Sex and Zen and a Bullet In the Head [Paperback]

Stefan Hammond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 1997

A movie-by-movie guide to Hong Kong cinema. This book examines nearly 200 examples of the best and worst that it has to offer, and explains plot, characters and rates each movie. It includes stories from the Hong Kong movie scene and gives a listing of video stores that carry some of the titles.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hong Kong is home to the world's third largest film industry after Hollywood and Bombay. The movies tend to emphasize action, and lots of it. But according to the press release, the 200 films covered in Stefan Hammond's and Mike Wilkins's Sex and Zen and a Bullet in the Head are not just chop-socky. Rather, these movies are "sexy, fast-action supernatural," not to mention historical and occasionally downright silly?even without the awkwardly translated subtitles like "Suck the coffin mushroom now" or "I know it, he is not an idiot, he is sexual detour" that by themselves are worth the price of admission.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Until very recently, Hong Kong cinema was largely ignored in the United States by all but a small, fervent minority. This has begun to change, however, and the authors intend to lure new fans with this introductory overview to the great variety of Hong Kong film. Each chapter focuses on one topic, such as type of film or individual actor or director. A glossary of terms and a listing of locations around the country where people can obtain tapes are also provided. The authors are obviously die-hard fans of these films, and, unfortunately, the intensity of their enthusiasm, though at times humorous, frequently borders on the immature. Though the book, like the films it covers, is best suited for older audiences, it is hard to tell to whom it will finally appeal. Existing fans of Hong Kong cinema will find little new of interest, and nonfans may just be intimidated. Purchase only where there is demand.?Peter A. Leggieri, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Powells Books Wholesale Remain (January 31, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852867752
• ISBN-13: 978-1852867751
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,772,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Pretenses Here..., December 17, 1999

By 

David Yun - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sex and Zen & A Bullet in the Head: The Essential Guide to Hong Kong's Mind-bending Films (Paperback)

From the first few words of the introduction, it's clear what the purpose of this work is: "...over-intellectualizing film denies the primary purpose of moviegoing: entertainment." This book reads more like a high quality trade magazine published by true fanboys, rather than a traditional movie-review book spun up by professional critics. This is a GOOD thing! It's the very reason I awarded it 5 stars; if your cup of tea is highbrow social critique, check out Stokes' and Hoover's City on Fire.

Sex and Zen & A Bullet in the Head is instead an unapologetic, unabashed celebration of Hong Kong cinema that waggles its tongue at the conventions of political correctness. The authors have also packed in fun trivia and interesting tidbits all fans ought to appreciate. (The sections on poorly translated subtitles floored me with laughter!) This is the book you want to purchase if you want a guided tour into the amazing world of Hong Kong cinema.

And to address the criticism of a previous reviewer, yes, this work does contain plot breakdowns and spoilers, but if you use a bit of discretion, this ceases to be a problem. In fact, in many cases this isn't a problem to begin with. The Jackie Chan-type films in particular aren't known for plot; you're riveted by the action, definitely not the melodrama. As any HK film fanatic can tell you, descriptions utterly fail to convey the overwhelming cinematic wonders these films possess.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good reference, but gives away waaaaay too much..., January 21, 1999

By 

Roger N. Dominick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sex and Zen & A Bullet in the Head: The Essential Guide to Hong Kong's Mind-bending Films (Paperback)

I recently got really interested in HK movies again (after not really watching or buying any for about a year), and, after ordering a bunch of movies, dug out my copy of S&Z&ABitH. And then I remembered why I didn't love the book when I had originally flipped through it: instead of reviewing movies and recommending the good ones, the book offers complete synopsis of every movie it mentions. Yes, including details on the endings. It's very possible to spoil yourself with the book, which is odd given I'd think it would be aimed at the newbie to HK cinema -- at least, that seems to be its purpose.

Still worth it for the fractured subtitle listings, good pictures, bios, and other fun stuff scattered throughout.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A grand entre into the mysterious world of Hong Kong films., September 25, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Sex and Zen & A Bullet in the Head: The Essential Guide to Hong Kong's Mind-bending Films (Paperback)

If you are looking for an easy way to navigate around Hong Kong cinema this is it. These well researched, savvy movie commentaries cover it all from wholesome blockbusters to exploitation films, yet each film is in possession of that elusive Hong Kong element that makes these films irresistible. Not only will you find cogent reviews that can clarify a storyline in seconds flat, but the information in the sidebars is the sort of trivia that can make a diehard fan's heart sing. And don't miss the bilingual film index in the back -- a godsend for the American gweilo.