basically a skin flick with some comedy and a dab of horror. There is lots of nudity (and way too long sex scenes), crazy sword play, and the bizarre conclusion to it all. I will also admit that I was slightly amused with film.
The movie isn't for everyone but if the above items are your fancy, then seek out the movie.

Rating: Warning





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires (1974)

Starring: Peter Cushing, David Chiang
Director: Roy Ward Baker


Premise:
Dracula takes the form of a Chinese monk to resurrect the seven golden vampires. Soon Van Helsing makes his way to China with a group of body guards from a local village to stop the evil.

My Take:
A cross production between Hammer Studios and The Shaw Brothers, it makes for an entertaining watch even if it is a bit clumsy. It's kung fu vampires with British elegance.

Rating: In the middle




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Dream Home (2010)

AKA: Wai dor lei ah yut ho



Director: Ho-Cheung Pang


Premise:
A woman is on the verge of buying her dream home until the housing market collapses causing the current owners not to sell the apartment. In order to keep the her dream alive, she is forced to take dire consequences.

My Take:
A very bloody movie. This woman goes on a killing spree wiping out several tenants in the apartment complex. The gore of the present is cut with her emotional past.

Rating: So Good




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

The Seventh Curse (1986)

AKA: Yuan Zhen-Xia yu Wei Si-Li


Starring: Chow Yun Fat, Maggie Cheung
Director: Ngai Kai Lam


Synopsis:
On a archeological search in Northern Thailand, a man rescues a girl from the local "Worm Tribe" from sacrifice. He has seven curses put on him. The curse helps to delay the curse for one year. Now the man is back to try and put an end to the curse and save his life.

My Take: A one of a kind movie which throws martial arts, comedy, bad gore, a supernatural tale, and some comedy in a big stew to marinate. The results are mixed. Dont take it too seriously and you might enjoy.

Rating: In the Middle




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.