Honey, these guys don't use doors! *
Master of the Flying Guillotine aka One-armed Boxer vs the Flying Guillotine aka One-Armed Boxer 2, (that’s a mouthful!), was a sequel to One-Armed Boxer (1972). After the one-armed boxer killed two of Fung Sheng Wu Chi’s disciples in the previous film, the blind Master of the Flying Guillotine was out for revenge!Yu Tien Lung, the one-armed boxer, has opened a school to teach kung fu secretly. The Qing government wants to be rid of these martial artists they deem a rebellion risk. The Eagle Claw school is holding a tournament and Yu is invited. He declines to fight as he does not want to draw attention to himself or his school. What he doesn’t know is that Fung Sheng Wu Chi, the blind master of two men he killed in the past, is hunting him with his guillotine and killing every one-armed man he comes across. Fung gains the help of several foreign fighters who have entered the tournament.
Full disclosure, because I’m sure it does color my review even if I try to not let it. I’m not a Jimmy Wang Yu fan on screen or off. I don’t care for his wooden acting or his slow, awkward “fight” style. Putting that aside, he was not in much of the beginning and middle of the film when the story focused on Fung and the tournament. The tournament was fun because it showcased numerous stuntmen using different weapons and styles. Lau Kar Leung and Lau Kar Wing were the choreographers so there was no doubt the tourney fights would be on the money, brutal and entertaining. Doris Lung’s fight depended heavily on Wang Tai Lang’s Monkey style doing all the heavy lifting. Doris was beautiful but very slow. Similar to Yu’s fights, his opponents and his stunt double provided much of the excitement in the fights near the end of the film. With some low grade special effects, Jimmy walks on the ceiling like Spider Man. Speaking of superheroes, Yu was One Punch Man before the famous anime only with really bad form...painfully bad form.
This film had nothing to do with the original from Shaw Brothers The Flying Guillotine (1975), other than "borrowing" the titular weapon. Master of the Guillotine had some entertaining moments, despite lacking in the narrative department. The tournament offered numerous quick and lethal fights, including one with Lau Kar Wing wielding a 3-section staff. The foreigners, as so often happened during this time frame, came across in a racist manner. The Indian fighter whose arms could elongate was hilariously bad. And of course, flames and heat didn’t bother Yu while it cooked his opponent. Chin Kang tried to bring life to his hairy character through eyebrow acting. I can see why some people find this film iconic but for me it was average from 1976. I was laughing and cringing too much during the final fights to give it a better rating. As always, graded on a kung fu curve.
25 March 2026
Trigger warning: Hopefully, whatever they threw at Wang Yu was not the Indian’s owl.
*Quote from The Mummy 2
Characters rarely used doors, rather flying through windows or over walls or through the ceiling.
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Sadly, not an answer to a certain Monty Python sketch
Instead, Bloody Parrot is an eerily atmospheric gross-out sexsploitation wuxia horror with a blood-splattered bird nowhere in sight. A fever dream dressed in silk and shadows; there's a wonderful gothic elegance to the film's aesthetics with plenty of foggy interiors, ornate costumes and lavishly colourful sets that lean fully into confusion as a stylistic choice, crafting a world where illusion and deception are the only constants. Directed by Hua Shan, the film is packed with heroic dollops of nudity, thanks to Jenny Liang, who walks around half-naked, and buckets of gore, including one seriously yucky autopsy scene and a corpse dissolved with acid in a grisly close-up. It’s all ultimately compensating for the plot's tendency to keep adding and dispatching characters on a whim. The narrative twists pile up with such intensity that they stop feeling like twists and start resembling a surreal collage. Shan's wild camerawork and breakneck editing impart an otherworldly atmosphere, and he ensures another brilliantly choreographed swordfight breaks out every five minutes. Even when the story falters, the imagery keeps you hooked. The performances from the cast feel appropriately heightened; they don’t aim for realism so much as operatic intensity. Emotions run hot with a melodramatic edge that amplifies the film’s dreamlike quality, as do the musical cues lifted straight from Mad Max and even Ming's ring sting from Flash Gordon. Although Bloody Parrot never fully edges into the full-on gross-out mode you'd wish it would, it does reveal in its utter chaos and disorder to deliver a brilliantly entertaining time.Was this review helpful to you?
