At the Hong Kong Movies: 600 Reviews from 1988 Till the Handover [Paperback]

Paul Fonoroff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999

Paul Fonoroff, one of Hong Kong''s leading movie critics, has compiled 600 of his highly-personal reviews from the last golden age of Hong Kong cinema into this easy-to-use volume for scholars, movie buffs and Honk Kong aficionados alike.'

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Paul Fonoroff studied Chinese at Brown University and then earned a master's degree in cinema at the University of Southern California. After researching Chinese cinema at Beijing University, he moved to Hong Kong in 1983, where he is film critic of the South China Morning Post and host of movie-related television programs in Cantonese, Mandarin and English with viewers from Singapore to Mongolia. His previous book, Silver Light, A Pictorial History of Hong Kong Cinema 1920-1970, showcased his spectacular collection of Hong Kong film memorabilia. Belying the old adage about critics, Paul has also acted in a dozen Hong Kong films.

Product Details

• Paperback: 676 pages
• Publisher: Odyssey Publications (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9622176410
• ISBN-13: 978-9622176416
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,214,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A book of questionable value, February 8, 2000

By 

Lisa R. Morton "lisam9" (North Hollywood, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At the Hong Kong Movies: 600 Reviews from 1988 Till the Handover (Paperback)

Fonoroff's book has a special place in the library of Hong Kong film studies, since his is the only one written so far (at least in English) by a critic actually living and working in Hong Kong; but his reviews are so consistently negative that the book has little value as either entertainment or useful guide. It doesn't help that the only film I could find that he gave a four-star review to (ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA II) was one that he happened to have a strong supporting role as an actor in. While there are some interesting items in the book in regards to the Hong Kong film industry, there simply aren't enough to make it worth wading through Fonoroff's continuous seeming hatred of his subject.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars he hates HK cinema!, May 4, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: At the Hong Kong Movies: 600 Reviews from 1988 Till the Handover (Paperback)

at a glance this book seems like a treasure for those who love HK movies and want a handy reference. But once you start reading his reviews, you realize that despite his opening claim that he actually loves these movies---he hates them. He's analyzing them like they're supposed to be the next James Joyce of films, but most HK movies are high octane fun. Start looking at the logic of things and these movies tend to fall apart (as do most all movies).

He loses the sheer exhilaration of the viewer.

So please, someone out there who actually loves these films---put together a comprehensive plot/review of HK films.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very comprehensive, January 16, 2000

By 

"hikayat" - See all my reviews

This review is from: At the Hong Kong Movies: 600 Reviews from 1988 Till the Handover (Paperback)

Fonoroff's book is very comprehensive, covering if not all, then certainly most, HK films made between 1988 to 1997. He also knows the HK film industry well and it shows in the book. I don't disagree with all the comments below save one. This is NOT a book for the fan or the uninitiated. Fonoroff is perhaps a little too critical to satisfy the ordinary fan and certainly not complimentary enough to attract the uninitiated to the charms of HK cinema. Fonoroff is a film critic and so will be hard on films. However, for a man who has the patience to review 600 HK films, you would think that he must have some love for them. I think that perhaps Fonoroff does love/like HK cinema but you can hardly tell, he compliments too few of them. One comes away feeling that Fonoroff's just watches and reviews them because it's part of the job. I know this is a collection of his reviews written for the paper but I still can't help coming away feeling a little alienated. That said, I still think the book is good, I own it and will recommend it. I appreciate his alternative and objective views which sets this book apart from Logan's "HK Action Cinema" and Hammond's "Sex and Zen and Bullet in the Head." I just don't recommend it to those who are HK film fanatics no matter what. And if you are trying to entice your friend into sampling a different kind of cinema get Hammond's or Logan's book. Now, if you don't need a ra-ra fan book AND would like a reference book then I say get this book. You'll get an insight into how the HK film industry works and you'll get some if not good, then at least alternative, commentary on 600 films.