The Lucky Stars 3-Film Collection (1983-1985) - March 22, 2021

[chen lung]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

The English dub now supplied by Fortune Star for Police Story is like this - same script as that used for the Media Asia dub used by HKL, but different actors. I don't get why they bothered doing that, in both cases, as there is a full English dub for the film dating back to 1985.

Could be a few reasons:

• No stems to make a new remix
• A perception of sub-par dubbing quality or wanting to update it
• The mono mix is missing

[chen lung]

Originally Posted by Mr_Orange

Is the dub optional? i.e. does the export cut still have the original language with English subtitles?

I think the export cut was only ever intended for English-speaking territories (see this - ignore the details on BBFC cuts) and other countries to dub into their respective languages and potentially apply edits.

The original Hong Kong version will be there in Cantonese with newly translated subtitles.

[Moe UK]

Will the original cut have a dub track? I have really gotten into watching the dubs for old Kung Fu flicks, adds to the charm.

[KUNG FU BOB]

I finally had the cash to pre-order this set, which I did through Zavvi. It's my first time using them, so fingers crossed they treat me right.

I'm long overdue to re-watch these films, but so glad that I waited. Now I'll get to see them looking and sounding better than ever. Plus, now my son is a big Jackie Chan fan too, so I get to share these amazing re-releases with him. Wish this pandemic would **** off though because I'd love to be watching them with him.

[thenexus6]

I just pre-ordered on Amazon using the code DISCOUNT5P and got it for £22.

[Irongod2112]

Originally Posted by Moe UK

Will the original cut have a dub track? I have really gotten into watching the dubs for old Kung Fu flicks, adds to the charm.

Yes it will.

[Parsifal]

Just had a quick chat with Frank Djeng who said he's finished recording the audio commentaries for all 3 films. He said he spent the most time on the WINNERS AND SINNERS commentary as he felt that film was the most underrated one out of the three and he wanted to do it justice. He also did the commentaries in a way that nothing is repeated on the commentaries for subsequent films (so once an actor was talked about in WINNERS he wouldn't re-introduce him/her on MY LUCKY STARS for example) so one should listen to the commentaries in the film's order to get the most out of them. And he still couldn't believe how fresh the three films now look, as if they were made just recently. Can't wait!

[KUNG FU BOB]

Originally Posted by Parsifal

Just had a quick chat with Frank Djeng who said he's finished recording the audio commentaries for all 3 films. He said he spent the most time on the WINNERS AND SINNERS commentary as he felt that film was the most underrated one out of the three and he wanted to do it justice. He also did the commentaries in a way that nothing is repeated on the commentaries for subsequent films (so once an actor was talked about in WINNERS he wouldn't re-introduce him/her on MY LUCKY STARS for example) so one should listen to the commentaries in the film's order to get the most out of them. And he still couldn't believe how fresh the three films now look, as if they were made just recently. Can't wait!

That sounds great! Frank is very knowledgeable and easy to listen to. I enjoyed his AC on IRON-FISTED MONK a lot, so I'll definitely be checking out more of the ones he's done when I get the chance.

[darkness2918]

I need to pre order this from Eureka when I can.

[Owenjohnston]

Originally Posted by Parsifal

Just had a quick chat with Frank Djeng who said he's finished recording the audio commentaries for all 3 films. He said he spent the most time on the WINNERS AND SINNERS commentary as he felt that film was the most underrated one out of the three and he wanted to do it justice. He also did the commentaries in a way that nothing is repeated on the commentaries for subsequent films (so once an actor was talked about in WINNERS he wouldn't re-introduce him/her on MY LUCKY STARS for example) so one should listen to the commentaries in the film's order to get the most out of them. And he still couldn't believe how fresh the three films now look, as if they were made just recently. Can't wait!

I need to sit and listen to some of these new commentaries. Have all the eureka and 88 hk movies but haven't listened to any ACs since the Bey Logan days

[Parsifal]

Originally Posted by KUNG FU BOB

That sounds great! Frank is very knowledgeable and easy to listen to. I enjoyed his AC on IRON-FISTED MONK a lot, so I'll definitely be checking out more of the ones he's done when I get the chance.

I'll make sure I let him know! He'll be very happy to hear that you enjoyed his AC on I-F Monk because that was his very first one he did for Eureka and it's been 10 years since he's done an audio commentary, so he felt it was kind of rough. He feels his commentary for Eureka's THROWDOWN is still his best, followed by his commentary for EASTERN CONDORS.