I wouldn’t say I liked it, but I didn’t hate it either...
I wouldn’t say I liked it, but I didn’t hate it either - it comfortably sits in that one-time watch zone.FirstKhaotung are, without a doubt, the strongest part of the series. Their chemistry is effortless, their expressions feel natural, and their dialogue delivery is always on point. You can see why they’re such a loved pair.
But here’s where it didn’t fully work for me - they shine so much more in intense, morally grey, bad-boy roles than in soft, fluffy ones. After watching them in Only Friends (and those NC scenes 🤤❤️), this softer dynamic just feels a little underwhelming in comparison. It’s not bad, it just doesn’t hit the same.
The storyline itself isn’t bad at all. It’s simple, sweet, and easy to follow. There’s no heavy angst, no big emotional rollercoaster, and no major twists - which can be comforting if you’re in the mood for something light. But at the same time, that lack of depth makes it feel a bit flat and forgettable.
Honestly, I feel like this was more of a casting mismatch than a story issue. The plot needed a pair that naturally fits the soft, cute vibe, while FirstKhaotung feel made for something darker, sharper, and more layered. With different casting or a more intense script, this could’ve been much more impactful.
If you’re a FirstKhaotung fan, you can give it a try for their chemistry alone. But if you’re expecting something gripping or emotionally strong, this might not fully satisfy.
I'm giving it 6/10 and yes, most of that is for FirstKhaotung’s chemistry 😻❣️
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This review may contain spoilers
The high score you see online is not a reflection of quality
This isn't just a bad show; it's a fascinatingly cynical product designed to extract views through aggressive marketing while ignoring every fundamental aspect of storytelling.The makers, are trying so hard to make the FL glorious, heroine that she is doing everything and all males ( lead, sides) who are according to the story got trained to become general or Marquis are actually failing to do anything.
She is defeating the badass villain, flying between arrows, saving people, killing an old villain who is almost a terror, all by herself without a proper training. People are admiring her without reasons.
Zhang Linghe, as the male lead, delivers a performance so stiff it borders on performance art. He is meant to portray a marquis in hiding, but his interpretation of "hiding" seems to be "hiding any semblance of emotion." Whether he's supposed to be near death from cold or subtly threatened, his face remains a mask of vacant indifference. He simply stands there, beautiful but utterly inert.
The rest is many Chinese clichés tropes and non interesting side stories that don't resemble anything of Chinese history it looks rather a parody of Chinese culture than a real depiction .
I love C dramas I admit classics and masterpieces but the overhype this drama received is unprecedented and it should never be classified near the real Cdramas great works
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Silly
Omg! This was just silly with a massive product placement of Nivea.Stunning visuals, good music and good acting.
I'll watch anything with FistKhaotung, but this short vertical was unnessasary. This was not a special, this was just advertisement.
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It's okay, but I wouldn't say I'm hooked, unless you're specifically there for the main actors
Zhang Linghe’s performance feels a bit disconnected from the character, and the action sequences lack grace. I especially dislike large-scale skirmishes where poor camera angles reveal extras just standing around in the background, waiting for their cue—it’s quite distracting.The plot starts off slow, and the political intrigue isn't very gripping. On the bright side, the script isn't intolerable; the cinematography is beautiful, and the storytelling flow is excellent.
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Puuurrrrrfect!
You can't go wrong with FirstKhaotung, these are two of the best actors Thailand has and their chemistry is amazing!!They hardly kissed in this drama, but kissing is not a must for me.
The story was very simple but puuurrrrfect! This drama left me with a wholesome feeling. The last episode broke me a bit, but i don't mind. I can appreciate a good cry.
The fighting scene was done very well, in a lot of drama's the fighting scenes look too much choreographed.
The visuals were stunning and the music beautiful.
And the whole cast did a great job!
A real must see!
