Blu Tuesday is a weekly column where we review the newest Blu-ray and 4K releases, along with a brief rundown of the included bonus material, to determine whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping.
Pick of the Week: “She Shoots Straight”
There’s nothing quite like discovering a film for the first time, especially one that’s not even on your radar. Though Corey Yuen’s 1990 action thriller, “She Shoots Straight,” isn’t as well-known compared to other Hong Kong flicks from that era, it’s an underrated gem that ranks as one of the better “girls with guns” films in a subgenre littered with garbage. The movie contains some genuinely great action sequences (most notably, a climactic fight between Joyce Godenzi and Agnes Aurelio), and although the movie veers toward the melodramatic at times, it’s never to the detriment of the story or characters. The cast is also strong, particularly screen veterans Pik-Wan Tang and Yuen Wah, who deliver memorable performances in supporting roles. It’s surprising that “She Shoots Straight” isn’t a bigger deal among Hong Kong cinema fans because it’s a really entertaining action film that shines despite the lack of a major star.
Extras include an audio commentary by film historian Frank Djeng. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
Also Out This Week:
“Duel to the Death” — 88 Films has had a pretty good hit rate since entering the U.S. market a few years ago, but this 1983 film from director Ching Siu-Tung is a rare miss, at least as far as my taste is concerned. “Duel to the Death” is Ching’s directorial debut, and it definitely shows, as the movie isn’t nearly as polished as his later work. As you would expect from the renowned action choreographer, the fight scenes are the highlight, though even those sequences are often poorly shot and get a little too silly for their own good, from the gravity-defying stunts to totally absurd moments that pull you out of the action. “Duel to the Death” isn’t without its charms, but the incoherent story and borderline campiness call its positive reputation into serious question. Extras include an audio commentary by film historian Frank Djeng, as well as archival interviews with actors Norman Chui Siu-keung and Flora Cheung. FINAL VERDICT: SKIP
Disclosure: Bullz-Eye was provided a copy of the above titles for review purposes.