[AnimalCMan]

Curious how everyone who's seen all three 3 films ranks them. I've only seen My Lucky Stars a year ago and liked it, but didn't love it. Kind of blind buying the other two, but thought I heard Winners and Sinners was the best one. Just wondering how everyone else feels about these.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Originally Posted by Owenjohnston

I need to sit and listen to some of these new commentaries. Have all the eureka and 88 hk movies but haven't listened to any ACs since the Bey Logan days

Bey's commentaries were one of the reasons I double-dipped on titles I already had. Of course, Hong Kong Legends also (generally) improved on the audio, subtitles, picture quality, and special features over the Mei Ah, Media Asia, and Universe DVDs.

Of the recent AC's I've had the chance to listen to, I highly recommend Brandon Bentley's meticulously researched ones on both the Shout Factory and Criterion releases of THE BIG BOSS, and his 88 AC's for HEROES SHED NO TEARS and NEW FIST OF FURY (where I join him ). Filmmaker Arne Venema and Mike Leeder have teamed up on a bunch of them for 88, and so far I've listened to and enjoyed the ones on THE PROTECTOR, DRAGONS FOREVER, KNOCK OFF, and especially the one for CRIME STORY.

Originally Posted by Parsifal

I'll make sure I let him know! He'll be very happy to hear that you enjoyed his AC on I-F Monk because that was his very first one he did for Eureka and it's been 10 years since he's done an audio commentary, so he felt it was kind of rough. He thinks his commentary for Eureka's THROWDOWN is still his best, followed by his commentary for EASTERN CONDORS.

Cool, thank you.

He didn't sound one bit rusty. The IRON-FISTED MONK one was fantastic. I also started the EASTERN CONDORS one, but haven't finished it yet. I bought THROW DOWN but haven't put it in the player yet.

I spoke to Frank when he worked at Tai Seng, in what seems a million years ago when I was preparing to order my very first DVDs. He was very helpful and friendly. I think we may have met in person some years back at the NYAFF, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm glad he's doing commentaries again.

[Parsifal]

Originally Posted by KUNG FU BOB

He didn't sound one bit rusty. The IRON-FISTED MONK one was fantastic. I also started the EASTERN CONDORS one, but haven't finished it yet. I bought THROW DOWN but haven't put it in the player yet.

I spoke to Frank when he worked at Tai Seng, in what seems a million years ago when I was preparing to order my very first DVDs. He was very helpful and friendly. I think we may have met in person some years back at the NYAFF, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm glad he's doing commentaries again.

Me too. I really think it was a major coup for Eureka to track down Frank and have him do commentaries for their films. In the archived Tai Seng THROW DOWN DVD commentary that he did with Ric Meyers (which was also on the Eureka Blu Ray) you could just sense how Frank was trying to correct many of Ric's errors without upsetting his ego

I counted Frank's Q & A/conversation with all 5 directors and the producer from TEN YEARS at the 2016 NYAFF as the best film festival-related presentation I've ever attended. He was doing both moderator AND interpreter duty at the same time since one of the directors doesn't speak English, so he was asking him questions in both Cantonese and English (for the audiences) and then he had to write down his answers and THEN translate them into English (also for the audiences) simultaneously. Crazy! I remember a few folks were crying when Frank showed pictures of TEN YEARS' free community screening in Hong Kong with thousands of folks showing up (Movie theaters stopped showing the film out of fear about one week into the release because of government pressure) and everyone clapped when he showed the clip from the HK Film Awards announcing TEN YEARS as the Best Picture winner. It was past midnight by the time the Q & A was done and nobody left early.

Me and a few others were very disappointed when we didn't see him at the 2018 NYAFF and that was the last time I went. I asked Frank about it and he told me there were several reasons he's no longer involved but apparently it's a very stressful job--he hardly got any sleep for months for his last one in 2017 due to dealing with all the guests and the logistics. On the contrary, he loves his San Diego Comic Con film clip panel gig (He started back in 1997!) and he can't wait to go back there and do it again in person. I can't wait to see his documentary on the 70's Kung Fu films and Bruceploitation films. He said it's 90% shot and edited and there're like 2 artists left to interview when COVID put a stop on it for now, while a few people that they interviewed had already passed away.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

I need to pre order this from Eureka when I can.

That Sammo set is fantastic! All three films are great, but EASTERN CONDORS and MAGNIFICENT BUTCHER are absolute classics. Actually, I enjoy IRON-FISTED MONK more than most people, and consider it a classic too.

Originally Posted by AnimalCMan

Curious how everyone who's seen all three 3 films ranks them. I've only seen My Lucky Stars a year ago and liked it, but didn't love it. Kind of blind buying the other two, but thought I heard Winners and Sinners was the best one. Just wondering how everyone else feels about these.