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This review may contain spoilers
A dull and boring story
The Fatal Bloom” is based on a revenge story. The female protagonist’s husband tricks her family and massacres them. Afterwards, his accomplice insults and assaults her. However, she escapes from them but is shot by a corrupt police officer and falls into a river.From there, she disguises herself as the accomplice’s sister through plastic surgery and remarries her husband to take revenge. This short story is completed in 28 episodes, each with a duration of approximately 15 minutes. One can imagine how many exaggerated scenes there are.
I liked the male protagonist’s acting; that’s why I chose this drama. However, the story and direction are poor and dull.
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This review may contain spoilers
Missed Potential in the Final Moments
The ending of this season was really unsatisfying. The first season was so good that I honestly expected him to take the throne this time. But instead, he let that child take it—the same child whose father betrayed him.I mean, he could have protected and raised the child, but not as his equal or “brother.” It just didn’t feel right. Even if he had taken the throne, they could still have created strong plot elements for a third season.
Right now, I’d give this season a 6/10. But if there’s another season where he finally takes the throne, I might change my rating.
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Sweet slowburn
This was a sweet drama, i watched it in one sitting. Episode eleven was truly wholesome.The visuals were good and the music ok.
The acting was good and the mains had great dynamics and good chemistry. The kiss was good.
I recommend watching this sweet drama.
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Nearly better than the first season
I am happy, that I waited until all episodes were released.Some series work better, if you have the opportunity to watch it in one go.
This is one of these.
Besides “At 25:00 in Akasaka" this is the second Japanese BL show, which is leveling up with the second season.
The show has found its rhythm for the storytelling and it shows. That combined with an acting capable cast and a good overall production quality delivers a wholesome feel good slice of life drama.
I found myself smiling nearly the whole time while watching.
We’re part, how both MLs are there for each other while working on their future as professionals and as a couple.
To be witness, how they have each others back? 🥹😘🫶🏼
Some viewers criticize the ending of this season.
Imo the drama found a good balance between finishing this chapter of their journey, while leaving some room for a (perhaps??) third season?
Even if a third season never comes to pass. Enough story is tied up neatly to make me a happy viewer after finishing it.
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A simple story of the meaning of love
I’m not always a big fan of Chinese love stories as it can get long and convoluted. This series with Arthur Chen and Sun Qian is just what the doctor ordered. The pacing is well done, a slow burn to a growing relationship. I specially enjoyed watching China back in the 70’s and saw how people lived. It completely changed my point of view, not the dark stories I’ve heard. People are people no matter where you are, it’s th circumstances that differs. And this love story stayed true to what people go through.It talks about the challenges living a communist China where the deeply rooted culture sets the tone. The chemistry of the lead actors where superfluous and just grows on me, it’s not hyped and feels real. You can see Fei Ni slowly opens what’s been hidden deep inside her heart to Fang Mu Yang. The supporting characters as well added a parallel storyline that was not distracting as they too have their own challenges to overcome. The focus on their hopes and inspirations is very welcoming in a dreary life of Communist China in the 70’s I’m glad it’s only 29 episodes so unnecessary fillers which C-Dramas are notorious resulting in flat endings. I feel scriptwriting is crucial, just like preparing a perfect meal, don’t overdo the ingredients. This is what this series is about, the right amount of ingredients slowly cooked to perfection.
Arthur’s acting has gotten better as he gained more experience but sometimes his good looks can also be his challenge as it can distract my focus. It’s the thought of “he’s too good looking to be true”, and in comparison to Sun Qian’s simple looks and her superb acting she truly dominates the storyline.
This show has so many memorable and relatable moments that makes me want to see more of the lives of Chinese in the years when I was growing up in Asia.
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This review may contain spoilers
Best costume drama!
By far the best costume C drama I’ve seen. It was interesting how and why he kept his name and status hidden. Loved how they made the FL strong and also a hero in the story. Her friends were very supporting and funny. The ML was super cute and nice towards his little sister in law! It took them way to long to act like husband and wife…Still the best costume C drama!
