Hong Kong movie lovers have always had a love-hate relationship with Tai Seng Video Marketing, the largest US distributor of those ingeniously manic films. When these fans have exhausted the mongrel selection available in mainstream video outlets - most of which are atrociously pan-and-scanned and dubbed - they turn to Chinatown, where store shelves are stocked with Tai Seng videos. But owing to the fast-buck indifference of Hong Kong studios, the quality and accessibility of these movies are hit-and-miss - dubs are often low-grade, English subtitles unreadable or nonexistent.
Now, Tai Seng is wisely playing catch-up and diving headfirst into the mainstream market. Its New Edition video series boasts excellent letterbox prints and easy-to-read yellow subtitles designed for a non-Chinese audience.
Two of its first releases are excellent: the lyrical fantasy-romance The Bride with White Hair is achingly beautiful and gloriously blood-drenched, and The Heroic Trio is an imaginative, futuristic action-adventure starring Hong Kong's top actresses as the title's world-saving ass kickers.
There are also worthwhile moments in the traditional martial arts Wing Chun, and Heroic's sequel, Executioners. These last three star Michelle Khan (also known as Michelle Yeoh) - a find for those already mesmerized by her lithe, break-neck magnificence as Jackie Chan's partner in Supercop. These films should soon be stocked in most major video outlets in the US. They are also available through mail order by phone or via Tai Seng's Web site, which has a comprehensive rundown of the company's extensive library of titles. I recommend starting with John Woo's war-torn masterpiece, Bullet in the Head; Chan's greatest work, Drunken Master II; and Jet Li's Shakespearean kung fu classic, Fong Sai Yuk. Now the only reason to go to Chinatown on video night is for kung pao chicken take-out.
New Edition videos and laserdiscs: US$39.95 to $89.95. Tai Seng Video Marketing: (800) 888 3836, +1 (415) 871 8118, on the Web at www.taiseng.com.
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