I'm pretty sure that every time I've watched one of them I've watched all three. So I can rarely recall what's in which one.

Originally Posted by Parsifal

Me too. I really think it was a major coup for Eureka to track down Frank and have him do commentaries for their films. In the archived Tai Seng THROW DOWN DVD commentary that he did with Ric Meyers (which was also on the Eureka Blu Ray) you could just sense how Frank was trying to correct many of Ric's errors without upsetting his ego

I counted Frank's Q & A/conversation with all 5 directors and the producer from TEN YEARS at the 2016 NYAFF as the best film festival-related presentation I've ever attended. He was doing both moderator AND interpreter duty at the same time since one of the directors doesn't speak English, so he was asking him questions in both Cantonese and English (for the audiences) and then he had to write down his answers and THEN translate them into English (also for the audiences) simultaneously. Crazy! I remember a few folks were crying when Frank showed pictures of TEN YEARS' free community screening in Hong Kong with thousands of folks showing up (Movie theaters stopped showing the film out of fear about one week into the release because of government pressure) and everyone clapped when he showed the clip from the HK Film Awards announcing TEN YEARS as the Best Picture winner. It was past midnight by the time the Q & A was done and nobody left early.

Me and a few others were very disappointed when we didn't see him at the 2018 NYAFF and that was the last time I went. I asked Frank about it and he told me there were several reasons he's no longer involved but apparently it's a very stressful job--he hardly got any sleep for months for his last one in 2017 due to dealing with all the guests and the logistics. On the contrary, he loves his San Diego Comic Con film clip panel gig (He started back in 1997!) and he can't wait to go back there and do it again in person. I can't wait to see his documentary on the 70's Kung Fu films and Bruceploitation films. He said it's 90% shot and edited and there're like 2 artists left to interview when COVID put a stop on it for now, while a few people that they interviewed had already passed away.

Interesting stuff.

I wasn't at the TEN YEARS event.

I can understand him stopping with the festival. The people that did and still run NYAFF work their tails off every year. It's so much more complex, frustrating, and time-consuming than most people could ever imagine. I've had an amazing time every time I attended the festival or special events put on by Subway Cinema, and I recommend it to anyone that hasn't been.

I've never been to the West Coast, but I've heard good things about his S.D. Comic Con panels.

I'll support his doc when it comes out.

[darkness2918]

I’d be interested in seeing that doc on Kung Fu films as well.

[New Radical]

Originally Posted by AnimalCMan

Curious how everyone who's seen all three 3 films ranks them. I've only seen My Lucky Stars a year ago and liked it, but didn't love it. Kind of blind buying the other two, but thought I heard Winners and Sinners was the best one. Just wondering how everyone else feels about these.

I've only seen each film once (really looking forward to seeing them again!) I had always heard that My Lucky Stars was the best of this 'trilogy' but I enjoyed Winners and Sinners the most. I guess I'll have the opportunity to reassess that soon.

[giga204]

Originally Posted by AnimalCMan

Curious how everyone who's seen all three 3 films ranks them. I've only seen My Lucky Stars a year ago and liked it, but didn't love it. Kind of blind buying the other two, but thought I heard Winners and Sinners was the best one. Just wondering how everyone else feels about these.

I love all three films and it's hard to rank them.

Winners has the best comedy. Twinkle has the best fights. My Lucky Stars has the best pacing and is probably the most rewatchable of the bunch.

[Drunksnake]

Originally Posted by AnimalCMan

Curious how everyone who's seen all three 3 films ranks them. I've only seen My Lucky Stars a year ago and liked it, but didn't love it. Kind of blind buying the other two, but thought I heard Winners and Sinners was the best one. Just wondering how everyone else feels about these.

Winners and Sinners is a great introduction to the characters and type of comedy that is played in this series. Topped off with some excellent fight choreography. My least favourite of the series but I still love it.

My Lucky Stars is my favourite. The fairground chase at the start is great with some ballsey stunts and there's even Ninjas! This is actually my Christmas film lol. Awesome high impact finale.

Twinkle Twinkle is also a corker! Love this film too and actually the previous movie only wins for me because of personal nostalgia, these two are on par with each other really IMO. The great Richard Norton has a great full contact match up with Sammo, who also has a great weapons fight with Yasuaki kurata.

To be honest one film couldn't do without the other. They're a set and should stay that way. All films have a great cast with many famous HK stars and for me the comedy works best in Cantonese so please do give that a try. EUREKA! have packed this releases with great extras too so go ahead and treat yourself my friend.

[darkness2918]

Thanks to Kung Fu Bob now I’ve also got the Sammo Hung collection on my radar