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Nicely Crafted but left with a Discontented Surface
I was quite hooked when I first saw the trailer for 'Pursuit of Jade.' So, I was quietly waiting for their release, and honestly, it was worth my wait. The first few episodes were so funny, engaging, and informative. Along with the main leads, the side characters played very well, and later those supporting personages became a strong backbone throughout the series.When it comes to judging the story, I wish I could say, "The script enchants me." I had really enjoyed the series from its start to the middle, which was great, like a 'fully packed content.' But the downfall commenced with the last few episodes, and I gradually started losing interest in the wrap-up episodes. The emperor's immature expressions and actions seem quite unrealistic. In the series, his character is depicted as a 'puppet ruler,' but the point that still keeps knocking me is, 'Can a puppet ruler be this much puerile?!'
The second thing that pissed me off was the 'Machiavellian' character played by Deng Kai. With no doubt, he just nailed that role, but the way it was scripted in the storyline exasperated me quite a bit. To accede to the throne, how ruthless a person can be! He spared none, and the worst part is, he even tried to kill his own son!!
Another thing I would like to highlight is the monotonous tagline 'Seventeen years ago' throughout the series. I'm not criticizing it because the event that happened seventeen years ago is the main point of the series; everything else in the drama is based on it. What I am trying to say is 40 episodes feel quite long to me to bring up the issue or the hidden truth that affects everyone's life.
Maybe that's why the ending of "Pursuit of Jade" is not up to the mark!
Lastly, the series concludes on a happy and satisfying note for all the protagonists, obviously including the main leads. But I am a bit doubtful about the 'epilogue' in the last episode. I feel quite dubious about the necessity of the 'extras.'
Anyway, long story short, "Pursuit of Jade" presents a good storyline. All the characters are well-played, and I am satisfied with their acting. The production was also very good. Overall, IT IS A GOOD ATTEMPT.
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Slow Burn, Sharp Minds, and Totally Hooked: My Tang Dynasty Obsession
OMG, I did not expect to get sucked into this drama, but here we are. 😂 Like seriously, I went in thinking “meh, another mystery thing” and ended up binge-watching half the episodes in one night. This show low-key hit different.First off… Su Wu Ming. Bruh. 😏 This guy was flashy, yeah, but it was his brain that was insane. He was always ten steps ahead, manipulating situations, and making everyone else look like amateurs. I swear, sometimes I just sat there like, “Wtf, how did he even think of that?!” Honestly, he was my favorite reason to watch this show. High-key a genius.
Then there was Lu Ling Feng… oh boy. At first, I was like smh—he was so cocky and rushed into everything like a maniac. 🙄 I was rolling my eyes so hard. But ngl, by Episode 11, he started to grow on me. He learned from Su Wu Ming, thinking before swinging his sword, and slowly became a real character instead of just being the “proud general.” The bromance though… lol, I was weak. It wasn’t even cheesy, just real—like “I don’t totally hate you yet, and maybe you’re useful.” 😂
The show didn’t shove romance in my face either, thank god. 😅 There were minor hints, but they didn’t ruin anything. That’s rare for dramas, ngl. It kept the focus on the mysteries and character growth, which was honestly the main reason I kept watching.
The supporting cast was quirky and fun too. There was the chicken-obsessed doctor 🐔, the martial artist-turned-disciple, and a pretty talented artist. They all had their own weird vibes, and watching them work together actually made me care about everyone in the team. It was chaotic but in the best way.
The cases themselves? Chef’s kiss. 😤 They were clever, twisted, and some had me like “wtf?!” but the solutions actually made sense. The supernatural stuff was fun but subtle—it was never like “ghosts everywhere lol,” it was all about human motives and clever detective work.
Pacing? Yeah, it was slow at first. But if you’re into slow-burn dramas, this is so your jam. 🔥 Characters grew, the plot built, and the payoff was worth it. I couldn’t even with how satisfying some of those reveals were.
Overall, if you like mysteries, clever characters, and slow-burn shows where the leads actually develop, this one’s a must-watch. Can’t wait for Season 2. I’m already overthinking what Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng are gonna do next. 😅
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