The Master (1992) - fliXposed... Import

'The Master' (in traditional Chinese: 龍行天下) is a 1992 Hong Kong martial arts action film written, directed and produced by Tsui Hark and starring Jet Li, Yuen Walsh, Jerry Trimble and Crystal Kwok.

Jet (played by Li) arrives in Los Angeles to visit his former kung fu master Uncle Tak (played by Walsh).  Along the way, Jet befriends a group of hispanic Americans, who want him to be their Master.
The film's villain Johnny (played by  Trimble) is making his way through Los Angeles, defeating Kung Fu masters in order to be the best. Jet decides to stop Johnny in an attempt to protect Uncle Tak.

Did you know...

• Jet Li broke his right wrist during the filming of the movie
• Although the film was made in 1989, it was not released until 1992

Alternate versions

The US release of the film removes four minutes of footage, including:

• the opening scene, where Anna fights a gymnastics student
• a scene were Anna is banned from gymnastics school
• a scene of Jet walking through Los Angeles
• a scene where Jet finds Anna beaten up

Closing remarks

Although cut from the American film, the opening sequence in the Hong Kong version of the film features some energetic and entertaining gymnastic performances, although this makes little (if any) contribution to the film's story, hence it's deletion.

As the film is set in America, the dialogue is half Cantonese and half English. Most importantly the Mandarin speaking characters do not understand the English speaking characters, and vice versa.
While this can feel a little annoying to the spectator and confusing at first, I found it to be an effective mechanism to show the impact of language barriers in society, and the importance for migrants to assimilate and learn to speak the native language of their host country, in this case English.

The film's plot of weak, with no compelling motivation for the violent acts in the film. That said, there are a few funny moments including a memorable scene with a cab driver.

Overall, a below average Hong Kong crime-action film, and is not anywhere as good as John Woo's pre-Hollywood era films.

Suddenly (1954) - Star of the month... Frank Sinatra

John Baron (played by Sinatra) berates one of his hostages

'Suddenly' is a 1954 dramatic film noir thriller directed by Lewis Allen and starring Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, James Gleason and Nancy Gates. The film's screenplay was written by Richard Sale.

The film is set in the tranquil town of Suddenly. When the American President is scheduled to make a visit to the town while passing through on a train, three gangsters, led by John Baron (Sinatra) hold a family hostage in their home as part of an assassination attempt on the president.

Ironically at the start of a film, a police officer says: "Things happen so slow now, the town councillor is thinking of changing the name to Gradually". Little do they know what is about to happen in this small town.

Use of guns

Sterling Hayden as Todd

A key theme in the film is the use of guns. At the start of the film, Ellen (played the Gates) does not like guns as her husband was recently shot in the war. When Todd (played by Hayden) buys Ellen's son a cap gun, Ellen is not happy. Todd tells Ellen, "The boys gotta learn sometime that guns aren't necessarily bad... It depends on who uses them." It is ironic later in the film Ellen must make consider this statement when making a choice as to whether or not to pick up a gun in order to save her family.

Home invasion

Another key theme in the film is home invasion. The home is the one place where we expect to feel and be safe.  Being held captive removes the barrier between personal and public space, and bring the dangerous realities of the outside world inside our front door. The claustrophobia you would feel when being held hostage in your home I imagine would be one of the most terrifying ordeals a person could experience.

Did you know...

• This film was shot in 4 weeks
• Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly watched this film a few days before assassinating President Kennedy - one could consider if this film was a catalyst for the assassination, or whether the event may not have taken place had Oswald not seen this film
• When 'Suddenly' was colorised for home video in 1986 by Hal Roach Studio, they coloured Frank Sinatra's famous blue eyes brown, causing much controversy. A second colourised version from 2009 by Legend Films, restores his eyes to it's natural blue color.
• The film's copyright was not renewed and the film is now in the public domain - hence the myriad of budget home video releases and availability online

Murder is Easy - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

"As long as no one suspects you, murder is easy" - Helen Hayes (as Lavinia Fullerton in 'Murder is Easy')

Olivia de Havilland with co-star Shane Briant

'Murder is Easy' is a 1982 television movie adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel, starring Bill Bixby, Lesley Anne Down, Olivia de Havilland, Jonathan Pryce, Shane Briant and Helen Hayes.

The first edition cover of the novel
'Murder is Easy'

Whilst travelling on a train Lavinia Fullerton (played by Hayes) meets Professor Luke Williams (played by Bixby). Fullerton tells Williams she is on her way to Scotland Yard to provide information on some murders. Shortly after, Miss Fullerton is killed in a hit and run incident. Williams believes Miss Fullerton's death was intended to silence her and decides to continue her crusade. Aided with villager Bridget Conway (played by Down), Williams seeks to uncover who is murdering the villages. 

Closing remarks

Average murder mystery is not one of Christie's best stories or film adaptations. Luke Williams is no Hercule Poirot, but manages to get the job done (although I managed to figure out who the murderer was long before he did).


Olivia de Havilland is perfection in her portrayal of the eccentric Honoria Waynflete, as is Helen Hayes in her very brief appearance.

Raffles (1939) - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

Olivia de Havilland and David Niven as
Gwen and Raffles

'Raffles' is a 1939 crime comedy starring David Niven, Olivia de Havilland and Dame May Whitty.


'Raffles' tells the tale of A.J. Raffles, the "Amateur Cracksman", who decides to give up his criminal ways after he falls in love with Gwen Manders (played by de Havilland). As his final crime, he targets a necklace owned by Lady Kitty Melrose (played by Whitty).

Did you know...

• The character of 'Raffles' is parodied in 'The Simpsons' episode 'Homer the Vigilante' as cat burglar Molloy

David Niven as Raffles,
with Dame May Whitty as Lady Kitty Melrose

Closing remarks

'Raffles' is a very enjoyable crime caper to watch. David Niven is brilliant as always, however this is not one of Olivia de Havilland's greatest performances. Running for just over an hour, the film could have been made better and more suspenseful had it lasted a little longer.

Chandler (1971)

Star birthday... Warren Oates

Star birthday... Warren Oates

Warren Oates was born on 5 July 1928 in Depoy, Kentucky. He began his career appearing in plays for the University of Louisville Little Theatre Company in the early 1950s before being selected to appear in an episode of TV's 'Studio One' in 1957. After appearing in a number of TV shows, he made the transition to film. He had a prolific film career over 25 years before his death from a heart attack on  2 April 1982.

Recommended viewing

• The Wild Bunch (1969)
• Chandler (1971)
• The Hired Hand (1971)
• Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)
• Badlands (1973)
• Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974)
• Race With the Devil (1975)
• Stripes (1981)

Chandler (1971)

"Chandler, there's a dead body in my room"

Warren Oates and Leslie Caron

'Chandler' is a 1971 spy crime film starring Warren Oates and Leslie Caron, with Mitch Ryan and Gloria Grahame in a small role as Selma.

Hardboiled detective Chandler (played by Oates) is hired to watch and protect a missing government witness, who happens to be beautiful French woman, Katherine Creighton (played by Caron). Chandler becomes a dead man walking as he and Katherine learn no one can be trusted, not even the government.

Closing remarks

Sadly the film is very slow and dull. It pretty much goes nowhere, and the most exciting part of the film is at the 85 minute mark, when it finishes. The film is so bad, the director later apologized for it, and alleged he was denied access to the editing process, where it was recut without his permission, adding in scenes he intended to delete, and removing others. 

The concept of the film was good, and with a better script could have become a popular film franchise. 

Chandler (1971) - Star birthday... Leslie Caron

Star birthday... Leslie Caron

Leslie Caron in a publicity still for 'Gigi'

Leslie Caron was born in France on 1 July 1931, and began her career as a ballerina. She was discovered by film legend Gene Kelly, who brought her to Hollywood and cast her in 'An American in Paris' (1951), making her an International star overnight. 

She is one of few classic Hollywood stars who are still active in their profession, appearing in the 2011 short film 'L'age Parfait'.

Recommended viewing

• An American in Paris (1951)
• Lili (1953)
• The Glass Slipper (1955)
• Daddy Long Legs (1955)
• Gigi (1958)
• Fanny (1961)
• The L-Shaped Room (1962)
• Valentino (1977)
• Chocolat (2000)

Chandler (1971)

"Chandler, there's a dead body in my room"

Warren Oates and Leslie Caron

'Chandler' is a 1971 spy crime film starring Warren Oates and Leslie Caron, with Mitch Ryan and Gloria Grahame in a small role as Selma.

Hardboiled detective Chandler (played by Oates) is hired to watch and protect a missing government witness, who happens to be beautiful French woman, Katherine Creighton (played by Caron). Chandler becomes a dead man walking as he and Katherine learn no one can be trusted, not even the government.

Closing remarks

Sadly the film is very slow and dull. It pretty much goes nowhere, and the most exciting part of the film is at the 85 minute mark, when it finishes. The film is so bad, the director later apologized for it, and alleged he was denied access to the editing process, where it was recut without his permission, adding in scenes he intended to delete, and removing others. 


The concept of the film was good, and with a better script could have become a popular film franchise.